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S’West Govs Forum: Sanwo-Olu’s Achievements Excites CSOs
A coalition of civil society organizations has expressed satisfaction with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for driving development, improving security, and building cohesion in the South West region, following an assessment of his achievements months after emerging chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum.
The assertion is coming on the heels of a tour of South Western states 6 months after Governor Sanwo-Olu’s took over as Chairman of South West Governor’s Forum.
It would be recalled that the governors of the six states in the southwestern part of Nigeria, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo, on Monday, June 10, 2024, elected Sanwo-Olu chairman of the South West Governors’ Forum.
Speaking for the Coalition during a press conference in Lagos on Wednesday, the Convener of Campaign for Dignity in Governance, Razaq Olokooba disclosed that evidence on the ground shows the South West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu, the Chairman of the South West Governors Forum.
Olokooba noted that Sanwo-Olu’s developmental stride in Lagos state is now clearly rubbing off on other states in the region, adding that there’s been a marked improvement in peace and security of the Yoruba-speaking states since his emergence.
He revealed that part of the group’s findings show that the Southwest region had been positively impacted by the President Bola Tinubu-led government policies which Governor Sanwo-Olu and other governors of the regions have done well to implement.
“After we tour the states in the Southwest region, we can without a doubt that states in the geopolitical zone are in good hands with Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman of South West governors.
“We dare say that the South West region is stronger under the leadership of Sanwo-Olu as the Chairman of South West Governors Forum, the region is in good hands like never before.
“Having thoroughly reviewed and assessed what Governor Sanwo-Olu has done in the last six months, it is refreshing to note that you (Sanwo-Olu) have been playing a crucial role in advancing the well-being and prosperity of the people of Southwest.
“Governors and the people now look up to you Sanwo-Olu) for guidance and strategic direction. We are confident that what you have achieved in the last six months is a tip of the iceberg as more are to yet.
“We also commend you and the other governors in the region for stemming the tide against insecurity and maintaining peace which has inadvertently played a major role in boosting the economy of the region.
“President Bola Tinubu must also be made to know that his policies and programmes at the centre are impacting the region because you (Sanwo-Olu) and his colleagues have continued to compliment the efforts of the president.
“We call for more collaboration with the President Tinubu-led administration in economic development, healthcare, infrastructure, and so on; we are sure that with Sanwo-Olu in the saddle as the leader of Southwestern states forging a regional cooperation, economic development, and social progress are certain”.
The group also lauded the governors of South Western Nigeria for their efforts to entrench cultural values by adopting the Yoruba national anthem; ‘Ise wa fun ile wa’, adding that their action signifies that the region is marching forward with unity of purpose.
The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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IPOB’s lawyer accuses Anambra govt of violating citizens’ rights, wants all arrested charged to court
The counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on the Anambra State Government to either charge to court or release individuals allegedly detained for the past five weeks without trial.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Ejiofor criticized what he described as “violations of citizens’ rights,” emphasizing that the detainees have not been presented before any court or formally charged with a crime.
“Today, March 15, 2025, marks five full weeks since several citizens of Anambra State were arbitrarily arrested and detained in a private facility controlled by the state government. Shockingly, they have not been charged with any offense or brought before any court of law. This is a flagrant violation of their fundamental rights,” Ejiofor stated.
He expressed concern that the detainees were not held by the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), or the military, but instead in an undisclosed facility, without any official explanation from the government.
Ejiofor, who has previously supported the government’s security efforts, urged Governor Chukwuma Soludo to ensure the rule of law is upheld.
“I have always championed active citizen participation in combating insecurity and have publicly urged the government to act against criminal elements. However, this must be done legally and transparently,” he said.
While commending the efforts of the state’s Agụnechemba security outfit, Ejiofor insisted that professionalism and adherence to due process are crucial.
He reaffirmed his support for lawful measures to combat crime but warned that arbitrary detentions could erode public trust in the government’s security strategy.
The Osun State Amotekun Corps has denied allegations of nepotism in its ongoing recruitment of 1,000 cadets, following claims by some dismissed recruits that they were removed in favor of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.
Some affected candidates, seen outside the NYSC camp venue in Osogbo, alleged they were removed due to their affiliation with the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaking on behalf of the group, a dismissed cadet, Usman, claimed that they had been in camp since Sunday before being replaced by PDP members, some of whom, he alleged, were unfit for training.
However, Amotekun’s Board Chairman, retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Wale Abass, dismissed the allegations as baseless. He explained that those removed from the training camp either failed to meet the required standards or did not follow the proper recruitment process.
“The 1,000 cadets invited for training went through a rigorous selection process. They submitted applications online, underwent document verification, and passed physical fitness tests before being invited to camp,” Abass stated.
He further revealed that some unqualified individuals managed to gain access to the camp, while some selected candidates failed to meet the reporting deadline. Those with health issues were also disqualified.
Abass reaffirmed that the Amotekun Corps remains committed to fairness and impartiality in its recruitment process. He described the allegations as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the security outfit’s credibility.
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