Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has expressed optimism that all 36 State Houses of Assembly will approve the constitutional amendment bill seeking the establishment of state police, citing the broad national consensus and extensive stakeholder consultations that have shaped the proposed legislation.
Abiodun made this known while speaking at the Arise Television Town Hall Meeting on State Policing, where he commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for transmitting the Executive Bill on the creation of state police to the National Assembly.
The governor also praised members of the National Assembly, state governors and other stakeholders for their commitment to advancing what he described as a historic constitutional reform aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture.
As Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Committee on State Police Creation, Abiodun said the committee had worked closely with governors across the federation and relevant stakeholders to develop a robust operational and legal framework for the proposed state police system.
According to him, the establishment of state police would strengthen community policing, improve intelligence gathering, boost internal security and create employment opportunities through the recruitment of additional security personnel.
He added that the initiative would also help improve Nigeria’s police-to-citizen ratio while ensuring professionalism, accountability and adequate protection of the rights of all Nigerians.
Governor Abiodun expressed confidence that the widespread support already garnered for the proposal would translate into simultaneous approval by all 36 State Houses of Assembly once the constitutional amendment is transmitted for ratification.
He maintained that with effective implementation and strong institutional safeguards, the establishment of state police would significantly enhance security across the country and complement the efforts of existing federal security agencies in tackling crime and maintaining law and order.
The Oyo State Government has ordered the removal of all illegal roadside structures and shanties in the Ojoo area of Akinyele Local Government Area, giving occupants seven days to vacate the affected locations.
The directive was issued following a peace meeting convened by the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barrister Bayo Lawal, with leaders of the Hausa and Yoruba communities, alongside security agencies, in response to the violent clash that rocked the community.
The meeting, held to restore calm and prevent a recurrence of the violence, focused on strengthening peaceful coexistence among residents and addressing security concerns arising from the incident.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Chairman of the Hausa Community in Ojoo, Alhaji Abubakar Musa, dismissed reports suggesting that the clash was driven by ethnic rivalry. He maintained that the unfortunate incident should not be interpreted as a conflict between the Hausa and Yoruba communities, urging residents to avoid actions capable of escalating tensions.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Yoruba Community at Sabo, Ojoo, Chief Solagbade Azeez, said both communities had resolved to embrace peace and work together in the interest of the area. He assured residents that community leaders would continue to cooperate with the government and security agencies to maintain law and order.
The state government expressed confidence that the removal of illegal structures would improve security, restore order and enhance environmental sanitation within the area.
The directive comes a day after a violent clash in Ojoo left one person feared dead and several others injured, prompting swift intervention by the state government and security agencies to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Nigeria’s transition to a competitive energy market will remain slow unless government policies are backed by deliberate implementation, energy experts and key stakeholders have said.
The consensus emerged at the Annual Personality Lecture organised by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, in honour of distinguished energy economist, Professor Akin Iwayemi. The lecture examined the theme, “Nigeria’s Transition to Competitive Energy Markets: Lessons from Reform and the Road Ahead.”
Setting the tone for the event, Director of CPEEL, Professor Olugbenga Falode, said the institution established the annual lecture to celebrate individuals whose contributions have shaped scholarship and national development. He described Professor Iwayemi as a globally respected academic whose work has influenced generations of researchers and energy professionals.
Falode observed that despite Nigeria’s huge oil and gas reserves, millions of citizens still contend with unreliable electricity and widespread energy poverty. He maintained that addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration among economists, engineers, legal practitioners, policymakers and private investors to produce practical, research-driven solutions.
Delivering the keynote lecture, the Chief Financial Officer of Seplat Energy Plc, Mrs Eleanor Adaralegbe, argued that the country has reached a stage where effective implementation of reforms is more important than introducing fresh policies.
According to her, sustainable growth in the energy sector depends on sound governance, regulatory certainty and policies that inspire investor confidence. She noted that while reforms create opportunities, only disciplined execution can unlock their full economic value.
Adaralegbe identified Nigeria’s abundant natural gas reserves as a major catalyst for industrialisation, improved electricity supply and inclusive economic growth. She added that with its growing population, expanding capital market and strategic African position, Nigeria possesses the ingredients to become a major energy investment destination.
She further called for increased crude oil production, stronger investment incentives and full implementation of the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, stressing that closer cooperation between government and the private sector is essential to accelerate development across the oil, gas and power industries.
Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, the Dean of the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies, Professor Peter Obutte, described the lecture as an important platform for generating ideas capable of influencing national energy policies and reforms.
Chairman of the occasion, Emeritus Professor Uche Isiugo-Abanihe, expressed concern that Nigeria’s enormous natural and human resources have not translated into stable electricity supply. He urged government authorities to ensure that recommendations from academic and industry engagements are implemented rather than left as policy documents.
Isiugo-Abanihe also warned that Nigeria could face deeper socio-economic challenges if it fails to harness the potential of its youthful population through sustainable development and inclusive economic opportunities.
The Nasarawa State Working Committee (SWC) of the Accord Party has thrown its weight behind the legal action instituted by the party’s presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, challenging the decision of the party’s national leadership over the outcome of the Accord Party presidential primary.
The state chapter also insisted that Dr. Olawepo-Hashim remains the validly nominated presidential candidate of the Accord Party, describing the lawsuit as a legitimate step towards protecting internal party democracy and ensuring that the mandate freely given by party members is respected.
Addressing journalists at the Accord Party State Secretariat in Lafia on Friday, July 10, 2026, the Nasarawa State Chairman of the party, Hon. Shello Mabutu, said the state chapter had no reason to accept the decision of the national leadership to withhold the submission of Dr. Olawepo-Hashim’s name after conducting what he described as a transparent, credible and valid presidential primary election.
“We see no reason why the National Body failed to submit the name of His Excellency after conducting a transparent and affirmative primary election.
We have clear proof that the primary was organised by the National Body of the Accord Party on May 30, 2026, and not by the supporters of His Excellency,” Mabutu stated.
The chairman further disclosed that the Nasarawa State chapter was only informed on June 3, 2026, of a pending court case involving the Barr. Maxwell-led and Prof. Christopher-led factions of the party.
According to him, it was on the same day that the state chapter was directed to disown Dr. Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential aspirant.
He said the sequence of events strongly suggested that there had been an undisclosed arrangement that ultimately influenced the decision of the party’s national leadership.
The Nasarawa State SWC consequently condemned the decision of the national body to disown Dr. Olawepo-Hashim, insisting that the presidential primary conducted on May 30 validly produced him as the party’s presidential candidate.
The committee also commended Dr. Olawepo-Hashim for his outstanding contributions to the growth and development of the Accord Party in Nasarawa State.
According to the SWC, the presidential aspirant provided significant support towards the acquisition of the party’s state secretariat in Lafia and sponsored the state chapter during the Accord Party electronic membership registration exercise.
Describing him as “a leader par excellence,” the committee said his commitment to strengthening the party had gone far beyond expectations.
“Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has contributed immensely to the growth of our party. He supported us in acquiring our State Secretariat and stood firmly with the state chapter during the e-registration exercise. His contributions have exceeded our expectations.
“We therefore stand solidly behind his candidature and believe, by the grace of God, that he deserves to become the next President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The statement was signed by the Secretary of the Nasarawa State Accord Party, Adam Shuaib Ekpeji.
The endorsement comes as Dr. Olawepo-Hashim’s suit challenging the actions of the Accord Party’s national leadership remains pending before the Federal High Court. The national leadership of the Accord Party has yet to publicly respond to the latest position taken by the Nasarawa State chapter.
The Federal High Court in Abuja witnessed an overwhelming turnout on Thursday as hundreds of supporters of Accord Party presidential hopeful, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, gathered in solidarity while he formally commenced legal proceedings to reclaim what he describes as his lawfully earned presidential mandate.
The large crowd, made up of party members, youth groups, women, and political associates from different parts of the country, filled the court premises and surrounding areas, making movement around the court complex slow and difficult as supporters waited to demonstrate their backing for the presidential hopeful.
Hashim has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling the Accord Party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and transmit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In an Originating Summons filed before the court, Hashim named the Accord Party and INEC as the first and second defendants respectively.
The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether the party’s failure to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal, despite his emergence as the sole winner of the Accord Party presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, violates the Electoral Act, 2026, the Constitution, and INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.
Hashim is seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to forward his name to INEC amounts to a breach of Section 86 of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as Clauses 28(1) and 28(2) of the electoral guidelines governing the nomination of candidates.
