Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday urged Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde not to be discouraged by criticisms of his administration, saying those who abuse leaders today often return to praise them later.

Obasanjo made the remarks while joining Makinde to inaugurate the new Ibadan Central Bus Terminal at Iwo Road, a facility comprising two mega bus stations with waiting halls, ticket spaces, eateries, public conveniences, open vehicular parking, a power-generating house, water reservoir, elevators, and escalators.

Describing Makinde as an Omoluabi, Obasanjo advised him to remain focused on ongoing developmental efforts, asserting, “Those abusing you today would praise you tomorrow. I was also abused too, and they have come back today to praise me. That is how it is.”

He praised the governor for making Ibadan livable through people-centered projects and noted that the construction of the terminals at Ojoo, Challenge, and Iwo Road would ease movement for residents. Obasanjo said the developments in Ibadan benefit the wider South-West region.

He added, “Makinde, you have done so well. You are making Ibadan livable and you have been trying to make everyone living in Ibadan and the state comfortable. Ibadan, in population, is the third largest city in Nigeria but in land area, it is the largest.

So, to move from point A to B in Ibadan is longer than moving from point A to B in the other two cities said to be larger than Ibadan in population—Lagos and Kano. If you are going to make it convenient for people to live and trade in Ibadan, there must be availability of transportation, and that is what these bus terminals are meant for.”

Obasanjo also commended Makinde personally, saying, “You invited me three days ago to this event; I didn’t hesitate. I came here because you are an Omoluabi. Before anyone can invite me to an event three days to the time, he must be someone I hold in high esteem. For you, if you call me a day to the event, I will come. You resemble me in a lot of ways. When people tell me Makinde is doing this infrastructure and all that, I always tell them why won’t he do it? He is an engineer; a professional engineer, who knows how to fix things. But you have added another feather to the cap, you are now also into political engineering.”

He urged residents and Nigerians who would use the facility to ensure it is well maintained.

Earlier, Governor Makinde said his administration had built four modern bus terminals, including Challenge, Ojoo, New Ife Road, and Iwo Road, to ease city transportation challenges. He described the completion of the Ibadan Central Bus Terminal as a demonstration of his government’s commitment to modernising the state.

Makinde said, “Unlike my critics, who love to blow their trumpets, I have been quietly executing development projects in the state. The dual carriageway from Iwo Road to Adegbayi has eased transportation pressure on the axis, and we have applied to the Federal Government to extend the project to the state boundary at Asejire.”

He added, “With this commissioning, we have completed all four modern terminals in Ibadan. The next administration would do for our other cities, including Ogbomoso, Saki, Iseyin, Ibarapa, and Oyo. Why did I talk about the next administration? I only have 18 months to go. We projected a 12-month completion for the project, but as you all know, a global pandemic, supply disruptions, and other realities slowed us down. Today, the cycle is basically done, and it is a celebration of our determination. What we are witnessing today is proof that promises made can indeed become promises kept.”

The Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday dismissed claims suggesting any move to impeach Senate President Godswill Akpabio, describing such reports as unfounded and capable of sowing confusion within the upper chamber.

Bamidele’s clarification followed comments by former Chief Whip of the Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), who on Tuesday revealed that there had been past, though unsuccessful, attempts by some senators to unseat Akpabio.

Kalu, while speaking with journalists at the National Assembly, had said that efforts to destabilise the Senate leadership failed after key members intervened to preserve unity in the chamber.

He urged lawmakers to focus on legislative stability and national cohesion rather than political scheming.

However, addressing the issue during plenary, Bamidele made it clear that there was never any plan or discussion among senators to remove the Senate President.

“There was no attempt by any of our colleagues, nor any discussion on the possibility of removing the Senate President. We are totally united and have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for distractions because there are urgent matters of national importance demanding our attention. Reports like that are meant to create confusion,” Bamidele said.

“The Senate is stable. There is no crisis, no plan to remove anyone. Our attention is on issues that directly affect Nigerians.”

Bamidele’s rebuttal comes less than 24 hours after Kalu told journalists that some lawmakers had previously attempted to remove Akpabio but were prevailed upon to drop the plan.

“Though there were attempts, we didn’t allow that to happen. That is why I always say we are one big family, and it is not going to happen,” Kalu said.

The former Abia State governor maintained that the Senate’s priority is to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges through people-centered legislation.

“Whatever the problem is, the Senate is more interested in making laws that will help President Tinubu overcome the economic difficulties our people are going through.

