Category: Nigerian Tribune

The Aresaadu of Iresaadu in Surulere Local Government Area of Oyo State, Oba Abraham Oyerinde, has appealed to the Acting Governor of the state, Chief Adebayo Lawal, to intervene over an alleged plot to dethrone him.

The monarch alleged that the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Ademola Ojo, had, in September 2025 and September 2026, written separate letters to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government directing the commencement of a process to nominate another candidate for the Aresaadu stool.

Oyerinde alleged that the move was based on the claim that a court judgment had nullified his appointment as the substantive Aresaadu.

In a statement, the monarch urged the Acting Governor to direct the immediate stoppage of meetings allegedly commenced by the Chairman of Surulere Local Government and the Emiolu Ruling House to nominate a fresh candidate for the Aresaadu stool, which he said had not been declared vacant by any court of competent jurisdiction.

He said, ‘It is of extreme importance and urgency to again call your attention to a disturbing matter as it relates to the injustice meted on me as Aresaadu of Iresaadu, HRM Oba Abraham Olafimihan Adeyeye by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters headed by Hon Ademola Ojo.

‘The Ministry has just issued a fresh letter in September 2026 to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government, directing him to instruct Emiolu Ruling House to nominate a candidate for appointment as a parallel Aresaadu while I am still on the throne.

‘Not only that the Court of Appeal (in Appeal No CA/1/291/2002) had ruled that it is not the turn of Emiolu Ruling House to present candidate for the throne, but also the subsequent suit (Suit No HOI/4/2019) filed by Emiolu Ruling House to challenge my appointment has since been dismissed without any appeal on it.

‘I had made an earlier appeal in an open letter published in Tribune of 28th October 2025 in this regard when the Ministry issued a similar letter to the Chairman of Surulere Local Government sometime in September 2025 to initiate the process of appointing a parallel Aresaadu from Osunbiyi Ruling House, the process that had been concluded, supervised and documented by Government officials more than Seven years ago which culminated into the approval by Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.’

The monarch further appealed to the Acting Governor to urgently direct the withdrawal of the letters issued by the commissioner and order the stoppage of any meeting organised by the Chairman of Surulere Local Government and the Emiolu Ruling House to nominate a fresh candidate for the Aresaadu stool.

He maintained that the stool had not been declared vacant by any court of competent jurisdiction.

Oyerinde also called on the state government to nullify any process for the fresh nomination of a candidate to the Aresaadu stool, describing such a process as an illegality and a violation of subsisting court orders.

He further urged the government to sanction any erring officials found culpable in the alleged process.

THE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), on Tuesday appealed to Nigerians to refrain from comments capable of prejudicing the ongoing trial of former Governor Nasir el-Rufai, of Kaduna State or exacerbating the security situation in the country.

This is even as the apex Islamic body urged the Federal Government and the judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested interests do not use the legal system to execute a sectarian agenda against the former governor.

In a release by its Secretary General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, the NSCIA stated that it had refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding El-Rufai’s prosecution or that of any political figure.

This, according to the council, was because it not only considered the former governor’s prosecution as a standard judicial process, but also believed that the judiciary had inherent capacity to uphold justice.

The body, however, stated that recent developments raised serious concerns suggesting an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias against El-Rufai.

‘The NSCIA has persistently refrained from commenting on the controversy surrounding the ongoing prosecution of El-Rufai or any political figure.

‘The restraint was because the council hitherto considered the prosecution as a standard judicial process and believed that the judiciary has inherent capacity to uphold justice.

‘However, recent developments in the public domain have raised serious concerns that suggest an extraneous involvement of an underlying religious bias against the former governor,’ the NSCIA stated.

The council, therefore, cautioned against comments that could either prejudice the fair trial of the former governor or exacerbate the country’s security situation.

‘Consequently, the council calls upon the Federal Government and the judiciary to ensure that individuals with vested religious interests are strictly prevented from weaponising public institutions or the legal system to execute a sectarian agenda against him,’ it stated.

‘Furthermore, the council appeals to the general public to refrain from incendiary comments that could prejudice the fair trial of El -Rufai or exacerbate the security situation in our nation.’

The NSCIA, prayed to Allah to grant peace, stability and security to the country.

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has kicked against the alleged obstruction of the convoy of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, during his visit to Benue State on Tuesday, calling for an immediate investigation into the incident by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.

It described the incident as a sign of desperation by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stifle the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party alleged that Obi’s convoy was obstructed by suspected state-sponsored miscreants while he was travelling to Yelwata to visit families affected by the killings in the area.

The Nigerian Tribune recalls that armed herders attacked Yelwata on June 13, 2026, killing and maiming villagers.

