Category: PM News

Since his assumption of office in October 2025 as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, has superintended over the conduct of two off-cycle gubernatorial elections as well as some National Assembly and State Assembly elections. Those elections served as the first litmus tests of his preparedness for the office and, perhaps, of his competence as the new chief election manager in the country.

The two governorship elections – Anambra State in November 2025, and Ekiti State in June 2026 – generated huge public interest and triggered massive conversations around the sanctity of the ballot, seamless logistic arrangements, conduct of election officials, and the need for effective security architecture during the elections. Concerns about election results collation and the need for real-time electronic transmission of results also dominated conversations. Many public commentators called for a paradigm shift and a new election template from the rancorous, opaque, and violence-prone system of the immediate past era.

Indeed, some public affairs analysts and political watchers who have witnessed many electoral seasons and the social cataclysms often associated with them have made a general characterisation of election cycles in the country as chaotic, fraud prone, and falling below the threshold of internationally acceptable contests. Nigeria’s electoral activities have often been characterized by irregularities, including vote rigging, violence, voter intimidation, vote buying, logistical shortcomings, delayed deployment of election materials, and allegations of bias by the electoral commission. These issues have continued to cast doubt on the credibility and transparency of the nation’s democratic process.

A political researcher, Shankyula T. Samuel, in his work titled *Political Thuggery in Nigeria and Elections and The Law,* notes that Nigeria’s political journey in the past two decades has been fraught with objectionable patterns which consign its democracy to a repugnant state. ‘The relevance of an election in a democratic setting cannot be overemphasized. An electoral process, depending on how free, fair, and credible it is, will either make or mar a democratic system… There is no gainsaying the fact that in the past series of elections held in Nigerian between 1999, 2003 and 2007, activities of thugs have taken a centre stage thereby breeding a feeling of resentment among members of the public,’ he observes.

Similarly, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, a coalition of civil society organisations in the country, made a forceful point for democratic growth and consolidation in the country. In a piece titled ‘The Challenge of Finding an Independent Umpire,’ the group stresses the importance of having an electoral institution that is above board, non-partisan, and transparent.

‘The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is created under Section 153 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended). INEC is charged with the responsibility of conducting credible elections in the country. In recent times, there has been a huge challenge of partisan elements finding their way into the different levels of INEC, either through nomination by politicians or turning partisan upon appointment.The challenge for Nigeria at this time is to achieve a truly unbiased and non-

partisan election management body,’ the group said.

However, post-election assessments by political analysts, election observers, and other stakeholders since November 2025 when Prof. Amupitan mounted the saddle at INEC, have largely awarded the election refree an impressive scorecard, reflecting significant improvements in the conduct of elections across the country. The reports commended the Commission for its enhanced election management, marked by the timely deployment of electoral materials, effective handling of logistical challenges, and the seamless coordination of polling activities.

The reviews also highlighted greater transparency in the collation and transmission of election results, which contributed to increased public confidence in the electoral process. Furthermore, INEC was widely praised for demonstrating a high level of impartiality and professionalism, with observers noting the Commission’s non-partisan disposition in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Overall, the favourable assessments portray a noticeable departure from the shortcomings that had characterized previous electoral cycles, suggesting meaningful progress towards more credible, transparent, and efficiently conducted elections in Nigeria.

YIAGA Africa, a non-profit, civic organisation dedicated to democratic governance and civic participation in Nigeria and in Africa, awarded INEC under Prof. Amupitan, an excellent assessment in all the elections conducted since November 2025, while also recommending areas for improvements.

On the June 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, the NGO averred that the official results announced by the commission accurately reflected votes cast at polling units across the state. The INEC Chief Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Akure(FUTA), Professor Adenike Oladiji, declared incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) winner after polling 319,224 votes to defeat the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), Dr. Wole Oluyede, who came a distant second with 40,543 votes.

