Residents and youth groups in Boripe local government council area of Osun State have expressed frustration over prolonged electricity outages, as the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, attributed the situation to reduced power supply from the national grid.

The Nigerian Youth Congress, Boripe chapter, said the persistent blackout had negatively affected homes, businesses and educational activities in the area.

In a statement issued in Osogbo, the group’s coordinator, Hammed Oyetunji, said communities within the local government had endured weeks of unstable power supply.

According to him, “the absence of electricity has disrupted economic activities and daily life for residents.

“For weeks, our communities have been subjected to prolonged blackout, causing serious hardship to residents, business owners, students and artisans.”

He added that electricity remained a critical factor in economic growth and public safety, stressing that its absence had slowed business activities across the local government.

Oyetunji also noted that many small-scale entrepreneurs had resorted to alternative sources of energy to keep their businesses running.

“Small businesses are incurring additional costs through alternative power sources, while students preparing for examinations are struggling to study effectively at night,” he stated.

He said the blackout had placed additional financial pressure on many households.

The youth leader called on IBEDC to provide a clear explanation for the prolonged outages and urgently restore stable electricity to the affected communities.

Residents had last week taken their grievances to the regional office of the distribution company in Osogbo, where they staged a protest over the power situation.

Demonstrators were seen chanting solidarity songs while demanding improved electricity supply to their communities.

Security personnel were deployed around the office during the protest to maintain order as tensions rose.

The protesters also issued a seven-day ultimatum to the distribution company to restore their communities to Band A electricity classification.

They warned that failure to address the situation could lead to further lawful collective actions against the company’s operations within the communities.

Responding to the concerns, IBEDC said the supply challenges were linked to reduced generation and instability in the national grid.

In a statement by the IBEDC management, the company explained that gas supply shortages to power generation plants had significantly lowered electricity generation across the country.

“Gas supply shortages to electricity generation plants have significantly reduced generation capacity nationwide, forcing distribution companies to implement increased load shedding,” the company said.

IBEDC added that electricity demand within its franchise areas had increased, particularly following the introduction of additional Band A feeders.

It stated that the energy allocated to the company from the national grid had remained inconsistent, creating a gap between electricity demand and available supply.

The company apologised to customers affected by the outages and said it was working with stakeholders across the electricity value chain to improve supply stability.

“We understand the frustration this situation has created among our customers and sincerely apologise for the disruption to homes, businesses and economic activities,” the company said.

There was pandemonium at the Federal Secretariat Monday morning as fire engulfed part its building.

DAILY POST gathered that the fire engulfed the Head of Civil Service Office of the Secretariat.

The incident diverted vehicular movement from the Federal Court of Appeal area.

At the time of filing this report, the cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

Details shortly…

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has raised concerns over an alleged plan by certain officials within the Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, to spend close to N20 billion on electricity grid expansion projects.

The labour union claimed that the proposed expenditure, reportedly being pursued under the label of “emergency refurbishment,” appears to be a scheme aimed at diverting funds from the financially strained power utility.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the union warned that the planned spending poses a serious threat to the organisation’s financial stability.

Ajaero alleged that a group operating within TCN was attempting to use the justification of an “emergency” to sidestep standard procurement procedures and conceal questionable transactions within complex documentation.

He cautioned that if the procurement plans go ahead, the financial health of TCN could deteriorate further, potentially undermining its ability to operate effectively for many years.

According to the NLC leader, the national grid could remain in a perpetual state of crisis, not because of a lack of technical capacity, but due to the diversion of funds intended to improve infrastructure.

Providing examples of what he described as questionable spending proposals, Ajaero claimed that N191 million had been earmarked for erosion control work on Tower T89 in Ihovbor, Okada.

He also pointed to a proposed expenditure of N290.65 million for fencing and drainage work at the Biu 132/33KV substation.

