Politics
Wike Welcomes More PDP Returnees
Last week witnessed the home coming of more members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who left the party few months to the 2015 general elections. Prominent among them were the former Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr Chidi Lloyd and a political heavy weight in Etche Local Government Area, High Chief Ambrose Igbokwe Nwuzi.
These two prominent politicians dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) with their hundreds of followers back to the big PDP umbrella.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, while reacting to the expression of remorse and appology by Chidi Lloyd, last Monday, in Government House, Port Harcourt, said he had forgiven the former lawmaker in the spirit of the olive branch offered his political opponents during the inauguration ceremony of his second term.
Governor Wike also reconciled major actors in the July 9th 2013 Rivers State House of Assembly crisis – Dr Chidi Lloyd, Hon Michael Chindah, Hon Evans Bipi and Hon Kelechi Nwogu.
The Governor advised politicians to have open heart and refrain from bearing bitterness and grudges because such state of mind impedes progress.
Also last week, the Rivers State Chief Executive charged lawmakers representing the state in both chambers of the National Assembly to always rise up fearlessly in defence of the state’s interest.
He gave the charge while presenting car gifts to each of the lawmakers on behalf of the state government, stressing that the gesture would ease their movement and enable them discharge their legislative functions more effectively.
Another major event in Brick House within the week under review was the visit by the management of the University of Port Harcourt, led by the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Okodudu, who informed the Governor that he was appointed to serve for six months with core mandate to restore peace in the university.
He thanked Governor Wike for the strong support his administration has been giving to the institution and urged him not to relent.
The Governor, while responding, expressed dissatisfaction over the use of Vice Chancellors by politicians to manipulate the electoral process.
He said: “Such trend is destroying the university system. It distracts from the core business of teaching.After manipulating the outcome of an election, you will turn around to say leaders are not doing anything”
He charged the Acting Vice Chancellor to restore the university to the path of academic excellence. He also promised that his administration would continue to support the institution.
Also last week, Governor Wike donated four prisoner transport vehicles to the state command of the Nigeria Correctional Service.
He noted that lack of requisite infrastructure for the service impedes justice delivery in the country since criminal trials were often delayed because there are no vehicles to convey inmates to court.
“We are doing what we are doing to support quick dispensation of Justice in this state. This will enable them to effectively perform their duty without excuses”, Governor Wike said.
He noted that his administration had supported all the security agencies, including the paramilitary organisations to enable them deliver best services to the state.
The outgoing Comptroller of Nigeria Correctional Service, Rivers State Command, Olumide Tuloye, expressed gratitude to the Governor and noted that no state government in the country had provided the quality of vehicles they have received from the Rivers State Government.
Rivers State Government, has plegded to build 1, 500 capacity multipurpose hall and two new hostels that would accommodate nine hundred students each for Nigerian Law School, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Chris Oluoh
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.