Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has strongly criticized a proposed Senate bill aimed at permanently designating the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-Chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council, saying the move marginalizes other traditional rulers across Nigeria’s diverse ethnic and geopolitical landscape.

In a statement released on Sunday in Enugu, the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, expressed concern over what it called a disregard for fairness and constitutional principles.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the controversial bill has already passed second reading in the Senate.

Chukwu described the bill as deeply flawed and divisive.

“The Senate in this vein has failed in its capacity as the highest legislative carrier and custodian of the nation’s democratic mandate.
This bill is not only inequitable, discriminatory and ethnocentric, it is equally distasteful, reprehensible and objectionable.”

“It lacks all the ethical considerations, objective metrics and unbiased categories for national unity and social justice in a pluralist nation-State like Nigeria,” he said.

Ohanaeze called on the Senate to urgently withdraw the bill and undertake a review that accounts for ethnic diversity, cultural sensitivity, geopolitical balance, and inclusive governance.

“It is only by so doing shall the bill foster national unity, peaceful co-existence and social stability,” Chukwu added.

He emphasized that elevating only two traditional rulers above others would undermine the spirit of federal character enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and erode the respect accorded to monarchs from other ethnic nationalities.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has placed a temporary restriction on all newly sworn-in 57 Local Government and LCDA Chairmen, barring them from appointing Secretaries to Local Governments (SLGs) and Supervisory Councillors.

The directive came shortly after he administered the oath of office to the elected chairmen and vice-chairmen at a ceremony held at the Sports Ground, Lagos House, Ikeja.

Sanwo-Olu instructed the new council bosses to spend the next 30 to 60 days familiarizing themselves with the needs of their respective communities.

He clarified that the state government would later notify them when the appointments could proceed.

However, he urged them to immediately appoint Chiefs of Staff to help coordinate their daily activities.

Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership and prioritizing citizens’ welfare, saying Lagos would not tolerate underperformance or betrayal of public trust.

“We are living through a new era of local government autonomy, fiscal and administrative independence now affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Lagos has consistently taken the lead in this regard.”

“As chairmen, you now have direct access to your council’s funds. With this comes direct accountability. No excuses. No finger pointing. The buck now stops with you,” he declared.

He urged the new leaders to treat this autonomy with responsibility and transparency, reminding them that leadership is a public duty, not personal privilege.

“Use this autonomy wisely. Guard it with transparency. Let your tenure reflect not political entitlement, but public responsibility. Leadership must never be about personal gain; it must be about public impact,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Describing the mandate given to the chairmen as a “call to service and selfless leadership,” the governor asked them to lead with courage, clarity of purpose, and compassion.

“The people have placed in your hands not just votes but their dreams. Their expectations are clear: better roads, safer streets, functioning health centres, thriving schools, modern markets, environmental sanitation, youth engagement, and community security. These are not abstractions; they are daily necessities. And your performance will be measured not by the eloquence of your speeches but by the visibility of your actions.”

He reminded them that Lagos State’s THEMES+ agenda must reflect in every part of the state:

“Lagos is counting on you to bring development to every street, every ward, every community. Let the THEMES+ agenda of our administration come alive in your domains. Translate our vision in Transportation, Health, Education, Environment, Security and Social Inclusion into projects that impact lives.”

“Let rural communities feel the presence of the government. Let our riverine and underserved areas know that they, too, are not forgotten. Governance must be inclusive, equitable, and people-centred.”

“Your success is our success. The State Government stands firmly with you. We will support you. We will work with you. But we will also hold you to the highest standards.”

The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Bolaji Robert, praised the newly elected chairmen, calling their emergence a clear endorsement by the people. He applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu’s leadership in ensuring credible and peaceful local government elections.

“The election and swearing-in of the council chairmen and their deputies is a call to deepen governance at the grassroots level and ensure service delivery to all,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of the new council bosses, Sesan Olowa, Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, expressed gratitude to Governor Sanwo-Olu and Lagosians for the trust placed in them. Olowa, who was elected Chairman of Conference 57 during the event, vowed that the new leaders would uphold APC values and deliver good governance.

“We will uphold the values of the APC and ensure that development touches every ward and community under our care,” he pledged.

The swearing-in ceremony was graced by top officials and dignitaries, including First Lady Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat, members of the state and national assemblies, the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) led by Prince Tajudeen Olusi, APC Lagos State Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi, traditional rulers, and market leaders.

In a move to address the growing health crisis linked to heart-related conditions in Nigeria, the National Assembly has given the green light to establish the National Institute for Cardiovascular Disease, Research and Treatment in Kano State.

The bill, championed by Hassan Shehu Hussain, who represents the Nassarawa Federal Constituency of Kano State, successfully passed the House of Representatives on April 2 and received Senate concurrence on July 15.

The institute is expected to function as a national centre of excellence focused on diagnosis, treatment, research, and medical training in the field of cardiovascular health.

Speaking on the significance of the bill, Hussain emphasized the urgency, noting that heart disease has become one of the top causes of death in the country.

“Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has become one of the leading causes of death in Nigeria, placing immense pressure on the country’s health system,” he said.

A 2023 report by the Nigerian Heart Foundation supported this concern, revealing that over 30% of Nigerian adults suffer from high blood pressure, and one in five hospital deaths in the country is linked to cardiovascular issues.

The report pointed to urbanisation, poor diets, tobacco use, sedentary lifestyles, and lack of early diagnosis as key contributing factors.

Once operational, the Kano-based institute will provide:

Specialised treatment and rehabilitation for patients with heart conditions

Training programs for healthcare workers in cardiac care

Advanced research initiatives targeting cardiovascular diseases

Collaboration opportunities with both domestic and international stakeholders to secure funding and drive innovation

According to Hussain, the centre will offer far-reaching benefits beyond just healthcare services.

“The centre will not only provide cutting-edge cardiovascular care but also foster homegrown research and capacity building, particularly tailored to Nigeria’s unique health challenges.”

He further noted that the facility would play a critical role in generating jobs, spurring medical innovation and reducing the country’s reliance on foreign medical tourism for heart-related treatments.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has vowed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will claim victory in the upcoming 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, signaling a strong challenge to the current administration led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

Atiku, a leading figure in the ADC, made the statement during the official launch of the party’s Ekiti State chapter over the weekend in Ado-Ekiti.

Represented at the event by Prof. Bayo Fakunle, former Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), the ex-Vice President declared:

“The party will participate in the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State and win,” adding that Governor Oyebanji should begin preparing his handover notes.

The occasion also marked a wave of defections from multiple major parties into the ADC.

Defectors included prominent members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Labour Party (LP), and even the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Expressing appreciation to Ekiti voters for their support during past presidential elections, Atiku used the platform to renew his commitment to the state’s people, promising better governance under the ADC.

“The ADC would rescue them from untold hardship,” he said through Prof. Fakunle, calling on citizens to rally behind the party’s rescue mission.

Former Deputy Governor Prof. Kolapo Olusola, who led the PDP faction into the ADC, echoed this sentiment during his remarks.

“The ADC was formed to chase away those who are destroying the country through maladministration,” he said.

“The calibre of men and women in the party is capable of restoring the country back to prosperity.”

In what is seen as a strategic shift that could reshape Ekiti’s political scene, several influential aides and allies of former governors Ayodele Fayose, Kayode Fayemi, and Segun Oni have also defected to the ADC.

This move casts uncertainty over Oyebanji’s reelection bid. It’s particularly noteworthy given that all three former governors; Fayemi, Fayose, and Oni had previously endorsed Oyebanji’s candidacy for 2026.

Now, however, several of their former key associates are throwing their weight behind the ADC. Among the high-profile defectors present at the unveiling were: Prof. Kolapo Eleka (former Deputy Governor under Fayose), Dipo Anisulowo (former Chief of Staff), Modupe Alade (ex-Secretary to the State Government), and Gbenga Faseluka (former Head of Service), alongside other notable political figures.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has projected a wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, downplaying claims of political persecution and declaring the ruling party’s readiness for the opposition.

Appearing on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, the governor emphasized that the APC is not taking the emerging opposition lightly particularly after the formation of a new coalition bloc under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“Yes, we have discussed,” Sule said when asked if APC governors had evaluated the threat posed by the new coalition.

“And it is not something, actually, that I will disclose here. You know, as they are planning, we are planning. We are in politics. We’re not just sitting down watching them plan. So as they plan, we plan. And at the end of the day, the better plans will take over.”

The governor noted that several defections to the APC are already underway, including from among opposition governors and lawmakers.

“We keep getting more and more governors from the PDP joining us. Very soon, you will hear another governor joining us. You hear every day about senators decamping and coming back to the APC. Every day. These are all part of the plans—they’re not happening just by magic,” he said.

Governor Sule’s remarks come shortly after a major political event held on July 2 at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, where opposition leaders across various parties rallied behind the ADC as a unified platform to challenge the APC’s dominance in 2027.

At that gathering, former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola were named interim chairman and secretary of the coalition.

The event also featured key political figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, Ireti Kingibe, Dele Momodu, Emeka Ihedioha, and Dino Melaye, signaling a serious push to consolidate forces ahead of the next election cycle.

However, some within the ADC have alleged that fear of persecution by the APC government is discouraging certain politicians from joining the coalition. Governor Sule dismissed that suggestion outright.

“I don’t underrate anybody, but the bottom line is, they must find something else to say. Jonathan’s era is completely different from this era. We didn’t see what we’re seeing now during Jonathan’s time. We didn’t go through the challenges we’re facing now during his time,” he said.

He also cast doubt on the strength and cohesion of the opposition alliance compared to the diverse and broad-based merger that birthed the APC.

“The calibre of people that came together to form the APC—ANPP, APGA, ACN, CPC, and even the new PDP—is not the same kind of thing you’re seeing in this new opposition,” Sule concluded.