THE MAN WITH THE ANSWER
Leadership is about bringing people together around a shared vision and delivering results.
As the coalition takes shape, Seyi Makinde’s leadership, capacity and track record continue to earn the support of leaders and stakeholders across political…
“Are you crazi ? These two boys are not going anywhere !! You have to release them immediately”
Moment this woman and her husband prevented these set of policemen from taking these small boys away after searching their phone illegally and telling them to call whoever they wish to call. Fortunately, one of the boys called his parents which the dad happened to be a senior police officer, they arrived at the scene and these happened…..
Important🚨: The public campaign for the February 6, 2027 Governorship election officially begins today.
My candidate for the Ogun State Governorship election is Senator Solomon Olamilekan “YAYI” of the APC @Sen_AdeolaYAYI.
Vox populi, vox Dei.
For equity and fairness, it is generally accepted across Ogun State that this is the turn of Ogun West. The people of Yewa/Awori have presented a candidate, and many of us from the other senatorial districts will support him.
Beyond the politics of zoning and fairness, YAYI is a candidate whose record is difficult to match. Project for project, achievement for achievement, empowerment for empowerment, his record in the 10th Senate puts him head and shoulders above anyone else in this gubernatorial race in my opinion.
I know political campaigns are two-dimensional: issues and agenda. Both are fair game in love and war. But remember, agenda can cut both ways, and nobody has a monopoly on it.
I will make my case, support my candidate and let the people decide.
May the best man win. May Ogun State succeed.
INCITING STATEMENTS AND ELECTORAL VIOLENCE: NIGERIA POLICE MUST MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF SENATOR FADAHUNSI
The 2027 general elections are barely four months away, and one is increasingly concerned by the growing culture of political actors openly threatening citizens over their electoral choices.
A recent viral video shows the Chairman of Kuje Area Council in the FCT, Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo, telling residents, “It’s either you’re doing APC or leave the area council.”
This is disturbing, but unfortunately, it is not an isolated incident. It follows a dangerous pattern that we witnessed during the recent Osun State Governorship Election.
Days before the August 15 election, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, was captured on video making deeply inflammatory remarks against members of the Accord Party. Nigerians, civil society organisations and activists condemned those remarks. The Police subsequently invited him, but he was released hours later without any prosecution.
Not long afterwards, Francis Eniade, the APC candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo Otin Federal Constituency, was also captured on video allegedly threatening Accord members and warning people who were not APC members against coming out on election day. Again, no prosecution followed.
Earlier in April, Hon. Wole Oke had similarly made remarks warning that anyone outside President Tinubu's political camp should “bear the consequences” of his or her decision.
I am a strong supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his re-election, but support for the President must never become a licence for political intimidation. Those who threaten citizens in his name are not strengthening his campaign; they are liabilities to it. President Tinubu needs genuine supporters who can persuade Nigerians on the strength of his record, not political actors whose conduct alienates the very electorate whose confidence and votes he needs. These should concern every Nigerian, irrespective of political affiliation.
Our democracy cannot develop a culture where politicians threaten citizens, intimidate opponents or attempt to dictate how people must vote, while law enforcement looks the other way. The resultant effect is violence and needless killings.
The danger is now becoming obvious. When the first threat attracts no meaningful consequence, the second politician becomes bolder. When the second goes unpunished, a third follows. Eventually, intimidation becomes normalised as an instrument of electoral politics.
The violence witnessed during the recent Osun election should teach us that inflammatory political rhetoric must never be treated casually. Words have consequences, particularly when they come from influential political figures addressing charged supporters during an election.
The Nigeria Police Force must therefore make an example of Senator Fadahunsi through the due process of investigation and prosecution where the evidence establishes an offence. Failure to impose consequences for inflammatory political conduct sends precisely the wrong signal to others who may be tempted to follow the same path.
Samuel Danjuma Shekwolo's remarks provide another opportunity for the Police to send a clear message before the 2027 elections: electoral intimidation will have consequences. If we fail to confront this culture now, we risk entering the 2027 elections with political threats and intimidation gradually becoming accepted features of our democracy.
-Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.
28/8/2026.