The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

Abba’s defection: Between vested rights and vested interests

Sir: Politics, at its core, is a contest between principles and power, between service and control. The unfolding drama in Kano State today fits squarely into this timeless struggle. At the centre of it is Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf (popularly called Abba) and his long-standing political benefactor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. What many now describe as betrayal is, in truth, a deeper conflict between vested rights and vested interests.

For over four decades, the political and personal relationship between Abba Yusuf and Kwankwaso was one of loyalty, mentorship, and shared struggle. From their early days as civil engineers at WRECA in the 1980s, through years of public service, political battles, and even family ties, Yusuf stood firmly by Kwankwaso. He followed him into politics, served him diligently as Personal Assistant, Principal Private Secretary, Commissioner for Works, and remained loyal even after Kwankwaso left office. Few political protégés in Nigeria have shown such consistency of allegiance.

That loyalty was rewarded politically when Yusuf was handpicked as the standard-bearer of the Kwankwasiyya Movement first in 2019, and later successfully in 2023 when he became Governor of Kano State. By every fair assessment, Abba Yusuf earned his place not only through mentorship but also through years of sacrifice, experience, and credibility with the people.

This is where the issue of vested rights comes in.

Once elected, a governor derives his authority not from a godfather, but from the people and the constitution. Governance is not an extension of a private political office; it is a public trust. Abba Yusuf’s insistence on exercising independent judgment, running his administration, appointing officials, and shaping policy priorities is not rebellion—it is his right. That right is vested in him by law and by the mandate of Kano citizens.

On the other side are vested interests—the expectation that political power, once helped into existence, must remain permanently subordinate to its source. This is the familiar logic of godfatherism: “I made you, therefore I must control you.” In this arrangement, loyalty is measured not by performance or service delivery, but by unquestioned obedience.

Sources close to the unfolding crisis suggest that this expectation of absolute loyalty became the real fault line. As Governor Yusuf began to assert autonomy making independent decisions, pursuing visible projects across the state, and building his own political profile tensions deepened. To some within the Kwankwasiyya inner circle, this growing independence was seen not as maturity, but as a threat.

This fear appears to have driven resistance to Yusuf’s second-term ambition within the NNPP. Internal litigations, factional crises, and alleged plans to deny him the party ticket or even replace him with his deputy all point to one thing: an attempt to clip the wings of a sitting governor who had come of age politically. At that point, remaining within such a structure ceased to be about ideology and became a question of political survival.

Governor Yusuf’s reported decision to defect to the APC must therefore be understood in this context. It is less about party labels and more about escaping a cage of control. His consultations with lawmakers, local government chairmen, and federal representatives show a leader responding to political reality, not acting on impulse.

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History offers clear lessons here. From Rivers to Benue, unresolved godfather–godson conflicts have destabilised governance, divided parties, and punished citizens. Kano appears to be at a similar crossroads.

Crucially, this episode forces a national conversation about what mentorship in politics should mean. A true godfather does not seek to lead a godson forever. He lifts him, prepares him, and ultimately allows him to grow into a godfather himself. Leadership is not inheritance; it is succession. Any mentor who insists on permanent control reduces governance to personal property and suffocates democratic growth.

Abba Yusuf’s choice, difficult as it may be, represents the assertion of vested rights over vested interests. It is the declaration that governance must serve the people first, not personal legacies. Whether one agrees with his defection or not, it is clear that this moment is about more than party politics—it is about redefining power, loyalty, and political maturity in Kano State.

In the end, history is kinder to leaders who choose responsibility over dependency. Kano’s future will not be secured by who controls whom, but by who delivers for the people.

•Abdullahi Abubakar Lawal,Zaria, Kaduna State.

January 5, 2026
Call for stiffer penalties for drug traffickers

Sir: A few days ago, while browsing online, I came across a troubling report about a 37-year-old man, Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who had once again been arrested for the same drug-related offence he was punished for some years earlier. The story was unsettling, not just because of the crime itself, but because it highlighted a deeper problem: how lightly some drug offences are treated, even after the damage they cause has become painfully clear.

Stories like this revive a long-standing public conversation about whether punishments for drug trafficking truly match the gravity of the harm involved. Across the country, many concerned citizens have continued to argue that weak sentences fail to discourage offenders, especially when drug abuse and trafficking are already tearing families apart, destroying young lives, and burdening communities with lasting health and social problems.

There is a widely held belief that punishment should not only be corrective but also preventive. When penalties are mild and easily bypassed with money, they send the wrong message—that crime can be a calculated risk rather than a serious moral and legal violation. Young people watching from the side-lines may conclude that the rewards outweigh the consequences, and that is a dangerous lesson for any society.

Consider the effort involved in bringing a drug offender to justice. Law enforcement officers often risk their lives tracking suspects, gathering evidence, and seeing cases through to court. Yet, after all that sacrifice, a conviction may result in a short prison term with an option of a fine that a well-funded offender can easily pay. As a result, the individual walks free, unchanged, while the officer is left wondering whether the struggle was worth it. In such situations, justice feels incomplete—not just to the public, but to those tasked with protecting it.

Contrast that with a firm, non-negotiable sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offence. A lengthy prison term without the option of a fine sends a powerful signal. It tells potential offenders that drug trafficking is not a business risk but a life-altering mistake. It also reassures honest citizens and dedicated NDLEA officers that the law stands firmly on the side of public safety.

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The case of Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil is cited because it follows a familiar pattern. After an earlier arrest involving a large quantity of hard drugs concealed for export, he was convicted and paid a fine. Rather than abandon the trade, he reportedly returned to it, adopting new methods and deeper secrecy. That return to crime suggests that the earlier punishment failed to reform or deter him.

One can only imagine the mind-set of those around such offenders—friends, partners, or associates—who may assume that arrest is merely a temporary inconvenience, easily resolved with money. If consequences were truly severe and unavoidable, that confidence would vanish, and with it, much of the temptation to persist in the trade.

