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How Oyebanji Will Ride On Weak Opposition To Win Ekiti Gov. Election

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

 

All hands are on deck as Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji is set to face challengers from 12 political parties in the June 20, 2026, governorship election.

 

The election, slated for Saturday is already won, going by activities and assessment of the 13 political parties that are eyeing the Oke Ayoba government House in Ado Ekiti.

 

For the past few months, the candidates and political parties cleared for the election, have attempted to sell themselves to less than a million voters in the state – what they have in stock, their strength and even their personality to the people.

 

The people are already charged and ready to exercise their civic duty to elect another governor, that will serve them for another four years. Since its creation, Ekiti state politics has been that of uncertainty and suspense, a situation that has led to defeat of three incumbent governors.

 

First was Adeniyi Adebayo, the first executive Governor, that lost our to Ayodele Fayose, then Kayode Fayemi was sacrificed for the return of Fayose for second term, while  his bid to install a successor was stalled as Fayemi again returned to the saddle.

 

Saturday’s election in Ekiti state will be a record breaker as Biodun Oyebanji is set to break the jinx of second term in the state. He will be the first governor to win back to back. His victory at the poll will be due mainly to weak opposition and not as a result of his achievements during the first time. Though, his followers believe that Oyebanji performed, to an ordinary Ekiti man, his administration will go down as one of a deceit and lame duck one.

 

Talk of security – where he has refused to speak till date on the abduction of 16 worshippers at a CAC Church in Eda Oniyo, over 50 days after, his penchant to dole out state resources to cater for his predecessors in office and failure of his government in the area of infrastructure – all these are there to stop his second term bid, but he will be reaping from crisis within virtually all opposition parties in the country.

 

One of his predecessors in office, Fayose has helped him to destroy the People’s Democratic Party PDP, one of the parties which used to be formidable in the state. PDP now survive in its past glory. Virtually all other parties contesting in the election rise from the remnants of PDP.

 

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has assured the Electorate that everything has been put in place to ensure a hitch free poll, security agents have made deployments where necessary, with the election hotspots identified by INEC. Non sensitive materials are already on ground with the chairman of INEC Prof Josiah Amupitan relocating temporarily to the state for the poll.

 

He has held stakeholders’ parley with virtually those that are concerned and recruitment of adhoc staff done. Altogether, the election will be conducted across the state’s 16 local government areas, 177 wards, and 2,445 polling units, with 13 political parties expected to participate.

 

The election may however witness a low turnout of voters and this may likely be caused by insecurity. Since the abduction incident in Eda Oniyo, residents of the state have been cautious about their movement in order not to fall prey. Security Agents will have hectic time to check vote buying as politicians will capitalize on the harsh economic situation to buy Electorate conscience.

 

There have been reported cases of presence of suspected bandits in some communities in the state, which has been denied by the state police command. Even with the assurance people may spend Saturday relaxing in their homes.

 

INEC may likely turn in results of the election within 24 hours as there is no known difficult terrain in Ekiti state.

 

Among political parties  that are contesting include People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), All Progressive Congress, ( APC), Action Democratic Congress, (ADC), Labour Party, (LP), Young Progressive Party,(YPP) and Accord Party,(AP).

 

Others are African Action Congress, (AAC), Social Democratic Party,(SDP) and People’s Redemption Party,(PRP) and Zenith Labour Party ZLP.

 

Those that can be regarded as serious contenders include Dare Bejide, ADC; Opeyemi Falegan, Accord Party and Dr Oluyede of the PDP. However, their victory may be restricted by leadership crisis in their parties.

“No Senator Complained To Me About Forged Signature – Oshiomhole Makes U-turn On Natasha’s suspension, Apologises

By
Ayodele Oni
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Adams Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

By Ayodele Oni

 

Chairman, Senate Committee on Interior, Adams Oshiomhole, APC, Edo North has recanted saying no Senator complained to him that his or her signature was forged during the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, PDP, Kogi Central.

