News From Nigeria
CELEBRITIES, SPORTING HEROES, POLITICAL BIGWIGS, OTHERS GATHER IN KOKO
The crème de la crème of the Nigerian society will gather in Delta State on Saturday, May 9, 2026.
“Sporting heroes, prominent political leaders and business executives will step onto the Canaan land golf course on Saturday, May 9, 2026”
Chairman of Canaan land Golf Course and Country Club, Hon Felix Aganbi, in a statement on Monday said the club would host some of the world’s best and most celebrated golfers.
“The second anniversary of the Canaan land Golf and Country Club is a celebration of sport, style and distinction. It will provide a unique and unforgettable experience for participants”
He highlighted the club’s achievements.
“The Canaanland Golf Course and Country Club has set the benchmark for excellence in the world of golf. It has hosted some of the most prestigious golf tournaments in Nigeria’
He also emphasized the inclusivity of the second anniversary golf tournament, sportsmanship and commitment of the club to excellence.
“The second anniversary will test the skills of beginners, casual golfers, competitive amateurs and professionals”
The anniversary, according to Aganbi, will draw golfers from within and outside the country.
“The second anniversary will celebrate the CanaanLand spirit of friendship, service and fellowship through sports”
It will also allow political and corporate leaders to establish meaningful relations.
‘The second anniversary of the most iconic golf course will feature event networking, award ceremony and special lunch.
ORETTE IS IN SENATORIAL RACE TO WIN – DELTA SOUTH YOUTHS
Youths of Delta South on Sunday identified a festering crisis going on in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a major factor that can swing the odds in favour of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in 2027.
“The Nigeria Democratic party (NDC) is a party to look up to. It is a party to go with. It will take us to the Promised Land come 2027”
They also listed charisma, administrative experience, political sagacity, diplomatic disposition, international exposure and motivational leadership as factors that endeared Dr. Austin Orette to the good people of Delta South Senatorial District.
“Dr. Austin Orette is not in the Delta South Senatorial race to lose but to win and by the grace of God, he will win”
Gathering under the umbrella of Dependable Movement (DM) of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Emevor, the youths resolved to work with the elders and the women in the district to ensure that Orette emerges as the Delta South Senator in 2027.
In a statement delivered to journalists by the Coordinator of the NDC Dependable Movement, Oghenekaro Adigheji, the youths praised the Delta South frontline aspirant for inspiring confidence in the people.
They argued that Delta South Senatorial District at this stage of its development cannot afford to allow its best manpower stay in perpetuity abroad when his leadership acumen is being sorely missed in the district.
The youths backed Orette’s calls for the restructuring of the country, establishment of true federalism and devotion of power.
Particularly, the youths applauded the world class professional for addressing the concrete socio-economic challenges confronting the senatorial district.
“Now, more than ever before, Delta South needs quality and focused leadership. Delta South Senatorial District is in dire need of someone who understands that leadership is service’’
The youths urged Delta South leaders to support Orette in his senatorial bid.
They emphasized Orette’s pleasant personality, charm and positive leadership traits.
“Dr. Austin Orette has an excellent chance of winning the Delta South senatorial election in 2027”
THE RAPE OF DEMOCRACY BY DR AUSTIN ORETTE
Of all kinds of governments, the most difficult kind of government is constitutional democracy. This is because it requires full participation of the citizens.
When practiced according to the norms, it is antithetical to a military dictatorship. Military dictatorship is a top down, and one size fits all approaches, and the whims of the leader rule the day. A democracy requires deliberation and a bottom-up approach, and the wishes of the people are carried through.
This is the reason why participation in a democracy requires deliberation and  mandates the periodic assent of the voters. This is a sine qua non. It is a duty and a right in a democracy to have the opportunity to remake the country anew. Elected leaders must submit themselves for revaluation by the voters. This is mandatory and sacrosanct in a healthy democracy. To deprive citizens of this solemn responsibility is criminal.
A land where the people are afraid of their leaders is a hallmark of dictatorship, where power is maintained through fear, intimidation, violence and the suppression of basic liberties. A land where the leaders are afraid of the people is a democracy.
The popular sentiments often attributed to Tomas Jefferson show that a healthy democracy relies on mutual trust and accountability rather than sheer fear from either.
Ours is not a healthy democracy and is the reason some parties impose candidates on the people through automatic tickets. This should never be tolerated.
In a democracy, those elected must go back to the voters to renew their mandates. It is a dictatorship when top party officials impose candidates on the citizens. It is our right to have the opportunity to look into the records of those we elected and decide whether they were worthy of our initial trust.
This singular duty of the voter if not respected should be the end of that party. We are not in a military regime where governors and other officials are appointed. Our constitution clearly states that every four years we shall re-elect leaders.
Imposition of candidates without voting is unconstitutional. We can understand a candidate going unopposed. You can never be unopposed when the challengers are ham-stringed by criminal imposition of high fees of entry for challengers and primary elections are abrogated.
Why should those who aspire to serve be made to pay astronomical fees that cannot be explained by any income metrics in Nigeria? This is an exclusionary gimmick. This is what has turned our politics to a marketplace that has attracted only desperados instead of refined citizens with ideas. This is a violation of our constitutional order.
Any party that engages in this practice deserves to be voted out of power. No elected official should place himself above the voters and the constitution. Nigeria is no longer a military dictatorship where the government is the estate of military generals.
Any politician who cannot go back to the voters and renew his mandate should go and practice politics in North Korea. The President of North Korea was just re-elected by 99.9 percent. All his opponents campaigned from jail. The one percent that did not vote for him is being prosecuted for various crimes.
We are a constitutional democracy. No one has the right to impose candidates on the citizens. This practice is vile and unjust, and it is nothing but the rape of democracy. No one has a right to automatic mandate in a democracy.
AUSTIN ORETTE IS A DELTA SOUTH SENATORIAL ASPIRANT. HE WRITES FROM OWHELOGBO IN ISOKO NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA