Politics

Ijaw Group Meet INC, Defend Wike Over Appointments

Published

8 months ago

June 7, 2024

Ijaw social cultural group in Rivers State under Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, RIPCO, has told the Ijaw National Congress, INC, that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Chief Nyesom Wike, has demonstrated his love for the Ijaw nation contrary to claims in some quarters arising from the political crisis rocking Rivers State.

The RIPCO, which led a delegation of its leaders to hold a crucial meeting with the Prof. Benjamin Okaba -led INC and Ijaw Youth Council, IYC, at Ijaw House in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, said the narrative that Wike hated the Ijaws was not true.

He said out of his love, Wike gave more federal appointments he attracted to Rivers to Ijaw leaders and recalled that during his administration as the governor, he appointed Ijaw people into strategic positions.

The leaders of the delegation, Senator Alabo George Sekibo, and Hon. Boma Iyaye said there was a need for the INC to maintain neutrality in the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

Sekibo said though the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara had problems with his benefactor, Wike, the governor had not told the Ijaw nation the reasons for their feud.

He said Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress was interested in the unity amongst Ijaw people and rancour-free collaborations with other ethnic nationalities in the state, emphasizing that without the cooperation of other ethnic groups in the state, the Ijaw, as a minority group in Rivers, would not win elections in the state.

His words: “Ijaws are minorities in Rivers State. We can’t win elections on our own. We have to work with other ethnicities in Rivers State.

“Wike does not despise Ijaw people contrary to claims in some quarters. Five out of the nine federal appointments he facilitated to Rivers State were given to Ijaw leaders.

“As a group, Fubara is our governor. We are not fighting him. But we will keep praying for him for wisdom. We believe he is being distracted.”

Sekibo appealed to the Okaba-led INC not to take sides in the crisis but to work assiduously to resolve the current political misunderstanding in the state for the good of Ijaw Nation.

In his remarks, Okaba said the INC was only committed to ensuring peace, unity and development in the entire Ijaw nation including Rivers.

He said that the INC would work closely with any organisation that would benefit the Ijaw nation, describing Ijaw interest as paramount.

He said the INC was not happy that the Ijaw people were divided over the political crisis in Rivers State, insisting that Ijaws could be strong even in diversity of political affiliations.

Okaba said: “We will support any group that will benefit Ijaw people. In the same manner, we are going to fight any group that is against the progress of the Ijaw Nation.

“Ijaw Nation is grateful to Wike for working for an Ijaw man to lead Rivers State. We don’t hate him. We also recall the efforts of Ijaw people in Wike’s political journey, especially his emergence as Governor.

“There was a time INC spokesman responded to a northern group that lambasted Wike. We said we cannot allow people to attack any Niger Delta leader for no just cause while we are here. The mandate of INC is to protect the interest of the Ijaw people. And it will remain so.

“We must come together because our unity is our strength. I believe we can be strong even in diversity. But let’s not fight ourselves. You are free to be loyal to Wike since he has been good to you. Ijaw people are very grateful people. We have been helped and we are also helping.

“However, let’s not in any way frustrate Sim Fubara. He is the undisputed Governor of Rivers State. So while we are calling for peace and appreciating the godfather (Wike) who brought him, the Governor deserves our respect. You have to protect him because he is our son”

Politics

Just in: Senator Nwoko reportedly dumps PDP for APC

Published

4 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Austin Ojomah

Senator Ned Nwoko has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The move, confirmed through reliable sources, has sparked discussions within political circles about its potential implications for the 2027 elections.

According to reports, Senator Nwoko’s decision to join the APC is influenced by speculation that former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa is eyeing a Senate seat in the next electoral cycle.

This development is said to have prompted the senator to reconsider his political alliances, aligning with a party that may better support his future ambitions.

Senator Nwoko, who has been a prominent figure in Delta State politics and a key member of the PDP, is known for his strong advocacy for developmental projects and his stance on national unity.

Politics

Ighodalo’ V Okpebolo: PDP tenders 1000 documents at Edo Tribunal

Published

19 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo on Friday, opened his case challenging the victory of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) by tendering over 1000 documents used in the election, in support of his petition.

Ighodalo and th PDP in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 are contesting Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Okpebholo, winner of the election alleging that there were irregularities during the exercise.

Ighodalo claimed that he scored the highest valid votes and not Okpebholo and wondered why the INEC would declare him the winner.

When hearing resumes on Friday, the Lead counsel to the Petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, tendered from the bar Certified True Copy (CTC) of Form EC8E which is the INEC’s final declaration result sheet of the poll in support of the petitioners’ cases.

Kenneth Mozia, who conducted the presentations at the instance of Oyeyipo also tendered CTC of Form EC8D; the summary of results from Local Government Areas Collation at the State Level.

Other documents tenders were Certified True Copies of Form EC8Cs, covering the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, CTC of Forms EC8B (Wards Results Sheets) used for the conduct of the election in the 192 Wards in the state were also tendered by Mozia, all in support of the petitioner’s cases.

The petitioners further tendered in evidence 320 Certified True Copies of Form EC8A documents (polling Units results sheets),

While presenting before the court 318 CTCs of INEC’s Polling Units Booklets, each containing Form EC25D, Mozia, again, tendered in court 58 CTCs of Form EC8A (IREV).

Reacting, counsel to INEC, Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC (1st to 3rd respondents), Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, and D.C. Denwigwe, SAN, who held the brief of Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, objected to the admissibility of the documents

The respondent’s counsel told the court that they would be abducing reasons for their objections to the petitioners’ CTC documents at the final address stage of the petition.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi led the tribunal in response provisionally admitted all the documents tendered in evidence and marked the same as exhibits.

“Learned counsel to the respondents shall state their reasons for their objections at the address stage”, Justice Kpochi held.

Hearing on the petition continues tomorrow, Saturday, December 18, 2024 as the petitioners are expected to tender more documents in support of their petitions.

Politics

Confusion at Edo Election Tribunal as APC supporters chase private security away

Published

1 day ago

January 17, 2025

Naijablitznews

There was confusion at the entrance of the courtroom where the Edo state Governorship election petition Tribunal were sitting as youth leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC chased out private security men believed to have been contracted by the Governorship aspirant of the PDP in the just concluded Edo Governorship election.

The drama started at the corridor leading to the courtroom when the APC youth leaders and their supporters were prevented from gaining access, before they mobilized their supporters to chase the security men who were dressed in black away.

Speaking to newsmen, two of the APC youth leaders identified as Comrade Kelly and Tony Kabaka, said they have to chase them away as only the DSS and policemen were permitted to provide security at the court.

Meanwhile, former deputy governor of Edo state Comrade Philip Shaibu and Asue Ighodalo of the PDP were present inside the courtroom while the drama lasted.