NIGERIA NEWS
Gov Ododo Clarifies Executive Proclamation, Says Measures Not State of Emergency
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has explained that the recently announced Executive Proclamation on security protocols does not amount to a declaration of a state of emergency but represents strategic steps designed to strengthen the state’s security framework and flush out criminal elements across Kogi State.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Hon. Ismaila Isah, who noted that the proclamation is a lawful constitutional action targeted at improving security coordination while safeguarding lives and property throughout the state.
Governor Ododo emphasized that the proclamation falls within his constitutional responsibilities as the Chief Security Officer of the state, as provided under Section 14 subsection 2(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to him, the measures are intended to boost cooperation among security agencies and do not involve the suspension of constitutional rights nor the imposition of a state of emergency.
The Governor explained that the security protocols include verification of security operatives, compulsory identification checks, and the prosecution of individuals who aid or abet criminal activities, including banditry and terrorism.
He further stated that the initiative is aimed at addressing the growing menace of fake security personnel while strengthening the overall security architecture of Kogi State.
Governor Ododo warned that any individual or organization found supporting criminal activities would be regarded as enemies of the state and prosecuted in line with existing laws.
He also stressed that properties used in the execution of criminal acts would be confiscated and forfeited to the Kogi State Government.
The action, he noted, is supported by relevant constitutional provisions as well as the Kogi State Anti-Kidnapping, Robbery and Terrorism Law of 2016, which grants the state government the authority to seize assets linked to violent crimes anywhere within the state.
The Governor expressed appreciation to security agencies for their commitment and efforts, while reassuring residents of his administration’s determination to maintain peace and security across Kogi State.
Recall that Governor Ododo announced the security protocols on Tuesday following the recovery of a large cache of weapons by security agencies acting on intelligence reports within the state.
Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde, widely known as K1 De Ultimate or KWAM1, has urged the Ogun State High Court in Ijebu-Ode, to halt the process of installing a new Awujale of Ijebuland.
In the suit dated 16 December, the artist, a claimant to the Awujale throne, wants the court to halt the process of selecting the next king of Ijebuland pending the hearing and determination of his substantive suit contesting his rejection by the Funsengbuwa Ruling House, widely regarded as the next in line to produce the next Awujale.
He named Governor Dapo Abiodun as the first respondent, alongside the chairman of Ijebu-Ode Local Government, the commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Secretary of the Local Government, the chairman of the Awujale Interregnum Administrative Council, and the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, the Nigerian Tribune reported.
He asked the court to issue an interlocutory injunction restraining the respondents from taking any further steps in the Awujale selection and installation process pending the determination of the substantive suit.
His requests are contained in the ex parte motion he filed along with his substantive suit, arguing that an interim injunction is necessary to protect his interest and preserve the subject matter of the dispute from being altered or interfered with by the respondents.
As of the time of filing this report, the court had not fixed a date for the hearing of the application.
Awujale Stool
The succession tussle for the stool of the Awujale has generated intense interest across Ijebuland, with more than 60 princes reportedly expressing interest.
One of the most controversial figures in the unfolding contest is Mr Ayinde, who had expressed interest in the vacant Awujale stool, a claim he anchored on his alleged lineage to the Jadiara Royal House within the broader Fusengbuwa Ruling House.
However, the Fusengbuwa family rejected the claim, insisting that he has no ancestral link to the ruling house.
PREMIUM TIMES had reported the Ogun State Government’s decision to halt the ongoing nomination exercise and order a restart, citing procedural lapses that could trigger prolonged legal disputes.
The intervention came after the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, next in line under the rotational arrangement provided in the Awujale Chieftaincy Declaration and the Ogun State Obas and Chiefs Law, moved to convene a nomination meeting on 15 December. The exercise was aimed at selecting candidates to succeed Oba Sikiru Adetona, who died in July at the age of 91 after a 65-year reign.
In a letter dated 11 December, the ruling house had announced the planned meeting. However, it was later postponed, with the chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House confirming that the decision followed an intervention by the state government.
