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  • Oppositions’ early 2027 moves won’t distract Tinubu, says Idris

    Oppositions’ early 2027 moves won’t distract Tinubu, says Idris

    • President focused on delivery of dividends

    • Basiru: APC support in the North solid

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not distracted by the antics of opposition politicians threatening fire and brimstone ahead of 2027 polls, Information and National Orientation Minister Mohammed Idris said yesterday.

    He said the President is firmly committed to his core mandate of delivering meaningful reforms and fostering economic growth.

    Idris said in a statement that in the last two years, the vision has been yielding tangible results.

    A coalition of notable opposition figures who have been engaged in virulent criticisms of the Tinubu Administration from its inception recently announced the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a coalition platform for the next general election.

    Led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the coalition said it aims to displace President Tinubu during the 2027 poll.

    But Katsina State Governor Dikko Raddah, who reflected on their activities, said the coalition leaders are bitter because they are out of government.

    National Secretary of the ruling party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, who also reviewed the activities of the coalition, predicted doom for its leaders.

    Speaking in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, during a media engagement tagged: “Moment with Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru” organised by the Zone B of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Basiru declared that there is no vacancy in Aso Villa, the seat of government.

    READ ALSO: 2027 and premature obituaries

    He maintained that the coalition would collapse before the elections.

    In what appears like a crack in the wall of the ADC, a member, Saliu Lukmon, said ADC would not hand over its structures to the potential presidential aspirants – Atiku, Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi.

    Tinubu focused on mandate, says Idris

    Idris said contrary to efforts by the coalition arrowheads to distract the government,  President Tinubu remains undeterred, focused, and committed to building a more prosperous Nigeria for all.

    The statement reads: “Amid ongoing political discourse and increasing media speculation regarding the 2027 elections, it is necessary to reaffirm that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains firmly committed to its core mandate: delivering meaningful reforms and real economic growth for the Nigerian people.

    “Even as we affirm the right of all Nigerians to freely exercise their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of association and of speech, it is also important to underscore that President Tinubu’s administration will not be sidetracked by politicking or political distractions.

    “The clamour in the media about the emergence of a new political ‘coalition’ is understandable, but Nigerians entrusted President Tinubu with a bold and transformative mandate, anchored in the Renewed Hope agenda.

    “In just two years, this vision has already begun yielding tangible results. Crude oil theft has plummeted, investor confidence in the oil and gas sector is rebounding, inflation is easing, the Naira is stabilising, security challenges are being confronted head-on, and millions of Nigerians—households, students, artisans, small business owners—are benefitting from initiatives such as student loans, access to consumer credit, CNG vehicle conversions, and improved government services and infrastructure.

    “Two weeks ago, the President signed four groundbreaking tax reform bills into law, marking one of the most ambitious fiscal overhauls in Nigeria’s history.

    “Set to be implemented in 2026, these reforms are expected to significantly boost prosperity for households and businesses nationwide.

    “Just before then, the President commissioned the single largest mechanisation drive ever undertaken in Nigeria’s history—marking the launch of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme.

    “This is just one of several high-impact agricultural mechanisation programs being undertaken to guarantee food security.

    “Not surprisingly, emerging coalitions and opposition political groupings do not want a sustained focus on the progress Nigeria is making.

    “The administration, however, refuses to be drawn into distractions engineered by those who would prefer stagnation over reform.”

    Raddah: opposition left in the cold

    Radda, speaking on a television programme, dismissed the coalition, describing those behind it as disgruntled persons who are unhappy because they are not in government.

    He said: “We know what they did when they were in government, and they are now crying and shouting because they are outside of the government.”

    The governor said the group should come out with its agenda for the country and sell itself to Nigerians.

    Raddah added: “Let them come and tell Nigerians: are they going to bring the subsidy back?

    “And if they are going to bring subsidy back, let them tell Nigerians how they are going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to pay to bring about the subsidy.”

    No vacancy in Aso Villa, says Basiru

    Basiru advised the coalition leaders itching to unseat President Tinubu in 2027 to spare their resources till 2031, saying that there is no vacancy at the Villa.

    The APC National Secretary, who debunked speculations that the North is against President Tinubu’s re-election bid, said the region is solidly behind him.

    He described those behind the speculations as disgruntled politicians who had the opportunity to develop the North but refused to do so.

    Basiru said the coalition leaders want power at all costs to protect their individual ambitions and selfish interests.

    Rejecting the falsehood that the North is against President Tinubu,  he said: “The North is absolutely in support of APC. One of the greatest support the party is enjoying is from the North.

    “Only people who don’t have the love of the North at heart will say Tinubu should not be re-elected. President Tinubu is destabilised, a true Nigerian and a patriot.

    “Go to the streets of Kano, Kaduna Kastina and Gombe and see how Asiwaju is being celebrated.

    “As the national secretary of our party, I have been into almost all states in the North.

    “Northerners are in support of President Tinubu’s reelection 2027 agenda.

    “It’s a lie from the pit of hell to say the North is ganging up against President Tinubu.”

    ‘ADC can’t hand over structures to Atiku, Obi, Amaechi’

    Lukmon said ADC has directed members who nurse a presidential ambition to hold on until the party can build structures.

    Lukman, who spoke on television, also said the party would not hand over its structures or allow the presidential aspirants to hijack the party ahead of 2027.

    Moghalu alleges plot to collapse LP into ADC

    LP  governorship candidate in Anambra State, Dr George Moghalu, alleged that some people want the party to wind up and collapse into ADC.

    He described them as cowards who are afraid of LP’s popularity in the state.

    Moghalu spoke in Awka during the inauguration of the George Moghalu/Ifeoma Okaro Campaign Council Organisation.

    He said: “There’s no iota of truth in the rumour. It’s being circulated by those threatened by the strength, popularity and acceptability of LP in the state.

    “When the propaganda first started that our leader, Peter Obi, has left Labour, he refuted it, assuring he will campaign for the party. He even promised to be present during our Friday campaign rally in Onitsha.”

    Why coalition will fail, by Ondo APC

    Ondo State APC said the coalition leaders are “attention seekers and noisemakers” destined for failure.

    The Publicity Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, who spoke on the radio in Akure, described them as a group of ‘noisemakers and jokers’ who cannot wrestle power from President Bola Tinubu.

    Kalejaye said the coalition has nothing to offer Nigerians, stressing that their leaders failed Nigerians when they were in power.

    He added that President Tinubu has been clearing the mess they left behind by putting Nigeria on the path of growth and development.

    Kalejaye said their ambition would “soon fall like a pack of cards,” adding that APC will wax stronger.

    Prof. Bode Ayorinde, a chieftain of the ADC in Ondo State, who spoke at a stakeholders meeting in Akure, said the party is ready to play politics of inclusion.

    He said: “All the local governments are with us. Our numbers are increasing, and we will continue to increase that tempo with which the coalition started.

    “Membership cards would be shared around the state, wards, and local government. We are not sharing any money here. We are here to work.”

    Ayorinde said former governorship candidates – Eyitayo Jegede and Agboola Ajayi – are expected in ADC.

    Kennedy Peretei, a former spokesman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and now a chieftain of the ADC, said Nigerians now have an option.

