•Supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Salaam at the ADC rally held in Ejigbo on Wednesday
FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2026
Online
THE sales of illicit drugs directly to youth through online vendors is on the increase in Osun State, according to the Osun State command of the Naonal Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NDLEA said drug abuse remains a challenge for Osun youths, with new threats from Net Promoter Score (NPS) and the online dealers.
This was contained in a release by the state Commander of the agency, Olayinka Joel-Fadile issued in commemora on of the 2026 Interna onal Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.
Sales Of Illicit Drugs On The Rise In Osun
•As NDLEA Seizes Over 13,000kg Drugs, convicts 49 Offenders In One Year
The theme of this year’s celebraon is: “World Drug
Problem: Persis ng Issues, New Challenges, Innova ve
Responses.” According to the commander, 13, 211kg of illicit drugs ranging from cannabis and cocaine were
INEC Confirms 80% Non-Sensitive Materials Received For Osun 2026 Gov Election
Shola Aderinto
OSUN State office of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission, (INEC) has confirmed receipt of 80 percent of the non-sensi ve materials required for the August 15, 2026 governorship elec on.
The INEC Resident Electoral Commissionernin the state, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, disclosed this on Wednesday during a media briefing held in Osogbo.
Mrs. Babalola said prepara ons were progressing steadily and in line with the commission’s metable.
She assured stakeholders and voters of INEC’s readiness to deliver a credible poll.
She said “in line with our prepara ons, we have received 80 percent of the non-sensi ve materials needed for the conduct of the elecon.”
The REC announced that a total of 3,763 Bimodal Voter Accreditaon System, BVAS, devices would be deployed across the state.
She said the devices are to guarantee seamless accredita on and protect the integrity of the electoral process.
On security, Mrs. Babalola said INEC will collaborate with all security agencies to ensure a peaceful and secure
elec on.
She noted that the commission has idenfied difficult terrains and poten al flashpoints in the state to improve opera onal planning, per-
sonnel deployment, and reconnaissance ahead of the poll. She further revealed that the distribu on of uncollected Permanent Voter Cards was carried out alongside the recently concluded Connuous Voter Registra-
on exercise.
According to her, Osun State had 1,954,800 registered voters prior to the CVR.
She added that updated registra on figures would be released a er the ongoing update is completed.
INEC restated its commitment to conduc ng a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship elec on in the state.
The Commission also urged all stakeholders to con nue suppor ng efforts aimed at a peaceful electoral process.
2026: Osun Traditional Rulers Hail ADC’s Good Conduct, Rally Support For Salaam
Yusuf Oketola
TRADITIONAL Rulers in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State, have thrown their weight behind the governorship candidate of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Dr. Najeem Salaam ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship elec on in the state.
The tradi onal rulers while hailing members of the ADC for their good conduct since the commencement of the campaign ac vi es began lauded the good character and disposi on of Salaam.
The tradi onal rulers and Chiefs gave the commenda ons during Salaam’s consulta on visit to Ejigbo and Ife-Odan towns on Tuesday. The Adimula of IfeOdan, Oba Adeyemi Emmanuel Morontade commended the ADC for picking Ejigbo son as their candidate.
Oba Morontade tasked other tradi onal rulers in the area to support and con nue to pray
for his victory.
“This is the first me we are having a governorship candidate from Ejigbo. This is unprecedented. This is our own project and we are ready to give him the necessary support. Reports from other places you have visited showed that your party members have been law abiding.
“I urge other tradional rulers in Ejigboland
to support our Salaam and ADC. This is our me to produce a governor in Osun State and I pray that we will all rejoice a er August 14,” the monarch said.
Dr. Salaam while addressing the people reiterated his commitment to transform Osun State through his 10-point manifesto agenda.
He stressed that his administra on is poised
to provide free quality educa on from primary to secondary school if elected Governor of the state.
“Our party (ADC) do not have me to fight or abuse anyone. We are too busy to a ack anyone. We have been going around to tell Osun people what we have for them. By the special grace of God, we will not disappoint you,” he stated.
seized in the state between June 2025 and June 2026.
He stressed that 573 arrests comprising 516 males and 57 males for drugs related offences were made within the last one year.
The command noted that it secured 49 convic ons out of 102 cases filed at the Federal High Court, Osogbo.
In addi on, 141 persons were counselled while six were fully rehabilitated and reintegrated.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads, “The Na onal Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Osun State command between June 2025 to June 2026 made 573 arrests of 516 males and 57 females.
“Also, 13,211.4kg of drugs were seized. This includes Cannabis, 12,948.2kg and Cocaine/Psychotropics 263.2kg in the last one year.
“In addi on, the command secured 49 convic ons out of 102 cases filed at Federal High Court, Osogbo. 141 persons were counselled with four 4 in rehab while six were fully rehabilitated & reintegrated.”
“624 visa clearances processed for legi mate travel.”
The command added that its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaigns have been sustained in schools, markets, motor parks, religious centres & media.
