Politics
Sekibo Begins Re-election Campaign… Opposition Parties Set For Jan 5 Poll
Senator George Thompson Sekibo, has re-affirmed his determination to ensure the effective representation of the people of Rivers East Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Senator Sekibo, who spoke while addressing the people of Ikwerre, Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Government Councils respectively during his re-election campaign, was optimistic that his re-election was a formality due to the peoples’ trust in him and in the Peoples Democratic Party.
He regretted that he was campaigning for the second time in one year, saying that it was due to the mistake of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, this yuletide would have been a time of merry-making especially time to deliver part of his electoral promises to the people.
Describing the PDP as the largest party in Africa, he said the party will continue to win elections both in the state and in the country due to the crop of politicians it is always featuring in elections.
“I am here to ask for your votes again. You have done it before, I know you will do it again. Let me tell you, the election was annulled due to a mistake by INEC. But I know that with you victory is sure” he said.
In Ikwerre Local Government where the campaign was flagged off, Elder Chidi Wihioka and others assured the Senator of their readiness to re-elect him on January 5, 2012.
Wihioka, described Senator Sekibo as an erudite scholar, said he will receive over 90 per cent of the votes from the local government because the Ikwerres are solidly behind him.
In their separate speeches, Hons. Allen Nma, John Anucha, and Regionald Ukwuoma chairmen of Emohua, Omuma and Etche Local Councils respectively, expressed satisfaction over Sekibo’s leadership and promised to vote him back to the senate to enable him complete the work he has started in the senatorial district.
They maintained that Sekibo who until the annulment of the election was the chairman of the Committee Defence and Army remains the only candidate due to his grassroots’ relationship with the people.
Meanwhile, the PDP chairman in Rivers State Chief Godspower U. Ake, has said that his leadership will continue to bring glory to the state.
Ake also promised a bumper package across party members, adding that the re-election of Senaotr Sekibo is another test of t heir loyalty and support for the party.
Highlight of the event was the declaration of eight opposition parties (Labor Party, CPC and others) to work with Senator Sekibo.
Meanwhile, opposition Parties in Rivers State have said they are ready for the National Assembly re-run election slated for January 5.
The political parties who presented candidates for the election indicated their interest in a meeting called by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recently, urged the Electoral body to provide a level playing ground for all parties.
The political parties chairmen and secretaries who also came with their candidates to the meeting appealed to the security agencies to provide security both for the electorates and adhoc workers to ensure a free and fair election.
Speaking at the occasion, the Rivers East Senatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA), Rev Chizi Micheal Atata, says he will not return to the tribunal even if he loses the re-run election of the senatorial district slated January 5th, 2012.
He urged the security agencies to also assist INEC to conduct a free and fair election that would be accepted by all in the senatorial district and the state at large; stating that he will maintain his earlier promise not to contest the outcome of the re-run in the court.
He commended the INEC for calling the meeting and noted that his party, Action Alliance (AA) was prepared for the election even though the time given was short.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Elder Aniedi Ikoiwoak had said the meeting was called to inform the political parities and other stakeholders about the re-run election which has been slated for January 5.
The REC also reminded the parties that the election was nullified not because of its credibility, but due to exclusion of logo.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police Rivers State, Mr Suleman Abbe said the police would ensure that it would not only protect lives and propertied, but would ensure that the areas where the elections would be held enjoy ultimate peace.
Princess Amadi/Ike Wigodo
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.