WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
Osun Guber: Salaam Will Build On My Achievements - Aregbesola Assures
●As ADC Kicks Off Mega Rally In Ile-Ife
●Do Not Sell Your Votes – Salaam Tasks Electorate
●Ooni Urges Political Parties To Avoid bloodshed
•The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dr. Najeem Salaam addressing supporters at the flag off of the party’s mega rally in Ile-Ife yesterday. Inset: National Secretary of the ADC, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola Addressing members of the party at the event
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
Osun Guber: Salaam Will Build On My Achievements - Aregbesola Assures
FORMER Governor of Osun State and Na onal Secretary of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola has assured the people
He said Salaam who is the candidate of the ADC in the forthcoming Osun governorship elecYusuf Oketola
of Osun State of the connuity of his achievements as Governor of the state by Dr. Najeem Salaam.
on scheduled for August 15 will build on his legacies.
Aregbesola, who spoke at the Mega Rally of the ADC in Ile-Ife on Tuesday, described Salaam as the best candidate for the governorship seat.
According to the former governor, the party embarked on a wide consulta on before picking Salaam as the candidate.
“We consulted widely before picking Salaam as the governorship candidate of our party. Therefore, we made no mistake in his candidacy. We are confident that he will deliver on the job. There are areas we lagged during our administra on which Najeem Salaam will make amendments. Nobody is perfect.”
• Osun State Governorship Candidate of the ADC, Rt. Hon. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, Ph.D (Iwaloye), and other dignitaries with Osun State ADC Women Leader, Hon. Chief Mrs. Oyebode Funmilade Bosede at her 50th birthday held in Osogbo at the weekend
Osun Poll: NANS Demands Protection For Students, Warns Political Thugs Off Campuses
THE Na onal Associa on of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-West Zone D, has announced plans to embark on a peaceful shutdown of academic acvi es across ter ary ins tu ons in Osun State over growing concerns about poli cal violence ahead of the August 15 governorship elec on.
In a statement jointly signed by its Coordinator, Adeyemo Josiah, Secretary-General, Ojetola Babatunde, and Public Rela ons Officer, Tope Olugbemi, the associa on cited an alarming increase in poli cal violence, shootings, in mida on and poli cally related killings across the state.
NANS said the prevailing security situa on no longer guarantees the safety of students or provides a conducive environment for learning.
According to the associa on, students cannot be expected to connue a ending lectures and moving freely while violence is becoming increasingly common and innocent residents are being caught in poli cal conflicts.
The student body expressed concern over what it described as the absence of a comprehen-
sive security arrangement to protect campuses, student hostels, surrounding communi es and major transporta on routes during the elec on period.
It disclosed that all its structures, including Joint Campus Council officials, Students’ Union Governments and stakeholders, had been placed on no ce to prepare for the planned shutdown.
While no ng that the date, dura on and operaonal details of the ac on would be communicated
through recognised NANS and Students’ Union channels, the associa on advised students to return peacefully to their homes un l peace, stability and adequate security are restored.
NANS stressed that it is not opposed to lawful voter educa on, voter registra on or poli cal par cipa on, affirming that students have the cons tu onal right to parcipate responsibly in the democra c process.
However, it warned po-
li cal actors against using students as tools for electoral purposes, urging undergraduates not to surrender sensi ve personal informa on to unknown persons or board unmarked vehicles operated by individuals whose idenes cannot be verified.
The associa on advised students to vote based on competence, credibility and commitment to educa on rather than in mida on, inducement or campaign promises.
Aregbesola assured that all projects started during his tenure which his successor, Adegboyega Oyetola failed to connue will be completed by Salaam
“All that we started that we couldn’t finish during my administraon which we believe my successor (Oyetola) will con nue eight years ago will be completed by Salaam,” he said.
The ADC Na onal Secretary posited that the essence of government is to ensure cizens enjoy and benefit the dividends of democracy. He stressed that Osun was rela vely peaceful throughout his eight years tenure.
This, according to him, was so due to provisions of opera onal vehicles for security agencies in the state.
“Osun didn’t witness any security threats under my administraon from November 2010-November 2018. We didn’t achieve this through magic but through provisions of necessary equipment for our security agencies. The state witnessed massive developments in economy, educa on and infrastructure”
“I’m assuring our people that the ADC candidate will do better than what we did in eight years,” he assured.
