Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has fulfilled a remarkable promise by appointing Oluwatosin Adejumo, a well-known puff-puff vendor in Osogbo, as one of the official chefs at the Government House. The announcement was made by the governor on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he described Adejumo as “the puff-puff seller turned Government House chef.” The gesture has since sparked widespread conversations online, with many describing it as an inspiring example of how dedication and resilience can lead to unexpected opportunities. Adejumo is not just an ordinary street vendor. She holds a Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) and has also undergone professional catering training. Her journey to this appointment began during a recent labour rally in Osogbo, where organised labour unions declared their support for Governor Adeleke’s administration and endorsed his re-election bid. At the rally, the governor noticed Adejumo selling puff-puff among the crowd. In a show of support, Adeleke purchased her entire tray of puff-puff for ₦50,000 and requested his aides to take her details. This chance encounter marked the turning point that would later secure her a place in the Government House kitchen staff. Governor Adeleke explained that the decision to appoint Adejumo was in fulfillment of the promise he made during the rally. In his words: “A few days ago, I met Ms. Oluwatosin Adejumo during the rally where organised labour, in collaboration with other unions, endorsed the work we are doing and declared support for my re-election. Today, I fulfilled that promise by officially presenting her appointment letter as one of our Government House chefs.” The governor further revealed that beyond the job appointment, he has also granted Adejumo a scholarship up to the Master’s degree level should she choose to continue her education. He described her story as a strong reminder that “hard work and dedication never go unnoticed.” The video shared on the governor’s official page captured the entire moment — from when he bought Adejumo’s puff-puff to their conversation about her catering skills, which eventually led to her employment. The development has since been praised by citizens as an uplifting story of hope, recognition, and empowerment. Governor Adeleke emphasized that his administration is determined to continue identifying and promoting talent wherever it exists. Adejumo’s story now stands as a motivational example to many youths across Osun State and beyond, proving that opportunities can come from unexpected places.
A well-known civil rights advocacy body, the Young Nigerian Rights Organization (YNRO), has appealed to Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, to urgently implement measures aimed at decongesting correctional facilities across the state. The call was made by the group’s lead activist, Comrade Victor Ojei, popularly known as Wong Box, through a statement issued in Warri and made available to journalists. According to Ojei, the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2022 provides a legal framework that encourages a shift in the justice system from being largely punitive to more reformative and rehabilitative. This law empowers judges and magistrates to apply non-custodial sentencing options, ensuring that individuals convicted of minor offences are not unnecessarily sent to prison. He explained further that alternatives such as community service and probation are effective mechanisms to reduce the burden on prisons, while also enabling offenders to reform positively outside correctional facilities. Ojei emphasized that such alternatives prevent minor offenders from being exposed to hardened criminals, a situation that often worsens crime rates and increases repeat offending. The activist highlighted another key provision of the law, which is the Prerogative of Mercy—also known as clemency, state pardon, or amnesty. He stated that this constitutional tool remains an important instrument for governors to decongest overcrowded custodial centres by granting pardon to deserving inmates, particularly those convicted of minor or first-time offences. Ojei urged Governor Oborevwori to demonstrate political will by activating the following steps without delay: He stressed that such actions would not only reduce overcrowding but also align with the broader objectives of the criminal justice reform agenda—promoting fairness, rehabilitation, and efficiency. According to the YNRO, these measures will help restore justice and humanity to the penal system in Delta State, ensuring that correctional facilities serve their true purpose of reformation rather than becoming overcrowded punitive centres.
