Category: Nigerian Tribune

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has conferred national honour on Professor Mahmood Yakubu following the expiration of his second term in office as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Tinubu, in a statement announcing his acceptance of Yakubu’s departure, said the honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) bestowed on him was in recognition of his dedicated service to the nation.

Yakubu was first appointed in November 2015 as the 14th chairman of the commission for an initial term of five years. The appointment, which was renewed in 2020, has now expired due to the passage of time.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Tuesday said President Tinubu thanked Prof. Yakubu for his services to the nation and his efforts to sustain Nigeria’s democracy, particularly through the organisation of free and fair elections throughout his two-term tenure.

‘President Tinubu also directed that Professor Yakubu should hand over to the most senior national commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will direct the affairs of the commission until the completion of the process to appoint a successor,’ the statement noted.

In the letter dated October 3, 2025, Professor Yakubu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve the nation as chairman of the commission since 2015.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 winner, Imisi Ayanwale, has officially received her grand prize package worth N150 million, comprising N80 million in cash and a brand-new SUV from Innoson Motors.

The prize presentation ceremony took place on Tuesday in Ilupeju, Lagos, where representatives from Innoson Motors handed over the car keys to the reality TV star in the presence of show sponsors and organizers.

The BBNaija housemate, Imisi emerged as the winner of the highly competitive Season 10 on Sunday, October 5, after securing 42.8% of the total votes to beat fellow finalists Dede, Koyin, and Sultana.

In addition to the cash prize and SUV, Imisi’s rewards include several brand endorsements and gift items from the show’s sponsors, bringing her total winnings to N150 million.

Her victory marks another milestone for female champions in the Big Brother Naija franchise, joining the ranks of Mercy Eke, Phyna, and Ilebaye.

Since her win, fans and celebrities have flooded social media with congratulatory messages, hailing her performance throughout the season and describing her victory as well-deserved.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage, announcing the signing of an Executive Order that makes health insurance mandatory for all residents of the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu restated this at the maiden edition of the 2025 Eko Health Convention, held on Tuesday in Lekki and organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, with the theme: ‘Lagos Health: Driving Innovation, Strengthening Systems, Leading Change.’

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, said the move aligns with the National Health Insurance Act by ensuring that every Lagosian contributes according to their ability and enjoys protection when they need care.

‘When we launched the Ilera Eko Health Insurance Scheme in February 2021, we made it clear that universal health coverage requires a reliable and inclusive system.

‘In July 2024, I signed an Executive Order making health insurance mandatory for all residents of Lagos State. Some may ask why health insurance should be mandatory? The answer is simple: without a shared pool of resources, universal coverage is impossible. When everyone participates, we protect families from financial hardship, strengthen hospitals, and make healthcare stable and equitable for all,’ he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu noted that for health insurance to be truly effective, it must be supported by a strong emergency response system. He highlighted that the Lagos State Government, through the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), has continued to strengthen the backbone of its emergency medical system to ensure that the promise of ILERA EKO is matched by the capacity to respond swiftly, efficiently, and compassionately when lives are at stake.

‘These attempts affirm our conviction that timely and efficient emergency care must be a right, not a privilege. The Lagos Emergency Medical Blueprint is already saving lives.

‘Today, Lagos boasts of 360 public health facilities and more than 3,500 private ones, forming a unified ecosystem where public and private providers work side by side to bridge divides, expand access, and uphold the promise of a truly integrated healthcare system for every resident,’ the governor said.

Sanwo-Olu urged health stakeholders to deepen investment in innovation, expand corporate social responsibility, and reimagine the future of healthcare through technology, creativity, and service, ensuring a system where access is determined not by income, but by need.

He further emphasised that good health is a shared responsibility, noting that progress in healthcare can only be sustained through partnership and the collective effort of every sector, profession, and citizen.

According to him, it is the collective responsibility of the people not only to hold government accountable but also to hold themselves accountable by enrolling in health insurance, participating in vaccination campaigns, eliminating mosquito breeding sites, reporting quackery, adopting healthy lifestyles, and demanding quality care.

