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Jonathan Celebrates Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar At 84, Describes Him As A Patriot And Elder Statesman

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The Source
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Goodluck Jonathan and Abdulsalami Abubakar

Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has congratulated former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, on the occasion of his 84th birthday, describing him as a remarkable patriot and elder statesman whose service and leadership have left an enduring imprint on Nigeria’s history.

In a goodwill message to mark the milestone, Dr. Jonathan noted that General Abdulsalami’s life and career exemplify the rare virtue of leadership anchored not in the pursuit of power but in the nobility of service.

According to the former President, the former Head of State has, for over six decades, remained devoted to the service of Nigeria, leaving footprints of honour, humility, and sacrifice across different phases of the nation’s contemporary history.

“General Abdulsalami’s legacy is defined not merely by the offices he has held, but by the character he has consistently displayed. At defining moments in our national journey, he demonstrated courage, restraint, and an abiding faith in the Nigerian project,” Jonathan stated.

He further observed that the elder statesman’s stewardship during a critical period of national transition helped strengthen the foundations of Nigeria’s democracy and reinforced the principle that leadership is ultimately a trust held on behalf of the people.

The former President also commended General Abdulsalami’s enduring commitment to peace, dialogue, and national cohesion, noting that these qualities have earned him the respect of Nigerians from all walks of life and the admiration of the international community.

“At 84, General Abdulsalami continues to embody the values of moderation, patriotism, and statesmanship that our nation so greatly needs,” he said.

Dr. Jonathan expressed gratitude for the former Head of State’s immense contributions to Nigeria and humanity and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon his life.

“As we celebrate this milestone, I offer my heartfelt gratitude for his contributions to our country and humanity. I pray that Almighty God grants him continued good health, strength of spirit, and many more years of fulfillment, peace, and service,” he added.

Signed:

Ikechukwu Eze

S.A.to H., Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Gov Uzodinma Fetes Imo South African Returnees, Law Students With N300m

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Hope Uzodimma
Governor Hope Uzodimma

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

 Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, has approved the release of the sum of N300 million for the purpose of rehabilitating ,and reintegrating citizens of the State just repatriated from South Africa, as well as to assist the state indigenes at the Nigerian Law School.

 

The source reports that the Federal Government of Nigeria, amidst the xenophobic attacks on foreigners, particularly Africans in South Africa, has commenced the airlifting of about 1000 Nigerians in the former apartheid enclave, with the first batch of 269 arriving the country on Thursday.

 

The Imo State Commissioner for Information , Public Orientation ,and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, in a statement informed that while each of the 250 South African returnees from the State will receive N1million, each of the 100 Imo state indigenes at the Nigerian Law School will receive N500,000 to assist them in coping with the rising global cost of living.

 

Emelumba emphasized that the Governor’s humanitarian gestures were driven by the need to ameliorate the difficult situation the beneficiaries, especially, the South African returnees have found themselves.

 

According to him, the Law students had also made a passionate representation to the Governor over their plight owing to rising cost of living.

 

” The law students made a passionate appeal to His Excellency to support them to cushion the global inflation as regards the cost of living . As a caring father ,he responded promptly.

 

“Most of them are on the scholarship list of the State Government, and from time to time, the Governor extends a helping hand to them.” Emelumba noted .

 

In the same vein, the Commissioner explained  that the assistance to the South African returnees was necessitated by deep empathy by the Governor who, in his wisdom, believes that they need assistance to help reintegrate into the society.

Ekiti Gov. Election: INEC Flashes 469 Hotspots, As Insecurity Threatens Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

By Ayodele Oni

 

Anxiety and apprehension reigns in Ekiti State over next Saturday’s governorship election as threat of possible boycott heightens over insecurity.

 

These come as the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Amupitan revealed that the Commission had conducted extensive security mapping and identified about 469, out of the total 2,445 polling units in the state as potential flashpoints.

 

Communities where bandits abducted their relations have threatened to boycott the poll, unless victims are released before the election.

