The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

  • House of Reps begins probe of export revenue loss

    House of Reps begins probe of export revenue loss

    For almost three decades, Nigeria has lived with an economic black hole — silent, expanding, and barely acknowledged.

    Between 1996 and 2014, export proceeds worth  $850 billion left the country and never returned. The money simply evaporated from the national financial system, leaving behind an economy warped by missing revenue and weakened institutions.

    Now, for the first time, the House of Representatives is attempting to retrace the path of the vanished billions.

    The House Ad-Hoc Committee on Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports and Non-Repatriation of Crude Oil Proceeds, led by Seyi Sowunmi, has opened a critical phase of its work, with a closed-door retreat. Inside that room, lawmakers began crafting“the largest forensic audit in Nigeria’s economic history.”

    But as the committee prepares to dig into nearly three decades of export data, one truth has become unavoidable: this is not merely about missing money — it is about a long-standing collapse of accountability.

    A scandal that survived administrations

    The first signs appeared in the mid-1990s when Nigeria’s export declarations no longer aligned with payments received. Oil volumes reported abroad routinely exceeded the figures recorded by Nigerian regulators. Non-oil exporters declared meagre earnings despite massive shipments leaving the country. Payments arrived late — or never.

    Across the final years of military rule and through the Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan administrations, the pattern persisted. By 2014, unrepatriated export proceeds had reached $850bn — and that excludes the years from 2015 till date, which remain unaccounted for.

    Sowunmi, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, unexpectedly thrust into this sprawling investigation, must now unravel a scandal stretching across political eras, oil booms, recessions, and multiple administrations.

    Hijacked process

    The Nigerian Export Supervision Scheme (NESS), created under the Pre-Shipment Inspection of Exports Act, was supposed to safeguard the country by ensuring: accurate valuation of commodities, correct measurement of export volumes, timely repatriation of foreign earnings, transparent pricing, and bank-level monitoring of FX inflows

    But leaked documents and insider testimonies suggest the scheme became the weakest link in Nigeria’s export chain.

    Investigators believe the following methods were widely used to divert proceeds offshore: Underpricing: declaring crude below market value, delayed invoicing: stretching payment dates until tracking became impossible, re-invoicing: routing crude through offshore subsidiaries for inflated margins, overloading: shipping more than declared, swap distortions: crude-for-product deals with vague financial trails, manipulated quality reports: disguising premium crude as lower grade, offshore banking channels: bypassing CBN entirely.

    What Nigeria designed as a guardrail became the channel through which billions escaped.

    One of the committee’s early findings is the alarming inconsistency in Nigeria’s own data systems.

    According to investigators, figures from: CBN (FX inflows) contradict NUPRC (export volumes), which differ from NNPCL (liftings), which also conflict with NBS (trade reports), which still do not align with OPEC’s listings. These discrepancies run into billions of dollars annually.

    An investigator said: “These agencies were either working in silos — or someone didn’t want the numbers to match.”

    The committee will now compare Nigeria’s records with foreign customs data, refinery receipts, and shipping manifests from major oil buyers.

    The Pre-Shipment Inspector Mystery

    Read Also: Dentists caution Nigerians on harmful oral habits

    A significant portion of missing revenue may hinge on how Nigeria selects pre-shipment inspection firms. Buhari’s administration began a competitive selection process.The process stalled abruptly. The issue now is that there is an push for transparency. Favouring some firms is being criticised. Stakeholders fear that favouritism could “empower export cartels.”

    The committee will scrutinize: bidding and contracting processes, performance of inspector firms, corruption allegations, roles of brokers, intermediaries, and international partners.

    A lawmaker said:“The pre-shipment inspector holds the first pen that validates Nigeria’s exports. If that pen is compromised, the entire chain collapses.”

    Why missing $850bn haunts Nigeria

    The consequences of decades-long non-repatriation are many. They include FX Scarcity.

    Nigeria’s chronic dollar shortage is tied to proceeds that never returned.

    Another challenge is Naira Instability. If even half of the missing funds had entered CBN reserves, the nation might have escaped major devaluations.

    Excessive borrowing is also a problem. Nigeria borrowed billions to fill revenue gaps created by vanished export earnings.

    In the past, there was fuel subsidy fraud was real.

    Distorted export declarations enabled inflated import claims. Funds that could have built or repaired refineries disappeared offshore.

    Between 1996 and 2000, political instability fueled offshore networks. Between 2000 and 2007, oil boom encouraged hidden profits and transfer-pricing. Between 2007 and 2014, there were allegations that swap deals and opaque barter arrangements deepened.  Between 2010 and 2014, international auditors flagged alarming discrepancies. Between 2014 and 2015, oil theft and pipeline diversions peaked

    Through it all, the leak never stopped. At its retreat, the committee is finalizing a strategy featuring: reconciliation of 1996–present export volumes, matching Nigerian records with foreign import data, a forensic audit of 28 years of FX inflows, review of the NESS account, scrutiny of inspector appointments, tracing offshore payment trails, naming culpable companies and officials, and proposing civil and criminal sanctions

    Sowunmi said: “This probe will be evidence-based, data-driven, and fully transparent.”

    A whistleblower framework will be activated to encourage testimony from insiders in oil firms, banks, and regulatory agencies.

    Need for political Will

    The probe is a litmus test for both the National Assembly and the Tinubu administration. If handled thoroughly, it may expose decades of capital flight and institutional compromise.

    For Nigeria, this is perhaps the last real opportunity to understand how a nation so wealthy became so economically fragile.

    Sowunmi added: “Nigeria must receive, in full and promptly, every dollar legally due from its exports.”

    As the investigation opens, Nigerians watch cautiously, knowing the missing $850bn is more than a financial scandal — it is the story of a country finally confronting its own economic ghosts.

  • How Turaki emerges PDP factional national chairman, pledges transparency, party reunification

    How Turaki emerges PDP factional national chairman, pledges transparency, party reunification

    Amid intense political drama, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki emerged as the new factional national chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the weekend, promising to prioritise the will of the people, listen to their voices, and deliver on their expectations.

    Turaki assured party members and Nigerians that the new National Working Committee under his leadership would operate with fairness, transparency, equity, and justice, working diligently to rebuild and reunite the party.

    He made the pledge in his acceptance speech shortly after being sworn in at the PDP’s national convention.

    Turaki won decisively, polling 1,516 votes to defeat his closest rival, Senator Yakubu Lado, who received 43 votes. Although Senator Lado had earlier withdrawn from the race citing zoning considerations, some of his supporters still cast votes in his favour.

    A total of 3,131 delegates participated in the convention held at the Mainbowl of Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on Saturday, with 275 votes declared void. Before the election, 2,745 delegates were accredited, and total votes cast stood at 1,834.

    Turaki, a prominent PDP figure and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had been adopted as the consensus candidate by Northern PDP stakeholders ahead of the convention.

