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Exclusive: Confusion As Thugs Disrupt NUT Election In Ogo- Oluwa LG
Mega Icon Magazine exclusively gathered that there was palpable tension and confusion in Ajaawa, headquarters of Ogo Oluwa local government area of Oyo State on Tuesday, as suspected thugs invaded Ajaawa town hall and disrupted the processes of electing new leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ogo-Oluwa local government wing.
It was also gathered that the thugs were allegedly sponsored by the Caretaker Chairman in the council, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo to disrupt the process in order to prevent election from holding and impose candidate of his choice, one Mrs Kadewole Obalade to emerge as the chairperson of the NUT in the local government.
The Council boss, it was allegedly gathered mobilized the thugs alongside members of the newly inaugurated Amotekun Corps to the venue of the election to threaten and prevent delegates that would vote in the election from entering the venue.
Mega Icon Magazine, further gathered that when the atmosphere became tensed and rowdy, the policemen from Ajaawa Divisional police station, were invited to the venue on the order of the Chairman to forcefully suspended the election under the pretext that they did so to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Some members of the union who spoke on condition of anonymity alleged that the Caretaker Chairman of the council, Oluwaseun Ojo has been making frantic efforts to impose his candidate, Mrs Kadewole Obalade on the union against their preferred candidate, Mr Oyeyinka for selfish reason.
They revealed that part of his plan was that he used his power as the council Chief to ensure the transfer of their candidate , Mr Oyeyinka Ezekiah Olasupo, Mr Adeniran Isaiah Adewale and one other from Ogo Oluwa to Atiba local government in Oyo through a member of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission board, Alhaja Nusiratu who happened to be his ally.
They wondered why the council gaffer would intervene in the affairs of a professional and independent body like teachers that is non-partisan and guided by the ethics of their profession in the name of politics.
According to them, “we want to let the Governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde and the entire people of the State know that the harmonious relationship that is existing among the teachers in Ogo Oluwa is being threatened by the Chairman of this local government in person of Mr Oluwaseun Ojo who is hell bent to impose a candidate on us to lead us in our union for his selfish motive. This is unacceptable and we are ready to rebuff his action.
“We want His Excellency to call him to order to stop interfering in our internal affairs because we are not politicians. Whatever affects teachers will affect teaching profession and can equally have negative impact on the quality of teaching we are giving to our pupils and students”, they lamented.
But, the Caretaker Chairman of Ogo Oluwa local government, Mr. Oluwaseun Ojo has denied the allegation that he sponsored thugs to disrupt the election, stressing that he only provided security for the union to prevent violent during its botched election.
The council boss, in a telephone conversation with our reporter explained that he had held a meeting with all the concerned members of the union for about three to four times for them to allow peace to reign which did not yield any positive result, adding that as the chief security officer in his local government, it was his duty to forestall anybreak down of law and order for all citizens in his council area.
While denying having knowledge about the transfer of one of the candidates in the election and two others to Atiba local government, Ojo also accused the State Chairman of NUT of using his influence to disrupt the relationship among members of the union in the local government by polarising the union in his local government with the aim of turning the teachers against the government for personal interest.
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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