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The Ondo State Police Command has reacted to a viral video making the rounds on social media, showing a scene where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igbaraoke was confronted and labelled a “thief” by some aggrieved individuals during a tense altercation.

In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, and made available to newsmen on Sunday, the command acknowledged awareness of the incident and assured the public that a thorough investigation has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi.

According to the statement, preliminary findings suggest that the incident arose from a misunderstanding between the DPO and some members of the local community. However, the issue has reportedly been resolved following the intervention of the Ifedore Local Government Chairman, who brokered peace between the parties involved.

“In line with our internal procedures and to ensure a neutral and transparent investigation, the DPO has been redeployed from the Igbaraoke Division pending the conclusion of the inquiry,” the statement reads.

The police command emphasized its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and maintaining the trust of the people, urging members of the public to remain calm and allow due process to unfold.

The Police Command also reiterated its stand against any form of misconduct and promised to make the findings of the investigation public once concluded.

The Ondo State Police Command has reacted to a viral video making the rounds on social media, showing a scene where the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Igbaraoke was confronted and labelled a “thief” by some aggrieved individuals during a tense altercation.

In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka Olushola, and made available to newsmen on Sunday, the command acknowledged awareness of the incident and assured the public that a thorough investigation has been ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi.

According to the statement, preliminary findings suggest that the incident arose from a misunderstanding between the DPO and some members of the local community. However, the issue has reportedly been resolved following the intervention of the Ifedore Local Government Chairman, who brokered peace between the parties involved.

“In line with our internal procedures and to ensure a neutral and transparent investigation, the DPO has been redeployed from the Igbaraoke Division pending the conclusion of the inquiry,” the statement reads.

The police command emphasized its commitment to professionalism, transparency, and maintaining the trust of the people, urging members of the public to remain calm and allow due process to unfold.

The Police Command also reiterated its stand against any form of misconduct and promised to make the findings of the investigation public once concluded.

 

…calls for Urgent Government Intervention to Prevent Further Tragedies

The State Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Barr. Seye Olujimi, has decried the deplorable condition of roads within the state capital, calling it a “ticking time bomb” that endangers the lives of residents and commuters.

In a statement shared on Friday night, Barr. Olujimi recounted a harrowing experience along the Isinkan Roundabout in Akure, where his vehicle was damaged after hitting a deep pothole. According to him, the impact caused his tyre to burst instantly, an incident he says could have led to a more serious accident.

“Akure is not just any town; it is a state capital. It should reflect order, safety, and good governance,” Olujimi stated. “Repairing these potholes costs little, yet we allow them to linger and endanger lives every day.”

He criticized what he described as the government’s inattention to critical infrastructure issues, urging the relevant authorities to prioritize road maintenance over political distractions. “We must stop playing politics with people’s lives. Governance is not just about grand projects; it is about the small, life-saving details,” he added.

Barr. Olujimi further called on aides and political appointees close to the state governor to draw His Excellency’s attention to the issue. “I am sure he will do the needful, since he can’t be everywhere. Every citizen deserves safe roads. We shouldn’t have to pray before driving through our own cities.”

He concluded with a passionate appeal: “May Nigeria never happen to us. Let us act now—fix the roads before another innocent life is lost to what could easily have been prevented.”

In a strategic and symbolic engagement, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Joint Campus Council (JCC), Ondo Axis, led by its Chairman, Comrade Oluwarotimi Tobiloba Joshua (popularly known as JOSH), paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Ondo State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, MNIPS.

The meeting, held at the Ondo State Police Headquarters in Akure, was convened to express gratitude to the Police Commissioner for his professional and calm handling of a recent peaceful protest organized by Akoko Youth Leaders and the NANS Ondo Axis. The protest followed the detention and legal proceedings involving Comrade Akeju Blessing James and other youth leaders, a development that sparked significant reactions from the student and youth community.

CP Afolabi was widely praised for his neutrality and maturity during the protest. Despite the tension that surrounded the demonstration, he maintained order, ensured the protection of protesters’ constitutional rights, and avoided any escalation. His actions earned him accolades from the NANS delegation for promoting peace and safeguarding public safety.

During the visit, the CP commended the student body for conducting a peaceful and orderly protest. He noted that the discipline displayed by the students was exemplary and rare in youth-led agitations. He urged continued cooperation between the youth and the police, especially in intelligence-sharing and community policing.

Speaking on broader security issues, CP Afolabi highlighted the resource challenges facing the Ondo State Command, including inadequate manpower, lack of surveillance technology such as drones and tracking devices, and a shortage of patrol vehicles. He called for support from both governmental and non-governmental actors to strengthen the Command’s capacity.

In a significant development during the visit, the CP approved the appointment of Comrade Akeju Blessing James as the Youth and Students Liaison Officer to the Ondo State Police Command. The role is aimed at strengthening communication and collaboration between the police and the youth/student demographic in the state.

The NANS JCC leadership, including Comrade Joshua (JOSH), Comrade Akeju Blessing James, and Comrade Fadiran Abiola (Fadirex), expressed deep appreciation to the CP and his team. They commended the openness of the police leadership to youth engagement and promised to reciprocate the goodwill through continued advocacy for peace and responsible civic engagement.

