Politics
2023: INEC Vows To Resist Temptations From Political Gladiators
The Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Ebonyi State, Mrs Onyeka Pauline Ugochi, has vowed to resist any form of temptation and attacks from political gladiators in view of the 2023 general elections.
The REC who stated this during her maiden meeting with Civil Society Organizations, CSOs and the Media at the INEC headquarters in Abakaliki stressed that she had promised God and Ebonyi people to only do the right thing.
Ugochi debunked the claim in some quarters that INEC was involved in the issue of vote-buying and illegal collection of Permanent Voters’Cards, PVCs, by agents of political parties in the State.
She expressed confidence that the modalities put in place by INEC for the 2023 general elections, would translate to a hitch-free elections next year
According to her, it would be very difficult to rig the 2023 general elections, considering the innovations around the BVAS and other technical mechanisms
She said: “Ebonyi has not received its sensitive materials; what we have are non sensitive materials. I have promised God that I will do the right thing.
“On PVCs collection in Ebonvi State, the exercise which started on 12 December, 2022 at all INEC Local Government offices will last till 5th January, 2023 after which the distribution will be moved to the Registration Areas (RAs)/Wards from 6th -15th January 2023 and then revert to the LGA offices where it will last until 22nd January, 2023.
“The collection starts from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm daily including Saturdays and Sundays. The PVCs for those who did fresh registration, transfer, and corrections as well as those that apply for replacement of defaced/ damaged or lost between 28” June 2021 when the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise started and 31 July 2022 when the exercise was suspended are ready also for collection. Besides, all the previous leftover PVCs are also available for collection.
“It is also important to note that there will be no voting in the 2023 General Elections without the PVCs and no collection of PVC by proxy.
Meanwhile, in preparation for the 2023 General Elections, INEC Ebony State enjoins CSOs/Media to step up the public enlightenment campaign for citizens to turn out en-mass and get their PVCs before the 2023 General Elections.
“There is an urgent need to continue the emphasis on the importance of PVCs collection which is the only stamp of authority that empowers validly registered voters to vote and be voted for, signifying one man one vote. The collection of PVCs occupies a prime position in the Commission’s strategic planning.”
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.