 

One of the communities, Eda Oniyo was invaded in April during which a church was attacked and bandits abducted 16 Worshippers at a Christ Apostolic Church, (CAC) mainly women and children who are still being held, even after paying N10.5 million ransom.

 

Mr Ojo Ogunleye, whose over 80 years old mother is among the victims maintained that unless all the victims are released before then, election may not hold.

 

The INEC chairman explained that the findings had been shared with security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), leading to plans for enhanced deployment of security personnel in vulnerable areas.

 

Amupitan added that INEC had established communication channels, including a dedicated incident reporting platform, to ensure that security concerns arising from any polling unit could be escalated rapidly to relevant authorities.

 

Amupitan stated this on Friday in Ado-Ekiti during an interactive session with media executives, held eight days ahead of the governorship poll.

 

He also declared the readiness of the Commission for the poll, assuring voters, political parties and other stakeholders that all necessary arrangements have been concluded to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible exercise.

 

The INEC Chairman, who had earlier led a high-powered delegation comprising National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the Administrative Secretary, directors, technical aides and senior officials of the Commission on an inspection of the ongoing mock accreditation exercise across selected polling units in the state, said the exercise confirmed the Commission’s preparedness for the election.

 

According to him, the mock accreditation was designed as a quality assurance mechanism to test the Commission’s technological infrastructure and operational capacity under real field conditions before the election day.

 

Prof. Amupitan disclosed that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) performed efficiently during the exercise, with fingerprint and facial authentication taking an average of between five and seven seconds per voter.

 

He added that INEC had deployed additional backup BVAS devices and technical support personnel across all Registration Areas to ensure that any equipment malfunction is promptly addressed.

 

His words, “We have worked closely with the police, DSS, Civil Defence and other security agencies. Our priority is to ensure that voters, election officials, journalists and observers are safe throughout the electoral process.

 

“We did not want to speak from an air-conditioned boardroom in Abuja or rely solely on paperwork. We went to the theatre of operations to see for ourselves how our systems are performing.

 

“The mock accreditation is essentially to test our facilities, especially our technology, and ensure that everything required for the election is functioning optimally.

 

“What we observed today confirms that our technological defence against identity theft and result manipulation is robust and fully operational.

 

“We have provided upgraded backup BVAS devices and deployed technical engineers across the state. Any malfunctioning device can be replaced within minutes.

 

“Our goal remains the simultaneous opening of polls in all 2,445 polling units at exactly 8:30 a.m. on election day. We have directed electoral officers to ensure that polling units are activated on time and that logistics are fully in place before election day.

 

“The greatest threat we face is not technical failure but misinformation and disinformation. Fake news, manufactured election-day panic and unauthorized declaration of results are direct assaults on public peace and democratic stability.”

Iyabo Obasanjo Goes Back To PDP, Joins PDP Gov. Candidate’s Campaign Team

By
Ayodele Oni
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Iyabo Obasanjo rejoins PDP

By Ayodele Oni

 

Like a number of Nigerian politicians, Professor Iyabo Obasanjo has gone back to her vomit. She has rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, a couple of months after she dumped the Party for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

 

To prove that she has returned to the PDP, a party under which her father, Olusegun Obasanjo was Nigeria’s President for eight years, and under which she served as the Health Commissionef in her native State, Ogun, and later a Senator, she has joined the campaign team of the Ogun state PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 elections, Oladipupo Adebutu. Her entry has given a boost to Candidate Adebutu’s campaign.

 

The former President’s daughter is expected to hold a joint rally with the PDP Adebutu next week.

 

According to a flyer, Obasanjo, the rally will begin from Shagamu Interchange and end at the State Secretariat of the PDP in the state capital, Abeokuta, at noon.

 

An associate of  Senator Obasanjo submitted: “I can confirm that the rally is (still) on. I am informed that while it may take that route, the plan is for a joint Obasanjo/Adebutu rally on that day, involving the Senate and governorship campaigns.”

