Politics
2015: Is Opposition Merger Feasible?
That a serious opposition to the People’s Democratic Party
(PDP) leadership at the Federal level is brewing is no more news. So the three
leading opposition political parties – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),
Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) are
in the heart of the plans to dethrone the ruling party.
What might, perhaps, make news is that as much as the
opposition makes plans to overthrow the PDP, developments emerge to remind observers
that such plans may fail like previous ones which dates as far back as the
First Republic.
This is in the face of preparations and strategic plans,
capped by a proposed merger by the ACN, CPC and ANPP. In order to enhance the
achievement of their goal, the parties were said to have decided to commence
talks early enough, three months after the 2011 general elections, precisely.
Their reason was to first address problems that had stalled such moves in the
past.
It was also learnt in their determination, the parties took
into cognizance the fact that they must beat the deadline of the Independent
National Electoral Commission (INEC), which gives 90 days before a general
election for merger.
Section 84 (6) of the 2011 Electoral Act states thus:
“Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-section (2) of this section, no merger
of political parties received by the commission less than 90 days before any
general election in the country shall be considered by the commission”.
In the words of the National Publicity Secretary of the ACN,
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, “The merger of our party, ACN, with the CPC, the All
Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a splinter group of disenchanted members of
the PDP will come into being very soon.
“I can assure you, the leaders of the parties have been
meeting to consider the proposal, as the only way we can rescue this country
from the PDP,” he said.
In spite of these precautionary measures, however, the
opposition parties acknowledged that one major factor that had stalled previous
pre-2011 election merger plans had been moles planted by the PDP among them.
The National Publicity Secretary of the ANPP, Mr Emma
Eneukwu, admitted this much when he said “We in the ANPP are very serious with
our merger talks. You know that the PDP would not want us to have successful
mergers, they would not want it to succeed and that is why they have repeatedly
planted people among us to scuttle the process, and that is also the reason we
are starting early”.
So, if the PDP can successfully and repeatedly plant moles
in the opposition, what are the chances that it will not happen again? If until
now all they can imply about how their meetings are infiltrated is based on
suspicion, is it not indicative that they are not really prepared for the kind
of merger that could give the PDP a good fight come the 2015 election?
Another factor the opposition parties have to contend with
is the issue of haggling and how to share political positions after they might
have defeated the PDP. This was one of the key factors that also scuttled the
merger attempt before the 2011 elections.
Although they are indications of the coalition parties
having learnt their lessons from the past failures, as clearly stated by a key
member of the opposition who spoke anonymously, there is still the innate fear
among them that who occupies what position will always be a problem, if not
immediately, then later.
Closely related to this is the feeling that beyond merely
opposing the ruling party, the opposition parties are yet to prove that they
would be different if given an opportunity to lead.
As the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of the
PDP, Prof Rufai Ahmed Alkali, put it, “PDP has been in the centre in this
country since 1999 and despite the imperfections of popular democracy, it has
made its own contributions. Sometimes it is difficult to appreciate things,
particularly when we have them.
“I know the leadership of this country under PDP has made
giant strides in so many levels, but that does not mean that the other
political parties will not try to upstage PDP. They have been trying to do
that.
“The blessing is that they think merely being anti-PDP or
fighting PDP is enough for Nigerians to accept them. It is not enough. They
have failed to come up with something that is different, something that is
fresh, something to show Nigerians that they can do better if they are given
the chance.
“So far what we have seen because of court rulings, is the
dogged commitment of the government both under the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua
and under our current President Dr Goodluck Jonathan is the belief in the rule
of law, the judiciary has been given window of opportunities to political
parties, especially opposition, to take over power in so many states of our
country.
“But in those states that the opposition was able to get
judgment like Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Edo and the rest, you find that, so far apart
from the populism that they bandy around, they have not done anything close to
what PDP has done. So, in that case they cannot pretend to be better than PDP.
In fact, what they are doing in some of the states, like Ogun, where they held
local government election, was terrible.
“In Lagos, the last local government election held about one
and half years ago was a fiasco, it was one of the most scandalous elections
ever had in this country but because they can make a lot of noise from the
Lagos side the rest of the country kept quiet. So, in that case people are not
fooled”.
Prof. Alkali continued that “they can continue making
alliances and counter alliances but because they are not united to provide any
alternative to this country, to PDP, they are not likely to make any
substantial progress”,
He was, however, quick to add that this should not make
members of PDP to be complacent or to take things for granted because “one of
the greatest mistakes anybody can make is to overestimate his own ability or
underestimate the capability of his enemy or his opponent”.
What is, perhaps, widely believed to be the trump card of
the opposition parties that would expectedly see them win the presidency in
2015, is the perceived disunity among some key members of the ruling party for
various reasons.
One of such reasons is the Northern and South-Eastern
interests. More than any other region of the country, the North has shown
strong interests in reclaiming the presidency in 2015.
Since last year, different northern groups have been holding
meetings to discuss the interests of the region and prominent on their agenda
has been the 2015 general election and the possibility of presenting a
consensus candidate from the region. They are banking on the possibility that
this might generate rancor among the PDP, making it difficult for them to speak
in one voice.
However, speaking in a recent crucial meeting he convened of
the Concerned Northern Politicians, Academicians, Professionals and
Businessmen, Dr Junaid Mohammed, expressed doubt about the possibility of a
consensus northern candidate, saying the proponents of the idea were motivated
by the selfish desire for power, and not the common good of the North or the
nation.
For the South-East, the desire to produce a president has
been protracted. While the zone supported Jonathan in 2011, it is divided on
the possibility of supporting him in 2015.
An indication of this schism manifested when some Igbo
leaders distanced themselves from the call on Jonathan to contest in the 2015
election, shortly after his visit to Anambra.
In a statement signed by top Igbo leaders representing
Oganiru Ndigbo Foundation, including Emeka Maduewesi, Uche Onug Lucas, Maxi
Okwu, Okey Igbokwe, Onyema Uche and Obichi Ikechi, the South-East leaders noted
that “whereas Ndigbo overwhelmingly supported the election of president
Goodluck Jonathan in 2011 elections, we remain of the view that the president
should not be distracted by relevance-seeking political jobbers with such
calls, even when he is yet to deliver on his major promises to Ndigbo”.
But if President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Adviser on
Inter-Party Relations, Senator Ben Obi, attracts a considerable level of
respect among his kinsmen, he may have resolved the South-East problem when he
recently asked the Igbos to wait for Jonathan’s decision on whether to run or
not before taking action on the 2015 presidential race.
Obi said, “Ohaneze Ndigbo, of which I am a caucus member,
has said it loud and clear that it is the turn of Ndigbo to produce the
president in 2015. Indeed, we are highly interested in the 2015 presidency, but
that is if President Jonathan decides not to run”.
The implication of all these is obvious: unless the
opposition political parties still have their aces face down, waiting for the
opportuned time to turn its face up, all these activities may merely constitute
unnecessary distractions from governance.
As Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress, Joshua
Benamaisia, said “It is too early for Nigerians to start the race for 2015. If
the PDP presents Jonathan, then he is good to run. I think people should cease
from heating up the polity and let’s focus on development and restructuring of
this country.”
Politics
Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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.
Politics
10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement
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.”
Politics
Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome
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.