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Oyo: ‘Wolekanle’ finally breaks silence, dumps APC for PDP
The immediate past Secretary of Ogbomoso North Local Government Area of Oyo State, Mr. Akinwale Akinwole has finally confirmed his readiness to dump the All Progressives Congress, APC, for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state.
This cleared the rumours going round the state about his stance to defect to the Peoples Democratic party (PDP).
Akinwole who is the Proprietor of Ogbomoso United Football Club, while confirming the development on Wednessday said,” Yes, ‘I am leaving APC for PDP very soon, saying the formal declaration will come up in Ogbomoso, his hometown.
He informed that his decision to defect to the PDP in spite of the tremendous roles he has actively and conspicuously played during the 2019 election for the then ruling party was borne out of Governor Seyi Makinde’s performance.
According to him, “Governor Seyi Makinde’s performance and magic touch turning Oyo State to cynosure of all eyes within the little stint of times, is a motivating factor, his plethora of achievements and quality style of governance is another sterling guality that really spurred him, saying those things are the genuine reasons why he made up his mind to join his party with a view to complementing his efforts in making Oyo state a better place worthy of living for both the people of Oyo state and the people across the federation.
Wolekanle as he is fondly called appreciated the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the the little opportunity bestowed on him to serve the party meritoriously and without any form of deformityg during his brief stint.
He therefore enjoined those left behind in the party not waste time in joining Governor Makinde in his effort towards taking the state to the promised Land.
Asked if he is being pushed by his House of Representatives’ ambition in 2023 general election, Wolekanle said, ” though he has ambition to contribute his quotas to the development of Ogbomoso in general, saying that the decision was taken after a due consultations across the board and popular demand by his teeming followers to move into PDP
” My interest is to serve my people people with the utmost interest in moving my country home cum Oyo State to the expected height, our people deseves better representation and because Governor Seyi Makinde is doing actively and positively well, if l am priviledged to serve, l will definitely add value to his records of achievement and thus complement his efforts in taking Oyo state to a greater to the Eldorado.
“Before l venture into the mainstream of Nigerian politics l have been assisting both the privileged and the less–priviledged people in my own little way, saying that he is strongly believed that if he is involved in politics, he has no doubt in his mind that he would do more to make people laughs and enjoy the dividends of democracy.
Part of his contributions to his community includes financial supports to the less priviledged, artisans and traders, scholarship awards and educational succour to the brilliant and indigent students in tertiary institutions as well as annual JAMB coaching and procurement of JAMB forms to secondary schiol leaving students.
Mr Akinwale, a graduate of Lagos State University is the chief Convener, Ogbomoso Ajilete Carnival, an anunual sociol- cultural event that aims at promoting unity among the youths in Ogbomoso and the football club to encourage the younger ones, discover and build talents.
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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