 

Senator Obasanjo left the APC over what she described as disrespect for her by the leadership of the  APC in the state.

 

She had indicated interest in the governorship ticket of the party before she and others were told to step down for Senator Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi.

 

She said at the time that though she was not consulted before the decision to declare Adeola as consensus candidate was taken, she would abide by it.

 

The APC in a reaction however rejected allegations by Senator Obasanjo, who represented Ogun central, that she was subjected to intimidation and disrespect within the party.

 

On May 31, she announced her resignation from the APC over alleged disrespect, intimidation of supporters and other grievances.Her resignation comes barely months after joining the party and indicating her interest in the governorship ticket, which she later suspended following the party’s consensus arrangement.

 

Reacting in a statement, Femi Nuberu, APC publicity secretary in Ogun, said claims contained in Iyabo’s resignation letter were inconsistent with the realities of her experience in the party, insisting that she was neither excluded nor intimidated.

 

He added that Iyabo was given a level playing field throughout the process, adding that the party remains committed to democratic principles and respects the right of members to make political choices.

 

“The process remained transparent, inclusive and free from discrimination. Senator Obasanjo enjoyed the same rights, privileges and opportunities available to every other aspirant,” the statement read.

Aisha Yesufu Was Offered Automatic Ticket For Abuja Reps Seat, Rejected It – Dickson

By
Ayodele Oni
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Seriake Dickson and Aisha Yesufu

By Ayodele Oni

 

National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has revealed that he and the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi,initially offered activist Aisha Yesufu a ticket to contest for the House of Representatives, but she declined.

 

Dickson made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Abuja, amid ongoing internal disagreements within the party.

 

According to him, the offer was made as part of efforts to involve Yesufu in the party’s political structure, but she reportedly rejected it, saying she was “too big” for the position.

 

“AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency was offered to Aisha. Dickson told her, ‘I can do this one for her. Even if there are people who have been asking, this one I can give to her unopposed.

 

“I will make sure she emerges unopposed. No need for primaries. It will be: this is who the party is going with, full stop. This is Peter Obi’s candidate. This is Seriake Dickson’s candidate, full stop.’

 

“Aisha declined. Apparently she is too big for the House of Representatives; she wants to start with the Senate.

 

“Even our presidential candidate, Peter Obi, told Aisha, ‘See, take this thing. If I am lying, Aisha should respond and tell me that I am lying.’ He told Aisha, ‘Take this thing. This is good for your career. This is good for your trajectory. You have not been in an elective office before.’

“Aisha said no.

 

“For two days, Dickson sat down with Aisha and was telling her to take it. Obi called her. In fact, to show faith, they left it for 24 hours before the primaries. It was still for Aisha if she had just agreed to have it given to her.

 

“She declined. She did not agree.

 

“Dickson even told her, ‘Even me, I started my elective office as House of Representatives. Start from somewhere. You are young. You are energetic.’

“Aisha did not agree.

 

“What would Dickson do? He had given his word to somebody. The same way he gave his word to Obi that he would be the presidential candidate, he cannot go back on it. He is a man of his word.

 

“What now? Aisha goes around blackmailing the party, saying all sorts of things. You would assume that the party cheated her unfairly.

 

“Meanwhile, eventually 23 people picked forms for the House of Representatives seat, something that was offered to Aisha Yesufu: ‘Take it, it is all yours. The party will agree that you are a consensus candidate and that will be it.’

 

“Or, worst-case scenario, they tell all the people who had shown interest, ‘Take back your money, this one has gone to Aisha Yesufu.”

 

The clarification is coming following Aisha Yesufu’s remarks accusing Dickson of over assessing himself.

 

She write on her X “With all due respect sir, it looks as if you consider the NDC a Special Purpose Vehicle whose aim has been achieved just by being registered instead of a political party whose aim is to win the 2027 general election decisively,” she added.

