Politics
2023: Ex-MILAD Wants INEC To Be Proactive About Security
Former Military Administra-tor of Abia State, Air Vice Marshal Frank Ajobena (retd.), has told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be more proactive in the security of its facilities and personnel, including the ad hoc staff comprising mainly serving National Youth Service Corps members, as the 2023 general elections beckon.
Also, he called on the electoral body to “be very firm on the political players, especially those found to be encouraging thuggery.”
Making the call on Monday while addressing journalists at Egberode community in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta State, Ajobena stated that “INEC should come out hard on those fomenting political killings or heating up the polity.
“Though INEC has assured everybody that they will conduct free and fair elections through the use of the BVAS, it is advisable that the electoral umpire takes the issue of security of facilities and personnel very seriously as well, now that preparations are in top gear for the polls,” he stated.
The former national cau-cus member of the All Progressives Congress, prior to his stepping aside from partisan politics, noted that zoning, political antecedents of contenders in governance, as well as strength of the political parties fielding candidates were among the factors that would determine winners at the forthcoming elections.
He however advised the electorates to “shine their eyes” and take decisive actions at the polls.
He said, “The insecurity situation in the country is terribly bad. I doubt if people can now sleep with their two eyes closed in any part of the country. We are now worse off. Those who sponsor terror, what measures have been taken to deal with them? Some of them are even spokesmen for the terrorists.
“Government has to be seen to be taking steps to deal with such criminalities. On the issue of herdsmen, the government has remained silent on them while killings persist.The government must do something to unravel this mystery of unknown gunmen.
“Also, inflation and collapse of the naira coupled with mass unemployment in the country and the soaring exchange rate are clear indices of economic failure.
“And in the face of all these, corruption is continuing to thrive very well in the country despite the lip service by government. We see people who had been convicted and released overnight. It is getting worse.
“The 2023 general elections will serve Nigerians a golden opportunity to make decisions on which of the candidates they think would be in a better position to secure their security and also lift the populace out of their precarious conditions. That is, candidates who have the pedigree to address these issues squarely.
“Every voter has a responsibility to weigh their options on which of these candidates or parties can address the issues of insecurity notably terrorism and banditry, economy, corruption and others that have bedeviled the country.”
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.