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Group identifies peculiarities of Nigerian politics; urges youths to seek political literacy
Platform for Liberty and Democracy (PLIDE) identified the peculiarities and urged the Nigerian electorates, more especially the youths, to be politically enlightened and shun all forms of temporary gratifications at the expense of viable, long-term developmental goals that must be reflected in party manifestos and ideologies of candidates.
In a meeting held recently at Ikeja Lagos, a clear-cut difference was also made between being an educated person and being politically literate; two terms used interchangeably but are as different as day is to darkness. In the meeting, it was observed that both are indispensable experience relevant for political sagacity and necessary for making informed decisions during elections.
The peculiarities were noted to be some of the obstacles militating against the growth of democracy and making its hard for the citizens to realize the sheer strength of their voting powers in deciding who to represent them in the various political positions.
It was noted if these hitches were not confronted headlong with effective solutions, the nation would remain fettered for want of good representatives in government and thus, continue to writhe and be deprived of benefiting true democratic dividends.
Foremost among the peculiarities is the rampant poverty which the ruling elites have weaponized in order to keep the masses in perpetual captivity and are deprived of the basic necessities of life. As a result, instead of finding answers to the pervasive poverty, politicians have resorted to exploiting the situation for selfish interested by offering cash for votes. However, after the electorates have been baited with meager sum, they are then subjected to total neglect by the politicians.
“It is baffling on how the electorates forget about good manifestos, effective and workable plans of candidates after collecting money from visionless candidates on the eve of election in Nigeria” says Tope Adebayo. “This is due to stark electoral illiteracy which is different from being a university graduate …vote buying through cash and the offering of gift items known as stomach infrastructure have become norms which have been successfully used in some South-western states as evidenced by recent gubernatorial elections.”
The erstwhile gubernatorial candidate in Ekiti state spoke further, saying “spreading money within few days of elections sways votes. The God that our people serve is money. Why is it so? Lack of political awareness. I sincerely urged people not to sell their votes that would put a bad politician in office for as long as four years for a meager five thousand Naira or for whatever amount… stomach infrastructure has thrived because the electorates are ignorant of the weight of their voting mandate.”
The group therefore called on relevant government agencies responsible for public enlightenment such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to give political education to the masses so they are aware of what to expect from political aspirants.
“Government must educate the voters on what to expect of politicians during campaigns, on why they don’t need to collect money or opt for stomach infrastructure instead of planning ahead for the future.” Ope Allen added.
Other features of the Nigerian political landscape as observed by PLIDE include: massive cost of publicity during elections which gives the moneybags a matchless advantage; political apathy by the people a progressive would want to save; and a dangerous mindset on the invincibility of the two existing political parties, a mindset that requires urgent redress.
Also weighing in, the protem chairman of PLIDE, Mr. Tunde Feyi Owoseni, noted that “before anyone would seek to liberate the people, he should have first liberated himself and his family members while adding that, PLIDE is a pro-democracy and human rights movement dedicated to good governance, transparency and accountability, social justice, equitable distribution of national wealth and resources, respect for basic and fundamental human rights, true fiscal and structural federalism, opening up of the political space to involve youths, the disabled, trade unions, the female gender, etc.
PLIDE resolved to actively engage the electorate in the run-up to the 2019 elections, on the important matter of adequately and dispassionately interrogating the programs and manifestos of candidates for political offices as well as the political platforms (parties) sponsoring them.
The Platform for Liberty & Democracy (PLIDE), restates it’s determination to build a veritable ideological platform which will give voice and purpose to the aspirations of Nigerians who desire a country where Social Justice and Egalitarianism are core foundational principles in the quest to build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.
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NB: In the picture from left to right are: Shola Fayemi (Secretary), Tunde Owoseni (Protem Chairman), Adekunle Oniti and Ope Allen (Members)
SENATOR ADEOLA YAYI REGISTERS 4000 JAMB CANDIDATES
In continuation of his educational support initiatives and following established tradition, Senator Solomon Adeola (APC,Ogun West) has successfully paid for and enrolled 4000 indigent students for the 2026 Joint Admission Matriculation Board(JAMB) examination.
According to a release e-signed and made available to members of the League of Yewa-Awori Media Practitioners (LOYAMP) by High Chief Kayode Odunaro, Media Adviser to Senator Adeola and shared with (your mediu), the programme financed by the senator under the “SEN YAYI FREE JAMB 2026” ended on Saturday , February 21, 2026, with a total of 4000 candidates successfully enrolled with their PINs provided.