 

Yesufu maintained that the party’s immediate priority should be electoral victory in 2027, warning that internal ego battles and poor conflict management could undermine that goal.

 

She urged leaders to adopt humility in handling disputes, insisting that effective leadership requires accountability and the ability to unify divergent interests within the party.

 

“No one can take away your leadership of NDC, no one is interested in that! The focus is Nigeria winning the 2027 election,” she wrote.

NDC Leaders Hold Strategic Meeting, Reaffirm Commitment to “New Nigeria” Vision

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The Source
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Peter Obi with NDC Leadership

The presidential candidate of the National Democ ratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Democracy Day, June 12, held strategic meetings with key party figures as part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening the party’s internal cohesion and political direction.

 

In a statement shared via his social media account, Obi said he met with the party’s National Leader, Seriake Dickson, and the NDC Vice Presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso. He described the discussions as “useful” and centred on consolidating what he referred to as the “New Nigeria that is Possible.”

 

Obi noted that although the NDC is a relatively new political platform, it remains committed to building what he described as a future-focused party, despite the challenges it faces. He said the engagements reflected a shared resolve among party leaders to deepen cooperation and strengthen institutional trust.

 

According to him, sustaining unity within the party requires sacrifice, tolerance, and accommodation among members, particularly in difficult political circumstances. He added that such values are essential for building confidence and advancing a common vision for national transformation.

 

He concluded that the NDC remains committed to offering what he termed purposeful and compassionate leadership, anchored on productivity and democratic principles, as part of its broader ambition to drive national renewal.

Abacha Told Us He Was ReadyTo Tolerate Anything And Do Anything For Abiola – Oshiomhole

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adams Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

By Ayodele Oni

 

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, has urged younger Nigerians to draw inspiration from late Chief Moshood Abiola’s steadfastness, noting that the June 12 struggle remains a lesson in integrity, sacrifice and commitment to democratic ideals.

 

Oshiomhole, a former Governor of Edo State, revealed that late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, was prepared to offer Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale (MKO) Abiola anything in exchange for relinquishing his claim to the June 12, 1993 presidential mandate.

 

Oshiomhole made the disclosure on Friday, while delivering a lecture at the June 12 Democracy Day celebration held in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

 

Speaking on the theme, “June 12 and Beyond: Reflecting on the Progress of Democracy and Security Concerns,” the former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) recounted his involvement in efforts to secure Abiola’s release during the military era.

 

According to him, he was part of NLC delegation that met with General Abacha in Abuja, following the annulment of the June 12 election, widely regarded as Nigeria’s freest and fairest poll.

 

“General Abacha told us he was ready to tolerate anything and do anything for MKO Abiola.

 

“The one thing he was not ready to tolerate was the idea that Abiola had proclaimed himself President of Nigeria,” Oshiomhole said.

 

He noted that despite mounting pressure and several attempts to persuade Abiola to accept conditions for his freedom, the late politician remained resolute in defending the mandate given to him by Nigerians.

 

Oshiomhole recalled that government officials and intermediaries repeatedly urged Abiola to renounce his claim to the presidency in exchange for his release from detention, but he refused.

Sani Abacha
Late Sani Abacha

“He told those who sent us that he was elected President of Nigeria and would not sell the mandate entrusted to him by the Nigerian people,” Oshiomhole said.

 

The senator described Abiola’s stance as a demonstration of courage, patriotism and selflessness, stressing that the late business mogul chose principle over personal comfort and survival.

 

He pointed out that Abiola believed he could not betray the millions of Nigerians that sacrificed their time and livelihoods to vote for him during the historic election.

 

“Those market women, farmers, students and workers who queued to vote for him made sacrifices. He felt he could not monetise or compromise their sweat by accepting any condition other than the recognition of their mandate,” he added.

 

 He described Abiola as a symbol of national unity whose victory transcended ethnic, religious and regional divides, adding that his legacy continues to inspire generations of Nigerians.

 

The event was attended by Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, traditional rulers, labour leaders, civil society groups and other stakeholders.

