News
Fresh chieftaincy crisis brews in Orile Igbon
INDICATIONS emerged on Tuesday that the Orile Igbon town is heading for another round of crisis as the Olugbon Royal Family in Surulere local government area of Oyo state accused officials of the state’s Ministry of local government and chieftaincy matters of attempting to “use the backdoor to impose a traditional ruler on the people of Orile Igbon.”
This came just as the dust raised by the controversial review of the Ibadan chieftaincy declaration by Governor Abiola Ajimobi of the state is yet to settle.
According to Adesola Akanbi, spokesperson of the Olugbon Royal family, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the family, also accused the authorities of the Surulere Local Government of not following the rule of law in addressing the brewing chieftaincy tussle.
Akanbi stressed: “The local government chairman in incestuous alliance with the Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs and by extension the Government of Oyo State have constituted themselves into not just King makers, but some sort of alternate Royal family by selecting, presenting and appointing candidate for a vacant royal stool in scornful disregard to ancient customs and traditions of the concerned stool.”
“The people of Orile Igbon and the Oba Olugbon Royal family of Orile Igbon are still in deep disbelief that their protests which culminated in court recorded undertaking by the Lawyers representing both Surulere Local Government and the Government of Oyo State that their clients that is the Surulere Local Government, the Oyo state government as well as Mr. Francis Olusola Alao appointed Oba, shall do nothing to put the court in a helpless position in the ongoing case is consistently been observed in the breach by both the Governments and particularly Mr. Francis Olusola Alao.
“It is an established fact of law that when a case is yet to be decided by the adjudicating court all parties to the case not excluding a government, her agents or privies shall refrain from any act or acts that could present the court with a fait accompli.
“To that end Mr Francis Olusola Alao has been technically directed by law not to parade himself as an Oba and the local government as well as the Government of Oyo State not to address him as or accord him any paraphernalia of office. The police to their credit have so far complied with this tenet of law.
“To the amazement of all and in a flagrant disregard of whatever the court stand for, Mr Francis Olusola Alao a party to the case has set in motion the processes for his ultimate coronation as Oba Olugbon with Mr Ibrahim Gbodeniyi the caretaker chairman of Surulere Local Government as the arrowhead of the processes and the mechanism of the Government of the State particularly those of the Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs fully mobilized to support an illegal grandstanding.
“It has been shouted times without numbers that Mr Francis Olusola Alao is unknown to the Oba Olugbon of Orile Igbon Royal lineage and at best is a criminal impostor but Mrs Wumi Ogunesan the Amazon and Permanent Secretary in the Oyo state Ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs whom rumors has it exerts humongous influence on the Governor of Oyo State has from the word go refused to listen to the truth about her pet; Oba Olugbon by force project.
“Governor Ajimobi hitherto regarded as a listening Governor with a sense of justice but whom we are told has been relying on his Ministry and Permanent Secretary for quality advice, but the Ministry personified by the Permanent Secretary in this case own a dangerous agenda of minting their own type of Oba; a king that is rootless and therefore has been deceiving the Governor in all purpose by orchestrating and trying to foist what can at best be categorized as a fraudulent precedent upon the throne and people of Orile Igbon as well as the Yoruba race.
“An injustice no matter the mode or color is an injustice and anyone with sense of justice and eyes on history must not be seen to be aiding, talk less of joining in undermining or worse, perpetrating naked injustice.
“The people of Orile Igbon kingdom and the entire history recognized members of the Oba Olugbon royal family are crying for justice today because wherever justice is murdered the immediate casualty is peace.
“There is an unnecessary crisis in Orile Igbon kingdom today because of an unwarranted audacity at rewritten a peoples’ history, Governor Ajimobi must be seen on the side of justice in the crisis, he must act to erase the fraudulent precedent and restore the people of Orile Igbon kingdom’s shattered confidence in him and his government.
“Whatever we do, attempt to or failed to do today is tomorrow’s history and where or whenever we attempt to side with injustice, justice always has a way of getting back at us in a poetic manner. Mr Governor sir, we remain loyal”,
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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