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Insecurity: Oyo must not slip back, AAC guber candidate warns Makinde
The Oyo state gubernatorial candidate of the Action African Congress (AAC) in the last election, Engr. Akinwale Laosun on Friday warned the newly inaugurated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government of Governor Seyi Makinde to do all within its power to ensure that the state does not slip back into the years of wanton killings, brigandage and destruction of property.
He noted that allowing the state to return back to its days of violence, crime and criminalities will be the greatest betrayal of trust on the part of the government to the people.
Engr. Laosun gave the warning while reacting to the reported violent and leadership clashes that led to the proscription of the activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state, during a press conference which held at his Gate of Praise Foundation Office, Jericho, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
The AAC guber nominee lauded the immediate past administration of Governor Abiola Ajimobi for improving the security architecture to a certain level, noting that much still needs to be done for the people to be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
The Gate of Praise Foundation founder charged the new administration to ensure that all its campaign promises move from the realms of mere talks to reality, stressing that the charge became imperative as a stakeholder desirous of a better Oyo state.
“We dare say that, allowing the state to slip back into the years of wanton killings, brigandage, destructions of property, violence, crimes and criminalities will be the greatest betrayal of trust on the part of the government to the people.
“We hereby call on the newly inaugurated administration to do all within its powers to ensure that all loopholes are blocked in ensuring that the people of the state can sleep with their two eyes closed. It should go beyond political promises. Despite the boasting and efforts of the immediate past administration, many lives and properties were lost in ‘unnecessary and unimaginable’ situations.
“The huge security votes for the State must be judiciously spent on securing the state and its people, which remains the original purpose and not servicing the political machinery of the government”, he added.
The governorship candidate, who was flanked by members of his AOL Support Group Organisation assures the people that he as well as his party will not play politics of mudslinging, bitterness, witch hunting, acrimony and unhealthy rival but will be ready to provide support to the government, in any area, such might be needed in the interest of the people, adding that such support will only be granted on the readiness and the political will of the governor to remain focus on fulfilling his campaign promises.
“For us in Akinwale Omololu Laosun (AOL) Support Group Organisation, politics of mudslinging, bitterness, witch hunting, acrimony and unhealthy rival is a taboo and we will never be part of it.
“Let me use this medium to announce to the newly sworn-in PDP government that I and my party will not fail to live up to our role as an opposition party in the state. This, we will do to check and checkmate the government regularly in the areas of her policies, actions, inactions, attitude and efforts in the interest of the people for better service delivery and more importantly, as a stakeholder desirous of a better Oyo State”, he said
Speaking on the issue of payment of the new minimum wage, Laosun said, “We charge the PDP government of Engr Seyi Makinde to explore the many untapped avenues to financially re-engineer the state so as to ensure that Oyo State does not lag behind in the payment of the N30,000 minimum wage.
“Beyond payment of salaries (we know it is not a favour or any form of kindness or a benefit to the workers), others ways the lives of the Oyo state workers can be improved are obvious for all to see. We hope the new Governor will deploy his acclaimed years of experience in running the private sector to use in this wise.
“Please note that we will not fail to lend our voice to issue(s) should the government fail to keep its promises to the workers, or introduce policies that might not be in the overall interest of the people and the state as a whole. Salary arrears and backlogs of payment to tertiary institution workers, Local Government workers, pensioners and retirees amongst others must get the immediate attention of the new government so that a new lease of life can blow across the state.”
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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