The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

The missing opposition: Why Nigeria’s democracy is losing its pulse

In every thriving democracy, opposition parties are more than mere political rivals; they are watchdogs, critics, and alternative voices that keep governments on their toes. They provide citizens with choices, sharpen debates, and ensure accountability. But in Nigeria, that vital pillar of democracy appears to be crumbling. This decline was the focus of the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable second edition, where experts and politicians asked a pressing question: Where is Nigeria’s opposition, and can it be revived before democracy loses its value? Chinyere Okoroafor report.

When Nigeria returned to democratic rule in 1999, hopes were high. After years of military rule, citizens longed for a system where power rested in the ballot. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), riding on goodwill, quickly became the dominant force, ruling for 16 consecutive years.

The PDP’s dominance created what analysts described as a “one-party democracy.” Opposition groups like the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), the Action Congress (AC), and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) existed but were too fragmented to seriously challenge the PDP.

That changed in 2013, when these smaller groups merged into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Their unity gave Nigerians a new choice. By 2015, in a historic upset, the APC’s candidate Muhammadu Buhari defeated incumbent president Goodluck Jonathan. For the first time in Nigeria’s history, power changed hands peacefully through the ballot. It was proof that opposition mattered.

A decade later, however, the tide has turned. The APC now dominates, while the PDP has weakened, battered by infighting, defections, and corruption scandals. The Labour Party (LP), buoyed by the Obidient Movement in 2023, ignited public enthusiasm but quickly stumbled into leadership crises and court battles. The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) holds sway in Kano but struggles to gain national traction.

What remains is a political landscape with a powerful ruling party and fragmented, weakened alternatives. The sense of choice, the lifeblood of democracy, is fading.

According to the convener, Dr. David Oladipo, Nigeria’s democracy is losing its vitality because citizens no longer have genuine political choices. “We’re not getting value for democracy,” he said in his welcome address. “One of the things that can help us get value for democracy is options. But Nigerians don’t have strong options anymore.”

Read Also: Senate rejects NNPCL’s defence on missing N210trn, threatens to summon ex-GMDs

It was this concern that prompted him to convene the David Oladipo Leadership Roundtable, themed “Nigeria and Opposition Politics.” For Oladipo, opposition is not a political luxury but the heartbeat of democracy. Without it, he warned, ruling parties become complacent, citizens lose faith, and democracy risks turning into an illusion.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, Oladipo observed that since the return to civil rule in 1999, the nation has swung between two dominant parties—the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). “At first, the rivalry brought balance,” he said. “The PDP, once unshakable, was humbled in 2015 when a coalition birthed the APC and swept it out of power. But instead of remaining strong to provide checks and balances, the PDP fractured, weakened by defections and internal strife.”

He recalled being shocked at how quickly opposition figures abandoned their parties after the 2015 elections. “Leading lights in the PDP began to defect almost immediately,” he noted. “Now, the APC risks becoming another PDP, arrogant, unchecked, and taking Nigerians for granted. Across the world, opposition parties are meant to challenge government excesses, scrutinize policies, and offer credible alternatives. In Nigeria, however, that role has grown increasingly faint.”

Oladipo stressed that rebuilding opposition politics must go beyond rhetoric. “Opposition parties must invest in research, policy design, and ideas that inspire trust,” he said. “When you speak, Nigerians should say, ‘Wow, I didn’t think of that.’ That’s how you earn credibility.”

He added that politics extends far beyond election cycles. “Politics is about persuasion, convincing others to see things your way. We do it every day in our homes and workplaces,” he said. “The Nigerian project cannot be outsourced to politicians alone.”

Political economist, and activist, Professor Pat Utomi, represented at the event by Dr. Chidi Okpaluba, warned that the silence of opposition parties threatens the entire democratic system. “They’ve lost their voices,” he lamented. “Most of them, probably out of fear of persecution, have retreated instead of standing up for Nigerians.”

The result, he argued, is that active citizens on social media have become the country’s only real opposition, a fragile substitute in a nation of over 200 million people.

Similarly, convener of the Alternative Movement and the keynote speaker of the roundtable, Otunba Segun Sowunmi insisted that Nigeria cannot continue on this path. “Men who should stay in their parties to reform them instead destabilize them. We must reinvent opposition politics with fresh ideas and courage. Those who can read, write, and think must step into politics. The leader you’re waiting for might be you.” He said.

Sowunmi’s call was not just for politicians but also for citizens who feel “too good” for politics. “Those of you who can read, write, and think, you must get involved. The leader you are waiting for might be you.”

The Lagos Chair of the NNPP, Chief Ronnie Diko-Kila, highlighted the challenges facing opposition leaders, from financial constraints to harassment and intimidation. “You can’t even converge for a rally without being disrupted,” she said. “Many defect because of hunger and the lack of financial support. That’s why you see massive defections to the ruling party.”