Ultimately, this is not about vengeance; it is about protection, responsibility, and the value we place on human life. Drug trafficking fuels addiction, violence, broken homes, and lost futures. If the law treats it casually, society pays the price repeatedly. Stronger, more consistent punishments may not solve the problem overnight, but they could mark a decisive step toward discouraging repeat offences and safeguarding the next generation from a path that leads only to ruin.

•Aernan Lubem, Makurdi, Benue state

January 5, 2026
Daura: When ambition is packaged as public service

By Yusuf Bala

Former Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mallam Lawal Daura, has declared his intention to run for governor of Katsina State. As is customary with Nigerian political folklore, the declaration came wrapped in the familiar refrain: loud, organic, irresistible calls from the “good people of Katsina state” compelling him to step forward and rescue the state. According to Daura, he did not seek power; power sought him and he merely yielded.

We have heard this familiar song before; too many times, in fact. This tone is a well-worn Nigerian political script where ambition disguises itself as sacrifice and personal craving is laundered into public demand. In this theatre, politicians are never desperate; they are dutifully summoned. They are never power-hungry; they are pressured by the people. Daura’s declaration fits neatly into this tired template.

Let us agree that Lawal Daura is not new to public attention. His tenure as DSS boss placed him at the heart of Nigeria’s power machinery. In that role, he interfaced, directly and indirectly, with politicians, power brokers, and influential actors across the length and breadth of the country. Many of these individuals wielded enormous influence at the time. It is therefore not far-fetched to assume that Daura believes these past connections, loyalties, and shared interests will now crystallise into political capital in his favour.

Thinking like this is precisely where Daura’a first and most fatal flaw lies. If not anything, Daura made as more enemies as friends while trotting the grounds of the DSS and any belief that his traducers would simply fade away leaving only his friends to shore up his ambition would be simply preposterous and unbecoming of anyone who once ruled as Nigeria’s number one spymaster. Even more importantly, the idea that yesterday’s power network has the potential to automatically translate into today’s electoral advantage is not only lazy thinking; it is dangerous self-deception, the kind that the head of Nigeria’s secret police should not even contemplate.

But assuming we believe, with him, that his friends outnumber his traducers, we must be ready to contend with the circumstances of Daura’s appointment as DSS boss. Many Nigerians believed it was purely political, late President Muhammadu Buhari being his kinsman. Simply put, his appointment was an executive decision rooted in the politics of the moment.

Beyond that, Daura’s strongest professional claim to relevance is his identity as a security expert; indeed, a spy master. This title is not earned lightly and thus invites scrutiny and demands results while compelling hard questions. And the most obvious of these questions is this: how much of Daura’s celebrated security expertise tangibly benefitted Katsina State while he was in office?

Katsina has, for years, been one of the epicentres of banditry, kidnapping, and rural terror. Entire communities have been displaced. Farmers have abandoned their lands. Lives have been lost in horrifying numbers. If Daura possessed cutting-edge security insights, strategies, or intelligence-driven solutions, did he ever formally engage the Katsina State government with them? Did he advise? Did he propose? Did he insist? And if he did, were his recommendations rejected? These questions matter, because leadership is not just about what you know; it is about what you do with what you know when you are in a position to act. It is certainly never enough to criticise without solutions!

People like Daura need to be reminded that the old playbook where spent technocrats suddenly discover a passion for elective politics and begin to sell a narrative of government incompetence to justify their ambition is obsolete. Nigerians and the people of Katsina in particular, are far more politically literate than politicians give them credit for. The era when former appointees could reinvent themselves as messiahs by simply attacking the system they once served is fast fading.

Equally outdated is the tactic of bankrolling proxies to buy nomination forms, only to turn around and market that artificial gesture as “popular demand.” That stage-managed performance where ambition pretends to be sacrifice has lost its potency. It may still excite political hangers-on, but it no longer moves serious voters.

If Lawal Daura wants to run for governor, that is his constitutional right. No one disputes that. But honesty demands that he owns his ambition. He should be man enough to admit that he wants power. He should be bold enough to say that he believes he deserves to be governor. If there are fears, real or imagined, about life after power, including possible scrutiny or prosecution, he should at least stop insulting public intelligence by dressing personal calculations in the borrowed robes of public service.

What he should not do is attempt to deceive anyone into believing that his decision is purely an act of altruism, born out of sudden, burning love for the good people of Katsina State.

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Daura’s tenure as DSS boss will indeed be remembered for many reasons many of which are not entirely flattering. Chief among these is the persistent allegation of clannishness. Daura may tell himself that every decision he took was in the interest of Katsina people. He may even convince himself that his actions were strategic investments in long-term goodwill. Unfortunately, his sudden political awakening suggests something else entirely: that he was playing a long game, storing up favours and symbolic gestures in the hope of cashing them in later and that can never be statesmanship. If anything, it amounts to transactional politics unbecoming of a secret police officer at its worst.

Daura ought to be reminded that the people of Katsina are not fools. They understand politics and power, just as they understand the difference between genuine service and calculated positioning. They can see that instead of engaging Governor Dikko Radda constructively, offering security insights, sharing expertise, strengthening state capacity, Daura chose silence. Now, that same silence is being weaponised as political capital. His expertise, once withheld, is now being repackaged as campaign material.

This reality does not look good on Daura’s ambition. The revelation alone is damning, even as it tells the people that what they thought were acts of goodwill may, in fact, have been bargaining chips. That what appeared to be service was actually an investment, and that loyalty was not to the state, but to a future personal ambition. Indeed, nothing erodes trust faster than the discovery that generosity was never free, and service was never sincere.

If disappointment is too strong a word, then let us at least demand honesty. Lawal Daura should acknowledge that his tough talk today is an attempt to profit from yesterday. He should admit that he is seeking to monetise past access and former relevance. And that all these are not because Katsina suddenly needs him more than ever, but because he believes whether rightly or wrongly, that he should be governor.

That, at least, would be honest politics. Pretending that this declaration is a selfless response to popular demand is not only dishonest; it is insulting. The people of Katsina deserve better than recycled ambition and repackaged power hunger. It deserves leaders who can demonstrate transparency, humility, and genuine service, not the aftertaste of a long favour finally coming due.

