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Tag: osun

  • 2026: Osun ex-deputy gov joins governorship race

    2026: Osun ex-deputy gov joins governorship race

    A former Osun deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, has declared his intention to contest the Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election in the state.

    Alabi, who made the declaration while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Osogbo, said that he would be contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    NAN reports that Alabi was the deputy to Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, between 2018 and 2022.

    “I delayed my declaration to contest in the election to find out whether or not Oyetola will participate in the election.

    “Oyetola’s intention not to contest in the election paved the way for my declaration to contest,” he said.

    Alabi also said he had the capacity and the structure to win the party’s ticket, as well as the governorship election.

    “I asked Oyetola whether he has any preferred candidate in the election, and he said no, and I believe himm

    “Bola Oyebamiji, one of the APC governorship aspirants, might be close to Oyetola because he (Oyebamiji) was a former finance commissioner, but that does not mean he is his preferred candidate.

    “There is no truth in the talk that Oyetola has a preferred candidate. It is just street talk,” he said.

    The former deputy governor said he would create 40,000 new jobs by 2030 in agriculture, ICT, industry, if he wins the election.

    Alabi said he would also engage in infrastructure development, quality healthcare delivery, agricultural revolution, women and youth empowerment, among others.

    “The future of Osun lies not in empty promises but in bold actions. With your support, we will build an Osun that is united, prosperous and just,” he said.

  • Adeleke denies lavishing state’s funds on foreign travels

    Adeleke denies lavishing state’s funds on foreign travels

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke says that it is not true that his administration lavished the state’s money on foreign travels and training in the first half of 2025.

    This is contained in a statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Malam Olawale Rasheed, on Monday in Osogbo.

    According to Rasheed, the reports that the governor spent N2.8 billion on international travels, transport, and N1.674 billion on refreshments and meals is untrue.

    He described the public debate around the figures as a politically-motivated smear campaign.

    The governor’s spokesperson said that the travelling and training costs were legitimate expenditures tied to capacity-building initiatives for civil servants across several ministries, departments, and agencies.

    According to him, the amount quoted for international travels and trainings for the first two quarters of the year is the expenditure of the entire officials of the state government.

    He said that the current high exchange rate of the naira had largely impacted the amount for the trainings and travels.

    He said that since the travels were mainly funded by the naira, it significantly increased the total cost despite the reduction in the number of delegates and frequency of traveling when compared to past administrations in the state.

    “The governor is only the head of the government; there are several other sectorial heads and career officers whose expenditures on travels and training make up the state government expenditure.

    “Therefore, it is incorrect to say that the governor spent so much on traveling,” he said.

    Olawale said the expenditure for cleaning and fumigation services, and refreshments represented the amount spent by the state to maintain a clean environment across the state secretariat, agency offices, the government house, among others

  • Osun 2026: I am not defecting to ADC – Adeleke

    Osun 2026: I am not defecting to ADC – Adeleke

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke says he is not defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election in the state.

    This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Osogbo by Malam Rasheed Olawale, the spokesperson for the governor.

    Olawale said the governor remained in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and was not aligning with anybody within the ADC.

    He said that there was no truth in the speculation about Adeleke’s imminent defection or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race.

    “There is no truth in those speculations and publications,” he said.

    Olawale said that since the PDP in Osun had adopted and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, there was no alliance with ADC.

    “Gov. Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

    “The Osun electorate supports the governor because of his impressive performance since he came to office.

    “That good work is still ongoing, and the people of the state are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing him in 2026,” he said.

    The spokesperson also said that the governor had directed PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory in the election.

  • No suspension, Egbedun remain an active member – Chairman, Conference of Speakers

    No suspension, Egbedun remain an active member – Chairman, Conference of Speakers

    Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, has denied reports alleging the suspension of the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Egbedun.

    In a statement made available in Ibadan on Thursday, Ogundoyin described the report of Egbedun’s suspension from the body as false, malicious, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public.

    “The online blog had falsely claimed that Egbedun was suspended from the Conference over alleged insubordination and abuse of office.

    “There was no such suspension. No press conference was held in Ibadan or anywhere else, and no such pronouncement was made by me or any authorized representative of the Conference,” he said.

