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Ekiti: APC Ward Congress Peaceful, No Petition Received — Appeal panel

By
Ayodele Oni
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APC

By Ayodele Oni

The Chairman, All Progressives Congress, (APC) Appeal Panel for the Ekiti Delegates Congress, Dennis Otiotio, has said that the panel did not receive any petition over the exercise held on Saturday.

Otiotio, who is the APC Chairman in Bayelsa State, spoke at a press conference on Sunday in Ado Ekiti, attributing the absence of grievance or petition over the delegates congress to the unity and peaceful atmosphere within the APC in Ekiti State.

The congress was for the election of delegates from across the 177 wards in the state, who will, during the party’s primary election on Monday, affirm Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, as the party’s candidate for the June 20, 2026, governorship poll.

The APC National Working Committee, (NWC) had announced Oyebanji as the party’s consensus governorship candidate in Ekiti State following the withdrawal of the second aspirant, Mrs Atinuke Omolayo, leaving only the governor in the race.

The party had earlier disqualified the remaining two aspirants, Kayode Ojo and Abimbola Olawumi.

Otiotio lauded the peaceful and transparent conduct of the delegates congress held across the state.

To reach this level, there are allegations that names of some members, especially those that supported one of the aspirants, Kayode Ojo were removed from the membership register, which culminated in his disqualification by APC NEC.

The affected members were not allowed to participate in the ward congresses to pick delegates that will endorse Oyebanji.

Speaking at the party’s state secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, Otiotio said the panel did not receive a single petition or complaint from any of the 16 local government areas following the congress.

He said, “As part of the electoral process, the party constituted a five-man appeal panel to receive complaints from aggrieved members regarding the conduct of the delegate congress”.

The APC chieftain stated that a public notice had been issued and circulated to all APC local government secretariats, inviting members with grievances to submit their petitions between 6pm on the day of the congress and 6 am the following day (Sunday).

“By 10 a.m., we were ready to review any petitions, but fortunately, none were received. This demonstrates the transparent manner in which the delegates congresses were conducted.

“We commend the committee that handled the process for doing an excellent job,” he said.

Otiotio, who praised Oyebanji, attributed the unity and peaceful atmosphere within the party to his inclusive governance style.

“It is evident that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s sterling leadership qualities have fostered harmony within the party. The consensus reached across all wards shows the level of cooperation among members.”

The appeal committee chairman expressed confidence that the APC would perform excellently in the forthcoming governorship election.

He appreciated the National Working Committee of the party for the confidence reposed in the appeal panel.

The Ekiti State APC Chairman, Mr Olusola Elesin, who said that the delegates congress was conducted peacefully and without any form of malpractice, said, “I am glad to inform you that the election was hitch-free across the state.

“We have not received any report of irregularities, and no committee member is being sanctioned.”

Elesin lauded the electoral committee for its diligence and transparency, expressing optimism that the appeal panel would find no issue to contest.

Northern Forum Accuses Matawalle Of Inducing Opposition To Defect

By
Ayodele Oni
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Bello Matawalle
Bello Matawalle: Embroiled in Bandit romance allegation, to be replaced.

By Ayodele Oni

Northern Elders Unity Forum has accused the Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, of using state funds and position to lure opposition into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The group alleged that the minister is using his political influence to lure members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the Northern Elders Unity Forum of the PDP, Matawalle has allegedly been engaging in “reckless and undemocratic tactics” aimed at dismantling the opposition party’s structure in Zamfara State and other parts of the North-West.

Reports from Zamfara indicate that over 24,000 PDP members, including former executives and elders from six local government areas, have so far joined the APC amid growing political realignments in the region.

The Forum, in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Dr. Abbas Sadauki, accused the former Zamfara governor of exploiting state resources and his ministerial position to induce PDP officials, elected representatives, and loyal supporters to defect.

The PDP elders said Matawalle’s ongoing political moves are part of a broader strategy to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“Matawalle has embarked on a desperate mission to dismantle the PDP structure in Zamfara and across the North-West.

“His antecedents of using power and appointments to induce defections have created leadership vacuums and threatened the growth of democracy in our region.”