 

He maintained that he never alleged that signatures were forged during the process.

 

Oshiomole had been quoted as saying in one of the interviews that some senators, including Senator Ireti Kingibe, informed him that they did not sign the committee report even though their names appeared on the document.

 

“If he said that, yes. Because there are even people who claimed that their signatures were forged under the suspension document, people like Senator Ireti Kingibe.

 

“She told me, ‘But I didn’t sign that report. But my name was published,’” Oshiomhole said.

 

A statement however by Senator Oshiomhole  read: “My attention has been brought to an obvious misrepresentation of the statement I made during the course of my interview on AIT “Politics Today” broadcast on Monday 15th June 2026.

 

“To set the records straight, I wish to make the following clarifications.

‘The insinuation that I said signatures of Senators were forged is a complete misrepresentation of what I actually said.

 

“I agree absolutely with the spokesperson of the Senate, Distinguished Senator Yemi Adaramodu, that no signature of Senators was forged in Natasha Akpoti’s suspension.

 

“This is because, no Senator complained to me that his or her signature was forged.

 

“The only comment I made is that one Senator, who is a member of the Committee claimed that the signatures of attendance of some Senators were attached to the final report.

 

“Any suggestion to the effect that I alleged that any Senator’s signature was forged is completely untrue and should be disregarded.

 

“As far as I am concerned, the issue of suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has been put to rest and the Senate has since moved on.

 

“The context in which I made a comment on the Senator Natasha Akpoti’s issue was the AIT interviewer’s claim that Senate Leader Distinguished Senator Bamidele Opeyemi referred to the matter as the ‘lowest point of the 3 years of the 10th Senate’ to which I replied that ‘if indeed the Senate Leader said so, yes it should be taken seriously, because he is not given to frivolities.’

 

“Once again, I emphasise that no Senator told me that his or her signature was forged.

 

“Finally, I regret if my comments may have caused embarrassment to any Senator or the 10th Senate as an institution.”

“God Is Not Man” – Diezani Allison-Madueke

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Diezani Alison-Madueke

By Adesina Soyooye 

 

On stepping out of the Southwark Crown Court, London, immediately after she was acquitted of all the charges   against her, former Nigeria’s Petroleum Minister, Diezani Allison- Madueke proclaimed “God is not man.”

 

Allison Madueke, Minister of Petroleum under the President Goodluck Jonathan Administration, had, for 10 years and counting, been under prosecution on allegations which bordered on bribery while she was in office.

 

But on Wednesday, June 17, 2026,  she was given a clean bill by the Southwark Crown Court.

 

She described her  trial as arduous and said the matter  “weighed heavily” upon her and her family. 

 

In a Press Release issued and signed on her behalf by Bolouere Opukiri thereafter, she noted, that “a decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation and scrutiny” has finally ended

For now, she disclosed, she intends to embrace the freedom that has been unjustly denied her for many years 

 

Allison-Madueke: “Today, at Southwark Crown Court, I was acquitted of all charges brought against me.

 

“For eleven arduous years, this matter has weighed heavily upon me and my family. Today, a decade of unrelenting and unjust vilification, condemnation, and scrutiny has finally concluded.

 

“I give thanks to Almighty God for His faithfulness and for the complete vindication I have received. I am grateful to my legal counsel for their diligence, and to my family and friends for their steadfast support and encouragement throughout this period.

 

“I am profoundly relieved. My name has been cleared, and this ordeal has come to an end.

 

“This, however, is not the final chapter. In due course, I shall address this difficult period in greater detail and share my intentions for the future. For now, I intend to embrace the freedom that has been unjustly denied me for many years.”

 

Acquitted along with Allison-Madueke were her elder brother, Doye Agama, 69, Archbishop at a Manchester Pentecostal Church. He was acquitted of conspiracy to commit bribery. An Oil Executive, Olatimbo Ayinde, 54, was also acquitted of bribery and bribery of a foreign public official.

