Politics
RSHA: Legislative Year In Retrospect
The words of former United States Congressman, Senator Evereth Dirkson that “congress is like a water logged scow, it doesn’t go too far, it does’t go too fast, but it doesn’t sink” aptly describes, the 2011 record of the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly.
When the 7th Rivers State House of Assembly was inaugurated by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in may 2011, the Speaker Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree assured a significant improvement on the achievements of the 6th Assembly.
With the timing of the 2011 general elections deciding the legislative session, it became apparent that the Assembly had barely seven months to make its impact for the legislative year.
Mapping out identified areas of weakenesses became paramount as the Assembly prepared to commence its legislative duties.
A major concern in this regard was the fact that over 70% of lawmakers that formed the 7th Assembly were first timers with no pedigree of legislative experience.
This development placed the 7th Assembly on a delicate stand, especially in view of its promises of a significant breakthrough from the previous Assembly.
Rivers people watched the 7th Assembly with great expectations, as it commenced legislative business, and with the 2011 legislative year ended, an appraisal of the legislative year against the promises of effective legislation became necessary.
Barely few days after its inauguration, the7th Rivers State House of Assembly was confronted with what appeared as its first litmus test, which was to give approval to a loan request of N100bn from Guarantee Trust Bank, by the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
The Assembly granted the loan request and became the butt of public criticism. Many critics, saw what they considered ‘hasty’ approval by the Assembly as a disservice, and branded the Assembly as an appendage of executive decisions or, simply doing its biddings without recourse to thorough legislative debates.
The subsequent approval by the Assembly to the executive’s request of securing, N200bn bond from the capital market, swelled the criticisms of pundits and opposition who threw aspersion on the Assembly with utmost indignation.
But the State’s House of Assembly rose to the occasion in defence of its actions, arguing that the purpose of acquiring the loans and bonds was convincing as it was meant to carry out projects in the state.
The Assembly also assured that it will exert proper oversight to ensure that all money sought as loan or bond is judiciously administered for specific projects, and all such monies paid back by the same administration that borrowed it.
Determined to beat a debt trap in Rivers State and to allay the fears of the public over the tendency of abuse of funds acquired through bonds and loans, Leader of the Assembly Hon. Chidi Lloyd sponsored a bill seeking the establishment of a Debt Management office in Rivers State.
The Debt management Office bill, was the first privately sponsored bill on the floor of the House.
For effective deliberation, planning and utilisation of Personnel, the Assembly organised a one week legislative retreat for training of lawmakers at Tinapa, Cross River State.
The retreat which was flagged off by the Rivers State Governor, was a follow up to the demands by fresh lawmakers to get proper legislative training to boost their performance in the House.
The Speaker also approved funds for training of legislative staff, under the supervision of the Clerk of the Assembly, Sir Emmanuel Ogele.
The aim of the training, according to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree “is to add impetus to legislative process of the Assembly”.
During the year under review, three new bills passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly were signed into law by the executive Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi.
Out of the three bills, two were executive bills which included Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Bill and the State Bond and other debts security issuance Bill, while the Rivers State Debt management Bill was privately sponsored. All the bills passed into law passed through public hearing and stakeholders input.
The House, however, deferred debate on the fourth bill in line, the local Government amendment bill, after a committee report was submitted by its chairman Hon. Lucky Odili.
The deferment was to give room for proper perusal of the report by the lawmakers.
With the signing of the bills into law, and the over 11 motions moved by the lawmakers on the floor of the House, many analysts believe that the 7th Assembly has performed considerably well.
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi while signing the bills into law also commended the Assembly for displaying faith in the ability to carry out the business of legislation for the interest of the state. The Governor said the various laws when put into practice will strengthen the economic base of the state.
The public hearings were a critical aspect of legislative duties that stimulated public interest. Most critical among the various hearings conducted by the Assembly within the period under review was the one conducted by the House Committee on education headed by Hon. Augustine Ngo.
The public hearing opened cans of worms on the institutional mailaise in the premier University of Science and Technology. Also of great public concern was the public hearing organised by the Committee on local Government which called for review of local Governments, including that organised by the Committee on SSG, HOS, establishment which called for a review of Rivers State Pension Scheme in line with a more harmonised pension regime.
While many critics of the Assembly describe its posture within the period under review as indifferent, the Speaker of the Assembly Hon. Otelemaba Amachree proved such pundits wrong. During the presentation of the 2012 budget on the floor of the Assembly, the Speaker asserted the independence of the legislature when he engaged the Governor in a tough-talking session, drawing his attention to some critical areas of development in the state.
The Speaker said, while the legislature had always approved all budgets presented to it, “implementation had always become problem”. The Speaker expressed worry over the ongoing Monorail project, among others and called on the Governor to complete all projects embarked upon by his administration, especially some on-going road projects in deplorable condition.
The Speaker also tasked the executive on the need to ensure that qualified contractors are engaged in project execution for effective delivery of services, and promised that the Assembly will also monitor ongoing projects through its oversight functions.
Further deliberations and debates on the 2012 Appropriation Bill was suspended following the adjournment of the House to January 10, 2012.
Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Otelemaba Amaechree had earlier promised a speedy passage of the appropriation bill to fast track development in the state.
Thats how The Tide saw the Rivers State House of Assembly last year.
Taneh Beemene
Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.
Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.