The Forum also alleged that several PDP members had been misled by promises of appointments and financial benefits, describing the trend as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic balance and multiparty system.

“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently call Matawalle to order. His excessive interference and political desperation pose a serious danger to democracy and the principle of fair political competition in Nigeria.”

Ooni, Alaafin End Rift, Creates Joint Council For Yoruba Unity

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ooni of Ife-Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi and the Alafiin of Oyo-Oba Abimbola Owoade

By Akinwale Kasali

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, have  brought an end to their two month rift in Lagos on Friday.

A meeting convened by Sir Kessington Adebutu, Billionaire business magnate popular as ‘Baba Ijebu’, held at the Eko Hotel on the sidelines of Adebutu’s 90th birthday celebration saw both revered Monarchs end their feud.

In a joint communiqué issued after the meeting, both Monarchs announced the formation of the Joint Council for Yoruba Unity — a platform aimed at promoting peace, cultural preservation, and socio-economic growth across Yoruba communities.

The communiqué was signed by the Ooni and Alaafin, witnessed by Adebutu, and issued by Kola Oyefeso, secretary of the communiqué drafting committee.

The meeting of the Monarchs was described as a turning point in Yoruba history.

“Today marks a defining chapter in our shared history,” the communiqué reads.

“We reaffirm our dedication to promoting harmony among all Yoruba sons and daughters, and upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood handed down by our ancestors.”

The gathering was attended by Traditional Rulers, cultural custodians, and prominent Yoruba leaders, who discussed reconciliation, cooperation, and inter-kingdom relations.

The Ooni and Alaafin jointly offered prayers for peace, prosperity, and progress across Yorubaland, Nigeria, and the African continent.

Adebutu expressed delight at the renewed royal bond, describing it as “a milestone that will consolidate peace, unity, and development among the Yoruba people”.

It would be recalled that the two respected Monarchs in Yorubaland had a heated argument over the conferment of the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” title on businessman Dotun Sanusi by the Ooni, which was opposed by the Alaafin.

Following the conferment, the Alaafin had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the Ooni revoke the title.

He described the development as an “affront” and claimed exclusive authority to bestow titles covering the whole of Yorubaland.

The Alaafin had argued that a supreme court ruling had affirmed his sole prerogative in such matters.

In response, the Ooni’s media team dismissed the ultimatum as an “empty threat,” saying the monarch would not dignify it with a formal response.

This generated mixed feelings among Nigerians, leading to superiority battle between the duo.

Ondo Gov Announces End To Non Payment Of Salary, As Ondo Poly Holds Graduation Ceremony, 12 Years After

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

After 12 years of inability to hold Convocation ceremony for its graduates, Ondo state Polytechnic, Owo, on Saturday held passing out ceremony for past students of the institution.

The last time the Polytechnic held graduation ceremony was in 2013.

Speaking at the combined ceremony, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, declared an end to the era of percentage salary payment in the state, assuring workers of his administration’s commitment to prompt and full salary payment across all state-owned tertiary institutions.

The Governor, speaking at the combined 12th–23rd convocation ceremony of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where he announced that his government had cleared 10 months out of the 13-month salary arrears inherited from previous administrations and had approved the payment of the remaining three months’ arrears.

Governor Aiyedatiwa described the era of percentage salary as a dark and painful chapter in the history of the institution and the state workforce, saying his administration would never allow such hardship to resurface.

He said: “Let me first acknowledge and commend the late sage and visionary, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, for his efforts at midwifing this institution.

“The Sunshine State and indeed Nigeria will forever remain proud of him. It gladdens my heart that today, there are several products of this Polytechnic who have distinguished themselves in various areas of human endeavour across the globe.

“We were visibly disturbed to learn that the last time this institution held a convocation was in 2013. I made it clear that it was unacceptable and directed that the situation be remedied immediately.

“While commending the Acting Rector and his management team for acting promptly, such must never be allowed to happen again.”

The Governor stated that upon assuming office as Acting Governor and later substantive Governor, the most daunting challenge confronting the polytechnic was the backlog of 13 months’ salary arrears.

“Realising that no meaningful teaching and learning could take place in a tertiary institution where workers are owed humongous salaries, our administration took decisive steps to address the challenge. In three separate instances, we approved and released Special Intervention Funds for the payment of outstanding salaries for three months.

