Bassirou Diomaye Faye’s extraordinary rise caps a rollercoaster period in Senegalese politics that caught many off-guard.

Months in jail alongside ally and kingmaker Ousmane Sonko ended suddenly, with the pair released the week before the presidential election.

Now Mr Clean, as he’s nicknamed, must get to work on the sweeping reforms he has promised.

“Methodical” and “modest” are words often used to describe the tax collector, who celebrates his 44th birthday on Monday.

Mr Faye fondly recalls his rural upbringing in Ndiaganiao, where he says he returns every Sunday to work the land.

His love and respect for village life is matched by his deep distrust of Senegal’s elites and establishment politics.

“He’s never been a minister and wasn’t a statesman so critics question his lack of experience,” analyst Alioune Tine tells the BBC.

“But, from Faye’s point of view, the insiders who’ve run the country since 1960 have made some catastrophic failures.

“Fighting poverty, injustice and corruption are top of Mr Faye’s agenda. While working at the Treasury, he and Mr Sonko created a union taskforce to tackle graft.

Gas, oil, fishing and defence deals must all be negotiated to better serve the Senegalese people, says Mr Faye.

He is ushering in an era of “sovereignty” and “rupture” as opposed to more of the same, he told voters, and that is especially true of ties to France.

Senegal’s president-elect says he will drop the much-criticised CFA franc currency, which is pegged to the euro and backed by former colonial power France.

Mr Faye wants to replace it with a new Senegalese, or regional West African, currency, although this will not be easy.

“He will have to deal with the reality of the budget to begin with… But I see that he has a lot of ambition,” former Prime Minister Aminata Touré, who served under outgoing President Macky Sall, tells the BBC.

Strengthening judicial independence and creating jobs for Senegal’s large young population are also key priorities for Mr Faye – neither of which “President Sall paid much attention to and it caught up with him”, Ms Touré adds.

She is not the only political heavyweight to have thrown her support behind the 44-year-old – former President Abdoulaye Wade did the same just two days before Sunday’s vote.

It is a remarkable turnaround for Mr Faye who spent the last 11 months in prison on charges of insurrection, and many more years before that in his ally’s shadow.

Bassirou Diomaye Faye was announced in February as the so-called “Plan B” candidate, replacing the charismatic opposition firebrand Ousmane Sonko. “I would even say that he has more integrity than me,” Mr Sonko said proudly.

Both men founded the now-disbanded Pastef party, both men are tax collectors, and both men found themselves jailed last year on charges they said were politically motivated.

Mr Sonko ended up being convicted of two offences, which meant he was barred from the election, so Mr Faye stepped in.”Bassirou is me,” Mr Sonko told supporters recently.

“They are two sides of the same coin,” Pastef colleague Moustapha Sarré agrees.

This has led to criticism that Mr Faye is merely “president by default”.Not so, says analyst Mr Tine. But the pair’s relationship could usher in a new style of leadership.

“Maybe they will establish a tandem and break away from the hyper-presidential model of having an all-powerful head of state.

“Sonko is of course the uncontested leader of Pastef – an icon, even… [But] the two have had a [dynamic of] complicity and collusion.

“Once upon a time, Mr Faye wanted nothing to do with politics. “It never crossed my mind,” he said in 2019 while recalling his childhood.

One of Mr Faye’s heroes is the late Senegalese historian Cheikh Anta Diop – whose work is seen as a precursor to Afrocentrism. Both are seen as left-wing cheerleaders for pan-Africanism.

As early results came in on Monday showing Mr Faye was set for victory, people in the capital, Dakar, celebrated by honking car horns and singing to loud music.

The reaction from international markets was less jubilant, with Senegal’s dollar bonds falling to their lowest level in five months. Reuters news agency reports that investors are concerned Mr Faye’s presidency may wind down the country’s business-friendly policies.

The election was originally due last month but Mr Sall postponed it just hours before campaigning was set to begin, triggering deadly opposition protests and a democratic crisis.

Most candidates had very little time to prepare once the new election date was set – but Mr Faye had just over a week after being freed from jail.

Despite the shortened campaign period, Senegal’s citizens were adamant they would turn out and use their vote, Christopher Fomunyoh – of the National Democratic Institute for international affairs – told BBC Newsday.

“Senegal is in the process of confirming that democracies can self-correct and come out stronger and more resilient.

“And the true test for Senegal’s clean-up guy has only just begun.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has announced an initiative to establish FCT Rapid Response Team aimed at addressing security issues in Abuja.

