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Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has performed the groundbreaking for the reconstruction of the Warri-Sapele-Benin Dual Carriageway in Uvwie and Okpe Local Government Areas, declaring the project a symbol of renewed collaboration between the Federal and State Governments for the benefit of Nigerians.

Speaking at the ceremony, Oborevwori said the project represented ‘another major step forward in the infrastructure renewal drive of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Delta State Government.’

He described the Warri-Sapele-Benin Road as a critical national infrastructure connecting major cities across the South-South and providing access to Edo and other parts of the federation.

‘The section we are flagging off ‘covers a dual carriageway with reinforced concrete pavement, expanded shoulders, and extensive stormwater drainage systems, all designed to provide durability and ensure the safety of road users.’

Oborevwori noted that the initiative underscored the gains of synergy between the two tiers of government, emphasizing that development becomes faster when governments work together in the interest of the people.

‘Although this road is a federal route, the users are Deltans and Nigerians, and their safety and comfort are what matter most to us,’ he said.

The Governor further disclosed that the Delta State Government had paid ?10 billion in compensation to facilitate the ongoing construction of the Second Niger Bridge access road project, aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving connectivity between Asaba, Onitsha, and adjoining communities.

He lamented the hardship long suffered by commuters and transporters on the Warri-Sapele-Benin route due to its deplorable condition, noting that the reconstruction would enhance mobility, reduce travel time, and spur economic growth.

He said: ‘Beyond these economic benefits, the project will also strengthen security. Criminals often exploit bad roads to commit crimes. Once completed, this highway will make movement safer and improve the response of security agencies.’

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to making Delta one of the safest states in Nigeria through strategic investments in infrastructure, peace, and security.

He also promised that the requests of the people of Uvwie Kingdom partaining the Mother and Child Hospital and provision of 500KVA transformer, would be looked into.

‘At over sixty years of age, I am not here for personal gain but to leave lasting legacies that generations will remember me for. By the time I leave office, I want Deltans to proudly say, ‘Oborevwori did this, Oborevwori did that,” he said before officially flagging off the project from Effurun Roundabout by spare parts market to after Ohore, before Ometan Bridge.

Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, said the project is the brainchild of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori whom he described as a visionary leader determined to transform Delta’s infrastructure landscape.

‘This 10km project stretches five kilometres on each side and features an 8.8-metre-wide carriageway on both lanes, far beyond the standard 7.3 metres,’ Izeze said, praising the governor’s foresight and commitment.

He said the project would be completed within 12 months, adding that the state would celebrate another landmark achievement that would enhance trade, transportation, and community life.

General Manager of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), Engr. Thomas Feng, thanked Governor Oborevwori for the confidence reposed in the firm, promising to deliver the project in record time and to the highest standards.

‘Today’s ceremony marks the beginning of a renewed era of infrastructure that will promote safer travel, stronger connectivity, and lasting economic growth for the people of Delta State,’ Feng said.

Chairman of Uvwie Local Government Council, Chief Anthony Ofoni, flanked by his Okpe Local Government Council counterpart, commended the Governor for his people-centred leadership and announced that the Airport Road in Effurun would be named as ‘Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori Way’ in recognition of his vision and enduring legacy.

HRM Emmanuel Sideso, Abe I, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and Chairman of the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers, lauded the governor’s administration for prioritizing key infrastructure projects in Uvwie and across the state.

He noted that ongoing works such as the three flyovers and road expansions in Effurun and Warri had transformed the urban landscape and accelerated economic activities.

Representative of the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, Okakuro Mike Afe, joined in commending the governor for his developmental strides, praying for his successful completion of an eight-year tenure to consolidate the gains of the MORE Agenda.

The Chairman of Ayobo-Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Lukmon Agbaje, has announced that indiscriminate disposal of refuse on roads and medians within the council now attract N100,000 fine or one month community service.