In its final assessment of the poll, Yiaga Africa stated that its Watching The Vote (WTV) Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) findings showed that the results declared by INEC fell within its estimated range, indicating that the outcome announced by the electoral umpire was consistent with ballots counted at polling units. Its Chair of the 2026 Ekiti Election Observation Mission, Dr. Aisha Abdullahi, and the Executive Director of the organisation, Samson Itodo, while presenting the report, noted that the alignment between INEC’s official figures and its independent verification exercise demonstrated that the election results were not manipulated during collation at the ward, local government or state levels.

‘INEC’s official results for the 2026 Ekiti State Governorship Election are consistent with Yiaga Africa’s WTV estimate, as they fall within Yiaga Africa’s estimated range. This indicates that the official results, as announced, reflect the ballots counted at polling units’, the CSO said. It explained that if the results had been substantially altered during the collation process, the final figures would have fallen outside the statistical ranges generated through its PVT methodology. It stressed that the consistency of the results specifically confirmed the accuracy of polling-unit result tabulation.

Similarly, the Situation Room gave its verdict on the Ekiti guber election, affirming a credible election and passing a satisfactory assessment of the poll. Situation Room noted that the Ekiti State Governorship Election was conducted in a largely peaceful atmosphere across the State.

‘Reports received from accredited observers and citizen observers through the SEAT App indicated that election officials and materials arrived on time in a majority of polling units observed between 7:00am and 8:00am. Following deployment, polls commenced early in approximately 92 percent of polling,’ the Situation Room said. It added that the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) functioned satisfactorily in most observed locations.

Observers’ reports on the November 2025 Anambra State governorship election also revealed remarkable progress in the nation’s electoral process. The observer groups were unanimous that the election was in line with international best practice. Incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo polled over 400,000 votes to defeat his opponents at the poll.

Yiaga Africa also affirmed that the official results of the Anambra State governorship election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aligned with findings from its Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) exercise.

In its post-election assessment, the group said the election outcomes were independently verified by the Anambra Election Observation Hub, a coalition of civil society organisations that monitored the poll across the state. In a statement signed by the Chair of the 2025 Anambra Election Mission, Dr Asmau Maikudi, and Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, the group stated that the consistency between its PRVT estimates and INEC’s official figures reinforces confidence in the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.

These findings were corroborated by the United Nations election observer, Jim Oko, who described the Anambra State governorship election as being ‘in line with international best practices.” Oko, who is the National Coordinator of Nouvel Perspective International, a UN-accredited election observation organisation, stated this in Awka in an interview with newsmen after the election result was announced.

With the positive and progress-affirming reports and assessments of credible independent electoral process and the confidence building election management by INEC under Prof. Amupitan, Nigeria may have finally turned the corner and put behind her incidents of electoral heist, irregularities, rigging, and manipulation of election results. Nigeria may have entered a new electoral era of due process, better organisation and coordination of polling activities, and a regime of an unbiased umpire..

That is not all. A credible poll is a recipe, if not the foundation of good governance. When polls are credible, elected officials will no longer use quality time and public resources to defend their mandates in the courts. INEC under Amupitan is set to see Nigeria through to that desirable era.

The Nigerian Navy has transferred two victims rescued from suspected human trafficking activities to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, reaffirming its determination to combat organised crime across the country’s maritime domain.

The victims were handed over to NAPTIP’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja after they were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Forward Operating Base, Badagry.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the victims were rescued on July 17 before being formally transferred to the anti-trafficking agency on July 19.

The statement said, ‘The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes with the successful handover of two rescued human trafficking victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

‘The handover, conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) BADAGRY on 19 July 2026 at the Agency’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja, followed the victims’ rescue during a targeted anti-human trafficking operation on 17 July 2026.’

According to the Navy, the victims were first taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where officials completed all required documentation and biometric registration before they were transferred to NAPTIP.

It stated, ‘In line with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) for the handling of victims of trafficking, the rescued individuals were first taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where they underwent comprehensive documentation, biometric capture, and other necessary administrative procedures before being formally transferred to NAPTIP for rehabilitation, protection, and further investigation.’