•Bala writes from Abuja.

January 5, 2026
2026: Looking ahead

By Ademola Oshodi

There is a particular art to Nigerian optimism that foreign observers often misunderstand. It is not blind faith, but the practiced resilience of a nation that has learned to navigate complexity as a survival skill. In a year defined by geopolitical uncertainty, economic recalibration, and a crisis of trust in multilateralism, optimism can easily sound naïve. Yet, in foreign policy, optimism is strategy.

As someone directly engaged in foreign affairs, I have observed how Nigeria’s external posture has evolved in response to both domestic reform and global flux. In 2025, Nigeria acted with a clearer understanding that foreign policy is inseparable from economic governance at home. Engagements with international financial institutions, development partners, and global economic forums increasingly reflected this reality. Rather than presenting reform as a burden, Nigeria framed it as a signal of seriousness and readiness for global partnerships. The message was consistent: sustainable growth, debt sustainability, and investor confidence all rest on credibility, and credibility is earned through disciplined policy and transparent engagement.

This strategy produced measurable results. Over the course of 2025, Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach and international engagements were credited with attracting more than $50 billion in Foreign Direct Investment commitments, spanning energy, manufacturing, technology, and logistics. These commitments came from global firms including ExxonMobil, Indorama, Jindal Steel, Shell, Coca-Cola, and Arise, reflecting a pattern of targeted economic diplomacy that married domestic reform, such as easing foreign-exchange constraints and restoring fiscal discipline, with external confidence-building.

Trade outcomes reinforced this trajectory. Nigeria recorded its highest trade surplus in six years, reaching N19.34 trillion from a total trade value of N113 trillion within the first nine months of the year. The country’s terms of trade rose to 101.37 points, indicating that exports commanded greater purchasing power. Europe accounted for 43 percent of exports and 34 percent of imports, while Asia absorbed 29 percent of exports and supplied 43 percent of imports. India emerged as Nigeria’s top export destination, with N2.26 trillion in trade in the third quarter alone.

At the continental level, Nigeria’s trade with other African countries grew by 14 percent in the first half of 2025, following renewed efforts to strengthen regional ties. Together, these outcomes reflect a dual strategy: deepening continental integration while expanding global reach. This is the kind of methodical, cumulative progress that builds economic resilience, challenging the notion that Nigerian optimism is merely declarative rather than earned.

Diversification of diplomatic and economic space

If 2025 had a diplomatic soundtrack, it would be the sound of doors opening. One of the most consequential shifts in Nigeria’s foreign policy posture was its admission as a partner country into the BRICS bloc – a grouping that, by purchasing power measures, accounts for a substantial share of global economic output and more than half of the world’s population. The move signalled Nigeria’s intent to diversify its diplomatic space, deepen South–South cooperation, and engage more assertively in debates on global governance reform, particularly in international finance and multilateral decision-making.

Trade data from the first three quarters of 2025 underscored the material impact of this engagement. Trade with BRICS countries rose to over N5.41 trillion, outpacing exports to some traditional partners and, illustrating how Nigeria’s engagement with emerging markets is reshaping its trade patterns. Crucially, this recalibration did not come at the expense of existing partnerships. Nigeria maintained active ties with Europe, North America, and multilateral institutions, reflecting a calibrated strategy of pragmatic and strategic autonomy: engaging broadly without tethering itself to any single bloc.

Regional leadership under pressure

At the regional level, Nigeria’s leadership within West Africa remained central in 2025. Security cooperation, democratic stability, and preventive diplomacy dominated engagements across ECOWAS as the sub-region confronted a convergence of unconstitutional power transitions and evolving security threats. Nigeria engaged in stabilising diplomacy with neighbouring states, keeping channels open with key actors in Niger and Mali while maintaining principled positions on democratic governance. This approach reflected a pragmatic, interest-based posture – one that prioritised regional stability over episodic moralising or rhetorical escalation.

Within ECOWAS, Nigeria played a pivotal role in sustaining mechanisms for collective security and political coordination, grounded in the recognition that instability in the sub-region directly affects national prosperity, public trust, and citizen security. At the 68th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government in Abuja, regional leaders moved beyond declarations toward institutional action. The activation of emergency security mechanisms strengthened the legal and political framework for collective responses to threats such as banditry, organised crime, and unconstitutional seizures of power. The articulation of a regional standby force – designed to enhance deterrence and rapid response capacity – sent a clear signal that credibility and preparedness still matter in regional governance, even as operational decisions remain subject to consensus and political judgment.

Public diplomacy, soft power, and a contested global narrative

Nigeria’s foreign policy in 2025 also invested more deliberately in soft power and public engagement. Beyond formal negotiations and summit diplomacy, Nigeria’s global standing is shaped by its people, culture, and ideas. Through sustained media dialogue, diaspora engagement, and cultural diplomacy, foreign policy increasingly shifted from a distant governmental function to a broader national conversation.

Diplomacy began to more explicitly recognise Nigerians abroad as economic actors, cultural ambassadors, and connective tissue between societies. Initiatives such as the return of the Benin Bronzes resonated not only as cultural milestones but as diplomatic touchpoints – reframing global perceptions of Nigeria as a country reclaiming narrative agency rather than seeking validation. In an interconnected world, influence is negotiated not only in country capitals and conference rooms, but also in how a country’s story is told, contested, and understood.

The year, however, was not without friction. Visa restrictions and reduced validity periods for Nigerian travellers to the United States tested bilateral relations and public sentiment. Rather than allowing these tensions to harden, both countries moved toward resolution through sustained diplomatic engagement, ultimately restoring momentum to the relationship and clearing the path for newly appointed ambassadors to assume duties in 2026. The episode underscored a broader lesson: mature partnerships are not defined by the absence of disagreement, but by the capacity to resolve it without erosion of trust.

