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Ekiti Gov. Oyebanji Advances Continuity In Govt

By
Ayodele Oni
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Governor Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The philosophy of the present administration in Ekiti State has been a concept of continuity of inherited government projects, Governor Biodun Oyebanji has revealed.

 

The Governor added that the concept has assisted the administration to continue and complete several inherited projects from previous government.

 

He spoke while delivering the 2026 Afe Babalola Distinguished Personality Lecture organized by the Department of Conflict, Peace and Strategic Studies, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) in honour of the Founder and Chancellor of the institution, Aare Afe Babalola(SAN).

 

The title of the lecture is “Building Legacies: Governance, Successor-Generation and Continuity.”

 

Explaining the link between good governance and continuity, Oyebanji pointed out that his administration has been fully committed to a thirty-year blueprint, Ekiti State Development Plan 2020-2050 which is also in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

 

He added that his campaign manifesto of 2022 was sourced from the blueprint and consequently crystallized into his administration’s six-pillar agenda.

 

“I must mention that at the core of our philosophy as an administration is the concept of continuity of inherited government projects. 

 

“Apart from the fact that this administration is a continuation of the last one as we belong to the same party and I was also a critical participant in the preceding administration, I was personally convinced that each government is a continuation of those before it.

 

“So, I was committed to the completion of projects that existed before our administration including projects started by Chief Segun Oni, Mr Ayodele Fayose and my immediate predecessor, Dr Kayode Fayemi. 

 

“The benefit of this is that today, we have completed the rehabilitation of Ifaki-Iworoko-Ado Ekiti Road, the Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport, the first phase of the Ring Road, the IPP Project, the Traditional Council Chambers, Ado Ekiti Bus Terminal, RAAMP roads, among other legacy projects.

 

“Additionally, we have also delivered or continuing on many projects that were initiated by our administration, such as power projects that have seen electricity supply improvement across the state. 

 

“Many road projects within Ado metropolis such as GRA III Extension Road, Maryland Road, Oke Ila Road, Agric Olope-Matthew Link Road, Moferere Road, Omisanjana-Ajebamidele Road have also been touched.

 

According to him, the offices held before he became Governor gave him opportunities to serve the people, add value to governance and gained requisite experience from leaders who deliberately put in place succession plans that is presently benefiting the state.

 

For worthy legacies to be built, Oyebanji advised leaders to always develop a pragmatic succession plan that will sustain laudable vision and enlistment of dedicated and capable lieutenants who do not only believe in the vision, but also committed to its continuation and improvement .

 

The governor hailed the legal icon and eminent educationist for establishing ABUAD, which he has built to become a top destination for excellence in tertiary education and a citadel of learning that was recently ranked among 100 top global universities, 3rd in Africa and 1st in Nigeria by the Times Higher Education Impact.

 

ABUAD Founder, Aare Babalola hailed Oyebanji for delivering one of the best public lectures he has heard recently, adding that the lecture was lucid, easy to understand, stimulating, deep and capturing key ingredients that enriched the understanding of the audience on the principles of continuity and succession in governance.

 

Aare Babalola advised the Governor to consider coming back to ABUAD at the end of his public service to lecture students and share his insights and experience in governance as a means of giving back to humanity.

 

The legal luminary urged the Governor to beam his searchlight on the ongoing work by putting pressure on the contractor handling the federal road which leads to the institution considering the hardship faced by workers including academic staff in arriving at their duty posts.

 

“Whoever is the contractor working on that road, help us ensure that work is going on day and night because we know what we suffer because of the present condition of the road. That is the only request I have for you today.”

Governor Lawal Receives NAF Delegation In Gusau To Strengthen Security, Combat Terrorism

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Governor Lawal Receives NAF Delegation In Gusau
Governor Lawal Receives NAF Delegation In Gusau

By Akinwale Kasali

 

In a move to tackle terrorism, banditry and insecurity in the State, Governor Dauda Lawal received a high-level delegation from the Nigerian Air Force in a strategic visit aimed at strengthening ongoing efforts to combat insecurity across the state.

 

For years, Zamfara State has been battling insecurity which is yet to abate, prompting the strategic visit the Nigerian Air Force in bringing an end to the insecurity menace in the State.

 

The visit featured a presentation and inspection of key Military Air Assets, including a combat-equipped Helicopter designed for rapid response and real-time operations.