An anniversary memorial report on the Yelwata massacre put the number of deaths at over 271.

The reaction was contained in a statement issued by Mr Anthony Ehilebo, the Special Adviser (Media and Communication) to the presidential candidate of the APM, Governor Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday.

Ehilebo said the incident was ‘deeply disturbing and totally unacceptable’, particularly as it occurred barely 24 hours after Obi joined other opposition leaders to show solidarity with Makinde at the inauguration of the Makinde/Daura Presidential Campaign Office, held on Monday in Abuja.

He alleged that the APC, rattled by recent political developments, was resorting to intimidation and harassment to frustrate opposition activities ahead of the elections.

The APM also rejected the explanation by the Benue State Government that Obi had not sought prior permission before visiting the state.

Ehilebo cited Sections 41(1) and 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee freedom of movement and the right to freely assemble and associate.

‘Every Nigerian, presidential candidate or otherwise, has a constitutionally guaranteed right to enter, live and move freely within any state in Nigeria to conduct legitimate activities without prior permission or notice,’ he said, adding that ‘setting up roadblocks and engaging thugs to stop opposition candidates have no place in a constitutional democracy.’

The APM called on the Nigeria Police Force to investigate the incident with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice.

The party reaffirmed its commitment to a peaceful electoral process, saying it would not be deterred by attempts to frustrate political participation.

‘We shall not be deterred or cowed by the antics of those who seek to make peaceful participation impossible,’ Ehilebo added.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has brought his reconciliation effort in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to a close by hosting a mega unity reception at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa.

The well-attended event brought together leaders of the Ijaw ethnic nationality, stakeholders and contestants in the disputed April 2026 INC election that produced the High Chief MacDonald Igbadiwe leadership.

The inauguration of the executive in Warri, Delta State, outside the traditional Ijaw House in Yenagoa, generated controversy that threatened the foremost Ijaw socio-cultural organisation until Governor Diri intervened and constituted a reconciliation committee, chaired by a former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Dr Matthew Seiyefa.

At the reception, Governor Diri implored stakeholders to bury the hatchet in the interest and cohesion of the ethnic group.

He also urged the new INC leadership to unify the people, and build an institution that will protect the identity of the ethnic nationality.

Diri said the Ijaws should speak with one voice that commands a seat at every table where Nigeria’s destiny is decided.

He further challenged the INC to eschew rivalry, narrow interests and old divisions, emphasising that the Ijaw nation’s collective glory should come before personal ambition.

‘This gathering tells Nigeria, Africa and the world that the unity, solidarity and indivisibility of the Ijaw nation are non-negotiable.

‘Most Ijaw people cherish and will defend this sacred unity. When we stand together with shared purpose and destiny, no force can weaken us. The Ijaw nation stands at a critical crossroads and must embrace the responsibility of unity.

‘We must understand what is at stake. If we fail to act together, others will decide our future without us. We will live with their decisions instead of helping shape them. The time to organise is now. Our relevance, resources, dignity and shared future depend on what we do today,’ the governor said.

Acknowledging the Igbadiwe-led INC, Diri, who is known as the governor-general of the Ijaw nation, maintained that this was not a time for division, but a time for unity, and that every son and daughter under the INC must unite for their dignity, destiny and greater glory.

In his remarks, chairman of the event and one-time deputy governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, lauded Diri for his timely intervention in resolving the leadership crisis within the organisation.

Sir Toby equally praised Dr Seiyefa and other members of the reconciliation committee for their selfless efforts and sacrifices on such a critical assignment.

He charged the INC president to be a team player, work effectively to represent the collective interest of the Ijaw nation, and embrace issues that promote peace, unity and progress.

The Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who is the chairman of Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and also chairman of the Conference of Ijaw Traditional Rulers, and Elders (CITRE), equally encouraged Igbadiwe to see his position as a call to service and to unite all zones of the congress.

While speaking, Chief Igbadiwe expressed gratitude to Governor Diri for not allowing the INC to disintegrate under his watch.

He assured that the INC will work with the governor, other leaders, traditional rulers, youth bodies and relevant stakeholders towards actualising the mandate of the Ijaw nation.

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has clarified that traditionally packaged food products such as yam, fufu, moi moi and ogi are not under its regulatory control.

The Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, made the clarification during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday.

She also raised fresh concerns over the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption, warning that its abuse poses serious risks to public health and can contribute to wider social problems.

‘For many years, we were not using international standards. We allowed a lot of things that shouldn’t be allowed into the country to come in… In terms of substandard falsified medicines, we created them in this country.