This culture of “winner takes all” has left opposition parties fractured, while ruling parties consolidate power.

Speakers agreed that Nigeria’s democracy is further weakened by fragile institutions, an inactive parliament, slow judiciary, and a largely compliant media.

Utomi cited the federal government’s recent declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State, which dissolved the state government and assembly for six months. “The opposition did nothing,” he noted. “That silence is dangerous.”

Former Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, a.k.a Jandor agreed that while opposition is floundering, Nigeria itself remains “a work in progress.”

He argued that the last truly vibrant opposition was APC between 2013 and 2015. Today, however, most parties lack stability and vision.

“Opposition should not just be about wresting power,” Jandor said. “It should be about showing how things can be done better.”

What emerged from the roundtable was not mere lamentation but a roadmap for rebuilding Nigeria’s democratic health. Participants agreed that opposition parties must learn tolerance, accept criticism, and be ready to make sacrifices for national good.

They stressed the need for citizens, especially the educated and experienced, to actively participate in politics to strengthen parties from within.

Political parties, they urged, must invest in intellectual work, sound policy design, and credible alternatives, while electoral reforms and stronger institutions should be pursued to ensure fairness.

The media, too, must play its role by offering balanced coverage and amplifying opposition voices.

The dialogue ended with a shared call to revive the lifeline of democracy through renewed commitment to accountability, inclusion, and the restoration of genuine political choice.

Participants agreed that democracy thrives on choice, and when citizens are denied real options, governance becomes hollow. While Nigeria’s opposition parties remain weak, divided, and often compromised, voices like Oladipo, Utomi, Sowunmi, Jandor, and Diko-Kila echoed a common warning: without a strong and credible opposition, the nation risks sliding into a one-party state.

As Nigeria turns 65, speakers stressed that the urgent task before political actors and citizens alike is not only to demand accountability from those in power but to rebuild an opposition that is vibrant, principled, and rooted in service to the people. Otherwise, as Oladipo cautioned, “Poverty is the lack of options. And when people lack political options, democracy itself becomes poor.”

November 12, 2025
‘Why Southsouth is embracing Tinubu ahead of 2027’

Chief Ayiri Emami is a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta State. In this interview with JIDE ORINTUNSIN, he sheds light on the political realignments in the South-South and the factors driving support for President Tinubu ahead of 2027

There has been a wave of defections into the APC by governors and political figures in the South-South. What is responsible for this? Is the ruling party taking over the region ahead of 2027?

On the question of APC taking over the South-South, let me say this: I have been a firm believer in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu long before 2023. I didn’t support him out of sentiment but out of conviction. I saw in him a leader who could change the course of this nation. Before he became president, Nigeria was heading in the wrong direction, and some of us who believed in his ability to fix things were almost crucified in the Niger Delta for standing by him. But I held on to my conviction because I had interacted with him personally, listened to him, and watched how he handled challenges.

People often underestimate the importance of conviction in politics. Many politicians lack ideology; they follow where benefits flow. But I have always believed that leadership should be guided by principle. My faith in Asiwaju came from understanding his character and competence. I have seen how he governs and how he gets things done. That gave me the confidence that, as president, he would transform the system and deliver results.

In our region, politics has always been transactional. Many support whoever gives them quick benefits rather than long-term progress. Some of those who opposed Asiwaju in the past did so not because he lacked capacity, but because they feared he knew too much about the Niger Delta and could expose the inefficiencies and corruption entrenched there. I had many conversations with people who openly said they preferred northern leaders because, in their words, “they don’t understand our terrain.” But I have always believed that a man like Asiwaju, who has studied and engaged with every part of this country, understands the South-South better than most.

Now, look at what has happened since he took office. Some of the very people who fought him have changed their stance. Why? Because they can see that his leadership is closing loopholes and dismantling shady deals. The noise you hear from some quarters is not about Nigeria not moving forward — it’s from those who have lost their old privileges.

Read Also: Tinubu’s delegation to UK discusses Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria

Take Warri Port, for example. During Buhari’s administration, we made several visits to the Villa to push for its revival but got nowhere. In just two years, President Tinubu has allocated funds for the port and the Omadino–Escravos road project to connect communities through Gbaramatu. These are tangible results. Under previous governments, such projects would have been trapped in paperwork between NNPC, Chevron, and NDDC. Now they are being executed.

When people see progress like this, their confidence grows. That is why governors in the South-South are now joining the APC. They have seen that this president keeps his word and that his policies favour real development. As someone who worked hard in 2022 and 2023 to convince my people to support him, I am happy to see that those who once opposed him now wear his cap proudly. There was a time when wearing Asiwaju’s cap in Warri could get me stoned in a club. Today, everyone wears it, and I can relax knowing the message has finally sunk in.

