Politics
A’Ibom NUJ Chairman Joins Assembly Race
The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Akwa Ibom, Elder Ephraim Etti, has joined the race for the state House of Assembly ticket to represent Eket Constituency in 2011.
Etti made his ambition known to supporters and party faithfuls at the Eket Local Government Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday.
Speaking to a PDP stakeholders meeting, the aspirant appealed to them to support his candidature and work together to ensure that he picked the party’s ticket during the primaries.
Etti said that he was compelled by the numerous problems faced by Eket people to join the race to enable him provide relief and empowerment to the people.
“On personal levels we’ve tried to empower as many people; but we realise that as an individual I cannot carry the load.
“So it therefore becomes obvious that if I represent them at the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly level, I’ll attract more benefits that will help me empower them.
“For instance, we have the constituency projects at that level. You also can network with a lot of agencies, government ministries, departments and agencies.
“You can network with donor agencies like the United Nations, the European Union for instance. I was able to attract European Union project to a primary school in my community.
“We can also work with other Federal Government agencies like the NDDC and other bodies to empower our people.
“My stewardship at the professional level as the state Chairman of NUJ is there for all to see and if I can achieve such feat in an organisation that is not funded by government, it means that I can do more as a legislator,” he said.
He added that he would take advantage of his professional exposure to network with relevant bodies and organisations to attract development projects to Eket.
Eket constituency is currently represented by Mr Jack Udoda who is seeking a third term at the state House of Assembly.
In his remarks, Eket Chapter Chairman of PDP, Chief Godwin David said that the party had not zoned any office to any section of the area.
“In the party, zoning is a policy that we practice but we have not arrived at any conclusions yet. We are still consulting; the rumour that we have zoned certain positions is untrue, very soon we shall make the party’s position public,” the chairman said.
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.