The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Southwest PDP to propose presidential micro-zoning to NEC

    Southwest PDP to propose presidential micro-zoning to NEC

    ‘Division among Southwest, Southeast, Southeast leaders’

    Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South on Thursday resolved to propose a formula for the micro-zoning of the presidential ticket to any of the three geo-political regions during the next meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC). 

    However, they said they would intensify consultations by reaching out to aggrieved members so that the three zones can speak with one voice.

    There is agitation for the zoning of the slot to the South by majority of stalwarts, although there are also some dissenting voices in the North. 

    At the PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit in Lagos convened by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, the chieftains reiterated their commitment to unity and harmony in the party. 

    Diri is the chairman of the 44-member Zoning Committee recently inaugurated by the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum. 

    However, there is sharp division in the Southern PDP caucus as state chairmen, serving and former lawmakers and some party elders disowned the Lagos meeting, saying that it was not a product of consensus. 

    At the meeting convened were his Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Enugu State Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented Governor Peter Mbah; Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman and former Senate President Adolphus Wabara, former Deputy National Chairman Chief Olabode George, former Governors Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun State), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi), Senators Ben Obi, Duro Faseyi and Monsurat Sunmonu; and former House of Representatives member Nena Ukeje. 

    The meeting was also attented by Chief Eddy Olafeso, Mrs Esther Udueni, Emma Ogidi, Adedeji Olajide, Fred Agbedi, Dr. Bakkita Bello, Chuwueke Onyema, Peter Mrakpo, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Bashiru Salami, Emmanuel Ibom, Igwe Abebg, and Anieka Akpam.

    Makinde, who spoke with reporters after the meeting, confirmed that micro-zoning of the presidential slot was on the agenda, adding that the outcome of the parley and further consultations after would be forwarded to the NEC for consideration. 

    He noted the objection to the Lagos meeting by some chieftains, saying that it is normal in democracy. 

    Makinde said, “We just finished the consultative meeting of the PDP Zoning Committee for the South, and nothing should stop us from consulting.

    Democracy is about the minority having their say and the majority having their way. That is democracy.

    “So, we’re semocrats. The South has taken far-reaching decisions, and in the days ahead wider consultations will also take place.”

    The governor said those saying that PDP is either dead or has becone a carcass, should pull the break, stressing PDP serving governors, elders and leaders, including the former Snate President and BoT chairman, have reiterated thrir commitment to its survival. 

    Makinde added, “They are all here and committed to PDP taking back its rightful position in Nigeria. So, in the days ahead, some of the things discussed here, you’ll see them in place.”

    The governor who debunked the allegation of exclusion, saying, “Governor Adeleke was here. He came back into this country, I believe this morning, and then, he went straight to Osogbo to address some governance issues. But he said, look, whatever we decide, he is is with us.

     “Governor Diri is here, Governor Peter Mbah, who couldn’t make it physically, he sent the deputy governor. You have the chairman of our board of trustees here. You also have at least, 12 of the 17 members of the zoning committee from the South here.

     “It is one per state. So, you have 12 states here. You have in each zone, you have House of Representatives members here, you have senators from each zone in the South, the three zones.

     “You have BoT members from the three zones in the South. So, yes, I won’t say maybe the organizers will score 100%. You don’t score 100% in politics.”

    Makinde said consultation is a continuum, assuring that the Southern PDP leaders would reach out and engage more members to drive a consensus.

    He stressed, “We’re trying to get all stakeholders, all tendencies in the PDP together so that we can give a credible alternative to Nigerians in the years ahead.”

    Makinde however, clarified that the decision of the Southern PDP Zoning Summit is not final, stressing that it would be subject to ratification by NEC. 

    He said, “This consultative meeting is not something that is statutory in the constitution of PDP. But democracy is inclusivity, reaching out and ensuring that all stakeholders are carried along, which is what we’ve done today.

    “NEC is on Monday. Today is Thursday. NEC is on Monday. You will definitely have a decision.”

    Makinde also clarified that no chieftain has been picked from the South as an anointed presidential candidate for 2027.

    He said, “We haven’t even gotten there. We need to have a party first before you start talking about presidential candidates. If we don’t have a party, anything that you’re trying to do will fall flat.

     “So, our efforts right now is directed towards having a viral and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and again they will believe in.”

    Makinde took exception to party members fron the South who attacked the organisers of the summit. 

    He said: “Personally, when people go low, or they go into the gutters, I don’t go with them.”