Nigeria’s security challenges drew heightened international attention in 2025, particularly from the United States – a development that is often politically sensitive but can also create space for deeper cooperation when approached with clarity and confidence. Rather than framing this attention as external pressure, Nigeria engaged it as an opportunity to shape partnerships around intelligence sharing, technological assistance, and institutional capacity-building, anchored in mutual respect and national interest. This approach marked a clear contrast with earlier periods of strain, when Nigeria was designated a Country of Particular Concern by the United States and public rhetoric compressed a complex security landscape into a narrow and coercive frame. The evolution since then – characterised by dialogue, coordination, and institutional engagement – signals a recalibration in how Nigeria’s security challenges are understood and addressed by its partners.

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Looking toward 2026: Consolidation and measurable impact

As Nigeria enters 2026, the central question is no longer whether optimism is warranted, but whether it can be converted into durable influence and outcomes that meaningfully serve national aspirations. The emphasis therefore shifts from positioning to consolidation, and from opening doors to shaping what happens inside the room.

The durability of recent gains will depend on institutional follow-through. Diplomatic frameworks, economic partnerships, and multilateral engagements must mature from visibility into leverage, particularly in global finance, climate cooperation, trade facilitation, and peace and security. In this phase, diplomatic representation becomes decisive. Ambassadorial appointments are not ceremonial markers of presence; they are operational assets whose effectiveness will be judged by their ability to translate access into outcomes and dialogue into negotiated advantage.

Economic diplomacy will also assume sharper strategic significance. Nigeria’s demographic trajectory – among the youngest and fastest-growing globally – means that foreign policy cannot be separated from employment, technology transfer, and productive capacity. Deeper engagement with the African Continental Free Trade Area and diversified global partnerships will test whether Nigeria can move from participation to leadership, and from market access to value creation.

Strategic autonomy will remain a defining advantage in an increasingly fragmented international system. As competition among major powers intensifies, Nigeria’s capacity to engage broadly without default alignment will matter more, not less. Non-alignment in this context is active calibration anchored in institutional resilience, policy coherence, and clarity of national interest.

The doors are open. The challenge for 2026 is to walk through them with disciplined strategy, institutional depth, and the resolve to convert optimism into sustained influence.

•Oshodi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol.

January 5, 2026
Bauchi needs governance, not more politics

Sir: It is time for Governor Bala Mohammed to shift his full attention back to Bauchi State—its people, its schools, its hospitals, its hope. Recent claims that the anti graft agency, the EFCC, is being used by political opponents to persecute him and his aides are not only unhelpful; they risk pulling the state deeper into needless political drama when real work is waiting.

The EFCC has publicly rejected those claims as wild and far fetched. The agency says it is independent, non partisan, and focused on fighting economic and financial crimes. It also notes that the governor was facing a money laundering trial before he became governor, and that constitutional immunity paused that case, not any external pressure. These are strong words from the EFCC, reported by national media.

Beyond the legal back and forth, the message is simple: governance must come first. The EFCC’s statement urges politicians to prioritize public accountability and urges Governor Mohammed to face the business of running Bauchi State while the commission does its job.

For every citizen in Bauchi, this is not just a matter of politics; it is a matter of daily life. Schools are in need of better facilities and learning materials. Health centres and hospitals deserve continuous attention so that mothers, children, and the elderly can receive care without fear or delay. Roads, markets, and public services demand leadership that is present, steady, and focused.

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When a governor spends vital energy on claims of persecution, the people who elected him feel the gap. When citizens hear loud accusations from the highest office in the state, it sparks anxiety—about fairness, about governance, about what comes next. But at the root of these anxieties is also hope: hope that the state can run better, hold its leaders accountable, and move forward without being trapped in endless accusations.

Governor Bala Mohammed should let the truth, whatever it is, be determined by courts and lawful processes. He should allow the EFCC to carry out its duties, as the law requires, without distractions. And most importantly, he should direct his energy toward the pressing needs of Bauchi State: education that prepares the youth, health care that protects lives, infrastructure that supports commerce and movement, and public accountability that earns trust.

Bauchi’s people deserve a leader whose thoughts, words, and actions are rooted in service—not in fear of political enemies, real or imagined. The governor must seize this moment to demonstrate that his government is about progress, not politics. Only then can the people of Bauchi breathe easier, work harder, and believe that the future of their state is in capable hands.

•Yasir Shehu Adam (Dan Liman), Bauchi.

January 5, 2026
Freedom for farmer

•Governor Fintiri’s pardon saves inmate from execution

Sunday Jackson, an Adamawa State farmer sentenced to death for killing a herder who attacked him on his farm, has been saved from a date with the hangman. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, as part of the state’s Christmas and New Year clemency exercise, granted him a state pardon after Jackson spent 10 years incarcerated, including five years on death row.

Fintiri’s act of clemency was announced in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou. The announcement sparked spontaneous jubilation across Yola, the Adamawa State capital, as residents trooped out to celebrate what they perceived as justice done.

The governor said his decision followed recommendations by the Adamawa clemency panel, based on assessments of inmates’ conduct while in custody. “In the exercise of my prerogative of mercy as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and in line with the recommendations of the Adamawa State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy, I have granted pardon to three persons and directed the remission of the remainder of the sentences of five others,” Fintiri explained, saying the beneficiaries had showed good behaviour in incarceration.

The governor also granted state pardon to Joseph Eugene, serving his term at the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Yola, and Maxwell Ibrahim, serving his sentence at the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Kaduna. Five inmates whose remaining terms were remitted are Joshua James, Adamu Ibrahim, Mohammed Abubakar, Ibrahim Usman and Saidu Abubakar, serving sentences at the Medium Security Custodial Centres in Numan and Jada.

Jackson, a local farmer in Kodomti village, Demsa council area of Adamawa State, was convicted of killing a Fulani herdsman who invaded his farm to graze cattle. The incident occurred in January 2015 while cultivating his farm, as the herder allegedly attacked him for objecting to cattle being grazed on the farm. Jackson managed to overpower the herder during a struggle in which he sustained severe injuries, but which also resulted in the herder’s death.

