The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State has intensified its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections with the inauguration of 13-man booth executives across the 23 polling units in Ezeama/Okpala Ward 4.

The exercise, led by the Ngor Okpala local government area chairman, Sir Emeka Amajirionwu, attracted party leaders, members and supporters from across the ward.

Speaking during the inauguration, Amajirionwu expressed satisfaction with the turnout and the level of grassroots organisation in the ward.

He commended the ward leadership and other stakeholders for their commitment to strengthening the party’s structures and urged the newly inaugurated booth executives to intensify mobilisation and outreach within their respective communities.

According to him, an effective grassroots structure remained critical to the strength and success of any political party.

Amajirionwu also appreciated the ward chairman and other party leaders for their efforts toward building and expanding the ADC in the local government area.

In his remarks, a party chieftain, Mr John Eke charged the newly inaugurated booth executives to take full ownership of their respective polling units and mobilise at least 10 committed voters who would actively participate in the electoral process.

The State Deputy Woman Leader, Lady Leticia Okere, commended the inclusion of women in the booth executive structures, urging them to leverage their networks and organisational capacity to mobilise support for the party.

Also speaking, the Apex Leader of Ezeama/Okpala Ward 4, Dr. Chigozie Okereke, thanked the party leadership and the inauguration team for visiting the ward.

Okereke urged party members to remain committed to the ADC, noting the hardship and economic challenges confronting the people.

He called on members to take the message of the party to their various communities and spread what he described as the “good news” of the ADC.

The inauguration is part of the ADC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its booth-level structures, expand its grassroots presence and deepen voter mobilisation across Ngor Okpala ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Benue State governor and leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state, Chief Samuel Ortom has rejected reports claiming that he and other senior members of the party are considering replacing the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah.

Ortom described the reports circulating on social media as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented the purpose of a recent meeting involving some prominent Benue stakeholders.

In a statement released by his media assistant, Zege Terhide, the former governor said the report was a “mischievous” distortion of the discussions held during the meeting.

He explained that the meeting brought together himself, Senate Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro, Aondoakaa and other notable Benue indigenes, including Chief Simon Shango, Prof. Iyorwuese Hagher, Dr Pius Akutah, Emmanuel Ameh and Dr Matthias Byuan.

According to Ortom, the gathering was part of broader consultations involving influential stakeholders, aimed at creating a strategic partnership that would serve the interests of Benue State.

He firmly denied that the issue of changing the PDP governorship candidate featured in the discussions.

“At no time during the meeting was the replacement of Chief Aondoakaa as the PDP governorship candidate discussed, contemplated or placed on the agenda,” Ortom said.

The former governor said there was nothing unusual about political figures consulting with stakeholders, noting that such engagements were part of the democratic process.

He consequently criticised those attempting to portray the meeting as a secret political arrangement.

“It is, therefore, mischievous for anyone to take a legitimate meeting of Benue leaders and manufacture an entirely different motive for it,” he said.

Ortom further explained that engagements involving politicians and influential individuals should not automatically be viewed as evidence of hidden political schemes.

“Political consultations and engagements across party lines are neither strange nor secret conspiracies, particularly when they are driven by the larger interest of the people,” he stated.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the 2027 PDP ticket, Ortom made it clear that Aondoakaa remained the party’s candidate for the Benue governorship election.

“Chief Michael Aondoakaa, SAN, remains the duly nominated governorship candidate of the PDP in Benue State for the 2027 election,” Ortom declared.

He said Aondoakaa continued to enjoy the backing and confidence of the PDP leadership and members across the state.

Ortom also expressed optimism about Aondoakaa’s prospects if elected, pointing to his experience, competence and understanding of the challenges confronting Benue.

According to the former governor, the PDP candidate had the capacity to provide effective leadership and drive improvements in critical areas, including security, economic recovery and sustainable development.

He warned those behind the alleged replacement story to stop circulating what he described as fabricated claims capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party and among Aondoakaa’s supporters.

“Political journalism and commentary must be anchored on facts, not conjecture, deliberate falsehood or the attribution of imaginary motives to legitimate engagements,” he cautioned.

Ortom called on PDP members, Aondoakaa’s supporters and other residents of Benue to disregard the report and concentrate on the party’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that the controversy would not derail the PDP’s efforts to unite stakeholders and build a strong coalition of Benue people ahead of the election.

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*No, Wike will actualise his boast, will deliver Tinubu – Rufai Oseni

By Juliet Umeh

The political temperature ahead of the 2027 general election rose another notch this week as comments by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that Rivers State was already secured for President Bola Tinubu triggered a heated debate on ARISE Television’s The Morning Show.

