How Aregbesola Orchestrated The
TYusuf Oketola got the highest alloca on of N2,373,387,070.18, while Ifedayo local government received the least alloca on of N1,591,877,175.69.
HE con nuous seizure of local government alloca ons meant for Osun State by the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government in the last six months is having excrucia ng effects on the people and hindering development at the grassroots, OSUN DEFENDER reports.
The medium gathered that a total sum of N59,277,387,774.65 (Fi y-Nine Billion, Two Hundred and SeventySeven Million, Three Hundred and Eighty-Seven Thousand and Seven Hundred and SeventyFour Naira and Sixty-five Kobo) was released for the 30 LGAS in the state between February and June 2025.
According to figures obtained from the office of the Accountant General of the Federa on, councils in Osun Central Senatorial District got N19,523,702,003.05, those in Osun West Senatorial District got N19,159,792,119.44 while the people of Osun East Senatorial District were allocated N20,234,628,099.86.
The breakdown further revealed that Ife East local government
The sum is part of
the withheld allocaons accruing to the councils in the last six months of its closure due to the ongoing poli cal ba le between the Peoples Democrat-
ic Party, PDP and the opposi on All Progressives Congress, APC. The crisis dates back to the twilight of former governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola’s
administra on, which rushed to organise a local government on October 15, 2022 a er he lost to Governor Ademola Adeleke in the July 16, 2022 poll.
•(L-R) Hon. Rahman Owókòníran, ADC Coalition Influencer, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,, ADC National Secretary, Hon. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Former LP member and Lagos State Gubernatorial Candidate, 2023, and Mr. George Ashiru ADC Lagos State Chairman, after officially receiving GRV after Alimosho affirmation on Saturday
Tinubu Told Me To Contest Osun Guber - Omisore
But the Federal High Court si ng in Osogbo on November 25 and 30, 2022, a few days before and a er the swearingin of Adeleke, nullified the elec on that brought in the APC local government chairmen and councillors and removed them from office.
The state government, therea er, appointed caretaker commi ees to run the councils. The sacked APC officials challenged the ruling and secured a ‘favourable’ judgement at the Court of Appeal in Akure. Buoyed by the appellate court’s verdict, the APC chairmen and councillors returned to their council offices, asser ng their legi macy.
But Adeleke conducted a fresh round of local elec ons on February 22,
“In healthcare, a functional primary healthcare centre requires between N50 and N70 million. Osun could have built at least 800 such facilities, ensuring that even the most remote villages have access to doctors and nurses. Hospitals could also have been equipped with modern facilities to reduce maternal and infant deaths”
Seized N59bn Osun LG Fund: How It Affects Your Life
•Continued from front page
2025, where PDP candidates were declared winners. The elected officials were subsequently sworn in but directed to withhold assump on of physical control of the council secretariats to avoid clashes.
Since the crisis broke out, grassroots development has con nued to suffer, including essen al services such as educa on, healthcare, issuance of marriage cer ficates and others. To put the withheld alloca ons into perspecve, many residents and stakeholders have connued to consider the transforma ve poten al of such an amount if it had been directed toward real needs of the people.
Some of the analysis done by stakeholders who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER revealed that in educa on, building and equipping a standard secondary school costs around N150 million, stressing that part of the withheld funds could have delivered nearly 400 schools across the state. Alterna vely, exis ng schools could have been renovated, with provisions for digital learning tools and scholarships for students. With the new minimum wage at N70,000, the monthly salaries of the awai ng 5,000 teachers in the state stands at N350 million, a paltry sum which would easily be paid so that students of the state can have access to quality teaching and learning.
In healthcare, a funconal primary healthcare centre requires between N50 and N70 million. Osun could have built at least 800 such facili es, ensuring that even the most remote villages have access to doctors and nurses. Hospitals could also have been equipped with modern facili es to reduce maternal and infant deaths.
For roads, rural communi es o en struggle with isola on, especially during the rainy season. The cost of construc ng one kilometer of rural road is around N200 to N300 million. The allocaons could have provided 200 to 250 kilometers of new roads, connecting farmers to markets and children to schools.
In water and sanitaon, a motorised borehole costs about N10 million. Osun could have
•Vice Chancellor, Fountain University, Prof. Olayinka Ramota Karim, presenting the key of an official car to the Dean of the University’s youngest College — the College of Arts and Education, Prof. Serifat labo-Popoola, at the school premises recently
drilled almost 6,000 boreholes, ensuring safe drinking water for nearly every community. This alone would have drascally reduced cases of waterborne diseases.
In job crea on, N1 billion could establish an agro-processing or vocaonal training center. The withheld funds could have financed 50 to 60 such centers, offering skills and employment to thousands of young
people. If disbursed as N500,000 loans or grants to small businesses, over 117,000 entrepreneurs could have been empowered to expand their ventures.
Housing also presents a compelling opportunity. At a cost of N5 million per low-cost housing unit, the alloca ons could have produced more than 11,000 new homes. This would have reduced slum condi ons
in urban areas and provided affordable housing for working families.
A non-profit organisaon in the state, Insight Ini a ve for Community and Social Development, one of the stakeholders canvassing for the reopening of the councils and its withheld allocaons, also condemned the con nuous closure of the councils while calling for a me culous approach to resolve the imbroglio.