He added that since its inception, his administration has prioritised Health and Environment in its THEMES agenda, pledging to build a healthcare system that is accessible, affordable, innovative, and of the highest quality.

Speaking further, Governor Sanwo-Olu highlighted major achievements under his administration, including the commissioning of new Maternal and Child Centres in Eti-Osa, Badagry, and Epe; the renovation and expansion of General Hospitals; and the construction of critical health facilities such as the New Massey Street Specialist Children’s Hospital, the Ojo General Hospital, the Lagos State Mental Health Institute in Ketu-Ejirin, and the Cardio-Renal Centre in Gbagada.

The State Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, in his address, said the new health blueprint of the state government would transform Lagos into Africa’s healthcare powerhouse, reducing mortality rates and boosting economic growth through a bold and data-driven overhaul of the health system.

Abayomi disclosed that Lagos currently loses about $1.5 billion annually to outbound medical tourism, a figure greater than the state’s health budget. He stressed that the new health transformation blueprint aims to build world-class facilities, expand health insurance coverage, and create jobs in the medical and biotech sectors.

‘The Governor’s blueprint includes climate-resilient hospital designs, modern general hospitals, a 500-bed psychiatric and rehabilitation centre, and the establishment of Lagos State University of Medicine and Health Science.

‘It also introduces a Smart Health Information Platform (SHIP), a digital system linking all public hospitals and primary health centers for efficient data sharing and decision-making. Our goal is clear. Lagos must become the health capital of sub-Saharan Africa, not just for Nigerians, but for the continent,’ he said.

The commissioner added that Africa must build healthcare facilities that are environmentally sustainable, technologically advanced, and globally competitive, noting that the plan could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on foreign medical care while positioning Lagos as a hub for healthcare innovation and medical tourism.

In her opening address, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Government on Health, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, underscored the importance of collaboration in reshaping the healthcare landscape of the state, affirming the government’s commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare for all residents.

Ogunyemi explained that the government’s objectives and vision were clear, saying the focus was to educate and empower citizens to take full control of their health and wellness.

According to her, part of the objectives and vision is to ensure that the healthcare services provided by the state government are ‘of quality for every single person who lives in Lagos and the citizens of Lagos, because we want to improve the health service in Lagos.’

‘Therefore, we believe in collaboration, which is through the Public Private Partnership (PPP), because we, as government, know we cannot do it ourselves,’ Ogunyemi said.

The Niger State Independent Electoral Commission (NSIEC) has announced that 805 candidates from 10 political parties will contest in the Local Government Council elections scheduled for November 1, 2025.

The breakdown of candidates by party is as follows: All Progressives Congress (APC) – Chairmanship: 25, Vice-Chairmanship: 25, Councillors: 274.

Additionally, it said 23 candidates are contesting Chairmanship positions on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), while 21 candidates are contesting Vice-Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, just as 233 candidates are contesting as Councillors on the party’s platform.

The NSIEC Chairman further noted that under the Social Democratic Party (SDP), 16 candidates shall be contesting Chairmanship positions, while 26 others shall be contesting Vice-Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, just as 144 candidates shall be contesting as Councillors in the party.

The NSIEC Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam further explained that in the Labour Party (LP), five candidates shall be contesting for Chairmanship positions on the platform of the party, adding that four candidates are going to contest for the Vice-Chairmanship positions, while 12 candidates shall be contesting for Councillorship positions on the platform of the LP.

Furthermore, Engr. Jibrin Imam stressed that two candidates shall be contesting for Councillorship positions on the platform of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the upcoming elections next month, while one candidate shall emerge for the Councillorship position on the platform of the Booth Party (BP).

According to the NSIEC Chairman, one candidate shall be contesting for the Councillorship position on the platform of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Action Alliance (AA), and Accord Party, respectively.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday said the state has raised the bar in safety of lives and property by inaugurating the Safety First Campaign and Occupational Safety Cadre, regarded as first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Governor Sanwo-Olu stated this in his keynote address at the third Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference (LASOSH), held in Lagos, as he unveiled 28 Occupational Safety Officers with him as the Commandant and also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Industry (BOI) as part of ensuring safety across the state.

