Supreme Court To Give Accelerated Hearing To ADC, PDP Appeals; Set April 22, Hearing Date

April 14, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has adjourned the hearing of appeals filed by factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, till April 22, 2026.

The apex court had, originally, scheduled to commence hearing of the appeals filed by the Senator David Mark-led faction of the ADC, and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP, challenging the Court of Appeal judgments in matters relating to the leadership tussle within the two parties.

While the Mark-led ADC leadership is challenging the Appallate Court’s verdict of March 12, ordering parties to return to the trial court for the continuation of proceedings in the application filed by the Bala Nafiu Gombe-faction of the ADC, disputing the Mark-led National Executive Committee NEC, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the PDP also filed an appeal against the Court of Appeal verdict of March 9, 2026, nullifying its Ibadan National Convention, as well as affirming the trial Court’s ruling recognizing the Nyesom Wike-backed Abdulraham Mohammed-led PDP leadership.

Similarly, Mark, in his appeal, is seeking the order of the Supreme Court for an order of stay of execution of the Court of Appeal ruling ordering parties in the leadership crisis to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice filed by Nafiu Gombe before Honourable Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court Abuja.

However, a five-member panel of the country’s Apex Court led by Justice Mohammed Garba after taking appeals from both parties, directed the David Mark-led faction to formally file and serve all relevant court processes on all the respondents within the next 24 hours.

Similarly, the respondents, upon the receipt of the legal processes are to file their responses, within the next 72 hours.

The panel of jurists noted that all filings of legal processes, as well as exchange of briefs among parties must be concluded on or before April 20,2026 to enable the Court commence accelerated hearing of the appeal by April 22, 2026.

With the position of the Supreme Court to give an accelerated hearing to the matter, the Mark-led NEC, which was on April 1, derecognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, purportedly on the strength of the Court of Appeal judgment of March 12, applied to withdraw its earlier relief- a stay of execution of the Appallate court’s order for the maintenance of status quo ante bellum.

Counsel to the Mark-led leadership Jibrin Okutepa argued that there was no longer the need to pursue the relief in the face of the Supreme Court’s resolve to expedite the hearing of the appeal.

The Supreme Court, in the absence of objections from the respondents, consequently struck out the stay of execution relief.

Before adjourning proceedings to April 22, the panel had expressed its readiness to commence immediate hearing if parties were ready.

“If parties were ready, we would have taken this appeal today. We need to deal with the appeal and not the motion. Ordinarily, this Court does not grant an order of stay.

“But the Court is willing to deal with the case as soon as possible if the parties are ready,” Garba, the panel Chairman stated.

Similarly, the panel also ruled to grant an application for an accelerated hearing filed by the Turaki-led PDP, with an order for the respondents to file a reply within the next five days while the applicants are to file a reply where necessary within the next 48 hours.

The Source reports that all the appeals are expected to be dispensed with by the Apex Court in record time to enable parties meet the May 10 ,2026 dateline for the filing of all relevant electoral documents at INEC ,in relation to the 2027 Polls.

AYDM Berates MURIC, Says Islamic Body Should Not Bring Religion Into Politics In Yorubaland

Akinwale Kasali

April 14, 2026

By Akinwale Kasali

The Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, AYDM, has warned an Islamic Body, Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, and its leader, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, not to bring religious bigotry into politics.

AYDM, a coalition of over 130 Civil Society and Self Determination Groups made this assertion in response to MURIC’s demands that only Muslims should emerge as Governors in Osun, Oyo, Lagos and Ogun State.

Berating Akintola and his Group, AYDM said that Yoruba voters are liberal minded and far more intelligent than religious bigots, whose main mission is to divide the South West along fractured faithlines.

In a statement by the Group, it stated that Akintola is a divisive, rash and riotous character who is determined to leave a legacy of blood, pain and anguish in Yorubaland.

It added that MURIC forgot that an average Yoruba person is far more intelligent than it.

