By David Owei

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State, has reaffirmed its readiness for the forthcoming 2027 elections, with State Chairman, Hon. Chief Alabh George Turnah, MON, Esq., assuring party members and Bayelsans of a fully prepared and increasingly strengthened political structure.

Speaking at the 1st Expanded Meeting of heads of Working Committees in the State and inauguration of the Campaign Budget Committee of the Party, Turnah confirmed that all PDP candidates have been successfully uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) portal, with particulars of the Party’s National Assembly candidates already published. He disclosed that the particulars of the State House of Assembly candidates would be published shortly.

Turnah congratulated the candidates and expressed confidence that the Party would secure victory at the polls, while commending Party members for their commitment and sacrifice.

The Chairman also welcomed the governorship ambition of the Leader of the PDP in Bayelsa State, His Excellency Great Joshua MacIver, following his formal declaration of interest.

Describing the PDP as a platform open to every qualified and well-meaning Bayelsan, Turnah said the Party would provide a level playing field for all aspirants, irrespective of status or background.

“Bayelsa is PDP and PDP is Bayelsa. Now that MacIver has taken this bold step, we want to see more people coming forward who also want to contest the governorship position.”

A major highlight was Turnah’s disclosure that MacIver had approved a N70 million monthly subvention to support the administration and operations of the Party in the State.

According to him, the intervention followed earlier discussions on the Party’s critical needs, and would support Party structures and the welfare of officials from the ward to State levels, as well as national, zonal and other support personnel.

He stressed that the financial support was separate from MacIver’s governorship ambition, noting that the Party would remain neutral and committed to a credible process for all aspirants.

The Bayelsa PDP Chairman also expressed appreciation to the PDP National Leader, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for his continued support and leadership, which he said had contributed significantly to keeping the PDP alive and electorally prepared.

Turnah informed the meeting of the Party’s resolve to participate in the forthcoming Local Government elections in Bayelsa State, calling on members interested in Chairmanship and Councillorship positions to come forward and utilise the PDP platform. He directed intending aspirants to begin Consultations.

He also called on the Bayelsa State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) to ensure that the elections are free, fair, transparent and credible.

Meanwhile, the Party has fixed its 100th State Executive Committee meeting for October 2, 2026, to also commemorate Bayelsa State at 30.

The PDP also approved the commencement of its Women Prayer Network, beginning with 100 women who will meet twice monthly, with each participant receiving a N10,000 monthly stipend.

Another major highlight of the meeting was the unanimous passage of votes of confidence and commendation on the National Leader of the Party, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory; the Bayelsa State Leader, His Excellency Great Joshua MacIver; and the State Chairman, Hon. Chief Alabh George Turnah, MON, Esq., in recognition of their continued support, commitment and leadership in strengthening the Party. The Party acknowledged their respective contributions towards keeping the PDP alive, united, firmly rooted and strategically positioned for the forthcoming electoral contests, while expressing confidence in their continued leadership and commitment to the growth and success of the Party.

These developments are part of efforts by the Bayelsa PDP focused on internal organisation, inclusivity, welfare and electoral preparedness as it moves into a critical phase of political engagement in the State.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), political parties and their agents that the Saturday August 15th 2026 Osun State governorship election must not be turned into another theatre of electoral violence, intimidation, vote-buying and institutional manipulation.

In a statement signed by the group national coordinator,Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,HURIWA insists that there must be zero tolerance for armed thuggery, ballot snatching, vote-buying, voter intimidation, harassment of opposition supporters and every other form of electoral criminality before, during and after the election.

The rights group is particularly concerned about the conduct of security and law-enforcement agencies. The Police and EFCC must convince Nigerians that they are institutions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not enforcement arms of the ruling APC or any other political party.

HURIWA will not accept a situation in which security agencies selectively arrest, intimidate or harass members and supporters of opposition parties while political actors aligned with the government are allowed to operate with impunity.

INEC MUST NOT FAIL NIGERIANS AGAIN

HURIWA calls on INEC to understand the enormous responsibility before it. The Osun election is not merely another off-cycle election; it is a critical test of whether the commission’s current leadership is genuinely committed to conducting elections in which the votes of Nigerians count.

INEC must therefore demonstrate absolute independence, transparency, professionalism and impartiality throughout the process.

The commission must ensure that every eligible voter is allowed to vote without fear or intimidation and that the collation and declaration of results are conducted in accordance with the law.

Most importantly, the electorate must not be shut out of the results-transmission process.

HURIWA demands maximum transparency in the electronic transmission and publication of polling-unit results. Nigerians must be able to monitor the movement of results from polling units through the various stages of collation.

Any attempt to create an opaque results-management system will inevitably fuel suspicion and undermine confidence in the election.

OSUN MUST NOT BECOME A TESTING GROUND FOR ELECTORAL MANIPULATION

HURIWA warns political actors against turning Osun State into a battlefield for political desperation.

The organisation will strongly oppose any attempt by politicians to deploy armed thugs, state-sponsored intimidation, financial inducement or security agencies to subvert the will of the people.

Political power must come from the ballot box and not from the barrel of a gun, bags of money or the manipulation of electoral institutions.

We therefore call on all political parties and candidates to sign up to peaceful and transparent elections and to reject violence before their supporters reject democracy itself.