Osun Federal, State Lawmakers Demand Transfer Of Commissioner Of Police

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ibrahim Goran - Osun State CP

By Ayodele Oni

 

Ahead of the August governorship election in Osun state, federal and state legislators who are members of Accord Party in the state have demanded the immediate redeployment of the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan.

 

He was accused of allegedly aiding the surge in politically motivated violent attacks against members of the ruling party in the state.

 

The Accord National and State Assembly Caucus, made up of seven members of the National Assembly and 25 members of the State Assembly, while addressing a press conference on Friday, accused Gotan of being a willing accomplice in the recent attacks on Accord members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

 

Consequently, the legislators called on the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to immediately remove the CP from Osun and ensure that sponsors and perpetrators of politically motivated attacks in the state are apprehended and prosecuted.

 

Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, read the text of the media briefing held in Osogbo, capital of the state, which was signed by Lere Oyewumi, Senator representing Osun West Senatorial District, Bamidele Salam,

Leader of the Osun Caucus in the House of Representatives and Egbedun.

 

They said there is “a dangerous and alarming plot that threatens the peace, stability, and democratic future of Osun State.

 

 “The Accord caucus received credible intelligence indicating that the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji and leaders of the opposition party in Osun have concluded plans to orchestrate large scale violence across the state as citizens move closer to the state governorship election.

 

 “The plan of the APC in Osun is to increase the current tempo of violent attacks on innocent members of the public and in particular members and supporters of Accord across the state in the next few weeks.

 

“The candidate and leaders of the party, having realised their electoral hopelessness and imminent woeful loss have hatched plots to unleash violence and mayhem in a scale that is unprecedented in Osun state.

 

“This includes plans to disrupt rallies, peaceful procession and campaign programmes of our Party.

 

“Very credible intelligence available to us suggests that this sinister plot includes targeted attacks at persons identified with the Accord, further destruction of billboards, vehicles and other property of prominent Accord leaders and political office holders in Osun State.

 

“The sinister plan which includes possible high-profile assassination will in their estimation prepare the ground for a declaration of state of emergency ahead of the conduct of the State Governorship election, already scheduled for the 15th of August.

 

“The objective, according to the information at our disposal, is to create a state of chaos and insecurity that could be used as a pretext to pressure the Federal Government into declaring a state of emergency in Osun State and subsequently appointment of their stooge as Administrator ahead of the governorship election.

 

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not political speculation, or hearsay. We consider the information before us serious enough to warrant immediate public attention and preventive action by relevant security agencies.

 

“In a recent meeting with some traditional rulers, a chieftain of the APC from the East Senatorial District likened the governorship aspiration of Mr Bola Oyebamiji to the story of some persons in the bible who forced their way through a roof to get what they wanted when all avenues are blocked.

 

” He boasted that the APC was determined to forcefully seize power by all means possible in Osun State.

 

“From all available indicators, it is evident that the APC candidate and his handlers have become increasingly apprehensive about his electoral prospects in Osun State.

 

“Rather than submitting himself to the democratic verdict of the people, information available to us points to a panicky resort to violence as a means of achieving political objectives no matter the number of lives that have to go for it.

 

“Regrettably, such actions do not represent what politics should be, but rather a direct assault on democracy and an act of terror against innocent citizens whose only desire is to participate peacefully in the electoral process.

 

“These posture and acts of desperation are unfortunate, disgraceful and outrightly condemnable by all persons of good conscience.

 

“Only a few weeks ago, Mr Kolade Eluyera, an Accord member in Irewole Local Government Area, was brutally murdered. Similarly, on June 3, 2026, the Chairman of Accord in Osogbo Local Government, Hon Asimiyu Ajibola, was shot multiple times by armed assailants and remains hospitalized while battling for his life.

 

“The only crime of those who were most recently shot by the APC thugs in Ile-Ife, Owode-Ede and Osogbo was that they wore branded caps of the Accord.

