🇳🇬NigeriaWest Africa
Sister and twin children of former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu kidnapped in Ibadan
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
The sister of former Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu, who is also an All Progressives Congress 2027 gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, has been kidnapped along with her twin children in Ibadan. An eyewitness reported that the incident occurred on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South West Local Government Area. Femi Awogboro, a media aide to Adelabu, confirmed that Adelabu’s younger sister and her twin children, Peter and Paul, were abducted by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan, while leaving their home to access the expressway. This incident follows other recent kidnappings in the state, including over 40 teachers and students on May 15, 2026, in Ahoro-Esiele, and an APC chieftain, Wale Oriade, in December 2025 in Ibadan. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated that she could not independently verify the current incident but asked for patience.
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The sister and twin children of Adebayo Adelabu, former Minister of Power and All Progressive Congress governorship aspirant in Oyo State, were kidnapped on Wednesday in the Challenge area of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. A video from the scene shows a red sedan with open doors and visible damage, including a smashed driver's side window. Onlookers gathered around the vehicle. A media aide to the former minister, Femi Awogboro, confirmed the incident, stating that Adelabu's younger sister and her twins, Peter and Paul, were attacked by unknown gunmen at Elewura, Challenge, Ibadan, while on their way to the expressway. The Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, stated he could not independently verify the incident at the time. This abduction follows other recent incidents in the state, including the reported kidnapping of over 40 teachers and students in May 2026 and the abduction of APC chieftain Wale Oriade in December 2025.
Must ReadNigeria has repeatedly implemented various reforms in its public sector, including policy, monetary, tax, and civil service reforms, yet significant change remains elusive. A key argument suggests that the one reform not yet fully attempted is the reformation of public sector boards. These boards, which oversee ministries' parastatals, regulators, development finance institutions, and other government entities, are theoretically responsible for strategic direction, accountability, and performance monitoring. However, in most cases, they function as ceremonial bodies for political appointments rather than effective governance structures. The author contends that no public institution in Nigeria performs above the level of its board, asserting that the board sets the ceiling for an institution's potential. To fix the boards, changes are needed in how directors are selected, prioritizing competence over political alignment, and establishing clear performance indicators. Furthermore, boards must shift from rubber-stamping management decisions to providing genuine strategic steering, and the role of the board Chair needs to be re-evaluated for its critical impact on effectiveness. Ultimately, the author argues that fixing public sector boards is the most impactful reform Nigeria can undertake, as it is a precondition for the success of all other reforms.