‎President Bola Tinubu’s recent declaration of support for state police is the clearest indication of the administration’s readiness to reengineer the country’s internal security, the Tinubu Media Support Group (TMSG) has said.
‎
‎The group’s Chairman, Emeka Nwankpa, who made this known in a statement, added that it was in line with what the President had variously preached in the past.
‎
‎TMSG said: “We are aware that the first attempt in recent years to create a legal framework for the establishment of state police was in 2018 when the then Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, sponsored the bill, but even though he was the Chairman of the National Assembly’s Constitution Review Committee, the move failed.

“He also made another effort in 2020, but it did not see the light of day.
‎
“‎However, things now appear different with President Bola Tinubu publicly declaring support for a decentralised policing system as the two chambers of the National Assembly are working on a bill to establish State Police.”
‎
‎The group also stated that it regarded the President’s position as a clear message to federal lawmakers who were expected to resume plenary in a few weeks to speed up the process of presenting a bill that would amend section 214 of the 1999 constitution which exclusively provided for a federal policing system.
‎
‎It further stated, “It is also a reflection of President Tinubu’s long-standing advocacy for state police as a panacea to insecurity in the country as well as addressing local policing needs.
‎
‎”We acknowledge that this is the first time a sitting President would publicly declare his backing for state police. It was after former President Goodluck Jonathan left office that he began his advocacy for a decentralised policing system, while former Muhammadu Buhari famously declared in a rare TV interview in 2022 that state police was not an option to address the country’s security challenges.
‎
‎”Former President Buhari’s opposition was based on the same fears that many Nigerians had expressed about the overbearing influence of state governments and the possibility of abuse.”
‎
The ‎TMSG also expressed the conviction that President Tinubu would ensure that proper measures were in place to guard against absolute control by governors or misuse of state police operatives.
‎
‎”There are already indications that the federal government may be working on safeguards against possible misuse of state police by putting the process under the control of a central body to ensure a unified standard.
‎
‎”So it is not likely that the state police that the President envisages will be one that will be exclusively under the control of governors.
‎
‎”This is why the President was emphatic that while political concerns will always surface around the issue, they must not be allowed to derail urgent security reforms,” TMSG added.
‎
‎The group expressed its belief that while the state police option would meet its objectives, it would also end up as one of the noble and far-reaching legacies of the Bola Tinubu administration.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

One person has been confirmed de@d after a three-storey building collapsed at Alagomeji, in the Yaba area of Lagos State.

The National Emergency Management Agency said the body of a male victim was recovered from the rubble during ongoing search and rescue operations.

“Search and rescue operation is still ongoing at the building collapse scene. NEMA, LASEMA, Fire Services, Police, FRSC and NSCDC are on ground. The number of persons rescued remain four; they are in stable condition. No additional person has been rescued at the time of this report but there is speculation of two more persons under the rubbles.”

In a subsequent update, the agency confirmed that one body had been retrieved from the debris, even as efforts continue to ensure that no one is left trapped.

“One body (male) has just been recovered from the rubble. Search and Rescue operation is still ongoing,” NEMA said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Fire Service reported that eight construction workers had been rescued from the site of the collapsed building.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has declared that he has kept faith with the people by fulfilling his campaign promises, completing most inherited projects, and delivering on key development initiatives ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Oyebanji stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, shortly after submitting his nomination and expression of interest forms at the All Progressives Congress National Secretariat, where he was received by a crowd of supporters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has fixed the Ekiti governorship election for July 20, 2026, while the APC primary will hold on October 27, 2025.

The governor said his administration had achieved nearly 80 per cent completion of inherited projects, stressing that they belong to the people and were funded with public resources.

“When we campaigned three years ago, it was on the mantra of continuity for shared prosperity. In less than three years, we have achieved close to 80 per cent completion of inherited projects. We have also created conditions for productivity by investing in infrastructure, electricity, and healthcare. For example, over 60 communities that had been in darkness for nearly two decades are now connected to the grid.

“We believe productivity also requires a strong healthcare system. From primary to tertiary levels, facilities have been upgraded. We pay doctors and health workers parity with their federal counterparts while keeping up with gratuities and pensions. Beyond infrastructure and welfare, we are reforming the workforce to restore trust in government. Trust in leadership is critical, and I want to be remembered as a governor who kept his promises,” Oyebanji said.

On his priorities going forward, the governor pledged to deepen investment in education.

“One area I am determined to improve further is education. My desire is to see modern learning tools such as electronic boards in all schools in Ekiti. Education remains the pathway to productivity and prosperity, and we will focus more on innovation and technology to prepare our people for the 21st century,” he added.

Addressing speculation of division within the APC in Ekiti, Oyebanji dismissed the claims.

“The beauty of democracy is freedom of expression. People are entitled to their opinions, but the massive show of support here today does not reflect a divided party. Former governors, deputy governors, lawmakers, local government chairmen, and other stakeholders are united behind APC in Ekiti. As for my relationship with former Governor Fayemi, it remains cordial. Talk of division is mere propaganda,” he said.

He also urged party leaders to help the state break the jinx of one-term governorships.

“Since the creation of Ekiti, no governor has completed a second term in one stretch. We see it as a jinx that must be broken because it has retarded development. The people don’t want current gains reversed,” Oyebanji said, while affirming his willingness to subject himself to the primary process.

Senate Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, who accompanied the governor, said Oyebanji had delivered on infrastructure, human capital, and stability, stressing that for the first time, Ekiti stakeholders across divides were united behind one governor.

APC National Vice Chairman (South-West), Isaacs Kekemeke, assured the governor of a fair process.

“We have seen you and heard you. We have never witnessed a submission of forms like this before. Go back and do in Ekiti what you have done here today,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event included Ekiti’s first elected governor, Niyi Adebayo; former Senate Minority Leader, Biodun Olujimi; Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu; and House of Representatives Spokesperson, Akin Rotimi, among others.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM