Politics
2023 : Choose Credible Candidates, Group Urges Electorate

A non-governmental organisation, Willz Trust Foundation, has urged the Nigerian electorate to choose credible candidates in next year’s general elections in the country.
The Executive Director of the Foundation, Ide Aaron Anyanwu, who gave the charge at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, particularly urged the Rivers electorate to ensure that only credible candidates that will fulfill their campaign promises are voted into office.
According to him, the aim of his organisation is to entrench civil and democratic values in Nigeria by encouraging increased participation of citizens in the electoral process across the geopolitical regions through advocacy, public sensitisation and enlightenment programmes.
“We are making progress in our commitment especially in voter education, sensitisation and mobilisation, capacity building, voters conferences, media advocacy and election observation exercises”, he said, adding that his group had worked in the South- South and South- East since 2019 with focus on increasing the scope of operations in the future.
“Whillztrust foundation has, independently and through strategic partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) initiated programmes that promote voter education, provide critical voter informations to local communities in our bid to encourage citizens participation at all levels,” he added.
While recalling that the foundation played active role during the just concluded Continuous Voter registration (CVR) exercise and was able to assist over 20,000 new registrants to acquire their new Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs), the organisation, in partnership with INEC, would soon commence door to door voter education exercise for which its representatives have been formally trained by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with INEC.
“A critical look at Nigeria shows indicators that all is not well at the moment. Unfortunately, we are compounded by continued decadence, corruption and lack of transparency in government and public sectors, at every election cycle incoming government will make promises to rectify the difficulties we face as a nation. However, they have always failed.
“This experience has created huge vacuum of hopelessness and loss of confidence in business of government and governance. Our experience in the field as voter education providers shows that greater percentage of Nigerians are hardly interested in voting and Election”, he lamented.
Anyanwu charged citizens never to be discouraged, but be rather determined to hold those in positions of power accountable, adding that their power to change the negative narrative is through voting in credible leaders.
“How can we hold our government accountable for promises they made on their campaign if we do not participate in elections ? Participation in election is the constitutional right and civic responsibility of every Nigerian, provided you have met the electoral requirements.
“It was because of these challenges that the existence of Whillztrust foundation became a necessity to help redefine advocacy in social sector and encourage public interest. We focus on grassroots to reach the hard to reach in society”, he said.
He disclosed that a South- South voters’ conference is slated to hold in Port Harcourt from 1st to 3rd December, 2022, adding that the event is aimed at achieving improved voter population growth, providing voter information and education that will equip the Nigerian voters to the extent that they are able to make informed decisions and quality choices of who their preferred parties and candidates are.
Earlier, a former Commissioner for Information in Rivers State, Prof. Bene Abbey, in her opening remarks stated that voters’ education was key to having a developed country.
Abbey noted that the rapid growth of Singapore was as a result of education, remarking that there is a great difference between the literates and the illiterates as well as developed and developing countries.
She reiterated the commitment and the work the foundation was doing to ensure peaceful elections, while enjoining INEC, security agencies, the press as well as other relevant stakeholders to play by the rule to ensure credible, free, fair elections come 2023.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

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.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

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.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
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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