Politics

Former Lawmaker, Two Others Arrested As ex-Deputy Speaker Alleges Threat To Life

Published

5 years ago

September 23, 2021

Editor

A former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Joseph Adegbesan, and two other suspects have been arrested by the police over alleged threat to the life of the former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Oludare Kadiri.

Adegbesan, a close associate of the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi, was nabbed Thursday by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Force Headquarters, Abuja, alongside one Muibi Olufodun and another suspect identified as Samson.

The policemen had stormed Awa in Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State to pick up Adegbesan, while the others were arrested in Ago-Iwoye, it was gathered.

The former Deputy Speaker, who is representing Ijebu North II State Constituency, had instructed his counsel, Oludare Adejare to petition the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, alleging threat to the life of his life.

According to the petition, Kadiri had called for “detailed, speedy and expeditious investigation and subsequent prosecution” of the suspects.

The petition partly read: “We have been briefed by our client who is a member of Ogun State House of Assembly, representing Ijebu North II State Constituency, Ijebu North Local Government Area of Ogun State that one Muritala Babatunde (aka Muri etee) who was alleged sometimes in 2018 of being a member of Aye Confraternity and killing of two (2) students of Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye of Ogun State stated that Honourable Joseph Adegbesan, who was a former member of Ogun State House of Assembly purchased him a gun, ammunition and that he is a major sponsor of the Aye Confraternity. The said ammunition that were purchased by Honourable Joseph Adegbesan for the Aye Confraternity to kill the two (2) students of Olabisi Onabanjo University.

“Our client further informed us that the situation of things has taken a new turn in his constituency as he got discreet information that the same Honourable Joseph Adegbesan and his cohorts namely Muibi Moibi Olufodun and Gbenga Suberu among others have sponsored cult members of the Aye Confraternity to kill him.

“We are further apprised that one Sule Ganiyu, Lekan Ojulopesi and one (1) other came fully armed to the House of Assembly on the 3rd of February, 2021 on the invitation of Honourable Joseph Adegbesan. Our client further averred that upon sighting them, he informed his then Orderly, Inspector Kola, who before he could effect an arrest of the said Sule Ganiyu and others, they had absconded. Our client was however in oblivion that the said Sule Ganiyu and his other members of the Aye Confraternity headed to our client’s brother’s house where they threatened to kill our client’s brother (Toba Kadiri) and instructed him to inform our client that they will kill him as well. Our client was able to get a few of the names of the cultists who are Sunday Amazing, Samson Akibola (aka Damson Guard), Ade Olooto (aka Ade eba) and Lekan Ojulopesi.

“Consequence upon this disheartening occurrences as well as the discreet information he received regarding Honourable Joseph Adegbesan and Muibi Olufodun being the sponsors and brain box behind the regrouping of the Aye Confraternity, our client has been falsely imprisoned by fear as he has no confidence left in him to move around freely even with the arrest of the aforementioned Sule Ganiyu.

“In view of these, we hereby beseech you to use your agency’s recognized accepted expertise to investigate this matter giving it utmost immediacy, competence and urgency so that the culprits are brought to book.”

Contacted, the Ogun State Police Spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed that IRT operatives were in Ogun to arrest the suspects based on a written petition.

He, however, said that he could not confirm the content of the petition as the IRT is not under Ogun command.

Politics

BREAKING: 17 ADC Reps Follow Join NDC

Published

5 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

About 17 African Democratic Congress, ADC, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have defected to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC.

This was disclosed by Speaker Abass Tajudeen on the floor of the House on Tuesday.

Tajudeen also announced the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.

Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

This comes barely a day after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso defected from the ADC to the NDC.

Obi and Kwankwaso have pledged to continue their pursuit for a better Nigeria in the NDC.

Politics

JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

A former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has given reasons why he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, alongside a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

In a long post on X on Monday, Obi insisted it was not out of anger or ambition.

Rather, he said the move is a continuation of the quest to build a new Nigeria.

Obi wrote: “Yesterday, I formally joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), alongside my dear brother, Engr. Dr Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with one clear purpose: to continue the struggle for a new Nigeria built on justice, competence, accountability, and compassion for the ordinary Nigerian.

“As I stated yesterday, this decision was not made out of anger, personal ambition, or convenience. It came after deep reflection on the present condition of our nation and the urgent need to rescue Nigeria from the dangerous path it is currently heading.

“Over the years, I have remained steadfast in my conviction that politics should never be about individuals, positions, or personal gain. It must be about the people, especially the millions of Nigerians who today can no longer afford necessities, whose businesses are collapsing, whose children are losing hope, and whose future is becoming increasingly uncertain.

“I left the ADC for the same reason I left the Labour Party: the severe, orchestrated litigation and internal crises deliberately designed to ensure that I, alongside many other notable individuals, do not effectively participate in the electoral process. I sincerely appreciate and remain deeply grateful to the Leadership of ADC for the opportunity to work together in pursuit of a better Nigeria. I am particularly grateful to ADC Chairman Senator David Mark for his exceptional Leadership. I also deeply appreciate my Leader and elder brother YE, Atiku Abubakar, as well as other respected leaders within the party.

“As we join the NDC, I sincerely appeal to the Nigerian Government against the encouragement of unresolved litigations and the infusion of crises within political parties. Democracy must never become a weapon against the people. A healthy democracy thrives on strong institutions, credible alternatives, and the freedom of citizens to make choices without intimidation, manipulation, or fear. Opposition parties must not be weakened or destroyed, because when democracy loses balance, the people ultimately suffer.

“Nigeria today is passing through one of the most difficult periods in its history. Poverty is rising. Hunger is widespread. Insecurity continues to threaten lives and livelihoods. Businesses are shutting down daily. Our young people are becoming discouraged, and many citizens have lost faith in the system. At a time like this, leadership must be driven not by propaganda or division, but by competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

“Our decision to join the NDC is therefore not an abandonment of values, but a continuation of the same mission we have always stood for: building a Nigeria where leadership is about service, where public resources are managed responsibly, where institutions function independently, and where every Nigerian, regardless of tribe, religion, region, or social status, can live with dignity, security, and hope.

“I remain committed to working with all Nigerians of goodwill across political, ethnic, and religious lines. The task before us is bigger than any individual or political party. It is about the future of our children and the survival of our dear nation.

“I thank Nigerians, especially our youths and women, for remaining peaceful, resilient, and hopeful despite the enormous challenges confronting the country. I urge you not to lose faith in Nigeria. Nations do not change because people surrender to hopelessness; they change because people continue to believe, continue to sacrifice, and continue to stand for what is right.”

Politics

Peter Obi, Kwankwaso Formally Join NDC, Warn Members Against Litigation

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has warned party members to steer clear of any form of litigation that can plunge the party into chaos ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking in Abuja on Sunday after he was formally joined the party alongside the former governor of Kano State,

Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso , the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), urged members to embrace dialogue in the interest of the party

“Please let there be no litigation. Party members, please don’t go to court. We want to build a party, we are not lawyers,” he pleaded.

The two political figures were received into the opposition party on Sunday at its national secretariat in Abuja.

Earlier, Obi had announced his exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Kwankwaso had indicated he was engaged in “wide-ranging consultations” with the NDC.

The National Chairman of the party, Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe, presented membership cards to both leaders at the event.

Speaking afterwards, Kwankwaso said their engagement with NDC stakeholders was driven by a shared vision and ideological alignment.

“We came to discuss with stakeholders of the party and found that our ideologies and beliefs are largely the same,” he said.

He urged Nigerians to register with the NDC ahead of the deadline for party membership registration, stressing the need for broader participation in the political process.