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SDP Presidential Candidate Pays Courtesy Visit To Ogunsua Of Modakeke, Reintrates Commitment To Poverty Alleviation

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Group photograph of Ogunsua of Modakeke and the SDP presidential campaign team

The presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has re-emphasised his party’s commitment to reducing poverty in Nigeria and providing opportunities for the youths if elected into office.

Prince Adebayo made the vow at the Palace of Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola Ajibise Ogo 1, according to a statement made available to newsmen by his media team.

Represented during the courtesy visit by his Vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Buhari, he said the SDP is inspired by chapter 2 of the 1999 constitution of Nigeria which states that sovereignty belongs to the people, hence when leadership is set up by the people, their job is to look out for the welfare of the people.

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He highlighted some of the problems faced by citizens of Nigeria as a result of poverty, saying these are the things the party aims to address if elected.

READ ALSO: Why I Declined Chatham House Invitation – SDP Presidential Candidate

He said, We are trying to keep it as simple as possible. We have major problems in this country kabiyesi, poverty is all over the place.

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“In the north, some of them go to the dustbin to pick the back of the watermelon, scrape it, they will just leave the white part, cut it like yam put salt and that is what they will boil for their children.

“If you go around some areas at night, you’ll see some people sleeping everywhere on the streets, no shelter. If you go to the hospitals, patients are all over on the floor, no bed, only one doctor with thousands of patients. Nigerians do not deserve this. Nigeria is a blessed country.

“We have resources, we have professionals, If we can put our house together, all of these things we are seeing, we’ll not be seeing them Kabiyesi”, he added.

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He noted that the past 16 years have not improved the welfare of ordinary citizens, and the ruling party has no intention of making things better.

He added that the SDP is on this journey in order to make things better for Nigeria.

“16 years have gone 8 years have gone, we notice that it only gets worse every four years. Now again they’ve come with stories telling us that they will improve our welfare but then but before God, before man, before all of us, right on international TV, they are accusing each other of criminal activities.

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“I think this is the only time we should pay attention to them and actually listen to them. These criminal accusations that they’re making against each other has nothing to do with us. Kabiyesi, we are on this journey because we make a difference and we are convinced that Nigeria will come first”.

He noted that his principal, prince Adewole Adebayo has decided to dedicate the rest of his life to public service in order to change things for the better in Nigeria.

My principal Prince Adewole Adebayo said he has dedicated the rest of his life to public service. I share in that vision of what he’s saying, I share in that. This is why we are on this journey.

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“We are here to assure you of all the plans that we have set out, even when we get there we’re going to achieve them. We know it’s going to be difficult but we will achieve them by the grace of God”.

While addressing journalists, the Vice Presidential candidate assured that Nigerian youths would have a lot to benefit from the party because they believe the youths are the ones making great achievements for Nigeria as it stands, despite the failure of the government.

READ ALSO: 2023: SDP Exposes Impostor Behind Parties Alliance Rumour

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In his response, HRH Oba Joseph Olubiyi Toriola Ajibise Ogo 1 prayed for God to help the SDP accomplish its race.

He said, “Well once again I welcome you all. Iwure is better done in Yoruba than in English, so I’m going to do it in Yoruba. But I must say that I am touched by your plan and your vision, so I pray that God will help you to accomplish your race”.

He further gave his ‘iwure’ (royal blessing) for the SDP presidential campaign team.

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The campaign team entourage consisted of Dr.Olu Agunloye – National Secretary of SDP, Mr Silas Alani – National Vice chairman south west, Chief Godwin Osigbeme – Director of protocol, Sen. Ugochukwu Uba – Director of Finance and Prof Femi Olufumilade.

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N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

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The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.

According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.

The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.

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READ ALSO:Nigerian Troops Rescue 17 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Chinese Nationals

Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.

When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.

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The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

READ ALSO:American Pilot Kidnapped In Niger Republic – Report

The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.

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According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.

“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part

READ ALSO:Reps Move To Regulate Cryptocurrency, POS Operations

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Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.

Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.

We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.

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“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.

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PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

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According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.

He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.

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READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC

Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.

The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.

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The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:BREAKING: PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Forgery Claim, Says He Signed Convention Letters

Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.

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Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

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Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.

Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.

Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

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Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.

“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.

READ ALSO:Four Miners Feared Dead, Others Trapped As Illegal Mining Site Collapses In Plateau

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Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.

Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.

“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?

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“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”

The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.

READ ALSO:Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo

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Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.

Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.

“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”

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El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.

In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.

READ ALSO:Provide Evidence Of My Third Term Ambition’, Obasanjo Challenges Nigerians

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“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.

“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.

“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.

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He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.

“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.

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