POLITICS
Asaba Stands Still as Atiku Pledges Devolution of Power to States at Campaign Rally
Asaba stood still on Tuesday as supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) turned out en-masse to grace the party’s presidential campaign at the Delta capital.
Newsmen report that the over 25,000- capacity Keshi Stadium, venue of the rally overflowed with party supporters while those outside the stadium outnumbered those within.
Addressing the rally, the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar lauded the large turnout and urged those in attendance to convert their support to vote for the party massively.
He thanked the people of Delta for their resolute commitment to the PDP since 1999 and urged them to continue to support the party.
He assured that the support which informed his decision to choose Delta’s Gov.
Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate was part of his commitment to reward the state and Niger Delta in general.He said that his administration would devolve power to states to enable them to control their resources, stressing that the sacrifices of Delta and the Niger Delta would be rewarded.
Atiku said he was not in Delta to campaign but to show gratitude to the people for supporting the party since 1999 till date.
“Delta and indeed all Niger Delta have never failed me; you have supported me all through and I shall not betray that trust.
“It is because of the support that I chose one of your own in the person of Gov. Okowa as my running mate,’’ he said.
He called on the people to support the party and vote en-masse for PDP to ensure the realisation of the party’s agenda.
Atiku pledged to end strikes in tertiary institutions to ensure credible and functional education system in the country.
He also pledged to grow the economy through massive industrialisation; ensure security of life and properties and resource control.
“With me as president, I want to assure you that there will be no more strikes by ASUU.
“Also, we shall devolve power to the states; there will be resource control and you as the Niger Delta shall benefit from that policy.
“Security is paramount; it is our responsibility and commitment to secure this country to enable businesses to thrive.
“Since 1999, Delta has remained a PDP state and it has continued to enjoy the dividends of good governance.
“You must believe in PDP to deepen development and grow our economy to become the largest economy on the continent,’’ Atiku said.
On his part, Gov. Okowa charged PDP supporters to convert the large turnout to votes by collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) by voting for all PDP candidates.
He said the large turnout by youths and others was impressive and since Delta is the choice for vice-president, the people should appreciate Atiku with a large number of votes.
“We have been looking for a president with capacity, knowledge and experience; Atiku fits in and he is the man to reset the county’s economy,’’ Okowa said.
In this remarks, Chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council, Akwa Ibom’s Gov. Udom Emmanuel, charged the people to affirm their support by voting for PDP.
Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Organisation, Sokoto State’s Gov. Aminu Tambuwal and Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo, also echoed the same view.
According to Emmanuel, the rally was to celebrate victory as Delta and the Niger Delta will poll more than five million votes for the PDP.
“I am certain that with Atiku and Okowa as president and vice-president, respectively, international oil companies that left Warri and other parts of the Niger Delta region will return.
Gov. Obaseki pledge the resolve Edo people to poll 1.5 million votes for the Atiku-Okowa ticket.
Tambuwal said PDP leaders are managers of human, institutions and resources and that a vote for Atiku-Okowa would be rewarding.
The party’s National Chairman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, who later received some defectors from the All Progressive Congress (APC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Labour Party (LP), noted that Delta remained a one-party state.
“We are sure that you will all come out en-masse to vote PDP all thorough in February and in Mach elections.
In their separate remarks, the party’s governorship candidate in Delta, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori; Former Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Chief Ndudi Elumelu, thanked Atiku for the choice of Okowa as running mate.
They pledged the state’s resolve to deliver massive votes for the party during the elections.
Newsmen report that the rally provided opportunities for food and drinks vendors, POS agents and others to make brisk businesses. (NAN)
From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa
A Youth Leader from Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Alhaji Letugbene has called on stakeholders in Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas of Bayelsa State to close ranks and work together to return the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson to the National Assembly come 2027.
Letugbene, who made the call recently said, Senator Dickson has performed creditably since he was elected and should be supported by all to continue his good work in the Senate, as there is no doubt in his political experience and leadership abilities and competence. He particularly, appealed to the stakeholders and people of Ekeremor to rally round Senator Dickson because he remains the only and best option for the people of Bayelsa West who are clamouring for true representation.”I want to call on my people in Ekeremor to join us to work together to return Senator Seriake Dickson back to the Senate in 2027.He has done well since he was elected and I’m convinced he will even do better for us” he said.According to him, Senator Dickson deserves the support of Ekeremor because he has impacted every community, noting that as a two-term governor, he cited several key projects in the LGA and appointed sons and daughters into key positions of trust, while as a federal lawmaker, he continues to impact the people positively.Letugbene, who is the National Vice Chairman of the Third Phase of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), also asserted, that Senator Dickson has taken the gauntlet left by the late Ijaw leader, Pa Edwin Clark, to face fire for the Ijaw Nation when it mattered most, noting that he stood his ground against intimidation and oppression to speak truth to power when issues affecting his people are on the front burner in the Red Chamber.He said Senator Dickson has remained vocal, courageous and fearless in the National Assembly, condemning the marginalization and oppression of the Ijaw Nation as well as other ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta, while demanding equity, fairness and justice for the people.Letugbene, however, bemoaned the actions of a few misguided stakeholders from Ekeremor who are whipping up sentiments against Senator Dickson through propaganda and claims that Sagbama is marginalizing Ekeremor over the Senate seat, urging them not to spread falsehood as the zoning formula in the area no longer existed and that anyone is free from either LGAs to contest the Senate and House of Representatives election in 2027.The ex-agitator, who passed a ‘vote of confidence’ on Senator Dickson, also enjoined beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Programme from Ekeremor LGA to support the federal lawmaker because of his assertive and unwavering commitment to the upliftment and betterment of Bayelsa West, the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta in the Nigerian Federation.