 

“Unfortunately, these incidents form part of a growing pattern of violence that has generated fear and anxiety among citizens across the state.

 

“Regrettably, the Police in Osun state appears a willing accomplice in the execution of the unlawful plans which have begun to unfold.

 

“We find it difficult to understand how crimes committed in broad daylight, in branded vehicles, caught on tapes would not be tracked and perpetrators arrested 72 hours after those shootings.

 

“The apparent inability to identify, apprehend, and prosecute perpetrators has emboldened criminal elements and increased public concerns regarding the safety of lives and property in Osun State.

 

“We wish to put it on record that since his assumption of office on the 11th of May, 2025, the state Commissioner of Police has not deemed it fit to attend the state Security Council meeting more than twice!

 

“On all other occasions, he either sent some retired personnel or persons junior to other service commanders to represent him.

 

“The orchestrated attempt of the CP to incapacitate the Amotekun Corps is another clear danger to the security of our people in Osun State, especially now that cases of kidnapping and banditry are on the rise in different parts of the country.

 

“While hundreds of Accord party campaign billboards were vandalised by known miscreants without a single arrest, the Commissioner of Police was busy trying to stop the holding of campaign by our party men in parts of the state.

 

“The Police Commissioner, from all indications, has become an accomplice to the plans to turn our state upside down and hand our democratic institutions to hijackers and state captors. This is clearly unexpected, unacceptable, and very unfortunate.

 

 “On the account of the foregoing, we hereby call on the Inspector General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Mr Ibrahim Gothan who has shown himself partisan, highly compromised and incapable of providing effective security support for the people of Osun State.

 

“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of persons linked with the various crimes perpetrated against members and supporters of the Accord in various parts of Osun state especially in the last 3 months.

 

“We call on Mr. President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu to issue a clear directive to security agencies in Osun state to maintain neutrality, professionalism and zero tolerance for all forms of violence before, during and after the August 15th Governorship Election.

 

“We urge the Civil Society, the Media, the National Peace Committee and the International Community to pay closer attention to events in Osun State as we move closer to the off-cycle Governorship election holding on the 15th day of August.”

 

Reacting to the initial allegations of sponsoring thugs to attack Accord members, Wole Oke, the Director General of APC Campaign Council, had during a press conference held in Osogbo, denied attacking Accord members, accusing the ruling party of attacking APC members and hoarding thugs at the State Government House.

 

Lere Oyewumi, also denied this claim during the Friday press conference.

State Police: Ondo Ready, Structure Already Built – Gov Aiyedatiwa

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa.

By Ayodele Oni

 

As the bill for the creation of state police scaled first legislative hurdle, Ondo state government has announced readiness to kickstart the security outfit.

 

The bill was passed on Thursday by the House of Representatives.

 

The state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, spoke in Akure on Friday during the 33rd anniversary of the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election.

 

 On the state police, the Governor declared that Ondo State is fully prepared for the proposed initiative.

 

“For us in Ondo State, we’ve been ready a long time. Even during the time of my late predecessor, Arakunrin Oluwaroritimi Akeredolu, SAN, the structure that had been built, which I’ve also further strengthened.

 

“We have the structure, we have the people and all that is left for the approval of needed weapons and equipment.

 

“Yes, we have some equipment already that the law permits. But we need to further fortify them with more sophisticated equipment that will make them to be more effective and functional in the charge of their duty”, he said.

 

At the ceremony, Aiyedatiwa, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and elder statesman, the Olu-Abo of Ilu-Abo, Oba Olu Falae, called for deeper democratic reforms, stronger security coordination and sustained commitment to democratic governance.

 

The event, held at the International Centre for Culture and Events (The Dome), Igbatoro Road, Akure, attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, government officials, youths, civil society organisations and security agencies in a broad-based commemoration of Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

 

Governor Aiyedatiwa described June 12 as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic history and a continuing benchmark for credible elections anchored on accountability, rule of law and public trust.

