By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of hurrying legislation on state police to create the impression that it is tackling Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

In a statement issued Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the opposition party described the proposed state police Bill as a “panicky” and politically driven move, rather than a well-thought-out constitutional reform.

While restating its support for state policing in principle, the ADC said the reform should not be marketed as an instant solution to banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism.

It argued that the policy requires strong institutional safeguards before it can be implemented.

The party accused the Federal Government of repackaging “a long-standing national consensus as a bold new initiative” and of pushing the constitutional amendment through the National Assembly without sufficient public consultation.

“What we are witnessing is a hurried response to a worsening security crisis, not the careful institutional planning required to build a functional, accountable and effective policing system,” Abdullahi stated.

The ADC also questioned the timing of the move, asking why the Tinubu administration waited until “almost the end of its tenure” to pursue state police aggressively if it was genuinely committed to the reform.

The party maintained that passing a law alone would not resolve Nigeria’s security challenges.

It listed recruitment, training, funding, command structures, intelligence coordination, judicial oversight, and correctional reforms as critical elements that cannot be built overnight.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, inaugurated an ultramodern secretariat of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) in Yenagoa.

Governor Diri described the beautiful edifice as the “unity secretariat” as it brought together under one roof key stakeholders of the party for the first time in many years.

At a stakeholders meeting immediately after the commissioning ceremony, key leaders of the party, including the state APC chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, thanked Governor Diri on behalf of the stakeholders and members of the state working committe for the befitting complex.

Ogoriba described it as the best party secretariat in the country, saying it will deepen the party’s unity and motivate members to work for APC’s victory in the 2027 general election.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, hailed the exceptional leadership quality of Governor Diri, which he said has united the party in the state.

He assured candidates of the party, particularly in his Bayelsa West senatorial district, of victory in the 2027 elections, saying some politicians in other parties will be retired after the polls.

Also, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, expressed happiness that he is part of the new unified APC family in the state, which he said was moving very fast, and called on “those on the other side” to join the party in moving the state and country forward.

In separate remarks, other stakeholders, including Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), member representing Sagbama Constituency 3 in the House of Assembly, Hon. Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, and the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, all expressed gratitude to the governor for the secretariat and the unity of the party, expressing optimism that the APC will be victorious in 2027 across the state.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa governor lauded the unity among members, emphasising that the strength of the party was in working together.

He expressed appreciation to those who though lost in the recent party primaries still remained in its fold, calling them the heroes of the APC in Bayelsa.

Governor Diri stressed the importance of loyalty in politics, noting that without members standing solidly behind him, he would be unable to lead the party.

He assured party faithful that he will continue to operate an inclusive leadership style and called on leaders and political office holders at various levels to use their positions to uplift people and add value rather than oppress them.

He said: “I like to appeal that nobody should feel sidelined as nobody came to hijack the party. For those who did not succed in the last primaries, you are the heroes of this party as there was no winner nor loser. The only winner is the APC.

“We want to keep this party very strong so we can have the unity we need to succeed. Positions are opportunities and privileges that should be used to empower people. It is one thing to lead and another for people to follow.

“For those yet to be rewarded, keep praying and your benefit will come. APC in Bayelsa is more democratic than any other party and we showed it in the last primaries.

“This new secretariat is our house and whatever issues we have, they will be attended to here. We are happy that the party has a conducive place to work to improve productivity. “

The governor equally applauded the reforms undertaken by President Bola Tinubu, which he said informed his decision to join the APC, and appealed to Nigerians to be patient as the benefits will be felt soon.

Delivering a goodwill message, former NDDC Managing Director, Chief Ndutimi Aliabe, said he was back to the APC and thanked Governor Diri for his leadership and development strides in the state.

Also present at the event were the deputy governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, Speaker of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, former deputy governors, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, Rt. Hon. Werinipere Seibarugu, and Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), as well Senator Barigha-Amange and the immediate past APC state chairman, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, members of the state executive council among other stalwarts of the party.