READ ALSO: Finally, Gov Mutfwang dumps PDP, defects to APC
Government officials said the move was necessary to ensure strict compliance with the 2021 Obas and Chiefs Law and the 1957 Chieftaincy Declaration, warning that any deviation from the prescribed process could expose the succession exercise to litigation.
Authorities had identified procedural flaws in how the nomination process was initiated, prompting the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to convene a stakeholders’ meeting and direct that the exercise be cancelled and restarted in line with established legal and traditional requirements.
A video making the rounds on social media has captured the moment a Nigerian lady shared her experience at her business place after being called by her neighbours.
SOURCE PAGE
Charles Omole, lawyer and author of From Soldier to Statesman – The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, says there are at least five groups of cabals within the Bola Tinubu administration.
Omole spoke on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
He said: “The president will always have people around him. But you need to put systems in place to avoid state capture or presidential capture because, for example, the current government has, from what I can see, at least five cabals within the presidency.
“And the interesting thing about one of the cabals actually is headed by the president himself, based on my own analysis.”
He said the first group revolves around Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff to the president.
His words: “So, in this current administration, at least there are five groups. There is the Chief of Staff group headed by Femi Gbajabiamila.
“And by that I mean not just him, but there are people in that circle like the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
“Secondly, you have the Seyi Tinubu’s group, consisting of those he helped get some government appointments and all that. And of course, you have the First Lady’s group, Remi Tinubu.”
The author spoke days after the unveiling of his book in Abuja, alleging that cabals influenced governance under Muhammadu Buhari, the former president.
Omole said Buhari enjoyed reading newspapers but claimed some cabals curated special versions of newspapers for him.
“While Buhari loved reading newspapers, there were reports that the cabal created a version of newspapers that planted stories they wanted him to read,” he said.
The Hisbah board in Dandume local government area of Katsina state has arrested several men and women during a raid on a house allegedly used for immoral activities.
The raid was carried out on December 17, 2025, at about 9:30 pm.
Abdullahi Muntari, information officer of the Hisbah board, disclosed this in a statement.
The operation was led by Aliyu Ahmed, acting operations commander of the board, following reports of suspected immoral conduct at the premises.
“It is unfortunate that some people are comfortable letting their house become a den for foul activities. We arrested several young men and women and we will investigate the matter properly,” Ahmed said.
The hisbah board said it would continue to carry out similar operations to protect the moral values of the community.
There are reports that about 20 million barrels of Nigerian crude oil for December and January loading has remained unsold by Thursday, according to two traders.
According to Reuters, Angola’s December to January programmes still had as many as five to six cargoes still available.
It stated that these West African crude oil sellers are struggling to find buyers for up to 26 December- and January-loading cargoes due to stiff competition from plentiful and cheaper alternative supplies, traders and analysts told Reuters.
The amount of unsold Nigerian and Angolan crude, analysts say, is a symptom of a wider oil market surplus. It drove selling on the international futures market that pushed Brent crude below $60 per barrel to the lowest since May this week.
Some analysts have suggested that this challenge is a symptom of a wider oil market surplus, which has seen the Brent crude sell below $60 per barrel, the lowest since May this week, the report noted.
Victoria Grabenwoger of analytics firm Kpler said, “The overhang of West African cargoes partly reflects the broader global crude supply surplus emerging in Q1.’’
These cargoes have slowed the start of the trading cycle for February cargoes even though Angola’s loading schedule and term nominations have already been released.
Unsold crude unusual
The report suggests that such large amount of unsold oil is unusual, especially for the current month, given the West African trade cycle is typically closer to two months ahead. Estimates for both countries’ overhang was as high as 40 million barrels earlier this week.
“Current market softness appears to be partly seasonal and partly due to shifting buying patterns in response to freight costs and alternative supply options,” said OilX analyst Francisco Gutierrez, adding that Angolan January trade is 20% behind its long-term average pace because the world’s biggest commodities buyer China has switched to cheaper, or nearer alternative grades.
