Category Nigeria News

Kano State has demanded the creation of an additional state from its current boundaries and the establishment of 26 new local government areas, as part of far-reaching proposals submitted to the House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review.

The State Deputy governor,  Aminu Gwarzo, who made  the demands while presenting Kano’s position at the North West zonal public hearing of the Constitution amendment exercise in Kaduna on Saturday.

He stated that the demand for additional 26 local government to the existing 44 local government area in Kano state,  has become necessary due to its large human and land population as well as the need to bring governance closer to the people at the grassroots,  and address rising developmental demands.

He argued that with Kano’s burgeoning population and vast landmass, carving out another state was long overdue, while increasing the number of local governments from 44 to 70 will  help deepen grassroots development and participation.

“Kano identifies with the yearnings of various communities for restructuring and therefore supports the creation of new states, provided such moves comply with Section 8 of the Constitution,” Gwarzo declared. “We also strongly advocate the creation of 26 additional local governments in Kano to meet the aspirations of our people,” he stated.

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The memorandum, endorsed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the people of Kano following an extensive consultative process, highlighted how a 22-member stakeholders’ committee mobilised public inputs through radio phone-in programmes and an open parley at the historic Mambayya House, the home of the late Malam Aminu Kano.

Beyond pushing for more local governments and a new state, Kano also demanded explicit constitutional recognition of local government as the third tier of government. It proposed amendments to Section 2(2), Section 7, and Section 162(5) to solidify local government autonomy within a framework of fiscal discipline and alignment with state development plans.

“Kano notes the subtle exclusion of local governments in the existing federal structure. We advocate for reforms that grant them proper constitutional footing, with safeguards for accountability and strategic synergy with state objectives,” the deputy governor stressed.

On security, Kano backed the creation of state police to complement the Nigeria Police in tackling widespread security threats, but called for clear jurisdictional lines and robust inter-agency collaboration to avoid conflicts.

“Kano believes that while state police will close glaring security gaps, there must be defined areas of operational competence between it and the national police,” the memorandum read. It also urged amending the Second Schedule, Part I, Item 45, among other relevant sections, to pave the way for state-controlled policing.

The state equally canvassed enhanced roles for traditional rulers, seeking constitutional provisions that would protect their appointment processes from undue political interference, while leveraging their grassroots influence to promote peace and cohesion.

Kano proposed the establishment of a National Council of Traditional Rulers, made up of chairmen of state councils of chiefs, to advise the Federal Government on national issues.

In the fiscal sector, the state made a bold case for reviewing the revenue sharing formula. It recommended cutting the federal government’s share from 52.68% to 40%, raising states’ from 26.72% to 35%, and increasing local governments’ allocation from 20.6% to 25%.

On gender inclusion, Kano endorsed ongoing National Assembly efforts to secure greater representation for women in both national and state legislatures.

Wrapping up, Gwarzo told the committee that the memorandum was a product of an “inclusive and participatory” process that captures the genuine yearnings of Kano people. “We urge the National Assembly to give our modest proposals favourable consideration so Nigeria can move closer to a constitution that truly reflects the hopes of  the people. 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 carried out widespread monitoring operations aimed at curbing vote buying and financial inducement across several strategic locations during the 2025 Lagos State local government elections.

The Zonal Director and Chief of Staff to the Executive Chairman, Michael Nzekwe, not only coordinated the strategic deployment of officers but also personally toured polling units across Lagos Island, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki, and Epe Local Government Area.

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The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, says there cannot be effective governance at the local government level without full autonomy.

He stated this while speaking to journalists after casting his ballots in the Lagos State local government elections in Surulere on Saturday.

Asked about his view on the implementation of the LG autonomy ruling by the Supreme Court exactly one year ago, Gbajabiamila said it is a work in progress and it would be perfected with time.

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Gbajabiamila said, “The ruling was welcome by everybody. It’s the execution of that ruling and the implementation of that ruling that we are still trying to dot the Is and cross the Ts.

“I believe in a matter of time, we will realise full autonomy. There cannot be effective governance without full autonomy. That’s what we are working toward.”

In July 2024, the Supreme Court granted autonomy to all the 774 local government areas in the country following a suit filed by the federal government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation but the judgement is yet to be fully implemented.

The Senate had after the judgement last year asked state and local governments to immediately comply with the Supreme Court judgement, particularly relating to local government accounts and the funds given directly to them.

The Senate also resolved to take immediate steps to alter sections of the Constitution to give full autonomy to local government administration in the country.

Six people, including women and children, were killed on Thursday evening when suspected bandits ambushed a commercial bus along the Kucheri-Wanzamai road, Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

The attack, which occurred around 7 p.m., also led to the abduction of several other passengers.

Sources confirmed that the incident happened just after the daily road closure, a security measure recently introduced by the Zamfara State Government to curb the frequency of bandit attacks on highways.

The sources said the 18-seater commercial bus had earlier developed a mechanical fault shortly after passing a military checkpoint.

While the driver managed to fix the issue and resume the journey, he reportedly noticed several motorcycles trailing the vehicle.

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“They suddenly opened fire on the bus. Out of fear, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to veer off the road, somersault, and burst into flames,” a source disclosed.

Six people reportedly died, some from gunshot wounds, others from burns sustained after the vehicle caught fire.

A security source also confirmed that the Nigerian Army troops stationed between Maraban Kyaware and Wanzamai, after hearing gunshots, swiftly responded, engaging the bandits in a gunfight and forcing them to retreat.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde says he is open to dialogue with those protesting the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, to Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, declaring his readiness to yield to a superior argument.

His remarks came in response to protests by students and the alumni association of the state-owned institution against the name change.

