Politics
Apostles Of Democracy
A
week after Nigerians
were treated to a show of shame by Rivers lawmakers on the hallowed chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, four Northern governors – Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu of Niger State, Alhaj Sule Lamido of Jigawa State, Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso of Kano State and Alhaji Murtala Nyako of Adamawa State, came to Port Harcourt on a visit to their embattled colleague and chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Angered by the visit of these senior citizens whose freedom of movement is guaranteed by the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, supporters of minister of state for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike under the aegis of Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI) reportedly attacked the convoy of Governor Amaechi and his visitors at the Port Harcourt International Airport, with stones and clubs, smashing the windshields of some of the vehicles, including the coaster bus in which commissioners rode. A four-litre jerry can containing liquid substance suspected to be acid was also found.
However, Governor Amaechi’s visitors were not deterred by the antics of anti-Amaechi forces that masterminded the assemblage of hoodlums to disrupt their visit. Of course, these governors are masters of political chess game as clearly demonstrated during the Nigerian Governors Forum election and so, they refused to be cowed by those jesters who at best could pass as Shakespearean painted devils.
In an interview published in the Nation Newspaper of July 17, 2013, the Secretary-General of GDI, Samuel Nwanosike said, “it was a peaceful protest, with Wike’s supporters singing and dancing to show that they were not happy with the governors’ visit.
“The four governors should leave Rivers State resources alone. We are tired of their presence. They should quickly return to the North and face Boko Haram suicide bombers.
“Oni was at the airport while we were protesting and he did a good job as a professional Police Officer. He said everybody had the right to protest, but we should not block the road”.
Interestingly, the four Northern governors after their meeting with the NGF chairman that lasted for three hours issued a statement that was made available to newsmen.
“We have come to visit our colleague and brother, the Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman, Nigerian Governors Forum.
“The visit is to ascertain for ourselves some of the things we have read in the newspapers, seen on television and heard on radio which are threats to peace, security and democracy.
“We are pleased to notice the peaceful atmosphere in town and that people in the state are going about their normal business and that the governor and the government are in charge. This is especially reassuring as opposed to the organized protest by a handful of persons at the Port Harcourt Airport when we arrived.
“Having interacted with our colleague and other persons, we are shocked at the role of the Police in Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show of shame that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“As the Chief Executives of our states who have sworn to protect lives and property in our various states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers State.
“We commend the House of Representatives for their proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate Committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter.
“We wish to call on the Inspector-General of Police to hearken to the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline Commissioner Mbu.
“His actions smack of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office.
“With the way the Police are being used and abused and with officers like Mbu in the office, we do not see the need for state governments to fund an antagonistic police and may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the Police.
“Arising from the actions of the Police and Mr. Joseph Mbu in Rivers State, the call for State Police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity.
“We note that the events in Rivers State have again brought to the fore the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived from constitutions to be allowed to function without undue interference.
As federating units, we must be allowed the space to guarantee our people sustainable development as provided by the constitution.
“We acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his team are doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm even in the face of apparent persecution.
“We join well-meaning Nigerians to call on the political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of derailing our nascent democracy.
“We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and strengthen our democracy”, the statement said.
It was indeed disheartening that the hoodlums did not ascertain the purpose of the governors’ visit before embarking on the ill-conceived mission. You would agree with me that this country would have been on fire if these governors were injured in the mob attack in Port Harcourt. Nwanosike said it was a peaceful protest. Certainly, that protest was odious and otiose. Again, we had witnessed severally in this country where so-called peaceful protests turned out to be violent. How would anyone be cocksure that the protesters would abide by the rules of engagement? Our politicians must exercise caution to forestall crisis.
In furtherance of their commitment to save the nation’s fledgling democracy from imminent collapse and barely a week after their visit to Governor Amaechi in Port Harcourt, the Northern governors, including, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State decided to consult some notable Nigerians to chart the way forward.
Recently, the governors met with former Heads of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar in their home-states on this laudable mission.
Speaking at the end of the meeting in Niger State, Gen. Babangida in an interview with newsmen said:
“I want to commend the governors and some of their colleagues. I was impressed because they have seen the problems of the country as our problems and because they have taken the right steps to consult widely in trying to find solution to these problems.
“These governors are real patriots and I am very happy and I told them so”.
What’s more! These are patriots whose mission is to ensure that the nation’s democracy is not truncated for whatever reason. Please be guided.
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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