This was contained in a statement by its Execu ve Director, Jare Tiamiyu.
A copy of the statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER reads partly:
“While we condemn the con nuous shutdown of council secretariats in the state, due to the protracted leadership crisis, we appeal for calm and a me culous approach to resolving
the dispute, with a view to enable our councils return to full opera ons in no distant me.
“We have also in the last few weeks ins tuted a daily reminder of the number of days that local government offices have been under lock to awaken the consciousness of all stakeholders on the need to open our councils.
“As a non-par san en ty, we will con nue to demand transparency, accountability and the delivery of good governance to the masses through our Osun Open Local Government (OsunOpenLG) Project. This, however, can only be achieved when alloca ons expected to be used to ini ate programmes and policies for the benefit of the masses is withheld, denying people at the grassroots access to true dividends of democracy,” Tiamiyu noted.
As at today, the councils have been shut for over 207 days, with many residents of the state anxiously waiting for the day the current impasse will be resolved.
INEC Recognises Mark, Aregbesola, Others As ADC Leaders
Kazeem Badmus
THE Independent
Na onal Electoral Commission
INEC has officially recognized Senator David Mark as the chairman of the African Democra c Congress (ADC). The commission recognised Mark and other leadership of ADC which included former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as the secretary of the party.
In a change to the party’s par culars on its website on Wednesday in Abuja, INEC listed the new execu ve members of the party, confirming the resoluon of months of leadership tussle within the ADC.
According to the commission, the newly recognized Na onal Working Commi ee of the ADC is led by Sen. Mark as Na onal Chairman, while former Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was named the Na onal Secretary.
Others include Dr Mani Ibrahim Ahmad as Na onal Treasurer;
Akibu Dalhatu, as Naonal Financial Secretary; and former Edo State governor, Prof. Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor, as the Na onal Legal Adviser. Meanwhile, the Omoluabi Progressives have congratulated Nigerians and members of the party over the confirma on of the ADC leadership.
The group in statement by its Organising Secretary, Abosede Oluwaseun, charged members of the party to work across all units to ensure victory during the forthcoming elec ons.
He said, “We congratulate Nigerians on this affirma on, achieved despite all odds and the shenani-
gans orchestrated by the APC-led governments to frustrate the will of the people.
“This victory is not just symboli, it is proof that when Nigerians remain resolute, no amount of in midaon or manipula on can suppress the collec ve voice of the people.
“Now is the me to
work across all units in our federa on, building bridges and strengthening unity. It usually looks impossible un l it is done— but today, we can boldly say it is done.
“Together, we shall con nue to safeguard democracy, promote accountability, and ensure the progress and dignity of our people.”
Sen. Mark •Aregbesola
THE Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) has made a correct decision in recognising Senator David Mark as the Na onal Chairman of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola as the Na onal Secretary, and so forth. In the opinion of many, this was an unnecessary distrac on; in the first place, the consensus of the commi ed members of the ADC had already gone ahead with the changes. A key element that must not be discarded is the new poli cs, in which a fi h column is sent into virtually every poli cal forma on in order to disrupt the process. This ought not to be; and should not be allowed to become the new normal.
If we look at the African connent itself, we are not unaware that infiltrators are sent into even Malema’s problema c Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to disrupt it, and yet Malema’s party poses a real threat not just to the governing party but to the economic setup in the Republic of South Africa. INEC has done the right thing, and they deserve kudos. We expect them to con nue to maintain their independence as an acceptable electoral commission, comparable to what has been established in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and the Republic of South Africa.
The very sensible forward thrust of INEC is important because it breeds a fresh air into a very stale poli cal setup. The ADC, on its part, is now beckoned forth to fulfill its historic mission. In the words of the Poli cal philosopher France Franz Fanon; “Out of obscurity, every generaon has a mission which it either fulfills or betrays”. The ADC must come out of it all as the vehicle to be used to rebuild Nigeria and make it a fairer and more equitable society.
Nigeria today is stul fied; the country has no clear roadmap to get out of the quagmire of mass hopelessness and an economy that is fixated on “growth without development,” with tens of millions of people trapped in poverty.
What should be expected of the ADC now is to embark on mass mobilisa on. The ADC should see its role more like the old an -colonial par es of the past, in which they faced a formidable juggernaut, which will require great tac cal skills and a clear-sighted strategic imperave to dislodge. For the sake of the millions trapped in mul dimensional poverty, the ADC must produce a convincing programme and use all the methods known and those yet to be invented of
A New Beginning
agita on and propaganda to get their message through and help lay the founda ons for the rebirth of a society that is, at the moment, stul fied in despair.
The ADC, which is now the most coherent and focused alterna ve to the present government, must produce a programme and use it as the weapon of mass mobilisaon. People are best mobilised on the basis of a programme and not on the basis of personali es. The ADC must focus on a very key betrayal of the present All Progressives Congress (APC). A lot of people supported the posi on of the APC because it was based on a promise in its 2023 manifesto that they will strive to construct a social market economy. Everything the APC has done since the inaugura on of the present administra on has been a complete repudia on of any known concept of a social market. This, in a lot of ways, is unpardonable because to have promised the social market and now introduced and championed policies of a neo-liberal and unfeeling kind is the worst form of betrayal.
