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‘Desist from deliberate campaign of calumny’, Ajimobi’s aides advise Makinde
Former aides of the immediate past Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo state on Friday advised the present administration in the state led by Engr. Seyi Makinde to desist from deliberate campaign of calumny “as this could lead to the breakdown of law and order which the state had hitherto enjoyed in the last eight years”.
They also advised Governor Makinde to squarely face the serious task of governance instead of embarking on the mundane attempt to malign his predecessor in office and paint him and his aides in bad light, among the populace.
The governor’s aides, led by former Commissioner for Education, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, gave this advice at a press conference which was held at the premises of the Oyo State council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
Speaking at the press conference, Prof. Olowofela said “It has come to our notice and our investigation has also revealed that there is deliberate smear campaign against the immediate past administration. This is in order to destroy the legacies of the immediate past administration and to individually and collectively malign us.
“These orchestrated propaganda started a few weeks ago when the former administration was accused of awarding the Iseyin-Oyo road to a faceless contractor at a cost of N2billion per kilometer which had be debunked.
“Not only that, the present administration had also revealed that the state has a debt profile of N150b which has been found to be incorrect according to report of the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Going further, a bulk of the debt is tied to the $200m (N72b) loan from the World Bank which makes up the so -called debt profile.
“Before its tenure ended on May 29, the Ajimobi administration had not taken up to 30% of that loan. It is a draw down loan whereby payment is released is released for and as projects are executed “, the ex – commissioner explained.
While reacting to the alleged recovered vehicles from some Ajimobi’s aides and political office holders by Governor Makinde, he said, ” these are orchestrated campaigns of calumny and cheap propaganda aimed at rubbishing the well-known giant achievements of the Ajimobi administration which we were part of. We have always challenged the current administration to come up with names of people alleged to have taken vehicles away illegally or without justification. Till date, they have not been able to do so”.
He specifically alleged one Olopoeniyan as one of the prominent government apologists behind the present smear campaign, adding that they have been going around mechanic workshops, waylaying and picking up vehicles alleged to have been illegally taken away. “Some of these vehicles have either been boarded or officially taken to mechanic workshops for repairs”.
Continuing, the aides further alleged that Makinde has embarked on the recruitment of social media personnel to step up this smear campaign, counselling that propaganda and outright falsehood will not benefit his administration and the generality of the people of Oyo state.
” Empowering touts into taking pictures from mechanic workshops, car snatching on the street under the guise of retrieving government vehicles could lead to a situation of anarchy where men of the underworld would capitalise on this untoward behaviour, to snatch people’s vehicles on the road, encouraging brigandage, breakdown of law and order, which had been ceased to exist in the state under the stewardship of Senator Abiola Ajimobi”, the University Don advised.
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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