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Umahi’s 28-year Old Son Sworn-in As Ohaozara LG Chairman

By
The Source
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Osborn Nweze Umahi

By Charles Igbo

 

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi now has his own son to watch his back for him at his home Local Government Area, Ohaozara Ebonyi State.

 

This is because his son,

Osborn Nweze Umahi, 28, is now the Chairman of the Local Government Area thus, consolidating the Umahi political dynasty.

 

The jnr. Umahi, popular in Ebonyi as the young billionaire, was officially sworn-in on Tuesday,  September 1, 2026.

 

At his inauguration ceremony which, of course, attracted every who-is-who, politically, in the State, his proud father, the Minister of Works, who was a former Governor of the State, was present. He was not only present as the father of the new Chairman, but as the special guest.

 

Umahi junior was overwhelmingly, on Saturday, August 22, elected the Chairman of  Ohaozara Local Government Area under the banner of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Speculations are that he is a future Governor of the State, following his father’s footsteps.

OPINION: Sidelined And Snubbed: How Governor Abdulrahman Fell Out Of Favour With Tinubu

By
James Orji
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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State
By Adeniyi Ishola
There is a particular kind of political humiliation that is worse than a public rebuke. It is the quiet, deliberate, and systematic withdrawal of recognition, the kind that strips a man of relevance not with a loud announcement but with a series of pointed silences and unreturned gestures. That is precisely the kind of humiliation that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara state is currently experiencing, and observers paying close attention to the unfolding political drama surrounding him can see it clearly.
For some years now, Governor Abdulrahman has projected himself as one of the most influential figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), he occupies a position that should ordinarily confer significant political influence, not only among his colleagues but also within the highest circle of the ruling party. But recent developments within the APC have raised uncomfortable questions about the governor’s standing in Abuja and, more importantly, his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The political signals coming from the party and the presidency are difficult to ignore.
For those who probably are not aware, the Kwara APC has for some months now been engulfed in an internal crisis that has exposed deep divisions within the party. Rather than resolving these tensions, the situation appears to have deteriorated, leaving aggrieved party members and key stakeholders locked in a struggle for relevance, recognition and political survival ahead of the 2027 general elections. And if reports emerging from Abuja are anything to go by, President Tinubu is not pleased with the manner in which the crisis in Kwara has been handled by Governor Abdulrahman, who feels he could manipulate party primaries in his State, impose candidates, and sideline political heavyweights within his party without consequence.
Perhaps, the first and most telling indicator of Governor Abdulrahman’s diminished standing at the centre of power came with the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. In a development that sent shockwaves through Kwara’s political circles, the governor, who currently serves as the NGF Chairman, a position that commands enormous political weight and respect, was assigned no significant role in the campaign council. He was handed the position of coordinator for his own State. Nothing more.
Let that sink in. A man who leads the body of state governors in the country and is one of the most senior political figures in his party was deemed unworthy of a prominent national role in his own party’s presidential campaign structure. That, in itself, speaks volumes about where he currently stands with the leadership of the party and with the presidency he claims to be closely aligned with. This is not an oversight. It is not an administrative error. It is a message that was deliberately composed and deliberately delivered.
But the humiliation did not end there. The governor’s younger brother, Abdulrauf Baba Abdulrazaq, who had initially been suggested to serve as the North Central Youth Coordinator for the Campaign Council, was reportedly unceremoniously removed and replaced by Ambassador Yahaya Seriki, the same Seriki whom Governor Abdulrahman had publicly endorsed as his preferred governorship candidate before abandoning him in one of the most brazen acts of political betrayal Kwara has witnessed in recent memory. Baba was also removed as the City Boy Movement Coordinator for North Central, and replaced by someone nominated by Seriki. The symbolism could not have been more pointed. Not only could the governor not protect his own brother’s position, he could also not secure a single meaningful appointment for any of his loyalists on the Campaign Council. For a sitting Chairman of the NGF, that is not merely embarrassing. It is a political catastrophe.
