Politics
2023: Don’t Elect Those Who Brought Us Hardship, Pastor Enenche Tells Nigerians

Ahead of the February 25 presidential election, the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche has warned Nigeria never to repeat the mistake of voting in a bad government.
According to him, two of the major presidential candidates in the forthcoming election were part of the problems currently facing the nation.
Addressing his congregation on Sunday, the cleric said the 2023 presidential election presents Nigeria the opportunity to vote into power a man of integrity, honesty and humility.
He said, “In life, result is a basis of reward. Result is a ground for respect. People are respected based on the result they generate.
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“Sowing determines reaping. The question; is what has been the result and the input of those seeking the leadership of our nation?
“There are many presidential aspirants for the forthcoming elections.
“There are three major ones in the forefront. Two of the three are of the two big political parties, whose highest and most important achievement so far was the formation of the coalition that brought this administration into power. They formed it.
“One out of the two actually prides himself as the one who was solely responsible for the arrival of this administration into office.
“Now, what is the result or the impact of their collective input in our nation? One. Inflation: Inflation rate was between 7.79% and 8.5% then. Now, it is 21.83%, the highest in 26 years.
“Unemployment: The unemployment rate was 8.1% in 2015, it has risen to 33.3%, the highest in 13 years and the second highest unemployment rate in the whole world.
“Poverty rate: That is 83 million people today live below the poverty line. Between 2013 and 2012, it was 33%.
“Value of naira: It was N197 naira to a dollar before 2015. It is now more than N750 naira to $1 today: Debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s debt profile as at June 2015, was 12 trillion naira but at 31st March 2022, it became 41.6 trillion.
“Borrowing: A newspaper reported that the current administration borrowed three times the combined amount that has been borrowed in the past three administrations since 1999. What three administrations since 1999 have borrowed multiplied by three in one administration.
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“Insecurity: Insecurity moved from being a regional challenge. It was more of northeast, to a national disaster from major herdsmen and terrorists challenges, now to banditry, to kidnapping, to ritual killing on a national scale.
“Corruption: On the Global Corruption Index from 136 least corrupt countries in 2016, Nigeria moved to 149 in 2020, that is, Nigeria shifted into corruption by 13 positions. Some snakes and monkeys in some offices that were part of those who ate the money.
“The price of 50kg of rice was between N7000 to N10000 in 2014. Today is N48,000 to N59,000 depending on the type. The price of bread was around N250 to N300 was between 1000 to 1200.
“Price of petrol was 87 in 2014. Now it is 195 naira and in some places above 200 and even 400 naira.
“Price of a litre diesel was around 111 in 2014 now it is 817.86. Now, many people want to blame everything on the nation’s president. Not necessarily. You don’t blame the failure of a team just on the captain of the team.
“The burden of the failure and the reproach thereof is collectively shared by every member of the team. In our nation today, every member of the coalition that brought us into this season, as well as every member of the cabinet, they are collectively responsible for the disaster of our nation today.
“The question; is do we give authority to those who gave us calamity?
“Do we reward with authority, those who release to us calamity. Do we give leadership to those who give us hardship? They released to us hardship and we want to release leadership to them. No!
“We must change our approach,if we must end our reproach. We must depart from the old order if we must embrace new wonders. We must reject antiquated, anachronistic ways if we must experience exciting and progressive things.
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“Aside from all the challenges we explained before now, the presidential aspirants of the two big political parties are part of the problem of the country. The problem the country is in this time by the collective action of bringing us into this leadership that we are in now. They are a part of the problem. They can be part of the solution this time.
“We are left with the only viable, credible, reasonable, reliable option left. Vote value, what credibility, what viability. Vote, Authenticity. Vote, honesty. Vote, integrity. Vote. Humility for simplicity.”
Politics
Why I Refused To Challenge Emergency Rule – Fubara

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained why he resisted the pressure from his supporters to challenge the emergency rule declared in the state by President Bola Tinubu, saying his decision was guided by a desire to secure peace, stability, and progress for the people.
Fubara stated this on Friday during a statewide broadcast after his return to the state following the expiration of the emergency rule.
The governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Edison Ehie, arrived at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, two days after President Bola Tinubu lifted the state of emergency imposed on the state and ordered his reinstatement.
Their aircraft with number 5N-BTX touched down at 12:15 pm and they were received to a heroic welcome.
On the ground to receive Governor Fubara were several of his supporters, including a former Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah; former Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh; former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Orji Ngofa; former Commissioner for Environment, Sydney Gbara; and former factional Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo.