The Navy described the exercise as another demonstration of its resolve to protect vulnerable persons while working closely with other security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle trafficking networks.

It added, ‘The successful rescue and seamless handover underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and territorial corridors from transnational organised crime while ensuring the protection and dignity of vulnerable persons.

‘It also reflects the Service’s continued collaboration with relevant government agencies in dismantling human trafficking networks and strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.’

The statement concluded by stressing that the Navy would sustain intelligence-led operations and deepen cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent human trafficking and other organised crimes.

‘The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency cooperation aimed at preventing human trafficking, disrupting criminal syndicates, and promoting a safe and secure maritime environment in support of national security objectives.’

Nine suspected Aye Confraternity cult gang members have been arrested in Ikorodu area of Lagos with nine guns and other dangerous weapons recovered from them.

The suspects were arrested during an intelligence-led operation, Lagos police command’s spokesperson, Abimbola Adebisi, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Adebisi said the operation followed credible information from members of the public on the activities of some suspected cultists in the Imota, Ikorodu area of the state.

‘Acting on the intelligence, police operatives stormed the location and apprehended the suspects of ages 37, 42 and 60.

‘Items recovered from them include one beretta pistol, one locally made pistol, seven dane guns, 10 live cartridges, seven expended cartridges, one stun gun, two handcuffs and four cutlasses, among other exhibits,’ she said.

The spokesperson said preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were members of the Aiye Confraternity.

According to her, the recovered Beretta pistol allegedly belonged to a notorious cultist known as ‘Mayibone’, who is currently at large.

Adebisi asserted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members and recover additional weapons.

She said Lagos Commissioner of Police Mr Fatai Tijani, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism and other violent crimes across Lagos.

The spokesperson urged residents to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance crime-fighting efforts.

She encouraged residents to report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.

Former Lagos State Governor and former Minister of Works, Babatunde Fashola, has ruled out contesting for the presidency, saying he has no such ambition.

Speaking on TVC on Wednesday, Fashola gave a blunt response when asked if he would run for president.

‘No,’ he said.

When pressed further, he replied with a smile, ‘President of what? I’m president at home.’

Reflecting on his years in public service, Fashola described the experience as a privilege.

‘My journey has been an unimaginable privilege, and I hope that it, in some way, inspires another generation about the possibilities of this country,’ he said.

He added that Nigeria remains a land of opportunity, with many stories of ‘rags to riches and grass to grace.’

On how he hopes to be remembered, Fashola said: ‘Let history write whatever history wants to write. It is not in my place.’

The former governor also confirmed he remains a member of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council but stressed, ‘There is a thin line between intervention and interference.’

Fashola urged Nigerians to protect the judiciary, backed a vibrant opposition, expressed support for state police, and said tackling Lagos flooding requires both government action and public cooperation. He also said President Bola Tinubu is pursuing important fiscal and monetary reforms while carrying greater national responsibilities.

Federal and state authorities on Thursday move to douse tension over recent killing of four herders in Agu-Ifite community, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State with calls for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians.

Some yet-to-be identified gunmen had stormed the cattle camp of Alhaji Aminu Mohammed in Agu-Ifite in Awka South Local Government Area, killing four herders on Tuesday.

Speaking while leading an assessment team of the Federal Government on a fact-finding visit to the community, Head of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Enugu operations office, Mrs Priscilla Madukwe called for peaceful coexistence among Nigerians

She said peaceful co-existence among Nigerians in necessary to ensure unity, security and development of the country.

She also condemned the killing of the herders, describing it as ‘senseless killing’, saying, ‘there is nothing better than living peacefully with your neighbours.

‘That is what we advocate for, peaceful coexistence among all communities. We are here to obtain firsthand information and report back to Abuja on what we have seen.

‘We pray that such an incident will never happen again.’