 

The Governor, alongside top government officials and Security Chiefs, were briefed on the Aircraft’s capabilities, operational features, and its role in tackling banditry and other security challenges.

 

During the session, the Air Force personnel demonstrated key features of the aircraft, including weapon systems and surveillance technology, highlighting its effectiveness in reconnaissance and combat missions.

 

The Governor, however, expressed strong interest in tackling insecurity, while also inspecting the equipment and asking questions about deployment and coordination with ground forces.

 

He commended the Federal Government and Air Force leadership for their commitment to restoring peace in Zamfara and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to supporting all security agencies through collaboration and strategic initiatives.

 

The visit no doubt marks a significant step toward enhancing aerial surveillance and rapid response capabilities in Zamfara, reflecting renewed progress in addressing insecurity in the state.

Kwara NUJ Poll: Appeal Court Quashes Dare Akogun’s Case For Incompetence

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Dare Akogun
Dare Akogun

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Kwara State Chapter’s 2024 Election that resulted in litigation is yet to abate, as the Court of Appeal sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State Capital, on Wednesday, struck out the application by Dare Akogun challenging its outcome.

The Court dismissed the case for being incompetent.

Akogun had filed the application before the Appellate Court in a bid to upturn the election that produced the incumbent Chairman of the union, Abdullateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, for a second term of office.

Justice Abdu Dogo led the Appeal Court panel to deliver the ruling during the Court’s virtual sitting on Wednesday.

Defendants in the case included State NUJ Chairman, ‘Lanre Ahmed; former NUJ National President, Christopher Isiguzo; NUJ National Secretary, Achike Jude; former NUJ Zone ‘D’ Vice President, Christopher Atsaka; Chairman, Kwara NUJ Credential Committee, Abdulhamid Funsho Alaiye; Kwara NUJ Credential Committee Secretary, Sulyman Bolaji Gobir, and NUJ National Secretariat.

It would be recalled that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NCIN,  sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital had struck out similar application by Dare Akogun to join in the suit filed by Babajide Fadeyi of Federation Information Chapel to challenge his disqualification as a Vice Chairmanship aspirant from the state NUJ triennial conference also known as election.

The lower court dismissed the entire suit and awarded N100,000 each against the litigant for wasting the court time following his application to withdraw the substantive suit.

According to the court, the sum of N100,000 was awarded against Fadeyi, and was to be paid to each of the seven defendants in the suit, totaling N700,000.

Banditry: Afenifere Alleges Collaborators Within Security Agencies

By
Ayodele Oni
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Soldiers on Duty

By Ayodele Oni 

 

Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has urged South West states to join their neighbouring Kogi and Kwara in tackling banditry.

 

Afenifere also called on the military to look inward for collaborators of terrorists within the institution to win the war against terrorism in the country.

 

These were contained in a communique issued at the end of the group’s meeting in Akure, Ondo state.

 

Afenifere acknowledged that internal collaborators of the terrorist group are the major challenge being faced by the military in the fight against terrorism in the nation.

 

The communique issued and signed by Jare Ajayi, National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, reads in parts: “The meeting took note of the steps by the federal government under President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on the security situation, including the meeting he held with security chiefs just on Monday.

 

“In the same vein, the meeting took note of the efforts of the military and other security agencies on security issues in the land.

 

“Afenifere commended the gallantry of our soldiers and commiserated with the federal government, the military, and families of gallant soldiers who lost their lives or got wounded in the process of defending the nation.

 

“The body then recommended that: The military and other security agencies be further strengthened with more equipment, morale boosting, enhancement of kinetic and non-kinetic security measures, etc.

 

“Government and security agencies, including the military, should look inward as insecurity continues to fester because there are internal collaborators.

 

“Such a searchlight should be beamed on local communities, as there are collaborators among them as well.

 

“By this, we mean unscrupulous people who are collaborating with kidnappers, bandits, and terrorists. 

 

“Confessions by some of the suspects that have been made public attested to this line of thinking.

 

“Afenifere seized the opportunity to also commiserate with the people who have been victims of terrorism in Yorubaland and in other parts of Nigeria.

 

“The organization is highly disturbed by this and called on all concerned not to waste any more time in doing all that is humanly possible to put an end to what now appears to be a genocidal agenda.”

