Category: Nigerian Tribune

Fresh allegations of sexual harassment, cult-related activities and academic misconduct have cast a shadow over Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, with students expressing fears over what they describe as a worsening atmosphere on campus.

Investigations revealed that many students, particularly female students, are allegedly reluctant to report cases of misconduct due to fears of intimidation and victimisation.

Sources within the institution alleged that disciplinary standards put in place by the previous administration have weakened in recent months, creating room for the resurgence of unethical practices involving some lecturers and students.

According to the sources, some lecturers allegedly demand sexual favours or cash payments from female students in exchange for favourable academic grades.

Two lecturers from the Public Administration and Graphics Design departments, whose identities were withheld, were mentioned in the allegations.

They were accused of asking students to either submit to sexual advances or pay between ?70,000 and ?80,000 to secure passing grades.

A source, who spoke anonymously, claimed that the institution had previously curtailed such practices through strict disciplinary measures but alleged that lax enforcement had allowed them to return.

‘Some lecturers now operate without fear. There are reports of a lecturer allegedly asking a student to book and pay for a hotel room before he would consider assisting her academically,’ the source alleged.

The source further claimed that a student who reported the incident to a management official was allegedly intimidated instead of receiving protection.

‘There is growing concern that the disciplinary structure has weakened. Many students are afraid to report cases because they fear victimisation or possible expulsion,’ the source said.

Beyond the allegations of sexual misconduct, concerns have also been raised over an alleged resurgence of cult activities on campus.

Sources claimed that late-night meetings and initiation ceremonies, previously suppressed by the institution, have resurfaced around student hostels.

One source alleged that a cult initiation took place between 2:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. near a female hostel, adding that although security personnel reportedly alerted the management, no immediate action was taken.

Observers also expressed concern over the alleged relaxation of campus regulations, including dress code enforcement and compulsory use of student identity cards, as well as the reported return of handout sales by some lecturers despite rising school fees.

Responding to the allegations, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, John Amos Onimisi, confirmed that the management had suspended six lecturers on July 22, 2026, for the unauthorised sale of handouts and textbooks. He also disclosed that another lecturer had been suspended over allegations of sexual harassment.

Onimisi said the institution’s disciplinary committee has commenced an investigation into the allegations and assured that the outcome of the probe would be made available to journalists upon its conclusion.

You might remember opening an old slot game on a small laptop, hearing a sharp coin sound, and watching three reels stop almost instantly. Nothing moved except the symbols. Then you open a newer game on your phone and find layered backgrounds, side features, and tiny animations after every spin. The change feels obvious, but the reasons behind it are more interesting than the surface polish.

The early games felt almost mechanical

Older online slots borrowed heavily from physical machines. You saw familiar fruit symbols, simple pay lines, and a bright button that did nearly all the work. To be fair, that directness had its own charm.

Three reels told you everything

You did not need a tutorial. Three reels, a few symbols, and one clear result made the whole rhythm easy to follow. A round could finish in a couple of seconds.

That simplicity made every symbol feel larger than it really was.

Sound did more than graphics

Early games often relied on short electronic tones because the visuals had limited movement. You heard a click, a chime, or a brief burst after a win. The sound carried the moment.

And sometimes it still does.

Phones changed what you expected

Once slots moved comfortably onto phones, you stopped treating them like small copies of desktop games. You expected touch controls, readable text, and quick loading during a spare five minutes, without demanding that you stop and study the screen.

Screens became part of the design

A vertical phone screen changed where buttons sat and how much information you could see at once. Developers had to make symbols readable without filling the display with clutter.

You also started noticing smoother menus. Honestly, most people do not realise how much a badly placed spin button can interrupt the whole mood.

Themes started doing more work

A theme once meant little more than a background picture and matching icons. Later games began using characters, short scenes, and small visual changes to give each session a distinct feel.

You can see that shift on sites such as slot88, where the attraction often depends on how quickly a game communicates its mood.

Features became part of the story

Modern slot games often give you more to notice between spins. A symbol may expand, a background may change, or a side feature may appear after a certain combination.

