Politics
2011 Polls: Voters’ Perspective On Guber Race In Rivers
As 2011 elections draw closer, the political landscape in Rivers State seems to be favourable for a peaceful transition. Various political parties would be jostling for elective offices, while others would be ready to accept voters verdict for losing control of the seat of governance.
Interestingly, however, the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi will be seeking for a second term from the electorate, who had graciously benefited from his democratic revolution in the state.
But the opposition groups are determined and ready to step on his toes to stop his governoship ambition, despite his turning the state into investors destination, within the short period on the saddle of leadership.
No doubt, there lies ahead a political mine field, fluid political situation and frantic scenario to determine who occupies what elective position in all the segments of the electoral process, come 2011.
A cross section of political observers believed that Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited boldness, fearlessness, transparent accountability and courage in the administration of the state, therefore he deserves a second tenure to consolidate his achievements.
He is a man of vision for a great new Rivers State and they also believe that with Amaechi as a role model, akin to that of Bill Newman’s leadership concept, he, has what it takes to be a leader.
Amaechi is constantly challenged by his vision of the world around him and being compelled to make a mark of difference through the force of his ideas, desires and resources of the state for the benefit of the people.
But being a follower of Bill Newman’s leadership concept many had described some of his perceived actions as lacking in tact, diplomacy and cultivation of friendship, especially with the opposition groups in the state.
Obviously, within the PDP fold, Governor Amaechi has diligently entrenched due process as the hallmark of his admiration to the administration of the majority of the people in the state.
Successive governments in the state have tried their best to develop the state, yet little successes were recorded until now. But no government or administration has had the political will, strength of character and the determination to transform the state.
The government is committed to fast tracking development and transforming dividends of good governance to the people to ensure that the people are economically empowered through job opportunities, infrastructural development, and addressing the underdevelopment.
Governor Amaechi and political faithfuls are placing their hopes upon the achievements of his administration in various areas, such as restoration of peace and security, developmental strides in such areas as building of modern schools infrastructure, primary health centres, massive roads construction and reconstruction across the state.
Mr. Joseph Chukwu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart from Omuma Local Government Area said Amaechi’s achievements speak for him and his second coming as Governor.
He said “Rivers people want Amaechi back for second term in office based on his achievements in office.
Mr. Joseph Chukwu added that the Governor has the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under his control in Rivers State, stressing that “we will ensure that our party delegates from the 319 wards vote for his second term slot as the PDP flagbrearer for the 2011 governorship election in the state”.
According to Mr. Young Harry the 2011 governorship race in the state might be a straight fight between the riverine people of the state and the upland, adding that now that “Dr. Abiye Sekibo had declared his interest in the Governorship position on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the political equation of voting pattern will certainly change”
The historian emphasised that besides riverine and upland dichotomy, the issue of accountability and management of the people’s collective patrimony will influence the voting pattern of the people.
However, Amaechi political family known as “the Believers” are economically empowered in the various Local Government Areas, thus making any challenge to wrest power from them, an uphill tasks to the opposition groups in the state.
Recently at Okrika, the former Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of Transport,Dr.Abiye Sekibo decamped to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he is seeking to actualise his ambition of being elected the Governor of Rivers State come 2011.
Dr. Sekibo declared that he left PDP to join, ACN because of what he described as “lack of internal democracy in PDP,” promising to work hard for the development of the state on the platform of the ACN.
Also speaking, one of the leaders of opposition groups in the state and former Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye said: “We are not opposition group in the state, we are the real authentic members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that worked tirelessly for the victory of the party in 2007 in the state.” He stressed that “we are only demanding for fairness and recognition as the authentic members of our great party (PDP), we are in control of the structures of the party in the 23 local government Areas of the state.”
However, the political situation in the state is set for a fierce titanic political battle, between the forces loyal to the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, his political believers’ group, and forces loyal to the trio of former Governors, Sir Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia and Sir Austin Opara for the control of Rivers State government machinery during the 2011 elections.
Interestingly, all the major political gladiators were originally members of one political family right from the 1999 political dispensation, “The Restoration Team.” But as the political axiom always goes, there is no permanent enemy but permanent interests in politics.
The race promised also to be issues oriented as a nascent group, the Rivers State Project (RSP) is equally demanding an end to the politics of exclusion that breaks the state into camps, marginalising and humiliating certain groups, creating disaffection and making true reconciliation difficult after abated conflict.
Annkio Briggs said “it remains the alienable right of Rivers people to decide who will represent them through one man one vote”
Meanwhile, a member of the state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State who pleaded anonymity said the battle for the governorship of the state is going to be a tough political battle as right now the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government of the PDP is in clear contention.
He declared, in our last Tuesday meeting at the party secretariat we were seriously working to checkmate the spread of CAN in Rivers State, we don’t want to lose our PDP members to the ACN party. We shall ensure that the feeling of our members are addressed for internal democracy in our party.
He stressed further, we have challenges but we shall overcome with internal unity with our PDP. We shall reconciled with our estranged members to go into election comes 2011 with one family and one united party.
The party executive added “that PDP in Rivers State shall soon set up a committee of the party’s elders to reconcile the various aggrieved members of the party.
He said PDP cannot afford to lose Rivers State to the opposition political party.
Also, a party stalwart and chieftain Oyigbo local government said PDP must seriously unite to face the opposition political parties. “He said there must be a total reconciliation for the party to present one common governorship candidate or else the days of PDP are over in Rivers State despite the achievements of Amaechi.
It is the general perspective of Rivers people that the divine will of God prevail for a God fearing leader to be elected to direct the affairs of the state and the various local councils.
Philip-Wuwu Okparaji
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.