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magnetic Hon. Saka Fafunmi, A Man Who Walks His Talk!… Now on the march again to the Lower House in Abuja

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He has an uncanny approach to issues when it comes to matters that touch the lives of the commoman, especially those in his immediate constituency. The man, Honourable Saka Fafunmi is a persona with political impeccable character, and could count to be tested and reliable any time. He qualifies to be described as someone who has been there and done that, given his testament as a three time legislator and lawmaker with several landmark achievements both severally and individually. In parenthesis, Hon. Saka Fafunmi can qualify as a study in excellence when it comes to political pragmatism and exploits on all fronts.Apart from his political excellence and first degree in Engineering, Saka also studied Law at the prestigious University of Lagos, and followed suit, with a Masters in Public Administration, MPA from the same Unilag. On a lighter but very compulsive note, Hon. Saka will tell you any day that people should avail their minds to the positive things that are about to happen in Ifako-Ijaye. For a very long time, he believes the constituents have seen several people coming out to represent the federal constituency, but it is regrettable that since 1999, Ojokoro people have occupied the office of the House of Representatives capacity, for a period of 16 years but in his side they, that is in Ifako-Ijaiye, have done just eight years; he thus believes very sincerely that it is the merited turn of Ifako-Ijaye to bring there level of experience and exposure and give a voice to Ifako-Ijaye. And thus by his understanding this will change the political trajectory of this local government and ultimately change the level of representation of Lagos state in that great lower chamber.

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In retrospect, Saka, whose political moniker is Mr Legacy, believes his whole idea of going to this great chamber is to see what he can do, because as a lawmaker in Lagos state, a lot of law making efforts have been targeted at things on concurrent list, you know they do both, the concurrent and exclusive level, the exclusive is meant for the national level, while the concurrent is both for what the state and nation can do. We have the state responsibilities as well but as a federal lawmaker, the idea is to look at the global objective, the bigger picture and see the things militating against us as a country. He strongly believes they can have the voice through him, with the support of the masses and the leaders of the party. He’s surely going there to propose amendments that’ll turn things around for better in the society, and that’s exactly his mission and vision.On the converse, Mr Legacy will tell you probably and confidently that in Lagos state, especially during his period as an honorable member where he and his colleagues made lots of precautions into areas that touched and still touch the lives of average citizens of Lagos. Suffice to say that in a very long time, between 2007 which was when he became a lawmaker, from 2007 to 2019, that’s roughly about 12 years, the state via the LSHA experienced tremendous growth. What people don’t understand about governors is their strength, how viable you and your house that will determine your growth outside. Lagos is where it is because the house of assembly is second to none in the country. This is why we keep bringing out lifechanging solutions and laws. Also to a large extent, legislative duty most often is a collective responsibility, we’ve had several bills and several motions on the environment, on life and infrastructures. In his words, ‘you know when I came in, in 20071 was opportune to join a committee on works and infrastructure, we divided work into infrastructure but infrastructure was more alive. Back then we had to regenerate almost every sector in Lagos and the work of a legislature starts from the budget and its control, because if you fail to budget properly, you probably will not get the result. Lagos is growing because of the discipline and control exercised by the legislative, cause if they aren’t doing what they’re meant to do, we’ll never be where we are, a situation where by you don’t have a thorough legislature, the executive will go to sleep but in a state where you know the legislature are always checking on what the executives are doing, that’s always up and running, that is why Lagos is a success story and I strongly believe that if people of like minds are given opportunity to be in this chamber, people with experience, Nigeria will be changed for the better.’ Again, he professed and enthused in strong words that the two components of the constituency he wants to expose which are Ojokoro and Ifako-ijaiye, and I want you to make a statement regarding giving Ifako-Ijaiye its fair share in the constitution of our great party Federal Republic of Nigeria. In his words, if you check the House of Representatives, what areas would you say they have a share to the two consistencies and what do you think you can do different in positioning the parent constituency for the visibility it needs. Again, let’s look at another issue, which is about a representative’s closeness to his people. For one, as a representative, one’s office should be readily and uninhibitedly accessible to all. Now, when you look at the entire topography of Ifako Ijaye and Ojokoro, there’s no known point where you can easily meet the needs of those constituents, you know Ojokoro transcends down to Sango Ota, toll gate, so how would you make it accessible to people over there as well as here, my view is to open a dual office, one over there and as well get the necessary things to augment the relationship and closeness with the people in this local government. Aside that, ‘my goal is to enhance the quality of representation in this country.

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It’s disheartening when you see someone who is willing to occupy an office, who is ready fill the office, and then you see another who isn’t even ready, who has not even been trained or prepare himself for that office coming out without any political stewardship. There are two things, the first is you must first educate yourself, prepare yourself for opportunities, so that way you can step into it.He further stated that he feels Lagos deserves something better, I think the local government deserves the very best, in everything we have to put our best into it, that’s what I believe in, I’m not necessarily saying that I’m the best but I know that I’m one of the best in terms of my experience and exposure, I know what I did as a lawmaker here, I did not limit it to my activities in Alausa, I brought democracy to the doorstep of the average people of Ifako-Ijaiye when I was in office as a lawmaker. It’s a record that I did three bus rides for the indigent and the less privileged ones, taking them to school in the morning and bringing them back, we ran that throughout my tenure as a lawmaker, all for free; and we are planning to do better this time around.’ As for why he had to stop the novel gesture, the easy-going Saka said he had to stop the program, because he could no longer fund it for obvious reasons. As a matter of fact, those buses are still in waterworks there, and you know the cost of diesel, the cost of maintenance, drivers, conductors, all are very enormous and quite expensive, but by the Grace of God, when we get there at even a higher pedestal in Abuja, we will surely continue.

