Category: PM News

Politics has always received an all-time low in terms of reckoning in recent times, especially since the advent of politics in 1999.

The perception of many a people is that politics has been thrown to the dogs, becoming the personal fiefdom of charlatans, and other undesirable elements.

Consequently, the popular refrain in the polity is that ‘the worst of us are ruling the best of us’, in a society with the highest population among the black race.

Even the signs stare all in the face as some of those who occupy exalted offices fall short of the minimum standards in most societies.

Compared with post-independence politics, today’s politics is devoid of gravitas, wits and credibility, compared to the politics of old.

That was the era when men were men, with notable figures as Sir Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ladoke Akintola, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Anthony Enahoro and other notables as leading lights.

It was an era of razzmatazz, oratory skills, glitz and glamour at its best on the political turf, with many aspiring to become like these heroes.

Those were unforgettable days when political figures dominated the air waves with informed commentary in various spheres of national life, selling themselves and their manifestos.

No wonder, the various regions competed among themselves in a manner that prospered the people like never before. Posterity would never forget the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, for changing the fortunes of many homes which grabbed the opportunity offered by free education across Western Region.

Compare that era with what is happening in Nigerian politics today and you would almost weep for a country regarded as giant of Africa.

In terms of human and material resources, Nigeria leads the pack, but in terms of quality politics, it is at its lowest ebb.

That is why the situation in Ogun State today calls for caution as the 2027 elections stare us in the face. The state has always been peaceful, though politicians sometimes create unnecessary tension through their actions and utterances.

Meanwhile, words are very powerful and therefore need to be carefully used in conveying messages to woo the electorate.

These are a combination of people cutting across different sectors, most of whom are able to decipher.

It therefore behooves politicians to look at issues affecting the state dispassionately and tell the people how they hope to tackle them for their benefit.

Unfortunately, what we have seen thus far is throwing of needles tantrums, especially from the camp of the opposition.

The Gateway State, as Ogun is fondly called, is a state brimming with potentials that need to be harnessed for the good of the people.

Its proximity to Lagos makes it an asset and advantage as many investors see Ogun as the next investment destination.

Luckily, Governor Dapo Abiodun has been able to lay the foundation for future administrations to tap into to take the state to greater heights.

His completion of the Gateway Airport is a welcome development and its dividends is bound to improve business within and around the state.

Aside this, Ogun State has a pact with Lagos, the nation’s economic capital, courtesy of the Abiodun administration.

It is therefore incumbent on political gladiators in the coming polls to tell the people how they hope to further develop the state instead of engaging in mudslinging.

Unbridled allegations only distract the people, inflame tension and create fear among the people.

The focus should therefore be on job creation, investment opportunities, affordable healthcare, education, agriculture, transportation, sports and more.

It is for this reason that credit must go to APC Governorship hopeful, Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, also known as Yayi, for crafting a robust message that meets the hopes and aspirations of the people.

Close watchers of his politics would see a focused, visionary and deliberate attempt to touch the lives of the people spread across different strata.

From his days as a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Yayi has been deliberate about touching the lives of his constituents, positively.

The experience he garnered over the years is what has made him among the most impactful politicians of his generation.

Going by his political trajectory, the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Yayi has spread his tentacles across the length and breadth of Ogun State with uncommon vigour.

This he has done with tact and humility, such that his impact has drawn so many into the APC across the length and breadth of Ogun State.

It is therefore not uncommon to tackle a man with his kind of credentials by opposition elements who are wowed by his intimidating credentials.

Instead of taking him up on issues, they resorted to cheap blackmail, mudslinging and name calling, all in a bid to stop this moving train.

Rather than take on them, the APC Governorship hopeful is replying them through mega initiatives.

targeted at raising the standard of the people across the state.

Therefore, whether you go to Ijebu, Egba, Yewa or Remo, the impact is too glaring to be ignored.

In Ijebu Water Side alone, he is currently working on the electrification of over 50 communities to the tune of 500 million naira, same for about 1 billion naira grant to traders across the state.

This is aside scholarships to students all over the states, grants to artisans, sponsored vocational training and upgrade of Federal Poly to a University and setting up of a Police Academy in the state.

Undoubtedly, Yayi remains the first senator in Ogun State history to have impacted the state’s three senatorial districts simultaneously in less than four years!

Meanwhile, all these are not without resistance. For those who think Senator Adeola would engage in tantrums with the opposition, they would need to ask those who engaged him using gun-toting elements in the race for Lagos West Senatorial District. Not only were they defeated by the mass of the people, they got to learn that politics is not about bravado but deployment of superior intellectual prowess.

Yayi’s school of politics revolves around politics without bitterness with the people as the focal point of politics, a trait he has demonstrated and would continue to demonstrate even after landing at the Governor’s office, Oke-Mosan in 2027.