    Peretei said: “Nigerians are looking for something that, you know, can bring sanity to this situation. Nigerians have seen that ADC is capable of doing this.

    “ADC has been unveiled as the political party that the coalition is going to use to unseat the APC government in Abuja.”

    LP to expel Obi over anti-party activities

    Factional LP National Publicity Secretary, Abayomi Arabambi, said Obi would be expelled for anti-party activities, particularly his involvement in an unconstitutional coalition.

    Arabambi, who spoke on the television, said: “He cannot eat his cake and have it. You don’t declare allegiance to one party while hobnobbing with another.

    “It is unconstitutional to belong to two political parties. He has crossed the line.

    “A National Executive Council (NEC) meeting is being convened soon to officially recommend his expulsion.

    “Thereafter, it will be ratified at the party’s national convention in line with the constitution of the LP and the laws of Nigeria.”

    Imo PDP denies coalition talks

    The PDP in Imo State said it is not involved in any coalition talk with any political party.

    The chairman, Austine Nwachukwu,  said reports linking the chapter with coalition talks are false, malicious, and aimed at destabilising the party.

    He said in a statement: “These baseless claims are the handiwork of failed politicians driven by selfish interests and personal gain.

    “There is no coalition whatsoever. PDP remains committed to its values and principles and will resist any attempt to undermine its integrity.

    “Together, we will ensure that PDP remains the dominant force in Imo State and Nigeria.”

    Former minister, ex-governor’s wife dump PDP for ADC

    A former Minister of Police Affairs and two-time PDP governorship candidate in Yobe State, Adamu Maina Waziri, defected from PDP to ADC.

    Waziri, who announced his resignation at Dogotebo Ward in Potiskum Local Government Area, said it was a difficult decision to leave the party after many years of service and loyalty.

    Also, Zainab Boni-Haruna, wife of a former governor of Adamawa State and a native of Yobe, also left the PDP.

    She announced her resignation at Kukar Gadu community in Fika Local Government Area.

    She said: “I have come to my home and village to inform them that I have ceased to be a member of the PDP.”

  • U.S. restricts Nigerians, others to single entry, three-month visas

    U.S. restricts Nigerians, others to single entry, three-month visas

    Beginning from today Nigerians successful applicants for United States (U.S.) non-immigrant visitation will be granted a maximum three-month, single entry visas.

    The U.S. embassy in Abuja announced the State Department decision yesterday.

    It explained that many other countries are also affected by the action.

    Before now, a regular Nigerian visitor to the United States was granted up to five-year visa depending on eligibility.

    The latest development, according to the embassy, is based on reciprocity.

    It added that those with subsisting visas will have the opportunity of their continuous use.

    In a statement the embassy said: ”The United States Department of State has announced updates to its reciprocal non-immigrant visa policy, impacting several countries, including Nigeria.

    “Effective immediately, most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.

    READ ALSO: 2027 and premature obituaries

    “Those U.S. non-immigrant visas issued prior to July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.  We wish to underscore, that as is standard globally, visa reciprocity is a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity.  You can view the latest information on visa reciprocity schedules for all countries at travel.state.gov.

    “U.S. visa criteria and standards are designed to protect the integrity of U.S. immigration systems. These standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.  The U.S. Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria.

    Examples of standard criteria include: Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on U.S. visas.

    Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.

    “The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our countries safer and stronger. We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices.  We continue to engage with Nigerian government officials to address the remaining challenges.

    “Nigerian travelers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date.  The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.   “We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries.”

    Ogunsanwo, Soremekun: U.S. acted within its rights

    Former Nigerian High Commissioner to Botswana and former Nigerian Ambassador to Belgium Prof. Alaba Ogunsanwo and former Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, Prof.  Kayode Soremekun, said the United States as a sovereign nation has acted within its rights.

    According to them, reciprocity is a major hall-mark of International Relations.

    Ambassador Ogunsanwo said: “When it comes to matters relating to visa, passport and things like that, these decisions are taken in the best interest of the country making the statements. If the affected country is not happy about it, let them reciprocate

    “It is as straightforward as that. There’s nothing more to say. No action.”

    On whether Nigeria can take action on the issue, he said: “It doesn’t require reciprocity. If what you have said is true, then it’s not a question of asking for reciprocity.”

    Soremekun, a Senior Fulbright Research Scholar and Rockefeller Fellow, said: “This new U.S. Visa policy towards Nigeria is clearly restrictive as regards the travelling aspirations of Nigerians to that country.

    “If it is grounded in the principle of reciprocity towards Nigeria, the United States as a sovereign nation has acted within its rights. For reciprocity is a major hallmark of International Relations.

    “But even then, the new visa policy does not take due cognisance of Nigeria’s contributions to the quality of life in the United States. These contributions can be located in the invisible and invincible domains.

    “On this note, it is hardly appreciated by Washington that seven out of every 10 black doctors in the United States are Nigerians. Many of these Nigerian doctors are even working in under-served areas of the United States.

    “Equally important is the fact that Nigerians can also be found working on U.S space and nuclear projects. Apparently, the policy community in Washington has not factored these critical issues into its policy calculations. The refusal to do this is not really a lapse on the part of Washington. Nigeria is partly to blame for what can be called this selective amnesia. More often than not, Abuja has not been able to bring up this card in our discussions with Washington. Indeed chances are that our policy-makers even know next to nothing about this variable in Nigeria-U.S. relations.

    “The folks in charge of our Diaspora policy hardly focus on this critical dimension of Washington-Abuja relations. If this is effectively done, Washington may begin to reset its relations with Abuja. For all said and done, despite the largely asymmetrical relationship between Nigeria and the United States, elements of symbiosis can be discerned. It is time for Abuja to press this variable into the equation of Nigeria-United States Relations.”

  • Governor: bandits live among us in Katsina

    Governor: bandits live among us in Katsina

    Bandits terrorising Katsina State live among residents, Governor Dikko Radda has said.

    “They are neither strangers nor outsiders. These are not alien criminals. They are from among us, we know their fathers and their grandfathers. That is why local solutions like the community watch corps are effective. They understand the terrain and the people.”

    He canvassed state police as panacea to the insecurity in the Northwest state.

    The governor who spoke on a television programme, explained that insecurity remained a major obstacle to meaningful development in the Northwest state.

    Echoing the call by other governor’s call for constitutional reforms to enable state policing, Radda noted the army and the police operate independently of governors, who serve as security chiefs in their states of deployment.

    The governor, who lamented the limitations of working with federal security agencies that are not directly accountable to the state government, said: “If you ask a federal security unit to move and they refuse, there is nothing you can do. But, if you are their employer and you can take punitive action, it’s a different story.”

    On what his administration is doing to bolster security of lives and properties, he said: “Our position in Katsina State is very clear – we need state police. When I came in, we had to create the Katsina Community Watch Corps because conventional security agencies were overstretched and under-resourced.

    “These boys know the terrain better, they know those people better. Most of the perpetrators of this banditry are from our own area. They are not aliens – more than 90 per cent of them; we know their fathers; their grandfathers and they are living with us.”

    READ ALSO: Why ADC can never be like ANC

    Restating the importance of involving locals in the fight against insurgents, Radda said: “This situation requires local involvement and that was why we created this outfit – that people at the local level can provide us with information.