Bonus rounds stopped feeling separate

Older bonus rounds could feel like a different screen pasted onto the main game. Newer designs often carry the same colours, characters, and sound cues into the extra feature.

The result feels more connected, though not exactly invisible.

Small animations now guide your eyes

A glowing frame can show you where a feature began. A moving symbol can suggest what changed, even before you read the message on screen.

Weirdly enough, these tiny movements can matter more than a large cinematic sequence.

You have more control over pace

Many newer games let you adjust sound, speed, or animation length. You can keep the full presentation or move through rounds more quickly.

That choice matters because you may want spectacle at home and something quieter during a short break.

The next change may feel smaller

You will probably keep seeing cleaner controls, more adaptable layouts, and features that react to how you play. The changes may not look dramatic at first.

You might simply notice that a game remembers your preferred sound level or opens with fewer explanations. Small comforts tend to become normal before you realise they arrived.

At some point, visual polish may stop being the main difference. You may care more about whether a game respects your time and keeps its ideas clear.

But the old three-reel rhythm will probably stay around too. You may return to it now and then, partly for nostalgia, partly because simple can still feel right.

A bill aimed at putting an end to religious preaching and hawking inside commercial vehicles scaled all legislative hurdles and was passed quietly by the Senate a few days ago. The bill, tagged Federal Road Safety Corps (Amendment) Bill, 2026, seeks to strengthen road safety enforcement and curb practices considered capable of distracting drivers. It is now awaiting presidential assent. When it becomes law, its built-in sanction regime will impose specific punishments for violators. These include preachers and traders in commercial vehicles, as well as motorists who refuse to cooperate with officials of the FRSC during roadside breath tests conducted on reasonable suspicion. The amendment, said to be part of a broader review of the FRSC Act, will use stiffer penalties for traffic offences to bolster compliance with traffic regulations, reduce road carnage, and enhance safety on Nigerian roads.

The objective of the proposed law can hardly be faulted. Legislating against potentially dangerous and unacceptable activities that could negatively impact the concentration of commercial drivers, thereby endangering the lives of passengers, would seem to be the right thing to do. However, many find it offensive that the proposed law places preaching in the same category as commercial hawking. While one involves the exchange of goods for money, the other involves words, ideas, and faith. This distinction is crucial, given the sensitivity of the faithful, but the proposed law does not make it so. In any case, the pertinent question is whether these practices, objectionable as they may seem, have actually been proven to contribute to road accidents. If there is empirical evidence to support the assumptions upon which the proposed law is predicated, then by all means it should become law. However, it is unclear whether data was made available on the nexus between these activities and road crashes when the bill was undergoing legislative scrutiny.

There are other issues that require further clarification. One is the thin line between preaching and praying in buses. While the holiness and moral conduct of followers of different faiths in the country could be a subject of interrogation, it is undeniable that Nigerians are highly religious and believe that the Supreme Being plays a significant role in human affairs. That is why, in many instances, people pray inside commercial vehicles at the commencement of journeys and/or when they sense that danger is imminent. Will the proposed law not infringe on the constitutional rights of citizens to practise their religion without let or hindrance if it effectively bans praying in buses? Will it not, in specific terms, constitute a clear violation of Sections 38(1), 39(1), and 42(1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria? There is also the issue of the economic realities facing many Nigerians and businesses, especially nano and small-scale enterprises. Many have had to improvise by using agents in commercial vehicles to reach potential customers because of the cost implications of opening multiple outlets to sell their products. Would banning trading or hawking in commercial vehicles not compound the economic challenges of these people and businesses? While the objective of the proposed law can hardly be contested, is there no other way to reorient motorists to remain focused while driving, instead of imposing a blanket ban on preaching and trading in buses?

Another issue is the doubtful efficacy of the proposed law in reining in these practices, especially in the likely absence of evidence to prosecute offenders. For instance, while the objective may be to avoid distractions on the road, it may be hard to find a Nigerian who will report another Nigerian to the authorities for preaching or hawking on a public bus, given the country’s religious character and economic realities. How do you establish guilt, and where and how do you impose punishment? How do you gather evidence when most public buses have no video recording facilities?

