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Alleged anti-party: Fayemi nails self, says Adeyeye
Former Minister of Works, Senator Dayo Adeyeye has said that the recent condemnation of the formation of South West Agenda for 2023, (SWAGA) by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, is a confirmation that the governor is out of tune with party developmental practices and a seal on earlier allegation of being the mastermind of the suspension bid on Ado Ekiti Ward 8 Caretaker Chairman, Clement Afolabi
Media aide to the Chairman of the South West Agenda for 2023, (SWAGA) Sen. Adeyeye, Mr. Gboyega Adeoye, said this while reacting to a statement credited to Governor Fayemi that SWAGA was formed against a standing order by party hierarchy that no group should be formed within the All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Adeoye, in a statement issued on Friday and made available to newsmen described the reaction as mere kicks of a confused, dejected bigot, just as he expressed disappointment that a leader whose house is gradually being decimated could settle for “petty name-calling as response to critical anti-party indictments.”
According to him, “the nucleus of our statement was on the bid to suspend Hon. Clement Afolabi, the Caretaker Chairman of Ado Ekiti Ward 8, which coincidentally is the home Ward of one of our Leaders in Ekiti APC and current Senior Special Adviser to Mr President on Strategy and Political Matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu.
“We, as well as the overwhelming majority of the people of Ekiti State know where such plot was coming from and we promptly reacted to check the consequence of an irrational plot we feel would further divide the party. Rather than facing the message, they are after the messenger,” the statement said.
Governor Fayemi, who reacted through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Segun Dipe, had stated that: “Just last year June (2020), the Lagos APC, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu dissolved all groups within the party into the APC structure in the state,” noting that “a communique duly signed by the Governor’s Advisory Council, which is the highest decision-making body within the Lagos APC, all groups, including the two most powerful – The Mandate Group and Justice Forum – ceased to exist. The resolution, Tinubu himself said, was to restate the often-stated position that the only group known is the APC and not any of the factional groups.”
But, Adeoye, in the statement questioned, “Our response to this is a further explanation from the mischief makers on how the formation of SWAGA is connected with how a party squabble was resolved in Lagos?”.
He continued, “I think our people really need some education on SWAGA, which is an idea of a group of party loyalists from the western part of the country to present a common, credible and articulate candidate from the South West for the 2023 presidential election.
“By APC standard, it is expected that presidency should rotate back to the South after the expiration of the incumbent President Mohammadu Buhari’s eight years tenure. And these like minds put heads together to present a front to search for an aspirant that can bid favourably and creditably with whoever may aspire from the other geographical parts of the south. And they found a suitable person in Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“SWAGA has been operating openly since January and it has been inaugurated in four western states of Oyo, Osun, Ogun and Ondo States with funfair. And we ask: Why is it now that preparation is in top gear to launch in Ekiti that this noise gets audible; how does a bread suddenly became stone at the turn of a toothless man?
“And to nail their own coffin the statement added in testimony to their illusion that: “the comments credited to the governor during last week’s ‘The Platform’ event in Lagos was a testimony of his altruistic and democratic acumen.
“While fielding questions on the agitations by the youths, Governor Fayemi said the young people should stop agonising and start organizing. And that if they don’t like what APC is doing, there’s only one way: Let them organize, go to a party of their choice and vote against us”, the statement added.
Adeoye further opined that the statement is self-indicting as it is expected of a leader, close to governance, to use such opportunity to enlighten the public on the intricacies of leadership at this time of global crises, engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, the effect of the crash of oil price in the international market and the attendant negative effects on our economy.
“To this, we say there can never be a better way to a leaders’ viciousness and democratic ignorance. Leaders build, leaders educate, leaders don’t destroy”, the statement concluded.
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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