Politics
Is Expulsion Of Amaechi’s Loyalists Constitutional?
All is truly not well with the Rivers State chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to which I now refer as “palaver house” given the deepening political crisis rocking the party. The Felix Obuah-led executive of the party with the support of Minister of State for Education, Barr. Nyesom Wike has been doing everything possible to destabilise the Amaechi administration using their contacts at all levels. Of course, the Minister of State for Education had reportedly said that he would make the state ungovernable which elicited reactions from individuals and groups, calling on the police authorities to arrest and prosecute him for “openly threatening the lives of Rivers people , peace and security of the state.”
Political observers are of the view that the primary objective of the Felix Obuah-led executive of the state PDP is to wrest power at all cost from Governor Amaechi. To this effect, it has been fighting dirty since it came on board via an Abuja High Court judgment, thus, heating up the polity. The various courts in the land are replete with litigations arising from the actions of the Felix Obuah-led exco, ranging from suspension to outright expulsion of members of pro-Amaechi group.
A week ago, the Felix Obuah-led exco expelled 18 associates of Governor Amaechi for failing to appear before Osinakachukwu Ideozu-led committee on Performance Evaluation of political office holders, elected and appointed on the platform of PDP in Rivers State. Those expelled include former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Dr Sam Sam-Jaja, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), George Feyii, Chief of Staff, Government House, Tony Okocha and the Adminsitrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam.
Fourteen commissioners were also expelled, namely, Victor Giadom (Works), Augsutine Wokocha (Power), Worgu Boms (Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice), Joe Poroma (Social Welfare and Rehabilitation), Ezemonye Ezekiel-Amadi (Lands and Survey), Fred Igwe (Sports), Emmaunel Chinda (Agriculture), Joeba West (Women Affairs), Patricia Simon-Hart (Water Resources and Rural Development), Okey Amadi (Energy), Charles Okaye (Chieftaincy Affairs), Nnabuike Imeagwu (Culture and Tourism) and Samuel Eyiba (Local Government).
However, we must pause and take a critical look at the relevant provisions of the PDP constitution for the justification or otherwise of the extreme punitive measure meted out to Governor Amaechi’s associates. Article 21.4 of the PDP constitution states: “The Working Committee at any level of the party may after preliminary hearings, suspend a member from the party for a period not exceeding one month during which period the member so suspended shall not lose his or her right to contest any election but shall be referred to the appropriate disciplinary Committee.”
Article 21.5 states: “Where an allegation is made against a member of the party, the Disciplinary committee shall inform the member in writing of the allegations made against him or her.”
Article 21.6 states: “A member who appears before a Disciplinary Committee shall be given the opportunity to present his or her case orally or in writing either in person or through a counsel of his or her choice and shall be allowed to call witnesses. A decision taken against a member who has not been informed of the charges against him or her or has not been given any opportunity of defending himself or herself shall be null and void.”
Did the Felix Obuah-led exco adhere to the constitutional provisions before wielding the sledge hammer on Governor Amaechi’s associates? Hear Hon Obuah: “The refusal of the 18 affected persons to send in written reports of their steawardship, if they were not chanced to put up appearance, despite the well-published sitting arrangements of the committee is considered as an affront, insubordination and lack of respect for constitutional authority.”
“The committee duly notified all concerned and was willing to accept any written report from such persons where necessary, but did not receive any supervening circumstance that made it impossible for any of them to honour the invitation.
“We had no choice, but to show them the way out of the party, because we cannot continue to operate in this disorderly manner, being a serious and disciplined political party.”
From the fore-going, it is very glaring that the expulsion of the 18 members of the party was not in line with the PDP constitution.
The affected members ought to have been suspended and informed in writing about their offence and also given the opportunity to defend themselves before the party could take further action against them. Again, Obuah explained that the PDP members who did not appear before the committee escaped sanction because they got in touch with the party leadership and the committee, but most importantly, sent in documentation of their performances. But the nine commissioners in Governor Amaechi’s cabinent that were left out had debunked the claim that they participated in the Performance Evaluation exercise. They said that it was a ploy to create disaffection among members of pro-Aamechi group. However, the onus of proof lies with the Felix Obuah-led executive so as to absolve the party of nefarious contrivance to cause confusion in Governor Amaechi’s camp.
More worrisome is the fact that the case between Amaechi and the PDP Performance Evaluation Committee is before a State High Court in Port Harcourt presided over by Justice Silverlyn Iragunuma, prior to the announcement of the purported expulsion. In an interview with a national daily recently, the Counsel to Amaechi and 27 lawmakers in the State Assembly who are loyal to him (Amaechi), Emenike Ebete had explained that the suit before Justice Iragunuma (a vacation court) was the same suit in which the governor, members of the National Assembly and council chairmen were seeking injunction to stop the Performance Evaluation committee from assessing them.
He said that the court had already granted Amaechi the leave sought to serve all processes ofhis ex-parte application on the PDP national secretariat by registered post while that of the State PDP should be served by posting.
If so, there is more to the expulsion which was hurriedly slammed on the 18 associates of Governor Amaechi. According to Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Tony Okocha, “what they are planning is to use fake delegates for the mini-convention of the PDP that is coming up this weekend. Could that be the reason?
Again, why is the national leadership of the party unperturbed about the crisis in the State PDP. Rivers State is predominantly a PDP State and returned the highest votes for Mr President in 2011 general elections. Is it that the party is ready to forgo over two million votes because some political opponents within the party want to destroy Governor Amaechi for his unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and rule of law? Governor Amaechi is an asset to PDP and deserves every modicum of respect from the party members, including Felix Obuah-led executive. Rather than making inflammatory utterances and taking actions that will impact negatively on the political fortune of the party, Obuah should take advantage of the reconciliatory efforts by the national leadership of the party to restore peace in his “palaver house.”
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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