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Imperative Of PDP Govs’ Meeting In PH

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Ahead of 2023, the political space in Nigeria has begun to gather steam as political gladiators realign and restrategise for the general election billed for the next 13 months or so.
Although the electoral umpire, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is yet to lift the ban on political campaigns in the country, some political gladiators have started consultations with their stakeholders, others have begun negotiations (horse trading) and strategising while others will be guests to prayer houses, pastors, shrines and native doctors seeking intervention in their ambition to attain political power.
They will be ready to throw everything at their disposal into the ring. Meetings, press conferences, dinner parties, amongst other social events are being staged for their supporters, loyalists, well-wishers and the media to divulge their political ambition.
The purpose is to garner the required political support that would launch them into their preferred political offices in 2023.
Whereas the All Progressives Congress (APC) seems to be having political brouhaha, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from whom the former seized power in 2015, looks very set and determined to regain control of the centre.
Accordingly, the party has consolidated, repackaged and rebranded for the task ahead.
PDP had one of the most successful conventions in history with none of its members complaining over the outcome. On the contrary, the APC, though yet to hold its convention, feelers from the party hierarchy speak of great division and disagreements among themselves.
The state congresses of the party produced well over 40 state chairmen in a country of 36 states, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Presently, there are over three persons laying claims to the position of national chairman of the party with litigations against the outcome of some of the congresses, even as the legitimacy of the Mai Mala Buni-led committee is still being challenged at various law courts.
The governors too, are heavily divided among themselves on the issue of the convention.
Some are accusing Buni of attempt to derail the convention following his rumoured interest to be vice president.
How all these would play out ahead of the February National Convention of the party remains to be seen.
With the PDP looking set to retake power in 2023, governors elected on the platform of the party are due to converge in Port Harcourt today, for crucial consultative meeting.
The 13 governors, who would be led by the Sokoto State Chief Executive and Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, include Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Enugu State Governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel; and Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri.
Others are Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa; Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki; Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed; Benue State Governor, Dr Samuel Ortom; Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde; Taraba State Governor, Mr Darius Ishaku, Adamawa State Governor, Hon. Ahmadu Fintiri; and the chief host, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The 13 governors would examine a number of critical issues; top among which is how to reoccupy Aso Rock, and further win more states in 2023.
The Port Harcourt meeting is also crucial, imperative and significant at this point in our nation’s political life, because aside from examining critical national issues, the PDP governors coming to Port Harcourt would also set the agenda or criteria for the kind of presidential candidate the party would like to produce for the 2023 election as well as come up with a workable formula that would lead to the victory of the party.
In the mean time, as the PDP governors meet in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the party in Rivers State, Amb. Desmond Akawor, has on behalf of the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, welcomed them to the state.
Akawor said the 13 governors should look forward to enjoying Rivers hospitality while wishing them a blissful stay and fruitful deliberations.

By: Paul Deeyah

Deeyah, former Director, News and Current Affairs, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, writes from Port Harcourt.

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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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.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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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.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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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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