What is needed is for the ADC to project itself as the convincing alterna ve, which in our opinion means reviving the thrust of a social market economy in which macroeconomic stability will provide the roadmap for building a produc ve economic base, reviving the dilapidated rural economy, and building a much fairer society. There is nothing new in this; this was the basis upon which poli cal ac on and thought in Nigeria from the incep on of the earliest na onal-
EXPLAINER
•Kudos to the Independent National Electoral Commission for asserting its independence. It was must continue to do so.
•The African Democratic Congress (ADC) now has a clear path to focus on its mission without obstacles.
•The ADC must release a clear and convincing alternative programme that highlights the ineptitude and mass suffering caused by the current government’s policies.
ist movements and the par es that we associate today with that much more edifying era, such as for example, the Ac on Group, the NCNC, NEPU, and so forth.
It is only on the basis of mobilising people and explaining to them that government has a solid and vigorous role to play in enhancing their lives, building up capital for them to use, that the party can now expose the debilita ng flaws of the APC.
Key in this mobilisa on effort and the revival of the thoughts of social democracy must be a lot of the people who have come in today, such as the former governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, and others. They have actually shown in thinking and in prac ce the efficacy of vigorous government interven on to make life much be er for the overwhelming majority of the people and their families. The ADC must today project itself as the heir to a much
•The emphasis should be on a propeople programme of action that prioritises shared prosperity, a key element in African community culture.
•New, imaginative forms of mass mobilisation are needed in this critical political season, which could be make-or-break for Nigeria; it should mark a new dawn.
be er past and as the vehicle to build a much-needed society. In ge ng its message across, the ADC must constantly do a compara ve analysis between the present ruinous policies of the federal government and other policies in which millions of people were brought out of poverty. The examples are numerous and can be used graphically. For example, the memory is s ll fresh of the giant strides made in the 1950s under the government of the Ac on Group in Western Nigeria. This must be constantly brought up, as a constant reminder. Constant reminders are of crucial importance in order to keep the focus of the electorate fixated on the message.
OSUN DEFENDER
The ADC must con nue to show how efficacious interven onist policies are being used across the globe and bring up examples from Singapore and also from the great interven onist thrust of the government in Brazil of President Ignacio Lula da Silva. It is important to show that the kind of policies that people like Lula da Silva were associated with were also part of the fulcrum of the kind of policies that people like Lateef Jakande, Rauf Aregbesola also implemented with great benefits for the overwhelming majority of the people and their families.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
The emphasis must be placed connuously on achieving shared prosperity through the equitable use of state funds and the machinery of the state to build a produc ve base in society. The ADC has an historic opportunity; they must rise up to the occasion. History will be unforgiving if they do not.
Youth Group Berates Osun Assembly Over Delay In ‘Agency Regulatory Bill’
Yusuf Oketola
THE Youth Assembly of Nigeria (YAN), Osun Chapter, has expressed dissatisfac on with the state House of Assembly over its ‘apparent indifference’ to the pressing concerns of citizens regarding the exorbitant charges imposed by house agents across the state.
In a statement by the Speaker of the Assembly, Hammed Fatomi, he lamented that the Osun House of Assembly appears to be trea ng the cries of Osun youths as mere noise.
“It is truly disappoin ng that we are s ll ba ling this issue at a me when we should already be enjoying the benefits of affordable housing through the mely interven on of the Agency Regulatory Bill,” he stated.
According to the Fatomi, the Youth Assembly is not in opposi on to the State House of Assembly, but the wellbeing of Osun residents, especially the youth and low-income earner should be priority.
He said: “What is wrong is wrong, regardless of who is responsible. The wellbeing of Osun ci zens, especially the youth and lowincome earners, should be a top priority.”
The Speaker called on Governor Ademola Adeleke, to intervene decisively in the ma er and rescue Osun youths from the unconstitutional and exploita ve charges levied by house agents.
He noted that despite widespread public outcry, par cularly from the vulnerable segments of the popula on, the State Assembly has remained largely silent and slow to act.
“The undue delay in the considera on and pas-
•Calls For Executive Intervention
sage of the Agency Regulatory Bill, which is designed to bring structure, fairness, and accountability to real
estate prac ces in Osun State, is both concerning and unacceptable. This inac on calls into ques on the As-
sembly’s commitment to the people it was elected to serve.
“The Youth Assembly of Nigeria therefore calls on the Osun State House of Assembly to urgently rise to its legisla ve du es and pass the Agency Regulatory Bill without further delay.
The me to act is now. The people of Osun deserve a system that serves their interests, not one that exploits their struggles,” the statement concluded.
IN the thick forests and sunlit courtyards of ancient Yorubaland, long before modern cons tu ons and civic codes, truth was already law. Not written in ink or chiseled into stone, but spoken, drummed, danced, and preserved — passed down through symbols, rituals, and oral wisdom. Among the Ijesas and other Yoruba people, integrity was not merely a personal virtue; it was a public mandate.
One of the most powerful ancestral metaphors for integrity was the gangan — the talking drum. The drum did more than provide rhythm for fes vals; it communicated lineage, warned of danger, and called communi es to order. But in sacred se ngs, it did something deeper: it spoke truth to power. When a king veered into tyranny or neglected jus ce,
The Drumbeat Of Truth: What Our Ancestors
Taught About Integrity Art/Culture
drummers could send coded messages to elders, town criers, and even the gods — a form of moral accountability when no one dared confront the throne directly.
