The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Olajide Esan, has called for sweeping reforms to Nigeria’s political system, saying the current structure discourages competent citizens from seeking public office.

Esan made the remarks on Tuesday while addressing journalists at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Guest Platform, where he outlined his vision for governance, economic development, and social welfare in Osun State.

According to him, the existing political system requires major adjustments because it has failed to produce the desired level of development.

He argued that the structure favours individuals who regard politics and governance as a business rather than public service.

“The system doesn’t allow people with ideas, but those who see politics and governance as a business to run for office. It is not sustainable, and this is one of the reasons why I decided to run for office,” Esan said.

The AAC candidate stated that his administration would promote participatory governance by giving residents greater involvement in decision-making processes.

He said governance should be people-centred and designed to reflect the aspirations of citizens across the state.

He also criticised the country’s political leadership since 1999, alleging that Nigeria has continued to recycle political leaders while nepotism has become increasingly entrenched.

“Leadership should be based on service and not imposition. Nigeria has too many politicians but not leaders,” he said.

Esan argued that poverty and ignorance had been used to manipulate citizens, adding that his administration would encourage stronger interfaith relationships to promote unity and discourage divisions among communities.

On social welfare, the governorship hopeful pledged to devote his entire salary to the welfare of senior citizens if elected.

He also proposed the creation of a comprehensive Osun residents’ database to improve planning and service delivery across the state.

The AAC candidate unveiled a proposal for an Osun Child Trust Fund, explaining that every child born in the state would have a dedicated investment account until the age of 18 to support higher education or provide start-up capital for a business.

Speaking on traditional institutions, Esan said a defined percentage of local government revenue should be allocated to traditional rulers to strengthen their roles in community development while ensuring they remain outside partisan politics.

On agriculture, he advocated an agro-based economy and stressed the need for policies that protect local agricultural practices. He expressed concern over the adoption of genetically modified organisms, saying Africa should carefully assess such technologies before their widespread implementation.

Addressing the mining sector, Esan alleged that the benefits of illegal mining were being enjoyed by a few individuals instead of the people.

He said tackling illegal mining forms part of the AAC manifesto, adding, “Leaders are the ones benefitting from the proceeds of illegal mining. Curtailing illegal mining is part of our manifesto because the proceeds of mining are meant for the people of Osun State.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has directed all its state chapters to stop receiving court documents or hiring lawyers on behalf of the party without approval from its national leadership.

The directive, issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, requires every state chapter to forward any court process served on the party to the National Legal Adviser at the ADC national headquarters in Abuja.

The move comes as political activities and legal disputes increase ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the party, it has received reports that some court documents were being served on state chapters, while lawyers were allegedly engaged to represent the party without the knowledge or approval of its National Legal Adviser.

“The attention of the African Democratic Congress has been drawn to reports that court processes relating to the party are being served on some state chapters of the party and that, in certain instances, legal practitioners have been engaged purportedly on behalf of the party without the knowledge, consent or authority of the National Legal Adviser,” the statement said.

The ADC stressed that its constitution gives only the National Legal Adviser the authority to appoint lawyers or take legal action on behalf of the party.

“Only the National Legal Adviser of the party is authorised to issue letters of instruction to any legal practitioner to represent, act for, or take steps on behalf of the party in any court, tribunal, arbitration, administrative proceeding or other legal process,” the party stated.

The party also instructed state executives, legal advisers and other officials not to receive, acknowledge or keep any court documents served on the party through state offices.

It further warned that state chapters and officials have no authority to appoint lawyers, file legal documents, appear in court or make legal decisions for the party without written approval from the National Legal Adviser.

The ADC added that court papers served on state chapters would not be recognised as valid service on the party unless a court specifically orders substituted service. In such cases, the documents must be sent immediately to the National Legal Adviser electronically.

The party warned that any official or chapter that violates the directive or hires lawyers without authorisation could face disciplinary action under the party’s constitution.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has dismissed the Department of State Services, DSS, explanation for the detention of journalist Zainab Sodiq, alleging that she was targeted because of her role in his bail process and not because she was carrying a drone.

Sowore made the allegation in a post on X on Thursday, shortly after the DSS said Sodiq was being investigated for travelling with an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) without the required End User Certificate (EUC).

He said contrary to the statement by the DSS, she was not arrested and detained because of any drone.

Sowore claimed that the security agency had been after her for some time owing to their closeness.

“I had publicly disclosed this concern months ago.  The DJI Mavic Air drone in question belongs personally to me,” Sowore wrote.

According to Sowore, the drone belonged to him and had been used for media coverage of elections and other public events.

He said he personally informed DSS operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport that the drone was his and instructed Sodiq to leave it behind and continue her journey to Abuja.

He claimed Sodiq was travelling with his international passport, which was required to fulfil bail conditions imposed by Justice M.G. Umar, and alleged that the real objective of the security agency was to prevent the passport from reaching Abuja and frustrate the perfection of his bail.

