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Edo: Before The Bubble Bursts

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In a democracy,
particularly in Nigeria, the major beneficiaries are politicians. They are the ones that form and control government, have unfettered access to the commonwealth, and decide who gets what. Ironically, politicians are the bane of democracy. That the military at various times interjected in the governance of the Nigerian State was as a result of high level of irresponsibility exhibited by members of the political class in the affairs of the nation.
It appears that the Nigerian politicians have not learnt their lessons in view of recent happenings across the country ahead of the 2015 general elections.
For the past one month, legislative activities in Edo State House of Assembly have been paralysed following the power tussle between the All Pregressives Congress (APC) lawmakers and their Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) counterparts. The crisis erupted when four APC legislators who decamped to the PDP went to a federal court to restrain the speaker from declaring their seats vacant as well as carrying out disciplinary action against them.
The court granted both prayers, but when the motion was argued by both sides, the court ordered that the speaker should still not declare their seats vacant pending the determination of the substantive suit.
However, the court vacated the order restraining the speaker and the House from suspending them for alleged misconduct on the ground that the court would not prevent an arm of government from carrying out internal disciplinary measures.
Following the vacation of the restraining order on suspension, the House met and suspended the lawmakers for alleged misconduct. However, these lawmakers refused to abide by the suspension order of the House neither did they go to court to challenge it. Rather, it was the House of Assembly that went to court to ask for an interim injunction, restraining the four suspended members and the police who were allegedly aiding them from coming into the House of Assembly.
The high court granted the order restraining the lawmakers and the police from going to the House.
Surprisingly, it was reported last Monday that the PDP lawmakers, including the decampees, forcefully broke into the hallowed chambers and held plenary session under the watchful eyes of more than 150 anti-riot policemen stationed at the Assembly complex where renovation work was on-going.
The PDP lawmakers in their resolutions called for the freezing of the Assembly’s account as well as directing all commercial banks and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop forthwith any transaction with Uyi Igbe-led APC lawmakers.
But the APC legislators in their sitting at the old Assembly chamber in Government House adopted a resolution, calling on international organizations such as Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the United Nations to come to their aid as the federal government seemed incapable of discharging its responsibilities to the citizenry.
The APC resolution was sequel to a consequential motion moved by Hon. Kabiru Adjoto representing Akoko-Edo who condemned the police for allegedly aiding the PDP lawmakers to hold their plenary session at the State House of Assembly.
The APC faction also called on President Goodluck Jonathan to take steps to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the State by calling on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Zone 5 and Commissioner of Police to deist from the alleged involvement in the Edo crisis.
As usual, there have been accusations and counter-accusations by the PDP and the APC over the crisis in the Edo State House of Assembly. The PDP has accused Governor Adams Oshiomhole of instigating the political crisis to prevent an official investigation into the findings that he had been squandering the state’s resources to finance his vice-presidential campaign, instead of settling down to develop the state.
A statement by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh said: “Having lost confidence and support of the people, Oshiomhole has resorted to violence and blackmail to intimidate and subdue in line with the APC agenda.
“The macabre dance playing out in Edo Assembly is an expression of defeatism or a terminal symptom of a decadent regime.
“What else would have prompted the relocation of the state legislature to Governor’s office on the stage-managed renovation of the Assembly complex if not a calculated plot to intimidate and compromise the lawmakers?
“We however with to inform the governor and the APC that the machinations will lead them to nowhere,” the statement said.
But in an interview with State House correspondents in Abuja, the Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said he didn’t need to destabilise the state to vie for the office of the vice president.
“If I want to contest for vice president, do I need to destabilize the government that I currently head?”
“So, they (PDP) have let the cat out of the bag, meaning that they are afraid of the rumoured ambition that I want to contest for vice-presidency. So, the point I want to make is that if I decide even to contest for the presidency, the PDP cannot intimidate me. I have the right to do so, if it is my conviction.
“It is unfortunate that some people want to put their individual interest above national interest, but I cannot be intimidated. I’m firmly on the ground and there is nothing to worry about,” Oshiomhole said.
He blamed the PDP and the police for the crisis in Edo State House of Assembly.
Worried about the spate of crisis pervading the length and breadth of the nation, one of the daughters of late politician, Chief Moshood Abiola (the man the world believed won the June 12, 1993 Presidential election in Nigeria), Hafsat, called on the spirit of her late father to help intervene on behalf of the country.
Hafsat who is the founder of Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), at the wreath-laying ceremony in commemoration of the 16th Anniversary of the late politician which was organised by the civil society groups, stated that the crisis bedeviling the nation had become pervasive and would require spiritual intervention.
“Daddy, the state of the nation today will sadden you. The crisis is just too much. Majority of the youths are unemployed. When you were around, you said you would take them out of poverty, but today majority of Nigerians wallow in poverty. There is a general feeling of insecurity in the country. Please speak to the creator on behalf of the country. Tell the creator we are in serious crisis,” she said.
We do hope that late M.K.O. Abiola and all others who paid the supreme price for the enthronement of democracy and good governance in Nigeria would hear the distress call from Hafsat and plead with the creator in the realm of the spirit to save the country from the misrule that has taken a toll on majority of Nigerians.

 

Reward Akwu

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Adam Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, during the meeting of President Jonathan with governors from oil producing states in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

L-R: Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, Governor Adam Oshiomhole of Edo State and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, during the meeting of President Jonathan with governors from oil producing states in Abuja, recently. Photo: NAN

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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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