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VOL 21 NO 62
“ALL IS FAIR IN POLITICS”
ADC Condemns Freezing Of Osun Govt’s Account ●As Tinubu Directs EFCC To Vacate Court Order
Michael Bamigbola
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HE African Democra c Congress (ADC) has condemned the freezing of statutory alloca ons and bank accounts of the Osun State government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commis-
sion (EFCC), describing it as “poli cal terrorism” and a direct assault on democracy. This is even as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the EFCC to vacate the court order freezing the account. The ADC Na onal Pub-
licity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement on Wednesday, accused the Federal Government of using state ins tu ons to in midate the Osun State government and allegedly influence the outcome of the August 15 governorship elec on.
The ADC linked the development to what it called President Bola Tinubu’s “win-at-all-cost” approach to poli cs, warning that such tac cs could threaten Nigeria’s democracy and na onal stability. The party said the withholding of funds was part
Reminiscences Of Government Unusual
of a broader strategy to weaken the state government and frustrate its opera ons ahead of the poll. According to the ADC, restric ng the funds could disrupt payment of workers’ salaries and the operaon of primary healthcare centres, schools, rural infrastructure and other essen al services. He said “the freezing of the statutory alloca ons due to the local govern-
ments of Osun State is not an administra ve decision or a legal dispute. It is poli cal terrorism by the Bola Tinubu-led APC government carried out with the instruments of the Nigerian state in order to undermine the state government ahead of the coming governorship elec on.” The ADC alleged that the ac on was only one part of a systema c cam•Continued on Page 2
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News
Igboho Lauds Ooni For Boosting Iru Ekun With N100m, Hilux Van Plans Summit For Yoruba Obas Michael Bamigbola
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HE Yoruba na on acvist, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho has commended the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi for suppor ng Iru Ekun Security Network with N100 million and a brand new Toyota Hilux van. He said the gesture aptly underscored the commitment and concern of the monarch for a secured South West and local security ini a ve as an an dote to end criminalies and other threats to peace and tranquility in Yorubaland. In a press statement by his media office, Igboho, who launched Iru Ekun Security Network in Osogbo, Osun State capital, on Tuesday, noted that the role of tradi onal ins tuon as cri cal stakeholder is key to ensuring safety of communi es in the South West. The statement reads, “This immense support from the foremost tradional ruler in Yorubaland will spur us to further forge ahead in our resolve to ensure a safer environment for inhabitants of urban and rural communi es. “Though our task of ensuring effec ve security in collabora on with the Police, the military, Department of State Service (DSS) and other paramilitary agencies is daun ng, this noble and encouraging support from the Ooni of Ife would go a long way in making our opera ons seamless and impac ul. “The era of our farmers abandoning farms due to mindless killings perpetrated by hoodlums, abducon and sexual assault of their wives and daughters are over. We are going to sustain the current tempo of zero tolerance for crimi-
nali es within the ambit of the law. “Apart from the generous dona on from the Ooni, we have received mo va on from the elite, reverred judges and technocrats and other eminent Nigerians, who shared our ideology and philosophy of an egalitarian society where everyone can pursue his dreams without fear and hinderance.” “We are also planning to organise a summit for all tradi onal rulers in the South West to be hosted in Ile-Ife by the Ooni where issues rela ng to security, unity, and other crucial ma ers capable of protec ng and promo ng the collec ve interest of Yorubaland will discussed, “ the statement added. Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi has described Igboho as an illustrious and courageous son of Oduduwa, who deserves the support of Nigerians in his quest for peace, safety and development of the South West and the country as a whole. Speaking while hos ng Igboho at his palace in IleIfe, the first class monarch said : “I commend Chief Sunday Igboho for taking a bold step towards strengthening community security. Protec ng our people is a collec ve responsibility that transcends poli cal, religious and ideological differences. “Every ini a ve genuinely designed to preserve lives and maintain peace deserves encouragement and support,” the Ooni stated. I want to urge prominent Yoruba sons and daughters, tradi onal rulers, tradi onalists, community leaders, business execu ves, professionals and all stakeholders across the globe to rally behind the Iru Ekun, “Oba Ogunwusi remarked.