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Public affairs commentator and legal practitioner, Justice Osai Ahiakwo, has openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for disregarding his own directive on reducing unnecessary foreign trips by government officials. He described the president’s actions as wasteful, insensitive, and a reflection of misplaced priorities in governance. In an interview with LMSINT MEDIA in Calabar, Ahiakwo reminded Nigerians that President Tinubu had previously warned public officeholders against excessive international travels as part of measures to ensure fiscal responsibility. However, according to him, the president has continued to embark on frequent journeys abroad, including his ongoing two-week “working vacation” in Europe. Ahiakwo argued that such acts of financial indiscipline weaken the government’s credibility and worsen Nigeria’s already fragile economic situation. He noted that the president’s constant trips portray a lack of seriousness in tackling pressing domestic issues, especially at a time when the country is grappling with inflation, rising debt, and widespread unemployment. The lawyer further stressed that frequent foreign trips by leaders place a huge strain on the nation’s scarce resources, encourage overspending, and push the country deeper into debt. Beyond financial consequences, he warned that such actions also damage Nigeria’s reputation before the international community. He lamented the growing culture of wastefulness in governance, pointing out that the legislative arm and state assemblies have failed to hold the executive accountable for reckless expenditures. “The President must be an example of discipline if he wants other public officials to embrace fiscal responsibility. A government that spends without control cannot hope to rescue a struggling economy,” Ahiakwo emphasized, holding both federal and state leaders responsible for the problem. He went further to call for the enactment of strict laws that would place limits on how often elected officials, including the president, can embark on foreign trips. According to him, without such legal restraints, the embarrassing trend of waste and abuse of public funds will likely continue even after the current administration.
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Political strategist and Group Chief Executive Officer of Global Investment and Trade Company, Baba Yusuf, has raised serious concerns about the actions of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, accusing him of deliberately working to destabilize the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Yusuf claimed that Wike is actively playing what he described as a “spoiler game,” with the alleged aim of ensuring that the PDP is unable to present a strong and united front in 2027. According to Yusuf, Wike’s political strategy is calculated to weaken the PDP to prevent it from fielding credible and popular presidential contenders, such as former President Goodluck Jonathan or former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, both of whom he believes would pose a strong challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) if given the PDP ticket. Yusuf’s Breakdown of Wike’s Political Moves Yusuf explained: “From my consistent analysis and observations, what I call the linchpin strategy of Minister Nyesom Wike is clear. The ultimate goal is to destabilize the PDP so that no credible candidate like His Excellency, Peter Obi, or His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan, can emerge. Minister Wike wants to ensure the party remains internally divided, and that is the political reality we are witnessing.” He further emphasized that the PDP’s current predicament is a result of the leadership’s failure to act decisively in curbing Wike’s growing influence within the party structure. Yusuf continued: “Unfortunately, the PDP leadership ignored early warning signs. Like the Hausa saying goes, ‘they slept on their hands and allowed the cob to become a lion.’ They should not have allowed Wike to build such a stronghold on the party’s machinery. Now, the damage is evident.” PDP’s Internal Weakness and Wike’s Influence Highlighting the party’s vulnerability, Yusuf noted that the PDP had effectively given Wike too much room to consolidate power. According to him, this unchecked influence has placed the party in a political cul-de-sac, where it is struggling to maintain balance and stability ahead of the next election. He explained that if the PDP were to allow either Jonathan or Obi to contest under its platform, they would be formidable challengers to the APC in 2027. However, Wike’s alleged moves appear strategically aimed at ensuring that such strong candidates do not emerge. Yusuf added: “The PDP elders must reflect on how they allowed funding and political control to be concentrated in the hands of one individual. This has weakened the party’s collective decision-making power. At the end of the day, when financial backing and internal structures are monopolized, other members lose their voices.” What This Means for the 2027 Elections Political analysts believe Yusuf’s comments highlight a broader issue within Nigerian party politics: the over-reliance on individual figures instead of institutional frameworks. If Wike continues on his alleged path of destabilizing the PDP, the party may face significant challenges in presenting a unified candidate in 2027. Both Peter Obi and Goodluck Jonathan remain popular political figures who could draw massive support if fielded by the PDP. However, with internal power struggles and alleged sabotage from within, the party risks missing an opportunity to challenge the APC effectively.
