Politics

2023 Election: Disquiet In Delta As Okowa’s Aides Resign

Published

3 years ago

January 9, 2023

The resignation of Michael Akpobire, an aide to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, has restarted the discussions about political developments in Delta State ahead of the 2023 election.

The debate is fuelled by the fact that Okowa is the vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Atiku Abubakar is the flagbearer.

Akpobire’s letter dated January 5, 2022, was addressed to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG).

He was the Executive Assistant to Okowa on Technical Education and Chairman of the Technical Education Board.

Akpobire, a PDP chieftain in Enwhe/Okpolo Ward 9 in Isoko South Local Government Area, was formerly President of Delta State University (DELSU) Students’ Union.

In reaction, a Facebook user, Festus Tony urged “all sons and daughters” from Isoko, Urhobo, Kwale, Ijaw, Iteskiri to withdraw from the cabinet.

“That ship will collapse before the end of this month (January). If Comrade Michael Akpobire, we call the first son of Governor Okowa, can be treated badly, who else won’t suffer the same humiliation?

“Micheal suffered for this administration even when we all thought Okowa won’t scale through. They gave him an office that even a million naira allocation don’t come to.

“The wickedness Okowa showed to other ethnic groups in the State is such that none of them left their respective office or position with something tangible.

“It is payback time for Okowa. More resignations are coming. You can’t be more Governor Okowa or PDP than Michael Akpobire. He is one individual who publicly declared first for Okowa’s governorship.

“As an appointee in Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan’s administration, he took the risk to openly declare for Okowa and formed the Canaanland Movement that gathered more than 50,000 votes for the ungrateful Governor.

“Because there is no reward system in PDP, Micheal was turned into an errand boy in Okowa’s administration. People who did not stake their life and political career got juicy positions, built houses and are living large.

“Today, he is leaving the PDP in pains. Comrades should have a deep thought because many in Okowa’s camp are dying in silence. Stand up and liberate yourself from mental slavery.”

Akpobire’s exit from the State government is the latest in a gale of resignations by Okowa’s appointees.

In December, Alaowei Promise Lawuru, popularly known as ‘Master Black’, resigned from his position as Special Assistant on Security.

The former Niger Delta militant hails from Ogbinbiri community in the Warri North Local Government Area of the State.

In October, Okowa’s Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development Patrick Oghenerhoro, a.k.a. Paleke dumped the governor.

He also left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) to work for the governorship candidate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege.

Also in October, Onochie Osheokwu resigned as Senior Special Assistant on Youth Development.

Osheokwu said he was leaving to be fully ‘Obidient’ and support the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi.

But in an interview with DAILY POST on Sunday, Okowa’s Chief Press Secretary, Olisa Ifeajika said his principal was not disturbed by the resignations.

“The governor is a good man and cannot stop anybody who wants to leave for other things.

“There are people seeking greener pastures, going to further their education, career or engage in other ventures.

“That two people resigned doesn’t mean there’s a problem. It’s normal, the governor is not worried about it”, the spokesperson added.

Last week, Omo-Agege, the Deputy Senate President, said Delta has received N4.2trillion under the Okowa administration.

The lawmaker also accused the governor of betraying the agitation for Southern presidency despite being one of the arrowheads ab initio. Okowa has denied doing so.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

1 day ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.