•Members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), during the Youths House to House campaign in Ejigbo on Wednesday
Osun IPAC Gets New Executives Michael Bamigbola
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HE Inter Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Osun State on Monday inaugurated a new execu ve led by Dr Tosin Odeyemi of the Democra c Leadership Alliance (DLA) saying the move became necessary to fill a leadership vacuum ahead of the August 15 governorship elec on. Fi een out of the 22 registered poli cal par es in the state affirmed Odeyemi and eight others as the new execu ve during the event held in Osogbo. Par es present include: Ac on Alliance, Na onal Rescue Movement, Allied Peoples Movement, Ac on Democra c Party, Nigeria Democra c Congress, All Progressives Grand Alliance, Social Democra c Party, Na onal Democra c Party, Democra c Leadership Alliance, African Ac on Congress, African Democra c Congress, All Progressives Congress, Labour Party, Zenith Labour Party, and New Nigeria Peoples Party. Addressing journalists a er the inaugura on, Odeyemi said IPAC was established in 2006 by INEC to promote free, fair, credible
Jola Faseru Renovates Ijebu-Jesa General Hospital, Commits N1 Million Monthly To Healthcare Services Shola Aderinto N a significant demonstra on of commitment to grassroots development and accessible healthcare, Hon. Jola Faseru, the NDC House of Representaves candidate for Ijesa North federal cons tuency of Osun State has renovated the Ijebu-Jesa General Hospital in Osun State, providing renewed support for healthcare delivery in the community. The hospital, which had reportedly been in a state of disrepair, has undergone renova on and received addi onal support aimed at improving the facility and enabling residents to access essen al healthcare serv-
I
ices closer to home. In addi on to the renova on, Hon. Faseru has reportedly commi ed ₦1 million monthly for the past seven months towards the running and maintenance of the facility. The financial support has helped sustain the provision of free primary healthcare services to residents of the community. The ini a ve reflects Hon. Faseru’s broader commitment to grassroots development and his belief that quality healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of their social or economic circumstances. Speaking on the ini ave, Hon. Faseru empha-
sized the importance of placing the welfare of the people at the centre of leadership and development. “Leadership is not just about making promises. It is about iden fying the needs of our people, taking ac on, and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Healthcare is a basic necessity, and our people deserve access to quality and affordable medical services.” The renova on and connued financial support for the hospital form part of Hon. Faseru’s peoplecentred approach to community development, with a focus on healthcare, empowerment and other inia ves aimed at improving the quality of life of residents.
and peaceful elec ons, and to foster democra c coopera on among par es. He explained that following the expira on of the last execu ve headed by Pastor Victor Akande, two members indicated interest to contest for chairman. Akande sought re-elec on, while Odeyemi also stepped forward. According to him, the elec on scheduled for
March 14, 2026 was stalled due to the absence of commi ee members mandated to conduct it. He said the Na onal Organising Secretary of IPAC, Chinyere O. Kalu, later informed stakeholders of a postponement, but no new date has been communicated since then. “This vacuum is causing concern among stakeholders, par cularly with the gubernatorial elec on ap-
proaching. The absence of a func oning IPAC raises a cri cal ques on: who will serve as the official mouthpiece for poli cal par es in the engagements and consulta ons preceding the elec on?” Odeyemi asked. He said a er due consulta on, the 16 par es decided not to allow the council to be “hijacked by those desperate to put us in the coven of a poli cal party.”
ADC Condemns Freezing Of Osun Govt’s... •Continued from Page 1 paign against the Osun government. It also accused unelected APC loyalists of con nuing to occupy local government councils in the state, describing it as contrary to democra c principles and the rule of law. The party further alleged that opposi on policians, including members of the Accord Party, had been subjected to arbitrary arrests for poli cal reasons. The ADC also accused security agencies of failing to address acts of violence by poli cal thugs and claimed that some armed groups allegedly linked to the APC had in midated opponents, with protecon allegedly provided by elements within the Nigeria Police. Also, the ADC argued that the developments point to a deliberate attempt by federal authories to undermine cons tuonal governance in Osun State. “Poli cal opponents are not enemy combatants. Opposi on-controlled states are not occupied territories. Public ins tu ons do not belong to whichever party temporarily controls the federal government,” the party stated. But in what appears as a swi reac on of the federal government, President Tinubu on Thursday directed that the court order should be vacated In a statement person-
ally signed by the President, he expressed embarrassment at the ac on of the EFCC. The statement reads “It has come to my no ce that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. “I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the ming of the agency’s ac on. This is so because every ac on taken by an ins tuon of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the ac on. “Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that an -corrupon and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibili es independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or poli cal interference. “I have therefore deliberately refrained from direc ng or interfering in the opera onal ac vi es of the EFCC or any other inves ga ve or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democra c ins tu ons, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democra c good governance and the rule of law. “As President, I am
commi ed to allowing ins tu ons of State to funcon and take any ac on they consider necessary in the interest of proper governance without the need for any prior approval. “ Indeed, that is why ins tu ons are set up by law with clearly defined powers. While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the ac on of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the ming of the acon of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene. “Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial elec on. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the elec on. “Based on the foregoing premise, I am dutybound to issue a direc ve on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democra c process. “Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discon nue whatever ac on it has ins tuted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” Tinubu concluded.
