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ICPC vows crackdown on vote trading

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has warned against vote buying and selling ahead of the governorship election.

The commission said anyone caught engaging in the act would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The ICPC Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Osun, Mr. Yusuf Olatunji, gave the warning during an awareness rally against vote buying and selling yesterday in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the rally had as its theme: ‘My Vote, My Future: Reject Vote Buying, Protect Democracy.’

Olatunji said the commission would deploy adequate personnel across the 30 local government areas of the state to monitor and curb the practice.

He urged the electorate to recognise the value of their votes and resist any attempt to trade them for temporary gains.

‘To every voter in Osun, I urge you to reject any attempt to influence your choice through cash, gifts, food items, or any form of inducement.

‘Let your vote reflect your conscience and your vision for a better state.

‘Your votes are priceless, our democracy is sacred, and our future must never be sold.

‘As we prepare for the forthcoming governorship election, every eligible voter has a responsibility that goes beyond casting a ballot.

We must protect the integrity of our electoral process by rejecting all forms of electoral corruption, especially vote buying and selling,’ he said.

Olatunji noted that while vote trading might offer temporary financial relief, it has long-term negative consequences for governance and development.

‘When votes become commodities, leadership becomes a transaction rather than a mandate.

‘The consequences are evident: poor governance, unfulfilled promises, inadequate infrastructure, insecurity, unemployment, and declining public confidence in democratic institutions,’ he said.

He added that the money collected for votes may be spent within days, but the impact of electing the wrong leaders could last for years.

‘No amount of money is worth sacrificing quality education, better healthcare, good roads, employment opportunities, and sustainable development,’ he said.

‘Olatunji reaffirmed the ICPC’s commitment to combating corruption through public enlightenment, stakeholder collaboration, and sustained advocacy.

‘Prevention is more effective than prosecution. This rally is part of efforts to educate citizens before the election rather than lament the consequences afterward,’ he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, the media, and other stakeholders for their commitment to credible elections in the state.

Olatunji also urged political parties and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully and in accordance with the rule of law.

‘Elections should be contests of ideas, policies, competence, and character-not contests of financial inducement,’ he said.

Charles Okocha suggests boxing match to settle P-Square brothers’ feud

Actor Charles Okocha has suggested that singers Peter Okoye and Paul Okoye, formerly known as the P-Square duo, settle their long-running differences in a boxing match.

Okocha made the suggestion during an interview on Max FM, saying the public disagreements between the brothers had persisted for too long.

According to him, a boxing bout could provide a controlled avenue for Peter, popularly known as Mr P, and Paul, known as Rudeboy, to put their differences behind them while giving their fans something to watch.

He said the proposed bout would offer an alternative to the continued public disagreements between the former music partners.

‘Rude Boy and Mr. P should get into the ring. Let them get into the ring and settle all these, you know, coming out, talking, talking. It is becoming too much. It makes no sense at their age.

‘This one will come on and say, okay, this is what I do. They should just do whatever it is to squash their beef. It makes no sense. If it’s possible to squash it out on the ring, no problem. It’s called entertainment because a lot of people will buy tickets, people will come watch. That’s why it’s called entertainment. There’s no room for animosity or hate’, he said.

Okocha added that he does not support airing personal problems on social media, noting that disagreements are normal but should be handled privately.

‘I’m that type of person, I don’t hate people. You think we don’t have issues? You think I don’t have issues? But have you ever seen me come out on social media to say no? If I can’t squash it in there, why would I even come out? People that don’t even know about how we live our lives, and then I’m coming out to put it out there to say you know, so no, it makes no sense,’ he said.

The actor urged the brothers to resolve their issues either privately or through a public but controlled event, stressing that outsiders should not be drawn into family matters.

Peter and Paul Okoye disbanded P-Square in 2017 following reported disagreements, and have since pursued solo careers while trading words publicly on several occasions.

Sokoto family battles to raise ransom for 8 abductees

Forty days after suspected bandits killed the Chief Imam of Kuda-Kuda village in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, eight members of his family remain in captivity as relatives struggle to raise the N30 million ransom demanded by their abductors.

The family said they could not afford even a fraction of the amount and had pleaded with the kidnappers to accept between N2 million and N6 million, but the offer was rejected. They said the abductors threatened to kill the victims before cutting off communication.

