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Adeleke Credits Judiciary with Key to Survival of Nigeria’s Democracy
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has highlighted the importance of equitable, just and fair administration of justice as a condition for the survival of democracy in Nigeria.
He made the declaration at the 2026 annual national conference of Egbe Amofin Oodua held at Ile Ife where he tasked judicial stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and ethical conduct on both the bar and the bench.
Represented by the Deputy Governor for Osun State, Prince Kola Adewusi, the governor recalled the current challenges facing the democratic process and concluded that the survival of the democratic process can be further enhanced when judicial officials and legal practitioners uphold the ethics of profession.
The governor spoke further in the keynote address: “The legal profession occupies a unique position in every democratic society because it serves as the bridge between power and justice, between authority and accountability and between the government and the governed.
“The theme of this conference, “Advancing Constitutional Democracy, Accountability and Responsible Governance: The Role of Law” goes to the heart of the challenges confronting our nation and indeed, every democratic society.
“Enduring democracy can only flourish where the rule of law reigns supreme. No society can attain sustainable peace, development or prosperity where laws are applied selectively, justice delayed or where citizens lose confidence in the institutions established to protect their rights.
“The Constitution remains the supreme expression of the collective will of the people. Institutions of Government, public office holders and the citizens are subject to its provisions. The strength of our democracy therefore lies not merely in the existence of laws but in our willingness to obey them and our determination to enforce them fairly and impartially.
“The judiciary has rightly been described as the last hope of the common man. However, for the judiciary to remain the hope of the ordinary citizen, its decisions and processes must continually inspire public confidence. The strength of the courts lies not in physical force but in the trust and credibility they command among the people.
“Our judges must therefore continue to uphold the highest standards of integrity, independence, courage and impartiality. They must remain guided solely by the law, the facts before them and the dictates of justice.
“Similarly, legal practitioners must see themselves not merely as advocates for clients but as ministers in the temple of justice whose ultimate responsibility is the preservation of the legal system and the advancement of justice.
“As a society, we must continue to insist on accountability within our justice system. Every perception of bias, favouritism, corruption, undue influence or sentiment in the administration of justice weakens public trust and diminishes the moral authority of the courts.
“Our nation cannot afford a situation where citizens continue to doubt the capacity of the legal system to protect their rights or resolve disputes fairly. Public confidence in the judiciary is one of the most valuable assets of any democracy and must be protected at all costs”, the governor posited.
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Gov Adeleke said the issue of judicial transparency has even become more critical in our electoral and democratic processes, noting that “judicial interventions in electoral matters must continue to be guided by law, evidence, fairness and constitutional principles.
“The confidence of citizens in democratic governance depends substantially on their confidence in the institutions responsible for interpreting and applying the law. When justice is seen to be fair, transparent and impartial, democracy is strengthened. When judicial outcomes inspire confidence, political stability is enhanced and national unity is reinforced”, the governor said in his keynote address.
He urged all stakeholders to remain committed to lawful conduct, democratic values and peaceful engagement, advising that “political competition should never undermine respect for the law or the integrity of our institutions”.
The Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has commenced a fresh physical verification of disputed and newly drilled crude oil and gas well coordinates across nine states, in a move aimed at ensuring fairness and accuracy in the allocation of the 13 per cent derivation fund.
The exercise, covering the period from 2017 to date, was formally flagged off in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, by the Commission’s Chairman, Dr Mohammed Bello Shehu.
The affected states are Delta, Ondo, Edo, Anambra, Imo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
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Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Shehu described the exercise as critical to ensuring transparency, accuracy and fairness in the administration of derivation revenue.
He explained that the Commission has a constitutional responsibility to monitor revenue accruals and disbursements from the Federation Account and ensure equitable distribution of derivation funds among oil and gas-producing states.
The RMAFC chairman stressed that determining the exact coordinates and geographical positions of oil and gas wellheads directly affects the legal and financial entitlements of the respective states.
He consequently charged members of the Inter-Agency Technical Committee (IATC) and deployed technical officers to carry out the assignment with diligence, precision and professionalism.
Shehu insisted that every verified coordinate, technical assessment and physical observation must be sufficiently accurate to withstand statutory scrutiny.
According to him, the exercise will involve examining disputed and newly drilled oil and gas well coordinates, physically verifying affected wellheads, plotting their locations using approved maps and considering relevant court decisions in resolving outstanding disputes.
He also directed that the committee’s harmonised technical report and findings be submitted exclusively to RMAFC for ratification and formal adoption.
