Politics

INEC Presents Certificates Of Return To Edo Assembly Members-elect

Published

3 years ago

March 31, 2023

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), yesterday, presented Certificate of Return to the Edo State House of Assembly members-elect with a charge to rise above parochial politics but placing the interest of the people first.

INFO DAILY reports that out of the 24 seats of the Edo State House of Assembly, three seats are yet to be cleared due to elections that were declared inconclusive in Ovia South West, Oredo East and Egor LGs respectively.

Presenting the certificate to the members-elect at the INEC headquarters in Benin, with the theme ‘A Time to deepen democracy,’ Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Edo State, Obo Effanga, urged them to rise above political allegiance but place the interest of the people first.

“It is important to charge the members-elect to understand that when they sit at the table of governance, they are there, not in their personal capacities but as representatives of their entire constituencies with all the diversities such as gender, age, ethnicity, religion and political leanings therein.

“This is how to recognize and practice the principle of equality of all.

“Lawmakers and politicians generally need to rise above blind allegiance to political parties whose membership in our climes is very fluid, transient and without core values and principles.

” They should equally raise their game above the politics of allegiance to persons and other interests who may influence them to act even against the interest of their constituencies and the state or country.

“The existence of a parliament is what sets democracy apart from non-democratic systems of government and the central role of the parliament is to serve as checks and balances to the other arms of government, namely the executive and the judiciary. It is hoped that those elected into the upcoming parliament have a clear understanding of this, as a building block to democracy”, Effanga said.

While commenting how democracy has evolved in the country over the years, he called on those who contested in the election but felt to have been rigged out to seek redress in the appropriate quarters rather than calling for war.

“Twenty-four years into our current democratic journey, it is time for us to build, raise and equip more democrats to keep democracy going.

“True democrats are those who recognize that while everybody must be heard, the majority will often determine the way to go and that election is not do-or-die or win at all costs.

“True democrats also realize that in a multiparty election, there is a higher chance of losing than winning the election and they must prepare their minds to such possibilities and live with the outcome. But where they disagree with the outcome, they must follow the proper channels for seeking redress.

“We should not pull down everything, including the institutions and structures of democracy simply because the outcome is different from our expectations.

“True democrats look for legitimate ways to expand the frontiers of democracy. They do so by building on the good that exists, rather than destroy the fabrics. Let us learn to build up and not destroy”, Effanga said.

Responding on behalf of the members-elect, Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko-Edo Constituency 1, thanked the INEC and the security personnel for their roles in the election.

He said the members-elect, irrespective of their political parties differences, will always put the interest of the people above their personal interest

Politics

2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate

Published

4 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.

Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.

He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”

DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.

The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Politics

Open Bank Account In PDP Name, See What Will Happen – Wike Dares Turaki Faction

Published

8 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday challenged the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, faction led by Tanimu Turaki to open an official party bank account and secretariat if they truly believe they control the opposition party’s structure.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike accused some party leaders of misleading Nigerians and violating court judgments in the lingering leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

The former Rivers State governor insisted that the faction opposing the party’s recognised leadership lacked legal standing and could not lawfully operate the affairs of the party.

“You cannot continue to deceive Nigerians. If they are sure they are the authentic leadership of the PDP, let them open an official PDP account and tell party members to pay nomination fees into it,” Wike said.

He specifically challenged Taminu Turaki, SAN, and other leaders of the rival camp to test their claims by opening a bank account in the name of the PDP.

“Let Turaki, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, open an account for the PDP. Let them announce it publicly for members who want to contest elections. That day, you will see what will happen,” he stated.

Wike argued that no bank would recognise such an account because the faction allegedly lacks the legally recognised party structure and documentation required to operate.

“That bank will be in trouble because to open such an account, you must provide the party’s authentic documents and recognised leadership. Who has those documents?” he queried.

The FCT minister also warned against attempts to establish what he described as illegal party offices, vowing that any action capable of causing a breakdown of law and order in Abuja would not be tolerated.

“If anybody goes ahead to open an illegal office in the name of the PDP in Abuja, I will seal it. I will not allow any breach of peace because my duty is to maintain law and order in the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

Wike maintained that court judgments had already settled the dispute over the PDP leadership and convention issues, accusing some actors of twisting judicial pronouncements for political convenience.

“People should stop deceiving Nigerians. The judgments are clear. You cannot ignore court decisions and begin to create parallel structures,” he added.

The minister further dismissed claims that the Supreme Court ruling favoured the rival faction, insisting that the legal processes and decisions available supported his position and that of the recognised party leadership.

According to him, attempts to reinterpret the judgments outside the established legal context were aimed at confusing party members and the public.

Wike said he remained a committed member of the PDP and was only defending what he described as constitutional order and due process within the party.

PDP has remained embroiled in internal leadership disputes following disagreements over the party’s convention, caretaker arrangements and recognition of key national officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

2027: Wike Refuses To Confirm Or Deny Chinda’s Governorship Bid

Published

21 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has reacted to reports that a federal lawmaker, Okey Chinda, has obtained forms to contest the Rivers State governorship election under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Speaking during a media chat on Wednesday, Wike neither confirmed nor denied the reports about Chinda’s alleged ambition.

However, he maintained that the PDP in Rivers State will participate in the upcoming election.

Responding to Dax George-Kelly, who is also said to have obtained a governorship nomination form under the All Progressives Congress, APC, Wike said George-Kelly is a member of the Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State.

He stated that the coalition will collectively decide which candidate to support when the time comes.