Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde links EFCC investigation request to warning against contesting 2027 presidential election
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde revealed in his July 2026 monthly newsletter that an All Progressives Congress chieftain warned him on June 1, 2025, against contesting the 2027 presidential election, following President Bola Tinubu's endorsement as the APC's sole candidate. Makinde stated that a day after this warning, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission requested copies of all Oyo State Government contracts and payments to contractors from 2021, without specifying any particular contractor, company, transaction, or alleged offense. This disclosure came as Makinde reacted to a Federal High Court ruling in Ibadan that restrained the EFCC from proceeding with its planned investigation into the state's finances. The court, while acknowledging the EFCC's powers, ruled that its request was "speculative" and a "fishing expedition," emphasizing that investigations must align with the Constitution and the rule of law. Makinde noted that his administration did not resist investigation but sought clarification on specific transactions, which the EFCC did not provide, leading the state government to seek judicial interpretation. He described the court's decision as a victory for the rule of law, reinforcing that all institutions must operate within constitutional boundaries and that accountability must be evidence-based.
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Nigeria's Super Falcons defeated Tanzania 2-1 in an international friendly, concluding their preparations for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Captain Rasheedat Ajibade scored the opening goal in the first half, but Tanzania equalized before halftime. Esther Okoronkwo secured the 2-1 victory with a late goal. This friendly allowed Head Coach Justin Madugu to evaluate his squad and refine tactics. The win is expected to boost the Super Falcons' confidence as they aim for their 11th WAFCON title. Nigeria will now focus on the group stage of the 2026 WAFCON.
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Must ReadThe Regional Observatory of Onion in West and Central Africa ORO has expressed alarm over the continued seizure of Nigerian onion trucks in Ghana, urging the Nigerian Federal Government to intervene to prevent a regional trade crisis. ORO President Isa Aliyu stated that several trucks loaded with onions have been stranded at Kotoku Market in Ghana since July 21, after Ghanaian onion traders reportedly prevented them from offloading produce. Aliyu, who is also the National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria NOPPMAN, highlighted that this situation is causing significant losses for Nigerian farmers, exporters, and transporters. He warned that the prolonged detention of the perishable goods could undermine Nigeria鈥檚 cross-border trade and violate ECOWAS trade protocols. Despite interventions from the Nigerian High Commission in Ghana, the Embassy of the Republic of Niger, and the ECOWAS Trade Directorate, the trucks remain unreleased. Aliyu emphasized that Ghanaian traders enjoy unrestricted access to Nigerian markets, purchasing over 50 trucks of onions from Nigeria without discrimination, while Nigeria exports about 16 trucks weekly to Ghana. He asserted that the blockade violates the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme and the African Continental Free Trade Area, which ensure the free movement of goods among member states. Aliyu appealed to the Federal Government for diplomatic engagement with Ghana to protect Nigerian bu