Defence Chief Tours Kaduna Ordnance Factory, Bets Big on Made in Nigeria Weapons

The Chief of Defence Staff, General OO Oluyede, has visited the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria Ordnance Factory in Kakuri, Kaduna, as part of efforts to build up Nigeria’s local defence production capacity and reduce reliance on foreign military hardware. The visit included a tour of the Corporation’s production and research facilities, where the CDS was briefed by Director General DICON, Major General BI Alaya, on the factory’s manufacturing capabilities, ongoing projects and future plans. General Oluyede inspected key production lines and received updates on efforts to expand local output and support the Armed Forces. At DICON’s Research and Development facility, several indigenous products were put on display for the CDS. He commended the management and workforce for their commitment to advancing the country’s defence technology and manufacturing base. General Oluyede said the Federal Government’s renewed push for local defence production is key to improving operational readiness, cutting dependence on foreign equipment, conserving foreign exchange and securing sustainable logistics for the military. He reaffirmed Defence Headquarters’ commitment to helping DICON grow into a world class defence manufacturing institution capable of meeting the needs of the Armed Forces and other security agencies, calling local production a strategic priority for a more self sufficient military. The CDS was accompanied on the visit by the Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General OT Olatoye, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Major General ASM Wase, and other senior officers. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Ahead of 2027, INEC Opens Its Books to American Election Watchdog

The Independent National Electoral Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to a free, fair and credible 2027 General Election as it hosted a delegation from the International Republican Institute on a Pre Election Assessment Mission in Abuja. The delegation, led by IRI President Dr Dan Twining, is in Nigeria from August 11 to 21, 2026, to evaluate INEC’s state of readiness and identify areas where foreign technical support could strengthen the electoral process. INEC Chairman Prof Joash Amupitan, SAN, called the visit timely, arriving just days after the Osun State off cycle governorship election and on the eve of campaigns for the 2027 polls. Amupitan said the Commission had treated recent off cycle elections and legislative by elections as live tests, using them to sharpen its electoral technology, logistics and security coordination ahead of the bigger contest. The engagement forms part of a broader pattern of international scrutiny and support as Nigeria’s electoral body works to shore up confidence before the next general election. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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Edo Assembly Speaker Agbebaku Resigns as Impeachment Push Gathers Pace, Idiaye Elected Successor

The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, resigned from office on Monday during a tense plenary session, hours after reports emerged that a majority of lawmakers had signed a notice to impeach him. His media aide, Ivy Ebojele, confirmed the resignation in a statement, saying further details would be released later. Agbebaku’s spokeswoman separately told journalists he stepped down for personal reasons and to allow peace to return to the House. Following his exit, Deputy Speaker Atu Osamwonyi briefly presided before lawmakers elected Yekini Idiaye, representing Akoko Edo Constituency I, as the new Speaker. Idiaye accused the former Speaker of poor leadership and alleged corruption, including inflated costs on vehicle procurement, and the Assembly moved swiftly to suspend Agbebaku pending investigation. Reports indicate seventeen of the chamber’s twenty four lawmakers had backed the impeachment notice. Agbebaku, who represents Owan West Constituency, became Speaker of the eighth Assembly in June 2023 and survived an earlier removal attempt in May 2024, when he suspended three lawmakers he accused of plotting against him. He defected from the PDP to the APC in May 2025 while still in office. The Assembly also replaced its Majority and Minority Leaders in the same sitting, reshaping the chamber’s leadership. By Asiwaju Adekunle Saheed

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