Politics
S’West PDP’s Request For Ayu’s Ouster Vindicates Wike -Chieftain

The South West wing of the People Democratic Party demand for resignation of party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu has vindicated Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, a party chieftain has said.
Chief Ogbonna Nwuke, a former member of the House of Representatives ( Etche-Omuma Constituency, Rivers) made this remark in a statement yesterday in Lagos.
The Tide source recalls that the PDP was hit by crisis after Alhaji Atiku Abubakar emerged the party’s presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections.
Some PDP governors and leaders had insisted that for fairness and balancing, the North should not hold both the party’s presidential ticket and chairmanship position.
Leading the struggle for Ayu’s resignation, who is from the North Central part of Nigeria was Wike and some other leaders from the southern Nigeria.
This position was again reiterated by the South West PDP leaders led by Governor. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Wednesday, when Atiku met with leaders from the zone ahead of the commencement of 2023 general elections campaign on Sept. 28.
Nwuke said all along, some people had tried to divert attention from the real issues by claiming that Wike, for selfish reasons, was trying to destabilise the PDP since he did not win the primaries and could not become Atiku’s running mate.
He, however, said that the stance taken by Yoruba PDP leaders when Atiku visited them had shown that the struggle for the correction of imbalances in the party was not about Wike.
Nwuke said, “Wike is not the issue as some people will want us to believe. Wike has become the symbol of the struggle for the protection of the rights of the people of Southern Nigeria.
“For some reasons, persons close to the PDP flagbearer have tried to be clever by half. There is a limit to name calling.’’
“Despite attempts to confuse issues and hide the truth, the actual message is out. It is about the South and nothing else.
right’, adding that ‘returning the chairmanship of the party to the South at this time is what is right’.
He said that leaders of the party must acknowledge that what happened in the build up to the special convention when some people chose to run against zoning was unconstitutional.
According to him, this is the right thing to do in the present circumstance.
“Finally, accepting that a balance of power on a North/South basis is what is right is the best thing to do as we go forward.
“Now that the South West has spoken, Abubakar will have to decide whether he wants to be a mere presidential candidate or if he wants to win an election. He will have to choose between Ayu and the South as we prepare for 2023.
“At this time, we are not begging them to do what is right, we are demanding that they do what is right in the interest of the PDP. Anything short of that will not work,” Nwuke added.
Abubakar on Wednesday, met with Makinde, a former governor of Ekiti – Ayodele Fayose, the Osun governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke, former Osun govermor -Mr Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and his Ondo State counterpart, Dr Olusegun Mimiko among other leaders of the party from the South-West.
Abubakar was in the company of his running mate and Delta Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and other top hierarchy of the party.
The meeting was to discuss the future of the party ahead of the 2023 general elections.
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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