Agbaje said this at the ‘Stakeholders’ Forum and Inauguration of Task Force on Indiscriminate Dumping of Refuse in Black Spots and Road Medians,’ held at the Council Secretariat.

‘This initiative marks yet another bold step in our administration’s commitment to creating a clean, safe, and healthy environment for the people of Ayobo-Ipaja. We recognise that cleanliness is not just a responsibility but a collective duty that speaks to the quality of life and dignity of every resident,’ he said.

He said that the Task force which will work with community-based associations to enforce compliance, operate with transparency and without fear or favour.

He said: ‘This Task force is not established to harass or intimidate our people. Rather, it is to enforce compliance with laid-down rules, protect the environment, and safeguard public health. At the same time, it will work hand-in-hand with community leaders, youth groups, and residents’ associations to intensify sensitisation on proper waste disposal methods. It shall operate with transparency, and expected to uphold integrity, avoid corruption, and discharge their duties without fear or favour.’

He urged residents to support his administration’s effort in having a cleaner environment, adding that the responsibility lies on the shoulders of all stakeholders not the government alone.

The Environmental Health Officer, Mrs Racheal Babajide, bemoaned the menace of accumulated refuse littered around roads.

She urged those present at the occasion to tell others of the new laws.

Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Ayobo-Ipaja, Joseph Olokede, while commending the initiative, lamented the unwillingness of residents to adhere to proper disposal of waste in the council.

He said proper disposal of waste will prevent communicable diseases in the council.

He pleaded with the PSP operators to ensure timely collection of waste to avoid a situation where people would claim that their inefficiency led them to engaging in indiscriminate refuse disposal.

The Road Not Taken, a 1916 poem by Robert Frost, is our necessary guide and guardrail as we navigate our way through the fork on the road to economic recovery. There was no easy way out of the economic abyss into which years of profligacy and misrule had led the country.

As the 2023 presidential election approached, different contestants suggested different roads to economic recovery. One contestant was touting unity and restructuring, while another was mouthing moving from consumption to production. Neither of them outlined a thorough path to the Utopia they sought to paint. Only one candidate had a coherent and convincing argument as to which road to take to recovery. It was encoded in a document, cod-named Renewed Hope 2023.

And the bus took off with Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the driver. Obviously, the riders were a little skeptical as shown on their faces, but the driver was confident, and the bus was steady in his hands. They went to the polls and made him President.

Tinubu knew that the road would be rocky, but it was the journey to redemption. Following who know road is putting one’s trust in the capacity of the driver of the vehicle. Using the fork in the road as an analogy of economic choices, Tinubu rightly deciphered that the old economic model had catastrophically failed to achieve sustainable development. A new route ‘the one less travelled’ must be followed. It would be the difference if we were to stabilize the economy, increase productivity, and lift millions out of poverty. He warned repeatedly that it would be rough at the beginning, and even for some time, which is why the passengers on the bus looked uneasy.

President Tinubu is trusted as the driver, because he has a proven record of accomplishments as a corporate accountant, a mentor of men and women, and a manager of resources. In conjunction with Wale Edun, Yemi Cardoso, and others, Tinubu used his understanding of the economy to reinvent Lagos.

It will be recalled that Lagos state went back to complacency, after the remarkable forward march under Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande (1979 to 1983). The Jakande years transformed the city of Lagos into a magnet. There was a massive influx of migratory and dependent labour from across the country, which came at a cost. There was pressure on every facet of social and economic life. If not contained, a combustible and possibly consuming social crisis was on the way.

Lagos State was fortuitously lucky. ‘Cometh the hour, Cometh the man’. The Tinubu administration in 1999 combined astute political maneuvering with a technocratic mien. It was a very productive combination. Very cleverly, they rebuilt trust in governance, by demonstrating the benefits of the state to the citizens through the creation of jobs and other political goods. There was a game changing perception of the role and function of the state, which led to a geometrical increase in revenue generation to the extent that even President Olusegun Obasanjo’s seizure of the Lagos state local government funds did not lead to the anticipated destruction of the fiscal stability of the state.

