Politics

IMO LG ELECTION: POSTPONEMENT LIKELY AS ISIEC REMAINS INCOMMUNICADO FEW DAYS TO THE SCHEDULED DATE

Published

2 years ago

September 14, 2024

Barely one week to the proposed September 21 Chairmanship and Councillorship elections, nothing has been heard from the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission(ISIEC) as regards their preparation/preparedness for the election.

Ideally,within this time in any(every)electioneering period,plans are usually in top gear if not already concluded and the citizens constantly briefed by the electoral body on preparations for the conduct of a credible election.

Such preparations include but not limited to: recruitment and training of adhoc election officers,publishing the list of participating political parties with their candidates,regular interface with leaders of political parties,security agencies,civil society organizations,journalists and other such stakeholders.
As a matter of fact,the publishing of participating political parties with their candidates ought to have been done almost immediately the window for the conduct of primary elections by political parties as scheduled by the electoral body was exhausted.
Particularly,that of the ruling All Progressives Congress is being shrouded in unnecessary controversy as the party says the list being circulated around social media(and other news media) is not official and as such did not emanate from them. Yet,just a week to the election,she has refused to come clean with the much touted official list of their candidates.
And as election adhoc staff have not been recruited let alone being trained,one wonders how ISIEC intends to still go on with the September 21 election as scheduled.

Expectedly,the silence of ISIEC has not only caused an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety within the state’s sociopolitical sphere, especially among participating opposition parties and their candidates,it has also occasioned a lot of conspiracy theories.

Some proponents say that the behavior of ISIEC is because there is no intention to conduct council elections in the first place. Another says that ISIEC is an appendage of the 3R Government of Sen. Hope Uzodimma and by extension,the APC.As such,they are walking in the pace of the government/party of the day. A third proponent believes that the election had already been conducted with all the candidates of the ruling party returned as duly elected- that a convenient date is being contemplated for the ritual of name-calling by ISIEC in the guise of an election.
Imo State’s major opposition party;the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has been the most vociferous among the opposition parties in accusing the ruling party of being in bed with the electoral body.

For whatever they are worth,these theories are enlivened by the way the APC conducted her primaries without prior information to supposed aspirants.This is exacerbated by the claims in certain quarters that people who did not buy expression of interest/nomination forms were announced candidates in certain local governments and wards.Also factor in the fact that 80% of the Sole Administrators(SOLADs)- currently superintending over our various LGAs, were declared candidates without them first resigning from their positions as stipulated in our constitution.

Understandably, candidates of the ruling APC(supposedly)are not as much perturbed as their opposition party counterparts.This may not be unconnected with the popular notion that they are ‘Kings-in-waiting’ who are just waiting for the formality of an election to be crowned;any day it may hold.In all fairness,it is necessary to state that candidates of the ruling party in council elections; especially chairmanship positions, are usually declared winners in every state. States like Kogi,Adamawa,Delta,Bayelsa who have conducted Council elections since the Supreme Court verdict, readily come to mind.

In conclusion,all these are a pointer to an election that may be flawed and roundly rejected.
Needless to say that the integrity of ISIEC and her helmsman is at stake.

He can keep mum all he likes.He can pretend all he wants.He may refuse to accept it or even announce it. But the situation on ground suggests he cannot hold this election on September 21.A postponement is his likely escape!

LINKING THE DOTS WITH;Iheyinwa Alexandar Emeka(07064795821)

Politics

Fubara To Contest Rivers Governorship Seat Under NDC

Published

14 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.

The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.

Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.

The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.

He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.

The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.

Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.

After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.

He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.

Politics

Desmond Elliot Withdraws from APC Lagos Assembly Primaries, Cites Intimidation

Published

21 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.

In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.

Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.

The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.

Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DYkCaAiMxxt/?igsh=ZWw5czl6MHJhNnRy

Politics

Political Shockwave in Rivers as Fubara Pulls Out of APC Governorship Race, Backs Party’s Candidate

Published

21 hours ago

May 21, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primaries scheduled to take place on Thursday, a development that has stirred fresh political conversations across the state.

The governor announced his decision in a personally signed statement titled “My Decision to Withdraw from the Rivers State Gubernatorial Primaries,” which was released on Wednesday night.

In the statement, Fubara explained that his withdrawal followed wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and supporters. He stated that the decision was taken in the overall interest of peace, unity, and stability within the APC and Rivers State at large.

According to the governor, politics should not be allowed to divide the people or create unnecessary tension within the party. He stressed that preserving unity among party members and maintaining stability in the state remain more important than personal political ambition.

Fubara further pledged his total loyalty and support to whoever eventually emerges as the APC governorship candidate, assuring party faithful that he remains committed to the success and progress of the party ahead of the next general elections.

The Rivers governor also appreciated his supporters across the state for standing by him throughout the political process. He thanked party leaders, youth groups, women supporters, and political associates who had continued to show him solidarity and encouragement.

He urged his supporters not to see his withdrawal as the end of his political journey, but rather as a decision made in the collective interest of the party and the state. He also appealed to them to remain peaceful, united, and committed to the ideals of the APC.

Political observers have described the development as one of the biggest political surprises in Rivers State in recent times, especially considering the growing speculations and intense political alignments ahead of the governorship primaries.

Analysts believe the governor’s withdrawal may reshape the political calculations within the APC and influence the direction of the party’s governorship race moving forward.

The announcement has continued to generate mixed reactions from political stakeholders and residents across Rivers State. While some supporters described the move as strategic and mature, others expressed surprise over the governor’s sudden exit from the contest.

Several party faithful, however, commended Fubara for placing party unity and stability above personal ambition, noting that his decision may help reduce internal tensions and strengthen the APC ahead of the elections.

The development has also intensified attention on the remaining aspirants contesting for the APC governorship ticket, as consultations and political meetings continue ahead of the primary election.

Many observers believe the governor’s endorsement of the eventual APC candidate could play a major role in shaping the outcome of the party’s governorship battle and future political structure in the state.

As political activities continue to gather momentum in Rivers State, all eyes are now on the APC primaries and the next phase of political developments expected to unfold in the coming days.