Politics
2023: Amosun Preferred Guber Candidate, Otegbeye, Others Dump ADC, Join APC
A scion of the Otegbeye’s family in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State and son of the legendary politician, Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, Dr. Leke Otegbeye, has joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Vanguard.
The former gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said, he joined the APC and will lead campaign for Prince Dapo Abiodun’s reelection because he was convinced that if his father was alive “he would be in the progressives fold”.
Otegbeye, who led other leaders and stalwarts of the African Democratic Party (ADC) to the ruling party, told newsmen after meeting with Governor Abiodun at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, that he and the former ADC members identified the personal qualities of the governor and his style of governance, hence, their decision to join the APC.
“I see His Excellency as a cool, calm and collected individual and a man, one will be a delight to work with. He is a compassionate person who has the capacity to lead and it will be good to align with somebody who can lead people in the right direction.
“Apart from me, I am bringing people of like minds and of high integrity who are ready and willing to add value to the party and work for its success.
“We have seen what the governor is doing across the state and I must say he is doing very well. As you know, government is a continuum and we are certain that he is going to do even better. From where he started, he has done a great job and I believe if given another opportunity, he will continue and enhance what he has done so far”, Otegbeye stated.
The former ADC chieftain lauded the governor for keeping his promise of even distribution of developmental projects to all parts of the state, noting that the current administration has been able to touch all sectors of the economy in the last three and a half years in the saddle.
On the timing of their decamping to the ruling party, Otegbeye said: “Sometimes, it takes time to measure decisions, so once you make the decision, it stands. I am a progressive and if there is any where I should be, I should align with the APC as a progressive. I think that is where I belong”.
A member of the extended Otegbeye family, Biyi, is the candidate of ADC that was recently stopped by a court order from contesting the governorship ticket.
Responding, the Senior Special Adviser on Political Matters, Tunji Egbetokun, described the former ADC members as men and women of proven integrity and responsibility who have seen the light and decided to take a stand with the progressives in the state.
He commended them for choosing to align with the ruling party and work towards its total victory in the 2023 general election.
Welcoming the defecting ADC members into his campaign train, Governor Dapo Abiodun said “it is always good to appreciate good deeds. I assure you that you will be treated as equal stakeholders in the APC”.
He thanked Dr. Otegbeye for honouring the memory of his late father by identifying with the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership and accountability in politics.
“We want to assure you that you will be treated with decorum and we will not disappoint you in any form.
“If the ultimate goal is for the welfare, well-being and wellness of our people across the length and breadth of Ogun State is your driving force to join us, you are welcome to join the winning streak of our building our future together”, he concluded.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has declared that nothing will prevent the upcoming local government election from holding, despite resistance from the state’s police command.
In the early hours of Friday, Fubara personally visited the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISEC) office in Port Harcourt.
The facility, where electoral materials are stored, had been barricaded by police operatives.
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The police presence, which was seen as a blockade, quickly dispersed after Fubara arrived at the scene, accompanied by lawmakers and government officials.
Their departure followed the governor’s strong opposition to the actions of the police.
The Rivers State police command had earlier announced that it would not provide security for the election, citing a federal high court order from Abuja.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the state’s police spokesperson, clarified that the decision was in compliance with the court’s directive.
However, Fubara dismissed the need for police security and criticized the police’s involvement.
He claimed that Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), was acting under the influence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) and former Rivers governor.
“We came here this morning when we heard that the Nigeria police were taking over the RISEC premises. I had to come myself to find out why such a thing would happen,” Fubara said during his visit.
He questioned the interpretation of the court ruling, emphasizing that it did not explicitly stop the election from taking place.
“The judgment said don’t give the voter register and police, don’t provide security. But is that the same thing as blocking the election?” he asked.
Fubara insisted that the election would proceed regardless of police support, citing a similar situation in Anambra where elections were conducted without police security.
“We don’t need your security. We will provide our own,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to seeing the election through.
In a fiery speech, Fubara warned that the only way to stop the election would be if he were shot.
“I will be here. This is my property. You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering it,” he declared, adding that any attempt to do so would mark a dark chapter in the history of the IGP.
The governor’s stance has raised tensions in Rivers as the election date approaches, with both the local population and political observers closely watching the developments.
“The election will hold, results will be declared, and people will be sworn in,” Fubara vowed.
Fubara’s comments signal a deepening rift between the state government and federal security agencies, further complicating the already fraught political atmosphere in Rivers.
The coming days will determine whether the governor’s resolve will prevail or whether legal and security challenges will force a postponement of the polls.
In a dramatic turn of events on Friday, protesters stormed the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) office, demanding the local government elections proceed as planned.
Despite heavy rainfall, the demonstrators, chanting “Election must hold,” set up canopies, blocked part of the road, and beat drums in defiance of security concerns.
The protest followed an early morning confrontation between the Rivers State governor and security forces.
The governor had rushed to the RSIEC premises after reports emerged that the Rivers State Police Command intended to take control of the office, a move seen by many as an attempt to disrupt the election set for Saturday.
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In an impassioned response, the governor vowed that the elections would not be derailed. “Keep your security, I do not need it. This election must hold on Saturday. The results will be declared, and the winners will be sworn in,” he said, recalling a similar situation in Anambra State.
Earlier on Friday, security operatives reportedly thwarted an attempt by individuals disguised in police uniforms to gain access to the RSIEC office. The intruders allegedly tried to break into the commission’s gates and strong room in a bid to seize sensitive electoral materials intended for the polls.
The pre-election atmosphere in Rivers State remains charged, with security concerns escalating as voters and officials prepare for Saturday’s local government elections.
Tensions escalated at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt on Thursday as protests broke out ahead of the upcoming Local Government elections, scheduled for October 5, 2024.
Large crowds of demonstrators gathered at the secretariat, prompting a heavy security presence to control the situation and manage the traffic disruption caused by the unrest.
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According to reports, the protests were fueled by concerns over the delayed release of the 2023 Voters’ Register by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
Protesters voiced frustration over the legal challenges that have complicated the electoral process just days before the election.
The situation intensified after a Federal High Court ruling on September 30, 2024, in which Justice Peter Lifu barred INEC from releasing the voters’ register to RSIEC.
The court’s decision stemmed from ongoing legal disputes regarding the legitimacy of the election process.
Despite the legal roadblocks, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has insisted that the elections will proceed as planned.
Fubara, citing a prior Supreme Court ruling that mandates all Nigerian states must hold democratically elected local government elections, expressed confidence that the election will take place on schedule.
The delay in the release of the voters’ register has raised questions about the transparency and fairness of the upcoming election, intensifying political tensions in Rivers State.
Authorities are on high alert, working to ensure that the situation does not spiral further ahead of the scheduled election date.
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