Again, the proposed law expects FRSC officials to subject drivers to roadside breath tests to identify motorists who drive under the influence of alcohol. This is the way to go, given the effect of alcohol on cognitive function and the resultant poor judgment. We support any measure that will prevent or punish drivers for drinking while driving. However, asking the FRSC to enforce this aspect is fraught with danger because this is traditionally a police function. The corps cannot reasonably be expected to compel drivers to take a breathalyser test, especially inebriated ones, because its officials do not bear arms. Or is the government considering the long-standing request by the FRSC to carry firearms? The FRSC has for some time seemed to focus on revenue generation: booking traffic offenders and directing them to make payments to its accounts at designated points. And often, it does not matter whether the infractions for which fines were paid have been rectified by the offending motorists.

If there is any discernible good that the proposed law may do, it is to jolt the corps out of its protracted lethargy and distraction, and compel it to face its core mandate of accident prevention. Truth be told, the alleged objectionable practices, especially hawking and preaching in commercial buses, which the proposed law seeks to ban, detract from international best practices. But every jurisdiction has its peculiarities, and laws are made to regulate the conduct of citizens with a view to promoting safety, security, wellbeing, comfort, and happiness for all, or at least the vast majority – not to annul their rights or compound their existing problems. Thus, while we do not object to sanity in public buses, we urge that the Nigerian public be sufficiently consulted, and that the effect of the bill on society, especially its unintended consequences, be thoroughly considered before it becomes law. All grey areas should be addressed before the President assents to the bill.

The Igbo community in Cross River State has raised concerns over what it described as illegal taxation and harassment by non-state actors, calling on the state government to clamp down on those allegedly imposing multiple levies on businesses.

The concerns were raised on Monday during an interactive session between the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, members of the business community, women and student groups, and officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Calabar.

The community also complained about the poor condition of roads in parts of the state, saying it was affecting commercial activities.

Speaking at the meeting, the Second Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Agu Prince, alleged that unidentified groups had continued to impose illegal taxes on traders, claiming their activities were threatening the survival of many businesses.

According to him, the groups operate with receipt booklets and harass traders daily.

‘Our position remains that these people have the backing of some persons in government because of the way and manner they go about this,’ he said.

Prince also urged the state government to decongest markets, warning that overcrowding had increased the risk of fire outbreaks.

The Financial Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Mr Evan Mba, commended Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for its inclusive approach but appealed for the rehabilitation of roads, particularly in the Northern Senatorial District, to facilitate business activities and economic growth.

Also speaking, the state Secretary of the group, Chief Dike Ejike, expressed concern over what he described as inadequate government presence in the Northern Senatorial District and called for clarification over the reported reduction in the salaries of primary school teachers.

The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Cross River, High Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, appealed to the state government to address the community’s grievances while reaffirming the commitment of the Igbo community to the development of the state.

The community, however, commended the Otu administration for its efforts in tackling insecurity and fostering peaceful coexistence, noting that members of the Igbo community had continued to feel welcomed in the state.

Responding, the Cross River State Chairman of the APC, Mr Christopher Etta, assured the gathering that their concerns would be conveyed to Governor Otu.

He expressed satisfaction that no security-related complaints were raised at the meeting and attributed the country’s current economic challenges to long-standing structural problems.

‘It is true that things are difficult, but the reforms being implemented are aimed at addressing challenges that should have been tackled years ago. It is only a matter of time before the country begins to reap the benefits,’ Etta said.

The Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) on Monday presented farm inputs and cash to 5,000 rural farmers in Kwara State as part of efforts to cushion the effects of the dry-season farming disaster suffered by residents.

Speaking during the distribution in Ilorin, the Managing Director of the commission, Abubakar Sadiq Yelwa, said the farmers were assisted with power tillers, planters and other farm equipment, adding that the state government complemented the intervention with improved maize seedlings, fertilisers and agrochemicals.

Yelwa, who said the commission had also earmarked ?10 million for 100 indigent farmers recently affected by natural disasters in some agrarian communities in the state, said the distribution of the relief materials was aimed at fulfilling the commission’s earlier promise to assist farmers whose farmlands and crops were destroyed during the dry season.