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Former Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has rejected the perception that the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition is purely a northern political agenda. Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme aired on Channels Television, Tambuwal emphasized that the coalition is a broad-based national opposition front that cuts across all regions of Nigeria, not a northern-centric movement. In his words, Tambuwal questioned the basis of the claims by asking, “Is Peter Obi from Northern Nigeria? Is Rauf Aregbesola not from Osun State in the South-West? Are they not all integral members of this coalition?” He stressed that the coalition represents a collective political movement across Nigeria’s diverse geopolitical zones, not a regional platform. Tambuwal, who is currently the Senator representing Sokoto South, further highlighted that Nigerians should anticipate a change of government through constitutional and democratic means by May 29, 2027, when the next presidential transition is scheduled to take place. The former governor also took a swipe at the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accusing it of failing to meet the expectations and hopes of ordinary Nigerians. According to him, the narrative being pushed by certain groups—that President Tinubu is politically “untouchable” or undefeatable in the upcoming 2027 elections—is misleading. Tambuwal dismissed such suggestions, stating clearly: “It is not cast in stone that he cannot lose in 2027. Every narrative suggesting he is invincible — that Bola Tinubu cannot be defeated — is absolute rubbish.” Tambuwal’s remarks have stirred political debates nationwide, as many stakeholders continue to assess the strength of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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Pastor Chris Oyakhilome DSc DSc DD …in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13). The moment you received Christ, something remarkable happened: you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. This seal is not just a mark of identity; rather, it’s a declaration of ownership, protection and inheritance. In the realm of the Spirit, it identifies you as God’s peculiar treasure. In ancient times, and even to this day, a seal denoted authority and authenticity. Kings sealed documents to signify that the contents carried their full backing. You might have heard of the “Presidential Seal”, which signifies the authority of your country or some other country’s president. In the same way, God placed His Spirit in you as proof that you’re fully His—marked for divine purpose and backed by heaven. When you received the Holy Spirit, you received the “earnest of our inheritance,” that is, the down payment, the guarantee of everything that belongs to us in Christ (Ephesians 1:14). Since God gave you His Spirit, it means He’s already given you His best. There is nothing else He would withhold from you. Therefore, refuse to walk through life hoping for acceptance or struggling to “qualify.” You’re already accepted, already qualified, already sealed. The Spirit in you is your access to divine wisdom, power and fellowship with God. He’s all that you could ever need; He’s God’s best. He’s the fulfilment of the promise God made to Abraham that through Christ, the blessing and the Spirit would come upon the Gentiles. Recognize and respond to the Holy Spirit in your daily life. Listen to Him. Speak with Him. Acknowledge His presence. He is your Helper, your Teacher, your Advocate, your Strengthener, your Intercessor, your Standby, and your Guide. And because you’re sealed with Him, you’re divinely protected; you’re untouchable, preserved, empowered and distinguished for glory. PRAYERDear Father, I thank you for sealing me with the Holy Spirit, my guarantee of divine protection. I walk in the consciousness of His presence, power and guidance. I belong to you, marked and preserved for your glory, in Jesus’ Name. Amen. FURTHER STUDYEphesians 1:13-14 NIVAnd you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Romans 8:14-17 NKJVFor as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with [Him,] that we may also be glorified together. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 KJVNow he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, [is] God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. DAILY SCRIPTURE READING1-Year Bible Reading Plan2 Corinthians 3:7-4:1-18 & Proverbs 16-17 2-Year Bible Reading PlanLuke 21:1-9 & 1 Samuel 24 DAILY AFFIRMATIONS: The Lord Almighty is my defense and fortress. Satan has nothing in me because I am full of the Holy Spirit at all times. The environment in which I live is Christ. Here, there are no health scares, infections, or pandemics. No matter what happens to those in the world, I stand firm in faith, and I enjoy my glorious life now. I bask in the provisions of Christ for my life, health, and all that concerns me. I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, and I abide under the shadow of the Almighty in health, safety, prosperity, and joy. In everything I do today and everywhere I go, I’m mindful of God’s love, and that consciousness inspires faith and boldness in me to face the circumstances of life and win. Excellence, glory, health, peace, virtue, and success describe my life. My blessings cannot be humanly explained. I have money everywhere. I am a big-time kingdom financier. I enjoy the supernatural intervention of the Almighty God in all my affairs. I am mightily blessed by the Lord! I am a blessing from God—a carrier and distributor of His blessings and grace to my world. Christ is my life. He’s in every fibre of my being, every bone of my body, and every cell of my blood. I reign and rule over circumstances in His Name, shielded from all evil and harm because I’m seated together with Christ in the heavenly realms—far above all principality, power, might, dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world but also in that which is to come! I walk in the consciousness of God’s righteousness. I am securely established in Christ, and I live above the corrupting influences of this age. I live without worries, conflicts, or agitation. I walk in glory, dominion, and the strength of God. I do not worry about my health, finances, or anything else because the Lord has perfected all that concerns me. Through me, God shows forth His manifold wisdom and excellent greatness. My family, workplace, neighbourhood, city, and nation are all blessed for my sake. I am an offspring of the Word, and the Word has pre-eminence in my life. I reign and rule in life by the Word in the mighty and matchless Name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Speak in tongues.