    Read Also: Oyo APC condemns PDP Ibadan convention, calls it a ‘carnival of shame’

    In the race for Deputy National Organising Secretary, Solarin Sunday Adekunle emerged winner, polling 633 votes to defeat Adelabu Malomo (507 votes) and Olabayiwa Ogundipe (417 votes) from a total of 1,577 votes cast.

    The oath of allegiance and office was administered by Barrister Musa Abdulwasil at about 11:50 PM.

    Expressing gratitude to the delegates, Turaki acknowledged the weight of their trust and assured that the new National Working Committee would work tirelessly to justify their confidence in rebuilding and strengthening the PDP.

    The Chairman highlighted the PDP’s rich history, noting that it is the only party that has maintained its name, label, motto, and texture since its inception. This, he attributed to the party’s commitment to the Nigerian people.

    While acknowledging the challenges ahead, the Chairman expressed confidence in the party’s ability to rise to the task and promised that guiding principles and models for achieving party goals will be rolled out soon.

    In a bid to heal internal wounds, the Chairman extended an invitation to party members who have been aggrieved or have left the party to return, emphasizing that the party needs everyone’s support to rebuild and save Nigeria’s democracy.

    The Chairman concluded by thanking the delegates and assuring them that the party will deliver under the new committee’s leadership, ending with a call to action and a commitment to democracy and the people.

    Turaki said, “This is the day that the Lord has made for us. On behalf of myself and other members of the newly elected National Working Committee of our party, the People’s Democratic Party, I stand before you today, and indeed, for Nigerians, to thank you so much for putting this confidence in us.

    “I assure you, that the confidence you put in us will not be taken for granted. It is a very big and wondrous responsibility that you have trusted in us. For myself and my colleagues, I want to assure you that we shall do whatever it takes to carry out this assignment that has been placed on our shoulders.

    “In 1998, INEG registered three political parties. The People’s Democratic Party, the Alliance for Democracy (AD), and the All People’s Party. The All People’s Party became ANPP and then got divided into ANPP and CPC and found its way into what is now called APC.

    “AD became AC, became ACN, and was submerged in APC. Today, as I talk to you, the only political party that has continued and maintained its name, its label, its motto, its texture, its density, is the People’s Democratic Party. This has been possible only because this is the party for Nigerian people.

    “I want to say to you members of PDP, and indeed to you Nigerians outside there, that make no mistake about it, we are returning the party to you, the people. There will be no more impunity, there will be no more suppression of the will of Nigerian people. We shall open our ears wide open to listen to you, to determine what you want.

    “And what you want is what we shall give you. Gone are the days when monkey will walk and baboon will eat. If baboon wants to eat, then baboon must be seen to be working like monkey.”

    He said further, “Number two, on behalf of myself and my colleagues, I want to assure our teaming members, and indeed you Nigerians outside there, that from this moment on, whatever we do, there is fairness, there is transparency, there is equity, and there is justice. Because he who comes to equity, comes with clean hands. What you have done to us, the trust you have given us, means that you want us also to take it up to the great people.

    “And that we shall do. We are not under any illusion that the task that has been placed on us is a simple one. Our party is at crossroads now, but we are up to the task, we are up to the challenge.

    “Very soon, we shall be rolling out what our guiding principles will be, and models of lending for achieving the same. And when we do that, we shall be hitting the ground running from day one. But in all this thing, we want to assure our teaming members outside there, those that feel they have been aggrieved, and we don’t care whether those grievances are genuine or not.

    “Those that have now engaged in ‘siddon look’, and those who have left the party, again, for whatever reason, we have enough time, we will bring you back. Because the process of rebuilding, re-creating, re-uniting, re-extending this party needs every one of us. So we will ensure that no one is left there.

    “We will go around, we will come to you, we will come to your homes, we will come to your cities, we will come to your towns, we will appeal to you to come back. Because the task ahead of us, and that task is saving Nigeria’s democracy. That task is saving Nigeria from imminent precipice.”

    He also urged the judiciary to respect the constitution and the principles of stare decisis, cautioning against getting involved in purely political matters.

    “We need support and cooperation of every leader in this task. As a very senior member of the bar, let me say this to my constituency. Sometimes the heart bleeds to see the heart of judgement that comes up.

    “The most important institution in Nigeria is judicial. We will therefore be urging our judges, just as you are asking Nigerian politicians to respect their rules and respect the provisions of their constitution, we Nigerian politicians will also be pleading with you to respect your rules and respect the principles of stare decisis. We feel that it is not necessary for any judge that has been sworn to uphold the constitution to refuse to be guided by the decisions of the apex court.

    “Nigerian judiciary and indeed Nigerian judges have no business getting involved in matters that are exclusively or intrinsically political. Please save the judiciary. Don’t get involved in matters that are purely political.

    “Whatever that belongs to God, give it to God. Whatever that belongs to Caesar, give it to Caesar. When we do that, this democracy that a lot of our founding fathers had fought hard, even at great tasks, some of them have lost their lives.

    “Please do not either directly or indirectly or whether wittingly or unwittingly put yourselves in a situation where rightly or wrongly it may be assumed again whether correctly or incorrectly that you are part and parcel of the process to truncate Nigerian democracy.

    “I want to once again thank our people, our delegates, for reposing this confidence in us. No doubt the task is arduous, but I want to assure you that you have not made a mistake in choosing us and giving this responsibility to us. We will deliver and we are going to deliver by the special grace of God.”

    Also, a former deputy national chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja emerge as the party’s national Secretary, unopposed.

    Alh. Hamza Akuyan Koshe (Dep. Nat’l Chairman (North)), Dr. Daniel Ambrose W. (Dep. Nat’l Chairman (South)), Arapaja Taofeek Gbola-Oladejo (National Secretary), Ihediwa Richard Nnabugwu (Dep. Nat’l Secretary), Isa Abubakar (National Treasurer), Okechukwu Obiechina Daniel (National Financial Sec) and Hon. Theophilus Daka Shan (National Organising Sec)

    Others are: Ini Ememobong Essien (Nat’l Publicity Secretary), Aribisala Adewale Idowu (National Auditor), Bara’u Shafi’i (National Legal Adviser), Ogbu Anthonia Chinenyenwa (National Women’s Leader), Solarin Sunday Adekunle (Dep. National Organising Sec), Farida Umar Hamid (Dep. National Publicity Sec), Aigbokhaevbo Harrison O. (Dep. National Treasurer), Hamsatu Adamu (Dep. Nat. Women Leader), Hon Tina Puna Musa (Dep. National Financial Sec), Usamatu Maharazu (Dep. National Auditor) and Elec-Njaka Chikere (Dep. Nat’l Youth Leader)

    According to the Secretary, National Convention Organising Committee, Senator Ben Obi, who announced the list, the position of the National Youth Leader was stepped down.

