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Makinde’s frequent faceoff with FG, federal institutions, bad for Oyo, APC warns
The All Progressives Congress in Oyo State has called on relevant stakeholders in the state to call Governor Seyi Makinde to order over his alleged penchant for engaging the federal government, its agencies and officials in needless face offs as it has been the case in the last twelve months.
Oyo APC’s warning may have come against the backdrop of some reported cases of altercation between Makinde-led administration and the Presidency as well as officials and institutions of the federal government under the APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari which the opposition party in the state claimed was becoming worrisome.
In a statement issued on Monday by its Assistant Publicity Secretary, Prince Ayobami Adejumo, Oyo APC regretted that Gov. Makinde has never shied away from “open display of his naivety on the issues of good governance as well as the need to establish and sustain synergy with other tiers of government with a view to attracting opportunities to the state for the sake of indigenous and resident population.
“It is inconceivable that a young governor like Engr. Makinde could hold the esteemed Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria so lowly that he hardly exchange communication with the Presidency over many matters of importance. When the Oyo state governor is not calling out the person of Mr. President, he must have someone in the Presidency to ridicule all in the name of belonging to the PDP and not the APC.
“Empirically, the only agencies of the federal government in the good book of Gov. Makinde are perhaps INEC and the Ministry of Finance for obvious reasons. The whole mess started on his inauguration day when the governor called the bluff of the Supreme Court and went against a celebrated verdict which restrains state helmsmen and the Houses of Assembly from dissolving elected local government officials.
“Gov. Makinde later followed it up when he brazenly discountenanced the letters drawing his attention to the violation of the Apex Court verdict written to him by the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice as well as the Inspector-General of Police at different occasions. With this kind of reckless display of disrespect to constituted authorities, he (Makinde) convinced the whole of the stuff he was made of and up till today, he would not allow democratically elected officials to function at the local government level in the state.
“As if this was not enough, the same governor took the Constitutionally revered Justices of the Appellate Court to the cleaners during a live radio and television interview last year when he claimed a verdict they against him, on account of his gubernatorial mandate, was influenced by interested parties he did not mention. Another issues was that of his cold war with the federal Ministry of Works over plans to duplicate efforts on the reconstruction of the Iwo Road, Ibadan interchange at a whopping cost of N8 billion without any engineering design.
“Recently, news filtered in that the governor was ready for a battle with the Nigerian Railway Corporation over issues of rights to some landed properties in Samonda, Bodija and parts of Ibadan at a time tongues were still wagging on the controversies surrounding the donation of 1,800 bags of rice by the Nigerian Customs Service and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Abuja to serve as palliative to the masses of the state in view the hardship occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Oyo state government is not ready to come clean on its management of the Coronavirus pandemic as the present administration has not demonstrated basic understanding of the danger locking around the corner. Rather than cooperate with the federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan among others to stem the tide of the virus in the state, Gov. Makinde is more interested in unnecessary muscle flexing and this is quite unfortunate as the trend, if not checked, would literarily remove our dear from the national map with dire consequences, ” APC stated.
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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