….as Wike is conferred with ‘Hasken Abuja’

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The traditional leadership of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on Thursday urged the Presidency and National Assembly (NASS) for constitutional reform, demanding an increase of the nation’s capital representation in the NASS from one to three senatorial seats.

The Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Dr.

The Ona of Abaji who spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers, said FCT currently operates with a single senatorial district, he argued that the territory’s skyrocketing population—estimated at over six million—justifies a structure equal to that of the 36 states.

“Considering the population of the FCT,we think that FCT deserves more than one senatorial district,” Dr. Yunusa stated.

The monarchs also called for the creation of additional Federal Constituencies, the establishment of more Area Councils to decentralize governance and bring development closer to the grassroots.

The monarchs appealed to Minister Wike to act as a primary mediator between the FCT and the Presidency.

Describing Wike as a “Governor among Governors” for his dual role as Minister and de facto Governor, they urged him to facilitate a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to present these constitutional aspirations directly.

The Council also sought the Minister’s intervention in rectifying the FCT’s lack of representation on the Board of Trustees of the North Central Development Commission (NCDC), asserting their right as a key stakeholder state within the commission.

In recognition of his current impact on the territory, the Council of Chiefs unanimously conferred the traditional title of “Hasken Abuja” (The Light of Abuja) on Minister Wike.

The monarch noted that the honor recognizes Wike’s “visionary leadership” and “commitment to the development of the FCT,” specifically citing his recent approval for the construction of a new Ona Palace in Abaji, the upgrading of the status and welfare of FCT traditional rulers, and structural reforms that have restored dignity to the traditional institution.

Rounding out their list of “more work for hard work,” the traditional rulers requested the provision of 17 tractors—one for each of the 17 Chiefdoms—to bolster food security for the territory’s rural agrarian communities.

They also advocated for the elevation of historically significant chiefdoms, such as Garki and Jiwa, to higher statuses.

The event, which opened with remarks from former Federal Commissioner Dr. Aliyu Almakura Abdulkadir, underscored a new era of collaborative governance, with the traditional institution positioning itself as a central pillar in the FCT’s drive for political and economic expansion.

In his response the FCT Minister, who was confered with ‘Hasken Abuja’ by Ona of Abaji on behalf of all the other traditional rulers said all what the traditional rulers requested for, they are entitled to them and assured them that as long as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is at the helms of the country, “whatever is due to you, will be given to you”.

Wike said, “I thank you for appreciating that Mr. President has touched virtually all the satellite towns in terms of provision of infrastructure and will continue to do that. By the grace of God, by the third anniversary of Mr. President, which will be starting from 29th of May, Mr. President will inaugurate so many projects including provision of water in Orozo, and Bwari area”.

On 2027 election the FCT Minister said, “You have made alot of request that you require your son, your daughter, whoever, that will go to National Assembly. On my own, as FCT Minister, the President cannot do it alone. You have to have somebody at the National Assembly. And now is the opportunity. This is the period to show whether indeed you love yourself”.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) has announced sweeping operational successes across the country in April 2026, highlighting intensified offensives that led to the neutralisation of 201 terrorists, the rescue of 188 abducted civilians, and the arrest of 284 suspects linked to criminal and insurgent networks.

Speaking during a monthly press briefing, Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Michael Onoja, said troops carried out coordinated land and air operations across all seven active theatres, significantly degrading terrorist capabilities and restoring security in several troubled communities.

According to the briefing, the North East theatre under Operation HADIN KAI recorded some of the most decisive outcomes, with 136 terrorists killed, multiple camps destroyed, and several high-profile arrests made.

Troops also repelled large-scale attacks, including a major assault in Kukareta, Yobe State, where 21 insurgents were neutralised and a cache of weapons recovered.

In the North West, Operation FANSAN YAMMA led to the rescue of 70 kidnapped victims, including worshippers abducted from a church in Kaduna State.

Troops also intercepted a suspect allegedly transporting improvised explosive device (IED) components intended for use in Abuja.

Operations in the North Central region under SAVANNAH SHIELD, ENDURING PEACE, and WHIRL STROKE saw intensified anti-kidnapping efforts, with dozens of victims freed and terrorist enclaves dismantled across Niger, Kwara, Benue, Plateau, and Kogi States.

Notably, troops rescued victims, recovered ransom, and destroyed an illegal weapons manufacturing site in Plateau State.

