Politics
ANIBEZE CHIEFTAINCY TUSSLE: Bayelsa Govt Constitutes Fact-finding Committee … Warns Against Ostracism
By David Owei,Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Government has constituted a 7-member committee to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the leadership tussle in Anibeze community in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
The committee, which is saddled with the responsibility of coming up with recommendations on the dispute over the Anibeze paramount ruler’s position, is also mandated to look into the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law as regards individuals who are qualified to be traditional rulers.
The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, set up the committee on Tuesday at a meeting with stakeholders of Anibeze community and relevant government officials, including the member representing Sagbama Constituency Three at the state House of Assembly, Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, spelt out the committee’s terms of reference to include, ascertaining the emergence of the two contending chiefs claiming the paramount ruler position of Anibeze community and identity which of them meets the requirements of the Bayelsa State Chieftaincy Law.
He also charged the committee to confirm from the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs whether it recognises any of the two chiefs and if the Ministry did, the committee should state why and how the person was recognised.
The deputy governor further directed the committee to liaise with the Anibeze community and initiate the machinery of conducting a new election into the office of the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC) and that of the youth president.
Following the community’s customary practice, the Committee is to also ensure that the position of the CDC chairman should be zoned to the quarters entitled to produce the next chairman.
According to the Deputy Governor, “the committee is to find out if Anibeze has a functional constitution”, adding that ‘if there is none, it should start the process of getting a new constitution to guide the affairs of the community.’
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who tasked the committee members to equally start the process of conducting election into the office of the youth president, directed them to submit their report within three weeks.
Meanwhile the Deputy Governor, has declared the removal of the current CDC chairman, Mr. Akeni Anthony and youth president, Mr David Ufuana, as illegal, and directed that they should serve out their remaining term before the conduct of fresh elections.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who admonished the people of Anibeze community against acts of lawlessness, stressed the need for them to maintain law and order in their community.
He maintained that nobody or group of persons has the right to ostracise any community member, pointing out that such acts violate the constitution of the country.
The Chairman of the Committee is Commissioner for Special Duties, Bayelsa West, Michael Magbisa, while Head of Exco, Deputy Governor’s Office, Mrs Mercy Alafuro, is to serve as Secretary.
Other members are, Special Adviser to the Governor on Chieftaincy Affairs, High Chief Perekeme Bertola, Rural Development Authority Chairman of Toru Abubou, Mr Tarikebi Egbide, Councillor representing Ward 13, Sagbama Local Government, Mr Tari Afenfia, Governor’s Special Representative for Sagbama, Mr Tamunobere Oguoh and Technical Adviser to the governor on Boundary Matters, Vote Salem.
Politics
ADC: We Remain Focused — Says Party Will Present Right Candidate for 2027
By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that, despite what it called “recent distractions,” the party remains focused on its set objectives to rescue the country from the misgovernance of the ruling APC and save the country from the travesty of a one-party dictatorship.
Reacting to suggestions in some quarters that the party will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections, the party dismissed such views as unfounded and mischievous scaremongering, with no basis in reality or in any law, insisting that it will field credible candidates for the elections.
The party said it remains the country’s primary opposition platform, with a clear focus on organising, mobilising, and preparing to win the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the ADC said Nigerians should disregard baseless assertions, noting that the party is fully compliant with all legal requirements and is actively building the structures necessary to contest and win elections at all levels.
The full statement reads:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.
We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.
Let us be clear. The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.
We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.
The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.
We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation.
Politics
ADC: We Remain Focused — Says Party Will Present Right Candidate for 2027
By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared that, despite what it called “recent distractions,” the party remains focused on its set objectives to rescue the country from the misgovernance of the ruling APC and save the country from the travesty of a one-party dictatorship.
Reacting to suggestions in some quarters that the party will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections, the party dismissed such views as unfounded and mischievous scaremongering, with no basis in reality or in any law, insisting that it will field credible candidates for the elections.
The party said it remains the country’s primary opposition platform, with a clear focus on organising, mobilising, and preparing to win the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, the ADC said Nigerians should disregard baseless assertions, noting that the party is fully compliant with all legal requirements and is actively building the structures necessary to contest and win elections at all levels.
The full statement reads:
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) wishes to state, clearly and unequivocally, that we remain focused on our mission to rescue Nigeria from the failure of the APC-led government and to prevent the dangerous slide toward a one-party state.
We have taken note of recent suggestions that the ADC will not produce candidates in the 2027 elections. We find such claims to be entirely unfounded, mischievous, and designed to create confusion where none exists. They have no basis in law, in fact, or in the reality of our preparations as a political party.
Let us be clear. The ADC will present candidates in the 2027 general elections. Not just candidates, but credible, competent, and nationally acceptable candidates who are capable of leading this country out of its current crisis.
We remain a law-abiding political party, fully compliant with the Constitution and the Electoral Act. There is no legal impediment to our participation in the 2027 elections, and any suggestion to the contrary is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and dampen the growing momentum around our party.
The ADC stands today as the primary opposition platform in Nigeria, and we take that responsibility seriously. We are not distracted by noise. We are focused on the real work, organising across the country, mobilising Nigerians who are tired of insecurity, rising costs of living, and limited opportunities, and building the structures required not just to contest, but to win.
We urge our members, supporters, and all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these baseless assertions. The task before us is too important to be derailed by speculation.
Politics
ADC Releases Timetable for 2026 Primaries Elections — Urges aspirants to ensure full compliance with party constitution and the Electoral Act
By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has officially released its timetable for the conduct of its 2026 primary elections, outlining the guidelines and requirements for nomination of candidates for the 2027 general elections.
In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary,Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi,”The timetable reflects the party’s commitment to internal democracy, orderliness, and full compliance with electoral guidelines.
“As outlined in the timetable, the process is already underway, with the collection of application forms running from April 1 to May 4, 2026. The sale of nomination forms will take place from May 5 to May 10, 2026, while the submission of completed forms is scheduled for May 11 to May 13, 2026.
“The party will conduct the screening of aspirants from May 14 to May 15, 2026, followed by the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, with the final list of cleared aspirants to be released on May 20, 2026.”/
Continuing Abdullahi said,”The party’s primary elections will commence on May 21, 2026, with elections for State Houses of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate seats holding simultaneously at the ward level. The Governorship primaries will take place on May 22, 2026, while the Presidential Primary is scheduled for May 25, 2026.
“This will be followed by a meeting of the National Executive Committee on May 26, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 27, 2026, where final ratifications will be made.
“In line with its commitment to inclusivity and broad participation, the ADC has also approved a structured fee regime for nomination forms across all elective positions. The presidential nomination form is pegged at N100 million, governorship at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, House of Representatives at N10 million, and State House of Assembly at N3 million.
“To encourage wider participation, the party has introduced concessional rates, offering a 50 percent discount for youthsand a 25 percent discount for women and persons with disabilities.
“The ADC calls on all members, stakeholders, and aspirants to adhere strictly to the outlined schedule and guidelines, as the ADC continues to position itself as the primary platform for Nigerians seeking competent, accountable, and people-focused leadership in 2027.”
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