He recalled that HYPPADEC had sympathised with the affected communities at the time of the incident and assured them of support to cushion the impact of their losses.

‘We are here today to distribute relief items to communities affected during the dry season, where many farmers lost their farmlands and crops. We promised them, and today we are fulfilling that promise,’ Yelwa said.

He also applauded the state government for providing hybrid maize seeds for distribution to farmers across the five local government areas covered by the programme.

He described the initiative as a significant step towards improving agricultural productivity and enhancing farmers’ livelihoods.

According to him, the government’s intervention would encourage improved productivity among farmers, create wealth and contribute to food security in the state.

‘We felt it was important to appreciate the state government for this initiative and encourage it to continue supporting farmers. This is not only beneficial to the state but also to the farmers and their families,’ he said.

On the cost of the intervention, Yelwa said the commission had committed about ?100 million to the relief exercise, adding that ?10 million was earmarked for distribution among 100 farmers whose farmlands were affected, while the relief materials were valued at about ?90 million at the time of purchase.

‘What is important is that the government is thinking about its people and supporting farmers. That is the real investment,’ he said.

Also speaking, the Supervising Commissioner for Agriculture in Kwara, Mrs Toyosi Thomas, said the partnership between HYPPADEC and the state government would boost agricultural productivity and improve farmers’ yields.

The commissioner described the initiative as a demonstration of effective collaboration between the commission, the state government and local government councils in supporting farmers.

She added that the beneficiaries would benefit from extension services to ensure proper utilisation of the inputs and adoption of improved farming practices.

‘It is not common for farmers to receive mechanisation support, production inputs and extension services together. This collaboration is expected to deliver meaningful results,’ she said.

The commissioner also said the Kwara State Ministry of Agriculture was supporting 7,500 farmers with fertilisers, while 2,000 farmers would benefit from the state’s Special Maize Programme.

She explained that the programme was designed as a holistic intervention, providing mechanisation support, technical extension services, production inputs and an off-take arrangement with flour mills.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abubakar Abdullai, advised the beneficiaries to take full advantage of the intervention by adopting improved farming practices and maximising the use of the hybrid seeds.

He said Kwara had enormous agricultural potential, noting that maize could be cultivated twice annually, while rice could be grown up to three times a year because of the state’s favourable conditions.

‘There are buyers waiting for the harvest. The opportunity is there, and it is now up to the farmers to make the most of it and become successful commercial farmers,’ he said.

The Kwara South senatorial district candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, Prince Olalekan Adewoye, has paid N3.8 million in medical bills for two indigent patients who have been under monthly medical expenses at the state general hospital.

Speaking during his visit to the Kwara State University Teaching Hospital (former General Hospital, Ilorin) on Saturday, the senatorial candidate said that the intervention ensured immediate discharge and continued care of the patients, who had been unable to settle the bills for their treatments.

Prince Adewoye also extended additional support of ?1 million to other patients admitted in the ward to assist with their feeding and other immediate welfare needs.

‘The intervention brought visible relief and renewed hope to patients on admission’, he said.

Speaking on the purpose of his visit, Prince Adewoye stated that true leadership and genuine wealth are measured not by personal possessions, but by the positive impact they make on the lives of the less privileged, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare.

The APC Kwara South Senatorial District Candidate emphasised that extending compassion and support to those in need is a fundamental responsibility of every leader committed to the well-being of society.

He prayed for all the patients in the hospital, asking God to grant them healing, perfect health and speedy recovery to reunite with their families.

The atmosphere in the ward was transformed with joy as patients, their families, and hospital staff expressed profound gratitude, offering heartfelt prayers and words of appreciation for Prince Adewoye’s generosity and kindness.

Medical personnel at the hospital commended Prince Adewoye for the gesture, describing it as a significant humanitarian contribution that will go a long way in supporting indigent patients and encouraging others to emulate such kindness.

Prince Lekan Adewoye has remained consistent in his philanthropy across Kwara South, with interventions spanning healthcare support, education, empowerment and community development.

