The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • Assembly hopeful hails Ex-Senate Leader’s installation as Are Alasa Olubadan

    Assembly hopeful hails Ex-Senate Leader’s installation as Are Alasa Olubadan

    Oyo House of Assembly hopeful, Dr. Musa Kolawole, otherwise known as ‘MKO’ has felicitated with former Oyo Central Senator, Oloye Teslim Folarin over his promotion as the Aare Alasa Olubadan of Ibadanland.

    Folarin, a former Senate Leader, was installed by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin at the new Olubadan Palace, Oke Aremo, Yemetu, in Ibadan.

    A statement by the aspiring lawmaker, through his Personal Assistant on Media and Publicity, Olawale Ebenezer, described Folarin’s new chieftaincy title as a sign of recognition, and undeniable progress.

    He noted that the Ibadan prominent politician deserves the new title, saying his unrelenting effort for peace and progress of Ibadanland and Oyo State at large remains undeniable.

    Folarin, who was the 2023 APC Oyo Gubernatorial Candidate was promoted with some other popular sons of Ibadanland including the brother of the Oyo Governor, Barr. Olumuyiwa Makinde, who rose from the rank of Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland to Aare Onibon, and as well the magnate businessman, Dr. Dotun Sanusi as the Ajia Olubadan, among others.

    He maintained Folarin’s dedication, selflessness, focus, tenacity, patriotism, and loyalty have paved way for the outstanding position.

    He said: “Senator Folarin is a dedicated, selfless, patriotic, focus, tenacious, loyal personality and the good characteristics have helped him attain new Ibadan chieftaincy role.”

    Kolawole, a member of APC in Ibadan North East local government, while praying for new strength, and health for Senator Teslim Folarin, urged the politician to remained dedicated to more progress of Ibadan and Oyo State, and as well as APC for formidability ahead of the 2027 general elections.

  • Edo Speaker’s defection to APC expected, says PDP chair

    Edo Speaker’s defection to APC expected, says PDP chair

    The Chairman of the Caretaker Committee of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State chapter, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, yesterday said Tuesday’s defection of the Speaker of the 8th Edo House of Assembly, Chief Blessing Agbebaku, from PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC) was not surprising, because he had long operated as a covert APC loyalist.

    Aziegbemi, briefing reporters at the new secretariat of PDP at the Government Reservation Area (GRA), near Government House, Benin, said Edo leaders of the party found it laughable, and indeed comical, that APC members in the state rolled out the drums to celebrate the exit from PDP of the representative of Owan West Constituency (Agbebaku).

    He said: “Tuesday’s stage-managed fanfare in Benin City was not news. It was merely the official coronation of what had become a public secret. For months running, Agbebaku had served the interests of APC, in both conduct and allegiance.

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    “What played out on Tuesday at Urhokpota Hall, Benin, near the palace of the Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II (the venue of the defection), was nothing more than a desperate spectacle, designed to impress President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and APC’s national leadership, an illusion worthy of a David Copperfield performance.

    “Let it be remembered that under Agbebaku’s leadership, and in collaboration with Governor Monday Okpebholo and Edo APC, duly-elected local government chairmen, who are overwhelmingly PDP members, were illegally suspended.

    “Despite the expiration of the unconstitutional suspension, Agbebaku refused to reinstate them, acting with clear partisan bias. If ever there is evidence of his real political affiliation to APC, this is it.”

    Edo chairman of PDP also declared that while the leaders of APC across Nigeria were celebrating the “shameful and ridiculous” defection of Agbebaku from the PDP, he and other leaders of the party in the state remained unbothered.

    He said: “Men who stand for nothing will always fall for anything. Even more laughable is the APC’s claim that 17 of the 18 Edo local government chairmen also defected to their party in Benin City on Tuesday. This is pure fiction.

    “We challenge APC’s leaders to name a single duly-elected PDP chairman who defected to APC. The truth is that what they paraded are political appointees and stooges, illegally imposed on the councils.

    “I challenge Edo governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to release the names of the PDP’s local government council chairmen in the state that defected to the APC.

    “This charade is part of the broader strategies by the APC to create a false narrative of political dominance in Edo, but the residents of the state are politically smarter and cannot be deceived by such theatrics.”

    Aziegbemi called on PDP members and supporters in Edo to remain focused, undeterred and unwavering in their commitment to justice, while assuring them that the leaders of the party would continue to pursue all legal avenues to reclaim the allegedly stolen mandate of PDP’s governorship candidate during the September 21, 2024 election in Edo, Dr. Asue Igbodalo, from the brazenly-manipulated poll.

  • PDP lose three more Reps to APC

    PDP lose three more Reps to APC

    Three Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State yesterday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    This brings to 27 the number of lawmakers in the 10th National Assembly that have changed parties since the Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023.

    Out of the figure, 24 members have dumped either the PDP, the Labour Party (LP), or the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to join the APC; one dumped the LP to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) while two other LP members joined the PDP.