The Inter-Agency Technical Committee comprises representatives of relevant technical institutions, including the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation (OSGoF), the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The Imo State Governor was represented at the event by the Commissioner for Petroleum, Hon. Emeka Mgbudem.
Other government officials and RMAFC commissioners in attendance included Hon. Adamu Abdu Fanda, Chairman of the Crude Oil Committee; Hon. Oladele Semiu Gboyega, Chairman of the Gas Committee; Hon. Ismail Mohammed Agaka, Chairman of the Public Affairs and Communication Committee; Ambassador Ayuba Jacob Ngbako; Hon. Akpan Imo Effiong; and Hon. Helen Bob Inafa.
Also present were the Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Surveyor Clement Nwabichie; Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy, Mr Chucks Chukwuemeka; and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Dr Angelina Ohiri.
The Commission disclosed that the verification exercise had been conducted previously but was being repeated to ensure that all issues raised were adequately addressed.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally in Benin City, Edo State.
Shettima arrived at the historic royal palace on Thursday to pay homage to His Royal Majesty, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR.
The visit highlights the significance of the Benin traditional institution, which has preserved its rich cultural heritage, kingship, artistry and diplomatic traditions for more than seven centuries.
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The Benin Palace remains one of Africa’s most historic royal institutions, representing the enduring legacy and cultural identity of the ancient Benin Kingdom.
The Vice President is in Edo State to participate in the APC presidential campaign rally scheduled to hold at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
As part of efforts to expand access to cheaper alternative fuel and reduce transportation costs, the federal government has commissioned five Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) daughter and last-mile retail stations in Lagos State.
The facilities, developed by the Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC) with support from the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund (MDGIF), were commissioned on Wednesday by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo.
Speaking at the commissioning, Ekpo said Lagos occupied a special place in the public-service journey of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that his administration was extending the development philosophy pursued during his tenure as governor to the national level.
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He said Lagos had demonstrated the importance of long-term planning, institution building, infrastructure development and the mobilisation of private capital for economic growth.
According to him, the federal government is applying similar determination through the Renewed Hope Agenda to ensure that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources support industrial growth, businesses, transportation and job creation while reducing the cost pressures faced by citizens.
“Through the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has made it clear that Nigeria’s abundant gas resources must work for Nigerians. They must power our industries, support businesses, improve transportation, create employment and, ultimately, reduce the cost pressures faced by ordinary citizens,” he said.
The five stations are located in Idimu and Abule Egba in Alimosho Local Government Area; Ogolonto in Ikorodu West Local Government Area; Ajah in Eti-Osa Local Government Area; and Oko-Oba in Agege Local Government Area.
Each facility has a CNG compression capacity of 24,000 standard cubic metres per day and a storage capacity of 9,800 standard cubic metres.
The stations are designed as last-mile retail outlets to bring CNG closer to consumers in their residential and business locations.
Ekpo said the facilities would improve access to alternative fuel for motorists and commercial transport operators, while supporting the government’s objective of expanding cleaner energy infrastructure nationwide.
“These stations represent access. They represent affordability. And they represent the determination of government to take the benefits of Nigeria’s gas resources directly to the people,” he said.
He disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the expansion of CNG infrastructure across the country, including the development of an additional 500 refuelling stations towards a planned national network of 1,000 stations.
He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that the benefits of the country’s gas resources translated into lower transportation costs for Nigerians.
According to the minister, expanding CNG infrastructure in Lagos would provide motorists and commercial transport operators with viable alternative fuel options, while bringing cleaner energy closer to consumers.
“Our objective is therefore not simply to count the number of stations commissioned. Success must ultimately be measured by impact: whether the infrastructure helps reduce operating costs for transporters and businesses, whether those savings reach commuters, and whether Nigerian families begin to feel tangible relief,” he said.
Ekpo said the Ministry of Petroleum Resources (Gas), in collaboration with the Presidential CNG Initiative, MDGIF, state governments, investors and other industry stakeholders, was working to expand refuelling and associated infrastructure to improve access to cleaner and cheaper fuel.
He commended IOGC and the Lagos State Government for embracing the initiative, describing the project as an example of the federal government, state governments and private sector working together to develop critical infrastructure.
The minister also praised MDGIF for its catalytic role in supporting gas infrastructure development, assuring investors of the government’s commitment to providing an enabling environment for investments to translate into physical projects and economic benefits for Nigerians.
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