In the statement signed by AYDM, General Secretary, Popoola Ajay and Secretary for Mobilisation, Suleiman Sanusi, AYDM said Akintola is working for enemies of Yoruba Nation and that his philosophy appears to be fueled by a passion for chaos and disorder.

“We are shocked by what looked like a teleguided statement coming from one Akintola asking Yoruba Muslims to vote for only Muslim Governors in Osun, Lagos, Oyo and Ogun States.

“This is a highly irresponsible statement coming from an old man with a very little mind and a warped sense of reasoning”, AYDM said.

The coalition said Akintola usually behaves as if he never attended any school “and as if his DNA has nothing to do with Yoruba.”

The group said if Akintola was intelligent he would have known that asking voters to vote only for Muslim candidates in those states is an indirect call for non Muslim voters to vote against Muslim candidates.

The group said what would happen if Christains and Traditional worshipers also aks their members to vote for candidates of their faith in Yorubaland?

The AYDM said Akintola has tried in vain to polarise Yoruba land with his volatile and senseless rhetoric.

“Akintola does not speak or write like someone who has primary education.He speaks like a stark illetarate with no sense of history. He is on a veageance mission against Muslims, traditional worshipers and Christians in Yorubaland.

The group asked Akintola to learn from NASFAT, Ansarudeen and other responsible Muslim groups in Yorubaland who for decades have contributed to the development of Yoruba people without consideration for faith.

It added that Akintola lacks morals and behaves like someone with mental and personality disorder who should be reminded in an asylum.

“Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers in Yorubaland are one family. They have shared history, common ancestry and the same destiny aimed at building a strong, peaceful and prosperous Yoruba Nation.”

The group said at a time, both Governor and Deputy Governor of Lagos were Muslims, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Jafojo, nothing happened, and the Christias took it in good faith.

It also added that presently, President Bola Tinubu, a Muslim was succeeded by another Muslim, Mr Babatunde Fashola in Lagos State and nothing happened.

“The Governor of Osun State in 1999, Chief Bisi Akande was a Muslim and his succesor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola was removed, and another Muslim in person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola assumed office. He however handed over power to another Muslim, Gboyega Oyetola.

“In Kwara State, a Yoruba State, no Christian has ruled the state since 1999. Whereas Yoruba Muslims, Christians and Traditional worshipers all voted for the late Chief M.K.O Abiola and also in 2023, they all voted for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu even with a Muslim-Muslim ticket”.

AYDM described Akintola as a violent character who is driven by terror, a disgrace to intellectual and rational thinking.

AYDM urged Akintola to learn from what is going on in the Middle East where Muslim and Christian Nations unite with Israel to fight a fellow Muslim country of Iran which confirms that what matters most in local and international political economy is not religion but permanent economic interests.

“Akintola behaves like a despot. He has been the supreme leader of MURIC for decades. He has no Secretary, no treasurer and no deputy. His organisation had never in almost half a century conduct any election. He is the life leader of MURIC. How can a dictator speak on democratic tradition and norms?.”

The coalition said Akintola had never for once condemned the mass killings of Yoruba Muslims and Christians by terrorists while he has been irresponsibly silent on the killings of Yoruba traditional rulers, the rape, murder and kidnap of both Yoruba Muslims and Christians across the country by terrorists.

AYDM said, “He is quick to claim Muslim persecution in Yorubaland but silent on the attempts to overthrow President Tinubu by some Muslim officers from the North, while he was mute when ovet 160 Yoruba Muslims and Christians were killed in Kwara State,” the AYDM said.

It also added that Akintola is using Islamic extremism for base extortion for personal gains by promoting and inciting violence.

The AYDM urged the security agencies to investigate Akintola and find out his real sponsors and to establish his possible link with terrorism.

We Can Never Be Intimidated Or Succumb To Tyranny – David Mark

Suleiman Anyalewechi

April 14, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The National Chairman of the opposition Coalition platform, African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark, a retired Army Brigadier-General, has vowed that the party, under his watch, will not succumb to orchestrated blackmail, tyranny and political pressure, allegedly, from the ruling All Progressive Congress APC.

