The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has confirmed the killing of one of its officers by unidentified armed men in Niger State, vowing to ensure that those responsible are arrested and brought to justice.
The deceased officer, Assistant Superintendent of Immigration (ASI) I.U. Babangida, was reportedly attacked alongside another officer, Inspector A.K. Musa, while conducting a routine surveillance patrol along the Tunga Taya-Woro axis of the state.
The incident occurred at about 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, according to a statement issued by the Service on Thursday.
While Babangida died in the attack, Musa sustained serious injuries but managed to escape and is currently receiving medical attention.
The NIS described the incident as a painful loss to the organisation, commending the deceased officer for his dedication and commitment to duty.
“The Service honours his sacrifice and unwavering commitment to duty,” the statement said.
The Service also extended its condolences to the family, colleagues and loved ones of the deceased, assuring them of continued support during the difficult period.
It further wished the injured officer a speedy recovery.
The Immigration Service disclosed that Babangida had been buried in accordance with Islamic rites.
Meanwhile, the Service said it was working with the Niger State Government and other relevant security agencies to track down the attackers and bring them to justice.
“The Service is working closely with the Niger State Government and relevant security agencies to identify and apprehend those responsible for this heinous act and ensure that they are brought to justice,” it stated.
Despite the killing, the NIS maintained that the incident would not deter its personnel from carrying out their statutory responsibilities, particularly the protection of Nigeria’s borders.
“The Nigeria Immigration Service remains undeterred by this unfortunate incident and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s borders,” the statement added.
The CLEEN Foundation has raised the alarm over weak investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) cases in Kaduna State, warning that poor institutional coordination and inadequate support for survivors are undermining efforts to secure justice for victims.
The organisation called on the Kaduna State Government and relevant institutions to strengthen the implementation of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law, insisting that the existence of protective legislation would mean little without effective enforcement.
The Executive Director of the foundation, Peter Maduoma, made the call on Wednesday at the opening of a two-day policy dialogue on bridging gaps in the implementation of the VAPP Law in Kaduna.
Maduoma, who was represented by the organisation’s Senior Finance and Administration Manager, Justina Johnson, said the effectiveness of the law should be measured by its ability to protect survivors and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.
“The real test of the law is not simply whether it has been enacted, but whether a person experiencing domestic violence can safely seek help and receive a timely response,” he said.
He stressed that survivors of sexual violence must be able to report abuse without intimidation, stigma or victim-blaming, while children exposed to violence must receive adequate protection.
According to him, major obstacles to effective implementation include poor coordination among relevant institutions, inadequate public awareness, weak investigation and prosecution, insufficient survivor-centred services and limited resources.
Maduoma urged stakeholders to identify the specific challenges affecting Kaduna State and develop practical solutions to improve the administration of justice.
“These are issues that require careful examination rather than assumptions. We need to understand which challenges are most pronounced in Kaduna State, where institutional processes break down, what is already working, and which reforms are feasible within existing structures,” he said.
The dialogue brought together representatives of government ministries, Kaduna State University, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations and other institutions to examine implementation gaps and recommend measures to improve access to justice for survivors.
Participants also expressed concern over allegations of sexual and gender-based violence involving some religious leaders, warning that the abuse of spiritual authority could expose women, girls and children to sexual exploitation and psychological trauma.
They alleged that some women seeking spiritual guidance over marital and personal difficulties had been manipulated by religious leaders, with some reportedly being encouraged to leave their marriages or enter other relationships.
The stakeholders warned that such alleged practices could aggravate family disputes and expose vulnerable women to further exploitation.
They also raised concerns over an allegation involving a child who was reportedly sexually assaulted after being sent to deliver food to a religious leader.
According to a participant, the alleged perpetrator reportedly claimed that the child had a disease and that the assault was intended to remove it.
The participants described the allegation as disturbing and called for stronger safeguards to protect children and other vulnerable people from abuse by individuals occupying positions of trust.
They urged the state government to ensure that allegations of sexual offences were promptly investigated and prosecuted where sufficient evidence existed.
