Politics
Amaechi: Okupe’s Mis-step
The Special Adviser to the
President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati and his colleague, the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe have been edgy in recent times following a barrage of criticisms against the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on a daily basis. Indeed, some of the criticisms were apt and constructive while a few others were aimed at denigrating the office and personality of the President for cheap political points.
Of course, one cannot rule out criticisms in any human environment.This is more pronounced in a democracy, where several persons and different political parties are jostling for limited number of political offices. The situation in Nigeria is even worse, because of high rate of unemployment and the juicy nature of political offices. Therefore, politics has become a do-or-die affair for members of the political class and their teeming supporters in the labour market.
Abati and Okupe appear to be overwhelmed by the demands of the exalted offices they are occupying given the way and manner they have carried on in the discharge of their duties.
Recently, the Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande had this to say about the Presidency: “I have my reasons not to admire President Goodluck Jonathan. I have not found him to be serious minded leader. Jonathan is Nigeria’s problem today. He is not a thinking leader. I have had two meetings with him since 2011. I have had a long telephone conversation with him. I have written him twice discussing the serious challenges facing the country, but he has not found the courtesy to reply. He has reduced governance to kindergarten level. He is not serious-minded”.
Dr. Abati responded this way: “we urge Chief Akande and his fellow travelers to remember that there are laws against libel and defamation of character in this country even if there are no legal impediments to indecorious, hypocritical and unpatriotic vituperations. It is certainly rude, ill-mannered, uncharitable and hypocritical for Chief Akande to falsely and cavalierly allege that a President who toils tirelessly every day of the week, evolving and implementing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems, is handling national issues with levity. Also, nothing else but gross ignorance and lack of consideration could have led Chief Akande to refer to a President who, having served as deputy governor, governor, Vice – President and President, has for more experience of governance at the highest level than him and his preferred candidates as a Kindergaten leader”.
While I am not impressed with Chief Akande for his choice of words on this matter, Dr. Abati as a man of letters should have been civil in addressing the issues raised by the elder statesman. By so doing, he would have won the admiration and respect of so many Nigerians for having a proper understanding of public office. But the contrast is the case which is obviously a disservice to his principal.
In truth, only a disgrunted few had a kind word for Dr. Abati for the brazen and reckless manner he showered invectives on a man who is old enough to be his father.
For his colleague, Dr. Okupe, political observers are of the view that he takes delight in hurling abuse on perceived enemies of whoever engages his services as a spokesman. Maybe, that is his own interpretation of what is expected of him. And if so, he has a poor knowledge of what the office entails. Obviously, his contankerous and over-bearing attitude is counter-productive.
Recently, he took a swipe at the Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa State), Babaginda Aliyu (Niger State), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State).
Speaking on the Kaduna-based Liberty Radio, Okupe dismissed as a joke the peace initiative of the five Northern governors.
“You heard about the five governors who said they were motivated to go round the whole country because of Rivers crisis. Is that not a national joke? It is like watching Africa Magic.
“What is the crisis in Rivers? Who is Amaechi and what is the issue that the whole country is being disturbed of something that happened at Nigeria Governors Forum?
“What is Nigeria Governors Forum to the destiny of this country? What has it got to do with us? The Rivers crisis is something that people just latch onto to fan the members of anti-Jonathan emotion to continue to promote hatred against Goodluck Jonathan.
“And of course, Amaechi is a willing tool, very rich and is very useful to the opposition. What you are seeing is over-dramatisation of the preparations for 2015. Period!
“These governors that are so motivated, so passionately concerned about the ultimate destiny of Nigeria, were not motivated when Boko Haram crisis were raging in the North to go round the North and plead on how to solve the problem.
“Amaechi used the Police and power to harass, intimidate and punish people unjustly. Mbu has refused to be a tool in the hands of Amaechi and has refused to bend to his unjustified high handedness. However, because he is supported by the opposition, he now presents Mbu as villain. It is not true. He is a professional; a man of dignity who has remained steadfast.
This is Okupe at his best. It is very laughable that Okupe does not know Governor Amaechi and what he represents. To assuage his curiosity, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), was a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as Chairman of Conference of Speakers in Nigeria.
He is a two-term governor of Rivers State and also a two-term Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. Above all, Governor Amaechi is known for his unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and good governance.
Governor Amaechi has transformed Rivers State through massive infrastructural development to the admiration of his people as well as local and foreign investors.
It is highly regrettably that Dr. Okupe and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar did see anything wrong in the foresty relationship between the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu. But the National Assembly in its wisdom passed a resolution for the redeployment of Rivers Police boss following a fact-finding mission to the State by the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Areas.
How would anyone justify the insubordination exhibited by the Rivers Police boss who addressed the State governor in a press conference as a dictator? Certainly, the IGP will not last a minute longer in his cosy office if he displays such level of disrespect towards the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Okupe and his co-travellers should separate politics from official misconduct to save the younger generation from moral bankruptcy.
It is a pity that Dr. Okupe is ignorant of the ugly trend in the nation’s democracy where 16 is higher than 19 and 5 is highr than 27. Nigerian politicians must not for any reason sacrifice our fleddling democracy on the altar of greed and selfishness.
Governor Amaechi cannot relinguish the mandate that was given to him by his colleagues as the NGF Chairman for the mere fact that the likes of Okupe are not comfortable with his high moral principles. Of course, Governor Amaechi is aware that if he succumbs to pressure from Okupe and his co-travellers posterity will hold him in absolute contempt for his cowardice and betrayal.
Finally, Dr. Okupe should not aggravate Mr. President’s problems with his unbridled vituperations. Mr. President needs more friends and support now.
Reward Akwu
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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