    However, he said all stakeholders would be engaged to make contributions.

    He added, “We will reach out to them. I mean, that is democracy. We will reach out to them. I can disagree with people, but there shouldn’t be anything personal here.

     “It should be about what are we giving to Nigerians because they are watching, you know. We want to give a formidable PDP to Nigerians. In Oyo state, they showed last Saturday that PDP is not dead.

     “In most other places of the 12 states, PDP came second in each of those states. It’s some indication to us that if we continue to work hard, if we continue to strive hard, if we continue to bring our people together, we will get to a point where Nigerians will really start listening to us.”

    Read Also: ‘Nigeria needs unity, not pull-down politics’

    Cracks in Southern PDP as chieftains disown meeting

    However, the party sunk deeper into crisis over the Lagos summit as some stakeholders alleged lack of wide consultation and exclusion.

    But irked by the micro-zoning move, PDP state chairmen, former governors and National Assembly members disowned the Southern zoning meeting, describing it as divisive and unconstitutional. 

    PDP House of Representatives Leader Kingsley Chinda said the Lagos meeting has excluded and sidelined critical party leaders. 

    He told reporters in Abuja that any party meeting where zoning, power rotation and distribution of offices are to be discussed, it should be all-inclusive. 

    Chinda said the Lagos meeting has brazenly disregarded the statutory organs of the party and violated the criteria of inclusivity, consultation and participation. 

    He said, “We dismiss the resolution and outcome of the meeting. It is not binding and not reflective of the opinion of the generality of stakeholders.”

    Chinda said any decision reached in secrecy and seclusion cannot be consensus-driven, adding that it would be resisted in accordance with the constitution of the party. 

    He therefore, urged members of the party to disregard the outcome.

    Also, state Chairmen, former governors, National Assembly members, and other key party stakeholders from the South East and South South zones said they were neither invited nor consulted.

    In another statement, the state Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers—Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka—alongside National Vice Chairman (South-East) Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Chinda, said the meeting’s outcomes should not be recognized.

    The statement reads, “The PDP has always stood for inclusivity, fairness, consultation, and collective decision-making. Any meeting that ignores key leaders and elected officials breaks trust, causes division, and threatens party unity. We therefore, reject any outcomes from this summit as neither binding nor representative of the PDP in Southern Nigeria.

    “The meeting is also premature and seems aimed at serving the interests of a few, especially since the Zoning Committee has not yet submitted its report for party approval.”

    “We remain fully committed to the unity, stability, and success of the PDP. We urge all leaders and stakeholders to resist any attempts to manipulate zoning through secretive or unfair methods.

    “The Southeast and Southsouth, together with the South West, stand united in promoting fairness, justice, and equity. As custodians of our members’ mandate, we will defend the integrity of the party and ensure that any decisions affecting Southern Nigeria are made openly, consultatively, and inclusively.”

  • Arewa Progressive Vanguard warns against attacks on NNPCL CFO Segun

    Arewa Progressive Vanguard warns against attacks on NNPCL CFO Segun

    The Arewa Progressive Vanguard (APV), a sociopolitical network spanning the 19 Northern states and the diaspora, has urged individuals, groups, and associations to desist from launching further attacks on the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Adedapo Segun.

    Mr. Segun, who assumed office as CFO in November 2024, has faced mounting criticisms from various quarters, with some dragging him to court and others questioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his exclusion from its probe into alleged mismanagement of funds allocated to the Port Harcourt refinery.

    In a statement signed on Thursday by its Global President, Alhaji Idris Musa, APV condemned calls for Segun’s resignation, describing them as baseless and capable of stoking ethnic tensions.

    The group emphasized that the NNPCL, being a highly strategic and sensitive national corporation, requires stability at the top. It added that the office of the CFO demands an atmosphere of calm and focus for the occupant to deliver effectively on his responsibilities.

    “We read few days ago, where one group was even accusing the EFCC of selective probe. They alleged that it was because Mr. Adedapo Segun is a Yoruba man, that’s why the antigraft agency secluded him from the ongoing probe.

    “We view such comment as myopic, insensitive and highly inflammatory. We are known reputable and international organisation known for advancement of peace, unity and development in the northern region. As a responsible group, we make bold to say that, such comments should not be coming from a northern group. 

    Read Also: The “Arewa” North and our parasitic federalism and kwashiorkor democracy (1)

    “Corruption does not know tribe or region. And the EFCC is a competent and professional organisation that needs no validation from any group before it does its work. If Mr. Segun is culpable, I’m sure the EFCC won’t let him go. But we should also be sensitive not to cause issues where not necessary.

