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Senate Moves to Strengthen Police Funding, Advances Trust Fund Bill

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The Senate on Thursday took a major step toward improving the funding of the Nigeria Police Force by passing a bill seeking to reform the Police Trust Fund to second reading.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by Opeyemi Bamidele, aims to repeal and re-enact the existing law to introduce multiple and more sustainable funding sources for the police.

Leading the debate, Bamidele explained that the bill proposes a diversified funding structure, including one percent of total revenue from the Federation Account, development levies under tax laws, grants from federal, state, and local governments, as well as donations from international partners and contributions from the private sector.

He noted that the reform had become necessary due to persistent funding challenges facing the police, which have affected their ability to effectively tackle insecurity across the country. According to him, despite significant annual allocations, police formations often operate with inadequate resources, poor infrastructure, and limited operational tools.

The senator added that the new framework would enhance operational capacity, improve technological capabilities, and support the renovation of police facilities. It would also strengthen training programmes and ensure better welfare for officers.

Bamidele further stated that the bill proposes a structured governance system for the trust fund, including a governing board made up of key stakeholders such as representatives from relevant ministries, the police hierarchy, and the private sector.

Supporting the bill, Abba Moro emphasized the urgent need to address inadequate police funding, noting that many formations lack modern equipment needed to combat crimes such as kidnapping.

Also backing the proposal, Jubril Barau described the bill as crucial to national security, stressing that the police serve the entire federation and require adequate support.

However, concerns were raised by Ibrahim Dankwambo, who warned that the proposed one percent deduction from the Federation Account could face legal challenges, as similar arrangements had previously been contested by state governments. He also questioned how the funding model would align with ongoing discussions on state policing.

In his contribution, Abdulfatai Buhari argued that beyond funding, the police also need better equipment and operational support. He pointed out that Nigeria has about 300,000 police officers serving a population of over 200 million, which falls below global standards.

After extensive deliberation, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, put the bill to a voice vote, with the majority of lawmakers supporting it.

Akpabio announced that the bill would proceed to a public hearing to address concerns such as accountability of past funds, alternative funding options, and its compatibility with potential state police structures.

The bill has now been referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, chaired by Ahmed Mallam-Madori, which has been given two weeks to report back to the Senate.

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Asefon, Kasali Express Confidence in Oyebanji’s Re-election Bid

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The Senior Special Assistant on Student Engagement to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Sunday Asefon, and the Director of the City Boy Movement in Ekiti State, Oluwafemi Kasali, have expressed confidence in the victory of Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

 

 

 

The duo stated that the widespread support enjoyed by Governor Oyebanji across the 16 local government areas of the state would translate into a landslide victory at the polls.

 

 

 

Speaking during the grand finale of the APC Mega rally in Ado-Ekiti, Asefon commended the governor for his people-oriented policies and developmental strides, he noted that his administration had positively impacted critical sectors, including education, infrastructure, healthcare, and youth empowerment.

 

 

 

He expressed that the governor’s performance in office has earned him the trust and confidence of the people, making his re-election a foregone conclusion.

 

 

 

Asefon urged residents of the state, particularly students and youths, to come out in large numbers to exercise their civic responsibility and support the continuity of good governance under the Oyebanji administration.

 

 

 

Also speaking, Kasali described Governor Oyebanji as a leader who has demonstrated commitment to the welfare of the people and the development of the state.

 

 

 

He said the achievements recorded by the governor within his first term had endeared him to the electorate, stressing that Ekiti people would reward competence and effective leadership with their votes.

 

 

Kasali added that the City Boy Movement and other support groups aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC) were mobilising massively across the state to ensure a the governor’s victory.

 

 

 

Thet maintained that the level of support being witnessed across the state ahead of the election was a clear indication that Governor Oyebanji would secure a convincing mandate for another term in office.

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EKITI GUBER: OYEBANJI, IN STATE BROADCAST, PREACHES PEACE AHEAD SATURDAY’S ELECTION

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..Says he has fulfilled electoral promises made in 2022

 

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Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has appealed to all stakeholders connected with the conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in the state to ensure peace before, during and after the election.

 

Addressing the people of the State in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Oyebanji pointed out that Ekiti, under his watch, has witnessed the most peaceful election in history advocating that the Saturday’s election and post-election activities remain peaceful.

 

Oyebanji who is seeking a re-election on the ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) particularly tasked members of the political parties, election observers and security agencies to be professional and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness.

 

The state chief executive appreciated the entire people of Ekiti for their support since he mounted the saddle in October 16, 2022 saying he owed them a debt of gratitude for the privilege to serve them in the last four years. He said he does not take the sacred trust reposed in him for granted.