Sowore further alleged that Sodiq voluntarily reported to the DSS office after being invited but was immediately taken into custody without being allowed to settle the fare for the Bolt ride that conveyed her there.

According to him, his lawyers later contacted the Director-General of the DSS, Tosin Ajayi, who allegedly described Sodiq’s detention as a “routine screening” related to the drone.

He, however, claimed that the agency later changed its position and became displeased after he publicised Sodiq’s detention on social media.

Sowore accused the DSS of using state institutions to harass journalists, activists and government critics, alleging that the detention formed part of a broader pattern of repression.

The activist also levelled several allegations against the DSS leadership, including claims of abuse of power and attempts to suppress dissent.

DAILY POST reports that the DSS had earlier stated that Sodiq was intercepted by its operatives and personnel of the Aviation Security (AVSEC) unit of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria at the Lagos airport on Monday while travelling to Abuja with a drone allegedly without the required authorisation.

The Service maintained that its action was in line with regulations issued by the Office of the National Security Adviser governing the acquisition and use of drones, adding that investigations into the matter were ongoing.

Lagos State House of Assembly has passed for second reading a bill seeking to outlaw street begging across the state, with lawmakers expressing concern over the growing number of beggars on highways and other public spaces, describing the trend as a threat to public safety and environmental sanitation.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Public Affairs Directorate of the Assembly.

According to the statement, the proposed legislation is designed to prohibit street begging and provide a legal framework for addressing what lawmakers described as a persistent social challenge affecting security, public hygiene and the image of Lagos as Nigeria’s commercial hub.

During deliberations on the bill at plenary, members of the Assembly offered varying perspectives on its implementation, with many advocating rehabilitation and welfare support for beggars instead of relying solely on punitive measures.

The bill comes on the heels of renewed efforts by the Lagos State Government to curb street begging. On Tuesday, the government announced the arrest of 396 beggars during a statewide enforcement operation, stating that those apprehended would be profiled before being repatriated to their respective states of origin.

Speaking during the debate, the member representing Surulere Constituency I, Desmond Elliot, urged the government to adopt a humane approach, particularly in dealing with children found begging on the streets.

He recommended that vulnerable children be removed from the streets and enrolled in rehabilitation programmes where they could receive proper care, education and other social support, while relevant government agencies should be strengthened to effectively carry out their responsibilities.

Also contributing, the lawmaker representing Ikorodu Constituency II, Aro Moshood, called for a thorough review of the bill to prevent possible misuse or misinterpretation by law enforcement agencies when the legislation eventually takes effect.

Bonu Solomon, who represents Badagry Constituency I, argued that a large number of street beggars in Lagos were not indigenes of the state. He suggested that beyond targeting those engaged in begging, the legislation should also discourage indiscriminate almsgiving by members of the public, noting that such acts often encourage the practice.

Similarly, Noheem Adams, representing Eti-Osa Constituency I, described the bill as a timely initiative and proposed that street beggars be moved to rehabilitation centres where they could receive vocational training, counselling and other forms of empowerment.

He noted that states such as Kano, Kaduna, Niger, Anambra and Abia, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, had already introduced measures to address street begging.

In his remarks, Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, acknowledged that supporting the less privileged remained a noble act but stressed that the increasing incidence of street begging had become a growing security concern.

Obasa suggested the establishment of structured channels through which charitable donations could reach genuinely vulnerable persons, while ensuring that those found begging on the streets are rehabilitated and successfully reintegrated into society.

He further directed that the proposed legislation be aligned with existing laws to facilitate effective implementation once passed.

At the end of the debate, the Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Youth, Sports and Social Development for further legislative scrutiny, directing the committee to submit its report within two weeks.

The House subsequently adjourned plenary indefinitely

Asiya El-Rufai, wife of detained former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has cried out that her husband was granted bail with terms that are not viable.

El-Rufai’s wife raised the alarm on Wednesday when she appeared as a guest in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.

She disclosed that the court granted her husband a bail term with 2 sureties, N200 million each, and properties worth N200 million in GRA Kaduna, with attestation from the traditional council of Kaduna State.

According to her, efforts to get the bail conditions met became impossible

“The fundamental rights of individuals are guaranteed by section four of the Constitution. It guarantees right to life, right to health and right to interactions.

“Now Mallam has been accused of offenses in different courts and those charges are clearly bailable offenses under the Nigerian law. He has applied for bail severally in the High Court. He was denied bail.

“In the Federal High Court, he was granted bail with terms that are not viable. In the Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna, the judge granted him bail for two shorties, N200 million each, with property worth N200 million in GRA, Kaduna.

“The judge also said that the traditional council of Kaduna State must give attestation. Now, efforts to get this became impossible. The traditional council would not give that attestation.

“I don’t want to speculate. They gave no reason directly. They just said that they’re not able to do it,” she said.