Supplies from the Middle East are displacing medium and heavy West African grades in Asia as lowered official selling prices in January and shorter voyages give those grades a competitive edge, the analysts said.
India’s oil imports from Russia have remained resilient despite tightening Western sanctions, displacing medium-heavy density West African crudes, while light to medium-density West African grades is struggling to compete with supplies from Argentina and Brazil, two traders said.
Afrobeats megastar, David ‘Davido’ Adeleke will be performing at the opening concert of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations 2025 in Rabat, Morocco, on Saturday.
Read Also: Carter Efe becomes Africa’s most-followed Twitch streamer after Davido appearance
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, announced this in a statement on Thursday.
Also performing are French Montana; Moroccan singer, Douaa Lahyaoui; French-Moroccan star, Lartiste, and Says’z.
Acording to CAF, “The Confederation of African Football has officially announced the artists set to headline the opening concert of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Rabat.
“Global hip-hop star French Montana and Nigerian Afrobeats icon Davido will lead an exciting international line-up, joined by Moroccan sensation Douaa Lahyaoui, French-Moroccan hitmaker Lartiste, and rising artist Says’z. The diverse selection reflects AFCON’s celebration of African culture, music, and global influence.
“The opening concert is scheduled for Saturday, just a day before the tournament kicks off, setting the tone for what is expected to be an unforgettable AFCON in Morocco.
“Fans in Rabat and across Africa are eagerly counting down to a night where football and music unite on a grand stage.”
Vanguard News
The post Davido to perform at AFCON 2025 opening concert appeared first on Vanguard News.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday commissioned the newly built Omololu Olunloyo Relaxation Park, a tourism and leisure facility named in honour of a former governor of the state, Dr Victor Omololu Olunloyo.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, said the park, located along Airport Road, Alakia, Ibadan, would serve both recreational and cultural purposes while preserving the rich heritage of Oyo State.
Makinde noted that the facilities and artefacts displayed at the park would enable residents and visitors to better understand the history, culture and uniqueness of the various geopolitical zones of the state.
He explained that the project was conceived from an abandoned site and developed to immortalise Dr Olunloyo, whom he described as a brilliant and outstanding statesman who made immense contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria.
According to him, Dr Olunloyo distinguished himself early in life, becoming a commissioner in his twenties and excelling in all his endeavours.
He said the decision to immortalise the late elder statesman was taken while he was still alive, recalling the earlier commissioning of a dual carriageway named after Olunloyo, which connects the city to the airport.
Makinde added that the area where the park now stands was previously occupied by shanties, stressing that the state government decided to restore order, beautify the environment and honour a notable son of the state.
He described the park as unique, noting that it houses cultural artefacts representing different parts of Oyo State, including Ibarapa, Oke Ogun, Ogbomosho and Ibadan.
He urged users of the facility to maintain it properly and use it strictly for its intended purpose, noting its proximity to the international airport and the likelihood of frequent visits by investors and foreign tourists.
He said the park should project the serenity and beauty of the state to visitors.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Abulmojeed Mogbonjubola, described the park as another milestone in Governor Makinde’s efforts to redefine Ibadan’s skyline and enhance the aesthetics of the rapidly developing metropolis.
He said the project was designed as a centre for leisure, history and culture, and reflects the administration’s commitment to urban renewal and physical development.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mohammed Fadeyi; the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, mni; members of the State Executive Council; the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade; co-chairman of the Oyo State Elders’ Council, Chief Wole Oyelese; and former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Chief Bayo Oyero.
Other dignitaries present included Oloye Lekan Alabi; President-General of CCII, Barrister Ajeniyi Ajewole; Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Sikiru Sanda; service commanders, traditional rulers and religious leaders.
Please follow and like us:
The Borno state Police Command has dismissing claims circulating on social media that the major suspect in the rape case of a five-year-old girl was arrested and later released.
