Reconciliation: I’ve no running battle with Tinubu – Bode George
Following his prolonged frosty relationship with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George, weekend, said he bears no grudge against the former Lagos State governor.
Over the years, George has been a major critic of the President-elect and has threatened to go on exile if Tinubu becomes Nigeria’s president.
But some elders in Lagos State, weekend, met with the PDP leader and urged him to support and collaborate with Tinubu as he assumes office on May 29.
The outcome of the meeting to reconcile George and Tinubu was brokered by a former judge of the Lagos State High Court, Justice Ishola Olorunnimbe (retd).
The meeting, which dragged late into the night on Saturday, had in attendance leader of the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, the apex leadership of the party in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; former Deputy Governors of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele and Prince Abiodun Ogunleye.
Others present are former acting Secretary of the PDP, Chief Remi Akitoye; former Minister of Communications, Major General Tajudeen Olarenwaju (retd); Chief Gbadebo Dallas and Mrs Onikepo Oshodi.
Speaking after the meeting, Chief George commended the elders for the peace parley adding that it is a positive step towards a new Lagos.
On the request made by the APC leaders urging him to cease further fire against Tinubu, the PDP leader said he has nothing personal against the President-elect.
His words: “Let me say there is no political differences. Justice Olorunnimbe is like a father, we respect our fathers in Lagos. When I got an invitation from Papa Olusi that he wanted to come and see me the first time, I told my friend who delivered the message that I should go and visit him and not the other way round. But Papa Olusi said said he had to come and see and that it had to do with the situation in Lagos.
“This is the second time Papa Olusi is visiting. We had detailed discussions that bothered on the unity of Lagos. I must say we re-established the fact that the culture of Lagos is to accept and accommodate other tribes.
“Secondly, on the details of us working together, because a divided house will be a defeated house, I have explained to Baba Olusi that there is no problem about working together. The kind of platform we are trying to have is for a unity of purpose in Lagos State, irrespective of party affiliations.
“On the bottom line, you are a Lagosian though we can different political affiliations.
Now, they came for three things: they talked about the running battle I had with Tinubu and I have said I absolutely have no battle, nothing personal between him and I.
“What had happened has gone, vengeance is not mine but the almighty God. We will have differences, we will disagree but we must not be disagreeable.
“They made a request which we are all looking at. They requested that someday we should also congratulate Asiwaju and we said yes, but that I belong to a political party. They are all in the courts now. Let us finish the court cases. Whichever way that goes, the issue of congratulating him or not will come to fruition. I have nothing personal and nothing happens without the almighty God. As a believer, that is my school of thought.
“This union and discussion we have had is a positive step towards a new Lagos.”
Why we want Tinubu and Bode George reconciled —Olusi
Speaking on the purpose of their visit, Chief Olusi explained that the meeting was to seek the collaboration of George and other elders for the development of Lagos State.
He said: “This is a gathering of eminent Lagosians
and this is my second coming to meet with Chief Olabode George. The president-elect of Nigeria is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he was a former Senator from Lagos but we know that the relationship between the President-elect and Chief Olabode George is not cordial. We think it is important that as leaders of the community, we should take steps to improve the relationship. Therefore, I got an appointment with Chief George on May 1, 2023 to discuss and request for a further meeting.
“I also requested that a former justice in Lagos State, Justice Olorunnimbe (retd) be here to put his elderly posture as well as his experience in ensuring that we have a cordial discussion with Chief Bode George.
“The meeting has been cordial and useful; and I can tell you that we have agreed on the mission of this delegation that we, in Lagos with Chief Bode George, should give our support to the President-elect as soon as he assumes office on May 29 as the president of Nigeria for the good of Lagos and betterment of the country.
“That is the purpose of our discussion and it has been successful.”
It was a frank, fruitful meeting—Olorunnimbe
Also speaking, Justice Olorunnimbe (retd), who brokered the peace parley, described the meeting as fruitful.
Olorunnimbe said: “The discussion was cordial, frank and interesting. There is a concensus that we, as leaders of the community must cooperate. Chief Bode George, in his usual human approach hosted us and we had a fruitful discussion which will benefit all of us.
“Let me make it known that this is not a political meeting but a meeting of elders of the Lagos community, discussing with another elder statesman, who all of us have great respect for.”
Reconciliation: I’ve no running battle with Tinubu – Bode George
IBEDC Announces Major Power Outage in Ogun Region Over Network Load Restriction
Abeokuta, Ogun State — Residents and businesses across major parts of Ogun State are bracing for a significant disruption in electricity supply following an official notice of power outage issued by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
In a statement released on Saturday, October 17, 2026, and signed by the Ogun Region office, the utility company attributed the impending blackout to load restrictions on the Ota/Papalanto/Abeokuta 132kV network. According to the management, this restriction is severely impacting the available power supply to their 33kV feeders serving the region.
The notice, which was directed to “Esteemed Customers,” indicates that the power rationing will affect a vast array of communities across the state.
Providing a comprehensive list of the affected areas, IBEDC stated that customers in Itele, Iyesi, Osuke, Lafenwa, Oju-Ore, Ilogbo, Ewupe, Singer, Jacross, Ore-Meta, Iju, and Iju Love will experience reduced power supply.
Other affected locations include Mopin, Ota Industrial Estate, Housing Estate, Afobaje, Olosun, Oke-Ola, Alishiba, GRA, The Bell, Igberen, Davol, Iyana-Iyesi, Olokuta, High Court, Oloko, Obasanjo, Ayetoro, Imeko, Ilaro, Ifo, Papalanto, Ijako, Idiroko, and Odeda.
