Politics

Amaechi’s Ex-commissioner Defects To PDP, Pledges Support For Wike’s Candidate In Rivers

Published

3 years ago

November 5, 2022

A former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications and erstwhile acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Ibim Semenitari, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Semenitari, an ally to the former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, had resigned from the All Progressives Congress in July this year, but was hitherto quiet about her next political destination.

Semenitari was received back to the ruling party in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state by the executive chairman of the council, Akuro Tobin, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Sampson Parker, and other chieftains of the party on Saturday.

The former NDDC boss had on July 10, 2022, dumped the APC after transmitting a formal letter to the APC Chairman in Ward 5, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Although she did not state her reason for leaving the party, many believed that it was connected to the leadership crisis rocking the party, culminating in a gale of resignations and defections from the APC in the state led by Amaechi.

Semenitari, an ace journalist and CNN award winner, was in the kitchen cabinet in the administration of Amaechi as Governor of the crude oil and gas-rich state.

On her defection to the PDP, Semenitari told newsmen that the ruling party in the state was her first home.

“My first political home was the PDP. I moved with my former boss (Rotimi Amaechi) who was the leader of the PDP in Rivers State until when the party structure was taken away from him.

“Every politics must benefit the people. I left the APC for personal reason. I could not provide for my teeming supporters and those who saw reason to belong to the APC because of me.”

She further said her father (Dr. Gabriel Tobby) was Deputy Governor of the State to ex-Governor Peter Odili on the platform of the PDP, saying it was natural that she returned to her former “political home.”

Semenitari added, “Now that an Opobo son (Sim Fubara) is contesting for the Governor of Rivers State on the platform of the PDP, we all must support him to win the election in 2023.

“We all must place ourselves in a position to speak for our people. I need to find a position to speak for my teeming supporters and the good people of Opobo Kingdom.

“That is my only attraction to the PDP and nothing more. Yes, I joined the PDP today (Saturday).

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.