The stakeholders also called for stronger collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, government institutions, religious organisations and civil society groups to improve the prevention, reporting and prosecution of sexual and gender-based violence.
Maduoma urged participants to develop actionable recommendations that would translate the provisions of the VAPP Law into meaningful protection for survivors and strengthen institutional accountability.
“Together, we can translate statutory commitments into meaningful protection for all,” he said.
The CLEEN Foundation acknowledged the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy, noting that the partnership had provided opportunities for policy engagement, institutional strengthening and efforts to promote more accountable justice and security institutions in Nigeria.
The two-day dialogue is expected to produce recommendations for closing implementation gaps, strengthening accountability and ensuring that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence receive adequate protection and access to justice.
Former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, has defended former President Olusegun Obasanjo over the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, insisting that years of mismanagement, corruption and mounting debts had crippled the national carrier before Obasanjo returned to power in 1999.
Fani-Kayode, who served as Aviation Minister in 2006, said the former president inherited an airline that had virtually collapsed and had little option but to liquidate it in 2004.
He also commended the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, for facilitating the settlement of outstanding pension obligations owed to former Nigeria Airways workers under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Fani-Kayode made the remarks in a post on his X account on Thursday while responding to Keyamo’s criticism of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his comments on Nigeria’s economic challenges and insecurity.
Keyamo had accused Atiku of distancing himself from controversial decisions taken during the administration of Obasanjo, in which he served as vice-president, including the liquidation of Nigeria Airways in September 2004.
The aviation minister said the airline’s closure left thousands of workers without their jobs, pensions and gratuities, with some reportedly dying before receiving their entitlements.
He added that Tinubu had approved and released ₦36bn to settle the outstanding obligations, saying beneficiaries had started receiving payment alerts.
However, Fani-Kayode argued that blaming Obasanjo alone for the airline’s collapse overlooked the years of deterioration that preceded his return to office.
“In fairness to President Obasanjo, the Nigeria Airways ‘mess’, as you have described it, was established before he came back to power in 1999.
“And it was indeed a mess but it was not of Obasanjo’s making! He met it there after he was sworn in and what he found broke his heart,” he wrote.
Recounting the airline’s history, the former minister said Nigeria Airways was in a strong position when Obasanjo left office as military Head of State in 1979.
According to him, the airline then had 32 functional aircraft, experienced pilots and crew members, a competent management team and an accountable board of directors.
He described the national carrier at the time as the pride of the country.
Fani-Kayode, however, said the situation had deteriorated dramatically by 1999, when Obasanjo returned as a civilian president.
“By the time Obasanjo came back to power in 1999, 20 years later, there was only one plane left and it was not functional.
“The rest had vanished together with virtually all of the company’s assets,” he alleged.
He blamed successive management teams and boards between 1979 and 1999 for the airline’s decline, citing alleged corruption, mismanagement and the erosion of its assets.
According to him, the airline had become chronically insolvent and operationally unviable, while efforts to revive it, including privatisation advice from the International Finance Corporation, failed to produce the desired outcome.
Fani-Kayode maintained that the Obasanjo administration was justified in deciding against continued public funding for the struggling airline.
“This is why Obasanjo liquidated it in 2004 and I believe that he had no choice,” he said.
“There was nothing left to save even though it was a painful decision, given the fact that he was one of those that had done so much for that company when he was Military Head of State.”
The former minister also recounted efforts to secure the payment of outstanding pensions and other entitlements owed to former employees following the airline’s liquidation.
He said a committee chaired by the then Head of Service of the Federation, Yayale Ahmed, recommended that funds be released to settle the workers’ outstanding benefits.
Fani-Kayode disclosed that he subsequently presented a memorandum to the Federal Executive Council in 2006, advocating payment of the entitlements.
However, he said the proposal was rejected after some cabinet members argued that former management officials and board members held responsible for the airline’s collapse should not benefit from pension payments.
“I did not share that view but sadly I and those that supported me were in a minority and we lost the debate,” he said.
He added that subsequent administrations continued efforts to settle the outstanding obligations, with the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua paying most of the pensioners, followed by further payments under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Fani-Kayode praised Keyamo for ensuring that the remaining obligations were addressed under the Tinubu administration.
