Politics
Dep Speaker Tasks Youth On Democracy Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly,
Hon. Leyii Kwanee last week urged the youths in the state not to appraise democracy within the perspective of what transpired at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) elections held last month.
He made the call as he played host to a delegation of the Niger Delta Students Union Government (NDSUG) led by its National President, Obada Akpomiemie, in his office.
Hon Kwance explained to the students why they should not view the nation’s democracy in light of the outcome of the NGF election in which he said the state Governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi won by a higher vote, but with Jonah Jang’s supporters forming a faction with parallel secretariat in Abuja. He expressed worry over the thought that children and the youth would perceive democracy from the outcome of the NGE election, a situation capable of corrupting their minds and hence might spell doom for Nigeria in the future. He stated that elections and democracy were not subject to manipulations, while expressing optimism that at the end of the day, democracy would prevail, in spite of the activities of what he called anti-democratic forces.
The Deputy Speaker, who is also the chairman of the Parliamentary Exchange and Mentorship Programme of the Pan-African Parliament, noted that Nigeria was passing through a turbulent time, urged the youth to note that democracy was the best system of governance. He charged them to shun any act capable of derailing free and fair elections, and ensure that they do things right as leaders of tomorrow and the hope of the nation.
The Deputy Speaker was responding to an earlier condemnation of the outcome of the NGF election by Akpaniemie. The NDSUG President had decribed it as a mockery of democracy, saying that its shameful and unexpected. On Friday, a Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice Adolphus Enebeli fixed July 29, 2013 to deiver judgment on a suit between the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon. Otelemaba Dan Amachree and the State Police Command.
The suit, filed by counsel to the Speaker, Mr Emenike Ebete, is seeking a court order to restrain the police from arresting and interrogeating the Speaker over his concerns on alleged plots to assassinate the State Governor and cause instability and disorder in the state.
In his submission, Mr Ebete urged the court to sustain his application, while quashing the counter affidavit filed by counsels to the defendants for lack of evidence.
He argued that the open letter to the president, on which the defendants based tier counter-affidaut was not signed by anybody, and hence could not be used to investigate the speaker.
While acknowledging that the police had the constitutional right to investigate anybody, Ebete emphasised that there must however, be a provable allegation against the person.
He also submitted that the police were already biased in the matter and so should not be the ones to investigate the matter, alleging that the Feix Obuah –led PDP was using the police to compel the Assembly to reverse its suspension of the Obio/Akpor chairman and councilors, a matter, which he said bordered on abuse of fundamental human rights.
Meanwhile, as had been the case since the House adjourned since die in March, 2013 following the lingering crises in the state chapter of the ruling PDP, there had been a lull in all other activities in the Assembly complex. The usual smartness and seriousness with which people went about their daily chores in the complex and missing.
From the security personnel at the gate, through the security details attached to the complex by the state police command, to the various workers in the complex, it has been all dull moment. One does not need a soothsayer to know that the long absence of the legislators has taken its toll on all other activities in the complex. Occasionally, groups of two, three, and above gather to analyse the situation. Most of the discussions last week hinged on what they called presidential interference in the affairs of Rivers State. Some blamed the development in the state as a microcosm of the nature of power usage of Nigerian’s politicians.
This later group blamed the development on the reluctance of the ruling class to make the constitution supreme for fear of losing the control accorded them by virtue of the power they wield through the positions they occupy. They belief is that if the constitution was surpreme, it will guide everybody at all levels.
Claiming that elections in the country are typically characterized by vote buying, Mr Nwosu said a repeat of such phenomenon would taint the credibility of the forthcoming gubernatorial poll.
Mr Nwosu is among the 16 governorship candidates listed by INEC in a June 4, 2025 statement to participate in the November 8, 2025 election in Anambra State.
His party, the ADC, will battle it out with other parties to unseat incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Mr Nwosu, in a statement on Saturday, said it was baffling seeing voters openly selling their votes to party agents and other representatives around polling units on election day.
According to him, “such practices not only derail the true will of the people but also reduce elections to an auction, where the state is effectively handed over to the highest bidder.”