 

Also, the group urges all governors of the South-West region to collaborate with their neighbouring states, particularly Kwara and Kogi states, in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

 

It advised South-West governors to beef up security in the region to repel terrorists in the region.

 

The communique further reads in parts: “The meeting, for the umpteenth time, expressed concern over the security situation in the country.

 

“Serious concern was expressed about the increasing terror acts in Yorubaland. It called on governors of the six states in the South West to take more decisive actions on insecurity that seems to be ravaging the land now.

 

“Part of the actions can be strengthening Amotekun, paying more attention to surveillance, and expediting actions on the setting up of state police.

 

“These can be done in collaboration with governments of neighbouring states, especially Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta, which also have sizeable Yoruba populations.

 

“The body reiterates its call on South West governors to put into practical action the resolutions they made on several security meetings they have held in recent times.

 

“There is a need for them to carry the governors of Kwara and Kogi states along for the sake of Yorubas and other residents in these states, and also because of the stretches of forests linking the said states, which bandits often use to carry out their dastardly acts.

 

Moreover, Afenifere charged politicians to approach the 2027 general elections playing the game according to the rules.

 

“Afenifere then called on politicians and political players to go about their electioneering processes peacefully.

 

“Electioneering should be devoid of violence, thuggery, and character assassination,” the communique reads.

Courts Restricted From Entertaining Matters On Internal Affairs Of Political Parties – Katsina High Court Judge Rules

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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0
Judiciary and Court

By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

A Katsina State High Court sitting in Dutsinma, Dutsinma Local Council of the State has ruled to decline jurisdiction in a legal action involving parties in the festering leadership and internal crises bedeviling the  African Democratic Congress ADC.

 

The Source reports that the Honourable Justice AK Tukur had on April 7, 2026, in the wake of preparations for the  ADC Ward and Local Council Congresses, granted an interim injunction restraining a  faction loyal to the Senator David Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC from going ahead with the Congresses on the strength of an ex-parte application brought by the  faction-backed by Bala Nafiu Gombe 

 

However, the Court has not only reversed itself, but dismissed the motion on notice, citing Section 83 of the amended 2026 Electoral Act as a major reason.

 

In his ruling , Justice Tukur argued that the Court lacks the legal authority to interfere in issues bordering on the internal and leadership affairs of political parties going by the provisions of  Section 83 (5) of the Electoral Act ..

 

The motion was filed by Musa Usman Wamba ,the Katsina State Chapter Chairman of ADC, with respondents as Lawan Batagarawa, a former Minister of State for Defence, Babangida Ibrahim Mahuta, the ADC, and the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC.

Yoruba Warlord, Gani Adams, Blames Insecurity In South West On Govt, To Address It

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Gani Adams
Gani Adams



By Ayodele Oni 

 

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has criticised the politicization of recruitment into the various security outfits, saying competence has often been sacrificed for patronage, thereby weakening operational efficiency.

 

Adams also exonerated himself from the rising insecurity in the Southwest, insisting that he repeatedly warned political leaders about the looming crisis long before it escalated.

 

Adams spoke on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he detailed a series of intelligence alerts, proposals, and engagements with state actors which he said were largely ignored.

 

He described the current security situation in the region as unprecedented, noting that the Southwest, once relatively stable, is now grappling with kidnapping, armed attacks, and killings.

 

According to him, the crisis developed gradually over time, particularly in agrarian and border communities, where early signs of infiltration by armed groups were evident but not addressed.

 

Adams pointed out that his warnings predated his installation as Aare Ona Kakanfo in 2018, recalling that he had raised concerns about movements of armed elements in parts of Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa.

 

“If you want to blame anybody on the issue of insecurity in the Southwest, don’t blame me. I raised awareness and pushed for proactive measures before things got out of hand,” he said.

 

He added that intelligence reports at the time indicated a growing presence of non-state actors with sophisticated weapons, but the alerts were not taken seriously.

 

On calls for him to take decisive action as Aare Ona Kakanfo, Adams clarified that the role no longer carries the military authority it once had in pre-colonial times.

 

“I am not a ceremonial Aare, but we are operating under a modern state where security is controlled by government. You cannot just take independent security decisions without approval.”

 

He explained that unlike the historical structure under the old Oyo Empire, where the Aare had war powers, Nigeria’s current legal framework places security control in the hands of government authorities.

