Politics
You’re part of Nigeria’s problem, Okorocha blasts Oshimhole
A former Governor of Edo State, Adam Oshiomhole, on Friday, shed light on his political differences with a former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying it was purely on issues of obeying the law and nothing personal.
He also tackled former Senate Whip, Victor Oyofo, for alluding that former governors go to the Senate to display opulence.
Oshiomhole stated these at the first Senator Ekpe Moriri Lamai Memorial Lecture organised by Senator E. A Lamai Foundation where Okorocha who was one of the panellists jokingly alleged that Oshiomhole was one of the problems of Nigeria.
Okorocha had thanked God that Oshiomhole would be going to the Senate to fix the problems.
Drama ensued thereafter as the comment did not go down well with Oshiomhole
Oshiomhole said, “My brother (Rochas Okorocha) said I am the problem of Nigeria and he is happy that I am going to the Senate. I will take the last part. He is happy for me so he would organise a dinner in my honour. There will also be a dinner to mark your exit. So as you are going, I am coming in.
“When people say a small man like me because big people think that mere reference to their size should not obey the law when a small man is presiding.
“And when they say we are short, I hardly see what I am short of. There is nothing anybody has that I don’t have. When they talk about economies of scale, they don’t also forget to talk about dis-economics of scale.”
Turning to Okorocha, he said, “So, my brother, my brother, you know what caused our misunderstanding? You are my good friend until tomorrow. It is just that for me, laws are meaningful when those who are powerful are subjected to obey the law.
“So, sir, be rest assured, I appreciate you, I respect you but you must learn to obey the law.
“Don’t look at my size, particularly, when I am obliged to take an oath that I shall defend the constitution. Once we go out now, I am going to hug you and I must insist you organise a dinner for my coming to the Senate.”
Oshiomhole also responded to Oyofo who said governors retire to the Senate to live a life of opulence
He said, “Nigeria was already on its way to Zimbabwe when you have a life president. When President Obasanjo wanted to amend our constitution, which should have been the beginning and the end, no gun was shot, just the power of AIT and other media, covering the session life to the credit of the National Assembly, shut down that third term bid.
“But the other thing with my big brother. My pension is N1,250,0000. So when you talk of opulence and corruption is not something that is restricted to the government. For every government official that is corrupt, there are three, four, or five businessmen who are even much more corrupt. They are the treasurers of public officers.
“So if my brother left the oil industry wealthy, and went to the Senate to live in luxury, then why are you envious of me that left the labour movement? One kobo gratuity I did not receive, even my official car, I handed it over, because that is the rule of Nigeria Labour Congress. We used the word struggle.
“So, why make a sweeping generalisation about people living in wealth going to the Senate to live in luxury? When I knew you as a Senator, I did not see you in luxury. I thought you were working. Actually, that is what you told our people. It was only today you said that the place is for luxury.”
But, Oyofo, in his response, said a Google search should be made between himself and Oshiomhole to know who made money from the government.
He said, “Google my name and say what is the net worth of Senator Oyofo, and they will tell you. In the same manner, Google the name of Oshiomhole and say how much is he worth, and Google will tell you. Then, you can approach the issue of defining corruption. So it is not about just standing and making things look like a joke.
“The truth is that we are in the grip of corruption and unless we stand up to it and admit it, we are going to pay dearly. It is not a laughing matter or a joking matter. Anybody you know his name in Nigeria, ask Google what his net worth is and search for the profession they belong to and what they are doing whether they own a business. I worked for 30 years finding oil for Nigeria.”
Oshiomhole continued, “But let me just say that what I have enjoyed in all these conversations is the fact that we all agree that Nigeria has to change, and the change must begin with each and every one of us because senators are recruited from the larger society.”
Oyofo had earlier, in his opening remarks, advocated for part-time legislators for the country, saying the cost of governance is bloating every day.
The former Senate Chief whip of the Senate who chaired the lecture quoted #openNass, which stated that in 2017 alone, the lawmaker cost the taxpayers $54,000 each.
Oyofo, in his examination of how the country has performed since the return to democracy in 1999, said, “To be successful in this exercise, let us remember that the Romans began the Senate. It was a party’s occupation, and citizens were also appointed into this chamber. Such were appointed by the councils or magistrates, who, after serving their tenure, were elected into the chamber.
“We adopted the presidential system coming from America, but we do not have institutions that support the successful running of this political experiment.
“Therefore, the legislative arm, which was supposed to check the executives, and indeed its democratic arm, failed to mature or keep up to its objectives. After more than 20 years, it has proved ineffective and expensive.”
A former governor of Edo State, Oserhemen Osunbor, disagreed with him, saying that it was not the budget of the National Assembly that was responsible for the magnitude of the challenges confronting the country.
He stressed the importance of the Senate to democracy, saying it was what gives the states equal representation.
Another panellist, Senator Abubakar Umar Gada, said the problem is not the Senate but corruption, which has become endemic.
Gada said the budget of the Senate is just 2.5 per cent of the national budget.
He, therefore, said that the problem with the country is the breakdown of moral values.
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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