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Oyo 2023: Group wants Buhari to contest for governor, vows to mobilize resources
Ahead of the 2023 general election, an emerging political pressure group, under the aegis of Pan Oyo Movement (POM), has expressed its readiness to mobilize all available resources to encourage a serving federal lawmaker from Oyo state, Senator AbdulFatai Buhari, to join the gubernatorial race and emerge the next governor of the state after Engineer Seyi Makinde whose tenure expires on May 29, 2023.
Sen. Buhari, is a second term lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial district in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly, Abuja. Having been a member of the House of Representatives in 2003 when he represented Ogbomoso North/Ogbomoso South/Oriire Federal Constituency, Sen. Buhari emerged a Special Adviser and later Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. He was first elected as Senator in 2015 and won a re-election in 2019.
Contained in a statement issued on Thursday and made available to newsmen in Ibadan by its Acting Chairman, Engr. Adewale Abdulsalam, and Secretary, Pastor Matthew Ajiboye, POM declared that it was fully prepared to do everything “legally, morally and socially allowed to compel Sen. Buhari to throw his hat into the ring and contest the 2023 gubernatorial election under his party (APC) with a view to ensuring that Oyo state reclaims her Pacesetter status again in the area of people-oriented, honest and focused leadership.
The statement read, “First and foremost, we in the group (POM) are made up non-partisan professionals and patriots who want the best for the society. We have watched events in the political space in recent time and come to a conclusion that it is time we mobilised like minds and get involved fully in every stage of our democratic process in the build up to the next general election particularly as this concerns who takes over the mantle of leadership as Oyo state governor in 2023.
“Meanwhile, certain fundamental lapses and errors being witnessed in the performance rating of the current leadership are the reasons we cannot built on our support for the incumbent administration of Engr. Seyi Makinde. Or how do we convince the world that the PDP government would still rise up to the occasion and do away with misplaced priorities, frivolities, poor management of resources (including those who worked for its emergence) and giving tacit support to hoodlums and capital flight agents.
“And since it is not possible to approach other states for an all round competent, experienced and promising governorship candidate, we embarked on an independent from within only to discover the present lawmaker representing Oyo North Senatorial district as the ideal man for the job. The passion with which Sen. Buhari serves his constituents and the commitment he has brought to the cause of uplifting the society have stood him out over the years as record shows that he has served as a member of the House of Representatives, Special Adviser to the Governor, Commissioner and so on without any blemish.
“In a few days time, we will embark on a statewide tour to present our case to all critical stakeholders in the affairs of the Pacesetter State. We shall meet traditional rulers, religious leaders, political gladiators, trade unions, civic society organisations, interest groups and individuals to woo them for the project which is devoid of any sentiment or sinister motives. Our motivation as a people revolves around the fact that the person of Sen. Buhari is a tested and trusted figure who is good enough to change the story of our dear state for the better.
“Finally, we are using this avenue to urge the holder of doctorate degree in Public Policy to start preparing his Blueprint and strategies with which he would lead us to the Promise Land from 2023 by the Grace of God. We see him as one who would rise above the primordial sentiments of town of birth and religion to deliver the good and guarantee that all the nooks and crannies of the state develop as desired in no time”, the statement concluded
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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