By Hassan Agboola

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) senatorial candidate for Benue South, Dr David Olofu, has mourned the death of Professor David Onu Salifu, describing the late academic and former Secretary to the Government of Benue State as a statesman whose contributions to the state and country would remain indelible.
Olofu, who led a delegation of the ADC Campaign Council to Iga-Okpaya to condole with the family, said Salifu’s death was an irreparable loss to Benue, Nigeria and the academic community.
In a statement issued by the Dr David Olofu Campaign Council, the group described Salifu as an “illustrious son of Idoma” who distinguished himself through humility, intellect, integrity and commitment to public service.
“There are deaths that silence a room, and there are deaths that silence a generation. The passing of Professor David Onu Salifu, illustrious son of Idoma and former Secretary to the Government of Benue State, is the latter,” the statement said.
According to the council, Salifu’s passion for service, composure in times of crisis and sincerity made him a reference point for those who came after him.
“This is an irreparable loss. Benue has lost a statesman. Nigeria has lost a patriot. The academy has lost a mind that preferred substance to spectacle,” it added.
The delegation included Chief Chris Adaba Abah, Director-General of the Olofu Campaign Council; Sir John Ngbede, Chairman of the Benue South Advisory Council; Chief Mrs Abeje Egwa; Group Captain Steve Adah (rtd.); Elder Dennis Agida; Hon. Oklo Eineje Oklo; Chief Patrick Ogbu; Rt. Hon. Stephen Onmeje; Hon. Engr. Samuel Eche Adama, ADC Chairman, Otukpo Local Government Area; other local government party chairmen and members of the campaign council.
Also present were the ADC governorship candidate in Benue State, Rt. Hon. Herman Hembe; the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Barr. John Abba; and the ADC candidate for Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, Hon. Engr. Solomon Eigege.
The council quoted Olofu as saying Salifu was “family” and pledged that his example would continue to inspire the party’s commitment to public service.
“Professor Salifu is family. Even in death, our love, our affinity and our debt to his example cannot be withheld. We will honour him by serving as he served,” Olofu said.
Also speaking during the condolence visit, Ngbede described Salifu’s death as a major loss to Benue State, Nigeria and the intellectual community.
“Benue State will miss him. Nigeria will miss him. The world of ideas will miss him,” he said.
The ADC campaign council said Salifu left behind a legacy of humility, intellect and integrity that would continue to inspire future generations.
It extended its condolences to the Salifu family, praying God to grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the loss.
The council said Benue South had lost a distinguished son whose contributions would be remembered across the senatorial district and beyond.

Thirteen residents abducted during a deadly bandit attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State remain missing, despite the release of 163 kidnap victims after nearly six months in captivity.

The National Chairman of the Kaiama Development Association (KDA), Yakubu Salihu, disclosed the development on Thursday, revealing that 176 women and children were kidnapped during the February 3, 2026 attack, but only 163 have regained their freedom.

“One hundred and seventy-six people were taken away, but only 163 were released. That leaves 13 people still missing. Where are the others?” Salihu said.

The attack on Woro community reportedly claimed the lives of more than 100 people, while dozens of women and children were taken away by the attackers.

Salihu also revealed that some of the rescued women gave birth while in captivity, describing the situation as a painful reflection of the trauma endured by the victims during their six-month ordeal.

According to him, the freed victims are currently in Niger State and are expected to return to Kwara on or before Saturday, where they will receive medical attention, rehabilitation, and resettlement support.

The KDA chairman renewed calls for the Federal Government to fast-track the establishment of a Nigerian Army battalion in Kaiama, arguing that the shortage of security personnel has left communities exposed to repeated attacks.

He said the community is prepared to provide land and other necessary support to ensure the military base becomes operational as soon as possible.

Salihu added that the existing security personnel in the area are overstretched, making it difficult to respond promptly to emergencies. He expressed confidence that a permanent military presence would improve response time, strengthen security, and help prevent future attacks.

He also appealed to all levels of government to rehabilitate the deteriorating road network in Kaiama Local Government Area, noting that poor road infrastructure continues to hinder security operations and slow socio-economic development.

By Hassan Agboola

A legal practitioner and advocate for good governance, Shuaibu Gama, has defended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to halt the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts, describing the move as a constitutional decision aimed at protecting democracy rather than an act of political interference.

In a statement titled Beyond Institutional Zeal, made available to Journalists, in Abuja , on Thursday, Gama said the independence of the EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and other law enforcement agencies remained fundamental to constitutionalism, the rule of law and accountable democratic governance.

However, he argued that institutional autonomy must not override the broader duty of preserving the constitutional order.
“The need to advocate for the independence of the EFCC, the ICPC and every law enforcement agency from undue interference is beyond contest. Their institutional autonomy remains an indispensable pillar of constitutionalism, the rule of law and accountable democratic governance,” he said.

Gama argued that no constitutional democracy elevates a single constitutional principle above the preservation of the Republic.
“At the summit of every enlightened constitutional order rests the preservation of the Republic itself. Upon the shoulders of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Head of State and Head of Government, lies that solemn and inescapable burden,” he said.
According to him, the President’s directive should not be viewed through the narrow prism of institutional interference alone but as a careful constitutional judgment made in exceptional circumstances where the overriding public interest required restraint in the exercise of statutory powers.
He maintained that freezing the accounts of a state government on the eve of a fiercely contested governorship election would have heightened political tension, deepened public suspicion and cast doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.
“Freezing a state’s accounts on the eve of a fiercely contested governorship election would only inflame political tension, deepen public suspicion and cast an avoidable pall over the integrity and credibility of the electoral process,” Gama said.
He added that the fact the directive benefited an administration controlled by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) demonstrated that the decision was rooted in democratic prudence rather than partisan expediency.
According to him, the anti-corruption campaign derives its legitimacy from the constitutional order and should not undermine other constitutional values in the pursuit of accountability.

“The struggle against corruption derives its enduring moral force from the constitutional order. It cannot, in vindicating one constitutional ideal, diminish another of even greater consequence. Genuine statesmanship is measured not merely by fidelity to power, but by the wisdom, restraint and foresight to ensure that its exercise preserves the commonwealth,” he said.
Gama concluded by invoking the Latin maxim, Publica Utilitas Est Lex Suprema—meaning “the public interest is the supreme law”—stressing that, in moments of constitutional sensitivity, the highest public interest is the preservation of constitutional democracy.