‘We begged them to reduce the ransom. We even offered to pay up to N6 million, but they insulted us, switched off their phones and have not contacted us again.

‘Even when we called, the lines no longer went through,’ a relative of the slain cleric, who requested anonymity, told Daily Trust.

The eight victims were abducted during a deadly attack on Kuda-Kuda village on June 23, when suspected bandits invaded the community, killing the Chief Imam, Liman Audu, and three other residents, while leaving several others with gunshot injuries.

Recounting the attack, the relative said the gunmen stormed the family compound while everyone was asleep.

‘I was inside my room when I heard people entering the house. I flashed my torchlight and saw men wearing security uniforms. Immediately, I knew they were bandits.

‘They entered one of the rooms and found my younger brother’s wife carrying her baby. They removed the baby from her back, handed the child to an elderly woman and dragged the mother outside.

‘They later brought out other women from different rooms before forcing their way into another room by repeatedly shooting at the door. They killed three members of our family there before moving to the imam’s section of the house.

‘I kept hearing gunshots from that direction. It was only later that we realised they had killed the imam,’ he said.

According to him, the attackers also shot three children in another section of the compound before rustling the family’s livestock.

He said those injured are receiving treatment at the General Hospital in Goronyo.

‘Two of them were shot in the hands, while another sustained gunshot wounds to the hand and chest,’ he said.

Another family member, a younger brother of the slain imam, confirmed that eight people were abducted during the attack and have remained in captivity for about six weeks.

He identified the victims as Mallam Shehu na Barayar Zaki, Surajo, the late imam’s son; Surajo’s wife; Umma; Hawwau; Hadiza; Safina; Maryamu; and Hairatu.

He said the kidnappers had insisted on N30 million despite repeated appeals from the family.

‘None of us has ever handled N100,000 of our own before. We don’t have the capacity to raise such an amount,’ he said.

He disclosed that one of the abductees was scheduled to get married this month, but the wedding plans had been thrown into uncertainty following the abduction.

‘We had completed almost all the wedding preparations before this tragedy happened,’ he said.

The family also lamented that they were struggling to care for relatives injured during the attack.

‘We cannot even afford their treatment. It is kind-hearted people who have been assisting us. Sometimes, we don’t even have enough food to eat,’ he said.

Appealing to the public for support, he said the family had exhausted all available options and now depended on the generosity of Nigerians and prayers for the safe return of the abductees.

A resident of Kuda-Kuda village said community members had imposed a levy of N5,000 on every household head and N2,000 on every married woman to raise funds for the victims.

He, however, said the contributions would not amount to N1 million because many residents had fled the village following repeated attacks on the community and neighbouring settlements.

‘Even if the kidnappers eventually agree to accept N6 million, we will still have to continue seeking donations in mosques and from members of the public because the community cannot raise the money alone,’ he said.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Sokoto State Police Command, DSP Ahmad Rufai, said such cases were often not reported to the police.

Daily Trust had earlier reported that suspected bandits attacked Kuda-Kuda village on June 23, killing the Chief Imam, Liman Audu, and three other residents before abducting eight members of the community.

Tinubu orders EFCC to unfreeze Osun account

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

In a statement he personally signed on Thursday, the president said while he was not opposed to the EFCC’s exercise of its statutory powers, the timing of the action raised some concerns.

The EFCC on Wednesday froze the account of the Osun State Government, citing alleged fraudulent handling of ecology funds, intervention funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) account to the tune of N11 billion.

The anti-graft agency took the action ten days to the state’s governorship election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord party is contesting against two major candidates: Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Adeleke, who addressed journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, said the freezing of the account was unconstitutional because no court order was obtained before the directive was issued.

But the EFCC explained that the state government’s account was frozen to save public funds from being looted.

The commission, in a statement by its spokesman, Dele Oyewale, said some officials of the state had earlier been quizzed by investigators of the commission, saying what precipitated the freezing was the unwarranted movement of funds from the accounts to different suspicious accounts since August 2, 2026.

I feel embarrassed – President

President Tinubu said he feels embarrassed by the EFCC action because the timing could create the impression that the Federal Government is interfering in the state’s forthcoming governorship election.

Tinubu said actions taken by federal institutions were often attributed to him as President, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.

He said, ‘I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action.

‘This is so because every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action.

‘Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference.

‘I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law.

