Zamfara State House of Assembly has suspended two local government council chairmen over alleged financial misappropriation, in a move it described as a step toward strengthening accountability in the state.

The affected officials are Mannir Mu’azu Haidara of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area and Umar A. Faru of Bukkuyum LGA.

Their suspension followed the presentation of a report by the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs during plenary on Wednesday.

The report was delivered by the Deputy Speaker, Adamu Aliyu Gumm, who also serves as the committee’s vice chairman.

According to the House spokesperson, Bello Kurya, the lawmakers unanimously adopted the committee’s recommendation after deliberations presided over by the Speaker, Bilyaminu Moriki.

Kurya explained that the two chairmen were suspended for failing to honour invitations extended by the committee to explain the expenditure of funds allocated to their respective councils.

“The invitations were issued to enable them to provide explanations regarding the expenditure of funds,” he said, adding that their refusal to appear before the committee was considered a serious breach.

He noted that the suspension takes immediate effect and will remain in place pending the outcome of an ongoing investigation into the financial activities of the state’s 14 local government councils for the 2025 fiscal year.

The Assembly directed the affected chairmen to hand over to their respective vice chairmen without delay.

Kurya further stated that the disciplinary action was based on findings of “disrespect to the legislative institution” as well as a lack of transparency and accountability.

He added that the Assembly had transmitted its resolutions to the executive arm of government for implementation, reiterating its commitment to prudent management of public resources and good governance in the state.

The Ogun State Waste Management Authority, OGWAMA, has arrested and prosecuted 108 residents in Abeokuta for the indiscriminate dumping of waste products.

The offenders were apprehended while dumping refuse on roadsides, public places and on medians, in different parts of the state capital.

Recall that DAILY POST had reported the piles of trash sitting on major roads and blocking the gutters.

However, the OGWAMA enforcement team arrested the offenders while they were dumping the refuse, an offence against the state’s waste management law.

Speaking on the arrest on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on OGWAMA, Farook Akintunde, said the waste offenders have been prosecuted in different customary courts in the state capital and fined to serve as a deterrent to others.

He lamented that despite government efforts at picking up waste from residents’ doorsteps, they are still in the habit of dumping waste in inappropriate places, thereby defacing the aesthetic beauty of the environment and the state capital.

Akintunde said, “Its just unfortunate that we have to go this route to stop some of our people from dumping waste indiscriminately on roadsides and in public places. We have sensitized, appealed and even encouraged them to handover their waste to Waste PSP assigned to their areas for proper waste disposal but to no avail.

“We are determined to continue this exercise until they see the need to stop dumping waste indiscriminately, especially now that the state is wearing a new look in terms of proper waste management.

“Aside from this, dumping waste indiscriminately is not safe, as it can lead to flooding and contaminate ground water during this rainy season, which the state government will not allow” Akintunde warned.

He insisted that the state government through OGWAMA, will not fold its hands and allow a few individuals deface the environment through unlawful environmental practices.

Akintunde urged those still in such habit to stop or get prepared to face the law.

The Kaduna State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused authorities of orchestrating a sustained pattern of political pressure against opposition party members.

Briefing journalists on Tuesday in Kaduna, ADC chieftain and ex-Commissioner for Education, Professor Muhammad Sani-Bello, expressed “grave concern” over what it described as politically motivated actions undermining democratic norms.

The ADC alleged that recent developments surrounding El-Rufai were not isolated incidents but part of a broader strategy to weaken his political influence. Among the issues cited were his exclusion from a ministerial position, proceedings by the Kaduna State House of Assembly, and the arrest and detention of several of his associates.

The party specifically mentioned individuals, including Bashir Saidu, Ja’afar Ibrahim Sani, Jimi Lawal, and Aisha Galadima, as among those affected.

The ADC further alleged that anti-corruption and security agencies, including the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) were being used in ways that create the perception of selective enforcement.

According to the party, prolonged detention, altered bail conditions, and questioned judicial processes point to potential abuse of institutions and erosion of public trust.

The opposition party also highlighted what it described as violations of human rights and due process, citing El-Rufai’s extended detention and repeated transfers across locations.

It stressed that such actions raise concerns about fairness, proportionality, and adherence to the rule of law

Beyond El-Rufai, the ADC claimed there is a widening clampdown on opposition voices across Kaduna State. It pointed to reported arrests, intimidation, and interference in party structures, as well as alleged restrictions on the establishment of party offices.

The party also referenced controversies at the national level involving party leadership, including issues linked to former Senate President, David Mark, which it said further complicate concerns about institutional neutrality.

It called for the immediate end to what it described as harassment and politically motivated prosecutions, as well as the release of individuals it considers unlawfully detained. It also urged authorities to uphold due process, maintain institutional independence, and ensure a free and competitive democratic space.

The ADC called on relevant authorities, civil society groups, and the international community to closely monitor developments in Kaduna State.

It warned that continued pressure on opposition figures could undermine democratic pluralism and public trust in governance if not addressed.

Prominent chieftains and leaders of Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Oyo State have paid a visit to one of the gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Saheed Oladele.

The meeting was held in Ibadan on Tuesday ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It was attended by 26 local government chairmen of the party and state executive members of the party.

DAILY POST gathered that the leader of 10 local government areas in Oke Ogun geopolitical zone, Alhaji Ibrahim Durojaiye was also in attendance at the meeting.

SDP State Chairman, Hon. Michael Okunlola, while speaking, said that Oladele has all it takes to be the next governor of the state.

Although, details of the meeting were still sketchy as at the time of filing this report on Wednesday, our correspondent gathered that both the leaders of SDP and Oladele are finalising the process for his defection to the party.

The Ogun State Executive Council has approved the renaming of the Sagamu–Iperu–Sapade Expressway as the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Expressway, in honour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The decision followed an earlier announcement to rename the Artery Bypass during the commissioning of the Gateway International Airport and other landmark projects last Saturday.

In a related development, the former Aviation Village in Iperu has been renamed after the late Oba Adeleke Idowu Basibo, in recognition of his contributions to the community.

The Council also approved the procurement of 50 electricity transformers to improve power supply across the state under the Light Up Ogun Project.

Additionally, the Council approved the purchase of 20 Suzuki Grand Vitara and 12 Toyota Fortuner vehicles to support the administrative operations of public officials.

Further decisions include traditional leadership appointments and recognitions across various communities. The Council approved the declaration of the Olu of Odeda stool in Odeda Local Government Area.

It also ratified the appointment of Prince Adeyemi Ibikunle Opeaye as the Oludotun of Idotun in Ikenne Local Government Area, Chief Yaya Oriyomi as the Olu of Mowe, and Bashorun Peter Oluwole Ogunbayo as the Odemo of Ishara.

The approvals reflect the state government’s continued focus on infrastructure development, strengthened local governance, and community leadership.