Politics
Steer Clear Of Money Politics, Ex-Gov Tells Nigerians
Former Sokoto State governor, Dr. Garba Nadama has urged Nigerians to steer clear of money politics to ensure a credible, free, fair and acceptable 2011 elections.
Nadama spoke in Sokoto at a one day forum on ensuring 2011 credible elections organised by the Shehu Shagari World Institute for Leadership and Good Governance.
“For the 2011 polls to be credible, we must all guard against selling our conscience by collecting money before electing any candidate.
“ Any candidate you cast your vote for after collecting his or her money will regard that as an investment which he will recoup before executing any development project,” Nadama said.
He advised that Nigerians should emulate countries that conducted elections that were adjudged to be averagely free and fair.
In another development, the leadership and members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Kebbi have decamped to the newly registered Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
Chairman of the ANPP, Alhaji Musa Danmaliki told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently that the decision to decamp was sequel to the failure of the ANPP leadership at the national level.
“We held wide ranging consultations before taking the decision to move to CPC,” he said.
He said the decision of the ANPP to be part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) was arbitrary,” and due to the selfish interests of the leadership at the national level.
“Our decision to decamp to CPC was not arbitrary and all segments of the followers were convinced and supported the movement to a new and hopeful party,” he said.
Danmaliki said the CPC would contest in the forthcoming local government elections.
He said the ANPP had failed to show support for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) who lost the 2007 election, stressing that his quest to seek legal redress over the 2007 election was not supported by the ANPP national leadership.
According to him, the PDP leadership had failed to salvage the country economically while hardship faced by people had not abated.
He added that “but with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as CPC candidate there was hope of redemption.
“We are convinced that the credentials of Buhari and with our support the CPC would usher in hope and improvement of the living conditions of the people and revive the economy,” he said.
A cross section of members of the ANPP said the change to CPC was unconditional and accepted based on the credentials and hope for a change from the leadership.
Posters of Buhari and the flags of CPC already adorned the secretariat of the former ANPP.
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.