The faction is seeking to overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision invalidating the Ibadan national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025.

‎‎A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, granted the Turaki faction’s application for accelerated hearing and departure from the rules to abridge the time for filing briefs of argument.

‎‎In the first appeal, filed by the Turaki-led group against the PDP faction loyal to Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, the court ordered that hearing notices be served on Mohammed Abdulrahman, the seventh respondent, who was not represented when the matter came up on Tuesday.

‎‎At the proceedings, Chris Uche (SAN), counsel to the Turaki faction, informed the court of the pending applications, stressing the need for urgency to align with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, timetable ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also filed an affidavit of extreme urgency.

‎‎Counsel to Austin Nwachukwu and two others, Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), requested 15 days to file his reply, citing the need to obtain all relevant court records from the Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying the Ibadan convention.

‎‎The supreme court, however, directed all nine respondents to file their replies within five days each and fixed April 22, 2026, for the hearing of the appeal.

‎‎In the second appeal, involving the Turaki-led faction against former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido and others, the apex court also granted accelerated hearing and abridgement of time, and fixed April 22 for hearing.

‎‎Lamido had sued over his exclusion from the national chairmanship contest, which led to Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court issuing orders halting the convention.

‎‎Lower courts (Federal High Court and Court of Appeal) have largely ruled against the Turaki faction, nullifying the Ibadan convention, barring INEC from recognising its outcomes, and restricting access to the national secretariat in some rulings.

‎The Turaki group has appealed to the apex court, arguing that the matter bordered on internal party affairs, which were not justiciable, and that due procedures were followed.

In October 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the PDP faction led by Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo  and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi from going ahead with its national convention slated for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan.

Justice James Omotosho, the presiding judge, ruled that the evidence before the court showed that the party failed to hold valid state congresses before the planned convention as stipulated in the 1999 constitution and INEC guidelines, as well as its own constitution.

Lamido had sued the party for allegedly denying him the opportunity to purchase the chairmanship nomination form to enable him participate in the convention.

On November 11, Peter Lifu, another Federal High Court judge, issued a temporary order restraining the party from proceeding with the planned convention pending the determination of a substantive suit filed by Lamido.

On November 14, he made a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention.

In his judgment, Lifu held that the evidence before the court established that Lamido was “unjustly denied” the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest the position of national chairman of the party, in violation of the PDP constitution and its internal regulations.

Source: NAN

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The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the newly-constituted BoT, following its inauguration by the factional NWC on Friday.

The new BoT members, at the meeting attended by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike and other PDP leaders, also appointed Isah Dansidi to replace Sen. Ahmed Makarfi as the BoT Secretary.

Reading the communiqué of the newly-constituted BoT, Ohuabunwa said that the action became necessary because both Wabara and Makarfi publicly took sides in the current party crisis.

Ohuabunwa said that the actions of the immediate past BoT chairman and secretary were contrary to the role of mediation expected of the board, hence they could no longer continue to serve in their previous capacities.

“Accordingly, the board unanimously approved the election of Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa who, like Sen. Wabara, hails from the South and Dansidi, who, like Makarfi, hails from the North, as chairman and secretary of the newly-constituted BoT respectively,” he said.

Ohuabunwa said that the BoT would serve as the conscience and stabilising moral compass of the party, assuring that he would mediate among stakeholders to foster harmony and prevent divisive tendencies.

He commended the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja stopping the party’s national convention earlier slated for November 15 and November 16 in Ibadan.

“The BoT directs all organs and officers of the party to ensure full and immediate compliance with the said judgment.

“The board commends the judiciary for its courage and professionalism in upholding the supremacy of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, the INEC Guidelines and the PDP Constitution, which remain the guiding instruments of our internal democracy,” he said.

Ohuabunwa also affirmed the BoT’s support for the conduct of a credible, transparent and inclusive national convention.

This, according to him, is, however, dependent on strict adherence to all the pre-convention processes, in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, the INEC Guidelines, the Party’s Constitution and the judicial pronouncement of the Federal High Court on October 31.

