The Spokesman for Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, has stated that his principal will not join the African Democratic Congress or align with any interest within the party ahead of the 2026 state elections in the state.
A statement signed by Rasheed obtained in Osogbo on Friday said he was responding to media publications and enquiries regarding Adeleke’s next political move.
Rasheed subsequently declared that Adeleke remains in the Peoples Democratic Party, stating that the incumbent Osun governor would win the next governorship poll in the state with a wide margin on the party’s platform.
“Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC bigwigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor 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,” Rasheed said.
He added that the Osun electorate has been supporting Adeleke due to his impressive performance since he came to office.
The statement further read, “That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026.”
He urged PDP members to forge ahead and strengthen the party structures across all levels to prepare for next year’s poll.
The leadership of Odo-Otin Local Government Traditional Council, comprising royal fathers of communities in the council areas on Friday said it has intervened in the face-off involving the Alasi of Asi, Oba Isaac Oyewale and the Speaker of Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun.
This was disclosed by the President of the LGA Traditional Council, Oba Abioye Oyebode, while speaking with journalists in his palace in Okuku, Osun State.
Oba Abioye, who is the Olokuku of Okuku, said the Council had directed him and Oloyan of Oyan, and Oba Kilani Adekeye to meet Oba Oyewale to get further details of what transpired between Alasi and Egbedun.
A voice note had surfaced on social media on Thursday where Egbedun accused Oba Oyewale of giving support to hoodlums who attacked him in Okuku, threatening to move against the monarch.
After the voice note had gone viral, some residents of Asi, predominantly youths held a peaceful protest in the community, accusing Oba Oyewale of witch-hunting Egbedun, who hails from the town.
Oba Oyewale, however, refused to react to text messages sent to him for reaction and his line could not be reached as our correspondent made efforts to reach him for reaction to the allegations against him.
Speaking further on the measures to resolve the disagreement, Oba Oyebode “We had a meeting in my palace here yesterday (Thursday) and after the meeting, some royal fathers that attended mentioned the rift between Alasi of Asi, Oba Oyewale and the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Adewale Egbedun.
“The royal fathers that were with me here for the meeting include, Oloyan of Oyan, Atapara of Iyeku and Alagbeye of Agbeye. All the monarchs present disclosed what they heard regarding Alasi.
“But concerning the Speaker, they could not find any fault with him. We all resolved that by 4pm today, Friday, we should invite Alasi to explain what transpired between him and Egbedun. The meeting directed me and Oloyan to carry out the investigation. I am expecting Alasi and Oloyan by 4pm today.
“Egbedun as a representative of Odo Local Government in government has the support of all of us. He is serving his people and us traditional rulers. He has facilitated projects in communities across our council area. He organised empowerment for the people as well. But I am not privy to what happened between him and the Alasi of Asi. The matter is not a serious issue but we will meet Alasi and discuss with him today.”
He however assured that the disagreement would be resolved, and sought the cooperation of all the parties involved.
Commenting in a similar vein, the Oloyan of Oyan, Oba Adekeye said that immediately his attention was drawn to the rift, he spoke separately to Egbedun and Alasi.
Oba Adekeye said after his intervention, Egbedun assured him of total cooperation, noting that the disagreement would be resolved.
President John Mahama of Ghana has assured Nigeria of the safety of its nationals residing in Ghana, stating that there is no place for xenophobia in the country.
Mahama also reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to the Economic Community of West African States protocols, especially those concerning the free movement of persons and goods within the region.
A statement on Friday by the Special Assistant on Communication and New Media to the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Magnus Eze, said the Ghanaian president gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving President Bola Tinubu’s special envoy, led by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, at the Presidential Palace in Accra.
“Tell President Tinubu not to lose sleep over the recent protests. Nigeria and Ghana are brothers with a shared history, and we won’t allow anything to come between us,” the statement titled, “Mahama to Tinubu: No room for xenophobia in Ghana,” quoted Mahama as saying.
He attributed the tension to the recirculation of a video recorded over a decade ago by a Nigerian residing in Ghana, saying the incident was promptly managed.
The Ghanaian president promised to protect the lives, properties, and businesses of Nigerians in Ghana.
“The recirculation of an old video made by a Nigerian residing in Ghana over 10 years ago actually generated tension, but gladly, the situation was swiftly managed.
“The protesters were not more than 50. I assure the envoy of the safety and protection of the lives, properties and businesses of Nigeria and Nigerians in Ghana, ” he stated.
