Category: The Nation – Nigeria

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Programme (HYPREP) has tasked the 500 beneficiaries of its N1 million postgraduate scholarship award with pursuing high-quality research programmes that address environmental challenges and shape Ogoniland’s future.

HYPREP’s Project Coordinator (PC), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, delivered the charge at the 3rd scholarship award ceremony in Port Harcourt.

No fewer than 300 Master’s degree and 200 Doctoral degree scholars benefited from the gesture. It is part of the human capacity-building (livelihood component) in the United Nations Environmental Cleanup (UNEP) report and recommendations on the Ogoni cleanup.

Earlier, the consultant who handled the screening and selection process for HYPREP disclosed that over 2000 people applied for the grant, 1,500 participated in the first selection test, and 500 qualified after the final screening.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the PC told them that the fund is not for funfair or jollification, but a reminder of the role they have to play and the future they owe Ogoniland, the people, and posterity as young professionals.

He urged them to leverage the ongoing Ogoni cleanup exercise and produce quality, publishable research that addresses critical environmental, intellectual, and leadership needs in the area.

He said, ‘… beyond the grant, this intervention is also about renewing hope and the future we are co-creating in Ogoni. Today, I want to have a candid conversation with you, beyond the grant, this intervention is also about renewing hope and the future we are co-creating in Ogoni.

‘As you may already know, education gives you knowledge, but it also places a responsibility on you to use that knowledge to improve society.

‘I encourage you to see this scholarship as a call to service. As researchers in different fields, you must understand that you play an important role in shaping Ogoni’s future.

The Ogoni community looks to you for ideas, leadership, and solutions to the challenges facing our people.

‘You are expected to question old and unsustainable ways of doing things, develop new ideas, innovate, create opportunities, and help build a society where the next generation can live in peace and sustainable economic prosperity.

‘It is in recognition of this responsibility that HYPREP is investing in your education and professional development.’

Further, Zabbey gave a deeper reason for spending the huge amount on the Scholars, saying, ‘This scholarship intervention is one way HYPREP is contributing to that objective by building human capacity, expanding opportunities, and preparing our people to participate across different sectors of the economy.

‘The programme was conceived and is being implemented to reinforce the role of researchers and intellectuals as drivers of development. Through these efforts, HYPREP has become a major contributor to the region’s transformation and an important partner in shaping our communities’ future.’

Speakers at the ceremony praised HYPREP under the current Administration for its commitment to implementing UNEP report recommendations and the Agency’s mandate.

At the event, Prof. Barinedum Nwibere, a member of the HYPREP Governing Council, charged the people of Ogoni to shun baseless, unconfirmed, and destructive criticisms of HYPREP and instead ask meaningful questions to address their confusion about the Agency’s activities.

In response, some beneficiaries thanked HYPREP and its managers for their transparency and sincerity in handling the Scholarship screening process, and urged them to maintain the standard.

A postgraduate student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (Mathematics Education), Mrs Uloma Celestine-Gbara from Boa Community, Gokana Local Government Area, who benefited from the gift, expressed gratitude to HYPREP and assured that the fund she received would go a long way in defraying her academic expenses, including payment of tuition fees, engaging in research work, and publishing some of her ready articles.

Youths in the Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State have endorsed President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Senator Godswill, Governor Umo Eno, and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as their sole choices for the 2027 general elections.

They also pledged to mobilise grassroots support for Clement Jimbo and Sir Boniface Ebewo for the Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika federal constituency and Ika State Constituency, respectively.

The youths of the two local government areas made the declaration at a grand rally organised at the Council Secretariat, Utu Etim Ekpo, on Thursday.

Thompson Thompson moved a motion endorsing the candidates, and Mr Mfron Akpan seconded it before Akaninyene Eyo conducted a voice vote.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo, urged party members to remain committed to the APC and work together to secure victory for its candidates in the forthcoming elections.

Ekpo, who described himself as a constituency member, expressed confidence in the party’s leadership and predicted victory for its candidates.

He called for the re-election of President Tinubu and Senate President Akpabio, endorsed Governor Eno for a second term, and expressed confidence in Clement Jimbo and Boniface Ebewo’s electoral victory.

The minister also commended Governor Eno for creating what he described as an enabling environment for political leaders to discharge their responsibilities, stressing that the governor deserved another term in office.