The agency further lamented the rise in drug abuse in Osun State with threats from online drug dealers.
“Drug abuse remains a challenge for Osun youths, with new threats from NPS & online drug sales. NDLEA Osun is responding with smarter enforcement, community sensi za on, and s gma-free treatment.
“This fight is for all of us - parents, schools, leaders, youths. Let’s unite for a drug-free Osun State,” the statement added.
•Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Najeem Folasayo Salaam, receiving the royal blessing of His Royal Majesty, Oba Omowonuola Oyeyode Oyesosin, the Ogiyan of Ejigbo, before addressing a large gathering of ADC stakeholders at Gbagede Complex, Ejigbo
Yusuf Oketola
WE must praise the valiant officers of the Nigerian Army who over decades, star ng from their origins as The West Africa Fron er Force across duty tours all over the world have always made us all very proud.
The very high standards of the Nigerian Army must be maintained, if possible enhanced for in the foreseeable future the current challenges will be lingering on. We must be prepared.
To be prepared means ge ng it right at the base and this means getng it right at the level of recrui ng and selec on. Ge ng it right starts from this in any Organisa on.
It is therefore disturbing to hear that some Recruits went on the rampage a acking innocent students of the Osun State University, Osogbo
Army Recruits On The Rampage
within the premises of their private halls of accomoda ons.
Reports say that personal effects such as cell phones were snatched
Commissioning Another Fly Over In Osun
TO use the well worn cliche Osogbo was aging two days ago when the governor of Osun State commissioned a new fly over at the Lameco intersec on in the State capital. It will be churlish not to extend congratula ons as a swath of dignitaries beamed approval.
Across Nigeria a passion for Fly Over is going on, however there is nothing wrong in having some hesita on about this development paradigm.
A cost benefit analysis will help. It should go with an analyses of the opportunity costs. Are we pu ng the cart ahead of the horse?
This is a good ques on searching for an answer, urgently too. In contradis nc on to the current trend, the World Bank and the invest Bank Goldman Sachs have separately argued that the Mul plier effect of construc ng rural roads is mes ten. It will be nice to know the equivalent research figures for rural roads.
The construc on of rural roads is an all-encompassing trajectory as we have seen in countries such as India, Malaysia and Indonesia.
In those countries there have been a trajectory for sustainable development breathing life into a stagnant agronomy, modern-
izing agriculture and moving loads of subsistence farmers into commercial farming.
It is a big win unleashing poten als such as processing plants induced by the economies of scale induced by higher produc vity and lower logis cs costs.
The value chain creates sustainable employment across the board, increased revenues and crucially opens up export poten als. It is to be recommended.
We should now take a pause and consider the benefits of rural roads.
“The investigation must be speedy, thorough and transparent. This will reassure all stakeholders. Whatever the outcome, the method of recruiting and selection must be overhauled for there is something very wrong about the present methods”
and the stalls of traders were raided.
We demand a full invesga on on this incident. The inves ga on must be speedy, thorough and transparent. This will reassure all stakeholders. Whatever the outcome, the method of recruiting and selec on must be overhauled for there is something very wrong about the present methods.
A Nigerian Army long associated with fine gentlemen officers compeve against the finest in the world must not lower its guard at this cri cal juncture the process must be overhauled .
There must be no place for misfits as this will erode opera onal effecveness and imperils all.
A er the enquiry the students as well as the affected traders must be compensated and a le er of apology issued.
OSUN DEFENDER
As for the Recruits engaging in nefarious ac vi es they must pay the penalty and swi ly disengage with impunity.
The deterrence is very much needed to maintain order and standards as well as closure to this sad incident.
•From the West African Frontier Force till date, the Nigerian Army has enviable standards to be maintained through diligence in methods of recruiting and selection
•Fly-Over or Rural Roads? Costs And Benefit appraisal needed
News
Osun Local Governments Under Control Of APC Despite Court Judgment
Bamigbola
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) elected chairmen have connued to control the affairs of all the Local Government secretariats in Osun State despite the recent judgment of the Federal High Court sitng in Osogbo which declared their tenure expired.
Also, councillors elected on the platform of the APC and other appointed poli cal office holders including Special Advisers, Execu ve Assistants and Supervisors appointed by the APC elected chairmen are in control of all the 30 Local Government Areas and Area Office in the state. This, findings re-
•Gov. Ademola Adeleke, Ataoja of Osogbo Oba Jimoh Oyetunji, and other dignitaries at the official commissioning of the Lameco Flyover, Osogbo on Wednesday
vealed was in contraven on of the court judgment delivered by Jus ce Funmilola Dem Ajayi of the Osogbo division of the
men and councilors
Five Soldiers Arrested Over UNIOSUN Students’ Hostel Attack
FIVE soldiers have been arrested in connec on with the alleged overnight invasion of student hostels at the Osun State University area in Osogbo.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof Clement Adebooye confirmed the development to newsmen in Osogbo. Prof Adebooye disclosed that the soldiers, believed to be recently passed-out military recruits, allegedly stormed about 16 off-campus hostels in the Oke Baale area, where they reportedly assaulted students, seized valuables, destroyed property and sexually harassed female residents.