‘Decades ago, we had controlled patent medicine dealers, and the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria is mandated to be the agency in control of that. That responsibility was taken from the council for many years, and by the time it was returned, the country was flooded with illiterates about handling medicine, which is part of why we have an open drugs market. The problems that have been there for decades cannot be changed overnight, but we are changing it,’ she disclosed.

The committee comprises representatives of the University and its two host communities – Ndufu-Alike and Edufu-Echara Autonomous Communities in the Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Nwachukwu said the move was to foster peaceful coexistence and enhance mutual understanding between the institution and the people whose ancestral lands host the University.

The VC listed the terms of reference to include: identifying the original landowners, reviewing existing arrangements before government takeover, initiating compensation with the Ebonyi State Government, and facilitating resettlement for affected landowners.

Other mandates, he said, include promoting cordial relations between the University and landowners, and addressing other land-related issues within and around the University community.

He urged members to discharge their duties with ‘sincerity, fairness, and a strong sense of responsibility.’

‘Peaceful coexistence between the University and our host communities is crucial for the growth and stability of AE-FUNAI. Management remains committed to constructive dialogue and addressing all legitimate concerns through mutual understanding,’ Nwachukwu said.

University representatives on the committee are Prof Celestine Afiukwa, Prof Romanus Ejega, QS Chidi Ukwuoma, Prof Arthur Nwachukwu, Dr Onyekachi Eni, and Mr Justin Azahan.

The host communities are represented by Prof Agabus C. Nwuzo, Mr Ifeanyi Elom, Arc Okeh Shadrach, and Mr Odum Paul Oche Ifeanyi.

Chairman of the Committee, Prof Afiukwa, thanked the University Management and community leaders for the confidence reposed in the members.

He described the assignment as one that ‘touches the very foundation on which this institution stands, as well as the people whose land made that foundation possible.’

Afiukwa pledged that the committee would handle land and compensation matters with transparency, fairness and urgency.

‘We recognize the considerable responsibility placed on us and the expectations from both the University and the host communities,’ he said, assuring that members would leverage their experience to fulfil the mandate.

The inauguration is expected to provide a structured platform for dialogue, reconciliation and resolution of lingering land concerns, thereby strengthening the bond between AE-FUNAI and its host communities.

As part of its ongoing efforts to boost educational development, the Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Lagos State has awarded scholarship grants to 37 newly admitted tertiary institution students from the community.

Of the beneficiaries, 20 received ?250,000 each in cash, while the remaining 17 were awarded ?100,000 each, bringing the total undergraduate disbursement to ?6.7 million.

The financial support aims to ease the burden of academic expenses as the students prepare to resume at their respective institutions.

In a similar gesture, the local government council rewarded two First-Class scholars from the community with ?1 million and a brand-new laptop each for their exemplary academic performance. The duo includes Miss Feyisara Ogunleye, a 300-level student at Kwara State University, Malete, who holds a 4.55 CGPA, and Mr. Basit Saliu Alabi, a 400-level student at Lagos State University, Ojo, with a 4.57 CGPA. Their parents were also supported with ?500,000 each.

The presentation of the cheques and laptops took place at an event marking the first anniversary of the administration of the Executive Chairman, Hon. Akindipe Olamilekan.

Speaking at the event, the Council Chairman underscored the vital importance of quality education, describing it as the bedrock of economic development.

He noted that the initiative was designed to reward excellence and foster healthy academic competition among youths within the local government area.

While promising that the council will continually prioritize educational advancement, the Chairman congratulated all recipients and urged them to remain committed to their academic goals.

The beneficiaries expressed deep gratitude for the gesture, promising to make the council proud.

One of the recipients, Muritala Isiaq Akande, who received the ?250,000 grant, admitted that he was initially skeptical about the programme because he lacks political connections.

‘Receiving the notification for my selection among numerous applicants came as a complete surprise,’ Akande stated. ‘I sincerely thank the local government Chairman for this timely intervention. It truly shows that he loves education and genuinely cares for the people of this local government.’

National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have collaborated to advance the coordination of framework for regulatory compliance in the aviation sector in Nigeria.

Speaking at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Abuja, the Commissioner of Insurance, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, said, ‘Through this partnership, we are advancing a more coordinated framework for compliance, risk protection, information sharing, and stakeholder confidence-one that better serves passengers, operators, insurers, financiers, lessors, international partners, and the Nigerian public at large.

‘This occasion represents not only the strengthening of institutional cooperation, but also a clear affirmation of our shared regulatory commitment to the safety, integrity, and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.

‘The aviation industry occupies a strategic position in our economy, providing critical services that support commerce, tourism, investment, and national development. Given the nature of aviation operations, effective insurance protection is not merely a regulatory requirement; it is an essential risk management tool that safeguards lives, property, businesses, and the broader economy’.

