Former Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, has ruled out the possibility of his political group entering into any coalition ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Aregbesola made this known on Sunday while addressing supporters at a reception organised by the Omoluabi Progressives—a political group he founded—in celebration of his 68th birthday in Osogbo.
The former Minister of Interior expressed confidence that his group would be well positioned for victory in the next election, noting that by his next birthday, the group would be closer to occupying the Governor’s Office in Abere.
“By this time next year, we will all be close to Abere (Osun Governor’s Office). May God make it so. So people are having untrue impression that we will align with anyone (in the governorship poll).
“We are not going to align with anyone. We are going to pursue our political interest separately. No alliance with anyone or group. By the grace of God, this group will win.
We will contest and we will win. The election that will follow that of next year…”, Aregbesola said.
He also used the occasion to reflect on the importance of acknowledging one’s mother during birthday celebrations, emphasising the sacrifices made during childbirth.
“I am happy for this honour. I pray for you all, may you continue to succeed in all your endeavours.
“Whenever you are celebrating birthday, during the celebration, always remember to pray for your mother. The pains they endure during childbirth is enormous. So whether alive or late, birthday celebrations should be dedicated to prayers for mothers,” he said.
Earlier in his remarks, Moshood Adeoti, who served as Secretary to the State Government during Aregbesola’s administration, urged members of the Omoluabi Progressives to remain steadfast and committed to the group’s ideals.
Representing Governor Ademola Adeleke at the event, Biyi Odunlade praised Aregbesola for his contributions to the development of the state, describing his legacies as enduring and commendable.
“I celebrate you because you left a good template for good governance in Osun State that cannot be faulted by anybody. Your legacy of service is exemplary and remarkable, one that stands you out among your contemporaries,” Odunlade said.
The event was attended by numerous members of the Omoluabi Progressives, Aregbesola’s political allies from Lagos, and former appointees from Osun State.
The Katsina State Police Command, on Sunday, arrested a 25-year-old housewife in connection with the death of her co-wife.
The incident occurred behind Dadi Primary School, Sabon Gari Area of Daura town, Daura Local Government Area of the state when a domestic dispute between co-wives escalated into a fatal confrontation.
This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Katsina.
The statement reads, “On May 24, 2025, at about 2300 hours (11pm), a report was received at the Sabon Gari Division through one Nasir Yusuf, the husband, that he had returned home from the market and found his first wife, namely, Zainab Lawal ‘F’, 30 years old, lying in a pool of blood; she had been stabbed multiple times with a knife.
“Upon receipt of the report, quickly, the DPO led a team of operatives to the scene and subsequently rushed the victim to Federal Medical Centre, Daura for medical attention, where she was pronounced dead by the doctor on duty.
“During the investigation, her co-wife, one Rabi’a Labaran ‘F’, 23 years old, of the same address, was arrested in connection with the offence, where she confessed to the commission of the offence, stating that a misunderstanding with the deceased led to a scuffle and the tragic incident. Investigation is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police, Katsina State Command, CP Bello Shehu, urges members of the public to shun all acts of domestic violence and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, instead seeking legal means for redress in cases of disputes, as vigilantism only perpetuates harm and undermines the rule of law.”
Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Shehu Dikko, has explained that the power outage which occurred during the men’s 10,000m final of the 2024 National Sports Festival at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex on Saturday was caused by a technical glitch, The PUNCH reports.
The men’s 10,000m final was the last race on the second day of athletics at the 22nd edition of the games, which is hosted by Ogun State.
The stadium was thrown into darkness midway through the event, and it lasted for about 20 minutes as the athletes completed the race in the dark.
Plateau State’s Francis James won the race in a time of 30:36:50, but the long-distance specialist said that the unexpected power outage during the final significantly disrupted his rhythm and denied him a chance to clock a much faster time.
Coincidentally, the lights were restored after the race was completed.
At a World Press Conference in Abeokuta on Sunday, Dikko excused the situation on the new state of the renovated stadium.
“We had just left the stadium when that happened,” Dikko responded when asked by The PUNCH.
“Basically, what happened was a technical glitch that can happen at a new infrastructure like this, which has worked for many days continuously. It could have been worse if it had taken the whole day to get it back on track. It was resolved immediately, and that showed we were on top of it.
“Unfortunately, it happened when an event that couldn’t be stopped was going on. They were doing the men’s 10,000m race and we couldn’t have stopped them.
“In the long term, probably we will have some contingency plans like solar, depending on the load and other conditions that we have to factor.”
The race is also getting intense on the medals table with a total of 2,150 medals on offer in 549 events.
The multi-sport event, regarded as Nigeria’s version of the Olympics, is poised to be one of the most expansive in the festival’s history, with 626 gold, 626 silver, and 898 bronze medals up for grabs.