    “They can lead the fight to the enclaves of the bandits because they know the terrain better, and they can fish out informants living among us, giving information to the bandits and those that provide logistic support to the bandits.

    “Without unbundling that, you would not be able to fight insecurity successfully.”

    Renewing the call for the establishment of state police as the only viable solution to insecurity, Radda expressed firm support for the proposal, which had been endorsed by governors of all the 36 states at the National Economic Council (NEC).

    According to the governor, the inability to arm local security operatives with superior weapons has continued to hamper efforts in defeating banditry and restoring peace.

    “If our boys could have been allowed to use AK-47s, banditry in the state could have become history two years ago.

    “But the law does not allow that. We are limited to using pump-action rifles while the bandits wield more sophisticated arms.”

    According to him, 33 state governors have submitted their support for the creation of state police to the NEC. He expressed confidence that ongoing constitutional amendment by the National Assembly would get the required support from state assemblies.

    Radda said: “We believe if we push this through the constitutional amendment, it’s going to scale through.

    About 33 governors have indicated interest and I believe we can get the two-thirds majority required at the state level.”

    Acknowledging earlier reservations about the idea of state police, particularly concerns about potential abuse by state governors, the governor maintained that Nigeria’s evolving democratic culture has rendered those fears largely obsolete.

    He said: “Initially, I also believed that governors might misuse state police for political purposes. But after becoming governor and facing the reality of insecurity, I changed my position.

    “Even the federal government controls the police and military today, yet, we saw a sitting president lose an election. Nigeria’s democracy is maturing.”

  • The untold agony of Yelwata survivors

    The untold agony of Yelwata survivors

    The June 14 massacre in Yelwata, Benue State, left behind scorched homes, shattered lives, and over 5,000 displaced. Survivors of the herder terrorist attack—many now hospitalised or living in IDP camps—grapple with trauma, hunger and uncertainty. Once a vibrant farming community, Yelwata now lies in ruins, its people pleading for security, shelter and a chance to return to lives violently disrupted, reports SANNI ONOGU.

    The brutal attack on Yelwata community by herder terrorists has left an indelible mark of horror on all who witnessed or heard of the tragedy. During a recent visit, our correspondent observed the devastating aftermath: unarmed peasant farmers were not only attacked and killed but their homes were set ablaze, reduced to smouldering ruins. Charred buckets, cooking utensils, and heaps of burnt newly harvested rice littered the remains of houses, courtyards, and surrounding areas. Corrugated iron roofs of shops—once bustling with rice and guinea corn trade—were either completely destroyed or collapsed, leaving walls caved in.

    According to an eyewitness, this was not Yelwata’s first encounter with violence from suspected herders, but the June 14, 2025 attack was unparalleled in its scale of theft, killing, and destruction. The market settlement, once renowned for its vibrant trade, now stands deserted like a ghost town. Even domestic animals have vanished, signalling the extent of displacement. Only four men remained when our correspondent visited. Most survivors have been relocated to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, while others receive medical care at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.

    “Things are very difficult for us now. There is no peace in our homes and community,” said Simeon Shaagwa, one of the four men our correspondent met in Yelwata. “It’s unbearable. We’re currently sleeping in the church and the primary school because we dare not sleep here—we don’t know when they will come back.” He added, “Just today, some family members went to farm but were pursued and shot at by herder terrorists. Luckily, they escaped and ran back. If the government can’t provide security, there’s no point in staying here.”

    Simeon urged the government to provide effective security—one that can patrol at least a kilometre into the surrounding bushes so people can safely farm. “We can’t just sit here waiting for the government to feed us.” Regarding police presence, he said, “Yes, police are posted at the town’s north and west sides but they don’t patrol during the day or leave their posts. When incidents happen, our elders report to the soldiers who then tell us to inform the police. It’s very frustrating.”

    While a few hospitalised victims and displaced families are tragic, it’s unacceptable to sack the whole community. Those who survived the Yelwata attack are either hospitalised or displaced to an IDP camp in Makurdi, about 50 kilometres from Yelwata. According to Aondowase Kunde, Commissioner of the Benue State Ministry of Humanitarian and Disaster Management, approximately 150 people were killed, while 117 others were hospitalized. The Head of Administration of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) added that over 5,000 members of the community are currently living in the IDP camp located at the International Market in Makurdi. International agencies are also supporting the Benue State government’s efforts to manage the crisis.

    Speaking to our correspondent at his office in Makurdi, Kunde said, “The devastating incident of June 14th, 2025, when suspected Fulani attackers struck the Yelwata community, is now well known. Most of those killed were people who had fled from their communities and sought refuge in Yelwata. The attackers targeted their houses, the market, and shops where these displaced people were staying.

    READ ALSO: Why ADC can never be like ANC

    “About 150 persons lost their lives, and 117 survivors were taken to Reverend Father Moses Adasu Teaching Hospital in Makurdi. At the time of the President’s visit, 55 with minor injuries had been discharged, leaving 62 patients, of whom about 30 remained hospitalised due to severe injuries. We have also established a clinic at the IDP camp in the International Market to provide immediate medical care. Cases beyond its capacity are referred to the teaching hospital under our Memorandum of Agreement. This referral system applies to all camps across the state,” he added.

    Kunde emphasised that the Benue State government, led by Governor Hyacinth Alia, is prioritising the welfare of the displaced. “Following the attack, many displaced persons were wandering, but the government, through SEMA, deployed vehicles to transport them safely to the camp, which was officially opened on June 14th. Since then, we have been providing necessary supplies, and the situation escalated to the point that it prompted the President’s visit.

    “International partners, including the EU, have recently been here, alongside federal agencies. We have also received generous support from churches, private individuals, and corporate organisations,” he said.

    He said that after the incident and the establishment of the camp, the government donated relief materials including mattresses, food, and non-food items to the displaced persons. “Other partners like IOM helped set up mobile toilets and provided lighting for the camp. Our ‘Mama,’ the Secretary to the State Government, Deborah Aber, also paid the electricity bills because the people at the camp could not afford to pay NEPA bills, and power had been disconnected. She covered the amount requested to restore electricity for them.

    “There are many other things we are doing. We ensure the provision of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services and various forms of assistance. We have even reached out to some chefs who voluntarily, with support from SEMA, cook meals for the displaced persons at the camp. Food must be prepared on-site. We don’t accept food brought from outside, but when someone comes through my ministry, we screen them, and they cook inside the camp under supervision by ministry staff and SEMA personnel. This is important because accepting outside food could be dangerous in the camp,” he explained.

    He added that the ministry only accepts chefs who have been properly screened to support cooking for the IDPs. He expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visit, saying, “He gave a presidential directive to arrest the perpetrators and to strengthen security in the affected areas. If you have been there, you would notice that the soldiers who were stationed before have been redeployed and replaced by a new team, accompanied by Mobile Policemen. The President has been following up on the implementation of these security measures.

    “Last Thursday, we received the Minister of Internal Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Netawe (Goshwe Yilwatda). One of the President’s directives was to liaise with the Benue State Government to set up a team for needs assessment and data collection at Yelwata and other camps—both formal and informal—to determine the root causes of the attack, assess what was destroyed, and understand the impact on livelihoods. This will help in planning the restoration of livelihoods and rebuilding the houses destroyed and burned in Yelwata,” he said.

