Politics
De-Politicising Rivers Police Command
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu has been in the news since the state chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) got enmeshed in intra-party crisis. Mbu’s name gained prominence following the suspension of the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Hon Timothy Nsirim and 17 councillors by the Rivers State House of Assembly to enable it investigate allegations bordering on misappropriation of public fund. Subsequently, a Caretaker Committee was sworn in to pilot the affairs of the council pending the outcome of the investigation.
But Hon Nsirim is of the view that he was unduly suspended from office and has gone to the court to challenge the action of the State Assembly. The political crisis rocking the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council which some political pundits perceive as a backlash against the leadership tussle in the state chapter of PDP took another twist when the Rivers State Commissioner of Police ordered his men to barricade the Obio/Akpor council headquarters, thus denying the Caretaker Committee and staff acess to their workplace to carry out their legitimate duties.
In the light of the confusion and fear of uncertainty that trailed the invasion of Obio/ Akpor Council headquarters the police therefore attributed its action to intelligence report on purported plan by hoodlums to damage public property in the council. While the intelligence report cannot be wished away in view of the threats by youths who are loyal to the suspended council chairman, some keen observers of the unfolding drama in Obio/Akpor have argued that the police should rather provide adequate security at the Council headquarters to enable workers go about their legitimate duties unhindered. It appears that the Police Commissioner, for reasons best known to him has refused to muster the will to track down those threatening fire and brimstone to forestall possible mayhem.
In fact, his handling of security issue in the wake of the polticial wrangling in the state has raised so many questions. Top government functionaries in the state have repeatedly alleged that he is taking sides in the intra-party crisis, an allegation that is becoming increasingly weightier by the day in the face of what could be regarded as compromising posture of the State Police Command.
How could one explain the sudden withdrawal of security personnel attached to Okrika Local Government Council headquarters shortly after the Council Chairman, Tamuno William appeared on Channel Television, expressing his personal viewers over police action in Obio/ Akpor crisis and the invasion of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Also, the Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Otelemaba Dan Amaechree recently raised alarm over the withdrawal of security personnel attached to his office. It is worthy of mention that the Speaker is one top government functionary that has repeatedly accused the State Police Commissioner of taking sides in the state PDP crisis.
The Speaker in a recent statement said “sequel to my letter to the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, Commander-in-Chief, Nigerian Armed Forces of plans to unleash mayhem in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu has unceremoniously withdrawn the orderly and escort attached to me.
“I have expressed my fears about plans to withdraw security operatives from the governor and top officials of the Rivers State Government, including myself, thus making us vulnerable to attack by hoodlums”.
The Speaker said he believed that the fears for his life had been confirmed following the assassination of a principal aide to Chief G.U. Ake who was said to have been tortured and shot to death in his house, at Erema, in Ogba/ Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Chief of Staff to the State Governor, Sir Tony Okocha also raised alarm that his security aides had been withdrawn. Okocha, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor has been critical of the State Police Command over the intra-party crisis.
More worrisome is the fact that the state police command has been inconsistent in its response to this allegation.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Agnela Agabe denied that the security aides attached to either the speaker or any government appointee was withdrawn. “ I have been receiving calls from many quarters and I have repeatedly informed them that there is no iota of truth in that allegation,’ he said.
But the Police Commissioner, in a press briefing admitted that the command withdrew some security personnel attached to these functionaries.
“There is police abuse in certain quarters here in Rivers State. Everybody in Government House wants to see himself as governor. If the Speaker of Rivers State House Assembly has 15 personnel from Special Protection Unit of Nigeria Police, as if those men are not enough , he still acquired nine from the Mobile Police force, Squadron 19, and 15 plus nine, how many? One person has 24. What is his entitlement?
“So, what we have tried to do is to make sure that every oppointee or political office-holder gets what he is entitled so that we can have enough men to go on patrols,” he said.
In the case of Okrika Council chairman, Hon Tamuno William, the Police Commissioner explained that he was entitled to one orderly, but had seven Mobile Policemen in his convoy. He said he only withdraw the Mobile Policemen.
However, we must remind the police in the state of its constitutional obligation to maintain law and order. Therefore it should be fair to all manner of persons, including both factions in the state PDP in the discharge of its duties. While every leader is confronted with various challenges, we can boldly say that Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has made remarkable impact on the security of lives and property. In the past six years Rivers State has been peaceful under his watch. Police Commissioner, help sustain the peace.
Reward Akwu
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.
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