Politics

Hoodlums Set Ablaze ADC Secretariat In Ekiti, Disrupt Party Excos’ Inauguration

Published

3 weeks ago

October 21, 2025

There was pandemonium in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Tuesday, after some suspected political thugs set ablaze the state secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The attack, which occurred in the early hours of the day, razed the party’s office located at Basiri Area of Ado-Ekiti and destroyed several valuables, including plastic chairs, canopies, sound system and office equipment.

It was gathered that the burnt canopies and chairs had been rented for the inauguration of the party’s executives across wards, local government areas, and the state level, scheduled to hold later in the day.

Several hours after the secretariat was razed, the hoodlums regrouped in large numbers and stormed the venue of the planned affirmation ceremony, disrupting preparations and attacking party leaders and supporters.

The attackers who stormed the venue in a commando-like style shot sporadically into the air, forcing several members of ADC, journalists, as well as passersby to scamper for safety.

In the ensuing melee, several vehicles and motorcycles belonging to journalists were severely vandalised, while canopies and chairs arranged for the programme were destroyed beyond repair.

Fifteen minutes after the hoodlums fled the scene, the ADC National Secretary, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, arrived at the venue amid tight security and proceeded with the inauguration of the newly affirmed executives.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the brief inauguration of party executives, the former minister condemned the attack in strong terms, describing it as a shameful display of intolerance and a dangerous threat to democracy.

Aregbesola said that it was regrettable that individuals who emerged through democratic process could resort to violence and intimidation to suppress opposition voices.

“It is difficult to adequately express the disappointment, don’t forget in 2009, the incumbent administration in Ekiti then did undemocratic actions and we felt that victims of such irresponsible and anti-democratic actions would now be in office to replicate such wickedness in the state,” he said.

The former Osun State governor noted that the beauty of democracy lies in the freedom of association and participation in open political activities without fear or intimidation, saying the attack on ADC members in Ekiti signalled a descent into fascism.

Aregbesola also berated the security agencies for failing to protect the ADC secretariat and its members, accusing them of dereliction of duty.

“The security agencies must protect lives and property, and when they fail to do so, they are violating the Constitution. Interestingly, the security acts make it compulsory to do so, and failure to do so exposes all of them as being compromised,” he said.

Former Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kolapo Olusola-Eleka, also condemned the incident, describing it as an act of political terrorism.

He said the incident was unfortunate and represented a dangerous assault on the democratic values and freedom of political association, lamenting that such acts of violence were creeping into Ekiti politics, a state once known for peace and tolerance.

The former deputy governor criticised the security agencies for what he called a disappointing response to the attack, saying the police failed to act promptly despite early reports.

“What has happened today in Ekiti State is what we call political terrorism, and it is quite unfortunate that this is happening in our state. This is against the principle of democracy that we are all preaching.

“We have made reports to the police through the state party chairman, and let me say that we are let down by the security agencies because more than two hours after we made reports on the midnight attack on our secretariat, we observed that they were not there to protect the property and the people,” he added.

When contacted, the Ekiti State Police spokesman, SP Sunday Abutu, confirmed the incident.

He said the command is aware of the incident. The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, has directed a full-scale investigation in a bid to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to book.l

Politics

Agege LG Chairman Resigns

Published

6 days ago

November 5, 2025

Editor

Agege Local Government
Mr. Tunde Azeez Disco has stepped down as the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, citing persistent health challenges as the reason for his resignation.

The former chairman submitted his resignation letter to the Agege Local Government Legislative Arm.

He noted that his health status had significantly impacted his ability to effectively discharge his official duties.

The legislative house, while acknowledging Azeez Disco’s dedication to public service, quickly accepted the decision. Following a thorough deliberation, a unanimous resolution was passed, accepting the resignation with immediate effect.

The council wished the outgoing chairman well in his future endeavours, with the event underlining the necessity for public officials to prioritise personal health and well-being.

Ganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker, Lagos State Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, is the Vice chairman of Agege Local Government.

In May, residents of Agege, under the banner of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the local government election in Agege.

They claimed that Obasa allegedly plans to foist his surrogates as candidates in the local government and councillorship elections.

In a meeting held in response to the announcement of candidates for the chairmanship and vice-chairmanship of the Agege Local Government and Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area (LCDA), the aggrieved residents alleged that those shortlisted as candidates to represent the area were handpicked by Obasa.

They said the process was void of internal democracy and collective participation.

