Chilling with OBO @davido in my community, Ogugu, Olamaboro LGA of Kogi State.

When we came into government in 2016, our administration took decisive steps against kidnapping, including legislation prescribing severe punishment, demolition of identified kidnappers’ hideouts, and clearing 20–40 metres on both sides of major highways across the State to expose criminal hideouts and give road users longer visibility. I personally supported the security effort with patrol vans to strengthen constant patrols in the affected LGAs. These measures drastically reduced kidnapping at the time. But recent developments show that more must be done. I therefore suggest that the State Government, in collaboration with the State House of Assembly, consider an EXPEDITED TRIAL framework for KIDNAPPING and BANDITRY, with trials concluded within 3 to 7 days where practicable, and the full weight of the law, including the death penalty where prescribed and constitutionally permissible, applied to those convicted. Kogi must remain hostile territory for kidnappers, bandits, their sponsors and collaborators.

KIDNAPPING ALONG THE OFU-DEKINA-ANKPA-OLAMABORO CORRIDOR. Those crude and heartless kidnappers and killers must not simply be taken off the streets without first extracting every vital intelligence possible: their sponsors, collaborators, financiers and those shielding them. Security agencies must thoroughly interrogate every suspect within the law and pursue the wider network. That is how these criminal enterprises are dismantled permanently. Otherwise, eliminating one set may simply create room for another as long as the Odogwu is still out there. And who exactly may be the “Odogwu Maley” in that LGA? That identity and its possible links should be properly established and investigated.

I commend the Honourable Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, for the decisive steps taken following the tragic loss of 37 young lives in Niger State. The suspension of the NSCDC Commandant and other officers, and the constitution of an independent investigative committee, are welcome first steps. But Nigerians deserve more than administrative action. We need a full, transparent and fearless investigation to establish what happened, why it happened, and who was responsible. If negligence, misconduct, abuse of office or deliberate wrongdoing is established, everyone responsible must face the full weight of the law, regardless of rank, office or connection. Thirty-seven young souls are gone. Whether ultimately described as a tragic failure or something more deliberate, one thing is clear: the circumstances surrounding their deaths must be fully unraveled. If any information was deliberately suppressed or any act was intended to prevent the truth from emerging, that truth must be brought to light and made public. Whoever is connected to this wicked act must face the full wrath of the law. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God grant their families strength and comfort.

A new responsibility. A new opportunity to serve. Honoured to be appointed National Director, Strategy, RTIFN.

MY TAKE ON THE PROPOSED CREATION OF ADDITIONAL ELECTORAL WARDS IN KOGI STATE. The debate over additional electoral wards in Kogi State should be guided by facts, the law and fairness, not political sentiments or figures circulating on social media. From my review of the existing structure and available data, areas such as Ward A in Lokoja LGA, Ayingba and its surrounding rapidly growing communities in Dekina LGA, and Abuga Ozuga Ward in Okene LGA clearly deserve serious consideration as INEC reviews the adequacy of existing wards. These are areas experiencing significant population growth, urban expansion and increasing electoral pressure. THE LAW MUST COME FIRST Section 40(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 provides that each Local Government Area shall have not less than 10 and not more than 20 electoral wards, as the circumstances of the LGA may require. INEC’s published data shows that Ijumu currently has 15 wards. Therefore, if reports that nine additional wards are being proposed for Ijumu are correct, the arithmetic is straightforward: 15 existing wards + 9 additional wards = 24 wards. That is four above the statutory maximum of 20. If the report is accurate, this raises a legitimate question that deserves clarification from INEC. I am confident that the Commission, under its current leadership, will ensure that any final decision complies fully with the law. WHAT SHOULD GUIDE WARD CREATION? The law does not provide a simplistic formula based solely on registered voters. INEC must consider the circumstances of each LGA. Relevant considerations should include population and its distribution, registered voter concentration, polling unit distribution, geographical spread and accessibility, urban growth, administrative manageability and equity. Most importantly, the same objective standard should apply across Kogi East, Kogi Central and Kogi West. KOGI EAST DESERVES THE SAME STANDARD INEC’s 2023 data provides an interesting picture: Dekina: 187,881 registered voters across 12 wards, averaging 15,657 voters per ward. Ankpa: 180,095 registered voters across 13 wards, averaging 13,853 voters per ward. Lokoja: 157,248 registered voters across 10 wards, averaging 15,725 voters per ward. Okene: 151,243 registered voters across 11 wards, averaging 13,749 voters per ward. Olamaboro: 105,864 registered voters across 10 wards, averaging 10,586 voters per ward. By comparison: Ijumu: 66,482 registered voters across 15 wards, averaging just 4,432 voters per ward. These figures do not, on their own, establish entitlement to additional wards. But they clearly show significant differences in electoral load and provide a legitimate basis for asking questions about the criteria being applied. This further strengthens my call for INEC to make public the current registration data following the recently concluded CVR exercise. The current figures may be significantly different from the 2023 figures. MY POSER TO INEC If INEC is reviewing wards because circumstances have changed, then publish the data and methodology. Let Nigerians see the ward by ward figures for registered voters, polling units, relevant population indicators, existing boundaries and proposed boundaries. Let us know the objective standard being applied and let that standard apply equally across the State. If the reported proposal gives Ijumu nine additional wards on top of its existing 15, taking the LGA to 24 wards, that would exceed the statutory ceiling of 20. That deserves a clear explanation. This is not opposition to additional wards. Where the law and facts justify them, create them. Where the law sets a limit, respect it. Where circumstances differ, explain the difference. Same law. Same standard. Same Kogi State.

It has been over five weeks since the conclusion of the year-long Continuous Voter Registration exercise, yet INEC is yet to publish the updated voter registration figures across polling units nationwide. In previous exercises, such data was typically made available within two weeks and presented clearly across relevant demographics. Voter registration data is the foundation upon which the credibility, transparency and integrity of any election are built. INEC must uphold the standards it has established over the years. This is no time to drop the ball. Nigerians deserve timely, transparent and accessible data. INEC, live up to the standard

Protect your votes.

A typical Igala person can be trusted, we are loyal people.

Security, Education, and Healthcare are not just sectors of government, they are the foundation upon which every thriving nation is built.

No one can deceive the people with religious sentiments in the coming election.

The Oyo Rescue

There’s a correlation between the failure in our Local Government system and the insecurity we see today in Nigeria.

On the issue of ‘Fake DG’ and ‘Fake Federal Agency’. #Symfoni #naijaunfiltered #Edwardonoja

Messi has missed two penalties and gone scoreless in crucial knockout games. Yet Argentina is in the World Cup final because greatness isn’t only about scoring, it’s about leading. Against England, he delivered two decisive assists. That’s the difference between a goalscorer and a game-changer. Likewise in life, leadership isn’t about being in the spotlight; it’s about making others shine.

The safe return of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo State is a welcome development and a testament to the courage, professionalism, and resilience of our gallant security personnel. I commend our brave officers and men, under the leadership and command of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for their unwavering commitment to keeping Nigerians safe. May we continue to record greater successes in the fight against insecurity.