Innocent Ojefia Blog

The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has categorically dismissed rumours circulating on social media that the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is planning to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a strongly worded statement issued by the State Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka JP, the party described the rumors as “mischievous, sinister, and baseless,” emphasizing that such claims are designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension. The statement labeled the allegations as the handiwork of "jobless political hirelings" and "failed agents of destabilization and treachery" acting on behalf of their sponsors. Chief Arenyeka condemned the individuals behind the rumors, describing them as impostors who lack credibility and are not genuine members of the PDP. He stated unequivocally that Governor Oborevwori remains a loyal and dedicated member of the PDP and that the baseless rumors are...

In a nation of contrasts, where citizens often lament their country's challenges, Dr. Yusuf Bangura, a foreigner, aptly captured Nigeria's resilience, evident in its thriving food industry, burgeoning cashless economy, and the global rise of Afrobeats. After a two-week visit to Nigeria—the first in 14 years—I was struck by three remarkable transformations that are reshaping the country: the rise of a thriving local food processing industry, the rapid adoption of a cashless economy, and the overwhelming dominance of afrobeats in public spaces. Thriving Local Food Processing Industry Nigeria’s food processing sector has experienced a remarkable evolution. Foods once sold informally and in unprocessed forms are now available in supermarkets, beautifully packaged and ready for consumption. From processed grains like amala and fufu to innovative ready-to-eat meals like moi moi mix and pepper soup, local manufacturers are adding value to Nigeria's abundant natural resources. This...

Kemi Badenoch’s identification of her heritage as “Yoruba, not Nigerian” is a profound assertion that challenges the imposed narratives of African identity shaped by colonial constructs. Her statement underscores a broader truth about the complexities of African identity and the arbitrary nature of colonial boundaries that fragmented cohesive ethnic groups into incompatible political entities. Colonial Constructs and Gerrymandered Nations The creation of countries like Nigeria was not grounded in cultural or historical realities but rather in the economic and political interests of colonial powers. For example, the Hausa people, whose cultural and linguistic influence extends across Niger, Chad, and the Sahel, represent a cohesive unit. Yet, they were divided into separate nations alongside other ethnic groups, diluting their historical and cultural identity. This artificial segmentation of African peoples into "complete packages" such as Nigeria was based on the erroneous as...

As 2025 unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that political salvations will not come through passive expectations. The proverbial "Godot" as written in 1953 play by Samuel Beckett will not arrive to fix our political system. Instead, the responsibility falls on individuals and parties to organize, strategize, and act. This realization is especially urgent for the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party in opposition that seems lost in chaos, acrimony, and disunity. Rather than focusing on strategic planning to challenge the well-entrenched People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Delta APC platforms are plagued by bitterness and infighting. This internal dysfunction betrays a lack of understanding of the essential principles that define the purpose, functions, and roles of political parties. What is a Political Party? A political party is an organized entity that seeks to gain and wield political power through elections. Members of a party are united...