Speaking at the conference, themed: ‘Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) as a catalyst for nation Building,’ Sanwo-Olu described groundbreaking cadre was not just a bureaucratic innovation, but a bold declaration that Lagos is setting new standards in public service professionalism.

He said such move translates, for the first time, that safety would not be treated as an ad-hoc responsibility but as a recognized career path, complete with structure, expertise, and continuity.

According to him, this step will ensure that generations of Lagosians benefit from a professional corps dedicated solely to occupational safety and health, even as he quickly noted that the future of safety lies in technology and data, which he said ‘Lagos has taken the lead with the deployment of a safety application that empowers citizens to report hazards in real time, among others.

‘As we celebrate past achievements, we must also look ahead. The future of safety lies in technology and data. Lagos has taken the lead with the deployment of a safety application that empowers citizens to report hazards in real time, drones for aerial surveillance of high-risk zones, and body cameras equipped with thermal functionalities to support compliance monitoring, enforcement, and emergency response.

‘These tools are deliberate investments in predictive governance. They allow us to identify safety issues as they emerge, study trends and patterns, and act proactively rather than reactively. This is how Lagos is setting the pace, using innovation not only to secure today but also to anticipate tomorrow,’ the governor said.

‘However, let me stress that the government cannot do it alone. The safety of Lagos is the responsibility of every stakeholder, public institutions, private enterprises, civil society, academia, and the ordinary citizen.

‘Together, we must nurture a culture where cutting corners is no longer tolerated; where safety is not seen as a cost, but as an investment in sustainability and human dignity,’ he added.

The governor, however, charged the safety officers to ensure that there was fairness and justice at all times, saying that they needed to discharge their duties responsibly.

‘If you don’t need to shut a place down, do not shut it down. If you think that what they did is just to encourage them, to speak to them, that’s all you need to do. It’s when you know that you want the full hand of the law on them, then you do not shy away from doing that. And so we need to do it responsibly, with a sense of accountability,’ he said.

Director General, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC), Mr. Lanre Mojola, in his remarks, noted that enforcement action was reducing in the state as compliance was increasing.

‘We’re doing a lot of work in terms of regulations. Some of the regulations have been around swimming pool control, construction safety, dangerous goods, transportation. Lagos has the port. So we find out that a lot of people move things, dangerous goods, oil, gas, from Lagos to the hinterland.

‘One of the things that we’ve also done is the establishment of the Occupational Safety Officers. It’s the first in Africa. Just like the E1 was first over the weekend.

‘Today, we’re introducing 28 new Occupational Safety Officers for Lagos State Government. We intend to continue to employ more as time passes on,’ Mojola stated.

Mojola reiterated that over 20,000 facilities already registered had GPIS with pictorial evidence, saying that the Commission was leveraging AI to ensure prediction of issues before they crystallise.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Special Duties and intergovernmental Relations, Mr Olugbenga Oyerinde, pointed out that occupational and general public safety remained a top priority to the state government, adding: ‘Every Lagosian deserves to live, work, and move freely without any fear.’

The commissioner noted that this year’s conference had become a platform to host leaders of thought, Safety practitioners, policy makers, and industry players, saying that they all came together to exchange ideas, review progress, and to chart pathways for safer workplaces and safer communities.

‘This conference has become a platform to host leaders of thought, Safety practitioners, policy makers, and industry players who come together to exchange ideas, review progress, and to chart pathways for safer workplaces and safer communities,’ he said.

Katherine Nathan is more than a writer and faith-based speaker; she’s a dynamic entrepreneur whose work continues to bridge creativity, spirituality, and business. As the founder of Plan Itt Ltd, a fast-rising solutions company, and Sunset Drinks, a lifestyle beverage brand, Katherine has proven her ability to build thriving ventures rooted in innovation and purpose.

Now, she is stepping further into the digital space with the launch of her YouTube channel, which features three powerful series: Faith Series, Letters to My Younger Self, and Becoming Series. Each one reflects her mission to uplift, educate, and empower audiences across Africa and beyond.

