Nigerians Blast INEC Over Threat To Reject Mark, Aregbesola As ADC
National Chairman, Secretary
●Allege INEC Of Plot To Jeopardize Democracy
As ADC Vows To Go Ahead With Congress
Nigerians Blast INEC Over Threat To Reject Mark, Aregbesola As ADC National Chairman, Secretary
EMINENT Nigerians including rights acvists, poli cians and members of the Civil Society Organizaons have cas gated the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) over its stance on the African Democra c Congress (ADC).
Many Nigerians while reac ng to threat by INEC to reject Senator David Mark and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the Na onal Chairman and Na onal Secretary of the ADC said INEC’s ac on was capable of jeopardizing the na on’s hard earned democracy.
A professor of Philosophy and leader of the pan Yoruba sociocultural organiza on, Afenifere, Prof. Akin Onigbindin on his verified Facebook page condemned INEC over its threat.
Onigbindin who berated the na onal chairman of INEC, Prof Joash Amupitan warned the commission against acts that may ruin the naon’s democracy.
He said many Nigerians had expected significant differences from the Joash Amupitan
led INEC but expressed worry that the commission appears not different from the one led by Mahmoud Yakubu.
Other Facebook users who condemned the INEC ac on called on the commission to reverse its ac on in the interest of democracy, jus ce and rule of law.
Also, many had gone on their Facebook handles with ash tag “INEC must go”
Meanwhile, the African Democra c Congress, (ADC) has declared that it would go ahead with its planned congress and Conven on despite the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission’s stand on the leadership of the party.
The Na onal Publicity Secretary of the party, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi stated this while appearing on Arise TV Morning Show programme on Thursday.
Abdullahi said the ADC had already given the INEC 21 days no ce for its conven on, adding that the commission accepted the no ce.
“We will go ahead with our congresses. We have given INEC 21 days no ce and they have ac-
Action Alliance Elects New Executives In Osun
Michael Bamigbola
OSUN State chapter of the Ac on Alliance (AA) on Saturday elected Prince Araoye Oyewole as the state chairman of the party.
Other execu ve members of the party were also elected at the party’s congress held at its state secretariat, Ogo-Oluwa in Osogbo, the state capital.
The newly elected execu ves of the party include Agboola Oluwasina (Deputy Chairman), Ilufoye Fayoyiwa (Secretary, Solomon Gold (Deputy Secretary), Olarinoye Adedamola (Organizing Secretary), Olagunju Oyinlola (Deputy Organizing Secretary) and Akinboboye Daniel (Public Rela ons Officer).
Others are Oyelami Adeyemi (Treasurer), Aniyikaye Kunle (Auditor), Sunkanmi Dada (Financial Secretary), Akinyemi Kabiru (Protocol Officer), Rufai Adeola (Welfare Secretary), Jamiu Kehinde (Youth Leader) and Anisere Taiwo (Women Leader) among others.
Par cipants at the congress, which was supervised by officials of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) unanimously affirmed the
choice of Araoye as the chairman of the party in the state alongside other execu ve members.
The Na onal Chairman of the party, Hon Adekunle Rufai Omoaje who graced the congress lauded the efforts of INEC in the naon’s electoral system and urged the new execu ves of the party to cooperate with INEC by following its guidelines.
Omoaje who stressed the importance of the Congress to the progress of the party, said there’s enormous responsibility on the leadership of the party in the state as the next gorvernorship elecon in the state draws nearer.
He urged the new execu ves of the party to ensure that the party wins the August 15 gorvernorship elec on in the state.
In his acceptance speech, the new chairman of the party, Prince Araoye called for unity among all the members of the party in the state.
He said that the party is determined to take over the reins of government in the state and urged all members to work for the victory of the party in the August 15 governorship elec on.
cepted it. Whether they come or not, we will con nue with our congresses and conven on,” Abdullahi said.
INEC had on Wednesday, said it will henceforth cease to accept correspondence from either the David Mark led ADC fac on or that of Rafiu Bala, following a review of the Court
of Appeal judgment on March 12 this year.
A statement signed by the Chairman, Informa on and Voter Educaon, Mohammed Kudu also noted that the commission will no longer engage with either facon, nor monitor any mee ng, congress, or conven ons of the two groups un l the ma er
at the Federal High Court is decided.
The commission further announced that it would remove the name of David Mark from the INEC portal.
But the ADC rejected INEC’s interpreta on of the recent Court of Appeal ruling and accused the commission of siding with the government
against Nigerians, alleging that it was shaped by pressure from a government unse led by the party’s growing momentum.
The party said the development raises deeper concerns about the neutrality of the electoral body and the future of opposi on poli cs in Nigeria.
Victims Count Losses As Heavy Rainstorm Wreak Havoc
In Osogbo
AOladele Israel
heavy downpour that swept through Osogbo on Saturday night has le a trail of destruc on across several parts of the city, damaging proper es, displacing residents, and crippling key public infrastructure.
Eyewitnesses said the rain, accompanied by strong winds, began late in the evening and lasted for several hours, leading to flooding in low-lying areas and the collapse of several structures.
Many residents woke up on Monday to scenes of devasta on, with roofs blown off buildings, fences pulled down, and household items destroyed.