Osun 2026: INEC Warns Against Vote Buying, Rallies Stakeholders For Peaceful Poll
THE Independent
Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has vowed to prosecute cases of vote buying and vote selling during the August 15 gorvernorship elec on in the state.
This is even as the commission urged stakeholders to ensure a peaceful governorship elec on.in the state.
Speaking at the Osun Elec on Peace and Security Summit (EPSS 2026), the Osun State Resident Elec-
toral Commissioner, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Babalola, said credible elecons “do not happen by chance” but require deliberate planning, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law.
She disclosed that opera ves of the Independent Corrupt Pracces and other related offences Commission (ICPC) and those of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are already on ground across the state to monitor the process.
“Both vote buying
and vote selling are offenses under the Electoral Acts. Anyone caught will face the full weight of the law,” Babalola said.
Babalola urged pares to educate their supporters and reject violence, urging candidates to mobilise peacefully and honour the peace accord signed.
She called on tradi onal and religious leaders to promote dialogue and speak against violence, just as she appealed to the media to report responsibly.
She charged security agencies to remain neutral, professional
and disciplined, while respec ng the rights of ci zens throughout the exercise.
“INEC is commi ed to a free, fair, credible, inclusive and transparent elec on that truly reflects the will of the people of Osun State,” she said. “Every eligible voter should be able to cast their ballot in safety, dignity and confidence,” she stated.
Aregbesola enjoined the people to vote ADC come August 15 and also protect their votes.
Earlier, the governorship candidate of the ADC, Salaam reiterated his commitment to run a people-centred and inclusive governance.
He asserted that the school feeding programme introduced by Aregbesola’s administraon will be restored if elected.
“I want to assure our people in Osun State that the school feeding programme enjoyed by our children during Aregbesola’s administra on will be reintroduced if I am elected. Over 3000 women were engaged under this program which immensely contributed to the economy of Osun.
“Also, 20,000 youths will be employed in the first 100 days of our administra on by God’s grace. The sum of N1bn will be earmarked to empower our women.
“There will be spends for ci zens from the age of 70 years above and People with Disabili es on a monthly basis. Pregnant women will receive free medical treatment in our government hospitals.”
Salaam urged the people not to sell their votes but defend their votes.
The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi while receiving the ADC leaders in his palace called on poli cal leaders, party supporters and residents of Osun State to embrace peace and unity as campaigns intensify ahead of the state’s governorship elec on.
Oba Ogunwusi represented by the Lowa Adimula of Ifeland, Oba Adekola Adeyeye reaffirmed the Ooni’s commitment to promo ng peaceful coexistence, irrespec ve of poli cal affilia ons, while describing Ile-Ife as the spiritual and historical cradle of the Yoruba race.
Lowa stressed the need for successive governments and poli cal leaders to accord Ile-Ife the level of a en on and development befitng its historical significance.
The summit had in a endance representa ves of various poli cal par es, governorship candidates, security agents, tradi onal and religious leaders, civil society groups and the media. •Continued on Page 7
“Ile-Ife remains the source and ancestral home of the Yoruba people. Poli cs in modern Nigeria has a rich history that also has strong roots in Ile-Ife. The late Ooni Adesoji Aderemi served
Oladele Israel
Shola Aderinto
YESTERDAY in IleIfe, the cradle of Yoruba civilizaon, the crowd was feisty, full of great expecta ons. They had come in an cipa on of upli ment as well as to get enlightened on pressing issues. Aregbesola never disappoints.
He is to a considerable extent now viewed as more than a former Governor, an historic person there is an understandable nostalgia for a more edifying past.
This can be confirmed by analysing the mood in the markets in Ile Ife in places such as Lagere, a major trading and logis cs hub.
The consensus there is that government under the Symbol did put the people first and that there was empathy. They lamented the lack of con nuity. This is more than nostalgia, it reflects genuine disappointment about the current reality in Osun State.
Aregbesola is s ll relevant because the cur-
The Symbol Back On The Campaign Trail
AT the lagere market, ile ife on tuesday reflects a wellfounded hankering back to an era based on vigourous government social interventions. People are disturbed about the erosion of purchasing power parity.