She said the delegation came on behalf of the federal government on a fact-finding mission and to commiserate with the families of the victims.

Also addressing members of the Hausa/Fulani community, Chairman, Awka South LGA, Mr Chinedu Okafor, urged residents to remain calm and allow security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation into the incident.

Okafor noted that every Nigerian had the constitutional right to live and work in any part of the country without fear or intimidation.

He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to zero-tolerance policy against crime and assured the community that those responsible for the attack would be identified and brought to justice.

‘As the Commissioner of Police has already stated, investigations are ongoing and we must get to the root of this unfortunate incident.

‘I appeal to the Hausa/Fulani community to remain peaceful and cooperate with security agencies. Before long, those behind this act will be arrested and made to face the law,’ he said.

Earlier, Deputy Director, Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs Ndidi Omega, also appealed for peace and offered prayers for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives.

Omega said that SEMA would submit its assessment report to the state government, while continuing to collaborate with NEMA in managing emergencies and mitigating crises across the state.

Responding, Alhaji Gidado Siddiki leader of the Fulani community in the state and Deputy National Director-General, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), commended the team for their prompt visit and show of concern.

Siddiki, who described the visit as a demonstration of leadership and compassion, added that in the past, government officials rarely visited affected communities immediately after such incidents.

He appealed to members of the Fulani community to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands.

‘I have lived in Anambra since 1986 and raised my family here, the Igbo people are hospitable and peaceful,’ he said.

The Fulani leader said that criminal elements existed in every society and stressed that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to judge an entire community.

He appealed to security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings were apprehended and prosecuted.

Siddiki expressed optimism that justice for the victims would help strengthen public confidence and preserve the longstanding peaceful relationship between the Fulani and their host communities in the state.

The assessment team inspected the affected settlement to obtain firsthand information on the incident and evaluate the level of destruction for onward report to the federal government.

The team also captured the burnt huts during the assessment as part of its documentation of the incident.

Members of the Nigeria Police Force were also on ground during the assessment visit to provide security and support throughout the exercise.

The Anambra Police Command had confirmed the incident on Wednesday through a statement by its spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday declined to hear a fresh application by detained National President of Miyetti Allah Kauta Kore, Bello Bodejo, seeking an order varying his bail conditions.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling, held that since the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is contesting the application, the court might be unable to conclude its proceedings before the court vacation commences.

EFCC charged Bodejo with money laundering involving 2.63 million U.S. dollars.

Justice Ekwo had, on Monday, admitted Bodejo to a N2 billion bail with two sureties in the like sum.

The judge ordered that one of the sureties must present a three-year tax clearance evidence and must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, while the second sureties must have a land worth N2 billion in Abuja.

When the case was called on Thursday, Bodejo’s lawyer, Mohammed Sheriff, informed the court about the application by his client, seeking, among others, the variation of the conditions attached to the bail granted him.

The lawyer to the anti-graft agency, Fatai Erewunmi, said he was served with the application and had responded by filing a counter affidavit.

But the judge said upon looking at the tenure of the application, which is being challenged, the court might be unable to conclude proceedings in the application before the court’s vacation.

The judge then advised parties to approach a vacation judge, during the court’s vacation, to hear the application.

He said after then, the substantive case can be returned for trial before his court.

Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter until Oct. 5 for the commencement of trial.

The EFCC accused Bodejo of accepting 100,000 dollars from Sa’idu Abubakar a former Accountant-General (AG) of Bauchi State who is currently in the lawful custody of the Nigerian Police Force, among other cash in hard currency.

The EFCC said the sum exceeded the statutory cash transaction threshold of N5 million prescribed under Section 1(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended), without routing the said transaction through a financial institution as required by law.

He was said to have committed an offence contrary to Section 16(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the same Act,

The offence is said to be contrary to Section 19(1)(d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the same Act.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has strongly refuted allegations by former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba that he deceived leaders of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) ahead of the 2003 general elections, insisting he neither misled anyone nor acted in bad faith during his presidency.