 

Allison-Madueke was Nigeria’s Oil Minister between 2010 and 2015, and was the first female President  of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC.

Engr. Udoh, Scripture Union General Director, Missing

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Engr Uwem Cosmas Udoh
Engr Uwem Cosmas Udoh

By Adesina Soyooye

 

Troubling reports indicate that the General Director of the Scripture Union (SU), Engr Uwem Cosmas Udoh, is missing in transit.

 

Missing along with him are seven others  including his driver and two female siblings.

Their whereabouts have remained unknown since Sunday, June 14.

There is, however,  another report which says they were abducted on their way from the SU’s Camp of Faith, Okigwe, Imo State, to Ibadan on Tuesday, June 16.

 

Sources say they disappeared around Uli, Anambra State.

 

The strong suspicion is that they may have been abducted along the road but their abductors, have, however, made no contacts with anybody. In same vein, neither the Police nor the SU have made any statement on the sad incident.

You Are Ignorant, Davido Fires Back At Famous Hausa Praise Singer, Rarara

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Davido

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popular as Davido, has clapped back at Hausa renowned  praise- singer, Dauda Adamu Kahutu, best known as Rarara, insisting that Nigerians of good conscience should always condemn the worsening security situation in the country.

 

This was as he described  Rarara’s attack as born out of illiteracy and stark ignorance.

 

The Source reports that  Rarara had, in a viral and lengthy video online, berated Davido over his alleged embarrassment of Nigeria by highlighting the abduction of 46 Orrile Oyo State School children and their teachers on the world stage.

 

It will be recalled that the Afrobeat superstar had, during his performance at the opening ceremony of the ongoing 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup in the USA, appeared on stage in a branded jacket drawing attention to the plight of the kidnapped Oyo School children ,as well as the urgent need to secure their self release.

 

However, his action did not  go down well with Rarara, well  known supporter of the All Progressive Congress, who described Davido’s action as reckless, politically motivated, and a monumental damage to the image of Nigeria.

 

“For the records, Davido took the names of the abducted Oyo School children, wrote them on the Nigerian flag ,and personal jacket ,and displayed same to the world in the USA.

 

“Now, the question remains: what was the underlying reason? What were his real motives? Or was it because he has since turned the unfortunate incident into a political instrument ,for the building of a political capital?”, Rarara queried.

 

But in a post on his Facebook page on  Wednesday, Davido, while justifying his action, highlighted the dangers inherent in keeping silent in the face of the country’s mounting challenges.

 

He emphasized the urgent need for Nigerians to place the country’s broader interests above some personal gains.

 

Obviously, referring to the well known political preferences of Rarara, the Osun state-born music star admonished him to prioritize the welfare  of the country and that of the suffering masses, rather than being more concerned about his political interest.

 

“Showing bias and prioritising personal or political interests and putting personal desires above the community’s goals is nothing to be proud of.

 

“Be a patriot for your country, stop prioritising politics over the truth, and fear of God in everything you do” Davido stated.

ACF Alleges Arrest, Profiling, And Threats To Deport Northerners In Ondo State

By
Ayodele Oni
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Lucky Aiyedatiwa
Ondo State Governor, Lucky  Aiyedatiwa.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

 

The Arewa Consultative Forum ACF has expressed deep shock and concern over the alleged arrest, profiling and threats of deportation of Northern women resident in parts of Ondo State.

 

In a statement on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from its Board of Trustees, BoT, Chairman, Bashir Dalhatu, the ACF alleged that several women of Northern region extraction have been arrested  and paraded  in the last couple days by operatives of the Ondo State Security Network Agency, otherwise known as Amotekun.

 

The apex sociocultural organization of Northerners  roundly condemned the attempt to criminalize the entire Hausa/Fulani Northerners resident in the state.

 

The ACF maintained that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees every citizen of Nigeria the inalienable right to move freely, reside and conduct his/her lawful activities in any part of the country without discrimination based on ethnicity, religion, language or place of birth.