Stung and unhappy with these developments, Governor Abdulrahman, according to accounts circulating within political circles in Abuja, sought a private audience with President Tinubu after a meeting of the Progressive Governors’ Forum with the president. At the meeting, the governor reportedly expressed his displeasure over being sidelined and denied a prominent national role in the APC presidential campaign structure. He was said to be particularly unhappy that the position of North Central Coordinator of the Campaign Council was given to Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, a decision that would effectively place him under Bago within the campaign hierarchy. Abdulrahman felt this was a slight on both his person and the office he occupies as the Chairman of the NGF.
According to insider sources, the president told him he was sidelined so he could go home to resolve the crisis he created and allowed to fester within the Kwara APC. That was a direct and unambiguous instruction for him to go and clean up his own mess. That account shows that Abdulrahman has lost the President’s confidence, and his complaints have found little sympathy in Aso Rock. It tells us everything we need to know about where the governor stands with the presidency, where he is now seen as a liability rather than a valued asset whose political capital can be deployed.
President Tinubu’s priority going into 2027 is victory. He needs governors who can deliver their states, but he also needs political structures that are sufficiently broad and cohesive to mobilise votes for him. A governor’s personal control of a party structure becomes less useful if that structure is fractured and large sections of the party feel alienated. This explains why Mr President is willing to work with the Rainbow Coalition, which is being championed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, across some states, including Kwara.
If there was any doubt about how far Governor Abdulrahman’s political stock has fallen, it was laid bare when he recently led all Kwara APC 2027 candidates to the party’s national secretariat in Abuja, in what appeared to be a desperate attempt to reassert his relevance within the party. The optics of the visit were intended to project unity, legitimacy, and federal backing. It was expected to be an opportunity to showcase the governor’s influence and demonstrate that all his well within the Kwara APC and that he remained firmly in control of his state’s political machinery.
What happened instead was an embarrassment. The National Chairman of the party, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, did not show up to receive him. He did not deem the governor and his delegation worthy of his presence. Only the National Secretary of the party was on hand to receive them. It was a cursory, perfunctory reception that culminated in a quick photo opportunity and nothing more. This was a far cry from the reception a sitting NGF Chairman might expect to command.
Politics is about signals. And when several signals begin pointing in the same direction, political observers are entitled to take notice. Taken together, these episodes paint a picture of a governor increasingly isolated within his own party and estranged from a presidency he claims is backing him. An NGF chairman who cannot secure a single loyalist a seat on his party’s presidential campaign council, whose own brother has been quietly pushed aside, and who is received in the party’s national secretariat, not by the National Chairman but by a subordinate, is a man whose political capital is running dangerously low.
Should this trajectory continue, it is difficult to see how Governor Abdulrahman and the candidates he has imposed on the Kwara APC can avoid a reckoning at the polls in 2027. Indeed, defeat awaits them all. The warning signs are already there. The president is distancing himself from the governor. The party is sidelining him. The people of Kwara are exhausted by eight years of misrule, insecurity, waste and misplaced priorities. Meanwhile, the political forces, particularly members of the TOP movement whom he sought to destroy, have not been defeated. They are mobilising, strategising, and steadily gaining ground.
Governor Abdulrahman and those around him must therefore understand that 2027 will not be business as usual. If there are plans to deploy public resources, government structures, or public officials to influence the electoral process, they should know that they will fail. The governor’s political appointees, local government chairmen, civil servants, and others entrusted with public responsibility must be careful of what instructions to follow and what they will allow themselves to be used for. They must understand that political instructions do not excuse unlawful conduct.
Political appointees, local government chairmen, civil servants, and other public officials who Governor Abdulrahman may ask to participate in questionable financial or political activities should therefore exercise caution. Governor Abdulrahman does not have the political capital to protect anyone who does the dirty work for him when reckoning comes. When the political tide turns, everyone will account for his or her actions. The law does not discriminate between the person who gives an unlawful order and the person who knowingly carries it out.

