Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, never stops to give thanks to God. But he needs to arrange a special thanksgiving now. Praying every morning at the Government House Chapel is part of his daily routine. He doesn’t miss it. He doesn’t also miss Sunday service. He is an Elder in Winners Church. Nothing reduces his time with God. Overall, he stands very tall in that department.

He even tries to show it in his conduct by being more reserved than he is expressive. In other words and like an orphan, he tries in every way to do his own thing quietly and avoid unnecessary quarrel with people who are more privileged. He understands where he is coming from. In the build-up to 2023, his opponents said he was from the street and therefore, not good enough for the elevated formalities and tasks of the Government House in Asaba.

But he made it against the run of the fast-paced politics of 2023. We can as well say that his hard nut was cracked for him by a benevolent spirit. And he has not forgotten to be humble. That humility is helping him a lot. It has kept him focused and very far from exhibiting any form of street mannerisms that his critics had hoped for. Instead, he has been able to strike some impression in Pa Edwin Kiagbodo Clark. This is a big score. It is the reason I am suggesting to the governor to expand his spiritual bouquet to accommodate a special thanksgiving to celebrate this huge endorsement of his efforts so far by Papa Clark.

Maybe I should explain a little more. Papa Clark is not ordinary. He is a principality even in the national context. He is beyond bounds. He says whatever he wants to say, to whomever and at whatever time and nothing will happen. He has earned that privilege. Pa Clark is unaffected by the known sentiments. “I am not a praise singer” he reiterated. And so, when he talks, even at age 97, the low and the high in Nigeria listen somehow. He cannot be pacified to tone down. Like crab, you cannot put him securely under wraps. For instance, if as Governor, you take to him a giant cow at Christmas and then begin to dream big dreams of having him under wraps, he breaches the boundaries almost immediately to proclaim that he actually deserves more than you have done as an elder statesman. If the package is enhanced, to a say, a brand new Prado SUV and an accompanying cash of N50million, he will describe the largesse as statutory and he therefore does not need to go overboard to express gratitude to the generous giver. It is like asking a pensioner to specially thank the pension manager for releasing his pension money.

There is yet another aspect of Pa Clark that is also pretty difficult to comprehend by casual observers. The old man is very stingy with praises. It is very difficult to impress him. Here is an example. After what seemed to former President Olusegun Obasanjo like a good deal on the Delta Steel Complex (DSC), Ovwian-Aladja, Pa Clark had stormed the stage to cast spanner in the works. He lambasted Obasanjo for selling DSC to some con Indian investors for peanuts. In the tumultuous aftermath of the sale, Pa Clark had explained to stakeholders at one forum in Warri that a well-run thrift cooperative in Kiagbodo or Aladja, would have been able to raise, without hassles, the 30 million dollars, at a time dollar exchanged for one to N120, which Global Infrastructure Holdings Limited (GIHL) paid for the steel company. This was to underscore his disapproval of the concession deal described back then by industry watchers as a rape on the national heritage. Obasnjo’s successor, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had acted without looking back on the prevailing sentiments to revoke the concession and resell the complex to Premium Steel and Mines for a more robust N40 billion.

In national discourse, Pa Clark comes in different descriptions depending on the context. He is an elder statesman. Other times and when PANDEF (Pan Niger Delta Forum) is in focus, he drops to “foremost Niger Delta leader.’’ When the issues are further disaggregated, he settles finally for “foremost Ijaw leader.’’ So far and good, he has managed to project in these cross-cutting, and sometimes conflicting, roles, without losing stature. He has simply learnt to answer whatever name that he is called at any given time. What doesn’t change is the purity and strength of his message. Either as an elder statesman, Niger Delta or Ijaw Leader, Pa Clark has been fairly constant. Nothing pushes him into a correctness to manage political intrigues.

Almost a decade ago, the old man had announced his entry into the departure lounge and that he could board and fly away any moment. He has not boarded. He is still holding his boarding pass and pacing about the duty-free zone where he runs free commentaries on the composition of shops and prices of goods on display. If a Wike, for instance, is displaying expired goods in his shop and refuses to walk back from the wrong way, he assumes the corresponding role of a Niger Delta Leader to talk him back on a sensible path. If it is a Bola Tinubu that is inventing taxes without creating an economy in his financial services shop in the duty-free zone, Pa Clark will step in as an Elder Statesman to note that neither the economics of Adam Smith nor Karl Max supports creating humongous national wealth from a traumatised people.

It is much easier for the old man in Delta State, where his stool and stature are almost sacrosanct. His language is also understood by all. Principally, he speaks Ijaw, Urhobo and English. But whichever he chooses to speak, he is understood by all the ethnic nationalities, namely, Ijaw, Isoko, Itsekiri, Urhobo, Ukuani, Ika/Anioma, in the state. Most times, he speaks to the people through their governor. And since 1999 when this democratic experiment started, he has been speaking to all the governors in the state. He previews and reviews. While his previews have been moderated by anticipation of performance, his reviews during and after performances have been very caustic. He has got nothing nice to say about all the past governors, namely, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan and Dr. Arthur Ifeanyichukwu Okowa.

Although Pa Clark spoke differently and at different times to the different governors, his message was same. He accused all three past governors of misrule. It was a blanket condemnation that didn’t recognise the modest contributions of each of these governors in certain areas. For instance, Ibori’s opening up of rural areas with roads and electricity did not tilt the scale in his favour. Neither did the efforts of Dr. Uduaghan in health care and Okowa in road infrastructure cut impression as relevant facts in the court of Pa Clark. Nothing about the performance of the trio was admitted in evidence to help their cases. The old man handed a verdict of guilt. He sounded triumphantly final like the Supreme Court. Chief Ibori, in the light of his post-office travails, got the worst bashing from Pa Clark. He was named the founder of the misrule dynasty. The alleged misdeeds of Uduaghan and Okowa were traceable to the foundation that Ibori had laid.

