Politics
‘You’re Part Of The Problem,’ Akinyemi Knocks Obasanjo Over Obi’s Endorsement
A former Minister of External Affairs, Prof Bolaji Akinyemi, has taken a swipe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo over his New Year message and letter in which he declared support for Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election.
Akinyemi made this assertion while speaking in an interview on live television programme.
Recall that Obasanjo, in his letter, “My Appeal to all Nigerians, Particularly Young Nigerians,” urged youths to be more deliberate about the choices they make, adding that the 2023 elections should not be taken for granted.
Akinyemi, a Professor of Political Science, said the former president was “part of the foundation of the problems” of the country, adding that Obasanjo should have stayed away from politics at the end of his term as president.
He dismissed the comment that the focus should be on Obasanjo’s message rather than his personality or records while in office.
Akinyemi said, “Some of us believe he (referring to Obasanjo) is also part of the foundation of the problems that we have in this country.
“One of the things I had said is once you have occupied the post of president and served your term, go home, be like General Gowon, General Abdulsalami. Just be quiet, you have had your term, you have had your innings, to use a cricket language. Let others get on.
“But for you to create problems for us and then you come back and present yourself as a problem solver, I find it difficult to swallow.
“I know there are people who say, ignore the messenger, focus on the message. I’m sorry, I’m a political scientist, that doesn’t rub with me as a political scientist. I’m sure whoever came up with that must be a politician who does not want people to look back into his own record.”
Similarly, a former member of the house of representatives, Usman Bugaje, questioned Obasanjo’s probity to counsel Nigerians on who to vote for, stressing that the former president tried to extend his tenure by attempting to change the constitution during his time as president.
He said Nigerians should be advised on issues that must guide them to vote for a particular candidate, adding that the country needs serious leadership.
“First, former President Obasanjo is entitled to his opinion. All of us are entitled to our opinions. He is a free citizen. He can make his choices public and try to persuade those he want to persuade,” he said.
“I would have been interested in his criteria — how he arrived at this. Objective criteria. But as Professor Akinyemi said, you don’t just look at what he is saying, you look at his own records.
“I’m afraid his record doesn’t quite encourage me to take whatever he says objectively. I was in the national assembly when he tried to extend his tenure by changing the constitution. We had to stand up to him in that respect.
“I won’t find him as the kind of person who I can trust in some of the things that he says. But he is free to say those things,” he added.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.