FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
Osun 2026: Akande May Backtrack, Support Omisore
THERE are indica ons that former governor of Osun State and the Na onal leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, may be backing his erstwhile deputy, Senator Iyiola Omisore on his gubernatorial aspira on.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Omisore was Akande’s deputy when the Ila-Orangun-born polician was the governor of the state between 1999 and 2003.
However, Omisore was impeached in 2022, by the state House of Assembly.
The lawmakers accused Omisore of breach of oath of office and conflict of interest with the state government.
They also accused the former deputy governor of divulging official secrets of the State Execu ve Council as well as dragging the state government to court over a 1.5 million dollar water chemical contract.
Following his impeachment, Omisore’s rela onship with Akande became sour. The Ile-Ife-born poli cian later joined the Peoples Democra c Party where he was elected to the Senate to represent Osun East cons tuency in April 2003.
He was reelected in 2007 and appointed to commi ees for Police Affairs, Housing, Culture & Tourism, Avia on, and Appropria on.
The former deputy governor has made a series of a empts to be the governor of Osun but has failed, hoping that things will be different this me around.
In 2014, Omisore contested the gubernatorial elec on against former governor Rauf Aregbesola and lost. He also contested the 2018 elec on with the immediate past governor, Gboyega Oyetola with the same outcome.
The sour rela onship between Akande and Omisore became prominent in 2021 when the former governor released his autobiography, “My Par cipa ons.” Akande, in the book, explained the roles played by Omisore before and during his tenure as the state governor, as well as ac vi es which led to his impeachment in December, 2002.
The former Interim Na onal Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said Omisore crept into his life as a silent malignant cancer and later turned to a Wolf in Wolf’s Clothing with his alleged fraudulent deals and efforts to impeach him.
Akande also alleged in his book that Omisore led thugs to harass and remove the cap from the head of former Minister of Power and Steel and A orney General of the Federaon, Chief Bola Ige when he came for a programme in Ile-Ife.
Akande, in the book, said things went sour between them when Omisore wanted him to partake in an alleged contract fraud of the supply of water chemicals to the Ministry of Water Resources to the tune of $1.5 million which he refused.
The former governor of the state disclosed that the contract was awarded under the military administra on of Brigadier Theophilus Bamigboye, whom Omisore was close to, but was not implemented before he took over.
He said: “I was quick to conclude, shortly a er we came into office, that Iyiola Omisore would be a big problem for my government. His spending propensity was ravenous. His ambi on was inordinate, and he was prepared to go to any extent and employ any weapon, no ma er how dastardly or devilish, to achieve his objec ves. He showed his hands early enough during the transion period.
“I became very suspicious of him and his inten ons, and I was on my guard. One day, he walked into my office. He took a blank sheet on my table, wrote 85 boldly at the
centre, and circled it. ‘Sir, please take. That is N85 million,’ he said. I didn’t understand it. Then, he le my office. Choosing his me and words carefully a er all these preliminaries, that was how Omisore brought to my no ce, in piecemeal, the ma er of this contract of $1,500,000.00, which the outgoing military administrator, Col. T.O. Bamigboye, awarded.
“He said the contract of $1.5 million was approved by the former military administrator for the purchase of chemicals for the use of Osun State Ministry of Water Resources. He
said even though Chrisore Engineering was the official agent of Hybart, all of us would benefit from the largesse. He promised me N85 million as my own share. He said my predecessor, Brigadier Bamigboye, would also have a share of $300,000.00. There was no way I could verify this, since he might just be men oning names to impress me. I did not buy his story.
“I made him realise that it was unfortunate that the military did not conclude the business by fiat, in their tradi onal wont, before they le . I explained that in the spirit
Akinlalu Community Seeks Police Station After Amotekun Attack
Yusuf Oketola
THE Akinlalu community in Ife North Area of Osun State has sought government intervenon for the immediate establishment of a Police sta on in the area.
This followed an attack on the residents of the community where three members of the town were killed by opera ves of the state Security Network codenamed Amotekun.
The youth leader for Akinlalu town, Musbau Adeboye made the request on Monday during a condolence visit by Governor Ademola Adeleke to the families of vic ms and people of the community.
In a statement by the Spokesperson to Governor, Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Adeoye read a posion paper prepared by the youth of the town containing key requests such as the “immediate suspension of key Amotekun officials; jus ce and accountability through transparent inves gaon; comprehensive compensa on for the vic ms; a plea against security harassment in future.”
The Governor, accompanied by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi; Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun; Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye and members of the house of Assembly and the state execu ve Council commiserate with vic ms and Akin-
lalu town, informing them that he headed straight to the town a er his arrival from the United States.
“I am truly sad. I was in the United States when the unfortunate incident happened. I cut short my medical stay. I arrived late yesterday and I called my team. We need to be here to empathise with the vic ms.
The Governor who prayed for the vicms, the families and the en re town commended the people of Akinlalu for their pa ence and embracing of peaceful push for jus ce, promising that those responsible for the killings will be brought to book.
“I can tell you the perpetrators will face the full wrath of the law. There won’t be
•Continued on page 4
of the 1999 Nigerian Cons tu on, the Governor was not in a posi on to approve payment of such huge amount without the concurrence and express authorisa on of the State Execu ve Council.
“I therefore advised him to present his claim on the ma er in the form of a memorandum to the State Execu ve Council. He therea er submi ed a memorandum dated August 23, 1999, to the state execu ve Council. The memorandum was taken by the council on September 22, 1999.”
