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APC, Accord shun Osun Police peace meeting amid rising political violence
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The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party in Osun State on Wednesday boycotted a strategic stakeholders’ peace meeting convened by the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, as concerns continue to mount over rising political violence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The meeting was convened in response to a series of violent incidents and killings that have heightened political tension across the state.
Among the recent incidents was the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, in Ilobu last week.
In another disturbing development, a resident was reportedly shot dead in Esa-Oke, further raising concerns over the deteriorating security situation.
Despite the absence of the APC and Accord Party, representatives of about 11 political parties attended the meeting. Also present were representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), civil society organisations, traditional institutions, heads of security agencies and other critical stakeholders.
A representative of the Ataoja of Osogbo was also in attendance as participants deliberated on the growing security challenges arising from political violence and the need to ensure peaceful campaigns ahead of the governorship election.
During the interactive session, several stakeholders expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the inability of security agencies to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for recent killings and attacks in parts of the state.
Some participants argued that while security agencies had continued to issue assurances, many perpetrators of political violence had yet to be brought to justice, a situation they said was fuelling fear and encouraging further attacks.
They called for more proactive intelligence gathering, prompt arrests and diligent prosecution of suspects in order to restore public confidence and deter criminal elements from carrying out further violence.
Speaking at the meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, assured residents that the command was doing everything within its capacity to curb political violence and maintain law and order across the state.
He urged political leaders to caution their supporters and promote peaceful coexistence, stressing that elections should never be viewed as warfare.
According to him, political differences must not be allowed to degenerate into violence, intimidation and bloodshed.
Gotan warned that the police would deal decisively with anyone found disturbing public peace or engaging in acts capable of threatening the security of lives and property.
He disclosed that several suspects connected with recent disturbances had been arrested and charged in court, while security operatives had recovered a number of rifles and other dangerous weapons from suspected troublemakers.
The police commissioner reiterated the commitment of the command to ensuring a peaceful electoral process and called on all stakeholders to work together to prevent further violence in the state.
Earlier, the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to reject violence and embrace peaceful participation ahead of the election.
Delivering a goodwill message at the meeting, Babalola described the gathering as timely and necessary in view of recent incidents of violence and killings across the state.
She commended the Osun State Police Command for organising the peace meeting, noting that it underscored the importance of collaboration, dialogue and continuous engagement among stakeholders in the electoral process.
According to her, such engagements provide opportunities to address concerns, build trust and collectively develop measures capable of guaranteeing a peaceful electoral environment.
“The recent incidents of violence, which unfortunately resulted in the loss of lives, are deeply concerning and have created an atmosphere of apprehension among citizens and stakeholders,” she said.
The REC stressed that elections should not be seen as warfare but as a democratic process through which citizens freely choose their leaders.
“Elections are not a war. They should be viewed as a contest of ideas, visions and programmes for the development of our state rather than an avenue for violence, intimidation or hostility,” Babalola stated.
She reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible and transparent governorship election, emphasising that the commission remains focused on delivering an electoral process that reflects the wishes of the people.
Babalola, however, noted that the success of any election is a collective responsibility and cannot be achieved by INEC alone.
According to her, political parties, candidates, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and the electorate all have crucial roles to play in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
She urged political actors to embrace issue-based campaigns, sportsmanship and strict adherence to the rule of law while rejecting hate speech, incitement, misinformation and all forms of conduct capable of threatening peace and security.
The REC warned that violence has no place in a democratic society and that any attempt to disrupt the electoral process could undermine democracy and negatively affect the lives and livelihoods of the people.
She also commended security agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) for their continued cooperation and professionalism in preparing for the election.
Babalola specifically acknowledged the role of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, who serves as Co-Chairman of ICCES in the state, for fostering collaboration among security agencies and electoral stakeholders.
Expressing confidence in the preparedness of stakeholders, she said peace would prevail before, during and after the governorship election through professionalism, commitment and cooperation.
The INEC boss urged participants to renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence and democratic values.
“Let us choose dialogue over confrontation, tolerance over hostility and unity over division. The responsibility of ensuring a peaceful election belongs to all of us,” she said.
She concluded by appreciating the Osun State Police Command for organising the engagement and expressed optimism that the forthcoming governorship election would be peaceful, credible and acceptable to all stakeholders.
The meeting ended with stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to a peaceful, credible and violence-free governorship election in Osun State on August 15, 2026, while urging security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest and prosecute those behind recent acts of violence across the state.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged candidates contesting in the 2027 general elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to be prepared to struggle for power.
Wike, a national leader of the PDP, stated this during the party’s 109th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.
“Nobody gives power. Nobody has done it. Power is taken; if you did not do so, it’s your business.
“You must fight for it to take it. Nobody gives power, and nobody is ready to dash you power. You have to struggle for it. You have to fight for it. You don’t have to be afraid.
“Every time you complain, oh, the governor is this, what do you want him to do? To allow you to come and take power like that?
“If you’re not serious, say you are not serious to struggle for power. When you take it, you appreciate it, not when they dash you and you don’t know the meaning of it,” Wike said.
He recalled his political journey through various struggles, including how he became governor when the incumbent belonged to a different political party.
Wike advised candidates, especially those running for governorship, to brace up for keen contests.
He said that in the present setting, most people were used to ‘food is ready’ politics.
“You are used to people preparing something for you to come and eat, and you think it will always be like that. It cannot always be like that.