Tinubu managed to do this because he had constructed a shock absorber at a time other states had not, and even today have not done. It became a proven fact that fiscal strength and stability must underpin the long-term prospects of state viability

To be sure, Nigeria is not Lagos, but sound judgement prevails everywhere. This is what is now being done with the economic reforms at the national level. As stated in Renewed Hope 2023, the reforms stand on a tripod of (1) removal of fuel subsidy, (2) unification of foreign exchange, and (3) overhaul of the tax system. These were accompanied with other initiatives in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and social protection. It is a desirable road to take. And in local patois – the man wey dey drive the bus sabi road. He had driven that route before with beneficial effects.

The faces on the New Nigeria Bus appear to show worry, but the driver’s face shows confidence, determination, and focus. A time of transition is bound to be rocky at first. If in doubt, look at the records of the Action Group government led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the Western Region in the 1950s. The tax levy on all adult males was met with initial resistance. However, resistance later gave way to enthusiastic reception of the Universal Primary Education scheme launched in 1955 once farmers began to reap the rewards. But it took some time for these rewards to show up.

The federal government under Tinubu has a compelling historical duty to stick to the course. The man wey know road is already showing the efficacy of taking the road less traveled. It may take some time for the benefits to reach the kitchen table, but they are already showing up in improved terms of trade, rising export figures and, crucially, more fiscal stability. Inflation is falling, and prices are coming down here and there.

Yes, there are still bumpy rides in the short term, but in the long term, we will be participants in the historic journey to redemption and development. This journey is the obliteration of the failure of a process that led to underdevelopment and its attendant woes. Tinubu is determined to mend the potholes and uncompleted bridges on the road being taken so it could lead to sustainable development.

While we are still concerned about now, those who can look far into the future, including the World Bank, the IMF, and the WTO, found enough macro economic indicators to forecast a bright future, if the driver is allowed to stay the course.

The last verse of Frost’s poem with which I began this essay is very instructive:

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

Naija! Make una follow who know road o!

Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, a former Ondo Commissioner for Information, is Director of New Media and Corporate Services for the All Progressives Congress (APC)

Reality TV star Chizzy Francis has urged people to stop attacking former Big Brother Naija winner Phyna online, following a viral video of alleged involvement in a violent altercation at an Abuja hotel.

In a tweet, Chizzy emphasised that Phyna is human and deserves kindness and respect, especially given her recent loss of her sister.

Chizzy acknowledged that Phyna is not above criticism but believes that online bullying will not solve anything.

He called on the public to show empathy and understanding, reminding everyone that they don’t know what someone is going through behind closed doors.

He wrote: ‘Defending PHYNA isn’t optional. She’s human, she’s grieving, and she deserves respect. Bullying her online won’t make you stronger, it’ll just show how weak you are. Choose kindness, or choose to be ignored.

‘To everyone jumping to conclusions and criticizing PHYNA let’s take a step back. We’ve all been through tough times, and we don’t know what someone’s dealing with behind closed doors. She just lost her sister, and the last thing she needs is hate. Let’s focus on spreading love and support instead. We don’t know what we’d do in her shoes. Let’s be kind.’

The Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), a civil society organisation focused on governance, civic participation, human rights, and social development, has called on eligible citizens to shun vote buying and resist attempts by desperate politicians to manipulate the electoral process for selfish gains.

In a statement yesterday, its Executive Director, Ugochi Ehiahuruike, described vote buying as ‘an attack on democracy and the collective dignity of the people.’

Ehiahuruike urged civil society organisations, community leaders, faith-based groups, and the media to intensify voter education campaigns across the state to curb the menace and reduce voter apathy.

She reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to continuous engagement with communities-particularly young and first-time voters-to promote integrity, transparency, and accountability in elections.