“The BoT emphasises that no process or organ of the party should act in contempt of court or outside constitutional provisions, as such actions would render subsequent outcomes null and void.

“Furthermore, the BoT reaffirms that the judgment of the Federal High Court remains superior and weightier in law than the interim order of the Oyo State High Court.

“In view of the fact that the Federal High Court judgment has been appealed, prudence and respect for judicial processes demand that the proposed national convention be postponed until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision,” Ohuabunwa said.

Speaking earlier at the inauguration of the new BOT, the factional acting National Chairman, Abdulrahman, described the inauguration of the new BoT as a turning point for the party.

He said that the reconstituted BoT marked a return to the PDP’s founding values of justice, inclusivity and respect for the rule of law.

“The previous BoT, led by Sen. Wabara, sadly lost the moral balance expected of that noble institution.

“The credibility of that leadership became heavily questioned and its continued role in national advisory matters became untenable.

“As a result of this, the board that was meant to be the moral compass of our party became divided and ineffective,” he said.

Abdulrahman also accused the suspended National Chairman, Umar Damagum, of choosing convenience over constitution and loyalty over legality.

“Instead of enforcing valid judicial pronouncements and respecting the authority of the courts, that administration often preferred to protect individuals who had clearly violated the rules of the party.

“This dangerous trend weakened our moral standing and pushed our great party to a point of deep internal disillusionment,” he said.

He said that the Federal High Court judgment was not an attack on PDP but a wake-up call to restore the order and ideals that made the party the pride of African democracy.

Abdulrahman urged the new BoT to act as the moral voice and conscience of the party, saying that it should not see their appointments as a reward for loyalty but out of a sacred trust.

“The responsibility before you is enormous –  to speak truth to power, to defend justice and to ensure that PDP remains a home for all Nigerians.

“Your voices must be voices of unity, your advice must be rooted in fairness, and your actions must inspire confidence in our collective future,” Abdulrahman said.

In his remarks, a PDP and former governor of old Anambra, Chief Jim Nwobodo, appealed to the new BoT leadership to heal divisions and reach out to aggrieved members.

“Do all you can to bring about peace in our party. Many who left are willing to return if we open our doors,” he said.

The elder statesman commended Wike for his performance in Abuja, urging him to channel the same energy towards rebuilding the party.

“If you put that same effort into this party, PDP will be the party to beat again,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The ADF team led by the Group General Manager Human Resources, Dangote Cement PLC, Ahmed Gobir, was received by the Kwara State governor, Abdulrazaq Abdulrahman, represented by his deputy, Kayode Alabi, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Ilorin, the Kwara State capital on Tuesday(25th March, 2025.)

Alabi said that the unwavering commitment of the chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, Mr Aliko Dangote, in alleviating the suffering of the vulnerable was a great inspiration and one that was worth emulation.

The deputy governor assured that, “The rice, which will be distributed to indigent families across the state, comes at a crucial time, as our Muslim brothers and sisters observe the sacred month of Ramadan and our Christian brothers and sisters are in the season of Lent. It is an act of compassion that will provide much-needed relief to those who are fasting and in need.

“I would like to take this opportunity to commend the Aliko Dangote Foundation for this kind and selfless contribution. This gesture not only complements the ongoing efforts of the Kwara State government to support vulnerable communities, but it also demonstrates the power of partnership between the public and private sectors in lifting our people out of hardship.

“We remain deeply grateful for the Dangote Foundation’s continued support for indigent people across the country. This generosity serves as a reminder of the importance of corporate social responsibility and the critical role philanthropists play in addressing poverty and hardship.

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“I encourage other individuals and corporations to follow in the footsteps of the Dangote Foundation and similar bodies, as we work together to build a better, more inclusive society for all,” he said.