Adefulu, a Journalist writes from Lagos

A 30-year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, has been arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport (AIIA), Enugu, for ingesting 98 wraps of cocaine.

Cyril was arrested on Sunday, August 2, 2026, during the outward clearance of passengers boarding Ethiopian Airlines flight ET930, en route to Italy through Addis Ababa and France.

The arrest was among the arrests and drug seizures recorded by the NDLEA during the first week of August.

Following his arrest at the airport’s departure hall, Cyril was placed under excretion observation. He subsequently expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510 kilogrammes.

Preliminary investigations revealed that Cyril had arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026.

He ingested the drug at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before travelling to Enugu to board his flight back to Europe.

In his statement, the suspect said he had been doing business in Italy for several years before agreeing to traffic the consignment for pound 3,500. He added that he intended to use the money to finance his relocation to Germany, where his family is based.

In a separate operation, NDLEA operatives on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway intercepted a truck conveying 1,633 kilogrammes of skunk concealed in bags of rice shafts.

The truck was intercepted on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, while two suspects identified as 40-year-old Buba Jamilu and 30-year-old Sanusi Ibrahim, who were transporting the consignment, were arrested.

Similarly, NDLEA operatives recovered 147 kilogrammes of skunk from the Ita Ogbolu forest during a raid conducted on Monday, August 3.

The agency said the arrests and seizures formed part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt the trafficking and distribution of illicit drugs across the country.

The Kano State Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking has arrested 28 suspects and recovered assorted illicit substances in Rimin Gado and Doka communities of the State.

This is contained in a statement by the Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Muhuyi Malawi and issued by the Secretary, Mr. Ibrahim Garba-Muhammad on Sunday in Kano.

Magaji, who led the operation, said it was aimed to tackle drug-related criminality and protect communities from the effects of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

‘On Aug. 7, the task force raided five drug joints in Rimin Gado and Doka in Tofa Local Government Area of the state.

The targeted operation was aimed to demonstrate the task force’s impartial enforcement mandate and to send a clear message that no one is above the law.

‘We are treating every community equally and enforcing the law without bias. Our guiding principle is Kano First and we are determined to ensure a peaceful, prosperous and drug-free state inline with the vision of Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf,’ he said.

Magaji said the task force recovered various assorted illicit substances during the raids. He said that he commenced the operations from his hometown Rimin Gado saying it was deliberate and symbolic.

‘Sanitising my own community is the first step to a wider campaign,’ he added.

He said that the campaign would be extended beyond Kano Metropolis to all 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

The chairman noted that the operation combined kinetic interventions to disrupt criminal activities with coordinated follow-up. He said the task force would also adopt a balanced approach that would combine enforcement with prevention and recovery.

‘While kinetic measures continue to dismantle illicit drug networks, non-kinetic efforts are being intensified through engagement with community leaders, regulatory bodies, health services and educational partners to raises awareness. We’ll also strengthen supply-chain controls and expand rehabilitative support to those affected by substance use’ Magaji said.

He stressed that lawful and legitimate businesses were not the target of the operations.

‘Our aim is to protect honest traders and create an environment in which businesses and communities can thrive free from the effects of drug trafficking and abuse’ he said.

Magaji said investigations were ongoing and suspects found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law. He urged members of the public to support the ongoing operations by reporting suspicious activities and provide relevant information on drug trafficking and abuse.

The Chairman reaffirmed the task force’s commitment to sustain its operations, uphold professional standards and safeguard the health and security of residents across the state.

Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced that enrollment under the Katsina State Health Insurance Scheme has increased from 355,000 beneficiaries in 2023 to 583,460 in 2026, representing a 64 percent growth within three years.

Governor Radda made the announcement on Friday while flagging off the enrollment of 184,105 beneficiaries into the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) across Katsina State’s 361 political wards at the General Hospital, Katsina.

He said the achievement reflects his administration’s sustained investment in expanding access to quality healthcare and ensuring that poor and vulnerable citizens are not left behind.

‘Today, we are not merely launching another programme. We are taking another bold step towards ensuring that healthcare becomes a right and not a privilege for every citizen of Katsina State,’ the Governor declared.

Governor Radda stated that Katsina has emerged as one of Nigeria’s leading states in healthcare financing and service delivery, with the Katsina State Contributory Healthcare Management Agency (KTSCHMA) winning the National Health Insurance Excellence Award in both 2024 and 2025.

He disclosed that the agency has also hosted peer-review visits from seven states seeking to understudy Katsina’s innovative healthcare financing model.

The Governor further revealed that his administration has revitalised Primary Healthcare Centres across the state, established modern facilities including the Imaging and Cancer Treatment Centreand Dialysis Centre, and upgraded several Comprehensive Health Centres into fully-fledged General Hospitals.

