Politics
…As CLO Accuses INEC Of Complicity
Civil Liberty Organisation
has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of causing the delay in concluding the rerun elections in Rivers State, describing it as infringement of the political rights of the people of Rivers state .
In a statement issued by the Chairman CLO South South Karl Chinedu Uchegbu, Zonal Director South South Styvn Obodoekwe,and Livingstone Wechie,
Deputy Director, Relations/Communications, CLO South South, said it is almost eight months or more since the Appeal Court on Election petitions in Abuja in 2015, ordered a rerun election in the national and state legislative seats in Rivers state but INEC has failed to complete the rerun ever since, basing its excuses on insecurity and electoral violence.
The group noted that the issue of insecurity is not peculiar to Rivers state as INEC will want to paint it to the world, adding that INEC conducted elections in the north east of Nigeria that is grappling with Boko Haram and even recorded higher voter turnout as it made Nigerians to believe as indicated in its reports, among other areas in the country where the environment is practically volatile.
According to the statement, ” we wish to remind INEC that voting is a fundamental rights of citizens in exercise of their political and civil rights as recognized by both local and international legal instruments and INEC is bound to necessarily recognise same accordingly. However, INEC by its actions is denying Rivers people this right; citing insecurity is not at all tenable. It paints a picture pointing that it may have connived with a certain political party to stage-manage the various attacks particularly in the Ogoni areas of Rivers state so as to justify its increasingly innovative excuses on why it will not conduct a rerun.
“The running cry of INEC that until security can be guaranteed it cannot conduct or conclude the rerun elections is very curious giving the impression it carries.
“This posture by INEC is in the face of the reported bombing of its office in KHANA L.G.A in Rivers state as it hurriedly latched into the obviously preplanned unfurtunate incident to justify the common and uniform cries of a certain political interest to quickly suspend the rerun election indefinitely.
“It is most regrettable therefore that INEC has delightedly denied the people of Rivers state their rightful representation in the National and State Assemblies respectively, particularly in the Nigeria Senate where all of the three statutory Senators from the state are not represented.”
The questions to ask are: whether Rivers state is no longer part of Nigeria and whether INEC is now vested with such omnipotence to overrule the mandate, will and political aspirations of eligible voters in Rivers state arbitrarily without any legal caution.”
The group further explained that the unwillingness of INEC to complete the rerun in Rivers state is the reason behind the heightened political tension and not the other way. INEC if it is indeed sincere can work out a strong security strategy with the relevant security outfits to manage the elections without being overwhelmed because the security agencies themselves have sufficient intelligence to handle every security breach approximately.
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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