Gobir, who represented the chairman of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, stated that the ADF decided to partner with state government in the 2025 food intervention programme distribution to foster relationship between the private and public stakeholders, noting that out of the one million bags of rice for the 774 local government areas of the federation, Kwara State had received 25,000 bags for its 16 local governments which is aimed at cushioning the effect of economic hardship.

“The ADF is the philanthropic effort of Mr Aliko Dangote, and has been consistent in delivering different humanitarian projects across the federation.

“This is the second year in a row that the ADF is donating one million bags of 10kg rice worth N16bn for the 36 states and the FCT.

“This is not just a gesture of charity; it is a demonstration of our commitment to set Nigerians and Africans up for success, it is a testament to further foster the Aliko Dangote Foundation’s four-pillar goal in nutrition, health, education and empowerment. By providing these bags of rice, we aim to alleviate the immediate hunger and hardship experienced by many and contribute to the broader goal of food security in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.

“As we move forward, the Aliko Dangote Foundation remains committed to identifying and addressing the pressing needs of our communities. We will continue to work tirelessly to support vulnerable populations, create opportunities for growth and development, and build a brighter future for all Nigerians.”

While giving the vote of thanks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, AbdulAfeez Abolore, described the event as “historic,” adding that “the gesture of the Chairman of ADF is in consonance with the instruction of the Holy Book. With the Christians and Muslims observing Lent and Ramadan in this holy month, together with the continuous efforts of the Kwara State government, this will go a long way in solving some food deficit problems.”

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The confirmation is contained in a statement issued by the command spokesperson, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, on Saturday in Ilorin.

She said the suspect had been arrested through the deceased’s tracked phone number to the suspect’s house at Offa Garaji area, Ilorin.

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“The suspect was arrested but initially denied knowing her whereabouts.

“However, during a search of his house by the police, he confessed that she had visited him and allegedly died of an asthma attack.

“Upon further investigation, police discovered Yetunde’s dismembered body, hidden in a bowl, along with equipment used for the act.”

According to a source from the family who pleaded anonymity, Yetunde was last seen on Monday, February 10, 2025, while attending a naming ceremony.

“She received a call from a friend, stepped aside to answer, and then left.

“Since then, we’ve been searching for her everywhere, but no one knew her whereabouts.

“On Tuesday, her family reported her missing at Oja-Oba Police Station, Ilorin.

“The police used her phone number to trace her last call, which led them to a suspect, one Abdulrahman, living in the Offa Garage district area of Ilorin,” he said.

Source: NAN

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Governors have been acting tongue-in-cheek in their reactions to last Thursday’s verdict of the Supreme Court, which stripped them of their suffocating grip  over the money meant for local governments in the country. As a collective, the governors unreservedly endorsed the judgement. Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Kwara State Governor, AbdulRazak AbdulRahman, who spoke on behalf of the governors, said the forum welcomed the apex court’s ruling granting financial autonomy to the councils, describing the verdict as a relief from the burden on the governors. Addressing State House Correspondents on the matter after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, Governor AbdulRazak was flanked by the Chairman of All Progressives Congress Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, Dr Bala Mohammed, suggesting they were all in agreement with Governor AbdulRasak in his pronouncement.

“Our Attorney-General has applied for the enrolment order, which we will study carefully. But by and large, governors are happy with the devolution of power in respect of local government autonomy. It relieves the burden on governors. Our people really don’t know how much states expend in bailing out local governments, and that’s the issue there,” Governor AbdulRasak said, adding that his government in Kwara State had never tampered with local government funds.

However, it was learnt that the governors were not happy with the decision of the federal government to take them to court and are merely playing to the gallery. For instance, a few days after the NGF Chairman spoke, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who is of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, described the case as a distraction. He questioned the sustainability of local governments receiving allocations from the federal government. Speaking with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, the governor said: “They said there is a judgment of the Supreme Court on local government autonomy. I think it is just a distraction. We must face the real issue that we have. The issue that we have is that we are not producing enough. We are not productive. Maybe it may be part of the problem, we want to have value for what is being shared but our problem is productivity.”