He disclosed that about 98 percent of state and local government employees have been enrolled into the health insurance scheme, while retirees, members of the Hisbah Corps, the Katsina State Community Watch Corps and persons with disabilities continue to benefit from free health insurance provided by the state government.

Governor Radda also announced that enrollment into the Katsina State Health Insurance Scheme has become a mandatory requirement for all government employment programmes.

According to him, the policy is designed to protect beneficiaries from catastrophic out-of-pocket medical expenses while accelerating Katsina’s drive towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

‘An Executive Memorandum will be issued immediately to ensure full compliance across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Health insurance is now mandatory in Katsina State because we are determined to protect our people from avoidable financial hardship arising from medical expenses,’ the Governor stated.

He explained that the policy aligns with the Federal Government’s Universal Health Coverage agenda and his administration’s Building Your Future development blueprint.

Governor Radda said the government has strengthened the Katsina State Drugs and Medical Supplies Management Agency through an innovative financing model that channels 50 percent of capitation funds directly to healthcare facilities, significantly reducing drug stock-outs while improving accountability and service delivery.

He noted that Katsina’s healthcare financing model has continued to attract national and international recognition, revealing that countries such as Kenya have adopted aspects of the state’s healthcare financing framework.

The Osun state Police Command have released the state Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Mayowa Anjorin who was arrested over alleged shooting at a political procession in Ilesa on Saturday.

DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the spokesperson for the command, confirmed the release to newsmen on Sunday.

‘The commissioner has been released. He was released around 1.00 p.m on bail. The Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner and the gun found with him (the Amotekun operative) are still with us. However, investigation is still ongoing on the matter,’ Ojelabi said.

P.M.NEWS earlier reported that the police arrested Anjorin over alleged shooting, which took place at a political procession in Ilesa.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has told Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to prepare for defeat in the August 15 governorship election.

Oyetola said Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu would not stop the All Progressives Congress from taking back the Osun governorship seat.

The former Osun governor spoke on Saturday while addressing APC leaders, stakeholders and supporters in the state.

Oyetola was reacting to allegations by Adeleke that APC members and leaders of the Accord Party were being intimidated ahead of the election.

Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola said Adeleke’s complaints showed that the governor was already worried about losing the election.

He said, ‘They realised that they are already losing out. Then they claimed to have endorsed us. He almost cried. Endorsement cannot retain this seat for you. We are taking it over.

‘If you like, make 10 endorsements, we will collect this one from you.’

Oyetola also dismissed Adeleke’s frequent references to him, saying he had deliberately avoided responding to the governor publicly.

He said, ‘If he sleeps and has nightmares, he will say he saw me. If his wife gave him food late, he would say I’m responsible for that.

‘My name is so sweet in his mouth. Meanwhile, we are not even interested in his case. If we get interested in his case, he will feel it.’

Adeleke is seeking re-election in the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party. He will face the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and other candidates.

The election is expected to be a close contest between Adeleke and Oyebamiji, with both camps stepping up their campaigns ahead of the poll.

Political tension has also increased in the state, with the two major camps accusing each other of violence, intimidation and the arrest of their supporters.

Adeleke and his campaign team have accused the Oyetola-led APC of intimidating Accord Party members following reports of arrests and raids on the homes of some party leaders and senior government officials.

The APC has denied the allegations and continued its campaign to regain control of Osun State after losing the governorship to Adeleke in 2022.

Oyetola governed Osun from 2018 to 2022 but lost his re-election bid to Adeleke in the closely contested 2022 election.

The two politicians are now on opposite sides again as Oyetola supports Oyebamiji and the APC in its attempt to return to power in Osun.

Thirteen people have been rescued after a residential building collapsed in the Dan Dishe area of Kwanar Yashi, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano State, in the early hours of Saturday.

The incident left 16 people injured, according to reports.

The Kano State Fire Service said its Emergency Response Unit received a distress call about the collapse at about 4:32am and immediately deployed personnel from its headquarters to the scene.

The service’s Public Relations Officer, Saminu Abdullahi, disclosed in a statement that the collapsed building measured about 20 by 30 feet.

He said 13 victims were pulled from the rubble, with 10 rescued alive and three others found unconscious.

The rescued victims identified alive included Al-Mustapha Yusuf, 15; Khadija Yusuf, seven; Ummusalama Yusuf, 10; Madina Yusuf, six; and Hafsat Yusuf, nine.

The three unconscious victims were identified as Affan Yusuf, five; Hassana Yusuf, seven; and Ummulkursum Yusuf, nine months old.

The fire service said eight other survivors could not be immediately identified.

According to the statement, the victims were handed over to Usman Ibrahim, identified as their father’s brother, for further medical attention and care.

