From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The Lagos branch of the Niger Delta Youths Organisation has endorsed Seyi Tinubu for Lagos State governorship, urging him to take over as governor in 2027 to continue building on the Bola Ahmed Tinubu structure and legacy.The Lagos branch of the group anchored their endorsement on the detribalized nature of Seyi Tinubu whom they believe, like his father was capable of lifting Lagos to a new height in politics.

Addressing a press conference in Lagos on Thursday, Comrade Sele Diseye National Coordinator, Good Governance Project 2023-2031 stated that young Tinubu has empowered all tribes within and outside Lagos, just like his father and deserves to be given the opportunity to lead the people of Lagos who are mainly people of different tribes and religions. According to Comrade Diseye, only a detribalized and accommodating individual like young Seyi Tinubu can successful manage Lagos State amid people of different tribes without bias.Good Governance Project 2023-2031said, “ Who else will the people in Lagos support if young Seyi Tinubu accepts to run for the highest office in Lagos State? “Young Seyi knows no tribe, no religion and no gender. He believes in all people irrespective of their tribe and religion.”Infact those of us from the Niger Delta region are mostly at a disadvantage in mix-tribal state such as Lagos. With Seyi Tinubu in the saddle, there is no doubt that our interest will be protected.“There are many sons and daughters of presidents across the country whom we have carefully assessed. Many of them have been scored very low in terms of inter-personal relations. Most of them don’t come close to people but Seyi is exceptionally different with good experience and exposure.“His limitless link to other tribes makes it possible for us to conclude on him as one of the most detribalized young persons in Nigeria currently. “We are optimistic that he will surely address the tribal sentiments and grudges many of us bear in Lagos. “To cap it all, he has firm roots to the south east as he is married to a South Easterner and his mother is from the Niger Delta region. This is a plus.“In the wake of the massive flood in Borno, young Seyi was quick in his response. We saw how he mobilized his friends and colleagues to the flood-ravaged state and donated massively.”How many president’s sons or daughters have been actively involved in such a rescue mission? He is exceptionally good with those who have clear mindset toward his aspirations in life.“Here in Lagos his office is for all tribes and religion. There is no tribe or religion from what we have gathered that is not found working with him.“We wish to state that the Lagos chapter of the Niger Delta youths received the go ahead of the Good Governance Project 2023-2031in Abuja for the endorsement having evaluated the effort of young Seyi Tinubu towards national integration and youths activism in the country.“We are aware of his roles towards empowerment of youths of all tribes in the past two years and this is what modern leadership entails in democratic settings.“On this note and without sentiments, we call on young Seyi Tinubu to get ready and prepare to put on the leadership toga come 2027, which is now or never.”

From Mike Tayese, Yenagoa

The South South Senate Caucus led by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has unanimously backed the tax reform bills of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.The group comprising all Senators from the South South geopolitical zone also passed a vote of confidence on the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

The South South Senate Caucus’s position was contained in a communique issued at the end of a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, and released to the media on Thursday. The group stressed its support for President Tinubu’s tax reform bills in recognition of the importance of tax reforms to improved revenue generation and enhanced economic stability.The Senators stressed that the support for the bill is based on a thorough study of the bills to ensure that they promote the interest of the people of the South South and indeed the nation.The Senators call for restraint on the part of those trying to introduce ethnic and regional sentiments into the issue of the bills, and urged them to embrace the robust dialogue already initiated by the Senate.“Recognizing the importance of tax reforms in enhancing national revenue and fostering economic stability, we resolved to support the Tax Reforms Bills.“This support will be anchored on a comprehensive study and thorough evaluation of the content of the Bills to ensure they align with the overall interest of Nigerians, particularly the well-being of the South-South region.“The Caucus calls for restraint on the part of those bent on introducing sentiments, whether regional, ethnic or tribal to a national dialogue and looks forward to robust interactions and consultations as already commenced by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.“The Caucus calls for restraint on the part of those bent on introducing sentiments, whether regional, ethnic or tribal to a national dialogue and looks forward to robust interactions and consultations as already commenced by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the communique read in part.The lawmakers also reaffirmed their “unwavering commitment to standing by the Senate President and supporting his leadership in steering the Senate toward its constitutional mandate of making laws that serve the best interests of the nation and its citizens.”Those who signed communique are the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, Senator Jarigbe A. Jarigbe (Secretary)- Senator Barinada Mpigi Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Senator Neda ImasuenSenator Munir Chinedu Nwoko and Senator Thomas Joel-Onowakpo.Others are Senator Aniekan Bassey,Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, Senator Allwell Onyeso, Senator Ipalibo Banigo, Senator Benson Agadaga, Senator Konbowei, Benson Senator Eteng Jonah Williams, Senator Ekong Sampson and Senator Ede Dafinone.

A delegation of the West African Elders Forum (WAEF) observation mission led by former President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday arrived in Accra, ahead of the Dec. 7 general elections in the country.

The WAEF’s communications Officer, Wealth Dickson Ominabo, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ominabo, in a statement, quoted Jonathan on arrival in Ghana, urged Ghanaians to be patriotic and work for peaceful, free and transparent elections.

Other members of the delegation include former Burkinabe Prime Minister and President of the ECOWAS, Mr Kadre Ouedraogo; Executive Director of the Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Ms Ann Iyonu, and Special Adviser to Jonathan, Ikechukwu Eze.

Jonathan commended the people of Ghana for their enduring commitment to democratic values, adding that Ghana’s history of peaceful political transitions served as a beacon for democratic governance across Africa

“The upcoming elections present another opportunity for Ghanaians to reinforce their dedication to democracy, stability, and development,” he stated.

The mission leaders also charged the electoral commission of Ghana and the security agencies to keep to their mandate of independence and neutrality to ensure a credible polling process.

“WAEF urges the Electoral Commission of Ghana to uphold its mandate of conducting free and fair elections, and ensuring the transparency and credibility of the 2024 elections as a way of building trust among the electorate and stakeholders.

“We encourage the security agencies to sustain their professional conduct, maintain their neutrality and a peaceful electoral environment by ensuring impartial deployment to safeguard voting materials, polling centres, and citizens across the country.

“As we approach the end of campaign activities, we urge all political parties and their candidates to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful campaigns devoid of hate speech, inflammatory rhetoric, and personal attacks.”

The former President also called on political parties, candidates and all stakeholders to respect the integrity of the electoral process and pledged to resolve disputes through lawful and constitutional channels.

Jonathan further urged the youth and party supporters to remain law-abiding during and after the elections, avoiding acts of intimidation or violence.

Describing Ghana as a model of democracy, Jonathan also urged Ghanaians to seek to safeguard Ghana’s democratic legacy by rejecting violence, intimidation, or actions that could undermine the integrity of the electoral process.

“By working together, Ghanaians can once again assert the country’s position as a model of democracy built on a tradition of peaceful, free, fair and transparent elections,” he said. (NAN)