“It is gratifying that under your leadership the remainder of the pensions have been paid. I only wish we had done that when we were in office,” he wrote.
He said former Nigeria Airways workers had suffered for years while waiting for their entitlements, adding that paying them was the right thing to do.
On Atiku’s position during the Federal Executive Council deliberations on the pension payments, Fani-Kayode said he was aware of the former vice-president’s stance but declined to disclose details publicly.
He maintained that the decision ultimately taken by the council was collective and that members of the administration shared responsibility for its consequences.
Fani-Kayode’s intervention comes amid renewed debate over the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, the fate of its former workers and the responsibility of successive administrations for the collapse of the country’s national carrier.
The United Kingdom government has committed more than £41 million to the restoration of 74 historic buildings, including churches, synagogues, town halls, market halls and castles across England.
The funding, announced by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Historic England and Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross, is aimed at preserving historic structures facing deterioration and ensuring they remain accessible to local communities.
The investment will be delivered through the Places of Worship Renewal Fund and the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, which are part of the UK government’s wider £1.5 billion Arts Everywhere Fund.
Under the arrangement, 51 places of worship will receive more than £18 million, while nearly £13 million will support 20 projects under the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund.
An additional £10 million has been earmarked for major restoration works at three nationally significant heritage sites: Dover Castle, Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster and Osborne, the former family residence of Queen Victoria on the Isle of Wight.
Heritage Minister Twycross said the intervention would help preserve historic buildings that reflect the country’s identity and serve as important centres of community life.
She noted that many of the structures had suffered years of neglect, with leaking roofs, deteriorating stonework and other defects threatening their survival.
According to her, the funding would enable communities to continue using the buildings for years to come.
Among the religious institutions selected for support are Birmingham Cathedral, the Church of St Elwyn in Hayle, Cornwall, and the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue in Grimsby.
At Birmingham Cathedral, the planned intervention will address deterioration affecting its tower and dome.
The Church of St Elwyn will benefit from masonry repairs, improved rainwater systems and restoration of interior decorations and other parts of the building.
Funding for the Sir Moses Montefiore Memorial Synagogue will support repairs to the structure of its ark. The late nineteenth-century building is described as the only remaining synagogue in Lincolnshire and South Humberside.
Other beneficiaries include the Margate Museum and Old Town Hall, which will receive support for major structural repairs to improve public access, protect its collections and encourage greater community use.
The former Post Office on Abingdon Street in Blackpool will also receive funding for the first phase of a project to transform the building into a community-led cultural and creative hub.
Historic England Co-Chief Executives Emma Squire and Claudia Kenyatta said the grants would help preserve buildings facing significant repair and conservation challenges.
They explained that historic structures played a crucial role in shaping the identity of communities, providing spaces for social interaction and connecting people with their heritage.
The officials added that the £41 million investment would support 74 projects across England through the first rounds of grants under the two schemes.
English Heritage Acting Chief Executive Kate Logan also welcomed the funding for Dover Castle, Osborne and Brodsworth Hall, describing the sites as important landmarks that help people understand Britain’s national history.
She said the support would enable the charity to undertake necessary repairs and ensure the sites remained available for public enjoyment.
Similarly, the Church of England’s lead bishop for buildings, the Bishop of St Albans, Andrew Rumsey, welcomed the grants awarded to churches and cathedrals.
Rumsey said the funding would help religious institutions in areas facing considerable financial challenges carry out essential repairs and sustain worship, outreach and community services.
He added that the grants would ease the fundraising burden on local volunteers working to preserve Britain’s religious and architectural heritage.
The UK government said the two funds prioritised areas facing the greatest need, particularly communities where raising money for restoration work was difficult and public investment could make the most significant difference.
The Places of Worship Renewal Fund has an allocation of £92 million for the current parliamentary term, while the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund has £75 million.
A second round of beneficiaries for both schemes for the 2026/27 financial year is expected to be announced later.
The Arewa Revival Project has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing ongoing Federal Government interventions in irrigation infrastructure in Kano State as evidence of the administration’s development efforts.
