Politics
N11bn Security Vote: Sacked Commissioners Raise Alarm Over Their Return

Some sacked commissioners in Ondo state, have alleged plan by one of the retained members of the cabinet, the finance commissioner, Mrs Omowunmi Isaac, to bring in her loyalists.
They also, kicked against her perceived influence in the administration of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa.
Recall that governor Aiyedatiwa sacked the commissioners and other cabinet members few days to the last local government election in the state.
Governor Aiyedatiwa retained only Mrs. Isaac and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, SAN.
Speaking with vanguard in confidence, some of the commissioners, alleged that the finance commissioner, “believes they may have been behind a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning her handling of funds, including an N11.5 billion security vote, N230 million for her official vehicle, and a N1.5 billion contingency allocations for her ministry in the 2025 budget.”
READ ALSO: PDP Withdraws From Ondo LG Polls
They alleged that the commissioner “is not only dictating key financial decisions but also orchestrating plans to fill the incoming cabinets with her loyalists.
Also, they expressed concern that the commissioner has been wielding excessive power, sidelining them and influencing their removal in order to bring in board her loyalists.
They raised the alarm that she was determined to prevent them from returning to the cabinet.
Meanwhile, a group of concerned Ilaje youths, threatened weekend to stage a protest against ” the undue influence of the commissioner in Governor Aiyedatiwa’s government.
A statement signed by legal practitioner Comrade Igbalaye Enikanselu, the youths expressed fears that “Ondo State will suffer under his administration if the situation persists.
READ ALSO: Ondo Man Kills 14-year-old Son Over Alleged Criminal Activities
“The life of the Governor is precious to the Ilaje race. We need to protect him and free him from the grip of the finance commissioner.”
They also criticized the governor’s performance since assuming office following the passing of his predecessor, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN.
According to them “governance has stalled due to financial constraints, delays in the recruitment of teachers and health workers, despite the governor’s prior approval.
“As we speak, about 3,000 official files remain unattended to in the finance ministry, while over 1,000 files approved by the governor have not been processed due to a lack of funding from the Finance Commissioner.”
The youths have therefore called on Ilaje elders and political leaders “to intervene, because Governor Aiyedatiwa is being held hostage by the commissioner.”
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Aiyedatiwa Wins Ondo Governorship Election By Landslide
But while defending the finance commissioner, the Owo Local Government Chairman-elect, Hon. Tope Omolayo, dismissed the allegations against her describing them as baseless and illogical.
Omolayo, in a statement titled “Setting the Record Straight: Hon. Omowumi Isaac’s Commitment to Ondo State’s Progress,” Omolayo praised the commissioner’s transparency and financial management skills.
According to him “These claims are nothing more than a smear campaign against a hardworking and dedicated public servant.”
Omolayo said that that “Mrs. Isaac, the first female Finance Commissioner in Ondo State, has demonstrated competence and accountability in managing the state’s finances.
“The allegations of financial mismanagement and project delays are false. She has worked closely with the governor to ensure timely completion of projects and prudent financial management.”
Omolayo further urged Governor Aiyedatiwa to remain focused and not be distracted by political attacks.
“As we move forward, our collective focus should be on the development of Ondo State.”
The chairman said that “We must rise above misinformation and petty politicking to ensure a prosperous future for our state.”
(VANGUARD)
Politics
N’Assembly committee Approves New State For S’East

The Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives on Constitution Review has approved the creation of an additional state in the South-East geo-political zone.
According to a statement by the media unit of the committee, the resolution was reached on Saturday at a two-day retreat in Lagos, where it reviewed 55 proposals for state creation across the country.
The session, chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and co-chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, resolved that, in the spirit of fairness and equity, the Federal Government should create another state for the region.
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Kalu, who joined other lawmakers to champion additional state creation for the region, argued that a new state would give the people a sense of belonging.
When created, the South-East will be at par with the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones, each having six states.
The South-East is the only geo-political zone with five states comprising Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.
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The North-West comprises seven states: Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Jigawa.
According to the statement, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved a motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State) at the retreat.
“The motion received the unanimous support of committee members and was adopted,” the statement read in part
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Similarly, the committee also established a sub-committee to consider the creation of additional states and local government areas across all six geo-political zones, noting that a total of 278 proposals were submitted for review.
Speaking at the event, Jibrin urged members to rally support among their colleagues at the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to ensure the resolutions sail through during voting.
“We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process.
“By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the state Houses of Assembly,” the Deputy Senate President was quoted as saying.
Politics
PDP Unveils 13-member Screening Panel For National Convention

