Politics
APC Screens 116 State, N’ Assembly Aspirants In Rivers
The seven-man screening
committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has begun screening of 116 aspirants vying for both National and State Assemblies positions for the party’s primaries slated for this month.
The Chairman of the Committee, Hon Idi Barde Gubana from Yobe Sate last Wednesday during the screening exercise at APC state secretariat in Port Harcourt gave a break-down of the 116 aspirants.
According to the chairman, 98 out of the116 aspirants were vying for the state House of Assembly while 18 of them were for the National Assembly .
Gubana assured the aspirants of a fair exercise, irrespective of the aspirants, position and popularity in the party.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the state APC, Chief Davies Ibianmu Ikanya said the party was expecting more aspirants to join the legislative race, adding that the party’s guidelines did not restrict any new members from vying for position in the party irrespective of when he or she decamped to the party.
Ikanya also stated that all fresh aspirants for state Assembly, House of Representatives and the Senate are to be screened in the State, except the serving National Assembly members, who are seeking reelections who would be screened at the national secretariat of the party in Abuja along side with governorship aspirants .
The Rivers APC chair who promised a level playing ground for all aspirants to test their popularity, however, said the party was determined to produce credible candidates that would be the standard bearers to deliver on all elections come 2015.
The Tide learnt that no fewer than 50 aspirants had been screened so far as at last weekend.
According to sources, those screened included some current members of State House of Assembly and fresh aspirants warming up to represent their constituencies at the legislative house come 2015.
Some of the aspirants including Chief Clifford Njah, Dr Awajiromsan Dressman, Ibim Dagogo Duke and Hon Barango Tariah promised to enact laws that would better the lives of the people and consolidate development in the constituencies and the state.
Enoch Epelle
Rivers State APC governorship canddiate, Hon. Dakuku Peterside (left), completing his nomination and intent forms at the party secretariat, Port Harcourt last Thursday. With him are State Chairman, APC, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya (right) and other party faithfuls. Photo: Prince Dele Obinna
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.