Politics
Amaechi Urges Unity Among Kalabaris
Government House last week was a bit tensed following
the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe and the disruption of a Save Rivers Movement rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area by the Nigeria police.
Senator Abe who was flown out of the country on Sunday shortly after the incident was feared to have been hit by objects on the chest suspected to be rubber bullets allegedly shot by men of the police, at the premises of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science where the rally was held.
On Monday, the leadership of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) briefed newsmen in Port Harcourt. President of the group Mr. Charles Ahorlu told reporters that SRM had obtained a police permit since January 7th ahead of their rallies in Obio/Akpor and Khana Local Government Areas.
Describing police action as barbaric, the SRM chairman disclosed that already, a Senator representing South-East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe and some of its members were still missing.
As a non-governmental organisation, Ahorlu maintained that SRM has remained glued to its vision of fostering good governance, transparency and accountability and has since commenced its sensitisation campaigns and remained law abiding with no history of violating law and order as painted by the police.
Meanwhile, a human rights activist and attorney to the Save Rivers Movement, Barrister Ken Atsuete has warned against retaining Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu in the state.
He revealed that the body is considering commencing content proceedings against the police for failing to comply with a ruling of a Court of Appeal on Public Order Act.
In the same vein, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Rivers State, Mr. Worgu Boms condemned police action on Sunday. He told newsmen in a press chat at his office in Port Harcourt that the Public Order Act has been voided by the courts.
He also said the police commissioner is trying to usurp the powers of the governor who is the only person empowered by the law to implement the Act.
Mr. Boms argued that every citizen was entitled to freedom of association and assembly, adding that the police does not have the right to disrupt a peaceful gathering of law abiding citizens. It is not enough to condemn the IGP, Police service commission but let them tell the world the order in which they acted upon”.
On Tuesday last week, the Senate Committee on Police visited Rivers State to obtain a first hand information on the abated SRM rally in the state during which Senator Abe was said to have been shot.
Led by its chairman, Paulinus Nwagwu, who was accompanied by a member of the committee, Senator Hadi Serika, the duo visited Governor Amaechi and later interviewed Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha.
Nwagwu later said, “We are on fact finding mission to find out exactly what happened, and what transpired between politicians and security agents. When we finish with our reports the public will hear from the senate”.
On Wednesday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi was at hand at the Isaac Boro Park to perform the yearly wreathe laying ceremony as part of activities to end the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations.
Shortly after the ceremony, the governor hosted members of the Nigerian legion in Government House, where he commended them for their sacrifice and support to government. He promised the sum of N2.5 million as welfare support for widows of ex-service men. He also promised to look into their request for the building of a permanent secretariat complex.
On Friday, the governor played host to Kalabari indigenes from the Oceanic communities of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. They include those from Abissa, Elem-Sangama Soku, Abissa and Idama. They were led by Prof. Tam David- West.
Amaechi commended them for their steadfastness, but however, deplored the discordant tunes in which the Kalabaris have spoken as regards the ceded Soku oil wells to Bayelsa State, “I expect to see patriotism on the side of the people”.
He believed that as a governor he would not keep silent over the matter as that would amount to betrayal. Amaechi maintained that he is the governor of Rivers State. He therefore called to vote out the PDP warning that, “If the PDP comes back for a second term then the oil well is finally gone”.
On the same Friday, members of the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly deplored police defiance and continuous disruption of rallies by the Save Rivers Movement (SRM).
The Rivers National Assembly members include Senator Wilson Ake, Honourable Asita, Hon. Ogbonna Nwuke, Chief Andrew-Uchendu, Hon. Sokonte Davies, and Hon. Poronen representing-Khana and Gokana Federal constituency.
They called on the police to provide security for SRM rally at Kana on Sunday, Senator Ake disclosed that already to body has written to the police, noting that members of the National Assembly are members of the body and will therefore attend the rally as part of inauguration activities.
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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