The Lagos State Government has announced plans to prosecute 74 individuals apprehended for violating environmental regulations within the state.

According to the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, the suspects were arrested during a coordinated enforcement operation by the state’s Taskforce in the early hours of Tuesday around 1 a.m., targeting key locations across the Lekki axis of Lagos Island.

The enforcement sweep covered areas including the Falomo Bridge, Eko Hotel Roundabout, Oniru Beach, Lekki Phases 1 and 2, and the 1004 Estate. A total of 72 men and two women were taken into custody.

Wahab explained that the operation aimed to restore order and sanitation in the affected areas.

He added that the suspects will face prosecution in accordance with state laws and urged residents to remain law-abiding and committed to maintaining a clean, orderly environment for all.

A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima, has stated that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was out to destroy the NNPP. Galadima also said that former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, is merely a representative of Atiku Abubakar within the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Galadima warned Atiku not to contest for the presidency again in 2027, saying such a move would further complicate Nigeria’s political scene. He accused the APC-led government of attempting to destabilize the NNPP and the Kano State government, saying all efforts to lure their members would fail.

According to Galadima, the federal government is using security agencies to suppress the NNPP-led administration in Kano. He rejected the claim that the NNPP is working with the APC.

In an interview in Kano, Galadima expressed concern about Atiku’s reported interest in contesting again in 2027, arguing that it would not benefit Nigerians.

He added that El-Rufai is not fit to lead the opposition, stating that the public would not accept him due to past betrayals. He accused El-Rufai of betraying Atiku Abubakar, Olusegun Obasanjo, and others, saying no one would trust him as a political leader.

Galadima emphasized that El-Rufai is not a party founder but is only being used temporarily to hold the SDP for someone else to take over later.

He further accused the APC of deliberately trying to collapse the NNPP government in Kano by offering large sums of money and positions to politicians to switch loyalties. However, he said the plan would not work, as the people of Kano are aware and committed to the party that has brought them development.

On claims that Kwankwaso is supporting Tinubu’s government, Galadima dismissed them as false, reiterating that it is actually the APC that is trying to break the NNPP.

He described Kwankwaso as the most popular politician among the masses in Nigeria, saying no one else enjoys the same level of grassroots support.

Galadima said President Bola Tinubu is his friend, but warned him that trying to destroy the opposition will not bring him political success.

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has dismissed mounting speculation that Nigeria may be drifting towards a one-party state, asserting that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, is merely gaining momentum due to its performance and reform-driven leadership under President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists at the State House following a meeting with the President, Governor Sule emphasised that dominance by a single political party does not equate to the demise of political pluralism.

“There is no way we can be a one-party state. No matter what happens, there are people who are going to be in another party. Actually, we don’t even want Nigeria to be a one-party state, we just want to be the dominant party,” he declared.

Sule acknowledged the APC’s growing appeal across the country, attributing it to tangible reforms implemented by President Tinubu in various sectors, particularly the economy and agriculture.

He contended that Nigerians returning to APC or defecting from opposition parties were doing so not under political pressure, but because they were inspired by the administration’s policies and accomplishments.

According to him, “It’s a reflection of the performance of our party and the performance of Mr. President. We’ve seen reforms in the unification of exchange rates, the removal of fuel subsidies, and now in the power sector. What is even more impressive is the focus on skill acquisition and agriculture. These are real reforms that matter to the people.”

Governor Sule underscored that in a democracy, all political parties aspire to be dominant and to win elections, but this does not negate the presence or potential of other parties.