A major new feature of NSF 2024 is the introduction of the Invited Junior Athletes category. This will allow junior athletes to compete alongside more experienced athletes, offering them an opportunity to exhibit their talent on a national stage.
US President Donald Trump called his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin “crazy” on Sunday after Moscow launched a deadly barrage of drones against Ukraine, even as the warring countries completed a large-scale prisoner exchange.
At least 13 people were killed when Russia launched a record number of drones against Ukraine overnight to Sunday.
”I’ve always had a very good relationship with Vladimir Putin of Russia, but something has happened to him. He has gone absolutely CRAZY!” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
”I’ve always said that he wants ALL of Ukraine, not just a piece of it, and maybe that’s proving to be right, but if he does, it will lead to the downfall of Russia!” he added.
His comments marked a rare rebuke to Putin, who he often speaks of with admiration. The US leader has, however, expressed increasing frustration with Moscow’s position in deadlocked truce negotiations with Kyiv.
Earlier Sunday, Trump told reporters he was “not happy” about the latest attack on Ukraine and that he was “absolutely” considering increasing sanctions on Moscow.
”I’ve known him a long time, always gotten along with him, but he’s sending rockets into cities and killing people, and I don’t like it at all,” he said.
- ‘Terror’ –
Ukraine’s emergency services described Sunday an atmosphere of “terror” in the country after a second straight night of massive Russian air strikes, including on the capital Kyiv.
Those killed in the latest Russian strikes included victims aged eight, 12, and 17 in the northwestern region of Zhytomyr, officials said.
”Without truly strong pressure on the Russian leadership, this brutality cannot be stopped,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media.
”The silence of America, the silence of others around the world only encourages Putin,” he said, adding: “Sanctions will certainly help.”
In his social media post, Trump also criticized Zelensky, a frequent target of his ire, accusing him of “doing his Country no favors by talking the way he does.”
”Everything out of his mouth causes problems, I don’t like it, and it better stop,” he said.
The European Union’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, also called for “the strongest international pressure on Russia to stop this war.”
”Last night’s attacks again show Russia bent on more suffering and the annihilation of Ukraine,” she said on social media.
- Call for sanctions –
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul also denounced the attacks.
”Putin does not want peace, he wants to carry on the war and we shouldn’t allow him to do this,” he said. “For this reason we will approve further sanctions at a European level.”
Ukraine’s military said on Sunday it had shot down a total of 45 Russian missiles and 266 attack drones overnight.
Air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat said 298 drones were launched, adding that this was “the highest number ever.”
Four people were reported killed in Ukraine’s western Khmelnytskyi region, and four in the Kyiv region.
Two people were killed in the southern Mykolaiv region.
”We saw the whole street was on fire,” a 65-year-old retired woman, Tetiana Iankovska, told AFP in Markhalivka village just southwest of Kyiv.
Russia said its strikes were aimed at Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex” and that it had brought down 110 Ukrainian drones.
The previous night, Russia had launched 14 ballistic missiles and 250 drones, wounding 15 people, according to Ukrainian officials.
Flights at Moscow airports suffered temporary closures due to Ukrainian drone activity on Sunday but no injuries were reported, officials said.
Ukrainian officials also reported Russian strikes overnight to Monday, but not on the same scale.
Two people were injured and a house was destroyed in the Zaporizhzhia region when “the enemy struck the village of Yurkivka”, Ivan Fedorov, the governor of the region, said in a Telegram post.
- Major prisoner exchange –
The massive strikes on Ukraine came as Russia said it had exchanged another 303 Ukrainian prisoners of war for the same number of Russian soldiers held by Kyiv — the last phase of a swap agreed during talks in Istanbul on May 16.
That marked their biggest prisoner swap since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with 1,000 captured soldiers and civilian prisoners in total sent back by each side.
Zelensky confirmed the swap was complete.
An AFP reporter saw some of the formerly captive Ukrainian soldiers arrive at a hospital in the northern Chernigiv region, emaciated but smiling and waving to crowds.
One former captive, 58-year-old Viktor Syvak, told AFP he was overcome by the emotional homecoming.
Captured in the Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, he had been held for 37 months and 12 days.
”It’s impossible to describe. I can’t put it into words,” he said of the release.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, on Sunday, paid a visit to the Federal Medical Centre in Katsina, where he checked on members of the Community Watch Corps, who were injured during a recent bandit attack in Marhaba village, Matazu Local Government Area.
He also took time to greet other patients, offering comforting words and prayers for their recovery.
While speaking during the visit, Radda reassured the wounded officers of the government’s full support and commended their courage in the line of duty.
“Your sacrifice will never be forgotten”, he told the injured officers.
