Politics
Political Parties Merger: Matters Arising
The on-going merger project of major opposition political parties in Nigeria has generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. While some have expressed doubt over its workability, others say it will not fail like previous attempts.
Beyond this, the news that the merger, being spearheaded by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), with a view to overthrowing the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general elections, would come to fruition in June has caused excitement in some quarters.
Those who think it is not feasible, from all indications, are mostly beclouded by the thought of previous failures of political parties merger right from the early period of post-colonial political era in the country.
Those who are not only longing for a change, but also against a drift to a one-party state, given what they christen elephantine and intimidating nature of the PDP, are looking forward to any arrangement that could displace the ruling party from office at the centre.
They reckon that this would give Nigerians the opportunity to compare the PDP and another party, with a view to knowing which one is better. This stance is with the knowledge and acknowledgement that it will be difficult for any political party, as an individual institution, to displace the PDP at the federal level.
Such stance is based more on the strong structure the PDP has evolved over the years, which is capable of dwarfing any single opposition, than that the PDP is invincible, or always presents the best candidates for elections.
Indeed, a political party that has 24 governors out of 36, and, therefore, controls two-thirds of the country, and whose members constitute the majority in the National Assembly has enough muscle to keep winning elections. The reason for this is simple. Governors are the prime movers in the country’s polity.
The implication is that as long as these governors keep on capturing people’s hearts in their respective states, using their performance, popularity or intimidation, they can deliver the votes to their political party.
Also, the governors are the ones whose agents could manipulate elections to suit their purpose in a country like Nigeria, which is still struggling to organise transparent polls.
In spite of the fore-going, however, the merger and the prospect of one singular opposition party look bright, particularly going by the meticulousness of the planners. They are also taking things stage by stage and have recorded successes at each stage so far.
Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim, a former governor of Yobe State and member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), recently confirmed the current rapprochement among the major opposition parties.
“The ACN has appointed their team. The ANPP has also done the same thing and I am part of the committee. We have met several times. We have toured North Central. We met our supporters in North Central in Lafia. We were in Enugu, South East of Nigeria for a whole day. We are going to go to visit other zones”, he said.
Still, there are fears in certain circles over the alliance achieving the desired result. One factor that sticks out as possible cause of failure is selfishness on the part of key planners of the alliance, topmost among which is former Head of State, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari (rtd). Experience has shown that leaders of the political parties that had previously attempted such arrangement never dropped their personal ambition, ego and interests.
It was the same ego trip and the posture of self-importance by leaders of the ACN and the CPC that truncated the merger/alliance plan of the two parties in 2011. If the Buharis and Bola Tinubus had played down self, perhaps, the merger arrangement could have worked.
Unfortunately, these people stuck to their guns in their demands, hence the merger deal never came through. Of course, such merger failure made it easier for the PDP to win the presidential election in 2011.
Currently, Buhari has indicated interest to contest, yet again, the presidency in 2015. He said that he would present himself because of the numerous appeals by his supporters for him to bid for the number one position. This is against his earlier declaration, after the 2011 elections, that he would not seek elective office again.
With Buhari ready to contest in 2015, the pertinent question is: Would he agree to step down for another person, in the event of a merger, if this becomes imperative, despite the assurances by leaders of the ACN, CPC and ANPP that this time their personal interests would be secondary?
Also, if Buhari is joining the 2015 presidential race because his supporters are putting pressure on him, it is not likely that he would resist appeal to step down the same way in any merger arrangement that would not present him as the candidate, knowing that it is likely to be his last shot at the top position?
As it stands, Buhari is obviously doing the bidding of his supporters and those appealing to him instead of acting on his conviction. Would he be prepared to sacrifice his interest and that of his followers for the interest of the country? This is a feat yet to be achieved by any Head of State in Nigeria.
Considering that all past leaders of the country had always claimed to base their decisions on the interest of the country first, though such decisions had led the country to its present state of underdevelopment, and aspiring leaders also put forth selfless service as their focus, the kind of leader Nigeria does not need is quite obvious.
It is thus deducible that political merger or not, all those at the helm of Nigeria’s governance cannot claim not to know what is best for the country. The problem had always been doing the right thing for the benefit of the citizenry, playing down selfish interests.
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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