Purchasing power has been enrolled and it’s even more painful with the absence of aregbesola’s type of social interventions such as the acclaimed school feeding programme as well as interventions in agricultural education and health.
Sadly, the markets are down bit and only programmes that reflect the benefit of the past can ignite enthusiasm.
rent of thought now favours the impact that state interven on can provide.
For example, a long consensus associated
Issues & Policy
“The people on the streets encompasssing the informal sector and the marginalized gavouts Aregbesola, the ADC as a political party that has better plans and programmes for the masses”
with the London School of Economics is now a clear, reality and be er alterna ve to the now discredited Structural Adjustment Programme ini ated by BBC the Washington Consensus.
This has also Vindicated Aregbesola’s Alternave Prospec ve which is a reinvigora on of the Social Contract.
The people on the streets encompasssing the informal sector and the marginalized gavouts Aregbesola, the ADC as a poli cal party that has be er plans and programmes for the masses.
Time For Trailers, Trucks And Tankers To Turn To Night Travel’s Now Or Never
Samson Oluga
IT is astonishingly paradoxical that driving or travelling in broad/bright daylight now gives road users trauma c nightmare experience. This is basically because of the preponderance of heavy-duty vehicles viz trailers, trucks and tankers carrying weighty industrial machines, petroleum commodies, livestock and agricultural produce among others. Oil, gas or petrol is tankered daily from one part of the country to some other near and distant loca ons across the na on. Many ci zens believe the heavy movement of the heavy-duty vehicles on the Nigerian roads especially in the day is adversely affec ng innocent road users and the physical environment in various ways just as it is nega vely impac ng on the roads that gulped billions of tax payers’ money to be constructed by the governments at various levels over the years. It is against this background that many people believe that restric ng the travels or journeys of heavyduty vehicles to night only will benefit the na on and the ci zens a great deal in various ways. Some of the ra onales or jus fica ons for advoca ng this revolu onary or transforma onal transporta on idea are cri cally explicated sequen ally below with appropriate comprehension aiding illustraons. The lifespans of major roads and high-
ways will be lengthened if heavy-duty vehicles are restricted to only night travels and journeys as done in many already developed or fast developing na ons of the world. This is simply because the roads and highways are in the hardest states in the night when the weather is pre y cool and the impacts of the trailers, trucks and tankers moving and carrying very heavy loads will not be felt so much on the roads during the wee hours of the day. However, the case is different in daylight especially in the a ernoon when many of the heavy-duty trucks now like to be on the roads compe ng with other road users. This is because the heat of the hot sunny a ernoon will impact seriously on the physical and chemical components of the roads such that they won’t be as strong or hard as in the nigh me. This is one of the reasons why areas frequently plied by these heavyduty vehicles or where they park when not journeying get damaged very quickly. That’s why there are visible cracks, potholes and modula ons on the surfaces of such roads and people will be wondering how they get there. These get worsened when or where there’s poor maintenance culture and next to nothing is usually done in many cases to repair road damages in good me. Those responsible for such tasks seem to forget the proverbial saying that a s tch in me saves nine or more.
The gridlock resul ng from the mass movement of heavy-duty vehicles on major roads and highways will significantly nosedive if the movement of the these class of vehicles is limited to nigh me. This is simply because they are predominantly the ones responsible for very severe road or high traffic disrup ons across the length
and breadth of major towns and ci es of the various states of the na on. This is mainly due to the fact that many of them don’t ensure their vehicles are in perfect condi ons and they load far more than capaci es making it pre y difficult to control the vehicles in some places and which usually lead to vehicular breakdowns in least expected areas of the roads or highways. When these vehicles breakdown on very busy roads or major highways, traffic will be hindered or narrowed and roads will be blocked before saying Jack Robinson or spelling Wole Soyinka. This is usually worsened by the fact that many other heavyduty vehicles will equally get stuck on the roads or highways in quick succession since they usually move in short or long rows of livestock, petroleum and other load carriers or drivers.