    “We therefore call on those fanning the ember of ethnic crises to refrain from if forthwith. We have been there before and we can’t afford another civil war in Nigeria. We should be patient with the institutions empowered for investigations and prosecutions. We should desist from social media trials and distractions. Such an office of the CFA is very sensitive and key to national economic growth. We should not use our hands to destroy our own legacy and institution”, the group stressed further.

    The Arewa group, however, said Mr. Segun will not be spared, if investigations find him culpable. But for the main time, “people or groups should not be allowed to be used as tools for blackmail and saboteur”.

  • Senator Wadada resigns SDP membership, to join APC

    Senator Wadada resigns SDP membership, to join APC

    Chairman Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada, has resigned his membership of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the platform on which he was elected into the Nigerian Senate in 2023.

    Our correspondent reliably gathered that his next destination is the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), where he intends to contest the 2027 governorship election in Nasarawa State.

    Wadada, a very close political associate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is a foundation member of the APC and has been actively participating in the activities of the party since its formation until late 2022 when he was unjustly denied the ticket of the party to go to the Senate by certain elements, forcing him to find refuge with the SDP.

    Senator Wadada, who currently represents Nasarawa West Senatorial district, said his decision is based on the lingering internal crisis rocking the party.

    He made this known in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the party in his Tudun Kofa ward, Keffi Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

    The letter read, “I’m writing to inform you of my decision to resign as a member of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, effective immediately. This decision has not been taken lightly, but I feel compelled to do so due to the lingering internal crisis that has plagued our part for some time.

    “As you are aware, these internal conflicts have led to serious division and litigation with the party.

    Read Also: Why I conferred a traditional title on Senator Wadada – Emir of Lafia

    “I appreciate the opportunity given to me while being a member of the SDP, and I am grateful for the experiences and relationships built. However, it is time to move on and explore new avenues,” the letter stated

    Wadada had won the 2023 senatorial election with 96,488 votes to defeat the APC candidate Arc Shehu Tukur, who garnered 47,717 votes, while the candidate of the PDP, Musa Galadima, scored 46,820 votes to come 3rd.

    The Senator who recently met with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential Villa disclosed that he was there to discuss with the president about his planned return to the ruling APC.

    Wadada, a two-term former member of the House of Representatives, had already declared his intention to contest the 2027 Governorship of Nasarawa State to succeed Governor Abdullahi Sule.

  • 2027: Guber aspirant Oladele rallies for Oyo APC unity, hails Oseni

    2027: Guber aspirant Oladele rallies for Oyo APC unity, hails Oseni

    Oyo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Oloye Saheed Oladele, has hailed Hon. Remi Oseni, member representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, for distancing himself from the controversial group, Igba Otun.

    The commendation, released by the Saheed Oladele Support Foundation (SOSF) Media Office, came after Hon. Oseni publicly denounced the group’s claims.

    Read Also: Oborevwori commiserates with APC national chair over mother’s demise

    The group had earlier urged Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, and former Senate Leader, Teslim Folarin, to suspend their governorship ambitions in favour of Pastor Remi Oseni, describing him as the “ideal alternative.” Over 72 hours later, Hon. Oseni dismissed the statement, labeling it “false, malicious and mischievous.”

    Oladele expressed admiration for Oseni’s courage to dissociate himself from such divisive politics, noting that his stance reaffirms his commitment to unity within Oyo APC.

    However, the SOSF Media Office advised Oseni to respond more swiftly to damaging reports in the future, stressing that his delayed reaction could have cast doubts on his position. 

    The office pointed out that Oseni only issued his rebuttal after the foundation had already publicly rejected the claims.

  • Adeleke’s defection drama sets tone for 2026 poll

    Adeleke’s defection drama sets tone for 2026 poll

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s aborted defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) exposes deep cracks in the ruling party. Correspondent TOBA ADEDEJI examines the origin, key players, implications, and the fallout of the defection saga, and what it portends for next year’s governorship election.

    As the people of Osun State prepares for next year’s governorship election, a storm of political manoeuvring has cast a spotlight on Governor Ademola Adeleke. Known for his grassroots popularity, populist image, and political resilience, Adeleke has recently been at the centre of intense speculation regarding a potential defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). While the rumoured defection ultimately did not materialise, the drama surrounding it has sent ripples across the state’s political landscape and beyond.