He cited a planned allocation of N226.02 million for work on Tower T27 in the Etsako–Okpella–Ajaokuta axis, describing such figures as inconsistent with the principles of prudent financial management.

The NLC further alleged that there were plans to procure specialised transformers and switchgear in separate batches from the same supplier at progressively higher prices.

Ajaero argued that such arrangements suggested irregularities in the procurement process, describing them as an attempt to channel funds through inflated contracts rather than legitimate infrastructure upgrades.

He also accused officials of planning to stockpile consumable materials such as insulators, conductors and clamps at prices significantly above market rates, allegedly under the pretext of preparing for potential grid failures.

The NLC president therefore called on the Minister of Power to suspend all ongoing “emergency” procurement activities within TCN pending the outcome of a comprehensive forensic audit.

He also urged the minister to investigate the reported sale of land located behind the TCN substation in Katampe, Abuja.

In addition, Ajaero requested a review of an alleged attempt to promote a staff member employed on September 16, 2021, to the position of Assistant General Manager by 2026, which he said violates the company’s established promotion guidelines.

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has declared that members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State remain confident of victory as preparations continue for the 2026 governorship election in the state.

The former Osun State governor made the remarks on Friday in Iragbiji, Osun State.

Addressing party supporters, Oyetola said the APC remained determined to regain control of the state government, stressing that preparations were already underway ahead of the election.

“We are prepared for the contest ahead. By the grace of God, we will vote and we will win,” Oyetola said.

He urged party members and residents not to be troubled by political developments in the state, assuring them that the party would remain focused on its mobilisation efforts.

According to him, “There is no cause for alarm. We are confident that with the support of the people, victory will come our way.”

The minister also used the occasion to call for support for the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He noted that ongoing economic and social reforms by the Federal Government required collective backing from citizens.

He said Nigerians should rally around the leadership at the centre to help achieve national development goals and ensure the success of programmes designed to strengthen the country’s economy.

Oyetola also encouraged eligible residents in Osun State to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and described voter registration as a civic responsibility.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has said it is not surprised by what it described as the desperate actions of the Kano State House of Assembly to impeach the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo.

In a statement signed by Ladipo Johnson, its National Publicity Secretary, the NNPP said that Nigerians should not expect anything less, adding that the move was the final kick from a political group that has lost its conscience.

“When men trade their conscience for political favour, they see being loyal to the people as a criminal act,” the statement said.

“The Deputy Governor is being targeted for one specific ‘crime’: he won’t get on the same page as others who have broken the trust given to the NNPP by the people of Kano.

“He has chosen the path of honor, staying loyal to the Kano voters and his party, while others have switched to the ruling party in a shameful act of political opportunism.

“This fake show starting in the House is a clear sign of the old, bad kind of democracy these people follow—a system where the law is used like a weapon to hurt the very people it’s supposed to help.

“They are not looking for a person; they are targeting the authority given by the people of Kano!

“We see this so-called impeachment process for what it is. It’s a clear attempt to create a path for the APC to take over a mandate they couldn’t win either in the polls or through the courts.

“It’s a political killing that’s pretending to be a legal procedure,” it stated.

The NNPP showed their strong support for the deputy governor and the people of Kano State, saying that “These people gave their trust to the NNPP in 2023 for a four-year term. However, this mandate has now been passed to a political party that the people clearly did not support.

“We ask the people of Kano State to stay calm despite this big challenge. You can’t challenge the truth, and you can’t send a notice about ‘gross misconduct’ to the will of the people as a whole. This bad legislation is just a rough way to finish weakening the vote in a sneaky way.

“Let it be known: 2027 is nearer than it seems.
The voters have long memories. Every lawmaker who is trading their honesty for small political favors and their employers will face anger from the people when they vote. The gavel is in your hands today, but the people have the final say. The NNPP stands firm. We remain undeterred.”