We may still face challenges as a country, but I always tell people that the difficulties we face today were not caused by Asiwaju. Many of these problems were inherited. Those of us who have been in the APC long enough know what we went through in the past eight years. I got no federal or state benefits back then, yet I remained committed. Now we can see genuine signs of progress. That alone justifies the wave of defections. South-South leaders have realised that Tinubu is a progressive and results-oriented leader, and that’s why they’re aligning with him.

We were told that when the current governor of Delta State joined the APC, many of you didn’t welcome him. What is the state of the party now, and how much progress do you think the president will make in the region by 2027? Also, has the perception that the Labour Party is strong in Delta State changed?

That’s a good question. When Governor Sheriff Oborevwori decided to join the APC in Delta, some people resisted him. I was not one of them. My main concern has always been the president’s interest. If the governor says he wants to support the president, who am I to oppose that? My only advice was simple: those who have been in the party from the beginning should not be sidelined. Everyone should be carried along.

I did not join any group lobbying the president to block Sheriff. I supported Ovie Omo-Agege in 2023, but Sheriff won. The president also won. Now that Sheriff is working with the president, I see no reason not to work with him too. My only appeal is that old members should not be oppressed. The party must remain inclusive.

As for the Labour Party, I see it as a temporary platform — a coalition of aggrieved politicians from the PDP, the APC, and other groups. It doesn’t have a solid structure in Delta State. In 2023, many people were frustrated and used LP as an alternative. But that won’t be the case in 2027. Today, most major political actors are in one camp — the APC camp. Consultations are ongoing, and I can confidently say that about 80 per cent of our key players are working together.

We still have 20 per cent outside, but in politics, no one should be ignored. Everyone matters. That’s why we are reaching out to ensure complete unity before 2027. I am confident that with the national leadership of the APC being strong, Delta will soon follow that path fully. I expect a much better outing in 2027 for both the governor and President Tinubu.

So, are you saying the Labour Party (LP) has no real foothold in Delta State?

Not exactly, but it lacks a core structure. Most LP members are drawn from other parties out of frustration or temporary grievances. The Labour Party (LP) in 2023 was more of a political shelter for dissatisfied politicians than a grounded organisation. Many of them are already returning to their original bases.

How do you assess the performance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since President Tinubu took office?

This is the first time NDDC has had a clear sense of purpose. The leadership — the chairman and the managing director — is working hand in hand, and that has made a big difference. Across the region, you now see meaningful projects, not just billboards or empty promises.

Take the Omadino–Escravos road again. That project came through a joint venture involving NDDC, Chevron, NNPC, and the Delta State government. Once completed, it will connect communities and open up economic opportunities from Warri to Escravos. That kind of vision requires strong leadership, and the current NDDC management deserves credit for that.

In my Itsekiri area, for example, the commission has installed solar lights in nearly all communities. We used to have total darkness, but now even students can read outside at night. When I see such practical impact, I have to acknowledge it. And this is happening under an Ijaw managing director, which shows inclusiveness. If you visit Imo, Bayelsa, or Rivers, you’ll find similar developments — roads, Corpers’ Lodges, and other community projects. I will always speak the truth: the current NDDC team is performing well.

If that’s the case, why are there calls for the managing director’s removal and allegations that he’s plotting against the president?

Politics often breeds rumour and jealousy. Let me use a personal example. My younger brother was once involved in a drug-related issue. I had no idea, yet social media linked it to me. That’s how easily people jump to conclusions because of association.

It’s the same with the NDDC matter. If someone accuses Timipre Sylva of something, people will immediately try to connect his associates, even if they have no evidence. That’s just how politics works — smear by association.

I am not the spokesman for the NDDC MD, Sam Ogbuku, but I can say he’s been doing a good job. He’s young, focused, and genuinely interested in developing the region. He has earned support not because of patronage but because people see results.

Investigations by the security agencies should continue, but we should not allow gossip to distract the commission from its work. The military and DSS know what they’re doing. If someone is guilty, the truth will come out. As for coup rumours, let me make it clear: no responsible Nigerian, especially from the Niger Delta, will ever support a coup. Democracy remains our best path forward, no matter its imperfections.

What is responsible for the recent surge in oil production?

Several factors. First, the federal government has engaged credible surveillance companies to protect pipelines and oil infrastructure. These companies employ young people from local communities, giving them a stake in maintaining peace.

Second, there are community welfare programmes where stipends are paid to elderly women and vulnerable people. This makes everyone a stakeholder. Now, if an old woman sees smoke from illegal bunkering, she’ll report it because she knows her welfare depends on stability. That has reduced pipeline vandalism significantly. When communities benefit directly from government policies, production naturally rises.

As an APC chieftain, don’t you think the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may bounce back as it prepares for its national convention in Ibadan?