 

According to the body, the incident has further raised concern about the move by the authorities to institutionalise State Police and the imperative of putting in place strong constitutional framework to check abuse and misuse by state authorities.

 

“The attempt by officials.of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps to profile, intimidate and threaten to deport fellow Nigerians to their States or regions of origin is especially alarming”, Dalhatu stated.

 

The ACF Chairman particularly described the action of Amotekun Corps as not only discriminatory, unconstitutional and a gross violation of the fundamental rights of the victims, but also a disturbing threat to the unity and stability of the country.

 

The umbrella body of Northerners expressed shock and disbelief over  images from a viral video online showing a group of women from the region being paraded  and humiliated by operatives of Ondo state Amotekun Corps.

 

The ACF accused the state’s security outfit of unjustly harassing and intimidating the victims ,who it insists are Nigerian citizens , engaged in lawful activities in Ondo state.

 

The regional body emphasized that no quasi security outfit or local authority has the constitutional powers to arrest, profile, and deport fellow Nigerian citizens from one part of the Federation to another.

 

The ACF described the orchestrated arrest, and alleged humiliation of Northern women who are engaged in legitimate economic,and social activities in their country of origin, as totally unacceptable.

 

While admitting the serious security challenges bedeviling some parts of the country, the ACF however emphasized that attempts at addressing crime ,and criminal activities should be done with due respect for due process, and constitutionally guaranteed rights of citizens.

 

Particularly, the ACF noted that measures aimed at fighting criminality should be intelligence-driven, and devoid of indiscriminate profiling of a whole region.

 

“Entire communities cannot be criminalized because of the action of a few individuals. To do so is unjust, counterproductive and a direct invitation to ethnic tension ” the ACF noted.

 

Besides stoking ethnic unrest, the ACF further warned that a wholesale profiling of an entire region could spell doom for the unity and stability of the country.

 

The body reminded that several thousands of indigenes of  Ondo State, South West Region ,and other parts of the country are resident in the North, conducting their lawful activities without any harassment ,and intimidation.

 

While urging the Ondo State authorities to wade into the matter, the ACF similarly called on the Federal Government , through relevant bodies to investigate the actual circumstances surrounding the unfortunate development in the State

Insecurity: NYSC Blacklists Three LGs In Kebbi

By
Ayodele Oni
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NYSC - Corps Members

By Ayodele Oni 

 

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), has reduced the number of Corps Members posted to Kebbi State, citing insecurity.

 

NYSC has, also, blacklisted three Local Government Areas in the State for the posting of Corps members.

 

The State Coordinator, Bala Dabo Kagarko, disclosed this during an interaction with journalists at the temporary NYSC Orientation Camp at Basura, Jega Local Government Area of the state.

 

According to him the decision was “for the safety of corps members, we are not posting them to Augie, Arewa and Sakaba local government areas of the state again.”

 

He added that the NYSC requested for the relocation of the NYSC orientation camp from Dakingari to a safer place at the Basura temporary camp in Jega Local Government Area of the state, because of insecurity.

 

He lamented that the number of corps members being posted to the state has dropped drastically.

 

“We no longer have doctors to post to the state hospitals, not enough corps members to post to schools and other areas where they are needed to contribute to the development of the state.

 

“Kebbi now has the least number of corps members in the country. Several appeals have been made to the right quarters, but we are yet to get their response,” the NYSC state coordinator said.

“I Was Removed As National Chair Of APC Via Zoom Meeting Inspite Of My Contribution In 2015 Victory” – Oshiomhole

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Adams Oshiomhole
Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

By Ayodele Oni

 

Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North in the Senate, has revealed circumstances surrounding his removal as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

The former Edo Governor claimed that he was removed as National Chairman of the APC during a Zoom meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa.

 

He made the disclosure during an interview with AIT, where he spoke about the power play and intrigues surrounding his removal from office.

 

Oshiomhole pointed out that his efforts and political strategy contributed significantly to the victory of the late President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.