This is as he enjoined party stalwarts, supporters and sympathizers to remain steadfast and committed to the task of liberating the country from the clutches of oppressive rule and gross misgovernance.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the ADC’s 8th National Convention in Abuja on Tuesday April 14, 2026, Mark averred that the party will not sit by, idly, and watch Nigeria slide into the abyss of dictatorship, through what he described as ” systemic erosion of democracy, and weakening of democratic institutions ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Democracy will not die on our watch. We will not be intimidated by manipulation or political manoeuvrings, targeted at our party ,and indeed Nigerians”, Mark stated.

While appreciating party leaders, supporters, and indeed well-meaning Nigerians for their show of resilience, doggedness and commitment, even in the face of what he described as sustained harassment, intimidation from the Government of the day, leading to some political set- backs, Mark called for patience and more sacrifices to ensure victory in the end.

Referencing the obstacles placed on the way of the party, allegedly, by the establishment, including denying it the use of the Eagle Square ,the National Stadium Velodrome ,as well as moves made even to stop private entities from hosting the Convention, the ADC National Chairman urged members to remain focused, resolute and united in the task of building a new Nigeria.

The ADC National Chairman warned that party leaders and supporters can ill-afford to be complacent at this point when all hands must be on deck to retrieve the country from the principice.

The Source reports that the ADC National Convention was preceded by a leadership crisis precipitated by the sudden decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC to withdraw recognition for the Mark-led NEC ,on the strength of a Court of Appeal judgment directing parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of a motion on notice filed by a rival faction of the party led by Bala Nafiu Gombe at an Abuja Federal High Court.

Foreign Legal Team Threatens Action Over Conviction Of IPOB Leader Kanu

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

International pressure is continuing to mount on Nigeria over the conviction of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Now, a group of international legal experts under the banner of Pan African Forum Ltd & Associates, based in London, United Kingdom (UK), has issued legal notice, warning Nigeria that it would commence a legal action in UK Court on the matter.

Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since his controversial rendition in June 2021.

In November 2025, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted him on seven terrorism-related charges and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

He has since filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal challenging both his conviction and sentence, with the appeal process currently ongoing.

The group vowed to commence court proceedings, if the government does not immediately and unconditionally release the leader of the IPOB, Kanu, and provide compensation.

The notice, dated April 14, 2026 and signed by Dr. David Nyekorach-Matsanga, describes itself as a final opportunity for the Federal Government to comply with a 2022 United Nations directive before legal enforcement proceedings begin abroad.

The group base its demand on Opinion No. 25/2022 issued on July 20, 2022 by the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, which found that Kanu’s arrest and alleged extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful and ruled that his continued detention is arbitrary.

The UN body further recommended that Nigeria should immediately release him and grant him an enforceable right to compensation and other reparations in line with international law.

The legal experts argue that the UN opinion is binding on Nigeria as a member state that has ratified key human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

They also cite Nigerian Supreme Court precedents to support their position that ratified international treaties create enforceable domestic obligations.

According to the notice, this obligation did not end with the failure of the previous administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari to comply, but remains a continuing and unequivocal duty now binding on the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The legal team warned that failure to comply will trigger international legal action, unless immediate steps are taken to ensure full compliance with the United Nations directive.

This include his unconditional release and provision of appropriate reparations, or else it will initiate enforcement proceedings in competent jurisdictions, including courts in London, to compel compliance and seek redress.

The legal described the notice as the final opportunity to resolve the matter without what they called heavy litigation and insisted that no rights or remedies under international law have been waived.

The case continues to attract international attention, with critics raising concerns over extraordinary rendition, prolonged detention without trial in the early stages, and broader human rights implications.

The Nigerian government has consistently maintained that Kanu is facing serious terrorism and security-related charges and that due judicial process must be allowed to run its course.

Whether a court in London would accept jurisdiction to enforce a United Nations Working Group opinion against a sovereign state remains legally complex, involving questions of state immunity and the non-binding nature of such opinions, which carry moral and political weight, but are not equivalent to enforceable judgments of international courts.