Therefore, for Pa Clark to wake up in his departure lounge and talk as if the incumbent Governor is a product of a different political dynasty, is really, really, a big deal. Just for the records, this is how it has been in Delta State. Ibori begot Uduaghan. Uduaghan begot Okowa. Or put differently, Ibori caused Uduaghan to beget Okowa. When it was time to beget Oborevwori, there was real confusion over who the heir-apparent should be. The hurdle was scaled somehow, and in the end, Okowa struggled to beget Oborevwori in spite of the position of the progenitor. In other words, Ibori did not cause Okowa to beget Oborevwori. That made Oborevwori to become a descendant without ancestors.

You can now understand why the incumbent has been steadfast in oiling his paths with God and the ordinary people in the streets in efforts to cultivate a protective base. The efforts have paid off following his adoption and proclamation as a worthy son by Papa Clark. The old man did not just talk and move on to other matters. He actually wrote a commendation letter with his own hand thanking the governor, for, among other things, “returning (Warri) to its old self.” Expectedly, the Governor’s spin men feasted on the endorsement. “The oracle has spoken’’ said one supporter in a manner that captures more than the given circumstances to project into the battle ahead, and almost saying that, with what Papa Clark has said, the re-election of Oborevwori in 2027 is also a settled issue.

Well, that is left to be proved. What we can however say for sure, even now, is that it isn’t going to be as tough as it was in 2023 when the Governor was seen as coming from nowhere. This time, he will be coming from somewhere and bringing to the bargain, his huge endorsement by Chief E.K Clark. But it is just mid-term. What has given Oborevwori the edge is governance and not politics. The Governor has been able to rest a great deal of the post-election anxiety with his M.O.R.E Agenda. It is an acronym that defeats its own ease and requires further factorisation for better understanding. The M and O stand for Meaningful Development Opportunities for all. The R is Realistic Reforms and the E is Enhanced Peace and Security.

As it is, the prayer of the ordinary people in the streets of Asaba, Warri and elsewhere in Delta State is for the strict implementation of the Agenda to continue. Oborevwori can choose to slip from implementation into sloganeering at his own risk. He is not the first Governor to do agenda in the state. Since late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua introduced the novelty of coded agenda in governance with his Seven-Point Agenda, creation of agenda has become a fundamental objective in policy drive in Delta State. Governor Uduaghan did one called THREE-POINT AGENDA of Human Capital Development, Infrastructural Development and Peace and Security. This ran for eight years more as a slogan than it ran as a programme. Towards the end of his tenure, another, called DELTA BEYOND OIL, was introduced to replace the old agenda that recorded no clear implementation.

After him, came Okowa with a SMART Agenda that was broken into 1.Strategic Wealth Creation 2. Meaningful Peace Building 3. Agriculture and Industrialisation 4. Relevant Health and Educational Policies and 5. Transformed Environment Through Urban Renewal. In the end, Delta refused to be transformed into a smart state. It is only Governor Ibori who did not have an agenda as such because it was not fashionable in his time to encode basic governance into an agenda to be pursued exclusively. He did Resource Control which was close to human rights crusading and which put him on a war path with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

All said, Governor Oborevwori should continue with his own agenda the way he has been doing it. He should look neither right nor left but straight. He should raise the substance higher than the shadows. The people know what to do when the times comes. Even me, one of the drivers of the opposition in 2023, I am getting convinced. The Pa Clarke endorsement should not get into his head. He should quietly go for the thanksgiving and return to work.

The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), on Tuesday, declared that Nigeria is undergoing a rebirth and that corrupt leaders will soon be exposed.

The PFN also announced a 40-day fasting and prayer campaign ahead of its 18th Biennial Conference, themed “The Rebirth of a Great Nation: Nigeria is Great.”

The National Deputy President of PFN, Archbishop JohnPraise Daniel, disclosed this in Abuja, during a press briefing, said the conference, scheduled for February 11-14 at the Dunamis Glory Dome, Abuja, will focus on economic recovery, security, and national renewal.

Daniel stressed the need for Nigeria to transition from economic dependence to productivity, tackle corruption, and create an enabling environment for all citizens to prosper.

He asserted that the expectations of the righteous would not be cut short, expressing faith that the nation is on the verge of transformation.

Daniel said: “The expectations of the righteous will not be cut short. Our nation is on the verge of transformation.

“The Church, as the conscience of the nation, is committed to eradicating corruption. We must move towards zero tolerance for corrupt practices.”

He called for policies that encourage entrepreneurship, particularly among young graduates, warning that the government alone cannot provide jobs for everyone.

He added, “Our leaders must foster an economy where businesses can thrive. The current economic hardship and the increasing migration of Nigerians abroad underscore the urgency of reform.”

He stressed that improved security would also facilitate the movement of goods across the country, ultimately lowering food prices and reducing economic strain on citizens.

In his remarks, the Co-chairman of the Conference’s Central Working Committee, Dr. Victor Ogunkanmi, reiterated PFN’s commitment to exposing dishonest leaders.

He said: “Corrupt individuals will be exposed, and the people will demand honest and capable leaders. Nigeria must be governed by men and women of integrity, regardless of tribe or region.”

Ogunkanmi clarified that PFN does not endorse political candidates but remains dedicated to praying for righteous leadership at all levels of government.

Ogunkanmi also highlighted the conference’s theme, drawing from Isaiah 66:8 “Can a nation be born in a day?”, stating that Nigeria is at a turning point and in need of divine intervention for lasting transformation.

The PFN leadership confirmed that the 18th Biennial Conference will feature key strategic meetings, including sessions for the PFN National Executive and Advisory Councils, a General Assembly on February 12, and an evening rally

[Leadership]

Former Senate President Bukola Saraki has congratulated his son, Seni Saraki, on winning his first Grammy Award at the 67th Academy Grammy Awards. 

Seni received the prestigious award for his contribution to the ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ soundtrack, which won in the ‘Best Reggae Album’ category.

Taking to social media platform X, Saraki expressed immense pride in his son’s achievement, highlighting the significance of his global recognition.

“Congratulations, Seni, on winning your first Grammy last night for your work on the Bob Marley: One Love soundtrack, which took home the award for Best Reggae Album!” he wrote. “Seeing you pour your heart into your passion and having it recognized on the global stage is an indescribable joy. Well done! We are super proud of you!”