Among the most affected were public u lies and road infrastructure.
Several solar-powered streetlights installed across major roads were uprooted by the force of the storm, plunging parts of the city into darkness and raising concerns over safety and security.
In some areas, large
billboards were also brought down by the winds.
One of the most striking incidents captured in a viral image showed a large billboard structure collapsing onto a moving truck.
The truck, which appears to be a heavyduty haulage vehicle, sustained severe damage to its front cabin a er being struck by the fallen metal frame.
The impact crushed the windshield and significantly dented the vehicle, forcing it to a halt. Onlookers gathered at
the scene as debris from the billboard li ered the road, causing temporary traffic disrup on.
Although no fatality was officially confirmed as of the me of filing this report, sources say a few individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby medical facili es for treatment.
Residents have called on the government and relevant emergency agencies to urgently assess the damage and provide relief to those affected.
The incident has
once again highlighted the vulnerability of urban infrastructure in the face of extreme weather condi ons, especially during the rainy season.
Authori es are yet to release an official statement, but efforts are reportedly underway to clear debris and restore normalcy in affected areas.
Meanwhile, residents have been advised to remain cauous and report any further hazard as cleanup opera ons con nue across the city.
•Officials of Osun Roads Maintenance Agency making a speed breaker at Okinni Junction to prevent accident on the road Photo Shola Aderinto
Michael Bamigbola
THE cover of a recent issue of The Economist holds striking relevance to Nigeria’s current poli cal imbroglio. Alluding to interna onal poli cs and the frequent own goals of poli cal figures, it quoted a wellknown adage: “Never interrupt your opponent when he is making a mistake.”
This rings true; however, as patrio c ci zens, we must make a concerted effort to stop the an -democra c forces currently opera ng under severe delusions of absolute power. If we fail to do this, we will all suffer the collateral damage that arises from the disrup on of the democra c process. In the words of the great reggae singer Bob Marley, “When the rain falls, it won’t fall on one man’s house.”
Events of the last few days show clearly that Nigeria is suffering from a profound instu onal deficit. It is as clear as daylight that the separa on of powers is no longer a reality. What we are witnessing is the subjuga on of supposedly independent state ins tu ons to a cabal, serving the interests of a select group. The philosophical basis of these ac ons is rooted firmly in authoritarianism. The me has come for civil society to awake.
It is evident that the present methods of selec on and recruitment cannot produce an independent electoral commission of the calibre successfully established in fellow African na ons such as Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa.
Recent events, marked by consistent a acks on the independence of poli cal par es, suggest a reenactment of the late General Sani Abacha’s era of the “five leprous fingers.” It is obvious that the current process is designed to lead to the corona on of a single candidate as the only credible presiden al contender in the upcoming elec ons. Alarmingly, this also implies that the off-cycle governorship elecons slated for this year in Osun and Eki states may have already been predetermined in favour of the ruling party.
A func oning democracy relies fundamentally on the absolute impar ality of its electoral umpires and the judiciary. When the boundaries separa ng the execu ve from these cri cal ins tu ons become blurred, public trust evaporates en rely. Without this trust, the social contract fractures, leaving the electorate feeling disenfranchised before a single ballot is even cast.
All of the above is highlighted by a though ul analysis recently published by the discerning legal
The Threat To Democracy Is Real!
•We Are On The Road To Serfdom
•The voters must have diverse options on offer
analyst, Inibehe Effiong. In his widely circulated piece, the writer made a declara on of intellectual honesty when he asked: “Is a dispute over the leadership of a poli cal party no longer the internal affairs of the poli cal party?”
He noted that it used to be established law that issues of poli cal party leadership were non-jus ciable, or forum domescum. He was, of course, referring to the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission’s (INEC) present undermining of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), which is clearly meant to stop the party from gathering momentum dead in its tracks.
Effiong resoundingly stated: “The ADC is not my cup of tea, but there is now a reasonable basis to infer the existence of a well-orchestrated, sinister conspiracy to truncate contested and credible elec ons in 2027.”
This asser on is incontrovert-
“All of the above is highlighted by a thoughtful analysis recently published by the discerning legal analyst, Inibehe Effiong. In his widely circulated piece, the writer made a declaration of intellectual honesty when he asked: “Is a dispute over the leadership of a political party no longer the internal affairs of the political party?”
ible. With heavyweights such as Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso joining the ADC and others primed to follow, the architects of this “corona on” project are moun ng a ferocious fightback. The countera acks by an -democra c forces will be unrelen ng and are bound to intensify. The kid gloves have certainly come off
The implica ons of this democra c backsliding extend far beyond the ballot box; they strike at the heart of our economic stability. Poli cal manipula on breeds uncertainty, which deters both domes c investment and foreign capital. A na on perceived to be sliding towards autocracy will inevitably find itself isolated, worsening the economic hardship already faced by millions of
•Reancting the odious days of the dictator sunny Abacha
everyday ci zens.
Furthermore, the gaze of the interna onal community must be drawn to these unfolding anomalies. While domes c resistance is paramount, interna onal democra c watchdogs and bilateral partners must hold the Nigerian government accountable to global democra c standards. Diploma c pressure remains a vital deterrent against those who wish to subvert the will of the people in the shadows.
