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Attack on Seyi Tinubu affront on Nigerian youths, less privileged – Balami

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An APC chieftain and youth advocate, Comrade Isaac Balami has condemned in totality the constant attacks on Seyi Tinubu, stating that an attack on him should be seen as an attack on Nigerian youth and the less privileged whom Mr. Tinubu has dedicated his time to the protection of their rights and privileges.

Balami, who referenced the recent video of Seyi Tinubu when he accompanied President Tinubu to Rome for the inauguration of the Pope said most of such narratives were aimed at debasing Mr. Tinubu.

He urged the Nigerian youth to rise against individuals who have been contracted to construct narratives meant to continuously disparage Seyi Tinubu despite his good intentions.

Faulting the nature of Nigerian politics which aims to target individuals considered to be gaining popularity in the political space, Balami said, “such is clear politics of bitterness aimed to pull individuals down for the interests they tend to protect. I don’t know why some people are only interested in pulling someone down so as to gain relevance. One doesn’t need to disparage someone or manipulate narratives to succeed. I advise those with the “Pull Him Down” syndrome to know that they can still succeed without necessarily trying to pull others down.”

He recalled how in one month, Seyi Tinubu was the target of different online bullies, referencing the incident of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, factional President who later apologized to him.

The former spokesman for the Trade Union Congress, TUC, further said no month will pass without traducers dragging him on social media.

Dismissing the video that Seyi Tinubu was stopped from having a handshake with the Pope, Balami said from his observation, the young man was never going to have any handshake in the first place.

“From the video, it is clear that Seyi Tinubu was only going to join his dad after the handshake and was simply directed to meet him on the other exit as they were about to exit the place. How someone will just sit down to initiate this narrative is beyond me.

“How do you conclude on what you have no empirical evidence to prove? How does mere protocol define someone’s intention? Those peddling this must stop now.”

“I believe the growing popularity of Mr. Tinubu whom it has been suggested is eyeing the governorship seat in Lagos in the next election has been giving some people sleepless nights. Such individuals would do anything to demarket him. But then, it is too late. Already, Mr. Tinubu is loved by young people. The level of investment on Nigerian youths remains unprecedented and Nigerian youths won’t abandon him when he needs them.”

Balami said Seyi Tinubu is a role model to many young people based on his responsible lifestyle.

According to him, ” We have seen cases when a president’s son and other dignitaries who escorted past presidents to such an event were engrossed in frivolity as against participating in what actually took them there.”

He said, “some will go to nightclubs, drink and party away. But we all saw how Seyi, not minding anything travelled with his father and stayed glued till the end. Many young people won’t have the time for this and would deliberately avoid the trip because it is not about partying and others. I believe Seyi Tinubu is a unifier and has the capacity to unite young Nigerians. ”

“What should bother young Nigerians is the level of support from Seyi Tinubu and his foundation,”

“I believe the record is there for everyone to see. Seyi Tinubu’s support for young people knows no bounds,” he said.

While cautioning young people against social media bullying, the APC chieftain said if the privileged Seyi Tinubu can go through this type of online bullying, then what becomes of the ordinary youth who aspires for bigger and better offices in future.

He called on Nigerian youths to form a formidable force against those waiting to see the downfall of Seyi Tinubu.

“If at this time that the world is moving at such a speedy pace we are still talking about a handshake, then we have a long way to go.

“While seyi is investing in the Nigerian youths through his numerous positive engagements, michieve makers are rather investing on media propaganda to discourage the good young man,” Balami said.

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Obolo: Akwa Ibom groups clash in Calabar over demands for new state

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Many groups that traveled from Akwa Ibom State to Calabar, capital of Cross River State, venue for the South-South Centre B Zonal Public Hearing on the amendment of the 1999 Constitution, clashed over their demands for the creation of Obolo State from present Akwa Ibom State.

Pro-groups and anti-groups competed in shouting matches and for spaces to display their banners and posters at the venue in a bid to arrest the attention of the lawmakers and other dignitaries present.

Some of the banners against the creation of Obolo State carried inscriptions such as: We Say No to Obolo State on Ibibio Ancestral Land, Don’t Create Obolo State, Entire Akwa Ibom Coastline is Ibibioland, No Inch of Ibibio Land Will Be Ceded to Settlers for a State.

Pro-banners had messages like: Please Create Obolo State. We’re Marginalized, We’re Tired of Deprivations, We Own Oil Wells But No Development, etc.

The pro-groups demanding the creation of Obolo State, which they listed should comprise the five existing LGAs making up Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom—such as Oron, Okobo, Uruefong Oruko, Mbo, Udung Uko, as well as Ibeno, Eastern Obolo, and Andoni in Rivers State, complained of alleged “mindless marginalization” and deprivation by the domineering and majority Ibibio people.

They insisted that they can no longer be denied their freedom and greater opportunities, including infrastructure and development.

They refuted the claims by the larger ethnic group of Ibibio that they are settlers on their lands.