    Ogundoyin said that the Conference was a credible and transparent body that follows due process in all its dealings, including disciplinary procedures.

    “Egbedun remains a respected and active member of the Conference who has not been found wanting in any way” he ssid.

    Ogundoyin said that the Conference expresses disappointment at the conduct of the online media, describing the publication as “a baseless fabrication lacking any journalistic credibility.”

    The chairman of the Conference urged the media to exercise responsibility and verify claims before publishing stories capable of harming reputations and causing public confusion,

    Ogundoyin further demanded a retraction and public apology from the blog, warning that the Conference may be forced to pursue legal action should the platform fail to correct the misleading narrative.

    “This is a reminder that freedom of the press comes with responsibility. Fake news must be tackled with urgency,” he said.

  • PDP prays court to sack Osun Reps lawmaker, Oluwole Oke

    PDP prays court to sack Osun Reps lawmaker, Oluwole Oke

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the removal of Rep Oluwole Oke as lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The PDP, in a fresh suit filed on Monday by its lead counsel, Raphael Oyewole, prayed the court to make an order of mandamus compelling the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to, forthwith, declare Oke’s seat vacant.

    It said this would be in strict compliance with Section 68(1)(g) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), having defected without any verifiable division, merger or faction within the  political party.

    The PDP urged the court to direct Abbas and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to discharge their constitutional duties as provided by the law by declaring the seat vacant and initiating processes for the conduct of a bye-election into the vacant seat in the constituency.

    The party sought an order directing the Clerk of the National Assembly (NASS) to withdraw all entitlements and stop payments of salaries, allowances, including benefits to Oke.

    It equally sought an order directing the embattled lawmaker to refund all salaries, emoluments, benefits and allowances received from the date of his resignation from PDP to the date of judgment, having unlawfully retained a legislative seat in violation of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.

    NAN reports that the plaintiff (PDP) had, in the originating summons marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1040/2025, sued Oke, House Speaker, Clerk of NASS, Tajudeen Abbas and INEC and 1st to 5th defendants respectively.

    The party sought seven questions for determination and eight reliefs.

    One of the questions is “whether by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a member of the House of Representatives, such as the 1st defendant is not liable to forfeit his legislative seat, for resigning his membership of the plaintiff’s political party upon whose platform he was elected, to join another political party, in the absence of a division, merger or faction in the plaintiff political party.”

    The matter is yet to be assigned to a judge.

    Oke, a six-term lawmaker, who represents Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun, had said his decision to leave the PDP was after consultation with his political associates, friends, and family members.

    Oke, in his resignation letter, dated April 16 and addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 7, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun, also copied the national and state chairmen of the party.

    Meanwhile, in a related development, prominent legal practitioner, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has indicated interest in the seat for Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, and has begun to canvas support from his people, following the development.

  • NCoS offers N5m reward for information on fleeing inmates in Osun

    NCoS offers N5m reward for information on fleeing inmates in Osun

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has announced a cash reward of N5 million for credible information leading to the rearrest of inmates that recently escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesha, Osun.

    This is contained in a statement by the Service Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Umar on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Umar said that the reward was part of efforts to encourage public cooperation in tracking down the fleeing inmates and ensuring their prompt return to lawful custody.

    He appealed to members of the public to assist by reporting any useful information to the nearest security agency.

    He assured that all tips would be treated with the highest level of confidentiality and anonymity.

    “The NCoS urges citizens to be vigilant and report any suspicious movement or persons believed to be among the escapees,” the statement read.

    “To facilitate the process, the NCoS provided contact details for its Public Complaint Response Desk as well as direct telephone lines and email addresses:

    “The Email address are  complaintresponsedesk@corrections.gov.ng, info@corrections.gov.ng, Phone: 07087086005, 09060004598, 08075050006.”

    Umar added that the service encouraged the public to act promptly and responsibly to aid national security efforts.

  • How 7 Inmates escaped from Osun prison

    How 7 Inmates escaped from Osun prison

    The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has revealed how seven inmates escaped from the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Ilesa, Osun State.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, NCoS spokesperson Abubakar Umar explained that the inmates exploited a breach in the facility’s perimeter wall, which had been weakened by heavy rainfall, to escape early that morning.

