Politics

Ex-convict Arrested With Guns, Charms At Kwara APC Rally

Published

3 years ago

January 31, 2023

The Kwara State Police Command has said a 44-year-old man was on Sunday arrested at the All Progressives Congress campaign rally in Ilorin, with two locally made guns and charms.

Police gave the name of the middle-aged man as Safi Abolaji aka Ojulari, who was allegedly caught at the APC rally at Ojuekun Sarumi area of Ilorin West Local Government Area of Kwara State in the afternoon on Sunday.

The state Police Command in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ajayi Okasanmi, said that Abolaji of the Kankatu area, Ilorin was caught at the rally with two locally made short guns with cartridges and some charms.

He said that investigation conducted revealed that the suspect confessed to be a member of a cult group and an ex-convict who was recently released from prison.

Okasanmi said, “Acting swiftly on intelligence to the effect that, at the APC political rally on January 29, 2023, at about 1530 hrs, held at Ojuekun Sarumi area, Ilorin, one Safi Abolaji aka Ojulari “M,” age 44, of Kankatu area, Ilorin, was overpowered by public-spirited persons and policemen with two locally made short-guns with cartridges and some charms found in his possession.

“During the investigation, the suspect, who confirmed to be an active member of the Aye confraternity, was also just recently released from the correctional facility after serving a prison term, he could not sufficiently explain his presence at the rally, having confirmed to be a member of the People Democratic Party in the state.

“An investigation into the matter is ongoing to establish his motive and to arrest other members of his cult group,” the statement said.

“The Commissioner for Police in Kwara State, CP Paul Odama, has for the umpteenth time warned criminal elements to change their ways or leave Kwara State, as the command would not leave any stone unturned in making Kwara State a state that is conducive for all positive human endeavours,” the statement added.

Okasanmi said the suspect would be charged to court as soon as investigations into the case are concluded.

Politics

PDP Crisis: INEC Rejects Turaki-led NWC

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.

This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.

According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.

The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.

Politics

Govt That Fails To Protect Its Citizens Has No Business Remaining In Office – Kwankwaso

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has accused the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of lacking the political will to tackle Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Kwankwaso spoke on Tuesday in Kano while unveiling 2,000 operatives of the Kano State Neighbourhood Security Network.

He urged President Tinubu to “rise to the occasion and truly act as the Commander-in-Chief” in addressing banditry and other security challenges.

According to him, Nigeria’s military “remains one of the most gallant in the world,” having served in international peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Liberia, and other conflict zones.

However, he said the armed forces are not being adequately supported to perform optimally.

“Today, many innocent Nigerians are being killed, while the perpetrators walk freely as if nothing happened. The government must apologise to Nigerians for its laxity in the fight against insecurity,” he said.

Kwankwaso, who once served as Minister of Defence, added: “When I was Defence Minister, I knew the capability of the Nigerian military. They are courageous and professional but need clear direction, support, and political will to do the needful.”

He stressed that Nigeria’s armed forces had historically ranked among the best globally and urged the government to equip them properly to change the current security situation.

Kwankwaso also said that if elected president in 2027, he would recruit over one million additional military personnel to strengthen national security.

“Any government that fails to protect the lives and property of its citizens has failed woefully and has no business remaining in office,” he declared.

He further called on the Federal Government to integrate community-based security initiatives, like the Kano Neighbourhood Security Network, into the national security system to boost morale and improve intelligence-driven operations against criminals.

Politics

ADC Announces Temporary Closure Of Secretariat

Published

3 days ago

December 23, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC , says it has temporarily closed its National Secretariat as part of the end-of-year break.

A statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said full operations are scheduled to resume in the New Year.

According to the statement, the secretariat will close on December 23, 2025, and reopen on January 5, 2026.

The party, however, said essential skeletal services will remain available throughout the period, while all other official activities at the National Secretariat will be suspended to allow staff and party officials observe the Christmas and New Year holidays.

“This is to inform the public that the African Democratic Congress National Secretariat will close for the year on 23rd December 2025 and will resume full operations on 5th January 2026.

“During this period, only skeletal services will be available, while all other official activities at the Secretariat will be temporarily suspended,” the statement said.

The party thanked its members, partners and supporters for their continued loyalty and cooperation throughout the year, noting that their support remains critical to the growth and stability of the party.

The ADC also said it is committed to its ideals and to democratic engagement as it prepares for activities in the coming year.