Like Abuja, state capitals including Asaba, Makurdi, Port Harcourt, Umuahia and Sokoto, among others, are in festive mood as new governors take over in 18 states of the federation tomorrow.

Power will change hands in Abia, Akwa Ibom,Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Enugu, Jigawa, Kaduna and Kano.

There will also be change of guards in Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto,Taraba and Zamfara states.

The governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Oyo and Yobe are scheduled to be sworn in for a second term.

Law enforcement agencies in the various states have tightened security to avert any breach of peace.

The Rivers State Police Commissioner, Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka, has ordered maximum deployment of personnel, intelligence, and operational resources for effective policing with special attention paid to the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, the venue of the ceremony.

Emeka in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, also directed that other parts of the state should be adequately policed.

Outgoing Governor Nyesom Wike has told the people of Opobo Kingdom to resist any temptation to antagonise the incoming administration of their kinsman and governor-elect, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“We also urge all of you who are from Opobo to continue to give your son support. Do not be the one that will fight him. Do not be the one that will pull him down. Be his engine room. Be his pillar,” he said.

“While others are trying to drag him down, you should be trying to make him stand firm. This is very important. To have a governor from your area is not easy. You know in 2015 you tried it, it didn’t work. Now that it is God’s time, has it not worked?”

Wike expressed joy that he was in Opobo to inaugurate the reclaimed land of over 20 hectares, which would solve the problem of land scarcity in the area.

The governor thanked the Opobo people and their Amanyanabo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja for their electoral support during the general election and in the last eight years.

Benue Governor-elect’s supporters clean up Makurdi ahead of inauguration

Supporters of Benue State Governor-elect Hyacinth Alia yesterday trooped out to sweep clean the state capital ahead of his inauguration.

The sanitation exercise was accompanied with singing, drumming and dancing on the major streets of the state capital.

The Director of Communications to the Governor-elect Kulas Tersoo told The Nation by phone that the people were shocked that Makurdi was left dirty despite the over N6billion said to have been spent by the outgoing government on the procurement of vehicles and equipment for refuse collection and general sanitation.

Alia spent the better part of Thursday and Friday with the men and officers of Nigeria Police at the IBB Square, Makurdi, for rehearsals ahead of tomorrow’s swearing in.

The Police Commissioner, Okoro Alawari Julius, has ordered all Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in the state to emplace adequate security in their areas of responsibility.

Gombe Governor dissolves cabinet; removes all political appointees

Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, yesterday dissolved the State Executive Council and terminated the appointment of all political appointees.

However, political office holders in statutory boards and commissions are excluded from this directive. Equally, Local Government Caretaker chairmen will remain in charge of their respective councils until the expiration of their tenure on 19th June, 2023.

Governor Inuwa Yahaya has also accepted the resignation of the Gombe State Head of Civil Service, Alhaji Bappayo Yahaya. In his place, the governor approved the appointment of the Permanent Secretary/Principal Private Secretary ( PPS) to the Governor, Ahmed Kasimu Abdullahi as Acting Head of Civil Service.

The governor expressed appreciation to all the relieved appointees for their invaluable support and contribution to the success of his administration and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

The governor, during a valedictory Executive Council meeting thanked the cabinet members for their sacrifices and dedication which saw to the success of his first tenure, noting that the achievements recorded by his administration would not have been possible without the efforts of the members whom he described as good team players.

Sokoto APC transition committee organises special prayer for swearing in

The Sokoto State Transition Committee of the APC yesterday held a special prayer session to usher in Alhaji Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and Alhaji Idris Mohammed Gobir as governor and deputy governor respectively.

Bashar Abubakar, spokesman for the APC leader in the state,Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, said the prayer to seek divine guidance for the incoming president and governor of the state.

The special prayer session was coordinated by Mallam Bashir Gidan Kanawa and conducted by 13 Islamic scholars.

Prominent among them were the Chief Imam of Sultan Bello Jumu’at Mosque, Imam Malami Akwara, Sarkin Mallaman Sokoto, Mallam Yahaya Na Malam Boyi, Alkalin Mallaman Sokoto, Mallam Umar Ahmad Helele and Mallam Bello Kofa.

Other scholars included: Sheikh Abdul’aziz Kofar Rini, Sheikh Yahuza Shehu Tambuwal, Mallam Yusuf Labbo and Mallam Nafiu Malami Dan Haja, among others.