    Umar stated that the escape occurred around 2:00 a.m. and compromised the prison’s security infrastructure.

    Following the incident, the Controller General of the NCoS, Sylvester Nwakuche, ordered an immediate investigation and initiated efforts to recapture the escapees. Umar noted that the Service is working closely with other security agencies and local community leaders in the search.

    “The NCoS remains fully committed to ensuring that the escaped inmates are returned to custody. Measures are also being taken to strengthen security at the facility to prevent future breaches,” he said.

    Umar called on the public to assist with credible information that could help track down the fugitives. He also provided the NCoS Response Desk contact numbers: 07087086005, 09060004598, and 08075050006, encouraging citizens to report any relevant details or contact the nearest security agency

  • Osun Speaker reacts to lawmakers’ defection rumour

    Osun Speaker reacts to lawmakers’ defection rumour

    The Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Egbedun, on Friday debunked the rumour that 25 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers had defected.

    In a statement issued in Osogbo by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Olamide Tiamiyu, the speaker emphasised that the PDP lawmakers were solidly behind Gov. Ademola Adeleke and the party.

    He said those peddling the lies of defection were doing so to shortchange their paymasters, stating that nothing of such happened and would never happen.

    “The 8th Osun Assembly will continue to collaborate with the governor to ensure impactful governance of the citizens and development of the state,” he said.

    He, however, called on the governor not to be distracted by the noisemakers’ alarm, urging him to remain committed to his goals of transforming the state and the people.

    “We appreciate the people of Osun State and appeal for their continuous support for the PDP-led government under the leadership of Gov. Adeleke,” the speaker said.

  • Gov. Adeleke told not to quit PDP but support Tinubu

    Gov. Adeleke told not to quit PDP but support Tinubu

    A political group, Osun Leaders of Thought (OLT), has urged Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun not to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group said this in a statement issued by its Chief of Public Affairs, Mr Adesola Adigun, in Osogbo on Friday.

    It said rather than leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor should fully support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

    The political group said that the admonition was in response to the raging agreement of defection and coalition formation in the state.

    According to the group, the mounting of pressure on Adeleke to leave PDP for APC is ill-advised and unnecessary.

    It called on the governor to remain in the PDP and continue his good work for the good people of the state.

    “We proceed to call on the governor to support the re-election of Mr President.

    “President Tinubu’s ancestral state is Osun, and we have a duty to support our son, no matter the situation.

    “We call on the governor to sustain his support for Mr President; it must be done as a matter of duty,” it said.

    According to the group, the governor should not leave the party because he is a brand with huge street credibility and a huge command of the electorate in Osun.

    “To win Osun, Adeleke’s brand is a must for the president without dilution,” it said.

    The group, however, urged political leaders at the local and national levels to strike a deal between the Presidency and Adeleke.

    It said that a deal was the most politically appropriate action within the context of Osun politics.

    “We call on Mr President and the governor to enter into a mutual supportive agreement.

    “Nothing like defection should be included.

    “We speak on behalf of many silent leaders of thought across Osun State,” said the group.

  • Adeleke condemns arson attack on Osun High Court building

    Adeleke condemns arson attack on Osun High Court building

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has condemned the arson attack on Ilesa High Court building by yet-to-identified persons, describing the act as a criminal attack on the state judiciary.

    This is contained in a statement by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson for the governor, on Monday in Osogbo.

    Adeleke directed thorough investigation into the incident and also called on security agencies to beef up  security in all court premises in the state.

    “Thorough investigation must be conducted by the security agencies to apprehend the suspects and ensure they face the consequences of their actions.

    “I further direct security agencies to beef up surveillance across the various court buildings.

    “Additionally, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice is to join hands with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure for the immediate rehabilitation of the court building,” he said.

    Adeleke, who, described the attack as a threat to democracy, said that judiciary remains the stabiliser and critical arbiter of the democratic process.

    “The Judiciary needs our support and not to be attacked,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) learnt that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday.

    NAN further learnt that the arson attack led to the destruction of court sensitive documents and exhibits, with the entire building razed.

    An eyewitness revealed that the state fire service responded to the incident but was unable to salvage the situation as the fire had destroyed the building before the arrival of the firemen.