    Indications that Adeleke intends to defect to the ruling party at the centre surfaced as early as December 2025. This was in the wake of reports that he sought an audience with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though that meeting did not initially yield results, Adeleke was reportedly relentless, intensifying behind-the-scenes efforts to join the APC by leveraging connections to powerful figures within the presidency.

    According to multiple sources close to the governor, Adeleke’s motive was strategic. By joining the APC, he hoped to secure an automatic governorship ticket for the 2026 election and ride on the strength of the national ruling party to neutralise internal and external opposition. The political landscape within the PDP was becoming increasingly fractured, with leadership crises at both the state and national levels.

    To bolster his chances, Adeleke allegedly reached out to key political figures: Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun. Meetings were said to have taken place in various locations where Adeleke reportedly lobbied for support.

    There was intense mobilisation within the PDP, as news of the governor’s possible defection gained momentum. With this development, the PDP leadership in Osun State convened several emergency meetings to strategise. One of the most significant meetings took place at the Banquet Hall of the Osun State Government House, where virtually the entire PDP establishment pledged allegiance to Adeleke.

    Present at the meeting were Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi; Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Lere Oyewumi; House Speaker, Adewale Egbedun; Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi; National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Kamorudeen Ajisafe; cabinet members, state legislators, and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

    They all reportedly agreed to follow Adeleke to any party he chose, including the APC. Even PDP elders and grassroots mobilizers were prepared to make the move.

    Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, said: “Governor Adeleke will continue consultations with all stakeholders. The PDP leadership caucus unanimously supports his decision and will follow him to any party of his choice ahead of the 2026 election.”

    This statement sent shockwaves across both parties. For PDP loyalists, it was an alarming signal of the party’s possible implosion. For APC members, it raised questions about unity and control.

    Sensing that Adeleke’s potential defection could sideline their ambitions, several PDP lawmakers began defecting preemptively to the APC. These included Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East); Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central);

    Oluwole Oke (Obokun/Ori-Ade Federal Constituency), Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Federal Constituency), and Sanya Omirin (Ijesa South Federal Constituency).

    Insiders said the lawmakers were worried that Adeleke’s re-election bid could dominate the negotiation towards defection, particularly if he joined with the support of the presidency, thereby rendering them powerless in the 2027 election. At the end of the day, their defections happened without the governor’s consent and sparked intense conflict within the PDP.

    The Osun PDP chairman had issued stern warnings to members considering defection. At a public event, he threatened those leaving the party with political “curses” and said their posterity would be affected.

    For the APC, there was resistance within the fold over the development. While some members of the party were reportedly open to Adeleke’s defection, others were unequivocally opposed. Chief Kola Olabisi, Director of Media and Information for Osun APC, issued a formal statement.

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    He said: “We want to state categorically that it is a lie from the pit of hell being told by the governor’s allies that he has defected into our party. Nothing of such is happening or being contemplated.”

    Senator Iyiola Omisore, a prominent APC leader and former deputy governor, criticized Adeleke’s overtures. He said: “I have never seen a sitting governor begging to enter an opposition party in my life. If he thinks he is popular, let him take another party like Orji Kalu did in 2007 and win.”

    Omisore warned that politics is local and that Adeleke had failed to engage grassroots APC leaders in Osun. He also highlighted the defections of PDP heavyweights—like Prince Dotun Babayemi and Chief Shuaib Oyedokun—to the APC as signs of PDP’s dwindling power.

    The drama over the defection was heightened by the past voting history and electoral antecedents of the two political parties in the state. The tight electoral history between APC and PDP in Osun State plays a pivotal role. In 2019, APC’s Adegboyega Oyetola narrowly defeated Adeleke by a margin of 482 votes. But in 2022, Adeleke turned the tables, defeating Oyetola with 403,371 votes to APC’s 375,027.

    In the 2023 presidential election, PDP garnered 353,860 votes in Osun, while APC pulled 342,941—an indication that both parties remain evenly matched.

    Analysts speculated that Adeleke’s joining the APC could create a political superstructure, potentially combining the two parties’ support bases. However, others feared that disgruntled politicians and grassroots mobilizers would leave both parties and bolster the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    This is particularly based on the recent emergence of the ADC and Aregbesola as a factor in next year’s governorship election in the state. Aregbesola’s influence looms large over Osun politics. Once an APC stalwart, the former Interior Minister now serves as the National Secretary of the ADC. Many believe his new party could become a haven for politicians alienated by Adeleke’s PDP or the centralised APC.