No handing over note to Otti until May 29 — Abia Govt

Abia State outgoing governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, said there would be no handing over note to his successor, Dr. Alex Otti until tomorrow.

Otti had pulled out his nominees from the joint committee set up to ensure a smooth transition.

He accused the outgoing government of non- cooperation.

Outgoing Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, John Okiyi-Kalu, in a monitored interview said the state government would not hand over any official document of the state to Otti when he hasn’t taken oath of office.

Okiyi-Kalu said: “We will not hand over the document to the incoming governor until he has taken oath of office.

“There is a reason for that. In that document, you have a lot of secret information concerning the running of this state. The security architecture information is there.

“If you now give it to someone who is not under oath and he is splashing it on Facebook as we have been seeing them do (they think that everything is for Facebook and radio stations). What does that do to the security of the good people of Abia State?

Meanwhile, the Umuahia Township Stadium and the International Conference Center (ICC) are wearing a new look ahead of Monday’s swearing-in of Otti as the 5th governor of the state.

El-Rufai hands over Transition Committee Report to Uba Sani

But it is a different case in Kaduna State where outgoing Governor Nasir El Rufai of Kaduna State has handed over the Transition Committee Report to the Governor -elect, Senator Uba Sani, saying that, the incoming administration is lucky to have a working document to guide its operations from the first day in office.

The governor thanked members of the committee for doing a very good job, adding that the quality of the people on the committee was such that “I expect nothing less.”

El-Rufai also congratulated Senator Uba Sani for having a working document even before taking office, recalling that, “our 2015 Transition Committee Report remains our blueprint for all that we have done in eight years.”

Speaking shortly after receiving the report, the Governor-elect, Senator Uba Sani, pledged to study it thoroughly and implement most of the recommendations.

Niger Commissioners and Special Advisers to remain in office until Inauguration Day

Commissioners and Special Advisers in Niger State are to retain their positions until tomorrow, according to outgoing Governor Abubakar Sani Bello.

But other political appointees were asked to leave.

They were asked to hand over notes and other government property in their possession to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Political Affairs in the SSG’s Office on or before Monday, 29th May, 2023.

OKOWA fails to dissolve cabinet after valedictory session

Delta State outgoing Governor Ifeanyi Okowa directed the Secretary to State Government (SSG), Commissioners and other exco members to remain at their duty posts until midnight of Sunday, May 28, 2023.

Okowa, who gave this directive at the valedictory session in exco chamber, weekend, in Government House, Asaba, said his administration’s success stories cannot be complete without members of the State Executive Council (Exco) being part of it.

He said his administration did not only construct physical bridges but built bridges of unity among the various nationalities in the state, adding that Deltans must remain united in their quest for more development.

The governor pointed out that the impact of his administration in terms of developmental projects ranging from roads and bridges infrastructure, health care, peace and security were novel particularly the youth entrepreneurship programmes that have turned several youths into entrepreneurs and employers of labour.

Lalong picks new head of service on eve of departure from office

Plateau State outgoing governor, Simon Lalong, yesterday unexpectedly announced the appointment of Rauta Dakok as the state’s new head of service.

Dakok is taking over from Mr. Sunday Hyat who retired from the service.

The new HoS was immediately sworn in by Lalong.

TBS wears new look as Lagos set for Sanwo-Olu/Hamzat’s second term inauguration

The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS),Lagos ,is wearing a fresh look ahead of tomorrow’s swearing in of Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat for a second term.

TBS, located in Lagos Island and close to the Lagos House, Marina, on Saturday witnessed massive decoration and aesthetic improvements as members of the Inauguration Committee and vendors worked to give the venue a new look.

The VIP stand located at the centre of TBS wore a very exquisite and colorful look with the decorators still putting finishing touches to it as at Saturday afternoon.

There were some platforms located close to the VIP stand, where the rituals of the swearing-in would be performed during the inauguration.

Lagosians trooped out yesterday for the “Greater Lagos Exhibition”, a pictorial exhibition on the works of Governor Sanwo-Olu from May 29, 2019 to date.

The eight-day photo exhibition held at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History, Onikan, runs daily from 10 am to 6 pm, started last Sunday and will end today. (The Nation)

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