Politics
When Obasanjo Came To Rivers
Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi played host to
former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo early last week. The former president was in the state for two days on the State Government’s invitation to commission projects embarked upon and executed by the Amaechi-led administration.
Chief Obasanjo had last visited the state during the administration of former Governor, Dr Peter Odili in 2007. On Monday, the former president and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces arrived Port Harcourt via a chartered flight about 11:20 hours in the morning from the airport. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo went on to unveil the newly expanded Chief G.U. Ake Road, the Rumuobiakani-Elekahia Road, the former Stadium Road, but now renamed Ken-Saro Wiwa Road. He ended the day’s visit after he inspected the Integrated Songhai Farm at Bunu Tai.
On the second day of the visit, the former General commissioned Number I Field, and Basket Ball/ Indoor Games in the Old Port Harcourt Township. He later branched to inspect the ongoing Rivers Monorail along Azikiwe Road from where he proceeded to St Andrew’s Model Primary School, and later unveiled the new Kelsey Harrison Hospital in Diobu area.
A short reception was held for the former President Obasanjo who danced to the local Iriabo drum at Buguma Fish Farm in Asari-Toru Local Government Area. Chief Obasanjo was full of praises for the Rivers State governor. He remarked that Amaechi understands what the people want, adding that that is what transformational leadership was about.
As a farmer, he said he had seen development projects in Rivers State, but advised the state governor to think of ways of consolidating on the various projects across the state. He charged the governor to continue in his good works despite the antics of the opposition.
Chief Obasanjo was later accosted by journalists on his departure after the visit. He told the newsmen that he was still a card-carrying member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Obasanjo, however, commended Amaechi for the Monorail and Fish Farm projects, which he described as visionary.
On Wednesday, Governor Amaechi played host to the new General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Enugu of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Shehu Yusuf. He thanked the Army Chief for the support and professionalism the military has displayed in beefing security in the State.
In his words: they have helped us with a lot of other internal security arrangements, that again we would want you to commend our Brigade Commander. He has always responded to what he considers as minimal assistance to civil policing to enable the State have peace. If there is any other thing that the Brigade wants or the division wants, please do contact us. We will be willing to assist.”
On Thursday, the state governor through his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru hosted foreign investors from China with a dinner in Government House.
Amaechi assured that his administration believes and is ready to partner with Chinese investors to enhance development of all sectors of the State’s economy, stressing that “whatever we are doing today will bear fruits in the future for the next generation.”
On Saturday, Governor Amaechi paid a condolence visit to the family of Late Madam Kilali Joy Ababia Young Arney at Buguma.
The governor explained that late Joy Young Arney would feel fulfilled over the success and achievement of her children, and advised her husband, Hon. Edwin Dakoru to continuously play his fatherly role and ensure that unity and peace prevail in the family.
Senator Makarfi’s resignation comes on the heels of the national convention that saw the emergence of the new Chairman of PDP, Dr Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN).
In his letter of resignation, which was addressed to the PDP BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and made available to journalists in Kaduna on Monday evening, the former governor said, “Chairman and Members of the Board of Trustees may recall that about two months ago I had resigned as Secretary of the Board and posted same on the Board’s WhatsApp platform.
“Mr Chairman, you may also recall that you personally urged me to stay on until after a convention that produced a Chairman.”
He added that the principal reason he initially tendered his resignation then “and now, was and is still my belief that the National Chairman of the Party and Secretary of the Board of Trustees should not come from the same geopolitical zone.
“Now that a chairman has emerged from the North West, where I come from, it’s necessary to give him full space to do the needful. Accordingly, I hereby formally resign as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from today, November 17th, 2025.”
While commending the BoT Chairman for his support during his tenure as Secretary of the Board, he stressed, “I truly appreciate the very respectful relationship between us during my period as Secretary,” adding that, “I also appreciate all Board members for their support and the good relationship that prevailed during my period as Secretary.”
Meanwhile, Dr Turaki on Monday pledged to ensure that power returns to the Nigerian people, urging the judiciary to uphold the tenets of democracy.
Dr Turaki, while giving his acceptance speech after the swearing-in of new officers at the end of the Elective Convention of the PDP in Ibadan, assured that there will be “no more impunity, no more suppression of the will of Nigerians”.
The chairman appealed to the judiciary to uphold the principles of stare decision, abiding by the decisions of the Supreme Court, and not to “willingly or unwillingly put yourselves in a situation where, rightly or wrongly, it may be assumed, correctly or incorrectly, that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.”
According to him, the new leadership of the party would be open to listening to the yearnings of members, with a view to aligning with their will, declaring that “No more monkey dey work, baboon dey chop,” adding that “if baboon wants to chop, baboon must be seated to work.”
He noted that the PDP has maintained its original name, motto and logo, unlike the other parties that started with it, making it a recognised brand anywhere in Nigeria.
Mr Agboke, in a statement on Monday, said that conducting party primaries in line with the law was important ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
INEC has fixed August 8, 2026, for the governorship election in Osun State.
Mr Adegoke appealed to all registered political parties in the state to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, the commission’s guidelines and regulations for the conduct of their primaries.
“The commission emphasises the need for the conduct of free, fair, and peaceful primary elections that reflect the will of the party members as a panacea for the reduction of pre-election litigations.
“We observed that primary elections have often been a source of pre-election litigation, which can be avoided if parties follow the laid-down procedures and guidelines.
“INEC, therefore, urges all political parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in a transparent, democratic, and peaceful manner. All aspirants should be given equal opportunities to participate,” he said.
Mr Agboke stated that, in line with the guidelines released by INEC’s national headquarters, the political parties’ primaries for the 2026 governorship election in the state are scheduled to take place between November 24 and December 15.
He said INEC was prepared to provide necessary support and guidance to parties to ensure that their primaries are conducted in accordance with the law.
“We call on all stakeholders, including security agencies, to support the commission in its efforts to ensure peaceful and credible party primaries.
“INEC will continue to monitor the activities of political parties and take appropriate actions within the ambit of the law against any party that fails to comply with the electoral laws and regulations,” he said.
The Northern States Governors’ Forum has strongly condemned the attack on the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School in Maga, Danko/Wasagu LGA, Kebbi.
The bandits’ attack led to the abduction of 25 female students as well as the reported killing of the vice principal of the school.
Reacting to the mass abduction on Monday, the chairman of the forum, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the kidnapping as tragic, senseless, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement by his media aide on Monday, Gov. Yahaya stated that the continued targeting of schools posed a grave threat to the region’s stability and the nation’s educational future.
Gov. Yahaya, on behalf of the northern governors, commiserated with the government and people of Kebbi State, especially the families of the abducted students and those who lost their lives in the attack.
He assured Governor Nasir Idris of the forum’s solidarity and support during this difficult moment.
He said that schools must be sanctuaries of learning, not targets of violence, warning that continued assaults on educational institutions threatened to reverse gains made in improving school enrolment and curbing the out-of-school crisis in the region.
Mr Yahaya expressed deep concern over the trauma the abducted schoolgirls may be facing and called for an immediate and well-coordinated operation by security agencies to ensure their safe rescue and the arrest of the perpetrators.
Reaffirming the NSGF’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and security institutions, Gov. Yahaya stated that the safety, education, and welfare of young Nigerians remain a top priority for the forum.
He urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with the security agencies in the collective efforts to rid the region of criminality.
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