Metro
Jonathan Seeks Urgent Intervention in High-profile Interference in Off-cycle Elections
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has called for an urgent national stakeholders’ engagement to address the emerging trend of serving governors, senior public officials and political gladiators descending on states during off-cycle elections.
Jonathan made the call in a statement personally signed by him on Tuesday in Abuja, entitled: “Osun and the need to set new boundaries for political conduct in off-cycle elections.
”He warned that the practice witnessed during recent governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States, if left unchecked, could create an undue pressure that could threaten Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
While commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties and the people of Osun for the peaceful conduct of the governorship election, Jonathan stressed that political mobilisation on Election Day must have boundaries.
He said that the outcome of the state election demonstrated that Nigeria still possessed the capacity to conduct elections in a manner that strengthened public confidence in the country’s democratic institutions.
“While we commend the electoral process itself, there are developments surrounding the election and, more importantly, an emerging trend in political conduct during off-cycle elections that raises concerns.
“The growing practice whereby serving governors, senior political office holders, party leaders and other influential government functionaries, accompanied by a large number of aides and heavy security details from outside a state, converge on states where elections are being conducted raises an issue that demands national attention.
“The conduct witnessed around the recent elections in Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states was, in my view, unusual. It is not a practice that should become normal in a democratic society,” he said.
The former president recalled that, as president, similar situations arose during the 2013 Anambra and 2014 Ekiti governorship elections where senior political leaders mobilised and descended on the states.
“Upon being briefed, I ordered party leaders and senior government officials to leave the states immediately,” he said.
Jonathan described the trend as unwholesome, saying if left unchecked, it could threaten Nigeria’s fragile democracy and have serious long-term implications for democratic stability.
“Political parties are entitled to campaigning, mobilising their supporters and deploying their legitimate party structures. That is an essential part of democracy.
“However, there is a point at which political mobilisation, particularly when it involves the overwhelming presence of serving governors, senior public officials and powerful political actors from across the country on Election Day, can create an atmosphere of apprehension, intimidation, bullying and undue pressure.
“We must ask ourselves whether the increasing deployment of political power and large-scale mobilisation by senior office holders on Election Day in states holding elections is consistent with the spirit of free, fair and peaceful democratic competition. This hardly happens in other democratic countries.
“We must not allow political competition to become a contest in which victory is perceived as something that must be achieved at all costs,” he said.
According to the former president, there is also the question of precedent.
“If the current trend becomes established, what happens when governors from opposing political parties begin to descend on every state holding a competitive election?
“What happens when each party seeks to match political power with political power, governmental influence with governmental influence, and mobilisation with counter-mobilisation?
“Such a development would not strengthen our democracy. It would deepen political tensions and could make elections increasingly resemble battles for political survival rather than peaceful contests for the mandate of the people,” he stated.
The former president said that he believed that the matter should not be treated as a partisan dispute concerning the Osun election, describing it as a broader national issue concerning the future of Nigeria’s electoral democracy.
“Those of us who have occupied public offices must recognise that our conduct carries a greater responsibility.
“The power and influence attached to public office should be used to strengthen democratic institutions, not to create apprehension among political opponents or citizens,” he said.
Jonathan called on the National Peace Committee to convene, as soon as practicable, a stakeholders’ engagement to provide a neutral and constructive platform for political leaders and other stakeholders to reflect on the emerging practices around elections and agree on standards that would protect Nigeria democracy and preserve peace.
He said that the engagement should bring together key stakeholders, including the leadership of registered political parties and INEC.
Other stakeholders, according to him, should include relevant security agencies, the leadership of National Assembly, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Governors’ Forum; civil society organisations and the media, to interrogate what he described as the troubling trend.
“I believe that the National Peace Committee is particularly well placed to lead this conversation because of the confidence and moral authority it has built over the years in bringing political leaders together at moments of national tension.
“An early national conversation can help us establish appropriate boundaries and expectations for political conduct before practices that are unusual today become accepted as normal tomorrow,” the former president said.
The Federal Government has urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies requiring urgent medical assistance, while releasing state emergency call centre numbers.
The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), in an update on Wednesday, said 112 serves as a central contact for emergency medical assistance.
It said several states also had dedicated emergency call centre numbers to support faster responses to medical emergencies.
According to NEMSAS, the emergency response system provides fast response, professional care and life-saving services, with first responders available 24 hours daily.
The agency released emergency call centre numbers covering 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with most states using 112 alongside dedicated numbers.
For Abia, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 08000000800, while Adamawa residents can call 112, 1755 or 07011111443.
Akwa Ibom residents can call 112, 08000022322 or 08000022422, while Anambra residents can use 112, 5111, 0800 220 0008 or 112.
For Bauchi, the listed numbers are 112 and 07038636433, while Bayelsa residents can call 112 or 0800 220 0223.
NEMSAS listed Benue’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational,” while Borno residents can call 112 or 08000000033.
Cross River has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Delta residents can call 112, 07041008130 or 07041008131.
For Ebonyi, the listed numbers are 112, 08086446891 and 08086445736, while Edo residents can call 112, 739 or 09037999871.
Ekiti residents can call 112, 08000606606, 08111111-22, -33, -44 or -55, while Enugu residents can use 112, 09074996090 or 07066466429.
Gombe residents can call 112 or 07033825646, while NEMSAS listed Imo’s emergency call centre as “Not Operational.”
Jigawa has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kaduna residents can call 112 or 08064111599.
For Kano, the listed numbers are 112, 09019999920 and 09049999914, while Katsina and Kebbi each have 112 listed.
Kogi also has 112 as its listed emergency number, while Kwara residents can call 112, 09062010001 or 09062010002.