“As of the mee ng we had yesterday morning, five of the soldiers have been apprehended,” the Vice-Chancellor said, adding that the university had reported the incident to military authori es, promp ng senior military officers to visit the ins tu on and commence invesga ons.
He clarified that the affected hostels are privately owned facilies located outside the university campus, and that the ins tu on’s security network does not extend to those areas.
He also dismissed claims that the university had requested military assistance, stressing that UNIOSUN had no involvement what-
soever in the soldiers’ presence around the hostels.
“We did not engage them for any purpose at all. They simply went to the hostel loca ons and carried out the act,” he said.
Eyewitness accounts, according to the Vice-Chancellor, indicated that the soldiers moved in groups and a acked mul ple hostels across the area. He described the incident as trauma c for stu-
dents and condemned the conduct of the recruits, drawing a clear dis nc on between the ac ons of the recruits and the long-standing peaceful rela onship between the university and neighbouring military forma ons.
“We have lived peacefully with the military for years. The top echelon of the military are refined officers, but these recruits carried out an unacceptable act of violence against stu-
dents,” he said.
Professor Adebooye called for severe disciplinary measures against those found culpable, recommending their dismissal from military service a er due process.
“These officers are not fit to serve in the Nigerian Army. I recommend that they be summarily dismissed a er trial,” he stated.
He further warned that failure to adequately punish those
responsible could encourage impunity and undermine public confidence in security ins tu ons, adding that the university community, civil society groups and student bodies may consider addi onal legal op ons if they are dissa sfied with the outcome of the invesga on.
Military authori es are yet to issue a public statement on the matter as inves ga ons remain ongoing.
ADC: Court Validates David Mark, Aregbesola’s Leadership
THE Federal High Court si ng in Abuja has affirmed the leadership of former Senate President, Dr David Mark and former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in the African Democra c Congress (ADC).
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Jus ce Musa Liman ruled that the case filed by House of Representa ves member Leke Abejide lacked merit and could not be entertained by the court because it concerned the internal affairs of a poli cal party.
According to the court, the stakeholders’ mee ng held on July 2, 2025, was a valid precursor to the Naonal Execu ve Commi ee (NEC) mee ng of July 29, 2025, where Mark and Aregbesola emerged as the party’s
na onal chairman and na onal secretary, respec vely, under the supervision of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC).
The judge declared that their emergence complied with the ADC cons tu on, the Electoral Act, 2026, and other applicable laws.
As part of the judgment, the court or-
dered Abejide to pay ₦2 million in costs to each of the defendants, including the ADC, David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Ralph Nwosu and INEC.
Jus ce Liman also imposed a ₦10 million cost against Abejide’s lawyer in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
Abejide had asked the court to nullify the appointment of Mark
and Aregbesola, arguing that the transfer of leadership by Nwosu was unlawful and seeking an order restraining INEC from recognising them as the party’s leaders. With the ruling, the legal challenge against the David Mark-led leadership of the ADC has been dismissed, leaving the party’s current leadership structure intact.
ed in October 2025.
The imbroglio surrounding local government administraon in the state has been on for months and the situa on had led to the loss of lives of people including the former Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, Hon Remi Abass.
Recently, the Federal High Court sitng in Osogbo held that the tenure of the APC chairmen and councilors ended in October, 2025.
However, the chairmen and councilors have con nued to operate in the Local Government secretariats as “Chief Opera ng/Financial Officers”.
Also, there are allega ons that the APC elected chairmen are engaging in financial transacons on behalf of their various local governments with the account domiciled at the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
It was gathered that the Chairmen elected on the platform of the People’s Democra c Party (PDP) who have all defected to the Accord Party were restricted from entering the local government secretariats ll date.
It was learnt that some PDP elected chairmen a empted to enter the local government secretariats but they were prevented by security agents who were allegedly acting on instruc ons from “above”
Weeks a er the judgment was delivered, Osun Defender reliably gathered that the APC elected chairmen are s ll in control of the local government across the state.
The development has caused confusion in many of the Local Government Areas in the state. However, it was not certain whether or not the APC appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo on the tenure elonga on but the medium can confirm that APC elected chairmen are in control of the councils.
Michael
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Michael Bamigbola
Federal High Court which held that the tenure of the chair-
elected on the platform of the APC end-
Institute Submits Petition Over Rising Political Violence In Osun
HE World Ins -
Ttute for Peace has raised the alarm over rising poli cal violence in Osun State and other parts of Nigeria, warning that the deteriora ng security situaon could degenerate into a state of emergency if security agencies fail to act decisively before the forthcoming governorship elec on.
The group’s Execuve Director, Lamina Omotoyosi, sounded the alarm on Monday in Abuja while submi ng pe ons to the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Services and the Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, urging them to take urgent steps to rein in poli cal thuggery across the country.