However, the briefing also highlighted ongoing security challenges, including the abduction of children from an orphanage in Kogi State. While 17 of the victims escaped, troops are continuing operations to rescue those still in captivity.

In the South-South, Operation DELTA SAFE focused on combating oil theft and kidnapping, leading to the recovery of over 100,000 litres of stolen petroleum products and the rescue of several abducted civilians.

Meanwhile, in the South East, Operation UDO KA targeted the proscribed IPOB/ESN network, resulting in arrests of key figures, destruction of camps, and recovery of weapons and IEDs. A major breakthrough included the dismantling of a key enclave in Enugu State.

Beyond combat operations, the military also emphasized its Civil-Military Cooperation initiatives, including peace-building engagements, community outreach, and support for farming activities aimed at enhancing food security and stability in conflict-prone areas.

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, commended troops for their resilience and urged continued vigilance. He also paid tribute to fallen soldiers, including senior officers who lost their lives in combat operations during the month.

The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting all communities and called on citizens to support security efforts by providing timely intelligence, stressing that national security remains a shared responsibility.

By David Torough, Abuja

Series of petitions, legal correspondences and court filings have flooded the courts and the Lagos State Government (LASG) intensifying the chieftaincy crisis in Ise and Imedu communities of Lagos State, with multiple objections challenging both the process and personalities linked to the disputed traditional stools.

Central to all these petitions is a man known in some petitions as Adebowale Saliu and in some as Mr Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu who was purportedly nominated as the Oba Onise of Ise Kingdom after the death of their king, Late Oba Adegbesan.

This raises the integrity question about his dual personality and why one man with different names would be nominated as Oba in two different Kingdoms.

One of the petitions, dated January 20, 2026, written by J.J.H. Joshua & Co. on behalf of elders and members of the community, which raises questions about the indigeneship of Adebowale Saliu reads in part, “The said application for the creation of the stool-Obaship of Imedu kingdom would have been a positive developmental opportunity for Imedu community had it been formally deliberated upon by the entire Imedu community and all parameters accepted and agreed upon by the community at large.

“Honorable Commissioner Sir that is the case. The Public Notice completely took our clients by surprise, but with the understanding that a certain individual by name Mr. Kemi Saliu had preferred his adopted-non biological son to pose himself as Oba of Imedu who hitherto has paraded himself as such.

”To the activities of Adebowale Saliu already imposing himself as Oba of Imedu Kingdom, using both the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police as protecting shields illegally went about terrorizing the entire community as Oba in 2025, while he is not. We wrote to the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, your good self and the Hon. Attorney-General of Lagos State. We are yet to receive any response from your office on the matter.

“Hon Commissioner, this Adebowale Saliu is not an indigene of Imedu and did not reside anywhere near Imedu community or participate in any communal activity in Imedu. He was an adopted child of kemi Saliu who married his mother while obviously pregnant with him. Both of his parents therefore are not indigenous to imedu. He is now being sought to be made Oba over and above all the indigenous sons and daughters and the community at large. What kind of precedent can that be?”

The same petition further alleges longstanding disputes over land and authority within the community, stating, “For about a decade now, various community land portions have been stolen and individually sold by either Alhaji Moyinu Balogun or Kemi Saliu without accounting or fair distributions to the community elders and members when they are neither Baale nor Oloriebi of the community.”

It continues, “There are numerous cases in various courts of the land and police establishments. Two are still ongoing at their instances.” If all these are taking place already since 2016, when Adebowale Saliu is not Oba in any material particular but acting as impostor already, it can only be imagined if any rightful land owner of their respective family portions would have any access, say, share or privilege to enter into or have any right in their community property.

“Hon. Commissioner Sir, the motive behind this desperate individual pursuit of the Obaship of Imedu kingdom at this juncture, is purely geared at obtaining sole ownership and command of community land as is already happening.

“Presently as the impostor that he is, Adebowale had terrorized the whole community intimidating and harassing them, using the army and the police with the proceeds of the illegal theft and private sale of community land. Our client’s fear is that worse than has already happened is likely to follow if that imposition is formalized to the chagrin of all community members, young and old and the yet unborn.”

The petition also links the push for Obaship as a control over communal land, stating, “The motive behind this desperate individual pursuit of the Obaship of Imedu kingdom at this juncture, is purely geared at obtaining sole ownership and command of community land as is already happening.”