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Former Manchester United forward, Michael Owen, has set a clear condition for Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling if he wants to revive his professional football career. According to Owen, the 29-year-old is trapped in a difficult situation after failing to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge during last summer’s transfer window. Sterling’s decision to stay has backfired, as he is now completely isolated from the Chelsea first team. Sterling’s Struggles at Chelsea Reports from Stamford Bridge reveal that Sterling has been frozen out of the squad, with strict measures taken against him. The England international has reportedly been ordered to eat meals separately from his teammates and even use a different toilet facility—a clear indication of how far he has fallen out of favor with the club’s management. The winger, who joined Chelsea from Manchester City in 2022, has made 59 appearances for the London club and scored 14 goals. Despite this, he has struggled to live up to expectations and last season spent time on loan at Arsenal, where his performances were widely considered disappointing by Gunners’ fans. Why Sterling Refused to Leave Sterling’s situation worsened because he rejected multiple offers that could have revived his career. Clubs like Fulham and Crystal Palace were interested but could not meet his huge weekly wage demands. He also turned down big-money moves to Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer (MLS), even though those leagues were willing to match his current earnings. His refusal to take a wage cut left him stuck at Chelsea, where he is now sidelined. Michael Owen’s Advice to Sterling Michael Owen, speaking to Metro UK and 247Bet, stressed that Sterling’s only chance to continue playing top-flight football is to accept a significant wage reduction and join a smaller Premier League side. “It’s a difficult one with Raheem. He’s on big wages, and he didn’t quite grasp his chance at Arsenal. Sadly, the only way for him now is probably down to Crystal Palace, West Ham, that type of club,” Owen explained. Owen went further to say that Sterling’s wealth should give him the freedom to prioritize football over money: “Some might say, ‘Well, you’re rich enough already.’ If he’s already very wealthy and doesn’t need the money, maybe he would [consider the wage cut].” What Lies Ahead for Sterling? At this point, Sterling’s career is at a crossroads. If he wants to keep playing regularly, he will have to accept a step down to mid-table clubs like West Ham or Crystal Palace. Otherwise, his career at the top level may come to an abrupt end despite his talent and experience.
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Brazilian striker Joao Pedro has admitted that he was initially worried about how Chelsea’s standout performer, Cole Palmer, would react when he joined the London club from Brighton & Hove Albion. Pedro explained that upon his move to Stamford Bridge during the early stage of the 2025 summer transfer window, he feared Palmer might feel threatened by his presence, believing he was there to take his place as the team’s main attacking force. In an interview with Standard Sport, the 23-year-old revealed details of his first meeting with the England international, describing the tension he felt before approaching Palmer. “Cole is a superstar,” Pedro admitted. “When I came to Chelsea, I was a little bit nervous about his reaction because at Brighton, I was the key player. I knew joining Chelsea would be very different. I told him, ‘Cole, I’m here to help you.’ He understood it immediately, and now we support each other on the pitch.” Since his arrival, Joao Pedro has been instrumental in Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup triumph, quickly becoming a crucial figure in Enzo Maresca’s squad. Despite his fears, Pedro emphasized that Palmer welcomed him warmly, and the two have since built a strong partnership that is beginning to flourish in the Premier League. Pedro further stressed that their chemistry could help Chelsea compete for more silverware this season: “He knows I can help him, and I know he can help me. Together, we can make Chelsea stronger and win more trophies.” Chelsea have started the 2025/26 Premier League campaign on solid ground, securing two wins and one draw in their opening three fixtures. The Blues currently sit second in the league table, just behind Liverpool, which shows the progress being made under Maresca’s leadership. Both Pedro and Palmer are expected to play key roles throughout the season, as Chelsea aim to challenge for domestic and European glory.