In this interview, Katherine shares insights into her journey, challenges, and vision for the future.

You wear many hats as a writer, faith-based speaker, and entrepreneur. How did your journey begin?

I’ve always been passionate about storytelling and communication. Writing gave me a way to express myself, but more importantly, to connect with others. Over time, I realized my words had the power to inspire, and that naturally evolved into faith-based speaking. As for entrepreneurship, I wanted to create solutions and products that not only serve people but also reflect my values. That’s how Plan Itt Ltd and Sunset Drinks were born, both came from a desire to bring creativity, excellence, and purpose into everyday life.

What inspired you to create your YouTube channel?

For me, I believe my voice belongs alongside the many others already out there, and YouTube is a powerful way to amplify that. As Christians, the onus is on us to step forward, to speak, to show up, and to consistently share the message of excellent living, Christian values, and high business standards. The channel is my way of being more present, more visible, and more intentional about reaching people where they are.

The channel features three distinct series. Can you tell us more about them?

Absolutely. The Faith Series is all about spiritual nourishment; practical, heartfelt insights that help people live with more intention and purpose. Letters to My Younger Self is reflective and personal; it’s about speaking to past versions of ourselves, healing, and encouraging resilience. Finally, Becoming Series is for those who are evolving and striving toward their goals. It’s about embracing the process of growth, not just the outcome.

Of the three series, which has been the most meaningful to you personally?

Letters to My Younger Self is very close to my heart. It forces me to be vulnerable, to look back at moments where I struggled, doubted myself, or felt small and then to reframe those experiences with wisdom and compassion. It’s healing for me, and I believe it’s healing for others too.

You’re a serial entrepreneur. What challenges have you faced in balancing business with your creative and spiritual work?

Balance is always the hardest part. There were times when I felt pulled in ten different directions. What I’ve learned is that clarity and boundaries are essential. I’ve also had to build a team and learn to delegate, that was a big shift for me. I no longer try to do it all; I focus on the things that only I can do and empower others to handle the rest.

How do you measure success?

For me, success is measured by impact. Of course, I want to see growth in my businesses and platforms, but the real question is: Am I changing lives? Are people walking away encouraged, more confident, more grounded? If the answer is yes, then I know I’m on the right path.

What’s next for you?

I’m really excited about expanding the YouTube platform and building a stronger community around it. Beyond that, I’m working on scaling both Plan Itt Ltd and Sunset Drinks to reach wider audiences. I also have plans to write more not just articles, but books in the near future. So, the future is full, but I’m ready. So follow me on my socials to stay connected @KatherineNathan_o.

What advice would you give to young people who want to blend faith, storytelling, and entrepreneurship?

First, start with your ‘why.’ If you don’t know your purpose, you’ll burn out quickly. Second, stay consistent even when growth feels slow. And finally, protect your authenticity, don’t compromise who you are just to fit in or go viral. The right people will always be drawn to your genuine voice.

Outside of work, how do you stay grounded?

My faith is my anchor, so prayer and reflection are non-negotiable for me. I also try to make time for family, journaling, and the little things; a walk, a good meal, laughter with friends. Those moments refill me.

Katherine Nathan’s story is one of courage, clarity, and creativity. From her thriving businesses to her growing digital presence, she continues to remind us that faith and ambition are not mutually exclusive, they can powerfully coexist. Through her words, her ventures, and her YouTube channel @KatherineNathan_o, she is helping others not just to work, but to truly become.

OUR economy has always been in a doldrums whether past or present. We continue to mismanage our economy whether knowingly or unknowingly. You cannot give what you don’t have, unfortunately, most of our leaders don’t have what it takes. Leadership in Nigeria is about whose fist is stronger and not ideas. The leaders that are in the know govern people according to their expectation. Having destroyed the educational system and weaponised poverty, some of our people don’t know any better. They praise politicians for the crumbs that are served to them. Their predicament makes them susceptible to the manipulation of the ruiners class (majority of our current leaders/politicians). The resilience of Nigerians is immense, so people remain docile and plod on. Our issues are obvious and not that difficult to solve but there is no will to tackle them. Nigeria, the so-called ‘Giant of Africa,’ is rich in natural and human resources. However, despite its potential, the country continues to face significant economic challenges. These problems have persisted over the years and have hindered sustainable development and poverty reduction. The major causes of our economic woes range from structural weaknesses and governance issues to external shocks and insecurity. Let’s break it down.