Earlier, in their welcome remarks, the Chairmen of Etim Ekpo and Ika Local Government Areas, Gideon Uwa and Utibe Nwoko, respectively, said the rally was convened to reaffirm the two local government areas’ commitment to the APC and its candidates at all levels of government.

They urged party members and supporters to sustain grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reinforcing the message of unity, Emmanuel Enoidem, SAN and the Political Leader of Etim Ekpo, DIG Udom Ekpoudom (Rtd.), declared that stakeholders across the area were united in their support for President Tinubu, Senate President Akpabio, Governor Eno, Clement Jimbo and Boniface Ebewo, who is seeking the APC ticket for the Etim Ekpo State Constituency seat in 2027.

The youths, through their representatives, Goodnews Obidiah and Mfonobong Moses, also reaffirmed their commitment to the party’s candidates, pledging to mobilise their peers and communities towards the APC’s success in the forthcoming elections.

Speaking on youth development, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Ekerette Ekanem, highlighted the Eno administration’s interventions in education, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and employment. He urged the youths to recognise the importance of sustained development and remain actively involved in the political process.

Similarly, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hon. Inibehe Silas, said women in Etim Ekpo and Ika were prepared to mobilise support for the APC candidates. She described the party as central to Akwa Ibom State’s political future and called on women to remain united and committed ahead of the elections.

Responding to the endorsement, State House of Assembly candidate Sir Boniface Ebewo and House of Representatives candidate Hon. Clement Jimbo pledged to promote proactive leadership, strategic empowerment, and participatory representation, prioritising the needs of the people.

The State APC Women Leader, Obonganwan Obonodo Uko, and the Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission, Dr Saviour Enyiekere, also delivered goodwill messages, with Dr Enyiekere addressing the gathering on the need for party unity and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Minister of Works David Umahi has declared that Peter Obi is not the best presidential candidate the South-East can produce.

The minister also accused the former Anambra State governor of failing to consult influential political leaders in the region before pursuing his presidential ambition.

Umahi made the remarks during an interview with ARISE Television on Friday, as political alignments ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.

‘Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in the South-East. He’s not the best; he can never be the best,’ the minister said, insisting that the region has other qualified political figures capable of aspiring to Nigeria’s highest political office.

The former Ebonyi State governor argued that anyone seeking to emerge as the political standard-bearer of the South-East must engage governors and other influential stakeholders rather than pursue an ambition that carries the expectations of an entire region without adequate consultation.

‘You cannot play politics in the South East without consulting people like us,’ he said.

Umahi added that if he were seeking the presidency, he would first consult widely with political leaders before presenting himself as a candidate.

‘If I were contesting, I would have consulted,’ he said.

His remarks have brought the question of political representation, regional consensus and the choice of a presidential candidate from the South-East into sharper focus ahead of the 2027 election.

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, emerged as a formidable opposition figure after winning all five states in the South-East. His performance, which also secured him substantial support outside the region, helped establish a political movement that remains influential in national electoral discussions.

However, Umahi’s position reflects the growing disagreement among political leaders from the region over whether Obi should automatically be regarded as its preferred presidential candidate.

The minister also challenged the suggestion that the South-East’s next presidential candidate should necessarily come from Anambra State, Obi’s home state.

He argued that other states in the region should have the opportunity to produce a candidate, pointing to Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo as states whose political leaders could also aspire to the presidency.

Umahi’s argument introduces another dimension to the debate over regional representation: whether the South-East should rally behind the candidate with the strongest electoral appeal or seek a broader political understanding among its leaders over who should represent the zone.

The debate comes against the background of the South-East’s longstanding agitation for greater representation in the country’s highest political office. The region has five states, fewer than any other geopolitical zone, and its political leaders have frequently disagreed over the most effective strategy for securing the presidency.

For Obi’s supporters, his performance in 2023 demonstrated that he could mobilise voters across regional boundaries and challenge the established political order. They regard his electoral showing as evidence of his national appeal rather than merely a product of regional sentiment.

Umahi, however, maintained that Obi’s electoral performance should not automatically translate into an unquestioned claim to the South-East’s political leadership.

His criticism also raises questions about the relationship between popular support and elite political consensus in Nigeria’s electoral system.

While a candidate may enjoy considerable grassroots enthusiasm, securing the support of influential political actors can be important in building alliances, mobilising resources and broadening electoral reach. Yet, the extent to which consultations among political elites determine voter preferences remains a subject of political debate.