MANY residents of Lagos are yet to recover from the shock as they recount their experiences following the recent devastating floodwaters that left their neighbourhoods in the worst condition. Many homes and valuables worth millions of naira were severely damaged by floodwaters.

While assessing the damage the annual flooding is doing to the state, built environment experts have blamed the recurring incidents of flooding on a number of factors ranging from illegal development of major wetlands to blocked water channels/drainages, poor waste disposal and the distortion of the Lekki Master Plan.

The experts are calling for the restoration of Lagos wetlands, routine maintenance of water channels and drainage system, and enforcement of town planning regulations to avert future occurrences.

Apart from exposing the city’s perennial struggle with flooding, blocked drainage channels and poor waste management, the deluge disrupted commercial and transportation activities. The huge environmental impact has brought enormous pains to most residents, who have not been comforted by the many visits and assurances from the Lagos State government officials to do the needful. According to them, nowadays, whenever the sky becomes cloudy, they become very apprehensive.

‘Every downpour now brings fears of damaged property, disrupted livelihoods, prolonged traffic congestion and avoidable health risks,’ one of the residents on Lagos Island said.

Recounting his experience, Mr. Alao Taofeek, a resident of the Patey area on Lagos Island, described the recent rainfall as devastating, particularly for traders in Ofin, Balogun, Idumota and Ereko markets.

According to him, the flooding reflects the growing challenges of rapid urbanisation, poor waste management and inadequate drainage infrastructure in Africa’s largest city.

Alao argued that the Ilubirin development altered the natural water channel that once served the area.

‘Where the Ilubirin Estate now stands used to be a river. After it was sand-filled for construction, the water lost its natural outlet and now flows back into surrounding communities whenever there is heavy rainfall,’ he said.

He also blamed indiscriminate waste disposal and poor access for waste collection vehicles on Lagos Island’s narrow streets.

‘LAWMA trucks cannot access many inner streets because they are too narrow. Residents are left with few options, and some dump refuse by the roadside. Those who previously disposed of waste at Tinubu Square can no longer do so, while cart pushers have also been stopped from operating. All these contribute to blocked drains and flooding.

‘This persistent flooding serves as yet another reminder that until the structural and environmental factors driving the crisis are addressed, the state will continue to experience not only flooding but also economic losses, environmental hazards and hardship for communities across Lagos,’ he added.

Taofeek practically blamed the persistent flooding on blocked drainage channels and the sand-filling of the Ilubirin area.

Flooding, mostly result of years of environmental abuse

Speaking with Sunday Tribune, former Chairman of the Lagos chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, Tayo Awomosun, said the problem of flooding in Lagos State was not a lack of planning but absolute disregard for the importance of wetlands.

Despite the low-lying location of Lagos, he pointed out that most wetlands, which are expected to store water and reduce flooding, have been illegally built upon, citing the wetlands around River Ogun in Isheri and other locations like Alapere, Ogudu and the Lekki axis, among others.

According to Google, wetlands are vital ecosystems that provide essential benefits such as flood control, water purification and biodiversity support. They act as natural sponges, clean polluted water and provide habitats for diverse plants and animals.

For climate stability, wetlands (especially peat lands) store large amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to slow down global warming.

Besides wetlands’ encroachment, Awomosun said that residents have also built on water channels and setbacks, thereby blocking the free flow of stormwater.

‘Water will always find its level,’ he said.

Awomosun also alleged that, due to poor environmental practices, residents have blocked most of the city’s drainages with trash, adding that climate change has made the situation worse.

‘There is need to restore some of these wetlands. There are laws guiding the use of wetlands, but the government refuses to enforce them,’ he said.

Another expert, Wasiu Olokunola, an engineer, said that the lack of routine maintenance of Lagos’ drainage channels was the major reason for the recurring flooding of streets and homes.

‘If you don’t maintain your roads and drainage [channels], there will be problems.

‘There are three types of drainages: primary, secondary and tertiary drainages. Lagos needs routine maintenance of these drains to prevent flooding,’ he said.

On frequent flooding in the Lekki corridor, former President of the Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria, Dr. Moses Ogunleye, said the key challenge was that less than 25 per cent of the components of most master plans are implemented before they expire.