The statement read in part: ‘It is deeply concerning that cases of vote buying have continued to characterise elections across the country, including the recent by-election conducted in parts of Anambra State.

There was disturbing evidence of widespread financial inducement at polling units. Voters were openly approached with envelopes of cash, food items, and promises of future favours.

These practices not only undermine the credibility of the electoral process but also discourage honest and competent candidates from contesting, knowing they cannot compete with moneybags.

This development is a dangerous trend that cheapens democracy and mortgages the people’s future for temporary gain.’

Ehiahuruike further stated that vote buying has become a tool for desperate politicians-many of whom lack the competence, vision, and integrity required for public office-to buy their way into power.

‘When unqualified individuals purchase votes to win elections, governance becomes transactional rather than transformational. Such leaders view public office as an investment to be recouped rather than a platform for service,’ she said.

According to her, the monetisation of elections contributes significantly to the unusually high cost of conducting elections in Nigeria, as politicians and political parties pour vast sums into securing votes instead of developing sound policies that address citizens’ needs.

‘When elections are dominated by money rather than merit, the outcome is poor governance, unfulfilled promises, and the continuous recycling of mediocrity,’ she added.

The SIDEC boss emphasised that vote buying directly undermines citizens’ power to demand accountability and quality leadership.

‘In line with the goal of Project IMPACT, it is important to stress that every time citizens sell their votes, they surrender their voice, their right to demand accountability, and the opportunity for good governance.

Vote buying is not only an attack on democracy but also an attack on the collective dignity of our people. Politicians who buy votes do not trust the people’s judgment, and citizens who sell their votes are giving away the power that should be used to build a better society.

We must change our mindset and understand that the ballot is our most powerful weapon for change. Elections are not opportunities to collect money; they are opportunities to determine the quality of our future,’ the statement concluded.

World Food Programme (WFP), says about 673 million people or around eight per cent of the world population are not getting enough to eat and going hungry.

The WFP, a UN food programme said export restrictions, tariffs and volatile commodity prices were destabilising food markets, making food less affordable and accessible in food-deficit countries.

These issues are compounded by trade policy uncertainty, especially global tariffs and inflation, WFP said adding, this ultimately limits people’s access to affordable food.

It said this ahead of the 2025 World Food Day which is commemorated every Oct. 16, and listed Nigeria as one of the eight countries facing acute food security.

According to the WFP, out of the nearly 700 million people who live in extreme poverty globally, two-third resides in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The UN global food agency gave reasons why there are not enough food to feed the global population of over eight billion and people still go hungry.

‘Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Nigeria, and Ethiopia all face acute food insecurity driven by a combination of conflict, droughts, floods and desertification,’ it said.

The WFP said conflict, climate change and inequality were all playing roles in the development, adding that there were also other reasons for food insecurity.

It said armed conflicts such as those in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza disrupt food production, supply chains and access to markets.

‘This leads to the displacement of people, creating acute food insecurity for millions,’ it said.

WFP also said that increasing climate variability, including droughts, floods and heat waves, were all affecting ability of farmers to grow food.

‘This undermines agricultural productivity and food availability, especially in vulnerable regions.

‘Global and regional economic downturns, rising food and energy prices and inflation have combined to reduce purchasing power and access to nutritious food, particularly in low-income countries.

‘The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate shocks all contributed to food prices surges between 2020 and 2024.

‘As food prices rose, real wages fell and inflation kicked in, people, especially in low-income countries, were less able to afford nutritious food and often ate fewer meals per day,’ it further said.

The WFP noted that deep-rooted poverty and social inequality limited access to food and resources, especially in rural and marginalised communities, perpetuating chronic hunger.

According to it, low incomes, poor infrastructure and local services often mean that those marginalised, and especially women and indigenous groups, are not getting enough to eat.

