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Supreme Court verdict: Truth has finally prevailed in Oyo, says Makinde
OYO State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Thursday, that his victory at the Supreme Court amounted to truth eventually prevailing in the state.
This was as the Governor assured the people of Oyo State that his government would develop the state in such a way that everyone would benefit in one way or the other, calling on politicians not to fight themselves over benefits from government.
The Governor, who stated these while speaking with newsmen at the Ibadan Airport on his arrival from Abuja following the Supreme Court judgment and also while addressing a crowd of supporters at the Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, said that the decision of the apex court to validate his victory in the March 9, 2019 Governorship Election, was an opportunity to continue to develop the state.
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the Governor equally appreciated the Judiciary for standing firm by the truth.
He also appreciated the people of the state, Justices of the Supreme Court and especially Justice Adumein of the Court of Appeal, who gave a minority judgment that tallied with the decision of the Election Petition Tribunal, which had earlier upheld his election, for standing by the truth.
According to the Governor, those who challenged the result of the March 9, 2019 election in the state, which the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won by an unmistakably wide margin, were peddlers of lies.
He said: “I want to say that the celebration should continue. I have always known that truth will always prevail no matter how long lies have been peddled.
“I want to specially thank Justice Adumein, the Justice of the Court of Appeal, who stood by the truth. When the case got to the Supreme Court, because truth is constant, they also stood by the truth.
“For the people of Oyo State, during the electioneering period, we prepared a document on how to bring accelerated development to Oyo State. So, this victory is a victory for the people of the state and an opportunity for us to continue on the path of accelerated development for the state.
“So, with this victory, the people should expect more from us.”
Similarly, while speaking at the Government Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, where a mammoth crowd of supporters had converged to welcome him, Governor Makinde assured that everyone who worked to enthrone the government would benefit.
“I want to sincerely tell you that all the people who have worked for this government will benefit one thing or the other from it. Please, don’t fight with yourselves. By the time we expand our economy, what is inadequate today will be more than enough tomorrow.
“I can even tell you that those who did not vote for us will also have something to benefit from this government. So, if you have friends in other parties, tell them to come join you so that they can also be part of beneficiaries of the good things this government is giving to you.
“Workers, let me ask you, have you received the first salary for the month of December? If yes, it is good but you will see another alert, which is the 13th-month salary, before the end of the year. The first alert is for the Christmas celebration. Kill turkeys, kill chickens and on the day after Christmas, you will receive another one to take care of yourselves for the New Year.
“I really appreciate you and wish everybody merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”
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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