    Regarding the cause of the ongoing attacks, he said, “The primary cause is land grabbing by the herders. This is strange because in the past, we coexisted peacefully with the Fulani. However, these Fulani militias that came are deliberately here to grab Benue land. That is what is happening.” When asked about the timeline for rebuilding Yelwata and resettling the displaced persons, Kunde said, “The people and their leaders—the traditional rulers and community heads—have written to me expressing the need for their return, especially since this is farming season and they want to resume their livelihoods. They also commend the presence of security and want to come back soon. We are in ongoing consultations, doing due diligence and expanding these talks to ensure a smooth return. We believe they will go back soon.

    “We don’t situate camps in the heart of towns because of the risk of infiltration. It’s difficult to distinguish between displaced persons and others once they come. We have to find ways to accommodate such complexities as well. We have started profiling them yesterday to see that those who want to go back will go back and those who could not go back there, we have camps. Some of the camps are empty. We relocate them to those camps and close this one at the International Market for now. That is the conversation that is ongoing. We will come out with solutions for what is appropriate and will still be communicated to the general public.”

    On her part, the Special Adviser to the Governor of Benue State on Humanitarian Affairs, Mimidoo Kadev, said that since the incident on June 14th, those displaced have been moved by the Benue State government to the International Market IDPs Camp, “which is a temporary settlement.” Speaking to our correspondent during a visit to the camp, she highlighted the efforts being made to provide psychosocial and health support to the IDPs, preparing them to return to their normal lives in their local communities. “If I take you around the camp, you’ll notice that the highest population is women. There are more women, girls, and children here than men.

    “When displacement occurs, women are mostly affected because their ability to earn a living—going to markets, managing home care, and caring for children—is disrupted. Many of them just sit quietly. Psychosocial support is very important—they need to talk, to express their feelings and emotions. If you go around, you’ll see some women with their hands on their faces, deep in thought, reflecting on what has happened and how they ended up in this situation. The good thing is that the government of Benue State has provided them a safe space where they are protected from further attacks and from being in the same environment where the trauma occurred.

    “We have organisations supporting the state. UNICEF, for example, has done a lot in psychosocial support. Their volunteers visit daily and engage with these women. The Ministry of Women Affairs also has trained staff on site, providing activities like weaving, plating, and knitting to keep the women occupied and help distract them from their trauma.” She continued, “We also have UNFPA focusing on reproductive and sexual health. They offer guidance and regular talks on sanitation, self-care, and sexuality. In such confined settings, sexual activity often increases over time. Since this is natural, they teach the women how to protect themselves, especially because many girls may be vulnerable to abuse. We work with them on ways to stay safe.

    “For the children, UNICEF has created safe spaces that include a makeshift school and play areas. There are about 25 volunteer teachers helping to educate the children through academics, sports, singing, dancing, and other activities to help them cope emotionally. While trauma cannot be healed immediately, these activities help suppress the worst effects. Some individuals experience suicidal thoughts. For example, there is a woman here who witnessed the killing of her four children and her mother. She is one of our most severely affected victims.

    “She sometimes runs out of the camp saying she wants to die because she feels she can never recover. These individuals require constant emotional support. If left alone, without daily interaction and meaningful activities, the trauma and suicidal thoughts can worsen.”

    She noted that the government is doing a lot to support the displaced persons through the provision of food, non-food items, sanitary products, wrappers, and clothes. “Support is coming from donors. Both partners and the government are doing a lot,” she said. She also confirmed that the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) is fully on the ground, managing the camp’s operations.

    Regarding healthcare, she said the camp has recorded about 29 births since it was established. “Many women arrived here pregnant. We are still collecting data, so I don’t have a complete figure, but from the hospital reports, we have had 29 births since June 14th. Out of these, nine were pre-term. The trauma of displacement has pushed some women into early labour, resulting in pre-term babies who are currently in incubators at the teaching hospital. The government is managing their care, including feeding, clothing, medication, and everything else.

    “The support has been good, and the government is doing its best. We are thankful to His Excellency the Governor, who calls daily, requests updates, and monitors the situation closely through our daily report group. So far, so good. God has been helping us,” she added.

    In a separate interview, Dr. Donald Komgbenda, Head of Administration at Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), described the difficulties encountered managing the camp. “Since opening this camp, I can honestly say I haven’t had a good night’s sleep,” Komgbenda said. “There is significant pressure in coordinating and managing the camp. Our first priority on arrival was to profile the victims—to determine the number of women, girls, adults, and households.

    This data is crucial for planning and responding to their specific needs.”

    He revealed that there was initial resistance from the IDPs when they tried to profile them. “The displaced persons were anxious and apprehensive, almost to the point of protest, fearing that we might short-change them. However, we needed to cluster them demographically because different partner organisations focus on different groups. Some work with children, some with women; others with the elderly or breastfeeding mothers. As you can see, there is now relative calm in the camp,” he said.

    On operational challenges, Komgbenda explained that the camp faces issues mainly related to health, logistics, and supplies. “When we arrived, this place was still a market with shops and no basic infrastructure like water, sanitation (WASH), or electricity. Moving people here was an emergency response, and many basic needs like mattresses were initially lacking. While we have managed to address some of these issues, others remain unresolved.

    “As of today, there are about 5,294 displaced persons in the camp, comprising roughly 2,336 households. Although organisations have provided mattresses, they are still insufficient, and we are working to address this shortage. Many residents also lack cooking utensils. While food is being provided, it’s better if they cook for themselves, but they need the necessary tools. Health is a major concern. Since the camp opened two weeks ago, we have attended to about 2,000 patients, and the number keeps increasing daily. Fifteen women have given birth here, and there are currently 181 pregnant women in the camp. More serious cases are referred to the teaching hospital.”

    “We have received some support in terms of drugs from NGOs and government partners. Notably, Mrs. Lillian Oghogho Musa, wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, visited and brought medical supplies, which have been helpful. However, the challenges persist, especially in providing adequate medications, doctors, and medical personnel to meet the growing needs,” Komgbenda concluded.

  • JUST IN: Universities adopt 150 as cut-off mark for 2025/2026 admission

    JUST IN: Universities adopt 150 as cut-off mark for 2025/2026 admission

    Vice Chancellors of Universities in the country have adopted 150 as the minimum cut-off mark for 2025/2026 admission.

    The decision was reached in a voice vote supervised by the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, on Tuesday at the ongoing policy meeting on admission in Abuja.

    Read Also: FG urges universities to drive climate research, support net zero target by 2060

    At the meeting, the minimum cut-off point for admission into polytechnics was pegged at 100, while the colleges of education and agriculture adopted 100 as the entry point.

    Colleges of nursing adopted 140 as the entry point for admission.

    Details shortly… 

  • BREAKING: FG sets university admission age at 16

    BREAKING: FG sets university admission age at 16

    The Federal Government has formally set 16 years as the minimum age for admission into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

    Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa announced this during the opening session of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) 2025 Policy Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.

    ”This policy decision reflects a balance between cognitive maturity and academic preparedness. 16 years is non-negotiable,” he said.

    He warned that the heads of institutions found to be engaged in admission fraud would face prosecution.