    Adeleke has reportedly ruled out joining the ADC despite a closed-door meeting between Aregbesola and Olagunsoye Oyinlola. His disdain for Aregbesola was clear when he referred to him as the “worst governor in the history of Osun State”.

    This souring of relations effectively closed another political pathway for Adeleke, who remained boxed between an internally divided PDP and a suspicious APC.

    At the end of the day, negotiations between the governor’s camp and the APC leadership collapsed. Plans for Adeleke’s official defection were allegedly scheduled for July 23, 2025. Supporters had already sewn commemorative attire (Ankara) and planned rallies.

    But the event was abruptly canceled after some Osun APC leaders refused to participate in the final negotiation meetings.

    Faced with mounting resistance, Adeleke backed off. He announced that he would not defect after all, citing opposition from grassroots APC members and a lack of consensus among stakeholders. Still, he and his allies publicly endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, suggesting continued political realignment efforts.

    This has generated varied reactions from stakeholders. Diran Odeyemi, a former Deputy National Secretary of the PDP and an Adeleke aide, criticized the handling of the defection narrative. He said, “Defection that was mismanaged. Mismanagement of a process often leads to unfavourable outcomes. Even if PBAT wanted him to join, must it be heard in the market square?”

    He added that the PDP’s boastfulness and lack of subtlety in negotiations had alienated both APC power brokers and PDP loyalists.

    The Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, delivered the final blow by publicly rejecting Adeleke’s overtures. His words: “He would be a liability to our party. It was fear of impending defeat that drove him to seek desperate political asylum in the APC.”

    Lawal emphasized that the APC was not a refuge for embattled politicians. “We value integrity and party loyalty,” he said.

    After the botched defection, Adeleke remains in the PDP for now but the episode exposed vulnerabilities in both major parties. The APC appears unwilling to allow outside forces to dominate its internal politics, while the PDP faces the dual challenge of keeping its ranks intact and recovering from the embarrassment of a failed defection attempt.

    In conclusion, it is not yet Uhuru for Adeleke and his PDP compatriots. The ADC, under Aregbesola, is emerging as a possible third force in Osun. With many politicians feeling disenfranchised by both the PDP and the APC, the ADC could shape the outcome of the 2026 election.

    Ultimately, the Adeleke defection drama has demonstrated that in Osun politics, loyalty is transactional, alliances are fragile, and ambition knows no boundaries. As the governorship race intensifies, all eyes will remain fixed on Adeleke, his next move, and whether his political light will continue to shine beyond 2026, or be dimmed by missteps and missed opportunities.

  • Ogun 2027: Waiting for Yayi Adeola

    Ogun 2027: Waiting for Yayi Adeola

    The atmosphere was filled with music, dance, goodwill and solidarity. It was in honour of a super senator, who has lived to expectation at home and abroad, in private life and corridor of power.

    Although Solomon Olamilekan Adeola was not in Nigeria for his 56th birthday, family, associates, acquintances and National Assembly workers gathered in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to celebrate the unique politician fondly called Yayi by admireres. It was a powerful show of love, gratitude and recognition for a life of dignity, diligent service and impact.

    It was a moment of joy, reflection and appreciation for the activities and influence of the star legislator who has served his state and the country with his whole heart.

    As the guests cut his birthday cake, shouts of ‘Yayi’ filled the air. The ovation was loud and clear, underscoring an endorsement for a higher service for a man, who they believe, has touched lives, transformed communities and led by example.

    Adeola is not a typical Abuja politician without base or root. Since he rose to stardom as a member of the House of Assembly in Lagos State in 2003, he has been waxing stronger and soaring higher. He has patiently learned at the feet of his leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, President of Nigeria.

    When he was in the House of Representatives, he truly represented the aspiration of his constituents. He also did not betray the progressive cause and creed.

    As chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, Adeola has not been a bench warmer, but an effective participant in robust legislative governance.

    Never carried away by national fame and bountiful opportunities, the senator has always looked backs and ploughed back, to the society, particularly the districts, constituencies and communities in Lagos and Ogun states that politically weaned him and catapulted him to prominence.

    Endowed with a tender heart, Adeola has not detached from the grassroots, where he has remained a mobiliser. Thus, tributes poured for his consistent kindness, accessibility and deep commitment to public welfare.

    Simultaneously, the modest birthday was celebrated in his Yewa, Ogun West District, Ijebu-Igbo and Abeokuta, Ogun Central and state capital.