He hinted that the master plan is already being reviewed.

‘The master plan is already being reviewed. Indeed, the work is being concluded,’ he said.

Regardless, Ogunleye said that this was not the major challenge of storm water management in Lekki, disclosing that the Drainage Master Plan for the area has not been implemented due to poor funding.

‘The key challenge is that, for most of the master plans, less than 25 per cent of the components are implemented before the plans expire. Regardless, this is not the major challenge of storm water management in the area. Even the Drainage Master Plan for the area has not been implemented. It is poorly funded,’ he said.

To prevent future occurrences, he suggested that drainage works should precede development.

He pointed out that the areas worst hit by flooding this year were the same ones affected over the last five years, noting that action should have been taken.

‘Let drainage works precede physical development. With that, the components would have been implemented before communities were built,’ he said.

Another expert, Femi Oyedele, said the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan has been bastardised, hence the incessant flooding of the area after heavy downpours.

‘Yes, we can say the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan has been bastardised, and that is the reason for the incessant flooding of the area after heavy downpours,’ he said.

He defined the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan as a regional development and zoning blueprint by the Lagos State Government, designed to transform the 70-80-kilometre-long Lekki Peninsula into a self-sustaining ‘Blue-Green Environment City’.

The master plan, he said, supports a projected population of over 5.3 million people and integrates high-end real estate with massive industrial hubs.

‘There were an estimated 100,000 trees in this city that have been cut down to give way for physical development. Water bodies, including lagoons, rivers, lakes and streams, have been sand-filled for housing construction,’ he said.

The worst bastardisation, Oyedele said, is the fact that there is no holistic channel for rainwater to escape because of the myriad of fenced estates developed without reference to the Lekki Comprehensive Master Plan.

He said: ‘The regional master plan includes the Lekki Free Trade Zone (LFZ), a 16,500-hectare economic hub hosting major industrial projects like the Dangote Refinery, the Lekki Deep Sea Port and mixed-use developments like Alárò City.

‘Transportation and infrastructure development in the master plan encompass the expansion of the Lekki-Epe Expressway, the proposed Lekki-Epe International Airport (3,500-hectare site), the proposed Lagos Green Line Rail, and the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

‘Zoning divides the peninsula into distinct functional zones. The E2 axis focuses on financial, commercial and high-end estate properties, while the E4 axis is dedicated to logistics and industrial manufacturing.

‘This beautiful plan was to be regulated by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA).’

In 2024, he said, Lagos State Governor BabajideSanwo-Olu confirmed that less than 20 per cent of the buildings within the Lekki region had building approval.

‘That means over 80 per cent of the buildings in the Lekki region are without building approval.

‘Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu confirmed in 2024 that less than 20 per cent of the buildings within the Lekki region had building approval,’ he said.

Apart from this, Oyedele said many estates in the Lekki region are disjointed, with no relationship with one another in terms of roads and drainage connectivity.

To mitigate the problem of annual flooding, Oyedele is of the opinion that private and experienced housing experts must be involved by the Lagos State Government.

He suggested the review of the master plan and the establishment of waterways.

He said: ‘There are easy solutions to the flooding, starting with the review of the master plan.

‘There should be the establishment of waterways that will be used for transportation from the Eleko to Banana Island corridor. These waterways will also serve as floodwater absorbers during the rainy season.

Citing examples from other countries, Oyedele pointed out that over 90 per cent of the Netherlands is at or below sea level, yet the government has been able to mitigate flooding.

‘Over 80 per cent of Glasgow is prone to flooding, especially the islands, but the Glasgow local government authority has been able to control flooding through several measures, including comprehensive channelling.’

According to him, flooding in Lekki can be controlled if the Lagos State government is ready to work with housing professionals in academia and private practice.

To mitigate the impact of seasonal flooding, the Lagos State government said it has intensified drainage clearance, de-silting of canals and enforcement against indiscriminate waste disposal.

Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has said that it is banking on support across opposition party lines to secure victory for its presidential candidate in the 2027 elections, Mr Seyi Makinde.

The party cited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly its Ekiti State chapter, for its adoption of Makinde as the candidate to support while the parties maintain their individual identities.