    The three lawmakers who resigned their membership of the PDP at yesterday’s plenary are: Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai (Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency), Aliyu Illiyasu (Safana/Butsari) and Salish Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dushi).

    In his letter read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Majigiri said he was leaving the PDP as a result of the “chronic crisis without cure” affecting the main opposition at the national level.

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    The lawmaker said he had to seek an alternative platform to advance his political career and ensure adequate representation for his constituents.

    Illiyasu said he was leaving the PDP because of irreconcilable differences that had bedeviled the party and made it impossible for him to adequately represent his people.

    Dabai expressed worry that the PDP has been writhing in crises since 2022 and all efforts to address them have failed, with party members bearing the brunt.

    The defection was witnessed by Katsina State Governor Umar Dikko Radda, former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema and other top officials of APC from the state.

  • Why I want to be Island council chairman, by Coker

    Why I want to be Island council chairman, by Coker

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Biodun Coker has said that he is motivated to run for the chairman of Lagos Island Council by his desire to serve the community. 

    He clarified that the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, is not against the right of anyone to contest.

    Stressing that his legacy, leadership, and commitment to Lagos State remains a guiding light for many public officers, Coker said his remarks on the council polls were misrepresented and selectively quoted by individuals who are uncomfortable with the growing support for his candidature.

    He said rivals who have failed to present a credible vision and cannot show any evidence of contribution to development indulge in a campaign of calumny.

    Coker said rather than face the people with ideas and solutions, they hide behind faceless publications and whisper campaigns. 

    He added: “Let them come forward and show us their record—what have they built, improved, or transformed in our community? Leadership is not declared in backrooms or headlines; it is proven in the streets, the markets, the schools, and in the lives of the people.”

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    Coker said in a statement that it is not a sin for the children of public officers to run for public office, adding that “there is no shame in legacy when it is rooted in service, values, and impact.”

    He added: “I am proud of my father’s record in public service, just as I am committed to forging my own through integrity and hard work.

    “In any case, let it be known that my father, Yemisi Coker, has not held any political office since the start of the Fourth Republic in 1999.”

  • Kalu: Fresh face in Southeast political leadership

    Kalu: Fresh face in Southeast political leadership

    By Bamidele Atoyebi

    Breakthroughs often arise from unexpected changes in strategy or embracing new methodologies. It’s widely understood that repeating the same actions while hoping for different outcomes can be seen as madness.

    The South East has long been home to influential political figures, yet their contributions have frequently been overlooked, leading to persistent feelings of marginalization. The list of prominent leaders is extensive, but the circumstances for the South East have remained stagnant, if not deteriorated.

    A key issue has been the region’s approach to its political challenges. There’s a perception that the South East struggles to engage in necessary compromises and negotiations. This could be attributed to a leadership model focused on equality and centralized power that has failed to adapt to Nigeria’s complex political landscape. Successful navigation through this landscape requires flexibility and collaboration, qualities that have often been lacking in previous leadership.

    However, there is hope with Benjamin Kalu’s leadership style, which emphasizes negotiation over confrontation. Initially, his position as Deputy Speaker was met with disappointment from many who had hoped for a higher role. Yet, his approach has proven beneficial, as he successfully unites the region and works to integrate it into national politics, moving away from a stance of opposition.

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    Recently, for the first time, South East officials gathered together to strategize on how to benefit the region, inspired by Kalu’s leadership. This cooperative effort has not been seen in the past, despite previous political leaders.

    Through loyalty to his party and effective negotiation, Kalu has secured the establishment of the South East Development Commission, marking a significant achievement. Historically, the region would have lagged behind in such developments, highlighting his effective leadership.

    Kalu’s methods have drawn comparisons to the political strategies of the South West, which favor non-confrontational approaches that may seem timid but ultimately yield favorable outcomes. This contrasts sharply with past leadership styles that resorted to confrontation, which resulted in tragic consequences for the South East.

    Previous figures like Odimegwu Ojukwu and Nnamdi Kanu had employed aggressive tactics to address the region’s issues, but these approaches led to significant loss and suffering. Similarly, Ike Ekweremadu, although influential, failed to leverage his position for meaningful benefit to the region. Peter Obi’s tenure also faced criticism for lacking the political acuity necessary for genuine progress, especially as his supporters used divisive rhetoric.

    Obi’s approach, especially regarding ethnic and religious issues, alienated potential supporters and created factionalism. These missteps have provided valuable lessons, highlighting the need for a different strategy in the South East’s political engagement.

    Benjamin Kalu, despite being relatively new to his role, has quickly made strides to uplift the region, attracting projects and building relationships that draw the South East closer to the center of political power. His vision is resonating with the populace, including traditional rulers who have pledged substantial support for the APC in the upcoming elections.

    Kalu is even taking assertive steps, signaling to Governor Alex Otti that remaining outside the central party would hinder progress. Kalu’s focus on political alignment is essential for long-term development in the South East, and he is actively working to rectify previous leadership shortcomings.