 

Adams warned that acting outside this structure could lead to legal consequences, including arrest or detention.

 

He stressed the need for stronger collaboration between government and grassroots security structures, noting that without official backing, expectations placed on traditional institutions would remain limited.

 

The Aare also revealed that he had written to Southwest governors shortly after assuming office, proposing a regional security summit. He said it took over a year before a coordinated response emerged, leading to the Ibadan conference that birthed the Amotekun Corps.



While acknowledging Amotekun as a significant initiative, Adams criticised its decentralised structure, arguing that the absence of a unified command weakened its effectiveness.

 

‘Security is not something you handle in isolation, especially when threats are interconnected,” he said.

 

He also pointed to uneven implementation across states, singling out Lagos State for not fully operationalising the outfit, while commending Oyo and Ondo states for stronger commitment.

 

“We are not lacking in manpower; what we lack is coordination and political will,” he said.

Bayelsan Medical Doctor Dies Of Complications After Giving Birth To Triplets

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Dr Ere Ogbachi



By Suleiman Anyalewechi 

 

A Bayelsa State-based  medical practitioner, Dr Ere Ogbachi, has passed on after  giving birth to triplets.

 

Dr Ogbachi who died on Tuesday April 14, at the Intensive Care Unit, ICU, of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, could not survive some complications she developed shortly after giving birth.

 

A statement from her family issued by her brother, Meshack Sintel, on his Facebook account on Wednesday, April 15, informed that the deceased medical officer was until her death, a Registrar at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital NDUTH and  member of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA.

 

Dr Ogbachi who  was said to have passed through same University on her way to becoming a medical doctor, according to the family, developed medical complications shortly after successfully delivering the triplets.

 

“She successfully gave birth to triplets at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Okolobiri. Complications arose that eventually forced us to rush her to the Intensive Care Unit at FMC Yenagoa.

 

“We watched her struggling to live; we watched her gasping for breath; we watched how the team of doctors and other experts at FMC kept trying their best to revive her.

 

“The SP02 machine in the ICU began reading downwards from 70 to 50 ,and then to 0 .

 

” It was a painful experience. My beloved sister died at exactly 2:45 am on April 14 ,2026. A generation has been lost, and the Sintei family mourns”, the family statement reads.

 

However, the statement did not disclose the conditions of the newborn triplets.

 

Similarly, as at the time of reporting, the management of the NDUTH where she graduated from, worked with ,and died had not reacted officially to the unfortunate incident.

 

The incident is coming in quick succession to  that involving  a Kano mother of quintuplets, Hafsat Yusuf.

 

The Source reports that Hafsat who successfully  delivered a set of quintuplets at the Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital in Kano on March 25, 2026, equally succumbed to complications, shortly after giving birth.

 

She was said to have died from bleeding, after all efforts to control the situation proved abortive.

Ekiti APC Gov. Campaign Kicks Off April 27

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni 

 

After the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji at the Federal High Court Abuja, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ekiti State, Chapter, is set to launch its Governorship campaign.

 

Director General of the campaign organization, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, announced on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti that the full campaign will kick off on April 27.

 

The governorship Election in the State has been fixed for June 20 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

According to him, “campaign has commenced at the grassroots level where our canvases move from door to door, street to street canvassing votes for our candidate. However, the campaign will be officially flagged off on April 27, 2026. 

 

“Our campaign team is formidable. It draws membership from every senatorial district, every local government, every ward. We are ready for a clean, peaceful, and vigorous engagement with Ekiti people.

 

“Why April 27, you may want to ask? We are in order and not running late at all. We have been working. The last four years were the real campaign. 

 

“Every commissioned road, every paid salary, every equipped hospital was campaigning for us. April 27 is just the formal flag-off under the INEC timetable. But BAO has been on the ballot of performance since Day One.

 

“Our instruction to party members is clear. Every APC member is an equal canvasser. No one is a spectator. This campaign is intra local government, intra ward, and intra unit. It must run without rancour. We will market our record and our plan, not abuse opponents.

 

“Our objective is for1@ APC to win for Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji in all the 177 Wards of Ekiti State. We are targeting a minimum of 500,000 votes. With discipline and hard work, it is achievable.”

 

The DG pointed out that achievements of Governor Biodun Oyebanji for over three years are enough as campaign issues .