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Just IN : INEC declares Soludo winner of Anambra gov poll

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The candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has been declared the winner of the Saturday, November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election by the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Edoba Omoregie.

Soludo, who polled a total of 422,664 votes, defeated his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nicholas Ukachukwu, who scored 99,445 votes, while the candidate of the Young Progressives Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma, came third with 37,753 votes.

According to INEC, a total of 16 candidates from various political parties participated in the election.

The state had 2,788,864 registered voters, out of which 598,229 were accredited. A total of 595,298 votes were cast, while 11,244 votes were rejected across the 21 local government areas.

From the results announced, Soludo of APGA won in all 21 local government areas of the state in a landslide victory.

Announcing the results at the INEC headquarters in Awka on Sunday, Omoregie said, “The number of registered voters was 2,788,864, while accredited voters were 598,229. The total valid votes stood at 584,054, rejected votes were 11,244, and the total votes cast amounted to 595,298.”

He added, “After collating the results as tallied into Form EC8E, it is now my privilege to declare the figures each candidate scored according to their political parties.

“There were a few areas affected by incidents, leading to cancellations in some wards across Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka South, and Onitsha South LGAs, amounting to 10,481 affected votes. However, the margin of lead between the top candidates did not affect the overall outcome of the election.

“I, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, Returning Officer for the 2025 Anambra State Governorship Election, hereby declare that the election was peaceful. Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, having scored 422,664 votes — the highest number of valid votes cast and having satisfied the requirements of the law — is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”

Breakdown of results:

Total registered voters: 2,788,864

Total accredited voters: 598,229

Total valid votes: 584,054

Rejected votes: 11,244

Total votes cast: 595,298

Votes by political parties:
A – 224
AA – 1,145
AAC – 292
ADC – 8,208
APC – 99,445
APGA – 422,664
APM – 892
APP – 73
BP – 126
LP – 10,576
NNPP – 525
NRM – 36
PDP – 1,401
SDP – 241
YPP – 37,753
ZLP – 453

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2027 Election: Preserve Your Reputation as a Statesman — Oshiomhole Advises Jonathan, Says Only Your Enemies Want You to Contest

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Former Edo State governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has advised former President Goodluck Jonathan against yielding to pressure to contest the 2027 presidential election, warning that doing so would damage his legacy.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Oshiomhole said that only those who do not wish Jonathan well would encourage him to return to the political arena, adding that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would easily defeat him if he chose to run.

“How can Jonathan be a threat? We defeated him before when PDP was truly PDP,” Oshiomhole said.

“If a man had PDP at its best, at its peak, and he was defeated, I think only his enemy will push him to go into election.”

The former APC national chairman advised Jonathan to preserve his reputation as a statesman and avoid a return that could erode the respect he earned after conceding defeat in 2015.

“If I were able to advise him, I will say, Sir, maintain this status. You governed for eight years, you don’t have to govern for nine,” Oshiomhole said.

According to Oshiomhole, Jonathan “has managed to demonstrate that out of power, you can be relevant and at peace.”

He praised Jonathan’s historic concession speech in 2015, describing it as one of his most admirable legacies.

“Looking at how he ascended to that office, if I were him, I will spend the end of my life trying to find relevance, which he has already found, and speaking because that conceding defeat, and that is memorable quote about my blood, sorry, blood of a Nigerian is not worth my ambition, he should just allow those legacies to be,” he said.

Oshiomhole further argued that Jonathan’s political base in the South-South had weakened since his departure from office, making a comeback unrealistic.

“We will defeat him flatly if he comes out because now the South-South is no longer PDP. So where is he going to start from?” he asked.

Jonathan, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost the 2015 presidential election to the late Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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Fubara sacks appointees affected by Supreme Court’s judgement, Says Nelson Chukwudi

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Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has sacked all commissioners and other appointees administration affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement.

The Governor announced the decision during a valedictory session he organised for his cabinet to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Nelson Chukwudi, confirmed that during the event, which held in Government House, on Wednesday, Fubara relieved all the commissioners and other public officers affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement of their appointments.

The Governor called on all stakeholders to work with President Bola Tinubu in building a peaceful, secured and prosperous country.

He also thanked members of his cabinet for their services and contributions to the development of the state in the last two years..

“He called on all Nigerians to work together with Mr President to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous country and a brighter future for all,” the statement said.

The Governor also reiterated commitment to serve the State with renewed vigor and thanked all citizens for their support, and wished all Nigerians a happy Independence anniversary.

The Court, while recognising the 27-member Assembly led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule as the only authentic legislative arm of government, nullified all legislative decisions made in favour of Fubara during the crisis including the passage of budgets; screening and confirmations of commissioners and other public officers holders.

It was gathered that over 19 of Fubara’s commissioners, whose appointments were screened and confirmed by Oko-Jumbo were affected by the Supreme Court’s judgement.

The judgement rendered the appointment of Iboroma Dagogo, SAN, who was screened and confirmed as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice invalid.

Other commissioners affected by the judgement are Charles O. Beke, Collins Onunwo, Solomon Eke, Peter Medee, Elloka Tasie-Amadi, Basoene Joshua Benibo, Tambari Sydney Gbara and Ovy Orluideye Chinendum Chukwuma.

Also, Illamu Arugu, Rowland Obed Whyte, Samuel Anya, Samuel Eyiba, Austin Emeka Nnadozie, Israel Ngbuelu, Evans Bipi, Otamiri Ngubo, Benibo Alabraba and Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, suffered a similar fate.

It was also gathered that the Governor could consider the inclusion of some of them in the list of fresh nominees he was preparing to send to the House of Assembly.

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