Politics
Wike Is My Role Model, Eke Affirms
The Executive Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, Hon. Solomon Abel Eke, has said that Governor Nyesom Wike is his political role model in the state and in the country.
Eke, who made this assertion during a media tour of projects in the local government, said Wike is the politician he considers as a role model because the governor does not pretend.
Outside the shores of Nigeria, Eke, however, named former South African President, Nelson Mandela as his role model.
His words, “Governor Nyesom Wike is my role model. He is my role model in the state and even in the entire country, it is Nyesom Wike. Outside the shores of Nigeria, it is Nelson Mandela. The simple reason is because we don’t pretend. These people don’t pretend.
“Me too, I don’t pretend. If you know me, you will know that I don’t pretend. Whatever I want to do, I will tell you this is the reason for it. I have told you that projects I am embarking on are projects that have impact on the people; the livelihoods of the people. My slogan is ‘service to humanity’; that is why I am in politics. I am not here to favour anybody.”
The council chairman further noted that the prudent management of funds has been the secret behind the success story of his administration so far, contending that his administration tries to leave a landmark achievement on every money that comes into the council’s coffers.
Eke further indicated that his administration has by no means surpassed the achievements of his predecessors but said, “Because we are focused, we are trailing behind them, the past administrations.”
He said while the Wike administration at the council then between 1999 and 2006 constructed eight or more roads, he (Eke) was currently struggling with two.
“The Governor, in all communities of the local government did borehole projects because they requested for them that time. Those boreholes are still there now. That is why I can say I am not doing borehole again. I have been able to do four boreholes so far based on request. The governor also built schools and built health centres. I am struggling to do those things. I have not even done it. I cannot say I have beaten them. When it comes to Timothy Nsirim, you can see the International Market built by him. He even directed that we build markets in all the 17 wards. He did about 15 roads. I am even struggling to do two. I cannot say that what they did, I have been able to do it,” Eke said.
He attributed this state of affairs to paucity of funds, as monthly allocations for the council have dropped compared to those days, made worse by the relocation of several companies out of the local government.
“The magic is that by that time; the allocation was better than what we have now. We did not have this increment in workforce. You cannot compare that time and now,” he said.
Eke said he would need a second term mandate in order to do those things he has not been able to do like sports centre, proposed school projects in Iriebe and Woji communities as well as completion of the ongoing Legislative Assembly Complex at the Council Secretariat, a fish farm, among others.
Meanwhile, state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has been described as Nigeria’s democratic leadership champion of the 21st century.
Addressing journalists recently at Rumuodomaya shortly after projects assessment tour of the area, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Prince Solomon Eke, said that Governor Wike was able to enhance democratic governance in the oil and gas- rich state in particular and Nigeria in general through numerous development projects spread across the length and breath of the state since 2015 to date.
He stressed that the Governor was able to strengthen democratic governance through roads construction and re-construction, rehabilitation, building of flyovers to ease traffic congestion in the state capital, the provision of security for the people both in the urban and rural communities of the state within the lifespan of this administration.
He maintained that the governor equally provided the people with good and acceptable sanitary feat, regular power and water supply in all the nooks and crannies of the state, payment of workers’ salaries and other welfare incentives as at when due, and the restoration of peace and harmony, as well as returning the lost glory of the state from Garbage to Garden City status’, among others.
Eke, who is poised for a re-election based on his performance so far, especially the envisaged projects in the 17 Wards of the LGA, said that Wike’s rural and urban development’ since the emergence of democracy in 1999 speaks volumes of him in infrastructural transformation, thereby making democracy to be meaningful, realisable and achievable, which successive administrations failed to address.
According to him, “This achievement so far of the governor will enhance electoral management in Nigeria as it will improve the lives of the people for better future”.
In his words: “Governor Nyesom Wike has done marvellously well in the provision of lasting infrastructural development in Rivers State within the six years of this dispensation, thereby strengthening democracy in the state in particular and Nigeria in general. I doff my hat for his resilience thus far in this regard,” he said, and described him, as a champion and role model”.
The council boss further urged Rivers indigenes particularly and Nigerians generally to support the governor’s quest to build better bridges of development in the last lap of this government through sacrificing their energies and ensure that detractors and enemies of good governance did not destabilise efforts of the Wike-led administration in the state.
Meanwhile, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Prince Solomon Eke, has stated that the rationale behind the projects assessment tour was not to seek for second tenure, rather for the world and the people to ascertain his interest to bring good governance to the grassroots.
Eke averred: “I don’t like blowing empty trumpet, instead, the people will determine whether second term is possible or not. I am poised to offer the best to Obio/Akpor people. The places visited in the tour include, Rumuodomaya, where he built sick-bay at the council for first aid treatment of staff, Legislative Assembly Complex under construction for the accommodation of councilors, corps members’ lodge, classroom, administrative and laboratory blocks at Community Secondary School, Rumuodomaya.
Others are borehole and Information Communication Technology (ICT) with computers and other accessories at Rumuokoro Town Hall, Eliohan road, on-going jetty project at Rumuolumeni and ICT hall at Ozuoba, among other ongoing development projects of the present administration in the area.
By: Donatus Ebi & Bethel Toby
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.