News
Oyo Lg election was not conducted against a court order – ALGON replies Makinde
The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Oyo State chapter, Prince Abass Aleshinloye on Saturday described the action of Governor Seyi Makinde as an act of illegality for dissolving democratically elected local government administration, adding that discerning minds expected the state government to defend its act of lawlessness and contempt of a subsisting court judgement on point of law and on absolute truth.
Prince Aleshinloye alleged that Governor Seyi Makinde led administration opted for the path of ‘white lies’, arrogance and executive lawlessness”.
Mega Icon Magazine recalled that Governor Makinde, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday by his Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, dissolved all local government chairmen in the state with immediate effect.
He also asked the Council chairmen who were elected last year May, to handover to the head of local government administration or the most senior directors in their local government areas and councils.
Puncturing the government’s claims, the ALGON boss, who also heads Oluyole Local Local Government, Aleshinloye said, ” unlike the concocted lies spewed to the press by Makinde’s Chief of Staff, Chief Bisi Ilaka, we hereby restate that the local government election conducted during the administration of the ex – governor Abiola Ajimobi was never conducted against a Court Order.
“The court order that Chief Ilaka ‘got stranded with’ was vacated on May 10, 2018. There was an order of the Federal High Court Ibadan restraining the OYSEIC prior to our election from conducting the said election but the said order was discharged on the 10th May, 2018 by Justice Joyce Abdul Malik of the Fed High Court sitting in Ibadan while delivering her judgement on the suit FHC/IB/CS/47/2018 (Olugbenga Adeyemi & Others V INEC, OYSIEC and OYSG) paving ways for the local government election which was conducted on the 12th May, 2018”, he explained.
While urging the governor not to ridicule the Judiciary, the ALGON chairman in a statement further submitted, “It is very ridiculous and scaring for a top government official of Chief Ilaka status to describe a judgment of a competent court that restrained Oyo State government from dissolving a duly elected local government as an ‘arrangee judgement’. We advise Oyo State government not to do anything that will bring the Judiciary, an independent arm of government, to ridicule and opprobrum in the face of the public. Such uncouth language expressed by Governor Makinde’s chief of staff should have been left on the soapbox after political campaigns and not be used in the arena of civil governance. Governance is a serious business, so government should be civil in conduct and public discourse.
“The only constitutional way to redress any court judgment is to appeal not to disparage it or result to self help.
“Advising ALGON to go to court by Chief Ilaka on behalf of his employer is hypocritical and self contradictory. How can a lawless government whose spokesperson described a court judgement as ‘arrangee’ Now turned around to advise ALGON to go to court? Do they have the sincerity and credibility when the same government that flouted and derided court now advised that we should go to court?
“This government is not competent to so advise, our lawyers are already in court to do needful and also proceed with a contempt of court case against the state government.
“The new government in Oyo State should be enlightened that all court orders / judgements are valid until a higher court upturned them. It is dangerous for a state government to declare that it would only respect a court order that is valid as Governor Makinde’s Chief of Staff arrogantly stated to the press. Anarchy results when individual or government cherry – pick which court judgement he / it considers valid or not.
“Constitutional democracy is about rule of law not rule of men”, the statement concluded.
Prince Aleshinloye, however advised the state government to always tow the path of civility and rule of law, adding that it has no power to dissolve a democratically elected local government, more so when there is a subsisting perpetual injunction / judgement by a competent court of law.
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.
-
Politics3 days agoIbarapa East Assembly Hopeful, Ramon Congratulates Ajiboye, Says Emergence Good for Oyo APC
-
Politics7 days agoMakinde: My Successor Must Be Loyal to Oyo, Not Me
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Former Oyo Deputy Governor Adeyemo Emerges APC Chairman (See Full List)
-
Politics7 days agoFintiri Dumps PDP for APC, Moves with Cabinet, 14 Adamawa Lawmakers