Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, was in Oyo State on yesterday, to commiserate with the State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, over the demise of his Elder Brother, Engr Sunday Makinde.

Governor Fubara was on the trip with the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum.

Speaking at the visit, Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, said they were in Oyo to condole with him and his family over the loss of Engr Sunday Makinde.

Senator Mohammed, who described the demise of Engr Makinde as a huge devastation to the family, however, urged the Oyo Governor to take consolation in the fact that all mortals will one day return to God, noting that his Elder Brother while on earth, contributed his quota to the growth and development of the country and left indelible footprints in the sands of time.

He said, “Your Excellency, we are here on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum to commiserate with you, to condole you over the loss of your elder Brother, Engr Sunday Makinde. We saw the news in the media, and we spoke on the phone, but in our tradition in Africa, we have to come to show you solidarity.

“We know the devastation is huge. We know you to be a strong character, strong person, you will bear all these losses. As a man of God, you know we are all here temporarily. We will all go back to our Creator. That is why we are consoled that your brother gave us a good name and for the country before he retired meritoriously. So, you should be consoled that this man came and conquered and contributed positively to the growth and development of Nigeria.”

The Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, admonished Governor Makinde to see the demise as one of life’s irreparable losses, and bear it with courage, just as he assured him of the PDP Governors’ support, and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest in His bosom.

He added, “So, on behalf of my colleagues, especially my brother who had had to come from Rivers to Bauchi to pick me, that shows how important you are. We have come to commiserate with you and the family, and say please, take this as one of those irreparable losses, and exercise patience and have the courage to bear it.

“Please, don’t be left with any doubt that we are with you. May God give our brother a repose in the bossom in the Lord. May you as a family and siblings have mercy from God so that they can even do better than what you have done, including us,” he noted.

Responding, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, noted how painful the death of his elder brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, was to the family at the age of 65 after retirement, as he was expected to settle down and enjoy life.

He described the demise as sudden, as according to him, his brother fell from the bathroom, but could not be revived by doctors, saying they cannot question God, but have taken to heart that He is the giver and receiver of life.

He added, “We thought our elder brother is just about to start life because he was just 65. We thought after going all over the world and settling down, this is the time for him to take some rest. But we cannot question God. We have to accept that God giveth and taketh without asking from anybody any form of validation.

“It is also painful for us because it was quite sudden. He fell in the bathroom and was rushed to the hospital, but they couldn’t revive him.”

Governor Makinde thanked the PDP Governors for the visit, which he noted, meant a lot to his family, and prayed God to grant the family members long life on earth before answering the clarion call of God.

He said, “But this visit means a lot to us. So, I want to also on behalf of the people and Government of Oyo State, thank you for the visit. Our prayer is that we don’t want to use this kind of visit as a payback. I pray that in our various families, people will grow old before God calls them back.”

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has assured Nigerians that the current administration will continue to provide the values of the democratic systems by fixing major weaknesses of the economy, securing communities, fighting corruption, strengthening the independence of the judiciary and improving national cohesion.

Shettima stated this in Abuja, yesterday, at the national conference on strengthening democracy in Nigeria, themed: “Strengthening Nigeria’s democracy: Pathways to good governance and political integrity,” organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development.

Shittima, represented by his Special Adviser on political issues, Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, said while democracy is not a perfect system, it is still considered the best form of government compared to others.

“I would like to assure Nigerians that our administration is acutely aware of many concerns over our direction and goals, particularly given the difficulties which some of our policies inevitably generate. We are involved in correcting many defects in our economy and approaches to securing the citizens. We have been honest to admit that this transition from a broken past and a promising future will not be without a price, and we will remain focused on easing the pain and ensuring that we do not take our eyes off the goals.

I Lost My Legs Saving Victims I Hit – Ogun Driver

000 / 0:00“We will listen and adjust where necessary, and we will account our stewardship in all matters our challenging democratic systems demands. I am convinced that Nigeria shall rise again, answer to its full potential and lead the way to a future that has learnt lessons from a difficult past into a world in which our country will be a key player, and our young will be active champions of a democratic system because it speaks to them.

“It has been said many times that democracy is an imperfect system, yet superior to all others. We will continue to seek to provide evidence of the values of the democratic systems by, among others, fixing major weaknesses of our economy, securing our communities, fighting corruption, supporting free and fair elections, strengthening the independence of the judiciary and improving national cohesion. I would like to appeal to fellow Nigerians to join us in this challenging but ultimately rewarding journey,” he said.

According to him, the current administration has a major interest in the quality of the democratic system and a key responsibility in improving the elements that constitute the democratic system.

“This reminds us that we owe our current positions to the democratic process, and it is our duty to continually police its effectiveness and impact on the lives of all Nigerians,” he stated.

He noted that there is a huge responsibility on the shoulders of elected leaders in Nigeria to market democracy in terms of the quality of governance, their conduct, and disposition towards the rule of law and respect for the welfare and security of citizens.

“Nigerian democracy must mean a lot more than asking Nigerians to line up every four years to elect leaders. It must mean, in practical terms, that leaders commit to the demands of elected leadership in very transparent manners, that mandates given to them to govern make them servants to the interests of the people, custodians of their assets, and protectors of their interests. The best leaders are people who exercise power only to promote the interests of their people.

“These interests include making laws that are consistent with the economic welfare and security of the citizen; that the judiciary is free from interference and corruption; that institutions and structures of governance function with the highest standards of efficiency and integrity; that citizens’ voices are heard and respected not just during elections; and the basic rules of competition between parties and interests are respected,” he added.

In his keynote address, the former Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, said despite the imperfections of democracy, it remains the preferred form of governance that can guarantee individual liberties and rights.

He, however, stated that for democracy to thrive and to be strengthened, the ambition for the country must be paramount and must supersede the ambition for oneself.

“Elections are not do-or-die affairs. That’s what we must understand. The right of the citizenry to choose leaders in a free, transparent manner is sacrosanct and remains one of the most vital angles of a true democratic dispensation.

“By choosing and or changing leaders through the ballot box, the vote necessary is not sufficient to guarantee a true flourishing democratic culture,” he emphasised.

He noted that one of the most important determinants of a flourishing democracy is the quality of institutions capable of guaranteeing rights, including property rights, and checking the wanton abuse of power.

According to him, the best democracy is the one that delivers public goods and services effectively and efficiently and creates opportunities for citizens whilst making conscious efforts to leave no one behind.

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development, Dr Otive Igbuzor highlighted that the purpose of the conference lies in a vision for a democracy that is genuine, resilient, and inclusive.

“As many of us know, Nigeria’s democratic journey, though spanning 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule, is beset by structural and functional flaws. These range from electoral malpractices, ineffective political parties, and weakened governance structures to pervasive corruption and a concerning erosion of public trust.

“Despite decades of democratic practice, the realities faced by Nigerians today often reflect disillusionment rather than hope. The goal of this conference, therefore, is to reignite hope, rebuild trust, and lay out a road map toward a strengthened democratic system that serves all Nigerians with integrity and accountability,” he said.

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.