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Lagos/Iwo Road Interchange: S/West PDP salutes Makinde, says APC’s criticism misplaced, in bad faith
The South-West Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended the decision of the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, to reconstruct the Iwo Road Interchange, saying that the bold move was a show of courage by Makinde.
The South-West PDP, in a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ayo Fadaka, said that the planned reconstruction was “well-thought-out and a reflection of governance with people’s interest at its core.”
He said that the road has become problematic for motorists and road users for years, adding that the criticism by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) was not only misplaced but mischievous.
The South-West PDP chapter said that the courage exhibited by Governor Makinde to reconstruct the interchange would provide a lasting solution to the perennial traffic logjam around Iwo Road.
The party also took a swipe at the APC, which criticised the planned reconstruction, noting that the party was merely showcasing itself as enemy of the people.
“Rather than exhibiting progressive ideas in line with the name of that party, the APC in Oyo State have only showcased its true colours as a regressive, anti-people and a bullying party that needs education on how to play responsible opposition politics,” the PDP said.
The statement further reads: “We take due cognizance of the decision of the Oyo State Government to reconstruct the Lagos/Iwo Road interchange in Ibadan and strongly commend Governor Seyi Makinde for the courage to immediately tackle a road that, for years, has remained a traffic challenge to those who commute on it. Residents and visitors to the prime city of South-West, Ibadan have suffered untold losses as a result of the traffic snare on the Iwo Road axis.
“We also note that the APC in Oyo State has risen in arms against this laudable project, anchoring its opposition on two major planks, that the Governor chose to announce the execution of the project when he attended a Jumat service in a mosque and that the corridor falls within the two Federal Road which are to be reconstructed.
“Much as we feel that these planks are infantile and ridiculous, we feel challenged to address them, as our explanations will provide a proper education for the mindset of the APC handlers in Oyo State.
“First, the new road project is expansive and it will consume so many existing properties, both public and private, thus Governor Makinde decided to meet with stakeholders to explain the rationale for the execution of the project, seek their understanding and support for same.
“This approach of course is strange to the APC in Oyo State as it is a remarkable departure from the garrulity and bullying tactics of the immediate past governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who would have dared anyone to challenge the “constituted authority”
“Secondly, the thinking that the contract sum is bogus failed to take into cognizance the fact that the road project is not intended to be a mere “window dressing” but one that is designed to be durable and withstand challenges that consume roads in Nigeria easily. Again, it is a fact that multibillion properties will be destroyed, therefore, ‘Seyi Makinde’s government, being a responsive and responsible government, will pay compensations to citizens and organizations that will be affected.
“We are also worried that the APC was equating the reconstruction of Ibadan/Ile-Ife Expressway and the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway with the much needed succour desired to bring the traffic snare in Iwo Road to an end.”
The PDP urged the Oyo APC to ditch its puerile approach to playing opposition politics, noting that its handlers needed to be schooled on how to be a responsible opposition party in the State, a role which it noted that Oyo PDP played effectively for eight years, which led to the loss of the APC in the March 9, 2019 election.
“We wish to state that we understand the current plight of the APC in Oyo State as wanting to provide credible opposition to government. However, its puerile approach and obvious limited understanding of issues remain a grievous hindrance to the fulfilment of that responsibility. We, therefore, offer to train their handlers free of charge, as part of our corporate social responsibility,” the party said.
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 Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.
He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.
“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.
He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.
“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.
“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”
Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
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