Speaking about the imperatives for the creation of Obolo State, President General of Oro-Obolo Peoples’ Union, Engr. Ngerebara Sampson Adumu, said the creation of Obolo State will right historical wrongs and unlock the vast potentials of the people to the country.

Citing historical and legal documents, Adumu refuted the claims by mainland people of Akwa Ibom State that the people who constitute the Obolo are settlers.

Pleading with the National Assembly to consider the creation of Obolo State, he disclosed that they have a population of over 1.3 million and vast oil potentials, and can survive as a state.

“The claims of Ekid-Ibibio ownership over Obolo, particularly Ibeno lands, are unfounded in law and history, with no credible evidence supporting them.

“We’re not settlers. We have a centuries-long history of habitation along the Atlantic coast, with a distinct cultural identity shaped by our maritime traditions and trade with European merchants dating back to the 17th century.”

One of the leaders of the Ibibio groups, Chief Umoh Ime, insisted that historically the Obolos were originally fishermen who came from today’s Rivers State and were allotted the lands by their forebears.

“They can’t come to claim our lands. They should leave the land, as we shall never cede any parts for a state to be created inside our state.”

Addressing journalists, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review, Mr. Kingsley Chinda, disclosed that the idea of holding zonal engagement was for the Representatives to speak with the people on their concerns on the 1999 Constitution.

Chinda, who is the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, said they want to ensure that Nigerians own their constitution by making inputs on its amendment.

“We want to make our Constitution one that is owned by the people, which is why we are speaking with the people who elected us.

“In this Centre B, we have discussed with the people of Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River, and we have gotten their inputs. We will take these inputs back to the Parliament for further deliberations,” he noted.

“Some of these inputs will reflect in the about-to-be-amended Constitution, but it would be sent to state assemblies to look at and return to them to conclude actions.”

Several groups from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, and Cross River States attended the session and made their presentations.

Two groups from Rivers State also presented their pleas for the creation of Bori and Atlantic City States.

Movement for the Creation of Ogoja State also made input.

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Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s Key Demands at Constitution Review Public Hearing

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Gov. Hope Uzodimma

— Governor-General of Ndi Igbo in Action

By Ambrose Nwaogwugwu | July 20, 2025.

At the public hearing in Owerri, Governor Hope Uzodimma made bold, patriotic demands to correct historical injustices and strengthen national unity. His key advocacies include:

1. Creation of more South East states — at least two, including Anim State, to end underrepresentation.

2. Rotational Presidency — constitutionally rotate presidency among the six geopolitical zones.

3. Indigeneship by birth or 10-year residency — to promote inclusion and national unity.

4. State Police — decentralize policing for better grassroots security.

5. Peaceful engagement — urged Ndi Igbo to push their demands through dialogue, not agitation.

 

With these strong positions, Gov. Uzodimma once again proves himself the Governor-General of Ndi Igbo, boldly speaking truth to power.

— Ambrose Nwaogwugwu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic and Creative Media.

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Dogara opposed Muslim-Muslim ticket, then begged for appointment – Ex-aide

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A former close associate of ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Barrister Maigida Yakubu, has strongly criticised the former lawmaker, describing him as a “master manipulator who has traded honour for deceit, unity for chaos, and trust for betrayal.”

He also accused Dogara of leading the Zaar (Sayawa) community towards division and crisis.

In an eleven-page open letter titled “Behind the Curtain of Deceit: Unmasking the Architect of the Zaar Identity Crisis and Division,” Maigida said Dogara’s recent acceptance of a political appointment from the same government he openly opposed during the 2023 campaigns shows hypocrisy.

He criticised Dogara’s role during the 2023 presidential election, especially his public rejection of the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket. Maigida said Dogara presented himself as a moral voice but later went behind the scenes begging for appointments from the same party he attacked.

“Your trademark deceit and constant mistakes have finally received the attention they deserve. If awards were given for political self-destruction, you would win them all. You acted like a hero opposing the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, pretending to be a moral leader. Yet, for the past two years, you’ve been chasing the same people for political favours without shame,” he wrote.

He further mocked Dogara for organising a fake Christian protest crowd, mostly from the Middle Belt, to support his political stand, saying he only does things when they serve his selfish interest.

Maigida said the Tinubu administration only gave Dogara a minor appointment to keep him quiet politically.

“The government knows who you are; that’s why they gave you a small chairmanship position—not out of respect, but to silence you. These days, you move around political offices like a desperate fly, trying to get attention,” he added.

He accused Dogara of using and dividing his people, especially the youth, for personal gain without helping anyone. “Tell us, is there any Basayi son or daughter who can truly say they were empowered during your time in office as Representative and Speaker?” he asked.

According to him, Dogara is more known for acquiring property and building estates using money he made from years of shady dealings in the National Assembly. “In fact, ‘padding’ might be your most memorable legacy from the 8th Assembly, and it will always follow your name like a shadow,” Maigida added.

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