The Chairman of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Moses Oricha, has declared the party’s state congress, held on Wednesday by some aggrieved members, as criminal, illegal, null and void, and futile.

Oricha discribed the organisers of the purported congress as “faceless.”

Speaking with journalists in Lokoja on Wednesday night, he stated that proceeding with a phantom congress despite a pending case before a court of competent jurisdiction was a criminal violation of due process.

According to him, our tenure will expire in April 2026, and we wonder why the rush to conduct an illegal congress.”

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies for not attending the congress, which purportedly produced Ahmed Atta as Chairman and Abdulrahman Idris (Sofather) as Secretary, among other party executives.

“We urge the general public, security agencies, and INEC to disregard this purported congress organised by some individuals masquerading as party members.”

“It has just come to my notice that some ghost individuals, claiming to be members of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, organised a state congress today, Wednesday, February 12, 2025.

“This is not only laughable but also criminal in a modern democratic setting. These individuals are not only faceless but are also being sponsored by their paymasters — not just for their selfish interests but also to cause chaos in our party, which we built from scratch.

“The general public should not take these individuals seriously with their caricature of a state congress, which cannot stand the test of time because nobody knows them in SDP Kogi State.

“I have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission and copied the Department of State Services and the Commissioner of Police, urging them to disregard this charade called a congress.

“I am the authentic Chairman of SDP in Kogi State, and we will not allow intruders working hard to destroy our party, which we have built over the years. This congress, held today, Wednesday, is null and void and cannot stand.”

Oricha recalled that the congress of the present executive, held on April 9, 2022, under his leadership, remains valid under the SDP constitution.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has shared his thoughts on the qualities he hopes to see in the next governor of the state after his tenure ends.

The governor made these remarks during a meeting with political leaders from Imo East Senatorial District, also known as Owerri Zone, under the Owerri Harmony Project at the Government House in Owerri on Tuesday.

While discussing the future, Uzodimma reminded the attendees that he still has three years left in office unless, as he jokingly put it, he is poisoned. He emphasized the importance of allowing him to complete his tenure in peace, warning against political tensions that could disrupt the state’s progress.

Uzodimma said, “I will not solve all the problems in Imo. I will address what I can, but my successor must be able to handle others. We need someone who values merit and can be courageous in the face of challenges.”

The governor reflected on the insecurity that marked his rise to office, noting that, by God’s grace, he had overcome it. He stressed that his successor must be bold, focused, and able to take necessary actions when required. “The person who will succeed me may not be a troublemaker, but they must be ready to fight if the situation calls for it,” he said.

Uzodimma also cautioned his audience about external forces that might try to sway them during elections. “Very soon, external forces will approach you, claiming you are the best candidate and offering incentives,” he warned. “But after the elections, they will abandon you. We must focus on the collective good, not just personal desires.”

In a lighthearted remark, Uzodimma added, “I am not discussing politics right now because I still have three years left in office unless, of course, you want to poison me here!” He urged the group to prioritize awareness, consultation, reconciliation, and unity as they approach the political future of Imo State. Politics, he concluded, should be pursued with love, understanding, and a focus on progress rather than confrontation.

Uzodimma, who took office as the governor of Imo State in a highly controversial manner, went on to win a landslide victory in his re-election.

Ex- Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has queried his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for attempting to visit the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters after he had demolished it in December 2023.

In a media chat held in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike, now the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stated that Fubara should have waited for approval from the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly before showing up. Amaewhule, who is loyal to Wike, had been recognized by the Supreme Court’s verdict on February 28, 2025, as the legitimate Speaker of the House.

Fubara arrived at the Assembly Quarters on Wednesday to present the 2025 Budget, a move directed by the Assembly. However, he was locked out upon arrival, causing a stir.

Wike explained that he had communicated his visit plans to Amaewhule, and the Rivers State Government had shared a formal letter notifying the Assembly of the governor’s intended presence.

Despite this, Wike expressed his disapproval, saying, “If you write a letter to the Assembly, won’t you wait for a response? He is playing to the gallery.

He has brought television crews to showcase his actions. It’s wrong.” Wike compared the situation to a hypothetical scenario where the president could simply show up at the National Assembly without proper procedure.

The former governor added that the demolition of the Assembly Complex had left the Assembly meeting at their residence, and proper arrangements were necessary for such a visit. “You cannot just open the gate and say, ‘I’m coming to present the budget’. Nonsense. Rubbish. Who does that?” Wike criticized Fubara for disrespecting the process and “playing to the gallery.”

Wike emphasized that such actions only served to distract and draw attention away from the real issues at hand.