The development comes amid ongoing domestic appeals and continued calls from various stakeholders, including some leaders from Nigeria’s Southeast region, for a political resolution to the matter, while further updates are expected as the government responds and the appeal process continues.

Makinde’s Impeachment: “Mr Speaker Lied, I Have No Hand In Bid To Unseat Makinde” – Olubadan

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja - Olubadan of Ibadanland — Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, Olubadan of Ibadanland

By Ayodele Oni

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has distanced himself from any plans to allegedly impeach Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The reaction of the Olubadan, a former Governor of the State, stemmed from the allegation made by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, that the Olubadan and a former First Lady of the State Florence Ajimobi, tried to induce him with money to impeach Governor Makinde. He, however said that he rejected the inducement because of his unalloyed loyalty to Makinde.

The Olubadan said this when he stated his position in a statement on the ongoing threat of impeachment against Oyo state Governor Seyi Makinde.

Governor Seyi Makinde and Speaker Adebowale Ogundoyin

According to the Olubadan, as a traditional ruler, he has no such power.

Dismissing claims linking him to the alleged plan, Oba Ladoja maintained that a traditional ruler has no constitutional authority to remove a sitting governor. He noted that even the impeachment of a local government chairman is beyond the powers of a monarch.

In a press statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Adeola Oloko, the monarch described the allegation as false and urged those behind it not to drag the Olubadan throne into political controversies.

The statement reads partly, “The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has refuted claims that Kabiyesi was planning to unseat the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency, Engr Seyi Makinde. To say the least, this is a lie.”

Both the Olubadan and Makinde leaders had dismissed an earlier allegation that Makinde was planning to remove the Olubadan from office. They dismissed it as baseless, while criticising former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who made the claim publicly.

Fayose had alleged that the Oyo State Government was planning to dethrone the monarch and sanction him over his absence at the elevation ceremony of High Chief Sharafadeen Ali in Ibadan.

However, the Oyo State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, denied the claim, stating that no such move had been considered or discussed.

Addressing the fresh allegation, Dotun Oyelade, the Information Commissioner also raised concerns over what he described as conflicting narratives surrounding the issue, coming shortly after the earlier claim involving the Olubadan stool and the state government.

Olubadan, Late Gov Ajimobi’s Wife, Florence, Fingered In Alleged Impeachment Move Against Gov Makinde

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja and wife of a former Governor, Florence Ajimobi have been fingered in an alleged move to incite the state House of Assembly against Oyo state Governor, Seyi Makinde.

The duo were alleged to have dangled an offer of House of Representatives seat to lure the Assembly’s Speaker, Adebo Ogindoyin, to initiate an impeachment move against the Governor.

In fresh details emanating from the Chief Whip of the Assembly, Gbenga Oyekola,

claimed that the speaker was pressured and offered inducements to abandon his governorship bid.

Oyekola, in a statement issued after a closed-door meeting of lawmakers at the Governor’s House in Ibadan, disclosed that deliberations at the meeting exposed what he described as coordinated efforts by certain influential figures to dissuade the Speaker from pursuing his ambition.

According to him, the Speaker informed lawmakers that he had been invited by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, after previously seeking royal backing for his governorship aspiration.

“It was revealed that the Rt. Hon. Speaker Adebo Ogundoyin was invited by the Olubadan of Ibadanland after he had earlier gone to seek the Kabiyesi’s support for his governorship ambition.

“According to the Speaker, the Olubadan advised him and offered to secure the House of Representatives ticket for him under the APC, along with the necessary funds to prosecute the election. The Speaker stated that he declined the offer.

“The Speaker further disclosed that he was again invited by Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi on the same subject matter and was offered money but declined and did not collect anything from them,” he added.

Oyekola noted that the developments were part of a broader plot by unnamed “agents of disunity” seeking to create a rift between the legislature and the administration of GovernorSeyi Makinde.

