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Give Restructuring a Priority, Adebayo Urges Buhari

Published

10 years ago

July 19, 2016

Former minister for Communications, Chief Cornelius Adebayo has cautioned the government against refusal to restructure the country’s polity noting that the present structure was retarding the growth of the nation

He argued that until the leadership of Nigeria revisited the issue of restructuring, “an agitation before independence,” the neglect would continue to slow the pace of socio, political and economic developments of the nation.According to him, the clamour for restructuring has been part of the country’s history even before independence, stressing that the problem was created by the rush of “let-us-get-independence first” and that it has not been sorted out up till date.

“So there must be restructuring. All nations are teaching us everyday. The United Kingdom is not a federation. They have restructured to the level that Welsh, Irish and Scottish have self-determination. The English does not dominate them. It came to a point that the Scots had to decide whether to walk out or not.”

Adebayo said it was a matter of choice for each people where they belong, what role they play in government and who rules them. So restructuring is crucial adding: “It is part of what we fought for. I was the secretary of the movement national reformation and NADECO was about the struggle for the restructuring of Nigeria. Until Nigeria is restructured we won’t have democracy, as it should be. So that must be taken into consideration and addressed. “That is one area where I have not been very happy about with what Mr. President has said about the last confab. The issue involves restructuring and a balanced federation. A federation in which every unit is satisfied that it is having what is best possible for it.”

The former Governor of old Kwara state particularly canvassed the position of the people of Kwara saying “there are nations and I am talking in the conventional sense of the word, who want to be together. My people in Kwara state want to be part of a Yoruba nation within a federation. So long as there are such desires, they must be addressed, the people are not happy. “My position remains what you would expect it to be. With all modesty I was one of the leaders of the Middle Belt Forum and I remain one of the leaders of the Forum. I was at one time chairman of the political committee of Afenifere. I remain a very firm believer in Afenifere and the course of Yoruba nation. I believe Kwara wants and desires the best share of what this country has to offer.

He advocated the devolution of power from the centre noting, “Power is too heavy in the hands of the Federal Government of Nigeria. There must be devolution but before that there must be restructuring so that the oppression of the minority within a unit can be stemmed. I want the restructuring of the Nigerian federation to be a priority of the current administration.” Besides, the former minister who bemoaned the state of the Nigerian economy blamed successive past leaders for the nation’s present economic recession. However he commended the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari-led government in trying to fix the problem.

Also he called for a frontal tackling of the problem of unemployment in the country just as he expressed optimism in the ability of the nation to overcome it as some other countries of the world have done in the past. According to him, the high rate of unemployment in the country was having negative consequences on standard of living of the citizens but pleaded that there was need for Nigerians to endure for the dark moment to pass by

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Hashim: Nigeria Is at War, Tinubu Lacks Clear Strategy to End Insecurity

Published

2 weeks ago

July 28, 2026

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Accord Party presidential aspirant Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s approach to tackling insecurity, saying Nigeria is effectively at war but lacks a clear and coordinated strategy to defeat terrorist groups and criminal gangs.

Hashim argued that despite ongoing military operations, terrorists and armed criminal groups continue to dictate the pace of violence in several parts of the country. He maintained that the nation’s security challenges require more than isolated military offensives, calling instead for a comprehensive national strategy backed by strong political leadership.

According to him, Nigeria’s armed forces possess the capacity to restore security if provided with consistent direction, adequate support, and a clearly defined mission. He stressed that defeating insecurity requires improved intelligence gathering, stronger inter-agency coordination, and sustained political commitment.

Hashim further urged the federal government to treat the country’s security situation with greater urgency, warning that prolonged instability could continue to undermine economic growth, investment, and public confidence in government institutions.

His comments come amid ongoing national debate over security policy, even as the Tinubu administration has announced measures including expanding the Nigerian Army and increasing investment in technology and military capabilities to address the country’s security threats.

