–PRP Chair

By Son Tertsea, Abuja

The Peoples Redemption Party PRP has opposed the planned establishment of state police, justifying its stand on the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s motive, which, in its opinion, lacks the credibility and public trust to implement the restructuring of Nigeria’s policing system.

The opposition party’s position comes a day after the Senate passed the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish state police across states of the federation. The state police bill, to supporters, is popular because it is a significant step toward decentralising the police and using it in reversing the deepening insecurity in Nigeria.

Speaking Thursday, in Abuja, National Chairman of PRP, Dr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, expressed concern over the proposed police reform, casting suspicion on its motive while calling Nigerians to oppose it saying:

“The Peoples Redemption Party is deeply concerned over plans by President Tinubu’s administration to procure State Police through constitutional amendment at a time when its credibility and competence are at an unprecedented low level in our democratic history.

“Going by precedent and record, this administration will almost certainly secure what is needed to amend the Constitution and actualise its desire to establish State Police.”

He reiterated further that: “Nigeria needs a major review and overhaul of its security, law and order institutions to address national security and create an environment that should raise citizens’ confidence and faith in leaders and critical institutions.” He continued:

“This administration lacks the moral assets and the trust of Nigerians to undertake a major shift in the policing structure of the country. The APC administration has failed to manage our security structure and institutions. Its plan to engineer the emergence of State Police, is suspicious and it should be rejected.” he added.

The party further advised that the issue of state police should be left for consideration after the next general election, arguing that the country first needs a government that enjoys broad public confidence before embarking on such reforms.

The PRP advised further that forthcoming elections should be a threshold which should be crossed with credibility and popular acclaim before the nation decides on important issues such as state police structures.

It further advised “The current administration to make more efforts towards securing citizens and bringing an end to the nightmare under which we all live.”

The Senate on Wednesday approved the Constitution Alteration Bill after a clause-by-clause consideration of the proposal during plenary.

The legislation secured the support of more than two-thirds of senators through a manual voting process conducted on the floor of the chamber.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the passage of the bill after lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the proposal following the presentation of a report by the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.

The bill seeks to create a constitutional framework for state police while retaining federal police authority over matters such as terrorism, border security and other national security concerns.

Before becoming law, the constitutional amendment must secure the approval of at least 24 state Houses of Assembly and receive presidential assent

INEC declares ruling party winners in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano, Kebbi, Enugu; results marred by violence and rigging allegations

By Felix Umande

The All Progressives Congress recorded a dominant performance in Saturday’s by-elections, winning legislative seats in Ondo, Nasarawa, Kano, Kebbi and Enugu states, while the Peoples Democratic Party retained the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

Results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday strengthened the APC’s legislative presence nationwide, though several contests were overshadowed by allegations of irregularities, violence and voter intimidation.

In Nasarawa North Senatorial District, APC’s Danladi Halilu secured 45,362 votes to defeat Labour Party’s Labaran Maku with 12,931 votes and PDP’s Emmanuel Ombugadu with 11,570 votes.

Returning Officer Prof. Aminu Ali announced the results Sunday at the College of Education, Akwanga, after collation from Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon and Wamba LGAs.

The APC also clinched the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency in Kano, where Rabiu Shuaibu polled 35,356 votes in a landslide.

Returning Officer Prof. Umar Sani said APM’s Lawal Garba Haruna got 268 votes and LP’s Abubakar Yahaya Muhammad scored 98 votes.

In Enugu North Senatorial District, INEC Returning Officer Prof. Christian Ezebe certified APC’s Ikeje Asogwa winner with 162,360 votes out of 184,094 accredited voters. PDP’s Dr. Nestor Ezeme came second with 9,299 votes.

In Ondo South, APC candidate Prof. Francis Faduyile, former NMA President, was declared winner with 68,474 votes. INEC’s Prof. Gbenga Ibileye said APM’s Adeolu Akinwunmi scored 1,411 votes, APP’s Adesanya Olaoluwa 213, and Boot Party’s Clement Funso-Nejo 70 votes.

In Rivers State, INEC declared PDP’s Olaka Nwogu winner of the Rivers South-East Senatorial District by-election. Returning Officer Prof. Rosemary Ogu said Nwogu polled 46,961 votes to defeat APC’s Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari who got 1,647 votes across the seven LGAs of Khana, Gokana, Tai, Eleme, Andoni, Oyigbo and Opobo.