1. Overdependence on Oil: One of the most significant economic issues in Nigeria is its heavy reliance on crude oil exports. Oil accounts for over 90% of the country’s export earnings and a large portion of government revenue. This dependence makes the economy highly vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices. When oil prices fall, government income drops, leading to budget deficits, inflation, and economic instability. This ‘mono-economy’ structure has stifled diversification efforts in other critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. In addition, the oil is being stolen. Bunkering remain rife and crude exploration is devastating to our environment, with local biodiversity loss. It is on the record that we don’t know the amount of oil that is pumped out of our fields. Whereas country like Saudi Arabia can account for every drop of oil they produce through technology; every inch of the pipeline is monitored remotely from a sophisticated control centre.

2. Poor governance and corruption: Corruption remains a deep-rooted issue in Nigeria. Mismanagement of public funds and widespread corruption at all levels of government reduce the effectiveness of economic policies and discourage foreign investment. Funds that should be allocated for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic development are often embezzled or misused. As a result, the country’s economic progress is slowed, and public trust in government institutions is weakened. 3. Inadequate infrastructure: Nigeria suffers from serious infrastructure deficits, including unreliable electricity, poor road networks, limited railway systems, and inefficient ports. These challenges increase the cost of doing business, reduce productivity, and discourage both local and international investment. Power outages, in particular, force many businesses to rely on expensive generators, reducing their profit margins and limiting economic growth. The current administration is investing heavily in road projects, but at the end of it all, half of the money will be siphoned into individuals’ pocket, the project will be shoddily carried out and incomplete. The roads will have no adequate drainage, landscaping and signage.

4. Insecurity: Insecurity has become a major threat to economic activities in Nigeria. Armed conflicts, terrorism (such as the Boko Haram insurgency), kidnapping, banditry, and ethnic clashes disrupt agriculture, trade, and industry. Farmers are often forced to abandon their land, leading to lower food production and increased food prices. Insecure regions also experience reduced investment and tourism, further weakening the economy. Can you imagine we have ramshackle armed bandits in charge of certain parts of Nigeria? It was well publicised recently that they were holding press conferences and parading their captives. That is in a country with the rule of law. What a shambles! 5. High unemployment and underemployment: Unemployment, especially among youth, is a critical issue in Nigeria. Millions of young Nigerians graduate from schools and universities every year, but few jobs are available. Many are underemployed or forced into low-paying informal jobs. This situation increases poverty and crime and reduces national productivity. The resources of the country has been cornered by few people, they are living large at the expense of the rest of us, hence the productivity is low. They missed the civic class and lack moral values. They are in government to enrich themselves and not to serve.

6. Inflation and currency instability: Nigeria has been plagued by high inflation and exchange rate instability. Inflation erodes the purchasing power of citizens, leading to a decline in living standards. Frequent devaluation of the Naira, currency scarcity, and multiple exchange rates confuse investors and make economic planning difficult. A self-inflicted woe. The current administration attempts to address this pales insignificant to what is required. The reforms need to be radical and swift. 7. Weak industrial and agricultural base: Despite its agricultural potential, Nigeria imports a large portion of its food and manufactured goods.

Poor support for local farmers and industries has led to low productivity. Many factories operate below capacity or have shut down due to high production costs and poor infrastructure. Multinational manufacturing companies have left our shores and locations converted to churches where Nigerians go to pray for jobs. What a mess, Nigerians are tempting God. Unless we have a reset, we will continue to wallow in the multidimensional poverty that is rife in the country.

