News

[OPINION] Delta: When The Vultures Gather

Published

1 year ago

April 30, 2025

By Israel Adebiyi

There is a strange rustling in Nigeria’s political forest these days — not of development or reform — but the frantic wing-flapping of politicians turning coats faster than a magician at a street carnival. Yes, once again, the vultures are gathering, and the carcass they circle is none other than the tattered remains of ideological politics in Nigeria.

Gone are the days when parties were bound by clear-cut beliefs. Today, in the Nigerian political dictionary, ideology is defined as whatever keeps me out of EFCC trouble and loyalty is simply whoever signs the bigger cheque. Defection has become a sport, a market, a ritual — and the politicians? A fair-weather company of deserters.

Take a good look at Delta State, the latest theater of the absurd. On Monday, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, led an armada of APC governors to welcome Delta’s Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and — drumroll — Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the 2023 election vice-presidential candidate of the PDP, into the APC fold.

Yes, you heard right. PDP’s two grand lions in Delta, now in APC jerseys, chanting a new anthem. Like a lady stripped of her dignity in the market square, Delta PDP was dismantled. Everybody with any weight, clout, or dancing skills made a grand somersault into the APC.

Mind you, this is a state where APC, despite huffing and puffing over 26 years, never managed to blow down PDP’s house. And yet, overnight, they woke up to find the steering wheel of the state government handed to them — not after an election, but by executive surrender. One minute, the APC was struggling to rent a kiosk in Delta politics; the next, they are cutting housewarming cakes.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: [OPINION] Breaking Bad: The Nigerian Episode

Governor Oborevwori, now fully draped in APC colours, didn’t just defect — he became the APC leader in Delta! Meanwhile, the original APC “landlords” like Senator Ovie Omo-Agege and Festus Keyamo have been turned into tenants in their own home. At a courtesy visit to the new landlord, Keyamo bluntly told loyal APC members: “Follow your new master or find another playground.” Democracy, Nigerian style. Such is the gathering of vultures. In the feast of political carcasses, if you weren’t invited, don’t even smell the kitchen!

And what was the official excuse? According to Okowa, the defection was “necessary to better connect Delta State with the Federal Government and benefit from the resources and goodwill available in Abuja.”

Let that echo properly: benefit from the resources and goodwill available in Abuja! Translation: secure personal survival, eat federal cake, and leave the voters to chew the crumbs. The same Delta people who, roughly over two years ago, decisively rejected the APC at the polls, reaffirming that Delta is PDP and PDP is Delta. The people? They’re just extras in this poorly scripted movie.

Make no mistake, the Nigerian defector is not moved by conviction but by calculation. When the party is good, they dance. When the food finishes, they wipe their mouths and walk out the back door. They loot their parties dry, sell out their comrades, and wear new party colors like a scarf in Harmattan.

In this bazaar, honour is not a currency. Faithfulness is foolishness. It’s all about who offers the juiciest meat at the gathering.

But beyond the drama, there is a sinister undertone. As opposition parties collapse and key figures desert, Nigeria risks sleepwalking into a one-party state — the graveyard of true democracy. Without viable opposition, governments become their own praise singers, and citizens become casualties.

Even more troubling is the emerging North-South polarization. Voices like Hakeem Baba-Ahmed and Nasir El-Rufai have bluntly stated that a Southern presidency is a disadvantage to the North. 2027 looks set to be another North vs South street fight, not a contest of ideas.

Opposition parties must now either reinvent themselves, or resign to being sideshows. PDP must stop acting like a weeping widow and start acting like a contender. Labour Party must move from hashtags to grassroots. NNPP must stop being a regional loudspeaker and build national bridges.

Or else, when the vultures are done gathering, there’ll be nothing left but bones — bones of democracy, accountability, and hope.

The gathering has begun.
The question is: who will survive the feast?

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

51 minutes ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

16 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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News

Okpebholo Salutes Edo Muslims, Seeks Continued Support, Prayers

Published

17 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has urged Muslims and all Nigerians to continue to pray for peace, unity and progress in the country even as they celebrate the annual Eid-al-Adha

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, stated this during the annual Eid-al-Adha celebration with Muslim faithfuls held at Government House in Benin City.

He reiterated his administration’s commitment to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunities for all citizens irrespective of religion and tribe.

According to him, the present administration remains determined to building a government that reflects the diversity of Edo State, noting that competent and qualified Muslims have continued to play vital roles in his government because of their capacity, integrity and commitment to service.

“As a government, we remain committed to fairness, inclusivity and equal opportunity for every Edo citizen, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why quality and competent Muslims are serving in key positions in our administration.”

Okpebholo appreciated the Muslim community in Edo State for their unwavering support and continuous prayers for his administration, noting that such prayers and support have contributed immensely to the peace and steady development being witnessed across the state.

He then called on all Nigerians to use the occasion of Eid-al-Adha to pray for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stressing that the country needs collective prayers, unity and cooperation to overcome its present economic and security challenges.

“I urge all Muslims and indeed all Nigerians to use this occasion to pray for our dear nation and for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Nigeria needs our collective prayers, unity and support as we strive to overcome our challenges and build a more prosperous future for all.”

In his remarks, the Chief Imam of Edo State, Abdulfatai Enabulele, applauded the governor for what he described as remarkable developmental strides recorded in less than two years in office.

The cleric commended the administration for ongoing infrastructural development and efforts geared towards improving governance in the state, but appealed to the government to revisit and complete some abandoned projects inherited from the previous administration for the benefit of the people.