  • Cleric dumps PDP, leads 3,000 supporters to APC in Akwa Ibom

    Cleric dumps PDP, leads 3,000 supporters to APC in Akwa Ibom

    • …says he is committed to Tinubu’s re-election

    A prominent cleric, Dr. Elijah Jack, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, taking more than 3,000 of his supporters with him.

    The defection ceremony, held over the weekend at Oniong East Ward 1 in Onna Local Government Area, drew the attendance of several past and serving political office holders.

    Jack, who is the General Overseer of His Divine Redeemed World Ministries, said he joined the APC to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to contribute to the president’s re-election efforts in 2027.

    He explained that his move was motivated by patriotism and a desire to promote unity, peace, and inclusive governance.

    “My decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not driven by personal gain or political rivalry, but by a sincere desire to contribute more meaningfully to national unity, peace building, and inclusive governance,” he said.

    “At this moment in our country, what Nigerians need most is not division but healing, cooperation, and collective action. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has clearly emphasized the Renewed Hope Agenda, which calls for unity, stability, and the integration of all citizens regardless of party lines, into the national development process.

    “Likewise, in Akwa Ibom State, Governor Umo Eno has consistently preached peace, unity, and development through the ARISE agenda.

    “As a church founder and an ambassador of peace, these are values I have practiced long before politics. In my ministry and community work, I have always preached forgiveness, tolerance, and reconciliation.

     “I have mediated disputes, united families, supported youths across party divides, and encouraged people to see one another first as brothers and sisters, and not opponents.

    “So, my defection is not meant to create tension but to build bridges. I am joining the APC to bring spiritual and moral leadership to the space, and encourage more citizens to participate peacefully in governance”.

    He added that he is going to begin a political and spiritual movement to win supporters for Tinubu, the Senate president, Goddess Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno 

    “Going forward, I will continue to support programmes that unite youths, women, and other marginalized groups irrespective of political differences, and use my platform as a clergyman to preach political tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

    “I am going to encourage all my followers to register in their various wards, as APC Members and also ensure they all apply and get their voters card ready for the 2027 election to vote President Tinibu and Governor Umo Eno, leaders and followers to put Nigeria first before political affiliations”, he said.

    Ultimately, my goal is to serve as a symbol of unity by showing that politics does not have to divide us, and that together we can build a peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous Akwa Ibom and Nigeria.”

    Receiving the defectors, Onna APC leader, Patrick Ifon, hailed the defection as a “landmark moment,” describing the new entrants as men and women of capacity whose presence guarantees electoral victory in the next cycle.

    “This is not just a defection; it is a political statement. With the thousands of Apostles Elijah has brought, APC in Onna is positioned to sweep all positions in the coming elections,” he declared 

    Commissioner for Finance, Emem Bob, described Apostle Jack as “a brother and friend whose capacity is beyond doubt”, adding that his move reflects Governor Umo Eno’s deep-rooted goodwill in Onna.

    Former House of Representatives member Dr. Owoidighe Ekpoattai, APC Chapter Chairman Mr. Nkanang Nkanang, Hon. Bassey Willie, Hon. Oton Charlie, Barr. Akan Idem, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpeyo, Elder Nelson Ntia, Hon. Samuel Mboso, and Comrade Tony Ekpo all praised the new movement, calling it a massive boost to APC’s grassroots strength. 

  • Oyo APC condemns PDP Ibadan convention, calls it a ‘carnival of shame’

    Oyo APC condemns PDP Ibadan convention, calls it a ‘carnival of shame’

    The Oyo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has criticised the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, describing the event as a charade and a “carnival of shame, lawlessness, and impunity.”

    It was reported that despite multiple court rulings ordering the suspension of the convention, the faction led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde proceeded with the event, hosting delegates from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to elect new national officers for the party.

    In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, the APC accused Governor Makinde of subjecting Ibadan residents to needless hardship by allegedly compelling commercial drivers to withdraw their services and assemble at the venue to inflate attendance and create a false impression of a successful convention.

    “PDP has been synonymous with impunity, and this played out again when a group within the party called the bluff of the judiciary to stage an illegal procession in Ibadan, which they tagged a national convention,” Sadare said.

    He further alleged that Governor Makinde was “desperate for national leadership” despite failing “woefully on the home front,” pointing to ongoing grievances from residents affected by property demolitions for the Ibadan Circular Road project.

    Sadare also claimed that a significant portion of the September allocations of the 33 local government councils was diverted to fund what he described as a “jamboree,” noting that many PDP governors reportedly declined to contribute financially.

    He warned that every public fund spent on the “failed PDP project” would be accounted for, asserting that the “kangaroo convention” signalled the beginning of the PDP’s collapse.

    However, he added that it was not too late for the party’s warring factions to reconcile if they hoped to remain relevant in future elections.

    “It is clear they have already lost 2027; their only chance is to plan ahead for possible relevance in 2031,” he said.

  • Senator Adeola urges govts to harness culture, tourism for national unity, economic growth

    Senator Adeola urges govts to harness culture, tourism for national unity, economic growth

    The Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI), has called on governments at all levels to tap into Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage as a tool for boosting tourism, strengthening national unity, and accelerating socioeconomic development.

    Speaking at the Grand Finale of the 32nd Oronna Ilaro Festival in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, the senator said culture and tourism possess immense potential that can serve as catalysts for community development and national cohesion if adequately harnessed and promoted.

    Describing the Oronna Ilaro festival as a symbol of unity among the people of Ilaro and neighbouring communities, Adeola reaffirmed his passion for culture, especially when it stimulates tourism growth and drives economic advancement.

    “I have no doubt that when properly harnessed and packaged, aspects of our culture are catalysts to community economic development as well as the promotion of a desired unity,” he said. He added that the Oronna Festival, centred on the legendary warrior hero Oronna, has continued to evolve into a major attraction in recent years.

    The senator commended Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun for his continued support of cultural festivals, noting that such efforts have expanded the reach and impact of the Oronna Ilaro Festival and contributed to Ogun’s overall development.

    Highlighting his achievements as a federal lawmaker and Senate Committee Chairman on Appropriations, Adeola said he has facilitated and completed more than 300 infrastructure projects across sectors, including roads, healthcare, education, and security. He also noted his role in upgrading the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, into a Federal University of Technology, fulfilling his promise to transform Ogun West into a “small London.”

    Adeola reiterated his commitment to partnering with Governor Abiodun to further develop Ogun State while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “Let me salute our dear governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, for his support for tourism development through promotion of different festivals in the state, including Oronna Ilaro Festival,” he said.

    “In the primary areas of security, your programmes in support of the security agencies have led to a violence-free state and a drastic reduction in criminal activities. You are commended, Your Excellency, for your construction projects in the areas of roads, hospitals, and educational institutions across the state, with a flagship project in aviation through the construction and commissioning of the Gateway Cargo Airport at Iperu.