•Read full article on www.osundefender.com
•Dr Samson Oluga Dean, School of General & Administrative Studies
The Federal Polytechnic, Ede
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
Photo Splash Photo
Faces At The Palace Of The Ooni Of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II During The Visit Of The ADC National Secretary Before The Flag Off Of The Party’s Governorship Campaign In Ile-Ife Yesterday
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
Faces At The Osun ADC Governorship Campaign Rally Held At Enuwa Square, Ile-Ife Yesterday
Photo Splash Photo
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
6 News
Police Restore Calm After NURTW Factions Clash In Osun
THE Osun State Police Command says normalcy has been restored following a clash between rival fac ons of the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osogbo on Monday.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said the violence began a er one fac on of the union protested that its members were prevented from accessing a motor park by the dominant fac on.
According to the police, the protest later escalated into clashes, disrup ng public peace and commercial ac vies in parts of the Osun State capital.
“The Osun State Police Command has expressed deep concern over the unfortunate incident that occurred on 20th July, 2026, following a protest by a fac on of the Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State that their vehicles were not allowed into the garage by the dominant fac on, which reportedly escalated into clashes involving another fac on of the union in Osogbo,” the statement read.
The command said its personnel responded promptly a er receiving distress calls and used minimal force to disperse the protesters and restore normalcy.
“Immediately the Police Command received the distress call about the incident that led to the disrup on of public peace and normal commercial ac vi es, the Police swi ly swung into ac on and used minimal force to disperse the protesters and restore normalcy.
“Meanwhile, officers have been sta oned at the various parks within the state to prevent any further breakdown of law and order,” the statement added.
The police urged leaders and members of the rival fac ons to immediately cease hos li es and embrace peaceful dialogue as the appropriate means of resolving their grievances or channel their complaints through the appropriate authori es.
The command also appealed to stakeholders to avoid ac ons capable of escala ng tensions while relevant authories determine the legi -
mate management of the motor parks.
It warned that anyone found culpable during inves ga ons would be prosecuted.
“The Police and other security agencies have been directed to maintain law and order, protect lives and property, and conduct a thorough and impar al inves gaon into the incident. Anyone found to have engaged in violence or any other criminal act will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, advised residents to remain calm, con nue their lawful ac vi es and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible informaon.
The command also cau oned members of the public against spreading unverified informa on capable of causing panic or worsening the situa on.
Prof. Afolabi Hails Judiciary Over His Reinstatement As OSSCE Ila-Orangun Provost
THE reinstated Provost of the Osun State College of Educa on, Ila - Orangun, Prof. Jimoh Atanda Afolabi has commended the Judiciary, for reinsta ng him as the Provost of the ins tu on a er illegal removal from office.
Prof Afolabi lauded the judiciary for standing tall as the last hope of the common
people and for standing by the truth over his three years’ illegal removal from office.
The renowned Professor of Agricultural Economics gave the commenda on while reac ng to the judgment of the Na onal Industrial Court sitng in Ibadan which declared his removal as Provost of the Osun State College of Educa on, Ila-Orangun null and void.
It would be recalled
that the court had last week cleared the erudite Professor of all the fabricated allega ons against him by the former Chairman of the Governing Council of the ins tuon, Elder Peter Babalola.
According to the Provost, the resolve of the Management not to compromise its stand led to his (Afolabi) suspension and subsequent removal from office.
While thanking the College Community for the support he enjoyed during the period of suspension, Prof. Afolabi, admonished all staff and students of the ins tu on to con nue with their lawful ac vi es.
The Provost who again applauded the judiciary opined that, it stands as the hope of the common people of the society and urged the judiciary to sustain the tempo.
Adeleke Orders Rehabilitation Of Osogbo Bridge Ahead Of New Flyover Inauguration
Israel Oladele
OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed the immediate rehabilita on of the Olaiya Bridge in Osogbo ahead of the inaugura on of the newly completed Okefia Flyover Bridge.
The governor gave the direc ve during an inspec on of the bridge on Sunday after expressing concern over its deteriora ng condi on.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke stopped at the bridge during the inspec on and instructed the Ministry of Works to immediately assess its condi on and carry out necessary repairs. He also directed the ministry to clean up the bridge, fix all
iden fied defects and ensure it complements the newly completed Okefia and Lameco flyover bridges.
“The Ministry of Works should immediately act on this Olaiya Bridge. Let us clean it up. It is a state asset. We must ensure its proper maintenance. This should be done before we commission the Okefia Bridge,” the Governor said.