    • Bamidele Atoyebi, the Convenor of the BAT Ideological Group, engages in accountability and policy monitoring while also serving as a social worker, criminologist, maritime administrator, and philanthropist. He sent this message from Abuja.

  • Lagos APC will organise credible primaries, says Ogala

    Lagos APC will organise credible primaries, says Ogala

    Party leaders push for consensus candidacy

    Hamzat, Olusi, Ojelabi: It would enhance unity

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State is pushing for consensus option for the selection of chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the July local government polls.

    Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat,Governance Advisory Council (GAC) leader Prince Tajudeen Olusi and party chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi said consensus would prevent acrimony and foster unity and harmony in the fold.

    However, the Chairman of the Lagos State APC Local Government Election Committee, Babatunde Ogala (SAN) said the panel would conduct free, fair and credible shadow polls in local governments and wards where aspirants decline the option of consensus method.

    He said the chairmanship primaries would hold at the state party secretariat on Acme Road, Ogba, Ikeja, adding that each aspirant would be allowed inside the venue along with each agent.

    Ogala said the councillorship primaries which would be supervised by experienced and trustworthy stalwarts, would take place at the wards.

    He said while the members of local government executive committees of the party will form the electoral college for the election of chairmanship candidates, ward executive committees will form the electoral college for the choice of councillorship flagbearers.

    Ogala emphasised that the electoral committee will leave no stone unturned to conduct a democratic and transparent exercise.

    Party faithful thronged the party secretariat for the stakeholders’ meeting, the first since Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu became president.

    Anxiety was bold on the faces of many aspirants, concious of the fact that in a ward where 12 aspirants are vying for councillor,only one person will get the ticket.

    At the meeting were Senator Idiat Adebule (Lagos West), Chief Akanni Seriki-Bamu, Chief Rabiu Oluwa, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Otunba Femi Pedro, Alhaji Mutiu Are, Joko Pelumi, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, L.D. Dosunmu, Alabi Macfoy, Kolade Alabi, Jumoke Okoya-Thomas, Dr. Samuel Adedayo, Adekunle Olayinka,  National Youth Leader Dayo Israel and Hon. Owokoniran.

    Also at the meeting were Bisi Yusuf, Funso Ologunde, Abiodun Mafe, Moshood Mayegun, Seye Oladejo, Ayodele Adewale, Demola Sodiq,Muritala Seriki, and Bolaji Sanusi.

    Ojelabi, who welcomed the chieftains, thanked the aspirants and party leaders for their cooperation from the nominations through screening to the appeal process.

    He said:”The focus of our meeting is to appeal to all of us to know that this is the party that has been ruling Lagos and to live in peace and harmony, and realise that when we decide to work as one family, we will have a seamless primary in the state chapter.

    “Let us put the interest of our party above personal interest. People from opposition parties are coming to our party, which has moved from its control of five states to being the ruling party in the country.”

    Urging members to cooperate with the party leadership, he said the exercise would be successful, the President would be happy and the chapter would redeem our image in the light of what happened in the 2023 elections.

    Olusi, who spoke in Yoruba, said the Southwest should be happy for producing Asiwaju Tinubu as president. He prayed that his presidency would be for the good of Nigerians.

    He also expressed satisfaction with the performance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying that he is on course.

    Olusi described the local government as the most important level of governance, being the closest to the people, noting in that in many advanced countries, many presidents and prime ministers had previously served as councillors.

    For the party to succeed, the elderstatesman said party members should cooperate with the party leadership.

    Noting the alegayionof imposition in the social media, he said many of the portrayals are baseless.

    Olusi reasoned that in a ward where 12 people are vying for councillor, those involved need to talk, dialogue and negotiate.

    He said that that type of compromise is not new, adding:”I wanted to be a senator at a time. They asked me to go to the House of Representatives.  Thirteen people came to appeal to me. Oluwa had to step down for me. He is here today.”

    Ogala, former APC National Legal Adviser, said:”Our presidency, our party are at stake,” stressing that other states look forward to the outcone of the primary so that they can learn from it.

    Giving an account of how the committee had gone so far, he saif:”We have been very thorough and carried out our assignment with integrity. The screening was done by a team of party elders. We insisted that the results should be on the social media.

    “If you are not qualified, it is because you are not qualified. If you are not successful, it is because yoy are not successful. We are not under any influence.”

    Ogala assured that the list of successful aspirants for the primaries will be out today.

    He said the positions being competed for are few relative to the huge population of aspirants.

    But he assured that after the polls, no aspirant would go home empty handed.

    Ogala supported the push for consensus, saying that “if we had conceded to our leadership in the past, we should sustain the tradition.”

    He recalled that he was asked to step down when he sought re-election as a state lawmaker, adding that when he waa the National Legal Adviser, the National Executive Committee was dissolved before its tenure expired.

    Ogala said despite these temporary setbacks, he never wavered in his loyalty and support for the party.

    Shedding light on the preparation for the primaries, he said the party has adopted the indirect option because it is favoured by the constitution along with consensus and direct method.

    He disclosed that electoral colleges had been constitued at the wards and local governments.

