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How PDP Abandoned Fayose, Paving Way For APC To Break 23 Years Jinx

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4 years ago

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Last week, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won the Ekiti State Governorship election in a landslide.

The party won 15 out of 16 local governments, breaking a 23years jinx in the state. With the victory, that is the first time transition will be happening within the party.

At the return of democracy in 1999, Niyi Adebayo of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) candidate emerged as governor of the state. He was defeated in 2003 by Ayodele Fayose. But Fayose’s tenure was truncated by the impeachment of 2006.

In 2007, Segun Oni was declared the winner but was sacked by the court in 2010 and Kayode Fayemi of Action Congress (AC) was declared the winner. Once again, Mr Fayemi was defeated in the 2014 governorship election by Fayose, who came back to complete his tenure.

By 2018, Fayose failed to install Shola Eleka as his successor, as Fayemi also came back to complete his tenure.

Last week, Mr Fayemi and his anointed successor, Biodun Oyebanji, emerged triumphant amidst rampant vote-buying allegations by some of the major parties.

Mr Oyebanji’s victory also stopped Segun Oni from a comeback. The latter had gone to the Social Democratic Party but he was able to emerge as runner-up handing an embarrassing defeat to the PDP.

The outcome of the election could be linked to factors within and outside the state. There is the fallout from the presidential primaries of PDP and APC, vote-buying and the internal crisis in Ekiti State PDP.

The fallout from PDP primary

At the PDP Presidential primaries, Fayose backed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State against Atiku Abubakar. However, the former lost to the latter at the convention.

The battle for the presidential ticket of PDP polarised the PDP. With support from Wike, Fayose was able to take over the entire structure in Ekiti, therefore, imposing his candidate.

The influence extended to Kogi West, where Wike and Fayose backed Tajudeen Yusuf against Dino Melaye.

Mr Melaye, an ally of Atiku was defeated in the primary election for Kogi West Senatorial District.

Dino, in his conceding speech, said, “I am very proud to be associated with Atiku Abubakar. A true patriot, consummate humanitarian and passionate unifier. Don’t make a mistake Dino is coming. SDM.”

Although the PDP set up an 81-member campaign council headed by Governor Seyi Makinde, however, the campaign did not get the expected show of solidarity and Atiku also stayed away from the campaign.

Reacting to the loss, Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of ex-governor Fayose blamed conspiracy from in and out of the state for the defeat.

“To the conspirators in Abuja, Southwest Nigeria and Ekiti, we are now on the ground together and it is only God that knows who will rise first,” he had said.

Tinubu’s effect.

At the APC convention, Governor Fayemi, surprised many when he announced to step down for Tinubu and asked his delegates to vote for the former Lagos State governor.

With the event, there was a cold war between Fayemi and the South-West Agenda (SWAGA), a group led by Dayo Adeyeye and loyal to Tinubu.

Several persons loyal to Tinubu were in a serious battle with Fayemi but the event at the convention changed the situation in favour of Oyebanji, as the entire structure united in Ekiti State.

Tinubu was in Ekiti and used his victory at the convention, drumming support for his party.

There were speculations that Tinubu’s loyalists in APC were ready to back Segun Oni of SDP. However, with Tinubu’s emergence and the role of Fayemi, the united front was the only option.

The internal crisis within the PDP

For three years, Fayose and Abiodun Olujimi battled for the control of PDP in Ekiti. For a while, Olujimi held sway, after the support of Seyi Makinde.

Of recent, the control has been back to Fayose, who used it to impose Bisi Kolawole, forcing Segun Oni to move to SDP.

Unlike Oni that moved, others stayed in the party, but the results of the election, showed that the internal crisis perhaps played a part. Most chieftains in the PDP lost their local governments.

Massive Vote buying and incumbency power

“I am not going to run again because I think any contest now is for the highest bidder and I won’t waste my time and energy,” Wole Oloyede, the ADC governorship candidate at the Ekiti election stated.

The voting buying in Ekiti was glaring as EFCC even made arrests at the election ground. The vote-buying was reportedly perpetrated by most of the parties.

