Politics

2023: IYC Names Three Youths To Leading Parties As Presidential Running Mates

Published

4 years ago

June 14, 2022

Ebilade Ekerefe, national spokesman, on Monday said that the youths had written to the leading political parties in the country to pick some eligible youths as running mates of their presidential candidates for the 2023 general election.

Ekerefe, who disclosed this at a press conference to commemorate this year’s Democracy Day in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, listed the youths to include, Dr Ibrahim Bello Dauda from Borno State, Chief Igho Charles Sanomi (Delta State) and Herbert Wigwe (Rivers State).

He said the three of them were eminently qualified to occupy the vice presidency and contribute to national development, stressing that they were chosen after due consultations by youths from the Niger Delta region and the other five geo-political zones.

According to him, the leading political parties would benefit from the choice of the suggested three names because “youths have the largest percentage ratio of the electorate and are most affected by the type of leadership produced.”

Ekerefe said, “We have written to leading political parties on the need to allow youthful personalities as Vice Presidential candidates. We have many youths, including Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda from Borno State (APC), Chief Igho Charles Sanomi, a business mogul from Agbor, Delta State, Mr Hebert Wigwe, a CEO of one of Nigerian’s leading banks from Rivers State, young qualified governors, among many others in the country.

“We urge the existing political parties and their standard flagbearers to embrace a running mate between the age of 50 years and below. A running mate that has the acceptance of millions of youths in the country. A detribalised youthful running mate that is competent, in spite of religious beliefs.”

He said that Ijaw youths would only support a political party and its presidential flagbearer who demonstrate sincere commitment to true federalism, restructuring, review of the current revenue sharing formula, among other issues of concern to the council.

Ekerefe, however, raised the alarm over what he described as “strange movements of suspected herdsmen in some riverine communities in the Niger Delta region.”

He called on security agencies to be alive to their duties while warning indigenes of the Ijaw communities to be on red alert and avoid a repeat of the recent violent killings in Owo in Ondo State.

The IYC also condemned the brutal attack and killing of worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the Service Chiefs to rejig the security architecture of the country.

The council described the poor handling of rising wanton killings and insecurity in the country as shameful and pathetic despite the series of security meetings between the president and the security chiefs.

On the continued detention of the member representing Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo, the Ijaw youths restated their call on the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, to direct his release and start the process of reconciliation with his Ijaw kinsman and governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Siminialayi Fubara.

Politics

APC Leaders, Tinubu/Shettima Group Call For Wike’s Removal As FCT Minister

Published

33 minutes ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

A coalition of leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC), operating under the APC Leaders Forum (ALF) and the Tinubu/Shettima Solidarity Movement (TSSM), has issued a strongly worded open letter, calling for the immediate removal of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), citing alleged insubordination, anti-party activities, and threats to national unity.

In the open letter dated 7 January 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu through the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, the groups accused Wike of actions they described as incompatible with his continued stay in the cabinet of an APC-led government.

The letter, jointly signed by leaders of the two groups, was made public on Wednesday as members staged a peaceful rally at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja. The groups said the rally was part of a broader mobilisation to “defend party integrity, democratic values and the Renewed Hope Agenda” of the Tinubu administration.

The signatories—Dr. Emeka Okoro, Dr. Adekunle Balogun, Ibrahim Yusuf, and Abdulkareem Isiaka—who described themselves as loyal supporters of President Tinubu, said their decision to speak out was driven by what they termed “egregious misconduct” by the former Rivers State governor, warning that silence could endanger party unity and national stability.

Central to their grievances were allegations that Wike, who is not formally registered as a member of the APC, had launched sustained attacks on the party’s national leadership.

They cited remarks allegedly made by Wike during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on 5 January 2026, where he reportedly accused the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, of interfering in Rivers politics for personal gain.

According to the letter, Wike’s comments, including a warning that those meddling in Rivers affairs would “get their fingers burnt,” amounted to intimidation and a direct insult to the APC National Working Committee. The groups said such statements undermined the authority of the party leadership and violated the discipline expected of a serving minister.

The coalition also accused Wike of working against the APC-led government in Rivers State, alleging that he had persistently attacked Governor Siminalayi Fubara, whom they described as the party’s duly elected governor in the state. They claimed Wike had publicly ridiculed Fubara’s leadership, questioned the legitimacy of his emergence, and openly suggested that his election should be reversed in 2027.

The letter partly read: “Wike’s ongoing vendetta against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, our duly elected APC Governor in Rivers State, is nothing short of political sabotage. He has repeatedly mocked Fubara’s leadership, called his emergence a ‘mistake’ to be corrected in 2027, and accused him of betrayal and incompetence. These attacks have escalated in recent weeks, with Wike touring local governments to incite division and undermine Fubara’s administration.

“As a serving minister in an APC-led government, Wike’s actions amount to anti-party activities that weaken our hold on Rivers State—a key battleground for the APC’s future electoral success. How can we trust a man who actively works against our own governor while enjoying the privileges of your administration?”

They argued that such conduct amounted to political sabotage and anti-party activity, especially coming from a minister in an APC administration, warning that it could weaken the party’s foothold in the strategically important Niger Delta state.

The groups also accused Wike of making statements they said posed a direct challenge to presidential authority and national security. They pointed to remarks attributed to him suggesting that “nobody can enter Rivers State,” which they interpreted as an attempt to declare the state a no-go area for perceived opponents.

Describing the comments as a veiled threat, the groups warned that such rhetoric could inflame tensions in the Niger Delta and embolden lawlessness. They argued that any suggestion of restricting access to a Nigerian state was an affront to the President’s authority as Commander-in-Chief.

The APC leaders further criticised Wike for allegedly admitting to controlling “two political parties” while serving as a minister, describing it as a clear conflict of interest and a violation of party ethics.

They warned that retaining Wike in the cabinet could plunge the APC into avoidable crises ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging President Tinubu to act decisively.

The groups also announced plans to extend their protests nationwide, vowing to mobilise rallies across states and local governments until the Minister is relieved of his appointment.

While calling for swift action, the signatories urged the President to demonstrate that no individual is above the party or the country, even as they reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s leadership and re-election bid.

Politics

BREAKING: Rivers Assembly Initiates Impeachment Proceedings Against Gov Fubara

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

The political situation in Rivers State shifted again on Thursday as members of the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Oduh.

At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, formally read the notice detailing allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara.

The notice, which was endorsed by 26 lawmakers, accused the governor of actions allegedly in violation of the Nigerian Constitution.

Amaewhule announced that the notice would be served on the governor within the next seven days.

During the same sitting, the Deputy Majority Leader, Linda Stewart, read the notice of allegations and gross misconduct leveled against Deputy Governor Ngozi Oduh.

Politics

[BREAKING] Fubara Vs Wike: Tension As Rivers House Of Assembly Suddenly Resumes Plenary

Published

5 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Editor

Rivers State House of Assembly will resume plenary today, bringing forward its earlier scheduled return date of January 26.

According to DAILY POST, the sudden resumption comes amid the ongoing political rivalry between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

Recall that majority of the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly are loyal to the FCT Minister, who have sworn to work against Fubara in 2027.

Tension arising from the power struggle between Wike and Fubara has created uncertainties and anxieties in the oil rich Niger Delta state.

Details to follow…