    Ogala said there would be accreditation and security would be tight.

    He advised aspirants to shun unruly behaviour, warning that aspirants who invade the venues of the primaries with supporters would be disqualified.

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    Ogala said:”We will be fair, just and we will do it with honour and integrity.”

    Noting that over 80 per cent of aspirants are qualified, he said they should bear in mind that only 57 can be candidates.

    Ogala urged top party leaders to go home, discuss and arrange consensus si that there would be less heat.

    Urging aspirants to elevate collective interest over personal wush, he said “there is a party; that is why we have aspirants. “

    Ogala, therefore, urged the aspirants and members to agree among themselves.

    He added:”Daily briefings will be made public so that all party members can know what is going on.”

    Alabi, chairman of Bariga Council and former Association of Local Governments (ALGON), called for a consistent display of love, patience and reasoning by party members.

    Urging compromise and consensus,  he said:”I once contested and I was asked to step down. I accepted.

    It is about public service. I suggest that there should be deployment of enough security personnel yo ensure a hitch-free exercise.

    Hamzat said:.”There is a lesson for us to learn today from what just happened here.”

    The deputy governor mocked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying that the umbrella has torn.

    On the push for consensus, Hamzat said:”We should not let our leaders down. Let’s do consensus. “

  • PDP governors are working to rebuild our party, says Makinde

    PDP governors are working to rebuild our party, says Makinde

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going through a tough moment. Assistant Editor EMMANUEL BADEJO monitored Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who gave insight into the future of the party.  Excerpts:

    You and your colleagues met recently at Ibadan. Did you have the permission of your party organs to hold that meeting?

    We didn’t just meet as PDP Governors’ Forum, we invited the managers of the party. The acting national champion, national legal adviser and the national organizing secretary were there with us. Other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) were waiting around the venue of the meeting just in case there would be any need for them. The meeting was to tackle headlong the challenges within our party, and I’m quite glad we were able to make some decisions.

    There have been several interpretations of your decisions. While some say your action was an opposition against an individual in your party, others say you’re stylishly supporting the 2027 ambition of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. What do you say?

    I totally disagree with those insinuations. First, there must be a process. If the managers of the party, the organs of the party are going into a merger or coalition, there’s a need for the managers of the party to know. But, it is still within the right of individuals to associate with whoever they want to associate with. But, as a party, we haven’t gotten there. As a party, our first assignment is to put the party on a good pedestal. A Yoruba adage says when it is certain that they are going to be made chiefs, some other people are out there throwing parties without knowing where they’re going. Before you go out and talk to other people, our house must be in order. That is where we are right now.

    Don’t you think some will label you and your colleagues to be involved in anti-party activity?

    Politics is a game of interest. You must be interested; you must have alignment with the wider organs of your party before you go out to meet other people. If you remember in 2019, even here in Oyo State with my election, we went into coalition with parties. But, the organs of the party in Oyo State and myself, as the candidate of the party were in agreement. And when we became successful, it was not difficult for me to cede positions to parties that were within that coalition. That was possible because we followed the process.

    We didn’t just wake up and say me as xyz in the party, just draw the party into any arrangements when the party organs do not have clue on what you are doing. They have no clue of what is in this coalition for them. They also have no clue whether this is personal or you are doing this in the best interest of the party and the people of Nigeria. Those are critical. If it is anti-party, we have a national disciplinary committee to examine it. No single individual is above the party.

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    How strong is the issue of zoning and is it still in the minds of the leaders of the party like Chief Olabode George said?

    Chief Olabode George is a respected leader of the party and he was there when the party was formed and he was not flippant. The only thing I can say is the fact that democracy is a game of number. If the majority of the people say we have to do zoning, then, we have to see it through. I won’t say anybody will have to be precluded until we get to that point. When we get there, we need to ask what’s in the best interest for the party, the country, and how you take decisions on certain issues. Then, certain people may be zoned out. It doesn’t mean they won’t be allowed to participate if they feel aggrieved with the majority’s decision and direction. If they are not happy with the issue of zoning, then, they can take it to the National Executive Committee (NEC), which will ratify it.

    So, anyone that has issues around the issue of zoning will take it to the zoning committee chaired by Governor Douye Diri. This is democracy, where everyone has his or her say, but the majority will have their way.

    As an astute politician that you are, what do you think is fair for your party to push forward in 2027? 

    We have to look at Nigerians first of all and ask what they are going through. Are they happy? Are we just playing politics? Have we reduced hunger in the land? Are people angry? What exactly should we be looking at? Those issues must be at the front burner in arriving at any decision. Politics, governance and all these things are not the end in themselves. The end is to ask if we’re able to make the lives of our people better and not just a section of the country; not just for, I’m sorry to say, a gang in Lagos. It must be for the generality of the country.

    It’s filtering in our ears that if the PDP will be considering anybody in the South West in 2027, it must be Seyi Makinde. Are you not hearing that?

