Politics

Hon Orekoya: The uncommon legislator

Published

4 months ago

May 15, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

For nearly three years in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Abiodun Abimbola Orekoya has steadily carved a reputation for himself as a grassroots politician driven by community development, youth empowerment and social intervention.

Representing Somolu Constituency I, the lawmaker has emerged as one of the prominent voices in the Assembly, combining legislative advocacy with hands-on constituency projects that continue to impact residents across the densely populated Lagos community.

In an interview with NewsDiggers, Orekoya spoke extensively on governance, youth development, education, healthcare, drug abuse, constituency projects and why he believes Lagos State would witness rapid and robust development if the current Deputy Governor, Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, succeeds Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2027.

Describing Hamzat’s possible emergence as governor as “wonderful and good news,” Orekoya said continuity in governance would ensure Lagos remains on the fast lane of development.

According to him, Hamzat’s long years in government have adequately prepared him for leadership, noting that the deputy governor would not require time to adjust to governance because he already understands the structure and workings of the state.

“That is the beauty of continuity. Lagos State will hit the ground running from day one because he has been in the system for years,” Orekoya said.

The lawmaker added that Hamzat’s previous experience as Commissioner for Works and Commissioner for Science and Technology had exposed him to virtually every aspect of governance in Lagos.

“He knows every corner of Lagos. He once said, ‘I know the kitchen, I know where the spoon is.’ That is the best thing that can happen to the state,” he stated.

Orekoya also dismissed talks of any formidable opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that many politicians joining the ruling All Progressives Congress were attracted by what they perceive as progress under the current administration.

“When people see light, they naturally move towards it,” he remarked.

He further credited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with reviving Nigeria’s economy despite the difficult circumstances inherited by the administration.

Recalling comments allegedly made by former Central Bank of Nigeria governor Charles Soludo that the current administration would inherit a “dead economy,” Orekoya said the economy had since shown signs of recovery.

“Fortunately for us, the economy resurrected. It has started walking, even if it has not started running,” he said.

Beyond politics and governance, the Somolu lawmaker spoke passionately about his legislative journey, describing the Lagos Assembly as one of the most outstanding legislative institutions in Nigeria and West Africa.

He said the quality of lawmakers and training available in the House had continued to distinguish Lagos from other state legislatures across the country.

“We pride ourselves as a House above the common standard of excellence. Members from other states come here to understudy how we operate,” he said.

As Chairman of the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development, Orekoya identified illicit drug abuse among youths as one of the biggest social challenges facing Lagos.

He lamented that matters relating to hard drugs fall under the Exclusive Legislative List, thereby limiting the powers of state assemblies to enact laws directly addressing the menace.

According to him, he once raised a motion on the floor of the Assembly on the issue but was reminded that the state lacked constitutional authority to legislate on narcotics.

The lawmaker disclosed that after visiting the Lagos office of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, he discovered that its rehabilitation facility could barely accommodate more than a dozen victims despite the alarming rate of drug abuse among youths.

He explained that he thereafter pushed for the establishment of more rehabilitation centres in Lagos and also raised the issue during constitutional amendment consultations organised by the National Assembly.

“Our children are the most affected and we cannot sit back helplessly,” he said.

Orekoya also recalled moving a motion seeking justice for a schoolgirl allegedly shot by police officers, an intervention he said eventually compelled the government to take responsibility for the victim’s medical treatment.

For the lawmaker, however, constituency development remains one of the defining pillars of his stewardship.

He admitted that the demands from constituents were enormous, especially in a state with 40 constituencies competing for government attention and projects.

“Human wants are insatiable,” he said, adding that his approach had always been to prioritise projects that directly benefit the people.

One of his notable achievements, according to him, is the facilitation of a stadium project in Somolu, a community he said had lacked a proper sporting facility for decades.

He revealed that after discovering there was no available land for the project, he constituted a committee that eventually sourced land for the proposed stadium, which is now nearing completion.

The lawmaker also disclosed that he facilitated the construction of roads within the constituency and continued to lobby aggressively for more developmental projects.

“Lobbying is part of our work. If you cannot lobby for your constituency, then that is your problem,” he remarked.

In the area of empowerment, Orekoya said his philosophy was centred on sustainability rather than temporary financial handouts.