THE 2027 QUESTION STARTS IN OSUN

HURIWA considers the Osun election a major litmus test for INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nigerians are watching the current Chairman and National Commissioners of INEC closely. The manner in which the commission handles Osun will significantly shape public confidence in its preparedness and willingness to conduct credible presidential, governorship and legislative elections in 2027.

If INEC cannot guarantee transparency in an off-cycle election, Nigerians will understandably question its capacity to conduct a credible nationwide election.

The commission must therefore use Osun to demonstrate that Nigeria’s electoral democracy is moving forward, not backwards.

HURIWA demands that:

– INEC guarantees a transparent, credible, free and fair election.
– The Police and EFCC maintain strict political neutrality.
– Security agencies protect voters rather than intimidate them.
– Vote-buying and financial inducement are aggressively prosecuted.
– Armed thugs and electoral criminals are arrested and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation.
– Polling-unit results are transparently transmitted and made accessible to the electorate.
– Political parties respect the rules and commit to peaceful conduct.
– No candidate or political party is allowed to manipulate state institutions for electoral advantage.

HURIWA will not be deceived by cosmetic assurances of electoral neutrality.

The people of Osun State have the constitutional right to freely choose their leaders, and nobody — whether politician, security officer or electoral official — has the right to steal that choice from them.

Anything short of a transparent, credible, free and fair election in Osun State will be a dangerous assault on Nigeria’s democracy and will be rejected by Nigerians.

By Francisca Okorocha

*Early Life and Background*
Mama Patricia Udeji Udeh was born in 1949 as the first daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nwafor Mgborie of Umukwu Ozalla, in Nkanu LGA of Enugu State. From her earliest days, she showed signs of the brilliance and determination that would define her life.

She began her education at Central School, Ozalla Nkanu, where she sat for and passed Standard Six. Though she was underage at the time, her outstanding performance set her apart and marked her as a child destined for greatness.

*Marriage and Family Life*
At a young age, Patricia entered into marriage with the family of Udeh Nwachukwu, becoming the wife of the late Mr. Okechukwu Anthony Udeh. She was the second wife among three. Together, Mama and Papa were blessed with nine children, seven of whom survived: 2 daughters and 5 sons.

But her motherhood did not stop at her biological children. Mama opened her heart and home to other children in the compound and the wider community, ensuring they were guided, fed, and encouraged academically. She believed that to raise one child well was to raise a community.

*Work, Character and Achievements*
Mama Baby, as she was fondly called, was a woman of industry. She was both a committed businesswoman and a diligent farmer. Her hands were never idle, and her mind was always working. She was highly intelligent, disciplined, and principled — qualities that reflected in the lives of her children.

Her life was not just about work. It was about building people.

And build she did.
Her first daughter, *Mrs. Okorocha Francisca Nkiruka (née Udeh)*, fondly called *Baby*, walked in her mother’s footsteps of service. She is a teacher and currently serves as *Chief Education Officer, Secondary Education Board, FCT, Abuja*.
*Dr. Chukwuma Udeh*, a *Lecturer at Enugu State University*, carries her love for knowledge.
*Mr. Udeh Ikenna*, a *school proprietor*, continues her passion for raising children right.
*Builder Udeh Onyemaobi*, with his *private building firm*, builds the structures she would have been proud of.
*Mr. Ifediora Nma (Onwa)* and *Mr. Nnaemeka Udeh*, both *business gurus*, reflect her industry and enterprising spirit.
And *Baby Uju Nwa*, still undergoing *skill training*, holds the last prayers of her mother’s hands — “Lord, if you are ready, I’m ready.”

From farming to boardrooms, from classrooms to construction sites, from lecture halls to businesses — Mama Patricia’s values spread across every path her children took.

She left us with faith, with discipline, and with children who became pillars. A true replica of her strength lives on in all of them.

Through hardship and challenges, Mama never backed down. She was a dogged fighter. She stood firm, provided, and pushed her children and others around her to pursue education and excellence no matter the odds.

*Faith and Community Impact*
Religiously, Mama Patricia was a devout and adorable Christian. She played a pivotal role in bringing many women in her community into the Catholic Church. Her faith was practical and powerful. She was known as _“Oji Chaplet eje ogu”_ — “her rosary is her weapon for war.” Prayer was her strength, and the rosary was her constant companion.

*Personality*
Those who knew Mama Baby describe her in one breath: calm, humble, patient, courageous, highly disciplined, and firm. She was everything a child could ever want in a mother — a guide, a protector, a teacher, and a friend. She led by example and corrected with love.

*Passing*
On that faithful day, 15th June, 2026 , at exactly 15 minutes past 5:00am, Mama reconciled with her God. After praying with her last child, Uju nwa, she lay down peacefully and said:
_“Lord, if you are ready, I’m ready. Come and take me.”_
And with that, she went home to rest with her Creator.

*Legacy*
Mama Patricia Udeji Udeh (nee Nwafor) lived a life of service, faith, discipline, and love. She built people more than she built wealth. She raised leaders, shaped a community, and left behind children and grandchildren who carry her light.

Her story is one of resilience — a first daughter who became a first-class mother, a woman whose rosary was her weapon, and whose life was her testimony.

May her soul continue to rest in perfect peace. Amen.

By Mrs Okorocha Francisca Nkiruka
For the Family