Earlier, Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the visit was to douse tension following the circulation of the video that triggered concerns back in Nigeria.
“Every Nigerian back home is apprehensive about the safety of Nigerian nationals in Ghana. We are here to reaffirm the safety of our citizens and to seek ways to strengthen bilateral ties,” she said.
The minister also disclosed plans to facilitate the establishment of a permanent Nigeria-Ghana Joint Commission, which she said would help address youth migration driven by high unemployment rates.
She added that she would be meeting with the Nigerian community in Ghana to encourage them to obey local laws and conduct themselves as good ambassadors of their country.
Former Deputy Governor of Ekiti State and ex-Senate Minority Leader, Senator Biodun Olujimi, has said that the political strategy and rhetoric used by Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, during the 2023 general election will not be effective in 2027.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Olujimi dismissed the possibility of Obi mounting a serious challenge to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“The rhetoric of the last election will not work again, except he comes with another gimmick. And you see, this (Tinubu) is a politician, a man who knows the terrain well,” she said.
Olujimi also took a swipe at former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, accusing him of destroying the Peoples Democratic Party in the state through what she described as autocratic leadership.
“Ayo Fayose killed the PDP in Ekiti. He alienated those who built the party, imposed candidates against popular will, and created factions that led to our repeated failures at the polls,” she said.
She noted that Fayose’s style of leadership alienated key stakeholders and sparked internal crises that weakened the party’s structure and performance in elections.
According to her, efforts by party loyalists to reconcile and rebuild the PDP in Ekiti were repeatedly undermined by Fayose’s “high-handedness and divisive politics,” making unity within the party nearly impossible.
“The PDP had a real opportunity to remain strong in Ekiti, but the selfish ambitions of one individual destroyed that chance,” she lamented.
Olujimi, who recently stepped aside from the party, added that the PDP’s failure to conduct transparent internal processes further contributed to the defection of loyal members and the erosion of public confidence in the party.
The Federal Government has begun reconstruction of the collapsed Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, while accelerating major roadworks across the country.
Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, disclosed this after Thursday’s Federal Executive Council meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu.
Umahi described the July 4 collapse as “very unfortunate” and confirmed a settlement with the families of the three persons who lost their lives.
“We lost three lives there. We have settled with the families. They are not pressing charges. Reconstruction has commenced,” the minister stated.
He said one carriageway has been closed for urgent repairs, following structural assessments to prevent further hazards.
The Keffi Flyover is a critical link between Abuja, Nasarawa and other parts of Nigeria’s north-central region.
Umahi added that the FEC has approved funding and reviews for several key road and bridge projects nationwide.
He noted that 360 road rehabilitation projects were completed in 2023, and inspections are ongoing across all zones.
To enhance transparency, state engineering chambers will now help monitor federal road projects in their respective domains.
The minister listed several strategic projects, many exceeding ₦10 billion, that have either begun or received significant funding.
They include: Abuja Road Lot 1: 118 km at ₦275bn (30 per cent disbursed and completed); and Lot 2: 164 km at ₦502bn (₦150bn released for six sections).
Other priority projects are: Enugu–Onitsha Road: 72 km at ₦150bn (₦45bn released); Abuja–Kano Road: ₦220bn (30 per cent disbursed); and Bauchi–Jigawa Sections: Fully funded.
Also included is the Nembe–Brass Road: ₦156bn, with 30 per cent of funds already released.
The near-complete Port Harcourt–Bodo–Bonny Road spans 35 km and costs ₦200bn.
Further projects: Benin–Ifon–Akure Road: 108.4 km (30 per cent disbursed); Akure–Ado-Ekiti Road: 256 km at ₦761bn (30 per cent released).
Newly approved and revised projects include: Biu–Numa Road (Borno/Adamawa): Revised to ₦61.76bn from ₦15.4bn.
Maraba–Keffi Road (Nasarawa): Dualisation of 43.6 km at ₦76bn. Ikorodu–Sagamu Road (Lagos): ₦11.42bn variation approved for completion.
Also, Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus Road (Yobe): ₦23.4bn for binder courses and a new vehicle bridge.
Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway: Kebbi Section: 258 km x2 at ₦1.92tn; Sokoto Section: 120 km x2 at ₦912bn.
Further approvals include: Afe Babalola University Access Road (Ekiti): 14.4 km revised to ₦9.32bn due to funding gaps.
Trans-Saharan Highway (Oyo–Benue border): Extended from 180 km to 231.64 km. Revised cost: ₦445.8bn due to soil failures and realignment.
Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (Sections 4A and 4B in Ogun and Ondo): 80.35 km x2 at ₦1.65tn, including 6-metre swamp excavation.
Umahi pledged to publish a comprehensive list of all ongoing and approved projects in the coming weeks.
Amnesty International says that one year after the Nigerian police used lethal force and carried out mass arbitrary arrests of peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters, the authorities have failed to ensure justice for victims and survivors.
The organisation made this disclosure in a statement posted on its website and social media handles on Friday.
It could be recalled that the #EndBadGovernance protests began on August 1, 2024, and lasted for 10 days, ending on August 10, 2024.
The protests were sparked by widespread discontent among Nigerians over various economic and governance issues, driven by economic hardship, fueled by skyrocketing inflation and high food prices, as well as the hike in the price of fuel in the country.
The protests, which saw widespread participation across major cities, turned violent in some areas due to clashes with security forces, resulting in fatalities and arrests.
According to the Amnesty International’s investigation, the Nigerian police killed at least 24 people between August 1-10, 2024, in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger, and Kaduna states.
Several protesters were also said to have been convicted, allegedly based on bogus charges, while trials continue in Abuja, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kaduna states.
“The Nigerian authorities are yet to take appropriate and effective measures to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” said the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, in the statement.
The statement added, “Amnesty International found that the police fired live ammunition at close range, often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill.
“Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, while others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas.”
It also said “some protesters were tortured and punished with starvation while in detention, leading to the collapse of minors facing trial before the Federal High Court Abuja on November 1, 2024.
“The Nigerian authorities pressed on with all charges brought against #EndBadGovernance protesters despite overwhelming evidence that they did not break any law.”
Accordingly, the statement quoted that, “In Maiduguri, Borno State, several #EndBadGovernance protesters were convicted and sentenced to community service, caning, or imprisonment after a sham trial on bogus charges. The charges included forming a group named ‘Zanga Zanga’ Group and agreeing to take up arms against the government.”
In Abuja, Amnesty stated that several #EndBadGovernance protesters continue to face sham trials in a Federal High Court.
The charges against them include levying war against the state, inciting to mutiny, and destabilising Nigeria.
The organisation condemned what it described as “the Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests, seeing it as a clear demonstration of the government’s utter disregard for human rights.”
Therefore, the organisation called for accountability and justice for the victims and survivors of the protests, adding that “the Nigerian government has failed to hold the police accountable for the horrific attacks on #EndBadGovernance protesters. Failing to hold the police accountable will only encourage the security forces to continue using firearms as a tactical tool for managing demonstrations.”
The organisation also emphasised that “the #EndBadGovernance protests were a call for better governance and accountability in Nigeria. The government’s response to the protests has been widely criticised, with many calling for an end to police brutality and impunity.”
“One year after the protests, the victims and survivors are still waiting for justice. The Nigerian government must take immediate action to address the human rights abuses and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” the statement revealed.
It further stated, “The international community must also take a stand and call on the Nigerian government to respect and protect human rights. The use of lethal force and arbitrary arrests is unacceptable and must be condemned,” adding that “the Nigerian government must prioritise the safety and well-being of its citizens and ensure that the security forces are held accountable for their actions.
“The #EndBadGovernance protests may be over, but the fight for justice and accountability continues. The Nigerian government must be held accountable for its actions, and those responsible for human rights abuses must be brought to justice.”
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, on Monday welcomed a delegation of the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions on a post-election follow-up and needs assessment mission to Nigeria, two years after the 2023 polls.
Speaking at the INEC headquarters in Abuja, Yakubu commended the regional body for its sustained partnership in strengthening electoral processes across West Africa.
“It is my pleasure to welcome our guests from the ECOWAS Network of Electoral Commissions who are here to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations made by the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission to the last General Election in Nigeria held two years ago in February and March 2023,” Yakubu said.
He expressed appreciation for the presence of the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, Mrs. Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, who led the mission, and the Deputy Chair of the Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Bossman Asare.
The INEC boss also acknowledged the Acting Permanent Secretary of ECONEC, Serigne Mamadou Ka, alongside other international experts.
Yakubu noted that ECOWAS had made 37 recommendations following the 2023 elections, 13 of which were specifically directed at INEC.
The remaining 24 were addressed to institutions such as the National Assembly, Nigeria Police Force, National Broadcasting Commission, NITDA, civil society organisations, Nigeria Union of Journalists and political parties.
