Rountrip

A governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Ekiti State, Kayode Olubunmi Ojo, has accused the state government and security agencies of harassing, arresting and economically victimising his supporters over their alleged loyalty to his 2026 ambition. Ojo, an engineer, made the allegation in a statement on Saturday, claiming that APC members backing his governorship bid were being treated as enemies within the ruling party. He described the situation as “a serious assault on democracy, the rule of law and internal party freedom in Ekiti State.” According to him, his supporters across the state have been subjected to arrests, attempted arrests, intimidation, surveillance, unlawful detention and denial of statutory entitlements. He listed some of those allegedly affected to include Bayo Aderiye in Ado-Ekiti, Taiwo Fabiyi in Emure-Ekiti, Obebe Oluwafemi Ayekooto in Otun-Ekiti, Olugbenga Kayejo in Ikere-Ekiti, as well as members of the APC Ward Executive in Ikoro-Ekiti. Ojo s...

The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Prince Adedayo Ladega, has earned a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) at its 56th Convocation Ceremony held at the Akoka campus. According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman, Akeem Mustapha, the academic milestone reflects Hon. Ladega’s commitment to lifelong learning and excellence in public service. Hon. Ladega graduated alongside other students at the ceremony, which attracted academics, government officials, and members of the public. The statement noted that the MPA programme strengthens his capacity to integrate advanced public administration principles with practical governance for sustainable development in Ikorodu. Reacting to the achievement, Hon. Ladega expressed appreciation to the University of Lagos for its role in developing leaders and reaffirmed his determination to deploy the knowledge and competencies acquired from the program...

The Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has poured glowing tributes on the Super Eagles of Nigeria for their heroic outing and bronze medal triumph at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), describing their performance as a victory of spirit, courage, and national pride. Governor Abiodun saluted the Eagles for playing what many adjudged as the most exhilarating and dominant football at the tournament, noting that the team went unbeaten in regulation time throughout the competition, winning all their matches except the semi-final, which was decided by the lottery of penalties. He noted that Nigeria’s outstanding record—scoring the highest number of goals in the group stage and conceding none in the knockout rounds before the semi-final—was a testament to the team’s quality, discipline, and the enduring excellence of Nigerian football. The Ogun State Governor further praised the Eagles for their resilience and mental strength, parti...

The attention of THE PBAT FORCE has been drawn to a publication titled “REVEALED: HOW OJELABI HELD LAGOS COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS PROCESS TO RANSOM.” We find it necessary to issue this rejoinder in the interest of truth, clarity, responsible journalism, and constructive political engagement. First and foremost, THE PBAT FORCE categorically states that it is NOT aware of, NOT affiliated with and NOT connected to the faceless individuals or anonymous sources behind the said publication. At no time did THE PBAT FORCE author, sponsor, endorse, or brief any individual, group, or media platform to issue such a narrative in its name. THE PBAT FORCE is a structured, disciplined, and responsible support group operating strictly within the ideals and constitution of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and in total alignment with the leadership philosophy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. We do not engage in anonymous publications, blackmail journalism, sensationalism, or the propagation of unver...

The Africa Centre for Democracy and Leadership (ACDL) has issued a strong caution to the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Chibuzor-Amadi, on the critical need for judicial independence in the face of the ongoing impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Deputy Governor Prof. Ngozi Odu. The group's intervention comes at a pivotal moment, as the Rivers State House of Assembly, under Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has ramped up its efforts to oust the executive duo. This follows a series of dramatic shifts, including a recent U-turn by four lawmakers who recommitted to the impeachment push after briefly advocating for dialogue, citing alleged media attacks from the governor's camp as evidence of bad faith. The Assembly's latest resolution to forward a request for an investigative panel to the Chief Judge marks a formal escalation, confirming that impeachment notices have been served in line with constitutional requirements. The group warned that the...

As reactions continue to trill the appointment of Senator Abdulaziz Yari as the new Chairman of the Board, Geregu Power Plc; a northern group has dropped a bombshell while lending its voice to the public debate. The group, 'Mai Kare Talakawa' (MKT), majorly based in Sokoto, north western state, said it would never stand for the interest of the people, especially the downtrodden, instead of joining the bandwagon of praise singers of those who unite to enrich themselves. In a statement signed on Monday by the Spokesperson, Mallam Yusuf Mohammed, the group queried the way and manner Senator Yari became stupendously rich, amassing enormous wealth for himself, since presiding over the common wealth of Zamfara, a leading poorest state in north west. According to the group, Senator Yari, aside been a Commissioner, two term Governor and currently, a Senator from Zamfara State, has no known strong business base, apart from the MA'AM Energy and the mining activities he has severally ...

  The Executive Chairman of Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Prince Adedayo Ladega, has felicitated with elder statesman and foremost progressive leader, Chief Adebisi Bamdele Akande, on the occasion of his 87th birthday, describing him as a pillar of integrity and a colossus of Nigeria’s progressive political movement.   Hon. Ladega noted that Chief Akande’s life and political career exemplify principled leadership, courage, and an unwavering commitment to democratic governance. As the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), he has continued to serve as a moral compass for the party and a mentor whose influence spans generations of political leaders across the country.   These were contained in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary To the Executive Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Mr Akeem Mustapha.   The Chairman observed that Chief Akande’s enduring contributions to nation-building and the advancement of progressive ideals remain a sourc...

A series of violent incidents involving individuals connected to the late politician, Topmost Ayinde, has resulted in multiple deaths across Ekiti, Osun, and Cross River states, raising serious concerns about insecurity in the affected regions. Security agencies say the motive behind the attacks remains unclear, and investigations are ongoing. As of the time of filing this report, no arrests have been made. ⸻ Former Aide and Family Attacked in Ekiti On January 2, 2026, Jide, a former personal assistant to the late Topmost Ayinde, was abducted in Ekiti State along with his wife and their twin sons by unidentified gunmen, according to a family source. The assailants reportedly invaded the family’s residence and demanded information about Ayomide, Ayinde’s son. Jide’s uncle said the attackers showed photographs of Ayomide and insisted on knowing his whereabouts and how to contact him. Jide reportedly told them he did not know Ayomide’s location in the United Kingdom and did not have his p...

The Renewed Hope Coalition, a pro-President Bola Ahmed Tinubu advocacy group, has hailed the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P) initiated by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, for contributing to the relatively peaceful Yuletide season experienced in the South East region this year. In a statement issued in Enugu, the National Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Coalition, Comrade Emmanuel Okoro, described the 2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations in the South East as a marked departure from previous years plagued by insecurity and enforced sit-at-home orders. "Unlike in the past, when fear and tension dominated the festive period due to unrest, this year's Yuletide has been remarkably calm, allowing families to travel home freely, reunite, and celebrate in peace," Okoro said. "We attribute this positive development largely to the non-kinetic approach of the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), convened by the...

The leadership of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has constituted a seven-man fact-finding committee to independently investigate allegations of unlawful alterations to Nigeria's newly enacted tax reform laws by elements within the executive arm of government. In a statement issued on Friday and jointly signed by Minority Leader Rep. O.K. Chinda, Minority Whip Rt. Hon. Ali Isa J.C., PhD, Deputy Minority Leader Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki, and Deputy Minority Whip Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi, the caucus described the move as expedient amid the lingering controversy over claims that the versions of the tax laws gazetted and set for implementation differ materially from those passed by the National Assembly and assented to by President Bola Tinubu. The opposition lawmakers expressed concern over the federal government's determination to commence implementation of the laws from January 1, 2026, despite widespread demands for suspension pending resolution of the discrepa...