PEOPLE FIRST
FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2026
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N the streets Those opposed to and in commudemocracy must be ni es across checkmated. Civil sociOsun State the grim ety must encourage a resigna on to fate is high turnout . The danpronounced. What is ger must not be overnow appearing to be looked, for if works in a ruthless decision to Osun next it will send ensure that the wishout an unambiguous es of the people do signal indica ng what not count in the forthis to come. Analysing What’s On The Front Burner coming governorship In a country without elec on that is just a Independent Ins tuweek away. ons this will cons Animated discustute a clear threat to sions in that reliathe sustainablity of deble sounding board mocracy. known as the assoThere will be an ecocia on of free newsnomic cost in an econopapers at the stall my already hobbled by of Vendors confirms low consumer demand this, Huddled togethdue to the erosion er many are coming of purchasing power. to the conclusion that Across sectors people the risk factor which are already closing earcomes with the bely . ing a tude towards Throughout the comthuggery might make ing week prudence will exercising their dembe the opera ng frameocra c right a dicey work which will further proposi on. A long depress already very standing member said ght rates of returns. he has already been Economic dislocascared away from voton to the small busiing. This was in Osness sector is also detogho on Monday rimental to the vital Same me in Ile Ife •The free readers association’ mirror the trend and the feeling need to upscale small customers in a Bar- of discontent businesses to the next ber’s shop were of the Hitler came into costs of holding elec- level in Africa as The same opinion. They Economist of London power with disastrous ons is too high. are weighing the pros has pointed out. Withconsequences. This is Mandatory vo ng as and cons as well as the why today Germany in Australia, Argen na out upscaling we will cost of vo ng. not be able to increase Across the State the has minimum voter , Brazil and The Sey- employment crea on, turn out threshold of chelles is the ul mate mood is the same. The revenue genera on strategy deployed by 35 percent otherwise an dote. The opposi- thereby accelera ng an elec on is void. on to this in Nigeria the an democra c the quest for sustainforces to ensure low There are varia ons on will be ferocious com- able development. other countries. This ing from those averse voter par cipa on is This is confirmed is imprac cal in Niger- to any form of mass working . through discussions ia, where the fi nancial par cipa on. It was an old trick. with trade associations. OSUN DEFENDER “Throughout the coming week pru- Publisher The task now – Moremi Publishing House Ltd. is how to end dence will be the operating framework Deputy Editor – Michael Bamigbola economic diswhich will further depress already Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto rup ons beDeputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere cause of elecvery tight rates of returns. Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa ons. This is Economic dislocation to the small not prevalent OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing countries business sector is also detrimental to House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, in like Ghana. Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. the vital need to upscale small busi- ISSN Nigeria ought : 0794-8050 to be showTelephone : 0809-301-9152 nesses to the next level in Africa Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php ing the way. It is a crying as The Economist of London has e-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com shame that it pointed out” All correspondence to the above email addresses. is not!
Fear Loathing As Voter Suppression
FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2026
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Reminiscences Of Government Unusual
From November 2010 to November 2018 when Ogbeni Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola held sway as Governor of Osun State, various laudable projects were executed accross all sectors. The projects spread accross all the 30 Local Government Areas of the State and Ife East Area Office. Below are some of the projects initiated and executed during Ogbeni Aregbesola’s eight years tenure.