Umahi’s intervention is particularly significant because he is not only a former governor of Ebonyi State but also a senior member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He has repeatedly defended Tinubu’s prospects in the South-East, expressing confidence that the ruling party can improve its electoral performance in the region in 2027.

The minister has attributed the region’s overwhelming support for Obi in 2023 partly to dissatisfaction with what he described as its marginalisation under the previous administration.

According to Umahi, the situation has changed under Tinubu, with the appointment of South-East politicians to important federal positions and the administration’s infrastructure commitments providing reasons for the region to reconsider its political choices.

He has consequently argued that the South-East should support Tinubu’s re-election bid rather than assume that Obi remains its only viable presidential option.

The position places Umahi among the prominent South-East political figures seeking to weaken the perception that the region’s electoral future must revolve around Obi.

Nevertheless, whether the minister’s assessment reflects the wider mood of voters in the region remains uncertain. Obi’s 2023 performance demonstrated his ability to attract substantial support, but reproducing that result in 2027 will depend on several factors, including party organisation, political alliances, voter mobilisation and the broader national contest.

The debate over the region’s preferred candidate is also complicated by the absence of a universally accepted formula for determining who should represent it in the presidential race.

While some political leaders favour consultation and consensus among established stakeholders, Obi’s supporters are likely to argue that the candidate’s popularity and electoral record should carry significant weight in deciding who has the strongest claim to the ticket.

Umahi’s remarks therefore go beyond a personal assessment of Obi’s suitability for the presidency. They expose a deeper disagreement over political strategy within the South-East: whether the region should consolidate around a candidate who has already demonstrated substantial electoral appeal or pursue a wider agreement among its political leaders.

With the 2027 election approaching, that disagreement could influence the region’s relationship with the major political parties and determine the extent to which its leaders can agree on a common political direction.

For now, Umahi has made his position clear: Obi should not be regarded as the South-East’s automatic or best choice for the presidency, and any claim to represent the region must contend with the views of other political leaders and the interests of the wider zone.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged other states to adopt the Rainbow Coalition model, saying it has promoted peace, political stability and cooperation among rival parties in the territory and Rivers State.

He said the arrangement had brought leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together to pursue common interests, demonstrating that political differences should not breed violence or hostility.

Wike spoke during an interactive engagement with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council, Abuja.

‘If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other,’ he said.

The minister said the coalition had created an atmosphere in which politicians from different parties could work together, adding that the approach was also being implemented in Rivers State.

He maintained that the arrangement would promote inclusive representation and ensure that candidates received support across party lines.

Wike cited former FCT Senator Philip Aduda as an example of a politician whose support base extended beyond one party, stressing that effective representation required leaders to remain accessible to their constituents.

He urged Kuje residents to learn from the 2023 elections and make informed choices ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying voters should prioritise performance, accessibility and accountability over political promises.

The minister criticised what he described as inadequate engagement between the incumbent senator and constituents, contrasting it with Aduda’s relationship with the people.

‘Aduda knows them. Aduda knows when they have problems. Aduda knows when they are sleeping, and Aduda knows when they are crying. That is the essence of representation,’ he said.

Wike cautioned residents against entrusting their future to politicians he described as ‘political gamblers’, urging them to assess candidates based on their records and commitment to the people.

On infrastructure, the minister promised that the road project linking the Airport Road-Tipper Garage corridor to Gwagwalada would be completed and commissioned by the end of December.

He recalled that traditional rulers in Kuje had identified the road as a priority during an earlier visit, urging the administration to address its poor condition.

Wike said the first phase of the project had been commissioned, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.

‘Let me assure you, to the glory of God, by the end of December, we will also commission the one that leads to Gwagwalada,’ he said.

He urged residents to compare the road’s previous condition with its present state, describing the project as part of efforts to improve connectivity and living conditions in satellite communities.

The Hakimi Agwai of Kuje Area Council, Shuibu Pada, assured the minister of the area’s support, promising that residents would reciprocate the administration’s interventions through their votes.

He, however, appealed for the extension of road construction to interior communities, including routes linking Rubochi, Kwali and neighbouring settlements.

Pada said that while ongoing projects had improved access along major corridors, communities outside those routes also needed government attention.

Earlier, Senator Jibrin Wowo declared support for Tinubu and the APC, saying political stakeholders in Kuje had consulted and agreed to back the party in the forthcoming elections.