The party stated that the key target remained to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s candidate, President Bola Tinubu, in 2027 and assume the mantle of leadership to run a government that catered most for the Nigerian people.

The APM’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Abubakar Yusuf, spoke in Abuja on Sunday while commenting on the reaffirmation of commitment to the alliance by the Ekiti chapter of the PDP and the support for Makinde, who is the sitting Governor of Oyo State, to win the presidency in 2027.

On Friday, members of the PDP in Ekiti state and other supporters gathered in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, where they reaffirmed their adoption of Makinde for the presidential poll.

According to Yusuf, the reaffirmation signalled ‘a major boost to the determination of Nigerians to elect Governor Makinde as the next President of Nigeria, especially given the abysmal failures of the Tinubu-led APC administration.’

He spoke further, ‘We are working very hard and putting all our energy on this election because we are running to win. We have a good Presidential candidate in Governor Makinde who has already become the rallying point for Nigerians, especially the youth.

‘As you are already aware, given Governor Makinde’s sterling performance, especially as governor of Oyo, Nigerians have accepted him as the credible alternative to President Tinubu, who has failed the nation in every ramification. So, we are in this election to win, and there is no going back.

‘Since Engr. Seyi Makinde emerged as the APM presidential candidate, Nigerians from across the country are increasingly identifying with our party, with many of them expressing their readiness to mobilise support for the APM and its candidates.

‘That is why we have been galvanizing cross-party support for our Presidential candidate, and I can confirm to you that our alliance talks with such like-minded political parties are yielding the desired results. So, we welcome the reaffirmation of support by the Ekiti Chapter of the PDP to our Presidential candidate, and I can tell you that you will hear more of such solidarity in the coming days.

‘Nigerians are expressing support for Governor Makinde because of the distinct governance identity he has built in Oyo State. His administration’s record of performance in critical areas including the economy, security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and civil service welfare continues to attract national attention.

‘So, we are not resting at all. We are focused on winning the election. We are building the numbers, we are strengthening the structure and we will run one of the most robust, issue-based and winning campaigns in the history of Nigeria. We welcome all Nigerians who share this vision to join the APM and be part of the movement for national renewal.’

He said the embrace of the APM by Nigerians was due to the party’s democratic principles and its ‘blueprint for accountable and transparent governance, improved security of lives and property, economic revival and sustainable development.’

Yusuf added that once in office, the APM would deliver on its promise to secure Nigeria and bring governance closer to the people.

Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, Alh. Mujahid Asari-Dokubo has urged Nigerian youths to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and give his administration more time to deliver on its development agenda.

King Asari – Dokubo made the call when he hosted the leadership of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) at his palace in Elem, Port Harcourt, ahead of the council’s National Thanksgiving Service at Salvation Ministries, Port Harcourt.

The event was organised to celebrate recent achievements, including various programmes and court judgments that helped resolve the NYCN crisis.

He noted that, in many parts of the world, retaining an incumbent political leadership is often more beneficial to a nation than experimenting with a new administration.

The Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari stated, ‘I want to call on Nigerian youths and the executive to stand on the right side of history by supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In many countries, leadership that is allowed to continue often produces more results than leadership that is abruptly terminated.

‘When you meet Mr President, he will tell you to give him more time. He will say, ‘We are in a real mess; just give me more time, and in a short while, you will begin to see development.’

‘For now, you may not be able to see all the laudable work this administration is doing, but after a while, the results will become evident.’

In his remarks shortly after the National Thanksgiving Service, NYCN President, Amb. Sukubo Sara-Igbe, condemned banditry, kidnapping and other forms of social vices in the country.

Sukubo expressed concern that the growing insecurity, largely perpetrated by misguided youths, had continued to damage Nigeria’s image in the international community, contributing to the country’s designation by the United States as a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’

He vowed that the National Youth Council of Nigeria would collaborate with the Federal Government to tackle the wave of insecurity ravaging the country, stressing that the council would not sit idly by and allow the situation to deteriorate further.

