Politics
Jubilation As Amaechi Joins APC
As usual, activities in Government House were in top gear
last week. There was jubilation, Tuesday as the news of Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s movement to All Progressives Congress (APC) hit the air waves.
Governor Amaechi had together with four other G-7 governors met in Abuja on Tuesday morning after their reconciliation meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan was indefinitely postponed.
Following this development, the G-7 governors and other members of the new PDP met to review the current political developments in the country and fixed their meeting for Tuesday in order to meet with APC leaders.
It was at their meeting with APC leadership on Tuesday that Governor Amaechi alongside Kwara, Kano and Adamawa governors formally announced their merger with APC at the Kano State Governor’s lodge, Abuja.
Governor Amaechi returned to Rivers State on Tuesday while briefing newsmen over the development.
He said, “Yes I have moved to the APC this morning after the meeting we had with Buhari, Tinubu and interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande”.
On the out come of the reconciliatory meeting with the President, Governor Amaechi observed that though the meeting was postponed, it was already clear that the presidency was not ready for reconciliation, saying, the picture painted by the PDP was as if they were begging, while the real issues at stake were not looked into.
The Rivers State governor submitted that the G-7 governors and the new PDP had no option but to move out of the PDP to strengthen democracy and move the country forward. “I’ am elected to lead Rivers people. And I have looked at the interest of Rivers people and see that it’s not being protected by the PDP”.
On Wednesday, the Rivers State governor convened an emergency meeting, with members of the state executive council and party big wigs in the old PDP.
Shortly after the meeting most of the stakeholders and party leaders spoke to Government House reporters and pledged their support for the governor’s decision to join the APC.
Chairman of Bonny Local Government council, Barrister Edward Pepple described the development as democracy at work. He insisted that people must stand for the truth and that principle must be allowed to drive politics.
Degema local council boss, Hon. Ibigoni Pokima vowed to mobilise for the APC in his local government area, “I’m telling you that APC is going to win this state”, he enthused.
On his part, chairman of Port Harcourt local government council, Chimbiko Akarolo emphasised that the prospects of the APC werebright in Rivers State,” let me assure Rivers people that there is no problem. The people that make things happen are the ones that are in APC.
Also speaking, chieftain of the APC in the state and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said the defection had changed the political equation in the state and the country.
On Thursday the Rivers State Government announced the dissolution of Obio/Akpor Local Government council.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government George Feyii said the action was in line with the Rivers State Local Government Law of 2012 which confers, on the governor the power to do so.
Also on Thursday, Governor Amaechi in far away Britain presented a lecture at the British House of Commons. The paper entitled Security and Human Rights Challenges in the Niger Delta, mirrored the several phases of Nigeria’s civil and human rights struggle vis-a-vis the resource control.
On Friday, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Worgu Boms and human rights lawyer, Ken Atsuete defended the dissolution of Obio/Akpor council. They stressed the need to divorce justice from politics, insisting that the governor acted in accordance with provisions of local government law No.2 of 2012.
Both Worgu Boms and Ken Atsuete urged the sacked Obio/Akpor council boss to seek redress of he so wishes. On the same Friday, Head of Local Government Administration of Obio/Akpor, Mr. Singer Azubuike Singer said had has resumed work as directed by government.
The Chief of Staff at the weekend issued a press statement denxing claims by the Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika that the fundamentalist Islamic fact Boko Harm is spreading in some states, including Rivers .
Chief Okocha said it was untrue that Boko Harm has spread in activities, adding that there is no evidence to show.
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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