Adeleke reiterated that his administraon remains commi ed to maintaining exis ng public infrastructure while comple ng inherited projects.
“I believe government is a con nuum. All inherited projects are being completed by our government, and all completed projects by previous administra ons must be appropriately
maintained,” he added.
The Olaiya Bridge, located in the heart of Osogbo, is a major transport link connec ng several parts of the state capital and serving thousands of commuters daily.
The rehabilitaon direc ve came
as the state government prepares to inaugurate the Okefia Flyover, one of the administra on’s flagship infrastructure projects aimed at easing traffic conges on and improving road connec vity within Osogbo.
Since assuming office in Novem-
ber 2022, Governor Adeleke has consistently maintained that his administra on will complete viable inherited projects while embarking on new infrastructure ini aves to improve economic ac vi es and the quality of life of residents across the state.
•National President of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST), Dr. Bola Osinowo presenting an award of excellence to the Osun State coordinator of NAFDAC, Mr Olugbenga Aina
Israel Oladele
Michael Bamigbola
•Gotan
WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
NYCN Urges INEC To Intensify Security Plan Ahead Of Osun Poll
THE Chairman of the Na onal Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, Comrade Akinbode Olakolupo, has called on the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen collaboraon with all security agencies to ensure that the painstaking preparaons for the August 15, 2026 Osun State Governorship Elec on are not undermined by insecurity or par san conduct.
Speaking at the INEC Dialogue with Civil Society Organiza ons for Peaceful and Inclusive Par cipa on Ahead of the Osun State Governorship Elec on in Osogbo, Comrade Olakolupo stated that while INEC has con nued to demonstrate commitment towards delivering a free, fair, credible, and conclusive elec on, the success of the process depends largely on the professionalism and neutrality of the security agencies.
According to him, “INEC can guarantee a free, fair, credible, and conclusive elec on through effec ve electoral administra on, but it cannot guarantee a peaceful elec on without the coopera on and professionalism of the security agencies. All the efforts of INEC must not be destroyed by lapses in elec on security.”
The NYCN Chairman revealed that the Council has intensified campaigns against electoral violence through online advocacy and grassroots sensi za on across the state. He recalled that only a few days ago, he joined the NYCN Ife Land Chapter in Ile-Ife to educate young people and members of the public on the dangers of electoral violence, vote buying, and vote selling, urging them to embrace peaceful par cipa on in the electoral process.
He stressed that no poli cal ambi on should be pursued at the expense of human lives, no ng that elec ons should produce leaders and not vic ms.
Expressing concern over the conduct of security personnel in previous elec ons, Comrade Olakolupo alleged that the Nigeria Police Force has, in some instances, failed to inspire public confidence through its ac ons.
“The Nigeria Police
•Alleges Police Of Compromise
must understand that its cons tu onal responsibility is to protect lives, property, and the
integrity of the electoral process. Any percep on or act of par sanship erodes public confi-
dence and threatens the credibility of elec ons. Security agencies must remain neutral, profes-
sional, and impar al in carrying out their cons tu onal responsibilies,” he said.
He urged INEC to con nue working closely
meeting held at the
CSOs Petition UN Over Alleged Plot To Disrupt Osun Election
THE Coali on of Civil Society Organiza ons for Good Governance (CCGG) has pe oned the United Na ons Resident Coordinator in Nigeria, urging the interna onal community to closely monitor developments in Osun State over an alleged subterranean plot l to undermine the state’s August 15, 2026 governorship elec on.
In the pe on dated July 20, 2026, and signed by the na onal coordinator of the coali on, Comrade Declan Ihekiare, the coalion, which comprises over 150 civil society, human rights, faithbased and community organisa ons, expressed concern over what it termed “credible intelligence” sugges ng that poli cally mo vated violence could be orchestrated to create grounds for the declara on of a state of emergency in the state.
The coali on alleged that the objecve of the purported plan would be to disrupt or postpone the governorship elecon and influence the electoral process. It claimed un-
named security sources had indicated that a acks on ci zens, public infrastructure and poli cal actors could be sponsored to generate insecurity ahead of the poll.
The group argued that such a scenario could be used to jusfy the invoca on of Sec on 305 of the 1999 Cons tu on, leading to the declara on of a state of emergency, suspension of democra c governance and appointment of an unelected administrator.