Lagos Govt: Men Who Force Their Wives To Have Sex Risk Life Imprisonment

By
James Orji
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Babajide Sanwo-Olu
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu

The Lagos State Government has issued a stern warning to husbands who force their wives into sexual intercourse, saying marital status does not give a man the right to compel his wife to have sex against her will.
The state’s Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ministry of Justice, Adebayo Haroun, said a husband who forces his wife to have sexual intercourse after she has refused consent could face prosecution for sexual assault by penetration, an offence he said carries a punishment of life imprisonment under Lagos State law.
Haroun gave the warning on Monday during a briefing to mark the flag-off of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness (DSVA) campaign.
His comments came in response to questions about whether a married woman could report her husband for rape if he had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.
The DPP explained that Lagos law makes a distinction between rape and sexual assault by penetration in cases involving married couples. According to him, where the marriage remains intact and the couple are in good terms, forced intercourse is not classified as rape under the provision he was referring to.
However, he stressed that this does not give husbands a licence to force their wives into sexual activity.
“Once there is an issue between them and the wife refuses to have sex with him, the husband cannot force her,” Haroun said.
He explained that where a husband disregards his wife’s refusal and uses force to have sexual intercourse with her, the matter could be prosecuted as sexual assault by penetration rather than rape, with life imprisonment as the stated maximum punishment.
The DPP also dismissed the notion that payment of bride price gives a husband unrestricted rights over his wife.
“Any man that feels because he paid his wife’s dowry, nobody can challenge him for domestic violence, the wife should report such a man to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency,” he said.
The warning forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader campaign to tackle domestic and sexual violence and encourage victims to speak out and seek assistance.
Haroun urged women experiencing domestic or sexual abuse to report such incidents to the appropriate authorities, stressing that marital status or cultural expectations should not be used as a shield for violence.

Nollywood Actress, Atinuke Kareem, Dies Of Cancer After She Pleaded:”Don’t Allow Me Die”

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Actress Atinuke Kareem

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Less than 10 days after Nollywood Actor, Taiwo Hassan, popular as Ogogo, died of Cancer, a fast rising Nollywood Actress, Atinuke Kareen has died of breast cancer.

 

Announcing her passing, the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria, TAMPAN, Ogun State Chapter’s  Executive Governor, Owolabi Ajasa, disclosed that she died of breast cancer.

 

The statement was accompanied by a video clip of Kareem seeking support and prayers during her battle with breast cancer, highlighting the physical toll of the illness on her.

 

The deceased had said in the video clip, “I’m a breast cancer patient. It has been going on for a while. My family has spent a lot of money; I’ve come to seek help.

 

“The association I belong to, TAMPAN, has tried too, but it’s not enough.

 

“Don’t allow me to die this way; I have two young children. Nigerians, please help me with any amount you can use to help”, she sobbed intermittently as she sought for financial help.

 

In the release signed by the State Public Relations Officer, Femi Solaja, on behalf of Ajasa, the association expressed deep appreciation to colleagues, fans, and well-wishers who provided financial and moral support during the actress’s medical battle.

 

“We sincerely appreciate everyone who contributed financially, offered prayers, encouragement, and support towards the treatment of our dear colleague, Atinuke Remilekun Kareem.

 

“Your kindness and sacrifice during her difficult moment meant so much to her family and all of us. We are deeply grateful”.

 

The Ogun State Chapter of TAMPAN further expressed sorrow over her demise, describing it as an irrecoverable loss that members must accept as the will of God.

 

“Sadly, despite all our efforts and prayers, Atinuke has passed on and answered the final call.

 

“We cannot question the Almighty God. We can only submit to His will and pray that He grants her eternal rest and gives her family, colleagues, and loved ones the strength to bear this painful loss. Rest in peace, Atinuke Remilekun Kareem,” the statement concluded.

 

No doubt, the past few weeks has been tough for the Yoruba Movie Industry as they have lost three actors in the space of 10 days.

 

First was Ogogo who died of Stage Four Cancer, Alabi Ogundepo and now Atinuke Kareem.

 

Recently, veteran actor, Musiliu Dasofunjo, popularly known as Baba Johunomi announced his battle with Prostate Cancer, urging colleagues and Nigerians to prioritize their health.

Legislators Hold Special Plenary On Bridge Newly Built by Uzodimma …Endorse Him For 2027 Imo West Senate

By
The Source
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Governor Hope Uzodimma
Senator Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo State

The Legislative Councils of Ideato North and Ideato South Local Government Areas of Imo State have jointly endorsed Governor Hope Uzodimma as their preferred All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West (Orlu Zone) senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.

 

This was done during an unprecedented joint Plenary Session of the two Legislative Councils, which was held Tuesday at the newly built Umuchima Bridge, a strategic infrastructure project in the Ideato area, by Uzodimma.