The Adamawa farmer was charged under Section 221(a) of the Penal Code Laws of Adamawa State 1997 for the death of a herdsman. According to court documents, he testified that the deceased had approached him on his farm, questioned him about the whereabouts of some passersby, and then began to graze his cattle on Jackson’s farmland. When confronted, the herder allegedly drew a knife and attacked Jackson, stabbing him at the back of the head and in the leg as he tried to flee.

The accused recounted that fearing for his life, he managed to disarm the herder and, in the process, stabbed him. During cross-examination, Jackson said he never thought his actions would result in the herder’s death.

In its case, however, the prosecution presented Jackson’s confessional statement to the police by which he admitted to stabbing the herdsman.

In its verdict in 2021, the Adamawa High Court found him guilty and sentenced him to death by hanging for the killing, saying he had the opportunity to escape rather than kill the assailant.

Dissatisfied with the verdict, Jackson approached the Court of Appeal to overturn the trial court’s decision. But the appellate court affirmed the conviction and sentence.

Early in 2025, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction and sentence in a majority verdict, thereby exhausting Jackson’s hope for a reprieve through the courts. A dissenting opinion among the justices canvassed clemency for him, though.

Following his conviction, Jackson was moved from Adamawa to Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre in Abuja, where he spent years on death row. Several interest groups, however, argued that self-defence was obviously the motive on which he acted and called for a review of the case – citing moral, legal and humanitarian deficits of executing a man who acted to save himself from attack. Such interests – among them civil society and human rights groups, faith-based organisations and members of the public – clamoured for clemency for Jackson, which they equated to true justice.

The case has, thus, been trailed by years of sustained advocacy. On the other hand, Fulani groups hailed the Supreme Court verdict, which they construed as affirming their right to freely graze cattle, and a legal response to seeming targeted attacks against their members.

The case also attracted international attention. In November 2025, a member of the United States Congress, Riley Moore, called on the Nigerian government to pardon Jackson, describing his offence as a patent act of self-defence. Moore argued that Jackson acted to protect his life during the encounter, and he questioned the fairness of imposing the death penalty under such circumstances.

Jackson’s case also came up in the US legislature during a debate on President Donald Trump’s designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged Christian genocide.

The most prominent responses to the state pardon came from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as US Congressman Riley Moore. CAN, in a statement by its chairperson, Yakubu Pam, lauded Governor Fintiri for a “courageous and compassionate decision” that the association said had brought “immense relief, hope, and reassurance to citizens across the region and beyond.” The statement added that the pardon “affirms the belief that justice, when guided by wisdom and mercy, can still prevail within our legal and political systems.”

Moore, for his part, described Jackson’s pardon as a “positive development” in Nigeria-United States relations. “After more than a decade in prison serving a death sentence for defending himself, Sunday Jackson has now been pardoned,” he noted, urging that the clemency beneficiary be protected during and after his release. Moore also noted that the case had become symbolic of broader security and justice concerns affecting rural communities in Nigeria.

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The Jackson affair is symptomatic of the national menace that informed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s establishment of a presidential livestock reforms panel co-chaired by former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Professor Attahiru Jega. The panel was raised in July 2024 to address challenges in the livestock sector, including farmer-herder conflicts, and to unlock the sector’s economic potential estimated to exceed N1.7trn in value chain.

Key recommendations by the panel included a 10-year transformation process through which Nigerians and the government can harness gains in the sector. The committee also proposed that livestock grazing and ranching be operated side-by-side as the country pursues a long-term objective of having an intensive livestock sector. Besides, it recommended operational guidelines for the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development that the Tinubu administration newly created.

The Jackson reprieve should serve as a stark reminder that Nigeria’s livestock-keeping culture is work in progress, and efforts must be intensified to evolve a practice that will foster long-term harmony between farmers and herders.

The Jackson pardon, in our view, is also an appropriate juncture for national reflection on the stipulation of the death penalty in our statute books. Nigeria is reported to currently have more than 3,500 persons on death row. However, the last known implementation of capital punishment occurred in 2016 in Edo State, meaning the country has maintained a de facto moratorium on capital punishment while the penalty remains legal and the courts continue to issue death sentences, with no actual executions taking place. There’s a sense in which keeping people interminably on death row is itself avoidable injustice.

January 5, 2026
‘How stress, uncertainty are reshaping the future for youths’

Adejo Egbunu, Nigerian social worker as well as Family and Human Development graduate in United States, has said with research interests in family and child welfare, youth stress, leadership and social policy, youths here face tough choices.

In a research work, Egbunu said many young people are quietly grieving over dreams they once held with confidence, not because they lack ambition, but because stress and uncertainty have reshaped how they view the future.

He said educational disruptions, economic hardship, insecurity and limited job opportunities had turned planning into a risky exercise, as uncertainty had become normal and hope had gradually eroded.

‘’Young adulthood is a critical stage for identity formation and goal setting. When stress dominates this phase, it affects emotional development and self-worth’’, he said.

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‘’Many youths now approach life defensively, rather than ‘aspirationally’. Dreams are downsized to survival goals. While adaptability is praised, constant adaptation to hardship carries psychological costs.

‘’Families feel this strain deeply. Parents struggle to reconcile expectations with reality, while young people carry the emotional weight of family hopes and personal frustration.

‘’The social consequences are visible: rising migration, delayed marriages, disengagement from civic life and harmful coping strategies. These reflect deeper psychosocial distress.

‘’Addressing this challenge requires leadership that understands the human impact of policy decisions. Job creation and security matter. But so does mental health support. Counselling, mentorship and community-based interventions must be normalised.

‘’Nigerian youths have not lost their dreams—they have been forced to pause them. Reducing stress and restoring hope is a national imperative.’’

January 5, 2026
Organisation condemns smear campaign against IG

•Police chief get kudos for achievements

Civil society organisation, Advocates for Good Governance, has lauded the Police for ‘notable achievements’ in 2025, while condemning sustained smear campaigns and alleged attempts to force Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, out of office.

The group said the police, under Egbetokun’s leadership, recorded progress in professionalism, discipline, and internal reforms, despite persistent attacks at discrediting it and its leadership.

