Politics
Amaechi Justifies Choice Of Dakuku Peterside
Primary elections of the ruling All Progressives Congress
(APC) for the Rivers State House of Assembly and governorship positions dominated most part of last week activities at Government House.
On Tuesday results of the election into State House of Assembly trickled in with former Chief of Protocol at Government House, Mr. Henry Halliday clinching the ticket to represent Bonny Constituency. Also Hon. Victoria Nyeche of Port Harcourt Constituency I and Hon. Iningba to represent Port Harcourt Constituency II got their tickets.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi arrived the state on Wednesday ahead of the APC guber primaries on Thursday.
A stakeholders meeting was held that evening by top party leaders.
On Thursday all was ready to attend the massive APC guber primaries held at the main bowl of the Civic Centre in old Port Harcourt township.
Before attending the APC guber primaries, Governor Amaechi visited the burnt New Layout Market in Old Port Harcourt Township. About 40 Stalls were burnt in the inferno that started in the evening of Tuesday last week.
Governor Amaechi blamed on the traders who had erected make shift wooden stalls and warned that the market was built to be used for foodstuffs, and supposed to be open.
He promised to address the plight of traders who had lost their wares, but informed them that government will engage a facility manager to run the market.
Both Commissioner for Special Duties and Caretaker Committee Chairman of Port Harcourt City local government area promised liaise to ensure that the market is renovated.
It’s expected that power, water and other facilities will be restored.
From the market, Governor Amaechi proceeded to the venue of APC guber primaries. He addressed the 4,574 delegates who participated, urging them to support Hon. Dakuku Peterside whom he said was chosen based on equity and justice.
He said the South-East Senatorial District was fit toproduce governor since other senatorial zones have produced. Amaechi also said that the three candidates who showed to contest, Senator Magus Abe and Engr Tele Ikeru are honourable men and qualified but that one person will emerge in a contest.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi and state delegates for the APC Presidential Primaries played host to Kano State Governor, Rabin Kwakwanso who visited to seek their votes.
The Kano State governor said his vast public service experience qualifies him to be the next Nigerian President.
On Saturday another presidential aspirant and former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar also visited the state to canvas for votes from Rivers delegates. He urged them to vote wisely, adding that he is the most prepared based on his experience as former Vice President and activism to institute democracy in Nigeria.
In his response, Governor Amaechi commended both Atiku and Kwakwanso for their visits and assured that delegates will meet and agree on who to support based on what they will do for Rivers, Bayelsa States and Nigeria as a whole.
Last week Saturday, Governor Amaechi participated at the unveilment of the proposed Port Harcourt Diocesan Pastoral Centre owned by the Catholic Church at Igwuruta in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
He pledged support to the project and also pledged to complete renovation of schools in the state.
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.