All these factors explain why Oyebanji secured 187, 057 votes to defeat his closest challengers, Oni of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) who polled 82,211, and Kolawole of the Peoples Democratic Party who scored 67, 457 votes

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Union Bank’s Union Cares Initiative Celebrates Academic Excellence at Pacelli School for the Visually Impaired Graduation

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6 months ago

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July 29, 2025

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Union Bank of Nigeria proudly participated in the graduation ceremony of the Pacelli School for the Visually and Partially Sighted on 23 July 2025, honouring the resilience and academic achievements of visually impaired students.

The event, held on the school premises, highlighted the importance of inclusivity and determination in education.

As a 108-year-old institution committed to social responsibility, Union Bank’s involvement reflects its enduring support for Persons With Disabilities (PWD) and its dedication to fostering equitable access to education.

The Bank’s Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, Olufunmilola Aluko, expressed her admiration for the graduating students:

“Union Bank proudly stands as a champion of inclusiveness and equitable representation. Through our UnionCares corporate social responsibility initiative, we are committed to supporting vulnerable and underrepresented communities.

We celebrate the incredible achievements of these students and reaffirm our dedication to empowering them to reach their full potential.”

UnionCares is Union Bank’s CSR Arm focused on creating sustainable social impact in key areas, including:

• Support for Vulnerable Groups: Empowering persons with disabilities and other marginalised communities through inclusive initiatives.
• Education and Skill Development: Facilitating access to education and practical skills that promote self-reliance and opportunity.
• Community Well-Being: Enhancing the overall quality of life of communities through health, education, and social welfare projects.

Union Bank remains honoured to collaborate with institutions dedicated to uplifting less-recognised members of society. The Bank remains dedicated to championing initiatives that inspire positive change, and foster a more inclusive, enlightened community across Nigeria.

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Fidelity Bank ED, Kevin Ugwuoke Takes Over As President Of Risk Managers Association

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7 months ago

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June 15, 2025

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Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director and Chief Risk Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, has formally assumed office as President of the Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI).

His leadership promises a reform-focused era anchored on policy advocacy, ethical standards, and digital innovation to deepen risk governance across sectors in the country.

Speaking during the presidential handover ceremony in Lagos over the weekend, Ugwuoke — who also doubles as acting President of the Federation of African Risk Management Associations (FARMA) — described his election as “a call to action.”

He pledged to reposition CRMI as a thought leader and institutional partner in shaping the future of risk management in Nigeria’s national development.

“Our mission is more than just certification; it’s about strengthening the culture of risk governance across sectors. We will collaborate with regulators, raise awareness, and provide practical tools to help organizations embed risk discipline at all levels.”

Ugwuoke outlined a five-pronged strategy to guide his administration: strengthening professional education and certification; deepening policy and regulatory engagement; accelerating digital transformation; integrating ESG and climate risk into corporate strategies; and mentoring the next generation of risk practitioners.

He explained that CRMI will align its initiatives with key policy institutions — including the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, the National Assembly, and sub-national governments — to help embed robust risk frameworks into economic development plans.

“We must integrate risk thinking into how we plan, govern, and invest. We will advocate for more inclusive regulations to empower small and medium enterprises, improve macroeconomic stability, and foster institutional resilience.”

Ugwuoke also announced plans to revise the Institute’s curriculum, introduce specialized certifications to reflect emerging risks, and implement a new National Risk Observatory to provide real-time risk data to both the public and private sectors.

“Digital innovation will be central to how CRMI operates going forward. We are automating our backend, delivering more virtual training, and employing technology to scale our impact across the country and beyond.”

In his remarks, the outgoing President of CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni, challenged the new leadership to consolidate on the achievements made under his tenure — from securing chartered status and strengthening partnerships to gaining greater international recognition — and take the Institute to the next level.

Also speaking on the occasion, Chukwuma Nweke, deputy managing director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba, described Ugwuoke as a worthy successor. “As Professor Oseni hands over the baton to Kevin Ugwuoke — a well-respected leader in the risk management ecosystem — we are assured CRMI is poised for greater achievements under his watch.”