    I mentioned it severally that nobody will set an agenda for me, I will set an agenda for myself. Right now, I am focusing on the people of Oyo State and the task they’ve given to me. I’m not distracted. We will do things the right way. We will stay focused to ensure we deliver governance. If I want to contest, I will come out at the appropriate time.

    This is my first public service job. All my life, I’ve not been in public space. Until I became a governor, I never knew that people could buy you tickets to travel, buy cars for you and so. All of those things, I worked for them. I came out when I saw that I have something to offer for the people of Oyo State. So, all I have now is to focus on my mandate, which I’ve been doing since I came into office.

    How does ‘President Seyi Makinde’ sound to you?

    Well, that may be president of my town’s union or Rotary club. But, let me say that no doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land. But, is it what I want to do now? Is it what Nigerians are craving for? Is it what my party will want to do? I don’t know. What I know is that we must fix our party and ensure that we are standing right. Let me say this: if my political journey ends here, I’m good. When I joined politics in 2007, I wanted to be a senator, but today, not only have I achieved more than that by the opportunity given to me.

    We’ll also build infrastructure that will lead our people well into the future. In 2019, I came up with a road map and when I decided I wanted to run in 2023, I put forward a road map on black and white so that people could bench mark us.

    I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land. But, where we are is to fix our party. I’d my political journey ends right here, I am happy. When I joined politics in 2007, I wanted to go to the senate. But, now I’ve achieved more than that. And I cherish the opportunity the people gave to me to make my difference.

    With the politics of Oyo State, we’re eavesdropping that you already have a man to take over from you?

    All I can say is that we have a lot of good people within the party in Oyo State and I’ll not just leave the team hanging. I’ve put in place the road of accelerated development of Oyo State. When I needed to recon test in 2023, I put in place the road of sustainable development. There are certain things we’ve been able to achieve.

    Some people said to me that we have made some infrastructure, but I don’t want to be remembered for those things. I want to be remembered for the institutions of governance we’ve been able to create in Oyo State.

    Whoever the people choose, I would have done my bit and left the stage.

    Which zone do you think should produce the next governor in Oyo State?

    Politics is a game of numbers, though about 50 percent of the people in Oyo domicile in Ibadan. Before I became a governor, I told them that the only way the governorship candidate can come from another place will be based on the performance of a governor who is not from Ibadan. Then, he can push that through. We’re still on this journey.

    Your friend’s name, Nyesom Wike, has been mentioned repeatedly in the trouble bedeviling the party. Do you see the governors’ resolving the issues in your party?

    Let me also say this that there was a time the PDP was in serious crisis and some people thought the PDP was gone. Most of these people were not there at the time, but Governor Wike was there to bring the PDP back from collapse; give it to him, he has paid his dues through the party. I was part

    We’re hearing that you already got a successor; some say it’s the turn of Oke-Ogun people to produce the next governor. Who’s successor?

    All I can say is that we have enough good and capable hands within our team in Oyo State and I will not leave the people of Oyo hanging. One thing we’ve been able to achieve is a major shift in terms of creating institutions that will sustain good governance in Oyo State. I will continue to prepare a roadmap for continued development of Oyo. Whosoever the people decide to get to choose, I will hand over the reign of power to such a fellow.

    Almost 50 percent of the population in Oyo is domiciled in Ibadan. However, way ahead before I became a governor, I told them that the only way the governorship can leave Ibadan, is when you have a governor that has performed excellently well; a governor that has won the trust of the people. If such a person is able to find a successor from any zone, then, he can push that through. However, I can say whether we’ve earned 100 percent of the people yet. But, if we focus on what we are doing, by the end of this year, we will definitely hear what the people are saying.

    The name of your friend, Nyesom Wike has always been mentioned in the crisis rocking the party. Are you sure that you and your colleagues will able to bring peace to the PDP considering the bloody nose it has received since 2015?

    Let me quickly say this: long before I became a governor, the PDP was in serious crisis and everybody thought the party was completely gone. Some of these people being mentioned today were nowhere at the time. Former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike was there. He supported the party and was instrumental in bringing the PDP from the brink. Give it to him; he has always done his bit for the party.

    I did G5 in the last presidential election because we thought after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari, the president’s office should have been zoned to the South. Then, we got a zoning committee that left that option open. We went for the convention, though I supported Governor Wike, but the party’s delegates’ in their wisdom, elected Waziri Adamawa as the candidate of the party. There was a problem. Nevertheless, we decided to still go into the election with a united front. We asked for some agreement for our zone. The party chairman, Senator Ayu was from the North Central; our candidate was from the North East, and they were planning to make someone from the Northwest, though it hadn’t been announced at the time, to be the Director General of the campaign. That further put the party in more precarious state.  And right immediately after the convention, went to Adamawa governor, Gov. Fintiri and I asked that Wike should be allowed to be on the ticket and that would have been a stronger ticket.  Unfortunately, all the people around our candidate rejected that proposal. We also travelled to London to sort things out with him, and agreed on some things.  But, when he came back, he reneged on all that we discussed.

    The rest is history today.

    Now, we don’t want to go that route again. Under this dispensation, we the PDP governors met and I made it clear to all them that we must wipe the slate clean, forget the past, and be ready for a fresh beginning. This party still remains the hope of the common. What Nigerians are saying to us is that we should get our house together and leave the rest to them.  By 2027, it will not be APC versus PDP, but, it will be APC versus Nigerians.

    How will your agriculture agenda impact on Oyo and Nigeria’s economy?

    We were very clear from day one what we would do to expand the economy of Oyo State. We, at the beginning had our focus on security, agriculture and infrastructure. Our vision informed my visit to France. And, you’ll agree with me that Oyo has a comparative advantage in terms of agriculture.  We have the highest landmass, most of which are very arable. Yet, when we came in, we had the infrastructure challenge. Most of our zones are what we call farm settlements that were planned. So, we needed to be connecting all the zones.  We fixed first, the Ibadan zone, which is the major consumption centre.  We also fixed the Oke-Ogun zone, which is the major agricultural zone.  Next, we fixed the road between Oyo and Oke-Ogun zones.  We also fixed the road between Oyo and Ogbomoso, which is the second largest consumption zone.  And now, we just fixed the road from Ibadan to the Erua zone. Once we are done with these infrastructures that will aid agric business in the state. For us, we don’t enjoy going to Abuja every month to get the handout because we have what it takes to take care of ourselves. Alongside, we are developing our tourism potential. We believe these sectors will take Oyo State to the next level of economic buoyancy.

  • Labour Party now a failing enterprise, says Ozigbo

    Labour Party now a failing enterprise, says Ozigbo

    …says ‘APGA is in the past’

    Valentine Ozigbo, a governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, has described the Labour Party (LP) as a “failing enterprise,” warning that the party is heading for a wave of mass defections.

    Ozigbo, who was formerly a governorship aspirant in the Labour Party before defecting to the APC in February 2025, made the statement during an appearance on national television on Monday.

    He criticised the LP’s leadership for the ongoing internal crisis, expressing disappointment over how the party has evolved since the 2023 general elections.

    Ozigbo, a former close ally of LP’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, said Obi has failed to manage the party’s leadership dispute, which he believes has deepened the division within the party.

    “I’m totally disenchanted with what the party has become. It is not what people think it is,” he said, stressing that his relationship with Obi remains civil despite their political differences.

    When pressed further on what went wrong, Ozigbo said he expected Obi to take decisive steps to resolve the LP’s leadership and legal crises, but he failed to do so, prompting his decision to exit the party.

    “I had a problem with Labour Party, and by extension, I would expect Peter Obi to take certain preemptive steps to deal with some of these issues in Labour Party, which, for maybe, he has his reasons not to have handled the way I would have expected, but I don’t want to be part of what I can consider now a failing enterprise. I had to move on,” he said.

    Ozigbo further denied leaving the LP because Obi did not protect his interests, adding that his defection to the APC was triggered by the party’s lack of proper leadership.

    “I would expect the Labour Party to be better handled, better led, than what I’m seeing,” he stated.

    Despite his disappointment with how Obi handled the LP crisis, Ozigbo maintained he had a civilised relationship with him, adding that both of them were now focused on their political goals.

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    He said, “Peter Obi is in the Labour Party, having his competition around the coalition, talking about 2027. Valentine Ozigbo is in the APC talking about 2025. We have different objectives right now, and that’s why I had to take my own path.”

    He said: “I joined APC from the Labour Party and I will make my case very clear, I didn’t just leave the Labour Party, I made analogies of what I think about these parties in Nigeria.

    “You have to do your checks and make certain decisions for posterity, for the future.

    “Labour Party is not exactly what people think they are, it’s almost in its dying days, and over time, people are going to see this – how people are leaving the party.

    “There is hardly any elected member of the party that I have spoken to who is intending to run for his election under the same platform, so the Labour party for me is in the past.

    “I took a decision to go into APC not because I’m here to justify all the actions of APC, I’m here rather as a catalyst for change, if this is the only option we have today; then some good people need to go in there and become an agent of change, I want to see myself as one of those agents and that’s why I moved.

    “When I moved, it became the trending topic of the time, even up till now. For anybody to say I went into APC without supporters is very laughable. Nicholas moved into APC a month before me, and nobody said anything, but since I joined, I’m already adding value to APC.

    “My moving into APC changed the trajectory. There are allegations that maybe Mr. President wants Soludo to come back because he sees him as an opponent of Peter Obi.

    “Even if that is correct, it’s an inferior proposition. Soludo must have gone to whoever to say APC is weak and his problem is Labour. So support me in APGA so that I will come back because you don’t want Labour to win Anambra State.

    “APC is weak, Labour is strong, by me leaving Labour to join APC, it is strong today – and this is why I’m fighting this battle – if you go to the real people in APC, they will understand the battle that I’m fighting, they won’t want this type of deal where Soludo is APGA in the afternoon and APC at night.