He said the pe ons were necessitated by growing concerns over a fresh wave of poli cally mo vated violence sweeping through Osun State, where, he said, several persons had been murdered in recent months in circumstances linked to poli cal rivalry.
“If the poli cal thuggery that is going on or that is rocking our dear state Osun, if the security agencies refuse to put an end to it, I want to tell you that it may resort to a kind of state of emergency,” he warned.
He linked the current crisis in Osun to a broader na onal pa ern of poli ciansponsored violence, citing conflicts in Borno, Adamawa and Kebbi states as examples of how unchecked thuggery had fuelled deeper instability across the country.
“The poli cal violence emanates from the manner in which our poli cians from various poli cal par es have been sponsoring poli cal thugs across the na on. So this also is happening in Osun,” he said.
The peace advocate recalled that his organisa on had raised similar concerns as far back as 2023, submi ng letters to then President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and other security chiefs, warning of the consequences of allowing poli cal thuggery to
go unchecked.
“We submi ed that le er on the 23rd of February 2023 and what we said then is now replica ng itself in Osun whereby some people have lost their loved ones to polical thuggery in recent mes,” he said.
He noted that in 2022, poli cal violence in Osun claimed more than 30 lives, a tragedy he said appeared to be repea ng itself ahead of the coming elec on cycle.
Omotoyosi expressed par cular concern that the killings could trigger a cycle of retaliatory violence, further inflaming tensions in the state and making a free and fair elec on nearly impossible.
“There were cases of violent crime whereby some people were murdered brutally in recent mes, and if this persists, there will be a kind of replica on whereby some people who lost their loved ones want to retaliate,” he warned.
He called on the security agencies to ensure that all unsolved violent crime cases connected to poli cal ac vity were urgently inves gated and that perpetrators were brought to jus ce.
“All the solved criminal cases that have to do with serious violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping and terrorism — the security agencies should take note and put more effort in making sure that all the culprits are brought to book,” he said.
Omotoyosi also appealed directly to policians across party lines to renounce violence and respect the rule of law in the interest of the country’s democracy.
“I want to advise the poli cians across the poli cal par es in our dear country to please not use thuggery as a tool promo ng poli cal violence. They should respect the rule of law and let peace reign,” he said.
The group said its pe ons were not limited to the Osun situaon but addressed the wider challenge of poli cal violence na onwide, par cularly with the 2027 general elecons which are in a few months away.
media briefing on preparations for the August 15, 2026 governorship election, held at the INEC office in Osogbo on Tuesday
Three Arraigned, Remanded Over Alleged Theft And Sale Of Free Mosquito Nets In Osun
Oladele the case by the court.
THE Osun State Police Command has arraigned three individuals before a competent court for allegedly stealing and selling insec cide-treated mosquito nets that were intended for free distribuon to residents as part of a government public health programme.
The suspects, idenfied as Rabbi Benne , Opeyemi Ajibola and Aminu Ibrahim were subsequently remanded in a correc onal facility following their arraignment.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Police Public Rela ons Officer of the command, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said the suspects would remain in custody pending the determina on of
According to the police, the incident came to light on June 9, 2026, a er authories received credible informa on regarding the alleged illegal sale of government-owned insec cide-treated mosquito nets that were meant to be distributed free of charge to members of the public as part of malaria preven on efforts.
Preliminary inves gaons revealed that Rabbi Benne , said to be a na ve of Delta State and a staff member of the United States Agency for Interna onal Development (USAID) a ached to Ife North Local Government Area in Ipetumodu, allegedly became involved in a disagreement with Opeyemi Ajibola, a commercial motorcycle rider, over
proceeds generated from the unlawful sale of the mosquito nets.
Further inves gaons by the police reportedly uncovered that the suspects, in collabora on with Aminu Ibrahim, sold six bundles containing a total of 300 insec cide-treated mosquito nets on June 8, 2026.
The command stated that the three suspects were arrested shortly a er the incident and taken into custody for interroga on, where they allegedly admi ed to their involvement in the offence during the course of the inves gaon.
Following the comple on of police invesga ons, the suspects were charged before the court, which ordered that they be remanded at a correc onal centre
pending further judicial proceedings.
The Osun State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting government property and ensuring that public resources meant to improve the welfare of ci zens are not diverted for personal gain.
The command also warned that anyone found sabotaging government interven on programmes or engaging in the illegal diversion and sale of public assets would be invesgated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Police authori es further assured residents that they would con nue to intensify efforts to protect public resources and hold accountable individuals entrusted with implemen ng government welfare ini a ves.
INEC Worries Over Vote Buying Ahead Of Osun
THE Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC) has expressed concern over the growing menace of vote buying ahead of the Osun State’s August 15, 2026 governorship elecon.
The commission therefore urged media praconers to play a more ac ve role in exposing the prac ce and support efforts to prosecute offenders.