“We are more interested in the people. The legislations we are making are pro-people, and we are focused on ensuring Nigerians can eat three times a day,” he added.

The latest controversy revives memories of October 2024, when speculation of a northern senators’ plot to unseat Akpabio forced the chamber to pass a vote of confidence in his leadership.

At the time, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North) distanced the Northern Senators’ Forum from any such plan, warning that “those pushing such narratives were undermining the progress of our democracy.”

Since his emergence as Senate President in June 2023,  Akpabio has weathered an unending storm of intrigue, discontent, and veiled plots to oust him from office.

Barely two months after his inauguration, rumours surfaced of an impeachment plot. Some lawmakers accused Akpabio of running the Senate as an appendage of the executive, alleging he was too subservient to the Presidency.

Though he dismissed the claims as politically motivated, the incident exposed the early cracks within the 10th Assembly.

By October 2024, the chamber was again awash with reports that the Department of State Services had taken over the National Assembly Complex to prevent Akpabio’s removal, a claim he branded as “fake news.”

Yet, even after the Senate’s media office issued denials, whispers of rebellion persisted.

Tension peaked in July 2025 when Akpabio reportedly clashed with Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele during a closed-door session over the unilateral announcement of the Senate’s annual recess.

Sources said the disagreement reflected a deeper unease among lawmakers over Akpabio’s leadership style.

Though Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu dismissed the report as “baseless and misleading,” insiders confirmed that tempers indeed flared during the session.

The July incident was not the first time Akpabio and Bamidele were rumoured to have disagreed.

Similar reports had surfaced in November 2024 about a near-physical confrontation between both men—claims swiftly denied by Bamidele’s office.

At the core of the persistent friction lies a struggle for influence, regional balance, and legislative autonomy.

Akpabio’s closeness to President Bola Tinubu has earned him both loyalty and suspicion. To his supporters, it represents needed harmony between the executive and legislature; to his critics, it is proof of overreach by the presidency.

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The Lagos State Government has announced that road rehabilitation works will commence on the Lekki-Ajah corridor from Saturday, November 15, 2025, and will run through Wednesday, July 15, 2026 — a period of eight months.

According to a statement signed by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, on Wednesday, the project aims to improve road quality and ease traffic flow along one of the state’s busiest routes.

“The Lagos State Government has announced road rehabilitation works on Lekki-Ajah corridor commencing from Saturday 15th November, 2025 to Wednesday 15th July, 2026, a period of 8 months,” the statement also shared on his X read.

Osiyemi explained that the rehabilitation would be executed in two phases to minimize inconvenience for commuters and businesses along the corridor, with preliminary works already in progress.

Phase 1: Lekki 1st Toll Gate to Lekki 2nd Toll Gate

This phase, according to the statement, will cover seven (7) sections of the expressway.

“During the construction, a lane out of the 2 lanes will be closed while motorists will use the second lane. When the closed lane is completed, work will shift to the other lane,” it stated.

The commissioner assured that despite the closures, motorists going to Lekki and Ajah will have through fare throughout the duration of Phase 1.

Phase 2: Lekki 2nd Toll Gate to Ajah Under-Bridge

The second phase of the project will focus on four (4) sections of the road, with traffic diversions implemented to maintain movement.

“Motorists from Ajah inward Lekki will be diverted to one lane while repairs are ongoing on the other lane. When the first lane is completed, work will move to the second lane,” the statement noted.

It further added that during this phase, “motorists heading towards Ajah will have continuous movement.”

Advisory to Motorists

The Lagos State Government appealed for patience and cooperation from residents and road users, emphasizing that the temporary inconvenience would yield long-term benefits.

“Some sections of the road will be partially closed during the repair period. Motorists are advised to be patient and follow traffic directions. These repairs are part of the Lagos State Government’s efforts to improve road quality and ease traffic flow.”

Osiyemi reaffirmed that the rehabilitation aligns with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to sustainable urban mobility and infrastructural renewal across Lagos.

The commissioner urged commuters to plan their journeys accordingly and to obey all traffic management personnel deployed to ensure smooth vehicular movement during the project.

Earlier in September, the Lagos State Government commenced rehabilitation works on the stretch of the Eti-Osa/Lekki/Epe Expressway, covering the Admiralty Way Junction to Jubilee Bridge section (Ajah) in Eti-Osa Local Government Area and Eti-Osa East LCDA.

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