It’s no coincidence that in our tradi onal courts, proverbs carried the weight of evidence, and oracles reminded even kings of their mortality.
“Ọba kìí gbọ ò tọ, á fọ ilé rè” — a king who refuses truth will see his house fall. This was not just a saying; it was a warning, rooted in experience and upheld by collecve memory. In Ilesa, elders s ll speak of the Ẹlẹgbẹrun kànsọ — the “thousand-tongued silence.” It referred to what happened when a ruler turned a deaf ear to truth: the peo-
ple stopped singing, drumming, and praising. Silence became resistance. In that vacuum, even the most decorated monarch would feel the s ng of disapproval. That was the power of moral culture — quiet, but unshakable.
Our ancestors did not separate leadership from character. To them, truth wasn’t flexible. Whether through the Ifá divina on system or the oral histories of griots, integrity remained a central thread. Even in succession disputes, it wasn’t always the strongest prince who inherited the crown, but o en the one with a clean record among the people and ancestors. This was tradi on working as a form of jus ce.
Sadly, in today’s
corridors of power — whether in government offices, local councils, or within our homes — truth is o en the first casualty. Integrity is praised but rarely prac ced. Cultural memory is fading. And yet, perhaps the answers we seek for ethical leadership lie not in imported systems but in our indigenous values — wai ng to be reawakened.
Imagine if we returned to that sacred standard, where leaders knew their oath was not just to voters but to the ancestors, to unborn generaons, and to truth itself. Where the sound of the drum s ll held power — not just as
entertainment, but as a living conscience for the community.
Let us not forget that these African philosophies of integrity were not primi ve — they were profound. They trained socie es to value truth over convenience, jus ce over popularity, and silence only when it meant dignity, not cowardice.
So, as we reflect on the challenges facing Osun State and Nigeria at large — corrup on, mistrust, broken promises — we would do well to remember: the drumbeat of truth is s ll echoing. The ancestors are s ll listening.
•Secretary to Osun State Government, Chief Teslim Igbalaye in group photograph with leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Osun Axis, led by Comr. Solomon Ayobami Abel, Nans JCC Chairman, Osun Axis, alongside other state executives on Monday
How Aregbesola Orchestrated The Return Of Ondo, Ekiti Back To Progressive Fold
Yusuf Oketola
OGBENI Rauf Aregbesola was one of the architects and foundaonal members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as well as the first governor to be elected on the platform of the party a er his Eki State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi lost the Eki State 2014 guber elec on to Ayodele Fayose, same year the party was formed.
Aregbesola’s victory boosted the moral of APC at the 2015 presiden al elec on. This contributed in no small measure in the emergence of late former President Muhammadu Buhari as he defeated the then incumbent president, Goodluck Jonathan. Mind you, that was the first me in the chequered poli cal history of the country that an opposi on candidate defeated the ruling party. This was a result of vigorous campaigns and strategies deployed by the likes of Aregbesola and other leaders.
Beyond his polical base in Osun, his contribu ons span other five southwest states including, Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Eki during and a er his reign as governor of Osun State where his impacts are s ll felt today.
While many people have forgo en his indelible landmarks and leadership sagacity so quickly, people like Dr. Najeem Salaam, a former speaker of Osun State House of Assembly for eight years, will not.
Salaam, while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER during his 60th birthday recently, recounted how Aregbesola’s influence across the southwest states helped depose the opposi on par es, par cularly in Ondo and Eki States.
Recall that before the emergence of Fayemi as Eki State Governor, the state was under the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) while Ondo was being controlled by Olusegun Mikiko of the Labour Party for
eight years before he was succeeded by late Ro mi Akeredolu of the APC in 2017.
According to Salaam, Aregbesola is not only interested in Osun but the whole Yoruba-
speaking states. He said: “Aregbesola is not only interested in Osun, he shows his
interest in our sister states, Ondo and Ekiwhen they were in the opposi on then, PDP
and Labour Party. Rauf mobilised from Osun, energised the people of Ondo and Eki , and eventually, we conquered and won. Now, they are back in the progressives fold.
“People forget things easily, but history is there. They will be reminded at the appropriate me. I know this is not for Rauf but me. I know some of us cannot write our history without the name of Rauf; it will not be complete.
“Most of us that contested elec ons since 2007 know what Aregbesola’ contribuons to our electoral victories and burnishing our poli cal careers. He always supported us morally, intellectually and resource-wise. People forget good things easily. They always remember the bad side, but people like us will not forget.”
Tinubu Told Me To Contest Osun Guber - Omisore
Kazeem Badmus
Aformer deputy governor of Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu asked him to contest the 2026 governorship elec on in Osun State.
In a video obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, the gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stated this during a mee ng with ward chairmen of the party in Osogbo.
Speaking in the video, Omisore, who represented Osun East between 2003 and 2011 at the Senate, said he ini ally had no inten on to contest because he thought the immediate past governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola, would come back for a second term.
Omisore, however, said he decided to join the gubernatorial race since Oyetola had declared that he was no longer interested in recontes ng.
Omisore who spoke in Yoruba language, said, “When President Bola Tinubu called me last year to contest for the governorship posion, I told him former governor Oyetola would come back for
a second term, but he said he wasn’t sure he would.
