News

Fresh twist to June 12: Abiola was set for release, says Obasanjo

Published

2 weeks ago

June 13, 2026

For a little delay, the winner of the 1993 presidential election and business mogul, Chief Moshood Abiola, would have been released from detention before he passed on.

Chief M.K.O. Abiola won the historic June 12, 1993, presidential election. However, the military government of General Ibrahim Babangida annulled the poll, denying him his mandate. Abiola steadfastly refused to surrender, eventually declaring himself president in 1994, which led to his arrest and eventual death in detention.

Speaking during the public presentation of three books in honour of former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.), held as part of activities marking the retired general’s 84th birthday, former Nigerian president and military head of State, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo disclosed that Abubakar was working towards securing the release of the late MKO Abiola.

He disclosed that Abdulsalami kept him regularly informed of efforts to secure Abiola’s freedom and maintained communication with members of the late politician’s family.

According to him, arrangements were already underway for Abiola’s release before the unexpected death of the acclaimed winner of the annulled election.

“I remember you calling me on the telephone and saying, ‘Our man is dead.’ I asked, ‘Which man?’ and when you mentioned Abiola, I screamed,” Obasanjo recounted.

He commended Abdulsalami for the manner in which he managed the aftermath of Abiola’s death and for successfully steering the country back to democratic rule within less than a year of assuming office.

“Within less than one year of your taking office, we had democracy restored, and 27 years after that restoration, we still have democracy,” he said.

Obasanjo also credited Abdulsalami with helping to sustain the democratic transition after handing over power in May 1999.

He revealed that the former Head of State maintained regular consultations with him after he became president, frequently presenting written observations and recommendations on national issues.

“Can I forget how regularly you came with a piece of paper containing all the points you wanted to discuss with me about what was going on, what should be done and how you saw things?” Obasanjo said.

“We sat down and looked at them one by one. I answered what could be answered immediately, and what could not be answered on the spot, I responded within 24 hours.”

He described the practice as a remarkable demonstration of statesmanship and commitment to the success of the democratic project Abdulsalami initiated.

Obasanjo, however, used the occasion primarily to celebrate Abdulsalami, whom he described as one of four military leaders whose contributions were instrumental to the survival and evolution of modern Nigeria.

He identified former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, the late General Murtala Mohammed, the late Lt.-Col. Adekunle Fajuyi and Abdulsalami as military leaders whose actions helped shape the country’s history.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

2 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

2 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.”