    He stressed that the age requirement is mandatory and non-negotiable, adding that heads of institutions found complicit in admission fraud will face strict legal consequences.

    Details shortly…

  • How we are using cash from subsidy removal, by Tinubu

    How we are using cash from subsidy removal, by Tinubu

    • Infrastructure, human capital getting attention

    • Akpabio, Abbas: shunning audit queries, summons affront to democracy

    Those questioning the usage of the funds accruing to the government from the removal of petrol subsidy got an answer yesterday.

    The money is being used for the development of infrastructure and building of human capital, the Federal Government said yesterday.

    The accruals into the federation account have more than doubled since 2023 after President Bola Ahmed announced that “fuel subsidy is gone” during his inauguration speech.

    The funds are shared among federal, state and local governments.

    The amount shared monthly, which hovered around N9 billion during the Buhari government, is now an average of N1.6 trillion in the past two years.

    “Since petrol subsidy removal, we have redirected those funds into targeted interventions, expanding our social safety nets, improving public transportation, and financing critical infrastructure.

    “Most importantly, we have strengthened our fiscal buffers, making Nigeria more resilient to external shocks,” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said yesterday.

    Speaking through Minister of State Finance, Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, the President added: “For far too long, Nigeria’s economy has been burdened by structural inefficiencies, fiscal leakages, and an overreliance on oil revenues.

    “But we are not here today to dwell on the challenges of the past. We are here to chart a new course.

    “In 2022 alone, Nigeria spent over N4 trillion on fuel subsidies, more than we allocated to capital expenditure.

    “This was not only physically unsustainable, it was unjust.

    “A subsidy that disproportionately benefited the affluent, encouraged smuggling, and bred inefficiency was neither equitable nor strategic.”

    READ ALSO: Meet the next Olubadan-in-waiting, ex-Gov Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja

    The President spoke in Abuja during the opening of a National Conference on Public Accounts and Fiscal Governance, organised by the Public Accounts Committees (PACS) of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Last month during President Tinubu’s visit to his state, Nasrawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule also told those asking how subsidy money is being spent to visit the state and see the infrastructure that his government has undertaken.

    Yesterday, the President spoke further on how his government is transforming the economy.

    He said: “These reforms are designed to widen the tax base by integrating the informal sector, simplify compliance for small and medium-sized enterprises, digitise revenue collection to reduce human interference and eliminate leakages, and harmonise multiple taxes to make doing business easier in Nigeria”.

    Describing the new tax system as “a governance imperative,” President Tinubu noted that Nigeria is laying the foundation for a self-sustaining economy that gradually moves away from dependence on oil revenues to a more diverse and inclusive revenue base.

    The President also emphasised economic diversification as a top policy objective, naming agriculture, manufacturing, digital services, renewable energy, mining, and the creative economy as focal sectors receiving targeted investments and reforms.

    He referenced new initiatives like the National Credit Guarantee Company, which aims to support local production, empower SMEs, and boost non-oil exports.

    “These efforts go beyond mere economic metrics.

    “They are creating jobs, fostering innovation, building economic resilience, and strengthening our national security and long-term stability,” the President said.

    On monetary policy, President Tinubu acknowledged the Central Bank’s efforts in stabilising the naira, taming inflation, and coordinating effectively with fiscal authorities.

    “There is better coordination now between the fiscal and monetary side, and we are determined to reduce inflationary pressures by addressing structural bottlenecks, particularly in food supply chains.”

    The President affirmed that transparency and accountability are non-negotiable, citing steps taken to digitise public finance systems through platforms such as the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), and the Open Treasury Portal.

    “These platforms ensure that public funds are traceable, public officers are accountable, and the Nigerian people are empowered with information.

    “We must move from opacity to openness, from suspicion to confidence,” he declared.

    President Tinubu called on the National Assembly, especially the Public Accounts Committees, to uphold their constitutional duty with “integrity, courage, and independence.”

    House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, raised the alarm over Nigeria’s unresolved fiscal infractions, revealing that over N300 billion in public funds flagged by audit reports remain unrecovered.

    Abbas, represented by House Leader, Julius Ihonbvere, described the situation as unacceptable and warned that fiscal responsibility cannot thrive where audit queries are routinely ignored without consequence.

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged the Public Accounts Committees (PACs) of the National Assembly to assert their constitutional powers in enforcing transparency and accountability in government, warning against the growing trend of non-compliance with legislative summons.

    Represented by Senator Abdul Ningi, Akpabio emphasised that Nigeria’s progress is inseparable from effective fiscal oversight, which is the central mandate of the PACs.

    “The Public Accounts Committees are not just legislative creations, they are constitutional bodies empowered by Sections 80, 81, and 88 of the Constitution to act as watchdogs of public funds.

    “They have the power to summon any individual, public or private, to account for the use of government resources,” he said.

    Akpabio lamented the lack of responsiveness by some agencies and individuals to invitations from the legislature, describing it as an affront to democracy and the rule of law.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, Senator Aliyu Wadada, affirmed that the 10th Senate remains fully committed to open budgeting and prudent spending, and is working to review outdated fiscal legislation.

  • Tinubu makes case for global finance, healthcare systems overhaul

    Tinubu makes case for global finance, healthcare systems overhaul

    President Bola Tinubu has made a strong case for the restructuring of global governance, finance, and healthcare systems.

    Speaking at the ongoing 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Tinubu underscored the need for the international community to adopt a more inclusive and equitable framework that takes into account the realities of low-income and emerging economies, especially in Africa.

    He said the existing global institutions and economic architecture are outdated, disproportionate and disadvantageous to nations in the Global South.

    “The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure. Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS,” Tinubu said in his address at the summit.

    The President emphasised the urgent need to address pressing global issues such as environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and growing inequalities in healthcare — all of which, he said, continue to impede development and prosperity across Africa.

    He pointed out that Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most, thus highlighting the imbalance in climate responsibilities and the disproportionate impact of climate change on African countries.

    READ ALSO: Meet longest-serving Olubadan who ruled for 16 years

    He stressed the need for a new global development model rooted in equity and justice, one that includes sustainable technology transfer and accessible financing for vulnerable economies.

    He said: “The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment”.

    He reiterated his administration’s commitment to climate action, renewable energy, urban resilience, and universal health coverage, aligning with Nigeria’s Vision 2050 and its nationally determined contributions under global climate agreements.

    “Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare,” Tinubu said.

    He warned that without fairness and inclusivity in the design of global solutions, especially for the continent’s youth population — which comprises 70 per cent of Nigeria’s citizens — the future would remain imbalanced and unjust.

    “As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.

    “Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all,” Tinubu said.

    He also called for greater international focus on addressing non-communicable diseases, which he described as a shared global health burden that needs urgent collective attention.

    Tinubu was invited to the summit by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. In a statement, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, noted that the Nigerian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun.

    Nigeria officially became a BRICS Partner Country in January 2025, following the bloc’s creation of the partner-country category at its 16th summit in Kazan, Russia, last October. Last year, the list of BRICS members had expanded beyond the original group of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

    Nigeria’s participation at the 17th BRICS Summit marks its first as a full partner country, joining other new partners — Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — following a deliberate expansion by the bloc aimed at fostering greater inclusion of emerging voices in global policy dialogue.

