The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Ogun State Sector Command has intensified efforts for traffic management as Regular and Special Marshals have been deployed across major roads to ensure smooth traffic flow and minimize accidents during and after the Easter celebration in the state.

The Sector Commander, Corps Commander Akinwunmi Fasakin said that the deployment was aimed at ensuring safe, smooth, and hitch-free movement for motorists during the festive period.

Fasakin, while reiterating the stance of the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, CC Fasakin noted that the operation became imperative following the anticipated surge in vehicular and human traffic as Nigerians join the global Christian community in celebrating Easter.

He said that the Command would intensify enforcement against critical traffic violations that contribute to road crashes, including:Excessive Speeding and dangerous overtaking.
Overloading and “mix-loading” (transporting passengers with goods).

Others are: Lane Indiscipline and use of mobile phones while driving.
Mechanical Deficiencies, tyre violations, and lack of seat belt/child restraint compliance.
Operational Resources & Local Initiatives.

The commander also said he has activated 24-hour patrol, rescue, and traffic management services, supported by patrol vehicles, ambulances, and tow trucks and directed the Acting Unit Commander of Ota, Chief Route Commander Wasiu Ogunmefun, to carry out strategic traffic realignment at the Old Toll Gate along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

“This includes:Closing illegal U-turns and highway access points by realigning knocked-down road kerbs and Conducting vehicular traffic counts to provide data for future policy and research.” he added

Fasakin, however, urged the motoring public to take personal responsibility for their safety, saying “It is only the living who celebrate,as he advised drivers to ensure their vehicles are roadworthy and to avoid distracted driving.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has called for the immediate suspension of ongoing political campaigns, warning that premature politicking is undermining governance and worsening insecurity across the country.

Falana’s position follows the announcement by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which fixed January 16, 2027, for the presidential and National Assembly elections, and February 6, 2027, for governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls.

Despite the timeline placing elections about 10 months away, Falana lamented that political parties and elected officials had already intensified campaigns, sidelining governance and public service delivery.

In a statement on Wednesday, Falana said, “It is common knowledge that some political parties have commenced political campaigns even though elections will not hold until 10 months’ time.

The governance of the country has since been abandoned for the celebration of defections by elected governors and legislators, as well as other forms of political campaigns.”

The senior lawyer linked the alleged neglect of governance to worsening insecurity, citing rising cases of kidnapping and killings across various parts of the country.

Nigeria has, in recent years, grappled with persistent security challenges, including banditry in the North-West, insurgency in the North-East, and rising urban crime, all of which have strained public confidence in government institutions.

Falana further criticised what he described as the misplacement of priorities by political actors, noting that public funds were being spent on what he termed “illegal campaigns” instead of critical sectors like education.

It is sad to note that while huge public funds are wasted on illegal political campaigns, authorities in the Federal Capital Territory and most states have refused to pay counterpart funds required to access the N98bn matching grant of the Universal Basic Education Commission,” he stated.

The Universal Basic Education Commission fund is designed to support basic education across Nigeria, but several states have historically failed to access the funds due to their inability to provide counterpart financing, raising concerns about declining education standards in Africa’s most populous nation.

Citing legal provisions, Falana reminded political parties of the Electoral Act, which regulates campaign timelines.

“Section 98(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026, clearly provides that the period of campaigning shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day,” he said.

He, therefore, called on INEC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the State Security Service to enforce compliance with the law.

“We are compelled to call on the relevant authorities to halt further political campaigns in strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act,” Falana added.

Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from his position to pursue his political ambition of contesting for the governorship of Bauchi State.

The resignation was confirmed on Monday in a brief statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa.

The resignation of the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs is confirmed,” Ebienfa said.

The development follows earlier reports that Tuggar was among ministers in the cabinet of Bola Tinubu expected to step down to pursue political ambitions ahead of the next governorship elections.

Previously, the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Communications Strategy, Alkasim Abdulkadir, had confirmed Tuggar’s interest in contesting for the governorship seat in Bauchi State.

Abdulkadir stated that the minister would comply with the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which outlines the rules and regulations for candidates seeking elective office.

Tuggar, an indigene of Udubo in Gamawa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, had previously contested for the governorship position in the state.