On this year’s independence anniversary, Onyema Offoedu-Okeke offered Nigerians Time of Redeemer, a solo ongoing exhibition at Truview Arts and Frames Gallery, Liquid Hub Prive, Ikoyi, Lagos, which captures the nation’s ever-changing socio-economic and socio-political realities in the last 65 years.

As a seasoned artist, architect and author, Offoedu-Okeke took his time to choose topical issues as focus and thrust of his exhibits, which included Time of Redeemer, Fire of Change, Wind of Change, Passenger of Fate, Showdowns and Stalemates, Sleepless series, Mass Agitation, Technocracy, Trial of Oligarchy, among others. Most of the works are rendered in acrylic on canvas, amid their visually striking sociopolitical commentaries. The exhibition will run till October 31.

In fact, there is no better time than this season of independence celebration for the offering of Offoedu-Okeke to the Nigerian public. It is a timely bouquet.

Expectedly, the artist takes the viewers on a journey through colour, history, and thought-provoking reflections. Thematically, the collections are not merely art, but full-blown political commentaries on the state of the nation. He uses symbolic images and figures such as horses, Rolls Royces, doves, and the unusual sight of a young boy balancing a bicycle on his head. All this underscores the significance of his artistic commentaries encapsulated in Time of redeemer, curated by Juwon Olusanya.

According to the gallery, Offoedu-Okeke’s works are masterful and insightful, amid exploration of the intersection of color, texture, and emotion. ‘His style-a fusion of African traditional aesthetics with modern abstract and cubist techniques-is distinguished by bold colour palettes, layered in translucent patches that generate vibrancy and rhythm,’ the gallery said.

‘Each work demonstrates his ability to balance abstraction and representation, producing art that is both visually striking and profoundly resonant, often reflecting on cultural, political, and everyday themes.

We acknowledge the painstaking dedication and time invested in his creative process, evident in the uniqueness of each canvas,’ it added.

At a preview session of his works, the artist said that whatever expertise one has developed over time, whether in art, law, advocacy, medicine or clergy, he should be able to deploy it to speak to societal issues.

‘It is not only in newspapers we have to speak. Like the legendary Fela Kuti, who used his music to confront Nigeria’s political realities, art too must play that role,’ he noted.

Explaining the rationale for the theme and timing of the exhibition, the artist said that it is sad that, ‘Nigeria still awaits the arrival of anyone upon whom the attire of typical quintessential political redeemer fits well’.

According to him, nothing really has changed since independence as the manner of appearance alternates from the most unassuming carriage to the most sophisticated transporter.

In the title work, ‘Time of Redeemer’ the artist captures a grand entrance of a man on horseback, which is a symbol of hope, power, and sadly the paradox in Nigeria’s search for a true leader. But, in Fire of Change he noted that horses rip through thoroughfare like flames of revolution kindled among disgruntled or awakened masses.

In the work Persistence of Oligarchy the artist used Rolls Royce automobile brand figurative to convey visual power condensed from instances of social political privileges, citation of fiscal might, and the ultimate icon of class distinction. Interestingly, Offoedu-Okeke’s brushstrokes are perceived as caustic and compassionate, as he paints potholes as metaphors, Rolls Royces as cartoonish villains, bicycles as parables of precariousness. Most of his works are a tragicomedy that captures Nigerians suffering and smiling, groaning and dancing, despairing and hoping in the same breath. But, will the redeemer ever come?

The artist is not a stranger to the Nigerian art scene, having author Artist in Nigeria, in 2012, a compendium of who is who in Nigerian art scene. The book was funded by Ford Foundation West Africa and published by 5 Continents Editions, Milan, Italy. His last two solo exhibitions are Homeland Memories at Temple Muse VI, Lagos, in 2014, and Substratum: Anatomy of Support System at the Sachs Art Gallery, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, in 2024.

Badagry West Local Council Development Area (LCDA) has marked 2025 World Tourism Day with colourful displays of tradition, dance and cuisine.