Seni, in his reaction to the win, expressed deep gratitude to the artists, producers, and engineers who contributed to the project. He acknowledged Nigerian musicians Wizkid and Bloody Civilian, alongside other global artists, for their efforts in reinterpreting Bob Marley’s legacy.

“I appreciate all the amazing artistes, producers, and engineers who were brave enough to take on this project because it is about Bob Marley’s legacy,” Seni stated.

“I appreciate them for taking on the songs, reinterpreting them, and doing it their own way. Artists like Bloody Civilian, WizKid, Daniel Caesar, and Jessie Reyez.”

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is a biographical film chronicling the life of the legendary reggae icon, focusing on his struggles, resilience, and the revolutionary impact of his music.

Seni Saraki, a graduate of the London School of Economics and Political Science, is the Chief Executive Officer of ‘The Native’, a Lagos-based music magazine that spotlights African music, style, and culture. He co-founded ‘The Native’ in 2016 alongside Teni ‘Teezee’ Zaccheaus.

This is not Seni’s first foray into high-profile music projects. In 2023, his collaborative work on the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack earned four Grammy nominations, where he served as the music consultant.

His Grammy win has further cemented his influence in the global music industry, particularly in amplifying African and Caribbean sounds on the world stage.

[Leadership]

English-born Nigerian footballer Jordan Chiedozie is currently in a coma after being hit by a car on the motorway.

The 30-year-old had played for non-league side Bashley FC against Tavistock at the weekend.

While on the way back from the away game, Chiedozie, alongside Bashley physio Reighan Taylor, suffered a flat tire on the motorway.

The player sustained “life-changing, and potentially life-threatening” injuries after being struck by another vehicle on the M27 when he stepped out to assess the flat tire situation.

Reacting to the incident, the club, in a statement, wrote: “Everyone connected with Bashley Football Club is devastated by the news of our player Jordan Chiedozie, currently in the hospital with life-changing, and potentially life-threatening injuries, after a serious car crash.

“Jordan was taken to Southampton Hospital with multiple broken bones and other physical injuries. At this time, he remains in a controlled coma.”

[DailyPost]

Model Denrele Edun has addressed social media users inquiry about his s3xuality. 

A video clip of Denrele attending the grand opening of “Above Lifestyle” in Lagos, accompanied by Nedu Wazobia, sparked questions due to his bold fashion choice.

When a user asked, “Sorry but is Denrele gay?” Denrele responded with his signature wit, redefining the acronym “GAY” to mean “Gorgeous. And. Young,” “Graceful. And. Youthful,” and “Good. As. You.”

Denrele further stated: “Who you go to bed AS is different from Who you go to bed WITH!” He then described himself as a “S3xual Outlaw” who is “BI your side,” leaving a hint about his s3xuality without providing a direct answer.

Another user wrote: “Denrele be hiding under fashion all his years. I hear there’s a lot of money in this Gaybriel thing tho…”

Denrele replied: “Hiding under kini?

Fashion is an expression of Individualism and my Style is a reflection/extension of my Personality!

“All his years? I’ve been in ShowBiz since 1994 and I’m just getting started!

“Now there’s a lotta Money in LEGIT Hustles;

Get something to do other than forming Evaluating Tape Rule for people’s “hiding” shenanigans and preferences. Get busy and thank me later!”.

[TheNation]

The Ogun State Police Command, on Tuesday, arraigned the suspended Olorile of Orile Ifo, Semiu Adewale Ogunjobi, for assaulting a 73-year-old chief, Abraham Areola.

Ogunjobi was arraigned on three counts bordering on conspiracy, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

The Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday.

He said, “The Kabiyesi Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, who assaulted one elderly man in a viral video, in Ifo Ogun State, has been charged to court today February 4, 2025, on a three-count of conspiracy, assault and conduct likely to cause breach of peace.

“He was granted bail while the case was adjourned to 06/03/2025.”

The FPRO vowed that justice would be served on the matter.

“The police will continue to uphold the rule of law and the core values of the noble profession,” Adejobi said.

Details later…

[Punch]

A Nigerian lady living in the United Kingdom (UK), identified as @shakels95, has shared her shocking experience of being arrested due to a simple misunderstanding of Nigerian jargon.

According to her, she had gone to a pharmacy to purchase medications for her husband when an innocent remark during a phone conversation led to her unexpected arrest.

While speaking to her husband on the phone, she casually used the word “drugs” instead of “medications,” unaware that people around her at the pharmacy misinterpreted it. 

Moments later, the police arrived and took her into custody.

Recalling the incident in a TikTok video, she said, “I got arrested yesterday, last night, and got detained. Now, I am going home. Story time. So, yesterday, I went to the pharmacy to get some drugs for my husband.

“Then, when I got it finish, I was on call to say, ‘Ah, I got the drugs, I got two drugs for you. So, when I get home, when you use it, you are going to be strong.’

“Ok. Not knowing people closer to me were like, ‘drugs, drugs, drugs,’ but I wasn’t bothered ’cause I felt I didn’t do anything wrong. Before I knew it, the police came. When they came, they were like, ‘we heard there is drugs.’

“And I said what drugs? This (displaying the medications she got) was literally what I was referring to as drugs, Ibuprofen, for my husband because he wasn’t feeling well…”

Despite her attempts to explain the situation, the police refused to take her word for it.

She revealed that they detained her at the station and even searched her home in a bid to verify their claims.

“They took me to the police station. They detained me. They asked me questions…” she added.

Vanguard News

Jesus wept three times in the Bible. One was at the death of Lazarus. Jesus showed his displeasure with death as a heritage that came from the failure of Adam and Eve on their mission on Earth. Jesus also wept at the inability of us, His creation, to believe Him and avoid dying in sin. Poor Jesus. He must have overestimated what we could do. The third time Jesus wept was when He pictured the destruction that would befall Jerusalem on judgment day for again failing to live up to Jesus’ expectations.

Since then, Jesus has not wept again despite humanity’s continuing misbehaviour since He left. Jesus has not wept since because of His hope in scientists’ work in opening up the heavens one layer after another.

