Politics
Rivers Youth Leaders Challenge LG Chairman To Remain In Office After Tenure Expiration
The Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition (RSEYLC), has challenged the chairman of Ikwerre local government area of the state, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, to remain in office after the expiration of his tenure on June 16, 2023.
Nwanosike, a loyalist of the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, had while addressing his supporters recently, vowed not vacate his office at the end of his tenure on June 16.
The LG chairman, who directly addressed Governor Siminalayi Fubara, cited an extension of tenure by state lawmakers under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule as justification due to the state government’s failure to conduct local government elections.
But, RSEYLC, in a statement made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt yesterday, said youths of the state will resist and chase Nwanosike and any other LG chairman who refuses to vacate office after the expiration of their tenure out of the council sexretariats.
The statement, which was signed by the coalition’s chairman, Dr. Legborsi Yamaabana, advised supporters of the Ikwerre LGA chairman to be weary of the impending trap being set for them by their paymaster and emperor because Rivers people are fully prepared to take their destinies by themselves.
It reads in part: “The attention of the Rivers State Ethnic Youth Leaders Coalition has been drawn to a viral video where the Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike is seen challenging His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara KSC, GSSRS, Executive Governor of Rivers State to come push him out of office when his tenure and that of his other prodigal colleagues comes to an end in June 2024.
“Well, it has become very glaring to Rivers people and Nigerians whom the real troublemakers and crisispreneurs in Rivers State are.
“This video validates rumored information that had filtered the state before now on their plans to ferment trouble in the State to pave way for the declaration of a state of emergency. They have also bragged about their connections with the Presidency and the judiciary, hence making them choose which laws to obey and which not to obey.
“We hereby use this opportunity to call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Department of State Service, the police and other security agencies to hold Hon. Nwanosike responsible should there be any breakdown of law and order in Ikwerre and Rivers State in general.
“We challenge Mr. Nwanosike and his prodigal fellows to remain in office beyond their tenure expirations as Rivers youths will resist and chase them completely from anywhere close to the different Council Secretariats. If Mr. Nwanosike has two heads, let him dare to stay in office beyond his last day.
“We further advise Mr. Nwanosike’s gullible supporters to be weary of the impending trap being set for them by their paymaster and emperor because Rivers people are fully prepared to take their destinies by themselves.”
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.