Politics
Rivers Lawmakers Drum Support For Wike
Last week, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani joined other thousands of supporters of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the “One Million Youths for New Rivers State” walk in Andoni Local Government Area.
Ibani together with members representing Ahoada-East, Hon. Edison Ehie and Hon. Major Jack including House of Representatives members for Andoni/Opobo Nkoro Federal Constituency, Hon. Awaji-Inobek Abiante and Chairman of the council, Elijah Elijah.
Others who joined in the “One million Youths” walk included, Emelia Nte and Assembly aspirant, Hon. Oworte walked through major roads at Ngo town headquarters of Andoni Local Government Area.
After the walk to Agwat Obolo and back to Ngo town, the speaker told newsmen that he was impressed with the huge turn-out, saying “it’s a confirmation of the good works of the state governor and the confidence the people have for him to continue”.
Ibani affirmed that the walk has shown that Andoni Local Government Area is solidy behind the aspiration and government of Chief Wike-led administration.
On their part, leaders of the “One Million Youths for New Rivers State,” Hon. Ehie and Hon. Jack expressed satisfaction over what they described as “huge support for NEW in Andoni Local Government Area.”
Jack stated that the crowd was unprecedented coupled with the fact that, the area is riverine and rural, but the people came out in huge numbers.
For Ehie, the success of the walk confirms that Andoni is PDP and ready to defend their vote come 2019.
The Ahoada-born legislator warned that the youths of Rivers State would not tolerate any scheme to upturn their avowed support for Wike.
The legislator further lamented that the youths are tired of the APC-led Federal government, as he listed the numerous projects and achievements of the PDP in the state.
Ehie therefore, urged the youths to ensure that the APC-led federal government is booted out in 2019, and expressed confidence that the PDP will take over the federal and state to reverse the bad policies and hardship meted on Nigerians
Member representing Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro in the House of Representatives, Hon. Abiante was full of praises for the organizers of the walk, as he submitted that Andoni is 100% for Wike and for PDP.
Abiante used the event to call on the people of the area to remain steadfast in their support for the PDP.
The federal legislator assured that lots of dividends await the constituency, as they pitch their tent with the ruling party in Rivers State.
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.