    According to the Brazilian government, which currently holds the rotating presidency of BRICS, Nigeria’s strategic role in Africa and its position as the continent’s most populous country make it a crucial partner in advancing the bloc’s shared priorities, especially South-South cooperation and the reform of international financial institutions.

    The summit brings together the world’s leading emerging economies — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — alongside new partner nations with discussions focused on global trade, development financing, sustainable growth, and multilateral cooperation.

    President Donald Trump however yesterday threatened to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff across-the-board import duties on United States’ trading partners supporting BRICS’ positions. The tariff is expected to take effect August 1, 2025.

    “Any country aligning themselves with the anti-American policies of BRICS will be charged an additional 10 per cent tariff. There will be no exceptions to this policy,” Trump stated on his Truth Social media platform.

    Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in Abuja said Nigeria’s foreign policy remains non-aligned and pragmatic.

    A spokesperson from the Ministry of Trade and Foreign Affairs told The Nation that “Nigeria is engaging all global trade platforms, but remains committed to safeguarding bilateral relationships, including with the U.S.”

    Nigeria’s export exposure to the U.S. remains significant. According to U.S. Census Bureau data via TradingEconomics, Nigeria exported approximately $5.87 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in 2024, most of it crude oil, liquefied natural gas, cocoa, leather, and textiles.

    Analysts expressed concerns that a 10 percent tariff could erode competitiveness, suppress foreign-exchange inflows, and exacerbate inflation.

    “Trump’s tariff policy could raise Nigeria’s import costs, trigger inflation, and worsen exchange-rate instability… beyond crude, the broader economy remains highly exposed,” Paul Alaje, an Economist, has said.

    He also warned that any disruption to AGOA preferences or U.S. investment inflow would intensify pressures on domestic inflation and living costs.

    Trump’s threat came as BRICS leaders issued a formal statement criticising the United States’ tariff stance.

    BRICS expressed “serious concerns” over the impact of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures on trade and called for a return to the three-decades-old World Trade Organisation multilateral trading system.

    BRICS stated: “The proliferation of trade-restrictive actions, whether in the form of indiscriminate rising of tariffs and non-tariff measures, or protectionism under the guise of environmental objectives, threatens to further reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty into international economic and trade activities, potentially exacerbating existing economic disparities and affecting prospects for global economic development.

    “We voice serious concerns about the rise of unilateral tariff and non-tariff measures which distort trade and are inconsistent with WTO rules. We emphasize that the WTO, at its 30th anniversary, remains the only multilateral institution with the necessary mandate, expertise, universal reach and capacity to lead on the multiple dimensions of international trade discussions, including the negotiation of new trade rules”.

    China criticised Trump’s proposed extra tariffs, saying arbitrary tariff hikes should not be applied as a negotiation method and insisting that the BRICS statement was not aimed at any specific country

    “BRICS is a positive force in the world. It advocates openness, inclusiveness and win-win cooperation. It does not target any country. We oppose trade wars and tariff wars. Tariffs should not be used as a tool for coercion and pressuring. Arbitrary tariff hikes serve no one’s interest,” Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at her regular Monday briefing.

    Trump’s warning followed a post in which he said letters setting out tariffs to be applied, or confirming deals where these had been agreed, would be sent out at noon yesterday, two days ahead of the expiry of a temporary pause on the imposition of his so-called Liberation Day reciprocal tariffs unveiled April 2.

    Stephen Olson, former U.S. trade negotiator and current visiting senior fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, told CNBC that Trump’s threat could have been triggered by the BRICS statement, despite the fact it doesn’t specifically point the finger at the United States.

    “Anti-American” could be a reference to the stated preference of BRICS countries to strike out on their own from the U.S.-led world order in matters of finance and global governance, Olsen explained, but added that establishing which countries supported BRICS policies would be very tricky.

    BRICS members account for about half the world’s population and 40 percent of global economic output.

    Conceived two decades ago as a forum for fast-growing economies, the BRICS have come to be seen as a Chinese-driven counterbalance to U.S. influence.

    But it is an expanding and often divergent grouping – bringing together countries such Iran and Russia, with some of Washington’s closest allies in Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

  • ADC members ask court to void Mark, Aregbesola takeover

    ADC members ask court to void Mark, Aregbesola takeover

    Three members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge the interim leadership of former Senate President David Mark and others.

    The party’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, resigned to pave the way for the one-time senate president, former Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary and former Sports Minister Bolaji Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary – all of them on interim capacities.

    In suit FHC/ABJ/CS/1328/2025 filed on July 4, Adeyemi Emmanuel, Ayodeji Victor Tolu and Haruna Ismaila, are asking the court to determine the legality of the interim leadership.

    They averred that Nwosu lacks the right to convene either a national working committee (NWC) or national executive committee (NEC) meeting or any other since his tenure as national chairman has expired.

     The plaintiffs also stated that interim executives “cannot and should not act” in a leadership capacity, noting that they were appointed by an illegal meeting organised by a former national chairman.

    They are asking the court to declare the appointment of Mark, Aregbesola, and Abdullahi as “unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void”.

    READ ALSO: Meet the next Olubadan-in-waiting, ex-Gov Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja

    The plaintiffs also prayed the court for an order restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the new executives.

    Why LP will support Obi for ADC ticket, by Usman-faction

    PETER OBI has what it takes to secure the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, said yesterday.

    He believes the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election is the man to beat.

    Tanko told The Nation that Obi was the only aspirant with over 10 million youth votes ahead of the election.

    Obi, last Wednesday, joined former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to unveil the ADC as a coalition platform.

    Tanko warned against denying Obi the ADC ticket for “selfish reasons.”

    He said: “Obi has more than what it takes to get the ticket of the ADC or any political party that’s willing to take him as their presidential candidate.

    “You can’t toy with a candidate who has over 10 million votes of the Nigerian youths.

    “You can’t toy with somebody who has been able to make contact and connect with the people – North, West, South and East.

    “You can’t toy with somebody whose popularity is beyond measure in and out of the world. He is a candidate to beat; he is the candidate people are yearning for.”

    The Julius Abure-led LP faction said the party was open to every Nigerian seeking to contest elections on its platform.

    National Publicity Secretary of the faction, Obiora Ifoh, said: “The Labour Party is an inclusive party that is open to everybody.We are not stopping anybody from contesting elections (on our platform). Anybody that has interest can come to the LP.”

    Basiru knocks Atiku over coalition

     The National Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, said the ADC leadership change was illegal.

    He told The Nation: “Nigerians need to be properly educated. There is nothing like a coalition.

    “People who are talking about coalition appear either to want to confuse Nigerian people or they are ignorant of what a coalition is about.

    “A coalition is a temporary alliance to form a government and it is more apposite in the context of the parliamentary system when none of the parties that contested could form a majority, so two or more parties will coalesce to have a majority.

    “In a presidential system, the term coalition is inappropriate and it is an attempt to create an atmosphere of grandiose where there is none.

    “It is appropriate to say that certain individuals have become frustrated in their political party and have started to defect to the ADC.”

    He dispelled the insinuation that APC is in panic mode over the coalition.

