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2023: ‘Nigerians Should Focus More On Winning Democracy Than Winning Elections’

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Dr Ekong Sampson, has stated that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has no defense for parading a Muslim-Muslim ticket “in this critical time in Nigeria’s history when the nation has witnessed widespread polarization based on religious and ethnic sentiments.”
A former two-term member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and one time State Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources, Dr  Sampson, stated this while speaking as Chairman at the inauguration of the  Akwa Ibom State Chapter of ‘PDP Ward 2 Ward Group’ which held at  Cityview Hall, Watbridge Hotels & Suites in Uyo, Friday.
Recall that the ruling APC’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Sen. Kashim Shettima are Muslims and the same faith pairing in a multi-religious country like Nigeria has so far generated heated debates.
Offering his perspective on the issue, Dr Sampson, famous for his in-depth views on matters of national concern, said he would not also support a Christian-Christian ticket in the country.
According to him, ‘the present scenario is different from that of June 12 in character and context’, adding that the personalities involved in the June 12 elections and the times are far apart from the present.
Dr Sampson said some influential bigwigs in the Babangida regime were apparently not comfortable with the same-faith pairing, a concern which could have contributed in no small measure to the debacle that ensued afterwards.
Dr Sampson, a lawyer,  charged Nigerians to focus more on winning democracy instead of winning election through desperate means.
He said his concern was borne out of his deep sense of patriotism and his well-known disposition to bridge building.
“What we need to do in Nigeria now is to build a stronger framework for national cohesion and we can’t do this by pushing for a same-faith ticket in the country. This is one issue that can undermine and weaken the fabrics of unity in the country.
“This is a time for Nigerians to come together and promote issues that can rather bring us together and deepen bonds rather than for us to exhibit such desperation that poses threats to our mutual coexistence. We should be interested in winning democracy and not just in winning election. What is more important is the survival of Nigeria and our democracy,” he maintained.
Praising the organisers of the programme, Dr Sampson said that he was happy that the initiative came in good time, and that the group would offer ample opportunity for Nigerians to come together to rescue the country from the present situation.
He charged the group to encourage Nigerians to come out and get registered for their Permanent Voters Cards, which he described as  ‘visa to democracy’.
Hailing the PDP, Dr Sampson further said the party has entrenched itself as a value-driven item for Nigeria.

According to him, the presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakka, ‘cuts across, readily as a bridge builder’, adding that this attribute was shown in the choice of his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to balance the country’s delicate ethno- religious mix.

Dr Sampson who praised   the  obvious improvement in the country’s electoral reform process, however, said  more needed to be done in terms of ownership mentality and participation.

On his part, the South-South Co-ordinator of the group, Hon. Onengiye Tamuno, expressed profound gratitude for the level of hospitality accorded him and his team by  Akwa Ibom people.

He added that this was a pointer that ‘our preparedness for an all-out South-South bloc vote for our party is secure and intact.’

Hon. Tamuno hailed Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for his giant strides in the areas of  development, tenacity in project execution and policy implementation.

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Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

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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.”

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Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

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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.

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Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings

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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.

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