According to a statement issued on October 25, 2025, by the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and signed by its Chairman, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who is also the Governor of Adamawa State, the screening exercise will take place on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.
The committee will be chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary.
He will be assisted by Hon. Mohammed L.S. Diri (SAN) as Deputy Chairman, while Mr. Asue Ighodalo, Esq., will serve as Secretary. Jacob Otorkpa was named Deputy Secretary.
READ ALSO:Jonathan’s Ex-aide Dumps PDP For APC
Other members of the committee include: Emmanuel Enoidem (SAN), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Chief Mrs. Aduke Maina, Iyom Josephine Anenih, Achike Udenwa, Haj. Maryam Inna Ciroma, HM. Felix Hassan Hyat, HM. Zainab Maina, and Chinedu Nwachukwu, who will also serve as Administrative Secretary.
The statement noted that the selection reflected the PDP’s commitment to transparency, integrity, and internal democracy in the build-up to its national convention.
“The NCOC notes and expects that the exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and regulations during this very crucial assignment will justify the confidence reposed by the Party in members of the Committee,” the statement read.
READ ALSO:BREAKING: PDP Dismisses Anyanwu’s Forgery Claim, Says He Signed Convention Letters
Fintiri assured party members that the screening process will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and impartiality, underscoring the PDP’s resolve to strengthen its democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This exercise is crucial in ensuring that only credible, competent, and loyal members emerge to steer the affairs of our great party,” Fintiri stated.
Politics
Why I Refused To Endorse El-Rufai As My Successor — Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed how he turned down a suggestion to endorse former Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, as his successor.
Speaking on Friday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, during the second edition of the annual Ajibosin Platform symposium themed “Importance of Leadership in Governance”, Obasanjo disclosed that former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had recommended El-Rufai for the presidency, but he rejected the idea.
Chidoka, who delivered the keynote address at the event, had earlier narrated how El-Rufai introduced him to Obasanjo at the age of 34, an encounter that led to his appointment as the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Addressing the audience, Obasanjo took a playful jab at Chidoka for leaving out the El-Rufai story.
“Let him tell you. He didn’t mention that. He was pushing when I was leaving government that his friend, El-Rufai, should be brought in as my successor,” Obasanjo said.
READ ALSO:Four Miners Feared Dead, Others Trapped As Illegal Mining Site Collapses In Plateau
Turning to Chidoka, who was seated among the panelists, he asked, “No be so (Is that not true)?” The former minister nodded in agreement.
Obasanjo explained that he dismissed the suggestion because he believed El-Rufai still needed time to grow politically.
“I did not yield to the pressure. Later, he said, ‘I suggested this person, why didn’t you agree?’ I said El-Rufai needs to mature. You remember?
“When I left government and, many years later, he saw the performances of El-Rufai, he came back to me and said, ‘You’re absolutely correct. El-Rufai needed to mature.’”
The former president, however, commended Chidoka, El-Rufai, and other former aides for their “special attributes,” which he said contributed to the success of his administration.
READ ALSO:Nigeria Not Difficult To Govern If… – Obasanjo
Speaking further on leadership, Obasanjo emphasised character, exposure, experience, and training as essential qualities of effective governance.
Obasanjo said, “It’s only in politics that I found out there is no training for leadership. Even among armed robbers, I was told there is apprenticeship.
“But it’s only in politics that there is no training in leadership. That’s not good enough.”
El-Rufai served under Obasanjo’s administration as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) before becoming the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between 2003 and 2007. When Obasanjo was leaving office in 2007, he instead backed the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as his preferred successor.
In his address, Chidoka blamed Nigeria’s development setbacks on excuses and what he described as the politics of alibi.
READ ALSO:Provide Evidence Of My Third Term Ambition’, Obasanjo Challenges Nigerians
“Leadership finds its true measure not in speeches or charisma but in the systems it leaves behind.
“Moral conviction must translate into the everyday machinery of governance—rules, routines, and institutions that make competence predictable and corruption difficult.
“Nigeria’s problem has never been a shortage of ideas; it is the absence of systems strong enough to outlive their authors,” he said.
He urged leaders to prioritise accountability and measurable results.
“We must therefore make leadership accountable not to rhetoric but to results: measure by building national dashboards and accountability systems that track every promise, every budget, every outcome. Monitor by strengthening the institutions that evaluate government performance and expose complacency,” he said.
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