“So, I told Oyetola what I discussed with the president and he said he will think about it. I ini ally didn’t want to come out to contest since I thought Oyetola would recontest, but since he said he is
not contes ng again, that is why I am contes ng.”
The former Na onal Secretary of the APC called for the support of the ward chairmen, promising not to disappoint if elected governor of the state.
He also told the APC ward chairmen
to ignore threats from some quarters, adding that they have the power to determine who emerges as the governorship candidate of the party.
“The primary will be between November and December, accordingly to the INEC metable. You, the ward chairmen, will be the ones to monitor it from the ward level.
Osun Govt Suspends Consultant Over Borehole
Permit Operations
Yusuf Oketola
THE Osun State Water Regulatory Commission has announced the immediate suspension of Royal Gem Mul Sector Ltd, a company previously involved in collec ng government revenue related to borehole drilling permits.
The suspension was disclosed in a statement signed by the Ac ng Chairman of the Osun Internal Revenue Service (OIRS), Mr. Hamzat Solanke, who stated that the ac on will remain in effect un l further no ce.
Solanke explained that the move was necessary due to “encumbrances sur-
rounding the modali es of opera ons” of the company, sugges ng opera onal irregulari es or concerns that warranted regulatory review.
Despite the suspension of Royal Gem’s ac vi es, the Water Regulatory Commission will con nue to carry out its statutory responsibili es, including overseeing borehole drilling, conducting water quality tes ng, and issuing necessary cer ficaons throughout the state.
Solanke emphasised that the suspension does not impact the core funcons of the commission.
Reaffirming the government’s dedica on to transparency and public welfare, he reiterated Governor Ademola Adeleke’s commitment to protec ng the interests of Osun State residents. He assured ci zens that no ac on would be taken that could disrupt the peace and stability the state currently enjoys.
“Go back home and check your ward register. We will vote in the wards, and you are the leaders of your wards. This is not the me to gamble, your life is involved because if you vote for the wrong person, it will be bad. We are going to start the work together,” Omisore added.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that more than 10 people have shown interest in contes ng the gubernatorial cket of the APC.
Apart from the Omisore, some of those who have also indicated interest included the current Managing Director of the Na onal Inland Waterways Authority, Bola Oyebamiji; ex-chairman, Senate Commi ee on Rules and Business, Senator Babajide Omoworare; a lawyer and son to the immediate past Olufi of Gbongan, Dotun Babayemi; the immediate past Osun Deputy Governor, Benedict Alabi; the Chairman, Mutual Assurance Benefits, Akin Ogunbiyi; a former lawmaker, Senator Mudashiru Hussein and a legal prac oner, Kunle Adegoke (SAN).
•Residents of Osun state waiting for INEC officials at the Commission local government office Osogbo, entrance to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration process
Photo: Shola Aderinto
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025
AYusuf Oketola
young girl iden fied as Bridget has reportedely took her own life due to the devasta ng outcome of the recently conducted Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Post-UTME examina on.
According to Alex Onyia, CEO of Educare, Bridget’s death was triggered by the widespread glitches and errors linked to the examina on vendor, Web Test, which also handled the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Post-UTME.
Onyia disclosed through his social media post that the pla orm used by both universi es suffered from major technological malfunc ons.
He lamented that many students were unjustly flagged for malprac ce by what he described as a “useless AI” system embedded in the Web Test so ware. The flawed system also generated highly irregular scores, leaving
several candidates in confusion and despair.
One of the shocking revela ons was how students with high Joint Admissions and Matricula on Board (JAMB) scores, such as 360, were reduced to a humilia ng 20 in the PostUTME. Onyia emphasized that such discrepancies point to injus ce against the younger genera on, stressing that the educaon system must be urgently reformed to prevent such tragedies.
The tragic case of Bridget has since ignited na onwide outrage, with many Nigerians demanding accountability from OAU, UNILAG, and the examinaon vendor.
The frustra on is compounded by the fact that these Post-UTME results o en determine whether students gain admission into the highly compe ve federal universi es. For many, years of effort and sacrifice were dashed in a
single, flawed exam process. Across social media pla orms, Nigerians have expressed anger, disappointment, and grief over the incident. A user idenfied as @winexviv commented that Nigeria’s systemic failures are deeply rooted in its colonial history and ethnic divisions. He argued that the structure of the country itself is flawed, sugges ng that the only solu on is to dismantle the current system and start afresh.
Another commentator, @Ikena, ques oned the credibility of leadership in the country, asking how pres gious ins tu ons like OAU could be plagued by recurring glitches. He described the incident as “very, very bad,” further highligh ng the lack of seriousness a ached to educa onal development in Nigeria. For some candidates, the situa on is more per-
sonal and painful. @Idris Olagoke, who reportedly scored 333 in the UTME, recounted his shock upon receiving a score far below expecta ons in the PostUTME. He revealed that he had consistently performed well in OAU past ques ons, never scoring below 35, yet the university awarded him a lower score. He accused OAU of deliberately depriving brilliant and hardworking students of admission to favor those with connec ons.
The mental toll of such inconsistencies cannot be underes mated. A user, @Lola, shared that many Nigerians, both young and old, contemplate suicide daily due to the frustra on embedded in the system. She described the Nigerian structure as “rigged not to work,” warning that no ma er how much effort ci zens put in, they are constantly faced with systemic failure.
