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Oyo govt insists, ‘Ladoja received free plot of land’
•Released documents.
OYO State Government has insisted that the State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi gave a plot of land to former Governor Rashidi Ladoja free of charge, saying that Ladoja acknowledged receipt of the land with appreciation contained in a letter dated May 14, 2017 and titled Re: Application for the Allocation of Plot 26, Ondo Street Bodija Estate, Ibadan.
The government’s position which was stated on Wednesday in a statement issued in Ibadan by the Acting General Manager of the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Tpl S. O. Adekunle, adding that the corporation is not in receipt of any letter requesting for the backing of the Governor’s statutory payment waiver authority and cost of allocation. It also wondered why a former Governor would ask such an elementary question having been in the saddles.
The Government stressed that the media aide to Senator Ladoja might be uninformed about the true state of developments, hence, his earlier misguided and untrue statement, explaining that Senator Ladoja applied for the land in a personally signed letter dated 14th of July 2016 and titled : Application for the Allocation of Plot. No 26, Ondo Street.
The government also noted that the letter, which was written on Senator Ladoja’s personal letter headed paper was addressed to the General Manager, Oyo State Housing Corporation Estate (OYSHC), Bodija and a copy was sent to His Excellency, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Governor of Oyo State.
According to the government, “The government wouldn’t have joined issues with the former governor over a matter which was simply a benevolent act of the Governor but for the malicious, insulting and integrity impugning statement of calling Governor Ajimobi a liar. All documents including the application as well as acknowledgement letters concerning the allocation of land are in our custody.
“The letter from Senator Ladoja reads in part, ‘I wish to apply for the allocation of the captioned landed property. The abandoned landed property was sharing immediate fence with my house and I have engaged the land to prevent the place been (sic) used as hide-out for criminal and people of questionable character for over 20 years. In fact, on many occasion (sic), we have to forcefully repel the criminals who constituted security risk to us in the environment. It is on record that I have not been allocated any land either in new or old Bodija by your corporation. In fact where I reside presently was purchased from the original allottees” the government revealed.
The government stated that it responded in a letter dated May 11, 2017 and signed for the General Manager, OYSHC, by one Mr. S. Toyeshe Lawal with the following contents, ‘I am directed to refer to your letter dated 14th July, 2016 in respect of the above captioned subject matter and to inform you that His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has magnanimously approved that the parcel of land lying on Plot No. 26 of Survey Plan No.Ib.1128 being No. 26, Ondo Street at Bodija Estate, Ibadan be allocated to you free of charge as a benefit that should accrue to you being one time Governor of the State’.
The government stressed that Senator Ladoja replied with a personally signed appreciation letter dated May 14 and addressed to the General Manager, OYSHC, with the following as contents, “This is to acknowledge, with thanks, the receipt of your letter dated 11th May 2017 informing me that His Excellency, Senator Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi has magnanimously approved the allocation of the above plot of land to me. I HEREBY ACCEPT THE ALLOCATION.
“Please find enclosed with this letter the duly completed Application Form for your kind processing. While thanking you immensely for this rare gesture, you will kindly convey my appreciation to His Excellency, the Executive Governor,” Senator Ladoja’s letter reads.
The government, however maintained that Governor Ajimobi did not make the statement to spite former Governor Ladoja but to show the cordial relationship between the two parties in which the former Governor has benefitted immensely.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
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.
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