    “In this senatorial district, many laudable works stand to your credit, like the work on Ilaro General Hospital nearby, the Owode-Idiroko Road, the Ilaro-Owode Road, and many others, which portray you as a non-sectional governor with the interest of all Ogun State at heart. My heartfelt prayer for you is always that God Almighty will be your strength, guide, and counselor in all that you do. There is no doubt that your policies and programmes are complementary to those of the Renew Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the federal level.

    “On my part, I have attracted development projects to complement the good work of the governor in the state in my senatorial district and beyond in the area of road construction, health care, educational institutions, security, and empowerment. In over two years, I have facilitated the completion of about 300 infrastructure projects.

    “These include over 115 road construction projects, construction of 30 School buildings, 32 Primary Health Care Centres, 25 modern markets, 13 Town Halls, 10 ICT Centres, 2 Intensive Care Units, 2 Libraries, and 8 Police Stations. Other facilitated projects include donation and installation of over 200 Electric Transformers, 250 Solar Street Light Projects of some 26,000 poles, and personal commitment to repair and upgrade 10 major electric infrastructures affecting about 100 communities in perennial and months-long blackouts in Ogun West and Beyond. Adeola submitted.

    In his address, Governor Abiodun described the festival as a symbol of courage, heritage, unity, and the enduring spirit of a people.

    Represented by his deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele, the governor added that Ilaro occupies a special place, not only in Yewaland but within the broader development architecture of the incumbent administration.

    He stressed that the ancient town is blessed with ancient history and vibrant cultural heritage and has remained a commanding gateway for socio-economic transformation.

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    The governor further stated that the Oronna Ilaro Festival is not merely a cultural display, but a reminder that unity, peace, and collaboration remain the bedrock of sustainable development.

    The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa said the celebration of the annual festival has further reinforced Ogun as home to world-class festivals.

    She lauded the organizers of the Oronna Ilaro Festival for showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Ilaro to the world, adding her ministry would continue to collaborate with Ogun State in the promotion of tourism potential and culture within the country and beyond.

    The Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, who led National Assembly members to the event, noted that the celebration of the festival has become a fulcrum to promote unity and self-help development among the people.

    He emphasized that tourism is an important part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding, “It forms part of the development agenda of the Creative Industry under the Ministry of Arts. Culture and the Creative Economy.

    Senator Jibrin said that the Minister in charge of Art. Culture and the Creative Economy launched a $100billion Creative Economy Growth Plan two months ago, assuring that “when the plan is fully implemented, it will incorporate tourism festivals like Oronna as a means of growing the GDP of the nation.”

  • PDP going into extinction, says Lagos APC

    PDP going into extinction, says Lagos APC

    The crisis-ridden Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is going into extinction and irrelevance, the Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Sunday.

    It said while the main opposition party had hoped for a rebirth at it weekend factional National Convention at Ibadan, Oyo State capital, the event paled into a political obsequies for a once-dominant party now trapped in irreversible decline.

    Lagos APC Publicity Secretary, Seye Oladejo said in a statement that what transpired at the convention a charade; a poorly scripted show of confusion and desperation, an embarrassment to the political class, and a new low for an erstwhile national party that once wore the toga of invincibility.

    He said the glorious days of PDP are over, adding that the convention was boycotted by notable leaders of the PDP, including incumbent governors, whose absence spoke louder than any communiqué or resolution. 

    Oladejo said their refusal to attend the non-event underscored the perception that the PDP is terminally ill, surviving only on occasional media noise and nostalgic delusions. 

    He said, “When a house is collapsing, even its architects flee.”

    Oladejo noted that many delegates from 13 states stayed away from the confusion christened a national convention. 

    He said, “When a party’s own delegates choose absence over association, the diagnosis is clear: the patient is not just unwell; it is clinically unresponsive.”

    Oladejo added: “To compound the tragedy, the refusal of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the event put a final seal on the exercise in futility. 

    “When the nation’s electoral umpire declines to acknowledge your convention, what remains is nothing but a political gathering stripped of legitimacy, relevance, and meaning.”

    Oladejo said “his valedictory service, otherwise called a convention, merely provided an opportunity for the caricature of its dwindling membership to gather and formally say their nunc dimittis”

     Oladejo insisted that “for many, this was not a convention, but a dignified farewell to a political structure that has outlived its usefulness.”

    He said, “Rather than confront its deep-rooted failures, leadership rot, ideological emptiness, and years of humiliating electoral defeats, the PDP again demonstrated why Nigerians have decisively moved on.”

    Oladejo said “what should have symbolised renewal instead confirmed that the party is fast approaching its political expiration date.”

    He added:”The PDP has now become a danger to our nascent democracy – not because it is strong, but because it has failed woefully to provide the vibrant, responsible, and constructive opposition that can add value, strengthen accountability, and present Nigerians with a viable alternative. 

    “A democracy without credible opposition is weakened; and the PDP, in its current comatose state, offers nothing but noise without substance.

    Read Also: Ore: Nigeria’s melting pot for travellers, traders, war history

    “As we continue the countdown to the 2027 National Elections, the events ahead promise to be interesting as this comatose, leaderless, and rudderless opposition party navigates nominations for elective positions. Without unnecessarily pre-empting the outcome, it is indeed an endgame. 

    “The PDP’s internal disarray has already written a preface to its political obituary – the rest is merely a matter of time.

    “The Lagos APC reiterates that, while the ruling party is consolidating reforms, strengthening institutions, and delivering governance under the dynamic leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the PDP is busy conducting the funeral rites of its own relevance.

    “Today’s PDP is no longer a national institution – it is a refuge for internally displaced politicians, career defectors, and political daydreamers struggling for survival. Nigerians are not confused: a party that cannot manage itself cannot offer leadership to a nation.

    “As the dust settles, one question confronts the PDP and its sympathizers:

    “Was this truly a convention, or the formal burial of a fading political empire?

    “Whatever the answer, Nigerians have made their choice – progress under the APC, not nostalgia under a PDP drifting toward oblivion.”

  • One year of truth in Edo: Response to Aziegbemi’s misdirected attacks

    One year of truth in Edo: Response to Aziegbemi’s misdirected attacks

    By Osagie Ize-Iyamu

    Ordinarily, I would not respond to every political commentary, particularly when it comes from individuals whose positions are already well known to the public. However, when statements are released in a manner that may mislead our people or distort recent history, it becomes necessary to provide clarity, not to trade words, but to ensure that the truth is preserved.

    I read the recent publication credited to Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, the factional chairman of the PDP. While he is entitled to his opinions, some of the claims he made require proper context so that Edo people are not misinformed. Interestingly, even within his submissions, there are acknowledgements that highlight some of the very issues Edo people have repeatedly raised about the immediate past administration.

     Let me restate what is already evident to all: Edo State is on a new path. In just one year, Governor Monday Okpebholo has brought back a climate of hope, order, accountability, and genuine development- development that citizens can see, feel, and benefit from. This stands in contrast to the previous pattern of grand announcements that delivered very little to the ordinary Edo person.