Others present were former Commissioner for Youths, Chisom Gbali; former Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Evans Bipi; former President of NUPENG, Igwe Achese; former Commissioner for Education, Dr. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja; as well as former council chairmen of Port Harcourt City, Ezebunwo Ichemati, among others.
President Tinubu, on Wednesday, announced an end to the emergency rule, which ended the six-month tenure of ex-naval chief, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), as Rivers State sole administrator.
Rivers State has faced one of Nigeria’s fiercest political crises, pitting Fubara against his predecessor and FCT minister, Nyesom Wike.
Once allies, their fallout over control of state structures and resources split the House of Assembly, sparking impeachment moves, protests, and violence, including the burning of the Assembly complex.
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President Tinubu intervened with a peace deal, which failed to calm frayed nerves, before the declaration of emergency rule.
In a statement on the cessation of the emergency rule on Wednesday, made available by the Presidency, the President said, “The Governor, His Excellency Siminalayi Fubara, the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency Ngozi Odu, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the speaker, Martins Amaewhule, will resume work in their offices from September 18, 2025.
“It, therefore, gives me great pleasure to declare that the emergency in Rivers State of Nigeria shall end with effect from midnight today (Wednesday).”
Fubara was expected to resume on Thursday as many of his supporters thronged the gate of the Government House along Azikiwe Street, Port Harcourt, as early as 6am on Thursday, but the governor failed to resume.
On Thursday, at its first plenary after six months, the state House of Assembly called on the governor to immediately forward the list of commissioner-nominees to it for screening and confirmation.
The plenary was presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule at the Conference Hall of the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
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The Assembly also called on the governor to submit the Rivers State Appropriation Bill, while noting that members would review how funds were spent during the six months of emergency rule.
In a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Speaker, Martins Wachukwu, the Assembly gave details of the resolution.
The statement read, “Returning from a six-month emergency rule induced by the political impasse in the state in the recent past, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Thursday, at its first legislative sitting, through a motion, set the legislative agenda for the remaining part of the third season of the 10th Assembly.”
The statement indicated that the House Leader, Major Jack, on behalf of eight co-sponsors, in a motion, averred that the House considered it imperative to set the agenda to reflect current realities, while House members, in their contributions to the debate on the motion, applauded the motion and expressed support for all the prayers therein.
Addressing the state, Fubara described the emergency rule period as “enormously challenging” but said he willingly abided by the declaration to allow room for peace to be restored.
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“As your governor, I accepted to abide by the state of emergency declaration and chose to cooperate with Mr President and the National Assembly, guided by my conviction that the sacrifice was not too great to secure peace, stability, and progress of Rivers State.
“This was why I also resisted the pressure to challenge the constitutionality of the declaration of the state of emergency, the suspension of democratic institutions and all other actions that we endured during the difficult period,” he said.
The governor commended President Tinubu for brokering a peace deal between all parties involved in the crisis, noting that the intervention helped reconcile him, Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Our leader, Nyesom Wike, all members of Rivers State House of Assembly, and I as your governor have all accepted to bury the hatchet and embrace peace and reconciliation in the best interest of our dear state,” Fubara said.
Expressing gratitude to Tinubu, the governor reaffirmed his loyalty to the president, promising never to take his intervention for granted. He also appealed to residents who remain sceptical about the peace process.
“To those who have expressed genuine fear, frustration and uncertainty over the nature of the peace process, I assure you that your concerns are valid and understood.
READ ALSO:PHOTO: Rivers Residents Throng Govt House To Welcome Fubara
“However, nothing has been irretrievably lost. There remain ample opportunities for necessary adjustments, continued reconciliation, and inclusiveness,” Fubara assured.
Fubara, however, charged political leaders, stakeholders, and institutions in the state to ensure that the peace achieved endures.
Fubara noted that with peace restored, his administration’s focus would now return fully to governance and service delivery.
‘Bond with Rivers continues’
Speaking shortly after he arrived at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor assured the people of the state that his government would continue to work in their best interest.
He expressed his gratitude to the people and residents of the state for the warm reception he received earlier at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in IKwerre local government area of the state.
However, no prominent politician loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike or any of his known supporters were present at the airport to welcome the governor.
Meanwhile, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, thousands were already jubilating when the news of the governor’s arrival at the airport became public knowledge.
The celebration changed into singing and dancing as musical bands supplied appropriate tunes to sustain the tempo as the governor’s convoy drove into the abode where he had been absent for the last six months.
Right inside the Government House, the atmosphere was also electric as workers also celebrated the governor’s return.
Fubara immediately inspected some offices and facilities in the seat of power before answering questions from the Government House press crew, where he expressed happiness with the show of love by the people and residents of the state.