‘As President, I am committed to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers.

‘While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene.

‘Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.

‘Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process.

‘Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard.’

EFCC unfreezes account

Efforts to get an official update from the EFCC were futile as several calls to the spokesman of the anti-graft agency, Dele Oyewale, were not answered.

But a senior official at the commission confided in Daily Trust that another official letter has been sent to the management of the First Bank conveying the President’s directive to the bank.

The official, who did not want his name in print because he wasn’t authorised to speak, said: ‘A letter has been sent to the banker to remove the PND restriction on the state government’s account following Mr President’s directive. Nobody should view this from the perspective of the fact that EFCC is not independent.’

Lawyers, CSOs fault Tinubu’s directive

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong said President Tinubu’s directive to the EFCC to unfreeze Osun State Government accounts undermined the commission’s independence and raised concerns about political interference.

‘Whatever decision the EFCC takes, they may have taken it as an independent arm of government. The President cannot be directing the unfreezing or freezing of accounts. Even though the EFCC is an agency of the executive arm of government, it is created as an independent agency under the law,’ Effiong said.

According to him, the EFCC Establishment Act does not confer supervisory authority on the President over the commission’s statutory responsibilities.

‘What this does is undermine the independence and integrity of the EFCC, and it speaks to political interference,’ he said.

Effiong questioned whether similar presidential directives had been issued in other investigations without public knowledge.

‘If the President is now giving directives in respect of the Osun matter, how many other cases has he given such directives that the public does not know about? We cannot simply trust the President to do what is right when he has a clear partisan interest in matters,’ he said.

Another lawyer, Victoria Adaji, urged the President to demonstrate impartiality by allowing the justice system to function without interference.

‘The President should prove to Nigerians that he is neutral by ensuring justice is served in matters that require so in the country,’ Adaji said.

She maintained that the EFCC’s statutory independence should have been respected.

‘The EFCC is an independent institution, and the President should have understood that better rather than interfering in the matter,’ she added.

Also reacting, Human Rights Lawyer, Udochukwu Onoh, questioned both the President’s authority to issue such a directive and the legal process through which the court granted the order freezing Osun State’s accounts.

Udochukwu also argued that the state government ought to have been given a fair hearing before the order was granted.

‘When we view it from the angle of infringement on fundamental human rights, how could a court grant such a motion without a fair hearing on both sides? The Osun State Government should have been invited to court and granted a fair hearing,’ he said.

He warned that even a temporary freeze on a state’s accounts could cripple governance and essential public services.

Describing the President’s intervention as political interference, Udochukwu said the EFCC should be allowed to discharge its statutory mandate without external influence.

‘Tinubu’s directive strange, eroding trust’

Also, a constitutional lawyer, Basil S. Kpenkpen, Esq., argued that the President’s directive has significant legal consequences for both the directing authority and the investigative Institution.

‘It’s very strange and undemocratic, the order constitutes a severe violation of the right to fair hearing under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, and it carries significant legal consequences for both the directing authority and the investigative institution.

‘What the Federal Government has done in law amounts to speculation, suspicion and doubt which cannot stand,’ the senior lawyer told one of our correspondents.

On his part, another senior lawyer, Peter Abang, called on the EFCC to put its boots on the ground and assure Nigerians of its independence and accountability in the fight against corruption in Nigeria.

According to him, the directive may have tainted the independent image of the commission, arguing that anyone would, after this event and a series of other actions taken by the EFCC, be justified to hold the view that the commission cannot do anything except as directed by the Executive.

But Mustafa Adedibu, another constitutional lawyer, said the president should be commended for dousing the tension in the state.

Adedibu said, ‘The directive by Mr President for the EFCC to unfreeze Osun State Government’s account is, in my honest opinion, supposed to be a bit of relief to the nation as a whole.

‘The action of the EFCC to freeze the account of the state, however well-intended, is truly ill-timed, as the President rightly posited, and the President has just done the right thing.’

Also, civil society organisations criticised President Tinubu’s directive, warning that the intervention could undermine the anti-graft agency’s independence and public confidence in anti-corruption efforts.

The Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odeh, and the Chancellor of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights (ISSJHR), Jackson Omenazu, separately argued on Thursday that any concerns arising from the EFCC’s actions should be resolved through the courts rather than executive intervention.

