Politics
Delta group protests Mutu’s 26-year reign as House of Reps member
Lawmaker representing Bomadi, Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, in the House of Representatives, Nicholas Mutu, is facing rejection from his consistency.
A socio-political group under the aegis of Movement for the Rotation of Power in Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency has protested the lawmaker’s presence in the House of Reps for 26 years, since 1999.
The group also known as Patani Agenda 2027, staged a peaceful protest to the Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori demanding a shift in political representation of the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Led by Mrs Binaebi Keboh, the group marched to the Government House Asaba, lamenting that the long stay of one individual in the position has created political imbalance, underdevelopment, and marginalization of Patani communities.
“Our call today is not just political, it is moral. Patani has been sidelined for 26 years. The time has come to allow equity, fairness, and justice in our constituency,” Keboh said.
The group listed several alleged failures under Mutu’s long representation, including poor legislative visibility, absence of impactful bills, lack of strategic federal presence, and neglect of Patani LGA in constituency development projects.
Keboh, said the group supported Governor Oborevwori passionately during the 2023 elections and played strategic roles in stabilizing his mandate during legal litigations, adding that the constituency expects “fair political accommodation in return.”
Some other members of the movement, including, Chris Anthony, Pastor Avwoke Fredrick, Comrade Enai Barry, maintained that there is no major federal project to show for 26 years of representation. No notable road infrastructure, no industrial development, nothing meaningful for the youth. We cannot continue like this.
Key demands of the group include, the rotation of the Bomadi/Patani House of Representatives seat to Patani LGA in 2027, exclusion of Nicholas Mutu from the 2027 House of Representatives contest, direct intervention by Governor Oborevwori in zoning arrangements, warning to all political parties that fielding Mutu again may lead to electoral backlash and a recognition of Patani Agenda 2027 as a legitimate democratic movement.
The group maintained that the movement is “peaceful but determined” and warned that any attempt to retain the seat in Bomadi LGA could spark resistance at the polls.
In his response, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Johnson Erijo, who addressed the protesters on behalf of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori assured the people of Bomadi/ Patani federal constituency that all aspirants will be given a level playing ground to contest the position.
“One thing I can assure you is that everyone who wants to contest for any position in the 2027 election will be given a level playing ground. Even the President, Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori will be subjected to the electoral processes,” he stated.
While commending the group for their solidarity and support to the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and President Bola Tinubu, Prince Erijo also thanked members of the movement for conducting themselves in a peaceful manner and assured that all their concerns will get to the State Governor.
He urged them to continue to maintain peace in their federal constituency as the state government under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is committed to ensure that Deltans enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
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