(PUNCH)
Politics
Nigeria Sliding Into One-party State – Catholic Bishops Warn

Catholic Bishops in Nigeria have raised the alarm over what they described as the suppression of opposition voices, warning that Nigeria is gradually sliding into a one-party state.
The bishops expressed this concern in a communiqué issued at the end of the plenary meeting of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria held in Akwa Ibom State, which ended on Friday.
The communiqué was signed by the Archbishop of Owerri and President, CBCN, Lucius Ugorji; and Bishop of Uromi and Secretary, CBCN, Donatus Ogun.
The bishops cautioned politicians against pushing the nation towards a one-party state which they argued is unhealthy for democracy.
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The bishops expressed dismay at the growing preoccupation of politicians with securing and retaining power ahead of the 2027 general elections, rather than delivering good governance.
They noted that this obsession with political dominance had fuelled corruption, inefficiency, and the neglect of citizens’ welfare.
The bishops further criticised political defections, alignments and realignments, describing them as self-serving moves by politicians with little intention to serve the people.
The communiqué read, “In the face of many live threats, politicians are more preoccupied with securing and retaining power and less concerned with good governance for the common good of the electorate.
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“Abandoning their duties, they seem more concerned with the pursuit of their personal political agenda and perfecting strategies to grasp power in 2027.
“In fact, there seems to be suppression of opposition as Nigeria appears to be tilting to a one-party state, the development of which is not a good omen for democracy.
“We observe that many politicians are merely strategising, aligning and realigning, defecting from one party to another; and posturing for future political offices with little or no intention to contribute to the common good and make better the lives of the citizens.”
Ahead of the 2027 elections, the bishops demanded electoral reforms that should not only ensure electronic transmission of results from the polling units, but also their electronic collation in real time.
They also urged the judiciary to remain impartial in electoral matters, stressing that judicial credibility was vital to national stability.
Politics
Edo PDP Urges Police To Steer Clear From LG By-election

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Friday called on the state police command
not to lend any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to Saturday’s bye election.
On Tuesday, an Edo State High Court sitting in Benin restrained the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the state government from going ahead with planned local government by-elections across 59 wards in the state.
In the court papers made available to journalists on Thursday in Benin, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice was also a party to the suit.
Justice Mary Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge, granted the order on Tuesday following an ex-parte motion brought by the Peoples Democratic Party.
The PDP, through its counsels, Oluwole Osaze Uzzi, Michael Ekwemuka and P. W. Akwuen, in the suit, B/247M/2025, had prayed the court for leave to apply for judicial review of EDSIEC’s decision to conduct by-elections to fill councillorship positions in the affected wards.
READ ALSO:Court Restrains EDSIEC, Edo Govt From Conducting LG By-elections
The party argued that the councillors’ tenures remain valid until September 2026, making any attempt to declare their seats vacant unlawful.
Justice Itsueli, who held that the applicants had shown sufficient grounds for the court to intervene, also referred the matter to the Chief Judge of Edo State for reassignment to a regular court, fixing September 30, 2025, for the return date.
In a letter by the PDP chairman, Tony Aziegbemi to the state Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika on Friday , he described the election as an illegal exercise.
The statement reads, “I write on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State Chapter, to bring to your attention and emphasize the subsisting order of the High Court of Edo State restraining the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission and the Edo State Government from conducting any purported Local Government by-elections in 59 wards across the state.
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“On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Justice Mary E. Itsueli, sitting as a vacation judge of the Edo State High Court, granted an order in Suit No. B/247M/2025, restraining EDSIEC and the State Government from going ahead with the planned by-elections.
“The Honourable Court further held that the tenures of the duly elected councilors in the affected wards subsist until September 2026, and therefore, any attempt to declare their seats vacant or to conduct fresh elections would be unlawful and unconstitutional.
“The Court categorically ordered that the Respondents “are to stay further actions and are restrained from conducting the election or taking any further steps in connection with the planned Local Government by-election across 59 wards in the Local Government Areas of Edo State, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive matter.”
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“The substantive matter has since been referred to the Honourable Chief Judge for assignment to a regular court, with a return date fixed for September 30, 2025.
“In the light of the foregoing, we respectfully call on your esteemed office to refrain from lending any form of support, deployment, cover, or legitimacy to this illegal exercise. Any participation by security agencies in the purported elections would amount to aiding and abetting contempt of court and undermining the rule of law.
“We trust that, as neutral institutions of state committed to upholding law and order, you will ensure that your men and officers do not participate in or provide security for this unlawful process. The integrity of our democracy, the sanctity of judicial pronouncements, and the credibility of security institutions must be preserved.
“Copies of the court order are attached here in,” he added.
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