 

“Four years ago, an APC Governor, His Excellency, Dr. John Kayode Fayemi handed a clear mandate to his would-be successor, that he should surpass him in terms of performance. 

 

“Gov Oyebanji accepted the challenge and the rest is history. He started the work with all his energy immediately after his inauguration. 

 

“Roads have been fixed across all 16 LGAs and 22 LCDAs. Our schools have been renovated, teachers get trained, and bursaries restored. Health centres now wear new look having been comprehensively renovated and well equipped and properly staffed. 

 

“Ekiti is now ranked the most secured state in Nigeria. To mention just a few. 

 

“On transparency, Ekiti scored 39 out of 39 in Q4 2025 and 100 out of 100 as a Progressive Performer in Q4 2024. We topped the 2026 Subnational Audit Efficacy Index. 

 

“Food inflation in Ekiti is now the lowest in Nigeria. The Ekiti Knowledge Zone is underway. Farm settlements are back.

 

“Women lead as Deputy Governor, Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Head of Service; and Accountant General of the State, and as chairperson of local government council, among others.”

Fed High Court Affirms Gov. Oyebanji’s Endorsement By Ekiti APC To Contest In June Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ruled that Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, was dully endorsed to contest the June 20 election by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Peter Lifu ruled in a case filed by Mrs Abimbola Olajumoke Olawunmi, a disqualified aspirant in the governorship primary against All Progressives Congress (APC) & 2Ors in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/222/25.

The plaintiff is challenging her disqualification in the primary election by APC and her exclusion in the revalidation of membership exercise.

The Court stated that the suit, by all standard, was not filed within 14 days of the date of the alleged disqualification.

“It took the plaintiff more than 27 days to file the suit. The suit is a pre- election matter. Any pre election matter not filed within the statutory period provided by the law is statute barred.”

Defendants had argued that the plaintiff is not their member on which the Court ruled against, her name having not been reflected in their register or members.

They argued further that the court has no jurisdiction to determine the membership of a political party as it is an internal affair and the sole responsibility of the political party to determine same.

According to defendants, no court can inquire into the issue of membership.

The court held that the issue as to whether or not the Plaintiff was qualified to contest bothers on membership and it is an internal affair of the political party.

The court further held that there’s no dispute worthy of the court’s intervention beteeen the plaintiff and the defendants, the suit is therefore non-justiciable and discloses no reasonable cause of action.

The suit was dismissed based on the above grounds in favour of the defendants.

NIMASA Boss Tasks NSDP Graduates On Professionalism

By
James Orji
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0
NIMASA NSDP

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola, has described beneficiaries of the Nigerian Seafarers Development Programme (NSDP) who recently obtained their Certificates of Competency (CoC) as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, noting their commendable character and professionalism.

Speaking during an engagement with the newly certified seafarers who paid him an appreciation visit in Lagos, the Dr. Mobereola commended their resilience and determination, having successfully navigated years of uncertainty to achieve professional certification.

He observed that while challenges can be perceived as obstacles, they can also serve as opportunities for growth, emphasizing that the officers chose the latter path. “You have weathered the storm; the future will be easier for you. We are proud of you,” the DG stated.

Dr. Mobereola further charged the Seafarers to remain disciplined and committed to excellence, urging them to serve as mentors to upcoming cadets within the maritime sector. He stressed that the Nigerian maritime industry requires their expertise and reaffirmed that Nigerian seafarers possess the capacity to compete favourably on the global stage, provided they remain consistent and professional.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, one of the officers, Edet Uttibe Michael, expressed profound appreciation to the NIMASA management for addressing their prolonged challenges. They recounted that after graduating from maritime institutions in Romania, they had remained without sea-time training and certification for about eight years.

According to him, the intervention of the current NIMASA management restored their hope and enabled them to realize their professional aspirations. He described the Director General as a compassionate and visionary leader who took decisive steps to resolve a longstanding issue that predated his tenure.

“We came to express our sincere appreciation for your magnanimity. You gave us hope and made our dreams come true,” Edet said.

Recently, NIMASA Management initiated strategic interventions to address the sea-time and CoC challenges for the NSDP beneficiaries.

This programme commenced in 2024 with the first batch of 40 cadets sent to Tyne Coast College, South Shields Marine School, United Kingdom, marking a significant milestone in resolving the longstanding challenge. Out of this number, 34 cadets passed.

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