Angry protesters have shut down the Ondo State Governor’s Office in Alagbaka, Akure, following the killing of five farmers by armed herdsmen at Aba Oyinbo in Akure North Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly shot dead during an attack by the assailants in the early hours of Wednesday. Outraged by the state government’s perceived inaction over the recurring killings, the protesters stormed the Governor’s Office, displaying the bod+es of the deceased.
Traffic was severely disrupted along the Akure/Owo Road as demonstrators gathered in Ogbese, blocking the highway in protest.
This latest attack comes just two weeks after armed herdsmen allegedly killed 20 farmers across four farm settlements in the same local government area.
The All Progressives Congress APC in Oyo state has vehemently opposed the approval granted Governor Seyi Makinde by a group of the State legislators to obtain a fresh loan facility totalling N200billion stating that eminent citizens across the country must rise up and prevail on the governor to drop the idea in the interest of the state.
Impeccable sources have it that Gov. Makinde sought and got express approval on Tuesday through the action of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Honorable Debo Ogundoyin, and few of his colleagues who treated a letter of request for loan said to have been dated March 13, 2025. The governor in his letter said that the reason for the fresh loan facility was to buy over an existing one from a named commercial bank.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan by its Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC said that it opposed the idea of a fresh N200billion loan which Gov. Makinde clandestinely sought and got approval for from a handful number of the state lawmakers.
“Another devastating news came from the Oyo State House of Assembly today as the Speaker and a few members of the legislative chamber loyal to him approved the fraudulent loan request from the governor even without the knowledge of most of their colleagues even as the decision was contained in the post-plenary document released by the Clerk of the House.
“The reality on ground cannot justify the over N300billion debt which Gov. Makinde has incurred through fraudulent loans in the last six years. If the previous loans were committed to infrastructural growth, economic build up, food security through sustainable agricultural revolution among other things, there would not have been any cause to worry but the present PDP administration has demonstrated that it was out to ruin the future of the state by plunging the state into financial mess.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Gov. Makinde receives an average of N11billion in federal allocation and another N11billion from Abuja on behalf of the 33 local government councils while the least he gets in Internally Generated Revenue is N3billion making it, at least, N25billon every month. The question on the lips of the informed citizens now is about what he does with the huge resources and why the need for huge loan facilities again?
“Gov. Makinde sits on public funds totalling billions of naira every day but Oyo state cannot pay its workers in all the state-owned tertiary institutions living wages. The same Oyo state cannot boast of five good fire trucks to tackle emergencies. Farmers in the state cannot get tractors and other modern equipment to help their agricultural practices while teaching and learning in public primary and secondary schools across the state have been excruciating and the rots continue.
“Gov Makinde who has failed to deliver ordinary bus terminal in six years after taking over N20billion out the coffers of the state for the project has again discovered another conduit in an airport upgrade project and he wants us to pretend that everything is alright. By and large, the way and manner which the approval for the fresh N200billion was sought and got has further exposed the Speaker as a willing tool in the hands of Gov. Makinde but the truth of the matter is that no culprits would go scot free when it is time for justice.” Sadare added.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indeed, Nigerians listened with dismay the national broadcast by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in which the President, in utter violation of the 1999 Constitution pronounced an imposition of a state of emergency in Rivers State
The PDP outrightly rejects this attempt by the President to override the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and undermine the votes and Will of the people of Rivers State by seeking to depose a democratic government and foist an undemocratic rule in the State.
The unconstitutional declaration by President Tinubu of the suspension of the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and appointment of an unelected individual, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to govern the State is a clear attack on our nation’s democracy, an abrogation of the votes and democratic right of the people of Rivers State to choose their leader under the Constitution.
The action of Mr. President therefore clearly borders on attempt at state capture. It is the climax of a well-oiled plot to forcefully take over Rivers State for which the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been bent on stoking crisis to ensure that democracy is ultimately truncated in the State.
Nigerians are invited to note that the situation in Rivers State and the reasons adduced by the President cannot justify the declaration of a state of emergency in the State under the 1999 Constitution, rendering the declaration completely incompetent.