Nweke stressed that growing economic uncertainties — from inflation and exchange rate volatility to growing debt — underscore the need for a more strategic view of risk. “Risk must be recognized not as a compliance obligation or a cost center but as a key enabler of resiliency and growth. Institutions that embed risk into their strategies will absorb shocks more effectively, unlock value, and inspire investor confidence.”

As part of the day’s ceremonies, 11 distinguished practitioners were conferred with the Fellow of Chartered Risk Manager (FCRMI) award, while 21 new members were formally inducted as Chartered Risk Managers (CRM).

Furthermore, a new Governing Council was inaugurated to oversee the affairs of the Institute for the 2025–2027 term, marking a decisive step forward in institutional renewal and policy direction.

L-R: Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Risk Management Institute of Nigeria (CRMI), Victor Olannye; Divisional Head, Risk Management Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Grace Abioye; Immediate Past President, CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni; President, CRMI and Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Kevin Ugwuoke; Director, Enterprise Risk Management, Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Amal Haruna; and Rep. Keynote speaker, Deputy Group Management Director, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Chukwuma Nweke; at the CRMI Conferment Handover/Sent-Forth ceremony, held in Lagos recently.

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ZENITH BANK ENHANCES STAFF PAY BY OVER 20% AND PROMOTES ABOVE 4,000

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12 months ago

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January 25, 2025

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One of Africa’s leading financial institutions, Zenith Bank has reaffirmed its dedication to employee welfare by announcing the promotion of over 4,000 staff members and implementing salary increases ranging from 20% to 30% across various employee grades.

This bold initiative, under the leadership of Managing Director/CEO Dame Adaora Umeoji, its aimed at boosting staff morale and productivity.

With over 8,000 employees, this significant investment in human capital reflects Zenith Bank’s belief that its workforce is its most valuable asset. The salary adjustments, effective January 1, 2025, aim to reward performance, alleviate financial pressures, and ensure enhanced customer service delivery. Promotions for top management are also expected as part of the bank’s ongoing commitment to excellence and growth.

Dr. Umeoji emphasized the importance of maintaining a motivated workforce, stating that the bank’s dedication to its employees will translate into superior service experiences for customers. She highlighted the organization’s commitment to setting industry benchmarks through innovative solutions and exceptional service delivery.

Zenith Bank’s continued leadership in the Nigerian financial sector is underscored by numerous awards, including Best Bank in Nigeria 2024 by Global Finance and recognition as the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in 2024 by The Banker. These accolades complement its reputation for innovation, sustainability, and corporate governance.

By prioritizing employee welfare during challenging times, Zenith Bank not only strengthens its internal operations but also sets a standard for other financial institutions in the region, reinforcing its position as a leader in Africa’s banking landscape.

As a major player in Nigeria’s financial landscape, under its managing director/chief executive officer, Adaora Umeoji, the bank has embraced a holistic approach to growth that integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) principles with its core business objectives.

At the heart of Zenith Bank’s strategy is a focus on buoying economic inclusion, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and driving technological innovation to enhance customer experiences. The bank’s proactive investments in renewable energy, sports, digital transformation and impactful community initiatives exemplify its dedication to creating long-term value for its stakeholders while addressing global sustainability challenges.

Zenith Bank’s continued success is driven by a combination of strong financial performance and an unwavering commitment to its stakeholders.

Zenith Bank’s growth trajectory is underpinned by a robust expansion strategy. With operations in several countries, including the UK, UAE, China, and most recently, France, the bank continues to expand its geographical footprint.

As usual, the bank’s efforts in 2024 did not unnoticed as the lender clinched several local and international awards in recognition of its outstanding performance.

In 2024, the bank won the Best Bank in Nigeria at the annual Global Finance award in Washington, DC, NY.

The bank also emerged the Biggest Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, 2024 by The Banker; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Best Corporate Governance, Nigeria 2024 – World Finance; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria 2024 – International Banker; Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Retail Bank of the Year, 2024 – Business Day; Bank of the Year 2024- The Banker.

It also clinched the Most Responsible Organization in Africa 2024 – SERAS; Best in Gender Equality & Women Empowerment 2024 – SERAS and Best in Transparency & Reporting 2024 – SERAS

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