    “As of today, you may go to the website of the INEC, nothing has changed in terms of the leadership structure of the ADC, notwithstanding the jamboree that they are talking about.

    “There are procedures in the culture of any party as to how people assume leadership.

    “You cannot say you are a protem chairman or national secretary of a political party that is already in existence. It’s either you are a substantive chairman or you are an acting chairman.

    “The term ‘protem’ is used when a political party is still in formation. The ADC has been a party that has been registered before.

    “So, if you are becoming an acting chairman or acting secretary, what is the procedure for which you have emerged?

    “When you have an assemblage of people who are not even members of that political party, to say that you have assumed leadership, I think it’s more of a circus show.”

    Basiru also dismissed PDP’s chances, saying: “The PDP is a sinking platform and the fact that Atiku Abubakar, who was the presidential candidate of the party, had himself go to join ADC is a vote of no confidence in PDP.”

    ‘ADC undergoing restructuring’

    ADC Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Dr. Ibrahim Mani, dismissed claims that the party has been sold following its recent adoption by a major political coalition.

    Speaking in a television interview, Mani stressed that the party remains independent and is undergoing significant restructuring to accommodate the influx of new members while safeguarding its core values.

    He said: “There is no truth to the notion that the ADC is being bought. We’ve built this party for over two decades and have made it clear that our politics is not transactional. What we’re witnessing is a political realignment, not a sale.”

    Mani said negotiations with the coalition leaders began more than a year and a half ago, with early requests to purchase the party outright being rejected.

    “We told them outright that we are not selling the party. Instead, they could infuse into our structure and help build the platform as a true alternative to the existing political order.

    “What we’re building is not just a political platform, but a new movement. The party isn’t being bought, it’s being rebuilt, and this is only the beginning,” he said.

    Oyebanji: no plan to dump APC for ADC

    Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji denied speculations linking him and some APC leaders in the state with a possible defection to the ADC.

    In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Yinka Oyebode, Oyebanji said he was not joining ADC, reaffirming his commitment to the APC.

    “For the avoidance of doubt Oyebanji and the public office holders mentioned in the report, remain firmly rooted in the APC and have no link, neither do they have any plan whatsoever to join the ADC,” the statement said.

  • Olubadan’s passing seven days to first anniversary shakes city

    Olubadan’s passing seven days to first anniversary shakes city

    • Tinubu, Makinde, Sultan lead tributes

    • Well wishers throng Ladoja’s family house

    Ibadan, the sprawling former headquarters of Western Nigeria, stood still yesterday, following the passage of Oba Fredrick Owolabi Olakulehin.

    The revered monarch joined his ancestors three days after his 90th birthday and seven days before his first coronation anniversary.

    Tributes poured in from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Sultan of Sokoto Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar,

    Emir of Ilorin Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and many others.

    Recovering from initial shock, many well-wishers thronged the Bodija home and family house of Otun-Olubadan Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, the presumed successor in line with the time-tested Ibadan tradition.

    Oba Ladoja was not on hand tom receive them.

    He is believed to be out of the country.

     Many others flocked to the palace of the departed Oba.

    READ ALSO: Meet longest-serving Olubadan who ruled for 16 years

    They were no mourning but instead, a celebration of his life.

    There were groups of talking drummers in both places.

    Radio and television stations in the ancient city suspended their regular programmes to focus on the situation in the city.

    A statement by former Oyo State Commissioner for Information,  Toye Arulogun, which announced the exit of the Oba, said: “With utmost and profound gratitude to the Almighty God, on behalf of the Ige Olakulehin family, I announce the passing on of H.I.M Oba (Dr) Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin. Kabiyesi, who joined his ancestors in the early hours of today.

    “We are not mourning the passage of the monarch but celebrating his life. He lived an impactful life throughout his 90-year life journey.

    “From his military career, to business, to politics and his ascension to the throne a year ago, Kabiyesi demonstrated exceptional qualities worthy of emulation.

    ‘’The family will give periodic updates as developments unfold.” 

    Born on July 5, 1935, in Okugbaja village near Akanran in Ibadan North East Local Government Area, Oba Olakulehin was a man of academic distinction.

    A holder of a master’s degree in administration and economics, he pursued a doctoral degree, becoming a respected scholar and lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    He was widely known for his intellectual discipline, principled stance, and rejection of sycophancy, preferring progressive scholarship rooted in accountability and truth.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led leaders, including   Governor  Makinde, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade and  Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Kolapo Sulu Gambari, in paying tribute to the departed soldier,   university teacher, businessman and former politician, who presided over a peaceful era.

    A few hours after the monarch’s passage was announced, well-wishers thronged the Bodija residence of his successor, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to congratulate him for an imminent orderly succession.

        Makinde is set to make history as the first elected governor to install three Olubadans in a row, having previously presented staff of office to the late Oba Balogun and Oba Saliu Adetunji.

    Tinubu mourns

    President   Tinubu expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the Olubadan, whom he described as a beacon of peace, wisdom and public service.

    The President, in a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extended his sympathies to the royal family, the government and people of Oyo State as well as the wider Yoruba nation.

      Tinubu described the late monarch as “a symbol of peace, wisdom, and continuity.”

    He said: “Oba Owolabi Olakulehin was not only a custodian of Ibadan’s rich history and culture, but also a man of intellect and principle whose contributions extended beyond the palace into education, governance, and national development.”

    The President said he had recently received an invitation to the monarch’s 90th birthday and first coronation anniversary celebration, which was tragically cut short by his sudden demise.

    “Shockingly, his demise came days before the anniversary. He will be remembered for upholding the honour and prestige of his highly revered stool,” he added.

    President Tinubu described the late Olubadan as a “highly accomplished man of peace” whose life exemplified the ideals of leadership, service, and learning.

    He noted that his reign, though relatively short, was impactful and symbolised a bridge between tradition and modern governance.

    The President further praised the monarch’s role in preserving the unique Ibadan traditional succession system, which alternates between the Otun and the Balogun lines — a hallmark of the city’s political stability and cultural identity.

    “His wisdom and moral authority served as a stabilising force in Ibadanland and the wider Yoruba nation,”   Tinubu said.

    Makinde: Oyo will give befitting burial

    Makinde, who received a delegation from the monarch’s family in his office, said the state government would give the monarch a befitting burial.

    The delegation comprised the former President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and Aare Mayegun of Ibadanland, Chief Bayo Oyero; the younger brother of the deceased, and his son,  Mr Osuolale Olakulehin and Aremo Olasumbo Owolabi.

    Makinde said, “We don’t always want them to go; we want them to stay with us. But God has designed our bodies for a certain period.

    “I commiserate with the family and all of us. The government will stay with the family and play whatever roles we are supposed to play, including giving Kabiyesi a befitting burial.

    “I will ask all the members of the family to take heart. Coincidentally, today marks the 13th year since my father passed on. So, for the immediate family, I pray for strength.”

    Chief Oyero, who led the delegation, said: “We are here this morning with gratitude to God and to formally inform you of the passing away of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Frederick Owolabi Olakulehin, Ige Olakulehin I, who passed away early this(yesterday) morning.

    “We thank you very sincerely. Despite the controversial situation we had before he ascended the throne, you still approved his ascension to the imperial throne of Ibadanland.

