Politics
Wike Hails Secondus, Speaker
Last week, which happened to be the last week of the year 2017 was dorminated by Church activities in Rivers State Government House, Port Harcourt.
Events kicked off with Thanksgiving Service at Ecumenical Centre, Port Harcourt in honour of the National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus who hails from the state.
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, who hosted PDP Governors and major stakeholders in the service restated that PDP governors and well-meaning stakeholders testified that the election that brought Secondus was transparent.
He lauded the PDP chairman for not allowing himself to be swayed by money or other baits as a party leader who stands for the success of the party, inspite of challenges.
While Secondus promised to lead the party to victory in 2019 election, the governors and other heavy weights commended him and assured him of their support.
In a similar vein, Wike also attended the 50th birthday and election victory thanksgiving service of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Ikunyi-Owaji Ibani at Saint James Anglican Church, Ataba in Andoni Local Government. He described the Speaker as one who exhibits exemplary leadership qualities in the discharge of his responsibilities.
Wike commended Ibani for his worthy contributions to the development of Rivers State.
Last Monday which was the Christmas day, the Governor in his message to the people of the state urged Christians to use this year’s Christmas to promote love, friendship, peace and reconciliation.
He challenged Rivers people to use the Yuletide to erect platform of love for the greater development of the state.
Another crucial event in Brick House was the reception of hundreds of APC decampees from Opobo-Nkoro Local Government Area to PDP.
Chairman of APC Caucus in Opobo-Nkoro, Arthur Jaja said Wike’s sterling qualities gave impetus to their defection.
The governor who received the decampees in company of the party chairman in the state, Bro Felix Obuah and other stakeholders commended the decampees for coming to PDP, assuring them of equal opportunities with old PDP members.
Wike who noted that APC is deceiving Nigerians, challenged the party to show federal projects executed in the state, stressing that inspite of the harsh economy which made Federal Government and APC-controlled states not to deliver projects, Rivers State has been flourishing with projects.
Conferrment of awards on Wike remains ceaseless as Uzugbani Ekpeye, last Saturday, honoured him with an award of excellence, in appreciation of his good governance.
Speaking at the award ceremony in Ahoada, Wike said the honour would spur him to do more and advised politicians in the area to work in unity and in the interest of the area.
He announced the official flag off of the reconstruction of Western Ahoada County High School on January 4, 2018. He said the kingdom supported him in 2015 governorship election and that his administration will continue to execute projects in the area.
In a similar manner, Wakirike Ethnic Nationality endorsed Wike for a second term, saying that he has treated them fairly through projects execution and appointment.
Chairman of Okrika Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief Sunday Kalaowolo who spoke on behalf of the nationality said, “As the political drum beat starts in 2018, we the Wakirike people under God, ask you to run for a second term in office.
“We will lay down our lives, not only to vote for you, but to defend our votes. All Okrikans are solidly behind you”.
Wike commended them and assured them of continued projects in the area. He elevated the Amayanabo of Ogoloma to first class status, while Amayanabo of Okrika Town elevated to second class. He also recognise Amayanabo of Okochiri King Ateke Michael Tom as second class traditional stool.
On Boxing Day, Wike inspected ongoing projects in the state and told traders at Mile 1 Market that his administration is in a haste to complete reconstruction of the market as soon as possible.
He noted that the step would check street trading which poses dangers to them and urged them to remain patient.
The governor also met Bolo people of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area who also endorsed him for a second term. They tied their decision to Wike’s good governance.
Wike, at the function which held in Brick House and attended by Senator Thompson Sekibo, former Minister of Transport, Dr Abiye Sekibo and other traditional and political leaders from the area, commended them and upgraded Amayanabo of Bolo stool, to second class.
Chris Oluoh
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.