The outage also extends to Owode-Egba, Kobape, Bisodun, Omu, Arigbawonwo, Siun, Asipa, Orile-Imo, New Makun City, Pentagon Estate, Lufuwape, Ibafo, Mowe, Lotto, Olowotedo, Orimerunmu, Ofada Town, Pakuro, Ogunrun, Asa-Bala, Mayegun, and the Christ Embassy Area.
Furthermore, residents in Ijagba, Akeja, Owode Ijako, Ibogun, Ajegunle, Ilepa, Ijako Onihale, Abeokuta, and its environs are equally expected to be affected by the load restriction.
IBEDC noted that it is actively monitoring the situation in collaboration with its value chain partners to resolve the issue and restore normal supply. The company promised to keep its customers updated on any new developments regarding the network.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience,” the statement concluded, acknowledging the impact the reduced power supply will have on homes, industries, and commercial activities in the affected areas.
Customers experiencing prolonged outages or requiring further clarifications have been urged to contact the company via its customer care lines at 0805 500 9999 or 0915 500 9999, or through their official social media handles.
IBEDC Announces Major Power Outage in Ogun Region Over Network Load Restriction
Gunmen Kill Two Policemen, Raze Station, Patrol Van in Daring Attack on Aba Police Division
ABA, ABIA STATE – A wave of grief and insecurity has gripped the commercial hub of Aba following a horrific attack by unknown gunmen on the Uratta Police Division, which left two police officers dead and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.
The brutal assault, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, saw the assailants not only neutralize the officers on duty but also set the police station and a patrol vehicle ablaze in a display of brazen violence.
According to eyewitness accounts and confirmed by police authorities, the heavily armed hoodlums stormed the facility, firing sporadically to overwhelm the security architecture of the division. During the ensuing gun duel, two policemen paid the ultimate price, while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries.
Images from the scene of the incident, which have circulated online, depict a scene of devastation. A police operation van, parked within the premises, was completely incinerated, reduced to a charred metal shell. The attackers also torched parts of the station building before fleeing the scene, leaving a trail of panic among residents of the Uratta community.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Abia State Command, assured the public that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects. The Command, in a statement, condemned the attack as a cowardly act and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to book.
“The Command has lost two of its gallant officers in the line of duty. We are currently on the trail of the attackers, and we assure the public that normalcy has been restored to the area,” the PPRO stated.
Residents of the area have expressed deep concern over the recurring attacks on security formations in the South-East, calling on the government to intensify efforts to curb the rising tide of insecurity. The attack on the Uratta Division is the latest in a series of targeted assaults on police infrastructure in the region.
As of the time of filing this report, security has been beefed up around the affected division to prevent any further breakdown of law and order, while the remains of the deceased officers have been deposited at a mortuary.
Gunmen Kill Two Policemen, Raze Station, Patrol Van in Daring Attack on Aba Police Division
COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps
MAIDUGURI — Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has arrived in Borno State as the Nigerian military intensifies its security operations following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to rescue all abducted persons and eliminate terrorist and bandit camps across the country.
Shaibu arrived in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, at about 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026, two days after Tinubu issued the directive to security chiefs during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The army chief’s visit comes amid renewed pressure on security agencies to intensify counterterrorism operations, dismantle insurgent hideouts and secure the release of Nigerians being held captive by criminal groups.
Although it remains unclear whether the visit was directly triggered by the President’s order, Shaibu is expected to meet with theatre, field and unit commanders involved in military operations across the state.
His arrival at the headquarters of the North-East Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, at Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri signals continued military engagement in a region that has faced years of insurgency and attacks by armed groups.
Tinubu’s directive was disclosed on Thursday, October 15, by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (retd.), after a security meeting with the President and heads of security agencies.
According to Musa, the President ordered security agencies to intensify efforts to locate and rescue all abducted persons, regardless of where they were being held.
“The directive from the President is: all of us must go all out to fish out and rescue all those that have been abducted, kidnapped, wherever they are,” the minister quoted Tinubu as saying.
The President also directed security chiefs to ensure that terrorist and bandit camps were dismantled across the country.
“There shouldn’t be any camp of any terrorists or bandits anywhere in Nigeria,” Musa said, relaying the President’s position.
The directive comes as the Federal Government faces continuing security challenges, including kidnappings, terrorist attacks and the activities of armed groups in parts of northern Nigeria.
Borno remains a major theatre of counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which have carried out attacks on civilians, security personnel and communities in the North-East.
Military operations under Operation Hadin Kai have focused on confronting insurgents, disrupting their movements and restoring security to affected communities. The latest visit by the army chief is expected to provide an opportunity for engagements with commanders overseeing operations on the ground.
Tinubu has also directed security chiefs to ensure adequate security for Nigerians during the elections scheduled for January, according to the Defence Minister.
The President’s instructions place renewed emphasis on rescuing abductees, dismantling armed groups’ operational bases and improving the security environment ahead of the polls.
However, the army chief’s arrival in Maiduguri should not be interpreted as confirmation that all abductees have been rescued or that terrorist camps have been eliminated. No such outcome was established in the reports announcing his visit.
The military’s next steps and any operational results from the engagements in Borno are likely to be closely watched by families of abducted persons and communities affected by insurgency.
For now, the government’s stated objective remains clear: intensify security operations, rescue people held in captivity and dismantle the camps used by terrorists and bandits to carry out attacks across Nigeria.
COAS Storms Borno as Tinubu Orders Rescue of All Abductees, Destruction of Terrorist Camps