Politics
2023: NEDG To Select Four Presidential Candidates For Debate

The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), has hinted plans to streamline its presidential debates, saying only four presidential candidates would be considered for the 2023 presidential debate.
Consequently, the group said the four candidates will be decided through opinion polls, which according to the group is already ongoing.
The Nigeria Election Debate Group (NEDG), Nigeria Economic Summit Group (NESG) and Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and other partners from civil society organisations are putting the 2023 debate together.
Briefing the media ahead of the planned 2023 presidential debate, the executive secretary, NEDG, Mr. Eddie Emessiri, said the debate would only accommodate four political parties that are deemed to be serious by all parameters.
He also said that the debate would have four sessions and also four thematic areas. Of the four sessions, three would be for the presidential candidates and one will be for the Vice Presidential candidates.
According to him, the first session that will be held in Abuja on 15 November will be an Economic debate.
“The focus would be on the economy.
“The second leg of the debate slated for 15 December, will hold in Port Harcourt and will be for the vice presidential candidates.
“The third leg will hold in Lagos on 19 January 2023 and the focus would be on foreign policy, education and security.”
The fourth leg, Emessiri said will hold in Kano in February 2023.
Explaining the reason for streamlining the number of presidential candidates, Emessiri said it is impossible to get the best from the debate with 18 presidential candidates.
He said, “So NEDG has selection criteria and a framework that we use to shortlist some candidates that will be invited.
“Following the selection criteria that we’re employing, we’re also carrying out a poll with the general public in order to validate the selection criteria and the names of the people who will be appearing in the debates because it needs to be by two largely popular consent.
“The results of that will be out shortly and once they are, we’ll be releasing them to the general public.”
He stressed that because of the large number of presidential candidates, the group had to settle for criteria and methodology for the selection process.
He said, “You know, when you repeat, if you want to do a broadcast for the whole debate, bring in 18 people, you will, people will get fed up and they won’t want to listen. So what we intend to do is to select the best of the candidates from the polls.”
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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