    “So he creates a confusion where you are not strengthening the party or helping anybody, so if you want to be a man, be a man and if you want to be a woman, be a woman. If Soludo wants to be APGA, be APGA – APGA is in the past.”

  • Natasha’s ides of May and the vindication of Akpabio

    Natasha’s ides of May and the vindication of Akpabio

    The internet was abuzz the night of 2025 May Day, as a United States based activist, Dr Sandra Duru, with the moniker Prof Mgbeke, made an expose` on the suspended Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, as a manipulator, and embarking on a malicious campaign to malign the reputation of the person and President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    According to Prof Mgbeke, the Kogi Central Senator who was linked to her through a top opposition politician, had sought her  support to join in the campaign of calumny against Akpabio and she had actually started pilloring the man. Evidence abound on her social media pages. This was until she asked the Senator for evidence of the sexual harassment allegations. “Natasha told me there was nothing like sexual harassment. I was shocked. Honestly I broke down because I had already started fighting the Senate President, in my effort to support Natasha,” she said. According to her, the sexual harassment allegation was her strategy to garner public sympathy and support in the fight to discredit the Senate President.

    For Prof Mgbeke, the confession by Natasha that there was no sexual harassment marked the turning point for her. “Natasha is on a mission to destroy men. I cannot watch her destroy our men, I cannot watch her destroy our sons, I cannot watch her destroy our girls who are following her blindly.”

    In her continued desperation to nail Akpabio, Prof Mgbeke further said that after realising that her sexual harassment allegation wasn’t getting much traction and public sympathy, Natasha offered her N200 million to accuse the Senate President of organ harvesting, linking him with the death of a young girl who passed  away a few years ago.

    She summed it up this way: “What is happening is not activism. It is an orchestrated strategy and an abuse of gender advocacy, a staged performance designed to provoke public sympathy and manufacture false narratives and target political opponents,” Mgbeke stated.

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    However before Prof Mgbeke’s explosive exposé, many discerning minds had asked Senator Natasha for evidence of the sexual harassment allegation. To take her seriously, many demanded concerete evidence in the form of private chats, love text messages, pictures, videos and voice recordings, call logs, etc, especially with her reputation of having made similar claims about other men in the past which turned out to be false accusations. Till date, she has not provided any scintilla of evidence despite making local and international media rounds her favourite pastime. All she was interested in was to drag the reputation of the Senate President in the mud.

    Prof Mgbeke only confirmed what many Nigerians had suspected and some questions asked. How can a man sexually harass you in front of your husband and in the presence of many other senators? How can a victim of sexual harassment indulge in effusive praise and adoration of the abuser in the social media the day after the alleged incident? How can the victim go ahead to travel to different countries with the abuser and taking selfies in foreign countries with the same man whom she alleged sexually harassed her? In any case, why remain silent over such grievious act (by her admission not even informing her husband) for over one year until you were removed as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Content and your seat in the Senate chamber was changed?

    However the evidence of Prof Mgbeke were stunning and incontrovertible: from call logs, private chats, voice recordings of the Kogi senator, it became obvious that Senator Natasha was on a pull-him-down mission through fabricated allegations for political gains. More stunning were Natasha’s claim, according to Prof Mgbeke, of having recruited Dr Oby Ezekwesili and Dr Abiola Akiyode of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) to storm the Senate Committee sitting and how she bragged about having media organisations on her pay roll to do her biddings. She described her followers who swallowed her lies hook, line and sinker as “gullible and hungry” while those she recruited to wage this war were described as “useful idiots.”

    In view of the weighty allegations of the Kogi Senator’s scheme, the security agencies, especially the Department of State Services (DSS)  and the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), have to get to the roots of the allegation about Natasha’s plot to bring down a “Yoruba Government.” According to Prof Mgbeke, “She said the reason for the fight was not really about the Senate President but it is about the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, that they don’t want the Yoruba government to go beyond four years. She said there was no sexual harassment evidence of any kind.” To destabilize the Tinubu administration, her sponsors would reward her with the governorship of Kogi State or the Minister of Petroleum. “She said all she wanted was for the Senate President to step down, that the Senate President is the one shielding Nigeria’s President.”

    This is hardly surprising though because no sooner had Natasha made her unfounded allegations than opposition politicians started making political capital out of it. Obviously, Natasha was not working alone. The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, jumped into the fray and talked about corruption (laugh out loud) former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki pontificated about the integrity of the Senate while Ezekwesili called on Akpabio to step aside. So obviously, Natasha was playing a political script, she was dancing naked to the drum beats of the opposition with President Bola Tinubu as their main target using the fabricated allegations against Akpabio.

    The puerile attempt by Natasha to deny Prof Mgbeke’s allegations with hard evidence as “entirely untrue and most manipulated to serve Sandra Duru’s ulterior motive” is most unconvincing. It is true to her character. If with the avalanche of proofs and evidence which Prof Mgbeke said she has submitted to security agencies for forensic analysis, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan still denies knowing the US based activist, then, she is irredeemable. Concerned citizens are demanding for speedy investigation by security agencies and their findings made public while those found to be involved in the plot to destabilise the administration of President Tinubu be brought to justice on account of their conspiracy.