    To mark the birthday, 120 transformers were distributed to communities across the three senatorial districts.

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    Many people hailed him as a rallying point for progress and renewed hope, either at the National Assembly or his vast constituency. Others peeped into the coming days, describing him as a man of the future that is nearer than imagined in the Gateway State.

    Kind words oozed out from the hearts of admirers. “I don’t know him directly. I got to know his activities through a client. Since that time, he made very serious impression on me,” said Bolarinwa Aidi, a lawyer, who attended the ceremony.

    To Pauline Akinade, Adeola has been a pillar of support to women and youths through his empowerment programmes. She urged him to sustain the tempo of creative service.

    The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Isiaq Salako, who spoke on the importance of transformers being distributed at Ilaro, said the senator was trying to resolve the challenge of tapping from the national grid. He said the facilities would ensure regular electricity and enhance socio-economic activities.

    Muraina Ajibola described Adeola as a man of great stature in the polity,saying that he has accumulated experience which has to be maximally used for his community, state and country.

    In the opinion of Adejoke Odumosu, Yayi has been up and doing in the areas of empowerment, adding that he should be encouraged to do more.

    Echoing her, Abosede Adelabi described him as a wonderful person with a heart of gold; a heart geared towards the poor, needy and downtroden.

    His media adviser, Kayode Odunaro, a chief, said Adeola is a bridge across many divides.  He said the decision to celebrate him, even when he was not around, underscored his the love people have for him.

    “This was organised to appreciate him for what he is doing for the community, his constituency, state and the country, he said.”

  • George celebrates IBB at 84

    George celebrates IBB at 84

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, has felicitated former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, on his 84th birthday.

    Babangida was Nigeria’s eighth Commander-in-Chief from 1985 to 1993.

    George, a retired Commodore, was Military Governor of Old Ondo State from 1987 to 1990 during the Babangida years.

    The Atona Oodua of Yorubaland said in a statement in Lagos: “As a patriot, visionary and selfless leader whose loyalty to Nigeria and contributions to national development cannot be questioned, I join millions of your admirers to celebrate you as you clock 84 years.

    “I want to boldly say, as my boss, that you have made invaluable contributions to the economic and political development of this country right from when you joined the Nigerian Army in the 1960s. Even today, you are still mentoring the younger generation to always add value to our democratic system. That’s why I strongly believe you deserve to be celebrated on your 84th birthday.

    Read Also: Olubadan: Oyo govt fixes Sept 26 for Ladoja’s coronation

    “Becoming Head of State at a young age of 44, you shaped the political and economic development of Nigeria in a dynamic way.

    “I am happy to have learnt under you as a Military Governor and in other military postings. As Head of State, you were bold, resolute, persistent, communicative, inspirational, magnetic, open-minded, innovative, imaginative, collaborative, resolute and goal-oriented.

    “You set out concrete steps to achieve your administration’s specific goals. When you assumed office in 1985, you met 19 states but on September 23, 1987, you created Akwa Ibom and Katsina states. On August 27, 1991, you also created nine more states: Abia, Enugu, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Osun, Kogi, Taraba and Yobe, bringing the total number of states in Nigeria then to 30. You also created many agencies to spread development across the country”.

    George maintained that the leadership style of the octogenarian was defined by “persuasion, charisma and a high intelligence network. You also articulated a vision for the future by mobilising Nigerians toward a desired goal.

    “The long-planned transfer of the federal capital from Lagos to Abuja was completed by your administration in December, 1991.

    “You were also instrumental in stabilising democracy in the West African sub-region. An example was your use of ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) troops to restore stability in Liberia after civil war erupted in that country.

    “Universally, there is no human being created by God who does not make mistakes. Only our Creator is infallible.

    “Lawyer, politician, social activist, writer and father of Indian Nation, Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948), once said:  ‘Freedom is not worth having if it does not include the freedom to make mistakes’. 

    “General sir, I wish you good health in years ahead and more celebrations in the future”.

  • Only neutral INEC leadership can guarantee credible elections – Civil Societies

    Only neutral INEC leadership can guarantee credible elections – Civil Societies

    The civil societies have decried the selection process of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that whoever will succeed the outgoing occupant of the office should be neutral and be of high integrity.

    This position was canvassed at the public presentation of three key outputs from its Civic Space, Poverty and Elections (CISPEN) project to ensure constitutional altercation and trust in INEC ahead of the 2027 general elections, by the Women’s Rights Advancement and Protection Alternative (WRAPA) in partnership with the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD).