He said the consultations involved women, youths, elderly residents and traditional rulers, adding that the community was prepared to demonstrate its appreciation of the administration’s interventions at the polls.

‘Honourable Minister, I want to assure you that we in Kuje Area Council have sat down and agreed that Kuje people are going to vote APC from top to bottom,’ Wowo said.

The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, commended the administration’s infrastructure programme and political engagement, saying the coalition had encouraged leaders of the APC and PDP to work together.

He described the willingness of rival political stakeholders to sit at the same table as a significant development in Kuje’s political environment.

Yamawo added that improved roads had reduced travel difficulties between Kuje and neighbouring communities.

The FCT PDP Chairman, Ismael Dogora, also praised Wike, saying the coalition had reduced political hostility and created an atmosphere of unity.

He said the current political campaign season had been different from previous exercises, with no reported incidents of cars being smashed, attributing the development to the minister’s efforts to unite political stakeholders.

Dogora said the administration had addressed some demands that previously prompted protests by residents, adding that the people were prepared to reciprocate through their support.

The Kuje women leader, Aishatu Yakubu, commended the administration for recognising women’s role in political mobilisation but called for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.

She also appealed for more road projects to benefit communities across the area council.

Also, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo, praised Wike for bringing indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the FCT under one political umbrella.

He said the minister had changed the narrative of underdevelopment in Kuje, where some young people previously felt the area was known mainly for its prison because of inadequate infrastructure.

Shekwolo said the political landscape had changed significantly, with members of the ruling party and opposition now working together.

He urged residents to honour their commitments at the polls on January 16, 2027, by supporting Tinubu, Aduda and Dablandi Chiya.

He said the administration’s interventions had given the people reasons to support the coalition and sustain the prevailing political cooperation.

The Ondo State Government said it has intensified measures to prevent an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in the state by deploying four ambulances to transport suspected cases and placing health personnel on alert.

The Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Health, Prof. Simidele Odimayo, revealed this on Saturday in an interview in Akure, the state capital.

Odimayo also said the state had begun training health workers, strengthened disease surveillance, and intensified public awareness campaigns to ensure prompt detection and reporting of suspected cases.

He explained that the measures were part of the state’s proactive response in line with national guidelines, stressing that no Ebola case had been recorded in Ondo.

Odimayo said the government had set up a committee to coordinate preparedness efforts and sent team members to Abuja for specialised training to strengthen the state’s response capacity.

‘The state is doing a lot. We have already set up a committee that is working. We have sent some of our team to Abuja for some training programmes.

‘We have just procured so many ambulances in recent times, about 15 of them. So all we need to do at this time is to dedicate some, about four, in line with the national guidelines for movement of cases, in case we have cases,’ he said.

According to him, the health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to remain vigilant, recognise Ebola symptoms, and report suspected cases promptly through established channels.

He said the government was also arranging isolation, personal protective equipment, and other emergency logistics to protect health workers and limit transmission risk.

Odimayo said community mobilisers had been directed to sensitise residents, while radio jingles, educational materials, and media engagements were used to raise awareness and discourage panic.

‘We have our agents, our community mobilisers. We have informed them to inform the people at the grassroots level. We have also produced jingles and written materials that people will be able to utilise,’ he said.

He advised residents to remain calm, maintain good personal hygiene, wash their hands regularly, and avoid direct contact with the bodily fluids of anyone suspected of having Ebola.

Odimayo advised residents to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and to promptly report suspected cases to health authorities.

He also assured residents that the government was strengthening surveillance and emergency response systems to prevent the disease from gaining a foothold in the state.

The governor’s aide further said that health facilities and health posts across the state had been alerted to strengthen vigilance, familiarise personnel with Ebola symptoms, and adhere strictly to established reporting procedures.

He said the government was working to ensure that suspected cases were identified and referred through appropriate channels without unnecessary delays.

According to him, the state was aligning its surveillance and reporting mechanisms with national protocols to support a coordinated response involving health facilities and relevant emergency agencies.

He added that the government had arranged isolation for suspected cases to support appropriate medical assessment and reduce the risk of transmission.

The health adviser further said that personal protective equipment (PPE) had been provided through the state’s designated emergency management agency, while logistical arrangements were being reviewed to ensure that necessary materials could reach health facilities and health posts when required.