In another lamenta-
OAU Post-UTME Glitch Sparks Outrage As Student Allegedly Takes Her Life News
Campus Review Campus Review
on, an aspirant revealed exhaus on a er realizing that OAU randomly assigned scores to candidates. The student expressed deep frustra on, ques oning why universies would conduct PostUTME exams if transparency and fairness could not be guaranteed. He described the experience as mentally draining and unacceptable.
The uproar con nued with @John Duran, who accused OAU of deliberately disregarding candidates’ hard work. He stated that the school “just gave us any score,” narra ng how he was unfairly awarded
20 marks despite sleepless nights of study and prepara on. Duran tagged public officials like the Minister of State for Health and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calling for urgent intervenon.
Another student, @ Amazo, disclosed that OAU defended its ac ons by claiming the suspiciously low scores were assigned to candidates flagged for chea ng. He, however, condemned the approach as inhumane, stressing that randomly assigning scores without concrete evidence further vic mizes students who already endure immense pressure.
Kingmaker Allegedly Refuses To Declare Jailed Apetu’s Stool Vacant
Kazeem Badmus
THE Asalu of Ipetumodu, Chief Sunday Adedeji has allegedly refused to declare the stool of the Apetumodu vacant following the convicon of Oba Joseph Oloyede.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Oba Oloyede was sentenced to more than four years in prison for fraud in the United States.
US District Judge, Christopher A. Boyko also ordered the monarch to “serve three years of supervised release a er imprisonment and pay $4,408,543.38 in restu on.”
According to the U.S A orney’s Office, Oloyede led a conspiracy to exploit COVID19 emergency loan programmes created for struggling businesses.
Chief Adedeji, during a mee ng of princes in Ipetumodu on Tuesday, allegedly turned down a request to write the state government to declare the seat vacant.
The mee ng, which commenced around 4 p.m., reportedly descended into chaos following the refusal of the Asalu to align
with some of the princes’ posi ons.
Providing more insight, Prince Olaboye Ayoola of Akinbile Ruling, said fully armed officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) were present around the palace during the mee ng.
ten to the governor, but Chief Sunday Adedeji, the Asalu of Ipetumodu, said no.
“The le er is to tell the governor to help us declare the Apotu stool vacant and dethrone the jailed monarch, but Asalu insisted that we won’t do that. He also said that from today, he is no longer interested in being a kingmaker.
which started around 4 p.m., descended into chaos around 6 p.m., and people le without any meaningful resolu on.
He said, “One Prince Adedoja Ayoola raised a point that a le er should be writalleged forgery.
“The mee ng,
“The only problem we have in the town is the Asalu. When the mee ng started, he first raised the issue of Ipetu day but we asked if we are also going to cover the monarch’s seat during this year’s Ipetumodu day.”
Fake Lawyer Remanded Over N18.5m Property Fraud In Osun
Kazeem Badmus
AMagistrate Court si ng in Osogbo, Osun State, has ordered the remand of suspected fake lawyer, Oruhu Emmanuel Odey, over
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Olisegun Ayilara Osogbo on a four-count charge bordering on impersona on, fraud, steal-
ing, and forgery.
The prosecutor, Mr. Saheed Anifowose, told the court that between December 15, 2020, and May 9, 2021, the defendant falsely paraded himself as a lawyer to deceive one Dr. Olujuwon Philips Towoju into purchasing two houses at Oroki Estate, Osogbo.
The prosecutor further alleged that Odey fraudulently obtained the sum of N18.5 million from Dr. Towoju under the pretence of facilita ng the property transac on as a legal prac oner.
He was also accused of stealing the same sum belonging to Dr. Towoju.
In addi on, Odey allegedly forged the Nigerian Bar Associaon (NBA) stamp and seal, affixing them to a pe on he wrote to the Commissioner of Police at the Ogun State Command.
The defendant, who had no legal representa on in court, pleaded not guilty to all the charges. However, Magistrate Ayilara recalled that the accused had once appeared before him in 2020 during the COVID-19 period, a fact Odey admi ed.
The offence according to the police contravened sec ons 109, 383, 390(9),419 and 467 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume II, Laws of Osun State.
Responding to the magistrate’s queries, Odey disclosed that he is currently studying Law at Benue State University.
The court witnessed a strong presence of the Nigerian Bar Associa on (NBA), Osogbo Branch, with former chairman, Mr. Yemi Abiona, and the incumbent chairman, Mr. Mauruf Adediran, leading six other lawyers to represent the associa on, which is a nominal complainant in the ma er. Magistrate Ayilara ordered that Odey be remanded at the Ilesa Correc onal Centre and adjourned the case ll October 21 for men on.
Super Eagles Can Still Qualify For 2026 World Cup – Chelle
SUPER Eagles head coach Eric Chelle remains op mis c about his team’s chances of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite a disappoin ng 1-1 draw against South Africa’s Bafana Bafana in Bloemfontein on Tuesday evening.
The result has cast a shadow over Nigeria’s aspira ons to secure a spot at the pres gious tournament. Currently, the Super Eagles sit in third place in Group C, amassing 11 points from eight matches, and trailing leaders South Africa by six points.
