Politics
Work For Rivers People, Not Your Parties – Rt Hon Oji
Following the December 10, 2016 conclusive rerun legislative elections in Rivers State, the newly elected members of the State legislature were inaugurated at the hallowed chambers of the State House of Assembly recently.
Among those who witnessed the august event was one time Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Iyk Oji.
In this interview with Opaka Dokubo in Port Harcourt, the former lawmaker did an x-ray of the house.
Excerpts.
How do you feel about the way issues around swearing-in of all elected legislators were resolved?
I will borrow the words of the late K. O. Mbadiwe to say that the House now is in an “Accord Concordia: The House is ready for legislative duties which they owe Rivers people. What happened was like a breath of fresh air into the Assembly and I commend the leadership of the House of Assembly and the State for taking that civilized and mature path. It is a path of honour which every Rivers man should be proud of and commend them for.
In parliament, we are interested in the over all well being of the entire Rivers people. You come into parliament on the springboard of a party but the moment you take your oath of membership and oath of allegiance, the overall interest of Rivers people should be paramount to you. I think that that is what they have realized and that is what they have done.
What do you make of the composition of the rivers state house of Assembly today?
The House is well constituted. It doesn’t matter whether you’re in the majority or minority party, what matters most is the interest of Rivers people.
If I was opposition, I will not do opposition to the detriment of the interest of those who elected me, otherwise I’ll be recalled. So, all of them should know that there is now one Rivers State House of Assembly that is made up of honourable members, not Party A or Party B. Party becomes secondary at this stage. What matters is that they’re honourable members of one house and that house owes a lot to the people of Rivers State who elected them. And they should focus on that and refuse to be distracted.
In effect, people who are not in government would want to use you to create instability and they will be doing that to your detriment. If the government fails, all of them have failed, irrespective of what party they belong to and if the government succeeds, they have all succeeded. That ‘s how it is.
It is one government and government has three arms: the executive, legislature and judiciary. So they’re all part of government, not part of opposition or majority. And that is what I will always want them to keep at the back of their minds as they work … that they’re working for Rivers people, not necessarily for their parties.
What advice do you have for the majority on how To Accommodate The Opposition And How Should The Opposition Comport Themselves?
My advice first is on concepts. If I find myself in their shoes, I wouldn’t see myself as a member of an opposition, I’ll see myself as a member of Rivers State House of Assembly. You’re supposed to be a legislative scrutiny of executive initiative. It’s a collective responsibility. So, you see yourselves as members of one indivisible house but who came under the platform of different political parties. It’s like many children of the same parents. You may have your internal disagreements but they’re never fundamental enough to tear your family. So, brothers and sisters can disagree and settle tomorrow.
As far as a parliament is concerned, where fundamental issues arise, you always have alignments and re-alignments of political forces. It’s always there. So, let them know that they’re not there as opposition members. They’re there as members of Rivers State House of Assembly who came from another party.
I ask for guardedness of language. Even when we’re disagreeing on an issue, we do it in a spirit that is so enlightened. Politics is an enlightened discourse that involves philosophical modes. And that’s why I said that where fundamental issues arise, you’re bound to have alignments and re-alignments of political machineries but it doesn’t make me an opposition in government because I’m also a part of that government. If they have this mind, things will work well. It won’t be them and us. It will be just us and so it becomes a win-win situation for all Rivers people.
What Should Rivers People Expect From This 8th Assembly?
First, I expect the Assembly to work well with the executive. They’re there to ensure that Rivers State is raised to a high level of fulfillment and to do that, you need peace, you need harmony. So, let them create an enabling environment that will allow peace and harmony to thrive.
I even want to appeal to political gladiators in the state from all shades of opinions that it has pleased God to make one party control Rivers and another party control the Federal Government. This is not an election year, I therefore expect every Riversman, whether you’re in the party that controls federal or not, to allow peace to reign here and allow peace to reign there too. Let Nigerians benefit. Let Rivers State have peace and benefit from developments.
