Politics
Musings On The Nigerian Polity
The new consciousness
the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari wants Nigerians to imbibe with the launching of the “Change Begins With Me” initiative is to reinforce the notion that the task of building the country is a collective responsibility rather than that of the leadership alone. The message is unmistakable that all and sundry in Nigeria, including corporate bodies, groups, associations and individuals have their roles to play and their contributions to make towards achieving our collective national aspirations and dreams.
These roles and contributions require everyone to be responsible citizens, not only in conduct but also in being alive to developments in the polity and expressing relevant opinions and proffering solutions on issues when necessary. This, indeed, is the hallmark of responsible and responsive citizenship.
“having observed the challenges we are going through as a nation, we are moved by conscience to address some of these issues.” These were part of the opening words of a body of Christian professionals and opinion leaders under the name Club 401 who addressed the media at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre in Port Harcourt recently.
Led by their chairman, Elder Lawrence F. Jumbo, the socio-religious group bared their mind on contemporary and burning issues in the country such as peace and security, economic wellbeing of the people, inter-governmental relations, pollution and environmental issues in the South-South, perceived inequities, the federation question and the level of involvement of the State in religious affairs.
In making their observations and expressing their convictions on these issues and others, they were mindful to underline with emphasis their belief in one united and indivisible Nigeria and the need for necessary sacrifice from everyone to sustain it.
“Welfare and security of the people is the primary purpose of government,” they noted, arguing that they expect those given the opportunity to deliver on this mandate or be humble enough to throw in the towel when they fail instead of giving the excuse of dwindling resources to deny the people their legitimate earnings while clinging on to power. They described the failure of many State and local governments in the country to be up to date in the payment of salaries to civil servants as a “manifestation of executive recklessness and insincerity” since government functionaries live insulated from the poverty and misery of the working people.
On the issue of peace within the borders of the country, the group challenged the federal government especially to enthrone justice and equity in dealing with all sections of the nation so as to forestall dissentions and violent agitations.
“Government owes all citizens equal obligation to protection,” they posited, adding that they found it inequitable for the authorities to leave farmers without protection while allowing armed herdsmen a free rein to unleash terror on helpless villages and their livelihood.
“Worse still, in a situation where about 80% of command positions are concentrated in the hands of one ethno-religious group, it becomes near impossible for persons from other groups to have a sense of fairness and security,” they said.
While expressing regret about some acts of impunity perpetrated by some law enforcement agents, the Club 401 also decried the involvement of government in some religious activities.
“Making available scarce foreign exchange in these lean times for religious pilgrimage at below the inter-bank rate while critical sectors of the economy such as power, aviation and manufacturing are being starved takes things to a new height,” they noted, adding that they see it as a misplacement of priority that seems not to be sufficiently sensitive to the economic downturn and the folding up of businesses.
As well, the group is disturbed that government had not dealt with the ugly manifestations of religious intolerance in the country in the way it should. They referred to a bill before the National Assembly that seeks to extend the jurisdiction of Sharia Courts to criminal cases and expressed the fear that contrary to a pronouncement by the Sultan of Sokoto that no one can Islamize Nigeria, the federal authorities were not doing enough to prove otherwise.
“Christians are being intimidated or killed for standing for their faith on a regular basis either by herdsmen, students or community mob,” they averred and observed that “the current psyche of some Nigerian Muslims is as if Nigeria has already been Islamized and our leaders are not discouraging same.” They called on the government to rise up to their responsibility of dispensing justice squarely and evenly for and against every Nigerian irrespective of their religious persuasion.
On the question of our federalism, the Christian professionals insisted that our present federal system as practised encourages productive laziness and will not motivate governors and their stats to be resourceful and responsible in revenue generation and management. Their verdict: “there is need for fiscal federalism: let us restructure to liberate our productive potential.”
Not least or last of all, the group also addressed the issue of equity with regard to giving back to the oil bearing communities and asked that due attention be given to the Petroleum Industry Bill (P.I.B) currently before the federal legislative house. They acknowledged the initiative to clean-up Ogoni land and asked that the same be extended to all other polluted sites in the Niger Delta region.
Exchanging views with The Tide in Port Harcourt on the state of the nation, a onetime deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Iyk Oji, identified the absence of leaders with national outlook and interest as the major problem confronting our country.
He recognised the fact that Nigeria is a multi-ethnic and religious country that requires leadership to harmonize and unify it.
Regrettably, he said men and women with the requisite attitude and orientation have continued to elude the nation at the helm of its affairs for as long as it has existed.
“We have ethnic leaders,” he said, pointing out that the grumblings with regard to perceived lopsidedness in federal appointments were fueled by mutual ethnic and religious distrust.
He said that what Nigeria needs are leaders that have an overriding national identity and appealed to our leaders to be broadminded in order not only to untie the nation but to lead it to realise its full potentials.
Irrespective of our differences, Nigeria must not disintegrate, he emphasized, but quickly added that our leaders must make conscious and sincere effort to move away from ethnic, religious and sectional bigotry.
Opaka Dokubo
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.
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.”
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.