Odeh, who spoke to Daily Trust, said Tinubu’s directive left Nigerians with ‘two readings,’ both of which, according to him, cast the EFCC in a negative light.

‘Nigerians are left with two readings, and both are bad. One, the EFCC acted on its own and is now overridden by Aso Rock, which means it has no operational independence. The second assumption is that the EFCC did not act on its own, and the reversal is damage control,’ he said.

He argued that the President’s intervention had weakened whatever case the commission intended to pursue over the alleged mismanagement of ecological funds in Osun State.

Odeh also called for reforms governing the freezing of government accounts, saying any post-no-debit order on a state’s statutory allocation account should require a publicly disclosed court order, a defined duration and safeguards to protect workers’ salaries and pensions.

Similarly, Omenazu said the President lacked constitutional authority to interfere in an ongoing EFCC investigation or direct the agency on matters already before it.

‘The President does not have the constitutional authority to interfere in an ongoing EFCC investigation or direct the agency on matters that are before it. He should allow the law to take its course and respect the independence of institutions established by the Constitution and the laws of Nigeria,’ Omenazu said.

He maintained that the EFCC, being a statutory body, was expected to discharge its responsibilities independently and without executive interference.

‘The EFCC is a creation of statute and is expected to discharge its responsibilities independently, without executive interference. The President can only exercise powers that are expressly conferred on him by the Constitution and other extant laws. He cannot override the law or substitute his personal directive for due legal process,’ he said.

Omenazu added that any dispute arising from the commission’s actions should be resolved through the courts.

Free El-Rufai too, Atiku challenges Tinubu

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Tinubu to direct the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to release former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, arguing that if the president could order the EFCC to vacate its freeze on Osun State’s government account, he has no basis to claim powerlessness over El-Rufai’s continued detention.

Atiku, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, said: ‘Having now demonstrated that he can issue direct operational directives to anti-corruption agencies whenever he considers it expedient, President Tinubu owes Nigerians an explanation as to why he cannot exercise the same authority in the case of Mallam Nasir El-Rufai,’ Atiku said.

ADC: President’s directive on Osun curious, unusual

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) said the President’s admission that he directed the EFCC to discontinue the action undermines claims of the agency’s independence or neutrality, thereby confirming that the President actually directs the operational conduct of the anti-graft agencies.

In a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, the party claimed that the reversal was a response to sustained public outrage rather than a voluntary act of restraint, noting that the anti-graft agency would not have acted so recklessly in the first place if it did not presume the authorisation of the federal government.

It said: ‘What we find most curious about the statement is the President’s repeated reference to an alleged court order authorising the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts. This is a remarkable new twist. In all of its public statements on this matter, the EFCC never once claimed that it had obtained a court order.

‘The Commission consistently defended its actions on the basis of its statutory powers and what it described as ‘preventive mandate.’ At no point did it inform Nigerians that a court had authorised its actions.’

Tinubu welcomes Nigeria’s admission into World Energy Council

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has welcomed Nigeria’s formal admission as a National Member Committee of the World Energy Council (WEC), saying the development will strengthen the country’s participation in global discussions on energy security, equity and sustainability.

Tinubu also congratulated the inaugural leadership of WEC Nigeria, including Abdulrazaq Isa, who will serve as chairman, and Bala Wunti, the Chief Executive Officer.

In a statement on Friday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President described Nigeria’s admission into the global energy body as a significant development for the country’s energy sector.

He said Nigeria’s membership of the century-old organisation, which has a presence in more than 100 countries, would provide the country with an opportunity to play a greater role in shaping global energy policies and conversations.

‘Nigeria has joined the World Energy Council to lead, not just participate – to ensure Africa’s voice shapes global energy decisions,’ Tinubu said.

The President also congratulated members of the inaugural board, drawn from the energy value chain, regulatory institutions, industry associations, finance, academia and the Future Energy Leaders community.

Tinubu said the composition of the board, bringing together industry operators, regulators, finance experts and young energy leaders, would provide the balance and credibility required for the organisation to carry out its mandate.

He described Isa as a ‘distinguished patriot and trailblazing industrialist,’ citing his investments in indigenous refining and industrial energy.

The President also described Wunti as ‘one of Nigeria’s finest energy strategists and reform champions,’ noting his more than three decades of service in the energy sector.