According to the Commission, journalists should treat vote buying as a major inves ga ve priority
before, during and a er the elec on by documenting incidents with sufficient details to aid law enforcement agencies.
INEC Na onal Commissioner and Chairman of the Informa on and Voter Educa on Committee (IVEC), Mohammed Kudu Haruna, stated this on Tuesday in his keynote address delivered at a one-day media stakeholders’ forum in Osogbo, Osun State.
Haruna, who was represented by the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, described
vote buying as the most disturbing trend recorded during the June 20 Eki State governorship elecon.
He said the Commission expected the media to intensify inves ga ve repor ng by iden fying the loca ons, individuals involved, amounts exchanged and the methods used to coordinate vote trading.
Haruna said that such reports would strengthen enforcement efforts involving INEC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF)
Polls
and the Department of State Services (DSS). He said the technologies performed credibly during the Eki governorship elec on, with BVAS recording a 96 per cent func onality rate and IReV achieving a 98 per cent result upload comple on rate.
In a goodwill message, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Osun State Council, Adeyemi Aboderin, pledged the support of journalists in the state towards comba ng vote buying and mobilising voters.
•Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, centre, in a group photograph with INEC officials and stakeholders after a
Yusuf Oketola
Israel
FRIDAY, JULY 03, 2026
UNIOSUN Condemns Alleged Assault On Students As Army Begins Disciplinary Process Against Recruits
Aremu Bisola
OSUN State University has condemned the alleged harassment and assault of its students by recruits of the Nigerian Army in the Oke Baale area of Osogbo, describing the incident as unacceptable and a viola on of students’ rights.
The university made its posi on known in a statement issued by its Public Rela ons Officer, Ademola Adesoji, who said the ins tu on would not tolerate any act that threatens the safety and well-being of its students.
According to the statement, the ViceChancellor of UNIOSUN, Odunayo Clement Adebooye, visited the affected hostels to assess the situa on firsthand.
During the visit, he inspected proper es reportedly damaged during the incident and met with students who narrated their experiences.
Professor Adebooye assured the affected stu-
dents that the university would take all necessary steps to ensure jus ce is served.
He also pledged the ins tu on’s support in efforts to recover personal belongings that were allegedly taken during the incident.
The Vice-Chancellor reaffirmed the university’s commitment to
protec ng the rights and welfare of every student, stressing that no act of in mida on or violence against members of the university community would be overlooked.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army Depot in Osogbo has reportedly iden fied the recruits allegedly involved in the incident.
The individuals are expected to face disciplinary measures in line with military regulaons.
Sources indicate that the disciplinary process could result in severe sanc ons, including possible dismissal from military service, depending on the outcome of the
THE management of Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has cons tuted a committee to inves gate the circumstances surrounding the death of a 400-level Criminology and Security Studies student, Grace Osunlakin, and review healthcare services across its campuses.
The decision followed widespread outrage among students a er Osunlakin died last Friday, with many alleging that inadequate healthcare facili es and delayed medical a en on at the uni-
versity’s Ifetedo Campus contributed to the tragedy.
The incident sparked protests by students, who accused the ins tu on of failing to provide quality medical services and demanded urgent reforms in the university’s healthcare system.
In response, the university management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, met with the leadership of the Naonal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, where it announced the cons -
tu on of an inves ga ve commi ee.
According to the university, the commi ee comprises representa ves of the Students’ Union and relevant university officials.
It has been tasked with inves ga ng the circumstances surrounding the student’s death, assessing the state of healthcare services across all campuses, reviewing the issues that led to the protest and recommending immediate and long-term solu ons.
As part of measures to improve healthcare deliv-
inves ga on.
UNIOSUN has reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety of students and promised to work closely with rel-
evant authori es un l the ma er is fully resolved, while urging all par es to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.
UNIOSUN Sets Up Committee To Probe 400-Level Student’s Death, Orders Healthcare Reforms
ery, the university also approved the establishment of an addi onal health centre at the Ifetedo Campus, the introduc on of 24-hour medical services across its health facili es, the recruitment of more medical personnel, the provision of func onal ambulances and improved power supply to campus clinics.
While expressing condolences to the family of the deceased, the university reaffirmed its commitment to the safety and welfare of students, assuring that the committee’s findings would guide
Uniosun Vc Vows Further Action If Army
Fails To Sanction Recruits Over Alleged Student Assault
THE Vice-Chancellor of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Professor Clement Adebooye, has warned that the ins tu on will consider other legal and cons tu onal means to seek jus ce if the Nigerian Army fails to impose appropriate sanc ons on recruits accused of assaul ng UNIOSUN students.
Speaking on the incident, Adebooye described the personnel involved as unfit to serve in the military, urging the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to ensure those found culpable face trial and are dismissed from service.
“This officer, this socalled combatant, is not fit to serve in the Nigerian Army. They are misfits. Our na on is growing day by day, and we should try to be civilised and change the way we think so that we can actually build a na on. If we don’t change the way we think, we cannot build a na on,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor cau oned that any attempt to treat the matter lightly would under-
mine jus ce and could encourage similar acts of misconduct by military personnel across the country.