He, however, emphasised that protecting healthcare workers was an essential component of the preparedness strategy, noting that personnel must have the appropriate equipment and knowledge to handle suspected cases safely.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) has confirmed that the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit will be held on October 26 and 27 in Abuja, despite an imported Ebola case in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Organisers have introduced additional health precautions to protect participants.

The two-day summit, scheduled to take place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, will adopt a modified hybrid format following consultations with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.

The decision follows health authorities’ confirmation on October 20 of an imported case of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus in the FCT.

According to the NESG, health authorities have isolated the patient and are monitoring contacts. The group said it decided to proceed after assessing the situation against the NCDC’s public health guidelines for mass gatherings.

The NESG said that confirming an imported case alone did not require cancelling the summit, adding that it would implement precautionary measures to protect delegates, workers and other participants.

The NESG Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tayo Aduloju, said the organisation made participants’ safety its main consideration in deciding to proceed with the event.

‘The safety of every delegate, partner and member of staff comes first,’ Aduloju said.

He explained that the decision was reached in consultation with the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, NCDC, Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), FCT health authorities and Transcorp Hilton.

Aduloju said the arrangements would allow the summit to proceed while participants follow health authorities’ guidance.

He also urged delegates and other participants to comply with the preventive measures put in place for the event.

Under the revised arrangements, physical attendance will be restricted to delegates who have already registered. The NESG said registration for in-person participation had closed and the venue would not allow walk-in admission or registration.

All plenary sessions will stream live on the summit’s virtual platform, allowing registered delegates to participate online if they choose not to attend in person.

The organisers have also made daily health declarations and temperature checks compulsory for everyone entering the venue, including delegates, staff, vendors and media personnel.

Participants with fever or other symptoms, as well as those who have been in contact with a known or suspected Ebola case within the preceding 21 days, have been advised not to attend in person. They are expected to participate online instead.

The NESG said delegates would receive a health and safety information pack by email to guide them on the summit arrangements and precautions.

It also provided the NCDC’s toll-free number, 6232, for people seeking information or assistance with health concerns.

The organisation explained that Ebola does not spread through the air or from asymptomatic people. According to the statement, transmission occurs through direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is ill with the disease.

The NESG said it would continue to review the situation daily with health authorities and promptly communicate any changes through its official channels.

Despite the revised attendance arrangements, the summit is expected to attract senior government officials, state governors, business leaders and speakers from Nigeria and abroad.

Confirmed attendees include the Presidency, members of the Federal Executive Council, state governors and captains of industry.

The organisers have listed the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Dr Amina Mohammed; Prof Stefan Derco of Oxford University; and the Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Samad Rabiu, among the speakers.

The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare is also expected to attend the opening ceremony.

The Director-General of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, said about two million farmers have pledged to vote for the President in the 2027 general elections, dismissing opposition claims that his administration is insensitive to farmers’ plight.

He added that the opposition cannot win the 2027 general elections with Artificial Intelligence (AI) lies against President Tinubu.

Speaking on Saturday at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna, Yari accused opposition parties of using artificial intelligence (AI) to spread misinformation against the President, insisting that elections cannot be won through falsehoods and propaganda.

The former Zamfara State Governor said the farmers’ commitment followed engagements with the APC leadership and campaign team to explain the administration’s agricultural interventions and plans to further support farmers across the country.

‘They claim that your administration does not support farmers and that you hate farmers. That is not true. We have clear evidence of what your administration has done, what it intends to do and what it continues to do for farmers. The farmers themselves understand the truth. By God’s grace, about two million farmers have made a commitment to vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, in sha Allah,’ he declared.

Taking a swipe at the opposition, Yari accused its members of using AI-generated content to mislead Nigerians about the administration’s performance, saying the APC would counter such narratives by showcasing the President’s achievements and engaging directly with voters.

‘Yesterday, I was with the National Chairman and our youth team. We discussed the opposition’s activities, who have resorted to spreading falsehoods through artificial intelligence (AI). They continue to rely on AI-generated content and misinformation, but elections in Nigeria are not won through lies. They will not win the election by deceiving Nigerians,’ he said.

On the economy, the Campaign DG claimed the Tinubu administration recorded significant improvements in key economic indicators despite inheriting difficult conditions, citing the exchange rate, which he said strengthened from nearly N1,800 to about N1,300 per dollar.