On October 14, 2024, while you were sleeping, NASA launched the Europa Clipper mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is going to land on one of Jupiter’s moons called Europa. This moon has an ocean on it. The spacecraft will travel 1.8 billion miles for six years and arrive in 2030. The implications will be momentous if the spacecraft finds life on Jupiter’s moon, Europa. You might as well say, “It’s finished.”

For those who may not know it, Jupiter is one of the planets in our solar system. Galileo Galilei spotted Europa as a dot in 1609 with his ancient telescope. Together with seven others around our sun, they orbit the Milky Way galaxy’s center once every 210 million years. And they travel at the speed of 240km/second. We don’t feel it move because it travels at the same constant velocity. It is the same thing with the aircraft. Even though an aircraft travels about 460 to 575 miles per hour, those inside mostly do not feel it is moving.

This $5.2 billion mission to Jupiter to check out its ice-encrusted moon is at the heart of a renewed search for life outside the Earth. The ocean on Europa holds more water than all the oceans on Earth combined. Scientists hope to find biological ingredients inside the ocean that have existed for billions of years.

When scientists work hard to go to our moon or Mars, we think of visiting a place inhabited by some life forms billions of years ago. However, visiting Europa might take us to a spot currently occupied by life.

Meanwhile, scientists have uncovered lava tubes under the surface of our moon. It is now being studied as a place to build infrastructure where astronauts can live.

On Mars, scientists have used seismic data collected from many Mars probes to determine that underground water exists inside rocks found 7–13 miles below Mars’ surface. While it may be challenging to drill that far on Mars, it gives hope that one day, we may travel to Mars and make a home on the red planet.

As you read this, a 2020 rover called Perseverance that landed on the surface of Mars has collected over two dozen rock samples in an airtight titanium tube. According to NPR, NASA is working with the European Space Agency to retrieve the rock samples and bring them to Earth for more studies. An earlier plan would cost over $11 billion and not happen until the 2040s. NASA is considering two new and cheaper plans to return the samples before 2039.

Scientists are salivating about possible geological and biological treasures these rocks from Mars will have. They can explain the history of Mars that we do not know and evolving life on the planet. Unlike Martian meteorites, which sometimes land on Earth, these rocks will be pristine, unaltered by their long space journey and atmospheric entry.

Besides the technical challenge of retrieving the rocks and bringing them to Earth, there are concerns the rocks could bring in particles that may contaminate the Earth.

If NASA and their European allies delay, China is pursuing its mission to retrieve rocks from Mars.

The race is on. But that is not the only race going on.

In 2005, Mike E. Brown “killed” Pluto. I hope you heard the news.

Based on the studies by Brown, an astronomer and a professor of planetary astronomy at the California Institute of Technology, the International Astronomical Union in 2006 demoted Pluto from planet status to dwarf planet. Pluto failed to meet one of three criteria that make an object a planet. While it is orbiting the sun and is spherical, it is not large enough to ensure that other objects of a similar size are not in its orbit.

Since then, scientists have been searching for a replacement for Pluto. They suspect one orbiting at the edge of our solar system. They believe this because something is distorting the paths of smaller objects somewhere there. It is something that planets do. They have determined that whatever is doing it is about five to ten times the mass of the Earth, but smaller than Neptune. A new telescope to be launched soon is promising to find this planet. It is called the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile. The telescope’s strength is unmatched, capable of discovering countless new objects, potentially including the elusive 9th planet.

Mike Brown, the man who “killed” Pluto, is hoping to be the person who finds it.

In biological studies, scientists recently discovered a 520-million-year-old worm lava with its brain and guts intact. Evolutionary biologists are celebrating because of all the possibilities they can deduce from this rare ancient find. They are already drawing evolutionary connections between the ancient insect and the ones we have scurrying around today. This advanced study will enhance our knowledge of evolution.

These are hopes, not hypes. These are not pipe dreams.

Talking of dreams, scientists are working hard to engineer dreams. They hope to use it to treat nightmares and PTSD. It is as fascinating as what they wish to do with the vagus nerve, the brain’s most interconnected nerve. Some scientists believe that stimulating the vagus nerve (also known as the tenth cranial nerve) in specific ways can cure various illnesses.

Even physical scientists will tell you that the universe as we know it today is not how it will be one thousand years from now. As of today, we know four fundamental forces govern the universe. Physicists called them the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, electromagnetism, and gravity. They believe that in the early days of the universe, electromagnetism and the weak nuclear force existed as one force called the electro-weak interaction. This force existed only in the first trillionths of a second of the universe. Later, the Higgs mechanism separated the two forces.

We can currently observe and measure this force at the CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (CHC) in Switzerland. As China builds its Circular Electron-Positron Collider and Japan builds its International Linear Collider, with Switzerland’s new Future Circular Collider and the Compact Linear Collider, we hope scientists will arrive at the long sought-after Grand Unified Field Theory. And if you add gravity, we will get the complete “Theory of Everything.”

Make sure you don’t die soon. The best in the world is yet to come. When we get to the “Theory of Everything,” the news media will scream on the front pages, And Jesus wept, for the fourth time.

When Jesus weeps for the fourth time, it will be for joy because humanity has overcome sin and gravity and soared to the heavens.

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches Post-Colonial African History, Afrodiasporic Literature, and African Folktales at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include “This American Life Sef” and “Children of a Retired God.” among others. His upcoming book is called “Why I’m Disappointed in Jesus.”

On Friday December 19, 2008, Prince Vincent Eze Ogbulafor (24 May 1949-6 October 2022) from Olokoro, Umuahia South local government of Abia State declared that his party the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would rule Nigeria for the next sixty years. At the time he made the declaration, he was the fifth National Chairman of the party. Before him, the past Chairmen of the party were Chief Solomon Lar (1998-1999), Chief Barnabas Gemade (1999-2001), Chief Audu Ogbeh (2001-2005) and Colonel Ahmadu Ali (2005-2008).

