News
TENSION IN WARRI: Mulade Calls on Gov. Oborevwori to Intervene; Appeals to Stakeholders to Embrace Peace
By: Favour Bibaikefie
A renowned peace, justice and environmental advocate, Comrade (Chief) Sheriff Mulade, PhD, has called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State to act swiftly in addressing the current tension among the three ethnic nationalities of Urhobo, Itsekiri and Ijaw in the Warri Federal Constituency before the tension degenerates into a full blown crisis.
Mulade’s call comes on the heels of recent reports of heightened tension between Itsekiri and Ijaw youths over the alleged removal by the former, of the 10th coronation anniversary banners of the Pere Ama-Okosuwei of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, Monbene III, from strategic locations in Warri Metropolis on Tuesday.
The United Nation’s peace ambassador, who noted that the recent tension in the Warri constituency resulted from the recent ward delineation exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), called on the Governor to initiate a dialogue to foster peace and unity in Warri Area.
He also charged the security agencies of government to rise up to the occasion, to be professional in their duties and not allow themselves to be used by those who do not mean well for the growth and development of the State, particularly Warri and its environs.
He said, “I call on the Governor Sheriff Oborevwori-led administration to act swiftly to tackle this brewing tension before it escalates to a full blown crisis,” and added, “The government is for all. So Governor Oborevwori should, if there is need, come down to Warri and have a town hall meeting with all relevant stakeholders in the communities in Warri, to interact with the traditional rulers and other major stakeholders.”
“I call on the security agencies of the state and the federal government to move in swiftly to nip the tension in the bud so that it doesn’t escalate. The relevant security agencies, especially the Nigerian Police, need to be professional, should not create a wrong impression that people can use them to perpetrate their selfish interests,” he cautioned.
Speaking further, he said, “The traditional rulers in the area should also call their subjects to order irrespective of every provocative actions. Peace is better than violence and at this moment, what we want is peace and unity for the sake of development,” he noted.
Mulade, who is the Ibe-Serimowei of the Ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom, cautioned the youths to refrain from acts that could jeopardize the investment efforts of Delta State, as well as government’s infrastructural strides. He also charged the INEC to finally resolve the pending Ward delineation issues relating to the Warri Federal Constituency.
“There has been relative peace all this while, and that is why we are able to talk of infrastructural development so that investors and more companies carry on their projects. But if there is crisis, those constructions, all the State Government projects will be halted, and we don’t need that,” he said.
“Therefore the youths should not give room to violence or be used to foment crisis in the state. They should know at this stage that peace is more golden than conflicts,” Mulade stressed.
“Lastly I urge INEC to close out this Warri ward delineation because that is the root cause of this fresh phase of ethnic violence that is breeding in the area of recent. So, the INEC and the federal government must be neutral and comply in line with the Supreme Court judgment and close out these issues so that we can put them behind us,” Mulade advised.
By Favour Bibaikefie
LAGOS — Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have uncovered a suspected baby factory in Badagry area of Lagos State, rescuing 28 persons during a late-night raid.
Authorities said those rescued included 18 adults and 10 children. Among the adults were 17 pregnant women, while one case involving a suspected miscarriage was also recorded. Two persons were arrested in connection with the operation.
The Lagos State Commandant of the NSCDC, Adedotun Keshinro, disclosed that the raid followed weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance.
According to him, the facility, located in Okuju-Ilado, Badagry, was made up of several apartments and had been monitored for about three weeks before security operatives moved in around midnight on Wednesday.
Keshinro alleged that the operators targeted vulnerable pregnant women by offering them financial inducements. He further claimed that the women were made to sign agreements and were subsequently restricted from leaving the premises freely.
Investigators also suspect that the syndicate used a fake social media profile to attract unsuspecting victims before moving discussions to private channels.
However, one of the arrested suspects denied wrongdoing, insisting that the women came willingly and that no unlawful activity took place.
A woman rescued from the premises reportedly told officials that she entered the facility voluntarily after being abandoned by the man responsible for her pregnancy.
Some community leaders in the area said residents had observed unusual movements around the compound but did not know the true nature of activities there until the security operation was carried out.
The NSCDC said both suspects and rescued victims would be transferred to the appropriate anti-human trafficking agency for further investigation and necessary action.
By Tama Peretengboro
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stirred public discussion after making a remark in which he said he “took over leadership from myself” and described the late Muhammadu Buhari as being inseparable from his own political identity.
The statement, made during a public appearance captured in a viral video, quickly generated widespread reactions across political and social circles, with many Nigerians debating the meaning and context of the President’s comments.
Observers said the remarks appeared to underscore Tinubu’s close political association with Buhari and the continuity of governance between both administrations. Others interpreted the comments as an attempt to highlight the shared vision and alliance that existed between the two leaders during Buhari’s tenure.
Since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu has repeatedly acknowledged Buhari’s role in the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress, as well as the political transition that brought the ruling party to power.
The resurfaced clip has since fueled fresh commentary online, with supporters defending the statement as symbolic and critics questioning its phrasing.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued any formal clarification regarding the viral video.
See video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXOOaYSCG23/?igsh=MTF6MzJlOWptanJlYQ==
By Divine Perezide
BURUTU — The member representing Burutu State Constituency I in the Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Alapala Anthony Ebitonmo, has officially announced his intention to seek re-election in the 2027 polls.
Hon. Alapala made the declaration while addressing executives of the All Progressives Congress in Burutu Local Government Area, shortly after the release of the Independent National Electoral Commission timetable and the party’s schedule for the May 16 State Houses of Assembly primaries.
During the meeting, the lawmaker expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their support during the 2023 general elections, particularly commending members in Burutu LGA for their steadfastness throughout the legal disputes that followed the polls.
He recalled that after his initial victory was overturned by the Court of Appeal, party loyalists remained committed until he eventually emerged victorious in the rerun election.
Speaking on his stewardship, Alapala said his administration had recorded notable progress despite the challenges that marked the early period of his tenure. He noted that the political developments in Delta State, including the alignment of major political blocs and the emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as leader of the APC in the state, had created a more favourable atmosphere for governance.
The legislator stated that several constituency projects are ongoing across the six wards of Burutu North, stressing that grassroots development remains central to his agenda.
On human capital development, he disclosed that more than 50 constituents are currently serving in various appointments under his office, with beneficiaries drawn from all six wards to promote fairness and inclusion.
He further revealed that over 20 students from the constituency have benefited from scholarship opportunities facilitated through his office, while more than 790 students are receiving regular stipends under the Alapala Ebitonmo Students’ Support Scheme.
According to him, the initiative was introduced to reduce financial hardship among students and encourage academic success.
Hon. Alapala also said he had assisted several indigenes of Burutu North in securing empowerment opportunities as well as pensionable employment.
Reaffirming his commitment to public service, the lawmaker assured party stakeholders that if re-elected, he would build on the achievements already recorded and deliver greater democratic dividends to the people.
He also pledged continued loyalty to the APC and its guiding principles.