I’m not a PDP member, and I don’t like poking my nose into their affairs. My focus is the APC. If PDP is going down, that’s to my advantage. Politics is competition, not charity. If I can strengthen my party while the opposition weakens, I’ll gladly do so. I honestly pray PDP doesn’t recover because it makes our job easier.

Don’t you think that position is selfish?

Not at all. Even God teaches us to love ourselves before loving our neighbour. In an aeroplane, you’re told to wear your oxygen mask first before helping others. The same applies here. We’re in a political contest — if the PDP is struggling, why should I revive them? We’re in the same race.

November 12, 2025
A Sardauna’s path in Kwara

There is a reason , _Sardauna_ of Ilorin, enjoys his solo moves within or outside of the state capital: he, among other things, fears the genuflection and the praise-singing that may get in the way of his primary assignment if everyone is in the know.

That habit is grossly misunderstood, but he is contented with seeing things without the fillers and being able to focus on his work while attracting lesser attention to himself.

Like every human being, he welcomes being accorded his due without the praises that come with the political environment. He scoffs at sycophancy and purposeless exposure. Instead, he encourages constructive criticisms for better governance outcomes.

This attitude explains his disapproval of celebrations on his birthdays as a sitting Governor. He fears that the sudden celebration does not last and there is no basis encouraging it. This is fine, although there is a thin line between telling the story of an individual for posterity and buttering them up for whatever purpose.

Regardless, I am persuaded by Edward Said’s statement that ‘nations themselves are narrations. The power to narrate, or block other narratives from forming and emerging, is very important to culture’.

As he clocked 65 a few hours ago, bookmakers have a lot to document about the seventh democratic Governor of Kwara State whose tenure is synonymous with unmatched rebuilding and modernisation of the capital city Ilorin, rural development, youth and women empowerment, gender inclusion, and countless economic initiatives that have steadily put the people back to productive work.

Apart from his legacy projects, which are unrivalled in the history of the state, he has effected profound psychosocial reforms with his approach to governance, which many consider strange. His style and personal discipline have put government appointees on a leash.

Along with his no-siren movement and the spartan style, his decision to discontinue the everyday gathering and merriment in Government House, a relic of the past years, is a strong message that attention must now be paid to higher productivity.

A party chieftain recently told me: ‘That style appeared painful and distant at the beginning, but it is really reshaping the mindset of our people. Except for a few people, you hardly see any crowd hanging around the party secretariat these days except during important events. It is a good thing. It simply tells our people to do something much more meaningful, rather than loitering around politicians. It is good for everyone as it restores the dignity of the human person, and I hope his successor does the same.’

The Governor is very nostalgic about the Ilorin of his childhood. He strongly believes in restoring sanity to the GRA, especially — devoid of the health-shattering loud disco music in the evenings— and much of what ought to constitute the central business district of the capital city. A story is told of an old couple who complained that their health had deteriorated with some unhealthy practices within the GRA, a narrative that apparently aligns with his sentiment.

Read Also: Senate rejects NNPCL’s defence on missing N210trn, threatens to summon ex-GMDs

This is a reason he feels that the Kwara Hotel, a fit-for-purpose relaxation facility outside of residentials, must regain its status along with other well-located premium hospitality facilities in the state. This is a critical public health issue, as it is about appropriate land use and sustainable living.

His reforms are not without its critics. Yet true leaders, once convinced of the genuineness of their actions, should not fear being heckled. The sense of pride and the excitement with which Kwarans have received the new look of the capital city have drowned out the criticisms from the political opposition.

Abdulrazaq is a typical leader trapped at the intersection of history, the current realities of the digital age, and the capacity of his own people, Kwarans. This is why his decisions are mostly dictated by the geography, demography, and history of the state, sometimes ruffling feathers.

Restoring the proper land use and aesthetics of the GRA and environs reflects his interrogation of history, such as the location and naming of the Sugar Factory film studios to remind younger generations of the Tate & Lyle. The garment factory, the largest in Nigeria in one single location, brought to memory the legacy of cloth-making and enterprise for which Kwarans were known, while the bespoke Innovation Hub speaks to his understanding of how technology has redesigned how we live in this century.

Governor Abdulrazaq understands that Kwara has one of the largest concentration of shea trees in the country, explaining his establishment of two factories in Kaiama and Baruten in the shea belt, the former being one of the biggest in the country.

He is currently rebuilding the Patigi Motel to resuscitate the regatta, a dream now strengthened by the establishment of the Kampe National Park in the same axis. The Governor is fascinated by the successes of the Okin Biscuits in Offa and Jebba paper mills, but his dream for the two is hampered by boardroom politics and decay in which they are long trapped. The visual arts centre heralds his vision for creativity, tourism, and sports development, explaining the investment in the Owu Water Fall road, eight-winged squash court, international conference centre, and the resuscitation of the indoor sports hall, table tennis area, among others.