“If this is le to linger in the form of seeking some form of redress, it borders on social jus ce and would encourage impunity. Other army offic-
ers deployed to other areas may be emboldened to do the same,” he stated.
Adebooye maintained that the university community, alongside student bodies, labour unions and civil society organisa ons, would reject any outcome that fails to deliver jusce.
He reiterated that the university is prepared to pursue every lawful avenue available if the military’s disciplinary process does not produce a sa sfactory outcome.
“If we are not sa sfied with the outcome of the inves ga on and the puni ve measures that
follow, we may seek an alterna ve op on to deal with this ma er in the interest of our na on, our people, the protec on of students, and the general humanity of this country. It is a task that must be done, so that we can have a na on we can be proud of,” he added.
Loye Pays Hospital Bill For Accident Victims
Yusuf Oketola
OSUN East Senatorial Candidate of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Hon. Babatunde Loye, has paid the medical bills of two pa ents admi ed at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital’s Complex, Wesley Guild Hospital Unit, Ilesa.
Among the beneficiaries is a Cameroonian, Mrs Samiv Virginia, who is an accident vicm.
According to her, she came to Nigeria for business but had a serious accident that affected her legs and hands. The accident le her unable to walk.
OSUN DEFENDER
gathered that she has been in the hospital for two months without any rela ve in Nigeria and no one was ready to pay her bills.
Moved by their situa on, the ADC senato-
rial candidate quickly stepped in and cleared their bills without hesita on.
The other beneficiary, an old man, Mr Daramola Kayode, was full of joy.
According to him, he had been praying for days for a good Samaritan to come to his rescue.
He commended Hon. Loye for the kind gesture.
further reforms aimed at preven ng a recurrence of such incidents.
The management, however, maintained that preliminary findings indicated the student was not ini ally taken to the university’s health centre on the night of the incident, adding that a full invesga on would establish the facts surrounding her death.
THE Osun State Government is yet to release any official statement following an alleged overnight invasion of student hostels at Osun State University (UNIOSUN) on Monday.
Recall that soldiers, believed to be passedout military recruits, allegedly stormed about 16 off-campus hostels in the Oke Baale area, where they reportedly assaulted students, seized valuables, destroyed property and sexually harassed female residents.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that five days a er the incident, the Adeleke’s government is yet to make a release condemning the act nor pay an official visit to the school.
The medium noted that Adeleke had hours a er the ugly incident, paid a condolence visit to the residence of the Na onal Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Senator Ajibola Bashiru over the death of his mother.
The invasion of the students hostels has received widespread condemna on from Civil Society Organisa ons and residents of the state while calling for a full scale inves ga on.
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Ibrahim Abdullahi
Yusuf Oketola
Osun’s Musa Khadijah Shines Despite Semifinal Exit, Sets Sights
On Africa Youth Championships
Ibrahim Abdullahi
OSUN State’s fast-rising table tennis sensa on, Musa Khadijah, further demonstrated her immense poten al a er reaching the semifinals of the maiden Nigeria Women’s Top 12 Table Tennis Championship held at the Not Bad Sports Arena, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos.
The teenage star produced a series of impressive performances throughout the two-day championship before suffering a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to an Oyo State opponent in the semifinal, narrowly missing out on a place in the final. Her semifinal finish earned her a share of the
third-place prize and further strengthened her reputa on as one of Nigeria’s brightest young prospects.
The inaugural championship, organised by the Not Bad Sports Arena in collabora on with the Nigeria Table Tennis Federa on (NTTF), featured twelve of Nigeria’s finest female players compe ng for honours and valuable na onal ranking points.
The tournament was eventually won by 14-year-old Kogi State sensa on Ize Sezuo, who defeated Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps player Halimat Hussain 4-3 in a thrilling final to claim thetle and the ₦250,000 winner’s prize.
Hussain received ₦150,000, while the two losing semifinalists, including Musa Khadijah, earned ₦50,000 each.
For Khadijah, however, the Na onal Invita onal represents only another step in what has been a remarkable rise. The Osun youngster was recently invited by the Nigeria Table Tennis Federa on to the na onal camping programme and final trials ahead of the 2026 ITTF Africa Youth Championships scheduled for July 20 to 30 in Accra, Ghana.
The federa on directed all invited players to report to Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, for intensive prepara ons as Nigeria begins its quest for con nental hon-
Khadijah’s consistent performances con nue to reflect Osun State’s growing investment in grassroots table tennis de-
velopment. The state has established itself as one of Nigeria’s leading centres for the sport, with compe ons such as the annual Michael
and Felicia Alabi Memorial Table Tennis Tournament in Otan Ayegbaju helping to discover and nurture future champions.