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Reminiscences Of Government Unusual
PEOPLE FIRST
FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2026
Reminiscences Of Government Unusual
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ISSN : 0794 - 8050
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FRIDAY, AUGUST 07, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 62 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
“
IYAN Ogun Odun, a maa j’oni lowo…” A Yoruba adage, translated in English as: a twenty (20) year old pounded yam can be hot for a touch of the finger…” is a lash meant to whip an erring man into line. Literarily analysed, the adage validates the universal law of Karma, otherwise referred to as the law of retribu on; “what you sow you reap.” The growth of Na ons in different parts of the World did reveal full or par al applica on of this universal law at epical moments in history. Upheavals such as the 1789 French Revolu on, the 1945 Nuremberg trials of Nazi – Germany dictators, the 1944 post Italian era of Benito Mussolini and the end of key players in the pre and post 1980 military insurgencies in Liberia, all bore elements of karma as major determinants. In all of these trajectories, Karma pronounced a stretched-impac ul verdicts on actors and par cipants of the events that shaped or re-shaped the des nies of such Na ons. Nigerians who believe in the potency of Karma are unhesitant in referring to trending trials and convic ons of highly placed poli cal and public office holders for their indiscre ons in and out of office. Some of them have had their proper es forfeited. But this is Nigeria where the unGodly o en gets away with corrup on no ma er the odium it emits. Mind boggling criminal acts of disappearance, misappropria on, embezzlement, diversion and outright stealing of public funds without sanc ons, have become bigger op cs for the ci zens already brow-beaten into subterfuge, to entertain any hope that Karma can be enforced. The systemic rot in the poli cal class, the bureaucracy, security agencies and the Intelligentsia has graduated from corrup on to impunity, leaving doors wideopened for more entrants bearing the badge of impunity. It is neither the absence of an -gra laws nor enforcers that erodes peoples’ hope in Karma but the submerge of moral responsibility and authority by a Ruling Caste that has held Nigeria to ransom. A flip into the recent scandal which drew some top notches in the Presidency and the Federal Civil Service locked in a con-fight, is a vivid reference to how privileged Nigerians habitually dip their fingers in the cookie-jar. With dirty games as this in recurring decimal at high levels of government, where is Karma? If Karma exists, why is corrup on and impunity the order of the day in the Country? If Nigerians are not challenged by dearth of an -gra laws and agencies to
“What was previously thought was beyond the long arm of the law seems to be receding to the grip of the law. The tingods of yesteryears: Shehu Malami, Godwin Emefiele, Ahmad El-Rufai, Beta-Edu, Yahaya Bello, Ahmed Idris, Emmanuel Andoaka among others are having dates with the law”
Igboho Lauds Ooni For Boosting Iru Ekun With N100m, Hilux Van Plans Summit For Yoruba Obas
PERSPECTIVE
BY OLUSOLA AJIBOYE A Twenty (20) Year Old Pounded Yam enforce the laws, why is the judiciary so emasculated to allow extraneous interferences erode its authority? Why has the bench tolerated judges whose conducts are sugges ve of compromise, inducements and subtle in mida on? Were the Law of Karma applied, how many of these controversial Judges can escape Jus ce?If Karma is invincible, why are innocent Nigerians constantly the bu of the oppressors’ Jack-boots and Whips while the law looks the other way? As I write this piece, the story of a Seventy Eight (78) year old sugarcane hawker in Borno State, North-East Nigeria drew tears from my eyes. His, is a tale of the Orwellian Jungle where might is not only right, but a way of life.. He was arrested by a police officer for an offence commi ed out of human er-
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ror, dumped in a police cell, clamped in remand and tossed from prison to prison without trial for forty seven (47) years. He was thirteen (13) years old at the me he was arrested not for the , burglary or armed robbery but for accidentally breaking off the rear light of a car! The sugarcane hawker whose cart knocked off the rear light of a police officer’s car, had his youth and adult life sha ered courtesy of a law enforcer who is currently an Emir in one of the Northern States of Nigeria. The sugarcane hawker was released from prison by divine interven on and grace of his State Governor at age Sixty (60) and taken to the Emir who had severed him from his parents and family in a period that lasted four (4) decades and seven (7). The old man is alive to tell his story but
the Emir literarily took his life. Pessimists will doubt if Karma is alive on reading this saddening story. They will ask why the law courts are incubators of injus ce? Why the Nigeria Police Force con nues to be a recruitment centre for morally deprived characters? And why the Emir is s ll si ng on a corrupted throne a er having commi ed a crime equivalent of crime against humanity. My faith in Karma, like those of millions of Nigerians may have been thoroughly shaken by the way the country is being misgoverned, but I s ll believe the law of retribu on is not dead. The arrest, detenon and trial of some untouchables is a relieve of some sort that Karma is alive. What was previously thought was beyond the long arm of the law seems to be receding to the grip of the law. The ngods of yesteryears: Shehu Malami, Godwin Emefiele, Ahmad El-Rufai, Beta-Edu, Yahaya Bello, Ahmed Idris, Emmanuel Andoaka among others are having dates with the law. Is Karma not working? I say, YES. Even for the Emir who now sits in judgement over his subjects, a twenty (20) year old pounded yam, (Iyan Ogun Odun) is a whip that will lash his conscience for the rest of his life. The dragnet should spread to catch more bad-fishes outside the net. There are many s ll walking free with their loots and living with their criminal pasts. But arraignment, prosecu on and convic on of some, is a reminder that all is not lost for Nigeria. •Olusola Ajiboye is a Veteran Journalist and Media Consultant based in Osogbo, South West, Nigeria.