Ul mately, the greatest counterweight to this entrenched poli cal cabal lies in Nigeria’s overwhelming youth demographic. The youth hold immense numerical power, and their structured, grassroots mobilisa on can dismantle any pre-planned coronaon. If channelled effec vely, this collec ve energy can force transparency back into a system desperate to avoid it.
OSUN DEFENDER
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OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
The work of civil society is undeniably cut out for it. A popular democra c front must be coalesced into acon. All facets of civil society must be mobilised in the defence of democracy in Nigeria; we are back in the trenches. There can be no basis for complacency or wishful thinking. What is occurring today sadly marks the end of an illusion. The fightback for the restora on of democracy in Nigeria must begin now.
Our Challenge Is Temporary - Osun ADC Assures Members
THE African Democra c Congress (ADC) in Osun State has urged members of the party to stay united, calm and confident in the face of the current crisis rocking the na onal leadership of the party.
In a statement signed by the Chairman, Directorate of Media and Publicity of Osun ADC, Abosede Oluwaseun, the removal of the Naonal Chairman’s name, Senator David Mark from the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) portal was a temporary administra ve ac on.
Oluwaseun, who condemned the act, assured members of the party to remain calm, saying normalcy will return in a short me once the legal process is concluded.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER read: “We wish to reassure all members of the African Democra c Congress in Osun State and beyond to remain calm, focused, and resolute.
What has recently occurred tonight is a temporary administrave ac on by the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission, and not a deregistraon of ADC, nor a final decision on the ongoing leadership struggle.
“Normalcy will return in a short me once the legal process is concluded, as the will of the people shall surpass the wishes of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his cohorts. Our party, ADC, remains strong, united, and deeply rooted in the will of the people.
The fear of A ku Abubakar, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Nasir ElRufai, Peter Obi, Romi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, alongside the Nigerian working masses, is too much for the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress to withstand—hence the panic reac on of its appendage, INEC.
“We, however, strongly condemn this desperate and coordinated a empt by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administra on and the All Progressives Congress to undermine opposion par es and weaken Nigeria’s democra c space. Silencing alternave voices or shrinking the poli cal landscape
•Urges Continued Support For Salaam
towards a one-party state is simply an effort in fu lity—whether directly or indirectly, it will not succeed. Nigeria’s democracy is bigger than any individual or party, and the people
will always defend their right to poli cal choice and par cipa on.
“We urge our members to stay united and confident. Our congresses are on course as scheduled: April
7th is the date for the Ward Congresses; April 9th is the date for the Local Congresses and Na onal Delegates; April 11th shall host the State Congress; and April 14th is scheduled
for the Na onal Conven on in Abuja. This challenge is temporary, but our movement is permanent.”
He therefore called on the party faithful to keep their support going for the governorship candidate of the party in the state.
“Keep the faith. Stand with Dr. Najeem Salaam Folasayo Iwaloye,” the statement concluded.
Art/Culture
Don’t Spit Where You Once Drank Water
•Reflections On Loyalty, Gratitude And The Measure Of Integrity
In a world increasingly driven by ambi on and personal gain, the African proverb, “Don’t spit where you once drank water,” resonates deeply. It is a reminder that loyalty and gra tude are not just moral values — they are the enduring testaments of character, especially in our tradional Yoruba society where rela onships, respect, and reputaon carry weight beyond gold. At its core, the proverb warns against betrayal — par cularly of the very people, ins tuons, or communies that once offered us support, shelter, or opportunity. In a fast-paced world where alliances shi quickly
and memories grow short, too many are quick to deny their roots, slander their benefactors, or disrespect the hands that once fed them. But in doing so, they reveal far more about their integrity than they realise.
In tradi onal African se ngs, especially in Yoruba land, our culture places a premium on loyalty — to elders, to family, to community, and to mentors. When a young appren ce “graduates” under the tutelage of a master cra sman, it is expected that they return with gi s and respect, not arrogance or rivalry.
When a poli cal protégé rises through the ranks, courtesy demands they remember and hon-
our those who gave them their first platform. Sadly, today, we witness increasing cases of public figures, former associates, and even family members turning against their benefactors at the slightest sign of disagreement or independence. This is not just a loss of manners — it is a moral decay. Gra tude is the soul of our humanity. To be thankful is to acknowledge that none of us rises alone. Somewhere in the journey of life, someone gave you a chance, mentored you, spoke for you, or simply believed in your future. To spit back in their direc on, whether through gossip, betrayal, or open disrespect, is not just
dishonourable — it is self-degrading. Integrity is not measured when things are going well, but when there’s a conflict of interest, power, or pride. Loyalty is not blind allegiance; it is the strength to remain respec ul, even when paths diverge. A man or woman of integrity knows how to walk away with dignity, not destrucon. Our forefathers lived by a code of honour. Today, let us revisit those virtues and teach them to the next genera on. Let us remind our sons and daughters that success without character is a hollow victory. That burning bridges behind you only makes the journey forward lonelier and harder. That the
elders you mock today may hold the key to your redemp on tomorrow.