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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially released the final figures of registered voters for the upcoming Anambra governorship election. The update was provided on Thursday after INEC’s weekly strategic meeting, where officials deliberated extensively on the comprehensive register of voters for the forthcoming election in the state. According to the Commission, the continuous voter registration exercise, which took place across all 326 wards in Anambra State, was successfully concluded between July 8 and July 20, 2025. INEC disclosed that a total of 168,187 individuals initially completed their voter registration process during this period. However, after a thorough screening using the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS), the Commission identified several irregularities. The statement signed by Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, revealed that 27,817 entries were discovered to be invalid due to double or multiple registrations. These names were subsequently removed from the official register in line with the Electoral Act 2022. With these adjustments, the valid number of new registrants now stands at 140,370, alongside 5,983 valid applications for voter transfers into the state. This brings the total figure of newly added voters in Anambra to 146,353. Prior to this latest update, Anambra State already had 2,656,437 registered voters. With the new additions, the total number of eligible voters in the state has now risen to 2,802,790. INEC further broke down the figures by Local Government Areas (LGAs). The statistics show that: The Commission emphasized that all Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the new registrants and transfers will be ready for collection before the governorship election. This assurance is aimed at ensuring that no eligible voter is disenfranchised on election day. INEC also reiterated its commitment to transparency and adherence to due process in line with Nigeria’s democratic values. With the election drawing closer, the Commission urged all eligible voters in Anambra to collect their PVCs and prepare to exercise their civic responsibility.
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Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has openly criticized the Kaduna State Police Command, accusing it of outrightly violating the Nigerian Constitution. El-Rufai strongly condemned the summon issued to him, describing the action as “a dangerous descent into lawlessness” orchestrated by the Commissioner of Police and the Command. ADC Meeting Disrupted by Police Command According to reports, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had planned to hold a scheduled political meeting in Kaduna State. However, the state Police Command allegedly obstructed the gathering, preventing the party from carrying out its activities. Following the disruption, the Police Command went further to issue a summon to El-Rufai and seven other ADC members for interrogation. Allegations Against El-Rufai and ADC Members The summon accused the former governor and the ADC members of: In the directive, the Police Command ordered that the ADC Chairman in Kaduna State should produce El-Rufai and the other individuals at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) on September 8 for questioning. El-Rufai’s Reaction to the Police Summon Reacting during a press conference at his private residence in Kaduna, El-Rufai firmly rejected the Police Command’s actions, insisting that the Commissioner of Police acted outside the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution. He further revealed that the Commissioner presented a piece of paper, allegedly a court order, but emphasized that such an order was never formally served to him. El-Rufai declared: “The Commissioner knows that his actions directly violate the Constitution. He waved a paper claiming it was a court order, but it was never served. Even if such an order exists, the law requires it to be properly delivered before it takes effect. That has not happened.” The former governor maintained that the Police Command’s behavior represents a troubling decline into unconstitutional governance. He stressed the need for transparency and accountability, demanding to see the supposed injunction and its legal basis. El-Rufai concluded his remarks by affirming that legal steps would be taken against the Police Command: “This is a dangerous descent into lawlessness. We want to see the injunction, we want to know the grounds, and we will contest them in court. This is not the end—further steps will follow.”
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The Deputy Director General of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Salisu Mohammed, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately declare a national emergency on insecurity. Mohammed made this strong appeal during an interview on Prime Time, a political affairs program aired on Arise Television, on Thursday. He emphasized that the alarming state of insecurity in Northern Nigeria has now spilled over into other regions of the country, making it a collective national problem that requires urgent and drastic intervention. According to him, the worsening situation is no longer confined to the North but has metastasized into insecurity across Nigeria, threatening the peace, stability, and unity of the nation. “The stance of the Northern Elders on the insecurity situation, not just in the North but in Nigeria as a whole, is that the President should officially declare a national emergency,” Mohammed stated. He argued that the fight against insecurity should go beyond military action, stressing the need for a comprehensive societal approach that includes active citizen involvement alongside the efforts of the Armed Forces, the Police, and other security agencies. Mohammed further highlighted that the current security architecture in Nigeria has been overwhelmed, and as such, traditional measures will no longer be sufficient. Declaring a national emergency, according to him, would allow for drastic handling of the crisis, ensuring that all sectors of society are mobilized towards restoring peace. The Northern Elders Forum has consistently raised concerns about the persistent killings, kidnappings, and banditry in Northern Nigeria, noting that these security threats have increasingly undermined economic growth, disrupted education, and weakened social structures across the country. For them, Tinubu’s administration must urgently prioritize national security as a matter of survival, rather than politics or regional focus.