The group commended the rehabilitation and expansion projects at Tiga Dam, Challawa Gorge Dam and Kafin Chiri Dam under the Ecological Project Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the group’s Project Coordinator, Muttaka Ibrahim, described the projects as important interventions aimed at strengthening food security, improving climate resilience and promoting rural development in Northern Nigeria.
According to the group, the projects could expand access to irrigation facilities, improve agricultural productivity and support sustainable economic growth if completed and properly maintained.
Tiga Dam, completed in 1974, has a reservoir capacity of approximately 1.97 billion cubic metres and an estimated irrigation potential of 230,000 hectares. The facility also supports about 10 megawatts of hydropower generation.
The group said the ongoing intervention at Tiga Dam was designed to open additional irrigation sectors in Yakasai, Gwamma and Gurjiya, covering approximately 875 hectares, through the construction of irrigation canals and related infrastructure.
At Challawa Gorge Dam, the intervention focuses on developing 240 hectares of irrigable land through the construction and rehabilitation of main canals, distribution channels, field canals, access roads and other hydraulic structures.
Similarly, the Kafin Chiri Dam project is expected to provide additional irrigation facilities covering about 164.91 hectares across the Kunpada, Matanfa and Maida sectors.
The group, however, stressed the need for timely completion, transparent implementation, effective maintenance and active community participation to ensure that the projects deliver their intended benefits.
Explaining its endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid, the Arewa Revival Project said continuity in leadership would provide an opportunity to consolidate ongoing projects and sustain development initiatives.
The statement read, “In recognition of these interventions and the administration’s broader development agenda, we declare our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“We believe that continuity in purposeful leadership offers an opportunity to consolidate ongoing projects, expand development initiatives and sustain the drive towards national economic transformation.”
The group maintained that irrigation infrastructure remained important to agricultural development in Northern Nigeria, where improved water management could support farming activities and strengthen food production.
It urged the Federal Government to ensure that the ongoing projects were completed efficiently and that their benefits reached farmers and communities in the affected areas.
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has recovered additional components from its crashed ATR 42-500 aircraft in Igbokoda, Ondo State, as search and recovery operations continue at the accident site.
The Air Force disclosed this in a statement published on its official X handle on Wednesday, noting that specialist divers from the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) were working alongside its recovery team to retrieve materials from underwater locations.
The multi-agency operation involves hydrographic surveys, satellite-based search-and-rescue imagery, mud excavation and the removal of excess water to gain access to areas of interest.
According to the NAF, the teams are working round the clock to recover, document and preserve relevant materials that could assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the crash.
“Additional aircraft components have been recovered as efforts continue to locate and retrieve relevant materials for documentation and preservation in support of the ongoing investigation,” the statement said.
The aircraft, identified as NAF 931, crashed in Igbokoda on October 5, 2026, killing all those on board.
Okpebholo Mourns Aburime
Meanwhile, Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has mourned Squadron Leader Mahmoud Idanegbe Aburime, describing the late pilot as a courageous officer whose death was a painful loss to his family, Edo State and Nigeria.
In a condolence statement issued on Wednesday, the governor said Aburime hailed from Uwessan in Esan Central Local Government Area, his home community.
Okpebholo expressed sympathy with the deceased’s wife, daughter, parents, colleagues and other family members, as well as residents of Uwessan.
“The death of Squadron Leader Mahmoud Idanegbe Aburime, a proud son of Edo State and an officer of the Nigerian Air Force, is a painful loss to his family, our state and the country,” he said.
The governor described Aburime as a humble and disciplined individual who combined his demanding military career with a determination to further his education.
He recalled that the officer studied Mass Communication at the University of Benin, where he was remembered by classmates as a quiet and gentle man who did not flaunt his military rank.
According to Okpebholo, Aburime continued his studies despite his military responsibilities and sat a make-up examination at the university just days before the fatal crash.
The governor said the officer’s commitment to learning, discipline and public service offered an important lesson to young people in Edo State.
“Aburime showed that a person can carry great responsibility without arrogance,” he said, adding that the officer’s promising future had been cut short by the tragedy.