    The groups argued that credible elections, being the heartbeat of democracy, would require a neutral electoral umpire but faulted the process of appointing the leadership of the body.

    Presenting a keynote address at the presentation, titled, “Towards a free, fair, and credible elections in Nigeria,” an activist and leadership development expert, Dr. Hussain Abdu said INEC’s independence is only as strong as the process by which its leaders are selected, lamenting  that process is fundamentally flawed.

    Expressed worry over Nigeria’s troubled electoral history, describing it as one marred by manipulation, imposition of leaders, and political violence.

    He warned that unless the process of appointing INEC leadership is reformed, the country’s democratic journey will continue to face setbacks.

    “If credible elections are the heartbeat of democracy, and civic space is the oxygen that keeps it alive, then INEC, our electoral umpire, is the referee tasked with ensuring the rules of the game are fair. But here lies the problem: how can we expect the game to be fair when the referee is chosen by one of the teams?

    “INEC’s independence is only as strong as the process by which its leaders are selected. And today, that process is fundamentally flawed,” he said.

    Abdu also decried the long history of electoral malpractice in Nigeria, noting that citizens have become increasingly frustrated by rigged elections and political violence.

    “There is also a growing sense of frustration, despair, and even cynicism. Cynicism was born from decades of betrayal. Elections that are stolen in broad daylight. Political violence has turned ballots into battlefields. Leaders who emerge not through the honest verdict of the people but from backroom deals and rigged processes.

    “Since independence, Nigeria’s democratic journey has been turbulent, characterised by promising starts and devastating setbacks. From the violent collapse of the First Republic to decades of military rule, and even in this Fourth Republic, our elections have too often been characterised by fraud, violence, voter suppression, and a painful deficit of credibility,” he stated.

    Abdu also challenged citizens to take responsibility for demanding reforms and defending democratic values, stressing that politicians have failed to uphold the principles that sustain democracy.

    “Credible elections don’t happen by chance. Civic space doesn’t defend itself. Independent umpires are not handed out as gifts from the powerful. They are won through struggle, persistence, and the courage of citizens who refuse to accept anything less than democracy in its truest form.

    “As 2027 approaches, the question before us is simple: Will we rise to the challenge? Or will we stand by and watch history repeat itself? I believe the time for apathy and excuses is over. We need to act as swiftly as possible.

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    “Let us build a Nigeria where elections reflect the will of the people. A Nigeria where civic space flourishes. A Nigeria where INEC belongs not to any party or presidency, but to all of us,” he stressed.

    Outlining the key policy outputs of CISPEN, the founding Executive Director of Center LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor said the focus of the project includes a policy brief on protecting civic space, a policy brief on improving electoral credibility, and a memorandum for constitutional alteration on INEC leadership appointments.

    Secretary-General of WRAPA, Hajiya Saudatu Mahdi, linked the health of Nigeria’s elections to the shrinking of civic space.

    Represented by Mrs. Yemisi Nathaniel, the WRAPA Secretary-General, said, “Let us recommit ourselves to building a Nigeria where elections are credible, civic voices are protected, and poverty no longer excludes citizens from full democratic participation. The 2027 elections are not far off; the time to act is now.”

  • My plans for Osun, by ogunbiyi

    My plans for Osun, by ogunbiyi

    In a few months time, political parties in Osun State will be holding their primaries to pick candidates for next year’s governorship election. Many aspirants are already flaunting their credentials for the job. One of them, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, is seeking the APC ticket, reports Ibrahim Adam.

    After over four decades playing in the insurance industry, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi is veering into politics. He is motivated by his concerns for where Osun State is today compared to where it should be. The state, he says, should be at rhe apex of states in Nigeria. “What Osun has is more than oil. We have solid minerals in abundance all over the state. Is it marble? Gold? Diamond?. They are all over the place in different parts of Osun”, he says.

       Ogunbiyi knows what he is talking about. He is not a rookie in administration, as well as in managing outfits, men and materials. He has been running an enterprise that he solely founded in 1995. This was after working with an organisation like NICON Insurance after leaving the university. He read agricultural economics, but became an insurance expert. He assures all Osunlites that “their state, our state is secured and insured with me”.