Also in attendance were top-ranking officers of the Command, alongside representatives from NANS Zone D (Southwest) and the larger NANS JCC Ondo delegation.

The meeting marks a new chapter in police-student relations in Ondo State, with hopes of sustained dialogue, mutual respect, and active youth participation in the promotion of security and civic responsibility.

 Past Presidents, Senate Leaders Raise Alarm Over Attempted Takeover

The lingering crisis rocking the National Association of Ondo State Students (NAOSS) has taken a new dimension as the League of Past Presidents, Executives, and Senate Leaders of the association has vehemently rejected what it described as a “kangaroo election” being orchestrated by some individuals allegedly bent on destabilizing the union.

In a statement jointly signed by over 30 former leaders of the association, the League expressed deep concern over moves by certain actors to bypass constitutional processes in a bid to impose a new leadership structure without recourse to the existing Central Executive Council (CEC) and the Senate.

The past leaders, which include former Global Presidents, Senate Presidents, and other key officials, declared that no leadership vacuum exists in NAOSS and warned that any attempt to inaugurate new officers without due constitutional process amounts to an “assault on democracy.”

The statement reads in part:  

It has come to our attention that certain individuals are attempting to usurp the constitutional leadership of NAOSS by orchestrating an election through non-recognized channels. Let it be known that the NAOSS Constitution is supreme, and any action inconsistent with it is null and void.”

Citing Article 5, Sections 31–35 of the association’s constitution, the League maintained that only the NAOSS Independent Electoral Commission (NAOSSIEC), duly constituted by the Congress and presided over by the National President, has the power to conduct elections.

The group also noted that no executive officer, including the President or Senate President, has been impeached or removed through the constitutional process, insisting that attempts to foist new officers without following laid down procedures should be resisted by all well-meaning members.

They further charged the Ondo State Government to steer clear of the crisis and avoid being linked with any faction trying to hijack the union for personal or political gain.

“We urge His Excellency, the Governor of Ondo State, to call his appointees to order and prevent any crisis capable of denting the image of his administration among the student population,” the statement added.

Among the signatories are Hon. Olamide George, Dayo Temola, Hon. Oguntoyinbo Victor, Comr. Awodola Simon, Mary Ogunga, Kikiowo Ayoade, Aladesoyin Abiodun, and many others who served in various top capacities within the association.

While calling for calm among NAOSS members across the country, the League reaffirmed its loyalty to the ideals of democracy, justice, and constitutional order, warning security agencies to take proactive steps to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

They concluded by declaring NAOSS as a united, indivisible body governed strictly by its constitution and vowed to resist any illegal takeover using “every legal, moral, and intellectual means.”

 

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially announced that he will step down from his position later this year.

Yakubu made this revelation during his address at the Extraordinary General Assembly of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions (ECONEC) held in Banjul, The Gambia, on Thursday. He indicated that this meeting would mark his final appearance as Nigeria’s electoral chief, signaling the conclusion of his second and final term.

Since his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari on November 9, 2015, Yakubu has led INEC through significant electoral events, including the contentious 2019 and 2023 general elections. His initial five-year term was extended for an additional five years.

In his speech, Yakubu expressed gratitude for the collaboration and support he received from his ECOWAS counterparts, highlighting the critical importance of upholding electoral integrity and promoting regional unity. He urged continued cooperation among election management bodies (EMBs) in West Africa to strengthen democracy across the region.

His announcement comes on the heels of recent speculation regarding his potential removal by President Bola Tinubu, which the presidency promptly denied. This speculation intensified after INEC posted on social media about Sam Olumekun, referred to as the acting chairman, hosting a delegation from the Labour Party, led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti. However, Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, clarified that Olumekun was merely filling in for Yakubu during his attendance at the ECONEC meeting.

While in Banjul, Yakubu reflected on the successes and challenges faced during his tenure, commending the contributions of past members of ECONEC, which has worked diligently to bolster democratic institutions in West Africa. He voiced concerns over the current state of democracy in the region, noting that four countries have recently experienced a decline in democratic governance. Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that these nations would soon return to democratic rule.

Yakubu’s address received strong support from fellow EMB leaders, who acknowledged ECONEC’s essential role in sustaining democratic practices throughout the region. The assembly brought together chairpersons and vice-chairpersons from various countries, including Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.

 

… Accuses Top Officials of Hijacking Government, Warn Governor to ‘Step Up or Step Aside’

The Ondo South Advancement & Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) has fired a strongly-worded petition to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, accusing some of his top appointees of behaving like tyrants and tarnishing the image of Ondo South Senatorial District.

In a letter addressed to the governor and signed by the association’s president, Ade-Aworetan Oluwajuwon Adejare, and General Secretary, Otunba Oyawale Isaiah, the group lamented what they described as an alarming level of underdevelopment, insecurity, media suppression, and administrative recklessness under Aiyedatiwa’s watch.