Tinubu pledged the Federal Government’s support for WEC Nigeria as a neutral and technology-agnostic platform for policy dialogue, investment mobilisation and innovation.

He also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to working with the World Energy Council and its global network towards improving access to secure, affordable and sustainable energy.

The President wished Isa, Wunti and other members of the inaugural board success in their assignments.

Weekend list: Cinemalaya, Space Week return

Space lovers, cinephiles, and foodies are going to have an avenue to express their passions this weekend. Philstar.com lists some of the events and festivals happening in the next two days.

Asian celebrations

Outside of celebrating Filipino identity, the entire Asian continent will get a chance to shine this weekend.

IWE Philippines and the Embassy of India, Manila present the Asian Eats Food Bazaar at Shangri-La Plaza’s Grand Atrium for three days of delicious food, culture, and community

Highlights include a live cooking demo by Chef Surat Rana, executive chef and co-owner of Royal Indian Curry House, and a cultural performance by Thumkaa Tribe.

Meanwhile the embassy of regional neighbor the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations with the Philippines by co-hosting the “Rhythms of the Land, Puppets of the Water: Vietnam Cultural Days in Manila” special cultural showcase in Intramuros

This Friday and Saturday in the walled city’s Plaza Moriones in Fort Santiago, the Philippines’ National Commission for Culture and the Arts and Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism band under their Cultural Cooperation Program framework to highlight shared artistic ties and enduring friendship between them through captivating puppetry.

Asian celebrations wouldn’t be complete without Hallyu, and taking center stage this weekend is K-pop boy band Seventeen, specifically the group’s leader S.Coups whose birthday is on August 8.

The following day in Ali Mall’s activity area, fans are invited to Carats Haven’s song hangout for S.Coups filled with Seventeen tracks as well as buy and trade K-pop merchandise and items.

In nearby Gateway Mall 2 on the same Saturday, Philippine masters of Gi and Nogi Jiu Jitsu will participate in the Manila Jiu-Jitsu Festival.

Local indies

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival is back for its 22nd edition, this time with an extended run as it goes from August 6 to 18.

Cinemalaya kicked off last Thursday with an opening ceremony and the local premiere of “Enjoy Your Stay” at Shangri-La Plaza, one of several malls hosting the film festival this year across Metro Manila.

Nine feature films and 10 short films are in competition this year vying for coveted Balanghai trophies and premier recognition of the evolving Philippine indie movie scene.

Stargazing

The country is observing Space Week until August 13 and the exciting activities begin this weekend.

On August 9, the Philippine Space Agency will take over Gateway Mall 2 with a “Navigating Tomorrow” interactive exhibit highlighting Philippines advancements in satellite technology, space data applications, and scientific milestones.

Keep an eye out for several free sessions by PAGASA during Space Week at the Science Garden’s PAGASA Planetarium and PAGASA Astronomical Observatory in UP Diliman, both in Quezon City.

There will be free shows at the planetarium from August 10 to 13 while a free telescope viewing can be done on August 13 at the observatory.

Show stoppers

What would a Philippine weekend be without concerts and musical shows?

This weekend sees the three-day run of the “ABBA Forever” tour, a tribute concert to the iconic Swedish pop group, first at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on August 7 then the next two days at the Theatre at Solaire.

Several Korean artists have cancelled Philippine appearances on August 8 but still set to push through is girl group Mamamoo for its “4Ward” world tour stop at the Araneta Coliseum.

Peforming on the same day but down in Cagayan de Oro’s Limketkai Center is celebrity couple KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde for the penultimate Philippine stop – for now – of their “In Between” world tour.

While past the weekend, Filipino fans of Kodaline have one last chance to catch the band when it hits the Mall of Asia Arena on Monday, August 10, for its farewell tour while another act Honne begins a three-day concert run at the PICC Plenary Hall.

Why Abiodun is Ogun East’s best bet for the Senate

BACKED by a proven record of executive leadership, Governor Dapo Abiodun’s run for the Senate aligns with Ogun East’s push for stronger, result-driven representation at the centre. For the All Progressives Congress (APC), this ticket serves as a compelling strategy to consolidate the gains of the current administration. By putting forward tested executive leadership for the Ogun East Senatorial District, the party reinforces its commitment to high-impact representation while driving electoral success across the state. Ultimately, a win at the polls will create a powerful synergy between the state’s next administration and its voice in Abuja-ensuring Ogun East reaps maximum dividends from federal alignment. Having spent over six years laying a solid foundation for economic growth, industrial transformation, and infrastructure development, Governor Abiodun leaves behind both a strong track record for the party to leverage and a clear blueprint for his successor.