Lagos residents can call 112 or 767, while Nasarawa residents can use 112 or 08144911269 for emergency assistance.
For Niger, the listed numbers are 112, 0802 242 2953 and 0815 557 7513, while Osun residents can call 112, 08111110532 or 08111110561.
Ogun residents can call 112 or 08112000033, while Ondo residents can use 112 or 08055300300.
For Oyo, the listed emergency numbers are 112 and 615, while Plateau residents can call 112 or 09136982496.
Rivers residents can call 112, 09040222281, 09040222283 or 09040222285, while Sokoto residents can use 112, 07045963318 or 07071765080.
For Taraba, the listed numbers are 112, 07041122777 and 07041100777, while Yobe residents can call 112, 09169981792 or 08000090009.
Zamfara has 112 as its listed emergency number, while residents of the FCT can call 112, 09157892931 or 09157892932.
NEMSAS advised members of the public to save the emergency numbers and use them whenever urgent medical assistance was required.
The agency said its first responders were ready to provide quick response and professional care to help save lives during emergencies.
It urged Nigerians to dial 112 during emergencies, describing the service as available 24 hours daily, seven days weekly.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday awarded N20 million each to LASU’s best graduating students for the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 sessions.
Sanwo-Olu announced the awards during Lagos State University’s 29th and 30th combined convocation ceremonies at the Buba Marwa Auditorium, Ojo.
Ayilara Olawale, from the Department of Project Management, emerged overall best graduating student for 2024-2025.
Olawale recorded an impressive Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.96 to emerge top of the graduating cohort.
Similarly, Adebanjo Samuel, from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, emerged overall best graduating student for 2025-2026.
Adebanjo achieved a CGPA of 4.97, earning recognition as the university’s overall best graduating student for the academic session.
Sanwo-Olu congratulated the 20,604 graduands from both academic sessions, describing the cohort as the largest graduating class in LASU’s history.
He noted that the graduands included 494 First Class students, attributing their achievements to their parents, guardians, sponsors and lecturers.
“Your achievements reflect the commitment of your parents, guardians, sponsors and lecturers who supported you throughout your academic journey,” he said.
The governor also congratulated 3,383 postgraduate graduands, including Doctor of Philosophy graduates, urging them to expand knowledge and mentor younger scholars.
He said LASU had recorded remarkable growth since its establishment 43 years ago, describing the institution as a product of Lateef Jakande’s vision.
Sanwo-Olu said LASU had emerged as Nigeria’s most subscribed university for two consecutive years, attracting more than 84,000 first-choice applications.
He added that Times Higher Education ranked LASU Nigeria’s best state university and fourth-best university overall.
According to him, LASU was also rated West Africa’s best university for four consecutive years, from 2022 to 2025.
He noted that the recognition came through the UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, further demonstrating the university’s growing international profile.
Sanwo-Olu said LASU’s selection as South-West host of the N3 billion TETFund Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Cyber Sciences reinforced its rising profile.
The governor said his administration prioritised education and technology under the THEMES Plus agenda because both remained central to Lagos’ development.
He listed the Babajide Sanwo-Olu Library Complex, student union building, accommodation facilities, lecture theatres and other infrastructure among achievements recorded at LASU.
Describing the ceremony as his final convocation as Visitor, Sanwo-Olu urged graduands to represent Lagos and Nigeria with competence, character and courage.
“Use your education to serve humanity. Degrees open doors, but service builds lasting legacies,” the governor told the graduands.
He congratulated LASU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, on her final convocation and commended her contributions during her five-year tenure.
Sanwo-Olu said Olatunji-Bello had elevated LASU’s profile, adding that history would remember her contributions to the institution’s development.
He also congratulated LASU Chancellor, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, who presided over his first convocation after recently obtaining a Doctor of Business Administration degree.
Olatunji-Bello said LASU was graduating 20,604 students across diploma, first-degree and higher-degree programmes from the two academic sessions.
She described the ceremony as her fifth and final convocation as vice-chancellor and expressed gratitude to Sanwo-Olu for supporting her administration.
The vice-chancellor said LASU successfully elevated its standing among Nigerian and African universities despite challenges encountered during her five-year tenure.
The university conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Akin Kekere-Ekun, Bola Adesola and Aliko Dangote for contributions to national development, scholarship, business and humanity.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of LASU Governing Council, Babatunde Ogala, said the university would sustain partnerships, research and programmes aligned with Lagos’ strategic position.
He specifically highlighted aviation and maritime studies as areas requiring continued development because of their importance to Lagos’ economy and future.
Ogala announced a strategic partnership between LASU and the University of Illinois Chicago to promote collaboration among students, lecturers and researchers.
He urged the graduands to regard their degrees as a call to deeper intellectual engagement and greater responsibility to society.
The combined convocation marked a significant milestone for Sanwo-Olu and Olatunji-Bello as they prepare to leave their respective positions as Visitor and Vice-Chancellor, respectively.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has declared Thursday a work-free day in commemoration of Isese Day, a celebration of the African traditional religion.
This is contained in a memo by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof.
Musibau Babatunde, on Wednesday in Ibadan.In the memo, the governor extended his felicitations to adherents of African Traditional Religion across Oyo State, Nigeria, and beyond, wishing them a successful and spiritually enriching celebration.
Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness to all religions, expressing gratitude to traditional worshippers for their support to his government over the past seven years.
The governor said that the work-free day would enable workers and residents to fully participate in the celebration of the state’s cultural heritage and pray for the peace, unity, and stability of the state and the country in general.
Recall that Makinde introduced the Isese day celebration as part of his administration’s efforts to honour adherents of traditional religion.
Isese day was also introduced to harness cultural tourism as a driver of economic growth, emphasizing that cultural tourism remains one of the state’s greatest strengths.
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