“A time will come when there will be challenges in life and when you will be tempted in life,” he said.
Wike said that he happened to come from a background where he never got anything on a platter of gold, recalling that when he contested for a local government chairmanship position, the matter went all the way to the Supreme Court.
“When I don’t see challenges, I know that something is wrong, but when I see challenges, I know success has come,” he said.
He noted that when the PDP was in power, many of its members were like spoiled children depending on their father for daily provisions, reminding them that the party was no longer at the centre.
He urged them to see themselves as children whose father is sick, and remain determined not to disappoint him.
The minister also advised party members to stop introducing religion into politics and electoral matters, challenging them instead to return to their bases and work for the party’s success.
“Why do you bring your faith to this race? Everybody go home, go and bring something, and put it on the table in 2027. Go and bring something.
“I will bring something to the table here. Every NEC member has to bring something. If you bring a House of Representatives seat, you have done something.
“If you bring a House of Assembly member, you have done something. But don’t come here empty-handed; this is not a place for empty hands.
“This is a place where when you come, we look at the results of what you brought. That is what politics is all about,” he said.
Wike advised party members not to be distracted by claims from the Tanimu Turaki-led PDP faction that it would sponsor candidates for all elective positions in 2027.
He explained that the access code to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) candidate nomination portal would ultimately determine legitimacy.
“As far as I am concerned, June 26 is when INEC will give access codes to political parties to upload results. Don’t worry, we are good to go. Nobody is afraid; we will see who INEC will give the code to.
“It is not about going to collect money from people and saying we are in court. Nobody is afraid of the court; courts are meant for human beings, not ghosts.
“So, we are here, we are not afraid. Let them continue going to court while we continue to prepare for our own election.
“Don’t worry, stop thinking about what will happen; the worst has happened,” he said, adding that anyone who is not serious in the business of politics should leave.
The minister also challenged party members and leaders not to be afraid of intimidation, harassment, or arrest.
“Use me as an example. There is nothing I have not seen. I’ve seen everything, including intimidation,” he said.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists has expressed concern over rising insecurity, illegal revenue collection, open grazing and the growing misuse of public infrastructure across Delta State.
The union made its position known in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress in Asaba on Tuesday.
The congress, presided over by the Delta State Chairman of the union, Churchill Oyowe, reviewed key socio-economic, security, educational and environmental issues affecting the state.
On insecurity, the union said the increasing cases of kidnapping, armed robbery, cult-related violence and other crimes remained a major concern.
The union called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, deepen community policing and improve collaboration with stakeholders to restore public confidence.
The congress also expressed concern over the activities of individuals allegedly operating as local government taskforces on federal roads, accusing them of harassing and extorting money from motorists.
It called for the immediate disbandment of all illegal road taskforces and urged security agencies to take action against those involved.
The union also raised concerns over reports of arbitrary and unauthorised levies imposed on parents and students in public schools across the state.
The congress called on the state government to investigate the allegations and sanction any official found culpable.
The union also criticised the growing use of flyovers in Asaba, Warri and Effurun as makeshift markets and motor parks by traders and tricycle operators.
Congress called on relevant government agencies to reclaim the facilities and enforce traffic regulations.
The union also expressed concern over weak enforcement of the Delta State anti-open grazing law.
It said continued violations of the law could threaten peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, reduce agricultural productivity and worsen food security challenges.
The congress urged law enforcement agencies to ensure strict implementation of the law.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to promoting good governance, public accountability and citizens’ welfare, pledging to continue monitoring developments across the state in the interest of the public.
The Borno State High Court sitting in Maiduguri has ordered the remand of a man, Gambo Mohammed, in a correctional facility over an alleged N13.65 million land fraud and money laundering case brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mohammed was arraigned before Justice Babagana Shettima by the Maiduguri Zonal Directorate of the EFCC on a four-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering, obtaining money under false pretences and criminal misappropriation involving a total sum of N13,650,000.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly collected the money from one Umar Abubakar under the pretext of facilitating the purchase of two plots of land located opposite Maimalari Barracks in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
The EFCC alleged that after receiving the funds, Mohammed diverted the money to his personal use instead of completing the land transaction as agreed.
One of the charges filed against him stated that he fraudulently obtained the sum of N13.65 million from the complainant in 2025, purportedly as payment for two plots of land situated at Dubai Musari Ward, opposite Maimalari Barracks in Jere Local Government Area, knowing the representation to be false.
The charge reads in part: “That you, Gambo Mohammed, (a.k.a Modu Gambo), sometime in 2025, within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N13,650,000.00 from one Umar Abubakar, purportedly as purchase price for two plots of land situated at Dubai Musari Ward opposite Maimalari Barrack of Jere Local Government, Borno State, which you knew to be false.”
The prosecution maintained that the alleged act contravenes provisions of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
When the charges were read to him in court, Mohammed pleaded not guilty to all four counts.
Following his plea, prosecuting counsel, A.D. Abdulmalik, requested the court to fix a date for trial and urged that the defendant be remanded in a correctional centre pending the commencement of proceedings.
Delivering his judgement, Justice Shettima subsequently adjourned the matter until July 13, 2026, for a pre-trial conference.
The court also ordered that Mohammed be remanded at the Maiduguri Maximum Security Correctional Facility pending further hearing of the case.
2027: Be Prepared to struggle for power, Wike tells PDP candidates
NUJ raises the alarm over insecurity, open grazing
Court remands Maiduguri businessmen over N13.6m fraud
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