The governor was accompanied by Sarkin Alhazai, Alhaji Kabiru Bature; the Chairman of the Katsina State Pilgrims Welfare Board; Sarkin Kuraye, Alhaji Usman Darda’u; several district heads; and the Special Adviser on Security and Community Watch, Alhaji Yusuf Ibrahim Safana, who led the hospital tour.
The Nigerian Navy will unveil three ships, three helicopters, several accommodation plots, and office blocks as part of its 69th anniversary celebrations.
Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, disclosed this on Sunday at Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, Navy Town, Lagos.
The service marked the event in commemoration of the Nigerian Navy’s 69th anniversary and its achievements over the years.
Ogalla stated that the navy remains focused on capacity building, platform acquisition, infrastructure, and welfare of both personnel and civilians under his strategic objectives.
“While we maintain development and infrastructure, we must remain fair, secure, and stable through professional conduct,” he said.
He added that welfare remains a priority, alongside boosting efficiency through infrastructure, platforms, and tools needed for operational effectiveness.
Ogalla stressed the importance of remaining peaceful and law-abiding while upholding principles that promote national unity and harmony.
He acknowledged accommodation challenges in the Navy, saying shelter remains a basic human need and efforts will be made to address the issue.
To enhance national security, Ogalla said the Navy established a Special Operations Command in Makurdi and also formed the Nigerian Navy Marines.
“These initiatives aim to create an agile force for expeditionary warfare, addressing maritime threats and supporting land operations,” he said.
He assured continued improvement of operational strategies to tackle criminal activities both at sea and on land.
Ogalla also reaffirmed the Navy’s role as a regional power in the Gulf of Guinea, ensuring safe maritime communication routes.
He credited President Bola Tinubu for unwavering support, noting that all Navy-related requests had been treated with urgency and importance.
“We’ll keep supporting land-based security operations under the president’s agenda for economic growth and national sovereignty,” Ogalla added.
Rev. Father Richmond Diala, who gave the sermon, urged naval personnel to stay united, protect one another, and always thank God for His protection.
“It’s by God’s grace we’re alive today. Others, more deserving, are not where we are,” he said.
He encouraged continued prayers for Nigeria and the Navy, asking God to strengthen their efforts in securing land and maritime domains.
The Presidency on Sunday described as fake and malicious a widely circulated statement claiming that President Bola Tinubu rejected a working visit invitation from the White House due to domestic priorities and aircraft constraints.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, debunked the viral statement via his official X (formerly Twitter) page, dismissing the claims as the handiwork of “disinformation agents, hoax peddlers, fake news propagators, and clickbaiters.”
“Whoever you are, one day, the law will catch you,” Onanuga warned in a strongly worded post, as he shared the image being circulated with a “FAKE NEWS ALERT” overlay.
The forged document, disguised as a “State House Official Statement,” claimed that the Tinubu administration had declined a White House invitation for a working visit to Washington, D.C., citing “critical domestic priorities” and “logistical constraints, including the unsustainability of presidential aircraft for long-distance travel.”
The statement was falsely attributed to Onanuga himself, bearing his name and official designation as the signatory.
However, Onanuga distanced himself from the statement entirely, emphasizing that neither the White House nor the Nigerian Presidency had issued or acknowledged such communication.
The fake release stated that “the Nigerian government remains committed to fostering strong bilateral relations with the United States and looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration.”
The Yoruba Council Worldwide has commended President Bola Tinubu for repaying the International Monetary Fund loan, describing it as a boost for Nigeria’s economy.
President of the group, Mr Oladotun Hassan, praised the move in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Hassan said the President had taken a commendable step towards economic recovery by relieving Nigeria of such a major financial obligation.
“I speak as president of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, representing indigenous Yoruba people at home and abroad, and we appreciate President Tinubu’s bold economic decisions.
“He deserves full support and prayers. He has proven his leadership capacity by ensuring the IMF loan has been successfully repaid,” Hassan said.
He further praised Tinubu’s decision to repurpose looted properties for public benefit, describing it as a clear sign of the fight against corruption.
Hassan also noted the President’s efforts to involve the youth through student loan schemes and the creation of a youth academy.
He stated that Nigeria’s global image is improving, and foreign policy is becoming stronger under Tinubu’s leadership.
“These achievements have brought support from various quarters, even opposition parties, with some endorsing him for a second term,” he said.
He cautioned the Afenifere group against turning the issue of power rotation into an ethnic conflict.
Hassan said Afenifere has the right to support any candidate but should not frame it as an ethnic necessity.
“Democracy isn’t about ethnic entitlement. Let’s assess the President’s performance during his eight years before making such demands.
