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2013: Year Of Political Melodrama

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Since 1960 when Nigeria gained her independence from colonial rule, one major challenge that has continuously threatened the growth and stability of the oil-rich nation is the entrenchment of democratic culture. The military had had cause to intervene in the governance of this nation because of the inglorious activities of the political elite most of whom are more concerned about the looting of the nation’s treasury at the expense the masses.

It is against this background that the year 2013 has witnessed political upheavals that are detrimental to the sustainability of the nation’s fledgling democracy which was hard-won in 1990 by combined efforts of pro-democracy and civil society groups, the Nigerian press as well as other sections of the society after the military had severally scuttled democratic processes in the country. We shall therefore,  review some of the events that shaped the nation’s political landscape in the out-going year.

Rivers State Crisis

The Rivers State chapter of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been riddled with crisis following the controversial court ruling that replaced Chief G. U. Ake-led executive with that of Bro. Felix Obuah. Subsequently, the leadership of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council was suspended for alleged corruption by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, in compliance with the resolution passed by the State House of Assembly.

Angered by this development, five anti-Amaechi lawmakers in the State Assembly attempted to impeach the Speaker of the House against the wishes of their colleagues who were 27 in number and in majority. This resulted in a free-for-all fight which compelled the National Assembly to take over the functions of the House.

Although an Abuja high court recently ordered that the House should resume its legislative work, the National Assembly has appealed against that ruling. It is also pertinent to note that Governor Amaechi has taken a harder step by dissolving the leadership of Obio/Akpor Council.

In fact, the political class in Rivers State  has been polarized between Governor Amaechi’s faction and Hon. Wike’s faction said to be working for the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan.

NGF Crisis

In May, this year Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi was re-elected as the chairman of Nigeria’s Governors Forum by securing 19 votes against Governor Jonah Jang’s 16. However, the presidency turned a blind eye to Amaechi’s victory by recognizing Governor Jang as the chairman of the forum. The aim, it is believed is to create division in the forum to whittle down Governor Amaechi’s influence in relation to the 2015 general election.

Registration of APC

The merger of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN),  All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) was formalized following its registration by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as All Progressive Congress (APC).

The ruling PDP was unsettled by this development even though it publicly expressed support for the merger. However, African People Congress (APC)  and All Patriotic Citizens (APC) have gone to challenge the registration of All Progressives Congress by INEC, claiming ownership of the acronym.

APGA Crisis

The All Progressive Grand Alliance  (APGA) has been engulfed in crisis following power tussle between Chief Victor Umeh and Mazi Okwu as both lay claim to the national chairmanship of the party. Initially, Mazi  Okwu was enjoying the support of the only APGA governor in the country, Mr Peter Obi of Anambra but he was abandoned by the governor who later reconciled with Chief Umeh a few weeks to the gubernatorial election in Anambra State. The court is yet to rule on the APGA matter.

PDP Convention Crisis

Shortly after Governor Amaechi was re-elected  the NGF chairman he was suspended by the National Working Committee of the PDP for alleged anti-party activities. But Nigerians were of the view that his suspension was borne out of the fact he defeated the preferred candidate of the presidency (Governor Jang) in the NGF election.

Governor Amaechi’s suspension set the stage for unbridled crises that have destabilised the party. Members of the party that were not on the same page with the presidency were labeled as rebels and were suspended and dismissed from the party for spurious reasons. During the special convention of the party in August, this year some chieftains of the party who were dissatisfied with the impunity being exhibited by the national leadership staged a walkout and formed a new PDP.

Return of Gov. Suntai

Governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State returned home, having spent 10 months in Germany and United States where he received medical treatments for the injuries he sustained from a plane crash in Adamawa State. His return generated political crisis between his supporters and the deputy governor’s.

It was alleged that the deputy governor wanted his boss impeached because of his ill-health so as to assume office as the substantive governor of the state. With the intervention of then National leadership of the PDP, the deputy governor was therefore, directed to continue as the Acting Governor pending the recuperation of the ailing governor.

Anambra Election

The gubernatorial election that was conducted in Anambra State on November 16, this year was fraught with irregularities. Indeed, it was the worst election conducted by the Attahiru Jeja-led Independent National Electoral Commission since it came on board. Both local and international observers expressed dissatisfaction with shoddy exercise as the INEC chairman equally admitted the obvious irregularities.

It was for this reason that the three major candidates in that election (Senator Chris Ngige of APC, Hon Tony Nwoye of PDP and Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of LP) boycotted the supplementary election in the disputed electoral units, insisting that the governorship election should be cancelled for a credible exercise. They have also gone to court to challenge the outcome of the election.

Defection of PDP Governors and Legislators

Following the crisis in the PDP former chieftains of the party, five governors and 37 members of House of Representatives recently defected to All Progressives Congress (APC). Consequently, the APC is now in majority in the House of Representatives.

Sacking of Ministers

The President sacked eight ministers who were either nominated by or loyal to governors that are not comfortable with his leadership style.

Obasanjo’s and Jonathan’s Letters

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his 18-page letter took a swipe at President Goodluck Jonathan on sundry  issues that bordered on ineptitude, integrity and security. The President replied his benefactor’s letter with the inference that the pot is calling the kettle black.

 

Reward Akwu

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Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

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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.

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10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

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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.”

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Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

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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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