    The story rings true with fact that there was never a thing like sexual harassment. It only existed in the imagination of the Kogi Senator and her gullible followers.

    • Alli writes from Ekpoma, Benin

  • How to restore discipline to PDP, by George

    How to restore discipline to PDP, by George

    Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George,  said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, be sanctioned for anti-party activities.

    He said the party is being embarrassed by the open display of affinity by the duo to other political parties.

    George said the PDP crisis is festering because  Atiku and Wike are hobnobbing with other parties.

    He said: “What exactly is going on? Anybody who is tired of PDP should leave and join another party.  Enough of this embarrassment. As a founding elder of this party, I will not watch while some people openly disrespect the party. It is impossible.”

    George queried why Atiku  visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna with others.

    “General Buhari remains my boss but he is not a member of our party.

    “So, why is Atiku hobnobbing with him politically? Is he not guilty of  anti-party offence already?

    “The other day, President Bola Tinubu told Wike that APC must win the council election in FCT and he agreed.

    “Wike has been given a direct order to win FCT for APC and he still claims to be a member of PDP. Are people now shameless politically that they cannot be principled? Where is the leadership of our party? Why are they tolerating Atiku and Wike?  Why are they allowing the duo to continue to embarrass our party publicly?

    “Now, some governors are joining them to endorse Tinubu’s reelection in 2027. I ask again: what exactly is going on in our party? Has discipline gone to the dogs? Has everything broken down completely? Has sanity taken flight in the way we run the party now?

    “Nigerians are yearning for change, which only the PDP can offer because ours is the only organised party. Apart from Ganduje, who else do you know in APC NWC? APC is a one-man show being controlled from the Villa.

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    “This is the time for the national leadership of  PDP to take decisive steps to save our great party.

    “As a founding member of our party and an elderstatesman, I call on other elders of our party to call Atiku and Wike to order, as the two are not bigger than the PDP.

    “They cannot continue hobnobbing with enemies of our party and think I will keep quiet. The truth must be told every time without minding whose ox is gored.

    “This is the time to save our party from those undermining PDP from within.

    “If Atiku is strateging on how to form a coalition with others because of 2027, he should do that outside the structure of our party. You cannot be within and be working against the interest of this party. We will never allow that.

    “Wike’s case is very clear to everybody. He wants to be in the good books of Tinubu while working against our party. He is an adult and knows what is good for him politically but you cannot claim to be in the PDP and be working against the interest of the party.

    “Many people do not know that what Wike did in Rivers leading to emergency rule declaration of March 18 is anti-party activity.

    “He organises live interviews across Television Stations as if he is the president and attacks PDP in the process.  If there is any iota of shame left in him,  this is the time for him to leave our party.

    “His strategy is to continue to work within the party for the President’s reelection.

    “This is the time for our party leadership to wield the big stick because nobody is more powerful than the party.

    “The moment we remove the liabilities in our party, we  will be in a formidable position, as an opposition party, to take over power from APC at the federal level in 2027.

    “Due to the anti-people policies of APC, Nigerians are going through a lot and they  are waiting for PDP to alleviate their suffering in 2027”.

    George advised President Bola Tinubu to create a Special Fund account where Managing Directors of banks will deposit, at least, N20 billion each annually to alleviate the suffering of the masses.

    To the Atona Oodua of Yorubaland, bankers are part of the professionals who created economic hardship in the country.

    George queried the source of the Billions of Naira declared by banks as profits yearly.

    “There is what is called round-tripping. There is also insider abuse, hidden and fraudulent charges. All these are targeted at Nigerians. You can’t see a bank MD in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, United Arab Emirates etc in private jets every other day.

    “Here, our Bank MDs not only charter private jets but own jets. Where are they getting the money from to maintain this type of luxury and lifestyle?

    “The government must look into this. Now that Tinubu is trying to lessen the burden of Nigerians, these bank MDs should be made to pay not less than N20 billion each into this special intervention fund account.

    “Now that he is back in Nigeria, Tinubu should also be serious about projecting the image of this country.

    “No rat, lizard or cockroach was killed in Rivers yet, you declared emergency rule and suspended an elected governor just because you are Commander in Chief.

    “People don’t use power like that. Nigeria is called Giant of Africa but, economically, constitutionally and politically, are we Giant in the real sense of the word?

    “Nigeria spent billions of dollars to restore peace, security, democracy, economic and political independence in South Africa, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Zimbabwe and others.

    “It is an anti-climax that what we gave to others that led to stability, we don’t have at home. Are we now the Giant of Africa only on paper, and not in reality?

    “Insurrection,  insurgency, kidnappings, killings and corruption have taken over the land. As the Commander-in-Chief,  what exactly is Tinubu doing to reverse this ugly trend?

    “The way people are being killed in Benue and Plateau, does it make sense? The nation is drifting and this is the time for former Presidents and opinion leaders to speak truth to power. We can’t continue this way”.