Those on the other side of the divide should cooperate with those on this side. Government is turn-by-turn. Wait till election and if you have the muscle to vote out, you do so but if you can’t, you accept what God has done.
For the rest of Rivers people I also expect that, we have produced leaders, we shouldn’t mess up our leaders whether they’re in A or B. Our leaders should have mutual respect for themselves. The younger generation should look up to those in offices. As far as I’m concerned, every office comes from God.
Today there’s just one governor in Rivers State and the state is also blessed to have a minister whom I expect to work in harmony with the governor on ground here in the overall interest of Rivers people at the centre too. So, there should be a meeting point. There should be a synergy of efforts.
What is your charge to the legislature in rivers state at a time like this?
The legislature in Rivers State has tried. We’ve had very trying moments. They rose beyond all forces and continued again. We saw what happened in the parliament of some states. We didn’t degenerate to that level. We believe in God that they will learn more.
After every election, new persons are injected into the parliament, they go through the rudiments and by the time they’re settled for work, people introduce confusion. They should allow these people to work and I believe that they too will do well if they’re allowed to work. We shouldn’t distract them.
We want to encourage them to work as a family and as a team in the over all interest of the whole Rivers people. We’re looking up to them. They’re our leaders today. That’s the truth.
Wherever we see them, we should accord them the honour they deserve and encourage them to do more. We shouldn’t pull them down. To whom much is given, much is expected. When they call you honourable, you should also carry yourself with a modicum of respect.
He said he would not hesitate to activate the recall process against any lawmaker found wanting, if he returns for a second term in office.
He stated this while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those who lost out at the recently held national and state assemblies primaries and have become aggrieved and disrespectful to the party.
While emphasizing the supremacy of the party, he said decisions were taken in the overall interest of the party and the state and must, therefore, be respected by all members.
He warned lawmakers against being insolent and arrogant to their people to the extent of shutting them out after each election cycle, saying such would no longer be condoned.
“So I am appealing to all of you. If you were born with arrogance, please just drop that ticket here”, he said.
The governor hinted that after the next cycle of elections, the process of recalling lawmakers who made themselves “tin gods” would be activated.
“Well, they say they don’t recall people from parliament, but this will be the first time.
“Anybody whom the people say they are tired of will be brought back home. Anybody who goes and forgets his people completely and doesn’t care, thinking that during elections he will come and pretend to be a good man, will be brought back.
“And we are making this very, very clear. We will not fail in what we have said. I am working tirelessly; I don’t sleep. If you are going into office during this period, there will be no sleep for you”, he said.
He advised politicians not to ignore their people who hold the power, insisting: “You cannot overlook them and become so arrogant and pompous that you don’t know your people.”
Gov. Otu also advised members of the ruling APC, who lost at the just-concluded party primaries in the state, not to defect to opposition parties like the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) or the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that they would suffer untold hardship and would not make any political headway, if they did.
“There are some kwashiorkor parties that are registering people. Such parties are wasting their time and not even my time. They cannot do anything.
“I don’t want anybody to suffer the fate I suffered. That’s why I’m warning those aggrieved aspirants who lost not to go the way of those parties to avoid unnecessary suffering.
“I don’t want anybody to go that route. It’s an absolute waste of time, energy and people’s future, because at the end of the day, you will drag people into that bottomless pit.
“And when you drag them there and can’t take care of them, you begin to rot, you begin to die. May God give me the energy and power to sustain.”
He appealed to the aggrieved APC members, saying: “There’s nothing that we cannot settle. God’s time is the best. Whatever we’ve done is for the common good of all of us.”
2027: INEC APPEALS JUDGMENT ON ELECTION GUIDELINES
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which nullified aspects of the Commission’s 2027 General Election Guidelines.
The appeal, filed before the Court of Appeal, seeks to overturn the judgment delivered on May 20, 2026, by Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The trial court had nullified the provision in the guidelines directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as part of the conditions for participation in the 2027 General Election.
The suit challenging the directive was instituted by the Youth Party, which argued that the Commission’s timeline was inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.