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President Tinubu Approves Major Road Infrastructure Boost – Reconstruction of Key Federal Roads in Niger State and Extension of Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers State

Published

5 months ago

February 27, 2026

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In a significant move to enhance connectivity, durability, and economic development across Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has given the green light for the immediate reconstruction of three critical federal roads in Niger State, alongside the extension of the strategic Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers State to link up with the East–West Road.

The three roads in Niger State earmarked for full reconstruction will utilize reinforced concrete pavement to guarantee long-lasting performance and better value for money. The projects include:

Mokwa–Bida Road(approximately 120 km)
Mokwa–Makeri Road (63 km)
Bida–Labata Road (123.5 km)

These upgrades aim to improve transportation efficiency, reduce maintenance costs over time, and support socio-economic activities in the North-Central region.

Additionally, President Tinubu has directed the extension of the Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers State by connecting it to the East–West Road. This extension will be constructed as a *dual carriageway using concrete pavement and will feature solar-powered street lighting for enhanced safety and sustainability. The initiative is expected to boost access to coastal communities, facilitate trade, and strengthen integration in the Niger Delta area.

This approval underscores the administration’s ongoing commitment to revitalizing legacy infrastructure projects and delivering durable, high-quality road networks nationwide under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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“Political Hushpuppi” Ugochinyere is one of PDP’s aberrations, he is only cashing out – Wike’s Aide

Published

2 years ago

November 24, 2024

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Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has described House of Representatives member from Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo State, Imo Ugochinyere Ikeagwuonu, as a “political hushpuppi” who was produced by part of the aberrations in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that must be made to stop.

Olayinka, who told Ugochinyere to “stop going about masturbating about anything Wike,” admonished him to face the reason for which he was elected into the House of Representatives so that his constituents will stop seeing him as a failure and consistently passing votes of no confidence against him.

While featuring on Channels TV’s Politics Today on Friday, Ugochinyere, had said that the FCT Minister and other G5 Governors like Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, former governors Samuel Ortom (Benue), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) were determined to destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, Olayinka said; “This is one of the things you get when people who joined the PDP today are awarded the ticket of the party tomorrow morning. If not for the aberration in the PDP that produced a character like Ugochinyere, someone who only joined the party in 2022 won’t be the one to lecture us about who is loyal to the party and who’s not.

“If PDP had functioned properly, would a ‘political hushpuppi’ like Ugochinyere have gotten the party’s ticket while still in another party? Even till today, as a PDP Rep member, Ugochinyere is still holding on to his Action Peoples Party (APP), using it to cash-out in Rivers State.

“Therefore, we on this side are not bothered because we understand why Ugochinyere must now mount the podium and accuse Wike of playing childish and kindergarten politics. He must satisfy those feeding him from the resources of Rivers State.”

While mocking Ugochinyere for always having an organization to speak for to carry out his political hustle, Olayinka said; “In saner climes, such character would have been arrested, tried and jailed for impersonation.

“When he got to the House of Representatives and there was no title under which his political hushpuppism would continue, he awarded to himself a non-existing title of ‘Spokesperson of Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in the 10th National Assembly,’ claiming to have been so appointed by the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).

“But the questions are, is CUPP a political party with members in the House of Representatives? Where and when was CUPP registered? Apart from the positions of Minority Leader, Deputy Minority Leader, Minority Whip and Deputy Minority Whip, is there anything like spokesperson of opposition lawmakers in the National Assembly?

“Being a political hustler that he has always been, Ugochinyere, knew that he will be contravening the rules of the National Assembly by allocating to himself, a non-existing position, but he just must have a title to keep his hustle going, and indeed, it has been booming.

“Impersonating as spokesperson of opposition lawmakers in the House of Representatives, Ugochinyere has been cashing out in Rivers State in particular. If he is not using his former party, APP, to cash-out, he will be using his amorphous opposition lawmakers to chop from inside the Rivers.”