In a detailed letter dated July 23, 2026, addressed to Osoba, Obasanjo described the former governor’s account, published in The Legal Observer under the title ‘How Obasanjo Deceived Us in 2003,’ as inaccurate and lacking important historical context.

‘There are many things you got wrong and many things you omitted advertently or inadvertently in your write-up,’ Obasanjo wrote. ‘Your presentation was farfetched to put it mildly.’

The former president took particular exception to being labelled deceptive.

‘I take strong and serious objection to your calling me a deceiver because I deceived nobody. I always presented my case and all issues as I had them and as I understood them.’

Obasanjo said Osoba was not privy to several political consultations that preceded his decision to contest the presidency after his release from prison.

According to him, different groups, including those led by Lawan Katsina, the late Chief S.M. Afolabi and Martins Kuye, approached him to seek elective office before he embarked on nationwide consultations with political leaders across the South-West, North and South-East.

He maintained that his political philosophy has always been anchored on inclusion rather than bitterness.

‘Politics is for welfare and well-being of people and there should be no personal bitterness or acrimony in it.’

Obasanjo also rejected suggestions that his post-1999 collaboration with the AD stemmed from political weakness, insisting that his decision to build what he described as a ‘sort of national government’ was motivated by national unity.

‘Bringing PDP and AD to join me was not out of weakness rather, it was out of strength and the unity and progress of the country.’

The former president further disclosed that after the 1999 elections, he directed defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidates in the South-West to begin rebuilding support in the region and encouraged dialogue with prominent AD figures to bring the Yoruba into what he called Nigeria’s political mainstream.

Responding to Osoba’s comments on the political crisis involving former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba, Obasanjo alleged that the impeachment plot against him was initiated by his then Vice President, whom he accused of secretly plotting to succeed him after only one presidential term.

‘He gave him N5 million to begin his impeachment work. I treated it with contempt as I had committed no impeachable offence.’

Obasanjo also dismissed claims that six AD governors could have dictated the direction of his administration, describing such a suggestion as unrealistic.

‘Six to dictate to thirty is ridiculous. I had an Executive Council, a National Assembly, a virile political party, 21 governors and nine other governors from another party.’

On the 2003 elections, the former president insisted that the defeat of most AD governors reflected the electorate’s choice rather than political manipulation.

He argued that, except for Lagos State, where he referenced allegations surrounding the alteration of election figures, the outcomes in the South-West were genuine.

Obasanjo reiterated his opposition to ethnic politics, saying he consistently rejected attempts to reduce his presidency to a regional project.

‘I screamed and said Nigerian President must not be trivialised by tribalising it.’

Despite the sharp rebuttal, Obasanjo ended the letter on a conciliatory note, thanking Osoba for allocating the land on which the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) was built in Abeokuta.

‘The greatest service you rendered for me and for Abeokuta is the land allocated for Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library. It has become the most significant landmark in Abeokuta.’

The letter is Obasanjo’s first formal response to Osoba’s public account of the political events leading to the 2003 elections and offers his version of the relationships, negotiations and decisions that shaped one of Nigeria’s most consequential political periods.

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has inaugurated a Multi-Agency Task Force on Drug Abuse and signed an Executive Order aimed at tackling thuggery and related crimes in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Wednesday in Kano.

Yusuf described drug abuse as a major threat to the future of Kano’s youth, linking it to violent crime, family breakdown, economic hardship and social instability.

He said the task force would coordinate the state’s response through intelligence gathering, law enforcement, public awareness, rehabilitation and collaboration with security agencies and other stakeholders.

The governor pledged government support, including funding, operational vehicles, office accommodation, logistics and security backing, to enable the task force to discharge its mandate effectively.

He also assured the task force of operational independence, stressing that the fight against drug abuse requires a coordinated and sustained approach.