Transitioning to the Senate positions him to use that deep executive clout where it matters most: securing strategic federal backing for Ogun State. Governor Abiodun’s Senate bid is not an abstract political proposition; it is rooted in concrete, visible infrastructure that has redefined the socio-economic landscape of Ogun East. Over his tenure, the administration moved deliberately to unlock the economic potential of the district through transformative capital projects. Chief among these legacy achievements is the landmark Gateway International Airport located at Ilishan-Iperu. Conceived to transform the state into an international logistics and processing hub, the facility boasts a 4,000-metre runway capable of handling wide-body aircraft, serving as an immediate catalyst for economic expansion across the region. Beyond opening up Ogun East to global commerce, the surrounding Special Agro-Processing Zone and aviation village are attracting substantial private investment, creating thousands of jobs for local residents, and providing farmers with direct access to international export markets.

Complementing this mega-project is a comprehensive overhaul of the district’s transportation networks. The dualisation of the Sagamu-Ijebu Ode Expressway and the construction of the Ijebu Ode-Epe road corridor have restored key commercial links between Ogun East and Lagos State. By drastically reducing travel times, lowering logistics costs, and enhancing safety, these roads have turned once-congested border corridors into vibrant hubs of trade. Furthermore, targeted interventions in grassroots infrastructure-such as the expansion of affordable housing units in Prince Court Estates across Abeokuta, Sagamu and Ijebu Ode, alongside rural electrification and primary health centre upgrades-demonstrate a governance model that balances macroeconomic catalysts with direct community impact. By delivering on these high-stakes commitments, Abiodun has built the political credibility necessary to represent Ogun East at the national level. While the National Assembly is often dominated by procedural debates, effective lawmaking requires practical governance experience. Managing complex budgets, negotiating multi-stakeholder deals, and executing large-scale public works give former executives a distinct edge in legislative chambers.

Governor Abiodun brings this exact pragmatism to the Red Chamber. Former governors in the Senate possess a clear institutional advantage: they understand how federal ministries, departments, and agencies operate, and they know precisely how federal budgetary allocations translate into ground-level implementation. In a legislature where ranking influence and committee leadership dictate resource distribution, sending a former two-term governor ensures Ogun East does not start at the back of the queue. Abiodun’s background positions him to sponsor targeted bills that institutionalise regional economic zones, command budgetary leverage for local projects, and use direct access to executive ministries in Abuja to fast-track the takeover and rehabilitation of federal assets across the state. A recurring challenge for many senatorial districts across Nigeria is the friction-or total disconnect-between state government priorities and federal interventions. When a state’s senator operates in isolation from the governor’s office, the district suffers from duplicated efforts, stalled projects, and missed developmental opportunities.

Abiodun’s transition to the Senate addresses this gap entirely. Working alongside an incoming state administration that shares his developmental blueprint, he can act as an authoritative bridge between Abeokuta and Abuja. This alignment ensures that legislative interventions at the federal level directly support the state’s master plan for industrialisation. Whether negotiating federal grants for industrial clusters, pushing for federal concessions along commercial borders, or securing national backing for energy and power infrastructure, this strategic synergy ensures Ogun East negotiates within the federation from a position of unified strength.

Electoral transitions often bring policy drift, where critical projects started by one administration are abandoned or delayed by the next.

The APC’s strategy in fielding Governor Abiodun for the Senate guarantees continuity-safeguarding the investments made over the past several years while laying a sustainable path forward.

By stepping into the Senate, Abiodun provides a protective umbrella for ongoing state initiatives. His presence at the national level reassures private investors, international partners, and commercial development finance institutions that Ogun State’s economic policies remain stable, predictable, and supported at the highest levels of governance.

For the voters of Ogun East, this means the momentum built around industrialisation, job creation, and infrastructure expansion will not stall-it will accelerate.

Ultimately, the choice facing Ogun East is about maximising influence where national decisions are made.

A senatorial seat should not serve as a retirement posting or a platform for passive observation; it requires an occupant with the network, experience, and authority to deliver clear returns for their constituents.

