society
Governor Will keep his word on Alagbole
Governor Will keep his word on Alagbole
ALAGBOLE- Just a few hours ago, Azuh Arinze, a Publisher and Author, cast doubt on the ongoing efforts by the Dapo Abiodun-led administration to give Ogun State residents in Akute-Ajuwon-Alagbole-Olambe axis of Ogun State a cause to smile by repairing their road. The seasoned journalist, who like many media professionals has been living there for so many years, makes the following observations based on experience: “I have lived in that axis long enough to know and understand the game usually played by them (governors). Once elections are approaching, they move caterpillars and some idle “men at work” experts to the terrible and horrible roads. These men are usually busy doing nothing and making worse a bad situation with their artificial creation of perennial gridlock. As you drive to work in the morning, you will see them going up and down. In the evening, while returning from work, instead of seeing results, you will still see them faffing around and constituting even a bigger nuisance.”
And then he added this clincher: “Governor Dapo Abiodun just began his days ago. I don’t know how it will eventually pan out, but like I wrote in the title of this piece, I am very, very skeptical about what he began there some three or so days ago. I drove past the road today and except I want to deceive myself, my conclusion is “dis na still de same old story and style.” However, I hope I’m proven wrong this time round. Until then, make all of us still dey watch the free cinema.”
Naturally, many of those who reacted to the post published on his social media timeline toed a similar path, saying that governors were very fond of gimmicks during elections. They made reference to Amosun who came around in a jamboree and dropped supposed workers on the site, only to vanish into the thin air after criminally raising the people’s hope.
The naysayers can’t be blamed: their scepticism is rooted in decades of empty political promises. But then, do not our people say that the patient eyes will inevitably see the nose? We urge our esteemed members of the Fourth Estate to exercise a little patience, shelve their cynicism, and judge Governor Abiodun by his record since assuming office as the fifth democratically elected governor of the Gateway State. It is true that previous governors shirked their responsibilities on that road but Prince Dapo Abiodun, cognizant of his mission in history and intent on fulfilling it, has in the last three and a half years given ample indication that he is woven by a different fabric and does not play around with his word.
As a human, he is naturally imperfect but he has never shied away from the lofty standards to which he usually aspires, has never played games with the people’s emotions or scoffed at their pains, and definitely has no intention to do a bad job at Alagbole and the adjoining communities. Being an Omoluabi, he knows that his word is his bond, and those who know him can say whatever he promises to do to the bank, knowing his sincerity of purpose, honesty of mission, commitment to excellence, and abhorrence of hypocrisy and artifice. The plain, simple truth is that in a short while, there will be motorists plying the roads under reference and appreciating Governor Abiodun for keeping his word. If you have travelled on the Shagamu-Abeokuta road or the Ijebu-Ode Epe road, not to mention the countless inner-city roads that dot every part of Ogun State, and been to places like Ilaro, Atan-Agbara-Lusada, etc, you cannot but agree with this observation.
It will be recalled that when Governor Abiodun came on board, he came with a clear vision to make palpable difference in the lives of the Ogun populace. He began work on the road projects he met and rolled out a scheme of road repair, rehabilitation and construction across the state.
Two months ago, some editors visited Ogun State and intimated the Governor with the plight of the people in Alagbole and other parts of the state and the governor promised to intervene. And he has, not only in that area but in so many others, including Sango-Ota. The Akute-Alagbole road is being done as promised. The Governor did not promise dualisation: what he promised was the repair of a part of the road. He also acknowledged that the previous administration never did its homework thoroughly before embarking on the planned construction, demolishing houses for nothing. Governor Abiodun has divided the work into three sectors to be done simultaneously. He should be given the benefit of doubt. He’s not Amosun; he means exactly what he says. Indeed, when the economy of the state improves, much more work will be done.
From Giant to Beggar: The Tragic Collapse of Nigeria Under APC Rule
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
Once hailed as the “Giant of Africa,” Nigeria now limps on broken legs — economically battered, politically rudderless, and morally bankrupt. It is no longer just the brain drain that should worry us; it is the soul drain. Nigerians — students, professionals, entire families — are fleeing not just to Europe or North America, but to Ghana, a nation we once dismissed as “small brother.” This is not just ironic. It is humiliating. And it is a direct consequence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) taking power in 2015.
The APC’s takeover, starting with President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, marked the beginning of a free-fall. What followed was a decade of despair, capped now by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu — another APC patriarch — who has inherited and worsened the crisis. The result? Every airport terminal has become a departure lounge for the talented, the young, and the fed up.
A Decade of Despair: From Buhari
Politics
Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression
Pro-democracy group tells Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara over insecurity, political repression
The United Democratic Coalition (UDC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately declare a state of emergency in Zamfara, citing worsening insecurity and a breakdown of democratic order in the state.
The demand was contained in a statement on Friday signed by Abdulrahman Danladi, president of the coalition.
Danladi described Zamfara as “a state under siege,” accusing the state government of abandoning its constitutional duty to protect lives and uphold democratic principles.
“The situation in Zamfara has gone from troubling to terrifying. Armed groups operate freely, citizens are at the mercy of bandits, and yet those elected to speak up are being silenced,” the statement read.
He was referring to the recent suspension of 10 lawmakers in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, whom he said were punished for raising concerns about insecurity and illegal mining in their constituencies.
“What we are witnessing is not just lawlessness — it is executive tyranny. These lawmakers were elected by the people and have a duty to speak out. Instead of listening to them, the state assembly, clearly acting on orders, has shut them down,” Danladi said.
He likened the political tension in Zamfara to the recent situation in Rivers state, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara governed with just four lawmakers after a split in the House of Assembly — a scenario that prompted calls for federal intervention.
“If Rivers with four lawmakers sparked talks of emergency rule, how is Zamfara with 10 suspended lawmakers and spiraling violence, not a national concern?” Danladi asked.
“The same standard must apply. Democracy is being murdered in Zamfara in broad daylight. If the federal government could consider intervening in Rivers, it must not turn a blind eye to the breakdown in Zamfara.”
“We are calling for a six-month state of emergency in Zamfara to allow security forces to take control, restore peace, and return the state to constitutional order.”
The group also demanded the immediate reinstatement of the suspended lawmakers and an investigation into what it called “executive interference” in the legislature.
“This is not the time for political correctness. It is the time for leadership. The people of Zamfara are under siege — both by bandits and by those who should be protecting them,” the statement added.
Zamfara, one of Nigeria’s most troubled states, continues to face persistent attacks from armed groups, with thousands displaced and dozens killed in the past year alone.
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