Yusuf said his administration would continue expanding rehabilitation services for victims of drug abuse, noting that separate centres had been established for male and female patients.

Speaking on the Executive Order against thuggery, the governor said it would provide a stronger legal framework to dismantle criminal gangs, curb political violence and support security agencies in maintaining law and order.

The chairman of the task force, Mr Muhuyi Rimingado, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in him and other members.

Rimingado pledged that the task force would discharge its responsibilities with integrity, professionalism and commitment.

He said the task force would collaborate with security agencies, traditional institutions, religious leaders, civil society organisations, educational institutions and community leaders to tackle drug abuse and promote peace.

The chairman described the initiative as evidence of the governor’s commitment to protecting the future of Kano’s youth and improving public safety.

He expressed optimism that the Executive Order and the task force’s activities would reduce drug-related crime and contribute to a safer and more peaceful Kano State. (NAN)

A viral video clip of Arise TV Morning show claiming that there were violent attacks and razing of some motor parks in Osogbo, Osun State for ‘two consecutive days’ has ended up being a fake news.

The newscaster claims in the video that violence, allegedly orchestrated by NURTW members loyal to the All Progressives Congress, raged in the motor parks throughout Monday and Tuesday, July 21 and 22 respectively. It also shows a fire scene which must have been deceitfully embedded in the video by whoever generated it to give an impression that fire was set on some of the parks.

Shocked by the wrong report, the Osun State Police Command invited journalists on Wednesday morning to visit all the motor parks so the public would be availed of the truth to avoid unnecessary tension among residents of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, led the press crew which included this reporter to the motor parks across Osogbo. Drivers, commuters and traders alike in and around the motor parks were seen going about their normal businesses. They also debunked the rumours that there were disturbances in the parks.

The fact-finding team’s first port of call was the Stadium Motor Parks. The park was calm without any sign of recent fracas. The vulcanizer at the park, Olawale Olagunju, and others spoken with said the garage has ever been peaceful.

Olagunju, who spoke in Yoruba Language, said: ‘Nobody burned down this park. I’m always here, nobody set any fire here. Either yesterday or any day, nobody burnt anywhere here. There wasn’t any fighting or crisis here. I’ve always been here. So, there’s no truth in the report.’

Another resident of the area whose shop is behind the garage said the park has always been peaceful and said there was no iota of truth in the report of violence.

The team moved from there to Ilesa Garage, Osogbo where the NURTW members and commuters were seen in joyous mood and the traders in the garage spoken to denied knowledge of any disturbance.

One of the traders who also spoke in Yoruba, Mrs Matthew, said: ‘There wasn’t even a smoke, let alone fire. There was nothing like that. Nobody fought here. No anywhere was burnt. If anywhere was burnt, you too would have seen the traces.’

From Ilesa Garage, the team moved to Aregbe Garage which was bubbling with activities. Traders in the garage also denied occurrence of any such incident. Madam Oluwatoyin simply said ‘This is Aregbe Garage, nothing happened here at all.’

The last garage visited by the team was the Old Garage at the center of Osogbo. The place was also calm and the Police Armored Personnel Carrier and patrol vehicles stationed there since the NURTW’s Monday protest in the area to maintain peace were seen on ground.

Adebayo Adeyinka who spoke with the journalists said: ‘There is no problem in this place. We are selling our market normally. Nobody has created any crisis here at all. No fire here o. You can see that everything is normal here. We are okay here at Old Garage, Oju Irin. It was only protest that took place here on Monday and police came to settle it immediately.’

At the end of the exercise, PPRO Ojelabi spoke with the journalists to assure residents of the state that there was no any iota of truth in the report by the television station. He urged all to go about their normal businesses and warned purveyors of fake news to desist from creating unnecessary tension.

