Politics
Governance: Ex-guber Candidate Makes Case For Youths
A former National Democratic Party (NDP) gubernatorial candidate in Rivers State, Hon Appolos E. Amadi has advocated for reasonable level of free hands for youths in governance across the country to enable them contribute meaningfully to the development of the nation.
Amadi who spoke to newsmen in Port Harcourt, frowned at a situation in which youths are commonly used during the elections for the interest of those who hired them only to be dumped to the detriment of their future.
He said the youths desire a good measure of positive assistance if they are to shun violence and other forms of criminality during and after elections.
Amadi who also represented Ikwerre/Etche Constituency in the lower chambers of the National Assembly in 2003 described as unacceptable the practice of politicians to use the youths to achieve their selfish desires.
The Aluu-born politician in Rivers State said that as the nation marches toward a credible election in 2011, all hands must be on deck to achieve the objective, advising the youths in the federation to be prepared to prove their critics wrong that they have the potentials to change the country for the better.
According to him, youths should stand up in the conduct of next general elections, urging them to resist any politician who may want to use them against the conduct of a free, fair and credible polls.
On the credibility of the new INEC chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega to deliver, Amadi who is the chairman Oil and Gas Host Communities in Rivers State, believes that he (Jega) would live up to expectation judging from his wealth of experience and antecedent. He told Jega to be wary of most gullible politicians who are bent in circumventing the system in order to achieve selfish interest.
Amadi who recently dumped NDP and returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), however, advised the PDP national chairman, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo not to spare any efforts in his decision to restore the ruling party to its original shape and glory even as he lauded President Goodluck Jonathan for what he described as good governance.
He also praised Governor Chibuike Amaechi for the high level of development in the state and urged him to sustain the tempo in the remaining part of his tenure.
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.