Politics
Jarigbe, Imoke, Others Lead PDP Grand Finale Rally
Ahead of the Saturday’s by-election in Ogoja/Yala Federal Constituency in Cross River state, the senator representing Cross River North Central Federal Constituency, Sen. Jarigbe Agom and the former Governor of the state Sen. Liyel Imoke, Thursday 24 February 2022, led PDP supporters at the grand finale rally in Ogoja Local Government area of the state.
The rally which witnessed huge turnout of party supporters who came from various wards of the consistency to express their readiness for the Saturday’s polls.
Our reporter who witnessed the event reports that PDP as an opposition party in the state, however, seemed to have been determined to come out victorious on Saturday after the election.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Sen. Jarigbe emphasized the need for their teaming supporter to come out en mass and vote for the candidate of PDP.
He further charged them to vote and defend their votes and to ensure that their votes is counted.
He also expressed concern over the heavy presence of security personnels especially the Nigerian army and the police. He however advised the people not to be intimated but to be rest assured that their votes will be counted.
“You people should come out en mass come Saturday, February 26 to vote our candidate and our great party, the PDP.
“They will want to intimate you with police and the military but I want to tell you that you should not be intimate. Vote and defend your vote because that’s your civic responsibility.
“I want to let you know that all votes will be counted, because the INEC will definitely exhibit professionalism like it has done recent during the FCT election. Am assuring you that they will conduct free, fair and credible election.
“Vote PDP so that we can come out on Sunday for thanksgiving”, he said.
In the same vein, the former Governor of Cross River state, Liyel Imoke also called on the teaming PDP supporters to come out in their numbers and vote for the party.
He equally advised all supporters to shun any form of violence, they should vote and defend their votes and shouldn’t yield to any form of intimidation.
He added that Cross River is a PDP state and still remain PDP, that PDP will definitely emerge the winner come Saturday.
“I want you to come out en mass and vote for PDP, because you all know that Cross River state is for PDP since 1999.
“Don’t allow anybody to intimate you, vote and defend your vote which is your right as enshrined in the constitution.
“I want you to remain calm, don’t indulged in an form of violent. Just go out on Saturday February 26 and cast your vote and defend it”, he added.
Also speaking, the Deputy publicity Secretary PDP, Cross River, Hon. Paul Agbo, said, the party is well prepared and ready for the Saturday’s polls.
“We are ready for the Saturday’s by-election. We have gone round canvassing and talking to our people to come out en mass for the election”, he said.
Gvernor Chukwuma Soludo threw a challenge to opposition parties in Anambra State on Monday, saying he sees no competent challenger as he seeks re-election in the November 8, 2025 governorship poll.
The former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said there is a consensus among Ndi Anambra (the people of the state) that his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has delivered dividends of democracy and should be given another chance in the next election.
Soludo, during a media chat to celebrate his third anniversary, said the people of the South-East state can vote for any party during national elections but are loyal to APGA when it comes to governorship and local government chairmen seats.
He said, “If there is an election, I mean there will be an election, and if I am candidate, I will be on the ballot, and then I ask: who else is running? Which party is fielding a candidate?
“So far, unless the person will come down from somewhere but so far, I have not heard of any.”
The former bank chief said he has gotten calls to run for a second term but his party would take the decision on who becomes the flag bearer.
“The party has to agree to it and give me the platform. For me, I applied for this job intentionally because I felt that’s my way of thanking God for His bountiful blessing to spend the rest of my life to serve, and leave this place better than we met it.
“If my party nominates me and if my employers who are the Anambra people to whom I had applied for this job interview me and graciously renew the tenure, of course, it’s a great honour, and a great privilege to serve,” he said.
Anambra is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgments. Others are Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
Politics
JUST IN: Rivers State House of Assembly Launches Impeachment Proceedings Against Governor Fubara, Deputy Governor Odu
The Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) has officially commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by issuing a notice regarding allegations of gross misconduct.
Further details will be provided shortly.
By Abubakar Yunusa
The Executive Director of Business Development at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank), Dr Stella Okotete, has said that female politicians in Nigeria often viewed her as a threat rather than a partner.
Speaking as a keynote speaker at the Junior Chambers International Business meeting in Abuja on Sunday, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, themed “Empowering Women, Empowering Communities: Accelerating Action Towards Gender Inclusivity”, Okotete reflected on the challenges she faced as a young woman in politics.
A former national women leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okotete said, “With due respect, the female politicians didn’t want me around them. They saw me as a young woman who was a threat, not as a partner. My ideas were seen as too bold and too daring, and as a result, I was never given opportunities when nominations were being made.”
She explained that when she was appointed APC’s National Women Leader at the age of 36, it was an opportunity to bridge the gap for young women in politics, enabling them to aspire for greatness, showcase their worth, and gain visibility in governance and the public space.
“I initiated the Progressive Young Women’s Forum, which today boasts of having a former minister. Jamila was our president,” she said.
Okotete recounted how her experience in politics led her to create a support system for young women.
“I founded the Young Progressive Forum because, as a young politician, I noticed that, with due respect, female politicians didn’t want me around them. When I was made the National Women Leader, I had to create this platform so that other women would not face the discrimination I faced—from women, not men.”
She became emotional while addressing the audience, saying, “I’m saying this with a heavy heart because I never saw any woman as a threat, and I still don’t today. That is why, when I said there are no two Stellas in Nigeria, I meant it.
“We must stop the ‘table talks’ and tea parties and start taking real action. If we truly want to see more women in government, business, and the economy, we must support each other.”
Okotete warned that women risk being sidelined by men if they do not create spaces for one another to thrive.
“The men will continue to push us aside if we give them the opportunity. While we often blame men, we, as women, must also make it a priority to support each other. Whenever we have the chance, we must ensure other women are given visibility and opportunities.
“History has shown that when women try to block or dim the light of other women, they don’t go far. They are quickly forgotten, and history does not remember them.”
She urged women to take responsibility for fostering inclusivity, saying, “We are here today, not just as members of JCI, but as individuals chosen by fate to be among the few who will shape Nigeria’s future. We must break barriers, shatter glass ceilings, and push for policies that drive development and growth in our nation.”
‘Men must be allies in the fight for gender equality’
Okotete stressed the importance of engaging men and boys as allies in the push for gender equality.
“We must challenge social and cultural norms together. We must also strengthen legal protections and policies, ensuring the enforcement of laws that protect women’s rights, including those against gender-based violence, discrimination, and workplace inequality.
“We must hold institutions accountable for implementing gender-responsive policies. That is why I always try to strike a balance between getting men to work with us and encouraging women to take action for themselves.”
She called on women to foster a culture of mutual support, saying, “We must lead the crusade for gender equality and inclusivity by loving and supporting one another. We must see other women in our workplaces not as competitors, but as sisters and partners.
“When we join forces, we can achieve great things.”
She highlighted the progress made by young women in politics, noting that there are now female commissioners in 20 states, as well as young female legislators in state assemblies and councillors in several APC-governed states.
“We are witnessing a new wave of female leadership in Nigeria, and we must continue to build on this momentum,” she concluded.