It may be argued that it is customary in our clime for an opposition governor to toe a different path from that of the President from a different party and this may be correct. However, the opposition of state governors to local council financial autonomy has never been in doubt. It has always been vainly concealed. In a report in The Punch newspaper of January 25, 2023, state houses of assemblies across Nigeria had rejected nine constitutional amendment bills, including the proposed legislation for financial and administrative autonomy for local government councils. The state assemblies were believed to have done so at the promptings of their governors who exert considerable influence over legislative processes at the state level. The rejected bills were part of the bills that the National Assembly transmitted to them for concurrence. The National Assembly had in March 2022, voted on 68 bills aimed at further amending the 1999 Constitution. At the end of the exercise, 44 of the bills were approved by both the Senate and the House of Representatives and transmitted to the state assemblies for concurrence. A simple majority of votes was required in at least two-thirds of state assemblies (24 out of 36) for the amendments to sail through and the amendments that sail through would then be sent to the President for assent.

The Senate, in a motion by the then Chairman of the Senate ad-hoc committee on Constitution Review, Ovie Omo-Agege, said during plenary that 27 out of the 36 state assemblies had forwarded their resolutions on the constitution amendment bills to the National Assembly. Presenting his committee report, Omo-Agege said 35 bills satisfied constitutional provision, having been approved by not less than 24 state assemblies. Nine bills could not scale through. Prominent among the bills voted against by the state parliaments was the one seeking to grant financial and administrative autonomy to the country’s local governments. Also among the bills that did not sail through are the ones seeking the abrogation of state-local government joint account and establishment of local government as a tier of government, meaning a majority of the state assemblies, and by extension the governors, never wanted local governments to have absolute freedom.

It’s perhaps in realisation of this, and the overarching need for local governments to be financially empowered to cater to the challenges at the grassroots that President Tinubu took upon himself the crusade for financial autonomy for the local governments. He mandated the Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to institute a case against the governors at the Supreme Court. This is with a view to reinforcing democratic principles through full financial powers and effective devolution of power to the councils and ensuring genuine representation at the grassroots through periodic elections.

In the suit, the FG sought the enforcement of full autonomy of local governments in Nigeria and also for an order prohibiting state governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically-elected local government chairmen, and constituting caretaker committees in their place. It also asked the court to make an order permitting the funds meant for the LGs to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the constitution as against how the governors take advantage of Section 162 (6) at the detriment of the local governments.

The Supreme Court’s verdict was very emphatic and unequivocal. All the reliefs sought by the FG were granted. The apex court ordered direct payment of council allocations, saying the 774 local councils in the federation should manage their funds without interference or deduction from any quarter. According to the apex court, it is unconstitutional for state governors to retain and utilise LG statutory allocations paid through them. The seven-man panel of the court led by Justice Emmanuel Agim also declared that a state has no power to appoint a caretaker committee, while it is mandatory for a local government council to be democratically governed.

“In this case since paying them through states has not worked, the justice of this case demands that the local government allocations from the Federation Account should henceforth be paid directly to the LG councils,” the apex court ruled. On the dissolution of democratically elected councils and appointments of caretaker committees by governors, Justice Agim held that it is a mandatory duty of the state governments or governors, under Section 7 (1) of the Constitution, to ensure their existence. “A democratically-elected local government is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,” the court added.

This landmark judgment is a critical step forward. It has now become imperative for the governors to file behind President Tinubu in ensuring that local councils become an independent and self-governing tier of government. The governors’ buy-in is important because when the chips are down, the state chief executives will still play an influential role in the election of local government chairmen. The governors must understand that to ensure genuine grassroots development and further strengthen our democracy, the local governments must be empowered financially.

Back to the issue of LG autonomy. There is still more work to be done. Like the state governors, the National Assembly must take concrete legislative actions to support the vision. The laws governing local government elections must be reworked to transfer the responsibility of conducting these elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission as opposed to the state independent electoral authorities, which are only independent in name.

This is part of the democratic re-engineering and restructuring the nation yearns for.