Governor Dapo Abiodun’s candidacy represents a pragmatic choice to elevate Ogun East’s standing at the National Assembly.

By leveraging a proven record of legacy projects-from the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport to expansive road networks-his transition to the Senate ensures that the district secures maximum dividends from federal alignment.

It is a strategic move that turns past governance achievements into future national clout, positioning Ogun East at the centre of regional and national growth for years to come.

Looking beyond local politics, Ogun East stands at a critical juncture where regional economic potential must be matched by formidable national clout.

The district does not need a political novice who will spend years learning the corridors of power; it requires a leader with immediate access to top-tier federal networks and the strategic insight to convert national policy into local development. Governor Dapo Abiodun’s transition to the Senate is not merely a lateral career step, but a calculated move to position Ogun East at the primary decision-making tables in Abuja.

His track record proves that he views governance through a lens of return on investment-where every policy, road, and capital project must yield tangible economic value for the people.

For the All Progressives Congress and the broader electorate, this candidacy offers a seamless bridge between past performance and future opportunities.

By pairing his executive experience with legislative power, Abiodun guarantees that the momentum built around industrialisation, agricultural expansion, and job creation will not falter.

His presence in the Red Chamber ensures that Ogun East will not only retain its standing as an industrial hub, but will also gain direct leverage during federal budget negotiations, statutory allocation reviews, and key committee assignments. In an environment where federal resource distribution is fiercely competitive, having a tested former governor in your corner is the ultimate competitive advantage.

Ultimately, a vote for Dapo Abiodun is an investment in stability, continuity, and maximum dividends from federal alignment. It elevates Ogun East from a participant in national discourse to a dominant voice shaping regional development across the South West.

By choosing a leader who has already delivered landmark projects like the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport and key transit corridors, the district secures a representative who does not just make campaign promises, but executes them at scale. As Ogun East prepares for its next chapter, backing Abiodun ensures that the progress of today becomes the foundation for an even more prosperous tomorrow.

FG targets $3.4bn red meat export market

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform Nigeria’s livestock industry into a major export-driven sector, identifying Cross River State as a strategic hub capable of supplying the South-South region and international markets.

Minister of Livestock Development, Hon. Idi Muktar Maha, disclosed this during a visit to Cross River ahead of the commissioning of Nigeria’s first Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum in Ikom Local Government Area.

Maha said the facility, the first of 12 planned along Nigeria’s international borders, is designed to strengthen livestock health certification, prevent the entry of diseased animals into the country and enhance confidence in Nigeria’s livestock value chain.

He said the Federal Government was determined to build a modern livestock economy capable of creating thousands of jobs while boosting non-oil exports, noting that Nigeria’s red meat export market is valued at about $3.4 billion.

According to the minister, Cross River is strategically positioned to become the country’s livestock export gateway because of its coastal location, proximity to Gulf markets and ongoing investments in transport infrastructure.

‘We believe Cross River can dominate the red meat industry in the South-South. With Calabar’s access to the coast, we are only a few hours away from Gulf markets,’ he said.

Maha disclosed that the ministry plans to establish a modern abattoir ecosystem in the state capable of processing about 500 cattle daily, a project expected to generate about 10,000 direct and indirect jobs through meat processing, transportation, cold-chain logistics, feed production and other value chain activities.

To address supply challenges in the poultry sector, the minister announced plans to facilitate the importation of about 60 million hatchable eggs as a short-term intervention while licensing more operators to reduce delays experienced by livestock farmers.

He also urged investors to explore opportunities in commercial fodder production, including Napier grass, alfalfa and ryegrass, saying demand for quality animal feed remains high in Gulf countries.

He added that the proposed Obudu livestock facility would incorporate cattle, goats, sheep, pigs and a dairy centre in partnership with a university.

Maha further disclosed that the ministry would inspect the Obudu Ranch and other livestock assets during the visit to evaluate investment opportunities and accelerate the development of the state’s livestock sector.

Responding, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Odey, reaffirmed the state’s readiness to partner the Federal Government.

He said the Obudu Cargo Airport, now about 85 per cent completed, together with ongoing investments at Obudu Ranch, would support livestock exports and position the state as a major agricultural and trade hub.

The Livestock Control Post and Guarantee Facility at Mfum is expected to play a critical role in safeguarding animal health, facilitating cross-border livestock trade and supporting the Federal Government’s broader economic diversification agenda through agriculture.