Addressing the media, Kamardeen Sabitu, chairman of the PCC for Agege and Orile-Agege, alleged that Obasa did everything possible to manipulate the political structure in the area for personal gain.

During the protest, demonstrators carried placards reading “Red Card, Obasa O to ge, (it is enough). They also chanted songs such as “Enough is Enough, this suffering is enough, Tinubu, rescue us.”

Politics

JUST IN: Reps In Rowdy Session, Reject Key Motions

Published

7 days ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

The plenary session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday turned rowdy after members voted against some motions of urgent public importance, which bordered on the protection of lives and key government assets.

With the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, presiding, the session became rowdy, as members dissolved into a closed-door session to restore order.

It all started when the member representing Somolu Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Ademorin Kuye, drew the attention of his colleagues to what he called the illegal allocation of lands within the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex and prayed the House to refer the matter to the Committee on Public Assets for investigation.

Kuye, a member of the All Progressives Congress is the Chairman of the House Committee on Public Assets.

Proposing an amendment to the prayers, Delta lawmaker and Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Francis Waive, argued that though the matter brought before the Green Chamber is urgent enough, the Committee on Commerce, not Public Assets, should be in charge of the investigation.

Waive was supported by Akwa Ibom lawmaker, Mark Esset, who argued that “It is the Committee on Commerce that should take responsibility on this matter.”

On the other hand, Yusuf Gagdi representing Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, Plateau State, supported Kuye, stating that the Public Assets Committee should be allowed to take charge of investigating the allegation of illegal land sale and submit a report to the House.

With no end to the back-and-forth argument in sight, Gbefwi Gaza (SDP, Nasarawa) on the advice of Kalu, proposed the constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of both Committees (Public Assets and Commerce) to conduct the probe.

When subjected to a voice vote, almost an equal number of lawmakers voted in support and against the motion.

Not sure whose voices were louder, Kalu gave it to the nays, sparking unrest in the chamber.

Next on the order of urgent motions was Mohammed Bio representing Baruten/Kaima Federal Constituency, Kwara State.

Bio who lamented the worsening security situation in his constituency, prayed the House to urge the military to establish a base in the crisis-prone areas to stem the tides of attacks.

This time, more lawmakers voted against the motion, to the surprise of Kalu and the Kwara lawmaker.

It became clear to Kalu that members had resolved to frustrate the day’s session owing to the rejection of Kuye’s motion.

So, when again voices thundered against Ayodeji Alao-Akala’s motion which drew members’ attention to the need to address Nigeria’s description as a “Country of Particular Concern” by the United States President, Mr Donald Trump; Kalu allowed the motion to pass, forcing members to openly oppose the decision.

Voices of dissent rent the chambers and the plenary was suspended for a closed-door session.

…Details later

Politics

Obaseki’s Media Aide Tackles Edo Information Commissioner Over Alleged ₦600bn Debt

Published

7 days ago

November 4, 2025

Editor

A former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has denied leaving a debt of N600bn, urging the Monday Okpehbolo-led administration to crosscheck from the Debt Management Office (DMO) before “spewing lies.”

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, had on Monday in Benin claimed that the immediate past administration in the state left a whooping ₦600bn debt.

Reacting to Afegbua’s claim via video call on Tuesday, Obaseki’s Media Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, challenged the current administration in the state to visit the DMO to see whether Edo drew such debt.

Crusoe, who said no government at whatever level has capacity to draw loans or enter into any debt arrangement without the knowledge and approval of the DMO, said lies being spewed by the Okpebholo’s administration is giving the country a bad image.

He said information of such gives the impression that the state is being governed by people who don’t understand what it means to run a government.

Crusoe described the claim as false and outrightly out of place.

On the planned probe of Mosium of West Africa Arts (MOWA), Crusoe noted that MOWA remained an international brand that entered into a business agreement with Edo State with all T’s crossed and all I’s dotted.

He insisted that every record about the transaction between Radisson Hotel and the Edo State government was contained in the transition report.

He said: “MOWA is an international investment drawing funds from the German government, the United Kingdom’s government, and the French government for its development. You think such an investment will be put on a land that was not ceded to that organization by the state.

“These people just come out there and toss all kinds of irresponsible information out there. At the end of the day what happens is that all of these turn around to form the intelligence that gathered out of Nigeria by the international community.

“It makes these countries think that the country is a failed state and the place is not being governed.”