The letter described some of the Governor’s appointees as “selfish characters hiding under appointment, denting the image of Ilaje and Ondo South with greed and tyrannical conduct.” They also claimed that the said appointees are not from Ondo South and are deliberately undermining the district’s progress while dragging the governor’s name into public ridicule.

In a bold demand, OSAWA issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governor to either compel Mr Kayode Ajulo SAN, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, and Mrs Wunmi Isaac, Commissioner for Finance, to publicly apologise for their “tyrannical tendencies,” or remove them from office. The association warned that failure to act would trigger a wider call for their sack in the interest of the state.

“It has become difficult for us to watch a lot of things go wrong and pretend that all is well,” the group said, recalling the legacy of former Governor Olusegun Agagu, whom they praised for prioritising infrastructural development, particularly in the riverine areas of Ilaje.

OSAWA listed several grievances including worsening insecurity, poor infrastructure development in Ondo South, lack of educational support, media clampdowns, and what they called a culture of intolerance towards constructive criticism.

They also accused appointees of bypassing internal channels of resolution and instead using security agencies such as the DSS, EFCC, and ICPC to intimidate one another, saying such behavior suggests that “the Governor is not in charge.”

In their words, “Some appointees are acting as if the state is their private company. Ondo State belongs to all of us, and we will be paying all tendencies with their own coin going forward.”

The group urged the governor to take full control of his administration and ensure his appointees undergo training to understand governance and accountability.

As at the time of filing this report, the Ondo State Government is yet to issue a response to the demands and allegations raised by OSAWA. Political analysts say this may further heat up the polity as Ondo State prepares for heightened political activities in the coming months.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has responded with strong words to the resignation of its former Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kennedy Peretei, condemning what it described as “vulgar and malicious” remarks made by the ex-official against the party.

In a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Leye Igbabo, the party expressed disappointment over Peretei’s comments, describing them as lacking in decorum and respect, especially from someone who had greatly benefited from the PDP.

“While it is within the right of any person to belong to or exit any association freely, the vulgar description and desecration of PDP by Mr. Kennedy Peretei smacks of misguidance, malice and mischief,” the statement read.

The PDP expressed bewilderment at what it termed the “hallucination” of Mr. Peretei, who, despite claiming the party was headed to the morgue, still aspired to become its chairman.

“Our Party finds it extremely amusing that someone who believes PDP is on life support would still desperately scheme to take over its leadership. This contradiction only reveals the true motive behind his resignation, a failed ambition,” Igbabo added.

The statement also reaffirmed the PDP’s strength in Ondo State, insisting that the party remains vibrant and attractive to the electorate. It blamed the current administration under Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for what it described as “governance morbidity and worsening security”, adding that Ondo people are eager to correct their past electoral decisions.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is alive and bouncing in Ondo State. The increasing interest in its leadership is a testament to its growing popularity among the people,” Igbabo asserted.

The PDP concluded by urging individuals to accept the outcome of political processes, warning against unnecessary outbursts and false narratives driven by personal grievances.

Mr. Peretei had recently announced his resignation from the PDP, citing irreconcilable issues and accusing the party of internal decay, a position now fiercely contested by the party leadership.

We, the concerned youths of Ondo State, are appalled by the recent attempt by the Attorney General to suppress the voices of young comrades through an unjust and oppressive legal process.

The remand application against members of the Akoko Youth Forum, as seen in official court documents, is a blatant misuse of power. Arresting individuals over a mere poster is not only an overreach it is a gross violation of their rights and an attack on freedom of expression.

We are declaring the Ondo State Attorney General unfit for office.

As such, we will be occupying his office tomorrow to deliver a clear and unified message: a vote of no confidence.

This shameful attempt to intimidate, silence, and criminalize youth activism will not go unchallenged. We refuse to be bullied into silence. This is no longer just about the Akoko Youth Forum this is about every young voice demanding accountability, equity, and good governance in our state.

Enough is enough.

We demand justice, not oppression.

We demand leadership, not dictatorship. We meet in the ministry tomorrow by 7:30am 

#VoteOfNoConfidence

#AkokoYouthForum

#EndOppression

#OndoYouthsRise

Comr Ogundipe Seyi 

07031110374

We are deeply troubled by the unjust remand of three comrades from Akoko, whose only act was participating in peaceful and lawful civic expression. Their detention is not only an affront to democratic values but a shameful misuse of authority by an individual who holds a position meant to uphold justice and fairness.

Rather than focusing his efforts on tackling the alarming insecurity in Ondo State, the Attorney General has chosen to chase shadows—targeting innocent youths and attempting to stifle legitimate voices of dissent.

The use of state machinery to suppress youth participation and intimidate advocates for justice sends a dangerous and disheartening message. It erodes public trust, undermines the rule of law, and paints the office of the Attorney General as a tool for political repression rather than public service.

We stand firmly with our unjustly detained comrades and demand their immediate and unconditional release. We also call for an immediate end to all forms of political harassment and youth oppression.

We urge the Governor of Ondo State to call the Attorney General to order and ensure that his office is not weaponized against the very citizens it is sworn to protect.

Signed:

Hon. Amb. Bolu Oladokun

YAN Ondo North Senatorial District Ambassador.