By Saka Laaro Ilorin

The Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has commended its leader and Waziri Ngeri of Ilorin Emirate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki (CON) for his unwavering commitment to the peace and stability of the Emirate and Kwara in general.

In a noble gesture and in the interest of peace, Dr. Saraki, earlier today, announced the cancellation of his planned attendance at this year’s Ilorin Durbar festival, following appeals from the Palace and other notable Islamic clerics in the metropolis.

In a statement by its State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Olusola Adewara, the party lauded Dr. Saraki’s peaceful stance, noting that as a two-time Governor of Kwara State, former Senate President, and the highest traditional title holder in the Emirate, he has, once again, demonstrated his commitment to the peace and unity of Ilorin and his regards for traditional and religious leaders in the State.

The party said it was very clear that the huge, organic, and warm reception Dr. Saraki received at the Ilorin Eid praying ground on Sunday had unsettled Governor Abdulrazaq and his camp, who spent millions of naira to mobilise praise-singers and party supporters to the Eid praying ground. It added that the governor and his camp were, however, pained by the overwhelming admiration and support accorded Dr. Saraki at the Eid praying ground.

“Our party believes that the governor’s camp is intimidated by Dr. Saraki’s popularity and fears his presence at the Durbar. As a result, they have plotted to create chaos during the event and falsely attribute it to Dr. Saraki and his supporters. Sensing the desperation of the governor’s camp, the Emir’s Palace had no choice but to plead to and dissuade Dr. Saraki from attending the Durbar, in the interest of peace and order.

“We urge the Governor and those around him to recognise that Dr. Saraki’s enduring popularity and goodwill among Kwarans and the Ilorin Emirate are a testament to his exceptional leadership and selfless service to the people. No amount of effort or resources spent to prevent his presence at the Durbar can diminish the love and appreciation that resides in the hearts of the people. His legacy is deeply rooted in the hearts of the citizens, and not confined to a specific event or venue.

“Our party notes that as the Waziri of Ilorin, the highest traditional title holder under the Emir, Dr. Saraki’s decision to refrain from attending the Durbar reflects his dedication to upholding the sanctity of Sheik Alimi and the revered throne of the Emir of Ilorin, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari. This decision was undoubtedly a difficult one, considering the thousands of Ilorin residents who had eagerly anticipated his presence to add vibrancy and glamour to the event.

“The Kwara PDP enjoins Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to focus more on examining himself rather than seeing Dr. Saraki as the reason behind his wanton failures in leadership. There’s still time to be proactive and retrace his steps from all his anti-masses policies, including wasteful spending of billions of taxpayer’s money and crippling of local governments’ administration in the state.

“The Kwara State PDP calls on all stakeholders to follow Dr. Saraki’s exemplary leadership in prioritizing the peace, welfare and harmony of our people above his personal gains,” He added.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke’s desperation to retain power beyond 2026, despite his perceived poor handling of the state’s governance.

According to the party’s chairman Sooko Tajudeen Lawal in a statement on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke’s attempts to coerce various groups into declaring support for his administration are unacceptable.

The APC stated that the governor’s actions are a result of his lack of depth and political management skills, which have led to his poor performance in office.

The party alleged that Governor Adeleke has exhibited indolence, inefficiency, vindictiveness, favoritism, and vendetta, which have left the people of Osun State disillusioned.

The APC’s Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, stated that reliable sources have revealed that Governor Adeleke and his cohorts are using coercive means to force groups to declare support for his administration, despite his unpopularity.

The party urged the people of Osun State to resist Governor Adeleke’s attempts to manipulate them and instead demand good governance and effective leadership.

The statement reads partly, “It was learnt that Adeleke has now resorted to forcing commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders in the state to swear to the oath of continuous support for the PDP in all the future elections in the state with the god of iron called ‘Ogun’ in Yoruba parlance.

“It was also gathered that words have been passed round from the state capital level of the transportation unions that the secret oath-taking of the compulsory allegiance should be held in all the units of the unions across the nooks and crannies of the state.

“Governor Adeleke and his co-travellers have also been going round the state to woo back the real owners of the PDP in the state that they chased back with cudgels, cutlasses, abuses and lack of political patronage immediately Adeleke was announced the winner of the governorship election by the Supreme Court.”

The Osun State APC chairman pungently told Governor Adeleke that it was too late in the day for him to engage in fruitless mission of enlisting the support of the leaders and members of his party that he had shown ingratitude to when he was declared the winner of the controversial election in the state.

Lawal asked Adeleke if he thinks it is pretty possible to fool anyone who is not thinking with his feet successively, adding that if the governor could brazenly show such an unacceptable and irritating level of ingratitude during his first term in the office, he would do worst things if he should be helped for another tenure.

Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called for responsible management of funds allocated to host Communities Development Trusts (HCDT) in the Niger Delta.

The governor spoke on Tuesday at an event to unveil three additional HDCTs by The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operator of the SPDC Joint Venture comprising SPDC, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC), TotalEnergies Limited and Nigerian Agip Oil Company Limited.

Represented by the State Commissioner for Chieftaincy & Community Affairs, Charles Amadi, the Governor said the development in oil producing communities as envisaged in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) would only become a reality if those charged with managing the funds put the people first and make themselves accountable.

HCDT is a creation of the PIA and requires oil exploration companies to allocate three percent of their operating expenditure in the previous year for the development of their host communities.

The three new HCDTs represent the hosts of SPDC JV at its Logistics Base, Akukutoru and TNP-2 areas and bring to 31 the number so far inaugurated by the Joint Venture out of the 33 for all its operations in the Niger Delta.

Governor Fubara said, “I appreciate Shell for your continued support at ensuring the economic growth of the communities.”

SPDC has been the industry leader in the implementation of the HCDT provisions of the PIA.

Also speaking at the event, Managing Director of SPDC and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Mr. Osagie Okunbor, acknowledged the challenges of implementing a new legislation like the PIA, noting that SPDC engaged over 300 communities on the provisions of the law and the need for stronger collaboration between SPDC and the communities to ensure the desired growth and development.

Okunbor, who was represented by the HCDT Project Manager, Dr. Alice Ajeh, said, “Ultimately, community development rests on the shoulders of the communities themselves.”

In his remarks, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), Mr. Gbenga Komolafe, commended SPDC’s leading position in the implementation of the HCDT provisions of the PIA and emphasised the importance of fostering sustainable economic development through robust implementation strategies.

“NUPRC, in line with global best practices and in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has developed robust implementation strategies for the Trusts. This is for the purpose of fostering sustainable economic development of host communities,” the NUPRC chief said through his representative, Mrs. Chidinma Nwabueze.

Komolafe enjoined the host communities to guarantee seamless oil and gas exploration and production in their respective communities to reap maximum benefits from the trusts.

In his remark, the Chief Upstream Investment Officer of NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), Mr. Bala Wunti, said, “We have high expectations for communities to collaborate with industry stakeholders to achieve peaceful coexistence. The boards of trustees should ensure that there are systems in place to address conflicts or grievances through dialogue that ensures resolutions that are beneficial to all the parties.”

Represented at the event by NUIMS Manager for Stakeholder Relations, Mrs. Ejidoh Uzo, Wunti said, “I commend the host communities for their prompt utilisation of the instruments of the PIA as administered. This is a laudable initiative of Shell that will bring about positive development to the communities.”