Politics
Desecration Of Temple Of Justice
The political crisis in
Rivers State is taking a frightening dimension with series of explosion here and there. First, it was the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council headquarters that was attacked with explosives in July 2013 after a High Court in Port Harcourt had ordered the police to maintain minimal presence at the council –as against the outright barricade – to enable Hon. Chikaordi Dike – led caretaker committee and staff of the council to carry out their legitimate duties. The next was Obio/Akapor liaison office, at Rumuobiokani, followed by the deputy governor’s office, the car park of Justice Charles Wali and recently, the Ahoada Etche high courts.
Consequently, there have been accusations and counter-accusations by state government, the All Progressives Congress (APC), the People Democratic Party (PDP) as well as individuals, following the dastardly acts that have drawn the ire and condemnation of the general public.
Rivers State Government has pointedly accused members of the Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI) which was founded by the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike of masterminding the bombings in some parts of the state.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Seminitari made the allegation during a press briefing in Port Harcourt recently.
According to the government spokesperson, “explosive suspected to be bomb early yesterday morning rocked part of the premises of Ahoada High Court, in Ahoada East Local Government Area (LGA), destroying the building, housing the secretariat of the state branch of Nigeria Barr Association (NBA).
“Ahoada High Court is being presided over by Justice Charles Wali, who last December issued an injunction to the self-acclaimed speaker of the House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, to stop parading himself as speaker.
“There was supposed to have been a case involving Hon. Evans this morning and when the lawyers got to the court this morning, they found out that the premises where the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) office is located has been burnt. While they were there, they discovered that they were still unexploded devices that were there. The police anti-bomb squad arrived at the scene and confirmed that the explosives were bombs.
“The lawyers were still around when these things were happening, between 10 and 11 am, the police anti-bomb squad was still around taking stock of what had happened.
“At Okehi, it wasn’t an explosion. The registrar of the court at Okehi confirmed that the files were gathered together and set ablaze.
“Knowing the things that have happened at Okehi in respect of the political cases going on, as a government we are mindful that this may not be totally unrelated to matters affecting Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA).
“The reason we say that is because of the things that have happened in both Etche and Omuma when GDI attempted to do their launching, they broke into the secretariat and there was violence. And because we have seen this spate of violence by GDI members we are certain that this violence that is occurring has the signature of members of GDI and the PDP as currently known.
“This is not the first explosion as you (the media) are aware of in recent times. You are aware that there was a mild one at the office of the deputy governor. We are still awaiting the security agencies’ report on that matter.
“You are also aware of series of explosion going on around the Abonnema wharf area of Mile One last December. We are also waiting for the report from the security agencies.
“Since these explosions occurred, we have been silent as a government to let the security agencies take the lead. They have failed to take the lead and also failed to tell Rivers people what all of these are about”.
In an online statement by the Interim Publicity Secretary of the Rivers State Chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC), Chief Andy Nweye entitled: “APC condemns extension of violence to the judiciary by the PDP,” the party described as barbaric the bombing of the Ahoada court.
“The extension of violence to the judiciary in Rivers State by the PDP and their agents started to assume a dangerous dimension after Justice Wali of the Ahoada High Court granted an injunction on December 16, restraining the member representing Ogu/Bolo in Rivers State House of Assembly, Evans Bipi, from parading himself as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“A few hours later, the court building was bombed by suspected PDP members/agents. In the night of Sunday, January 5, elements suspected to be members of the PDP bombed an Ahoada High Court building.
“less than a week earlier, the PDP had widely circulated a press statement, signed by the PDP chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, claiming that Governor of Rivers State was trying to use the same Ahoada High Court to protect the leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Chief Chidi Lloyd, a claim that is vexations, malicious and patent falsehood.
“The Ahoada High Court complex has been cordoned off by the police, because two objects confirmed by the police to be bombs, planted in the premises. These bombs have been planted by the PDP and its agents to prevent the sitting of Ahoada High Court, for the hearing of arguments on interlocutory injunction, barring Evans Bipi from perpetually parading himself as speaker of the state Assembly.
“Despite the PDP openly announcing the verdict that Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminknra would give in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council case weeks before the verdict was handed down, the APC did not resort to violence against the person of Justice Laminkanra, her court and any member or institution of the judiciary in Rivers State before, during and after the verdict was given.”
But the embattled chairman of Rivers State Chapter of the PDP, Bro Felix Obuah had equally alleged that the state government was behind the Ahoada high court bombing.
Hear him: our team of lawyers, made up of over 10 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) from Abuja and Lagos arrived at Ahoada High Court this morning to argue for the vacation of the interim order and saw the senseless and barbaric destruction of the court.
“The PDP makes bold to suspect that the reported bombing was carried out by the agents of the Rivers State government to prevent the court from sitting, so that the court would not be able to vacate the interim order made by the Ahoada Hihg Court Judge, Hon. Justice Charles Wali.
“Their aim also of bombing the Ahoada High Court is to further create a state of insecurity in Rivers State to justify their continuos call for the removal of state commissioner of police, Mbu, Joseph Mbu”.
However, the truth remains that Governor Amaechi on assumption of office fought tooth and nail to restore peace to a state that was held captive by cultists. It is therefore, difficult for any national thinker to accept the allegation that a governor who has done so much in ensuring the security of lives and property in the state will turn back to tarnish his reputation by supporting agents of destruction whom he has continuously despised.
More so, Governor Amaechi would want to be remembered for the good work he has done and cannot at the twilight of his administration destroy all the legacy projects he has executed in the state.
It is imperative to add that the governor is not oblivious of the fact that he is not in the good books of Mr President as to engage in any act that would warrant the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State. He knows the game and is mentally alert.
But the police in Rivers Stat have not help matters in recent times. How would anyone explain the fact that the perpetrators of the bomb attacks are yet to be fished out by the Rivers State police command under the headship of police commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu. Could it be that the police in the state have compromised themselves as alleged by the state government? Mbu must rise to the occasion to justify his training as a professional police officer.
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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