The polls were not without dispute. In Nasarawa, LP agents staged a walkout at the collation centre, with Dr. Ben Ango rejecting the process. Maku called the election “a complete sham” and demanded cancellation, alleging ballot thumb-printing and use of BVAS in Alizaga, Umme and Alushi wards.

APC Publicity Secretary Augustine Ogaba dismissed the claims, saying the opposition only cries foul when they lose.

Enugu North witnessed reports of severe violence, ballot-box snatching and attacks on opposition elements across six LGAs. A PDP agent identified as Justice was hospitalized with head and nose injuries at Umuodo Village Hall, Obollo-Afor.

In Rivers, AA candidate Dr. Douglas Fabeke and LP’s Kinani Sam rejected the result, alleging fake INEC result sheets and rigging with video and pictorial evidence. Fabeke said he instructed agents not to sign documents and vowed to challenge the outcome in court.

INEC spokesperson Geraldine Ekelemu dismissed the allegations but said candidates were free to contest results if dissatisfied, insisting the commission conducted a credible poll.

INEC said the by-elections were contested in multiple constituencies, with total votes cast and rejected ballots recorded in each race.

By Ben Atonko

Sankera stands at a crossroads. The next election is not just about filling a seat. It is about choosing a direction.

In Lawrence Vihimga, the people of Katsina-Ala-Ukum-Logo Federal Constituency have a candidate who combines youthful energy with the wisdom of Methuselah. Age has not made it, experience has made him wise.

From his school days, at Government College Katsina-Ala and College of Education, Katsina-Ala Vihimga demonstrated skills that were marked by a rare trait: leadership that puts collective interest first.

While others chased personal glory, he rallied classmates for common causes.

That same spirit followed him to Benue State University, where he was elected President of the BSU Alumni Association. The position earned him a seat in the Governing Council of the university.

He did not serve for title. He served with dedication, honesty and a genuine love for people.

Under his watch, the alumni body became more united, more purposeful and more responsive to the needs of its members and community.

He did not only give the association a new lift by registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), he also placed it on the national map by integrating it with the Council of Alumni Associations of Nigerian Universities.

There is something about Vihimga that changes every room he enters. The ambience shifts. The atmosphere gets electrified.

Laughter fills the air, but it is not empty laughter. It is the laughter of hope, of inclusion, of a man who makes people feel seen and loved.

In a political climate polluted by tension and division, Sankera needs that kind of presence. A leader who unites before he speaks policy.

In the last political dispensation, Vihimga aspired to represent his people. He presented himself with a clear vision and a clean record.

But gerontocracy forces would not allow him. The old order preferred recycling old names over testing fresh ideas.

Sankera lost an opportunity then. But windows close only for new ones to open.

That window is 2027. Vihimga has presented himself again, this time with more resolve under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) — the party of the white horse, the real progressive party.

Oh people of Sankera, this is your chance to entrench true people-centred leadership. Not leadership of promises but leadership of presence.

Not leadership of big grammar but leadership that understands the pain of the farmer, the fear of the mother and the frustration of the jobless youth.

This is the man who can afford you purposeful and selfless representation in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly.

Purposeful because he plans before he acts. Selfless because his record shows he spends more time solving problems than taking credit.

In Abuja, Sankera needs a voice that speaks for those in the rural communities, not just for the elite. Sankera needs to be visible at the national and Vihimga is that voice, he is the person.

Come 2027, every Sankera man, woman or youth who yearns for development should vote Lawrence Vihimga for Katsina-Ala-Ukum-Logo Federal Constituency.

It is the surest way to tackling insecurity, promoting unity and engendering grassroots development.

Insecurity has stolen our peace. Unity has been fractured by politics of exclusion. Grassroots development has been a slogan, not a reality.

Vihimga understands that security starts with opportunity, unity starts with inclusion and development starts at the grassroots.

He will legislate with the farmer in mind, attract projects that touch the rural areas and build bridges across our divides.

Sankera has tried the old formula for too long. 2027 must be different. Youth is not inexperience when it is guided by wisdom.

Vihimga has both. He has the energy to run the race and the character to finish it well.

The choice before us is simple. Continue with what has not worked or try what integrity and service can do.

Lawrence Vihimga is ready. Sankera must be ready too.

The time for recycling is over. The time for results is here. Vote Lawrence Vihimga. Vote for Sankera’s future