During a meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Friday, Wike disclosed plans to create a collaborative force comprising the Army, Police, Department of State Services, DSS, and Civil Defence.

The objective, according to him, is to enhance the city’s capacity to combat crime effectively.

Wike emphasised the importance of equipping the rapid response team with state-of-the-art technology to bolster their crime-fighting capabilities in the nation’s capital.

He outlined the vision for a comprehensive FCT Rapid Response Team, saying: “Every form of technology will be provided to ensure optimal performance.”

In response, General Musa expressed the military’s commitment to supporting the initiative, stating: “Our aim is to provide a standby force to supplement existing security forces in case of overwhelming situations.”

General Musa elaborated on plans to establish a rapid response team equipped with ground troops and air support, including helicopters, ensuring readiness around the clock.

The proposed measures signify a concerted effort by the FCT Administration and security agencies to enhance security operations and safeguard residents and visitors in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday congratulated the Chairman of the Board of the United Bank for Africa, Mr. Tony Elumelu, on his 61st birthday.

The congratulatory message was contained in a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

The statement is titled, ‘President Tinubu celebrates top business leader, Tony Elumelu, on his birthday.’

“President Tinubu wishes Mr. Elumelu many more years in good health and strength as he persists in his endeavour of contributing substantially to national and continental development,” the statement read in part.

Tinubu lauded the foremost businessman and philanthropist, who chairs Heirs Holdings, Transcorp, United Bank for Africa, and is the founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation.

Commending Elumelu for his industry and the uncommon spirit of excellence that governs the entirety of his enterprise, the President acknowledged the business leader’s “streak of genius in driving investments, creating opportunities for Africa’s ebullient youths, and providing them with the support they need to soar.”

He also thanked Elumelu, who in 2020 was named on Time’s list of 100 most influential people in the world, for his steadfast trust and faith in the certainty of a greater Nigeria and for always projecting the best of the nation.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Olugbile Holloway as the director-general of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.

This is contained in a statement by presidential spokesman Ajuri Ngelale on Thursday in Abuja.

Mr Ngelale said the new DG holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and International Relations and a Master of Business Administration.

The president expects that the new director-general will bring life into this important agency and ensure the preservation, promotion, and development of Nigeria’s diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage,” he said.

Mr Holloway is the managing director of Evoke Communications Limited, a creative brand/consultancy agency.

Amid the present economic hardship bedeviling the nation, the Federal Government on Wednesday claimed that the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu is already yielding positive results.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris made the claim in Kano during an “Iftar” (Breaking of Fast) with media executives and practitioners organised by his ministry.

He urged Nigerians to have faith in the present administration as it makes efforts to address the nation’s challenges.

According to him, the administration had introduced policies and programmes that would uplift the well being of Nigerians.

He said Nigerians should have trust and confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu to ensure successful implementation of the policies and programme .

Specifically, Idris said the administration was working assiduously in reviving the nation’s refineries.

He assured that the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt Refinery would be completed soon and production would commence.

The minister deplored how the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN was mismanaged by the immediate past leadership of the bank.

He said Tinubu’s administration had brought back the lost glory of the apex bank through adoption of apt policies.

“The renewed hope agenda of Mr President has started yielding positive results, because the economy of the nation is gradually being revived and the challenges will soon be over,” he said.

Idris urged journalists to be objective in their reportage of the government’s policies and programmes aimed at moving the nation forward.

The Labour Party, LP, has suspended Onyekachi Philip Ugwu, its Youth Leader for Obimo/Ikwoka Ward Nsukka Local Government of Enugu State.

The development followed the passing of a vote of no confidence on the Youth Leader by the Ward Executive Committee and stakeholders of the party.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday jointly signed by the Labour Party ward Chairman and Secretary, Ozor Chigbogu and Sabastine Ugwuoke, respectively.

Ugwu was accused by the party of engaging in anti-party activities and other suspicious activities alleged to be detrimental to the reputation and values of the Labour Party.

According to the statement, the suspended Youth Leader has been asked to submit all party items in his custody to the Chairman within the next 48 hours.

He was also warned by the notice to cease parading himself as the Party Youth Leader, pending the recommendation of the disciplinary committee.

The Senate has passed the Student Loan, Access to Higher Education, Act 2024.

The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

The senate’s resolution followed its consideration of the report of the senate committee on tertiary institutions and TETFUND.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Muntari Dandutse presented the report during plenary.