8. Debt Burden and Poor Fiscal Management – Nigeria’s rising debt profile is another source of concern. A large percentage of government revenue is spent on debt servicing, leaving little for investment in critical sectors. Furthermore, poor tax collection systems mean that the government relies heavily on borrowing rather than generating sustainable income. We continue to borrow for consumption. The cost of government is high with bloated executive and legislature.

9. Rapid Population Growth – Nigeria’s population is growing rapidly, putting pressure on non-existent or woefully existing infrastructure, education, healthcare, housing, and the labor market. Unfortunately, economic growth has not kept pace with population growth, resulting in widespread poverty and urban congestion. Our best asset remains our people but we failed to make adequate investments in human capital.

10. Poor Education and Health Systems – Education and healthcare are essential for developing a productive workforce, but these sectors are underfunded and poorly managed in Nigeria. Many children lack access to quality education, and healthcare facilities are often inadequate. This limits human capital development and reduces the nation’s capacity for innovation and growth.

There is no denying that Nigeria’s economic problems are complex and interconnected. Addressing them requires bold and sustained efforts by government, private sector, and civil society. Diversifying the economy, fighting corruption, investing in infrastructure and education, and improving security are critical steps towards achieving economic stability and long-term prosperity. With the right policies and commitment, Nigeria can overcome these challenges and unlock its full economic potential.

In the heart of Kathmandu, where devotion meets tradition, little Aryatara Shakya, barely three years old, has been chosen as Nepal’s new Kumari, the ‘living goddess.’ She now carries the weight of centuries-old reverence and unspoken expectations that go far beyond divine worship. Here are five of the most profound, often overlooked expectations placed on Nepal’s living goddesses:

1. Embody Physical Perfection

Before being chosen, a Kumari undergoes an intense selection process. She must possess flawless skin, perfect teeth, unblemished eyes, and an overall aura of serenity. Even the smallest mark or hesitation during tests, like being left alone in darkness or seeing animal blood, can disqualify her.

2. Never Show Fear or Pain

Once chosen, the Kumari becomes a symbol of divine power, meaning she must always appear fearless. Tears, fear, or any sign of discomfort are considered human weaknesses unfit for a goddess. From a young age, she learns to suppress emotions that most children naturally express.

3. Remain Emotionally Composed

Kumaris are expected to stay calm and expressionless, even in isolation. Their words are considered sacred prophecies, so every gesture and statement carries spiritual significance. This emotional restraint often shapes how they experience and limit their humanity.

4. Live Apart from the Outside World

As a living goddess, the Kumari’s movements are restricted. She rarely steps outside her palace except for ceremonies, and interactions with the public are limited. While she is adored by millions, her life is one of quiet solitude, watched, revered, but rarely truly known.

5. Transition Back to Normal Life After Divinity

When puberty arrives, the goddess must retire, instantly becoming an ordinary girl again. Many former Kumaris struggle to adjust to school, friendships, and social life after years of being worshipped. The divine silence they were trained to maintain often follows them into adulthood.

The story of Aryatara Shakya is not just about a child crowned as a goddess; it’s about the invisible weight of perfection placed on her shoulders. Behind the incense and prayers lies a quiet truth: to be a Kumari is to live like a goddess while learning to hide the heart of a child.

Hon Dayo Ogungbenro was last week Monday at the Oyo State congress of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reelected the state chairman of the party, in this interview with YINKA OLADOYINBO, he speaks about his agenda for the party in the next four years, the challenges facing the major opposition party and its chances come 2027. Excerpts:

What is your agenda as you assume office for the second term as the chairman of the PDP in Oyo State?

First and foremost, I have to give glory to God for making it possible for me to return to office for another term, this is another koseleri in Oyo State politics for the chairman of PDP to serve two terms, I also have to thank the governor of the state, Engineer Seyi Makinde for the opportunity to serve and like he charged which I also associate myself with the greatest challenging this party is to deliver governorship in 2027 and there is no compromise about that, and that is to serve as a note of warning to other opposition parties in the state that there is no vacancy in Agodi Government House

Now that you have said the PDP will rule Oyo state beyond 2027, how do you think that is achievable with the situation the party found itself in the country?

