Politics
APC raises concerns as Osun launches security trust fund
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, has alleged that the newly established Security Trust Fund by the state government may be used to support the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
On Tuesday, the Osun State Government announced that it would unveil the Security Trust Fund as part of efforts to strengthen the security architecture, enhance operational logistics for security agencies, and tackle emerging threats.
Speaking at the launch held at the governor’s office in Abere, the Chairman of Media and Publicity for the initiative, Kunle Adepoju, said the programme reflects the administration’s commitment to safety, stability, and prosperity.
He stated that the initiative would promote collaboration among stakeholders, noting that security is fundamental to development and economic growth across the state.
“Upon it, businesses cannot thrive, communities cannot flourish, and citizens cannot live with confidence. While the government has the primary responsibility to ensure safety, the realities of our time demand a broader, more inclusive approach,” Adepoju said.
He explained that the Trust Fund would serve as a partnership platform, bringing together government, private sector participants, and development partners to provide equipment, training, logistics, and intelligence support for security agencies.
Adepoju also assured that transparency and accountability mechanisms had been put in place, stating that “every contribution will be tracked, and every expenditure will be justified.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Implementation Committee, Femi Oyedipe, noted that security funding is capital-intensive and requires joint efforts.
“No government can fund security apparatus alone; funding security is one of the most expensive things the government can embark on,” Oyedipe said, adding that the initiative is structured to encourage public-private partnerships.
However, reacting in a statement on Wednesday through his media coordinator, Adebayo Adedeji, Oyebamiji questioned the timing and intent of the fund.
“We have it on reliable authority that the proposed Osun State Security Trust Fund is intended to raise campaign funds for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke. The intention, contrary to public claims, is not genuinely for security,” Adedeji said.
He alleged that the state government is exploring alternative funding sources amid changes in control of local government allocations and ongoing scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Adedeji also cited alleged investigations involving ecological and education funds, while urging individuals and corporate organisations to exercise caution.
He advised that those interested in supporting security should directly assist agencies with needed equipment and logistics.
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By Henry Umoru, ABUJA
THE National Leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson has held a marathon meeting with former governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and senior officials of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in order to unify the party.
Read Also: NDC not selling tickets to highest bidders — Dickson
The meeting with the running mate to the Presidential candidate of the party ahead of 2027 elections, Peter Obi was held at the residence of Dickson as part of ongoing efforts to reconcile party leaders in Kano State.
In a Facebook post detailing the talks, Dickson explained that the gathering was part of his mediatory role to ensure that party officials in Kano and the party’s vice-presidential candidate who is also the state leader remain on the same page “at this critical moment in the life of our party”.
The former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West in the present 10th Senate, described the NDC as “fast emerging as the leading opposition party in Nigeria”, adding that disagreements were inevitable as the movement grows.
“We are accustomed to managing such challenges through dialogue, consultation, and reconciliation,” he wrote. “That is what I have been doing, not only in Kano State but across the nation for the past months.”
He stressed that the party had never imposed candidates on any state, even his home state of Bayelsa, and that democratic processes had been allowed to play out.
Dickson further said that he and Kwankwaso share “a long history of collaboration” dating back to their days in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when they both served as governors.
“Over the years we have maintained a close relationship, regularly visiting one another, sharing confidences, discussing national issues, and planning political engagements,”
He also confirmed that the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement – both influential support networks would be formally integrated into the party, just as he said that he had earlier received a delegation from the Obidient Movement and had promised their inclusion, and had now asked Kwankwasiyya to forward a list of coordinators to the party.
Dickson said, “Everyone is welcome in the NDC,” Dickson said, “and we deeply appreciate the support, commitment, and participation of all our members, stakeholders, support groups, and volunteers.”
The meeting is the latest in a series of consultations that the NDC National Leader has been holding across the country to strengthen the party’s internal cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
The post Dickson, Kwankwaso meet over NDC unity appeared first on Vanguard News.
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Senator Seriake Dickson has said he is more qualified to contest for Nigeria’s presidency than leading opposition figures Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, while insisting that he chose not to seek the office.
Dickson made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he addressed questions about the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), its leadership, and the party’s relationship with Obi.
The senator said the NDC provided its platform to Obi without demanding any payment, stressing that the party and its leadership deserved recognition for making him the sole presidential candidate. According to him, neither Obi nor his running mate paid any money to secure their nominations.
Dickson argued that the narrative suggesting the NDC was benefiting from Obi’s presence in the party was misplaced, maintaining that the party was instead offering a platform to the former Labour Party presidential candidate.
He also dismissed reports of a crisis within the NDC, saying Obi remains a valued member of the party and that both sides are working together harmoniously.
Dickson blamed tensions on some supporters whom he accused of disparaging the party while claiming to support Obi.
The former Bayelsa governor further disclosed that several politicians had approached the NDC before Obi joined the platform, arguing that the party should be respected for the role it has played in building an alternative political movement ahead of the 2027 elections.
Dickson said: “If we didn’t like them, if they are not people who have confidence in me or I have confidence in them, we wouldn’t offer the platform.
“And they didn’t pay one naira. They didn’t pay ‘shishi’. Okay, nobody pays ‘shishi’.
“So, if a presidential candidate didn’t pay shishi to be made sole presidential candidate, and a vice-presidential candidate didn’t pay shishi to become sole vice-presidential candidate, that same party cannot be the one saying …
“I think that I have to be given the credit. There is no one more qualified than me to run for the presidency. And for some reasons, I did not want to.
“So don’t make it look like anyone is doing me and the NDC a favour. No one is. Rather, the NDC is the one granting a platform, and that narrative is important.
“You cannot be supporting Peter Obi, if you are genuinely supportive, and at the same time discouraging me, the leader, or the platform itself. That is nonsense. If it were easy for people to form a party, if it were easy…
“Now, before Peter, I received Binani from Adamawa and several other people for five months. People should be careful. Okay, as we move on, the platform is there.
“Peter Obi is a cherished member of the party, and on our own, we have made him the sole presidential candidate. And that counts for something.
“And we are working well together.
“There’s no crisis. It is these supporters who I don’t know what they gain by disparaging the platform.”
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National leader and founder of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Seriake Dickson, has admitted that there was crisis in the party’s primary election recently held across the country.
Fielding questions in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’ on Wednesday, Dickson said, it could have been worse for a young political party.
He, however, said everybody, including the aspirants are showing restraint and commitment to the party.
“The Electoral Act as stipulated has created crisis. Actually, the crisis could have been worse for a new and young party like the NDC if not for the way all our colleagues have shown restraint.
“Now, look at the All Progressives Congress, APC. It has been in federal power since 2015. As at today they have or 33 governors, yet they have their own primaries’ crisis.
“The ADC too, is not left out. You saw what played out during and after their own primary election,” Dickson said.
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