Last week, President Bola Tinubu had transmitted the Bill to the National Assembly for its consideration and passage.

The Upper Legislative chamber had given the Bill an accelerated hearing by suspending relevant sections of its standing rules and referred the Bill to the Committee of the Whole for consideration.

After debate on the Bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the Bill to the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND for further legislative work and to report back in one week.

The Bill seeks to provide easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund established in the Act to provide education for all Nigerians.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the federal government has released N12.7 billion to provide meters in Army barracks nationwide.

The amount is from the N40 billion earmarked for the mass metering project.

Bolaji Tunji, the minister’s spokesman, said this in a statement on Monday.

The minister said this during the flag-off of the metering exercise at the Headquarters of the 9th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja Military Cantonment.

Mr Adelabu said the exercise would be in phases, with the Ikeja cantonment being the first phase. He said the exercise would last six weeks before the second phase begins.

“Mass metering in army formations nationwide will enable us to know what is being consumed on a monthly basis in order to ensure appropriate billings and ease collections.”

The overall intention is to eliminate and make estimated billing a thing of the past,” the minister said, indicating that the current exercise is part of President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda to ensure regular electricity supply to army formations nationwide.

Mr Adelabu added, “This is one of Mr President’s objectives as contained in the renewed hope agenda to ensure that electricity supply to the armed forces is prioritised and they do not suffer, especially in the enjoyment of public utilities.”

Mr Adelabu said the smart meters installed are tamper-proof and would eliminate energy theft. He said it would be difficult to bypass the meter, which also comes with an app where customers can get statements of their consumption every month.

He explained that the meter allows interconnectivity between the grid and the off-grid solar power supply.

The minister said part of the country’s energy blueprint included building off-grid power sources, such as solar energy, for military barracks located in remote areas without grid supply.

He also mentioned that where there was a grid supply, there would be an interchange between the grid and solar supply if the number of hours supplied by the distribution companies was not satisfied.”

Beyond metering, we have to prioritise electricity supply to the barracks,” he said.

Mr Adelabu said the metering project would be extended to all military formations in the country to provide 24-hour power supply to the barracks.

Also speaking, Ashade Olatunbosun, CEO of De Haryor Global Services, said the second phase of the project would begin simultaneously in Abuja and Enugu.

He said military formations across the 11 DisCos would benefit from the exercise.

“Army formations in Jos, Abuja, Ibadan, Enugu, Kaduna, Ikeja and Eko DisCos will benefit from the exercise,” Mr Olatunbosun said.

Maj.-Gen. A. Adetuyi, the commander of the 9th Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ikeja, said that the federal government metering initiative was timely as the brigade headquarters has been getting an epileptic power supply over time.

Mr Adetuyi said that in the investigation, he found out that the brigade was only given three hours of electricity daily, and on some days, they did not even get supplies.

Gunmen kidnapped the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Tony Aziegbemi, on Friday.

Mr Aziegbemi was kidnapped at a spot close to his residence at the government reservation area in Benin City.

His abduction happened less than a month after the party’s primary election was held ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the state.

A source told journalists that the abductors, operating in two Toyota Corolla cars, double-crossed the PDP chairman’s jeep at a speed bump in the area to effect the abduction.

Mr Aziegbemi was returning from a meeting with Governor Godwin Obaseki when the incident took place, the source said.

Narrating the ordeal, the driver to Mr Aziegbemi said, “When we left Government House and headed home at about 11:00 p.m., I noticed the cars trailing us, so I decided to take a diversion. We never knew they were kidnappers.

“Few minutes later, the same cars appeared behind us at a speed breaker and blocked our car in the front.

“Gunmen came out of the cars, pointed guns at us and ordered the chairman to enter their car and they took him away,’’ he said.

He added that other gang members took over the chairman’s jeep and abandoned it on Sapele Road.

A police spokesman in Edo, SP Chidi Nwabuzor, confirmed the abduction.

“It is confirmed; it happened in the jurisdiction of New Etete Police Division, also known as Godwin Abbe Police Station; that is where it happened.

“The Commissioner of Police, Funsdo Adegboye, has ordered tactical teams to go after the hoodlums and we pray that by the grace of God we will rescue him unhurt,’’ he said.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Zubaida Umar as the director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

This is contained in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the President on media and publicity, on Friday in Abuja.