Along with dozens of rural roads that connect towns and agrarian communities, the Governor has recently delivered the Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of Kwara State University, a pointer to his effort to ensure statewide development and roll back rural urban migration.

The focus on Offa and Lafiagi Stadia this year will strengthen this effort, as would the ongoing Shonga ICT Centre and the upcoming rehabilitation of the Patigi Cultural Centre.

He believes that the capital city is filled up and growing informally. This has consequences for sustainable living in the future. The Ilorin smart city, his brainchild, is to allow for a well-planned physical development.

But his dreams will require a successor who views Kwara as a state in a race to fulfil its destiny, bolstered by its geography, culture, and the lofty aspirations of its people. From health, education, agribusiness, social protection, and infrastructure, his successor will be lucky to inherit a template to move faster, possibly less encumbered by the hugely entrenched prebendary politics that stared Abdulrazaq in the face.

His achievements are a new record breaker in the annals of Kwara. He has hired up to 8,600 teachers between 2019 and now, the highest that any (Kwara) administration has employed since 1999, while his KwaraLEARN continues to improve literacy, numeracy, and general learning outcomes.

Abdulrazaq’s handling of sensitive issues of national importance proves his bonafide as a true leader who, like Konrad Adenauer, prefers dialogue, strategic humility, consensus-building, and patience in place of grandstanding and media show. In deference to the President, whom he holds in high esteem, and in national interest, he convinced his colleagues of the need to work out a consensus tax policy for Nigeria. He had acted in the same way following the subsidy removal, the transitional difficulties, and the multifaceted responses to mitigate the effects on the public. He proved that such sensitive moments require leaders to act with extreme caution — a quality that speaks to his standing as the Sardauna of the southernmost emirate in Nigeria.

▪︎ Rafiu Ajakaye is Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

November 12, 2025
2027: Abiodun’s quest for Ogun East senatorial ticket behind my purported suspension – Daniel

The Senator representing Ogun East Senatorial District, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, on Tuesday alleged that his purported suspension from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State was driven by Governor Dapo Abiodun’s ambition to secure the party’s senatorial ticket for Ogun East in 2027.

Daniel claimed that the governor’s political ambition was also behind the persecution he had faced under Abiodun’s administration over the past two years.

Speaking at his Asoludero Court residence in the Government Reservation Area (GRA), Sagamu, the former governor addressed journalists on what he described as efforts to sideline him within the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The briefing, delivered on Daniel’s behalf by his aide, Mr. Steve Oliyide, was attended by party loyalists and stakeholders from the nine local government areas of Ogun East, including former Special Duties Commissioner Akogun Kola Onadipe and former Deputy Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Remmy Hassan.

Also present was Daniel’s counsel, Prof. Yemi Oke (SAN).

READ ALSO: Alleged N80.2b fraud: Court postpones Yahaya Bello’s trial to January 29

Daniel lamented that despite his efforts that helped Dapo Abiodun actualise his governorship ambition in 2019, the governor, he alleged, had continued to undermine his Senatorial ambition since 2022.

He wondered why his so called suspension was not announced by the appropriate organ and structure of the party, declaring such accounted for why such announcements were not given any seriousness as there was no official communication about any offence, no allegation levied, no invitation to attend any Investigative Panel or letter of suspension sent to him.

According to him, it has been established that the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Dapo Abiodun was behind the sharing of an unsigned press statement bearing his purported suspension from the party.

He said, “We have no doubt, and let no one be deceived, that this is all connected to the Politics of 2027 and especially the APC ticket for the Ogun East Senatorial District.

“It must be emphasised that after the long and tortuous journey to secure the ticket of the APC in 2022, Otunba Gbenga Daniel picked the 2nd of October to flag off his campaign at Ita Oba in Sagamu and as a responsible party man, dutifully invited the Governor as the Special Guest of Honour to declare the campaign open but the Governor did not attend, neither was he represented. Instead, he passed an instruction around to discourage party members from attending. Those who disregarded such directives were also sanctioned. Some public servants who ignored the order not to attend were also served with query letters.

“When the Senate was to be convened for the first time on the 13th of June, 2023, OGD chartered aircraft to convey stakeholders in Ogun East Senatorial District to Abuja for the inauguration, curiously our Governor once again using the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tokunbo Talabi started calling several leaders who were already on the manifest, some of whom have also boarded, including traditional rulers to disembark from that journey and most with a tone of threat.”

He said the party belongs to everybody, vowing to remain in APC and mobilise his teaming supporters to work the 2027 reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

November 11, 2025
2027: Ughelli South residents urged to participate in INEC’s CVR

The people of Ughelli South Local Government Area in Delta State have been urged to take full advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) to ensure active participation in the 2027 general elections.