Before his appointment as the Chairman of PDP, Chief Ogbulafor was the Minister of State on Economic Matters in the PRESIDENCY. The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was then under him. His responsibilities as Minister of State were to formulate and issue economic intelligence guidelines for government projects, ensure monitoring of projects and progress relating to plan implementation and supervise the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC).

In 1999, President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR appointed other Ministers of State and placed them under THE PRESIDENCY. They include Mr. Abayomi Edu (79) and Dr. Abimbola Ogunkelu, a consultant Physician and Cardiologist, from Ibowon, Epe in Lagos state, who is also a member of the Amala group, a group of eminent journalists who meets monthly at Bunmi Sofola’s place in Surulere, Lagos.

The schedules of these Ministers of State at that time were prepared by the then Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Ufot Ekaette (1939- 25 September 2019), assisted by the then Director of Special Duties in the office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Dr. Goke Adegoroye and approved by the President, Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR.

There were Ministers of State Economic Matters, Minister of State Special Project, Minister of State for Inter-Governmental Affairs, Minister of State, Cooperation and Integration in Africa, Minister of State, Civil Service matters and also Minister of State, Special Duties. Mr. Abayomi Edu was Minister of State, Special Duties. He is the son of the Billionaire Politician from Epe, Alhaji Shafi Lawal Edu (7 January 1911 – 8 January 2002) who was elected into the Western State House of Assembly in 1951. Mr. Abayomi Edu who now lives in America is expected home to celebrate his 80th birthday.

Mr. Abayomi Edu’s schedule and responsibilities at that time were to coordinate for the President: award of Titles; National Honours and Decorations (ii) Liaise on behalf of the President, with committee on the Prerogative of Mercy (iii) carry out any special duties assigned by the President.

Alhaji Ibrahim Umar Kida was the Minister of State, Inter-Governmental Affairs in THE PRESIDENCY. His schedule and responsibilities were to (i) formulate and implement policies and programmes geared towards enhancement of inter-governmental relations (ii) Liaison between the Federal, State and Local Governments (iii) Conduct desirable studies and collect intelligence information on Federal/State/Local Government relations and process to the Vice President (iv) initiate follow-up actions to ensure that State and Local Government fulfil their respective statutory obligations (v)

Advise the Vice President on Boundary Commission Matters.
Chief Abimbola Ogunkelu was Minister of State in THE PRESIDENCY for Cooperation and Integration in Africa. His schedule and responsibilities were to (i) formulate policies and programmes on regional cooperation and integration in Africa (ii) Strengthening of Intra-African economic cooperation (iii) Foster relations with and coordinate ECOWAS matters (iv) Coordination of matters relating to the Economic and Social Commission of the OAU (v) Coordination and strengthening of matters relating to Joint Economic Commissions in Africa e.g. the African Common Market, the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

The emergence of Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as the National Chairman of PDP was dramatic. He was brought to the PDP headquarters in 2001 after serving as Minister of State.

President Umaru Musa Yar’adua GCFR (16 August 1951- 5 May 2010) was eventually declared the winner of the 2007 general elections, held on April 21, and was sworn in on May 29, 2007, amid widespread allegations of electoral fraud. In the Nigerian National Assembly election, the party won 260 out of 360 seats in the House of Representatives and 85 out of 109 seats in the Senate.

At the PDP’s 2008 National Convention, the party chose Prince Vincent Ogbulafor as its National Chairman on March 8, 2008 held in Abuja. Chief Ogbulafor, who was the PDP’s National Secretary from 2001 to 2005, was the party’s consensus choice for the position of National Chairman, selected as an alternative to the rival candidate’s former Governor Sam Egwu and Senator Anyim Pius Anyim. All 26 candidates, including Dr Sam Egwu (70) from Ezzamgbo and Senator Pius Anyim GCON (63) from Ishiagu, both in Ebonyi state, withdrew in favour of Ogbulafor. Meanwhile, Alhaji Abubakar Kawu Baraje was elected as National Secretary.

When Prince Ogbulafor made that declaration in 2008 people believed that his boast could come true. He was on a solid ground at that time.

Let’s look at the situation now. In the Senate, All Progressive Congress (APC) has 58 seats, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 37 seats, Labour Party has 7 seats, New Nigeria People’s Party has 2 seats, Social Democratic Party—2 seats, All Progressive Grand Alliance—1 seat and Action Democratic Party—1 seat. In the House of Representative, All Progressive Congress has 175 seats, People’s Democratic Party has 118 seats, Labour Party has 35 seats, New Nigeria People’s Party—-19 seats, All Progressive Grand Alliance—-5 seats, African Democratic Congress—2 seats, Social Democartic Party— 2 seats and Young Progressive Party—1 seat.

The PDP governors in 2008 when Prince Ogbulafor made that prediction were Thoedore Orji (Abia State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Timipre Sylvia (Bayelsa), Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Ali Modu Sheriff (Borno), Liyel Moke (Cross River), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Martin Elechi (Ebonyi), Olusegun Oni (Ekiti), Sullivan Chime (Enugu), Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Ikedi Ohakim (Imo), Sule Lamido (Jigawa) and Namadi Sambo (Kaduna), Others were Ibrahim Shema (Katsina), Usman Saidu Nasamu Dakingari (Kebbi), Ibrahim Idris (Kogi), Bukola Saraki (Kwara), Aliyu Doma (Nasarawa), Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Olusegun Agagu (Ondo), Olagunsoye Oyinlola (Osun), Christopher Alao-Akala (Oyo), Jonah David Jang (Plateau), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Magatakarda Wamako (Sokoto), Danbaba Suntai (Taraba) and Mahmud Shinkafi (Zamfara).

At that time the AD governors were Babatunde Raji Fashola (Lagos), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole (Edo). Peter Obi was governor of Anambra (APGA), Isa Yuguda(ANPP)—Bauchi, Ali Modu Sheriff (ANPP)—Bornu, Ibrahim Shekarau (ANPP)—Kano, Ibrahim Gaidam (ANPP)—Yobe, Olusegun Mimiko(Labour Party)—Ondo state.

As of today, there are twenty-two states with APC governors, twelve states with PDP governors, one each with APGA, Labour and NNPP. The APC is yet to equal the feat achieved by the PDP in 2008.

