Politics
Opposition Parties Loss, PDP Gains In Enugu
The stronghold of credible political opposition in Enugu State has continued to collapse as a good number of the leadership of other political parties have abandoned their parties to join the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The latest of this political re-alignment took place at the weekend when the former governorship candidate for Action Congress (AC) in the April 2007 gubernatorial election, Chief Duben Onyia abandoned the party and returned to PDP.
The ceremony marking Chief Onyia’s return to PDP which took place at Government Field, Udi Local Government Area of the state , witnessed an unprecedented crowd of political heavy weights in both the PDP, AC and ANPP in the state who came to join the PDP.
They included, among others, Chief Anike Nwoga of ANPP, Ozo Ramsey Onyia and Barr. Ray Nnaji of a PDP faction opposed to the governor, and a crowd of their supporters and political associates.
Addressing the people of Udi during the occasion, the state governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, advised all those who are still sitting on the fence to take decision urgently and join the winning and ruling party – the PDP.
Governor Chime described the return of Chief Duben Onyia to the PDP as a welcome development, adding “I am happy that after three years we are in power our brother who left us due to one reason or the other has found time to join us again.”
The Governor made it clear that PDP in Enugu State is one family and not for one person or a section alone but for all the stakeholders and all those who registered with it.
According to him, “with the new spirit of PDP, we will continue to be open and adopt politics of collaboration and consultation to carry everybody along.”
He said that PDP in the state will continue to uphold the party’s manifesto and told those who joined or returned to the party at the ceremony to see themselves as full-fledged members of the party, adding that all their rights and privileges would be accorded them.
On the selection of candidates for the party in the 2011 elections, Governor Chime said that when the time comes, the people and stakeholders will be consulted and superior argument will prevail in selecting the candidates.
He made it clear that candidates will be selected based on the collective interest of the people and those who have the interest of the people at heart.
In his speech while welcoming Chief Onyia and his supporters to the party, the state Chairman of PDP, Chief Vita Abba described the return of the former AC governorship candidate to the PDP as a big catch.
Chief Abba, used the occasion to assure the people of Enugu State that PDP as a party controlling the government of Enugu State and Nigeria would continue to serve them better by meeting up with their wishes and aspirations.
He, therefore, told Chief Onyia to see himself as an integral part of the party and presented him with the party membership card and constitution.
Speaking, Chief Onyia described the event as a day made by God and said, “I am not decamping to PDP but I am coming back to the house I helped to build some years ago as a foundation member.”
Chief Onyia explained that his return to the PDP was without conditions but to be part of the success story of the administration of Governor Chime in the state.
According to him, “the style of leadership of Governor Chime in Enugu State is what we want and what the people expected. I have not come to cause trouble or struggle for power but to support the Governor and his good works in the state.”
Barrister Ray Nnaji, Chief Anike Nwoga and Ozo Ramsey Onyia in their separate speeches spoke very well about the Governor, adding that they are at the ceremony in good faith.
The Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Mr. Bona Ude and the PDP Chairman for the Council Area, Mr. Donald Ikeweta, described the event as sign of more good things to come and the understanding among the people of the area.
The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, says he would not help President Bola Tinubu’s administration to correct the administration’s policies affecting the citizens.
Emir Sanusi spoke on Wednesday in Lagos as the chairman of the 21st Anniversary of Fawehinmiism (Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture 2025).
The emir stated that while there were “a few points” he could offer to explain the trajectory the administration had taken and how such decisions were predictable, he chose not to do so because “they don’t behave like friends.”
He said explaining the government’s policies would help the government, but he did not intend to assist them due to the way they had treated him.
“I can give a few points that are contrary, that explain perhaps what we’re going through and how it was totally predictable, most of it, and maybe avoidable. But I am not going to do that.
“I have chosen not to speak about the economy or the reforms or to even explain anything because if I explain, it would help this government, but I don’t want to help this government,” the emir said while addressing some of the points made by speakers about the economy.
He added: “You know they’re my friends, but if they don’t behave like friends, I don’t behave like a friend. So I watch them being stooges. And they don’t even have people with credibility who can come and explain what they are doing. I am not going to help. I started out helping, but I am not going to help. I am not going to discuss it. Let them come and explain to Nigerians why the policies that are being pursued are being pursued.
“Meanwhile, I’m watching a very nice movie with popcorn in my hands. But I will say one thing: What we are going through today is, at least in part, not totally, but at least in part, a necessary consequence of decades of irresponsible economic management.
“People were told decades ago that if you continue along this path, this is where you’re going to end up, and they refused to open their eyes. Now, is everything being done today correct? No.”
Emir Sanusi, who was deposed as the 14th Emir of Kano in 2020 by then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the current national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano in 2024 by the New Nigeria People’s Party-led Kano State Government.
His emirship has faced ongoing challenges from forces believed to be backed by the federal government, including federal officials’ continued recognition of his predecessor, Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.
Last month, the police barricaded his palace, with the state government accusing the federal government of orchestrating the action to stir unrest in the peaceful state.
The Deputy Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga, is dead.
Also known as Ijaya, Rt Hon. Onanuga, who was the member representing Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency, is said to have died following a brief illness.
This was confirmed in a tweet on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the House of Representatives, on Wednesday night.
Rt Hon Onanuga, who was born in Hammersmith, London, to Nigerian parents on December 2, 1965, was a politician and entrepreneur. She held the position of Deputy Chief Whip in the Nigerian House of Representatives since 2023.
She contested and won a seat in the House of Representatives under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019. She also served as the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa, however, exempted two members of the cabinet from the dissolution due to the critical nature of their duties.
The two commissioners exempted include the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, SAN, and the Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Omowunmi Isaac.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Mr Adeniyan said in the statement that “All the affected cabinet members are to hand over all government properties in their care to the accounting officers of their respective ministries.
Gov. Aiyedatiwa thanked the executive council members “for their service and contributions to the development of Ondo State under his administration and wished them well in their future endeavours”.
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