DAILY POST reported that the Kano State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was presented during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was initiated in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

While addressing lawmakers, Dala outlined a series of allegations linked to Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions allegedly taken in his current role as deputy governor.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Aisha Yesufu has expressed sadness over the retirement of DIG Frank Mba from the Nigeria Police Force.

DAILY POST had reported that the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, along with several other senior officers will be retiring following recent leadership changes within the institution.

The departure of the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the subsequent confirmation of Tunji Disu as the new police boss has brought some senior officers on the list for retirement.

Reacting, Aisha Yesufu in a post on X, said she was saddened about the development, alleging nepotism and tribalism by top government officials.

She wrote, “I am so saddened about the retirement of DIG Frank Mba! An officer with so much to offer to the nation, most especially the police force that desperately needs overhauling!

“How do we fight terrorism when we have turned our security architecture into a joke!

“When nepotism, tribalism and lack of merit is the order of the day terrorists will have the upper hand!”

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that the State government will establish the Abia State Safety Commission to ensure effective regulation of safety standards across homes, offices, markets, and industries in the State.

Governor Otti made this known on Friday, when he received members of the House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, led by its Chairman, David Idris Zakarias.

The Governor disclosed that the policy has received State Executive Council approval and is awaiting legislative action for full implementation.

He emphasized that beyond setting up the Commission, public reorientation on safety consciousness was crucial to prevent disasters and protect lives and property.

“In some markets, you see dark-line electrical wires and combustible materials kept unsafely.

“We must continue to educate our people and ensure fire extinguishers are available,” Governor Otti stated.

The Governor promised to ensure that his administration’s safety policy initiative is properly legislated.

Earlier in his speech, David Idris Zakarias said that only Lagos State currently has the Safety Commission, regretting that non-compliance with safety standards was affecting the lives and businesses of Nigerians.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has inaugurated the Ebonyi State Taskforce on “Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods”.

The inauguration, which took place in Abakaliki, attracted key stakeholders on the taskforce, comprising NAFDAC, Ebonyi State Ministry of Health, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christiana Adeyeye, the NAFDAC Director, South East Zone, Dr. Festus Ukadike gave an overview of the enforcement initiative, as well as its objectives and urged Ebonyi State to take the lead in confronting the growing threat of counterfeit medicines and unsafe packaged foods.

According to her, “enforce standards, coordinate intelligence-driven surveillance, remove illegal products from circulation, and support legitimate manufacturers and traders by ensuring that compliant businesses are not undermined by counterfeiters and illegal operators.”

She disclosed that the taskforce would carry out coordinated market inspections and rapid testing, including transparent reporting to the Chairman Federal Taskforce on Counterfeit and Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods.

Contributing, the Chairman of the Federal Taskforce, Dr. Martin Iluyomade (FSI) who spoke through Zoom from Lagos State, said that the taskforce derived its legal backing from an Act of the National Assembly and it supersedes any similar taskforce constituted by a State.

On his part, the Hon. Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma described the circulation of harmful drugs and unhealthy foods as a serious threat to human existence, stressing that the menace kills silently, weakens the healthcare systems and affects the poor and the vulnerable.

He enumerated the efforts made by the Ministry to curb counterfeit drugs.

Ekuma maintained that the inauguration was not a ceremonial event but a call to action and enjoined members of the taskforce to work assiduously to eliminate all forms of health-threatening substances in the State.

On his part, the Ebonyi State NAFDAC Coordinator, Mr. Emeka Orajiaka emphasized that the fight against counterfeit drugs and unwholesome processed foods cannot be tackled by NAFDAC alone, adding that with the collaborative efforts of the newly inaugurated taskforce, significant progress can be achieved in protecting the health and safety of Ebonyi residents.

Responding on behalf of others, the Chairman of the Taskforce, Dr. Gabriel Ajah, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Ezeogo promised that the taskforce would operate with professionalism, integrity, and transparency.

He pledged their readiness to collaborate with relevant agencies, manufacturers, regulatory bodies and the judiciary to dismantle networks making profit from human suffering.