On jurisdiction, the petition states, “Imedu community is not under Ibeju Lekki LGC. Imedu is under Epe LGC and falls within Lekki LCDA.”

It further alleges a security-related incident, stating: “In June 2025 Adebowale in a convoy of both police and military using OP MESA gun truck swooped down to disrupt communal celebration, beating, wounding and scattering the Iliya Muslim festival celebration and stole the cow meant for the celebration, taking it to an unknown destination.”

The petition concludes with a strong objection, “How do you consider such a devious character tainted with everything evil to be a king over people that cannot be his subjects by blood?”

Parallel to this, a separate petition dated April 1, 2026, by Sola Ojutalayo (SAN) & Co., acting for the Adegoroye Royal Family, challenges the selection of Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu as the Onise of Ise.

The petition stated that, “Our Clients contend that the aforesaid selection by the kingmakers is illegal, null and void, as it flagrantly violates the provisions of the Obas and Chiefs Law, Cap 138, Laws of Lagos State, 1994, and the Declaration made under Section 6(2) regulating the selection to the stool of Onise of Ise.”

It further stated that, “This mandatory process was completely disregarded. No Ruling House was invited, no nomination process occurred, and no election was conducted.”

On the method adopted, the petition adds, “The reliance on the Ifa Oracle as the basis of selection is not recognized under the Obas and Chiefs Law or the applicable Chieftaincy Declaration, and the recourse to Ifa Oracle cannot substitute the legally prescribed procedure.”

A similar petition from Bello Abdulmumuni LP dated 1st April, 2026 on behalf of Prince Alhaji R Ogunbajo Adegoroye, Prince Adefowope Adenupebi Adegoroye and Prince Adebola Nureni Shittu Adegoroye who are the head and principal members of Adegoroye Royal Family challenges the “purported selection of one Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu as the Oba Onise of Ise Elect – who also has been parading himself as the Oba Onimedu of Imedu Kingdom.”

The petitioners contend that, “The Declaration only came to their knowledge after the demise of Late Oba Adegbesan which raises serious issues of procedural illegality, denial of fair hearing and lack of consultation with the primary stakeholders.”

They therefore call on the LASG to “Nullify the purported selection of Mr. Ibrahim Sangodeyi Saliu. Declare that the Declaration made under Section 6 (2) of Obas and Chiefs Law Cap 138, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 1994 Regulating Selection to the Stool of Onise of Ise in Epe Local Government Area; Approved on the 16th day of August, 1999 and Registered on the 18th day of August, 1999 is inapplicable to the Oba Onise of Ise Stool. Set aside the wrongful recognition of multiple ruling houses arising from a single lineage (Okuoye, Shebitan, Olukoko). Recognise that the Okuoye, Shebitan and Olukoko families constitute one lineage with no royal entitlement to the Onise of Ise stool. Affirm the Adegoroye Royal Family as the sole legitimate ruling house to the Oba Onise of Ise Stool. Order a proper inquiry into the historical and customary structure of Ise Kingdom.”

Meanwhile, court documents before the High Court of Lagos State, Epe Judicial Division (Suit No: EPD/14703GCMW/2026), show that members of the Oloja Olumade Royal Family had earlier filed objections through letters dated December 1 and 24, 2025, and January 5, 2026.

According to the filings, the objections were aimed at halting what was described as, “Clandestine or unauthorised activities aimed at installing or recognising the 7th Defendant or any member of the 6th and 7th Defendants’ family as Oba of Imedu Land pending the conclusion of inquiry into the proposed creation of Oba of Imedu Chieftaincy Stool.”

The suit also seeks to restrain authorities from acting on resolutions of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Chieftaincy Committee meetings held on September 24 and November 26, 2024, and adopted on December 17, 2024.

In an administrative response dated April 16, 2026, the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Council advised that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Lekki Local Council Development Area.

The letter stated that, “The subject stool of the Onise of Ise Land falls within the territorial jurisdiction of the Lekki Local Council Development Area.”

It further added, “You are advised to address and channel all further correspondence and submissions regarding this matter to the Executive Chairman, Lekki Local Council Development Area, being the appropriate authority”

Across the various documents reviewed, a consistent pattern shows multiple petitions from different communities, repeated objections across dates, and ongoing legal proceedings challenging both process and legitimacy of the purported nomination of Saliu as Oba of Ise and Imedu Kingdoms.

As of the time of filing this report, no official decision has been announced by the Lagos State Government, while aspects of the dispute remain before the court.