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. 
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.
Formet Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark and other promoters of the coalition under African Democratic Congress (ADC) yesterday came under further attacks for what a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olabode George, called seeking to serve two masters.
George, a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, accused Atiku and other party members of moving into ADC without resigning from the party.
He said it was bad enough that Atiku and Mark in particular had to abandon the PDP to its fate after precipitating the crisis that has turned the party into a shadow of its former self.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the anti-Tinubu coalition as a political distraction which is bound to fail.
Continuing, he said: “It is nothing but existential imbecility. Or sometimes what is called existential docility. What is it that they are all going there?
“This is your father’s house. The house made you, brought you into the limelight. You gain every laurel and recognition from this same house. And because there is a little crisis, is leaving the cultural thing to do? No, you sit in there.
“Do they have a concept? What is the strategy they have? That is a classless strategy.
“When we had the last convention, General Buhari had just finished eight years. Then Atiku Abubakar wanted to compete (but) we said no; a northerner had just finished eight years. We had (Peter) Obi in the South. This was the beginning of the crisis.
Leave LP now, join Obi in ADC, Abure tells Gov Otti
Abure in a statement yesterday asked Otti to stop deceiving the public that he has not joined the other faction’s Caretaker Committee in the coalition party.
The leadership of the LP, according to him, is in a hurry to recalibrate the party ahead of 2027.
Abure said the LP would not fall for Otti’s deception again.
“How can he be in the Labour Party when recently he conducted the local government election in Abia State with Zenith Labour Party as his party?” he wondered.
He added: “He should not think that every Nigerian is bereft of knowledge. He formed and is funding the illegal caretaker committee that has formally joined the ADC.
“We are shocked that Otti is paradoxically trying to mislead members of the Labour Party to say that he is still a member of the Labour Party. In any event, we had earlier suspended him indefinitely from the party because of his anti-party activities.
“Labour Party is on the move again. We have the best brand in Nigeria, and we are eager to engage young Nigerians who have the interest of the nation at heart.
“Labour Party is not and cannot be in any coalition because coalitions of political parties are ideologically bereft. It is a marriage of political strange fellows whose only agenda is power-grabbing.
“It is selfish in nature, and no true democrat will agree to such an amalgam. Labour Party is therefore in a hurry to sanitise itself of people without character.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu told a group of journalists and politicians in Lagos Nigerians would support President Bola Tinubu to ensure that the gains of his bold reforms are fully realised.
He described the ADC as nothing but a mere distraction which President Tinubu should ignore.
“Nigerians will never go back to Egypt,” Sanwo-Olu said.
In Sanwo-Olu’s view, President Tinubu’s track record, achievements and reform agenda are strong enough to stand above any narrative being crafted to derail his administration or his prospects for re-election.
He cited the stability in the foreign exchange market, students loan scheme, massive infrastructural projects, more revenue for states after the removal of fuel subsidy, tax reforms, increased oil production and the national minimum wage, among others.
Asked if the President and his All Progressives Congress (APC) were bothered about ADC and its promoters, Sanwo-Olu said: “No one should be concerned or distracted by what ADC or any other group is attempting to orchestrate. The truth is clear, the people can see the difference, and history is on his side.
“They have nothing but bitterness to offer; they are bound together by their illogical resentment against President Tinubu, not by any edifying ideology. They will run out of steam.
Asked what advice he had for the President, the governor said:”Simple. The President should stay the course. Millions of well-meaning Nigerians across party lines and compatriots who understand what it takes to govern the most populous black nation on earth and revive a troubled economy are behind him and trust his leadership.”
“We know how far we’ve come under President Tinubu’s leadership. The focus should remain on delivering results, deepening reforms and building a stronger Nigeria. Any attempt to shake that foundation will be futile.”
Coalition proof Tinubu’s policies ended business as usual, says Lloyd
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Chidi Lloyd, said that the ongoing coalition against President Bola Tinubu is a proof that the President’s policies are working, effective and no longer business as usual.
He said the fact that most individuals, who had held various offices in the country without making significant positive impact, were forced out of their comfort zone for a coalition, was an indication that the country was getting it right.
Describing the coalition as dead on arrival, Lloyd said all members of the group were not foreigners but known old politicians who have been in the corridors of power since 1999.
He took a swipe at some individual members of the coalition, saying they lacked moral rectitude to preach to Nigerians about a better country.
Lloyd said: “The coalition is dead on arrival. We didn’t see any foreigner. If the coalition were formed by citizens of America or Britain, we would have been worried. The coalition still has the same faces, the same old faces since 1999.
ADA Registration: Northern groups tackle El-Rufai, Amaechi over comments on INEC
The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) and the Northern Awareness Network (NAN), yesterday faulted former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, for accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of frustrating the registration of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA).
The AYCF in a statement by its President-General, Yerima Shettima, said Nigeria’s electoral process is governed by clear rules and procedures meant to uphold transparency, fairness and accountability, insisting that Amaechi’s claims of deliberate obstruction by INEC were not only baseless but also reflected a poor understanding of the registration framework.
“It is critical that all political entities, including the ADA, comply with these guidelines to preserve the integrity of our democracy.”
The AYCF leader described as “disheartening” the resort by Amaechi and El-Rufai to what he termed sensational claims, instead of focusing on addressing the substantive compliance issues facing their new party.
“What we see here is a need for diligent preparation on the part of political actors.”
On his part, Chairman of NAN, Salihu Suleiman, warned that expecting INEC to compromise its standards for ADA would be unrealistic and a dangerous subversion of democratic principles.
Both groups urged Amaechi, El-Rufai and other political actors to exercise restraint in their public statements, build trust in democratic institutions and approach their political ambitions within the framework of established laws. They reiterated their commitment to supporting a fair, transparent and credible electoral process in Nigeria
In a surprising development, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has officially resigned from his position with immediate effect.
Suspended Rivers Governor
