Politics
Rivers PDP Denies Meddling In APC Crisis, Alleges Smear Campaign
The Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed claims by some members of the All Progressives Congress that its state Chairman, Amb. Desmond Akawor, was hobnobbing with a faction led by Senator Magnus Abe to fuel crises in the party.
The state PDP Publicity Secretary, Sydney Gbara, made the denial in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Gbara was reacting to the claim by two members of the APC from Ward 7 in Asari-Toru Local Government Area and Ward 4 in Opobo/Nkoro Council respectively in the state, noting where the APC stalwart claimed they were invited to a meeting in a former Attorney general of the state, Wogu Boms’ residence in Port Harcourt.
He described the accusations as false and malicious, saying it was a planned attempt to embarrass the state PDP chairman.
The statement reads,” “The attention of the Peoples Democratic Party, has been drawn to a Press Conference addressed by two unknown individuals who claimed to be members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from Ward 7 in Asari-Toru local government area and Ward 4 in Opobo/Nkoro LGA respectively.
“The two, in the video that is viral on the media, tried putting up a concocted story of how they and other members of their Party were invited to a meeting in Barr. Nwogu Bom’s residence in Port Harcourt, where they were asked to sign an affidavit to join the Suit instituted by Senator Magnus Abe’s faction, asking for the nullification of the State, Local Government and ward Congresses held in the state a few months ago, accusing the faction of the APC loyal to the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, of hijacking the congress materials and not allowing them (Abe’s Faction) to participate in the exercise.
“We believe that this false story of a meeting between the Senator Magnus Abe’s group and the PDP Chairman in Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, was wilfully and maliciously planned to embarrass the person of the PDP Chairman,” he stated.
He further said, “PDP is not afraid to face the APC, in the forthcoming general election in 2023, which will warrant it to initiate moves to destabilise them so that they will not be on the ballot.
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.