Chelle affirmed his team’s determina on to con nue figh ng for World Cup qualifica on.
“My players are professionals, and I know they will want to win the remaining two games,” he remarked a er the match.
“A lot can happen over the next month, but we must analyse our per-
formance tonight, which won’t be easy.”
The Super Eagles will face Lesotho away when qualifiers resume in September and will host Benin Republic’s Squirrels in their final group match later that month.
FORMER Real Madrid and Liverpool manager, Rafa Benitez, has insisted that Mohamed Salah is a more complete footballer than Crisano Ronaldo.
Benitez also insisted that the Portugal forward is a be er finisher than the Egyp an winger.
Salah has recorded 323 goals and 162 assists in 657 appearances across all compe ons during his club career and Ronaldo, on the other hand, is the highest goalscorer of all me with 796 goals and 257 assists in 1057 appearances across compe ons in his club career.
a segment on the YouTube channel Shoot for Love, Be-
nitez said (via Liverpool’s website): “You talk about a ackers, Salah has been consistent for so many years.
“Ronaldo is the greatest maybe finisher, but Salah is more complete.
Kazeem Badmus
THE First Lady of Osun State, Mrs Ti lola Adeleke, has urged law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure the prosecu on of those involved in Female Genital Mu la on (FGM).
Mrs Adeleke, while speaking during a roundtable symposium on Female Genital Mula on (FGM), also called on communies to report FGM offenders to the appropriate quarters.
The symposium, which focused on the provision, enforcement, and prosecu on of FGM, was organised by a Non-Governmental Organisa on, Ac on Health Incorporated, with support from the United Na ons Popula on Fund and in collabora on with the office of the First Lady.
The First Lady noted that FGM was a harmful tradi onal prac ce and a viola on of the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls.
She urged stakeholders to work together to end FGM in Osun State and make the state a model for Nigeria and beyond.
She said, “FGM is not only a harmful
tradi onal prac ce, it is a viola on of the rights, health, and dignity of women and girls. Today, we gather to strengthen our laws, to improve enforcement, and to ensure that offenders are held accountable.
“Let me appreciate Ac on Health Incorporated and the United Na ons Popula on Fund for their unwavering support in this cause. Your partnership has brought strength
Salah More Complete Footballer Than Ronaldo – Benitez News
and visibility to the fight against FGM in Osun State. We will not take that for granted.
“This gathering is a reminder that the safety of our daughters and the future of our communi es depend on the bold steps we are taking. By working together, government, tradional ins tu ons, civil society, and families can end FGM in Osun State and serve as a model for Nigeria and beyond.”
Speaking during far too long, no case has been prosecuted in Osun State despite evidence of the connued prac ce. This symposium provides us with a rare and important opportunity to change that narra ve.
“At the end I know where this will finish [Ronaldo vs Messi], so I will go here [with Salah].”
Osun First Lady Seeks Prosecution Of FGM Perpetrators
The South-West Gender/FGM analyst for the United Na ons Popula on Fund, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji, in her opening remarks, raised concern about the lack of prosecu on of perpetrators of FGM in Osun State despite evidence of the con nued pracce.
“While laws exist to protect women and girls, the challenge has been in their enforcement and prosecu on. For
“We are here to cri cally examine the gaps in enforcement of the an -FGM law, build stronger collabora on across government, judiciary, CSOs, health professionals, tradi onal, religious
leaders, and establish a State Ac on Plan that will serve as a roadmap for the elimina on of FGM in Osun State.”
The state A orney General and Commissioner for Jus ce, Jimi Bada (SAN), said there were exis ng laws forbidding the prac ce of FGM in the state.
The Commissioner who was represented by the Director of Public Prosecu on in the Ministry of Jus ce, Barrister Folashade Akinrunjumu, noted that the Ministry is ready to “Prosecute anybody caught engaging in the harmful prac ce of FGM”, calling on communies to report cases to appropriate quarters.
The Program Officer, Ac on Health Incorporated, Famah Idris, said the organisa on, with the support of UNFPA, is commi ed to suppor ng the State in strengthening legal responses, enhancing community engagement, and ensuring that the rights of every girl are safeguarded.
She urged par cipants to take concrete ac ons and ensure enforcement, accountability, and jus ce for survivors.
•Osun First Lady, Chief Mrs Titilola Adebusola Adeleke at a one day symposium held at the banquet hall of the state government house, Oke fia, Osogbo during a program on ending female genital mutilation in Osun
FRIDAY, SEPTMBER 12, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 41 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
IN a significant development that could reshape the polical landscape of Osun State, the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially recognized the leadership of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), appoin ng former Senate President David Mark as Na onal Chairman and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as Na onal Secretary.
This endorsement follows months of internal restructuring within the ADC, culmina ng in the selec on of new na onal officers tasked with reposi oning the party ahead of upcoming elec ons.
The recogni on of ADC’s leadership is more than a bureaucra c formality; it signals the emergence of a poten ally formidable poli cal force in Osun State. With Aregbesola’s deep-rooted influence and poli cal experience, the ADC is poised to a ract a significant following, par cularly among those seeking an alterna ve to the dominant par es.
