Politics

Okowa Constitutes Handover Committee, Says Membership Not Appointment

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2023

Delta State governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, has approved the constitution of Inauguration Committee to coordinate a smooth transition to the next administration in the state.

Announcing the constitution of the Committee at a news conference in Asaba, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said the Committee headed by Secretary to the State Government, Chief Patrick Ukah, has the Permanent Secretary, Government House, Mr Eddy Ogidi-Gbegbaje, as Secretary.

He, however, stated that membership of the committee and sub-committees was not an automatic qualification for appointment into the next administration in the state, advising against “entitlement mentality” being associated with membership of the committee.

“You are very much aware that the Okowa administration is winding down and in about a month or couple of weeks, we will be heralding a new administration.

“As it is customary, we have put up a Committee to carry out a number of activities to ensure a smooth transition.

“What is trending in the Social Media is as if those who have been appointed into the main Committee and sub-committees have been given appointment in the new administration.

“We want to make it very clear that those appointed into the committees have only been asked to come and work for the purpose of seeing a smooth transition from the Okowa administration to the next administration.

“It does not mean that they are the ones that worked more than any other person. It does not also suggest that they are much more important than any other person.

“You know that if everybody who contributed to the success of the election were to be considered it means we will have a committee that will be more than a million,” he said.

Aniagwu appealed to party faithful who felt agitated for not being appointed into the committees to know that their assignment is just to midwife the process of a smooth transition.

“It doesn’t suggest that these persons who have been appointed have been automatically engaged by the new administration nor does it undermine the effort of every other person who did not see their names in the different committees.

“There are individuals who contributed very immensely to the success of the election and I can assure you that both the outgoing and incoming administrations take very serious cognisance of those efforts and in due course, the good Lord will instigate a process where they will be rewarded.

“Appointment into the Committee is just to midwife these processes that will culminate in the eventual handover to the next administration.

“So we appeal to our brothers to note that the Committee will not work in isolation and they will be reaching out to a number of people to assist them carry out the task,” he explained.

He urged Deltans to continue their support for the Okowa administration not only to May 29 but to the incoming Oborevwori administration adding that the success of Okowa will advance the state.

Politics

Why Peter Obi Must Get Security Clearance Before Coming To Edo — APC Chair, Tenebe

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

The chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Jarrett Tenebe, has backed the state governor’s stance on Peter Obi, insisting that the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate must seek security clearance before entering the state.

Tenebe said the warning said the warning to Obi by the state governor was prompted by security concerns stemming from his (Obi) previous visit to Edo.

According to Tenebe, the last time Obi came to Edo, the visit led to the death of three people.

“The party believes the governor was right in warning Peter Obi to get security clearance before coming into the state because of the opinion people have about him here, especially considering that during his last visit, three people were killed,” Tenebe stated.

He made the remarks shortly after the APC announced Joseph Ikpea and Omosede Igbinedion as the party’s candidates for the Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency, respectively.

Tenebe also vowed that the APC would run an intense campaign ahead of the 2024 governorship election to assert that it was the rightful winner of the last election.

“Now that we have our candidates, we will hit the ground running. We are going to campaign as if we have never won elections in this state. We want to let the people know that we actually won the last governorship election,” he added.

Politics

‘Where’s The 24/7 Electricity You Promised Nigerians,’ ADC Questioned Tinubu

Published

2 hours ago

July 20, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the state of electricity in the country, citing his campaign promise to provide stable power supply to Nigerians within four years.

In a statement shared on social media Sunday morning, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, reminded the president of his vow to deliver uninterrupted power supply, referencing an old campaign video where Tinubu pledged to end estimated billing and ensure 24/7 electricity across the country.

Abdullahi wrote, “Good morning, Nigerians. Today, we just want to take some time to remind President Tinubu that he promised Nigerians uninterrupted electricity within four years. Yes, that’s right, Mr. President promised us 24/7 power. All by himself.”

Abdullahi went on to list the administration’s alleged shortcomings in the power sector, noting that since Tinubu assumed office, electricity tariffs have surged by 240%, while the national grid has collapsed 12 times.

“Over 90 million Nigerians still lack electricity, while many get just 4 to 6 hours a day under Tinubu’s failed Band A–E system. In rural communities, most of Nigeria’s 50 million families remain completely off the grid, with no access to electricity at all,” he added.

He accused the government of showing “no major power sector reforms, no clear roadmap, and no sense of urgency” more than two years into its tenure.

“We are past the halfway mark of this administration, and millions of Nigerians are still charging their phones at mobile charging kiosks, and spending hundreds of thousands to fuel their generators.

“Where is the light? What happened to your promise? And how much longer do Nigerians have to wait in the dark?”

He then cited Tinubu’s campaign words, stating: “Mr. President, you once said: ‘If I don’t give you electricity, don’t vote for me.’ Well, Nigerians are listening. And come 2027, we intend to grant your wish.”

The campaign video shared by Abdullahi featured Tinubu saying: “Whichever way by all means necessary you must have electricity. And you will not pay the estimated bill anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I come back for a second time, don’t vote for me.”

Politics

PDP Reacts To Atiku’s Resignation

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

Editor

Nigeria’s main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared that the recent resignation of former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, from the party did not come as a surprise.

The declaration was made by the Acting Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Iliya Damagum, while speaking with journalists in Bauchi in reaction to the development.

According to him, “Atiku Abubakar’s resignation from the party is a familiar pattern. This is not the first time. We’re expecting him back.”

Iliya Damagum was implying that Atiku Abubakar’s decision to once again dump the PDP is consistent with his past actions.

The PDP Acting Chairman noted that the party has grown accustomed to Atiku Abubakar’s movements in and out of the party over the years, and is therefore not bothered about the latest development.

This response by the Acting Chairman indicated that the PDP is not overly concerned about Atiku Abubakar’s resignation, viewing it as a recurring event in their relationship.

According to the PDP Acting Chairman, the party seems to be taking a wait-and-see approach, expecting Atiku Abubakar to potentially return in the future.

This lack of alarm, in Damagum’s view, could be due to the PDP’s confidence in its own strength or a belief that Atiku Abubakar’s actions are not a significant threat.

As the PDP Acting Chairman’s stance suggests, Atiku Abubakar’s history of party loyalty has been questioned in the past.

Some have speculated that Atiku Abubakar views party affiliations as fluid, as his decision to resign from the PDP and form a coalition party, the Alliance Democratic Congress (ADC), may be part of a larger strategy to position himself for future elections.

However, according to the PDP Acting Chairman, the PDP’s nonchalant response could also suggest that they are not convinced of the seriousness of Atiku Abubakar’s intentions for the 2027 general elections.

Though the PDP leadership is yet to issue a formal statement, insiders say consultations are ongoing to manage the fallout from Atiku Abubakar’s exit, which has stirred intense reactions across the political landscape.

Recall that in a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Jada 1 Ward, Adamawa State, Atiku cited a loss of internal democracy and the need to explore new political frontiers as key reasons for his decision.