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2027: Don’t miss opportunity, unite for Senator Adeola, APC chieftain Akinwande tells Ogun West leaders

Published

3 months ago

March 21, 2026

A political activist and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Gbenga Akinwande, has challenged political stakeholders across Ogun West Senatorial District to collectively back the candidature of Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as their preferred candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.

Akinwande noted that the resolution would end the longstanding narrative that the district has not produced a governor since the creation of the state 50 years ago.

The former chairmanship aspirant in Yewa North Local Government made the remark on Tuesday in Ayetoro, during a Ramadan lecture and special prayers organised for Nigeria’s leaders.

He appealed to political leaders and residents of the senatorial district to reach a consensus across party lines to rally behind Adeola in the 2027 governorship race.

Speaking during the event, Akinwande said the district must unite politically to avoid repeating past mistakes that weakened its chances of producing the state governor.

He stated, “We must organise and mobilise voters so that our illustrious son, Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola Yayi, will be sworn in as the governor of Ogun State on May 29, 2027.

“To achieve this objective, everyone in Ogun West must collaborate and work together so that our votes will not be divided. We should not work against one another as we did in the past.

“We must not repeat the mistake of the past. This is a golden opportunity and must not elude us. If we miss it now, we may not get it again. Everybody must come together and unite for Yayi. We cannot continue to thread the part of the division and expect success. It is time to grab the opportunity now and rally behind Senator Adeola Yayi.”

Akinwande equally called on residents to continue praying for the nation’s leaders during the holy month of Ramadan and the ongoing Christian Lenten period.

He urged citizens to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for good health and wisdom to lead Nigeria effectively, and also for the governor of the state, Dapo Abiodun.

The Ramadan lecture attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, community figures and residents from across the area. Among those present were the Alaye of Ayetoro and members of his council of chiefs, the Olu of Idofoi, leaders of the APC, market leaders, unionists, artisans and youth representatives.

The guest preacher, Sheikh Muliku Sulaimon, popularly known as Oloyin Agbaye, delivered a lecture centred on the theme of love, stressing that genuine love remains the foundation for peace, unity and societal progress.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

News

Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”