By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that Osun residents will resist any attempts to rig the August 15 governorship election, invoking the potential repeat of the political violence that erupted in the Old Western Region and culminated in a military putsch.

Mr Adeleke, who made the remarks on Monday while addressing his supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda council area, said residents would actively participate in the election and do everything possible to protect their votes.

Citing his personal support and the Accord Party’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. What do you want Osun to do? We have endorsed you. What happened? They are killing us. They are killing Yoruba people. The police have been compromised. The kidnappers are there, (but) the police are not doing anything about it.

“President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you, so you would not say I did not make an outcry. I am the chief security officer of Osun state. President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you, Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote and defend our votes. I am repeating it. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself.”

In 1983, a political crisis in the old Ondo state snowballed into deadly riots and arson in Akure, Ibadan, and Ondo, with government buildings, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) offices, and properties belonging to National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians set alight because Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Governor Adekunle Ajasin was controversially declared defeated by Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN. Amid the conflagration, the military gang of Muhammadu Buhari toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.

Mr Adeleke alleged that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was responsible for obstructing the disbursement of funds meant for Osun.

Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all gave birth to children. Over the innocent blood of other people’s children being killed, God will take revenge.

“What happened? President Tinubu: he (Mr Oyetola) is fighting with everyone. He is the one who is making you fight with everyone. Oyetola needs to be called to order.”

The governor’s appeal for a credible and violence-free election comes 11 days before the off-cycle governorship election. Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in the contest.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, said the call was made by Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, after the Working Group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.

“Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly,” he stated.

Mr Onanuga noted that the working group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.

According to him, the proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness and grant certification, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding.

Mr Onanuga added that call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute.

Mr Onanuga explained that the draft Executive Bill was scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, with national consultations to follow before the final approval.

“The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide,” the presidential spokesperson added.

“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing.”

In his remarks, representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the state police as one of the defining reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The invitation came weeks after the National Assembly passed the bill following its transmission by Mr Tinubu.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Uba Sani has approved the reinstatement of 37 Unified Local Government Service workers  disengaged during the immediate past administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai..

Chairman, Kaduna State Local Government Service Board, Prof. Aminu Suleiman, announced this during the presentation of reinstatement letters to affected workers in Kaduna.

Mr Suleiman said the reinstatement followed recommendations of a committee constituted by the previous administration after complaints by the affected workers.

He said the committee established the workers were unjustly disengaged and recommended their reinstatement, but the recommendation was never implemented.

According to him, the workers petitioned the present administration, prompting the board to review their case and forward its recommendations through appropriate government channels.

He said Gov. Sani approved their immediate reinstatement after confirming they were wrongly disengaged.

Mr Suleiman said some of the 37 affected workers had died, while others had retired before the approval was granted.

He said serving officers would return to their respective local government councils with immediate effect.

The chairman added that retirement benefits for retired workers would be processed, while entitlements due deceased workers would be paid to their families.

He described the governor as compassionate and committed to justice, saying the approval reflected responsiveness to genuine grievances.

Mr Suleiman commended the Head of Service, Secretary to the State Government, Ministry for Local Government Affairs and other stakeholders for supporting the process.

Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kaduna State, Ayuba Suleiman, described the reinstatement as evidence of the governor’s labour-friendly disposition.

He said the labour movement had consistently assured workers that the administration remained committed to fairness and justice.

According to him, the Unified Local Government Service workforce declined from over 16,000 workers in 2014 to slightly above 3,000 currently.

He expressed concern that about 800 additional workers were expected to retire before the end of the year.

The labour leader urged government to address manpower shortages and sustain reforms to strengthen local government administration.

Chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Kaduna, Abdullahi Dan Fulani, welcomed the reinstatement and urged prompt payment of outstanding entitlements.

Speaking on behalf of the reinstated workers, Michal Anga thanked the governor for approving their return after years of pursuing the matter.

Mrs Anga said the affected workers rejected calls to seek legal action, choosing instead to follow due process.

She said their perseverance eventually yielded positive results, describing the approval as a victory for justice and patience.

The workers also appreciated the Local Government Service Board and other officials for facilitating the reinstatement process.