NYCN President stated, ‘Our advice to Nigerian youths is that they should not take the law into their own hands. We are also appealing to our brothers who are involved in banditry, kidnapping and other social vices to desist from such acts. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we all have a stake in the development of this country, even though their actions are not what we, as youths, encourage or support.

‘We condemn every action by young people in this great country who take the law into their own hands or engage in banditry and kidnapping. That is not the dream of the Nigerian youth constituency. Therefore, we call on our brothers involved in these kinds of vices to desist from them.

‘They may not see us coming after them, but if they continue to target and harm our young people across the country, we will have no option but to join forces with the Nigerian government and security agencies to identify and apprehend those perpetrating these unlawful acts in our land.

‘Such activities do not give our country the positive image it deserves at the global level. We have seen Nigeria being designated as a Country of Particular Concern because of the actions of a few individuals who have chosen to take the law into their own hands. That is not our dream, and it is certainly not something that the umbrella body of Nigerian youths will support.’

NYCN Deputy President, Amb. Innocent Nduanya, said the council would engage security agencies and the Federal Government in addressing insecurity, adding that it had developed a blueprint to tackle the menace, alongside programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerian youths.

Nduanya said the council was committed to the welfare and development of youths in a united Nigeria, stressing that banditry and other social vices had continued to pose serious challenges to the country.

He also urged Nigerian youths not to allow politicians to manipulate or exploit them for political purposes, calling on them to channel their energy towards promoting peace, unity, development and national progress.

NYCN Deputy President stated, ‘One of the key objectives we intend to pursue is to engage with Nigerian security agencies and the Federal Government on the issue of insecurity. We have developed a blueprint that will be unveiled soon, and we also have life-changing programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerian youths.

‘In addition, we have global partners who will collaborate with the National Youth Council of Nigeria to ensure that the youths of this country are adequately empowered.

‘As he mentioned, banditry and other social vices have continued to bedevil our nation. What I want to emphasise is that the Council is committed to the welfare and development of the youths of a united Nigeria. We are not interested in a disunited Nigeria.

‘I also want to use this opportunity to call on Nigerian youths who are being used by politicians to desist from allowing themselves to be manipulated or exploited for political purposes. The youths should instead channel their energy towards activities that promote peace, unity, development and the progress of our country,’ Nduanya stated.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has detailed the extensive financial and strategic roles played by President Bola Tinubu in securing the victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2015 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal revealed that Tinubu not only bankrolled key aspects of the historic campaign from his personal wealth but also independently funded the nationwide campaign activities of the then-vice presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Recounting the inner workings of the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign machinery, the former SGF disclosed that Tinubu single-handedly financed Osinbajo’s outreach to specific demographics, hiring private jets to ease his mobility.

‘Through him, we were able to raise sufficient funds to do the campaign,’ Lawal stated. ‘Not only did he do that, Osinbajo’s portion of the campaign; he funded it, hired a chartered plane to fund the trip because Osinbajo’s campaign was a little bit broken away from the main campaign.’

Lawal explained that Osinbajo’s semi-independent campaign was a deliberate strategy to court Christian voters and other ethnic nationalities who harboured reservations about Buhari’s candidacy.

‘Osinbajo on his own was a pastor. His ethnic nationalities and Christians had some doubts about Buhari. He was on that side. He wasn’t in our own area and he was just operating semi-independently of the main campaign. Tinubu was funding it,’ he noted.

The former SGF further alleged that Tinubu brought in high-profile American political consultants to overhaul the party’s election strategy, spending billions of naira to secure their services. ‘I don’t know their names. I just know that they were Obama people, and they came and they transformed our campaign, and I knew that the money he paid them was in excess of two billion naira, equivalent in dollars,’ Lawal revealed.

Highlighting Tinubu’s deep pockets and commitment to the alliance that birthed the ruling party, Lawal noted that the current president routinely bypassed the party’s central treasury to settle massive electoral bills. ‘If there’s a need for an expenditure, no matter how massive, he doesn’t come to the campaign purse; he spends from his own purse,’ he added.

Lawal, who served in Buhari’s administration, also recounted how the former president specifically entrusted him with facilitating the initial merger talks between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) due to his close personal relationship with Tinubu.