“Of the 13 observations specifically addressed to INEC, the Commission has considered all the recommendations that require administrative action to implement while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on aspects of the recommendations that require legislative intervention,” he explained.
He assured the visiting delegation that INEC had prepared a detailed response to all the recommendations and made them accessible both online and in hard copies provided to the mission.
Yakubu also appreciated the support of development partners.
“We welcome to Nigeria Lenny Taabu and Mathias Hounkpe supported by EISA, Emmanuel Kissi supported by IDEA and Michael Agada from the German international cooperation agency, GIZ.
“We look forward to a robust interaction at this meeting in the best interest of our elections and electoral process,” he said.
Responding, the Head of Mission and Chairperson of the National Elections Commission of Liberia, Mrs. Davidetta Browne-Lansanah, described the visit as a learning exercise not only for Nigeria but also for other electoral bodies in the region.
“This joint post-2023 election follow-up and needs assessment mission to Nigeria is a peer-to-peer review of our presence here during the 2023 elections, but more importantly, the recommendations that we offered, which were outlined in a report of our visit here,” she stated
She explained that the team aimed to assess how INEC implemented the recommendations and to understand how challenges from the 2023 elections were addressed.
“We see this mission as a lesson learned, not just for INEC Nigeria, but also for our own institutions, our own election management bodies, because as we know, problems or challenges that are faced by any election management body are often faced by election management bodies throughout our region,” she added.
Browne-Lansanah further praised INEC’s support to Liberia’s electoral system.
“More importantly, INEC has supported through material sharing with the National Elections Commission in Liberia. Because of your intervention, we now have an ICT room, basically supported by your efforts.
“And through ECONEC and its principles and ideals, Nigeria actually responded to our needs. So I want to ask you to give a round of applause for Professor Mahmood and the Commissioners and the team of INEC Nigeria,” she said.
She concluded by stressing the need for regional cooperation.
“We want to learn what happened, so that we use your expertise in dealing with the problems and challenges to better situate our individual election management bodies and processes. Thank you to all of you, and we wish to have better, sustainable election management bodies throughout West Africa and the world,” she added.
Residents of Ibadan in the Oyo State capital have protested against the elongation of marked portions of land for the construction of the Ibadan Circular Road.
The protest, which erupted on Monday, took the protesters to the entrance of the Oyo State Government Secretariat.
PUNCH Online gathered that between 2003 and 2007, the Oyo State government, then under the leadership of Senator Rasidi Ladoja, marked some portions of land for the construction of a Circular Road in Ibadan.
However, the project was not executed by the late Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, who took over from Ladoja.
According to findings, the project was eventually executed by the immediate past governor, the late Abiola Ajimobi who started the construction of the road while in office between 2011 and 2019.
The residents, during Monday’s peaceful protest, pleaded with the Makinde-led administration in the state not to extend the Circular Road beyond the already marked areas.
The protesters, who were mostly from the Akinyele Local Government Area, noted that many people had already been affected in the existing arrangement, with an appeal that the Circular Road should not be extended beyond 150 metres.
They paraded placards with varying inscriptions such as “150 meters is enough”, “150 metres is enough for Circular Road”, and “Our people are dying on a daily basis.”
One of the protesters, identified as Ismail Abimbola, spoke on behalf of the protesters.
He said, “Residents of many communities in the local government area are already panicking over the planned extension.
“We are here to appeal to the government to consider us on the issue of the corridor they want to embark upon.
“I am from Akinyele Local Government Area. Many villages and communities are involved.
“The communities include Solalu, Alagbede, Olukitibi, Akinwande, Akinlawon, Omilabu, Aba Odo, Aba Ido, Ido Omo, Ori Oke, Oke Ola, Olowoogbo, Olohungba, Ade Owu, Asaaju and many villages.
“There are still many other communities that this corridor is involved.
“Our prayer is that the government should consider us. They should not go beyond the already marked areas because many people are already dead, though physically alive, because of the previous 150 metres already marked. It is too much.
The 2023 deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, John Ayuba, has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress.
Ayuba confirmed his defection on Monday in a telephone interview with PUNCH Online, and in a formal resignation letter addressed to the PDP Ward Chairman of Ungwan Gaiya Ward in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of the state.
He cited mismanagement and lack of direction at the national level as reasons for his decision to leave the party.
“It is with a heavy heart that I write to convey my difficult decision to resign my membership of our erstwhile great party,” the letter read in part.
The former deputy governorship candidate accused some national stakeholders of mismanaging the party’s future and engaging in anti-party activities.
