Politics
New LG Chairmen And Burden Of Leadership

The euphoria, tension, suspense and political permutations among political parties that participated in the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections, especially during the primaries, political campaigns, election proper and emergence of winners climaxed on Monday, April 19,2021 with the presentation of Certificate of Return to the newly elected Local Government Chairmen and Councillors.
The People’s Democratic Party candidates won all the contested positions in the 23 LGAs and the 319 wards of the state indicating the strength of the party in the state.
The winners of the election revelled in victory amidst massive solidarity in contention of the challenges ahead in fixing the various Local Government Areas based on their electroneering promises.
A major feature of the 2021 LG polls in Rivers was the vigorous campaigns by participating political parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP), whose campaign trains went round the length and breadth of the LGAs.
With the assumptions that Local Government Administration were mere transient political platforms, the new crop of political leadership at the grassroots are startled to a new era of leadership.
Repeatedly, Governor Nyesom Wike had made it clear that any local government chairmen that did not perform creditably would not have a second term.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Ikwerre Local Government Secretariat in Isokpo on December 2, 2020 the governor who was represented by the state chairman of PDP, Ambassador Desmond Akawor reiterated his resolve on second term bid of local government chairmen that had executed people-oriented projects.
“His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike has made it clear that if you perform well, you will come back and if you did not perform, you won’t return.
“I, as the party chairman in the state, reiterated with the governor that if you do not perform as a chairman, don’t even think of buying form a comeback”.
Wike, however, endorsed the Ikwerre Local Government Chairman, Samuel Nwanosike, following what he described as outstanding performance on project execution.
The scenario that played out in the PDP primaries where performance was placed as a criterion of return for second term in office deprived many serving LG chairmen a second term in office, except for few that passed the litmus test.
Governor Wike had during the political campaigns across the 23 LGAs stated that LG chairmen must respond to their statutory obligations of providing the dividends of democracy to the grassroots through the execution of people-oriented projects.
The governor who was speaking at the local government grand finale rally at Oginigba Primary School Field on April 13, 2021 stated that since the inception of his administration, the State government had not touched any money that belonged to the local government councils.
“The state government had provided the enabling environment for every local government in the state to perform.
“As a policy of the state we have also decided to address vigorously the security challenges in the state, that is to enable them (Council chairmen) perform their duties of delivering democratic dividends to our people”.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Engr. Emeka Woke, the governor explained that before his assumption of office, the local government councils under the previous administration owed past councilors, elected council chairmen and political appointees huge sums of money.
According to him, the state government expeditiously set up a committee to verify the actual amount of money owed past political appointees and ensued that the council caretaker administration paid the debts.
The development made it possible for the elected council chairmen that took over from them to have a seamless transition
As stated by the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, shortly after casting his vote,
“the 2021 LG polls in Rivers State is a confirmation of Governor Nyesom Wike’s commitment to deepen democracy at the grassroots”. Nsirim also gave Kudos to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission for the peaceful and credible conduct of the Rivers LG polls.
Also in his comments on the LG polls after casting his votes, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, said the Rivers LG polls was successful because of the high sense of political awareness at the grassroots now. The PDP chairman lauded the efforts of RSIEC, security agencies and other stakeholders that participated in the electoral process.
Observers from other states of the country also applauded the peaceful conduct of the 2021 Rivers LG polls. Chairman of the Ebonyi State Electoral Commission, Chief Jossy Eze, who led a team of his colleagues from the 36 state of the Federation on a monitoring tour of the LG polls said, “The peaceful and credible conducts of the LG polls in Rivers State sets the state on an exemplary pace in the conduct of LG polls, we are satisfied with what is on ground in Rivers State, I want to commend the Rivers State Government and the state Independent Electoral Commission for their committed efforts in organizing a credible and fair election contests in Rivers State, we want the experience to be domesticated across the 36 states of the federation.
The whopping victory of the PDP across the 23 LGAs, and 319 wards of the state also proves the party’s supremacy mettle in Rivers State.
According to a lawmaker representing Khana/Gokana Federal Constituency, Hon Dumnamene Deekor, “Rivers State is a PDP State, the people-oriented projects executed by Governor Nyesom Wike has earned the love of Rivers people for the party, the peaceful conduct and massive victory of the PDP at the last LG Polls shows that PDP is fully on ground in Rivers State”.
While savouring their electoral victories, during the presentation of Certificates of Return to them at the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, the new grassroots political helmsmen in Rivers State affirmed that they would live up to their electoral promises by bringing the dividends of democracy to their various LGAs.
Drawing from Governor Wike’s declarations that LGA Chairmen and their councilors must live in their LGAs to dispense democratic dividends to the people, there is a relative alertness on the part of the new LGA Chairmen and Councillors.
Pundits, however, envisage fears that the LG chairmen may as well droop to the temptations and lures of hibernating in the cities and shirking their responsibilities of overseeing their political domains. With the die already cast, many will outstand themselves and earn a second term based on the parameters already set, while others will fizzle out.
The months and years ahead will however determine the fate of the LG Chairmen and their Councillors. The court of public opinion is also complementing Governor Wike’s unwinking surveillance on the LG Chairmen and their councilors.
By: Taneh Beemene
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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