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BREAKING: Buhari sacks SSS DG, Ita Ekpenyong, appoints replacement

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President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the Director General of the State Security Service, Ita Ekpenyong.

In his place, the President appointed Lawal Musa Daura as new head of the agency, which serves as Nigeria’s secret police.

The removal of Mr. Ekpenyong and appointment of his replacement was announced Thursday by the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Danladi Kifasi, via a statement by the Director of Communications in his office, Haruna Imrana.

The former director general later spoke to PREMIUM TIMES, saying he was not sacked but that he resigned at about 10 a.m. Thursday.

That claimed could not be independently verified at this time.

According to the statement by the Head of Service, Mr. Daura, who is returning to the SSS from retirement, was born in Daura, Katsina State, on the August, 5, 1953.

He attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria from 1977 – 1980.

He started his carrier in the State Security Service in 1982 and rose to the rank of Director.

He was at one time the Deputy Director, Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre, at the Presidential Villa Abuja between 2003 and 2007.

He also served as State Director of Security Service at various times in Kano, Sokoto, Edo, Lagos, Osun and Imo States.

He attended various professional courses both home and abroad including the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru.

The appointment is with immediate effect, the statement said.

The removal of Mr. Ekpenyong, who was appointed DG of the agency on September 8, 2010, has long been expected.

Under him, the SSS became openly partisan, especially in the run-up to the 2015 general elections.

Rather than gathering intelligence necessary to make the country safe, the agency busied itself more with harassing and arresting opposition figures, ransacking firms and offices with ties to the All Progressives Congress and appearing on television to disparage opposition politicians and their party.

On July 25, 2014, operatives of the SSS descended on the corporate headquarters of TNS-RMS, a Lagos-based research agency, holding its staff hostage, ransacking its offices and premises and whisking away three of its personnel.

The company’s offence was that it was, at the time, conducting an opinion poll on the August 9, 2014 governorship election in Osun state. The SSS struck because it got intelligence that the poll would indicate that Rauf Aregbesola of the APC would win the election. Mr. Aregbesola later won that election.

On November 21, 2014, the agency raided the APC data centre in Lagos, arresting its staffs and accusing the party of “cloning INEC Permanent Voters Card with the intention of hacking into INEC data base, corrupting it and replacing them with their own data”. The SSS is yet to prove that allegation till date.

The SSS also consistently disparaged the APC in the media, accusing the party and its leaders of being behind the deadly Boko Haram insurgency.

And after the Osun election, the agency’s spokesperson, Marilyn Ogar, rushed to the media, claiming that some opposition APC politicians offered the Service’s personnel 14 million naira bribe.

The SSS is yet to substantiate that allegation and no one has been charged to court for bribery.

Perhaps due to its brazen partisanship during the Goodluck Jonathan era, President Buhari has related with the agency with suspicion since his assumption of duties at the presidential villa.

Mr Buhari ordered a reorganization of the security arrangement at the presidential villa, an exercise that saw the SSS sidelined, and its operatives removed from key beats and restricted to guarding only the “outer perimeter” of the State House.

Several top officers of the agency had repeatedly pleaded with Mr. Buhari to sack Mr. Ekpenyong rather than continue to humiliate the Service and all its personnel.

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USOSA Mobilises Nationwide Resistance Against Asset Sale, Holds Major Awareness Walk in Lagos, Abuja, Kano

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A powerful wave of resistance is building across Nigeria’s elite alumni network as the Unity Schools Old Students Association (USOSA) prepares for a coordinated nationwide awareness walk aimed at safeguarding the legacy and assets of Federal Unity Colleges.

Scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, the high-impact rally will simultaneously hold in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano, drawing participation from thousands of old students under the unifying banner: “Pro Unitate – Better Together.”

Insiders within the association reveal that the rally is not just symbolic but a strategic response to growing concerns over alleged plans to commercialise or dispose of critical assets belonging to Unity Schools, a move many alumni describe as “short-sighted and dangerous.”

According to organisers, the objective is clear: to send a strong, unmistakable message to policymakers and stakeholders that the heritage of Unity Schools must be preserved, not monetised.

