Politics
Avoid Politics Of Big Men, Utomi Tells Nigerians
The Convener of Big Tent Coalition of Political Parties, Prof. Pat Utomi, has urged Nigerians to move from politics of “big men” to politics of big ideas and issues for greatness.
He made the call at a Town Hall Meeting held in Lagos, on Saturday.
Utomi, a former presidential candidate, said the existential challenges facing the country spurred some idea-driven leaders to convene meetings to restore the nation to its pride of place among comity of nations.
He said: “We need a political class that adopts simple life. Our country must be ready for this change.
“It must be a time of healing and building. Our country must be healed from the damage of our recent history. We must build afresh.
“It is a time we look through the windshield and not looking at the rear blue mirror most of the time, because by focusing on yesterday, we are getting away from tomorrow.
“What matters is that this country still has the potential for greatness. Nigeria is a country of enormous potential, yet it is being crippled by the kind of politics that we have.”
He stressed that if Brazil, which initially looked hopeless, could bounce back to build a new society, there was hope for Nigeria.
Utomi added: “If Brazil can come back to life, Nigeria surely will surely rise again.
“To get Nigeria to rise up again, we must begin to remind ourselves that it is about what individuals can do, to give to build a great new tomorrow for Nigeria not what about what he can get.
“We have a duty of care to our country that we need to do something in response to this existential challenge that is facing us.”
The political economist said the big issues before the coalition were the problem of poverty, unemployment, power failure, rising debts, energy and climate change among others.
In his remarks, the Senior Pastor of the Trinity House Church, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, said it was time for all like-minded, idea-driven Nigerians and humble elites to converge and chart a new path for the development of good and credible individuals for governance.
Ighodalo said: “We have spoken enough, it is time for Nigerians to move. We have complained enough, we are not complaining any more. Nigeria is a great country.
“All we are looking for now are serious and sincere people who are really interested in Nigeria to come forward and offer themselves to play a role in whatever capacity.
“Some of us will run for offices, some will support, some will fund, finance, some will do the leg work. We will all work together.”
The cleric urged Nigerians to get it right in the 2023 general elections to build a country of everybody’s dream.
“The Year 2023 is very critical and Nigerians cannot afford to get it wrong. Every single sacrifice that we need to make individually and collectively to get it right, we must do it and get it right. Nigeria truly can be great. It has all the parameters to be great,” he added.
Other individuals at the meeting were Prof. Bayo Olukoshi, Prof. Leslye Obiorah, Prof. Jibril Ibrahim, Prof.Ugo Nwokeji and Prof. Sam Guobadia, among others.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.