 

The lawmakers said their decision was informed by what they described as significant interventions by the Uzodimma administration in roads, erosion control, security and other areas of infrastructure development across the communities.

 

The Special Session, which temporarily moved the legislative proceedings from the Councils’ traditional chambers in Urualla and Dikenafai to the Umuchima Bridge, was described by the lawmakers as both “symbolic and historic.”

 

Moving the motion for the Special Plenary, the Councillor representing Dikenafai, Hon. Donatus Ebere, said the choice of the bridge as the venue was significant in view of the infrastructure challenges previously experienced in the area.

 

“Things do not just happen. We have found ourselves at the bridge in Umuchima, and that is what makes this a special plenary,” Ebere said while moving the motion to relocate the two Chambers to the site in honour of Governor Uzodimma.

 

The motion was unanimously supported by members of both Councils, who said the gathering was intended to recognise what they considered the Governor’s contributions to the rehabilitation of critical infrastructure in Ideato.

 

The Leader of the Ideato South Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Hycenth Onyenekezi, subsequently announced the Council’s vote of confidence in the Governor and declared its support for his emergence as the consensus APC candidate for the senatorial position in 2027.

 

Onyenekezi also commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu and that of Governor Uzodimma over what he described as progress in infrastructure and security.

 

He said the developments had further strengthened the APC’s position in the area.

“Ideato is strictly APC. We urge all other aspirants to step aside for our distinguished Senator Uzodimma,” he declared.

 

The endorsement also received strong backing from the Executive Chairmen of Ideato North and South Local Government Areas, Hon. Chukwunonso Okparaeke, and Hon. Okechukwu Okwara who described the Governor as the best choice for the people of the area.

 

The Council Chairmen spoke during an inspection of road reconstruction works following the joint Council Session.

 

They commended the Governor for reconstructing a strategic economic road which, according to him, had been abandoned and neglected for more than three years; pointing out that the road reconstruction was particularly important to the economic and social life of the communities.

 

Also, they stressed that the Governor had demonstrated a willingness to translate promises into tangible projects.

 

The Council Chairmen’s remarks came against the backdrop of growing attention to infrastructure rehabilitation in Ideato, an area that has faced major challenges arising from poor road conditions and severe erosion.

 

In Ideato North, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Rt. Hon. Otuodi Ezeonuegbu also praised Governor Uzodimma for interventions aimed at controlling devastating gully erosion in the local government area.

 

Ezeonuegbu described the Governor’s intervention as a major relief for communities that had previously been threatened by extensive erosion and had, in some locations, become difficult to access.

 

“Before now, this place was a no-go area, but due to the prompt intervention of the Governor, we were able to recover it. By this time last year, there were so many gullies here,” the leader said.

 

He further warned that without the intervention, the continuing erosion would have posed an even greater threat to communities and infrastructure in the area.

“Without the intervention of the Governor, Ideato would have been flushed away by erosion,” he said, while praying for continued wisdom for the Governor in the administration of the State.

 

The lawmakers’ joint action effectively brought political endorsement and infrastructure appreciation together, with speakers repeatedly linking the Governor’s reported interventions to the decision to support his political ambition.

 

The Umuchima Bridge, where the Special Plenary was held, served as a symbolic backdrop to the proceedings, reflecting the Council’s emphasis on infrastructure as a major component of their assessment of the Governor’s administration.

 

The development also underscored the political significance of Ideato North and South within Orlu Zone ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

By adopting Uzodimma as their preferred APC candidate for the senatorial seat, the two Councils signalled their intention to consolidate support for the Governor within the area.

 

The Councils maintained that the combination of road reconstruction, erosion control and other interventions had contributed to renewed confidence among residents, while pledging continued support for initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic fortunes of the Ideato Nation.

Reps Welcome Welcome Badejo-Okusanya As NBA President

By
Ayodele Oni
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Swearing in of Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya as NBA President

By Ayodele Oni

 

The House of Representatives has congratulated Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya SAN, and other elected officials for their election and swearing-in as the 33rd executive members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

 

This was contained in a statement by Akin Rotimi Jr, spokesman, House of the house on Tuesday.

 

The green chamber pointed out that Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya’s emergence is a significant milestone for the Nigerian legal profession and a welcome advancement for women in leadership.

