By Adeko Ukpa

Opposition leader and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has demanded the immediate suspension and arrest of Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged inflammatory remarks concerning the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.

Frank also called on security agencies to investigate Fadahunsi, insisting that statements capable of inciting electoral violence must not be tolerated.

In a video circulating online, the senator, speaking in Yoruba, was heard accusing Accord Party members of attacking APC members and urging the gathering to attack Accord Party supporters in Ilesa.

In a statement on Wednesday, Frank described the alleged remarks as “unguarded” and dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy, urging the Federal Government and security agencies to act without delay.

“I condemn the comment of Senator Francis Fadahunsi strongly and call on the security agencies to immediately act, despite his position, to arrest the senator with all urgency,” he said.

Frank said the Senate should not fold its arms when one of its members makes statements capable of threatening peace and security during an election.

“The Senate must immediately suspend such a senator who can make such unguarded statements. We want to see action taken as an example to every person involved in election violence,” he said.

He said the alleged comments went beyond the Osun election, describing them as a possible indication of what he called a broader APC strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank also compared the matter with the detention of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, over alleged comments, questioning what he described as a disparity in the government’s response to statements by opposition figures and members of the ruling party.

He argued that a serving senator should not be treated differently if accused of remarks capable of threatening electoral peace.

He said: “That is why the APC and the Presidency have remained quiet. If such a statement had been made by an opposition senator or anybody in the opposition, the person would have been in prison by now.”

According to him, the alleged treatment of El-Rufai demonstrated the need for consistency and fairness in responding to political statements capable of causing public concern.

Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, appealed to the United States Government and the international community to closely monitor developments surrounding the Osun election.

“I call on the US government, President Donald Trump, the UK, EU and the entire international community not to remain quiet over such an incendiary statement coming from a serving senator in Nigeria,” he said.

He urged the international community to take appropriate measures against politicians whose actions or statements could undermine Nigeria’s democratic process, including possible visa restrictions where warranted.

Frank warned that the Osun election must be free, fair and credible, stressing that the will of the electorate must prevail.

“Osun election must not be rigged. The will of the people must count in Osun. Nigerians should not take this Osun election lightly if they decide to rig it.

“I urge the voters and citizens of Osun State not to be intimidated by these kinds of statements. I ask the voters and the people of Osun to rise up, vote and defend their votes,” he said.

He further warned that Fadahunsi and the ruling party should be held accountable for any violence arising from the election. “If anything happens in Osun State, this senator and the ruling party must be held responsible,” Frank said.

The opposition leader called on security agencies to remain neutral and professional before, during and after the election.

“Security agencies must be professional and not go there to harass citizens and opposition members. The plot to arrest opposition members across political parties must not be allowed,” he said.

He maintained that the credibility of the Osun election would have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy and could serve as a pointer to what Nigerians should expect in the 2027 general elections.

…Donates ₦3m to community development, ₦500,000 for woman’s medical treatment

By Adeko Ukpa

The Action Peoples Party (APP) candidate for Imo East Senatorial District, Mazi Chima Matthew Amadi, has called for an end to the cycle of poverty in Imo State, saying poor Nigerians should not be condemned to remain poor in a country endowed with abundant human and material resources.

Amadi also challenged women in Imo East to use their numerical strength and grassroots influence to demand accountable and effective representation through the ballot.

He spoke at the annual August Meeting of the Women’s Wing of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union (OADU) in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, where he commended the women for their contributions to community development.

According to a statement by his spokesman, Cajetan Duke, the academic and social entrepreneur from Umuekwenne, Ngor Okpala, lamented what he described as the worsening socioeconomic conditions across communities in the state.

He listed poor healthcare delivery, infrastructural deficits, declining standards in public schools, bad roads, unemployment and economic hardship among the challenges confronting residents.

According to him, the situation reflects years of poor representation and misplaced priorities, stressing that governments and elected representatives at all levels must be more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.

“The poor can’t continue to remain poor while a privileged few continue to prosper from our collective resources. Our mothers cannot continue to struggle with medical bills, our children cannot continue to learn in dilapidated schools, and our young people cannot continue to roam the streets without jobs and opportunities. Government must work for the ordinary people,” he said.