Ojelabi, while speaking with the press, said: ‘This visit was necessitated by what we heard yesterday going round that some parks have been set on fire within the state. We’ve gone round the parks and we’ve seen that there is nothing of such. Presently we are at Old Garage, Oju-Irin. As you can see, nothing of such. There is no sign of fire anywhere, not to talk of setting anywhere ablaze. Everywhere is beautiful. The people are going about their lawful business.’

However, Ojelabi urged all transport workers in the state to remain peaceful and that they should always use appropriate channels to resolve any grievances when they occur.

‘My message to transport workers is that they should remain peaceful and if there are any grievances, they should go to the appropriate authorities to settle the differences. There are rules and regulations guiding parks management. So, they should follow the rules and let peace reign.

‘To those who are spreading falsehood and misleading information, they should be very careful. The Cybercrime Act is still very active and we are going to make use of it against those spreading falsehood,’ the PPRO warned.

MThe Allied People’s Movement (APM) has accused the Presidency of launching attacks against its presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, because of what it described as growing concern over his increasing popularity ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party said recent comments by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Daniel Bwala, reflected what it called the Tinubu administration’s unease over Makinde’s emergence as a major contender for the presidency.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Abubakar Yusuf, the APM argued that the Federal Government had resorted to personal attacks because it lacked convincing achievements to present to Nigerians. The party maintained that Makinde would defeat President Bola Tinubu at the 2027 polls.

Bwala had, during an interview with journalists on Monday, dismissed both Makinde and the APM as insignificant players in the forthcoming presidential race.

Responding, the opposition party criticised the Presidency for what it described as a decline into political mudslinging rather than engaging issues affecting Nigerians.

‘It is rather pathetic that the Tinubu Presidency has fallen so low into ignominy that it now relies on internationally discredited and politically inconsistent characters like Daniel Bwala to speak for it on national TV; a situation that further confirms that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu no longer commands the support of credible Nigerians.

‘Since Daniel Bwala’s March 6, 2026, scandalous interview with Al Jazeera, Nigerians can always see through the antics of President Tinubu’s handlers. Daniel Bwala would soon eat his own words against Governor Makinde.

‘In any event, the 2027 presidential race would be between Governor Seyi Makinde, standing shoulder to shoulder with millions of Nigerians who are determined for a new beginning, and a failed President Tinubu, who only has the feeble support of a handful of sycophantic, corrupt, arrogant and morally depraved minions on his payroll.

‘The APM is, therefore, not surprised that the Tinubu Presidency is deflated and intimidated because it has no tangible scorecard of achievements to present to the public, given its abysmal failures, for which Nigerians across the board have reached a consensus to replace President Tinubu with Governor Makinde at the 2027 election, given Makinde’s outstanding performance as Governor of Oyo State.’

The party said it had no intention of engaging in an exchange of insults with the Presidency, insisting that its focus remained on presenting solutions to the country’s challenges.

It also argued that Makinde’s performance in Oyo State had strengthened his credentials for higher office.

‘Of course, President Tinubu should be jittery because Governor Makinde is coming into the contest with an intimidating record of performance, including transforming Oyo State into a foremost economically viable state, surpassing the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, according to data from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), a feat Nigerians want him to replicate at the national level.

‘The Tinubu Presidency is edgy because Nigerians are determined and eager to elect Governor Seyi Makinde as the next President of the country so that they can enjoy the benefits of his blueprint to revamp the economy, rejig our security architecture, rebuild collapsed infrastructure, revitalise the productive sectors, provide jobs, end corruption and bring a new lease of life to the people.

‘Of course, why won’t the Tinubu Presidency be jittery when Governor Makinde is coming with the full support of over 50 million young Nigerians whose destinies are being caged by the Tinubu administration and who are now rallying with our presidential candidate as the face of the new Nigeria they eagerly seek and for which they are ready to vote in 2027 and defend their votes to the very end?

‘To suggest that a presidential candidate with such an army of support is ‘inconsequential’ says more about the anxiety within the corridors of power than it does about the candidate.

‘In fact, before noon on election day, the Presidency will know who actually is inconsequential in this race.’