The Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Dino Melaye , on Saturday demanded the cancellation of the elections which were held in five Local Government Areas of the state.
The LGAs, according to Melaye are Okene, Okehi, Ajaokuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo.
The candidate alleged that the results from the units were compromised.
Melaye, in a post on hisX account @-Dinomelaye, described the exercise in the five council areas as a coordinated scam by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said: “INEC must cancel the election in the 5 local governments of Kogi-Central. The election in Okene, Okehi, Ajaoukuta, Adavi, and Ogori/Mangogo is a scam coordinated from the highest level of INEC.”
Addressing Journalists at his residence Saturday evening, Melaye said there has been massive protests in Ogori/Mangogo since the beginning of the election on Saturday due to the refusal by INEC officials to show polling agents the result sheets.
“The result sheets had been tampered with and filled before the election. People are refusing to vote insisting that the result sheets must be shown to them because we heard the results had been written before the exercise. We have told our party agents to insist on seeing the result sheets and if they refuse to show, there should be no voting there,” he said.
Melaye had refused to show up at his polling unit situated at Iluafon quarters, Aiyetoro 1, Ijumu Local Government Area of the state throughout voting period on Saturday.
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had also visited his polling units.
Voters in Ogori/Magongo had told reporters that INEC officials were not ready to conduct the election according to the law guiding the exercise as they arrived polling units without the result sheets.
A resident of the town told our reporter that the election was not holding in Ogori/Magongo because of claims that thumb printing took place elsewhere over the night of Friday till the early hours of Saturday, which is the official election day.
This informed their decision to stage wild protest on Saturday.
“The election here has been cancelled. The protest has made the INEC officials call off their staff. In all polling units in Ogori/Magongo local government no election took place today”
While the protest was going on, already filled INEC election result sheets surfaced in the community later in the day, The Advocate learnt.
A man was arrested by protesting residents for dropping the already filled result sheets from one polling unit to another.
A search on him and his bag led to the discovery of other result sheets and One mullion naira. The man identified as APC member, has since been handed over to security agents.
Dino, alongside the candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Leke Abejide, popularly referred to as “Elder” are the two major candidates gunning for the position of governor from the Kogi West Senatorial District.
Electoral observers say Abejide who is a serving lawmaker may affect Dino’s chances at the governorship polls.
Kogi-West, which Dino hails from has never produced a governor since the inception of the state.
After 56 days in captivity, abducted Oriire pupils and teachers in Oyo State, have regained their freedom.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X on Friday said the victims were rescued by the security agencies.
According to him, eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services.
He also said that some of the terrorists were neutralised, adding that there was no quid pro quo in the rescue.
He said, “In the course of the rescue operation, eight of the kidnappers were arrested and are now in DSS custody, while some of them were neutralised.
There was no quid pro quo in the rescue as one of the terrorists, a kingpin, that the kidnappers demanded his release, is being prosecuted for his atrocities. The security agencies will give full account soon.”
The pupils and teachers abducted in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In a shared post on his verified X handle, Onanuga simply announced that the victims had been released by their abductors.
The freed pupils and teacher. Photo: Bayo Onanuga
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Orire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
As of the time of filing this report, details surrounding their release, including whether any ransom was paid or the circumstances leading to their freedom, had yet to be disclosed.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools; Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks.
During the attack, a teacher, Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Michael Oyedokun, was beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The incident had triggered weeks of public anguish, with the Nigeria Union of Teachers embarking on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The Enugu State Forest Guard has issued a new Order introducing comprehensive standards governing the dress code, operational turnout, accoutrements, corporate identity, discipline, and professional appearance of all officers and operatives of the Corps.
The new policy issued entitled Headquarters Standing Operational Order No. 178/2026 was announced by the the Commander of the Enugu State Forest Guard, Dr. Akinbayo Olasoji, in Enugu.
He said the reforms are fully aligned with the vision of the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to build a disciplined, intelligence-driven, technologically enabled, and highly professional security architecture capable of safeguarding lives, property, forests, and other critical assets across the State.
In statement issued by the Geraldine Chiagozie, an Assistant Superintendent of Forest Guard, Olasoji said the Order forms part of the ongoing institutional reforms aimed at strengthening discipline, reinforcing command and control, enhancing operational professionalism, and projecting a distinctive corporate identity for the Corps.
“As the operational activities of the Forest Guard continue to receive increasing public visibility through field operations, community engagements, television, radio, newspapers, and digital media platforms, it has become imperative to institutionalize uniform standards that reflect the discipline, professionalism, and values expected of a modern government security organization.
“The Standing Operational Order prescribes approved uniforms and their designated days of wear, operational dress for bush-combing and other field deployments, standards for approved accoutrements, lanyards, rank insignia, footwear, and personal grooming. It also establishes special dress codes for Administrative Officers and the Provost Unit to promote uniformity, professionalism, and easy identification throughout the Corps.
“The Order further prohibits the wearing of unauthorized uniforms, civilian attire (mufti) without authorization while on official duty, unauthorized footwear, and the use or public display of improvised wooden weapons during official assignments.
‘It emphasizes that only Headquarters-approved uniforms, equipment, and accoutrements shall be worn by personnel in the discharge of official duties.
“To ensure strict compliance, Directors, Senatorial Commanders, Zonal Commanders, Heads of Departments, Unit Commanders, and Sector Officers have been directed to conduct regular inspections before office duties, patrols, bush-combing operations, ceremonial activities, media engagements, and other official assignments. The Provost Unit has also been mandated to monitor compliance and enforce the provisions of the Standing Operational Order across all Commands and Units of the Corps,” the statement explained.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Forest Guard, has also provided more insights into the significance of the initiative.
“Discipline begins with appearance. A professional security organization must be instantly recognized by its smart turnout, uniformity, discipline, and operational readiness. This Standing Operational Order is therefore not merely about uniforms; it is about strengthening our institutional culture, promoting accountability, reinforcing public confidence, and ensuring that every officer and operative represents the Government of Enugu State with dignity, honour, and professionalism,” the statement quoted Dr. Olasoji as saying.
The Commander reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the Enugu State Forest Guard to continuous institutional improvement, operational excellence, intelligence-led security operations, respect for the rule of law, and effective collaboration with communities and other security agencies in promoting peace, public safety, and sustainable development throughout Enugu State.
Meanwhile, the Headquarters Standing Operational Order takes immediate effect, and all Commands and Units have been directed to ensure immediate and full compliance with its provisions.
US releases identities and photos of 124 Nigerians set for deportation
Ex-Minister Uche Nnaji set for arraignment as ICPC files six criminal charges over alleged certificate forgery
I might not be alive to contest in 2027 – Peter Obi raises alarm over threats to his life
BREAKING: Kidnapped Oyo pupils, teachers regain freedom
Court awards N10m in damages against EFCC for defaming ex-Minister
Yilwatda hails Tinubu’s intervention funds as a promise kept
FG raises Soldiers’ Minimum Salary from N49,000 to N100,000 per month — Defence Minister Musa
At last, Tinubu directs ICPC to investigate ‘Fictitious Council’