“I have, over the last three years, watched with great concern the mismanagement of the future of our party at the national level by those who, I fear to say, do not mean well for its future.
“These events culminated in brazen acts of anti-party activities against our presidential candidate in the 2023 general election by highly placed party members,” he added.
Ayuba lamented that months after the general elections, the party had yet to take decisive action on the issues, leaving loyal members demoralised.
He noted that his defection followed extensive consultations with his political associates and supporters, stressing that remaining in the PDP was no longer an option.
While expressing gratitude to the PDP for the platform and opportunity it provided him, especially the 2023 deputy governorship nomination, Ayuba said it was time to move on.
His defection adds to the growing wave of high-profile exits from the PDP in Kaduna and across the country amid post-election discontent and internal wrangling.
The National Working Committee, Social Democratic Party, has expelled former Kaduna Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, from the party.
SDP declared El-Rufai as ineligible to associate with the party in any capacity for the next 30 years.
The leadership of the party accused him of falsely parading himself as a party member, manipulating internal processes, and attempting to destabilise the party through unconstitutional actions and deceptive political maneuvers.
This was made known in a statement signed and made available to our correspondent by the National Publicity Secretary, Araba Aiyenigba, in Abuja on Monday.
According to him, the party’s NWC reached the decision following thorough investigations into El-Rufai’s controversial claims of membership and what they described as “alleged backdoor political activities” which has fueled internal divisions and threatened the party’s unity and ideological integrity.
The statement read, ” El-Rufai never registered with the SDP at his ward level as required by the party’s constitution, yet falsely declared on social media that he had joined the party. He further forged documents claiming membership and took photo opportunities with suspended party leaders to reinforce this falsehood.
“In line with the Constitution of the SDP, the ideology, manifesto, principles and practices thereof, and in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership, the National Working Committee deliberated on the controversial membership status of Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai from Kaduna State who has in recent months been parading himself as a member of the SDP despite the assertion of the Kaduna State Executives that he has not joined the SDP but has instead been promoting the activities of other political party in the State.
“At the initial stage, this individual Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai was given the benefit of the doubt given his status as an elderly person, a former Minister and State Governor who should know the implications of false representation and impersonation, especially given the fact that he published on his social media handles that he had joined the SDP which led to congratulatory messages from prominent leaders of our party and a letter of support at his request by the National Publicity Secretary.
“However upon thorough inquiry, it turned out that the Kaduna State SDP was right and this individual had not joined the SDP. The following facts emerged: Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai failed to register at his Ward as required by the law despite falsely publishing on social media that he had joined the SDP.
“El-Rufai devoted so much time to putting up false representation of membership by seeking photo opportunities with the suspended National Chairman Shehu Musa Gabam and some leaders of the SDP who assumed that he had joined the SDP in Kaduna State; El-Rufai was confronted by serious eligibility problems given an unpleasant history of intolerance and persecution of the SDP as an opposition party during his time as the Governor of Kaduna State under the APC.”
SDP also accused the former Kaduna governor of aligning with another political party, African Democratic Congress (ADC), while trying to draw the SDP into an unapproved political coalition.
SDP said, “Having confirmed that he publicly declared for the ADC and continued to act in a manner contrary to the principles and practices of the SDP, the party has no option but to disassociate and excommunicate him.
“Consequently, El-Rufai has been banished and banned from applying to the membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years, effective immediately”.
The SDP called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant institutions to take note of El-Rufai’s non-member status, warning that he is not authorized to act or speak on behalf of the party.
Reaffirming its commitment to internal democracy, national patriotism, and principled opposition, the party urged all Nigerians aspiring to join its ranks to do so through lawful and transparent means.
“Apparently to run away from his past, El-Rufai proposed an elaborate welcome ceremony at the SDP National Secretariat in Abuja but was politely counseled that such a jamboree was not tenable and he should go home to register at his Ward in Kaduna State after passing simple eligibility interview and on boarding process.
“Rather than register lawfully with the Ward Executives, this individual simply forged his own documents and self-registered and arrogated to himself “number 001 in the SDP membership register of Unguwar Sarki Ward, Kaduna North Local Government Area”, as if the Ward had no single member prior to his purported joining. This is contrary to all existing and updated records of the SDP in Kaduna State.”
Recall that El-Rufai recently announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressines Congress and defected to the Social Democratic Party.
He cited a growing misalignment between his personal values and the current direction of the APC as the primary reason for his decision.