Quoting a Chinese proverb, he explained that teaching people how to earn a living was more impactful than simply giving them money.

Within less than three years, he said over 341 constituents had been empowered with tools and equipment ranging from vulcanising machines and mechanics’ tools to mini buses and industrial baking ovens.

“These people are using the tools daily to earn a living. That is the kind of empowerment I believe in,” he said.

He added that beneficiaries were carefully screened to ensure only genuine artisans and professionals benefitted from the programme.

The lawmaker also highlighted his interventions in education, disclosing that about 147 students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education had benefitted from bursary awards.

According to him, students with exceptional academic records, particularly those with first-class grade point averages, were placed on full scholarship packages covering school fees and monthly stipends.

“I didn’t know some of these students personally. Their parents came to me in tears because they had been looking for money to pay school fees,” he said.

In the health sector, Orekoya said he partnered with medical organisations to organise free medical outreach programmes, including Hepatitis B screening and vaccination campaigns for residents.

He also disclosed that his office had paid hospital bills for some indigent residents in need of urgent medical attention.

The lawmaker further revealed that he recently organised Artificial Intelligence training programmes for youths in the constituency, noting that many participants who could not afford similar private training opportunities benefitted immensely from the initiative.

“One of the ladies told me the same training would have cost her over N350,000 elsewhere, but she got it free through our programme,” he said.

For many residents in Somolu, Orekoya’s blend of legislative activism, grassroots engagement and social intervention has continued to define him as an uncommon legislator whose politics is deeply rooted in community service and human development.

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Politics

2027: APC Chieftain Alubarika predicts Tinubu lead in four zones

Published

2 weeks ago

September 2, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

A prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alubarika, has projected that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will lead the 2027 presidential election in four of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi are expected to dominate the North-East and South-East respectively.

Alubarika made the projection in a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter, where he assessed the likely performance of the major contenders based on what he described as his political experience, grassroots engagement and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics.

According to his projection, Tinubu would secure 50 per cent of the vote in the North Central, compared with 25 per cent for Atiku, 20 per cent for Obi and five per cent for other candidates.

The North Central zone comprises Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.

In the North-East, however, Alubarika predicted an advantage for Atiku, giving the former vice president 50 per cent, against 40 per cent for Tinubu. Obi and other candidates were each projected to secure five per cent.

The North-East comprises Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.

In the North-West, Alubarika again placed Tinubu ahead with 50 per cent, followed by Atiku with 30 per cent, Obi with 15 per cent and other candidates with five per cent.

For the South-East, the APC chieftain predicted a strong showing for Obi, projecting him to win 50 per cent of the vote. Tinubu was placed at 35 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at five per cent.

Obi, who is the presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is expected to draw significant support from the region.

Alubarika also projected a 50 per cent share for Tinubu in the South-South, compared with 25 per cent for Obi, 20 per cent for Atiku and five per cent for other candidates.

The South-West recorded Tinubu’s highest projected performance, with Alubarika putting the incumbent president at 69 per cent. Obi was projected at 15 per cent, Atiku at 10 per cent and other candidates at six per cent.

Explaining his assessment, Alubarika said he believed the projection was about 75 per cent accurate, while acknowledging that political dynamics could change considerably before the election.

“Politics is never an exact science, and a lot can change before 2027,” he said.

He urged Nigerians and political observers to keep his prediction and compare it with the actual results after the election.

“When the votes are counted and the dust settles, come back and give me my flowers,” he wrote.

The projection is not based on an opinion poll or official electoral data but represents Alubarika’s personal assessment of the likely voting pattern ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the election still ahead, political alliances, party structures, candidate nominations, regional dynamics, economic conditions and other emerging issues could alter the current political calculations.

Politics

Timipre Sylva resigns from APC, accuses party of ‘floundering’

Published

2 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring that he can no longer identify with the party.

Sylva announced his decision in a letter dated August 31, 2026, in which he expressed concerns over the direction of the party and the conduct of its leadership.

The former governor accused the APC leadership of promoting the notion that “all is fair in politics,” arguing that the principle had contributed to practices he said were inconsistent with the values he expected from the party.