“This is about legacy, identity, and national cohesion,” a senior USOSA member told TheCityPulseNews under anonymity. “Unity Schools were built to foster national integration. Selling their lands or assets undermines that very foundation.”

The campaign has already gained traction online, with members urged to amplify visibility through branded display pictures and coordinated messaging ahead of the event. The mobilisation strategy reflects a well-structured advocacy push designed to capture both public attention and institutional response.

Observers note that this could mark a turning point in how alumni bodies across Nigeria engage with government policies affecting legacy institutions. USOSA’s move signals a shift from passive concern to active civic engagement , a model that could inspire similar interventions nationwide.

Security and logistics arrangements are reportedly being finalised across the three cities, with local coordinators ensuring peaceful and orderly participation.

As May 9 approaches, one thing is certain, USOSA is not merely organizing a walk, it is staging a statement and the message is unequivocal – Unity Schools are a national treasure, not a commercial asset.

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BREAKING: SGF George Akume, Other APC Chieftains Back ATM’s Ondo North Senate Bid

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Chief Abdul Tunji Mohammed (ATM), APC frontrunner for Ondo North Senatorial District, has secured the blessings of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other party chieftains as his 2027 bid gains ground.

ATM met with the SGF and top APC leaders in Abuja, where he presented his agenda for Ondo North and sought their counsel. The meeting was described as cordial and strategic.

Senator Akume hailed ATM’s vision and readiness for national service. “The Senate needs men of capacity who understand governance. You have my support. Go and deliver for your people,” the SGF stated.

Responding, ATM said the backing of Senator Akume and other party chieftains was “a major boost.” He added: “Their encouragement strengthens our resolve to give Ondo North a strong, connected voice in the Senate.”

The consultation follows ATM’s purchase of the APC nomination form and earlier endorsements from former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi, first-class monarchs, and youth groups in Ondo North.

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Sofela Salutes Workers, Calls Them Pillars of Ogun Central’s Progress

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The Senatorial Aspirant for Ogun Central under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emmanuel Adebola Sofela, has extended warm felicitations to workers across the district in celebration of the 2026 International Workers’ Day.

In a goodwill message released to mark the global event, Sofela praised the resilience, diligence, and unwavering commitment of workers in Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odeda, Obafemi-Owode, Ifo, and Ewekoro Local Government Areas, noting that their contributions remain central to the growth and development of Ogun Central and Nigeria at large.

Describing workers as the “engine room of progress,” Sofela acknowledged the sacrifices made daily by individuals in both the public and private sectors. He emphasized that from civil servants and entrepreneurs to artisans, traders, and professionals, every category of worker plays a vital role in sustaining the economy and strengthening the social fabric of the region.

“On this special occasion of International Workers’ Day, I celebrate the hardworking men and women across Ogun Central whose dedication and commitment continue to drive our collective progress,” the statement read. “Your efforts, whether seen or unseen, form the foundation upon which our communities thrive.”

Sofela highlighted the importance of recognizing and rewarding hard work, stressing that workers deserve not only commendation but also improved welfare, fair opportunities, and an enabling environment to maximize their potential. He called for renewed focus on policies that prioritize job creation, economic empowerment, and sustainable development.

The senatorial hopeful also paid special tribute to workers in essential services, including healthcare personnel, security operatives, teachers, and sanitation workers, who he said consistently demonstrate exceptional courage and responsibility, often under challenging conditions.

“You remain the backbone of our society, standing firm in service even in difficult times. Your dedication inspires hope and strengthens our resolve to build a better future,” he added.

Reaffirming his commitment to the people of Ogun Central, Sofela assured that his aspiration is driven by a desire to advocate for workers’ rights, promote inclusive growth, and support initiatives that will enhance productivity and improve living standards across the district.

As Workers’ Day is celebrated worldwide, his message resonates as both a tribute and a call to action—recognizing the invaluable role of workers while emphasizing the need for sustained efforts to uplift and empower them.

Across Ogun Central, the celebration served as a reminder that behind every achievement lies the dedication of hardworking individuals whose contributions continue to shape the present and secure the future.

Happy International Workers’ Day.

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