Politics
Task Before New RSIEC
Before the 2011 general elections, which was conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the leadership of Prof. Attahiru Jega ,many Nigerians had expressed the belief that several factors had constituted hindrances to the country’s development.
One of such important factors for attaining its potential of an egalitarian, rich and prosperous country with a stable polity ,despite its huge endowment in human and material resources has been the nation’s inability over the years to conduct elections which results are widely accepted as representing the people’s wish, save for the 1993 Presidential elections, the results of which were unfortunately annulled.
Since the 1993 Presidential election, which many believed was won by late Alhaji Moshood Abiola, many Nigerians regard other elections in the country as having been marred by partisanship on the part of the electoral body unbridled violence leading to loss of lives and various forms of corrupt practices, including the manipulation of votes through dishonest and deceptive means ,especially by the ruling political class.
It is widely believed that the situation is far worse at the Local Government level, where public opinion holds that state Electoral Commissions, which shoulders the responsibility of conducting elections at that level, simply reflect the wishes of the party of the government in power without recourse to fairness, equity and aspirations of the people.
Indeed, so strongly debated have election issues become in Nigeria, with a huge outcry for electoral reforms ,that they are currently situated on the front burner of national discourse as flawed elections have come to be regarded by many as the very essence of the nation’s backwardness.
This public outcry informed the change by Governor Chibuike Amaechi, when he inaugurated Prof Nimi Briggs on the 27th of November,2007, a month after the supreme court ruled in his favour the governorship of the state, to salvage the electoral process and conduct an election which would be worthy of emulation by other electoral Commissions in the country.
No doubt, the Commission under the leadership of Prof Briggs took its assignment seriously and put in great thought and time. In the end, it achieved some level of success in the 2008 and 2011 Local Government Elections in the state.
Prof Briggs made history not only in Rivers State, but in Nigeria when in 2010, he presented a written report of the 2008 local government council elections in Rivers State. In that election, other political parties won some wards though the ruling peoples Democratic Party (PDP)won the Chairmanship seats in the 23 Local Government Areas.
It is, therefore, expected that the present Chairmanship of Prof Ahiazu whose record had been transparent in his previous major public task as Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu, would be discrete to carry out the task of conducting and supervising the next Local Government election in the state.
His appointment and subsequent confirmation by the Rivers State House of Assembly recently, makes Prof. Ahiazu the third Executive Chairman to continue the task of piloting the State Electoral body which was established in 2003.
He succeeds the former Chairman, Prof Nimi Briggs whose tenure expired last April. The former University of Port Harcourt Vice Chancellor, took over from the pioneer Chairman, Senibo Sam Jaja after whose tenure crisis erupted, before the court intervened.
The State legislators confirmed Ahiazu’s appointment with six other commissioners, Dr.Eddy Adiele, Mr Kennedy Saro Pueba, Dr Viviala Fubara, Mrs Ngozi Ayayi, Dr Solomon Nwanchukwu and Mrs Ibiso Dakuru.
The Electoral body was established in the state in accordance with section 197(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
The then Governor of Rivers State, Dr.Peter Odili, established the Commission to conduct and supervise Local Government elections in Rivers State.
From the fore-going the immediate, task before the commission is the Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni local Government Council election scheduled for January 2013. The board would be expected to conduct an election that would be fair and acceptable to all in the area by all the participating political parties.
The commission as a matter of urgency should. thus commence extensive consultations with stakeholders in that Local Government Area and, all the political parties to ensure an acceptable election in the January 2013 election.
This approach would not only form the basis for careful planning of the forthcoming Ogba/ Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Council election, but would also help the Commission to conduct, supervise and monitor all the primaries of political parties and ensure the safety of electoral materials.
During the presentation of the 2008 Local Government Reports to Governor Chibuike Amaechi, the then Chairman, Prof Nimi Briggs noted that he faced many challenges during and after the election. It is therefore not out of place to expect that the present Commission will face tougher challenges.
Apart from the challenges, the conduct of an acceptable election can only be made possible with cooperation and participation of everyone, and the determination of the electoral body to remain transparent and impartial. This among other factors includes provision of a level playing field for everyone who wish to stand for the election.
Political parties, on their own, must not only apply for internship for the Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Council election, but must have well defined and organised structures with sufficient presence that should make them electable.
Political Parties, especially the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), should start by first practicing internal democracy, which should preclude them from thwarting and frustrating the wishes of their party members with often unpleasant consequences.
As for other stakeholders, they must always stand up for their rights at all times and be prepared to take all necessary legal measures that would ensure they are able to cast their votes, and that those votes count in the eventual outcome of the elections.
Lastly, our law courts must realize the powers they are vested with regarding respect for the electoral process, and that these powers should be used to make votes count.
It may also be pertinent to appeal to the Executive Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi to continue to keep away from interfering in any way in the electoral process in the forth coming election which will serve as a test for the new RSIEC board.
Meanwhile, the new board of the Rivers State the Commission has promised to use the required process in conducting a free and fair election.
Addressing the press after their first inauguration meeting at the RSIEC headquarters, the Commissioner in charge of media and Public Affairs, Hon. Ibiso Dakoru said the Commission will consult widely with stakeholders in making sure the right things are done in the electoral process.
The Commissioner stated that the new boards have resolved to carry every body along in the scheme of things, adding that the board decided to resume duties immediately in order to acclimatise with both men and materials in the commission.
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.
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