Indeed, not a few Nigerians are looking forward to the restructuring of the country under this president, given his antecedents. Apart from his numerous struggles for the entrenchment of democracy in the land, even as governor (1999-2007), he fought many battles with then President Olusegun Obasanjo on matters bordering on true federalism. Many would recall the issue of creation of 37 additional local governments in Lagos State during which he dragged the Federal Government to Supreme Court when President Obasanjo stopped the federal allocation to the state. In its ruling, the Supreme Court okayed the process leading to the creation of the councils and described the creation of the 37 new councils as legal, but declared them as inchoate because they had not been listed in the constitution as LGAs. Asíwájú Tinubu’s ingenuity came to play with the new councils becoming Local Council Development Areas. Today, these LCDAs have helped to expand the frontiers of development in Lagos.

There is also the matter of ownership of lands and granting of development plans in the states. Asiwaju Tinubu as Lagos governor filed a case at the Supreme Court to determine who had the power to control urban and regional planning in a state. Two of the issues determined were: whether the ownership rights of the federal Government over land in state territories include the power to control and regulate town planning and physical development in relation to such land.  And, whether all approvals, permits, and licences granted by the 1st defendant (federal government) or any of its agencies for any construction, building or physical development, or use of land in Lagos without the consent of the plaintiff are not illegal, null, and void. The Supreme Court granted the states power to grant building approvals and other development plans in the states where such federally-acquired lands are domiciled while not denying the federal government the right to also acquire lands in the states.

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For President Tinubu, restructuring has indeed begun. The President has been working to reinforce existing laws, promoting their judicial interpretation and, in some cases, outright amendments in a bid to strengthen democracy and engender fiscal federalism. It is a measure of his commitment to restructuring that one of the first bills he signed into law as the country’s President was the Electricity Act 2023, which he signed on June 6, 2023, barely eighth day in office, marking a significant milestone in the sector. The new law focuses on enhancing the regulation and management of the electricity value chain with the active participation of the sub-national governments. This, thus far, has resulted in the process of devolution of regulatory powers to three states – Enugu, Ekiti, and Ondo – to set up their electricity markets.

Importantly, the Nigerian Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee led by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele is still busy working on comprehensive tax reforms, including reforms to the country’s value-added tax (VAT) and other taxes that will restructure the system and further advance fiscal federalism in the end.

Back to the issue of LG autonomy. There is still more work to be done. Like the state governors, the National Assembly must take concrete legislative actions to support the vision. The laws governing local government elections must be reworked to transfer the responsibility of conducting these elections to the Independent National Electoral Commission as opposed to the state independent electoral authorities, which are only independent in name. This legislative initiative is crucial to eliminating the undue influence of state governors over the local government election process and ensuring the integrity of the polls. This change will be a significant move in complementing President Tinubu and Supreme Court’s efforts towards achieving genuine local government autonomy and enhancing democratic governance in Nigeria.

Speaking when he hosted some Yoruba elders on April 16, 2024 at the Presidential Villa, President Tinubu had pointed out that the matter of restructuring would be systematic, saying when the economy is properly on a firm footing, steps would be taken on restructuring so that it will be on a solid footing. “As I said in Akure, our approach to it would be as if a baby is learning how to walk. If the baby is rushed, it will fall,” he had said.

*Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide.

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The governor gave the assurance on Friday during the 2023 batch B Stream 2 swearing in ceremony at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, orientation camp, Yikpata.

Represented by the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Kayode Alabi, at the event, Governor AbdulRahman assured of “the continued support of the government to the welfare and security of corps members currently serving and the newly deployed to the state for their national service.”

He also expressed his confidence in government’s resolve to proffer solution to present economy downturn.

According to him, “government is aware of the ongoing hardship and various complaints. I wish to assure you that efforts are on to address all hitches and further reposition for a better, stronger and best reliable economy growth.”

He charged corps members to be purposeful in their various engagement.

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He explained that youths were the bedrock of all society.