    “We want to thank your government for all you have done, including a remarkable, historic coronation ceremony, which the government did for him.”

    A great loss, say Adeleke, Sultan, Emir of Ilorin: 

    Osun State Governor   Adeleke described the Olubadan’s exit as a loss,  not only to Ibadan, but to the entire Yoruba race.

    He said in a statement by his spokesperson,  Olawale Rasheed, that although Oba Olakulehin’s reign was brief, it was marked by dignity, wisdom, and an unwavering commitment to the progress and unity of the people of Ibadanland.

    He added: “Oba Olakulehin was a traditional ruler of profound wisdom and grace. Even within a short reign, he embodied the virtues of Yoruba royalty’s calm leadership, cultural pride, and unwavering love for his people.”

    Adeleke, who said the monarch’s demise marked the end of a remarkable chapter in the traditional institution of Ibadanland, added that he left a legacy of selfless service, courage, and peace.

      “Oba Olakulehin, even in his final days, remained a symbol of continuity, cultural wisdom, and royal honour.

    “His transition is a great loss,  not only to the throne of Ibadanland but to the Yoruba people whose values he dutifully upheld.

    “May God comfort the people of Ibadan and grant the late traditional ruler eternal rest among his forebears,” the governor added.

    Also, Sultan of Sokoto and Chairman of the National Traditional Rulers Council of Nigeria (NTRCN), His Eminence   Sa’ad Abubakar, expressed deep sorrow over the death of the Olubadan.  

    In a condolence message by the  Secretary of the Sultanate Council, Alhaji Sai’idu Maccido,  the Sultan described the late monarch as a “remarkable leader and good-hearted giant in thought and action,” whose brief but impactful reign left an indelible mark on Ibadan and Nigeria at large.

    Sultan  Abubakar extended sympathies to the Oyo State Government, the royal family and members of the Olubadan-in-Council, noting that Oba Olakulehin’s contributions to the development of Ibadan Land and humanity will not be forgotten.

    “The passing of this great monarch leaves a void that will be felt across the land,” the Sultan stated. “Even though he was with us for just a year beyond his ascension to the throne, his legacy and dedication to his people will forever resound in the hearts and minds of everyone,” he said.

    In Ilorin,  the Emir and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji  Sulu-Gambari, described Oba Olakulehin’s demise as a great loss.

    He, however, added that it is the will of God.

    The traditional ruler said in a statement by his spokesman,   Abdulazeez Arowona, that the one-year reign of the Olubadan was peaceful and valuable to the sustenance of the cultural heritage and tradition of the people of Ibadan and Oyo State in general.

    Sulu-Gambari commiserated with the immediate and extended family members of Oba Olakulehin, the Olubadan-In-Council, Oyo State Traditional Rulers Council,   government and people of Oyo State over the incident.

    He prayed to God for the repose of the soul of the deceased and the patience to bear the great loss by the people of Ibadan.

    Alaafin: a good heart stops beating

    The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, sympathised with the royal family in a condolence message by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.

     He described the late Olubadan as a visionary monarch, stressing that his contributions to the development of Ibadanland within his short reign would remain indelible.

    Oba Owoade said, “A good heart has stopped beating, a good soul ascended to heaven. We part with our beloved Monach in pain. May our Lord bless and comfort the entire Royal family during this time of grief.

    “No human being has ever been granted immortality, and every creature is bound to die, and whatever has a beginning will certainly have an end.

     “If God’s messenger (peace be upon him) will die, could they be granted life everlasting? Since they cannot hope to live forever, why do they not behave like ones who will inevitably taste death? Why do they not reflect and contemplate?

    “Every soul shall taste death. This is the law that governs life. It has no exceptions or exemptions. The living, then, must take this into account and prepare themselves for it. This short journey on Earth is bound to come to an end, and its end is the death of every living thing.

    “All shall return to God. But whatever happens to us during this trip through life, whether good or bad, is meant as a test: We test you all with evil and good by way of trial.”

    He added: “As dedicated, committed, resilient, large-hearted and amiable as the late Monarch, when death came knocking at his door at 90 years, he was powerless as he could stop death before it snuffed life out of him.”

    Oyo Speaker expresses shock

    The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, expressed sorrow over the demise.

    He described the news of the revered monarch’s demise as “a heartbreaking twist of fate,” recalling the recent joyful tributes he extended in his honour during his birthday.

    Ogundoyin said:  “Just two days ago, we were offering prayers of thanksgiving for a glorious 90th year. Today, we bow our heads in mourning, grappling with the sudden departure of a royal father whose presence was a beacon of tradition, unity, and wisdom in Ibadanland.”

    The Speaker noted that the Olubadan’s life was a radiant testament to selfless leadership and unwavering devotion to Ibadan’s sociocultural heritage.

    He said Oba Olakulehin’s reign was characterised by peace, dignity, and the strengthening of traditional values across the state.

    The Speaker extended his condolences to the Olubadan-in-Council, the royal family,   Ibadan indigenes both at home and abroad, as well as the Government of Oyo State.

     Ogundoyin emphasised that though the monarch has physically departed, his legacy would echo across generations.

    He added: “In just 48 hours, we moved from celebration to sorrow, but such is the tapestry of life. Kabiyesi lived a full, impactful life. And though our hearts are heavy, we give thanks for the decades he dedicated to the throne and to the people. May the soul of our dearly beloved Olubadan rest eternally in peace.”

    Well-wishers storm Ladoja’s residence

    Well-wishers stormed the Bodija residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, a few hours after the death of Oba Olakulehin.

    According to the Ibadan tradition of orderly succession, Oba Ladoja is expected to be installed after the funeral of the departed monarch.

    Ladoja, a Third Republic senator and former governor   (2003–2006), holds the highest rank in the civil line.

    His wealth of experience, commitment to preserving Ibadan’s cultural heritage, and fostering unity have earned him widespread respect.

    Born on September 25, 1944, Ladoja had a long and illustrious career, making him a strong candidate for the throne.

    The Olubadan succession process involves confirmation by the Olubadan-in-Council, approval from the Oyo State Government, and a formal coronation.

    This structured system has ensured stability and minimised disputes in Ibadan traditional rulership. The process is designed to guarantee a seamless transition of power, and Oba Ladoja’s ascension is expected to follow this well-established tradition.

    As Otun Olubadan, Oba Ladoja has played a significant role in the Olubadan-in-Council, demonstrating his leadership abilities and dedication to the traditional institution.

    His experience as governor of Oyo State has also given him a unique perspective on governance, which could benefit the traditional institution.

    If Ladoja ascends the throne, the Balogun line would produce the next Olubadan after his reign, continuing the alternating pattern that has characterised Ibadan traditional rulership.

    This system has worked well over the years, ensuring that power is distributed fairly and that each line has an opportunity to produce a monarch.

    The installation of a new Olubadan is a significant event in Ibadanland, and the process is expected to be carried out with the utmost dignity and respect for tradition.

    Governor Makinde will play a crucial role in confirming Ladoja’s ascension and ensuring a smooth transition.

    With his distinguished background and role in the Olubadan-in-Council,   Ladoja is well-positioned to lead Ibadanland into a new era.

    His ascension is expected to strengthen stability and continuity in the traditional institution.