Okpebholo also extended his condolences to the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Kelvin Aneke, the Nigerian Air Force, Aburime’s colleagues and coursemates, as well as the families of other personnel who died in the crash.
He urged young people to draw inspiration from the late officer’s dedication to service, education and humility.
Meanwhile, the recovery operation continues as relevant agencies work to retrieve and preserve evidence for the ongoing investigation into the fatal air crash.
Former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has accused the leadership of the 10th National Assembly of failing to adequately scrutinise President Bola Tinubu’s administration, warning that weak legislative oversight could undermine democratic accountability.
Melaye specifically criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, over the handling of electoral reforms, budget implementation, constitutional issues and other matters involving the executive arm of government.
The African Democratic Congress chieftain made the allegations on Wednesday in Abuja during a press conference where he assessed the performance of the current National Assembly and questioned its independence in checking presidential powers.
According to him, the legislature must go beyond passing bills and approving government proposals to ensure that executive decisions comply with the Constitution.
“A lifetime presidency does not begin with the abolition of term limits. It begins when the institutions created to restrain a President slack in duty,” Melaye said.
He added that although the President could make proposals, lawmakers had a constitutional responsibility to scrutinise, amend or reject them where necessary.
“As a former lawmaker, I cannot continue to fold my arms and watch as they continue to weaken the legislature for the executive,” he said.
Melaye argued that cooperation between the executive and legislature should not come at the expense of institutional independence.
“Cooperation is different from submission,” he stated.
Faults Police Act Amendment
The former senator cited the July 2024 amendment to the Nigeria Police Act, which allowed an Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the expiration of the tenure specified in his appointment letter, notwithstanding the ordinary retirement provisions applicable to police officers.
He questioned the speed with which the amendment was passed, noting that the bill reportedly went through first, second and third readings in both chambers on the same day.
Melaye argued that the expedited passage raised concerns about the level of scrutiny given to legislation affecting the tenure of the nation’s police chief.
He noted that the amendment initially benefited former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who had served as Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer when the President was governor of Lagos State.
Egbetokun left office in February 2026 and was succeeded by Olatunji Disu, who had also served as Tinubu’s aide-de-camp during his tenure as Lagos governor.
Melaye, however, acknowledged that the appointments did not, in themselves, establish wrongdoing or electoral manipulation.
Questions Rivers Emergency Approval
The ADC chieftain also questioned the National Assembly’s handling of the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State in March 2025.
He raised concerns about whether the voting procedures adopted by both chambers satisfied the constitutional requirement for a two-thirds majority of all members.
According to him, extraordinary presidential powers must be subjected to the constitutional safeguards designed to prevent abuse.
Melaye further criticised the House of Representatives over its handling of the controversy surrounding the Electoral Act 2026, particularly the reversal of its earlier decision on mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results.
The House had adopted the provision in December 2025 before lawmakers reconsidered their position in February 2026, a development that reportedly triggered protests and disorder in the chamber before an executive session was held.
Questioning the proceedings, Melaye asked, “What becomes of parliamentary representation when members say ‘nay’ and the presiding officer declares ‘aye’ to please the President?”
He maintained that parliamentary procedures must reflect the decisions of elected representatives rather than weaken the legislature’s ability to hold the executive accountable.
Raises Questions Over N26.22tn Spending
Melaye also faulted what he described as inadequate legislative oversight of budget implementation and public expenditure.
He cited allocations to Service-Wide Votes of approximately ₦4.08 trillion in 2024, ₦9.31 trillion in 2025 and ₦12.83 trillion in 2026, bringing the combined figure to about ₦26.22 trillion over the three years.
He said the allocations raised questions about the extent of legislative scrutiny of government spending and the transparency of fund releases.
The former lawmaker acknowledged that the Budget Office had explained that the 2026 allocation covered identifiable government obligations, including personnel costs, recurrent expenditure and capital projects.
However, he insisted that such explanations did not absolve lawmakers of their responsibility to monitor public funds and ensure that appropriated money was spent for its intended purposes.
Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Clerk of the National Assembly, Kamoru Ogunlana, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
Ogunlana neither answered calls nor responded to a text message seeking clarification on the allegations.
