NEWS
Governors, LG Chairmen Should Be Held Accountable for Kidnappings – Daniel Bwala
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said that state governors and local government chairmen, rather than the Federal Government, should be held responsible for kidnappings occurring in their domains.
Bwala made the assertion on Wednesday during his appearance on The Morayo Afolabi-Brown Show, where he was grilled on the Federal Government’s response to the ongoing abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State and the broader insecurity challenges across the country.
“Every kidnapping and abduction that takes place in any state of Nigeria, hold that governor responsible. All the kidnappings have taken place in local government,” he said.
The presidential aide pointed to the federal Save the School Initiative, under which funds were provided to states for perimeter fencing, early warning systems, and other security measures in schools. He challenged citizens to demand accountability from their governors on the utilisation of the money.
“There was this thing called the Save the School Initiative, in which monies were given to states to create perimeter fencing, early warning signs and all of those checks in schools. Ask your governor where that money went to,” Bwala said.
He further alleged that many local governments are not receiving funds directly allocated to them. Citing Oyo State as an example, he noted: “In three local governments in Oyo, I said this local government has 600 million coming here every month, and that’s how it is across Nigeria.”
Bwala argued that if such funds were released directly to local government chairmen, they could be deployed for maternal healthcare, basic education, local security through vigilantes, and welfare for the elderly.
The presidential spokesman criticised what he described as a passive culture among Nigerians, urging citizens to take greater responsibility for demanding accountability at the grassroots level.
“It’s only in Nigeria that citizens wait for manna to come from heaven. In all other countries of the world, citizens take their destinies in their hands,” he said.
Bwala explained that the current constitutional framework limits the President’s direct control over state governors. “The unfortunate part of the democracy we are practising today is that it does not place the President as a head boy or prefect of the governors,” he noted.
He contrasted this with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s approach, saying President Tinubu, as a democrat, would not resort to extra-constitutional measures and could only urge governors to act responsibly.
Bwala called on Nigerians to organise town hall meetings at the local government level and engage the media to demand transparency on funds that are not being remitted to local authorities. He emphasised that sustained public pressure would be more effective than isolated complaints.
Responding to questions about the Oyo schoolchildren and teachers who have spent over 50 days in captivity, Bwala said the Federal Government’s primary concern remains their safe and unharmed release.
“The number one responsibility of government in a hostage-taking situation is to rescue them and rescue them alive. If you use force carelessly, you may end up jeopardising the lives of the people that are kidnapped,” he explained.
NEWS
Usman Nuhu, AKA Ogbegbe, Appears in Court Over Alleged Killing of Oghenemine
Usman Nuhu, popularly known as Ogbegbe, has appeared in court in Asaba, Delta State, to face charges over the alleged killing of Oghenemine, who reportedly went to collect a waybill at Effurun Roundabout.
During the court proceedings, Ogbegbe, who appeared visibly lean and shaky, denied killing Oghenemine. He reportedly told the court that he used a stone near the deceased to apply pressure on his body so he would confess. He also claimed that he was beaten with floor tiles at the Ekpan Police Station.
The court reportedly reminded him that the statements he was making were under oath.
The second defendant, who was charged alongside Ogbegbe, also told the court that the police forced him to admit that he was present when Oghenemine was allegedly killed. He maintained that he was not at the scene when the incident occurred.
The court ordered that Ogbegbe be remanded in prison, while the second to fifth defendants were granted bail.
The other defendants are Onoloko Dauroupamo, Okoh Kelechi, Goodluck Kingsley and Omonigho Ahweyevu.
The case was adjourned until November 17, 2026, for further proceedings.
NEWS
Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, a grassroot leader and stunch member of Labour party; bids farewell to Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh.
The former Deputy Speaker of the Abia State 7th House of Assembly, and the representative of Ohafia North State Constituency at the current 8th House, Rt. Hon. Mandela Obasi, has once again shown his love for his people, friends and constituents, as he identifies with the family of Late Chief Maxwell Enny Aruh, who was laid to rest yesterday, 1st October 2026 in his hometown, Abiriba.
The presence of the House member during the wake-keep on 30th September, turned the event to a mini carnival as the youths of Abiriba troopped out from all corners of Abiriba community that night to be with their leader who is always at home with his people and to identify with one of their leaders Chief John Okiyi Kalu, whose Uncle was being buried.
During a condolence visit to the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment in his country home, the House member and Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, took time to console and pray for the entire family.
In his speech, Mandela expressed his sympathy over the demise of Chief Maxwell, who he described as a perfect gentleman and a true son of Abiriba Kingdom. He enjoined the family to carry on with his legacies, and prayed God to give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
Responding on behalf of the family, the former Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, thanked the house member for finding time to be with the family in their time of grief all through the wake keep and the funeral service proper. He described him as a trusted representative of the people who stands with his people at all times. Furthermore, he thanked the Mayor of Ohafia LGA, Chief Eleanya Ojuu, who coincidentally is of same age grade with him, for finding time to come and for his prayers.
The house member was accompanied by some leaders and members of Labour party, his legislative aide, and some of his children.
NEWS
Abia Governor Otti Declares Support for Labour Party Presidential Candidate Ahead of 2027, Says Tinubu Has His Support for Now
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has declared support for the Labour Party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections, while stating that President Bola Tinubu currently has his support.
Speaking in an interview with Arise TV aired on Friday, Otti said he would back his party’s nominee.
“I have a presidential candidate and it is expected that I support my candidate,” the governor stated.
Otti noted that Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has the constitutional right to seek re-election and that no one can stop him.
“He (Tinubu) has the right to run and nobody can stop him. But I’m in the Labour Party and for now, he has my support,” Otti said.
The Labour Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election is Dr. Sunday Chibuzo Okereke.
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