Politics
I respect Soyinka but disagree with his position on Datti comments – Adichie
I respect Soyinka but disagree with his position on Datti comments – Adichie
Novelist Chimamanda Adichie has disagreed with the Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, for saying comments made by the Labour Party’s vice presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, on the outcome of the February 25 presidential election were fascist.
Adichie, in an interview on Arise TV on Tuesday night, however said she still held Soyinka in high esteem and admired him a great deal.
“Because I respect Soyinka a lot, I went back and watched the interview again. I think fascism is a really strong word, which often made me think of Mussolini of Italy.We use it now. I do not see any reason Datti Baba-Ahmed’s interview would have been termed fascist.
“I think he was making a very strongly and fair point about the election and he was saying, which again, I thought is fairly reasonable, that if our democracy is rooted in the constitution and you then swear in a person who is being elected unconstitutionally, and you are in fact ending democracy. I think it is quite a reasonable position. Of course we can argue about what that means in the constitution,” Adichie said.
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She also said, “I am very grateful for this whole election period because it made me read things I probably would have, such as the Nigerian constitution and also made me have quite a few suggestions for editing. I think now we are talking about what ‘and’ mean right. So Mr. Ahmed Datti-Baba is saying that it is two-third and the FCT and that’s separate and its a reasonable argument right.
“You know ‘and’ is a conjunction and we use it in that context often to mean plural right so we say; Aisha and Yemi are coming and we don’t say Aisha and Yemi is coming, that is because they are two separate things, two separate entities and of course the court will interpret.
“I don’t think it unreasonable for educated Nigerians who can read, who know what the word ‘and’ means to make their own interpretations and to argue it and of course the fact that the Labour Party in court means that they do not believe that this election is constitutional and I didn’t quite see it should be termed fascist.”
Adichie said she had suggestions for what people could use fascist for.
For instance, she said, “Fascist is all of the violence that happened during the election. Fascist is the way some people remain silent about that violence. Fascist is a government that hasn’t come out to address the very tangible and palpable discontent in this country.
“I think that when I say that we can use fascist for INEC, what I mean is the fact that many of us, including myself are convinced that this is not in any way technological glitch. I think that Prof. Yakubu had an opportunity for heroism and I thing he wasted it spectacularly.”
I respect Soyinka but disagree with his position on Datti comments – Adichie
Politics
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee, led by Olagunsoye Oyinlola, is set to brief the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) on its findings and recommendations ahead of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.
The committee met at the PDP National Secretariat in Abuja on Monday to finalise its report for presentation to the Amb. Umar Damagum-led NWC, which will then present it to the NEC for ratification.
Following a meeting with the PDP National Assembly Caucus, Oyinlola emphasised the need for unity within the party, noting that any successful political party must be united. He described the discussions as productive and critical for addressing the party’s declining political fortunes.
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Oyinlola also addressed the upcoming Ondo Governorship election, stating that the committee has considered the election while touring the South-West region and is developing strategies to support the party’s efforts.
When asked about internal disputes, Oyinlola confirmed that the committee is focused on reconciling party members who have disagreements. Regarding rumours of possible suspensions, he dismissed them as speculation, pending discussions with the NWC.
PDP reconciliation committee to present report at NEC meeting Thursday
Politics
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Speaking at a recent event to commission infrastructure projects in Ado-Ekiti, Fayose made his support for Oyebanji clear, emphasising that his loyalty to the governor transcends party lines.
“I don’t care what people say about me,” Fayose declared in response to criticism from his party. “Whoever is not pleased should take their party away.”
His comments come amid growing tensions within the PDP, where some members have threatened Fayose with expulsion for his actions.
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Fayose praised Governor Oyebanji’s performance, citing his developmental strides and the unity among Ekiti leaders as key reasons for his endorsement.
“All former governors of Ekiti are standing behind Oyebanji for a second term,” Fayose noted, underscoring the broad support Oyebanji has garnered due to his achievements in office.
Governor Oyebanji, during the event, highlighted his administration’s efforts to improve the lives of Ekiti residents.
He pointed out that under his leadership, over 40 towns have been connected to the national power grid, boosting local economies through significant infrastructure projects.
Fayose’s endorsement comes ahead of the 2026 governorship election and is seen as a significant boost to Oyebanji’s chances of securing a second term.
Despite Fayose’s strong ties to the PDP, his support for the sitting governor indicates a potential rift within the party as the state prepares for the upcoming election.
Fayose endorses APC’s Oyebanji for second term in Ekiti
Politics
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
Tensions are reaching a boiling point within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State as key party leaders lock horns over political appointments following the recent election.
The power struggle between former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s camp and former Governor Adams Oshiomhole’s faction has escalated into a full-blown conflict, with both sides accusing each other of greed and overreach in the allocation of “juicy” positions within the state government.
Pastor Ize-Iyamu’s loyalists have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they perceive as an attempt by Oshiomhole’s camp to monopolize appointments in Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration.
A source from Ize-Iyamu’s camp told News Direct:
“We will not allow one greedy man to singlehandedly nominate appointees into all the juicy positions or take the lion’s share in nominating political appointees beyond his senatorial district.
“He plans to boss the governor into a tight corner to take command over his government.”
The rift was fuelled by accusations that Oshiomhole’s influence over the incoming governor is growing disproportionately, and there are concerns that the former governor, through his loyalists, is attempting to seize control of key positions in Edo State’s administration.
On their part, Ize-Iyamu’s supporters believe the positions should be distributed equitably across all senatorial districts.
A source from Oshiomhole’s faction dismissed the position, saying:
“Those that didn’t contribute significant votes in the election should take the back seat.
It is not a monkey work, bamboo chop thing; but, if the governor insists he wants to play to their music, we will not hesitate to dance naked and tell the tribunal how we rigged the election that brought him because he knows he didn’t win at the poll.”
The current political tussle appears to be centred on distributing 12 commissioner slots and other high-ranking appointments.
Ize-Iyamu’s camp has argued that it is unfair for one individual, particularly someone from a different senatorial district, to control so many key positions. A senior member from Ize-Iyamu’s faction said:
“We insist 12 commissioners and other juicy appointments are too much for one man who is merely a senatorial leader. We must resist this masked intruder vehemently.
“His puppet can concede his two Ovias to support the Edo North slot, but certainly not in my Edo South or Okpebholo’s Central. We are not fools.”
Meanwhile, political watchers in the state say the deepening feud between these two factions could have serious implications for the stability of the APC in Edo State.
There are also fears that the dispute over appointments could weaken the party’s unity, especially with the looming possibility of litigation at the election tribunal.
While the Oshiomhole camp has implied that it could reveal damaging information regarding the election process, Ize-Iyamu’s camp remains defiant, stating that they can defend their victory without relying on Oshiomhole’s influence.
Row among APC leaders in Edo over political appointments
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