At present the governors are Alex Otti(Abia State)—Labour Party, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri(Adamawa)—PDP, Umo Eno(Akwa Ibom)—PDP, Charles Soludo (Anambra)—APGA, Bala Muhammed (Bauchi)—PDP, Douye Diri (Bayelsa)—PDP, Hyacinth Alia (Benue)—APC, Babagana Zulum (Borno)—APC, Bassey Otu(Cross River)—APC, Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta)—PDP, Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi) APC, Monday Okpebholo(Edo), Biodun Oyebanji(Ekiti)—APC, Peter Mbah(Enugu)—PDP, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya(Gombe)—APC, Hope Uzodinma(Imo)—APC, Umar Namadi (Jigawa)—APC and Uba Sani(Kaduna)—APC.

Others are Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano)— New Nigeria Peoples Party, Dikko Umaru Radda(Katsina)—APC, Nasir Idris(Kebbi)—APC, Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi)—APC,AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq(Kwara)—APC, Babajide Sanwo-Olu(Lagos)—APC, Abdullahi Sule(Nasarawa)—APC, Mohammed Umar Bago(Niger)—APC, Dapo Abiodun(Ogun)—APC, Lucky Aiyedatiwa(Ondo)—APC, Ademola Adeleke(Osun)—PDP, Seyi Makinde(Oyo)—PDP, Caleb Mutfwang(Plateau)—PDP, Siminalayi Fubara(Rivers)—PDP, Ahmad Aliyu(Sokoto)—APC, Agbu Kefas(Taraba)—PDP, Mai Mala Buni(Yobe)—APC, Dauda Lawal(Zamfara)—PDP
The above may change when the gubernatorial election takes place in Anambra on November 6, 2025 this year, while that of Ekiti and Osun state will hold on July 14 and September 22 next year respectively.

As of now most of the parties are in crisis, serious crisis including APC. The worst hit is the PDP. I hope the PDP will not go the way of AD, ACN, ANPP and APP. The death of All People’s Party is tragic. It was the second most powerful party in 1999.

In the 20 February, 1999 legislature elections, the APP won 20 out of the 109 Senate seats and 68 of the 360 seats in the House of Representatives. The presidential election, held on 29 February, 1999, was won by PDP candidate Olusegun Obasanjo. He received 62.78% of the vote compared to 37.22% for the Olu Falae/Umaru Shinkafi ticket. The last functioning leader of the party was my close friend, Senator Mahmoud Waziri. Till he died we disagreed on how he ran the APP. Although he was compensated with position of special adviser by President Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR. He felt uncomfortable. I cherished his friendship. Great soul from Yola.

The party elected nine governors at that time. They were Mala Kachalla(Borno), Abubakar Abu Hasheed (Gombe), Ibrahin Samiru Turaki (Jigawa), Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Muhammed Lawal (Kwara), Attahiru Bafarwa (Sokoto), Buka Abba Ibrahim (Yobe) and Ahmed Sani (Zamfara).

Tragically, the APP suffered factional split and contested the next round of elections in 2003 as the as the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP).

The crisis of the PDP now is similar to that of APP. The possibility of PDP recapturing the PRESIDENCY which they lost almost ten years ago is remote. What can emerge is that a faction of the PDP and disgruntled elements in the APC and other parties may form a coalition to challenge the Presidential candidate of the APC in 2027. Definitely there will be a new alliance. That is the Nigerian way. The APC is not invincible, just as PDP was not ten years ago with its failing policies.

Now there is a rush to enlist in the ruling party, the APC. At the second or third year of any Presidential tenure, this is a common occurrence. It is nothing new, we are used to it. It happened in 1981 during the tenure of President Usman Aliyu Shehu Shagari GCFR. I remember Alhaji Umaru Abdulrahman Dikko (31 December 1936 – 1 July 2014) from Wamba village near Zaria, the then Minister of Transport, boasting then that the NPN would rule forever. He told Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola GCFR (24 August 1937 – 7 July 1998) that there was no vacancy in the Presidency and that the Presidency was not for sale.

The possibility of a single party structure or a dominant single party structure has threatened the democratic structure of this great country from time to time. And somehow it never becomes possible. The country survived that threat in 1965, it did in 1983 and also in 2008.

In 1965, the dominant party was Northern People’s Congress (NPC). It was formerly a cultural organization known as Jamiyaar Mutanen Arewa. It was a party that never pretended. It was formed on the basis of Northern interest as the name explains.

Before he was assassinated on January 14, 1966, the leader of the party, Sir Ahmadu Bello (12 June 1910- 15 January 1966), the Sardauna of Sokoto, Premier of Northern Nigeria, was the most powerful politician in the land.

In his book titled “MY LIFE”, the Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello, wrote on page 85 “The Northern People’s Congress grew out of purely cultural society of that name. This had been started in Zaria by Dr. Dikko, who is now an important figure in the Ministry of Health. After the 1951 elections—-the electoral college ones—Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, who had been a member of the original House of Assembly from the start and who always had a keen political sense, asked me to join this cultural party, later to become our own political party with the same name. Curiously enough, this is how the Action Group also started, for it is in origin the ‘Action Group’ of the Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a Yoruba cultural society. And they started at much the same time.

I agreed to do this and so later became President of the political Northern People’s Congress, with Abubakar as Vice President, and Ibrahim Imam, who since then has had a number of different political allegiances, as Secretary General. We called it Northern because we wanted to unite the Northern people and at that time we were not looking much beyond our own borders. It had an immediate success and most of the members of the Northern House joined it. Since then, it has remained unshaken, though other parties have blossomed and faded.

Our aims were very simple. To develop the country to the fullest extent in the shortest term; to preserve the peace, good order, and friendly relations between all our different peoples; to conduct an efficient and impartial administration; to ensure for all, freedom of thought and religion, to do good to all men. You will see that we were never militant ‘nationalists’ as some were. We were sure that in God’s good time we would get the power. The British had promised this frequently and we were content to rest on these promises; there was plenty of work ready at our hands for us to do”.

