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Oyo Assembly Shocks Ajimobi, Drops two LG Chairmanship Nominees.
•Kicks Against Gender Bias.
THE Oyo State House of Assembly on Thursday over ruled the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi, by rejecting two (2) local government chairmanship nominees during the screening exercise as against the wish of the governor who had earlier nominated them.
According to the Chairman, House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Honourable Bolaji Badmus representing Akinyele II state constituency in his report disclosed that his committee has cleared 55 nominees and dropped two (2) who could not meet up with the required certificates and screening processes.
Those that were affected are Mudasir Agbaje from Irepo Local Government Area, Kishi and Taiwo Adeleke, Asabari LCDA.
He hinted further that the house has requested for re-nomination of two new nominees from the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi to fill the vacuum.
Refreshing your memory, the state governor, Abiola Ajimobi had last week sent 57 names of the nominees to the house for screening.
The list, which consists 28 names of appointees as Caretaker Chairmen for 28 local government areas and another 29 names for 29 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) recently created by the state.
Also, Honourable Josuha Oyebamiji from Akinyele I state constituency, who also chairs House Committee on Information, told journalists that the house dropped the duo due to failure to produce the necessary certificates and low performances at the screening.
Honourable Joshua stressed, “they were dropped for two reasons, paper qualifications and low performances at the screening.
“You have to be physically, mentally and psychologically fit to head a local government, they are like mini governor in their respective locations. We expect them to be intelligent and able to manage interactions among the people. We are not looking for people who cannot govern our people well.
In a related development, the female members in the State House of Assembly expressed strong disapproval over the 57- all-men nominees’ list for the position of Chairmen in the 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 35 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state.
They called for nomination of qualified women for the positions in the subsequent exercise.
In their separate reactions to the report of the committee on local government and Chieftaincy affairs, Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs, Honourable Olawumi Oladeji (Ogbomoso North) and her Finance and Appropriation counterpart, Honourable Bolanle Agbaje (Ibadan North 1) tagged the list that does not have a single woman as “gender biased” and an attempt to silence the women folk.
Oladeji in her agitation before being interrupted by the Speaker, Honourable Michael Adeyemo insisted that the list was targeted at “discriminating against women”.
Speaking further, she cited the examples of herself, Hilary Clinton and other women who have excelled in their chosen careers, while recalling the attention of the house to the Beijing conference of China in 1995 and the 35 percent affirmative action which reserves at least 35% slots for women in any elective or non- elective positions in Nigeria.
She said, “Women should be given the opportunity, there is no single female here, I have been in this house performing my duties likewise other women have been performing too, Hilary Clinton performed well as Secretary of State in the USA. There are examples of women who have performed well too.
“My submission is that subsequently there should be slots for women. Women should be nominated”.
“It was wrong that there is no single woman nominated to head the council areas”, Agbaje maintained.
Responding, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Michael Adeyemo said: “your submission is noted, the committee has noted it, so it is inside the report and we have already noted the observation. It is part of our recommendations.
He, however explained that the fault was not from the house but from the executive, adding that the house does not have right to nominate but to screen.
Presently, male lawmakers in the Oyo State House of Assembly consists of 30 men and only two women.
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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