Indeed, in mes like these — when communal values are eroding and individualism is glorified — we must return to the meless wisdom of our proverbs. Don’t spit where you once drank water. The well that once quenched your thirst deserves your respect. Even if you no longer draw from it, honour its place in your journey.
Let this be a call for reflec on in Osun State and across Nigeria: to cherish the roots that bore us fruit, to celebrate those who supported our steps, and to remain people of loyalty, gra tude, and unshakable integrity.
•Women of impact in a group photograph after meeting Osun ADC gubernatorial candidate, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam at his campaign office in Osogbo on Tuesday
Yusuf Oketola
APRIL 03, 2026
Police To Probe Osun Grove Invasion
OSUN State Police Command said it will launch an invesga on into an alleged invasion of the Osun-Osogbo Grove by a group of Chrisan clerics.
Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed on Tuesday that the police would examine the allega ons raised in a pe on from Tradi onal Worshippers on the incident and ensure due process in addressing the ma er.
The pe on, submi ed by the Tradi onal Religion Worshippers Associa on in Osun State, TRAWSO, called for a thorough probe into claims that a shrine within the grove was desecrated during the incident.
According to the associa on, “the alleged invasion occurred when some pastors reportedly entered the grove and engaged in ac vies considered offensive to tradi onal beliefs.”
The police said the peon was formally delivered to the police headquarters in Osogbo.
“The pe on will be treated with due diligence. The ma er would be invesgated in line with the law,” Ojelabi assured.
The development has also drawn a en on from the Osun State Government, which convened a mee ng involving stakeholders in an effort to prevent escala on of tensions.
State government officials confirmed that representa ves of the tradi onal worshippers, the Chris an Associa on of Nigeria, CAN, and the church linked to the incident were present at the mee ng.
During the engagement, concerns were raised regarding the events at the grove, par cularly the conduct of individuals captured in a widely circulated video.
The footage, which surfaced on social media, showed a group of clerics at a shrine, where one of them appeared to make gestures and verbal declara ons challenging the significance of the tradi onal deity.
The situa on reportedly escalated when tradi onalists arrived at the scene, leading to a confronta on before the clerics eventually exited the area.
Subsequently, another video emerged showing individuals said to be tradionalists entering a church associated with one of the clerics involved in the earlier incident.
In the recording, some of the individuals were seen covering their faces while carrying out ac ons described as ritualis c inside the church premises.
The associa on confirmed that its pe on focused on the ini al incident at the grove, while declining to comment on the subsequent ac ons at the church.
President of TRAWSO, Dr Oluseyi Atanda, said the decision to approach the police was aimed at ensuring a lawful resolu on to the dispute.
“We are law-abiding ci zens, which is why we have submi ed a pe on reques ng an inves gaon,” Atanda said.
He added that discussions with government officials centred on addressing the concerns raised and preven ng further conflict between the groups involved.
Officials of the state government indicated that measures would be taken to de-escalate tensions and forestall any recurrence of such incidents.
Entertainment
Artistes, Cultural Icons, Entertainers, Others Converge On Osun For Asa Day
Michael Bamigbola
CULTURAL icons and ar stes from different parts of the country on Tuesday converged on Osogbo, the Osun State capital for this year’s Asa Day.
This year’s Asa Day organized by the Asa Day Worldwide under the leadership of the Oloro of Oro in Kwara State, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye was the first to be hosted by Osun State government through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
Renowned ar stes including Chief Dele Odule and other prominent personali es in the entertainment industry graced the well a ended ceremony.
Also, tradi onal rulers from both Osun and Kwara States including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and Akire of IkireIle, Oba Azeez Olatunbosun Ilufemiloye graced the occasion.
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke in his speech at the ceremony assured of his administraon’s commitment to the development of tourism sector in the state.
The Governor wo was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Abiodun Bankole Ojo disclosed that the state government is already preparing ground for people in diaspora to connect effec vely with homeland Osun State.
Adeleke hinted that his administra on has immensely improved the cultural standard and tourism poten als of the state through mul faceted projects and programmes.
“In our efforts to make life more meaningful and improve
well-being of the ci zenry, our administra on embarked on massive bridges and road network, construc on, vast healthcare facility construc on and quality educa on. It is gra fying to let you know that Osun State is above board on educa on quality,” the Governor added.
In his remarks, the convener of Asa Day and Oloro of Oro kingdom, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye made case for the rejuvena on of Yoruba heritage, culture and tradi ons.
The monarch who urged parents to teach their children Yoruba culture, advised the
parents to priori ze the use of Yoruba language as medium of communica on between parents and their children at home.
He assured that he would con nue to use his vintage posi on as a tradi onal ruler to promote Yoruba culture and tradions.
The tradi onal ruler said since Asa Day was introduced in 2018, he has consistently advocated for the use of Yoruba language as the major means of communica on in all Yoruba homes worldwide.
•Osun CP
•Alhaji Murtala Agboola, (M), General Manager, Fresh FM Osogbo, Dr. Akinunmi Alabi, (2nd left), Chairman Osun Civil Society Organisation, Comrade Waheed Lawal and others at the turbaning Ceremony of Agboola as Aare Adeen of Alárè Iyiolu Central Mosque, Osogbo last Saturday
Yusuf Oketola
FRIDAY, APRIL 03, 2026
OAU Don Cautions Against State Police In Nigeria
Yusuf Oketola
AProfessor of Literary Theory and Culture at Obafemi Awolowo University, Chijioke Uwasomba, has explained that the idea of State Police in Nigeria could be detrimental to society.