“The State Government took another step by approving a substantial increase in the monthly subvention for the Polytechnic, as applicable to other state-owned tertiary institutions, effective from January 2024.

“To the glory of God, it is gratifying that Rufus Giwa Polytechnic now pays full salaries to its workers”, the Governor added.

Aiyedatiwa commended the patience and understanding of both students and staff, especially the three workers’ unions of the polytechnic, for opting for dialogue instead of strikes while the government worked on addressing the crisis.

He also acknowledged reports of alleged administrative injustices in the past and said the state had begun reviewing such cases to ensure fairness, justice, and equity.

The Governor reiterated his administration’s determination to reposition education in the state and challenged tertiary institutions to focus on producing job creators rather than job seekers.

Speaking on the planned transformation of the institution, the Governor reaffirmed his government’s promise to upgrading Rufus Giwa Polytechnic to a full-fledged University of Agriculture and Agro-Business, assuring that the implementation process was underway.

He expressed appreciation to the Federal Government through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for infrastructural development support, while urging alumni, corporate bodies, and philanthropists to complement government efforts.

The Governor also encouraged all tertiary institutions in the state to embrace innovation and entrepreneurship to expand their internally generated revenue base.

In his remarks, the Acting Rector, Mr Olorunwa Adegun, commended the governor’s interventions, describing the period before his emergence as one of hopelessness and hardship.

“Before Your Excellency came on board, workers were owed 13 months’ salary arrears, and some received as low as five per cent. The hardship led to deaths and low morale among staff. But your intervention has changed the story.”

He listed the accreditation of 68 academic programmes, reopening of the staff schools, and funding of the long-delayed convocation as proof of the governor’s responsive leadership.

Truck Plunges Off Oshodi Bridge, Wreaks Havoc, As LASTMA Rescues Injured

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Truck Accident in Oshodi

By Akinwale Kasali

The swift intervention of officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, averted what could have been a severe tragedy as a fully loaded truck plunged off the Oshodi Bridge on Saturday after suffering a brake failure.

The accident saw passersby and traders scamper for safety, leaving one person severely injured.

According to eyewitnesses, the six-tyre truck, marked AKD 135 YK, was reportedly conveying tonner printing materials when it lost control while descending from Oshodi-Oke inward Mile 2. The vehicle veered off the bridge and crashed into the terminal ditch below.

In a statement by Adebayo Taofiq, Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA officials arrived at the scene within minutes, rescuing a male victim who sustained serious injuries. The victim was quickly taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.

The driver of the truck was later apprehended and handed over to officers from the Makinde Police Station, Oshodi, for further investigation.

To prevent further accidents, LASTMA operatives cordoned off the area, redirected traffic, and supervised the removal of the wreckage. Traffic flow was restored shortly after the rescue operations.

Commending his officers for their swift and professional response, Bakare Oki, General Manager of LASTMA, praised their “gallantry and adherence to safety protocols,” noting that the agency remains fully alert to its mandate of safeguarding lives and property on Lagos roads.

He said the agency’s ongoing 24-hour traffic management operations are designed to ensure seamless vehicular movement, particularly during the ember months when road usage peaks and accident risks increase.

Oki disclosed that heavy-duty recovery trucks and mini vehicles have been strategically deployed across Lagos’s five administrative divisions, supported by more than 2,700 personnel positioned at key traffic corridors for rapid response to emergencies.

He reiterated LASTMA’s commitment to proactive traffic regulation, timely rescue operations, and continuous public enlightenment on vehicle maintenance and traffic discipline.

IPOB Raises Alarm Over Alleged Attack Of Kanu By DSS Operative

By
Ayodele Oni
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Nnamdi Kanu
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Ayodele Oni

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has claimed that there is a plot to assassinate its detained leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by a Department of State Services (DSS) operative, in custody.

The group claimed that part of the plot was an alleged attack of Kanu by one of the operatives assigned to him in custody.

In a statement released on Saturday and shared by Kanu’s wife, Uchechi Okwu-Kanu, IPOB alleged that one of the new DSS agents recently assigned to Kanu physically assaulted him inside the DSS headquarters in Abuja on Friday.

