Politics
LG Autonomy: NANS Commends NASS For Passing Bill
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has commended the National Assembly for granting full financial and administrative autonomy to the third tier of government by amending section 124 of the nation’s constitution.
NANS in a statement signed by the Clerk of the Senate, NANS National, Abdul Yekinn Odunayo, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, described the action of the National Assembly as a bold step towards freeing the LGAs from the shackles of some state governors.
Mr Odunayo, who equally commended President Bola Tinubu for dragging the state governors to the Supreme Court over the LG autonomy, noted that the Constitution amendment effected by the National Assembly on Tuesday, will give a boost to the efforts of Mr President in granting both financial and political autonomy to the third tier of government, which according to him is the closest to the people.
He observed further that by deleting the State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) from the constitution, thereby vesting the powers to conduct council elections on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), adding that it will strengthen democracy at the grassroots and prevent the governors from imposing their stooges as local government Chairmen.
NANS expressed optimism that with the Constitution amendment, local governments will begin to function maximally and be able to perform their constitutional roles of engendering and delivering good governance to the people at the grassroots.
“We, at the NANS, commend the National Assembly for amending the Constitution and granting full autonomy to the LGAs in the country. With this, the 774 LGAs across the country will heave a sigh of relief and be free from the grasp of the state governors.
“It is our belief that the local government, as the third tier of the government and closest to the people, should have the desired freedom to discharge its duties according to the dictates of the Constitution.
“The deleting of SIECs from the Constitution is another laudable step taken by the NASS, and vesting the conduct of LG elections on INEC will go a long way in preventing some governors from imposing their stooges as LG chairmen of the people.
“The NASS, by its action, has indeed given impetus to the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure total autonomy to the LGS, which are mostly being run by Caretaker Committees set up by the governors. With this development, allocations due to each LG will go directly to it, while the issue of arbitrary dissolution of LG administrations will be put to rest.
“Also, abrogating SIECs will enhance and strengthen democracy at the grassroots, as people will have the choice to elect their preferred candidates for LG positions, without undue interference or influence from the governors”.
“It is our hope as a student body, that the case instituted at the Supreme Court by the Federal Government against the state governments over LG autonomy will favour the FG, thereby, giving a pristine breath of life to the LGs and safeguarding their allocations from being tampered with.
“We, therefore, express our absolute confidence in the President Tinubu-led administration in its quest to take the country out of the current economic and socio-political quagmire. NANS will continue to give the necessary support to the administration to ensure it makes the desired impact on the nation”, Odunayo stated in the statement.
Politics
Gov Alia Appoints TuFace As Adviser

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Politics
Oborevwori, Okowa Dump PDP For APC

Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
Speakers Conference Tasks FG, Governors On Wanton Killings
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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