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Tag: Ogun State

  • Iyabo Obasanjo Quits APC, Cites Rejection Over Ogun Governorship Process

    Former senator and governorship aspirant, Iyabo Obasanjo, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what she described as persistent rejection, disrespect and unfair treatment by the party’s leadership in Ogun State.

    The former lawmaker announced her resignation in a letter dated May 31 and addressed to the Ogun State APC Chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi.

    Obasanjo Faults Candidate Selection Process

    Obasanjo criticised the process that produced Solomon Adeola as the party’s preferred governorship candidate, arguing that the consensus arrangement did not follow APC guidelines.

    She said she had committed to supporting any candidate that emerged through a genuine consensus process but was not consulted before Adeola was announced.

    According to her, some of her supporters were denied access to the venue where the candidate was unveiled and were allegedly intimidated during the exercise.

    “I committed myself to supporting any candidate that emerged through a consensus arrangement, but I was not consulted before Senator Adeola was announced,” she stated.

    Claims of Continued Disrespect

    Despite her reservations, Obasanjo said she accepted the outcome in the interest of party unity and publicly congratulated Adeola after his emergence.

    She disclosed that the senator later met with her supporters, who presented three demands during the meeting.

    However, she claimed that although a response was promised within a week, more than two months had passed without any feedback.

    According to her, the silence reinforced what she described as a pattern of disregard and lack of appreciation for her contributions to the party.

    Return to Politics Ends With Exit

    Obasanjo expressed appreciation to Bola Tinubu, the Ogun APC leadership and party stakeholders for their support during her time in the party.

    The former senator returned to active politics earlier this year after registering as an APC member in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    She previously served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health between 2003 and 2007 before representing Ogun Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2007 to 2011.

    After largely staying away from politics for several years, she signalled a return to public life in late 2025 when campaign billboards promoting her governorship ambition appeared across parts of Ogun State.

  • NDLEA Dismantles Nigerian–Mexican Meth Cartel, Recovers ₦480 Billion Drugs in Ogun Forest Lab

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered and dismantled a major transnational methamphetamine production syndicate involving Nigerian and Mexican nationals in Ogun State.

    The operation led to the arrest of 10 suspects, including three Mexican drug “chemists” and the alleged Nigerian kingpin of the cartel.

    Forest meth lab uncovered in Ogun

    According to NDLEA Chairman, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), the clandestine laboratory was discovered inside Abidagba forest in Ijebu East Local Government Area of Ogun State.

    The agency said the site was being used for large-scale production of methamphetamine disguised as a farm settlement.

    ₦480 billion worth of drugs recovered

    Marwa disclosed that operatives recovered 2,419.48 kilograms of chemical substances and finished meth products from the lab.

    He said the seized drugs have an estimated street value of about ₦480 billion in the international market.

    “The network did not just traffic drugs; they were actively manufacturing industrial-scale quantities of highly lethal illicit substances right on our soil,” Marwa said.

    10 suspects arrested, including Mexicans

    Those arrested include the alleged cartel leader, Anochili Innocent, alongside six Nigerian collaborators and three Mexican nationals reportedly brought in as technical experts.

    The Mexican suspects were identified as Martinez Felix Nemecto, Jesus López Valles, and Torrero Juan Carlos.

    Other Nigerian suspects include Nwankwo Sunday Christian, Igwe Abuchi Remijus, Ifeanyichukwu Chibuike Joshua, Egwuonwu Uchenna Victor, and Kingsley Orike Omonughwa.

    Lagos luxury estate linked to cartel boss

    NDLEA operatives also reportedly stormed properties linked to the kingpin in Lagos, including a luxury residence in Lakowe, Lekki.

    The agency said international passports and mobile phones of the Mexican suspects were recovered from the suspect’s residence, linking him directly to their operations.

    Coordinated intelligence operation

    Marwa said the raid was executed by the agency’s Special Operations Unit after months of intelligence gathering.

    He added that simultaneous operations were carried out across Ogun and Lagos States within 48 hours.

    NDLEA warns drug cartels

    The NDLEA boss warned drug traffickers that Nigeria remains hostile territory for illicit drug production and distribution.

