Abdul-Ganiyu Obasa, son of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, has been confirmed as the new Chairman of Agege Local Government. His emergence follows the resignation of the former council chairman, Tunde Azeez, who had been on medical leave since the inauguration of the current administration.

In a letter presented by the Leader of the House, Adeshina Haruna, Azeez formally resigned from his position, citing ongoing health issues that had hindered his ability to effectively perform his duties since taking office.

Following the reading and approval of the resignation letter during a council session on Wednesday, lawmakers unanimously voted Abdul-Ganiyu into office as the new Local Government Chairman.

According to the council lawmakers, the unanimous vote in his favour was based on his notable contributions to the development of Agege and the need to prevent a leadership vacuum within the local government.

More to come…

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday held a meeting with the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Ignatius Kaigama, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The purpose of the archbishop’s visit was not immediately disclosed, as officials close to the presidency had yet to comment on the engagement.

The meeting came days after United States President Donald Trump alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and threatened possible US military action if the violence continued.

Trump’s genocide allegation sparked public debate, with the Nigerian government rejecting the claims and maintaining that Christians and Muslims live peacefully in the country.

Last Friday, Trump announced that he had redesignated Nigeria as a “country of particular concern (CPC)” over alleged Christian genocide.

He further warned that the Nigerian government must “better move fast” or face the suspension of all US aid to the country.

The US President also threatened to deploy the “department of war” against terrorists “that attack our cherished Christians.”

In response, the Nigerian presidency stated that President Tinubu and Trump would engage on the issue of alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.

Photographs released after Tuesday’s meeting showed Tinubu receiving Archbishop Kaigama at the Presidential Villa.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, has reiterated that his declaration of activist Omoyele Sowore as wanted remains valid, stating that the command will pursue all lawful steps to apprehend him.

Jimoh had earlier declared Sowore wanted for allegedly “causing a disturbance of public peace and acts to commit a serious felony by planning to obstruct traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.”

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, the Commissioner disclosed that Sowore had not reported to the police since the declaration, insisting that the law will take its course.

“My declaration that Sowore is wanted is still in force,” CP Jimoh said on the programme.

He noted that Sowore’s lawyer contacted him via text message on Monday while he was attending to a riot situation and that the message was forwarded to the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Nigerian Police Force for further action.

“They agreed that Sowore will turn up at the CID because that is where the investigation is being carried out. The normal practice in investigation is to conclude inquiries before going for arrest,” he said.

The CP explained that despite the communication, Sowore did not show up as agreed.

“Throughout yesterday he has failed to report, and we are going to do everything within the ambit of the law to get him arrested, investigated, and prosecuted for these offences,” he added.

Jimoh maintained that he acted within his authority in declaring the activist wanted, stating that anyone who disagrees should seek redress in court.

‘No order to shoot at sight’

Responding to claims by Sowore that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, instructed that he be shot on sight, Jimoh dismissed the allegation and described it as “a major misinformation.”

He stressed that the IGP would never issue such a directive and argued that the statement was aimed at inciting unrest.

“I think that is a great misinformation to the general public and to Nigerians at large, which no organisation will take lightly. The Inspector General of the Nigerian Police will never give such an order and has never given such an order,” CP Jimoh said.

“For what reason will he give such an order against anybody across the country? That is where people will know that Sowore, in all ramifications, is planning, and has even begun to put plans in place, to cause mayhem across Lagos. That is why I went all out to declare him wanted.

“So, for him to say that the IGP has ordered that he be shot on sight is a big misinformation and mischievous, which he is known for.”