He also claimed that Nigeria’s foreign reserves had increased from about $3.9 billion to approximately $54.7 billion, describing the developments as evidence of the administration’s efforts to reposition the economy, while acknowledging that Nigerians continued to face economic challenges.

Yari explained that Kaduna was deliberately chosen to host the presidential campaign flag-off for its strategic status as the political centre of Northern Nigeria, commending APC governors nationwide, particularly Governor Uba Sani, for their collective efforts in organising the event.

‘Mr President, we are in Kaduna not by mistake or error, but by deliberate choice. We have chosen Kaduna as the venue for this important gathering and the flag-off of the campaign for the 2027 presidential election,’ he said, adding that the colourful gathering was the product of coordinated efforts by APC governors, with the host governor spending the preceding 10 days preparing for the event.

The Campaign DG further disclosed that the party had intensified consultations with traditional rulers, community elders, imams, and other influential stakeholders across Northern Nigeria to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election and promote peaceful political participation ahead of the polls.

‘Mr President, Northern Nigeria is fully committed to your re-election. We are confident that the people of the region will support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, in sha Allah,’ Yari declared, assuring the President that APC governors and party structures would sustain grassroots mobilisation to strengthen the party’s chances in the election.

The Ogun State Government has ruled out plans to relocate residents of communities affected by recurring gaseous emissions in Ijebu-Ode, Ago-Iwoye and Ijebu-Igbo.

The Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, dismissed reports that residents would be relocated as false, insisting the government had no such plan.

The clarification follows a gaseous odour incident on Wednesday that affected several secondary school students across the three towns, prompting their evacuation to hospitals for treatment.

In Ijebu-Ode, dozens of students at Anglican Girls Grammar School, Obalende, involving its public and private sections, were affected and admitted to the General Hospital.

Several students of Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School were also rushed to the General Hospital in Ijebu-Igbo, while schools in Ago-Iwoye reportedly closed abruptly and sent pupils home following the incident.

The development triggered panic at the general hospitals in Ijebu-Ode and Ijebu-Igbo as parents, teachers, guardians and other residents brought affected students for medical attention.

Oresanya said investigations conducted so far by technical teams invited by the state government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) had not indicated the need to evacuate residents of the affected communities.

He maintained that the government would not relocate residents based on the findings available to it so far.

He said, ‘No plan for such a thing now; the result of our investigation so far is not pointing in that direction. Please disregard the misinformation.’

He urged the public to disregard the news, stressing that the current government has no plan for such relocation.

Meanwhile, a community leader in Ijebu-Igbo in Ogun North local government area, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also said the rumoured relocation could be a politically motivated plan to acquire land from unsuspecting landlords, which politicians may later share for personal use.

‘Here in Ijebu-Igbo, the affected school, Ijebu-Igbo Girls Grammar School (IGGS), alone is a larger community and when such an idea is being mooted, where on earth will they keep land ownership of the neighbouring buildings? Why would the government not consider a more practical solution instead of chasing us away from our properties?

‘Some of us have been in this community for over 25 years without hearing about this foul gaseous odour until recently, in April this year. If you now choose to relocate us, would you also relocate those residents at Ago-Iwoye? How about those affected at Our Lady of Apostles Grammar School in Ijebu-Ode? Can they relocate everyone in the Ijebu-Ode township? To where?

AS the 2027 general elections draw nearer, the Eburu of Iba, Osun State, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye has stated that traditional rulers cannot afford to fold their arms and watch voters’ apathy during the exercise.

In his capacity as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Centre for Rural Affairs and Community Development, Oba Okunoye said gone are the days when royal fathers were confined to their palaces when they should encourage their subjects to troop out and cast their votes.

‘Our current reality as traditional rulers, who must be interested in development of our domains, is that we have to rise and complement government efforts in mobilising our people before and during every election to record massive participation of eligible voters. This is not about partisanship but our responsibility to our people to do what is right as citizens of this country,’ he said.

The professor acknowledged the nation’s constitution which gives authority to public office holders over traditional institution and said working for government success should guarantee fair distribution of development and political appointment to domains.

He emphasised that the presence of indigenes in administration boosts chances of towns and communities to enjoy benefits of the administration, hence his call on his fellow monarchs to play their part in influencing more participation from voter registration to elections.

The Pro-chancellor of the Atiba University also acknowledged the fact that bigger cities are more fortunate than rural kings in the area of enjoying government patronage ‘Thus, bigger towns monarchs tend to enjoy more freedom in associating with politicians than monarchs from rural communities.’