From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has recorded a major breakthrough in its quest for internal cohesion and electoral strength with the formal submission of a comprehensive reconciliation report by the committee led by elder statesman, Senator Mohammed Mana.
The peace initiative, which has been widely applauded by stakeholders, is the outcome of a coordinated effort spearheaded by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the APC National Vice Chairman (North East), Comrade Mustapha Salihu. The reconciliation committee was constituted after wide consultations among key political actors in the state, and with strategic input from the NSA, who is widely regarded as a stabilizing figure in Adamawa politics. His role, sources said, was pivotal in setting the tone for an inclusive and credible reconciliation process.Working in close alignment with the NSA, Comrade Mustapha Salihu provided administrative coordination, strategic direction, and political leadership that anchored the peace-building effort and culminated in the successful submission of the report.Speaking at the event, Salihu described the development as a “New dawn” for the APC in Adamawa and a critical step toward repositioning the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.“This report marks a turning point in our collective efforts to strengthen the APC in Adamawa. It is the product of genuine dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and a shared commitment to unity. I sincerely thank all those who played a role in making this happen, particularly our National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his guidance and fatherly support throughout this process,” Salihu said.He emphasized that the reconciliation is not just about settling disputes but about laying a solid foundation for future electoral success by fostering inclusivity and rebuilding trust among party members.In recognition of these efforts, the Adamawa APC Unity Forum, led by Abubakar Hamma, issued a statement commending the leadership of both NSA Ribadu and Comrade Salihu.“The roles played by the NSA and our Zonal Vice Chairman were instrumental. Their guidance, commitment, and strategic oversight gave the committee the credibility and confidence it needed to deliver this crucial mandate. Their patriotism has rekindled hope in the APC project in Adamawa,” the statement read.Similarly, the Coalition of APC Youths Forum in Adamawa, led by Hon. Khalil Sajo, expressed optimism about the party’s future in the state, declaring that the reconciliation efforts had repositioned the party for victory.“We now have a united front. The distractions are over, and thanks to leaders like NSA Ribadu and Comrade Salihu, we are entering the 2027 race from a position of strength,” the youth leader added.It will be recalled that Comrade Mustapha Salihu recently donated a newly acquired 20-room duplex complex equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to serve as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Adamawa State APC Secretariat. This, among several other gestures, reflects his unwavering commitment to the party’s growth and organizational readiness.Political observers believe that with this successful reconciliation and the backing of respected national figures like Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and Comrade Salihu, the APC in Adamawa is now better positioned to challenge for electoral dominance in the coming years.
From Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in the North West Zone has boldly declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is on a clear path to victory in the 2027 presidential elections, citing the disarray in the opposition and the party’s growing unity and strength across the region.
This assertive position was contained in a communiqué read by the Coordinating Governor of the North West and Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, following a high-level stakeholders meeting of the APC held on Saturday in Kaduna. The well-attended meeting brought together key political heavyweights including the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, Governors of Kebbi and Jigawa States, Deputy Governor of Katsina, Ministers, National and State Assembly members, and other top presidential aides from the zone.Governor Uba Sani noted that the stakeholders extensively assessed the state of the party and the performance of elected and appointed officials, and resolved to consolidate on the party’s political dominance across the zone.“One of the key takeaways from our robust deliberation is the undeniable fact that the opposition is in disarray,” he said. “But we must not be complacent. We must continue to deliver on our mandates and deepen the trust of our people. If we remain focused, the opposition stands no chance of recovering.”The stakeholders unanimously passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, applauding what they described as his “progressive governance, inclusive leadership, and unwavering support to the North West.” Speaker Abbas moved the motion, which was seconded by Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, and greeted with thunderous approval.Governor Sani further highlighted the President’s “uncommon support” for the North West, including the appointment of 12 ministers from the zone, two service chiefs, and major investments in security, infrastructure and agriculture.The communique concluded with a rallying call for unity and proactive grassroots mobilization as the APC prepares to extend its winning streak into the next election cycle.“The North West is firmly behind President Tinubu. With our collective commitment and strategic planning, 2027 will be another resounding victory for the APC,” Uba Sani affirmed.
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