      “If I can run my own company for over 30 years now; and still counting,  after managing other outfits such as Finance and Insurance Expert Limited, the precursor of IGI Insurance, I can and will govern Osun successfully”, the aspirant who is seeking the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to run in the August 2026 election says. The primary, according to the election timetable, is scheduled for between November and December,  this year. “What we need is a governor that will put on his thinking cap. A man with the capacity and competence, experience and foresight on where a state like Osun which is endowed with natural resources should be. I have all these qualities and more and I am not boasting. I am the man for the job”, Ogunbiyi said.

      Asked what is wrong with Osun that it has not grown beyond being a “civil service state” as some people describe it, he says the challenge is that of leadership. “We have not had the kind of enterprising leader that will lead from the front. It is not about rhetoric, but about putting your hands on the plough without looking back. What this means is design-thinking and projecting into the future. Design-thinking is a set of tools that enable smart states to solve problems creatively. It is the human-centred side of creative problem-solving that skilfully and fully engages value-adding commitment of leaders, teams and the individual civil and public servant.

    “Since the approach is human-centred, it involves a lot of empathising. The leader (that is governor) must figure out the concept, what the state’s needs are, and then, articulate the programmes to meet those needs. These design-thinking steps are therefore applicable everywhere and very flexible. Its implementation is easy. The process includes the ability to empathise, define, provide solutions, create prototypes, and then test the prototypes… The administrative and business models in this shifting and challenging world environment should be big and bold experimentation. We will not be afraid to take such bold steps for us to have the Osun of our dreams”.

      Ogunbiyi said he has President Bola Tinubu to draw from for the latter’s bold and courageous steps taking so far in the leadership of the country. “It takes a bold leader to remove petrol subsidy and stand by it, as well as float the exchange rate, making foreign exchange accessible for individuals and businesses. I will emulate the President in taking bold and courageous steps. I will do whatever is required to take Osun to greater heights. Though some decisions may be painful as we are witnessing at the national level, but at the end of the day, it will be for the collective good of our people. Osun must be a forward looking and enterprising state. We should no longer be counted among the least developed states”, Ogunbiyi said.

      “We have many urbanised towns, unlike many other states where only the capitals and one or two other places are urbanised. It is not so with Osun. Many of our towns are urbanised. We will create a conducive environment for the people of those towns to stay, grow their trades and businesses or whatever they do, so as to tackle the migration to the capital. These towns can serve the dual purpose of industrial and residential use. It is just a matter of planning the towns well. All of us do not have to be in Osogbo, the state capital, before we can thrive and live well. I assure the people that wherever they are will be developed. There will be good schools, hospitals, roads, power, industry, potable water. This is my dream for Osun State”, he added.

       Ogunbiyi says he would provide responsible leadership for others to take a cue from him. “I am responsible for them and they are responsible for the assignments given to them. They will be recognised not only for their skills but also for their attitudes. They will be fully and positively engaged in every area and in everything we do. I believe in leading people creatively and I will fully adopt the see-feel-change dynamic of generating ideas to galvanise development so that the people will feel and benefit from what the government is doing. We will be people-focused.  We will never forget that we were voted into power. Our people will be our strength. I will be accountable to them. I want to be able to walk among them after my tenure of office with my head high.”

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       “I can only do this if I meet their expectations. I promise not to fail them. I am not seeking to be governor for the fun of it. I want to be governor to touch lives; to grow our people and our state. To make Osun the destination of choice for investors because we have what they want under our soil. We have no business with poverty in our state. We have a state with a lot of potential. In the last two years, we have received over N400 billion from the federation account. With this kind of money, our people should be feeling the impact of government. We cannot be getting such an allocation and not be an enterprising state. The state of Living Spring will live and attain glorious heights under me. All I need is the opportunity to serve my state so that I can bring a difference to governance”, Ogunbiyi added.

  • Bello, Ododo visit Wada, discuss unity, development

    Bello, Ododo visit Wada, discuss unity, development

    Kogi State Governor Usman Ododo and his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, visited former Governor Idris Ichalla Wada to discuss unity and economic development.

    The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, said in a statement that the trio focussed their discussion on political harmony and how the state can become an economic giant among the sub-national units.

    Capt.  Wada expressed appreciation for the visit, describing it as an honour and a mark of respect for leadership.

     He assured the visitors of his unalloyed support for the administration of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, stressing that unity among leaders is crucial to the peace and progress of the State.

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    The Commissioner added that both  Ododo and f Bello reaffirmed their commitment to inclusive governance, emphasizing that the collective interest of Kogi people will always take precedence over political differences.

    Fanwo noted that the meeting reflects a growing consensus among leaders of the State to work together in advancing development and building a more united Kogi.