     Our people deserve honest engagement, not political misdirection. My intention is simply to ensure that facts remain facts, and that the progress being made today is not overshadowed by unfounded narratives.

     First truth Oziegbemi accidentally told

    The first clear truth he inadvertently revealed was his acknowledgment of the Benin flyover project, a project the previous administration did not initiate in eight years, yet under Governor Monday Okpebholo, is already rising visibly and progressing steadily toward completion. That acknowledgment alone highlights the contrast in vision and commitment between both administrations.

    Anyone familiar with the Ikpoba Hill axis of Benin, the gateway to Edo Central and Edo North, understands the gridlock, delays, and hardship that commuters have endured for years due to the heavy traffic on that route. The ongoing flyover is intended to permanently resolve that problem and ease movement for thousands of Edo people who rely on that corridor daily.

     It is important to state that leadership requires presence, accountability, and continuity. A former governor who has chosen to remain outside the state since leaving office cannot credibly evaluate a government that is on ground, engaging with the people, and working consistently to rebuild what was left behind.

    Public service is about responsibility, not commentary from a distance. Those who were entrusted with leadership yesterday must also be willing to answer for the choices they made, just as those in leadership today must be ready to account for their actions. It is only on this basis that assessments can be fair, factual, and meaningful.

     Mandate is legitimate; overwhelming

    Let it be said without ambiguity: Governor Monday Okpebholo’s mandate is not accidental. It was clear, decisive, and affirmed by every tribunal. Edo people rejected Obaseki, rejected PDP propaganda, and embraced a governor who is humble enough to serve and strong enough to deliver.

     I contested against former Governor Obaseki for the governorship of the state in 2016 and 2020, when INEC declared him winner in both elections, I went to court to dispute the declaration, especially as the first election was generally acknowledged to have been won by me. Even the physical counting of votes done before the governorship tribunal showed clearly that the results that were announced were a lot higher than the actual votes counted, the tribunal still upheld that Obaseki won the election. I went all the way to the Supreme Court, and that verdict remained unchanged. It is on record that immediately after the Supreme Court pronouncement, I congratulated Governor Obaseki as a firm believer in the rule of law.

     Throughout his eight years in office, I never criticized him or his government. Obaseki and his cohorts must put their disappointment and bitterness aside, accept the overwhelming verdict of the tribunal, Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court that Senator Monday Okpebholo won the election and is the rightful Governor of Edo State. They must also give him a chance to govern and develop the state rather than endless wailing and deliberate falsehoods to discredit his government.

    On infrastructure: the lie and the truth

    For eight years, former Governor Obaseki left much of Edo State, including large parts of Edo South, his own senatorial district without the physical development the people desperately needed. Instead of real infrastructure, our state was treated to presentations, projections, and endless PowerPoints that produced no meaningful improvement on the ground.

    In contrast, within just one year, Governor Monday Okpebholo has begun addressing long-standing infrastructural failures that were ignored for nearly a decade:

    Benin Flyovers at Ramat Park and Adesuwa Junction

    These are not conceptual drawings or digital designs. They are real structures that Edo people can see; they are strategic projects intentionally sited in Edo South to ease traffic, improve commerce, and demonstrate a commitment to equity and balanced development.

    Road Interventions Across the state

    Years of neglect left roads across all three senatorial districts in deplorable condition. The Okpebholo administration has now begun a phased and systematic approach to rehabilitation- addressing critical sections in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South. While the challenges remain particularly severe in Edo South, work has commenced in priority areas, and the government has also taken responsibility for several federal and LGA roads because, in the Governor’s words, “a bad road does not ask who owns it before it affects Edo lives.” This is what responsible and compassionate leadership looks like: recognising the scale of decay and beginning the process of rebuilding with sincerity, not excuses.

     Education: the myth of ‘Edobest’

    For eight years, Obaseki promoted reforms that were heavy on presentations but light on real outcomes; endless slogans; tablets without teachers;  and training programmes that led to no actual employment.

     Yet in just one year, Governor Monday Okpebholo has employed 5,000 teachers, a milestone the previous administration never reached. The message is simple: no amount of presentations can replace the impact of qualified teachers in the classroom.

    Alongside this, there is ongoing renovation and construction of primary and secondary school facilities across the state to ensure that learning takes place in safe and conducive environments.

    ON AAU Ekpoma: From captivity to liberation

    Obaseki strangled AAU with an illegal SIT, dismantled its stability, and reduced its funding to a disgraceful ₦41 million monthly, leading to the dismissal of patriotic lecturers.

    But in one year, Governor Okpebholo has: Restored lawful governance; Enabled the emergence of a legitimate Vice Chancellor; Increased monthly allocation to ₦500 million; Returned AAU to dignity and progress.  This is leadership grounded in justice and compassion.

    Apart from AAU Ekpoma, the Usen Polytechnic, in Ovia South West, long neglected to the status of a secondary school is now wearing a new look. The internal roads have been tarred by the NDDC courtesy of the governor’s robust engagement with the Commission to do more in Edo State.

    The Edo State University Uzairue is now better funded under the administration of Sen Monday Okpebholo unlike former Governor Obaseki who was determined to willfully close the University because it was established by his predecessor, Sen. Adams Oshiomhole, who ironically was also his benefactor.

    On economy: The real numbers

    Under Obaseki, Edo’s IGR was drained by ‘consultants’ who were merely proxies.

     Under Okpebholo: Middlemen removed; Leakages blocked; Revenue entering government coffers- not private pockets. This is why Edo’s IGR is rising steadily.

     Edo Line, which had become moribund under the previous administration despite claims of technocratic expertise, has been revived by Governor Monday Okpebholo under the rebranded New Edo Line. Today, the company operates with a fleet of over one hundred buses, expanded terminals across the country, and a renewed, competent management team- creating meaningful employment for many Edo people.

     In addition, new buses have been ordered for the Edo City Transport Service. This intervention will not only generate more jobs but also improve mobility and ease intra-state transportation for residents.

     On security: from chaos to control

    The past administration left Edo in frightening insecurity and violent cultism. It is symbolic that Dr. Tony Aziegbemi himself was kidnapped under that chaotic climate. But within one year, Governor Okpebholo has: Provided patrol vehicles, motorbikes, and operational support; Strengthened community policing ;Supported night patrols with logistics and allowances; taken firm action against cultism that Obaseki administration enabled; reduced violent crime across the state. Security is not a slogan. It is action- and Okpebholo has taken it.

    On social welfare and humanity

    Governor Okpebholo’s compassion is visible:

     ₦1 billion support fund for traders; ₦1 billion bursary approved for Edo students—never done in Obaseki’s era; Reopening the Central Hospital destroyed to serve private interests; rebuilding Oba Market left in ruins for years by Obaseki in the heart of Benin; established a School of Nursing in Edo Central; reactivating Customary Courts statewide;swearing in judges Obaseki unlawfully blocked for years; payment of backlog of salaries and benefits owed to dismissed staff of College of Education, Ekiadolor, which Obaseki was responsible for but refused to pay.

