Connect with us

Politics

In Defence Of Democracy

Published

on

The return of democracy in Nigeria after the ouster of President Shehu Shagari’s government on December 31, 1983 through a military coup was a torturous journey. Members of civil society groups, the press and political class suffered terribly for the military to relinguish power to a democratically elected government on May 29, 1999.
It took the neo-nationalists 16 years, 4 months and 29 days to win the battle for democratic rule in Nigeria. It was indeed a painful victory as the soldiers that bestrode the Nigerian political space for so long a time were adamant to cede power to civilians in view of the comfort and stupendous wealth that charaterised governance in the oil-rich nation.
Consequently, the neo-nationalists were harassed, brutalized, hauled into prison without trial, maimed and forced into exile. Some even paid the supreme price to propitiate and pacify their persecutors.
Regrettably, majority of those who fought and won the battle for the return of democracy in Nigeria are not politicians. So, one can appreciate their anger and disgust when some rascals and hoodlums who masquerade as politicians have decided to unwittingly plunge the country into crisis to derail the nation’s democracy.
It is against this backdrop that the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka and other well-meaning Nigerians have continued to react over the political crisis in Rivers State which has the propensity of being replicated in other parts of the country. For Prof. Soyinka, he has a major stake in the sustenance of the nation’s democracy. From 1960s to date, the erudite Professor has been in the fore-front of the campaign for good governance and democratic rule. Expectedly, he was one of the those who commented on the political imbroglio in Rivers State. Hear him:
“What I want to do here is to remind you of a certain historic figure. I am sure most of us here must be familiar with Thomas Becket, who was Archbishop of Canterbury in the 11th Century, who was murdered at the altar by four knights of King Henry 11.
“Now, I have read on the pages of newspapers and watched on television that the president’s spokesmen have been trying to distance him (President) from what is happening in Rivers State. They are doing their job and I wish them well, but they have to understand the perception out there in the world, is that he bears a lot of responsibility in Rivers State.
“Again, I have been asking myself: are we not tilting towards absolute monarchy? There are many ways of saying, will no one rid me of this pestilence in Rivers State. You don’t have to utter a word directly but from your conduct which can convey very strong signals or better still, say I will come after you.
“I am not casting aspersions on any individual, but I am saying that one can establish certain conducts in the minds of one’s followers, all of which circle around impunity.
“There are certain way you can convince your followers, your officials and your cohorts that they can act with impunity. There are many ways, for instance you can expose a prey and say that prey is available.
“Let us go back to that historical story about 11 centuries ago, I want to imagine King Henry saying, find some way of making the Archbishop’s carriage unserviceable or the carriage-maker makes the carriage grounded. Even after the King’s counsel said this is unfair and that the Archbishop’s carriage should be released. I hope you see the parallelism where the governor’s plane, under dubious circumstances has been grounded, for I don’t know how many weeks now.
“And so, they pretend, nobody has spoken, nobody said anything on how one of your Barons and Dukes can function without a carriage. Now that kind of indifference can create an enabling ground for your followers or officials to take further actions, which can endanger that Baron or Duke. I am using this parallelism so that we can understand that something strange is going on.
“It is unfortunate that a mere domestic appendage of power could go to a state and take over the state for 11 days.
“A queen goes to the Archbishop’s domain, stays 11 days, and the Baron is not even allowed to move. Creating an enabling environment for the Baron to be dealt with. He is stopped by a sheriff and that baron is responsible for security and governance.
“I am calling on the President, please curb the excesses of your wife. Too much is too much. Is she the first First lady we have had? She is now being used to abuse the authority of an elected governor. The Governor’s Lodge was teargased. Anybody who said teargas was not thrown into Amaechi’s lodge is either ignorant or lying. Some of Amaechi’s security have been removed. The domestic grounds are being eroded. With a teargas thrown, the next one may be a smoke gun.”
Lagos-based Lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN) commented thus: “It is regrettable that exactly 10 years after a group of thugs attempted to abduct a sitting governor in Anambra State, another set of thugs attempted to undermine democratic institutions in Rivers.
“The President’s silence on the unfortunate development in the state is tantamount to an endorsement of the political crisis.
“We have been through this route before. We must tell them that we are not conquered people. The case of Rivers State is more absurd, more odious, where five members of the Assembly aided by the state invaded the Assembly chambers and chased away their colleagues. The silence of the President is an endorsement of the crisis. Let no one fool Nigerians, we know where this is coming from.”
Senate president, David Mark also commented this way: “Clearly what is happening in Rivers State is an embarrassment to legislators across the length and breadth of the country.
“It is in the interest of the State House of Assembly not to do anything that will portray legislators as irresponsible, because that is not what we are.
“Clearly also, what is happening is totally unacceptable and it must be condemned in its strongest possible term in its entirety irrespective of who is directly involved or who is behind it.
“It is not a situation that we expect and we would not want it to continue beyond this point where it has reached.
“Because of the urgency, I also believe that this Senate must take urgent step to protect democracy and protect this country and to ensure that democracy continues to grow and improve in the country”.
The political crisis in Rivers State has indeed drawn the ire of the general public. It is unpatriotic for anybody to castigate Prof. Wole Soyinka or any other Nigerian for condemning the impunity that is being displayed by some political gladiators in Rivers State.
It is not just about Amaechi, it is in defence of the fragile democracy that was bequeathed to Nigerians after a protracted battle with the military. Please be guided.

Continue Reading

Politics

Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Politics

10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

Published

on

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.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Trending