Prof Uwasomba who spoke at the public presenta on of Crime Beat Repor ng in Nigeria wri en by a veteran crime journalist, Mr. Frank Oshanugor warned against undermining history as doing so, according to him, erodes iden ty and weakens instu ons, including the Nigerian Police.
Outlining the challeng-
es which have undermined the Nigerian Police in years of military interference,
inadequate funding, and the emergence of parallel security ou its, Prof Uwa-
OSCO-HEALTH, Ilesa Inducts 187 Health Information Management Graduates Into Health Records Officers Board
•As Provost charges inductees on professionalism
Shola Aderinto
ONE hundred and eighty seven Health Informaon graduates of the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa have been inducted into the Health Records Officers Registra on Board of Nigeria.
They were inducted into the board at a colourful ceremony held at the College hall in the presence of their parents and guardians.
Speaking at the programme, the Provost of the College, Dr. Lateef Olarewaju Raheem encouraged the inductees to be professional in their conducts at all mes, describing them as ambassadors of the College and their profession.
The Provost who was represented by the Deputy Provost of the College, Mrs Margaret Oparinde urged them to see the achievement as a founda on for greater things to come.
While encouraging them to uphold the tenets and laws of their profession, the Provost urged them not to forget the guiding rules and principles of
their profession wherever they find themselves.
In his speech, the Registrar and Chief Execu ve Officer, Health Records Officers Registra on Board of Nigeria, Alhaji Bamanga Mustapha charged them to con nue to make the board proud wherever they find themselves in the world.
The Registrar who was represented by Mrs Comfort Gbemisola urged them to maintain their commitment to excellence in the process of discharging their responsibilies to humanity.
He said the Health Records Registra on Board of Nigeria will con nue to monitor their ac vi es wherever they find themselves around the world.
In an induc on lecture delivered by the Na onal President, Associa on of Health Records and Informa on Management Prac oners of Nigeria, Mr Afolabi Abiodun urged the inductees to jealously guide their licences, describing it as a pathway to exploring the health informaon industry.
The guest lecturer who
spoke on the topic, “Importance of Accurate Health Data for Decision Making, How Health Data Helps Doctors, Hospitals and Government Planning”, said the services of Health Informa on Managers are very key to effec ve health care delivery in health facili es across the world.
He explained that accurate data from the health informaon managers can never be overemphasised in the quest to ensure that a pa ent speedily and effec vely recover to full fitness.
While presen ng the graduands for oath taking, the Head of Department, Health Informa on Management, Mrs Oluwatosin Busoye urged the graduands to stand firm always while carrying out their jobs.
In their separate goodwill messages, three of the inductees, Balogun Elizabeth, Ajao Afeez and Ajai Chukwuemeka congratulated themselves for the feat they have achieved in the field of health informa on, while commending their parents and guardians for their sacrifices.
somba argued that introducing State Police without addressing these systemic issues could further destabilise the policing structure in Nigeria.
The State Police op on, said the Professor of Culture, is worth cau oning against and worth advising serious police officers against suppor ng without careful considera on.
Prof Uwasomba spoke at the event which drew stakeholders from the media, security sector and other ins tu ons and at which Adeshina Bamidele Lawal, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, represented the Inspector General
of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu. Lawal highlighted the longstanding partnership between the police and crime reporters.
Commending the author for documen ng the
News
evolu on of crime reporting, Prof Uwasomba noted that such efforts help preserve history and educate future genera ons, adding how extremely important journalism is in that regard.
Former Osun Governor, Oyinlola Joins Afenifere
Yusuf Oketola
ORMER Gover-
Fnor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, on Tuesday, formally joined the apex Yoruba socio-cultural organisa on, Afenifere.
Oyinlola was present at the mee ng of Afenifere, held at the residence of the na onal leader of the group, Oba Oladipo Olaitan.
According to him, “When I was Governor, the late Ayo Adebanjo and some other members of Afenifere came to my office. I told them that I’m a Yoruba son and I ought to be a member of Afenifere. I no ced some of my colleagues were in Afenifere. They were in the Alliance for Democracy. Though some of them were also in PDP and they have a good rela onship with Afenifere.
“They told me what Afenifere wanted and I said my family are Yorubas. I can not because I became governor in PDP and forget my origin. We were on it and I was talking to some of the leaders un l Oba Olaitan came to me,” Oyinlola said.
The former governor appreciated Oba Olaitan for the recogni on and honour to become a member of Afenifere.
Oba Olaitan disclosed that the mee ng had members of Social Democra c Party (SDP) in a endance, saying “I established SDP in Osun and thanks to God we have come together again. We are one family now.”
He expressed dis-
pleasure over the way Nigeria is being governed, vowing that everything necessary would be done to change it.
