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Echoes From Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency : Fact About Constituency’s Agreement
CONSTITUTION is essentially described as the embodiment of the most fundamental rules, principles and institutions which constitutes the political fabric of a state as well as human society. Meaning that, it entails the document that embodies the steps that determine how we do things in the society.
In essence, constitution helps to bring order and sanity to the society and for the good governance of the generality of the people.
Also, there are various types of constitution which include the following: written, unwritten, rigid and flexible, unitary and federal, confederal, presidential and parliamentary constitutions respectively.
But for the purpose of this discussion, focus shall be on the “Unwritten Constitution”.
Generally, constitutions are said to be “Unwritten” because they have evolved on the basis of custom rather than on written law. The reference point in this regard remains that of Great Britain. This is because it is a combination scattered in several documents and drawn from diverse sources from the 13th century to the present.
It includes Magna Carta of 1215, Petition of Rights, 1628; Bill of Rights, 1689; The Reform Act of 1832, the Parliamentary Act of 1911 and the rest are documents that represent a landmark in British Constitutionalism.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/2019-olowofela-resigns-as-oyo-commissioner-picks-apc-nomination-form-for-ibarapa-east-federal-constituency-seat/
in conclusion, it entails therefore that they are not products of a single act or authority but a product of tradition and emerging needs.
It was on this background information that a federal constituency, in Oyo state, housing Ido and Ibarapa East Local Governments entered into an agreement that could be regarded as the “unwritten constitution” which has enjoyed almost 20 years without any cessation by jointly presenting a Federal Honourable which will represent the good people of Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency based on zoning arrangement.
The two councils have been enjoying the political turn taking, until 2015 when Ibarapa East Local Government held sway to have undue advantage over her Ido counterpart.
Meanwhile, the said “Unwritten Constitution” was agreed to, concluded and sealed between the two local governments that each zone shall enjoy two consecutive 4years each (8years) irrespective of any political faith.
In 1999, when Nigeria returned to full blown democracy, Honourable Sodiq Anwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Alakaso, Ward 9 dusted Engr. Nureni Adisa of the then Alliance for Democracy (AD) both from Ido Local Government.
Following his welfarist programme , Honourable Sodiq Anwo replicated the same victory in 2003 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as against Dauda Azeez of Alliance for Democracy (AD) of Ward 2, Akufo in Ido Local Government. This exhausted the two terms tenure of the council.
https://iso.keq.mybluehost.me/ibarapa-east-bye-election-ogundoyin-emerges-pdp-candidate/
Continuing, in 2003-2007, the pendulum later swung to Ibarapa East, which Ido Local Government observed. This time around It was the turn of the council when Honourable Oluyemi Taiwo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contested and emerged as the winner in 2007 thrashing the likes of Honourable Sunday Adeyemi Adepoju of the defunct Action Congress (AC) among others.
Ibarapa East Local Government repeated her tenure in 2011 which produced the incumbent, Honourable Sunday Adepoju of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) emerging with 16,772 votes, as Honourable Oluyemi Taiwo who contested under the platform of the Accord Party (AP) scored 14,394 votes, while Oladapo Olusegun of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had 13,384 votes.
Breaching the agreement, Honourable Sunday Adepoju, having contested against Ido Local Government candidates, the council which houses the largest voting population with the support of his former party – the All Progressives Congress (APC) repeated same victory in 2015.
This indicates that the Ibarapa East Local Government would be spending 12years as Sunday Adepoju completes his uninterrupted 8years.
Without any breach of agreement, following the laid down tradition of the “Unwritten Constitution”, Ido Local Government, irrespective of Political affiliation must produce the next Federal Honourable that will represent the good people of Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency come 2015.
Interestingly, the stakeholders in Ibarapa East Local Government have conceded the ticket to Ido Local Government considering the zoning arrangement tagged ‘the gentleman’s agreement’
They stressed that the people are presently promoting the “need for a change of baton”
According to the political stakeholders in Ido Local Government who spoke with our reporter, “Ibarapa East Local Government has been in the helm of affairs in the last 12 years. This is a political turn-taking between the two councils irrespective of any political affiliation as a tradition and it has been helping us to maintain a peaceful political order.
“This tradition has really encouraged the principles of trust, respect for fairness, equity, and justice as well as ensuring balancing of power”.
However, ahead of the forthcoming general elections, the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) in the federal constituency has unanimously agreed to present a consensus candidate for Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency.
Under the ruling party, the immediate past Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and ex-council gaffer of Ido Local Government, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela has been adopted by the party. Olowofela was the party Chairman, Alliance for Democracy (AD) in Ido Local Government. He also contested the council’s number seat under the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP) in 2007 which he won in the controversial election conducted by former Governor Rashidi Ladoja.
Considering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other oppositions in the constituency, major contenders are, the former Chairman of Ido LG and two – term state honourable, Hon. Adeola Adesina along side Comrade Busari Olumuyiwa Samod both from Ido Local Government chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ACD) struggling for the party ticket among others.
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While, one of the children of the famous PDP leader, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Sherrif Adeojo from Ido Local Government is currently battling with Honourable Oluyemi Taiwo, a former occupant of the seat from Lanlate in Ibarapa East Local Government to secure the PDP ticket.
Mega Icon Magazine reliably gathered that the embattled Honourable Sunday Adepoju ( From, Eruwa, in Ibarapa East LG) is still struggling and scheming to return under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) using all the arsenal within his reach, having defected from the APC, failing his political ‘god father’, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
But, based on strong indications on ground and information gathered, particularly the ‘quest for change of baton’, political parties and gladiators in Ido Local Government are ready to
support ‘Ido candidature’ irrespective of political faith to wrestle power for Ido/Ibarapa East Federal Constituency come 2019.
2019 is around the corner, until then; the game is continuity as event unfolds.
By Idowu Ayodele (Mega Icon Magazine, Political Desk)
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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