Yes, it is noted that we don’t have any issue in the party in the state, there might be challenges at the federal level and there is no political party without its own issue and politics is essentially about continuous engagements and compromise, so soonest the party will still find her foot. Just like I said, ni issue in Oyo state PDP, if anybody has any issue in party politics in Oyo state it will be in APC, the major opposition party, so I don’t see anything coming our way in 2027 by the special grace of God.

At the state Congress of the party, there were some notable leaders that were not at the venue, doesn’t that portend internal wranglings in the party?

I don’t see it in that perspective.

To many people, Seyi Makinde is the only factor making PDP strong in Oyo State, how are you going to sustain the relevance of the party after the expiration of his tenure in 2027?

Yes, I have heard people saying it that Seyi Makinde is PDP and PDP is Seyi Makinde, I also said it when the former vice president Atiku Abubakar was here to campaign in 2023 at Mapo, I told the dignitaries that were present that that is the situation in Oyo State. Having said that and having known that the governor will soon finish his constitutional two terms, this kind of question is very germane, but remember when Seyi Makinde was coming, many people didn’t give him chance as far as performance in party politics is concerned. Many people argued that he is from the corporate world, he is a corporate man, he doesn’t know anything about politics. Our late leader, Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of blessed memory even said he has not been a councilor, he hasn’t been this and that, but to the glory of God Seyi Makinde performed beyond expectations of an average doubting Thomas. Since we have agreed that politics is dynamic, that dynamism will be brought into play to ensure that the PDP maintain its lead, in Oyo State come 2027. If you say the governor has a superlative performance, voters in the state are aware of this. In fact, the question people are asking me now is that whenever Seyi leaves how do you think you will sustain the performance of your party? All they are asking for is we should tell the governor that whoever is coming as a successor should be someone that can perform up to that level or even beyond. Once upon a time in this state we have instances where salaries were not paid for more than eight months, Seyi Makinde came and promised that salary will be paid as and when due and up till today it has not changed. Ask the civil servants, the teachers, pensioners, even artisans, students, market women, they are all yearning for Seyi Makinde. However, he won’t be on the governorship ballot come 2027 and that is not my major headache now. I will now have to go and tell these people that the governor won’t be on the ballot, so we have to buckle up so as to maintain the level of the performance of Seyi Makinde come 2027 or more than that, we won almost all the local government during the last election and we are going to repeat that. All we are praying for is that God will be magnanimous to our leader to make the right choice and I can assure you that the right choice will be made.

With many aspirants that want to succeed the governor, how are you going to ensure that an acceptable candidate emerge in a rancour free situation?

All is politics and we have witnessed this type of thing for years, we know how to do our things, look at the last congresses from wards to the local governments and to the state level, no quarell, no skirmishes, no cutlass, the PDP in Oyo State has come of age irrespective of our different political ambitions, we will disagree to agree because the greatest disservice we can do to Seyi Makinde is not to win in 2027 and we are winning by the grace of God. In due course I will be all over the state spreading the gospel according to Seyi Makinde, so that an average person in the state will not rely on him alone, but will rely on him and PDP together.

As a state chairman of the PDP, are you not worried about the crisis rocking the party at the national level?

I am not, politics is about choices and about I want this, I want that and when your choices are not being met definitely you move to other platforms to ventilate it. Former president Muhammadu Buhari contested three times and at the third attempt he wept openly before they formed another alliance and they succeeded in pushing the PDP out of power. Be that as it may, people are free to make choices as far as politics or any association is concerned , as they go other people are coming , that is politics for you, as a matter of fact, a lot of them that have gone are already coming back, so let us wait and see, this is just 2025 and we are going to 2027, a lot water will still pass under the bridge before that time.

Are you saying despite the present situation, the party is still in a good position to win election at the national level come 2027?