“Nigerians should change the trajectory of this country. What is happening now, we don’t accept it. The way it is being governed now, we don’t accept it. Nigeria must be governed properly. We’ll do everything we can, legi mately, legally to change it and this is the beginning. You will begin to see us all round the country,” Oba Olaitan said.
Architect Goke Omigbodun, the chairman of Afenifere in Osun, stated that the mee ng was extraordinary because the leadership of SDP joined the mee ng.
“We want life to be good for everybody. And so we always have a poli cal party or parcular candidates that we associate with.
“Recently, the Social Democra c Party was established by Afenifere under the first chairmanship of Oba Olu Falae, who was the na onal chairman of the party then.
“But now, things have moved, and so Afenifere is declaring again that the baby that we give birth then must survive.
“The essen al core of the Afenifere now resides in the Social Democra c Party and that is what we are celebra ng here today again and that is why the leadership of the Social Democra c Party is also here with us,” Omigbodun said.
Afenifere leaders at the mee ng include: former deputy governor of Lagos state, Kofoworola BucknorAkerele, Prince Supo Sonibare, Dele Faromi, Jus ce Faloye, Engr. Bayo Adenekan, Tola Mobolurin, and Dr. Akin Fapohunda.
•Oyinlola
Introduc on “ WE adore you, O Christ and we praise You, because by your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world” is the familiar statement we utter at the beginning of our reflec on for each sta on during the devo onal exercise of the Sta ons of the Cross. The expression succinctly captures the significance of Good Friday sacred ceremonies. On Good Friday, we prayerfully recollect the passion and death of Christ for the salva on of the world.
Background Christ came into the world and took on our human nature in other to die on the cross for the salva on of the world. The gospel of Luke 18:31-33, shows that Christ knew he was going to Jerusalem to die and he told his disciples about the event. Jesus then took the 12 aside and told them: “Now, we are going to Jerusalem and everything the Prophets have wri en about the Son Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the gen les. People will mock Him, insult Him and spit on Him. A er they have scourged Him, they will kill Him, but he will rise up on the third day.” The gospel of Ma hew 20:18-19, is more explicit about those that would be responsible for the death of Christ and the manner of death. “See, we are going to Jerusalem. There the Son of Man will be given over to the chief priests and teachers of the Law who will condemn Him to death. They will hand him over to the foreigners who will make fun of him, scourge him and crucify him. But he will be raised to life on the third day.” All predicted events happened to Christ on Good Friday according to the plan and will of God for Him.
The cross was an ancient instrument of execu on, originally, it was an upright stake to which the corpse of an executed criminal was bound for public display or on which the living body
Sermon By Most Rev. John Akin Oyejola
Significance Of Good Friday
“The cross is not only a comfort to the oppressed, whose sufferings imitate crucifixion and who can hope to share the resurrection of Christ, but it also becomes a behavioural model as it symbolises obedience to the will of God and imitation of Christ who humbled himself to the point of death”
of a condemned person was affixed to await death. For public execu on on the cross, the offender would carry the cross to the place of execu on which Christ did; He would be stripped and flogged severely. These they did to Jesus. The arms of the executed person are then nailed to the cross as well as the legs because deterrence was a primary objec ve of execu on on the cross, the cross was usually erected in a public place. Death would come to the executed person slowly, a er few days, as a result of cumula ve impact of thirst, hunger, exhaus on, exposure and trauma c effects of scourge. Christ Jesus went through all these on Good Friday for the remission of our sins. Cf. Mark 15: 24, Luke 24: 39.
The Jewish religious leaders, the council of Sanhedrin had arrested Jesus and charged Him for blasphemy and for claiming to be “the Son of God.” This ordinarily was not an offence punishable by death under the Roman Law, however, when the Jewish leaders took Jesus to Pilate he was charged with treason. According to them, he claimed to be the “King of the Jews” and that he forbade people from paying taxes to Caesar, these were poli cal crimes of high treason, a direct threat to the sovereignty of the Roma ds” he said. Jesus’s anguish, sorrow, and rejec on by the people He loved and served ll death show the pathe c condi ons of the human souls; the ungratefulness and wickedness that permeate human existence. On good Friday, we see Christ overwhelmed by the burden of the human nature He assumed, He fell three mes under the weight of the heavy cross He carried, we must note He has the same glory with God the Father, He has the same nature with God Almighty but did not count His equality with God something to grasped, He humbled himself up to the point of dying on the cross. Philippians 2: 6-8. He offers us lessons in humility and total obedience to the will of God. Earthly glory and allurements must not take
APRIL 03, 2026
away our gaze from the heavenly glory. The cross on Good Friday is our sign post, our reference point of close affinity with Jesus and faith in Him. We venerate the cross, we honour the cross of Jesus and adore Christ crucified without shame or apology to anyone. We proclaim without inhibi on that Cross less Chris anity is fake and does not represent Christ. “The language of the cross remains nonsense for those who are being lost. Yet for us who are being saved, it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1: 18). St Paul goes further to state that while the Jews ask for miracles and the Greeks ask for higher knowledge, we proclaim the Messiah crucified. For the Jews a scandal and for the Greeks nonsense! But he is Christ the power of God. cf. 1 Corinthians 1: 22 - 24.