The APP candidate said women were among the worst affected by economic hardship because of their central roles in families and communities.

He urged them to translate their influence into political power by voting for leaders capable of delivering tangible development.

Amadi also expressed concern over the declining state of public education, warning that the continued deterioration of public schools could widen inequality and deny children from poor families opportunities to improve their lives.

“As a son of nobody who is a proud product of public schools, I weep daily seeing education gradually becoming the exclusive preserve of privileged members of society,” he said.

“Public education gave people like us the opportunity to dream beyond the circumstances of our birth. We must rebuild a society where the child of the poor has the same opportunity to dream, learn and succeed.”

The event took an emotional turn when Amadi encountered an elderly woman with a conspicuous growth around her throat.

Moved by her condition, he donated ₦500,000 towards her medical evaluation and treatment.

He said the incident underscored the plight of citizens who are unable to afford basic healthcare, insisting that access to medical treatment should not depend on a person’s financial status.

“What we have seen here today is beyond politics. It is about our common humanity. Nobody should have to carry an illness for years simply because she cannot afford medical attention,” he said.

Amadi also announced a ₦3 million donation towards the development initiatives of the Okpulla Amakaohia Development Union.

He praised the women for sustaining the traditional August Meeting, describing it as an important platform for community development, social cohesion and women’s participation in grassroots affairs.

The candidate, however, warned against a situation where communities are forced to take over responsibilities that should ordinarily be funded and delivered by government.

He urged the women to demand accountability from elected officials and scrutinise how public resources are deployed, stressing that elections provide citizens with an opportunity to reward effective representation and reject non-performing leaders.

Responding, the National Vice President of the OADU Women’s Wing, Mrs Victoria Ugochi Chukwu, thanked Amadi for identifying with the community and supporting its development aspirations.

Chukwu particularly appreciated his ₦3 million donation and intervention on behalf of the elderly woman, describing the gestures as evidence of compassion and concern for the welfare of ordinary citizens.

Amadi was accompanied to the event by members and leaders of his campaign organisation and the APP, including Chief Henry Onwukwe, Director-General; Rt. Hon. Michael Crown Njoku; Chief Denis Okwu; Chief K.K. Ikeh; Cajetan Duke; Prof. Uche Nwosu; Engr. Emeka Onwukwe; Lady Chyna Ugwuadu; Chief Uju Ugochukwu; Hon. Obioma Onwuegbucha; Sir Denis Nneji; and Hon. Emma Soronnadi, among others.

From Adeko Ukpa, Abuja

The Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, has urged Nigerian youths to seize emerging opportunities, acquire relevant skills and see themselves as partners in building the country rather than merely beneficiaries of government programmes.

Olawande gave the charge on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), organised by Rotary International District 9127, where more than 600 young Nigerians gathered for leadership training under the theme, “Transforming Talents into Impact.”

The Minister said the country was creating an environment in which young people could thrive, urging them to take advantage of training, empowerment and digital platforms available to them.

“I believe that we now have a country, an environment and a community that really wants you to thrive. That is why you can see this kind of opportunity, this kind of training, this kind of awareness and this kind of learning that we are seeing now,” he said.

He urged young Nigerians who could not physically attend training programmes to make effective use of digital platforms, particularly the Nigerian Youth Academy.

“For those young people, we have different platforms. All these platforms are real. You may not have the opportunity to be in this academy now, but spend a little time that you have on social platforms to go onto the Nigerian Youth Academy platforms,” Olawande said.

CAPTION: L-R: Assistant Governor Zainab Omowumi Owonikoko; the District Governor, Engr. Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko; the Minister of Youth Development, Mr. Ayodele Olawande; and the Chairman of the 2026 Rotary Youth Leadership Academy (RYLA), Dr. Kayode Olushola Fasua during the induction of the Minister as a Rotarian at the opening of RYLA Camp for 600 youths by Rotary International District 9127 at the British Nigeria Academy in Abuja on Monday.PHOTO: ROTARY DISTRICT 9127.

The Minister said his vision was to produce young Nigerians who were prepared, trusted and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully to national development.

“My mission for youth leadership in Nigeria is simple. I want to see a Nigerian youth that is prepared, trusted and given the opportunity to help build this country,” he said.

