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How APC leaders hijacked ex- Oyo lawmakers’ mandate for anointed candidate.
SOME members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oluyole Local Government Area of Oyo State have accused the leadership of the party in the state of hijacking the mandate freely and willingly given to the erstwhile lawmaker, Hon Oyeniran Oyeniyi Akande by the delegates during the party primaries.
Hon Oyeniran, who represented Oluyole State Constituency was a member of the 7th Oyo State House of Assembly, and also the Majority Leader of the House. The irate party members who confided in Mega Icon Magazine said, “he was very nice and accommodating and did everything he could to support the party, (APC) and Governor Abiola Ajimobi led government”.
Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered that during the build up to the 2015 general elections, the former majority leader signified his interest to recontest like his colleagues in the APC for the state assembly election by obtaining both the expression of interest form and nomination form.
He was neither told nor persuaded by anybody to step down or not to re-contest for the election. On the 6th December, 2014, he contested for the primary election alongside other four aspirants. The ex-lawmaker, Oyeniran defeated other four aspirants by polling 138 votes.
His second runner up and the present occupant of the seat, Hon. Muideen Abiodun Wahab popularly addressed as ‘Deen Abbey’ scored 116 votes. Having scored the highest number of lawful votes in the said primary election, Oyeniran was returned as the candidate of the party.
However, our further checks revealed that his victory in the said election was upturned by some leaders in the local government in connivance with some State executives. His ticket was hijacked and given to his runner up, Mr Muideen Abiodun who got 116 votes in the party primaries. Their reason was that Hon. Oyeniran is too old and there is likelihood that he would be defeated during the House of Assembly election slated for 11th April, 2015.
Not satisfied with the injustice done to him, the ex-lawmaker headed to the High Court of Justice, Ibadan to reclaim his stolen mandate.
Interestingly, the case he instituted in suit no: I/17/2015 against Hon. Muideen Wahab Abiodun, the APC Oyo State and the INEC has not been fixed for hearing and it has been adjourned for more than twenty (20) times till now.
This is the case wherein the mandate being claimed by the plaintiff, Hon. Oyeniran will last for four years and two years has already gone without any tentative date when the hearing would commence.
In a related development, Mr. Olujide Adewale, former Commissioner for Environment and Habitat in Oyo State also suffered the same fate. He polled 129 votes during the party primary for the House of Representatives election to defeat his closest rival, Hon. Sunbo Olugbemi who recorded 128 votes. His victory was also upturned by the party and was given to Olugbemi. He went to the Federal High Court, Ibadan to seek redress and his case is still pending before the court not yet heard.
It would be recalled that sometimes last year, the state executives of the APC issued a release that the party has expelled both Hon. Oyeniran Akande and Jide Adewale for anti party activities. Mega Icon Magazine learnt that the party took that steps having failed to pressurize the duo to withdraw the cases they instituted to reclaim their mandates.
Prior to the conduct of the party primaries, Mega Icon Magazine learnt that Hon. Oyeniran spent a huge amount of money and campaigned vigorously ahead of the election. Shortly after the election, he lost his daughter with her husband and their two children in a ghastly motor accident along Ogbomosho Oyo road.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated a seven-member committee on the establishment of state police, giving it four weeks to submit its report.
The inauguration was held during his maiden conference with senior police officers at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
Charging members of the panel to discharge their duties with professionalism and objectivity, Disu described the assignment as “both significant and timely,” noting that it would shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as our own,” the IGP said.
He stated that if properly designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for the country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats,” he added.
The committee is expected to review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assess community security needs and emerging risks, and propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
It will also address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards and resource allocation, as well as develop accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
The panel is chaired by Olu Ogunsakin, with Bode Ojajuni as secretary. Other members are Emmanuel Ojukwu, Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor and Tolulope Ipinmisho.
Disu said the committee had about four weeks to conclude its assignment and submit a comprehensive report.
The move marks one of the first major steps taken by the new police chief since his appointment and confirmation a few days ago.
The development comes amid rising security concerns across the country, with several stakeholders advocating state policing as part of measures to tackle insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier asked the National Assembly to commence the process of amending relevant laws to pave the way for the creation of state police.
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Olatunji Disu as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Disu took the oath of office at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
The President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two commissioners of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC).
The ceremonies were witnessed by ministers, senior government officials and family members of the appointees.
The council meeting began shortly after the swearing-in.
In attendance were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs EsthMrs.Walson-Jack.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 25, 2026, by President Tinubu, following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment was subsequently endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council (NPC).
The former Assistant Inspector-General of Police assumed office last Wednesday.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, after his promotion to the rank last year.
A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Disu has pledged to deliver accountable, modern and professional policing.
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