The party’s recent ac vi es suggest a strategic approach to consolida ng opposi on forces. Notably, an opposi on coali on in July formally adopted the ADC as its official poli cal platform for the 2027 elec ons. This move indicates a concerted effort to unify various opposi on elements under a single banner, poten ally altering the dynamics of future electoral contests.
As Osun State approaches its 2026 gubernatorial elec ons, the ADC’s newfound legi macy could have far-reaching implica ons. The party’s enhanced profile may a ract voters disenchanted with the current poli cal establishment, thereby increasing compe on and poten ally leading to more issuefocused campaigns.
Moreover, the ADC’s emphasis on inclusivity and youth engagement could resonate
“The recognition of ADC’s leadership is more than a bureaucratic formality; it signals the emergence of a potentially formidable political force in Osun State”
By
MATT OLU OLOWOKERE
INEC’s Approval Of ADC: What This Means For Osun’s 2026 Elections
with a significant por on of the electorate. Recent reports indicate a surge in voter registra-
on among young Nigerians, a demographic that the ADC appears keen to court.
Despite these promising developments, the ADC faces several challenges. Establishing a robust grassroots network in Osun State will be cri cal to transla ng na onal recogni on into electoral success. Addi onally, the party must navigate poten al internal conflicts and maintain a cohesive strategy to avoid
The Meeting Challenge
AFTER enrolment, membership of any organisa on is verified basically through finance and a endance. A ending mee ngs is as important as regular payment of agreed fees. Once you consent to the aims and objec ves of any group and join voluntarily, or otherwise belong to it by virtue of occupa on, trade or studies, it is important to take interest in the ac vi es of the organisaon. These ac vi es are usually the outcome of certain decisions taken at various mee ngs.
Organisa ons have structures and layers of responsibili es assigned in order to func on smoothly for the fulfilment of their objec ves. Individuals that compose the various levels must regularly meet to take decisions in the best interest of the organisaon, and here comes the challenge. When there are no regular mee ngs for any reason, rooms are created for one person or a few people to take decisions, and you can bet that those decisions are not likely to be in the best interest of the generality. When Nigerians talk about cabals and mafias, there lies the simple origin: a few persons taking decisions that ought to be taken by many more persons at certain mee ngs that usually were not called. There are different kinds of meetings as well as different levels; the lower level, being general mee ngs, which happens to be the most im-
portant. They don’t take place as frequently as other commi ee or execu ve mee ngs. As members of any ins tu on, organisa on, group or party, it is almost a sacred duty to attend general mee ngs for those who genuinely have the interest of the organisa on at heart.
Sadly, Nigerians seem to have allergy for serious mee ngs. We have arrived at a me that if you see a meeting bubbling, then some goodies are being shared or about to be shared! At almost all instances, unless for the impending sharing of goodies, hardly do you get a 50 percent a endance at mee ngs to discuss on the way forward in the cause of the organisa on; yet we want the best of everything, for ourselves, our associa ons, polical par es and our country!
Mee ngs precede programmes and ac vi es. Ac ve par cipa on in the programmes of organisa ons and poli cal par es are posi ve and important. However, the objec ves of those ac vi es and programmes, and to what benefit, are usually determined at mee ngs. Absen ng from mee ngs, as such, allows certain persons to determine the eventual goal and the direc on of the organisa on. Mee ngs are the soul of democracy and are especially cri cal for civil society, poli cal organisa ons and par es. It is at mee ngs that different ideas on how to go about solving problems or achieving certain goals are compared
the pi alls that have plagued other poli cal movements.
Furthermore, the ADC must differen ate itself by ar cula ng clear policy posi ons and demonstra ng a commitment to good governance. Building trust among voters will require more than high-profile endorsements; it will necessitate consistent engagement and tangible results.
INEC’s approval of the ADC’s leadership marks a pivotal moment in Osun State’s poli cal evolu on. With strategic planning and effec ve mobiliza on, the ADC could become a significant player in the upcoming 2026 elecons. However, the party’s success will depend on its ability to connect with voters, present a compelling vision, and maintain organizaonal unity.
As the poli cal landscape con nues to shi , all eyes will be on the ADC to see whether it can capitalize on this opportunity and effect meaningful change in Osun State’s governance.
and contrasted to arrive at the best, for the collec ve good; the alterna ve is autocra c dicta on – one man or a few men or women taking decisions usually to advance their own interest. When mee ngs are either not regularly called or not significantly a ended, except when goodies are to be shared, organisa on becomes tools in the hands of contending cliques within it, as its manifestoes and objec ves are set aside. In the fullness of me, the des ny of such organisa ons is negavely impacted. As they say, “two heads are be er than one,” and “there is no monopoly of knowledge.” The best ideas come to light at well moderated mee ngs when different op ons are considered and the best posi on arrived at. Mercifully, despite the social distancing protocol of these pandemic mes, several online pla orms s ll provide text, audio and video meeting opportuni es. Hopefully, the end of COVID-19 will be seen through collec ve human efforts, and life as we used to know it will resume. So with mee ngs, congrega ons, conferences and congresses too!
In the interest of the advancement of our society, our collec ve a tude to mee ngs must change for the be er. The me and brain committed always pay off. Wai ng for material incen ve as mo va on to a end mee ngs places the des ny of the organisa on in the hands of the providers and leaves members as pawns and puppets in some individuals’ private game.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Asst. News Editor, YUSUF OKETOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com
STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above