 

“I led my party to victory under Buhari. Together with members of the National Working Committee, we resolved the leadership crisis in the National Assembly, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, without difficulty.

 

“Our President did not need to travel across the country to campaign. We handled the marketing, explanations, and persuasion required in a democracy.

 

“After the system stabilized, I was removed through a Zoom meeting. When efforts to remove me through internal democratic processes failed, it was alleged that eight members of my ward signed a petition expressing a vote of no confidence in me.

 

“That petition was taken to court, which initially granted an interim order. I appealed, and the Court of Appeal overturned it.

 

“However, three weeks later, the same court reinstated the order. Shortly after, I witnessed a National Executive Committee meeting—held via Zoom at the Villa—for the first time,” he said.

Osun 2026: Omisore Drums Support For Governor Adeleke

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Iyiola Omisore

By Akinwale Kasali 

 

Iyiola Omisore, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, is drumming support for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party as the Osun 2026 Governorship Election draws near.

 

The former Osun State Deputy Governor made this disclosure on Wednesday through a message on his Facebook page.

 

The former Senator from Ifelodun in Osun State said the decision is in the interest of Osun State and its people.

 

His words: “It is official. The political structure of Senator Iyiola Omisore across Osun State has resolved to stand firmly with Governor Ademola Adeleke for his reelection.

 

“This decision is in the interest of Osun State, its people, and the continued pursuit of unity, progress, and good governance.

 

“As we move toward the August 15 gubernatorial election, our position is clear, our structure is united, and our support is total. Osun is moving forward.”

 

The former Governorship Aspirant had been a political enemy of Governor Adeleke, who blocked the alleged defection of the Governor from the embattled Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,  to APC, before he pitched his tent with Accord Party, where he is presently seeking reelection. 

 

Omisore had, at one point said he ran down Adeleke  at the behest of the Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Nigeria, Cameroon Move To Secure Border, Sign MoU

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigeria and Cameroon Border

 

By Ayodele Oni 

 

In a move to ensure security at border areas, Nigeria and Cameroon have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and secure their shared southern border

 

The Federal Ministry of Defence, announced in a statement, that the agreement was signed on Wednesday in Yaoundé by the Minister of Defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) and the Minister Delegate at the Presidency in Charge of Defence of the Republic of Cameroon, Mr Joseph Beti Assomo.

 

This is coming after two days of intensive deliberations by defence and security experts from both nations.

 

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd) explained that the Memorandum of Understanding would henceforth provide a structured framework for military cooperation and operations between both countries and further institutionalize collaboration in addressing common security concerns

 

The agreement established a modernised framework to counter emerging threats across both terrestrial and maritime domains along the Nigeria–Cameroon southern border and reinforce the long-standing defence relationship between both nations.

 

Key areas highlighted during the engagements included enhanced operational coordination, intelligence sharing, logistics support, joint military training, personnel exchange programmes, and strengthened mechanisms for collective response to emerging security challenges.

 

Discussions also emphasised the importance of operationalising the recently established Combined Maritime Joint Task Force as a strategic platform for enhancing maritime security and safeguarding economic and security interests within the Gulf of Guinea, where both countries remain critical stakeholders.

 

On defence industrial cooperation, General Christopher Musa reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration in defence technology and innovation.

 

He pointed out that one of the enduring challenges confronting African defence capability development has been limited indigenous production of military hardware and stressed the importance of building stronger regional industrial partnerships.

 

The minister further highlighted the opportunities created under Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation framework and reaffirmed Nigeria’s openness to collaboration in defence manufacturing, technology transfer, research, innovation, and capacity development.

 

In his remarks, Mr Joseph Beti Assomo expressed interest in advancing cooperation in defence innovation and technology, and confirmed that a formal proposal framework is currently being finalised to concrete bilateral arrangements in defence technology.

 

The agreement marks a pivotal milestone in Nigeria–Cameroon relations, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to sustainable peace, regional sovereignty, and collaborative defence.

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