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Group hails Makinde giant strides in market leaders’ tussle, NURTW/PMS merger talks
• lauds Dotun Sanusi’s roles in peacebuilding initiatives
A group; under the aegis of Greater Oyo State Initiatives has appreciated Governor Seyi Makinde for his latest giant strides in conflict resolution and amicable resolution of the festering crisis amongst the warring market leaders in the state.
A statement issued on Thursday by the group’s president, Chief Adesola Aderogba disclosed that the governor is already walking his talk in ensuring that people live harmoniously to contribute their quota towards the socioeconomic development of the State.
Chief Aderogba informed that the crisis amongst the market leaders was finally laid to rest this week as all the units of the markets in the State affirmed Alhaji Yekini Abass (a.k.a. YK Abass) as the Babaloja-General of Oyo State.
‘Alhaji YK Abass emerged as the choice of all market units, thus putting paid to Alhaji Sunmaila Aderemi Jimoh’s aspiration for the same position”, Aderogba remarked.
Similarly, he hinted that Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje was ratified on Wednesday in Ibadan by leaders across markets as the authentic Iyaloja-General of Oyo State.
Saratu Konibaje garnered seven votes against her main challenger, Princess Folashade Abeo who scored two votes in a closed-door peace-building effort by some stakeholders in the State.
Aderogba who eulogized the support of an ally of the Governor; an Ibadan-based billionaire and owner of Ilaji Hotel and Sports Resort, Chief Dotun Sanusi in the peacebuilding efforts said, ‘Dotun Sanusi has shown in deeds and actions that he is a man of immense influence, character, integrity, and quality upbringing in facilitating the peace efforts so far.’
Chief Adesola said, ‘Engr Dotun Sanusi (Ilaji) deserves our prayers as he is not only the facilitator of the peace initiatives, he also followed up and presented same to the Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde who in turn created an environment for fruitful reconciliation of the impasse.
‘Our man, Sanusi is a great asset to Ibadan, Oyo State, Yorubaland, and humanity in general. He took up the matter with our listening Governor. And today, there is no Victor, no vanquished as far as market leaders in the State are concerned.
‘After painstaking efforts and due process by all the stakeholders, Alhaji YK Abass is now our Babaloja-General while Alhaja Saratu Aduke Konibaje has been unanimously elected as the Iyaloja-General. Both leaders have been presented to the State House of Assembly for legislative backing while the State Government also presented them with Certificates.
‘Kudos to our Governor for these great giant strides. He is passionate about the well-being of our people and he is showing leadership by example. His Omituntun 2.0 will galvanize the State to the greater pedestal.
‘The next stage for His Excellency is to finalize the ongoing peace efforts in the motor parks and integrate the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) with their counterparts in the Park Management System (PMS).
‘Dotun Sanusi is helping us in this regard too and the Governor is also moving fast on this issue. Both deserve the prayers of all and sundry to record tremendous success in their endeavors. Engr Makinde is truly the People’s Governor. May God help him to succeed,’ Aderogba added.
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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