In a statement yesterday by Abe Kolawole, Publicity secretary and Ibrahim Ahmed, president general, the organisation warned that media attacks and online campaigns against the Police chief were part of efforts by disgruntled elements to derail reforms in the Police.

“These smear campaigns and attempts to get the IG out of office are dangerous to national security,” it said. “They are driven by individuals who lost out under the reform-oriented leadership and are bent on destabilising the Police.”

The group noted that Egbetokun’s enforcement of rules on retirement age, years of service, promotions, and postings has blocked entrenched interests that previously thrived on impunity, triggering backlash against his leadership.

It quoted Danjuma Lamido as saying the activities appeared to be sponsored efforts to blackmail the IG rather than strengthen press freedom through constructive engagement.

Read Also: I will never give up on Nigeria, says Hashim

“It is difficult to ignore the pattern. Despite dialogue, reforms, and open-door policies, the posture of some groups mirrors that of misguided elements intent on forcing the IG out of office. If that is the agenda, it should be stated openly, not cloaked in sanctimonious statements,” Lamido said.

Lauding the police performance, the group cited improved accountability, firmer discipline among officers, and a renewed focus on professionalism under the IG.

It called on Nigerians to rally behind the Police and support reforms, stressing that weakening the leadership through smear campaigns would only embolden criminal elements.

“We urge the public to support the police and reject attempts to undermine the IG. The focus should be on strengthening the Police, not tearing it down for selfish reasons,” the group added.

The organisation appealed to the media to uphold ethical standards and avoid being used as platforms for unverified allegations, noting attacks on the police could erode public trust in security institutions.

It reaffirmed its commitment to supporting reforms and urged stakeholders to prioritise national interest over personal or political agenda.

January 5, 2026
Aiyedatiwa’s exco under review as governance institute releases 2025 scorecard

•Justice, Budget,Health, Education lead end-of-year performance review

The In The Institute for Governance and Leadership Accountability (IGLA) has released its comprehensive 2025 end-of-year assessment of the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

   It described the administration as focused, purposeful, and steadily redefining governance through competence, accountability, and people-centred service delivery.

The assessment was carried out across three states from each of the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states sampled in the Southwest.

Unveiling the report in Abuja, the Institute noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has, within a challenging national economic climate, recorded commendable progress in infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, justice administration, human capital development, and social inclusion. The report credited the Governor’s calm but decisive leadership style, strategic planning, and insistence on performance as key drivers of the results recorded across ministries.

According to the assessment, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, emerged as the overall best-performing member of the executive council.

The Institute described his stewardship of the justice sector as exemplary, citing his firm defence of the rule of law, proactive legal reforms, institutional discipline, and uncommon accessibility to both the public and professional stakeholders. His performance, the report stated, reflects intellectual depth, administrative efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to justice as a foundation for good governance.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several committees and agencies within the government, including Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Land-Grabbing, and serving as Special Adviser to the government on World Bank and related matters.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several critical statutory bodies and committees within the government, notably the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the Anti-Land-Grabbing Task Force, and the Office of the Public Defender. He also serves as the State Security Adviser on World Bank supported projects and related matters.

Ranking second was the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, whose strategic coordination of the state’s planning architecture and budgeting process was praised as central to the administration’s stability and fiscal coherence.

The Institute noted that his work has provided the economic compass guiding government priorities, aligning policy objectives with realistic revenue frameworks and development outcomes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, placed third in the overall rankings. The report highlighted his steady leadership in strengthening healthcare delivery, improving responsiveness within the health system, and prioritising the welfare of citizens through improved medical infrastructure and service coordination across the state.

In fourth position was the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, whose tenure was described as reform-driven and forward-looking. The Institute commended his focus on improving learning environments, restoring confidence in public education, and laying a sustainable foundation for human capital development through policy clarity and sectoral engagement.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ayorinde Olawoye, en engineer, ranked fifth, earning recognition for visible progress in road construction, urban renewal, and infrastructure maintenance across the state. His performance was noted for technical competence, project execution, and alignment with the Governor’s infrastructural vision.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye, was sixth, with the report applauding her passionate advocacy for women, children, and vulnerable groups, as well as her consistent grassroots engagement and social intervention initiatives.

Other commissioners were rated fairly across their respective portfolios, with performance scores reflecting varying degrees of achievement, responsiveness, accessibility, and public engagement.

The Institute explained that, unlike perception-based polls, the assessment was conducted using measurable indicators including achievement, appearance, responsiveness, understanding of responsibility, accessibility, comportment, time management, communication ability, cordiality with staff, and cordiality with the public. Each commissioner was graded on a scale of 1 to 100 across these parameters.

The assessment was conducted through a structured, evidence-based evaluation process carried out over several months. The exercise involved independent field observations, structured interviews, media performance reviews, stakeholder feedback, and desk analysis of policy outputs and service delivery records across ministries. To ensure balance and objectivity, the assessment drew inputs from civil servants, professionals, community leaders, media practitioners, and policy analysts, while also comparing performance benchmarks across three states selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This comparative approach allowed Ondo State’s cabinet performance to be measured against peer administrations operating under similar national economic conditions.

Read Also: SRA seeks sustained commitment to end HIV/AIDS in Nigeria

Speaking on the report, the Director of the Institute, Dr. George Olayiwola Aladesuru, described Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet as “a carefully assembled team of professionals whose collective output underscores the Governor’s eye for capacity, character, and competence.” He added that the overall performance “speaks to leadership that values results over noise and service over spectacle.”

The Institute further commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for building a cabinet that reflects balance, experience, and dedication to public service, noting that the administration’s progress is a testament to purposeful leadership and teamwork. It urged cabinet members to see the assessment as both an affirmation of effort and a roadmap for deeper engagement, improved accessibility, and even greater service to the people of Ondo State as the year draws to a close.

