Politics

River Guber: How Voters Were Whipped, Forced To Vote PDP – APC’s Cole

Published

2 years ago

March 29, 2023

The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC in Rivers State, Tonye Cole, has decried what he described as the high level of voter intimidation in the state March 18 governorship election.

Cole spoke on alleged irregularities that greeted the Rivers governorship election in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.

He alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) piloted a dominance of voter suppression that affected the turnout of voters in Rivers.

The APC candidate claimed voters were whipped and threatened to forcefully vote for PDP, adding that government officials and security personnel took control of ballot boxes in various polling units.

According to Cole, the election was not equitable, arguing that a free and fair election without any form of voter suppression would prove that Rivers is not a PDP state.

He said, “There was a build-up of intimidation, voters were intimidated. They were told not to come out, whips were bought, people were whipped. Town criers went into communities, saying that nobody should come out.

“[They said] if they came out, they will be dealt with. Voter intimidation was very heavy, so that brought down the number of people coming out to vote because they were scared.

“In some cases, before the counting of the votes occurred, police came and – this was shocking – local government chairmen and councillors were coming with their vans with the police.”

According to him, the authorities took all the electoral materials in the polling unit away and there was very little they could do.

The APC candidate added that the only other option he and his supporters had to resist what they saw coming would have amounted to an escalation into violence.

Cole described Rivers as a “hijacked PDP state,” alleging that he was attacked by the opposition.

He further stated, “They came and carried the entire polling unit away (sic) and took them to an unknown destination and the next thing we saw is that these results were uploaded.

“We knew that it was going to happen because we had heard it in a small political environment and so we knew that there were plans to kidnap [people]. We saw people come into the polling unit who were strange.

“There was not enough security to counter that in any case, it was a national election, and security was widespread. We had choices and one of the choices that we had was to arm and equip our own side equally, but this was going to escalate into bloodshed, and death and we chose not to.”

“I would have loved this to be tested without intimidation, without violence and just allow a free and fair election to hold. The violence and the ability to rig has kept Rivers State a PDP state since 1999,” he said.

“People wanted to vote differently and it was the fear of allowing free and fair elections that would have shown that Rivers State was not a PDP state.”

Politics

Any Politician Promising Single Term Needs Psychiatric Test – Soludo

Published

6 hours ago

August 2, 2025

Editor

Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has slammed politicians promising to serve only one term in office.

The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria said any politician pledging to serve only one term in office needs to undergo a psychiatric test.

Soludo stated this on Saturday during a political rally held in Anambra South in support of his second-term ambition.

The governor questioned the logic behind such a promise, insisting that the Nigerian Constitution allows elected public officials to serve two terms, not just one.

“How can anybody with a functioning brain say that? Do you think you’re speaking to fools?

“You come to people and say you will do only one term, any politician who says that must be sent to a psychiatric home because the person must have some mental problem,” Soludo said.

This is coming a month after Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State called for a single-term tenure of six years.

Also, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, said he is willing to accept a one-term presidency in the spirit of equity and zoning.

He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday, July 6.

The former Governor of Anambra State said four years is enough for any serious and sincere leader to make an impact.

He said, “One term is enough to establish that good governance is possible, and if they can impact negatively on us for just two years, why won’t someone achieve a lot in four years?

“It’s also to respect the gentleman’s agreement of zoning, which has been a stabilising factor even though it’s not in our constitution.

“I don’t need a day more than four years. I will show the direction of good governance. In two years, there has been maximum damage.

“Two years can change it in a good direction. People want to get up and see a president who cares and shows compassion.”

Politics

PDP Has Been Bought By APC – Dino Melaye

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been “purchased” by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Melaye made the allegation while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday night, a day after submitting his resignation letter to PDP.

According to him, the opposition party receives dates for its National Executive Committee, NEC, meetings directly from the Presidential Villa.

“PDP has been purchased by the APC. The PDP is a parastatal of the APC. In fact, they take dates for NEC meetings and NWC from Aso Villa. Look at these PDP governors, are they acting as opposition? And you know how powerful governors are,” Melaye said

Politics

Drama As Ebonyi Politician Declares Self ADC National VC South-East

Published

1 day ago

August 1, 2025

Editor

The National Convener of Turn By Turn Initiatives, Ben Nworie has declared himself the Interim National Vice Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC South East zone.

Briefing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, Nworie noted that the south east zone needs a vocal and vibrant politician who would advance the fortunes of the coalition movement in the zone.

Also, an Abia born media expert, Obinna George, emerged as the South East zonal Publicity Secretary of the ADC.

Mr Obinna George is expected to deploy his media expertise in propagating the activities of ADC in the zone.

Nworie said his decision to become the Interim National Vice chairman was to galvanise support of the people of the zone to join the political revolution for a prosperous nat

According to him; “my burning desire to become the Interim National Vice Chairman of the African Democratic Party, South east zone is to galvanise. Supports for our great party in the zone. ADC is not just a coalition but a political revolution that will end the decade of misrule by the present government”.

“ADC stands a better opportunity to rescue Nigeria from the present economic hardship and forge a common front towards advancing the future of a new Nigeria. Let me state categorically that coalition brought the present government to power and the same coalition will sack it out of power’.

“I want to urge the people of south east to embrace ADC as the only veritable platform that will address decades of marginalization, depression and neglect. It is time for us to speak in one voice and support the movement. It is time for the South east zone to stand up to be counted as the movers and shakers of the coalition”.

“As the National Vice Chairman of ADC, I accept the responsibilty to lead our dear party in the zone and I want to declare that our coalition is open to every Nigerian who is passionate to change the old order into a new order, where all the critical sectors will be functional”.

“I commend our Interim National Chairman of ADC, Senator David Mark; Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and indeed all other national leaders who are sacrificing a lot to ensure that Nigeria is liberated from the shackles of poverty, which has become our fair share of national cake”.

“I want to thank all our members across the five states of the south east for your resilience, deep commitment and sacrifices in promoting and galvanising support for our party”.

The National Vice Chairman further appealed to all aggrieved members of the party to withdraw all litigations for the over all interest of the Nigerian People whose only hope for a better nation is rested on ADC.