The celebration, held in line with the global theme of promoting cultural heritage through tourism, drew communities across the LCDA, as clans and villages showcased their rich traditions.

Chairman of the LCDA, Rauf Kayode, praised the cultural heritage of the people of Badagry West, noting that tourism remained a vital channel for boosting the local economy and projecting the area on the global stage.

He said: ‘Badagry West is one of the best places for tourism potential and cultural tourism. Our land is blessed with rich culture, history and hospitality, and we remain committed to showcasing these treasures to the world, while creating opportunities for our people.’

Rauf expressed gratitude to dignitaries and guests, whose presence added weight to the occasion.

Dr Olaide Mesewaku, a tourism expert, highlighted the untapped opportunities in Badagry’s tourism sector; urging stakeholders ”to harness these resources for economic empowerment and growth.”

The Planning Committee Chairman, Zosu Solomon, reaffirmed Badagry West’s identity as a global tourism hub, citing historical treasures such as Boglo Cenotaph, Mystical Ule River, European Settlement at Apa, Suntan Beach and others.

He said tourism was more than a leisure, noting that it was a tool for transformation and cultural preservation.

He added: ‘Beyond today’s celebration, we look forward to institutionalising major festivals such as Sanpintin Festival and Badagry West Zangbeto Festival, among others, as platforms to further project our heritage and transform tourism into a true driver of development.’

Determined to earn a place in next year’s FIFA World Cup in the North America, the Super Eagles yesterday produced a four-star performance with a comprehensive 4-0 thrashing of Benin Republic while axe striker Victor Osimhen netted a hat trick at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The Galatasaray forward opened the floodgate for the Super Eagles as early as the third minute, finishing off a brilliant assist from Samuel Chukwueze after a swift attacking move.He doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 37th minute again after being teed up by Chukwueze.

The Super Eagles continued their dominance after the break and Osimhen completed his hat-trick in the 51st minute , heading home a chipped pass from Moses Simon.

Substitute Frank Onyeka put the icing on the cake in the 90th minute with probably

the best goal of the day with a fine volley , sealing an emphatic 4-0 victory for the Super Eagles.

Meanwhile, South Africa beat Rwanda 3-0 in Nelspruit to finish first in Group C as Benin, who had a two-point lead going into the final round of fixtures, tumbled from top place to third in the standings after being thumped 4-0 in Uyo.

South Africa finished on 18 points, with Nigeria runners-up ahead of Benin on goal difference as both ended with 17 points.

Ironically, South Africa had three points deducted last month after being found guilty of fielding a suspended player in an earlier qualifier in March, a mistake they admitted.

But that will be largely forgotten now as South Africa qualified for the first time since they hosted the finals in 2010.

Thalente Mbatha scored after five minutes, and Oswin Appollis netted the second in the 21st minute to put South Africa on their way. Striker Evidence Makgopa made it 3-0 in the 72nd minute with a header from a corner.

In related development, Gabon and Cameroon are the two countries ahead of Nigeria presently in the new table for second-placed teams across the nine groups, going CAF’s new method of calculating the second-placed teams following the withdrawal of Eritrea from the race. Nigeria bagged 15 points with a goals’ difference of plus seven, as against Burkina Faso’s 15 points and goals’ difference of plus six.

Either Burkina Faso or the Democratic Republic of Congo (playing at home to Sudan on Tuesday night) will join the trio for the battles of Morocco next month.

The winner in Morocco will proceed to the Six-Team Intercontinental Playoff, scheduled for the Mexican cities of Guadalajara and Monterrey in March next year, where two teams will emerge and qualify for the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.

The winner from the African playoff will be joined by Bolivia, New Caledonia and two teams from Central America, and one from Asia.

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has firmly distanced himself from Governor Douye Diri’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to defending Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

This is as Dickson expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that his decision was based purely on merit and professional competence.