Mr Ngelale said the new DG of NEMA has over 20 years of work experience in diverse fields, including human resources and finance and administration.

According to him, she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers and the Institute of Credit Administration.

As executive director, finance and corporate services at the Federal Mortgage Bank, Ms Umar drove the strategy and repositioning of the bank into a modern, digitised mortgage and financial service provider.

“The President expects that the new Director-General will bring the much-needed financial and operational discipline and refashion the agency into a performance-driven and proactive emergency response provider with a focus on prevention and climate change readiness,” he said.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo has commiserated with the people of Oyo over the passing of Olubadan of Ibadan, Lekan Balogun.

Mr Balogun, 81, died on Thursday at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

He was the 42nd monarch of the ancient town.

Mr Aiyedatiwa, in a statement by his spokesman, Ebenezer Adeniyan, on Friday, condoled with the Oyo State government and Governor Seyi Makinde over the death of Mr Balogun.

He described the death of Mr Balogun, who passed on after two years of ascending the throne, as a monumental loss. The Ondo governor said the late king was a silent achiever and peacefully lovely.

Mr Aiyedatiwa added that within a short period, Mr Balogun ensured communal peace and stability while deploying his rich experience in the traditional leadership of Ibadan.

“While praying to God to give the Oyo State government the wisdom to fill the vacuum the late monarch has left behind, he (Aiyedatiwa) also prayed for the repose of the soul of the amiable king,” the statement added.

The late Olubadan was buried according to Islamic rites at his Aliwo ancestral home in Ibadan.

The Olubadan-in-council said there was no specific date yet for the coronation of the new Olubadan of Ibadanland.

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in 17 federal commissioners of the National Population Commission, which he nominated last November.

The 17 new and returning commissioners took the oath of office – in three batches of six, six, and five – on Wednesday afternoon at the Council Chamber of the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

On November 8, 2023, President Tinubu appointed 20 federal commissioners to the NPC, nine of whom were appointed for a second term in office.

A month later, on December 12, he forwarded the names of 19 of the 20 nominees to the Senate for confirmation.

However, only 17 appeared for the Senate’s screening on February 24, 2024, and were subsequently confirmed.

They include Emmanuel Eke (Abia); Clifford Zirra (Adamawa); Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra); Isa Buratal (Borno); Alex Ukam (Cross River); Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta) and Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi).

Others are Tony Alyejina (Edo); Ejike Ezeh (Enugu); Abubakar Damburam (Gombe); Uba Nnabue (Imo); Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna); Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano); Yori Afolabii (Kogi); Mary Afan (Plateau); Saany Sale (Taraba) and Ogiri Henry (Rivers).

Two nominees, Olakunle Sobukola (Ogun) and Temitayo Oluwatiyi (Ondo) were not screened as they did not appear before the Committee.

That day, Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Population, the recently suspended Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP), explained that Sobukola and Oluwatiyi were absent because of “recent political developments in their states”.

After observing a minute’s silence in honour of a former Minister of State for Health, Gabriel Aduku, the Federal Executive Council proceeded into its ninth meeting in the administration.

The Federal Government has postponed the launch of the Nigerian Students Loan Scheme indefinitely. The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyer, disclosed this during an interview on Arise News on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to commit to a specific date. We are sort of waiting to ensure that all the stakeholders are aligned to make sure that nobody is blindsided, then we can actually roll this out in a meaningful, comprehensive, wholesome, and sustainable way,” he said.

The scheme, which was initially scheduled to commence on Thursday, has been delayed once again with the government citing the need for corrections before the launch could proceed.

The initiative to establish a Students Loan Fund to provide interest-free loans to Nigerians pursuing higher education was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.

Sponsored by Femi Gbajabiamila, ex-speaker of the House of Representatives, the bill was initially expected to kickstart between September and October 2023.

Mr Tinubu, acknowledging the delay in meeting the October deadline, announced that the scheme would commence by January 2024.

Minister of State for Education, Yusuf Sununu, confirmed during a Federal Executive Council meeting in January that preparations for the scheme’s launch had been completed.

He mentioned the finalisation of the Student Loan Scheme website and the conclusion of technical plans to facilitate the kick-off.

President Tinubu further assured leaders of the National Association of Nigerian Students during their visit to the State House, Abuja, that the scheme would commence once expanded to include additional features such as vocational studies.

Ghana’s electoral body has rejected a plan by the main opposition party to use drones during the upcoming polls.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) says the use of drones will be aimed at preventing potential irregularities in December’s general election.