“If Tinubu can pay the IMF loan, he can also reduce food prices significantly, which we’re already seeing.“Rice prices have dropped from N120,000 to around N50,000 per bag. That’s proof of his economic impact,” he added.
He said the President inherited a struggling system and has focused on rebuilding without blaming others or making excuses.
According to him, Tinubu is giving all Nigerians a chance to thrive through regional development commissions.
“This isn’t politics as usual. Tinubu appoints competent people to handle sensitive positions, not loyalists.
“He is ensuring that every region gets equal attention, regardless of the role of state governors.
“Considering our progress, Tinubu deserves to complete his eight-year term. This isn’t about re-election but continuing a working vision,” Hassan added.
He clarified that his remarks were not intended to criticise former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
He said opposition figures like Atiku should focus on supporting good governance rather than forcing themselves into power.
“Leadership can mean promoting good governance through cooperation, not just competition.
“There’s no reason Peter Obi and Tinubu can’t collaborate. They met in Rome and shared smiles, showing potential unity.
“They are not enemies. Nigerians should focus on how to support this government for the common good,” Hassan said.
The Federal Government recently confirmed repayment of the $3.4bn IMF emergency loan taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, said the repayment, approved by President Tinubu, restores Nigeria’s fiscal credibility.
He said it also addresses financial burdens inherited from past administrations.
A high-level coalition meeting involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and others descended into chaos as delegates from Jigawa State disrupted the proceedings.
The ongoing coalition meeting at the Abuja Continental Hotel, organised by the National Political Consultative Group (North), was briefly disrupted following a disagreement over representation for Jigawa State.
Tensions rose when former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, announced a delegate to speak for the state.
In protest, several Jigawa delegates stormed the stage, blocking the individual from speaking and insisting they would not be represented by those named.
As the confrontation escalated, security personnel, including members of the Nigerian Police, DSS, and private guards, quickly formed a protective barrier around key figures such as Atiku, Amaechi and others.
Calm was restored after several minutes of appeals, as Mustapha Lamido, son of former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido, along with another delegate, was chosen to speak on behalf of the state.
The Nasarawa State Government has promised to sustain its efforts in utilising the available lithium resources to ensure that the first electric vehicles factory in Nigeria is established in the state.
The Governor, Nasarawa state, Abdullahi Sule stated this on Sunday in Lafia, the state capital at an event organised by the a group under the aegis of Abdullahi Sule Gidan-Gidan Support Group, to celebrate the two years of his second tenure in office.
He explained that the state’s lithium reserves had received significant attention, particularly with the recent inauguration of a lithium processing factory in Nasarawa, built by Avatar New Energy Materials Company Limited.
The governor noted that working towards having an electric vehicle factory in the state, aligned with the Federal Government’s efforts to promote clean energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
“We will continue to engage investors and strategic partners to ensure that the second stage of the processing, which is the production of the battery and the eventual assembly of the vehicles, is done here in the state.
“My administration desires to achieve this, and even if we are unable to achieve it, I hope that anybody who is taking over from me in 2027 will pursue it to a logical conclusion.
“Because it is by achieving this that the state will be the number one economy we are dreaming about,” Sule added.
While promising that his remaining two years in office would be better than the last two years, Sule appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his impressive economic reforms and promised to fully key into the reforms for the overall development of the state and country.
Sule further expressed his gratitude to the group for organising the event to honour him as his administration marks two years in office, assuring that he would not stop working hard towards delivering the dividends of democracy to all residents of the state.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor of the state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, said lithium had always been in the state, but it took the foresight and ingenuity of the governor to expose it to the outside world.
Akabe further revealed that there is a huge quantity of lithium deposits in the various Local Government Areas of the state, affirming that the state government would leverage on it to attract investors.
“Electric vehicles use batteries which are produced by lithium, and Nasarawa State is the headquarters of lithium in the country,” he stated.
In her opening remarks, Convener of the event and Chairperson of the Abdullahi Sule Gidan-Gidan Support Group, Hussaina Sule, explained that the event was to celebrate the milestone achievements of the governor in the last two years.
She listed some of the projects including flyovers and underpasses in Lafia and Akwanga LGAs of the state, and the ongoing construction of the state’s secretariat complex in Lafia which would house all the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the state.
“Construction of over 600 kilometers of urban and rural roads, dualisation of Shandam road, and huge investment in the security of the state.
“Others are the employment of over 4,000 youths into the state’s civil service, the implementation of the new minimum wage, the implementation of over 10 years of outstanding promotions, and the construction of many blocks of classrooms, among others,” she added.
The convener, therefore said the state was lucky to have a man like the governor at this time, while praying that God should reward him for his dedication and commitment to ensure that development reaches the nooks and crannies of the state.