He explained that regulators must work together to ensure that the insurance arrangements supporting the aviation sector remain adequate, valid, and responsive to emerging risks.

‘For NAICOM, this partnership aligns squarely with our statutory responsibility of ensuring a sound, stable, and reliable insurance industry. Through this collaboration, NAICOM will continue to provide regulatory oversight and technical expertise in insurance matters, including the verification of aviation insurance arrangements, the provision of information on licensed insurers authorized to underwrite aviation risks, and support for initiatives that protect Nigerians and promote industry compliance.

‘The Memorandum also establishes a Joint Technical Committee which will serve as the engine room for the implementation of our shared objectives. The Committee is expected to facilitate information sharing, conduct periodic reviews of insurance requirements, address operational challenges, coordinate stakeholder engagements, and promote capacity building for both institutions and industry participants.

‘I wish to assure the NCAA management of NAICOM’s full commitment to the success of this Committee. We will provide the necessary technical support and expertise to ensure effective delivery of its mandate. We regard the Committee as a strategic platform for strengthening regulatory cooperation, enhancing the integrity of aviation insurance arrangements, and promoting stakeholder confidence in the sector’.

He stated that ‘we are particularly encouraged by the provisions that promote the exchange of information, joint stakeholder engagement, training initiatives, and the periodic assessment of insurance cover maintained by operators within the aviation ecosystem. These measures will contribute significantly to improved regulatory effectiveness and enhanced confidence among stakeholders.

‘Let me also emphasize that beyond the provisions of this MoU, the success of this collaboration will depend on sustained engagement, mutual trust, and a shared commitment to regulatory excellence. Both institutions have important and complementary mandates, and by working together, we can achieve outcomes that will advance the interests of Nigerians and aviation stakeholders alike.

‘As we append our signatures to this Memorandum, we are laying the foundation for a stronger framework of cooperation that will ultimately benefit the aviation sector, the insurance industry, and the Nigerian economy as a whole.

‘Beyond regulatory compliance, this partnership is fundamentally about protecting policyholders, safeguarding air travellers and other third parties, creating economic value, and strengthening investor confidence in Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem. Insurance provides critical financial protection to passengers, airlines, financiers, lessors, service providers, and members of the public by ensuring that legitimate liabilities, accidents, and losses are promptly and fairly addressed when they arise. In this regard, compulsory aviation liability insurance serves as an important safeguard for air travellers and other users of aviation services, providing assurance that compensation will be available where legally due.

‘A robust insurance framework therefore promotes public confidence in air transportation, supports business continuity, facilitates investment, enhances access to financing, and contributes to the stability required for sustainable economic growth’.

In his welcome address, the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo said, ‘Today’s event represents the culmination of a long-standing collaborative relationship between our two regulatory institutions and reinforces our shared commitment to strengthening aviation safety, financial resilience, regulatory compliance and the protection of the travelling public and other aviation stakeholders, in addition to the formal establishment of a Joint Technical Committee on Aviation Insurance.

‘Aviation remains a paradoxical industry that is globally recognised as the safest mode of transportation, yet characterised by high-impact operational risks. As the Authority statutorily responsible for regulating and mitigating these risks at the State level, our safety mandate must be complemented by a robust, transparent, and verifiable insurance framework. This partnership with NAICOM strengthens that foundation and reinforces the operational safety and financial resilience of the Nigerian aviation sector.

‘For several years, NCAA and NAICOM have worked closely, with NAICOM providing expert assessments on the adequacy and viability of insurance policies procured by aviation operators in compliance with Part 18.14 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023.

‘This MoU we are signing today further deepens that cooperation, enhances stakeholder confidence, and supports cost-efficient operations while addressing challenges faced by Nigerian operators’.

He noted that ‘our objective is not merely to enforce compliance, but to establish a balanced regulatory environment in which aviation safety and financial protection complement each other. Through effective collaboration, we intend to promote sustainable insurance practices, minimise avoidable regulatory and operational challenges, while supporting the long-term growth and resilience of Nigeria’s aviation industry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government.

‘I, therefore, commend the Joint Technical Teams of the NCAA and NAICOM for the diligence and professionalism demonstrated in developing this MoU. I particularly appreciate the Commissioner for Insurance and the entire NAICOM team for their cooperation and commitment throughout this process’.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to intensify efforts to secure communities affected by terrorism and create conditions for the safe and dignified return of displaced Nigerians to their ancestral homes.

Obi made the call after visiting an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, where he said more than 500 displaced persons were being accommodated.