“Arising from the said meeting, it was discovered that some agents of disunity are working to set the Oyo State House of Assembly against the Governor and the Government of Oyo State,” he said.

The lawmaker, who represents Atiba State Constituency, however distanced himself from the alleged moves, stressing that he was neither involved nor aware of such arrangements prior to the disclosures.

“I hereby completely disassociate myself from any arrangement or activity that has the potential to disrupt the peace of Oyo State. I was never invited, never consulted, and was not part of any such meetings or arrangements,” Oyekola said.

He reaffirmed his loyalty to Governor Makinde and pledged continued support for the administration.

“I cannot and will not be disloyal to my boss, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde. I reaffirm my unwavering loyalty and support for Governor Seyi Makinde, his government, and his party,” he stated.

Reiterating his stance on stability, Oyekola added that he remains committed to peace and unity in the state, declaring, “I vote for peace in Oyo State at all times.”

The statement concluded with a strong personal affirmation in Yoruba:“Omo Oko ni mi, Emi kii se omo ale Oyo State.”

The claims come amid rising political tension in Oyo State, as permutations ahead of the next governorship race begin to shape alignments within the political class.

Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi has denied allegations linking her to an impeachment plot against Governor Seyi Makinde, describing the claims as false, baseless, and politically motivated.

In a statement from her media office, she refuted reports of any meetings or financial inducements involving members of the Oyo State House of Assembly, insisting she has never engaged in activities to destabilize the state government.

She urged the public to disregard the claims, warning against the spread of misinformation, and reaffirmed her commitment to peace, democratic values, and her ongoing humanitarian work.

Impeachment: Oyo Gov Makinde Moves Against Speaker Ogundoyin, May Be Replaced

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

There are indications that the crisis rocking the Oyo state Legislative arm over alleged plan impeachment of Governor Seyi Makinde May consume the assembly’s speaker, Adebowale Ogundoyin.

Barring any last minutes’ change of plans, the 39-year old Ogundoyin’s almost seven years’ reign as speaker would terminate in a matter of days, OYOINSIGHT.COM can authoritatively confirm.

Plans to impeach him and replace him with his deputy, Fadeyi Mohammed, two-term member representing Ona Ara state constituency, have been perfected, according to sources in the governor’s office and the speaker’s colleagues.

Gbenga Oyekola from Atiba state constituency will step in as deputy speaker, the sources said, requesting anonymity.

Ogundoyin, who has been representing Ibarapa East state constituency since 2018 after he won the bye-election following the death of then speaker, Michael Adeyemo on 27th April, 2018, was alleged of been involved in alleged anti-party activities and move to impeach Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State.

Though he has not denied it, Ogundoyin’s colleagues have been coming out Tuesday morning to denounce him.

This was after last night’s meeting at the Government House, also attended by Ogundoyin.

One of our sources, a member of the House, who is still loyal to Ogundoyin, confirmed the development but said efforts were underway to prevent his eventual sack.

I Was Induced To Impeach Gov. Makinde – Assembly Speaker

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebowale Ogundoyin, has revealed that there are external pressure on him to initiate impeachment move against Governor Seyi Makinde.

Confirming an impeachment plot against the Governor, the Speaker admitted receiving monetary inducement.

It was gathered that Ogundoyin’s confirmation followed reports that he met the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and a former first lady in the state, Florence Ajimobi, in an attempt to impeach Makinde.

However, Oguntoyinbo, who represents Ibarapa East State constituency, in a statement to journalists on Tuesday, clarified various allegations concerning the move to impeach Governor Makinde.

Ogundoyin admitted that he met with the former first lady and Olubadan and was offered a monetary inducement to impeach Makinde, but he rejected the offer.

The Speaker further stated that the meeting was also to seek the royal blessing for his gubernatorial ambition.

He said, “I was offered monetary inducement, but I declined without hesitation because no amount of money can buy my conscience or compromise my loyalty to the Governor, the party, and the people we were elected to serve.

