Politics
Fubara, Others Receive Certificates of Return In Rivers
Rivers State Governor-elect, Siminalaye Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu were yesterday presented with their Certificates of Return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Also presented with Certificates of Return were 32 members-elect of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The occasion was witnessed by Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche, as well as former Deputy National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Sam Sam Jaja and the PDP chairman in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, among others.
The presentation, which was held at the INEC office in Port Harcourt, was performed by the commission’s National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu.
Speaking after receiving his certificate of return, Fubara urged the opposition to join his incoming administration to build a better and progressive Rivers State.
He said: “For the opposition, our doors are open, including our window. If you don’t want to pass the door you can enter through the window because we really need everyone on board for a better and progressive Rivers State.”
The governor-elect commended INEC for the successful conduct of the governorship election, which he described as one of the best in recent history of the State.
Fubara attributed the success recorded by INEC in the governorship and House of Assembly elections to the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He said: “I want to commend you for this innovation. Although we had a little hitches here and there, I believe going forward, INEC should ensure that ad hoc staff, including their staff are given proper training early enough so that the hitches experienced, most especially during the presidential election will not be experienced in future election.”
The governor-elect commended Rivers electorate for voting massively for him, his deputy and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates in the election.
Fubara stated that his emergence as the governor-elect is a resounding reaffirmation of Rivers’ people support for continuity and consolidation of the New Rivers vision of the governor Wike’s administration.
He said: “We will ensure that, though the bar had been raised before us, we will also raise the bar for whoever is going to takeover from us.”
Fubara thanked Wike, whose sterling performance in office spurred the electorate in the State to vote for him and the 32 House of Assembly members elect.
In her remarks, the INEC National Commissioner supervising Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers State, Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, told the governor-elect and the lawmakers elect to realise that being successfully elected into an office is a call to service.
Agbamuche-Mbu said: “Beyond the excitement of your new position and office you must commit to good leadership and you must ensure the trust and vote of the electorate are reciprocated with good governance, security of life , positive human and infrastructural development in Rivers state and Nigeria by extension.”
She appealed to security agencies and political parties to cooperate with INEC to ensure hitch free conduct of supplementary election in two federal constituencies, namely PHALGA 2 and Khana/Gokana in the State this weekend.
On his part, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the State, Dr. Johnson Alalibo Sinikiem, urged the governor-elect and others not to see their success in the poll as a personal victory, but a triumph for the democratic process and a call for national duty.
Sinikiem said: “You must be magnanimous in victory and ensure you run an inclusive government at all levels. Let me remind you that the office you have been elected into is essentially rendering service to God and humanity.
“There are expectations not only from those who voted you into office but also from all Nigerians within and outside Rivers State. I pray that God will give you the wisdom and courage to make the right decisions that will better the lives of our people and by extension our nation Nigeria.”
He further advised the governor-elect and others who won their election and will be part of governance from May 29, 2023, to use their good office to deepen democratic ethos in Nigeria by ensuring that they do their bit to better the country’s electoral process.
In a bold declaration, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly stated that Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, is more than capable of clinching the presidency in the upcoming 2027 elections without relying on coalitions with established parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or endorsements from prominent political figures such as Atiku Abubakar or Nasir El-Rufai.
During an exclusive interview, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku, Deputy President of the NLC Political Commission, emphasized Obi’s strength as a candidate, asserting that he has a solid base of support that transcends party lines. Ndubuaku confidently noted that Obi had already demonstrated his appeal by securing victories in key regions, including Tinubu’s stronghold in Lagos, before facing electoral disruptions in 2023.
“Peter Obi doesn’t need any coalition to win the 2027 presidential election,” Ndubuaku stated. “He is a sellable candidate. The desire for his leadership resonates with a significant portion of the electorate, and if we ensure a free and fair election, victory is within reach.”
His remarks come in the wake of renewed backing from the Obidients Movement, which has pledged unwavering support for Obi, emphasizing his role as the country’s potential savior amid economic turmoil.
Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidients Movement, reiterated the urgent need for Nigeria to undergo transformation, positioning Obi as the sole candidate capable of guiding the nation towards recovery.
Ndubuaku further reinforced the notion that the PDP is no longer a viable option for serious contenders, labeling it as a “crisis-ridden and near-empty platform.” He highlighted the contrast between the Labour Party’s resolved issues and the ongoing turmoil within the PDP, arguing that switching parties would be detrimental.
“The Labour Party has addressed its challenges, while the PDP continues to grapple with significant internal conflicts. Transitioning from LP to PDP would be akin to jumping from frying pan to fire,” he remarked.
Additionally, he dismissed concerns surrounding zoning and power rotation, asserting that Obi’s governance would be focused on revitalizing the nation rather than clinging to power. “Obi’s reputation for performance speaks for itself. The fears regarding zoning are misplaced; he has no intention of holding onto power beyond what is necessary to effect change,” Ndubuaku concluded.
As the political landscape evolves, Obi’s unwavering support and potential candidacy continue to stir discussions about the future of Nigeria’s governance and the viability of its political parties.
….Says Atiku on his way out of PDP
…It was against my people’s will
Former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has revealed that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar is preparing to leave the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Recall that, Atiku was the PDP’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, with Okowa as his running mate.
On March 20, 2023, the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, a former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai and others jointly announced the creation of a coalition to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The move has sparked ongoing discussions about the potential for a united opposition, with political leaders expressing varied opinions.
Speaking on Arise News on Tuesday, Okowa—who officially joined the All Progressives Congress on Monday—expressed regret for not aligning with his people in supporting a southern candidate in 2023 instead of accepting the role as Atiku’s running mate. He said, “Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come into power.
“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated. Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”
He added that the election of the current Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, proves that the people still have confidence in their leadership.
Okowa added, “That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor you have chosen. And they did.”
When asked about his communication with Atiku before leaving the PDP, Okowa responded, “I actually did communicate with him that we were going to have stakeholders meetings this week (in the last week) and that it was going to be a leadership meeting and the outcome of that meeting was going to determine our next path because we were no longer comfortable with the PDP.
“And I also know that he is already heading out of the PDP from the communications he has passed on to me, and that Nigerians know already.”
A general court-martial (GCM) in Enugu state has sentenced Adamu Mohammed, a soldier, to death by hanging for killing Hauwa Ali, his girlfriend.
A statement on Tuesday by Jonah Unuakhalu, acting deputy director of 82 division, said the court also sentenced Abubakar Yusuf to 10 years imprisonment for robbing a mall in Enugu.
Delivering the judgment, Sadisu Buhari, president of the 11-member GCM sitting at the 82 division of the Nigerian Army, said Mohammed was found guilty of murder under section 106 (a) of the Armed Forces Act of 2004.
Buhari noted that that the judgement was handed down after a “careful” review of the soldier’s record, his compassionate plea for mitigation and in the interest of justice for the deceased.
“Given this, the GCM has determined that the accused soldier, 21NA/80/6365 Private Adamu Mohammed, is hereby sentenced to death by hanging for the charge of murder,” Buhari said.
He said the panel also found Yusuf guilty of robbery, punishable under Section 107(1)(b) of the Armed Forces Act of 2004.
The GCM president added that the court considered the plea presented by the accused and his counsel for leniency, and applied the judgement to uphold societal decorum and protect the reputation of the army.
“However, due to the inability of the GCM to reach a unanimous decision required to impose the maximum mandatory punishment prescribed under Section 107(2) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 LFN 2004, the GCM, relying on the provisions of Section 140 (3) of the Armed Forces Act, hereby sentences the accused soldier, 23NA/85/12116 Private Abubakar Yusuf, to 10 years imprisonment,” he added.
Buhari reassured the public of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to upholding the highest standards of ethics and professionalism.
He noted that the findings and sentences pronounced for both soldiers are subject to confirmation by the “appropriate authority”.