The coali on, however, did not provide evidence to substanate the allega ons contained in the peon.
CCGG called on the United Na ons, the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and other internaonal stakeholders to deploy elec on observers, diploma c missions and early warning mechanisms to Osun State to help prevent violence and promote a peaceful electoral process.
It also urged the Federal Government and security agencies to remain imparal and professional
in carrying out their cons tu onal responsibili es, stressing that efforts should focus on preven ng violence rather than responding to it.
The coali on further appealed to all poli cal par es to commit themselves to peaceful campaigns and ensure that their supporters refrain from acts of violence.
It equally called on the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain its preparaons for the conduct of what it described as a free, fair and credible governorship elec on on the scheduled date.
The pe on stated that the coali on and its member organisaons would con nue to advocate for cons tu onal governance and peaceful democra c processes, while mobilising ci zens through lawful means to defend democra c rights.
The pe on was copied to the African Union Commission, ECOWAS Commission, the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and the European Union, as well as the Interna-
onal Criminal Court, the Na onal Human Rights Commission and INEC.
The coali on urged the UN to engage relevant Nigerian authories and closely monitor developments in Osun State, emphasising the need to safeguard the integrity of the forthcoming governorship elec on.
with the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies to guarantee adequate security before, during, and a er the elec on.
The NYCN Chairman also called on tradi onal rulers and religious leaders across Osun State to use their influence to counsel poli cians and their supporters against acts capable of inci ng violence, warning that electoral violence leaves devasta ng consequences for families and communi es long a er elecons have ended.
Addressing young people, Comrade Olakolupo urged them not to allow themselves to be used as instruments of violence or poli cal thuggery. He encouraged them to reject vote buying and vote selling and instead par cipate peacefully and responsibly in determining the future of Osun State. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Naonal Youth Council of Nigeria, Osun State Chapter, to con nue partnering with INEC, civil society organizaons, community-based organiza ons, faithbased organiza ons, and other democra c stakeholders to promote voter educa on, peaceful par cipa on, and credible elec ons across the state.
Osun Guber: Salaam Will Build On...
•Continued from page 2
as Governor of the old Western Region, and his remarkable contribuons were felt not only in Ile-Ife but throughout Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole.
He said, “Since he le office, Ile-Ife has not experienced the level of development that befits its status as the cradle of the Yoruba race. The Hausa people regard Sokoto as their source, and today Sokoto connues to enjoy significant development. The Igbo people hold Enugu in high esteem as one of their historic centres, and its growth is evident. We, as Yoruba, who acknowledge Ile-Ife as our source, must collec vely ensure that this ancient city receives the a enon and development it deserves.”
He further appealed to poli cians and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the elec oneering period.
“We appeal to all poli cal par es, candidates and supporters to shun violence, avoid bloodshed and remain pa ent. Elec ons should not divide our people or cost anyone his or her life. Let the campaigns be peaceful, while the electorate freely exercise their democra c rights.”
The Ooni, through the Lowa Adimula, therea er offered royal prayers and blessings for the ADC governorship candidate, Alhaji Najeem Salaam, as well as for peaceful and credible elec ons across Osun State.
•The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi Telu I with other traditional rulers from Osun West Senatorial District during a
Oluwo’s palace recently
Israel Oladele
Yusuf Oketola
THE Nigerian Na onal Assembly has passed the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) Amendment Bill, 2026. Among its provisions is a clause outlawing preaching in commercial vehicles—an offense that now a racts a s ff N50,000 fine.
Ironically, the original intent of the bill, which originated from the FRSC itself, was simply to increase traffic offense fines from N5,000 to N50,000. When the original N5,000 penalty was s pulated decades ago, it was a substan al sum. Today, due to infla on and the precipitous fall of the naira, it amounts to peanuts and no longer serves as a deterrent.
However, a joint commi ee of the Assembly smuggled a new provision into the bill: one that prohibits preaching, hawking, and other acts deemed “capable of distrac ng the driver.”
Sponsored and presented by Senate Leader Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, the bill was promptly passed and now awaits presiden al assent. If President Bola Tinubu signs it, public evangelists will be treated as criminals simply for sharing the Gospel with passengers.
