Politics
Rerun: Wike Tasks Media
While Governor Nyesom Wike played host to two top professional bodies – the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK Nigeria Chapter, the 2016/2017 Rivers State Legal Year and Dedication of the judiciary took the front burner last week in government House.
The governor, had last Sunday, in the midst of party stakeholders, briefed pressmen about the fake electoral materials printing syndicate linked to the opposition party, (APC) that was caught by police printing fake INEC result sheets in Port Harcourt.
Chief Wike said the criminal act was done in collusion with the electoral umpire as it was impossible for people to know INEC codes and polling units where elections have been slated, while other parties were yet to be updated about the elections.
He insisted that those implicated in the matter must be arrested and investigated, maintaining that any attempt by the Police and other security agencies to sweep the matter under the carpet would amount to comprise.
Governor Wike briefing press again on the matter, Thursday disclosed that despite glaring evidence to show that INEC results sheets were being duplicated, the Police is scheming to kill the matter. The ploy he explained is to transfer the matter to Zone 6 headquarters, where the culprits will be freed. He therefore called on the press to play its watchdog role by informing the public on what is happening in Rivers State.
The governor, on returning to the state Tuesday, inspected the ongoing Phase 11 of the Nkpogu Bridge, accompanied by the State Commissioner for Finance, Dr. Fred Kpakol. He however was represented by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo at the annual conference of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS).
Last Wednesday, the usual weekly State Executive Council meeting presided over by the governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was held. Issues concerning development of the State were discussed.
Last Thursday, the governor briefed the press on the lastest development over the fake electoral printers syndicate nabbled last Saturday.
He expressed worry that the police was bent on sweeping the matter under the carpet, but warned that it will affect the credibility of the December 10th re-run elections. Governor Wike charged INEC to do the right thing by heeding to the call by President Buhari for a hitch-free and fair elections for Ondo and Rivers States.
Last Thursday evening, while hosting visiting members of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to a dinner in Government House, Wike assured that the tempo of infrastructural development by his administration will be sustained.
Chief Wike had during the worship and annual general meeting of the arbitrators said he would support the anti-corruption of President Buhari, but observed that the fight against corruption should not be used to trample on the rights of Nigerians.
Last Friday, was for the new legal year and rededication of the judiciary in the State. Governor Wike in company of other State officials attended a Special Church Service at St. Paul’s Cathedral Diobu. But before the end of the service, the governor through his media aide – announced the disengagement of his Special Assistant on Protocol, Mr. Joe Akpa.
After the Church Service to rededicate the judiciary last Friday, the governor addressed the judiciary at a moot court session held at the High Court Complex to usher-in the new legal year.
The governor expressed, worry over the recent assault on judges, by security agents in the guise of fighting corruption. Wike warned that it portends grave danger for the independence of the judiciary and dispense of justice.
Last Saturday Governor Wike was represented by his deputy Dr. Ipalibo harry Banigo at the wedding service s of the governor’s Special Adviser on Religious Matters, Samuel Tekena Iwo and Becky Enyindah at grace Covenant Ministries Port Harcourt.
The governor had last Saturday played host to visiting Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor Alhaji Abdulazeez Yari. After conducting the NGF Chairman round some of the ongoing projects in the state, Governor Yari commented that, “He (Wike) has come up with programmes for the betterment of Rivers people”.
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.