Politics
Conduct Of Election In Rivers Peaceful -Wike
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has said the conduct of the governorship election, in comparative terms, is quite better than what was experienced during the presidential election of the 25th February 2023.
The governor’s conviction is predicated on the fact that unlike the delay he experienced with the use of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in the previous election, only about two minutes were spent to accredit him to enable him to vote.
Wike spoke yesterday shortly after he cast his ballot at his polling unit 7 in Ward 9 of Rumuepirikom community in Obio-Akpor local government area of the state.
Speaking on reported voter apathy in some parts of Obio-Akpor, he said when the election of February 25, 2023 was conducted, some people came out and voted with great expectation.
The governor said perhaps when the people did not get what they wanted, they obviously became discouraged.
He said: “It is much better today unlike what we experienced on 25th of February. When the first election comes and goes, and people didn’t get what they wanted, they were discouraged.
“But for whatever it is, the number is still okay. You can’t force people to go and vote. I am happy with the peaceful nature and the way the election is going. It means the security agencies are doing what they are supposed to do.”
Wike, described as unfortunate the role allegedly played by the Director of Security of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the reported breech in security concerning the conduct of the March 18, 2023 governorship election in the State.
The governor stated that even if the national headquarters of the commission has come out to deny the allegation, it is satisfying to believe that the security agencies have taken note and are acting accordingly.
He said: “Even if INEC has denied it, which is expected, I can tell you that the Director of Security in INEC headquarters, one Leebari, he was the one who carried out that act because Magnus Abe (SPD candidate) is from Ogoni and the Director of Security is from Ogoni.
“So, I don’t want to go into details, if not, heads will roll. But for the Director of Security in such a sensitive commission to breech security is quite appalling.
“But we thank God that the national headquarters has come out to deny it and security agencies have taken note of it and they are working accordingly.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, says he is willing to step down his presidential ambition in the 2027 elections for a better politician to emerge as the flag bearer of his party.
The lawyer stated this on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.
“Everybody knows that I have an aspiration. I’m working on it but God is the author of tomorrow; we don’t even know who is going to be around in 2027,” Adebayo said.
“It is my prayer to God that if there is a person who God thinks is better than me to fix the problem of Nigeria, my ambition should not stop that person because we want a country that works. That is the kind of thing we are working on at this time.”
Adebayo said the SDP would give Nigerians a candidate that all citizens would be proud of and be ready to give a chance to unseat President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next presidential election.
The politician said the SDP won’t divide Nigerians along the delicate lines of religion and ethnicity.
He said, “What used to be an easy discussion – with religion and ethnicity – has become explosive now. So, we will not use the SDP forum to try to bifurcate our people into different zones.
“What we are looking for now is a system where when we make a choice in the SDP, there will be resounding joy outside the SDP and Nigerians will say: ‘Okay, finally, this platform has given the country a chance’.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for publicly acknowledging his efforts and calling him “Mr Infrastructure.”
Speaking to State House correspondents after the 2025 Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Wike described the President’s praise as a strong vote of confidence and a motivation to keep delivering results for residents of the FCT.
“I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me,” Wike said. “If your boss, in public, says you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job you’ve been assigned.”
The Minister, who has spearheaded a series of infrastructure and service delivery reforms across Abuja, said he remains committed to meeting the expectations of both the President and the people of the territory.
“For us, we’re happy to be identified in this administration, and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with,” he said. “So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done. That means he’s watching, and we will not disappoint him.”
When asked about the next wave of infrastructure projects expected as the Tinubu administration approaches its second anniversary, Wike confirmed that a fresh round of projects is already in the works.
“The committee is working,” he revealed. “You can be assured it can’t be less than what we did last time.”
The Senator who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, Shehu Sani has declared interest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Shehu Sani made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his Eid-el-Fitr message at his residence in Kaduna.
He said, “any politician who is going to contest election will be dependent on political equation which will determine what position is going to contest. I would say that if the conditions are rights and equations favourable, I will offer myself to contest but specifically on the central senatorial district”.
“If the people of Kaduna central want us to provide our own kind of leadership and representation at the NASS, you should expect me back to Senate in 2027”.
According to him, his ambition is secondary while that of re-electing governor Sani for second term is primary.
He reiterated that his priority is to see governor Uba Sani re-elected in 2027.
“For now, we want to see that incumbent governor, Uba Sani is re-elected. We are going to do it with all our mights and strengths, we know that they are going to be challenges and opposition but we are well prepared for all the forces”.
Shehu Sani however, urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of Nigeria during the celebration of Eid-el-Fitr.
Sani who also reacted to killing of hunters in Edo State condemned the act and urged security agencies to fish-out the perpetrators.
He said, “If any citizen of this country cannot move from one part of the country to another, then we are not a nation.
“If someone will use one reason or another to take laws into his/her hand then it means there is no government or authority”.
He added that Nigerians who desire good for the country should work for peace and unity for the preservation of our democracy in the phase of challenges that is being experienced by our people, he said.
Sani however, called on government to save Nigeria, saying that there should be respect for fundamental rights and most importantly is respect to right to life, he added.