$1.3bn proposed to transform Kano dam to agro-industrial hub

An agricultural firm, Al-Qaryah Agro Allied Ltd has tabled a landmark $1.295 billion Public-Private Partnership (PPP) proposal to the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA) to convert the Challawa Gorge Dam into Nigeria’s flagship agro-industrial hub.

The company’s management team, led by Chief Executive Officer Abubakar M. Nagwamatse, presented the plan at HJRBDA headquarters in Kano to Managing Director Engr. Rabiu Suleiman Bichi and his technical team.

Nagwamatse explained that the initiative seeks to deploy modern aquaculture and floating agriculture methods already in use across Asia to maximise the dam’s underutilised water body.

‘We plan to introduce crop production on water surfaces, alongside aquaculture and irrigation farming. This project will create at least 10,000 jobs and significantly boost food supply, which in turn will lower prices and open export opportunities,’ he said.

He lamented that the arrangement will help maximise the dam, which he said is presently not being put to its maximum capacity, leaving it only to subsistence small-scale farming.

He said the project is multi-dimensional and will integrate deep-water cage aquaculture, aquaponics, hydroponics, rice-fish farming, duck farming, aquatic plant cultivation, floodplain irrigation, and land-based infrastructure, including a 150,000 metric tonne per year feed mill and a 50-million-fry hatchery.

Al-Qaryah stressed that the investment aligns with national food security goals, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, and the Komadugu-Yobe Basin SAP.

Responding, Engr. Bichi welcomed the proposal, noting that the Authority had long awaited private sector participation in PPP ventures.

He described the plan as a major step toward unlocking the socioeconomic potential of Northern Nigeria’s water infrastructure.

Investigate MSC over empty container crisis at Lagos Ports, agents urge FG

Clearing agents under the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) on Thursday called on the Federal Government and relevant maritime regulatory agencies to immediately investigate and sanction Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) over what the association alleges is its persistent failure to provide adequate facilities for the return of empty containers, a situation APFFLON says is contributing significantly to congestion within the Apapa Port corridor, leading to huge demurrage payment by importers

The National President of APFFLON, Frank Ogunojemite, in a statement released to the Nigerian Tribune, said that the continued refusal or inability of MSC to make sufficient holding bays and designated collection points available for empty containers has created unnecessary bottlenecks that frustrate cargo movement, delay truck turnaround time and worsen traffic congestion around the nation’s busiest seaport.

According to him, while the federal government is investing heavily in road rehabilitation, port digitalisation and reforms aimed at improving efficiency and reducing the cost of doing business, such efforts are being undermined by operational practices that continue to impede the smooth evacuation of cargo.

‘It is unacceptable for a shipping company to continue issuing containers to importers without providing an efficient system for receiving the empty containers after use.

‘This operational failure has become a major contributor to congestion at Apapa and is inflicting enormous financial hardship on importers, freight forwarders and transport operators.’

APFFLON expressed concern that many importers are compelled to pay excessive container detention and demurrage charges simply because they cannot return empty containers within the stipulated period due to the lack of available receiving spaces.

‘The question is simple: Why should importers be punished financially for a problem created by the shipping company? This amounts to exploitation of Nigerian businesses and runs contrary to the principles of fair trade and ease of doing business being championed by the federal government.’

The association warned that unless decisive regulatory action is taken, the country’s port reform programme may fail to achieve its intended objectives of reducing cargo dwell time, lowering logistics costs and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional maritime hub.

APFFLON therefore called on the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to urgently investigate the situation and ensure compliance with operational standards by all shipping companies.

The association further demanded the following: Immediate provision of adequate holding bays and empty container collection centres by MSC; Suspension of demurrage and container detention charges where importers are unable to return empty containers because of inadequate reception facilities.

Compensation for importers and freight forwarders who have suffered avoidable financial losses arising from delays in returning empty containers.

Strict enforcement of service standards and appropriate sanctions against any shipping company found to be creating artificial bottlenecks for commercial gain.

APFFLON maintained that Nigeria’s ports must serve as engines of economic growth and not centres where inefficiency is rewarded at the expense of legitimate businesses.

The association reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the federal government’s port reform agenda and pledged to continue advocating policies that promote transparency, efficiency, accountability and the protection of port users.