In a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the command, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso said the Command received a formal petition on November 24, 2025, concerning an incident that allegedly occurred on November 13, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m.
According to the police, the petition alleged that the minor was sexually assaulted while on her way to school by a suspect identified as Abdulsalam M. Adakwaki, also known as Yaro.
The Command said investigations commenced immediately after the report was received, with the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) handling the case.
“Contrary to claims circulating on social media that the suspect was apprehended and subsequently released by the police, no arrest has been made in respect of this case,” the statement said.
The police confirmed that the suspect is currently at large, adding that intensive efforts are ongoing to locate and arrest him. As part of the search, the Command said it has engaged community leaders, including the Lawan, and requested the support of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to help track down the suspect.
To ensure transparency and public confidence, the Command noted that the investigation is being conducted under appropriate supervision and is open to monitoring by relevant civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, and the National Human Rights Commission, in line with established procedures.
The police appealed to members of the public with credible information on the suspect’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or assist in ensuring his arrest and handover to the authorities.
The Command assured the public that justice will be pursued and promised to provide further updates as investigations continue.
The Yobe State House of Assembly has given accelerated consideration to a bill seeking to repeal and re-enact the law establishing the Rural Electrification Commission, aimed at ensuring a sustainable power supply across the state.
The bill, presented by the executive arm of government, passed its second reading on the floor of the House following extensive deliberations by lawmakers.
Leading the debate, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Nasiru Hassan Yusuf, said, “The establishment of the commission is a critical step towards accelerating socio-economic development and improving the living standards of people in rural communities.”
Yusuf explained that, “The commission would enable the state government to facilitate the deployment of renewable energy sources such as solar mini-grids, wind, and biomass systems to ensure adequate, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply across the state.”
The Majority Leader urged members to support the bill in order to enhance social service delivery, transform rural economies, and boost revenue generation.
In their separate contributions, members representing Mamudo, Karasuwa, Damagum, and Gujba constituencies— respectively Hon. Mohammed Isa Bello, Hon. Adamu Dala Dogo, Hon. Bulama Bukar, and Hon. Digma Maina Gana—described the bill as a welcome development, given the persistent power challenges in most rural areas of the state.
Presiding over the sitting, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chiroma Buba Mashio, committed the bill to the House Standing Committee on Transport and Energy for further legislative action.
President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to pass the State Police Bill into law to strengthen national security.
Speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting at the Conference Center of the Presidential Villa on Thursday, the President also called on party leaders to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy.
He stated, “You have to navigate this country, whether we like it or not. You are in leadership positions that must yield and continue to promote, tolerate, and be flexible. Get involved in whatever is happening in your various states, up to the local government level.
I had a very long discussion with US and European counterparts. I was bragging to them that definitely we will pass a state police to improve security. They asked me if I’m confident, and I said, yes, I have a party to depend on. If at this level we fail, God forbid, we will not fail.”
On local government autonomy, Tinubu added, “Let us equally look at the recent Supreme Court judgment. Local government autonomy is and must be effective. There is no autonomy without funded mandate; we will give them their money directly. That’s the truth. That is compliance with the Supreme Court. Take the leadership seriously.”
The President also acknowledged the limited participation of women at the caucus meeting and urged party leaders to explore ways to expand women’s involvement in future gatherings.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking on behalf of the President, noted that the APC now has 28 governors, including recent defectors from opposition parties, and said the party’s national reach across all six geopolitical zones would secure victory in the 2027 elections.
APC National Chairman Professor Nentawe Yilwatda expressed gratitude to the President, Vice President, National Assembly leaders, and governors for their support, highlighting the party’s membership drive, significant defections from opposition parties, and commanding majority in the National Assembly.
He noted that the party recorded 80 percent success in recent by-elections and continues to promote internal democracy.
Chairman of the APC Governors Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, commended President Tinubu for his bold economic policies since 2023, the declaration of emergency on insecurity, and the cordial relationship between the Federal Government and subnational governments.
Please follow and like us: