By Augustine Akhilomen

Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat on Tuesday morning held a strategic meeting with the former speaker of the state, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji.

Ikuforiji, who served as Speaker for 10 years, remains a significant figure in Lagos politics and a member of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC).

The meeting comes amid ongoing political consultations and engagements across the state, as conversations around the 2026 governorship election continue to gather momentum.

Hamzat, who came with an entourage, has recently maintained a visible presence in high-level stakeholder meetings, among prominent figures being mentioned in discussions about the state’s future leadership.

See photos below…

….Other Aspirants Have Pledged To Him, Says Abiodun

Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, a long-term ally and a key political protégé of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been adopted as the All Progressives Congress’ consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship race in Ogun State.

Adeola, who represents Ogun West in the Senate, emerged as the party’s preferred choice following a strategic caucus meeting held at the APC secretariat on Abiola Way, convened by the state chairman, Yemi Sanusi.

The meeting was attended by Governor Dapo Abiodun, former governors Olusegun Osoba, Gbenga Daniel, and Ibikunle Amosun, alongside other key stakeholders including Kola Bajomo, Salisu Shuaib, Gbenga Kaka, and Gbenga Obadara.

Supporters frequently link Yayi’s governorship aspiration to ensuring Ogun State remains under the influence of President Tinubu’s political movement often referred to as the “City Boy Movement/

Unveiling the candidate at the APC Strategic Caucus Meeting held at the party’s secretariat in Iyana Mortuary, Abeokuta, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who is the leader of the party in the state, said the decision was aimed at presenting a formidable candidate and breaking the jinx of Ogun West Senatorial District not producing a governor since the creation of the state.

He explained that the caucus meeting was convened to secure the buy-in of major party stakeholders, disclosing that he had earlier met with other aspirants who agreed to support the party’s choice.

“Today, those I considered as front-runners in Ogun West have given their consent and bought into the idea.

“The reason Ogun West has not been able to produce a governor until now is due to a lack of cooperation. I am proud to say that I have spoken to Hon. Biodun Akinlade, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, and I can confirm that they are fully on board with having a single Ogun West candidate.

“Nothing will give me more joy than to break the 50-year-old jinx. Nothing will give me more joy than to fulfill the aspirations of my predecessors and ensure that Ogun West produces the next governor of Ogun State.

“On that note, permit me to unveil the person we have decided will be the next flag bearer of our great party in Ogun State—Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola,” he said.

According to the governor, a series of consultations were held with key stakeholders, including a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to arrive at an acceptable candidate to fly the party’s flag in the 2027 election.

“A lot of discussions have taken place behind the scenes, and these discussions did not just start a month or two ago. I must confess that they began about six months ago.

“The President called Chief Olusegun Osoba, who in turn reached out to me and a few others. He expressed satisfaction with what we are doing and indicated his interest in having a say in who would work with him in Ogun State in the next election,” he said.

Governor Abiodun added that after carefully assessing all aspirants who indicated interest in the governorship race, a candidate was selected based on competence, capacity, and the President’s understanding of each aspirant.

“He asked me which zone I preferred for the next governor to come from, and without hesitation, I said Ogun West. When he asked why, I told him it is the only senatorial district that has not produced a governor in the history of the state.

“I also told him that this position aligns with the aspirations of my predecessors. We may disagree on other issues, but on this, we are in agreement,” he said.

He noted that while all aspirants have their strengths, some possess stronger credentials than others, stressing that a governorship aspirant must also have the financial capacity to run an election rather than depend solely on external support.

He said the party has grown in leaps and bounds in the last seven years, as new members joined, making it the dominant party with little or no opposition.

The governor noted that though every member has the right to aspire, there is the need for the party members to align and streamline their thoughts on the forthcoming elections, cautioning going against the Electoral Act.

In his acceptance speech, Senator Adeola pleged to continue on the path of progress as bequeathed by past leaders, saying the State would experience more development as he is aware of the aspirations of the State’s founding fathers.

He noted the strategic importance of the State in the country, saying that with the support and cooperation of all, he would not let the party and the State down.

Senator representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume, has said Nigeria’s lingering insecurity could be decisively tackled within six months if the Federal Government demonstrates sufficient commitment.

Ndume stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, where he expressed concern over the recent escalation of violence, particularly in the North-East.

The lawmaker stressed that beyond complaints, what is required is decisive action and political will.

“It is not about complaining. It is not about asking somebody like me as a senator to say why these things. I always believe that if the President and the Federal Government of Nigeria are serious about this, we can end this thing (insecurity) in six months.

“All we need is to train our soldiers, equip them, arm them very well, and then motivate them,” Ndume said.

The senator lamented the continued loss of military personnel, including senior officers, noting that such incidents highlight deeper operational challenges.

“After killing their commanders, they now come back to kill our commanders and they are still taking about five, six, or even seven. Even today, around Northern Borno, we lost a colonel, I understand, with some soldiers. This should not continue. This is now the problem,” he said.

Ndume also attributed the worsening security situation to inconsistent and incomplete implementation of security strategies.

“The escalating security situation has really been enhanced by the challenge and the threat, and the actions that have been taken that have never been completely done. We have to be very serious about this matter; we have to walk the talk.”

Speaking on the issue of foreign support, the lawmaker emphasised the need for intelligence, technology, and specialised expertise rather than relying on external forces.

“What we need is intelligence. What we need is air support. We also need the expertise of those that are specialists. We even have some that were trained outside, special forces. We have capable hands already on the ground; all they need is equipment, ammunition, and motivation.

“We do not have enough drones. Look at what Burkina Faso is doing, it is technology. We can use technology to finish or minimise these things within the shortest possible time. If you deploy drones and have trained people to operate them, with proper command centres, we can achieve results,” he said.

The Borno South senator further noted that Borno State would have suffered greater devastation without the efforts of Governor Babagana Zulum and commended his interventions in stabilising parts of the state.

Ndume’s comments come amid renewed security concerns in the North-East and across Nigeria.

A recent airstrike at Jilli Market along the Yobe–Borno border on Saturday has come under scrutiny over reported civilian casualties.

The Nigerian Air Force said the strike targeted suspected Boko Haram insurgents and that it is investigating reported civilian casualties.

While casualty figures remain unclear, several deaths and injuries were reported, with victims receiving treatment in nearby facilities.

The incident also followed a deadly attack on Thursday on a military formation in Benisheikh, where troops repelled insurgents but suffered casualties.

Security challenges, including banditry, kidnappings, and communal clashes, persist nationwide.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, during a recent visit to Bayelsa State, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.

In a related development, the United States Department of State has issued travel advisories and begun reducing its staff presence in Abuja. Federal Government, however, described it as a routine precaution and not a reflection the country’s security situation.