Christ instructs us to carry our crosses and follow him daily. cf. Ma hew 16: 24 -26. We are expected to crucify our passions and put to death in us whatever is sinful. cf. Gala ans 5: 24. We are not expected to be mere spectators at the foot of the cross, we must be involved in the mystery and make it ours. Through the cross, God shows that divine strength is paradoxically revealed in weakness (1 Cor. 1: 18-25).
Conclusion
Finally, the cross is not only a comfort to the oppressed, whose sufferings imitate crucifixion and who can hope to share the resurrec on of Christ, but it also becomes a behavioural model as it symbolises obedience to the will of God and imita on of Christ who humbled himself to the point of death (Philippians 2: 5-11).
May the grace and blessings of Good Friday be with you all. May God inspire our hearts and enlighten our minds to be a en ve to the message of the Cross and accept it wholeheartedly through Christ our Lord amen.
Tension In Osun Communities As Cult Clash Allegedly Claims Five Lives
Yusuf Oketola
THE spate of killings among rival cult groups in Osun State is on the rise, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
In the last two weeks, at least five persons have been killed in a violent cult clash in Ilobu, Esa-Oke and Ede, triggering tension across the towns.
According to reports by Naija Confra, the clashes have been between Buccaneer (BAN) and Aye (NBM) cul sts.
On Friday, March 27, 2026, a suspected Aye member named Moro and popularly known as MOAS Grill was reportedly killed in Esa-Oke.
Moro was allegedly killed in his shop, where he sells shawarma and cooked spaghe , located outside a popular Bar in the town.
Meanwhile, there was a reprisal a ack on Monday night when an uniden fied person was killed suspected to be in retalia on for Moro’s death, Naija Confra said.
Also in Ilobu, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a Buccaneer named Jamiu, a barber was on the same day
killed by cul sts suspected to be Aye members while there was a retaliatory attack by Buccaneers on Saturday morning. Two vic ms were reportedly killed during the awful incident. The medium gathered
that the a acks stem from an alleged incident where an Aye named Wizkid accused a Buccaneer of snatching his girlfriend.
“The Aye and his squad a acked the Buccaneer in his house, injuring him and
almost k**ling him. Following this, Buccaneers retaliated and gave the same treatment to an Aye.
“Jamo was described as a loud and casted Buccaneer who was a barber and regularly played Buccaneer
How Pregnant Woman Died From Physical Assault By Husband In Osun
Yusuf Oketola
Apregnant woman iden fied as Oluwakemi Olalere, has died as a result of physical assault and emoonal trauma experienced from her husband, Aferiwo Olatunji in Ileogbo, Osun State.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the incident occurred on March 23, 2026.
The 33 year old mother of two was reportedly killed by her husband who beat her to pulp.
The incident has le residents of the community in deep grief.
Sources within the community told OSUN DEFENDER that the woman died as a result of internal bleeding through persist-
ent bea ng by her 36-yearold husband.
The medium learnt that the husband, while carrying out the physical assault, kicked her in the stomach over refusal to join his mother on the farm.
The medium reliably gathered that the deceased delivered her two children through Cesarean Sec on.
She was confirmed dead on her way to a hospital in Iwo.
Meanwhile, the husband has been arrested and detained at Ileogbo police sta on.
Speaking on the incident, the Founder, Monsurat Ajoke Founda on, Ms Monsurat Ibrahim, urged every woman going
through abuse from their partners to choose their lives over rela onships to avoid dying in silence.
“To every woman going through abuse: Please, your life ma ers more than any rela onship. Love should not hurt you, break you, or silence you. Speak up. Seek help. Walk away if you must. Staying quiet can cost you everything.
“To men who abuse their partners; A real man protects, not destroys. No anger, frustra on, or ego jus fies violence. You are not only hur ng a woman you are destroying a family and shaping trauma in your children,” she said.
She urged the police to get to the root of the matter.
music in his barbershop - he was an easy target. When the Aye hit squad came, Jamo was said to have shouted for help, but no one came to help him as the hit squad shot in the air to drive people away.
“This morning, a Buccaneer hit squad entered the street looking for Ayes, and they a acked two Ayes who were close friends and always seen together.
“One of the Ayes is Don J, a violent Aye who was said to brag about his charms and troubled the areathere was an a empt to k**l Don J earlier this year, but he escaped. The second Aye is another violent Aye who was said to always cause violence in the area”
More so, a cult-related incident occurred last Friday at the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, between BAN and Eiye (ACN) cult groups.
The incident reportedly started outside the school when an Eiye cul st harassed two boys, not knowing they were Buccaneers.
It was gathered that the boys later beat up the Eiye cul st, who was said to be an office holder in the Eiye cult.
“The Eiye cul sts, who wore nose masks and blue caps, later entered the school looking for the Buccaneers. They reportedly saw them and shot at the Buccaneers, but they were lucky to escape.
“Other Buccaneers who were also armed inside the school later got involved, chasing the Eiye cul sts while also shoo ng,” a source told OSUN DEFENDER
Meanwhile, the police in the state on Monday paraded five suspects idenfied as Amokeaja Bassit, Olatunde Segun, Adeyeye Suji, Babatunde Lekan and Olayinka Laide were arrested for alleged membership of an unlawful society following an a ack in Ade Area, Isida, Ilesa.