But the electoral commission said such a move would contravene security protocols and jeopardise the confidentiality of the voting process.

Ghana has a history of closely fought but peaceful elections.December will see a new president elected as Nana Akufo-Addo is stepping down after completing his second term in office.

The presidential election is expected to be a two-horse race between current Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and the NDC’s John Mahama, who has already served as president between 2012 and 2017. He was also the losing candidate in the 2020 election.

Mr Mahama has alleged that plans to rig the vote in favour of the NPP are already in place. But both the Electoral Commission and the governing NPP have denied the allegation.

On Monday, a senior NDC official revealed plans to deploy drones in the region around the capital, Accra, in an effort to enhance election monitoring.

Emmanuel Nii Ashie Moore said the plan was part of the strategy to secure over two million votes for the party in the region, which they believe will be crucial in determining the outcome of the poll.

“Next week, we are going to train constituency executives on how to use drones to monitor what happens during the elections,” Mr Moore was quoted as saying.

He did not give further details about the planned deployment of drones but stressed the party’s commitment to securing all necessary resources for a smooth electoral process.

However, the country’s director of electoral services Serebour Quaicoe opposed the move, saying it might compromise voters’ electoral privacy and security.

Mr Quaicoe said the commission was yet to receive an official request from the party regarding the deployment of drones.

“They have to apply but it will be very difficult for the Electoral Commission or the police to approve people to be using drones at polling stations,” he said.

“Polling stations are security zones and we want to ensure the secrecy of the ballot.

“But Mustapha Gbande, the NDC deputy general secretary, said the party would strictly observe all the laid down electoral rules by flying the drones outside of the voting areas.

Mr Mahama, who is determined to make a comeback after the 2020 defeat, has urged opposition members to uphold vigilance throughout the electoral process.

The opposition candidate has maintained Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, a former education minister, as his running mate.

The NDC and the NPP have dominated Ghanaian politics since 1992, and the upcoming presidential vote is expected to be keenly contested.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir-Yusuf, on Monday inaugurated a fleet of modern refuse collection vehicles and 30 motorcycles to enhance waste collection and management in the state.

The vehicles were inaugurated to fast track implementation of a new waste clearance scheme tagged “Operation Nazafa.’’

Mr Kabir-Yusuf said that his administration was committed towards ensuring a clean environment in the Kano metropolis and environs.

He also pledged to settle outstanding entitlements of workers of the Kano Refuse Management and Sanitation Board, affected when the previous administration reorganised the board.

The governor expressed readiness of his administration to address their plights, and directed the relevant agencies to compute comprehensive lists of the affected workers for immediate action.

He commended the Managing Director of the Board, Ahmadu Dan-Zago, and engineers in refurbishing the fleet through effective utilisation of resources.

Earlier, Mr Dan-Zago thanked the governor for his support to the board, adding that the gesture would enhance waste clearance and management in the state.

He said, “With the improved capabilities of the trucks, each is capable of performing the work equivalent to 20 workers, significantly advancing Kano’s cleanliness objectives.’’

Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda has inaugurated a 28-kilometre road project constructed at the cost of N6 billion in the Kafur Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Culture, Dr Bala Salisu-Zango, said in Katsina on Monday that the project was awarded by the administration of the former governor Aminu Masari.

He said the project was designed to open up the state, enhance transportation and ease movement of goods and services.

Mr Salisu-Zango said the 23.2 kilometre road starts from Kafur town – Gurai – Buguwa-Sabon – Layi-Siran-Kahara-Mahuta, while the Gurai – Rugoji road is about five kilometres.

He said the Mr Radda administration paid, completed and inaugurated the project in Kafur, adding that, “governance is a continuous process.

“Governor Dikko Radda will complete all the projects awarded by the previous administration. He is committed to pay liabilities for completed contracts awarded by the immediate past administration.’’

He said the Mr Radda administration accorded priority to road infrastructure development, hence the huge investment in the sector to have a multiplier effect on the socio-economic lives of the people in the state.

He quoted the governor as commending the company for quality work, and urged the people to protect the road and other facilities provided in their communities.

Following the adoption of red berets as an insignia by the supporters of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, some residents of the state have been raising eyebrows.

Supporters of the governor, under the umbrella of Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers (LACO-FS), have been wearing red berets as their symbol.

While inaugurating the group, Aiyedatiwa was seen putting on the beret, which has been described as a symbol of cultism.