“I remain fully committed to upholding the integrity of this House and will not be part of any agenda aimed at destabilising the government.”

Meanwhile, Florence Ajimobi has dismissed claims that she is plotting the impeachment of Governor Makinde.

In a statement issued by her media office, Ajimobi denied allegations linking her to financial inducements allegedly aimed at influencing members of the Oyo State House of Assembly to impeach Makinde.

She described the allegation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish her image, undermine her reputation and mislead the public.

Ajimobi also dismissed claims that she hosted or attended any meeting in Lagos or elsewhere where plans to influence the State Assembly were discussed.

When Generals Fall: The Price Of Corruption On The Frontlines

The Source

April 14, 2026

By Babafemi Ojudu

“Corruption is the insurgent within — quiet, persistent, and deadly.”

In less than six months, Nigeria has lost two generals on the battlefield — cut down in operations against what should, by all conventional reckoning, be a ragtag insurgent force. Alongside them, several colonels, officers, and countless other ranks have paid the ultimate price.

These are not just casualties of war. They are symptoms of a deeper, more troubling reality.

Too often, these deaths occur in ambushes — situations that suggest not just tactical misfortune, but systemic failure. In some cases, there are whispers of betrayal from within. In others, of equipment that fails at the critical moment — vehicles that break down under fire, communication systems that go silent, weapons that malfunction when they are most needed.

When a nation’s generals fall this frequently, the question must be asked: what exactly is going on?

The answer, uncomfortable as it may be, can be summed up in one word: corruption.

I speak not from conjecture, but from experience. As a member of the Senate Committee on Defence between 2011 and 2015, I visited the frontlines of the Boko Haram war. What I saw there left an indelible mark on my understanding of the challenges our military faces — not from the enemy alone, but from within. Nothing suggests this trend has changed.

I saw armoured tanks that were not truly armoured — machines that offered appearance without protection. Bulletproof vests that proved no bullet. I saw soldiers going into battle in bathroom slippers, not out of indiscipline, but out of sheer neglect. I met troops surviving on a daily ration of noodles — men expected to fight a brutal insurgency on an empty stomach.

I encountered soldiers who had not been rotated out of combat zones for two or three years. Fatigue had set in. Morale was low. These were men worn down not just by the enemy, but by a system that seemed indifferent to their humanity.

Many did not know when their allowances would be paid. Their families waited at home in uncertainty, while they faced bullets and bombs with quiet resignation. When they fall in battle, it is another story for those they left behind. In such conditions, how does one sustain morale? How does one build the fighting spirit required to confront a determined adversary?

Then there is the question of leadership and structure.

In a professional military, promotions should be based on merit, courage, and competence. But where ethnicity and religion begin to influence advancement, the foundation of professionalism is weakened. When loyalty is redirected from the institution to narrow identities, cohesion suffers.

At the top, troubling priorities persist. There are too many stories — too widely known to be dismissed — of senior officers more invested in private ventures: shopping complexes, housing estates, and hotels, than in the welfare and operational readiness of their troops. A military leadership distracted by personal accumulation cannot effectively lead men into battle.

The institutional framework does little to help. A defence ministry that allocates more resources to buildings, fencing, and administrative structures than to arms, ammunition, intelligence, and training sends a dangerous signal about what truly matters. The oversight committee itself was and still is a cesspool of corruption and sleaze.

What emerges from all this is a pattern — a system in which corruption is not an aberration, but a defining feature.

Corruption in this context is not just about money changing hands. It is about compromised procurement that delivers substandard equipment. It is about logistics chains that fail under pressure because funds have been diverted. It is about intelligence leaks that expose troops to ambush. It is about neglect that leaves soldiers underfed, underpaid, and overexposed.

In such a system, the insurgent gains an advantage without necessarily being stronger. He benefits from our weaknesses. He exploits our failures. He thrives on our dysfunction.

And so, generals fall.

Not just because the enemy is formidable, but because the system meant to support them is fragile.