The PDP alerts that the unwarranted imposition of emergency rule in Rivers State is part of the larger vicious plot to foist a siege mentality across Nigeria, decimate opposition, impose a totalitarian one-Party State and turn the country into a fiefdom
In any case, nothing in Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution relied upon by the President in the declaration grants him the exclusive powers to declare or execute the declaration of a state of emergency without recourse to the statutory approval of the National Assembly.
For the avoidance of doubt, Section 305 (2) provides that “The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation including the details of the emergency to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the proclamation”.
Mr. President should recognize that his order to an unelected individual to forthwith take over government of Rivers State is illegal and a clear recipe for crisis, threat to the peace and stability of not only Rivers State but the entire nation.
For emphasis, Governor Fubara was democratically elected for a tenure of four years which tenure cannot be unconstitutionally abridged.
The PDP therefore cautions Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) to respect the Constitution and ensure that he does not take any action or step which is capable of derailing smooth democratic Governance in Rivers State. Nigeria is not under a military rule where the Governance of a State is by appointment by a junta.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday night, declared a state of emergency in Rivers state.
The president made this pronouncement in a nationwide broadcast to the nation.
The president said he was “greatly disturbed about the political crisis” in the state and accused Governor Siminilayi Fubara of demolishing the State House of Assembly building.
Tinubu said having made an evaluation of the situation, he has decided to “declare a state of emergency from March 18”.
This decision comes hours after Tinubu met with his service chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
BreThe Oyo State House of Assembly has suspended the Executive Chairman of Saki East Local Government Area, Hon. Emmanuel Adedokun, westernmirror.com.bg reports.
The House directed Adedokun to step aside till further notice and also ordered the vice chairman, Hon. Razaq Adeyemi, to take over the administration of the local government in acting capacity.
The suspension followed a petition brought before the House on Tuesday by eleven concerned members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Saki East Local Government.
The petition bothered on alleged flagrant disobedience of Governor Seyi Makinde’s directive since assumption of office at the Council.
The house equally directed the Local government secretary to act as the vice chairman pending conclusion of investigation by the House committee on local government and Chieftaincy matters.
Lagos State-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye, has issued an apology to Lagosians following her controversial statement about the state’s environmental conditions. However, she remains steadfast in her criticism of the Bola Tinubu administration, which she previously described as “terrible” amid ongoing economic hardship.
In a statement shared on social media, Uguamaye acknowledged that her comment about Lagos having an unpleasant smell may have offended residents, particularly those who were born and raised in the state. She expressed regret over the wording of her observation, clarifying that she did not intend to insult Lagos or its people.
‘I AM SORRY’ – Ushie Rita Uguamaye’s Apology
“I want to first of all state that ‘I AM SORRY’ to the people who were born and raised in Lagos State if you feel offended by what I said. I am sorry,” she wrote.
She explained that, as a visitor, she had noticed a difference in air quality compared to other places she had lived. While acknowledging that her choice of words may have triggered strong emotions among Lagosians, she reiterated that her observations were based on her personal experience.
“If the way that I put it triggered your emotions and the love for your birth state, I am sorry. I didn’t mean to talk down on your birth state,” she added.
Defending Her Criticism of the Federal Government
While retracting her comments about Lagos, Uguamaye remained resolute in her stance against the economic difficulties facing Nigerians under the current administration. She emphasized that her grievances with the government’s policies remain valid and that she had embarked on a public “30-day rant challenge” to highlight these issues.
“When I started the 30-day rant challenge, I said I just wanted to be heard. I believed that if I got to DAY-20, people would begin to hear me and join me to speak to the government. My target was to make at least 20 videos complaining until I was heard,” she revealed.
However, according to her, she did not even need to get to Day 2 before her message resonated widely, reflecting the frustration shared by many Nigerians.
Economic Hardship and the Cost of Living
Uguamaye also highlighted her struggles as a working professional in Nigeria, stating that despite working over 45 hours a week, she is unable to afford a basic social life, such as going out with friends on weekends.
“The complaints I made are valid regardless of whatever ‘lifestyle’ you think I am living. I work 45+ hours a week, and I should be able to afford hanging out with my friends every weekend. However, I can’t,” she lamented.