He is also asking the court to order the Accord Party to upload and submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Alternatively, the plaintiff is asking the court to direct the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate should the court decline to order the submission of his name.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Hashim stated that he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party and claimed to have sponsored the party’s electronic membership drive with a payment of ₦7 million. He further averred that he paid ₦50 million as the prescribed nomination fee to contest the party’s presidential primary and emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the exercise conducted on May 30, 2026. According to him, the primary election was monitored by officials of INEC in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Hashim alleged that despite his victory, the Accord Party failed to submit his name to the electoral commission as its presidential candidate.
He also claimed that the party did not provide aspirants with guidelines for the conduct of the presidential primary, contrary to INEC’s regulations, but said he proceeded with the process based on assurances allegedly given by the party’s national leadership.
In the written address filed in support of the suit, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are legally bound to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions, and INEC’s guidelines in the nomination of candidates.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria contended that once a political party conducts a valid primary election and produces a winner, it has a statutory obligation to submit the name of that winner to INEC and cannot act arbitrarily to deny the successful aspirant the benefits of the democratic process. The plaintiff urged the court to uphold the principles of internal party democracy by granting all the reliefs sought in the suit.
At Thursday’s proceedings before Court 5 on the fourth floor of the Federal High Court, counsel representing INEC applied for an adjournment to enable the commission respond to the suit.
Counsel for the Accord Party aligned with the application and also supported the request for an adjournment. However, counsel to Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), opposed the application and urged the court to proceed with the hearing.
After hearing all parties, the presiding judge granted the application for adjournment and fixed Tuesday, July 14, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
The case is expected to test the application of the Electoral Act, 2026, and reinforce judicial scrutiny of internal party democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.
The Minister of Defence, , has revealed that the kidnappers behind the abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State warned that they would kill the victims if security forces attempted a military rescue operation.
Speaking while addressing journalists, the minister explained that the threat from the armed bandits compelled security agencies to adopt a cautious and intelligence-driven approach rather than an outright offensive, with the primary objective of safeguarding the lives of the abducted victims.
According to him, the Federal Government has continued to coordinate efforts among the military, intelligence agencies, the police and other security organisations to secure the safe release of those held captive.
He stressed that the government remains committed to rescuing the victims alive, noting that every decision taken by security agencies has been guided by the need to avoid actions that could endanger their lives.
The minister acknowledged the anxiety and frustration of the affected families and residents, assuring them that the government has not relented in its efforts to bring the victims home safely. He urged Nigerians to remain patient and support ongoing security operations by providing credible information that could assist the authorities.
The abduction of the pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government has continued to generate widespread concern across Oyo State, with residents, civil society organisations and political leaders calling for intensified efforts to secure the victims’ freedom and improve security across the state.
The Federal Government reiterated its resolve to confront kidnapping and other violent crimes while strengthening security measures to prevent future attacks on schools and communities across the country.
Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers during a gun battle, thwarting a planned abduction at a block industry located along the Akure-Owo Expressway.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying the operation followed a distress call received at about 3:30 a.m.
According to the police, about seven masked gunmen invaded Olaiya Block Industry, situated beside Ilu-Abo High School in Ilu-Abo, and demanded to see the owner of the business.
Officers attached to the Federal Highway Patrol Unit, Ilu-Abo, immediately responded to the distress call. On sighting the operatives, the armed suspects reportedly opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
During the encounter, two of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, while other members of the gang fled into a nearby bush with suspected gunshot wounds.
The police recovered a locally fabricated pistol, live cartridges, four mobile phones, several face masks and two ATM cards believed to belong to the suspects or their victims.
DSP Jimoh said the bodies of the deceased suspects had been deposited at the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, while the case has been transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
He added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and urged residents, particularly healthcare workers, to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds or displaying suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Felix Ohagwu, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes through intelligence-driven policing.
The Accord Alliance Movement (AAM), also known as the Movement for New Nigeria, on Wednesday formally reaffirmed its support for Dr. Gbenga Joel Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, while unveiling a new political movement aimed at mobilising support across the country.
Speaking at the inauguration of the movement in Abuja, the Director-General of the AAM, Hon. Light Adah Adoko, described the event as a defining moment in the group’s political journey, saying the coalition was established to promote what it called a “New Nigeria” vision.
Adoko alleged that some forces within the Accord Party were attempting to undermine the party’s internal democratic process by frustrating Hashim’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate.
According to him, the movement believes Hashim remains the party’s sole presidential aspirant and deserves the ticket, arguing that any attempt to deny him the nomination would amount to an erosion of internal democracy.
“The Accord Alliance Movement was born out of necessity to defend democratic values and the aspirations of members who believe in a transparent and credible political process,” he said.
Adoko also criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing a vote of no confidence over what he described as its inability to adequately address insecurity, economic hardship and the rising cost of living.
He said the movement was convinced that Nigeria required a new direction anchored on accountable leadership, national unity and inclusive development.
The AAM Director-General described Hashim as a longstanding advocate of democracy whose political ideals, he said, resonate with many Nigerians seeking change.
He urged members of the movement and supporters of the Accord Party to remain united and committed to building a broad-based political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.
Adoko said the newly inaugurated movement would embark on nationwide mobilisation to strengthen grassroots participation and promote the party’s candidates during the elections.
He expressed confidence that the Accord Alliance Movement would evolve into a formidable political force dedicated to restoring hope, peace, progress and prosperity in Nigeria.
The event concluded with a renewed pledge by members of the movement to support the Accord Party and work towards what they described as the emergence of a “New Nigeria” under the leadership of Dr. Gbenga Joel Olawepo-Hashim.
Former Oyo State Commissioner for Works and Transport, Professor Rahman Raphael Afonja, has called for stronger collaboration between academia and industry to generate groundbreaking research capable of advancing Nigeria’s energy sector and driving national development.
Professor Afonja made the call today while delivering remarks at the 3rd Annual Personality Lecture in honour of Professor Akin Iwayemi, organised by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law CPEEL at the University of Ibadan.
The lecture, which coincided with Professor Iwayemi’s birthday celebration, was themed “Nigeria’s Transition to Competitive Energy Markets: Lessons from Reform and the Road Ahead.”
Speaking on the importance of evidence-based policymaking, Afonja stressed that meaningful collaboration between universities, research institutions, government agencies and private sector players is essential to producing innovative solutions to Nigeria’s energy challenges.
He lamented what he described as the long-standing neglect of the academic community, noting that researchers and institutions have continued to grapple with inadequate funding, a situation he said has limited the country’s capacity to produce high-impact research capable of informing policy and industrial development.
According to him, sustained investment in academic research is critical, particularly in the energy sector, where Nigeria is undergoing far-reaching reforms aimed at liberalising and decentralising the electricity market.
Afonja noted that with the ongoing implementation of electricity sector reforms, which empower sub-national governments to establish and regulate their own electricity markets, there is an urgent need for research that will guide states in developing efficient, competitive and sustainable power systems.
He maintained that robust funding for energy research would provide policymakers with reliable data and practical recommendations needed to ensure the success of the reforms and accelerate economic growth.
The former commissioner urged governments, development partners and private investors to prioritise research funding and deepen partnerships with higher institutions, saying such collaborations would not only strengthen innovation but also enhance Nigeria’s capacity to achieve a secure, reliable and competitive energy future.
The annual personality lecture attracted academics, energy experts, policymakers, students and other stakeholders, who examined the progress of Nigeria’s ongoing energy market reforms and explored strategies for ensuring a more competitive and resilient energy sector.
Panic gripped residents and commuters in the Ojoo area of Ibadan, Oyo State, on Wednesday following a violent clash involving suspected scavengers, popularly known as “Baban Bola,” with one person feared dead.
The confrontation reportedly broke out after a disagreement among members of the group, escalating into a fierce fight that disrupted commercial activities and caused motorists and pedestrians to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses said weapons including sticks and other dangerous objects were used during the clash, while traders hurriedly shut their shops to avoid being caught in the violence. The incident also resulted in heavy traffic along the ever-busy Ojoo axis as commuters sought alternative routes.
Although one person is feared to have lost his life, the casualty had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report. Security operatives were said to have swiftly responded to the scene, restoring normalcy and preventing the violence from spreading.
Residents have expressed concern over the recurring activities of suspected scavengers in the area and called on the Oyo State Government and security agencies to strengthen measures aimed at preventing similar incidents and ensuring the safety of lives and property.
As of press time, the Oyo State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts were ongoing to ascertain the immediate cause of the clash and the exact number of casualties.