The Nigerian gospel music industry has been thrown into mourning following the death of popular gospel singer Olayemi Bolaji, widely known as Toluwanisings.
The singer’s family announced his death in a statement posted on his TikTok account on Wednesday, saying he died in the early hours of October 14, 2026.
The statement described the late singer as a beloved husband, family member and gospel minister under the Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry (TOGOMM).
“With deep sorrow, the family announces the passing of Minister Olayemi Bayonile Bolaji, Toluwani Gospel Music Ministry (TOGOMM), who passed away in the early hours of 14 October 2026,” the statement read.
The family appealed to the public to remember the deceased’s wife and loved ones in their prayers during the difficult period.
It added that details of his funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
News of the singer’s death has triggered an outpouring of grief among fans, fellow gospel artistes and other Nigerians, with many taking to social media to express shock over the development.
The Convener of the Coalition of Public Interest Lawyers and Advocates, Pelumi Olajengbesi, expressed sadness over the singer’s death, calling for God’s mercy.
Sharing the singer’s photograph on Instagram, Olajengbesi wrote: “My God! What a life! No, Lord! We plead for Your mercy upon Toluwanisings.
“I am deeply troubled by the deaths of young men and women. This is not God’s plan for us.
“We say no to untimely death.”
An X user, identified as Ennybets, also recounted witnessing the emotional moments when the singer was brought to a hospital.
According to him, he had taken his wife to the hospital for antenatal care when a vehicle arrived with the gospel singer.
In an initial post, he expressed hope that the singer would survive, noting the distress of those accompanying him.
However, in a subsequent post, he revealed his grief over the singer’s death, describing the emotional scene involving members of the deceased’s band.
“I cried about this man’s passing. The fact that I was seeing over 10 grown men who are his band members, crying heavily in front of me is giving me trauma,” he wrote.
Gospel artiste Mega99 also mourned the singer, describing him as an exceptional talent whose voice would be missed.
“A rare gem with a unique voice is gone. This life,” he wrote.
As tributes continue to pour in, the circumstances surrounding Toluwanisings’ death remain unclear, as the family and relevant parties had not disclosed the cause of death as of the time of filing this report.
Two leaders of the Accord Party in Lagos State have challenged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to clarify his political allegiance following reports that he has been appointed coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign in Osun.
The leaders, Oke Sewedo, a party chieftain in Lagos West Senatorial District, and Oladeji Oluwatosin, the Lagos State chairman of Accord, said the reported appointment had raised questions about the governor’s commitment to the party on whose platform he won the Osun governorship election.
In an open letter jointly signed under the banner of Concerned Leaders of Accord, Lagos State, they warned that Adeleke’s reported involvement in Tinubu’s campaign could undermine the electoral prospects of Accord candidates in Osun and other parts of the country.
They argued that the development was particularly concerning as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections, with candidates expected to contest seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative positions.
According to the leaders, Adeleke’s victory under Accord was a significant milestone that strengthened the party’s confidence in its capacity to provide an alternative platform for political development and good governance.
However, they questioned how a governor elected on the party’s platform could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate from another political party while Accord was preparing its own candidates for the same elections.
“The concern is straightforward: how can a sitting governor elected under Accord simultaneously coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate belonging to another political party, while Accord itself is preparing its candidates and supporters for the same general election?” they asked.
The leaders warned that the reported arrangement could weaken Accord’s electoral prospects, particularly in Osun, where the party would be relying on its structures and supporters to secure legislative seats.
They also expressed concern that the situation could create confusion among voters and discourage party members who had invested time, resources and influence in building Accord.
They maintained that Adeleke’s reported political role could erode the advantage Accord candidates might otherwise derive from the support of a sitting governor elected on the party’s platform.
The signatories, however, stressed that their intervention was not motivated by personal animosity, political rivalry or disrespect for the governor’s office.
Rather, they described their concerns as legitimate questions about political accountability and the responsibility of elected officials to the platforms through which they secured their mandates.
“These concerns are not accusations of wrongdoing. They are legitimate political questions that deserve a clear response from both the governor and the party leadership,” they stated.