Definitely, if we are talking of opposition parties in Nigeria today can we rate anyone over PDP? Even if ADC is coming up. Honestly, we flop our chances in 2023 and we have to blame ourselves because some people believe they can move on without this and that. During our campaign at Mapo with all the dignitaries sitting, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide was there, Halleluyah (Senator Hosea Agboola) was also there, I told them frankly, on no ambiguous term that don’t be deceived that Seyi Makinde is a factor in PDP. The greatest error PDP made in 2023 was that Atiku could not muster enough will to unite the party and that was what caused him the presidency. I told them publicly as a political scientist , how can you jettison five sitting governors, they were not former governors, they were sitting governors and I told them the truth, I even arranged a meeting between Alhaji Atiku and my principal, but eventually some people were pushing Baba Atiku and we saw how it all ended, that would have been the greatest opportunity for this party to come back to power.

As someone that has been involved in elections over the years, what are the areas of our electoral system that you think need to be reformed or amended for us to have near perfect elections?

First and foremost, the way we appoint the INEC chairman should be changed for the good of the generality of the country. They said there is no historian without his or her biases, once you know you are the appointing authority you can do anything and pretend to be otherwise. It is wrong for the president to continue to be the sole appointing authority of INEC chairman and the commissioners, we should evolve a system through which they would be appointed that would be devoid of the biases of the president. If we want to be nationalistic in our approach we should change certain things and that is why some people said even after 65 years of independence Nigeria still remains an ordinary geographical expression because of the primordial interest, we should chart course for nationalism so that we can move forward. Some people will argue that it took America over 200 years before they got to where they are today, does that means we have to also spend 200 years.

Looking at the Federal Government being run by the APC, what is your stake on its performance, particularly in the last two years?

My assessment is that the good people of Nigeria should excuse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027 because his performance is abysmal, and I want to say that the PDP, which is the major opposition party in the country is representing a better alternative and knows how to run the country better. We knew how much a bag of rice was when President Goodluck Jonathan was in power, we also knew how much it was during Buhari regime, we know the price now, not to talk of price of fuel and other things. During the president’s independence speech, he said there will be light at the end of the tunnel, what else do you expect him to say? He would not say there wouldn’t be light at the end of the tunnel, you can only expect such things from a better clime, not the one like ours where you just believe that whether you are performing or not performing you must be in office by all means. But the beauty of democracy is that you challenge the performance of the person you put on board every four years in case of federal and state levels and every three years in case of local government level, you are free either to vote somebody in after a tenure if you are satisfied with his or her performances or you vote him or her out, that is the beauty of the game, when they said Jonathan did not perform up to expectations he was voted out, why were they not liberal like Jonathan, he congratulated Buhari even before the results of the elections were announced. But what are they doing after Jonathan? But I know that one day we will get to where we are supposed to be.

A federal lawmaker from Lagos State, Honourable Adesola Adedayo, has said the ongoing voter registration exercise is crucial to favourable outcome in the 2027 elections.

The medical doctor, representing Apapa federal constituency also tied the expected success of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election project to the exercise in the state and nationally.

He appealed to chieftains of his All Progressives Congress (APC) to massively mobilise the grassroots for the President, starting with getting those constitutionally-qualified to vote, to register.

Adedayo, a former two-term chairman of Apapa-Iganmu LCDA disclosed that he has been on the field with his team since the commencement of the exercise, mobilising his base and constituents to go out and register.

The first-termer in the National Assembly stated that his involvement with the grassroots mobilisation has shown him that there are countless potential Tinubu voters in the state who just need to be guided through the process of being able to vote in 2027.

Describing the President as a wartime leader in the mould of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Julius Caesar, Saladin, Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower, the lawmaker explained that apart from the insecurity gripping the country, which is almost at war-front proportion, the President is also fighting economic battles to rescue the commonwealth from cannibals sucking it for decades.

He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration, saying that at the President’s age and the quantum of material blessings he has received from God, what is paramount to him now is a legacy of service to his fatherland.

He assured the Nigerian leader will deliver, noting, ‘I remember when he became Lagos governor and in the early days, some people were shouting just like now, that he wasn’t shaping up as expected. But they usually forget Asiwaju is a strategist. He just doesn’t do things, particularly in governance and politics because he knows people’s lives are at stake. Then his strategic governance delivery kicked in, in Lagos and everybody began to hail him, including the early-day critics.’