 

“As the first woman to lead the NBA in 35 years and the first elected female President of one of the largest and most influential bar associations in Africa, her election is historic and a beacon of inspiration to women in law and beyond.

 

“The House notes commendation that six of the ten members of the new NBA National Executive are women, reflecting strong representation of women at the highest level of the Association.

 

“Her emergence comes at a significant moment for the profession, with women now holding prominent leadership positions across the Bench, the Bar and legal education.

 

“An accomplished arbitrator and public policy professional with more than two decades of experience, Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya also brings valuable familiarity with legislative engagement and public-private dialogue through her membership of the National Assembly Business Environment Roundtable (NASSBER).

 

“The House is particularly encouraged by Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya’s stated vision of a “bolder, inclusive, innovative and respected Bar” that works for every lawyer and reclaims its space as a credible voice for justice, democracy and the rule of law.

 

“The House welcomes this vision as an important contribution to strengthening the legal profession and its role in public life.

 

“Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Rep. Mamudu Abdullahi (APC, Niger), congratulated Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya on her emergence and expressed confidence in her leadership of the NBA.

 

“Similarly, Chairman of the House Committee on Justice, Rep. Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun), congratulated her and particularly welcomed her stated position that ‘the NBA must engage constructively with government, civil society, development partners, and the private sector while remaining firmly committed to its principles.

 

“In furtherance of Agenda 3: Law Reform of the 10th Assembly’s Legislative Agenda, under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, the House remains committed to constructive engagement with the NBA on legal and institutional reform.

 

“The House also acknowledges the contributions of the immediate past NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, and his National Executive Council over the past two years.

 

“The House of Representatives wishes Mrs. Badejo-Okusanya and the new leadership of the NBA a successful and impactful tenure.”

Dan Orbih: Obaseki, Wike, PDP Mourn

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chief Dan Orbih

By Ayodele Oni

 

Condolences are pouring like rain on the family of Chief Dan Orbih, the former Chairman of the People Democratic Party, PDP,  Edo State, who passed on Monday, August 31, 2026.

 

Until his death in London at the age of 64, Orbih was the Chairman of the Governing Board of Ambrose Alli University, AAU, Ekpoma, Edo State.

 

Orbih was chairman of the PDP, as an opposition, during the days of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and first term of former Governor Godwin Obaseki as governors of Edo State.

 

A statement signed by Francis Orbih on behalf of the Orbih family said he died on Monday, August 31, 2026.

 

The statement said the family announces his death with profound sadness and a heavy heart, but in total submission to the will of the almighty God.

 

“At this difficult time, we ask family members, friends and well-wishers to remember the entire family in their prayers as we mourn this painful loss,” the statement said.

 

He added that details concerning the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.

 

Reacting, former Governor Godwin Obaseki, expressed  sorrow over the death of renowned politician and political leader.

 

Obaseki, currently a visiting scholar and researcher at the School of African Studies, Boston University, USA, released a statement describing the late politician as a prominent Edo son and an influential voice in Nigerian politics.

 

Highlighting his extensive political career, Obaseki noted that Chief Orbih provided steadfast leadership as the Edo State Chairman of the PDP and later served as the party’s National Vice Chairman for the South-South region, leaving a lasting impact on the development of the party both in the state and across Nigeria.

 

“Chief Orbih was a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and an influential voice in Edo State.

 

“For many years, he provided leadership to the PDP in Edo State as its State Chairman and subsequently served as the PDP National Vice Chairman, South South. Through these roles, he contributed significantly to the development of the party in the Edo State and Nigeria.

 

“Chief Orbih’s long years of engagement in public affairs earned him a place in the political history of Edo State, and his passing represents a significant loss to the state and the nation.

 

“I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Chief Dan Osi Orbih, his friends, political associates, colleagues and numerous well-wishers. I particularly sympathise with his wife, children and loved ones at this difficult time.”

 

The FCT Minister, in his reaction, said the deceased was “a friend indeed.”

 

The FCT Minister, who described Dan Orbih’s death as the “fall of one of the biggest trees in the political forest of Edo State,” added that he will be missed by all.

 

The Minister said: “I have lost a friend and a committed political ally. Dan Osi Orbih was everything anyone could desire in friendship and political associate. But we can’t question God,  He gives and He takes.