Executive Assistant on Women Mobilization to the Governor of Delta State, Chief (Mrs.) Eguonor Taleb-Tebite made the call while addressing a group of women in the area.

She stressed the importance of voter registration as a civic duty and a pathway to strengthening democracy.

“This is a critical opportunity to ensure that our voices are heard and our votes are counted in the upcoming 2027 general elections. Therefore, all eligible voters should take full advantage of the ongoing INEC continuous voters’ registration exercise to register,” she stated.

Stressing the need for residents to “shape a prosperous future for all” through active civic participation, Taleb-Tebite urged those who have misplaced their voter cards, relocated, or never registered to seize the opportunity to get registered.

She further encouraged parents and guardians to ensure that young people who have just turned 18 also register to exercise their franchise.

Calling on the people of Ughelli South to rally behind Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, as he seeks re-election, described voter participation as “a vital expression of appreciation for the governor’s efforts in delivering democratic benefits that have positively impacted the lives of citizens.”

Commending the governor’s leadership style, Taleb-Tebite hailed Oborevwori as “a pace setter with a track record of consistent action rather than mere words,” lauding his equitable distribution of developmental projects across Delta State.

She also expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve in his administration and reaffirmed her commitment to the governor’s M.O.R.E. Agenda.

November 11, 2025
‘Renewed Hope Agenda has restored confidence in governance’

A group, the Fruits of Renewed Hope Initiative (FRHI), has said the bold and decisive steps by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have restored confidence in governance, promote transparency.

The group also applauded the administration’s efforts at unlocking the creative and entrepreneurial energy of Nigerian youths.

The founder/ Chief Executive Officer of the group, Barrister Medina Anako, gave the commendation at a press conference to unveil the group on Monday in Abuja.

Anako said FRHI is committed to bridging the gap between policy and the people by ensuring that government programmes and interventions reach every home, every market, and every youth who seeks opportunity.

She noted that Tinubu’s administration’s economic restructuring was laying the foundation for sustainable growth and job creation.

According to her: “This administration has taken bold and decisive steps to restore confidence in governance, promote transparency, and unlock the creative and entrepreneurial energy of Nigerians.

“In less than two years, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated bold leadership and visionary reforms.

“The government’s courageous steps in economic restructuring, particularly in subsidy removal and fiscal rebalancing, are laying the foundation for sustainable growth and job creation.”

She maintained that through social investment programmes, thousands of Nigerian youths and women are already benefiting from targeted empowerment initiatives such as the Renewed Hope Job Creation Programme, Grant Schemes for Small Businesses and Student Loan Acts that ensure no young Nigerian is denied education due to financial constraints.

Anako also applauded the administration’s emphasis on infrastructure development, citing the ongoing road rehabilitation projects, power sector investments, and housing developments, which reflects a government determined to deliver lasting impact.

In the agricultural sector, the APC chieftain said that renewed partnerships with local farmers and international bodies have boosted food production and sustainability efforts, addressing the long-standing challenges of food insecurity.

She further said: “In technology and innovation, the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) initiative and the Digital Economy Strategy are equipping young Nigerians with globally competitive skills. These are the fruits of renewed hope, tangible, measurable, and progressive.

“We must acknowledge the courage it takes to reform a system that has for long been burdened by inefficiency and complacency. President Tinubu’s administration has chosen the path of responsibility over popularity, vision over comfort, and progress over politics. As citizens, our role is to support, engage, and ensure that these reforms translate to prosperity for all.”

Anako emphasised that the group was not a political movement; but a civic awakening stands as a bridge between government policies and the people they are designed to serve.

She said the group would interpret government actions, simplify policy language, and communicate the opportunities embedded within the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Anako said too often, many citizens are unaware of existing empowerment schemes, grants, and programs that could change their lives, saying the mission of the group is to bring information to their doorstep through strategic communication, collaboration with government agencies, and grassroots engagement.

“We understand that this vision can not be achieved in isolation. Therefore, the Fruits of Renewed Hope Initiative will collaborate with ministries, civil society organizations, the private sector, and development partners to amplify government programs and mobilize citizens for participation.

“We particularly call on the media to join hands with us. The media remains a vital pillar of democracy the bridge between government and the governed. Your role in disseminating truthful, positive, and constructive information can not be overemphasized. Together, we can shape a new national narrative that celebrates progress, encourages accountability, and builds faith in the Nigerian project.

“Our engagements will also extend to traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community-based organizations, ensuring that the message of hope reaches the grassroots. We believe transformation must begin from the bottom-up one household, one community, one region at a time.”

November 11, 2025
Amb. Ajadi resigns from NNPP, joins PDP

Nigerian politician, businessman, and social reform advocate, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has officially resigned from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing the move as “a strategic and patriotic step toward rebuilding Nigeria’s unity and hope.”