Police said the suspects, believed to be members of the Black Axe confraternity, were arrested by an ancul sm patrol team a er a reported a ack on March 23, 2026.
An axe and suspected criminal charms were recovered from upon arrest while efforts were ongoing to track down fleeing members.
FRIDAY, APRIL 03, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 26 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
THE forthcoming Osun State governorship elecon scheduled for August 15, 2026, presents an interesting poli cal landscape, par cularly in terms of gender representa on.
The final list of candidates released by the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) shows par cipa on from 14 poli cal par es, each fielding governorship candidates and their depu es in accordance with Nigeria’s electoral framework.
Beyond party compe on, the composi on of candidates and their depu es, when placed alongside the ongoing na onal agita on for reserved seats for women par cipa on in Nigerian poli cs, presents a revealing picture of both progress and persistent gaps.
Notably, among all the candidates cleared for the elecon, Mrs. Adeagbo Opawoye Yemisi is the only governorship candidate contes ng on the pla orm of Ac on Democra c Party, (ADP). Aside from her, the only other woman among the candidates is Mrs. Agiri Yemisi Temitope, who is running as a deputy governorship candidate on the pla orm of African Democra c Congress, (ADC).
The final list of candidates shows par cipa on from mulple poli cal par es, yet the gender distribu on remains strikingly uneven. This means that women occupy a very small frac on of the top polical posi ons in the Osun state race, reinforcing a familiar naonal trend where male dominance con nues at the highest
“Political parties in Osun state, like elsewhere in Nigeria, appear to rely on discretionary inclusion rather than institutionalised gender quotas. The ADP’s decision to field a female candidate and ADC’s choice of a female deputy are notable, but they remain exceptions rather than the norm”
PERSPECTIVE
By OLUFUNMILAYO
ADEBOMI OJO, PhD
Gender, Representation And The Osun 2026 Governorship Election: Reading The Signs Beyond The Ballot
levels of electoral poli cs.
Nigeria con nues to record low female poli cal representa on compared to global averages. In many elec ons, women are more frequently posi oned as depu es rather than principal candidates, reinforcing a pa ern where leadership roles remain largely maledominated.
Factors such as party financing, internal party dynamics, cultural expecta ons, and poli cal violence con nue to limit women’s full par cipa on in poli cs.
The ADP’s decision to field a woman as its governorship flagbearer is significant, as it challenges entrenched norms and signals openness within smaller par es to gender inclusion.
The ADC’s selec on of a female deputy candidate has been described within the party as a deliberate move toward “gender sensi vity,” sugges ng growing awareness of inclusivity in party structures.
This imbalance comes at a me when women’s groups across Nigeria are intensifying advocacy for structural reforms
to boost female poli cal par cipa on.
Across the country, coalions, civil society organisa ons, and interna onal partners are pushing for the passage of the Reserved Seats for Women Bill, a cons tu onal amendment proposal aimed at crea ng addi onal legisla ve seats exclusively for women.
Women groups staged rallies at the Na onal Assembly recently, demanding immediate passage of the bill ahead of future elec ons as Nigeria currently records less than 5% female representa on in legisla ve posi ons, one of the lowest globally.
The proposed bill seeks to correct this imbalance by introducing addi onal seats at na onal and state levels to be contested only by women, thereby bypassing structural barriers such as party gatekeeping, funding challenges, and cultural biases.
When the Osun state governorship candidate’s list is viewed against this backdrop, several implica ons emerge: The presence of just one female governorship candidate
and limited female depu es reflects the very imbalance that the reserved seats campaign seeks to address. It suggests that without deliberate interven on, women may con nue to struggle for nomina on in highly compe ve execu ve posi ons.
Poli cal par es in Osun state, like elsewhere in Nigeria, appear to rely on discre onary inclusion rather than ins tuonalised gender quotas. The ADP’s decision to field a female candidate and ADC’s choice of a female deputy are notable, but they remain excep ons rather than the norm.
The Osun state governorship candidates scenario reinforces arguments by advocates that merit alone is insufficient in a structurally unequal system. The low number of female candidates lends weight to calls for affirma ve measures such as reserved seats, which are designed as a correc ve, not a permanent replacement, for open compe on.
The limited female presence in Osun state governorship elec on may serve as a case study for reform advocates, illustra ng how far Nigeria s ll has to go in achieving gender balance. It strengthens the argument that wai ng for gradual change may not be sufficient.
The 2026 Osun governorship elec on highlights a paradox in Nigeria’s democra c journey. While there is growing na onal momentum toward gender inclusion, evidenced by sustained advocacy for reserved seats, the reality on the ground s ll reflects deep-rooted dispari es.
With only one female governorship candidate (ADP) and one notable female deputy governorship candidate (ADC), the Osun race mirrors the broader na onal imbalance. It also underscores why many stakeholders believe that without deliberate structural reforms, women’s representaon in poli cs may con nue to lag behind.
For meaningful transformaon, poli cal par es, civil society, and electoral stakeholders must go beyond token inclusion and ac vely create pathways for more women to emerge as frontline candidates. Only then can gender balance in governance move from aspira on to reality.