    This is governance with a heart, unlike Obaseki who was nicknamed Ematon (Iron) by public servants in the state.

    On agriculture: Real investment, not ‘audio agric’

    Obaseki’s ESOP project was a land-grabbing enterprise that robbed Orhionmwon and Ovia communities of their ancestral lands and handed the benefits to outsiders and cronies. Edo State itself had no equity. In contrast, Okpebholo has:  Raised the agriculture budget ; Invested in real tractors- not laptops ; Given farmers grants quietly, without consultants or needless MOUs; empowered rural communities directly.

    This is agriculture for the people.

    On MOWAA, and the grand deception

    Obaseki demolished a century-old Central Hospital to create an otherwise worthy project but dubiously tied to his private business network through Afrinvest and Phillip Iheanacho. Till date, Obaseki and his stooges on the MOWAA Board have refused to acknowledge the contribution of Edo State in terms of conceptualization, land, and financial contribution to the realization of the project. More worrisome, is the lack of disclosure of names of donors and amount contributed for the project. That is the truth. A man who cannibalised heritage for personal benefit and one who cannot even visit his state after leaving office cannot lecture Edo people on museums.

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     Governance style: Peace over conflict Governor Okpebholo is not fighting: his deputy, the House of Assembly, judges, traditional rulers, elders or youths.

     He respects institutions. He values peace. He listens. This alone marks a total departure from eight years of hostility, arrogance, and needless wars.

    A word to Dr. Tony Aziegbemi

    A factional chairman who secretly sends his admiration of the leadership capacity and style of Governor Okpebholo should have remained quiet, instead of lending his name to a publication, sponsored by Obaseki, filled with vexatious fabrications.

    But we understand: Those who supervised eight years of emptiness will always tremble before one year of progress.

    Final verdict

    Let me say this with complete conviction: In just one year, Governor Monday Okpebholo has achieved more for Edo people than Obaseki achieved in eight grievous years.

    Obaseki’s ’30 projects’ were mostly: Audio announcements, PowerPoint animations, Projects structured to benefit Godwin Obaseki, his company Afrinvest, his cronies, and outsiders, not Edo people.

    But Okpebholo has already delivered more than 30 tangible, verifiable, people-centred projects in less than one year. Those still praising Obaseki should first encourage him to visit home, even briefly. After eight years as a visiting governor, the least he can do is return to the state he abandoned.

    Conclusion

    Edo State is finally on the path of restoration, fairness, and responsible leadership.

    I make bold to say that Governor Monday Okpebholo has restored the soul of governance in Edo State. His achievements are for the people- not for himself. And those hired to malign him should bow their heads in shame and join the liberation already underway.

    Edo belongs to all of us. And the hand of God is upon this new season.

    God bless Edo State. God bless the Governor. God bless our people.

    •Pastor Ize-Iyamu is a former APC governorship candidate in Edo State.

  • Oyebanji and Oyebamiji: A tale of achievements

    Oyebanji and Oyebamiji: A tale of achievements

    By Adewale Olorunda

    When talking about similarities between people of great minds, two individuals quickly come to mind: Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, aka BAO, and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, aka AMBO.

    Oyebanji is currently the Governor of Ekiti State and in the business of taking the state to greater heights. The governor has just secured the All Progressives Congress, APC’s ticket to contest for a second term in office in the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

    Oyebamiji is the immediate past MD/CEO of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). He resigned his appointment on November 14, 2025, to allow him to concentrate on securing the Osun APC nomination in the party primary which comes up on December 13, 2025, so he may contest the Osun State gubernatorial election, slated for August 8, 2026.

    Without a shred of doubt, BAO and AMBO are men of great integrity and high passion for growth and development. The former started his professional career as a Lecturer at the Department of Political Science, University of Ado Ekiti (now Ekiti State University, (EKSU), where he worked for four years (1993-1997). He then moved on to serve as Manager, Treasury, and Financial Services at the defunct Omega Bank Plc. (now Heritage Bank) until May 1999. Currently, he is active in the Agribusiness sector.

    For two years, Oyebamiji has made waves in his quest to make Nigeria’s inland waterways safe and decent for all to use, while simultaneously blocking leakages to boost revenue generation in the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry.

    AMBO began his career as an Assistant Manager at the International Banking Division, Wema Bank in 1987. In 1998, he moved to Trans International Bank as Senior Manager and rose to the position of Head of Lagos Region as Principal Manager in 2003. In 2005, he joined Spring Bank (Corporate Branch), Lagos, as Head of Business Development. In 2009, Oyebamiji moved to Enterprise Bank as Head of Retail Business. His commitment to community development led to his appointment as the Managing Director/CEO, Osun State Investment Company Limited in 2012.

    It is interesting to note that Oyebanji and Oyebamiji are award winners. Oyebanji has earned many awards, including the Distinguished Alumnus Award by the Alumni Association of the then Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, and the Certificate of Excellence awarded by the National Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS), Ondo State University, Ado- Ekiti.

    Oyebamiji is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economists of Nigeria, an Associate of the Nigeria Institute of Management (Chattered), a Chartered Banker, and a member of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group. He was also awarded the Most Outstanding Commissioner of the Year (2019 and 2020), and he won the Outstanding Deposit Performance Award in 2007 (Spring Bank).

    Talking politics, Oyebanji and Oyebamiji have both run their races and gained sufficient experience over time. For instance, the incumbent Governor of Ekiti State, BAO, served in several key roles early in his career: he was Special Assistant, Parliamentary Affairs, to Ekiti State Governor (1999-2000), Special Adviser (Parliamentary Affairs) to the Governor of  Ekiti State (August 1, 2000-September 2001), and Chief of Staff to the Governor of Ekiti State (September 2001-May 29, 2003).

    Subsequently, Oyebanji was appointed Chairman, Governing Board, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (June 2009-December 2010). He later served as Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Ekiti State (December 23, 2010-December 2011), and Head, Office of Transformation Strategy and Delivery (OTSD), Ekiti State (December 2011-January 9, 2013). BAO was Commissioner for Integration and Inter-Governmental Affairs and also served as Secretary to the Ekiti State Government.

    Oyebamiji’s  political and administrative career began in 2012 when he was appointed as the MD/CEO of Osun State Investment Company under the Rauf Aregbesola-led government.

    He subsequently served as Commissioner for Finance. During the 2018 Osun governorship election, he was a gubernatorial aspirant under the APC but eventually withdrew from the race.

    In the former Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s administration, AMBO served again as Commissioner for Finance. He was later appointed as Special Adviser to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, from where he became the MD/CEO of NIWA.

    In the area of philanthropy, Oyebanji and Oyebamiji share a desire to support and empower others. For instance, to mark his 57th birthday, BAO presented N21 million and food items to the three special schools and two special centers that cater for people with special needs in Ekiti State.