The Principal officers of the Northern People’s Congress of the first Republic were: President-General—Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, first Vice-President-General—Alhaji Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, second Vice-President General—Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu, acting Secretary General Secretary—Alhaji Ahmadu Galadima Pategi, acting assistant Secretary General —Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, National Treasurer—Alhaji Aliyu Makama Bida ad Financial Secretary Alhaji Isa Kaita Waziri Katsina.

The Staff of the National Headquarters were Party Manager—Alhaji Habib Raji Abdullahi, Chief Operating Officer—Mallam Muhammadu King, Chief Publicity Officer—Mallam Yusuf Dantsoho, Research Officer—Mallam Abubakar Tugga, Local Government Officer—Mallam Abba El Anasari, Officer in charge Youth Wing—Mallam Ahmadu Kwanbo, North Regional President—Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gashash and North Regional Secretary—Mr. Michael Audu Buba.

Executive committee members (unofficial) were Mallam Mu’azu Lamido, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Galadima Maska, Zanna Bukar Dipcharima, Alhaji Ahmadu Sarkin Fadan Zazzau, Alhaji Ndagi Farouq, Tafidan Bida, Mallam Sule Gaya, Mallam Mu’azu Gambo, Mallam Tanko Yusuf, Alhaji Ibrahim Biu, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashar, Wamban Daura, Alhaji Dalhatu Bida, Mr. S.A. Ajayi, Mallam Idrisu, Tafidan Adamawa, Alhaji Ari, Alhaji Sanda Na Alhaji, Alhaji Zakari Isa, Mr. J.C. Obande, Mr. M.A.O. Olanrewaju and Alhaji Sani Okin.

Others were Mallam Usman Sarkin Musawa, Alhaji Ladan Barki, Mallam Maitama Sule, Alhaji Shehu Ahmed, Madawakin, Kano, Mallam Baba Nahannun Dama, Alhaji Audu Anace, Mallam Ibrahim Mukun, Bida, Mallam Hassan Makaman Abuja, Mallam Usman Son Gari Wukari, Alhaji Usman Sarki, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Alhaji Tijani Hashim, Mallam Bello Malabu, Madakin Adamawa, Alhaji Aliyu Magajin Garin Sokoto, Mallam Mamman Tela, Alhaji Chief Sule Enugu, Alhaji Isa Haruna, Alhaji Abubakar Madawakin Sokoto, Mallam Sani Dingyadi Makadamn Sokoto, Alhaji Baban Gire, Chiroma Suberu, Bukar Batulbe Maiduguri, and Alhaji Audu Bida.

Members of the working committee were Zanna Umara Bensheikh, Alhaji Mustafa Monguno, Mallam Mu’azu Lamido, Alhaji Muhammadu Bashir, Wamban Daura, Alhaji Isa Kiata, Waziri Katsina, Alhaji Umaru Babura, S. Fulani, Alhaji Ahman, Galadima Pategi, Alhai Ibrahim Biu, Alhaji Muhammadu Kabir Ciroma Katagum, Mallam Muhammadu Nasir, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gashash and Alhaji Sule Gaya.

Others were Mr. Michael Audu Buba, Alhaji Shehu Usman, Galadima Maska, Habib Raji Abdullahi, Alhaji Mu’azu Gambo, Alhaji Sani Okin, Mallam Hassan Ahmed, Alhaji Audu Anance, Alhaji Dalhatu Bida, Mallam Gwani Jatau, Mallam J. Tanko Yusuf, Alhaji Muhammadu Kokori Abdul, Alhaji Tijani Hashim, Mallam Muhammadu Sokoto, Mallam Abba Masta, Alhaji Usman Sulayman, Mallam Haliru Zarma Hong, Mr. Edmond B. Mamiso, Alhaji Ndagi Farouq and Mallam Muhammadu King.

From the above, one could see the direction of the party. Fortunately, Section 173 of the 1978 electoral decree has made it entirely impossible for a political party to represent regional interest.
There have been several attempts to force this country to have a one-party structure or a two-party structure, but the boldest attempt was made by General Ibrahim Babangida GCFR (83).

On January 10, 1986, he established a 17-member political bureau to oversee and co-ordinate the debate on the political future of the country. Three days later, that is on January 13, 1986, he inaugurated the bureau. The bureau was headed by Professor Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey, an historian from Opobo in Rivers state. Professor Cookey was born on April 9, 1934. In 1982, he became the second Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. He is the first President of the Council of Knights of the Niger Delta Dioceses and first President-General of the Joint Council of Knights of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion).

As a Philanthropist, he has endowed a professional Chair in Malaria Studies at the University of Port Harcourt while the Sylvanus Cookey Foundation, established by him, is helping to transform the lives of youths in his home town, Opobo.

During the Civil War, he served as Commissioner for Special Duties in Ojukwu’s Cabinet and was awarded the Biafra Silver Medal (BSM). He has since received many honours including Officer of the Federal Republic (OFR), Honourary Doctor of Science (D.Sc) and Doctor of Letters (D.Litt) from the University of Port Harcourt and Anambra State University respectively as well as Chieftaincy titles from Upata Kingdom in Rivers State and Ogbor in Mbaise. He is a member of the Institute of Doctors of Nigeria. He holds the unique title of Arusibidabo (Inspirational Leader) in Opobo Kingdom.
Other members of the bureau were E. O. Awa, A.D. Yahaya, Haroun Adamu, Ibrahim Halilu, Pascal Bafyau, Oye Oyediran, Tunde Adeniran, Sam E. Oyovbaire, Bala Takaya, O.E. Uya, Sani Zaharadden, Mrs Hilda Aderarasin, Mrs R. Abdullahi, Ola Balogun, Edwin Madunagu and Abdullahi Augie (Executive Secretary).

On June 27, 1986, different categories of politicians were banned from participating in politics until after the transition programme.

On March 26, 1987, the Political Bureau submitted its report. It recommended that any Nigerian who hadn’t been previously convicted of a criminal offence be allowed to participate in politics in the 1990s as well as the gradual replacement of the military administration by civilians.

On July 11, 1987, the White Paper on the Political Bureau report was released. A new date of 1992 was given for the army’s handover. Other items in the White Paper included the retention of Presidentialism and the rejection of any religion as state religion.