During the official inauguration of the Governing Boards for five state-owned tertiary institutions at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office on Friday, Makinde acknowledged the emotional attachment many have to the original name. He, however, emphasized that policy decisions should be driven by merit, not sentiment.

The governor announced the name change in June to honour former governor of the state, Omololu Olunloyo, sparking significant backlash.

He said, “I know that this Inauguration would not be complete if I refuse to say one thing or the other about the issue regarding the renaming of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, after a former governor of the Oyo State, Dr. Omololu Olunloyo.

“Well, the Baba, according to the record available to us, was the first Rector of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. So, what it means is that they must have handed over to him, maybe some buildings and a clean sheet of paper that made this happen. So, he must have done his part. I have heard the alumni and the current student union body.”

The governor continued, “If some of our EXCO members may remember, we argued about the name of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology at a point. The pro-chancellor came to me and said, ‘Yes, this university was founded to offer only technology-related education, but we are seeking approval to allow them to offer other courses in humanities and other areas.’

“We said okay, go ahead. And the issue of name change came up. We said, well, since they are not offering only technology-based courses, will the name still stay as LAUTECH? We argued back and forth. I wanted the name to be changed to Ladoke Akintola University, but the alumni sent representatives to us, and I said, ‘Okay, if you have any superior argument, we will listen to you. ’ And they came up with a list of schools that have undergone the same transformation, and they still retained that name. So, we allowed superior arguments to prevail.

“After all, what we should be mostly concerned about is the quality of products from that school. I threw a very simple question to some of the people agitating to retain the name of The Polytechnic, Ibadan. I said, ‘Look, let’s even say we now move to something like what we did at Emmanuel Alayande College of Education. We upgraded the institution from a college of education to a university of education. So, if tomorrow we upgrade The Polytechnic Ibadan to a university, will they tell us that it should still be The Polytechnic, Ibadan?’

“We are ready to engage with the people, if you have any superior arguments apart from sentiment. And, if you are coming to us to even talk about the infrastructure and the quality of graduates coming from that institution and making a case for us to put in more resources and all of that, I can understand. But still, we are ready to engage, and my appeal to the students is, when you protest openly and you disturb others from going about their lawful activities, you need to realise that where your freedom stops is where the freedom of others starts.

“So, if there are differences, please go through the proper channel. This is an administration that listens to you. If you have a superior argument, then we will listen to you and we will even apologise to you.

“The process is on. If you have any issues, not about sentiment, I will listen and I will do whatever I can do within my power to ensure that we lift the infrastructure in that institution, that will ensure that adequate resources are provided, be it monetary, be it material, be it human. We just need to ensure that we have good products coming out of that institution.”

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Governor Makinde also used the occasion to express the government’s readiness to solve the challenge of subvention to the institutions with a view to seeing to it that they are well-funded.

“I also need to mention this. I know that almost all the institutions are struggling with their subventions. But why did I meet with JAC before I was elected? They were being paid a fraction of the subvention, and after we won the election, the government of the day moved from 50 per cent subvention to 100 per cent, but they did not pay it for one day. It was left for the incoming administration to execute.

“So, from day one in office, that singular act added one billion naira to the expenses of the state. Then we continued to manage with the understanding from JAC when we had to negotiate a new minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000. Now, minimum wage, again, within this administration, has moved from N30,000 to N80,000.

“I know some of you have been coming to us. I believe we had to make a special arrangement for the College of Education, Lanlate, for them to be able to pay salaries over the past two months. So, I know you are struggling, and we don’t want this to be some kind of hardship posting for the Governing Council in those institutions.

“So, we are going to be engaging with you shortly to see what we can do. The resources of the state are limited, and we still have to ensure that we give quality education, that we have a good learning environment, and we will do everything to ensure that our graduates from those special institutions can compete with the best from around the world.

“So, I acknowledge openly now that you are faced with those challenges. And, in the days or perhaps weeks ahead, we will solve that problem,” the governor added.

The institutions are the Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan; Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, now Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki; Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora; Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate and Oyo State College of Health Science & Technology, Ibadan.

While inaugurating the boards, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to upholding quality and excellence in state-owned tertiary institutions by continuing to provide necessary support to them.

Those inaugurated as chairmen are Prof Lanre Nassar, Rt. Hon. Babatunde Olaniyan (Akoro), Comrade Olusegun Oyewumi, Dr. Amusan Damilare Gideon and Dr Bisi Ojebola for The Polytechnic Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State College of Health Science and Technology, Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo State College of Education, Lanlate, Oyo State College of Agriculture, Igboora and The Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, respectively.

The governor also inaugurated other members of the councils.

Makinde said that his administration’s efforts culminated in the state moving from owning one and a half universities in 2019 to owning three universities, stating that the government had continued to look out for ways to maintain the standard and ensure that the institutions were at par with international standards.

He equally noted that the government got the reactions of the alumni of The Polytechnic Ibadan, which it recently renamed after former Governor Victor Omololu Olunloyo, promising to sit with them and engage them on the development, even as he charged them to also channel the grievances to the House of Assembly, which would soon be considering a bill in that regard.

In a related development, the governor at the event signed into Law the renaming of the Oke Ogun Polytechnic, Saki, to Michael Koleoso Polytechnic, Saki.

The governor appreciated the Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman, Governing Council of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Professor Ayodeji Omole, and his team for their efforts, which he said contributed to the positive turnaround of the tertiary education sector in the state.

He said, “Let me say thank you to Professor Omole and your team members. When we came into the office, we had one and a half universities in Oyo State, the Technical University and half of LAUTECH. But through your efforts, we now have three solid universities in Oyo State. And, you have not stopped.