    In addition, the governor has provided financial empowerment to numerous citizens from his personal funds. His administration also supported 48 indigent students with N20 million for business equipment and shop rent assistance, as part of his personal outreach to the people.

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    BAO’s family’s annual routine includes donating truckloads of assorted food items, such as rice, noodles, and groundnut oil, to the vulnerable and less-privileged across different areas.

    He frequently calls on other wealthy Ekiti indigenes to emulate these philanthropic gestures.

    On his part, Oyebamiji’s philanthropic gestures include the donation of a borehole to the NYSC Orientation Camp in Ede, Osun State, and support for the Ede Central Mosque. Over the past decade, he’s reputed to have contributed to the construction of hundreds of mosques across Osun State and beyond.

    AMBO built the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Secretariat in Ikire, his hometown, underscoring his respect for religious diversity. In the past 10 years, he has made it a tradition to reach out to the people of Osun during festive periods, distributing monetary gifts, cows, rice, cooked meals and other essential items.

    Some months ago, at the peak of the soaring fuel prices, Oyebamiji launched the Ilerioluwa Free Fuel Distribution Initiative, aimed at easing the burden of fuel subsidy removal. The initiative targeted at least 15,000 beneficiaries across the 10 Local Government Areas of Osun West Senatorial District. Thousands of commercial motorcyclists (popularly known as Okada riders), ‘Keke Marwa’ operators, and Korope drivers benefited from this initiative.

    Oyebanji is currently seeking a second term in office as Governor of Ekiti State, citing numerous achievements and the developmental strides he has championed. The state has seen massive infrastructure development, and the economic well-being of its residents has received a boost during his administration.

    Similarly, Oyebamiji, who is also a governorship aspirant under the banner of Osun APC, has a distinguished track record as an administrator and a politician. As Commissioner for Finance, he was instrumental in stabilizing Osun State’s finances under the Gboyega Oyetola-led administration. His performance as the MD/CEO of NIWA also demonstrates his capacity for executive leadership.

    May God grant their desires!

    ●Olorunda wrote from Ile-Ife, Osun State.

  • Al-Makura at 73: an illustrious stateman’s towering legacy in motion

    Al-Makura at 73: an illustrious stateman’s towering legacy in motion

    By Adedayo Adejobi

    As an elder statesman, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura graces another year, it is befitting to pause and reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of this remarkable, excellent, compassionate, and dedicated man.

    A titan of industry, a stalwart of politics, a mentor to many, and a true Nigerian patriot who has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, service, and the betterment of Nasarawa State and the larger society.

    Born on 15 November 1953 in Lafia, Nasarawa State, Al-Makura’s life has been one of remarkable ascent from royal yet humble beginnings to the very pinnacle of business, politics, and statesmanship. His early years, marked by a keen intellect and insatiable curiosity, set the foundation for a journey defined by resilience and purposeful ambition.

    A merchant prince of Kwandare stock, a statesman and a guiding light to many, Al-Makura’s legacy is a tapestry woven with threads of enterprise, politics, and philanthropy. His life’s journey stands as a testament to hard work, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.

    As a businessman, he has navigated the complex currents of commerce with the poise of a seasoned mariner. His ventures spanning real estate, industry, and community development have generated prosperity in the nation’s capital and his beloved Nasarawa, creating livelihoods and driving innovation. The fruits of his labour are not measured merely in profit but in the uplifting of countless lives.

    A mentor to many and a friend to all, his wisdom flows like a mighty river, nourishing those who seek guidance. His heart remains a boundless ocean of compassion, ever ready to lend a helping hand.

    His unwavering dedication to social justice and human rights has earned him admiration across generations. For years, he has been a tireless advocate for the marginalised — including persons living with disabilities — and a champion of inclusion and dignity for all.

    His lifelong commitment to education has transformed lives across Nasarawa and beyond. Through infrastructure, institutions, and scholarships, he has empowered young minds and expanded access to quality education. Today, his vision finds renewed expression at the national level.

    In July 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Senator Al-Makura as Chairman of the Governing Board of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). In accepting the role, he pledged to “revamp basic education in Nigeria” and to draw upon his background as a trained teacher to drive meaningful reform.

    This appointment deepens his legacy in the education sector, positioning him once again at the heart of national development where policy, governance, and social impact intersect. It is a full-circle moment: the teacher-turned-governor returns to education, this time to strengthen the very foundation upon which Nigeria’s future rests.

    Beyond education, Al-Makura remains a central pillar within the All-Progressives Congress (APC). In mid-2025, party stakeholders and loyalists urged that he be considered for the role of National Chairman, citing his unblemished record of loyalty and bridge-building across Nigeria’s geopolitical divides.

    Yet, ever the loyal statesman, he publicly reaffirmed his “total and unflinching support” for the party’s leadership, calling for unity, discipline, and internal democracy. His steady hand and conciliatory tone continue to serve as moral compass and stabilising force in a party navigating turbulent political currents.

    While his gubernatorial and senatorial tenures (2011–2019 and 2019–2023 respectively) remain landmark periods in Nasarawa’s history, Al-Makura’s influence endures through his continued investments in real estate, industrial machinery, and philanthropy. His enterprises not only sustain economic growth,but also symbolise his deep-rooted commitment to empowering communities.

    The tribute describes him aptly as “a merchant prince of the Kwandare stock” and this remains true. Yet, 2025 has revealed an even more profound dimension of his statesmanship: one devoted to shaping education policy and mentoring Nigeria’s next generation of leaders.

    At seventy-three, one expects to have gathered wisdom but Senator Al-Makura has gone further: he wields it with grace and purpose. His life is a testament to continuity in service, a reminder that true leadership transcends office and endures through example.

    A teacher by training, he has come full circle through his stewardship at the Universal Basic Education Commission, returning to his first calling with renewed passion and vision. In doing so, he demonstrates that education remains the cornerstone of national progress and the truest legacy any leader can bequeath.

    As a statesman, his experience as a two-term governor and senator continues to enrich Nigeria’s political landscape. His measured counsel, unifying spirit, and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals serve as a compass for both the young and the seasoned in public life.

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    In business, his ventures in real estate, industry, and community development remain emblematic of his entrepreneurial foresight, ventures built not merely for profit but for empowerment and impact. His approach to commerce has always been one that uplifts others and contributes to the common good.

    As a mentor to youths, he continues to inspire countless individuals, imparting wisdom across the divides of generation and profession. His guidance has shaped many who now serve in positions of responsibility, extending his influence far beyond the boundaries of Nasarawa or politics.

    Above all else, his enduring patriotism and belief in Nigeria’s promise stand as constants in an ever-changing world. His life affirms that integrity, compassion, and service remain the finest measures of greatness.

    As we salute Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura at seventy-three, we do more than celebrate the man of yesterday; we acknowledge the leader of today and the mentor of tomorrow. His is a legacy not frozen in past glory but animated by continued relevance, vision, and national service.