She questioned how many Nigerians in similar economic situations can afford to enjoy their weekends after long workweeks, emphasizing that the rising cost of living has stripped many citizens of their ability to engage in leisure activities.
Public Reactions
Uguamaye’s apology has sparked mixed reactions among Lagosians and Nigerians at large. While some appreciate her willingness to apologize for her remarks about Lagos, others commend her courage in holding the government accountable for the nation’s economic struggles.
The embattled National Youth Service Corps member, Ushie Rita Uguamaye has today been accompanied by the Founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore and other team of lawyers to the NYSC LGI office in Eti-Osa LGA, Lagos.
Recall, Rita had been invited by the LGI Coordinator to report at his office following her recent viral video where she criticized the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu over his failure to revamp the economy of Nigeria.
In her words as quoted from the viral video, “President Tinubu you are terrible, the economy has collapsed, inflation is biting hard, crate of eggs which was around N800 in the past is now N6500. Which kind country is this?”.
The Corps member has been facing a backlash from several people claiming that the lady has violated NYSC Code of Conduct for insulting the President of Nigeria.
Oduduwa News Correspondent who was at Eti Osa today said Sowore and some other supporters including lawyers stormed the LGI office with the embattled Corps member but the LGI Coordinator was nowhere to be found.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has strongly opposed any attempt by the Nigerian Senate or security agencies to investigate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s recent trip to New York. The senator, who was invited to speak at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting, has been at the center of a political storm following her suspension from the Senate.
Falana, known for his outspoken stance on human rights and democracy, described the probe as unnecessary and politically motivated. He argued that Senator Natasha has every right to participate in global legislative discussions, and any move to intimidate or punish her for this violates democratic principles.
The controversy surrounding her suspension and subsequent international engagement has fueled suspicions of a deliberate attempt to silence vocal lawmakers. While some critics believe her trip undermines the Senate’s authority, others argue that Nigeria benefits from having its legislators engage in global discourse.
Falana has urged the government to focus on national development issues rather than engaging in political vendettas. Meanwhile, public interest in the Senate’s internal conflicts continues to grow, with many Nigerians questioning the real motive behind the investigation.
Moral Lesson: Democracy thrives on free speech and international collaboration. Leaders should focus on governance, not political intimidation.
The Oyo State Government has insisted that there is no going back on the resolve to demolish illegal structures around schools in the State.
This affirmation was made by the Chairperson, Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA, Hon. Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd.) in Ibadan.
Aderemi led an inspection team to the Jemibewon Area of Sabo in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
She reaffirmed the Oyo State government’s commitment to sanitize the Environment and maintain a lawful and orderly society.
Speaking on Saturday, after the visit, Aderemi said the government would not be distracted by complaints arising from the demolition exercises.
She said the visit was sequel to a petition received by the Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, OYRLEA dated 17th February 2025 calling the attention of the Authority to Shanties around St. Gabriel School, at Jemibewon axis.
Justice Aderemi said, “recall that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde ordered the removal of Shanties around School Areas and fences in October, 24th 2023 and this must be upheld by the rule of law.”
She added, “letters have gone out twice to the occupants and owners of these illegal structures, our officers have even gone to meet with the ‘Seriki n Sabo’ to have dialogue with the residents, an ultimatum to vacate the place was issued as well’.
However, an humble appeal to delay intervention and demolition was put forward till Wednesday, 19th March, 2025.
Two young men lost their lives in a tragic incident when a stray cow ran out of the bush and struck them along the Ile-Oluji-Ondo Itanla road in Ondo State.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 13, 2025, when the victims were travelling on a motorcycle, popularly known as a Ladys Bike, while transporting a bag of cocoa from Ile-Oluji to Ondo City.
An eyewitness who spoke to newsmen, said that the cow suddenly bolted out of the bush, colliding with the motorcycle, killing the men on the spot.
According to the source, the herder, said to be a Fulani man, fled into the bush alongside his cattle immediately after the tragic event.
It was gathered that passersby hesitated to intervene, fearing possible implications from authorities.
The identities of the deceased victims had yet to be confirmed.