    He also urged Nigerians to report suspicious activities, including unusual chemical smells or movements in rural communities.

    “This war is for the soul of our nation, and we will not back down until we achieve a drug-free Nigeria,” he said.

  • APC Rift Deepens in Ogun as Daniel, Abiodun Clash Over Ogun East Senate Ticket

    Moves to maintain unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State have come under pressure after Senator Gbenga Daniel and Governor Dapo Abiodun made parallel moves for the Ogun East senatorial seat ahead of the 2027 elections. The development has exposed fresh cracks within the party’s structure in the state.

    Daniel, who currently represents Ogun East, picked up his expression of interest and nomination forms on Tuesday, signalling his intention to seek re-election.

    Daniel Declares Re-Election Bid Despite Consensus Push

    Confirming his move, the former governor said he remains committed to representing the district in the Senate. He described his decision as part of ongoing efforts to deliver effective and responsive representation under the APC platform.

    “Today, I picked up my nomination and expression of interest forms as I seek to return to the Nigerian Senate,” he said.

    Abiodun Emerges as Consensus Candidate in Ijebu-Ode

    Hours earlier, Governor Dapo Abiodun had declared interest in the same seat after being adopted as the consensus candidate by APC stakeholders. The endorsement took place at a meeting held in Ijebu-Ode.

    Abiodun welcomed the decision, describing it as a vote of confidence. He assured supporters that he would offer strong representation if elected.

    Controversy Trails Stakeholders’ Meeting

    The consensus process has, however, been trailed by controversy following claims that Daniel was denied access to the meeting venue. In a video that circulated online, the senator expressed frustration over being blocked from entering the gathering.

    “We have been here since 10am, but we have been barred. We are told that we can’t enter,” he said.

    Supporters Reject Consensus, Allege Exclusion

    Supporters of Daniel under the BATOGD Movement have rejected the consensus arrangement, describing it as an attempt to sideline their candidate. The group argued that the process did not follow established party guidelines.

    Spokesperson Olumuyiwa Okunowo said the move amounted to a deliberate exclusion, raising concerns over fairness within the party’s internal process.

    Pro-Abiodun Camp Defends Decision

    Stakeholders backing Abiodun insist the endorsement reflects a collective agreement by party members across the district. They maintain that the decision was aimed at strengthening the APC’s chances in the next election cycle.

    The meeting was said to include grassroots leaders, lawmakers, councillors, and representatives of youth and women groups.

  • Abiodun Approves Weekly Day Off, ₦10,000 Transport Allowance for Ogun Workers

    Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved a weekly day off and a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for civil servants, a move aimed at easing the impact of rising fuel prices and cost of living, with the measures set to run for three months from April 2026.

    Relief measures announced

    The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Service, Kehinde Onasanya, who said the decision was designed to provide immediate relief to workers facing increased transportation costs.

    According to him, the weekly day off will apply across the state workforce, while the ₦10,000 allowance will serve as a temporary palliative within the three-month period.

    “This is in addition to the payment of ₦10,000 special transport allowance as palliatives for three months commencing from April 2026,” Onasanya said.

    Who is affected

    Onasanya clarified that not all categories of workers will benefit from the weekly day-off arrangement.

    He explained that essential workers, including medical personnel, judicial staff, teachers, security operatives, and heads of departments, will be exempted from the one-day break.

    However, they will still receive the ₦10,000 transport allowance.

    Implementation plan

    The Head of Service said accounting officers across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies will determine the specific day off for eligible staff.

    This, he noted, is to ensure that government operations and service delivery are not disrupted.

    He added that the intervention is expected to not only cushion economic pressure but also improve worker productivity.

    Why the decision was taken

    The state government said the move is a direct response to the recent hike in fuel prices and the ripple effect on transportation and living costs.

    Onasanya described the approval as a timely intervention, urging workers to reciprocate the gesture with improved commitment and efficiency.

    Similar move in Oyo

    The development mirrors a similar policy in Oyo State, where Governor Seyi Makinde approved a ₦10,000 monthly transport allowance for civil servants.

    Makinde said the support, which began in March, will also run for an initial period of three months as part of efforts to ease economic hardship.