The announcement came on Monday, November 10, 2025, during a press briefing where Ajadi formally presented copies of his resignation letter to journalists, signaling his official withdrawal from the NNPP and alignment with the Peoples Democratic Party.

In the letter, which was formally addressed to the Ward Chairman, NNPP Chairman of Obafemi Owode Local Government, the Ogun State NNPP Chairman, the NNPP Southwest Chairman, and the National Chairman of the party, Ajadi stated that his decision came after deep reflection on Nigeria’s political direction and the need to work within a broader platform capable of driving genuine national transformation.

“My decision to join the Peoples Democratic Party is both strategic and patriotic,” Ajadi declared. “I have great respect for the NNPP and what it stands for, but at this point in Nigeria’s history, I believe the PDP offers a wider and stronger platform for national reconciliation, youth empowerment, and true federalism.”

Read Also: Religion not Nigeria’s crisis, says Soyinka

Ajadi, who was the NNPP governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 general elections after stepping down as a presidential aspirant in solidarity with Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who later became the party’s presidential candidate, clarified that his exit from the NNPP was not borne out of animosity but guided by conviction and renewed purpose.

“There is no bad blood between me and my former party,” he said. “I remain grateful for the opportunity to have served under its banner. However, as Nigeria continues to grapple with economic hardship, unemployment, and leadership challenges, it is time for like-minded patriots to close ranks and rebuild trust in governance.”

Political observers have described Ajadi’s defection as one of the most strategic realignments in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections, a period expected to reshape Nigeria’s political alliances and ideological coalitions.

Beyond politics, Ambassador Ajadi is renowned for his humanitarian and youth development efforts. Through the Olufemi Ajadi Foundation, he has provided training, micro-grants, and support to widows, artisans, and small-scale farmers across several states in the South-West, Northern, and Southern regions.

His social campaigns and media engagements have long promoted youth inclusion in governance, entrepreneurship, and peaceful coexistence among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and religious communities.

He has also been a consistent voice for press freedom, security reform, and good governance, often emphasizing the need for responsive leadership and civic accountability.

“Nigeria is at a crossroads,” Ajadi noted. “We need leaders who can listen to the people and act selflessly. I am confident that my entry into the PDP will strengthen the party’s grassroots base and reawaken hope among ordinary Nigerians.”

Party officials in South-west described Ajadi’s defection as a “boost to the PDP’s democratic family,” praising his record of integrity, youth mobilization, and social impact as assets that will enrich the party’s vision.

Reaffirming his commitment to national service, Ambassador Ajadi pledged to work closely with PDP leaders at all levels to promote transparency, peace-building, and inclusive governance.

“This is not just about party politics,” he reiterated. “It is about rekindling the faith of Nigerians in democracy and ensuring that our people begin to feel the real dividends of good governance.”

November 11, 2025
PDP faction petitions CJN, wants Justice Akintola sanctioned over ex parte order

Supporters of the Abdulrahaman Mohammed-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday asked the National Judicial Council (CJN) to sanction Justice AL Akintola of the Ibadan High Court for issuing an ex parte order for the conduct of the PDP National Convention this weekend.

Addressing a news conference in Abuja on Monday, Chairman of Imo state Chapter of the Party, Austine Nwachukwu, who, along with two others, secured the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja stopping the convention, said the action of Justice Akintola was a violation of established judicial processes.

Flanked by his two colleagues in the suit, Amah Abraham Nnanna and Turnah Alabh George, he said they have submitted a petition to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, who is the Chairman of the National Judicial Council.

Justice Akintola on Monday renewed his ex parte order asking the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to attend and monitor the convention in line with its guidelines, as the Damagun-led leadership of the party has met all the legal processes for the conduct of the convention.

He said, “We want to draw the attention of members of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Nigerian public to a petition before the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Honourable Justice A.L. Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.

“The petition, dated November 5, 2025, and duly received by the Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria on November 6, 2025, was submitted by Hon. Austine Nwachukwu, Hon. Amah Abraham Nnanna, and Turnah Alabh George on behalf of themselves as critical stakeholders of PDP.

“The petition raises serious concerns over what is described as acts of judicial recklessness, impunity, and flagrant violation of established legal processes by Justice Akintola, particularly in his decision to issue an ex parte order on November 4th, permitting the conduct of the PDP National Convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025.

READ ALSO; Progressive governors laud Tinubu’s security overhaul

“This order, according to the petitioners, directly contradicts a valid and subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, delivered on 31st of October 2025 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025), which had expressly restrained the PDP from holding its convention on the same dates.

“The petitioners rightly contend that Justice Akintola’s action amounts to sitting on appeal over a judgment of a court of coordinate jurisdiction-an act that undermines judicial hierarchy and the sanctity of the rule of law.