The Lagos Accord leaders urged Adeleke to publicly clarify his position and demonstrate his commitment to the party if he remained a member.
They also called on him to reconsider his reported participation in coordinating Tinubu’s campaign if he intended to remain committed to Accord’s electoral interests.
“If your political allegiance has genuinely shifted elsewhere, we respectfully urge you to make your position clear and take the appropriate steps in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable law, rather than leave members and candidates in a state of uncertainty,” they said.
Beyond the governor, the leaders called on Accord’s national leadership to urgently address the controversy and explain the implications of his reported appointment to another party’s presidential campaign structure.
They urged the national leadership to engage Adeleke formally, obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance and explain the relevant provisions of the party’s constitution, including the procedures available where a member’s political activities appear inconsistent with the party’s interests.
They also demanded measures to protect Accord candidates at all levels, particularly those seeking legislative positions in Osun, while reassuring members nationwide that their contributions to the party would not be taken for granted.
The leaders further emphasised the need to protect Accord’s credibility as an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
They said the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other recognised candidates needed a coherent political structure in which party leaders, members and campaign organisations could work towards their electoral objectives.
Reiterating their position, the signatories said their appeal was intended to protect the party’s unity, integrity and electoral future rather than create political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun State.
“We are not asking for political hostility. We are asking for clarity.
“We are not seeking personal confrontation. We are seeking accountability to the political platform under which you were elected,” they said.
As of the time of the report, the letter did not contain a response from Adeleke or Accord’s national leadership to the concerns raised by the Lagos State leaders.
Tension heightened in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday as suspected hoodlums attacked hundreds of supporters of Accord governorship candidate, Oriyomi Hamzat, during a procession to welcome him back from the United Kingdom.
The attack, which occurred in the Molete area of the state capital, reportedly left some supporters injured and several vehicles in the campaign convoy vandalised.
The incident has drawn the attention of the police and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which has called on security agencies to investigate the violence and bring those responsible to justice.
The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, confirmed the incident, saying Hamzat’s supporters were ambushed during what he described as a peaceful procession.
“I am aware of the attacks. The loyalists of Hamzat were ambushed during a peaceful procession at Molete end of the ancient city,” he said.
Hamzat, a popular radio presenter and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Agidigbo 88.7 FM, Ibadan, was reportedly returning from the United Kingdom when his supporters organised the procession to welcome him.
Eyewitnesses said the supporters were pelted with stones by unidentified suspected hoodlums, triggering confusion in the area.
However, the intervention of security personnel and efforts by Hamzat to calm his supporters reportedly prevented the situation from escalating into retaliatory violence.
One eyewitness, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the aggrieved supporters remained determined to support their preferred candidate despite the attack.
The APC, in a statement issued in Ibadan by its state Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, condemned the incident and urged the police and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation.
The opposition party also accused Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of allegedly directing Park Management System officials to compel commercial motorists to display campaign materials of candidates of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on their vehicles, including tricycles and motorcycles.
The APC alleged that the attack on Hamzat’s supporters was part of a wider pattern of political intimidation against opposition parties in the state.
“Just last week, members of the APC were attacked in three different locations in Ibadan, and all accusing fingers were pointed at the APM gladiators,” the party claimed.
It further alleged that political actors linked to the Park Management System had been associated with attacks on opposition campaign billboards, signboards and posters in recent times.
The party, however, said it would not pre-empt the outcome of a police investigation, despite its allegations against political opponents.
“The attack on the Accord campaign train happened in broad daylight, and some residents could identify the culprits. However, we do not want to pre-empt the outcome of an objective and thorough investigation by the police and other security agencies,” the statement added.
The APC called on residents to remain calm and vigilant, urging security agencies to identify and prosecute anyone found culpable.
It also accused unnamed political interests of sponsoring violence and allegedly pressuring commercial motorists to participate in APM campaign activities.
The party maintained that Oyo State should not return to an era of political violence, warning that attempts to intimidate opposition members would be resisted.
The latest incident comes amid political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, raising fresh concerns over the safety of political supporters and campaign teams in the state.
…Says don’t entrust your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President...