This hits close to home. I cut my Chris an teeth in Ibadan during the mid-to-late 1980s, preaching and praying for people in public vehicles. The passengers showed great apprecia on and responded enthusias cally. At no point did my preaching cause offense, face contradicon, or distract the driver.
At no point did an accident occur because of the preaching.
The claim that hawking and preaching distract drivers is false and misguided. In reality, commercial drivers are distracted by verifiable hazards: using mobile
“It is equally disheartening that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and our sleuth of political preachers have remained largely silent on a matter of such gravity that cuts straight into the soul of the Christian faith”
SOLA FASURE
The Anti-Preaching Bill Is A Misdirected Assault On Evangelism
phones, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, ea ng and drinking behind the wheel, or playing loud music while dancing and singing.
They are distracted by striking up conversa ons with fellow commercial drivers on the other side of the road, or engaging in vola le road rage with private motorists.
They are distracted when they halt abruptly in inappropriate places to scramble with other commercial vehicles for passengers, or when they flirt with female passengers seated next to them in the front row.
Lastly, drivers get dangerously distracted while nego a ng or trying to evade extor on by law enforcement agencies and FRSC officials.
I once witnessed a commercial driver, while trying to evade extor on from law enforcement officers, hit and scaled the guardrails on Carter Bridge in Lagos and plunged the Moluẹ bus headlong into the lagoon with the passengers.
Nowhere in this chao c matrix is a preacher involved.
It is profoundly disturbing to witness the maniacal zeal with which these lawmakers seek to strangle evangelism in Nigeria.
It is equally disheartening
that the Chris an Associa on of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), and our sleuth of poli cal preachers have remained largely silent on a ma er of such gravity that cuts straight into the soul of the Chris an faith.
The seamless passage of this bill completely exposes the emp ness of the frequent, strident calls for Chris ans to parcipate in poli cs by vo ng for Chris an candidates.
The founda onal logic behind those calls has always been that Chris an poli cal leaders would be conscious of, and ac vely protect, Chris an interests. Yet, me and again, we see how misguided and unrealis c this expecta on is. At best, this narra ve serves only to hoist these poli cians into high office using the block votes of well-meaning but poli cally naive believers. In the end, these voters are invariably le agitated and disappointed when the poli cians shi to pursuing their personal interests and passing explicitly an -Chris an laws.
Consider the op cs here: Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the bill’s sponsor, Senate Leader Michael Ọpẹyẹmí Bamidele, are both nominal Chris ans. Alongside them,
hundreds of other Chris ans sit comfortably in both chambers of the Na onal Assembly. Yet, this obnoxious law against evangelism passed seamlessly through the legislature without as much as a single whimper of dissent from any of them.
Let us be clear: freedom of religion, including the right to propagate one’s faith, is constu onally guaranteed. Sec on 38(1) of the 1999 Cons tu on explicitly states:
“Every person shall be entled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom (either alone or in community with others, and in public or in private) to manifest and propagate his religion or belief in worship, teaching, prac ce and observance.”
The freedom to “manifest and propagate” is an inalienable, coded cons tu onal right. This amendment is therefore uncons tu onal, repulsive, obnoxious and an -religion. It signals that the Na onal Assembly is no longer serving the interests of the Nigerian people, showing a dangerous willingness to trample on ci zens’ fundamental rights. Furthermore, the bill fails to provide a clear defini on of what cons tutes “preaching.” We have already seen how this plays out in Western Chris an na ons that have backslidden; in some places, merely offering a prayer or quo ng certain Bible passages can land a ci zen in legal trouble.
Under this vague Nigerian bill, simply saying “Jesus is Lord” or “Bismillahi Rahmani Rahim” when embarking or disembarking from a vehicle, as cultural with most people in Nigeria, could be interpreted as a traffic offense.
This is where the law becomes ridiculous and descends into absolute absurdity.
In the psychology of dictatorship, oppression is incremental. If you strip people of one right without resistance, success begets success. The state will push further, eroding liber es one by one un l freedom is en rely gone.
It is therefore incumbent upon all well-meaning Chris ans and defenders of liberty to oppose this law. We must make powerful representa ons to the President, urging him to withhold his assent. This bill is not about road safety; it is a dark road toward religious persecu on.