‘Upon receiving the report, men of the Service from the Headquarters were immediately mobilised to the scene. On arrival, they discovered that a residential building of about 20 by 30 feet had collapsed,’ the statement said.

The cause of the collapse has not been established, as the Kano State Fire Service said investigation into the incident was ongoing.

The agency urged residents to remain vigilant, especially during the rainy season, and report signs of structural weakness to relevant authorities to prevent similar incidents.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Niger, Aishatu Sa’adu, has confirmed the killing of 15 travellers with 25 others hospitalised following a fatal road crash along Enagi-Mokwa Road.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Minna, the Sector Commander said the accident involved two buses coming from the same direction.

According to her, 15 people were burnt to death when the buses engulfed in flame after the head-on collision in the evening of Saturday.

She added that 25 other travellers, who sustained injuries, were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida and General Hospital in Kutigi.

Sa’adu attributed the accident to wrongfully overtaking at a bend and over speeding.

‘The accident was as a result of over speeding and wrongfully overtaking.

‘I advise the motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid wrongful overtaking,’ she said.

Aloy Ejimakor, Special Counsel to detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, has claimed that the separatist leader was subjected to ‘prosecutorial overkill’ by the Nigerian government.

Ejimakor, in a post on X, alleged that the government influenced the judicial process against Kanu, arguing that the main issue in the case was his agitation for Biafra and not allegations of terrorism or treason.

According to the lawyer, Kanu’s campaign for a separate state was based on his argument that Nigerians should be treated equally, adding that separation would be an option if such conditions were not met.

‘From day one, the bone of contention wasn’t terrorism or treason, but agitation for a separate state,’ Ejimakor said.

‘MNK is a victim of prosecutorial overkill by the State and the judiciary was hoodwinked. What remains is the fix, and it shall come, sooner than later.’

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015, in Lagos by the Department of State Services over his activities with Radio Biafra and allegations of treasonable felony.

He was arraigned before an Abuja Magistrate Court in November 2015 before his trial continued at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court granted Kanu bail on health grounds in April 2017, but his bail was later revoked after he left Nigeria following a military operation at his Abia State residence.

The IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya on June 26, 2021, and returned to Nigeria through an extraordinary rendition process. He was subsequently detained by the DSS and re-arraigned before the Federal High Court.

After years of legal proceedings over his separatist activities, Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment by Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court on November 20, 2025.

The Nigerian government has maintained that Kanu’s prosecution was based on alleged offences against the state and national security.

The Association of Lagos State Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries (ALARHOSPS) is set to hold its 13th Annual Summit on Tuesday, August 11, and Wednesday, August 12, 2026.

The high-level summit, convened under the leadership of the President of ALARHOSPS, Otunba Nurudeen Ojira-Adeiyan, will take place at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja, beginning at 9:00 a.m. daily.

Themed ‘Security: Sanctity of Lives and Safety of Property: Creating a New Norm in Lagos State,’ the summit is expected to provide a platform for strategic dialogue on strengthening the state’s security architecture, safeguarding lives and protecting property.

The summit forms part of ALARHOSPS’ continued contribution to governance, public policy discourse and the development of Lagos State.

The choice of security as the focus reflects the growing importance of collective responsibility in maintaining a safe and secure environment, particularly in a rapidly expanding megacity such as Lagos.

Discussions at the summit are expected to focus on emerging security challenges, community participation, effective collaboration among relevant security and government agencies, and strategies for strengthening the safety and security of residents and their property.

The summit will also provide an opportunity for participants to draw on their wealth of experience in public administration and governance while developing practical recommendations capable of supporting the Lagos State Government’s efforts to sustain peace, security and socio-economic development.

As former senior public servants who contributed significantly to the administration and development of Lagos State, members of ALARHOSPS are expected to bring their institutional knowledge and experience to bear on contemporary security challenges.

Their contributions are expected to provide valuable insights and practical recommendations to complement ongoing efforts by the state government to build a safer and more resilient Lagos.

The event is expected to attract distinguished stakeholders, including current and former public office holders, security experts, policymakers and key players from both the public and private sectors.

It will serve as a platform for experience-sharing, policy reflection and the generation of innovative ideas aimed at strengthening security governance and public safety in Lagos State.

The summit aligns with the broader vision of the Lagos State Government to maintain a secure environment capable of promoting economic growth, social stability and an improved quality of life for residents.

ALARHOSPS has invited relevant stakeholders and members of the public to participate in the summit and contribute to the search for innovative and sustainable approaches to creating a safer Lagos State.

Members of the public, stakeholders and the media are encouraged to attend the two-day engagement, which is expected to stimulate meaningful conversations and practical actions around security and public safety in Lagos.