In his ruling, Justice Umar held that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline stipulated under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 regarding the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
However, INEC, through its counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, filed a notice of appeal dated May 25, 2026, asking the appellate court to set aside the judgment.
The Commission also filed a motion seeking an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of the appeal.
INEC raised nine grounds of appeal, arguing among others that the trial court failed to determine the jurisdictional issue concerning whether the suit was hypothetical and academic in nature.
The Commission further contended that the respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the suit and urged the Court of Appeal to strike out the case accordingly.
INEC maintained that its actions were in line with its constitutional mandate to ensure the orderly conduct of elections and effective electoral administration ahead of the 2027 General Election.
WHY I ENDORSE TINUBU’S SECOND TERM BID — ADELEKE
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has explained that his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027 was influenced by moral responsibility and the need to sustain developmental progress.
The governor said his endorsement was not based on political calculations alone but on what he considers appropriate in view of the relationship between Osun State and the President, as well as ongoing projects benefiting the region.
The position of the governor was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by his spokesperson, Mr Olawale Rasheed.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke spoke on Sunday after conducting an inspection of the ongoing construction work on the Ibadan–Ile Ife–Ilesa Expressway.
During the visit, the governor reportedly commended President Tinubu for embarking on major infrastructure projects across Osun State and other parts of the South-West.
Gov. Adeleke noted that infrastructure development remains essential to economic growth and improved connectivity among communities.
He acknowledged the significance of road projects currently underway, stressing that such investments are expected to contribute to easier transportation, commercial activities, and broader development outcomes within the region.
The governor also highlighted the importance of leadership support in facilitating projects that have direct effects on residents.
He indicated that recognition should be given where efforts are being made to improve public infrastructure, particularly projects capable of enhancing movement between states and strengthening economic interactions in affected areas.
According to the statement, Gov. Adeleke’s remarks came while assessing the progress of the expressway project, which has continued to attract attention due to its strategic role in linking major cities within the South-West.
The governor reportedly used the opportunity to express appreciation for federal involvement in projects impacting Osun State.
His comments further reflected his view on political and regional ties, especially considering Osun State’s historical connection to President Tinubu.
Gov. Adeleke suggested that such considerations, alongside visible developmental initiatives, shaped his decision to openly support the President’s anticipated re-election effort in 2027.
He said, “I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him?”
IPAC specifically said that INEC guidelines cannot supersede constitutional provisions or extant electoral laws.
The Council, which stated these while appraising the judgement of the Federal High Court, stressed that the court judgement specifically addressed exclusionary conditions capable of disenfranchising aspirants and party members during primaries.
This is contained in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary of IPAC, Mr Martins Egbeola, stating that the judgment was a reaffirmation of constitutional supremacy, democratic principles and the rule of law within Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC said that even though INEC possesses powers to issue election guidelines, such powers must however, operate strictly within constitutional provisions and electoral laws.
It noted that the court judgment represented a major victory for democracy, political parties and citizens participating in Nigeria’s electoral process.
IPAC also said that the court judgement had restored the constitutional rights of political parties to manage their internal affairs democratically without unlawful interference through administrative directives.
“The judgment would ensure equal opportunities for eligible members to participate in party primaries without discriminatory or exclusionary conditions.
“The INEC Chairman should deepen engagement and consultation with political parties on issues concerning electoral administration and reforms.
“Greater dialogue and collaboration between INEC and political parties would help prevent avoidable disputes and litigation arising from controversial guidelines,” IPAC stated.
Prof. Yilwatda stated this while speaking on a live television interview programme.
According to him, the ruling APC was not focused on fighting opposition parties, claiming that the political battle was currently between the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
He said, “In the last three weeks, the APC has not been fighting ADC or NDC. It is NDC versus ADC or ADC versus NDC.
“Actually, I watched with fun all the insults that the ADC is raining on the NDC and the NDC is returning those fireworks on the ADC.