Oba Okunoye reminded politicians that voters now support candidates according to development brought to their communities, adding that political parties can no longer rely on vote buying at the expense of developmental projects, which, he stresses, would make candidates popular and their campaign easy ‘because people can feel the government presence.

‘Indigenes know exactly how the given development was attracted, and politicians involved will surely become popular and even more influential on votes in that particular domain.

‘Also, a traditional ruler who can nominate and get a few indigenes to get political appointments could also have influence and bargaining chips to convince his people. There is a high tendency that the appointees will be supporting the monarch financially, which will be utilised to support community people and thus earn their respect,’ he reasoned.

Oba Okunoye added, ‘Unfortunately, such opportunities I elaborated above are not evenly available across domains. Thus, we can’t expect traditional rulers to have equal influence. Yet, the sphere of influence of traditional rulers is still significant, and if provided with similar necessary resources like politicians, they could definitely convince their subjects. I am not ignorant of the effect of financial inducement on voting and its effect on the extent to which a traditional ruler can educate his subjects on issue-driven voting decisions.’

He further said, ‘Let’s divide our society into card-carrying members of political parties and non-card-carrying members. The political class controls the card-carrying members while the rest are shared among religious and traditional communities. Careful examination of voting statistics will reveal the reason for constantly less than 50% voting rate.

‘Typical voters are primarily card-carrying members, and they can mobilise only a few people. Most non-card-carrying members of the communities don’t vote for various reasons. First and foremost reason is a lack of knowledge of the importance of voting. Most of the non-card-carrying members are not reached and mobilized to vote. The political class couldn’t cover the entire populace despite the resources at their disposal to do that. The efforts of INEC and NGOs with interest in civic education hasn’t yielded much result, to increase voting rate. Also, logistics and fear of violence contribute to the apathy by non-card carrying members.’

The Eburu emphasised that good governance starts with choice of right and best candidates by majority of the populace, saying that situation where significant percentage refused to vote, the election might produce what he called mere winners, concluding that royal fathers can best be used as agent of advocacy and social change in raising awareness of their subjects on importance of voting and for right and best candidates.

‘Our expected non-partisan status perfectly qualifies us as a watchdog to evaluate and monitor voting, report vote buying and expose corruption in the electioneering value chain,’ he said.

The campaign organisation of Senator Sharafadeen Alli, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Oyo State, has dismissed Bimbo Adekanmbi’s allegations against the senator, calling them attempts to undermine his political standing ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Media and Publicity of the organisation, Bisi Oladele, accused Adekanmbi of making claims intended to damage Alli’s reputation and distort historical facts for political gain.

The organisation said the allegations, made during a radio interview, reflected what it described as the opposition’s efforts to discredit the APC candidate rather than present credible plans for the state’s development.

It recalled that Alli, while serving as chairman of Ibadan North Local Government, maintained prompt salary payments and prioritised workers’ welfare, earning recognition from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo State.

The campaign organisation also said the financial difficulties local governments faced after the Federal Military Government’s January 1993 policy on staff promotions and salary increases were a nationwide problem caused by inadequate allocations to implement the policy.

According to the statement, the challenges persisted beyond Alli’s tenure and were eventually addressed through institutional measures, including the establishment of the National Primary Education Commission in 1997 and the introduction of first-line charges for teachers’ salaries by 1999.

The SSACO challenged Adekanmbi to produce the report supporting his corruption allegations against Alli or face a defamation suit. The campaign organisation accused Adekanmbi and his political associates of exploiting historical challenges to mislead the electorate, insisting that no amount of alleged blackmail would diminish Alli’s political standing.

It further accused Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration of weakening local government administration in the state, thereby denying grassroots residents the benefits of effective governance.

The statement said Alli, if elected governor, would revitalise the 33 local government areas, strengthen their administrative and financial capacity, and ensure they effectively address their communities’ needs.

It added that his proposed priorities include reconstructing feeder and access roads to improve movement of people and goods and stimulate economic activities across the state.

The organisation expressed confidence that the electorate would reject Adekanmbi and Makinde in the 2027 elections, insisting that the campaign would remain focused on restoring effective grassroots governance.

It challenged Adekanmbi to engage in issue-based political discourse rather than what it described as attempts to rewrite history for partisan advantage.