A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged President Bola Tinubu not to be distracted by the tactics of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Oyintiloye advised the President to focus on governance and tackle head-on security threats identified by security agencies.
The APC chieftain made the call while speaking with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, against the backdrop of a recent intelligence alert by the Department of State Service, DSS, over possible attacks on vulnerable locations, especially in the southern part of the country.
“The President must urgently support security agencies to intensify surveillance, strengthen inter-agency collaboration and take proactive measures to safeguard lives and property amid emerging security concerns.
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“Security agencies should be reinforced through heightened vigilance, improved intelligence gathering and coordinated preventive action nationwide,” he said.
The former lawmaker also called on all relevant security agencies to work closely together, share intelligence and strengthen surveillance and rapid response mechanisms.
He urged increased security around schools, places of worship, NYSC facilities, parks, garages and other vulnerable locations, especially with schools in session.
The APC chieftain also called for an immediate, thorough and transparent investigation into the recent killings in Osun State.
He urged security agencies to identify all persons suspected to have participated in, sponsored or facilitated the violence and ensure that anyone against whom sufficient evidence was established was prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He appealed to all stakeholders, including transport workers, community leaders, traditional rulers and religious leaders, to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist investigations and prevent further violence.
“Security should be strengthened through intelligence, adequate training, equipment and resources to enable security agencies to forestall, prevent, detect and respond effectively to attacks by armed groups.
“If necessary, service chiefs should review and adjust their operational strategies without hesitation, as time is of the essence,” he added.
He also called on state governors to complement the President’s efforts by providing adequate support and resources to security agencies within their jurisdictions.
While acknowledging the President’s constitutional role as Chief Security Officer of the nation, Oyintiloye emphasised that governors and local government chairmen are closer to the grassroots and must take proactive measures to strengthen local intelligence and maintain peace.
He stressed that no nation could achieve meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity, noting that economic growth, infrastructure development, investment, and social services thrive only in a peaceful environment.
“A nation with a strong and effective security system is better positioned for accelerated development, economic prosperity, and sustainable social services,” he said.
He urged citizens to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and useful information, and continue to pray for peace, unity, and progress in the country.
Yusuf Abdullahi Itas, a member of the Bauchi State House of Assembly representing Itas/Gadau State Constituency, has withdrawn from the 2027 general election. Itas, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Allied Peoples’ Movement (APM), announced his decision in a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the party’s state chairman.
In the letter titled, “Withdrawal of Candidature for the Itas/Gadau State Constituency Seat in the Bauchi State House of Assembly,” the lawmaker formally informed the party that he would no longer contest the seat in the 2027 election.
He described his decision as “entirely voluntary and personal”.
He thanked the APM leadership and its members for giving him the opportunity to represent the party.
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Itas also expressed appreciation to residents of the constituency for their encouragement and support during his time in office.
The lawmaker is the Chairman of the House Committee on Petitions and Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
His withdrawal comes less than three weeks after the Bauchi Assembly Chief Whip, Musa Wakili Nakwada, also announced that he would not contest the 2027 elections.
Welcome to Jos Ghetto Stories — a new Jos Events series created to tell the stories that are often overlooked, but should never be forgotten.
From the narrow streets of Gangare, Nasarawa, Angwan Rogo, Jenta-Adamu, Congo-Russia, Tudun Wada, Katako, Dadin Kowa, Bukuru and other communities across Jos, there are children growing up surrounded by challenges many of us may never fully understand.
Some wake up without knowing where their next meal will come from.
Some go to school with torn shoes.
Some live in crowded homes, struggle to afford basic needs, or watch their parents battle every day just to keep the family going.
And some are already beginning to believe that because they were born into hardship, hardship is all life has to offer them.
But we are here to tell them something different.
YOU CAN STILL BECOME GREAT.
Your address does not determine your destiny.
The street you grew up on does not decide the height you can reach.
Poverty may be part of your story, but it does not have to be the final chapter.
Look at Jos.
This city has produced and nurtured people who have gone on to make their mark far beyond the streets where their journeys began.
John Obi Mikel and Ogenyi Onazi, Ahmed Musa went from Jos to becoming aome of Nigeria’s most recognisable footballers, they all grew up from the Ghetto streets of Jos and made it in life through football to the point of representing Nigeria at the highest level.
Jeremiah Gyang, M.I Abaga and Ice Prince carried the sound and creativity of Jos into the Nigerian music industry and beyond.
P-Square and 2Baba are among the major names whose stories are connected to Jos.
Saint Obi,Dayo Okeniyi took their journey from Jos into international acting, while filmmakers Dimbo Atiya and Kenneth Gyang, have used film to tell stories that travel far beyond home.
And there are many more whose names may not yet be famous—but whose stories prove that greatness can rise from ordinary beginnings. 
So when we walk through the streets of Jos and meet these children, we are not looking at “ghetto children.”
We are looking at future doctors, engineers, footballers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, teachers, leaders, creatives and nation builders.
We are looking at potential.
We are looking at dreams waiting for an opportunity.
Because sometimes, all a child needs is somebody to look them in the eyes and say:
“I believe in you.”
That is what Jos Ghetto Stories is about.
We will tell the stories of the streets.
We will show the struggles.
We will celebrate the talent.
We will listen to the dreams.
And most importantly, we will remind every young person watching that you can become the best version of yourself, regardless of where you started.
Your parents may not have everything.
Your environment may not be perfect.
You may not have the opportunities others have.
But never allow your circumstances to convince you that you cannot become somebody.
The world may see a child from the slum.
We see a future star.
The world may see a difficult beginning.
We see a story waiting to become extraordinary.
This is Jos Ghetto Stories.
Stories from the streets.
Stories of struggle.
Stories of hope.
Stories of talent.
Stories of resilience.
Stories of people who refuse to let their circumstances define them.
Because from the streets of Jos, greatness can rise.
And perhaps, the next great story is the child standing beside you.