Politics
Our Candidate Must Have Capacity To Win Abia Guber – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State has said that any aspirant that wins its governorship ticket must possess the capacity to win the general election in 2023.
The Chairman of the party, Chief Alwell Asiforo, said this recently, when a governorship aspirant, Mr Enyinnaya Nwafor, came to declare his interest to pick the party’s ticket for the poll.
Asiforo, represented by his deputy, Chief Obinna Nwachukwu, said that whoever desired to win the ticket must show that he had the capacity to win the governorship for the party.
“It is for this reason that the leadership of the party has resolved to conduct a free and fair primary election.
“This time around, votes must count in ensuring that the most credible aspirant with the capacity gets the ticket,” he said.
Earlier, Nwafor said he was seeking the party’s ticket because he was passionate and competent to serve.
“I am passionate about Abia and a patriotic investor,” he said, adding that over 90 per cent of his investment were domiciled in the state.
The aspirant, who is an engineer by profession, said: “I am coming to re-engineer Abia and make it work.
“If you are going on a journey, you must be prepared.
“I want to bring on board practical governance. This is not rocket science”.
He said he had the knowledge, expertise, exposure and competence to transform the state, if given the mandate.
Nwafor also promised to address road infrastructure, healthcare, education, security and youth develpment.
“I shall ensure that workers salaries must be prompt and regular.
“Teachers welfare must also be given top priority so that they would be encouraged to impart knowledge in our children,” he said.
Nwafor also promised to introduce vocational studies for the youths to ensure they were gainfully engaged in order to shun social vices.
He said that he would purchase Hilux vans for security personnel to be able to man the “2016 critical junctions” in the state.
“This will help to ensure adequate security of lives and property and also attract investors to the state,” he said.
The aspirant, son of a one-time deputy governor of the state, late Dr Chima Nwafor, said he had structures in all the political wards in the state.
He, therefore, urged the party leadership to consider him for the governorship ticket, promising to be a good ambassador of the party.
“I appeal to you to seek the face of God and leave sentiments aside in deciding who gets the governorship ticket,” he said.
He called on the people of the state “to come on board for us to build the Abia of our dream”. (NAN)
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.