Speaking to journalists in the Senate on Tuesday, Dickson described Diri’s defection as ‘sad’ and ‘ridiculous,’ warning that the growing wave of opposition figures crossing over to the ruling APC poses a grave danger to the nation’s democratic system.

‘I remain where I have always been, in the PDP. I do not believe Nigeria should be a one-party state. As a soldier of democracy, I am used to the ups and downs of political life.

‘I remain steadfast in the Peoples Democratic Party, working with colleagues to ensure that the problems in the party are solved,’ Dickson said.

Senator Dickson, who governed Bayelsa between 2012 and 2020, criticised some PDP leaders for running to the ruling party instead of fixing the internal problems they helped create.

‘I hope the governors and the leadership who created the mess in our party, instead of showing leadership, will now take responsibility. It is very sad. It makes Nigeria look small and makes our democracy look ridiculous,’ he said.

The former governor lamented what he described as a culture of political opportunism in Nigeria, contrasting it with Ghana’s more mature democratic tradition.

‘In Ghana, when President Mahama lost elections, he stayed in his party. When Akufo-Addo’s party later lost, they stayed. President Mahama contested again, won, and was congratulated by his opponent even before the final tally. That’s democracy.

‘In Nigeria, politicians decamp at the slightest opportunity, whatever they are pursuing or whatever is pursuing them. It belittles our democracy and endangers our multiparty system,’ he said.

He stressed that the PDP remained the only political platform that had given the Niger Delta region meaningful representation at the national level.

‘I remain standing in the PDP; the party that gave my people and the Niger Delta the opportunity to produce a Vice President, an Acting President, and a President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This other party cannot do that,’ he said.

He maintained that while the PDP was facing internal challenges, the answer lay in reforming and strengthening it rather than defecting.

‘If, however, we do not succeed in saving the PDP, then we will be part of a collective decision, but that should not be to join the ruling party.

‘There must always be opposition. A democracy without opposition ceases to be democracy; it becomes dictatorship and totalitarianism,’ he declared.

The senator revealed that Governor Diri had consulted him several times before the defection but said he saw ‘no compelling reason’ for a second-term governor to abandon the party that brought him to power.

‘Since I left office, unlike others, I have not played godfather. I made no requests, no demands, no pressure. I have only been available for consultation and advice.

‘In this case, the governor consulted me several times, to his credit. I was not convinced because I saw no compelling reason for a second-term governor to defect,’ he said.

On national issues, Dickson expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s nomination of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), insisting that his decision was based purely on merit and professional competence.

‘Being in opposition does not mean that we must disagree with, condemn, or fight every matter emanating from the government in power.

‘Where they are wrong, I have spoken strongly. But in this instance, I will be voting to support the nomination of Professor Amupitan as Chairman of INEC,’ he said.

Dickson dismissed rumours that Amupitan was politically biased, explaining that there had been confusion between two academics with similar names.

‘There is some confusion between Professor Amupitan, a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, and another, Professor Osipitan, of the University of Lagos or Lagos State University.

‘After speaking with a number of people, there is no compelling evidence showing that Professor Amupitan was indeed part of the legal team of the President, as speculated,’ he said.

As a member of the Senate Committee on INEC, Dickson said the nomination offered the Electoral Management Body (EMB) an opportunity to restore public confidence in the electoral process.

‘I find this nomination exciting because it gives the institution an opportunity to renew itself. A Professor of Law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, conscious of his standing in the academic and legal community, should be able to introduce the reforms we need in our electoral system and within INEC itself,’ he said.

He urged Nigerians to give the new INEC leadership a chance to succeed, saying,

‘Beyond the judgment of men and of the courts, there is also the judgment of God and of posterity. I believe he will do things differently.’

Reaffirming his political principles, Dickson concluded that his decisions were guided by conviction and not expediency.

‘I am not in this service for other considerations. I am in it to advance ideals and values that are bigger than me and bigger than all of us. Those are the things that moved me and brought me into politics,’ he said.