 

“On behalf of myself, my family and political associates, I commiserate with the family of Chief M.C.K. Orbih, on the demise of Chief Dan Orbih, a good friend, a great politician, and a man of faith in the Almighty God.”

 

The PDP, in a reaction, stated that it received with profound sadness the news of the passing of its National Vice Chairman, South West, Dr. Dan Orbih, who died in London after a brief illness.

 

“Dr. Dan Orbih was a loyal, committed and dependable member of the Peoples Democratic Party who devoted himself to the ideals of democracy and the advancement of our great Party.

 

“His dedication, wisdom and contributions to the growth and stability of the PDP will remain deeply appreciated and fondly remembered by the Party and its members.”

 

In a statement by Jungudo Haruna Mohammed, National Publicity Secretary, said “His death is a great loss, not only to his family and loved ones, but also to the entire PDP family.

 

“The PDP extends its deepest condolences to his immediate family, relatives, friends and associates, as well as to all members and supporters of our great Party.

 

“The Party particularly commiserates with the Hon. Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, over the loss of his close confidant, trusted associate and friend.

 

“We share in his grief at this difficult moment and pray that Almighty God grants him the strength to bear this painful loss.

 

“Dr. Dan Orbih may have departed this world, but his service, loyalty and contributions to the PDP, as well as to our democratic journey, will not be forgotten.

 

“At this moment of grief, the Party stands firmly with his family and all those who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

 

“As a mark of honour and respect for the late National Vice Chairman, the National Working Committee hereby directs all Peoples Democratic Party offices to fly the Party flag at half-mast for a period of three days.

 

“We pray that Almighty God grants the bereaved family and his loved ones the strength and fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss.”

Update: Four Family Members Die In Illorin Building Collapse

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Collapsed Building in Kwara

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Four members of same family have died in the collapsed two-storey building in Popo Giwa area of Ilorin, Kwara State.

 

The four persons who lost their lives were among the eight persons trapped in the rubble.

 

The tragic incident occurred at about 5.00am on Tuesday at No. 41 Popo Giwa Street, beside Gogoro Mosque.

 

Emergency responders who rushed to the scene managed to rescue four victims alive, while the bodies of four others were recovered.

 

One of the survivors was identified as Firdaus, reportedly, the second-to-last child of the family.

 

Abdulganiy Musa, an eyewitness disclosed that the father of the family is a serving Soldier, while the mother was employed as a casual worker at the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies in Ilorin.

 

An excavator was subsequently brought to the scene to support the rescue operation and remove debris.

 

The Kwara State Fire Service confirmed the casualty figures, saying its personnel received a distress call around 5.00am and immediately mobilised to the location.

 

Its Public Relations Officer, Hassan Adekunle, said the rescue operation involved several agencies, including the State Emergency Management Agency, National Emergency Management Agency, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, health officials, Fire Service and the Red Cross.

 

Representing Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq at the scene, the Commissioner for Education and Human Capital Development, Lawal Olohungbebe, described the incident as unfortunate and stressed the importance of maintaining accessible roads in residential communities to facilitate emergency response.

 

He urged property owners and developers to comply with approved building and town-planning regulations, particularly requirements relating to structural safety and access roads.

 

The Kwara State Emergency Management Agency also confirmed that eight people were trapped in the building, with the four survivors taken to hospital for treatment and the bodies of the deceased evacuated.

 

The Commissioner of Police in Kwara State, Ojo Adekimi, said preliminary findings indicated that the collapsed portion was the boys’ quarters attached to the three-storey structure. He said everyone had been evacuated from the remaining part of the building pending a proper assessment.

 

The Police commissioner advised residents to pay attention to warning signs such as leakages, cracks and other structural defects, urging them to leave buildings immediately whenever they suspect that the structures may be unsafe.

 

The Chairman of Ilorin West Local Government Area, AbdulRahman Babatunde Ladan, who visited the scene, said several ambulances were deployed to assist in evacuating the victims.

 

He also advised residents to report structural defects promptly and urged developers to use quality materials and engage qualified professionals during construction.

 

Authorities said the exact cause of the collapse would be established after a detailed assessment of the structure.