According to the group, the situation escalated to the point that other DSS officers had to intervene and forcibly drag their colleague out of Kanu’s cell after he was allegedly seen kicking and attacking the IPOB leader.

“Information reaching IPOB leadership this night is that one of the new DSS agents assigned to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu attacked him in the DSS headquarters with the intention to kill him.

“The situation led other DSS officers to physically drag their fellow officer out of Kanu’s cell as he was seen kicking him.”

IPOB described the incident as part of a broader plot to eliminate Kanu under the guise of a misunderstanding between him and DSS personnel.

The group condemned the alleged assault, warning that it would not tolerate any harm done to its leader, and demanded that the DSS ensure his safety and well-being while in their custody.

“The action of this DSS officer is unacceptable. The DSS must make sure nothing happens to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in their custody, unless they are ready for another confrontation with IPOB worldwide.

Ortom: I Will Remain In PDP, Going Nowhere

By
James Orji
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Samuel Ortom

Former Governor of Benue state has urged his supporters to discountenance his rumoured plan to dump his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. He’s not leaving the party, Ortom assured some party members from the state on Saturday.

The members, under the aegis of PDP G-14 from across the 14 local government in the Benue North East and Benue North West senatorial districts, had paid a solidarity visit to the former governor, amid the leadership crisis rocking the party, and rumours that some key leaders in the party were bound to defect soon.

Ortom and other close allies of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike who has been fingered in the crisis, sources say, have already numbered their days in the embattled PDP, following accusations that they are working for the ruling All Progressive’s Congress, APC. .

Close sources in the party also confided that Wike and cohorts may be expelled from the party after the party’s National Delegate Convention next month, if they failed to leave the party voluntarily.

The Convention, where new National Executives of the party will be elected is slated for Ibadan, the Oyo state capital on November 15 and 16.

But, Ortom insists he’s going nowhere, promising to join other stakeholders in the party in the ongoing reconciliatory efforts to rebuild the party ahead the 2027 election, stressing that his rumoured plan to defect from the party is from some mischief makers.

“All the insinuations about me defecting are nothing but the work of mischief makers, let me assure you that there is nothing like that, rather we are going to work together and reclaim power in this state comes 2027,” he said.

The magazine reports that a court case instituted by some aggrieved members, is currently before a federal high court in Abuja, which analysts insist threatens the future of the embattled PDP.

The judge presiding over the case has slated October 31 as judgement day.

CBN Has Transformed The Economy-Govs

By
James Orji
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Yemi Cardoso - CBN Governor

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, NGF, has applauded the Central Bank of Nigeria for stabilizing the economy.

The forum said in communique issued on Friday that the Yemi Cardoso-led CBN has restored price stability and reposed investors confidence through its mirco- economic policies.

The NGF held its meeting yesterday in Abuja, the nation’s Capital where it commended the apex Bank for its collaboration with other fiscal agencies, resulting in the sustainable growth and fiscal sustainability at the sub-national level.

The AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq- led NGF made the commendations after the Forum was briefed by the Deputy Governor in charge of Economic Policy, Dr Muhammad Sani Abdullahi, on recent monetary policy measures designed to strengthen macroeconomic stability in the country.

According to the CBN Deputy Governor, such measures include inflation control, ongoing recapitalization exercise to strengthen commercial banks and other Financial Institutions, OFI, unification of the forex marker, among others.

The Forum said collaboration between the CBN and other relevant agencies must continue in other to strengthen the economy and for the benefits of Nigerians.

“The Forum underscored the importance of continuous collaboration between monetary and fiscal authorities to safeguard economic recovery, strengthen the financial system, and enhance citizens’ welfare,” the Forum said.

Nnamdi Kanu Sues President Tinubu to Court

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nnamdi Kanu and Bola Tinubu

By Adesina Soyooye

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained Leader of the  Indigenous People of Biafra,  has in a fresh fresh suit sued the Federal Government.

This time, Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 when he was brought back from Nairobi, Kenya, is seeking a permanent termination of his prosecution in Court.