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The programme also examined claims by Catholic leaders that the Presidency should pay closer attention to the realities facing Nigerians, with the show’s anchors disagreeing over whether President Tinubu is being shielded from public opinion.

The controversy followed Wike’s declaration during his media chat in Abuja that politicians eyeing Rivers State for the 2027 presidential election should “forget it,” insisting that the state belongs politically to President Tinubu.

“I am telling you, let nobody make a mistake. The only person that can win Rivers State is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the minister declared, describing himself as “a political realist.”

The remarks immediately generated reactions on social media, with many users arguing that such comments could discourage voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process.

On ARISE Television, Ayo Mairo-Ese urged Nigerians not to interpret Wike’s comments as a foregone conclusion, describing them as political posturing intended to unsettle opponents.

“What he was doing is what we call mind games. It is ‘political big speak’. It is psychological warfare,” she said.

According to her, regardless of political influence, elections are ultimately decided by voters.

“Wike has one vote, just like every other Nigerian. The people of Rivers State will determine who emerges as the winner.”

She, however, warned that influential political figures should exercise caution because statements suggesting that election outcomes have already been determined could deepen voter apathy.

She also challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to strengthen public confidence by conducting elections that leave no room for manipulation.

“INEC has to demonstrate that every vote counts and that elections are free, fair and credible,” she added.

But co-anchor Rufai Oseni disagreed sharply with Mairo-Ese’s interpretation, arguing that Wike’s remarks should not be dismissed as mere political posturing because they reflected what many Nigerians already perceive about the country’s electoral system.

Oseni argued that the minister’s confidence was rooted in his political influence and controversies surrounding the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State where figues declared didn’t tally with the ones on IREV which he said the BBC pointed out in a special report on Ngeria. Although he said that Wike’s statements reinforced public distrust in democracy, he was ready to bet with anybody that Wike’a claims would come to pass.

“With due respect, he is not saying what he has not done. He is saying what he has done,” Oseni said, citing reports that questioned aspects of the 2023 election in Rivers and recalling Wike’s own claims about his dominance of the state’s political structure.

He argued that pretending such fears do not exist would only deepen public cynicism, insisting that many Nigerians already doubt whether elections truly reflect the will of the people.

“We keep saying we don’t want voter apathy, but many people already believe the process is a charade already,” he said.

He maintained that many Nigerians already believe the electoral process is compromised and that journalists should confront that perception rather than dismiss it in the name of encouraging voter participation.

Dr. Reuben Abati, however, rejected Rufai’s position, insisting that no politician has the constitutional authority to determine electoral outcomes.

“Wike is just like every other Nigerian qualified to vote. He has only one vote,” Abati said.

“He cannot sit today and announce the outcome of the 2027 election in Rivers State.”

Describing Wike’s position as “a trip of delusion,” Abati stressed that only INEC is empowered by law to declare election results.

He urged Rivers voters not to surrender their democratic rights because of political pronouncements.

“The people of Rivers State have the right to go out and make their own informed choice,” he said, adding that those who attempt to undermine the electoral process should be held accountable.

The discussion later shifted to criticism of the Tinubu administration by Catholic leaders following recent comments by Archbishop Emeritus Cardinal John Onaiyekan and Monsignor Obiora Ike.

While some commentators suggested that those around the President were shielding him from the realities confronting Nigerians, Rufai disagreed.

“There is no way the President will not know about all these things. He knows,” he said.

According to him, President Tinubu has repeatedly responded to public criticism during meetings with religious leaders and traditional rulers, showing that he is fully aware of the hardship facing citizens.

“The issue is not awareness. The issue is whether the government’s narrative is landing with Nigerians,” he argued.

He noted that although the administration continues to defend its economic reforms, many Nigerians remain unconvinced because of rising hardship, insecurity and the high cost of living. Abati took a different view, defending the right of religious leaders to speak on national issues. He said the Catholic Church has historically challenged governments whenever it considered it necessary in the public interest.

“The Catholic Church has a reputation for speaking its mind. They are not in the business of opposing the government for the sake of it,” he said. He added that the government should see such interventions as constructive criticism rather than hostility.

“What we want in Nigeria is a prophetic Church that defends the interest of the people and speaks truth to power.”

The exchanges reflected growing national anxiety over electoral credibility, governance and public trust ahead of the 2027 general election, with the three analysts offering sharply different interpretations of whether Wike’s declaration was merely political bravado or a reflection of deeper concerns about Nigeria’s democratic process.