He advised them to invest their national service in productive endeavours that would enhance the development of the country.

Earlier, the state coordinator of the NYSC, Mr. Onifade Olaoluwa Joshua, in his introductory address, appreciated the governor for  his generous support for the scheme.

He also appealed to the stakeholders for more support and further enjoined them to make their presence felt in the camp by erecting structures and projects which would be named after them.

The oath of allegiance was administered on the corps members by Kwara State chief judge who was represented by Justice T. S. Umar.

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Speaking at a town hall meeting with Muslim Leaders from South West in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the APC standard bearer also commended religious leaders in the country for their continued prayers and sermons, which he noted, had contributed to unity and peaceful co-existence.

Describing the forthcoming 2023 general elections as “Nigeria’s momentous encounter with destiny,” Asiwaju Tinubu urged the Islamic clerics to educate their followers on the importance of exercising their franchise and voting only tested candidates with a track record of excellent public service, “and not falling for the lies and gimmicks of those that have nothing to offer.”

Tinubu, who spoke partly in Yoruba language, said: “This election season has been a hybrid of facts and falsehood, truth and lies. I would like the election to be one based on facts and truth.

“What is a candidate’s record of performance and what are his policies. I ask you to urge your followers to come out and vote and to do so wisely. Vote for a candidate that has vision for a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria where tolerance and compassion undergird our constitutional and legal rights.”

The 2023 presidential election frontrunner assured Nigerians that he would be “a fair and just leader,” adding, “My pledge for fairness and justice is consistent with the tenets of Islamic faith.”

He said: “A leader in a plural society like ours is enjoined to be a leader of all. If elected, I shall govern in an honest and democratic manner in harmony with our nation’s constitution.”

Citing his excellent stewardship as Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Tinubu promised to use that experience to lead Nigeria in the “same spirit of innovation and pragmatic vision to uplift the nation and renew the hope of Nigerians.

On security, Asiwaju Tinubu vowed to end the reign of terror, kidnappings and other violent crimes by recruiting more personnel that would be trained and retrained, in addition to providing more security tools and gadgets for effective fight against criminal elements.

The nation’s economy, according to Tinubu, would be diversified and restructured towards achieving at least 6 per cent growth annually.

The goals, he said, would be achieved through the reforms of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reforms.

“Regarding the economy, we seek to repair the very structure of the economy. We can no longer flourish as an economy based on natural resource extraction.

“We must become a dynamic, diversified economy where those who want to work can find a good job. But let us also be a society sufficiently compassionate to help those who cannot help themselves.

“We must revive manufacturing and industrial growth so as to create jobs as well as produce the goods and services that improve the daily lives of the average person.

“We seek a minimum of 6 per cent growth annually through reform of our industrial policy, infrastructural enhancement, power sector innovation and significant budgetary reform,” Tinubu told the Muslim leaders.

Regarding the agricultural sector, Asiwaju Tinubu promised to guarantee food security through enhanced productivity and improved farm incomes in order to ensure that no child goes to bed without food to eat.

“In the end, may no Nigerian parent send a child to bed hungry, despairing what tomorrow might bring. Instead, let all of our children, regarding of their faith or creed, be able to lay their head down believing in a better tomorrow of hope renewed.”

Earlier welcoming Tinubu to the interaction, MUSWEN President, Alhaji  Rasaki Oladejo, said the event provided an opportunity for the APC candidate to interface with the Muslim leaders of South West on his plans for the nation if elected, “particularly on how he could make the country a land of great opportunities where no man will be oppressed.”

The National Chief Missioner of Anwar-ur- Deen Movement, Sheikh Ahmad Abdulrahman, said the gathering was not to campaign or endorse Asíwájú or any candidate, “but to seek and to know and to see whether Asíwájú Tinubu can still deliver for the country as he did as governor of Lagos State.”

Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting with the South West leaders by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Femi Hamzat; the APC governorship candidate in Oyo State, Senator Teslim Folarin; former House of Representatives Speaker, Dimeji Bankole; Deputy Director-General of his campaign, Hadiza Bala Usman; Senator Fatai Buhari from Oyo and many serving and former members of the National Assembly.

The APC candidate had earlier interfaced with Bishops from Pentecostal Churches in the 19 states of the North and the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria, where he delivered a similar message as he did to the Muslim leaders of South West.

He had told the Christian leaders that if elected, he would run an inclusive government that would be blind to ethnicity and religion, but fair and equitable to all Nigerians.

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The Oyo State Commissioner for Education, Mr Abiodun Abdulramah, made this clarification, while addressing students, parents and guardians of the school when he visited the school.

The commissioner had visited the school on Friday afternoon, while on fact-finding mission, following a report in the social media that such incident happened in the school.

The social media were awashed with the news of how a suspected ritualist (nameswitheld) turned two students of the school to yams with unused pampers.

It was reported that the suspect was caught by a local security guard around Bode Wasinmi-Bashorun axis, at a location close to the school.

This, however, created fear in the minds of residents, especially the parents and guardians, whose children and wards attend the school.

Abdulraman said findings from the school management showed that none of the school students was reported missing.

The commissioner, however, called for calm.

He assured them that the security operatives would dig deeper into the incident to unravel details of what really happened.

The commissioner admonished the general public to remain patient, saying that the safety of every resident in the state was a priority for the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.

Source: NAN

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Chairman of the White Paper Panel on the unlawful sales of government’s properties from May 29, 1999 to May 29, 2019 Barrister Hussein Buhari said during the submission of the report that findings in the report were mind boggling and said nothing short of diligent prosecution, possible jail terms and recovery of many of the properties could avenge the “official connivances” that led to the pilferage of the assets.

He said the former governors and many of their aides had questions to answer on how public properties and shares were sold under questionable circumstances, including on the eve of their departures from public offices.

Buhari said none of the officials honoured the invitations for them to clear the air on the deals, and said the administration should prosecute them as a matter of justice — a request the governor said had been noted for action.

His words: “The committee swung into action immediately it was inaugurated and went through the report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry on the sales of Kwara State Government Assets between May 1999 and May 2019. There are so many rots perpetrated by the past governments especially in the 16 years before 2019.

“For instance, the rots on Shonga Farms, Satellite Motel, and our properties in Kaduna, Abuja and Lagos were simply inconceivable. They were all sold to themselves at giveaway prices. We saw criminal conspiracies. In fact, Kwara State is now heavily indebted to some people because the past governments mismanaged our properties. I just wish Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq will have the courage and political will to implement the report so that everybody found wanting will be brought to book. And the Electoral Act is very clear that anybody who is found guilty of mismanagement of resources be banned for 10 years from holding political office. We wish the government will accept our recommendations and set up an implementation committee.

“There are so many instances where those in government before used their positions to acquire government properties in questionable circumstances. For instance, the High Court Complex in Tanke, Ilorin they removed all the steels and allocated the land to themselves, they built hotels and eateries on government properties. All our houses in Kaduna have been sold. Today, apart from our liaison office, we do not have anything in Kaduna.

“Government should take them to court and prosecute them for economic sabotage and, if found guilty, the government should ban them from holding political offices for 10 years.

“Also, some ministries, Bureau of Lands, Surveying Office and many other offices had shady deals with our land in Kwara State. So, anyone involved should be sanctioned and prosecuted according to the civil service rules. Even if they have retired, they should be brought to book because the connivance was too much. Look at what happened at KWTV. They sold almost all the land at KWTV to themselves. Despite the fact that you must live certain metres away from television mast, those rules were jettisoned.

“Also, Noktel Hotel is built right on top of aquifer which supplies water to Agba Dam, Ilorin. What we observed is unbelievable. So, for the hotel, we recommend outright demolition of it. Because they knew what they were doing. They have now blocked water from flowing to the dam.