Although she narrowly missed a place in the final in Lagos, Khadijah leaves the championship with renewed confidence as she turns her atten on to the na onal trials, where she will be aiming to secure a place in Team Nigeria for the Africa Youth Championships in Ghana.
With her fearless performances against more experienced opponents and con nued progression on the na onal stage, Musa Khadijah remains one of the brightest prospects to emerge from Osun State and a player to watch in Nigerian table tennis.
Action Alliance Presidential Candidate, Omoaje Escapes Attack In Osun
Michael Bamigbola
PRESIDENTIAL candidate of the Ac on Alliance (AA), Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje on Saturday escaped a serious a ack in Ekusa, Odoo n Local Government Area of Osun State.
Omoaje in company of notable members of the AA in the state including the Osun State chairman of the party, Hon Kazeem Araoye had gone to Ekusa on the invita on of one of his friends who was burying his mother.
The event had started peacefully un l Omoaje mounted the rostrum to dance to the music of a famous highlife musician popularly called Olu Mighty.
While the musician was hailing Omoaje who was in company of his poli cal loyalists, some members of the Accord Party in the state led by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths Affairs stormed the stage apparently to take over the stage already occupied by Omoaje and his associates.
In the process, some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) also mounted the stage and demonstrated intolerance to the eulogy of Omoaje by the musician.
The situa on became violent when members of the Accord Party and APC engaged in sharp exchange of words on the stage, a situa on which lated led
to fracas. A group of poli cal thugs allegedly loyal to both the APC and Accord
were seeing at the scene of the clash brandishing various weapons including cutlasses, knives and
charms among others. However, it took the prompt interven on of loyalists of Omoaje who
were at the scene of the incident to take him out of the venue of the clash unhurt.
Some of those on the entourage of the AA presiden al candidate also had a terrible experience as many of them scampered for safety before they escaped.
Commen ng on the development, Omoaje condemned the spate of poli cal violence in the state and called on law enforcement agencies to intensify ac ons at ensuring security of lives and proper es before, during and a er the August 15 gorvernorship elec on in the state.
He also chas sed those behind the dasterdly act, just as he warned against acts capable of causing trouble in the state and the country at large ahead of the next general elecons.
Aregbesola Launches Digital Platform
Michael Bamigbola
ORMER Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has announced the launch of his digital pla orm known as ogbeni.com.
The former Minister of Interior announced the launch via his verified Facebook page.
He said “I am delighted to unveil Ogbeni.com, a new digital pla orm dedicated to leadership, inspiraon, mass prosperity, and the documented impact of public serv-
ice.
“This website brings together the ideas, programmes, and outcomes that shaped my years in office. It is built to serve as a clear, accessible record, not only of what was done, but of why it was done, and who it was meant to upli
“Leadership must be taught. Inspiraon must be shared. Mass prosperity must remain our collec ve ambi on. Impact must be documented with honesty and clarity.
“Ogbeni.com is my contribu on to these goals. It is a resource for ci zens, researchers, and especially young leaders who are preparing to take responsibility for the future of our na on.
“As we open this pla orm, my hope is simple:
That it encourages though ul leadership, strengthens public understanding, and inspires those who will lead a er us. Ogbeni. com is now live,” he added.
ours.
•Omoaje
•Aregbesola
FRIDAY, JULY 03, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 51 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com Osun’s Musa Khadijah Shines Despite Osun’s Musa Shines Despite Semifinal Exit, Sets Sights On Africa Semifinal Exit, Sets On Africa Youth Championships Youth
GOOGLE tells us that “an elecon is a decision making process in which a por on or all of a given popula on vote to choose an individual or mul ple individuals to represent them.”
There are different types of elecons. We may talk of general elecons, in which the en re country go to elect people who will represent them at various levels, be it presidenal, governorship, or legisla ve. There may also be primary elec on in which a poli cal party allows its registered members who want to contest at any level for a given posi on, to sort things out among themselves within the party.
Whoever comes out of such a duel, becomes the Candidate of such a party. In such elec on, contestants move from being aspirants to become the party’s nominee or candidate.
Thus elec ons are an important component of an en re process called democracy. Without regular elec ons, true democracy is no more what a popula on or a na on prac ces as its type of government. It is something else.
One extraneous factor that has reared its head in the electoral process in Nigeria, is vote buying and selling. Vo ng as we have found out, cons tutes the cornerstone of democra c governance. It serves as a major mechanism of the selec ng process.
Even though Vote buying and selling is one of the many plans policians cra to win elec ons it is not restricted to Nigeria nor to the African con nent alone, the level poli cians have carried this prac ce to in the last 30 years or so, is very unbecoming. It has dominated almost every elec on Nigeria has conducted since the birth of the 4th Republic.
In the last three years, there has been no elec on in Nigeria in which vote buying and selling has not intruded nega vely.
“Dibo koo sebe” is a Yoruba expression that simply encourages the Nigerian voter to vote so that he could make money to eat. Its counterpart exists in every Nigerian language. In all the languages, the expression encourages people to buy or sell votes so as to be able to keep body and soul together. It does not ma er to them where the consequences of immediate personal gains would lead the naon to in the end.