Art/Culture Osun–Osogbo Sacred Grove, Nigeria’s Living Pharmacy By Babawale Israel Olusesan & Olajide Adeola Kikelomo
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RADITIONAL African medicine remains one of the oldest and most effec ve indigenous healthcare systems in the world. For centuries, African communi es have relied on the medicinal proper es of trees, herbs, leaves, roots, and bark to prevent and treat diseases. In an era when the world is increasingly searching for natural remedies and alterna ve healthcare, Nigeria possesses one of its greatest natural pharmacies in the Osun–Osogbo Sacred Grove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Osogbo, Osun State. Beyond its spiritual significance and rich cultural heritage, the Osun–Osogbo Sacred Grove serves as a reservoir of medicinal plants and indigenous knowledge that have sustained genera ons of tradi onal healers. The grove demonstrates the inseparable rela onship between biodiversity, culture, spirituality, and human health. One remarkable outcome of a biodiversity research conducted by the Na onal Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) revealed that approximately 450 different species of plants exist within the Sacred Grove. This remarkable diversity makes the grove one of Nigeria’s richest repositories of medicinal flora and underscores its importance not only as a cultural landscape but also as a centre for scienfic research, conserva on, and tradi onal medicine.
Many of these indigenous plants connue to provide effec ve remedies for various ailments. Oruwo (Morinda lucida) is one of the most respected medicinal trees among the Yoruba people. Its leaves and bark are tradi onally used for the treatment of malaria, typhoid fever, diabetes, jaundice, and general body weakness. Ogano is widely used in herbal prepara ons for stomach disorders, diges ve problems, and inflammatory condi ons. Iroko (Milicia excelsa), apart from being one of Africa’s most revered trees, provides medicinal bark used in trea ng skin infec ons, wounds, rheuma sm, and chronic pains. Arere (Triplochiton scleroxylon) contributes to herbal remedies for fever, body pain, and inflammatory illnesses while also playing a significant ecological role within the forest ecosystem. Opeko is highly valued in Yoruba tradi onal medicine as a natural fer lity enhancer and sperm booster. Herbal prac oners prepare its leaves and other parts to improve male reproduc ve health and vitality. Elu Kowe is recognised as a powerful immune booster. Tradi onal healers use it to strengthen the body’s natural defence system, improve resistance to infec ons, and promote overall wellness. Bobori is tradi onally prescribed for the treatment of jaundice and liver-related ailments. It remains one of the trusted herbal
remedies among many indigenous prac -
oners. Aata is commonly used in trea ng mouth odour (halitosis) and maintaining oral hygiene. Its medicinal proper es help eliminate offensive breath naturally. Idi is another valuable medicinal plant tradi onally used in the treatment of mouth odour and certain oral infec ons, making it an important component of indigenous oral healthcare. Other medicinal species found within the grove include Aika, Osunsun, Ishin, Awin, and Oriro, all of which con nue to play important roles in the treatment of various ailments and contribute to the rich ethnobotanical knowledge preserved within the Sacred Grove. The con nued existence of these medicinal plants is directly linked to the conserva on of the Osun–Osogbo Sacred Grove. Every tree protected today may provide tomorrow’s cure for diseases yet unknown. The destruc on of forests through illegal logging, bush burning, urban encroachment, and climate change threatens not only biodiversity but also centuries of indigenous medical knowledge. •Read full article on www.osundefender.com
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, MICHAEL BAMIGBOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com