“Based on what we discovered, the people that were in the helms of affairs for the past 16 connived to perpetrate evils and they were given ample opportunities to defend themselves by the judicial panel of inquiry and they refused to come. It shows they were accomplices in the whole deals.

“Also, our shares, bonds and stocks were sold out within five weeks of their leaving office. These are worth billions of naira. Even, the Amoyo International Market in which they claimed that they bought land for over N400m and paid about N200m and also swapped 10 pieces of our land in Abuja for Amoyo land by Harmony Holdings Limited. Personally, Bayo Sanni and Tope Daramola need to be brought to book on the issue.

“On Kwara Mall, it is sad that Kwara State Government put down the sum of N500m, gave land and C of O over the land and they used the C of O to collect another loan in a bank worth N500m and brought nothing to the Kwara State Government. In fact, the sharing formula is 70% to 30%. That is, 30% to the state government that put down everything.

“On Shonga Farms, you brought 13 farmers and you gave them land and huge money in foreign currency and yet nothing was remitted to the state government. They did not stop at that. They mortgaged the same land and collected money from different banks. We also found out that most of the government officials that involved in all these are deliberately working against the government of the day for selfish reasons. It is impunity. They are working for their pay masters, and not the citizens of Kwara State.”

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The governor told farmers in Ilorin, the state capital, that the intervention became necessary to compensate for their loss to the Covid-19 pandemic in the last farming season, and to boost food production in the state.

“This subsidy scheme gives our farmers easy access to certified seeds, assorted fertilisers and herbicides for the 2021 planting season at 50% market price,” he said.

“This initiative is part of the administration’s sustained efforts to use agriculture to drive economic growth and food security in the post Covid-19 pandemic era. I assure you that mechanisms have been put in place, especially reliable data, to ensure that these inputs get only to the intended farmers.

“This programme is basically to improve productivity. We have to bring this subsidy because our farmers went through a lot of hardship last year with COVID-19.  So, we needed to step in to enable them to get fertilisers, improved seedlings and herbicides to boost production.

“It is not just about food security in Kwara State but in Nigeria as a whole. Farmers are farming largely without any problem in Kwara. We only need to support them. The aim is to achieve food security in Nigeria, not just Kwara.  From animal husbandry to all other facets of agriculture.”

Kwara is also working out a partnership with the Lagos State government on rice production which may see roughly N10bn investments over the next four years, AbdulRazaq said.

“We have the land. We are negotiating with some states, especially Lagos State. Lagos has arguably the biggest rice mill in Nigeria today, but they don’t have land. We want to take advantage of that and we are talking in that direction to have an MOU. And then, the federal government is working with us.  We are working on the special agro-processing zone  to be located in Lata which will see the investment of about N10 billion going to agriculture in Edu and Patigi local governments alone in the next two to four years; so we need to scale up what we are doing in those areas.”

He urged the farmers to make good use of the opportunity to have a more rewarding farming experience this year, adding that the efforts would lead to better outcomes and improved livelihood across the state.

Kwara State House of Assembly Committee chairman on Agriculture, Ojo Olayiwola, commended the state government for placing high premium on the agricultural sector with several supports to farmers in the state.

Permanent Secretary, Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Hajia Maryam Nurudeen explained that the scheme was designed to enhance and improve the productivity of the farmers.

“This scheme has been conceptualised to enhance the productivity of farmers and it is not only limited to improve the standard of living of thousands of household across the 16 LGAs of the state but also to encourage mass participation of farmers, including women in farming activities most especially among our teeming youth,” she said.

Technical Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture AbdulQuawiy Olododo said the scheme, tagged ‘Beta Yield’, will provide access to farmers to secure certified and improved seedlings and boost production of farmers in the state.

“The flag off of Kwara State Agricultural Inputs Subsidy Scheme today is an offshoot of the Kwara State Agricultural Transformation Plan launched in January this year. At the unveiling, it was stated that the plan will ensure that Kwara State is food secured and we have 27 implementable programmes that will bring farmers out of poverty and boost (food) production in the state,” Olododo said.

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