With the development causing uproar within the social media space of the state, some people stated that such a move will further embolden cultists in their activities across the state.

They also stated that cultists can use the avenue to perpetrate crime by disguising themselves as supporters of the governor.

Speaking on the issue, a public affairs analyst, Oluwagbega Ajongbolo, said, “What exactly are Lucky Aiyedatiwa and his supporters bringing into Ondo State with their berets? What’s the idea and ideology behind donning red berets on the streets of Akure and Akoko? What’s the socioeconomic belief of a typical Aiyedatiwa supporter? What does Aiyedatiwa stand for?

If this is not about their economic and political beliefs, should we be scared that a set of people, led by Mr Governor, have now adopted a style of clothing that has significant meaning and messages it is passing across? Are we safe in Ondo State?”

On his part, Sunday Terebo said, “Ondo State, which way, when I saw this in Ondo town yesterday, I thought Vikings were having converged in Ondo state. Make una fear God ooo, but no withstanding fight, no dey always guiding yellow still remains the victory colour.”

For Niyi Arogbo, “Now that Aiyedatiwa has adopted a red beret, let Chief Olusola Oke use a yellow beret, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim uses a blue beret, and Wale Akinterinwa chooses black. Make sure we systematize everything. Make sure we start the battle from there. Ondo 2024 will be so interesting.”

Omoduni Olamide: “Red Beret is known for cultism and violence. Now that the state governor has aligned with the brand. Are we safe in Ondo State?”

Reacting, the State Director of Information of LACO-FS, Kayode Fasua, distanced the group from cultism-related activities.

It is benumbing to come across grave expressions on social media, especially through some Twitter handles (now rebranded as X), that our group is bringing cultism to Ondo State for the simple reason that we don red berets to our campaign rallies.

“While those bandying the insinuations of thuggery or cultism have bombarded the net with their tar brushes, they fail woefully to prove any instance of violence in our activities and find it hard to produce any pictorial or camera evidence of where Aiyedatiwa supporters under the aegis of LACO-FS are armed with any weapon at all, much less a dangerous one.”

Governor Caleb Mutfwang says he will work closely with the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) to mitigate criminal activities from Plateau’s borders.

According to a statement Thursday by the r spokesman, Gyang Bere, Mr Mutfwang made the pledge when he visited the newly appointed NIS comptroller general, Kemi Nandap.

The governor expressed confidence in Nantap’s ability to contribute to President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’.

According to Mr Mutfwang, Plateau, being the ‘Home of Peace and Tourism’, welcomes visitors, especially foreigners, who come to invest in the state with the aim of growing the economy and improving the people’s living standards.

He, however, urged the NIS to intensify efforts and identify those whose motives were always to infiltrate the state to cause harm.

While stating that his administration was taking bold steps also to address some security concerns, such as drug abuse, Mr Mutfwang urged the NIS to play its role in stemming the tide of illicit drug trade in Plateau.

He further called on the Service to collaborate with relevant government agencies to produce authentic, reliable and credible global standards data to facilitate planning and effective implementation of government programmes.

The governor pledged support to the NIS boss to enable her to succeed in the great task ahead. He advised her to be fair to all regardless of faith, ethnicity, and regional background and to foster unity in diversity.

She expressed her desire to work on the state’s security to restore its lost glory, noting that the pleasant weather had previously attracted many foreigners.

Ms Nandap promised to cooperate with other security agencies to provide timely and reliable intelligence to flush out criminal elements from the state.

Ms Nandap said innovations would be introduced to enhance the nation’s security through optimal border security management.

Suspected bandits, on Tuesday night, shot dead a former general manager of Jigawa State Housing Authority, Babangida Abubakar Sadeeq and two others.

A resident told DAILY POST that the incident occurred on Yalwandamai road, while the ex-government official was en route Birnin Kudu, his home town after leaving his farm in Dutse.

According to the source: “late Babangida was coming back from Dutse, he branched to a village near Yalwandamai to see his people who are working in his farm.

“Shortly after he left the farm, some few meters, one of the people in his vehicle noticed they were approaching strange people, he quickly alerted Babangida.

“Babangida, who is driving the car switched to full light to see the strangers; as they noticed the full light, they opened fire on the moving vehicle.”

He said Babangida and others were taken to the Federal Medical Center Birnin Kudu and confirmed dead by a medical doctor.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Lawan Shiisu, confirmed the incident, stating that efforts were underway to apprehend the culprits.