Politics
RSG Signs Contracts For Trans – Kalabari Road

Last week , Rivers State Government signed contracts for the construction of two major roads — the Trans- Kalabari Road project (phase one), and the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono Road (phase two).
At the event which took place last Wednesday at Government House, Port Harcourt, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Zacchaeus Adangor, Commissioner for Works, Elloka Tasie-Amadi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Mrs Ebere Emenike signed on behalf of the state government while the General Manager of CCECC, Zou Xiaowei and his Deputy, Gao Qiang, the General Manager of Lubrick Construction Company, Rabich Elramedi and Kennedy Odogbo, signed for their respective companies.
Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said the signing of the two projects was a demonstration of the importance his administration places on opening up more rural communities.
Also last week, the state security outfit code named, C.4.I was re-launched to boost security in the state.
Governor Wike, who presented 29 operational vehicles to the Police at the event which took place at Government House, Port Harcourt, urged the Police to be more proactive in combating crimes by taking the battle to the criminals.
The Governor noted that his administration has sustained its support to security agencies in the state, but expressed dismay that two armoured helicopters worth over $10 million which the state government gave to the Nigerian Airforce to fight oil theft and sea piracy in the state have been diverted to fighting Boko Haram.
The Governor warned that the state government would not hesitate to withdraw the gunboats it was about to present to the Army, Navy the Police if they are deployed for use in other states.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 16 , Austin Agbonlohor commended the governor for his continued support to the Police.
Another major event in Brick House last week was the sacking of the Commissioner for Environment, Dr Igbiks Tamuno by govovernor Wike. The governor directed the sacked Commissioner to submit all government property and documents in his possession to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
According to the governor, the Commissioner was sacked because he engaged in acts amounting to sabotage. He was alleged to have written a letter to Julius Berger, directing the company to stop ongoing state projects without the consent of the Governor.
“ I don’t know how a Commissioner can write a company to stop work without my approval, and Julius Berger in that matter, to stop construction in the entire state. I have never heard of such thing before. I don’t know that the commissioners have so much power like that,” the governor said .
As the world celebrates this year’s Easter, the Rivers State Governor has urged Christians to emulate Jesus Christ by making sacrifices that would advance the course of development.
The Governor’s Easter message which was contained in a release signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, called on the people of the state to rededicate themselves to the service of the state as they reflect on the ideals of Good Friday and Easter celebrations.
Governor Wike also urged the privileged in the society to reach out to the less privileged as everyone works to deepen the culture of true Christianity , before, during and after the celebrations, promising that he would continue to make sacrifices for the state, defend her interest and provide good governance.
Within the week under review, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba paid Gov Wike a courtesy visit at Government House. The minister said he was in the state for the official launch of “ Better Education Service Delivery For All Programme for Result” .
Governor Wike used the occasion to dissociate himself from those calling for the scrapping of the counterpart funding for basic education in the country. He said counterpart funding avails state governments opportunity to show commitment in the provision of good educational foundation for children in their states.
He noted that his administration places high premium for education hence nothing less than 30 per cent is being allocated to the sector in the state budget . He called on the Federal Government to increase it’s budgetary allocation on education because of the importance of the sector
Excited by the award of the Trans-Kalabari Road project, the Kalabari Traditional Rulers Council, led by the King of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bob-Manuel , paid a thank you visit to Gov Wike last Friday in Brick House.
King Bob-Manuel expressed gratitude of the entire Kalabari people to the Gov for breaking the jinx that had frustrated progress with the Trans-Kalabari Road project.
Gov Wike said the essence of the critical projects in Kalabari Communities was to secure enduring development and not politics as beilng misconstrued by some critics of his administration. He charged the people of the area to secure the project by providing internal security.
Also last week, Gov Wike presented certificate of recognition and staff of office to His Royal Majesty, Nyenwe Eli Omunakwe Nyeche Nsirim and Amangada XI of Rebisi Kingdom , His Royal Highness, Eze Anthony Worlu Akarolo.
By: Chris Oluoh
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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