One of the reasons for which Kanu is asking for a discontinuation of  his trial at a Federal High Court Abuja, presided over by the Honourable Justice James Omotosho, is, he said, because he had since been discharged by the Court of Appeal. A continuation of husband trial is now, according to him, a “fragrant violation of the rule of law.”

Kanu’s suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/383/2015,  highlighted four defects in his continued  prosecution.

He argued:

“These four defects — contempt of appellate authority, failure to take judicial notice of repeal, denial of fair hearing, and reliance on forgery — are all ex facie recordi and strike at the root of jurisdiction.

“Each of these defects is independently fatal; cumulatively, they render the entire trial incompetent and void”, the suit added.

Kanu argued that the Federal Government remains in flagrant contempt of a subsisting appellate judgment which had in the past, discharged him.

“By the Doctrine of Appellate Finality, that order terminated the trial absolutely”  he opined.

“Until it was set aside by the Supreme Court (after fourteen months), it remained binding in praesenti and enforceable ex debito justitiae. See Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986) 1 NWLR (Pt.18) 621; Rossek v. ACB Ltd (1993) 8 NWLR (Pt.312) 382.

“A contemnor cannot invoke the equitable discretion of a lower court while continuing in disobedience — ex turpi causa non oritur actio.”

Kanu also argued that he had been denied fair hearing, in violation of Section 36(6)(b)&(c) of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7(1)(c) of the African Charter.”

Kanu also argued that: “after four years in solitary detention,  I was allowed only three hours of monitored consultation with counsel in the courtroom on the eve of entering his defence in a capital case.

“That is not fair hearing — it is judicial perversity”.

Another defect Kanu pointed out, is the  reliance on what he dismissed as a forged medical report with which the Court ruled him  fit to stand trial. The ruling, Kanu declared;  “rests upon a forged medical report dated 23 September 2025”.

He pointed out that  Court’s order which directed the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA, to examine him was made on 26 September 2025, and the “purported report”  issued three days earlier.

Kanu emphasised that “no such examination ever occurred”,  and asserted that “reliance on that fraudulent document vitiates the ruling”.

He cited Madukolu v. Nkemdilim (1962) 2 SCNLR 341, and said: “where any condition precedent to jurisdiction is absent, the entire proceedings are a nullity.”

Finally, and based on the defects he pointed out, he urged the Court ”to declare these proceedings void and to terminate the trial forthwith in obedience to the rule of law.”

ADC to Tinubu: “Tell Nigerians Why You Sacked  Service Chiefs”

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

By Adesina Soyooye

President Bola Tinubu has been asked by the African Democratic Congress to be honest and disclose to Nigerians why he sacked his Service Chiefs  honest with Nigerians on the real arguing that it was ” a sudden and rather abrupt change in the leadership of the Nigerian military”.

The President sacked his service chiefs majority of whom he appointed  in 2024.

Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, posited that the party was worried that the change came a few days  after a rumoured coup plot.

He said: “While we acknowledge that the President, as the Commander-in-Chief, reserves the power to make such changes as he may deem fit, we are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup.

“We reiterate our earlier view that the reactions of government to the dangerous rumour have veered between deliberate obfuscation and outright confusion in a matter that required crystal clarity.

“We note that nearly all the Service Chiefs that have been removed were appointed only 28 months ago, with the current Chief of Defence Staff himself appointed just a year ago as Chief of Army Staff.

“We also note that this kind of decision has serious and far-reaching implications for stability within the ranks and therefore could not have been taken without strong reasons.

“Our position remains therefore that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened.

“As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy. In the light of developments in our neighbourhood of Chad and the Sahel States, we are gravely concerned.

“Without prejudice to what might have happened in recent weeks, it is obvious that the Tinubu administration is distracted. Insecurity continues to spread with terrorist groups staging a comeback in some parts of the country, while bandits reign supreme in other parts. But this is not the reason the government is changing the Service Chiefs. Instead, the administration’s attention appears fully focused on regime politics rather than securing the lives of Nigerians.

“This action of near wholesale change in the leadership of the country’s military, if anything, will only further promote rumours and conspiracy theories.

“We, therefore, reiterate our earlier position that the Federal Government must address the issue transparently and reassure Nigerians that our democracy is not under threat.”

The change of guards took most Nigerians unawares.

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