Violence Erupts at Ijaw Youth Council Election in Port Harcourt, Several Dead

By: Zagazola Makama

What began as an election for the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) in Abulomma, Port Harcourt, took a deadly turn on 14 September 2024, leaving several people dead in its wake.

The election, which was held around 4:45 PM, descended into chaos after disagreements arose among the members, resulting in violent clashes.

The unrest escalated rapidly, leading to the death of one individual during the initial fracas, and the situation worsened with road blockades being erected by angry factions. The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) intervened, restoring a semblance of order in the area.

However, tensions flared up again the following morning. At approximately 7:20 AM on 15 September 2024, additional bodies were discovered in Abulomma, heightening fears of further violence.

Reports indicate that a gunfight broke out during the IYC Eastern Zone election after several candidates refused to step down in favor of prominent figures, including EG Ateke and Asari Dokubo, who were also contesting for leadership positions. This led to violent clashes, resulting in further loss of life.

Violence Erupts at Ijaw Youth Council Election in Port Harcourt, Several Dead

Edo leaders slam PDP, Obaseki

· Pronounce Okpebholo next governor

· Say September 21 election will be violence-free

By: Our Reporter

Top political leaders in Edo State on Sunday slammed the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for spreading unfounded rumour, refusing to sign the peace agreement and envisaging election violence.

They also urged PDP and Labour Party members in the state to shun violence in the September 21 governorship election.

At a meeting to review strategies for the September 21 governorship election, the leaders expressed belief in Okpebholo’s capacity to restore trust in government and open new business and investment.

‘’ ’There is a strong hunger for change right now in Edo State. There is no question about APC’s expected victory as the party has very strong connection to the grassroots in the state’’

The notable leaders spoke with deep sincerity on the APC candidate’s approach, skill at persuasion and ethos.

They hailed Okpebholo for making a positive difference in the lives of the people of Esanland.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo is the candidate that is strong on the economy, security, infrastructure and welfare programmes’’.

Dr. Amos Obasuyi, spokesman of the Edo Rescue Mission 2024, in a statement in Igueben pronounced the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, as ‘’ the right man for the governorship job’’.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will run an economy driven by the private sector, improve the business environment, empower the people and ensure good governance and unity in the state’’

The influential people in Edo politics listed infrastructure, healthcare, security and, education, agriculture, industrialization, minimum wage and good jobs for all as areas of interest to the APC governorship candidate.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo will attract foreign investments, lower certain taxes to encourage industrialization and get rid of useless regulations that discourage economic development. He will push for more investments in roads, bridges and infrastructure’’

The statement emphasized Okpebholo’s exceptional creativity, liveliness and positive leadership traits.

’’Senator Monday Okpebholo will increase public education funding and expand state’s literacy programmes’’

The statement also highlighted economic growth, a strong focus on modern education for our children, meaningful infrastructural development that properly integrates our state from end to end, qualitative, consistent and accessible healthcare and expansion in private sector led industry that takes our youth of the streets.

They praised Okpebholo for having the type of empathy and direction Edo State needs

‘’Edo North people are looking up to Okpebholo. The Esan hope is in Okpebholo. The Benin people want Okpebholo to be the next governor of Edo State’’

They said Okpebholo has the record to govern Edo State and that the people of the state were ready to take their destiny in their hands through Okpebholo in the September 21 polls.

‘’Senator Monday Okpebholo has ideas and understands the current challenges’’

Edo leaders slam PDP, Obaseki

2027: The rise of a megaparty and potential internal strife leading to Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s triumph

By Dr. James Bwala

The oppositions are still at odds in their meetings about what the year 2027 will hold for them; therefore, the entire narrative revolves around the storms they are coming face to face with in the buildup for 2027. We understand where they are coming from, and the questions in their brains have already shown the worries in their eyes. In actuality, they are attempting to insert flimsy concrete into the pillars that are supposed to support the structure they are assembling to construct. We know that they are simply exposing their fears if they keep pushing the narrative that there is a schism in the presidency. These are the characteristics of both President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his vice president, Kashim Shettima: people with tranquil hearts don’t talk louder. 

I have been keeping a close eye on our political landscape lately, particularly with regard to the emergence of a megaparty and the growing momentum to unseat Tinubu and Kashim Shettima in 2027. I recalled those days when I used to sneak into our neighbors’ house as a kid to watch cowboy movies. It was fascinating to watch a group of criminals band together specifically to rob a bank, but in the end, a certain interest stemming from personal ambition exposes the groups into intoxicating situations, which causes the earlier agreements to give the Sheriffs an advantage when the group falls apart.

I’m not sure if the earlier report about Ahmed El-rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, joining the megaparty is accurate. Politics is interesting, of course, but I believe that given the recent smokescreen surrounding him, he should have proceeded with greater caution when pursuing his political goals. They used to say that hasty decisions are made in the devil’s way. If that is the case, based on his remarks prior to the general election on February 25, 2022, and his subsequent boasting about his love for Mr. President and the APC, I believe he may be playing politics to suit himself.

I also followed the lines on some pages and discussions ongoing between the former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the Madugu of the NNPP and its presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the almighty Peter Obi in drawing yet another mathematical formula for trunketting the APC administration come 2027. And I hope the figures to be brought by Peter Obi in these new arrangements will be looked at carefully and not through the magnifying lenses of the Labour Party presidential candidate, so that no madman can bring any advice to the table again. 

In this rhetoric, who may drop their ambition for the common good? Who would be willing to sacrifice his interest in the race so that Obi, Atiku, or Kwankwaso may lead the team? Peter Obi may be very comfortable in the ongoing meetings, hoping that the table may turn for him and he may never settle for a VP position. We have seen this ambition in the past. Atiku has said he would run again and may need the support of Obi. Kwankwaso is no pushover, having established himself on many fronts as a spoiler in the past. And Atiku may never support the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket because he loves to run and runs himself out. 

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As the clock ticks, only the fastest hand can pull the trigger first in this cowboy-like arrangement from the buildup. Amongst these gladiators, who is El-rufai’s interested in? That is to say that if he is not also ambitious of becoming an aspirant for the presidential race. Other gladiators with such ambition to go into the race may be aligning their cards to see the possibility of displaying their talents in the political murky water, as it is already ahead of the serious calculations at the table where the hearts are beating and only the eyes could explain the true state of the mind for a choice of coffee or wine. 

Ambition knows no friend or brother of the same cross when it comes to choice. Therefore, the possibility for these ongoing arrangements to fail is rather louder for the things I know for now. I could go into debate over and again along the path of former governor of Jigawa state, Alhaji Sule Lamido, on his statement over what President Tinubu stands and on matters of the 2027 presidential race. I stand with Alhaji Sule Lamido on this ground to say it is Tinubu and Kashim Shettima again that will decide the race in 2027. But that is not to say that the race will be easy. 

I believe the trio of Atiku, Obi, and Kwankwaso knows very well the position of the race, as stated by Alhaji Sule Lamido. They know who Tinubu and his partner stand for. They know that the two lion hearts are living not only by their past achievements but also on their daily experiences in dealing with situations as confrontational as they come. El-rufai is a wounded tiger. His mistake would be to fight Tinubu and Kashim Shettima with a drafted heart. I will not speak about the Wike angles—that may be too early to say. However, those in the opposition who think Wike is done may yet be walking on hot coal. 

Dr. James Bwala, PhD, writes from Abuja.

2027: The rise of a megaparty and potential internal strife leading to Tinubu and Kashim Shettima’s triumph