Mr Nwosu urged INEC to introduce secure voting cubicles that would safeguard the legitimate rights of voters and uphold the sovereignty of democracy.
“INEC must provide secure voting cubicles to ensure ballots remain private and secret. Currently, many polling areas are too exposed, allowing others to see the voting process. This not only encourages vote buying but also undermines the integrity of the elections.
“Voting must remain secret. Nigeria already has strong electoral laws which, if properly enforced, can deliver outcomes that truly benefit society”, Mr Nwosu said.
He held that the Anambra governorship election was another opportunity for INEC to secure the trust of Nigerians about its commitment to transparency and fairness during polls.
He also noted the role of security agencies in tackling the menace of vote buying on the day of election.
He said, “The success of any political activity depends largely on security, because security is key. While it is not solely INEC’s duty to ensure elections are properly conducted, the Commission must create an enabling environment that allows citizens to participate freely, conduct themselves properly, and exercise their right to vote.”
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the attackers and their sponsors.
“The Labour Party is perplexed by the physical attack on our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, by agents suspected to be working for anti-democratic elements who have tried unsuccessfully to wrestle the leadership of the party from him.
“Few hours ago, a prominent member of a known political family, Ms Precious Oruche, alias ‘Mama P’, accosted Barrister Abure while on a queue at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Abuja, boarding a Max Air flight en route to Benin, and attacked the Labour Party’s National Chairman unprovoked.
“The attacker, Madam P, who is also a known content creator, continued the attack all through the duration of the flight, defying all attempts by the Max Air flight attendants to calm her.
“The assault, which attracted a large population of onlookers, continued unabated on disembarkment at the Benin Airport while she continued recording the scene.
“It took the intervention of the security agents on hand to whisk Abure to safety while the attacker was handed over to the police for questioning.
“In one of her films released, the lady, who is a prominent member of the ‘Obidient’ and claimed that she has contacts with the highest police hierarchy, boasted that nothing will happen to her.
“She vowed that she will not stop attacking Abure or any member of the Labour Party executive because, according to her, ‘you have killed Labour Party and you are the reason why Obi is no longer in the Labour Party.’
“The leadership of the Labour Party is completely troubled with this cyber-bullying and the consequences of the action of this political agent on the party. We are by this statement calling on the Inspector General of Police to thoroughly investigate this suicidal aggression against the leadership of the Labour Party and Barrister Julius Abure in particular.
“We sincerely believe that the lady-agent was on an assignment to accomplish the desires of her paymasters. Assault and cyber-bullying are severe crimes under our laws and we think that the Police must fish out her sponsors and cohorts, and bring them to book.
“We are calling on the members of the Labour Party to be calm, even in the face of this unwarranted provocation and wait for the outcome of the investigation on the unprovoked attack against the leadership of the party,” the statement read.
Speaking during the party’s congress in Yola, the state capital, on Saturday, Mr David Lorhenba, the chairman, Adamawa Congress Committee, described the exercise as hitch-free.
He said that a total of 2,656 delegates from 21 local government areas came out and elected 39 officials.
Mr Lorhenba commended the delegates for conducting themselves in an orderly manner.
“The conduct of the congress is very successful, all the delegates come from 21 Local Government Areas and cast their votes peacefully.
“We have a total of 2,656 delegates and we have announced the winners very successfully”, he said.
In his remarks, Alhaji Attahiru Shehu, the outgoing chairman, congratulated the new executives and charged them to continue on what they have already done for the party to remain strong.
According to him, they started as opposition in the state and produced Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri who is serving his second term, opining they “he has done well for the state.”
In his acceptance speech, Mr Madagali thanked the delegates for the confidence they reposed in him.
He promised to run an open door policy in manning the affairs of the party.
“Let us continue the legacy of good governance and prepare ahead for 2027 with focus, discipline and unity.
“To those outside our party, especially the youths and women of Adamawa, we invite you into our party.
“PDP is your home. Our doors are open to all who wish to contribute positively to the development of our state.
“Our party will continue to be a shining example of people-focused on leadership,” he said.
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