By Our Correspondent

In an effort to end kidnapping in the country, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday revealed that plans have been concluded to include international collaboration in the safe rescue of kidnapped victims in Oriire local government area of Oyo State are brought home without harm or avoidable loss of life.

While appealing for calm and patience, the President assured the people that no stone would left unturn to ensure that the kidnapped children and teachers are rescued safely .

Also, Tinubu said the signs of progress in the country are becoming increasingly evident as the reforms undertaken by his administration are laying the foundation for a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient economy.

Tinubu dropped this hint in his address at the commissioning of the newly transformed Premier Hotel in Ibadan undertaken by the Odu’a Investment Company Limited.

President Tinubu who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Senator George Akume, said while the country has confronted difficult structural challenges that constrained growth and investment for many years, the present administration under his leadership is building a more stable platform for sustainable growth and shared prosperity.

He said, “The signs of progress are becoming increasingly evident. Investor confidence is improving, strategic investments are growing, and key sectors of the economy are showing renewed momentum. Our foreign reserves have also attained the highest level in the last two decades.

“The newly transformed Premier Hotel is itself a vote of confidence in Nigeria’s future. It represents optimism, enterprise, and belief in the opportunities ahead.”

The President urged investors across the country and beyond to continue to invest in the country, stating that Nigeria offers tremendous opportunities while his administration remains committed to creating the conditions necessary for businesses to succeed.

“My charge to all stakeholders today is simple: let us preserve our heritage, embrace innovation, invest boldly in our future, create opportunities for our young people, and build institutions that will endure for generations.

“Once again, I congratulate the Board, Management, shareholders, and staff of Odu’a Investment Company Limited,as well as the governments and people of the six South-West states, on this remarkable achievement”, he said.

According to him, the Federal Government is seriously addressing the upswing in banditry, kidnapping and associated criminalities, across the country, urging all citizens to remain vigilant and to work collaboratively with security agencies.

“There is undoubtedly a huge role for traditional and faith-based institutions to play in this regard and I urge them take the lead through the various channels provided by government.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, who was the Chief host in his remarks, said the commissioning marked significant milestone in the journey of restoring one of the most iconic hospitality landmarks in Nigeria, stating that the event reflected the power of partnership, shared vision, and commitment to preserving our heritage while positioning our institutions for a more prosperous future.

Makinde, represented by his SSG, Prof. Musbau Babatunde noted that Premier Hotel is more than just a hotel, but symbol of collective history, a landmark that has occupied a special place in the social, economic, and cultural development of the state and the entire Southwest region.

“I particularly commend the visualizership of the Oduwa Group of Companies, jointly owned by the governments of Oyo, Okwui, Kitsundu, and Oswego State, for recognizing the importance of this project and for taking deliberate steps to reposition Premier Hotel as a modern hospitality destination.”

The Group Chairman, Odu’a Group, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, in his remarks, said the idea of Premier Hotel was conceived as the Western Region’s flagship hospitality asset, built alongside its sister properties such as Hamdala Hotel in Kaduna for the Northern Region, and Hotel Presidential in Enugu for the Eastern Region, stating that the choice of Mokola Hill as the location was both deliberate and symbolic, as the founding fathers selected the elevated terrain for several strategic reasons.

“First, to offer guests a naturally cool and refreshing climate, sheltered from the tropical heat of the valley below; second, to provide an unobstructed, breathtaking panoramic view of the ancient city of Ibadan, including landmarks such as Cocoa House, the Government Secretariat, and Bower’s Tower; and, third, to create a brilliant “lighthouse” effect with its bright white walls and glowing nighttime lights, the hotel became visible from miles around, a radiant beacon of Western Nigerian hospitality and grandeur.

“For decades, this great edifice stood as the gold standard of luxury and service in West Africa. It was the preferred residence for heads of state, royal families, foreign diplomats, captains of industry, and discerning travelers from every corner of the globe. It hosted historic meetings, celebrated milestones, and created cherished memories for countless families. It was, without question, the pride of Ibadan and the heartbeat of South-Western hospitality.”