The tragedy is that this is not unique to the military. The same disease afflicts our education system, where resources vanish while classrooms decay. It is present in healthcare, where hospitals lack basic tools while budgets suggest otherwise. It runs through infrastructure, where projects are conceived with enthusiasm and abandoned with indifference.

Corruption has become the thread that binds our national challenges together.

But in the case of the military, the consequences are immediate and irreversible. A mismanaged classroom can be rebuilt. A poorly equipped hospital can be upgraded. But a soldier lost to negligence is gone forever. A general cut down in his prime is a blow not just to his family, but to the institution and the nation he served.

We must, therefore, confront this truth with clarity and urgency.

We cannot win the war against insurgency if we continue to lose the war against corruption. We cannot expect courage from our soldiers while denying them the tools, support, and leadership they need. We cannot mourn fallen heroes in public while ignoring the conditions that led to their deaths.

The path forward is neither mysterious nor easy. It requires accountability at every level — transparent procurement, merit-based promotions, proper funding of training and equipment, and above all, a leadership culture that places service above self.

Until then, we will continue to count our losses.

And the most painful truth of all will remain this: many of those losses are avoidable.

Senator Ojudu was a Presidential Adviser in the office of the Vice President during the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government

Ondo Banditry Attack: Gov. Aiyedatiwa Reveals Involvement Of Indigenes

Ayodele Oni

April 14, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has revealed that some indigenes of communities experiencing banditry in the state are among suspects so far arrested by security agents.

He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to stamp out insecurity in Imafon, Igushin and Ilado communities in Akure North Local Government Area, pledging decisive action against criminal elements operating in the axis.

The governor made the declaration on Tuesday during a familiarization and condolence visit to the palace of the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, following a series of violent attacks within the communities.

Expressing sympathy with the bereaved families, Governor Aiyedatiwa assured that measures were already being intensified to restore calm and safeguard lives and property.

He described the recent killings as deeply disturbing, citing the murder of a female farmer and her daughter at a poultry farm in a forest area, as well as the shooting of a young man in Ilado who resisted abduction.

He insisted that such acts would not be tolerated, noting that although insecurity is a nationwide concern, the state government remains committed to protecting its citizens.

The governor disclosed that security agencies, including the police, Civil Defence Corps and the military, are working in collaboration with local hunters and vigilantes to secure forests and adjoining communities.

While acknowledging progress in tackling kidnapping for ransom, he warned that the recent spate of killings indicated a troubling shift that must be urgently addressed.

According to him, more than 100 suspected kidnappers have been arrested, detained and charged to court, while operations are ongoing to flush out criminal elements hiding in forest enclaves.

Governor Aiyedatiwa announced that Amotekun posts would be established within the troubled communities to enhance surveillance and improve response time.

He said the state government would also collaborate with the military to strengthen monitoring of vulnerable locations, expressing confidence that increased security presence would deter criminal activities.

Calling for collective action, the governor urged residents, particularly youths, elders, hunters and vigilantes, to cooperate with security agencies.

He warned against harbouring criminals, noting that such actions undermine efforts to combat insecurity through the leakage of vital information.

He disclosed that some youths from the affected communities had already been apprehended for their involvement in criminal activities and appealed to residents to provide credible intelligence to security operatives.

He assured residents of the government’s commitment to ensuring their safety through lawful and structured interventions.

Earlier, the Chairman of Akure North Local Government, Johnson Ogunbolude, expressed concern over the attacks, describing them as unfortunate.

He noted that although the governor was out of the state at the time of the incidents, he remained in constant touch with leaders of the communities and security agencies.

Ogunbolude appealed to residents to support government efforts with constructive contributions.

In his remarks, the Olumafon of Imafon, Oba Samuel Adegbehingbe Aliu, commended the governor’s intervention, particularly the ongoing road construction, which he said would help address security challenges.

However, he lamented the lack of firearms for vigilantes, noting that it had hampered their effectiveness.

The monarch also criticised the delayed response of some security operatives, alleging that certain personnel operate without adequate weapons.

1...888990...2,933 Page 89 of 2,933