Olawande said young Nigerians should move away from conversations centred only on what government could provide for them and begin considering what they could build in partnership with government.

“For a very long time, when we speak about young people, the conversation is mostly about what government should do, what government will do for us and what government has not done. I believe we must also talk about what we can build with government,” he said.

“As young people, we are not just beneficiaries of government programmes. We should be partners in building this nation.”

He identified entrepreneurship, innovation, agriculture and community leadership as areas where young Nigerians could make significant contributions to the economy and society.

“We are entrepreneurs who can create jobs. It is not just about looking for a job. We are innovators. We have a large number of young people here innovating and solving a lot of problems,” he said.

The Minister also stressed that leadership was not synonymous with political office or official titles, saying it begins with responsibility and service.

“Leadership is not about titles. Leadership is not about appointments. Leadership does not start only when you become a minister. Leadership does not start when you become a governor or a president,” Olawande said.

“Leadership starts with responsibility. It starts with all of us as we are sitting down here. Don’t think it is when you are old that you become a leader.”

He urged the participants to build character and competence, stressing that both were essential to effective leadership.

“Leadership is about service. It is about service. Nothing but service. But how can you build that service? It is with character. Character is key in whatever you are doing. Build competence from now,” he said.

According to him, young people must go beyond academic qualifications by acquiring practical skills, understanding technology, communicating effectively and learning how to solve problems.

“A university degree is important, but please, the world is changing. A degree alone cannot strengthen you enough,” he said.

“You must have a skill, at least two skills. We must understand technology. We must be able to communicate. We must know how to solve problems ourselves without always going to somebody. We must be willing to learn and learn and learn again.”

Olawande said the Ministry of Youth Development was focused on programmes designed to provide young Nigerians with jobs, skills, entrepreneurship opportunities and access to finance.

He also urged young people to use social media more productively, saying while social platforms had their place, some of the time spent on them should be devoted to learning, developing skills and creating value.

The Minister said government could not solve all youth-related challenges alone and called for stronger partnerships with organisations such as Rotary.

“The government cannot do it alone,” he said, commending Rotary for bringing together more than 600 young Nigerians for the leadership programme.

He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was committed to creating opportunities for young Nigerians, adding that government’s responsibility was to translate those opportunities into tangible benefits.

“But opportunity must meet preparation. When doors are open, you must be ready to walk through them,” he said.

Olawande told the participants that Nigeria needed them in business, technology, agriculture, public service and community development.

“Nigeria needs you. Nigeria needs better, productive young entrepreneurs, politicians and people who believe that life can be better,” he said.

He challenged them to ask themselves three questions: “What problem can you solve? Who can help you solve the problem? And the third one, what will Nigerians gain from your talents?”

The Minister said he would remain interested in the development of the participants beyond the academy and requested to be added on their WhatsApp platform while expressing his desire to see them become purpose-driven and impactful young Nigerians.

“Let purpose take the future and take it further from here. Let your impact speak for you,” he said.

Earlier, the District Governor of Rotary International District 9127, Rotarian Sikiru Adetona Owonikoko, urged participants to take the academy seriously and maximise the opportunities it offered.

He described RYLA as an opportunity to make life-changing friendships, acquire new skills and gain experiences that could become useful later in life.

“Please take this seriously. It is an opportunity. You are going to make new friends—life-changing friends,” Owonikoko said.

He urged the participants to pay attention to the activities lined up for the week, saying mentorship, sponsorship and other opportunities could emerge from the programme.

“Things will come your way. Sponsorship might come. Mentorship might come. So many good things will come your way,” he said.

The District Governor also said the participation of more than 600 young people made the gathering one of the largest RYLA programmes organised in the district in recent years, urging participants to obey the rules and make the best of the opportunity.

The Chairman of the RYLA 2026 Planning Committee, Dr Kayode Olushola Fasua, said the academy was historic because of the large number of young Nigerians participating.

He said the participants would be exposed to leadership conversations, digital innovation and artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, financial intelligence, civic responsibility, character development, mentorship, vocational skills and other life-transforming experiences.

He urged the participants to leave the academy not merely inspired but transformed into ethical leaders, innovative problem-solvers and compassionate citizens capable of contributing to their communities and the nation.