Politics
Lagos Assembly Speaker Urges Peace, Love At Sallah
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, yesterday reiterated the need for peace and love among Nigerians, to move the nation forward.
Obasa, who is also the Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, disclosed this in his Eid-el-Fitr message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Musbau Rasak, in Lagos.
According to him, being peaceful and good as well as sharing love are some of the lessons derived from the just-concluded fasting period.
He also advised Nigerians to eschew violence as well as utterances and actions that could cause breach of peace in the society.
“Ramadhan is a period we share love and I want to implore Nigerians not to relent in being their brother’s keeper as part of the lessons derived from the just ended fasting period.
“It is also the period we share love among ourselves and my advice is that even after the fasting period, we should not stop being good to one another.
“These are very critical periods as government at all levels move to consolidate on the gains of our democratic rule, hence there is need for us to be vigilant at all times.
“We should eschew violence and avoid actions and utterances that breach public peace.
“We should also assist security agencies in promoting peace, and one way we can do this is by reporting suspicious individuals, groups and actions to relevant security agents on time,” Obasa said.
Also speaking on Eid-el-Fitr, a member of the Assembly, Mr Segun Olulade (APC-Epe II), who rejoiced with Muslims across the World, urged them to maintain the spirit of Ramadan.
Olulade, in a statement, said Muslims must learn to maintain attitudes imbibed during the fasting period.
“Having fasted for about 30 days, abstaining from certain characters and behaviours, we must learn to continue in the same manner after Ramadan.
“For about 30 days now, we have abstained from drinking, immoral acts and anger.
“We have always observed time of prayers; we have engaged in acts of worship; reading the Quran and charity, we must continue these acts, not minding the fact that Ramadan is over.
“Generally, as Nigerians, we must learn to live in harmony, tolerate one another and see the nation’s diversity as a source of strength,” Olulade said.
He urged Nigerians to promote the spirit of forgiveness, love, charity and good neighbourliness learnt in the holy month of Ramadan and put Nigeria first in all their undertakings.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.