Politics
The Next Rivers Governor
Last Saturday, the Kalabari ethnic nationality conferred on Governor. Nyesom Wike the chieftaincy title of Se- Ibidokubo of Kalabari (meaning a champion of development of the Kalabari ethnic nation).
The event which took place at the school field, Abalama in Asari-Toru Local Government Area was the high point of the civic reception held in honour and appreciation of the Rivers State Governor by the traditional institution, governments and people of Kalabari Kingdom.
In all its form and content, the occasion could not have been better organised. Traditional rulers and chiefs from all three local government areas of Degema, Asari-Toru and Akuku-Toru turned out in their gorgeous regal best. The famous traditional iria dance and token masquerade displays spiced up the occasion with the brief appearances of top Nigerian entertainers like Flavor and Gordons as icing on the cake.
Perhaps to emphasise the point that the occasion was mainly organised to express gratitude to the state chief executive for his developmental footprints in Kalabari land, only banners and billboards with messages welcoming the governor were erected. There were indeed none promoting any aspirants to any political office
No speeches were also entertained from government or political party functionaries. In fact, only four good will messages were taken from Prof. Nimi Briggs, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Ms Ann Kio-Brisggs, Niger Delta environmental activist, Chief Dumo LuLu-Briggs, businessman, politician and philanthropist and Engr. Dagogo Jack.
As if forbidden to speak pointedly, all of them spoke in inuendos and euphernisms in reference to the one central issue preoccupying the minds, hearts and souls of every bonafide Kalabari son and daughter (at home or in the diaspora; in APC or PDP or any other political party; politically active or passive).
Prof Briggs broached it when he said that the Kalabari man had well paid his dues in the overall development effort of Rivers State and therefore is well deserving of his reward come 2023.
His submission drew cheers and applause of affirmation from the crowd as did the petition of Chief Dumo Briggs that Governor Wike use his good office to take the Kalabaris out of the political wilderness in 2023.
In his reponse, Governor Wike was true to type as he did not make any commitments but categorically told his hosts (and indeed other Rivers people) what they must do if they desired to produce the next governor of Rivers State.
According to him, the Kalabari people needed the strength of unity and the power of single mindedness in order to achieve their dreams while advising them to love themselves more and refrain from in-dividualism and selfishness.
He said he would not commit himself with a promise to hand over power to a Kalabari son or daughter but urged them to prepare to show themselves worthy of the coveted seat in an all comers’ open contest.
“ If you are waiting for me to say that I will give power to Kalabari, you’re wasting your time because I will not say it,’’ Governor Wike said, emphasising that ’’ I have not promised anybody that he will be governor after me’’.
He said he maintains his position that Rivers people don’t have to destroy themselves over the governorship of the state, adding that he had the same message for the Kalabaris as he had for the Ogonis and indeed all Rivers people.
‘’Like I told the Ogoni people when they honoured me, you must stop destroying each other because of the governorship of Rivers State .
“ Kalabari people, you must put yourselves together and stop bringing yourselves down. You have been aspiring to be governor since 1999 but you can’t get it by fighting yourselves.
‘‘Anybody that wants to be governor should prepare himself for it, you must stop being selfish about it. It can be anybody,’’ he admonished.
Governor Wike affirmed that the governorship of Rivers State come 2023 will go to any Rivers man who demonstrates capacity to fight and win the office just as he did in 2015 and 2019 against a host of stiff and intimidating opposition forces from within and outside.
‘’ Everybody has the chance of becoming the Governor of Rivers State, but you must have the capacity to stand to fight for it,’’ he said, averring that the next governor of Rivers State requires a personality who would not dither in his convictions but be bold, courageous and resolute to withstand invading and marauding forces aiming at the soul of the state and its people.
‘’ When I wanted to be governor, I came out and fought for it. I fought a sitting governor and I said let heaven fall, I will be governor and I am governor today with your support.
“ Anybody that will be governor of Rivers State must be prepared to face the army and police.
‘‘You remember when they brought military to fight us, did I run and leave you? I didn’t.
I stood my ground. I stood firm, and with your support, we defeated them. So anybody that wants to be governor must stand firm,’’ he said.
Of course, going by the last two experiences, Rivers people and those resident in the state have cause to be apprehenive and jiteryjittery elections next year. Especially, with the opposition party in the state still in shreds, it is difficult for anyone to see how fast they could organise themselves to engage in a serious electoral contest with decency if they desire to win.
Be that as it may, there are many who believe that beyond the federal security aparati, the invading and marauding forces that need to be kept at bay would include economic and social enemies of the people.
To this end, therefore, the next governor of Rivers State, many expect, must show capacity to take Rivers people to a whole new level of economic prosperity and social wellbeing.
They say that the next governor should be one that will be a worthy successor to Governor Wike who has worked tirelessly to build a strong foundation for sustainable growth and development of all sectors of the society. He or she must therefore show a workable concrete economic blueprint and clear roadmap to building a yet further united and stronger Rivers State.
He must possess the drive and the zeal to improve the lot of the common people. Surely, not just a politician will do.
By: Opaka Dokubo
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.