BEST THREE FOR EACH CATEGORY

ACHIEVEMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 86

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 81 (tied with Dr. Banji Ajaka – Health)

APPEARANCE

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 89

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 79

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 76

RESPONSIVENESS

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 82

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 78

UNDERSTANDING OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 93

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 85

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 85 (tie)

ACCESSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 87

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 80

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 78

COMPORTMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 86

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 82

SENSE OF TIME

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 86

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 84

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 75

COMMUNICATION ABILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 91

2. Mr. Idowu Ajanaku (Information & Orientation) – 76

3. Comr. Omoyofunmi Segun Henry (Youth & Sports) – 75

CORDIALITY WITH STAFF

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 81

3. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 74

CORDIALITY WITH THE PUBLIC

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 83 (tied)

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 83 (tied)

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 70.

stitute for Governance and Leadership Accountability (IGLA) has released its comprehensive 2025 end-of-year assessment of the Ondo State Government under the leadership of Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

   It described the administration as focused, purposeful, and steadily redefining governance through competence, accountability, and people-centred service delivery.

The assessment was carried out across three states from each of the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states sampled in the Southwest.

Unveiling the report in Abuja, the Institute noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has, within a challenging national economic climate, recorded commendable progress in infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, justice administration, human capital development, and social inclusion. The report credited the Governor’s calm but decisive leadership style, strategic planning, and insistence on performance as key drivers of the results recorded across ministries.

According to the assessment, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, emerged as the overall best-performing member of the executive council.

The Institute described his stewardship of the justice sector as exemplary, citing his firm defence of the rule of law, proactive legal reforms, institutional discipline, and uncommon accessibility to both the public and professional stakeholders. His performance, the report stated, reflects intellectual depth, administrative efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to justice as a foundation for good governance.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several committees and agencies within the government, including Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Land-Grabbing, and serving as Special Adviser to the government on World Bank and related matters.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several critical statutory bodies and committees within the government, notably the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the Anti-Land-Grabbing Task Force, and the Office of the Public Defender. He also serves as the State Security Adviser on World Bank supported projects and related matters.

Ranking second was the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, whose strategic coordination of the state’s planning architecture and budgeting process was praised as central to the administration’s stability and fiscal coherence.

The Institute noted that his work has provided the economic compass guiding government priorities, aligning policy objectives with realistic revenue frameworks and development outcomes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, placed third in the overall rankings. The report highlighted his steady leadership in strengthening healthcare delivery, improving responsiveness within the health system, and prioritising the welfare of citizens through improved medical infrastructure and service coordination across the state.

In fourth position was the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, whose tenure was described as reform-driven and forward-looking. The Institute commended his focus on improving learning environments, restoring confidence in public education, and laying a sustainable foundation for human capital development through policy clarity and sectoral engagement.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ayorinde Olawoye, en engineer, ranked fifth, earning recognition for visible progress in road construction, urban renewal, and infrastructure maintenance across the state. His performance was noted for technical competence, project execution, and alignment with the Governor’s infrastructural vision.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye, was sixth, with the report applauding her passionate advocacy for women, children, and vulnerable groups, as well as her consistent grassroots engagement and social intervention initiatives.

Other commissioners were rated fairly across their respective portfolios, with performance scores reflecting varying degrees of achievement, responsiveness, accessibility, and public engagement.

The Institute explained that, unlike perception-based polls, the assessment was conducted using measurable indicators including achievement, appearance, responsiveness, understanding of responsibility, accessibility, comportment, time management, communication ability, cordiality with staff, and cordiality with the public. Each commissioner was graded on a scale of 1 to 100 across these parameters.

The assessment was conducted through a structured, evidence-based evaluation process carried out over several months. The exercise involved independent field observations, structured interviews, media performance reviews, stakeholder feedback, and desk analysis of policy outputs and service delivery records across ministries. To ensure balance and objectivity, the assessment drew inputs from civil servants, professionals, community leaders, media practitioners, and policy analysts, while also comparing performance benchmarks across three states selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This comparative approach allowed Ondo State’s cabinet performance to be measured against peer administrations operating under similar national economic conditions.

Speaking on the report, the Director of the Institute, Dr. George Olayiwola Aladesuru, described Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet as “a carefully assembled team of professionals whose collective output underscores the Governor’s eye for capacity, character, and competence.” He added that the overall performance “speaks to leadership that values results over noise and service over spectacle.”

The Institute further commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for building a cabinet that reflects balance, experience, and dedication to public service, noting that the administration’s progress is a testament to purposeful leadership and teamwork. It urged cabinet members to see the assessment as both an affirmation of effort and a roadmap for deeper engagement, improved accessibility, and even greater service to the people of Ondo State as the year draws to a close.

BEST THREE FOR EACH CATEGORY

ACHIEVEMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 86

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 81 (tied with Dr. Banji Ajaka – Health)

APPEARANCE

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 89

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 79

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 76

RESPONSIVENESS

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 82

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 78

UNDERSTANDING OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 93

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 85

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 85 (tie)

ACCESSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 87

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 80

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 78

COMPORTMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 86

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 82

SENSE OF TIME

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 86

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 84

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 75

COMMUNICATION ABILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 91

2. Mr. Idowu Ajanaku (Information & Orientation) – 76

3. Comr. Omoyofunmi Segun Henry (Youth & Sports) – 75

CORDIALITY WITH STAFF

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 81

3. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 74

CORDIALITY WITH THE PUBLIC

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 83 (tied)

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 83 (tied)

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 70.

   It described the administration as focused, purposeful, and steadily redefining governance through competence, accountability, and people-centred service delivery.

The assessment was carried out across three states from each of the six geopolitical zones, with Lagos, Ogun, and Ondo states sampled in the Southwest.

Unveiling the report in Abuja, the Institute noted that Governor Aiyedatiwa’s administration has, within a challenging national economic climate, recorded commendable progress in infrastructure renewal, fiscal discipline, justice administration, human capital development, and social inclusion. The report credited the Governor’s calm but decisive leadership style, strategic planning, and insistence on performance as key drivers of the results recorded across ministries.

According to the assessment, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, emerged as the overall best-performing member of the executive council.