He also criticised the performance of the Federal Government, expressing dissatisfaction with what he described as shortcomings under the APC-led administration.

Describing the APC as a “floundering ship,” Sylva said his continued association with the party was no longer tenable.

The former petroleum minister also copied the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the letter, alleging that the anti-graft agency was increasingly being used as an instrument of the APC.

Sylva’s resignation comes amid heightened political activity ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, with defections and realignments increasingly shaping the country’s political landscape.

His departure could have political implications in Bayelsa and the wider South-South region, where he remains a prominent figure in the APC and Nigerian politics.

The development is expected to trigger further reactions within the party as political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

Politics

All North Central for Asiwaju inaugurates state coordinators

Published

3 weeks ago

August 21, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

08034905774

All North Central For Asiwaju 2027, a fast growing support group for the reelection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has vowed to work assiduously to actualize the President’s victory in next year’s general election.

The group disclosed this during the inauguration of its state coordinators by the convener, Chief Ewie Aimienwauu.

The state coordinators inaugurated include Johnson Onoja (Benue) Isaiah Yusuf Mohammed (Kogi) Ibrahim Olayode (Kwara) Jibrin Yaheye Oka (Nassarawa) Panchin Jatau (Plateau) Istifanus Shekwonumwaza Philip (FCT) and Bala Ahmed (Niger).

Addressing the members, Chief Aimienwauu said the “All North Central For Asiwaju 2027 is an association of indigenes and non-indigenes citizens of Nigeria resident in the North Central States of (Benue, Kogi, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja), from all works of life committed to the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for a well -deserved second term at the 2027 general elections.

“We recognise the pivotal role of our Father and Leader of North Central, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to the successful re-election of the President and a resounding victory at the 2027 polls in the North Central region.”

Continuing, he said “we cannot overlook the persistent advent of insecurity in the region. Against this complex background our father and Leader has been able to maintain peace and stability in the region scoring high as the representative and eyes and ears of Mr. President. The region has enjoyed much more strategic appointments under this administration than any one before it. The region has started enjoying relative peace and defeat of insurgency and insecurity with the recent rescue of kidnap victims as a testament. The region has enjoyed more federal government infrastructure and policy dividends not to mention the availing of the Governors and Minister of FCT more allocation for the much-needed dividend of democracy.”

The convener said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had done extremely well for the North Central region so far and “is ready to do more when we return him for a second term in 2027. It is against this backdrop of visible tangible progress in the North Central region that we have come together to support our father and Leader of North Central region, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume to ensure that he delivers President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in all the North Central States and the Federal Capital Territory.

“At the national level, the achievements and projects and policy advantages of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu dots the landscape of Nigeria and has started showing up on the dinner plates of our great people. The President has the political will to transform Nigeria into the Eldorado we all have dreamed of and support for him is now. On your mandate we shall stand.”

Also speaking, the Plateau State Coordinator

Pancin Jatau Vrengle, said the inauguration was a significant and inspiring moment, marking a renewed commitment to supporting the vision and leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The inauguration has further strengthened our resolve to work assiduously, strategically and collectively for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027. We are committed to mobilising Nigerians in the North Central Zone, communicating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, engaging stakeholders and promoting peaceful, issue-based political participation.

“We assure Mr. President and the leadership of our movement of our unwavering dedication, loyalty and readiness to contribute our time, resources and networks towards securing victory for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.Together, with unity, commitment and strategic mobilisation, we shall deliver a stronger mandate for Asiwaju.”

Speaking in the same vein, his Kogi State counterpart, Yusuf Isaiah, said: “We sincerely thank God Almighty and our Global/ National leaders particularly His Excellency Sen. George Akume (SGF), High Chief Ewie Aimenwauu, Hon. Marcellanous Njoku and AK Jasper. For giving us the opportunity to be part of this August assignment on ensuring that PBAT is re-elected as the President of Nigeria come 2027.

“We assure the Global/National body of our full commitment to this target.

The message is clear and it will be communicated to all the nook and cranny in Kogi State and North Central in general. By the virtue of our successful inauguration yesterday. It is our prayer that as we have kick-started this must- deliver assignment, the leaders should make available all the necessary resources to enable us to be efficient and effective on ground.”