“I watched the videos, and I laughed. The self-implosion is in the opposition rather than in the APC.”
When asked whether he was orchestrating the crisis in the opposition, Prof. Yilwatda denied the allegation but said weakening the opposition was part of politics.
He said, “No, I can’t. But I will be happy if I can do it. That’s my job.
“If you are opposing me, should I be happy? If you oppose me because you are in the opposition, what’s my job? Of course, to stop the opposition.”
The APC chairman also said the ruling party had stronger conflict resolution mechanisms than other political parties.
According to him, the party had committees at national and state levels to resolve internal disputes arising from congresses and other activities.
Speaking on the APC membership register and the votes secured by President Bola Tinubu during the party’s presidential primary, Prof. Yilwatda said the party relied on data from the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) for its registration process.
“To register as a member of the APC, your name and primary data are sourced from NIMC. That’s the same primary data that is used across the country to open a bank account, get a driver’s licence and secure an international passport.
“So we’re the only political party that sources our primary data from NIMC. This is why people have seen the APC as one of the most politically viable and stable parties. We are a data-driven political party,” he stated.
RIVERS ADC PRIMARY: ASPIRANT REJECTS OUTCOME, ACCUSES AMAECHI OF IMPOSITION
The governorship primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State has been thrown into turmoil after aspirant Mr Allen Idaso Ezekiel-Hart rejected the outcome and accused former governor, Mr Rotimi Amaechi of imposing a candidate.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart described the exercise as a “shambolic charade” and said it had produced three separate governorship primary “winners” within the same party.
“Right now, we have three governorship candidates in one party, all thanks to Amaechi’s high-handedness,” he told journalists in Abuja on Monday.
He warned that the situation could plunge the opposition party into crisis ahead of the 2027 elections if the national leadership fails to intervene.
According to him, while the party’s timetable fixed May 23 for the primary, aspirants were informed late Friday that the exercise had been moved forward.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he was mobilising supporters across the 23 local government areas when fellow aspirant, Hon. Farah Dagogo, informed him that a parallel process had already been conducted.
He accused the state party chairman, Mr Chukwudi Dimkpa, of inviting only five aspirants loyal to Mr Amaechi while excluding himself and Hon. Dagogo. The arrangement, he alleged, was designed to clear the path for Dr Gabriel Pidomson, whom he described as Mr Amaechi’s preferred candidate.
He further alleged that three aspirants were persuaded to step down for Dr Pidomson in what he described as a disguised consensus arrangement, despite the party’s public stance against consensus.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart claimed Hon. Dagogo later approached him to jointly resist Mr Amaechi’s camp but asked him to publicly congratulate him as the winner.
“He told me to go on air and congratulate him, saying we are from Atiku Abubakar’s political family and should unite. I told him to stop rubbishing Atiku’s name. Atiku will not be part of this nonsense,” he said.
The aspirant said he rejected the offer and subsequently declared himself winner after Hon. Dagogo made a similar announcement.
“As it stands, Farah declared himself winner, Thompson was declared winner by the state exco, and I also declared myself winner. Three winners in one primary that never held. This cannot stand,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart accused the Rivers ADC leadership of sidelining him despite being the only aspirant who formally notified the party in writing of his intention to contest.
He also faulted Mr Amaechi for allegedly imposing candidates while demanding transparent presidential primary at the national level.
“How can someone who is demanding transparent presidential primaries at the national level turn around and impose a governorship candidate in Rivers?”, he queried.
He urged the ADC National Working Committee to nullify the exercise and either conduct a fresh primary or adopt a lawful consensus arrangement in line with the timetable of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The most pragmatic thing now is for the NWC to order a rescheduled primary or quickly adopt a lawful consensus option. Time is running against us,” he said.
Mr Ezekiel-Hart said he would pursue all grievances within the party’s constitution and warned Hon. Dagogo against invoking Atiku’s name to bolster his claim.
“We will exhaust every legal channel within the party. I will not rock the boat unnecessarily, but the party must recognise that I won the primaries,” he said.
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