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Towards Credible Elections In 2015

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The build up to the 2015
general elections has gradually started with expected buzz in the political circle. As usual, politicians are already oiling their political machinery in readiness for the 2015 power struggle. The seeming disconnect between political game players in the country and the challenges of leadership in our current democratic dispensation are however, matters of grave concern.
The survival of Nigeria’s democracy and by extension the future of the country depends largely on the quality of governance at the local, state and national levels as well as on the political system and processes through which those who govern emerge. If the political process is corrupt, the individuals the system throws up as leaders will definitely be corrupt.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke recently wrote the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega to clarify the controversy surrounding the multiple registration of the governor-elect of Anambra State, Dr Willie Obiano.
Obiano who allegedly registered in Lagos and Anambra States, thereby contravening provisions of the Electoral Act, was elected the governor of Anambra State amidst controversy and allegations of electoral malpractices on November 30 last year after the first election conducted on November 16 was inconclusive. Inspite of the allegations by All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate,  Dr Chris Ngige and his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Tony Nwoye, Obiano, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance was sworn-in as the new governor of Anambra State two weeks ago .
Jega, however, did not say if Obiano was guilty of the allegation or not, but said it would be prejudicial to comment further on the issue.
The INEC Chairman noted that more than one million Nigerians were guilty of multiple registration and that the commission lacked enough personnel to prosecute offenders. He, therefore, demanded for the establishment of the Electoral Offences Tribunal with regards to multiple registration and other offences.
Politics, in the strict sense, relates to the art of governance . It is about the ways or pattern by which the affairs of a nation, the well-being and happiness of the citizenry are decided. It is also about deciding who makes decisions, who implements and enforces them, and who gets what. Regrettably the moral drift and degeneration in our body politics, with its attendant consequence of election malpractices, horror of violence and the widespread corruption in and out of government do not help Nigeria’s democracy and good government.
It is perhaps against this background that Attahiru Jega recently said that some stakeholders were not doing enough to ensure that “we have a credible, free and fair election”, even though he expressed confidence that “from the preparation, guideline and the work we have done, 2015 will be much better”.
The role of critical institutions and agents of democracy such as the media in the dissemination of information, opposition providing an alternative choice for the electorate, the judiciary as the last hope of the common man in the administration of justice and equity, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as mobilisers of the rest of civil society and monitors of democratic principles in governance as well as women groups. The role of these groups are very crucial for the growth and sustenance of democracy in Nigeria, and to ensure that elections are free, fair and peaceful.
The political scene in Nigeria today seems to be tensed and it has been dominated by a particular cabal and age groups making our democratic institutions to be, and lack adequate capability to pursue the interest of the people.
Election violence has been inherent in Nigerian politics dating as far as the 1959 elections in which women and men were involved in electoral violence, though there had been notable reduction in the level since the period.
The failure in our political system and falling standards of governance and public ethics stem from lack of investment in the art of politics and political leadership.
The present structure of government whereby states and National Electoral offices are under the control of the incumbent governments gives room for corruption as there is always the tendency by the government in power to use their electoral bodies to their own advantage.
The political and socio-economic impediments the country is currently facing stem from the way political powers are exercised and monopolised by a narrow elite. All these must be changed before the 2015 elections.
There is the need for the civil society organisations to effectively engage political office holders in dialogue, ensure that political parties present a political agenda for the nation during the 2015 elections. Authoritarian tendencies of governments and the manipulation of state resources and institutions for election activities by incumbent political office holders must be brought under control.
The practice of multi-party system in Nigeria is defective as it lacks proper political ideology that is germane to the growth of democracy in Nigeria. Most of the political parties merely exist for the purpose of seeking political relevance, and not really to provide alternative ideas or governance.
Sensing the dangers inherent in this, some opposition political parties namely Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Political Change (CPC) and All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), last year, merged to form the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the opposition, the PDP is robbing Nigerians of the benefits derivable from credible democratic system. But the question is, can the merger parties bring the scuour to Nigerian populace?

Shedie Okpara

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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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