“This disturbing development not only threatens the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary but also risks setting a dangerous precedent capable of eroding public confidence in the justice system.

“We therefore call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to urgently investigate this matter and take decisive action, just as it had done in similar cases involving judicial misconduct in Rivers State, Imo State, and other jurisdictions, where they were seen to have acted promptly as soon as the petitions were received by it.

“The NJC must reaffirm its commitment to discipline, impartiality, and the preservation of judicial integrity by ensuring that errant judicial officers are held accountable without delay.

“The Nigerian judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man and not a tool in the hands of those seeking to subvert justice for political expediency. The NJC’s prompt and transparent action on this petition will go a long way in restoring faith in the judiciary and reinforcing the principle that no one matter how highly placed, is above the law”.

November 10, 2025
Progressive governors laud Tinubu’s security overhaul

…visit Niger state over flood, tanker explosions

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Hope Uzodinma, has commended President Bola Tinubu for bolstering and revamping Nigeria’s security framework.

Uzodinma, who led a high-profile group of APC governors to Niger state on Monday, said the president has succeeded in strengthening the security architecture across the country.

The visit, hosted by Niger Governor Mohammed Umar Bago, came in response to recent floods, tanker explosions, boat mishaps, and other disasters that have claimed lives, displaced communities, and left many injured.

“We commend the president for strengthening the security architecture in Nigeria, his commitment to infrastructure renewal, and his focus on human capacity building,” Uzodinma stated.

Uzodinma urged subnational governments to mirror these federal efforts and partner with the Tinubu administration to deliver democratic dividends and better governance.

Flanked by Governors from Lagos, Ekiti, Kogi, Delta, Ebonyi, and Deputy Governors of Kebbi, Jigawa, and Sokoto, the PGF Chairman emphasized the forum’s “one for all” ethos, declaring the tragedies a collective wound for progressive leaders, as it has become necessary to show solidarity to the people and government of the state over the tragedies.

Uzodinma, however, pointed out that some of the incidents were avoidable and called on governments at all levels to put in place preventive measures to avoid repeat occurrences.

READ ALSO: Nigeria losing $15bn yearly to oil theft — Experts

“We are not unaware that some of the incidents are avoidable, but we have seen it as a call for the government and well-wishers to put in place preventive measures, measures that will not enable repeat occurrences of the tragedies that have happened. We feel touched and we condole with the Governor.”

The PGF, comprising governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), resolved to provide prayers and support the government with material aid and logistics to the affected families.

Niger state Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, welcoming the delegation, hailed the visit as historic and a testament to unity, acknowledging federal and state aid amid Niger’s insecurity and natural calamities.

“Niger State has suffered a lot from insecurity, natural disasters, and crises, but we’ve received support from everyone,” Bago said.

He said that the security forces have been doing very well in eradicating insecurity from the state, and their support has helped improve the security architecture of the state.

Niger’s Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, described the governors’ presence as a powerful show of brotherhood, injecting hope and energy into a state reeling from painful losses.

“Your visit today is a powerful show of brotherhood and strength. You are coming at a time when the state has suffered painful losses as a result of floods, fire incidents, boat mishaps, and other natural disasters. Your presence is indeed a show of compassion, and it truly reflects the spirit of our great party and the renewed hope of the President, and your presence brings strength, hope, and renewed energy to our people”, he said.

The governors came through the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna with about six private aircraft and left immediately after meeting with the Governor without granting interviews.

November 10, 2025
Heavy security as court adjourns PDP national convention case

Oyo State High Court, Ibadan, presided over by Justice Ladiran Akintola on Monday, adjourned the hearing of the motion on notice in a case as filed by Folahan Malomo Adelabi against the PDP, its acting national chairman, and others till Wednesday, November 12.

The case was held amid a heavy security presence who were stationed at the entrance and other strategic locations within the premises.

It was a busy time for the security operatives as they thoroughly screened people before gaining access to the courtroom, including lawyers.

READ ALSO: Nigeria losing $15bn yearly to oil theft — Experts

Journalists were, however, barred from gaining entry into the courtroom.

Court resumed on Monday following an earlier adjournment last week after ruling on the ex parte motion ordering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to proceed with its scheduled National Convention slated for Ibadan on November 15-16.

After listening to the Counsel of both parties on Monday, the presiding Judge urged the parties to file all the processes for effective take-offs of the case.

He, therefore, adjourned the case till Wednesday to take all the pending applications before the Court.

The Nation recalls that the claimant/ Applicant has sought the order of the court restraining the defendants, Acting National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, the Governor of Adamawa State, Rt. Hon. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (for himself and members of the National Convention Organising Committee), and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or their agents, from truncating or frustrating the conduct of the party’s scheduled national convention.

The Court also directed the PDP leadership to adhere strictly to the guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities earlier released for the convention.

November 10, 2025