 

Oyebanji equally used the opportunity to request for a renewal of what he described as “the Shared Prosperity Mandate” given to him four years ago expressing readiness to take the socio-economic plans of his administration to a greater heights if re-elected.

 

According to him, given the solid foundation of economic prosperity his administration has laid already, a new mandate will witness “a higher velocity of development and fast delivery of service.”

 

With another four years of Shared Prosperity mandate, the Ekiti Governor was upbeat that his administration will be able to complete all ongoing projects, entrench policy initiatives, pursue new vision and open new frontiers of development in accordance with the state’s 30-year Development Plan.

 

The Governor remarked that he and his administration has fulfilled the electoral promises on the six-pillar development agenda which has brought about sound policy decisions and impactful policy actions that have led to improved service delivery and orderly governance across sectors in our State.

 

Oyebanji explained that he has remained faithful to the social contract with the people of the state noting that he is more encouraged by the overwhelming goodwill and support he and his team have been receiving across the state expressing his unrelenting commitment to serving the people better if given another mandate.

 

He said: “As we approach the polls in another hours, I want to humbly request that you renew the Shared Prosperity Mandate you gave us four years ago by another four years.

 

“While we are proud of the landmark achievements we have recorded in the last four years, I am very confident that with another fours years of your mandate, we will be able to take the socioeconomic plans of our administration to a greater heights.

 

“I want to appeal to all stakeholders, members of the political parties, election observers and security agencies to act professional and conduct themselves with the highest level of decorum and fairness.

 

“So far, this current political electioneering has been the most peaceful in the history of our State, and we must do everything to ensure that the election and post election activities remain peaceful.”

 

The Governor stated that he has moved round the state to seek the support of the electorate in the mould of individual voters, interest groups, associations and communities expressing gratitude with large turnouts of people in support of his candidature in all his party’s campaign rallies coupled with solidarity, support and prayers from stakeholders far and wide.

 

He hailed the high-powered delegation of party leaders from national level led by President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda who were on ground to drum support for his re-election at the final mega rally held on Tuesday.

 

The Governor specifically thanked President Tinubu “for his invaluable support at both political and inter-governmental levels and the support enjoyed by his (Oyebanji’s) administration which he said has been of tremendous importance.

 

Oyebanji also thanked the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her love for Ekiti while also appreciating Vice President Shettima for leading the party’s Grand Campaign and taking the pains to visit the state twice in the last one week.

 

He equally hailed traditional rulers, religious leaders for their cooperation and support while also expressing gratitude to workers, the artisans, market men and women and different interest groups who have remained supportive of his administration.

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IGP Deploys CP Abayomi Shogunle to Secure Ekiti Governorship Election

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The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Shogunle, to Ekiti State to oversee the security operations ahead of the June 20, 2026 governorship election.

 

The deployment, according to the Ekiti State Police Command, is part of strategic operational measures approved by the IGP to guarantee adequate security and ensure a peaceful, credible, and violence-free electoral process across the state.

 

In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Sunday Abutu, said CP Shogunle has resumed duty as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the governorship election and immediately commenced the implementation of enhanced security measures.

 

The statement noted that the police chief has strengthened collaboration with other security agencies and election stakeholders while activating intelligence-driven operations aimed at preventing political violence, cult-related activities, thuggery, and the spread of misinformation capable of disrupting the electoral process.

 

According to the command, special attention is also being given to the secure movement of electoral materials and personnel engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as well as the protection of critical infrastructure across the state.

 

 

As part of the election security architecture, the police have established a centralized operational framework to coordinate rapid responses to security threats. Joint deployments of security personnel under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) will be carried out to safeguard polling units, collation centres, election facilities, voters, electoral officials, election observers, journalists, and other stakeholders participating in the election.

 

The command disclosed that security operatives are being strategically deployed to identified flashpoints across the state to prevent any breakdown of law and order before, during, and after the election.

 

 

CP Shogunle assured residents that officers assigned to election duties have been thoroughly briefed on professional conduct and will operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.

 

He appealed to political parties, candidates, community leaders, and residents of the state to cooperate with security agencies in maintaining peace throughout the electoral period.

 

The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting lives and property and ensuring that the election is conducted in a free, fair, transparent, and credible atmosphere.

 

The command also highlighted Shogunle’s experience in election security management, noting that he successfully coordinated security operations during the peaceful governorship election held in Anambra State in November 2025 while serving as Commissioner of Police in the state.

 

Residents were urged to remain law-abiding and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency line, 08062335577.

The Ekiti governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 20, with security agencies intensifying preparations to ensure a peaceful democratic exercise across the state.

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