“Stakeholders and in particular the Electoral Umpire INEC, must get their acts right. The Frankenstein Monster which vote buying and selling has become in our voting or electoral process must be tamed before it rides on to become a tragic figure or our country’s national electoral tragedy”
Vote Buying: A Frankenstein Monster BY SMOLETTE ADETOYESE SHITTU-ALAMU
The selfish nature of man takes over in vote buying and selling. What becomes of the na on’s plight a er the elec on has been won or lost, does not appear to concern vote buyers and sellers. Their personal comfort for the now, is all they hanker a er.
In the just concluded Eki State Governorship elec on that held on Saturday 20th of June, the Frankenstein Monster called “Vote buying and selling” was said to have come up as forcefully as it has been over the last three decades or so.
When elec on observers troop out on every elec on day to perform their du es, they do come out in the end to issue reports.
Those reports are not meant for the now, but for the future. The reports they issue a er an elec on are only meant to help protect future elec ons. Some how in Nigeria, both the leaders and the led have always failed to make do with such cases the observers make. Reports that the public had a er the Eki Governorship elec on were loaded with opposi on par es’ and even ci zens complaints about elec on malprac ces.
They ranged from pre-elec on day in mida ons and a show of intolerance from the ruling party even up to the day of elec on. There were also complaints of the Electoral Umpire (INEC) being in league with the police in the discharge of their du es.
Equally, there were complaints about BVAS malfunc oning in some
polling centres. Elec on observers last Saturday put the func onality of BVAS at above 86%. Ordinarily, that may look good but is it really? If one juxtaposes the 86% success said to have been recorded with the disappointment and frustra ons voters who cast their votes within the 14% catchment areas where the BVAS malfunc oned or failed completely, one would or could be emo ve on behalf of those electorate.
But if we must ask, is vote buying and selling only or always poverty induced? We do not believe so. Yes, poverty in the land contributes to it. But was vote buying and selling not with us 25 to 30 years ago when the level of poverty in the country was not this high?
We think that what has led to, and con nues to add some fillipe to the cancerous malady are two: The first is the trust deficit which our leaders suffer from their followers. These days many Nigerians don’t believe nor trust their leaders. This explains why the act of buying and selling of votes has become the new norm. Secondly the act, is a behavioural a tude.
The human being is pathologically a selfish individual. He loves to profit from every interven on he is involved in.
The third reason is our country’s rather wapped reward system. Over the me, authori es have not only looked the other side when an -elecon conducts and infrac ons are com-
mi ed or performed. With the excepon of a few, elec ons held in recent years, (the last Eki Elec on inclusive), media houses have almost always reported cases and instances in which elec on malprac ces had been reported and the culprits arrested.
But how many of them have been tried, found guilty and punished for their misdeeds? Not many. May be only a few. This is the root cause or the reason the menace has not died away.
Un l and unless this country prevents people in authority from standing against the gradual but sure grinding of the law, we may never get-off the hook with which vote buying and selling has held our na on’s jugular by.
Even though the result of the Eki Elec on in which the APC candidate and si ng Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji scored over 319,000 votes showed to all that he and his party (the APC) were the party to beat in the concluded elec on, it must be and remain a lesson to the opposi on and a reminder for them to learn to close ranks in future. While the APC Candidate recorded over 319,000 votes the totality of all votes which the 14 other candidates garnered was not up to 25% of what the winner, Governor Abiodun Oyebanji had.
We are a li le bit worried that in performance ra ngs the Anambra Elec on of November 2025 was higher than that of Eki on the overall. Those who know be er tell us that Eki as the land of the fountain of knowledge is very much noted for voter apathy and that the 39% voters who came out to vote did not reflect s voter apathy situa on given the history of the state.
To this end, stakeholders must ensure that the Osun off-cycle Governorship elec on that comes up on 15th of August 2026, must record a higher performance ra ng than what Eki presented last week.
The reason is that Eki elec on was less compe ve in terms of the popularity of the candidates for the governorship elec on. But the stakes in Osun Elec on in August are high, very high. Because of this the tendency is that it would be a very tensed exercise. If Osun 2026 will be high in tension the General Elec ons in January 2027 will be much more compe ve. Therefore, stakeholders and in par cular the Electoral Umpire INEC, must get their acts right. The Frankenstein Monster which vote buying and selling has become in our vo ng or electoral process must be tamed before it rides on to become a tragic figure or our country’s na onal electoral tragedy.
Just us the larger society of the world rejected the fic onal crea on of the arrogant scien st, Victor Frankenstein’s postula on which the whole world has come to call the Frankenstein Monster, we are of the view that the Nigerian Society must strive hard to reject vote buying and selling, before that growing monster gets even more driven by vengeance and swallows us all in a no distant future.
a veteran journalist writes from
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
•Smolette Adetoyese Shittu-Alamu,
Osogbo