 

He stressed that democracy is not a finished project but an evolving process requiring constant strengthening of institutions.

 

He noted that the 1993 presidential election, widely regarded as the freest and fairest in Nigeria’s history, remained the clearest expression of the people’s will and should serve as a reference point for electoral integrity and democratic conduct.

 

According to him, the anniversary offered an opportunity for sober reflection on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory, particularly as the country moves towards another election cycle in 2027 amid persistent security challenges.

 

The Governor warned that insecurity remains a direct threat to democratic consolidation, stating that violence, fear and instability weaken civic participation and erode public confidence in governance.

 

He maintained that democracy cannot thrive where citizens are intimidated or unsafe.

 

He paid tribute to Oba Olu Falae, describing him as a respected elder statesman and enduring voice in Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

 

He also commended Oshiomhole for what he described as an insightful lecture drawn from lived experience in labour activism and governance.

 

Reaffirming June 12 as a national benchmark for credible elections and unity, Governor Aiyedatiwa highlighted ongoing federal efforts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly security coordination through the National Security Council and inter-agency collaboration.

 

On state security architecture, he reaffirmed commitment under the OUR EASE Agenda to strengthening safety, infrastructure development and welfare-driven governance.

 

He disclosed that the Amotekun Corps had been strengthened through enrolment into the Contributory Pension Scheme, introduction of medical allowances, and recruitment of 500 additional personnel to improve operational capacity.

 

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the measures were aimed at closing security gaps and sustaining peace across the state, stressing that development cannot thrive in insecurity.

 

He sympathised with victims of recent attacks and abductions in the country and called for collective action against insecurity.

 

He urged Nigerians to approach the 2027 elections with civility, insisting that eligible voters must participate freely without intimidation or violence, and that every vote must count.

Labour Party  Felicitates Nigerians On Democracy Day

By
The Source
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0
Labour Party

 

As Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora commemorate this year’s Democracy Day, the Labour Party has  extended its warm felicitations to all citizens and joins the nation in celebrating the enduring journey of democratic governance in our country.

 

In a statement issued by its  National Publicity Secretary, Ken Eluma Asogwa, the Party said:

 

“Today offers us yet another opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our heroes past, especially the late Chief MKO Abiola and countless other patriots whose struggles, courage and ultimate sacrifices laid the foundation for the democracy we now enjoy. We must ensure that their labours were not in vain.

 

“While it is true that Nigeria’s democratic journey has been marked by unfulfilled aspirations and missed opportunities, we must not surrender to despair. Rather, we should remain hopeful and resolute, knowing that the future still holds greater possibilities than whatever may have been lost along the way.

 

“Democracy, despite its imperfections and occasional contradictions, remains the best form of government known to mankind. Not merely because it affords citizens the opportunity to periodically elect leaders of their choice, but more importantly because it remains the most participatory system of governance ever devised, one that places the people at the centre of public affairs.

 

“We urge those at the helm of affairs to do more to address the pressing challenges confronting Nigerians, including insecurity, economic hardship, hunger, unemployment and the deficit in critical infrastructure. The dividends of democracy must be felt by the ordinary citizen whose welfare remains the ultimate justification for government.

 

“As a political party, the Labour Party’s guiding principle of Equal Opportunity and Social Justice speaks directly to the very ideals upon which democracy is founded. A democracy that fails to guarantee a level playing field for all citizens and political actors is merely a distorted and pretentious version of democratic governance.

 

“As the nation gradually approaches another electoral cycle, the Labour Party enjoins Nigerians not to lose faith in the possibility of a better country. We remain committed to providing a credible platform through which the aspirations of the Nigerian people can be realised.

 

“From the legislative chambers to the presidency, the party has continued to entrust its mandate to men and women of proven character, competence and capacity, individuals capable of rewriting the Nigerian story and leading our nation towards greater prosperity, justice and national renewal.

 

“Happy Democracy Day, Nigeria!”

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