The Institute described his stewardship of the justice sector as exemplary, citing his firm defence of the rule of law, proactive legal reforms, institutional discipline, and uncommon accessibility to both the public and professional stakeholders. His performance, the report stated, reflects intellectual depth, administrative efficiency, and an unwavering commitment to justice as a foundation for good governance.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several committees and agencies within the government, including Anti-Human Trafficking, Anti-Land-Grabbing, and serving as Special Adviser to the government on World Bank and related matters.

Beyond his primary assignment at the Justice Ministry, Dr. Ajulo’s contributions include chairing several critical statutory bodies and committees within the government, notably the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, the Anti-Land-Grabbing Task Force, and the Office of the Public Defender. He also serves as the State Security Adviser on World Bank supported projects and related matters.

Ranking second was the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Olaolu Akindolire, whose strategic coordination of the state’s planning architecture and budgeting process was praised as central to the administration’s stability and fiscal coherence.

The Institute noted that his work has provided the economic compass guiding government priorities, aligning policy objectives with realistic revenue frameworks and development outcomes.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Ajaka, placed third in the overall rankings. The report highlighted his steady leadership in strengthening healthcare delivery, improving responsiveness within the health system, and prioritising the welfare of citizens through improved medical infrastructure and service coordination across the state.

In fourth position was the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, whose tenure was described as reform-driven and forward-looking. The Institute commended his focus on improving learning environments, restoring confidence in public education, and laying a sustainable foundation for human capital development through policy clarity and sectoral engagement.

The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ayorinde Olawoye, en engineer, ranked fifth, earning recognition for visible progress in road construction, urban renewal, and infrastructure maintenance across the state. His performance was noted for technical competence, project execution, and alignment with the Governor’s infrastructural vision.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye, was sixth, with the report applauding her passionate advocacy for women, children, and vulnerable groups, as well as her consistent grassroots engagement and social intervention initiatives.

Other commissioners were rated fairly across their respective portfolios, with performance scores reflecting varying degrees of achievement, responsiveness, accessibility, and public engagement.

The Institute explained that, unlike perception-based polls, the assessment was conducted using measurable indicators including achievement, appearance, responsiveness, understanding of responsibility, accessibility, comportment, time management, communication ability, cordiality with staff, and cordiality with the public. Each commissioner was graded on a scale of 1 to 100 across these parameters.

The assessment was conducted through a structured, evidence-based evaluation process carried out over several months. The exercise involved independent field observations, structured interviews, media performance reviews, stakeholder feedback, and desk analysis of policy outputs and service delivery records across ministries. To ensure balance and objectivity, the assessment drew inputs from civil servants, professionals, community leaders, media practitioners, and policy analysts, while also comparing performance benchmarks across three states selected from each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. This comparative approach allowed Ondo State’s cabinet performance to be measured against peer administrations operating under similar national economic conditions.

Speaking on the report, the Director of the Institute, Dr. George Olayiwola Aladesuru, described Governor Aiyedatiwa’s cabinet as “a carefully assembled team of professionals whose collective output underscores the Governor’s eye for capacity, character, and competence.” He added that the overall performance “speaks to leadership that values results over noise and service over spectacle.”

The Institute further commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for building a cabinet that reflects balance, experience, and dedication to public service, noting that the administration’s progress is a testament to purposeful leadership and teamwork. It urged cabinet members to see the assessment as both an affirmation of effort and a roadmap for deeper engagement, improved accessibility, and even greater service to the people of Ondo State as the year draws to a close.

BEST THREE FOR EACH CATEGORY

ACHIEVEMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 86

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 81 (tied with Dr. Banji Ajaka – Health)

APPEARANCE

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 89

2. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 79

3. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 76

RESPONSIVENESS

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 82

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 78

UNDERSTANDING OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 93

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 85

3. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 85 (tie)

ACCESSIBILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 87

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 80

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 78

COMPORTMENT

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 90

2. Mr. Olaolu Akindolire (Budget & Economic Planning) – 86

3. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 82

SENSE OF TIME

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 86

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 84

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 75

COMMUNICATION ABILITY

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 91

2. Mr. Idowu Ajanaku (Information & Orientation) – 76

3. Comr. Omoyofunmi Segun Henry (Youth & Sports) – 75

CORDIALITY WITH STAFF

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 88

2. Dr. Banji Ajaka (Health) – 81

3. Engr. Ayorinde Olawoye (Works & Infrastructure) – 74

CORDIALITY WITH THE PUBLIC

1. Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON (Justice & AG) – 83 (tied)

2. Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun (Education) – 83 (tied)

3. Dr. Seun Abosede Osamaye (Women Affairs) – 70.

January 5, 2026
Don joins Imo governorship race

Former Labour Party 2023 governorship candidate in Imo State, Prof. Gerald Okeke, has joined next year’s state governorship under African Democratic Congress(ADC).

Okeke, an expert in Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, believes his credentials make him a strong contender.

In a statement, Okeke, who spoke to reporters at the Nike Lake Hotel Resort, Enugu, said with his joining ADC, he has become a candidate to beat in the governorship contest.

It added that Okeke said he joined the race under ADC, because Peter Obi, 2023 presidential candidate of Labour Party, has moved to ADC.

Okeke is a recipient of the LifeTime Achievement Award in Climate and Environmental Sustainability.

Okeke hoped to get the ticket and win the election, as his credentials as first African professor of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, which earned him international recognition, made him an attractive candidate for the race.

Read Also: A defining moment for Nigeria: Why staying the course matters

Okeke aims to transform Imo into an industrial hub, attracting investments from Africa and the world and promising to usher in a new era of transparency and accountability in governance.

He also cited his contributions to development of the state, as he has a proven record in the oil and gas industry.

However, he would step down for Emeka Ihedioha, saying; “Ihedioha is overqualified for the governorship position in my beloved state.”

Okeke’s defection to ADC adds to the party’s strength in the region, joining notable politicians like Abia South senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Anambra Central senator, Victor Umeh, and a former governor of Ebonyi State, Sam Egwu.

He predicts that ADC will become dominant force in the Southeast,” the statement said.

January 5, 2026