Commenting on the success of the programme, Senator Adeola said the programme is another leg of his personal educational empowerment for indigent but brilliant citizens preparatory to his scholarship and bursary facilitation for tertiary education institutions’ students.
“As far as I can help it, none of our children will miss educational opportunities arising out of adverse economic predicament of their parents or guardians”, he stated.
Successful candidates cut across all the three senatorial districts of Ogun State with 2183 coming from Ogun West, 1358 coming from Ogun Central and 418 from Ogun East.
Some of the candidates that applied and are yet to get their PINs due wrong information supplied in their profiles and being underage as discovered by JAMB and other reasons are being further assisted to see the possibility of getting their PINs.
The Free JAMB programme of the Senator that has been running for years is well received by appreciative beneficiaries and their parents.
Alhaji Suara Adeyemi from Ipokia Local Government whose daughter successfully got her PIN in the programme said the Senator’s gesture was a welcome financial relief for his family at this period after payment of numerous school fees of other siblings of the beneficiary seeking admission to higher institution.
Also posting on the social media handle of the Senator, a beneficiary Mr. Henry Olaitan, from Odeda LGA said that he would have missed doing the entry examination as his guardian cannot afford the fees for himself and two of his children.
House Committee Seeks Stronger Financial Backing for Federal Character Commission
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has reassured the commitment of her new leadership to reposition the Commission and strengthen enforcement of the federal character principle, despite prevailing funding challenges.
Hon. Omidiran made this known during the Commission’s budget defence before the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Character at the National Assembly on Friday, February 19, 2026.
The Executive Chairman opened up on inadequate funding has continued to constrain the Commission’s statutory activities, including nationwide monitoring, compliance audits and enforcement measures across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“We are focused and determined to do the work that the Constitution and the President have entrusted us with,” Omidiran stated.
The FCC Boss, however, assured lawmakers that the Commission remains resolute in ensuring equity, fairness and balanced representation in line with its constitutional mandate.
“As a Commission, it is our responsibility to engage with relevant government parastatals and ministries to secure the necessary funding we require. We believe that with consultation and collaboration, it will be a successful venture for the Commission.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Character, RT. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, expressed deep concern over what he described as near-zero budgetary allocation to the Commission, stressing that such financial inadequacies severely undermine its operational effectiveness.
The Plateau State lawmaker assured the Commission of the Committee’s firm legislative backing in advocating for improved funding and strengthening the Commission’s capacity to fully exercise its constitutional mandate.
“We cannot reasonably expect the Federal Character Commission to enforce compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies while grappling with insufficient funding,” Hon. Wase remarked.
“If we are genuinely committed to fairness, equity, and national cohesion, then we must be deliberate in adequately funding the institution established to safeguard these principles.
“As a Committee, we shall work closely with the leadership of the Commission to ensure that its budgetary provisions reflect the magnitude of its mandate. The era of skeletal or token funding must give way to realistic and sustainable financial support,” he concluded.
The budget defence session concluded on a note of renewed collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Commission, reflecting a shared determination to strengthen institutional capacity, enhance accountability, and promote equitable representation within Nigeria’s public service.
SIGNED:
Ademola Lawrence
Spokesperson,
Federal Character Commission
February 20, 2026
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APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured
*APC Ethiope West Congress Turns Violent: Ibori’s Daughter Escapes Assassination Attempt; Scores Injured
The APC Ethiope West Local Government Area Congress took a terrible turn today as scores were attacked by gun-wielding thugs allegedly hired by old PDP members that moved to APC. The congress was relocated from its original venue the Oghara Township Stadium to a new venue,Ovade, in the LGA seemingly to disenfranchise original APC members.
Violence erupted when the Member representing Ethiope Federal Constituency Rt Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu daughter of the the former Governor of Delta H.E Chief James Onanefe Ibori arrived at the new venue in Ovade. Apart from clear threats to her life by thugs sponsored by the Governor of Delta State, Rt Sheriff Oborevwori and former Rep member Hon Ben Igbakpa. Her supporters were attacked with dangerous weapons, as she was denied entrance to the venue. There were several attempts on her life which were foiled by her security details. There had been intels that she would have been shot if she had stepped foots on the venue this is terrible at a time when there had been hopes of peace coming into the party with the recent meeting at Asaba , however this recent happening shows peace is still far away .
Hon Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu has appealed for calm among APC supporters and old members amidst the unprovoked attack. Several injured individuals are receiving treatment at undisclosed hospitals.
There are still reports of targeted attacks on on members of the Old APC , calls have been made to security operatives to avert such attempts.
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