    May the years ahead bring him good health, renewed strength, and enduring purpose as he continues to inspire, build, and guide. Indeed, the story of Nigeria’s democratic progress especially under the All-Progressives Congress would be incomplete without the enduring name of Umaru Tanko Al-Makura — a statesman whose legacy is, and shall remain, in motion.

    •Adejobi, a public analyst, writes from Abuja. Email: adedayoadejobi@yahoo.com

  • Anambra governorship poll: True test of grassroots strength

    Anambra governorship poll: True test of grassroots strength

    The 2025 Anambra governorship election has done more than produce a winner; it has delivered a clear verdict on political structures, field organisation, and the sheer power of grassroots penetration.

    Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) swept all 21 local government areas with 422,664 votes, well ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, who had 99,445 votes. A further breakdown of the results showed that with Soludo winning in 320 out of the state’s 326 wards, the contest became, perhaps more starkly than any election in the state’s recent history, a referendum on who truly owns the ground in Anambra politics.

     For months, analysts and party strategists had predicted a tight race. The contest featured heavyweights: APGA’s Soludo seeking a second term; the All Progressives Congress (APC) presenting Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, a man of immense personal wealth and long-standing ambition; and the Labour Party aligning its hopes behind Chief George Muoghalu, bolstered by the towering influence of former governor Peter Obi.

     Yet, as the results filtered in late Saturday and early Sunday morning, it became unmistakably clear that this election was not merely about popularity, national name recognition or financial resources. It was about deep, sustained presence at the lowest levels of electoral engagement – the units, the villages, the communities – and Soludo had invested heavily in those spaces long before campaigns formally began.

     The outcome suggests a sophisticated, almost scientific deployment of micro-political engineering. Soludo’s team built a ward-by-ward feedback mechanism, engaged local influencers, revived dormant APGA structures and maintained a consistent presence across rural communities that many of his rivals visited only in the last weeks of the campaign.

     Even more telling is the fact that Soludo’s sweeping performance cut across all three senatorial districts, urban, semi-urban and rural communities alike. Voters interviewed after collation revealed a pattern: local party actors, town union leaders, ward captains, market groups, youth coordinators and women’s leaders all echoed the same line- that Soludo had adopted them as part of his administration, even outside the election season. This familiarity and consistent presence, more than grand rallies or social media noise, helped lock down the votes.

     This is precisely the point that many political observers say opposition candidates misunderstood. Instead of painstaking relationship-building, many relied on assumed popularity, elite endorsements or external mobilisation to tilt the field. While their strategies may have generated excitement, they failed to penetrate deeply into the voting units where elections are actually won.

     That failure was captured sharply by the Enugu State chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Casmire Agbo. His remarks, though blunt, reflect the internal frustrations within the opposition camp.

     According to Agbo, Soludo’s victory did not surprise him. In his view, the governor’s opponents lacked the grassroots orientation required to challenge an incumbent who had mastered the terrain. “I’m not surprised that Soludo won that election with this wide margin. His opponents are not that grassroots-based,” Agbo said.

     He illustrated his point with a personal encounter: “I spoke with the national leadership of our party to adopt the strategy we used to win in Enugu in the 2023 elections to match Soludo and win Anambra, but our candidate, Chief George Muoghalu, did not pay attention. You know, rich men don’t always like taking advice from people they consider poor.”

     Agbo explained that his proposed plan was simple but fundamental: break down the polling geography of Anambra, study the number of registered voters per unit, and physically visit each unit to build a presence.

     “I told him to get us the number of registered voters and polling units in Anambra so that we can visit each unit. But he was banking on Peter Obi,” he said.

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     The reliance on Peter Obi, a figure of undeniable influence across the Southeast, created a false sense of confidence, Agbo noted.

     “Peter Obi was not on the ballot and could do quite little to help you win. He has done his own part by following you round the LGAs. But he cannot go down with you from unit to unit. That movement is for you to embark on, where you meet the people, motivate them, and you see results. But he did not do that. And that’s where Soludo is far ahead of them.”

     Agbo’s assessment goes further, broadening the argument beyond Anambra. He insists that local political language, which is the nuanced way communities negotiate influence and loyalty, is essential to winning elections anywhere in the world.

     “The problem with the other candidates is that they didn’t know the local political language, that is, the local way of doing things. It happens everywhere. That’s what Tinubu is doing in APC. He did it in AD and ACN. It even happens in America,” he added.

     His conclusion was unsparing: “The result of the election shows that the opposition parties failed to plan, and if you fail to plan, you plan to lose.”

     He was also dismissive of APC candidate Nicholas Ukachukwu’s prospects, saying, “Ukachukwu is not on the ground. The only thing is that he has money. But even at that, you can’t compare him to Soludo in terms of resources, education, performance and acceptance by the people.”

     Muoghalu, he admitted, had a better chance, but “he was carried away by Peter Obi’s influence and forgot to do the needful.”

     Agbo’s final remark touched on a harsh reality of Nigerian elections: “It is even more difficult to defeat an incumbent in Nigeria today because all the electoral apparatuses are under his control. And so, when you hear vote buying, no candidate could have done it better than the governor.”

     His comments reflect a broader critique that has emerged from analysts: that the opposition failed not because they lacked candidates of stature, but because they lacked the organisational spine and discipline to translate influence into unit-level votes.

     Indeed, the Anambra election underscored one enduring lesson: campaigns are fought on social media, radio and at rallies, but elections are won in compounds, market clusters, church fellowships, meeting halls and polling units.

     Soludo’s machinery did not merely show up late in the game; it had been operating continuously, building goodwill through projects, consultations and strategic community engagement long before the political season heated up.

     Speaking with newsmen after casting his vote in his Ofeiyi village, Isuofia, Soludo said he had opponents who did not constitute opposition to his election.

     He said: “Let me be clear we said this all through the campaign we have opponents but we have not seen the opposition but even then we are not taking the votes of our people for granted and that’s why we’re literally the only candidate that crisscrossed the 21 local government areas, the entire 326 wards, the markets, streets, roads everywhere. Even though everybody says nobody is competing against us, we don’t take any vote for granted”.

     Another dimension to the victory is APGA’s historical advantage in Anambra. Though the party has had internal fractures in the past, Soludo’s tenure appears to have stabilised key blocs and reignited party loyalty. His administration’s reforms in revenue, education, urban development and infrastructure, though contested at times, seem to have resonated with critical sections of the electorate.

     For political strategists, the 2025 election also reaffirms that incumbency, when coupled with visible performance and strong grassroots machinery, becomes formidable. Opposition candidates, no matter their financial muscle or national connections, cannot afford to ignore this reality. They must build structures, invest in ward-level partnerships, and establish trust with the communities they seek to govern.

     The election, therefore, becomes not just a victory for Soludo but a case study for Nigerian politics: where structure meets strategy, and where organisation defeats enthusiasm. It proves, once again, that while political narratives may trend nationally, elections remain fiercely local.