On September 1, 1987, a 46-member review panel was named to review the 1979 constitution. It was headed by Justice Mohammed Buba Ardo.

On September 4, 1987, local government election time-table was released. It was scheduled for 12 December. Registration was to hold between 12 October and 1 November.

On April 22, 1988, elections were held into the Constituent Assembly while on April 25, 1988, government’s nominees to the Assembly (117 of them) were announced. To head the Assembly was Justice Anthony Aniagolu. The Assembly was saddled with the job of fashioning a new Constitution for the country.

On April 1, 1989, the Constituent Assembly concluded sitting in Abuja while General Ibrahim Babangida received the draft on April 5, 1989. On May 3, 1989, General Babangida lifted ban on political activities while the National Electoral Commission headed by Professor Eme Awa (15 December, 1921- 11 March 2000) recommended six political associations to the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) for registration on September 26, 1989. The political associations were the People’s Solidarity Party, Nigerian National Congress, Peoples’ Front of Nigeria, Liberal Convention, Nigerian Labour Party and the Republican Party.

On October 7, 1989, General Babangida in a broadcast to the nation dissolved the political parties claiming that they had been hijacked by some individuals as their personal property. He then created two political parties by decree—the Social Democratic Party and the National Republican Convention. He also created the Centre for Democratic Studies.

In creating the two parties, General Babangida declared “by this decision, the AFRC has declared its acceptance of the principles of a grassroots democratic two-party system. It is our belief that the system shall: provide a grassroots basis for the emergence of political parties, establish a grassroots or mass platforms for the emergence of new leadership, give equal rights and opportunities to all Nigerians to participate in the political process irrespective of their wealth, religion, geo-political backgrounds and professional endeavours, de-emphasise the role of money in politics and reduce to a minimum level, the element of violence in our electoral process.

“Preclude the emergence of political alliances along the same lines as in the First Republics and therefore, give Nigerians a new political structure within which to operate, ensure the emergence of a new, more dedicated and more genuine leadership cadre, which will not be a mere proxy for old political warlords, chart a new patter of political recruitment and participation which will enhance Nigeria’s stability, establish strong instructional structures which not sustain future governments, but also be strong enough to stand the test of time and establish a political system that will be operated according to the spirit and letter of the Constitution of the Federal Republic”.

Between July 21 and 25, 1990, the National Republican Convention held its convention in Port Harcourt, Chief Tom Ikimi was elected as the Chairman. At its own convention in Abuja, the SDP elected Ambassador Baba-Gana Kingibe as the chairman. On December 2, 1991, General Babangida arrested and detained eleven banned politicians. They were Abubakar Rimi, Maitama Yusuff, Lateef Jakande and Lamidi Adedibu. Others were C.C. Onoh, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Arthur Nzeribe, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Mr. Solomon Lar, and Major General (rtd.) Musa Shehu Yar’adua.

On September 23, 1992, ten Presidential aspirants of the SDP, withdrew from the contest scheduled for Saturday, September 26, 1992, claiming that the party was bent on imposing Major General (rtd.) Musa Shehu Yar’adua on the party. The aspirants were Chief Olu Falae, Olabiyi Durojaiye, Arthur Nzeribe, Alhaji Datti Ahmed, Mahmud Waziri, Lateef Jakande, Drs Olusola Saraki, Patrick Dele Cole, Layi Balogun, and Professor Jerry Gana.

A few weeks later, the same General Babangida banned 21 Presidential aspirants, leaving only Chief M.K.O. Abiola of the SDP and Alhaji Bashir Tofa of the NRC to contest the June 12, 1993 Presidential election. The election was annulled later by General Babandiga while General Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998) sacked the elected governors, the Interim Government of Chief Ernest Adegunle Oladeinde Shonekan GCFR (9 May 1936 – 11 January 2022) and also the two political parties.

Joining the ruling party is only a partial solution to the country’s problems. Apart from personal consideration, there must be enough justification for joining the ruling party in terms of performance. To me, the destination must be good governance which we are still expecting from the APC because, we in bad shape at the moment.

The Ogun state government has suspended Abdulsemiu Ogunjobi, a traditional ruler of Orile Ifo, for six months over alleged assault of an elderly man.

In the viral video, the victim was seen kneeling and prostrating on a dirt road as a baritone voice rained curses on him.

“You’re a traitor who won’t enjoy the fruits of your labour. You’ll lose your family, and evil will befall you. I dare anyone who thinks they can defend you to come out publicly and say it to my face,” the shadowy figure bellowed in Yoruba.

“Go ahead and report me to the police if you dare. If you die, you’ll be buried, and no one will even ask about you.

“You are an ungrateful person. I’m the one who made Wasiu Baale and this is how you repay me? I’ll put you in jail, and I have the power to control the police.”

In a statement, Ganiu Hamzat, Ogun commissioner for local government and chieftaincy affairs, said Ogunjobi’s conduct was unbecoming of a traditional ruler.

The commissioner said the ministry has summoned the monarch and victim for questioning.

He added that the decision was reached by the ministry in conjunction with the Egba Traditional Council.

“After the investigation conducted on the matter, Oba Ogunjobi has been suspended,” Hamzat said.

“He has been stripped of the paraphernalia of the stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo pending the determination of his culpability or otherwise in the matter.

“This was in accordance with Section 52(1) of the Obas and Chiefs’ Law of Ogun State 2021.”

Hamzat said the state government would not tolerate disrespect towards residents — regardless of the perpetrator’s status.

OGUN POLICE COMMENCE PROBE

In a statement, the Ogun police command said it is aware of the video.

A statement by Omolola Odutola, police spokesperson in Ogun, identified the victim as Areola Abraham.

She added that Lanre Ogunlowo, the state’s police commissioner, has ordered a probe of the incident.

“Both parties reported at the State Criminal Investigation Department Eleweran, and their statements were obtained,” Odutola said.

The command condemned any form of assault, harassment and violence, regardless of the status of the individuals involved.

Odutola added that the command would ensure that justice is served and that the public is kept abreast of developments.

[TheCable]