The Deputy Leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, has emerged as the new leader of the foremost Yoruba group.

Oba Olaitan assumed leadership following the death of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, as he was unanimously elected as the new leader.

This was contained in a statement by the Secretary-General of the group, Chief Sola Ebiseni, who said Oba Olaitan would serve as the acting leader until the final burial of the late leader, Adebanjo.

Ebiseni stated that the decision to appoint Oba Olaitan was reached after the general meeting of Afenifere, held at the country home of the late leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

He said, ”The meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.

“Oba Olaitan will function as the leader in an acting capacity until after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo, when he will officially assume office as the substantive leader.

“Oba Olaitan was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, served as a Political Adviser to Governor Lateef Jakande, and was a member of the Lagos State Executive Council between 1979 and 1983.

He was also elected as a member of the House of Representatives and served as the Leader of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the House from 1999 to 2003.“

He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years, serving in various capacities, including as National Financial Secretary under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and as Deputy Leader under Chief Ayo Adebanjo.”

In his acceptance speech, Oba Olaitan committed himself to upholding the ideals of Afenifere as a socio-political organization and an unwavering advocate of restructuring and true federalism. He pledged to ensure the unity of the organization.

Ebiseni noted that the meeting formally acknowledged the passing of Chief Ayo Adebanjo, recognizing his immense contributions to nation-building, as reflected in the glowing tributes from various individuals and groups in Nigeria and beyond.

“The meeting commiserated with the children and immediate family members of our late leader and commended them for their tireless and gracious engagement with the large number of people who visit the Lekki, Lagos, and Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State residences to pay their respects.”

Speaking on the country’s security challenges, Afenifere condemned the worsening security situation.

Ebiseni said, “Members received reports of a young man, Prince Eniola Ojajuni, whose ordeal in the den of kidnappers has been circulating on social media for nearly a week.

Others in attendance included Hon. Leke Mabinuori, Olayemi Olajuyinu, Olu Pessu, Chief Olusegun Olawoyin, Chief Sola Ebiseni, and Justice Faloye.

The Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, will face the Senate Disciplinary Panel following a recent heated exchange with the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The Panel is expected to report back to the upper legislative chamber in two weeks.

It will be recalled that tensions flared during a heated exchange between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan over a sudden change in seating arrangements within the chamber.

The disagreement arose when Akpoti-Uduaghan’s seat was reassigned at the start of the plenary session, a move she resisted.

In response, Senate Chief Whip Tahir Monguno defended the decision, citing constitutional provisions and explaining that the adjustment was necessary to accommodate opposition lawmakers who had recently defected to the ruling party.

Monguno further warned that failure to comply with the new seating arrangement could have consequences, including restricting her ability to participate in legislative discussions.

Akpabio supported Monguno’s stance, and when Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to speak from her original seat, she was denied recognition.

The situation intensified as Akpoti-Uduaghan strongly objected, arguing that her parliamentary rights had been infringed upon.

“I don’t care if I am silenced. I am not afraid of you. You have denied me my privilege,” the Kogi lawmaker said.

Akpoti-Uduaghan created a commotion before being surrounded by the sergeant-at-arms, who attempted to escort her out of the plenary session.

Order was eventually restored after the sound system was deactivated, allowing calm to return to the chamber.

Meanwhile, Akpabio has rejected calls from some senators to impose sanctions on Akpoti-Uduaghan for her disruptive conduct during the session.

According to the Senate’s standing rules, the authority to assign seats within the chamber rests solely with the Senate President.

Clearly displeased with the change in her seating arrangement, Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of repeatedly showing her disrespect.

Raising her voice in protest, she recalled a previous incident during a plenary session in 2024 when Akpabio remarked, “Senator Natasha, we are not in the nightclub.”

“Since the nightclub incident, you have been disrespecting me. How can you change my seat without my consent.

I am not afraid of you,” she screamed.

A visibly unsettled Akpabio watched as the female senator continued her outburst, while some of her colleagues attempted to pacify her.

Efforts by certain senators to escalate the situation were firmly resisted by Akpabio. Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) urged the Senate President to initiate disciplinary action against Akpoti-Uduaghan, but Akpabio refused.

At one point, Akpabio warned that she would be removed from the chamber if she persisted in her verbal confrontation. Eventually, order was restored as the lawmaker took her reassigned seat.

The National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) says it is engaging the Lagos State Government to resolve the ongoing issue of towed trucks.

It said that the negotiation aims to prevent disruptions in fuel distribution, which could lead to widespread scarcity.

In an interview on Tuesday in Lagos, General Secretary, NUPENG, Mr Olawale Afolabi, explained that the union had withdrawn its services in response to the recent attacks and arrests of tanker drivers by security personnel from the Lagos State Government.

Afolabi reassured that the situation would be resolved with the state authorities and that the towed trucks would be released to the union as promised by the government.

On Feb. 22, the Lagos State Task Force towed away several trucks and arrested several members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) Association, a branch of NUPENG, near the Dangote Refinery in Ibeju-Lekki for parking on the highways.

Afolabi added that a meeting is ongoing between NUPENG and the Lagos State Government, with both parties hopeful of reaching an agreement that will enable depot operations to resume.

He, however, said that the outcome of these talks remains uncertain, and stakeholders are eagerly awaiting further updates.

Similarly, Mr Tayo Aboyeji, the Chairman of NUPENG, Lagos branch, confirmed that the service withdrawal was in response to the mistreatment and arrest of tanker drivers by security personnel.

He clarified that the union had previously instructed drivers not to operate at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.

He said that in spite of this, drivers who stopped to rest were reportedly targeted by security officers.

“We had instructed tanker drivers not to travel at night to avoid accidents and hijackings.

“But when drivers parked to rest, security personnel towed their vehicles, arrested our members, and even damaged the union’s patrol vehicle,” Aboyeji said.

He added, “As a result, we decided to suspend services in the state until the government is ready to provide a safe and convenient space for tanker drivers, ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.”

Aboyeji assured that the national leadership of the union is in talks with the state government and that the matter would be resolved once discussions are concluded.

“There are ongoing discussions, and if they are completed today or tomorrow, the issue will be resolved,” he stated.