Two Kwara Parliamentarians Loose Seat Following Defection From APC To PDP

By
Ayodele Oni
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APC and PDP

By Ayodele Oni 

 

 The Kwara State House of Assembly has declared vacant, the seats of two members, Saba Yisa Gideon and Olusola Odetundun following their defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Saba of Edu Constituency and Odetundun of Irepodun Constituency respectively, who were elected on the platform of APC in 2023, recently decamped to the PDP and emerged candidates in their new party for the 2027 general election.

 

The House, at its plenary, declared the two Constituency ’ seats vacant, linking its decision to the defection of the lawmakers as against the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

 

The resolution of the House was sequel to a letter from the state Chairman of the APC, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, which requested that the seats of the two lawmakers be declared vacant.

 

In the letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Engr Salihu Yakubu Danladi, Fagbemi noted that the request of his party is in line with Section 109 (1g) (2) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

 

The letter noted that the two House members have no constitutional right to abandon APC for another since they were elected under the ruling party with no division within.

 

At the plenary, the Leader of the House, Barrister Abdulkadir Oba Magaji, led the debate on the request.

 

He emphasized that the matter is constitutional, as outlined in Section 109 (1g) of the Constitution, which stipulates that a member shall not belong to another party than the one that brought him to power, as long as his tenure has not yet expired.

 

Magaji noted that the two concerned members, who are no longer members of the APC, are currently seeking reelection to their seats in another party, a development, he noted, contravenes the Constitution.

 

The Leader supported the request thatin their seats be declared vacant in accordance with the law.

 

Other lawmakers, who spoke in favour of the vacation included Abolarin Ganiyu Gabriel of Ekiti Constituency, Ganiyu Folabi Salahu Omupo Constituency, and Ogunniyi David Sheun of Ojomu/Balogun Constituency.

 

The Speaker of the House, Salihu Yakubu Danladi, subsequently declared the seats of the two defecting members vacant in accordance with Section 109 (1) (g) (2) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

 

Following the post primary crisis of the APC, some members of the party had opted for opposition party, especially PDP to enable them realize their political ambition.

Shock As Wike’s Political Ally, Dan Orbih, Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Chief Dan Orbih

 

By Akinwale Kasali

 

Chief Dan Orbih, a chieftain of the  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is dead.

 

Orbih was a very close political ally of  Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and was loyal to the Minister’s faction of the PDP.

 

His death has thrown the entire political landscape of Edo State and the South-South region into mourning.

 

The political heavyweight died on Monday, August 31, 2026, under circumstances not yet public.

 

Francis Udukhomoi announced his passing on Tuesday on behalf of the Orbih family.

 

The news of the death of the politician and National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the PDP, has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s major political structures, with many of his political associates, friends and allies  struggling to come to terms with the suddenness of it.

 

He was widely recognized across the country as a staunch political ally of Wike, and had consistently defended Wike against critics, and actively championing the narrative that the FCT Minister was not the antagonist of the PDP but a defender of its constitutional integrity.

 

The strong alignment between the late Orbih and Wike made the deceased a central figure in the fierce internal power struggles that  gripped the PDP nationally and within Edo State.

 

Before his national assignment as the PDP South-South Zonal Leader, Orbih carved out a formidable reputation as the long-serving State Chairman of the PDP in Edo State.

 

 Under his leadership, the party maintained a resilient stance, acting as a robust opposition during the tenure of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the State.

 

However, his later years were defined by severe friction with the immediate past Edo State administration under Governor Godwin Obaseki.

 

Orbih had openly accused the Obaseki-led faction of dismantling the core foundation of the PDP in the state.

 

This rift ultimately led to Orbih leading the “Legacy Group” of the PDP, a faction that opposed the state government’s preferred Candidates and heavily disrupted party activities leading up to the 2024 governorship elections.

 

Due to his fierce refusal to compromise, the National Working Committee, NWC, the PDP suspended Orbih in July 2024 over allegations of anti-party activities and factional rebellion.

 

This was compounded by later announcements from the Edo State PDP caretaker committee claiming he was no longer an active member.

 

Undeterred, Orbih maintained his relevance, making headlines even into late 2025 and early 2026 by donating a new, independent state secretariat to the PDP in Benin City, ensuring his faction remained functionally active.

 

He is survived by his wife, Florence Orbih, and his children, Winifred Anwosiobor Orbih and Mildred Omonemi Orbih.

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