The former Anambra State governor disclosed this in a Facebook post following his earlier attempt to visit victims of attacks in Yelwata, Benue State.

According to Obi, his delegation was prevented from proceeding to Yelwata, where he had planned to visit displaced Nigerians and families affected by recent attacks. He subsequently travelled to Mangu to meet displaced persons there.

He described the situation in Mangu as ‘deeply disturbing’, alleging that more than 45,000 people had been displaced and over 20 communities sacked by terrorists.

‘These are Nigerians who want nothing more than to return to their ancestral homes, rebuild their communities, cultivate their farms, and live their lives in peace and dignity,’ Obi said.

He urged the government to do more to protect affected communities and restore the confidence of residents who had been forced from their homes.

Obi stressed that security and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights should not be determined by ethnicity, religion, location or political affiliation.

‘The right to life, safety, dignity and livelihood must be protected for every Nigerian, irrespective of where they live, their ethnicity, religion or political affiliation,’ he said.

The NDC presidential candidate also warned against allowing displaced Nigerians to become forgotten victims of the country’s security challenges.

‘Our displaced citizens must not become forgotten Nigerians,’ he said, adding that the government must provide the conditions necessary for their safe return while supporting them to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.

Obi said displacement had disrupted not only the homes of affected Nigerians but also their livelihoods and future prospects, particularly for farming communities whose ability to cultivate their land had been affected by insecurity.

He maintained that the restoration of peace and security must therefore include the protection of communities, recovery of livelihoods and rehabilitation of displaced populations.

During the visit, Obi said he offered what he described as his ‘modest support’ to displaced families as a gesture of solidarity and compassion.

He reiterated his vision of a Nigeria where citizens can live, work, farm, raise families and pursue their aspirations without fear.

‘As long as there is one displaced Nigerian, all Nigerians are displaced,’ Obi said.

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has launched a N200 billion Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) Programme aimed at protecting Nigerian farmers from depressed commodity prices and stabilising the prices of staple grains in the country.

Managing Director of the BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, who spoke on Tuesday at the launch of the programme, said the initiative would target more than 500,000 farmers and aggregate at least 500,000 metric tonnes of grains.

Sotinrin said the programme was introduced in response to the challenges faced by farmers in 2024 and 2025, when prices of major commodities including maize, rice, sorghum and soybeans fell below import parity, leaving many farmers unable to recover their production costs.

He explained that under the GMP mechanism, eligible farmers who cultivated maize during the 2025 dry and wet seasons would be guaranteed a floor price of N350,000 per tonne where market prices fall below the guaranteed level.

According to him, the programme is designed exclusively for genuine farmers and not commodity traders.

‘This guaranteed minimum price is only for farmers who have planted on their farms and who are suffering with these depressed prices. It is not for traders,’ Sotinrin said.

He warned against attempts by middlemen to buy grains from markets at low prices and present them as farm produce in order to benefit from the scheme.

Sotinrin said the BOA would work with farmer aggregation companies to purchase eligible commodities directly from farmers, with payments made electronically into farmers’ bank accounts.

He added that farmer aggregation companies would receive a fee for every metric tonne aggregated.

The BOA chief executive said the programme would initially cover maize, sorghum and soybeans, while the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) would provide the warehousing and market infrastructure required to ensure transparency.

He explained that commodities purchased under the programme would be stored in certified warehouses and backed by warehouse receipts after quality, quantity and specification checks.

Rather than allowing the grains to deteriorate in storage, Sotinrin said the commodities would serve as a strategic reserve that could be released into the market when prices rise sharply.

He said that if grain prices rise to levels such as N500,000 per tonne, the BOA could release its stored commodities at a lower price of about N380,000 to N390,000 per tonne.

According to him, the approach would protect farmers on the supply side while also shielding millers, manufacturers and consumers from excessive price increases.

‘When we push grains into the market to reduce the price of grains from N500,000 to maybe N380,000 or N390,000, it means that we have a market stabilisation mechanism,’ he said.

Sotinrin said the programme could eventually become a permanent market intervention mechanism, with funds revolving through the purchase, storage and sale of commodities.

He called for strong collaboration with farmers’ associations, particularly the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), stressing that the associations were critical to identifying genuine farmers and disseminating information about the programme.

He said the BOA had already used more than 40 radio stations to sensitise farmers in different Nigerian languages, but urged farmers’ associations to complement the effort by taking information about the scheme directly to farming communities.

Sotinrin said the programme was designed to benefit hundreds of thousands, potentially millions, of farmers and impact more than 11.5 million households.

He described the intervention as a demonstration of government’s commitment to addressing farmers’ concerns and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.