Politics
2023: Opobo GDI Begins Door-To-Door Campaign For PDP Candidates In Rivers
Ahead of the 2023 general elections in Nigeria, a political pressure group in Rivers State, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), Opobo/Nkoro Chapter, says it has commenced a door–to-door campaign initiated by the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other candidates of the party, describing it as the best way the PDP would mobilise the Rivers electorate towards winning the polls.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt after her National Working Committee (NWC) end-of-year meeting and signed by the Deputy Coordinator, Senibo Emeka John Africa and Secretary, Senibo Chidi Stewart respectively, the grassroots mobilising group urged members to key into the door-to-door campaign strategy of the party and ensure that Rivers electorate are properly sensitised on the need to support and vote for PDP at the polls.
GDI, in the statement, said:
‘’This is time to work for our great leader, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, his running mate, Prof Ngozi Ordu and other great leaders of this state and country. Their legacies and achievements here in Port Harcourt speak volumes for these individuals.
“But we will not sit down and expect this to work. We have to stand and reach out to people around us and convince them why they must support and vote for PDP in the slated 2023 general polls. We have so much trust in Fubara, his running mate, Prof Ordu and other candidates of our party, and we are confident that they would not fail us and Nigerians if we all rise up and mobilise and give them the needed support they desire to emerge as winner’’.
Meanwhile, the group has hailed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State over the recent appointment of Alabo-Elect Chris Finebone as Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state.
The group said: Doubtlessly, the true leader in Chris Finebone has compelled him to take deliberate actions that have positively and radically impacted the course of programmes in the politics of Rivers State and Nigeria as erstwhile spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the oil-rich state and now Commissioner for Information and Communications.
‘‘The avalanche of challenges Finebone had courageously taken has brought many achievements in the past under his leadership.’’
The body, therefore, thanked the governor for bringing Chris Finebone on board to showcase his sterling leadership quality to bear in the state as information mouth piece of the state, describing the appointment as ‘‘well deserved’’.
The GDI also used the opportunity to admonish the Commissioner, who they described as ‘‘doyen of exemplary and qualitative leadership, full of vigor, wisdom, charisma and doggedness,’’ to deliver on purposeful governance.
It urged him to be worthy ambassador of Opobo Kingdom and Ijaw nation by bringing his wealth of leadership experience and acumen to bear while praying God for good health, agility and divine protection in the corridors of power under the watch of Governor Nyesom Wike.
By: Bethel Toby
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.