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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the elimination of more than 15 terrorists through precise airstrikes under Operation Hadin Kai in Borno State. According to a statement released by NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, the operation was successfully executed on September 3, 2025, following extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance activities. How the Operation Was Carried Out The intelligence report revealed a newly discovered terrorist base located west of Zuwa in the Sambisa forest axis—an area long known for insurgent activity. Acting on this credible intelligence, the Air Force initiated a well-coordinated air interdiction mission, targeting key hideouts and operational bases. Ejodame disclosed that the strikes were aimed at neutralizing both fighters and top commanders who were behind recent violent attacks around the Bitta region. The targeted operation successfully dismantled several strongholds while also destroying structures that served as critical assets to the terrorists’ operations. Impact of the Airstrikes on Insurgency The airstrikes not only wiped out more than 15 insurgents but also crippled the terrorists’ capacity to regroup and launch further attacks in the North-East. According to the statement, the mission significantly weakened the enemies’ command and control structure, leaving them with limited resources to sustain hostilities. Air Commodore Ejodame further emphasized that the operation forms part of the broader joint counter-terrorism strategy involving both air and ground troops. The synergy between air interdictions and ground assaults is aimed at systematically dismantling terrorist networks in the region. NAF’s Continued Commitment to Security The Nigerian Air Force has continued to play a vital role in the fight against terrorism in Borno and across the North-East. With consistent air surveillance, targeted missions, and intelligence-driven strategies, NAF remains committed to restoring peace and stability in areas once plagued by insurgents. These operations are not only reducing the threat posed by terrorists but also boosting the morale of ground troops and reassuring local communities of the military’s determination to end terrorism in Nigeria.
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More than a year after Nigeria’s local government areas (LGAs) secured a landmark Supreme Court ruling affirming their autonomy, state governors still appear to maintain firm control over these grassroots institutions. In July 2024, the Supreme Court delivered a historic judgment that granted full financial and administrative independence to the country’s 774 local councils. The verdict declared unconstitutional the frequent interference of state governments in local administration. Specifically, it prohibited governors from: Despite this pronouncement, implementation has remained elusive. This delay has reignited calls from some political actors that the entire local government system in Nigeria should be abolished. Adamu Garba Calls for LG Scrapping Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently renewed the controversial debate by urging that local governments be scrapped altogether. According to him, LGAs are mere channels exploited by state governors to divert public funds. Garba proposed that the powers of local governments be handed over to traditional rulers, arguing that these custodians of culture and tradition are better positioned to serve local communities effectively. He stated: Action Alliance Opposes LG Scrapping However, not all stakeholders share this view. Kenneth Udeze, National Chairman of Action Alliance (AA), strongly rejected Garba’s position. Speaking with LMSINT Media, Udeze emphasized that local governments remain vital in delivering the dividends of democracy to rural communities. According to him, the real problem lies in bad governance and corruption, not the structure of local government itself. Udeze stressed: He further revealed that his own LGA recently received an allocation of over ₦400 million, yet citizens saw little to no development because funds were allegedly diverted by the state. Legal Perspective: Scrapping LGs Not in Nigeria’s Interest Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam also opposed the idea of abolishing LGAs. He described such a move as “self-serving” and argued that it only benefits individuals seeking political or financial control. Idam noted that Section 7 of the Nigerian Constitution clearly establishes the existence of local governments and guarantees their autonomy. He further highlighted the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling (AGF vs Attorneys-General of the 36 States), which reinforced this constitutional mandate. According to him: Idam concluded by questioning why the Supreme Court judgment has not been enforced, stressing that its decisions are binding and must be obeyed by all levels of government. The Way Forward The debate over whether Nigeria should scrap local governments or strengthen them reflects the ongoing struggle between constitutional governance and political realities. While critics like Adamu Garba believe LGAs are ineffective and prone to abuse, others argue that they remain a necessary tool for grassroots democracy. The consensus among reformists, however, is that Nigeria needs genuine electoral reforms, direct allocation of funds, and stronger enforcement of judicial rulings to make local governments truly effective. For now, the question remains: Will Nigeria strengthen its third tier of government, or will it bow to calls for restructuring in favor of traditional institutions?
