Politics
Goodboy Sokari, A Principled People’s Representative
Clearly, the state of affairs in our country is such that it has become compelling to salute the few compatriots who stretch out their necks for the guillotine in their quest to serve the common good.
It is evident that, in order to make impact in the Nigerian political turf, one must be made of a sterner stuff mentally, emotionally, morally, intellectually, physically, ideologically and every other relevant material credentials. This is why a great many decent men and women have steered clear of the “rumbling in the jungle”, not being certain of their calling and conviction for genuine leadership.
It is against premise that one cannot but recognize and identify Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy as one of the heroes of Nigeria’s democracy today, and particularly in Rivers State, alongside Rt Hon. Edison Ogaranya Ehie (DSSRS), Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, and other members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, who are standing for the emancipation of the less privileged in society against politics of goodfatherism.
Hon. Goodboy is presently the House Leader who has demonstrated steadfastness along with his colleagues in the Rt Hon Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Rivers State House of Assembly, writing their names in gold in the political sands of time by the way they have stood for truth, and against falsehood, deceit and dishonesty in the highest echelon of management of state affairs.
Certainly, when bookmakers re-write our history, his contributions will be included. He has represented his constituency, Ahoada West Local Government Area, very well and the people are happy.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy had meritoriously served as the President of Abua/Odual, Engenni and Ogbogolo special area of the highly respected Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) Worldwide. He is a proud son of Ijaw from Engenni extraction who has vowed to make Ijaw proud in any field of human endeavour he is called upon to serve humanity.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari believes that now that the nation is paying attention to the advocacy that governance be entrusted on the youth to protect and preserve, it behoves on youths like him in positions of authority to uphold that trust for posterity. This singular line of belief is the driving force for his firm and unflinching support for our indefatigable governor, Sir Siminialayi Joseph Fubara (GSSRS) and his Chief of Staff, Rt Hon. Edison Ehie.
He maintains that his constituents are stoutly behind the governor because of his people centered policies, programmes and projects aimed at changing the ugly developmental narrative of the people since his Inauguration as the Chief Executive Officer of the state.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, without doubt, is of the school of thought that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has started well. He has, as expected, shown that he knows the collective yearning and aspirations of the people and his constituents are proud they gave the governor their mandate.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari is a man to be relied upon; he knows that laws are meant to protect and better lot of the general public, not to satisfy individual needs.The truth is that Ahoada West Local Government Area and all patriotic citizens of Rivers State are happy with the bold step the lawmaker has taken to stand for the undiluted truth in line with the oath of office he took at his inauguration, not minding whose ox is gored.
Hon Goodboy, the Rivers State needs you around; your constituency desperately needs your wisdom, your raw courage, your inextinguishable energy and zeal to fight the good fight of Democracy and justice.
To say the least, the youth and your teeming supporters in the Ijaw nation, as well as established and upcoming politicians, are proud of you whenever they remember that, in their feeble state, they see a political pillar in you to lean on.
Hon. Goodboy Sokari, and your fellow lawmakers in the Rivers State House of Assembly, it’s an understatement to say that people of the State are grateful to you for standing tall behind our governor in the time of trouble till now. Your firm position on the struggle to emancipate our state from economic hostage and mental slavery by imperial powers of darkness, definitely stand you out as crusaders who are not afraid confront evil behaviours of some of our leaders.
You and your eminent colleagues are being variously described by society watchers as passionate, focussed, humane and highly committed to any cause you believe in for the betterment of society. It shows that you have undying love and passion for politics and the people you represent. You have proven to be true democrats of the finest order.
I dare say that for Rivers State to join the league of progressive and prosperous States in Nigeria, our people must resolve to live up to the highest moral creed expected of them and that includes shunning godfatherism and keeping to our conscience instead of their pockets or bank accounts.
As Rivers people, we must be willing and ready to stay with the best by supporting the present administration of His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
No two people can captain a ship. Today, as it stands, Governor Sim Fubara at the helm of leadership of the State and he is the captain. He is the number one citizen of Rivers State according to government and governance. The power and authority of implementation of policies and programmes are domiciled with him as the governor.
Hon.Goodboy Sokari Goodboy, your constituents are hugely proud of you for your solid support and determined resolve to be counted among the courageous few on the side of the governor and the people of Rivers State when it mattered most. God bless and give you the wisdom of King Solomon to stay the course and win for (and with) the people.
Osundu, public affairs Commentator, writes from Port Harcourt.
By: Odinaka Osundu
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.