Akande retorted that the ripples from the canceled contract and crea on of Modakeke Area office, heightened the disagreements with his deputy and resulted in the eventual a empt to impeach him by the lawmakers in the state House of Assembly, as plo ed by Omisore.
He disclosed: “Unfortunately, the following month, a decision to create Modakeke Area office was taken by my government on October 30, 2000. Soon a er these two incidents, on November 1, 2000, the Osun State House of Assembly began proceedings to impeach me as governor.
“It was a period of heavy na onal poli cs and our party, the AD, was figh ng for its soul. The party was subverted from within and a acked from without. The plot to remove me through impeachment or other means was ge ng thicker.
“I learnt that Omisore was receiving a lot of support and comfort from Governor Adefara and some other centres outside Osun State. He believed it was only a matter of me that I would be impeached and he would
become the Governor.”
However, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the rela onship between the two poli cians has improved with Omisore now said to be back in the good books of the former governor.
The former Deputy paid a visit to Chief Akande’s country home in Ila Orangun to celebrate the Sallah fes vi es in March this year.
In the pictures and videos shared a er the visit, the two men were seen laughing and cracking jokes.
Also, former Special Adviser to the immediate past governor on Public Health, Dr Olasiji Olamiju, who is one of the trusted allies of Chief Akande, was recently seen at the official declara on of Omisore’s gubernatorial aspira on. Poli cal analysts said Olamiju’s presence at the event showed that Akande might be suppor ng his former deputy.
The analysts noted that Olamiju would have sought the consent of Baba Akande before aligning with Omisore’s camp.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, a source within the camp of the former deputy governor who does not want his name in print, confirmed that the relaonship between the two men is back to normal.
The source noted that Omisore has sought the support of Akande, adding that he expected the former governor to back his erstwhile deputy.
The source, however, declined to confirm if Akande has given his endorsement to Omisore or whether the appearance of Olamiju at the official announcement was a sign of support by the APC naonal leader.
•The First Lady of Osun State, Chief (Mrs.) Titilola Adeleke, inspected some drugs during the flag-off of a four-day free medical, school, and community outreach organized by Hope Across Ages Foundation UK, in collaboration with the Osun State Ministry of Health, on Wednesday
Kazeem Badmus
Food Security
YESTERDAY was universally acknowledged as world food day . It could not have been celebrated because that would have been in bad form, as the level of hunger and the disrup ons to the food value chain is too pronounced.
We have our own disrupon in Nigeria, not least the security situa on which has dislocated and upended the rural economy. Frankly, the situa on in Nigeria is dysfunc onal and we have to go back to the drawing board in order to reconstruct the value chain in agriculture and breathe life into the rural economy.
A star ng point is already in place with the infusion of new capital into the Bank of Agriculture . More has to be done such as having a technical arrangement with a leasing agriculture bank such as Rabo Bank of The Netherlands or the French Credit Zgricole
We must also set up private sector driven commodity exchanges to drive the value chain ensuring interface with the subsistence farmers through minimum farm gate prices guarantee, extension workers, logiscs and so forth In this way we can begin to modernize and make export gains. At the moment the agricultural sector is underperforming , disastrously , it must be rebuilt!
Building sustainable food systems begins with under-
“Building sustainable food systems begins with understanding how and where food is produced, the vulnerabilities those areas face, and the systems governing their management and evolution”
standing how and where food is produced, the vulnerabili es those areas face, and the systems governing their management and evolu on. Yet a major gap in food systems data persists: local datasets are o en rich but fragmented, while global datasets are comprehensive but lack the detail needed for praccal ac on.
Closing this gap is crucial to transla ng evidence into context-sensive and globally relevant decisions. Na onal governments, o en with FAO’s technical and financial support, generate agricultural surveys and censuses that form the backbone of food systems monitoring.
A be er future depends on transi ons that are rapid yet just, ensuring availability and accessibility of nutri ous food for all, while and staying within planetary boundaries while empowering smallholders and subsistence farmers and safeguarding animal health and welfare.
To reverse current trends, na onal governments should: adopt integrated food policies that incen vize regenerave and sustainable agriculture, expand public investment in sustainable irriga on, storage and transport infrastructure, strengthen food loss and waste regula ons.
Local governments have a crucial complementary role. They can: implement urban and peri-urban food strategies, promote short supply chains and farmers’ markets, ins tu onalize school meal programs using on locally sourced produce.
Background Facts and Judgment of Court of Appeal ma er: Suit No. CA/AK/270/2022, All Progressives Congress & Ors. v. PDP & Ors.
2.1 The judgment of the Federal High Court nullifying the October 15, 2022 local government elec ons in Osun State and removing the elected officials triggered a consolidated appeal. The Appellants, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), challenged both the interlocutory rulings and the final judgment of the Federal High Court, raising four dis nct issues for determina on before the Court of Appeal, Akure Division. Issues for Determinaon Before the Court of Appeal:
2.2 APC formulated the following issues for determina on by the Court of Appeal:
1. Whether the Federal High Court was right to grant the PDP leave to amend its Origina ng Summons to rely on the new OSSIEC Law 2022, having originally challenged the OSSIEC Law 2015.
2. Whether the Federal High Court was right in dismissing the Defendants’ Preliminary Objec on and holding that the suit disclosed a reasonable cause of ac on.
3. Whether the Federal High Court was right in holding that Sec ons 25 and 26 of the OSSIEC Law 2022 were inconsistent with the Electoral Act and the Cons tu on.
4. Whether the Federal High Court was right to nullify the elec on and order the local government officials to vacate office. Decision of the Court of Appeal: 2.3 On Issue 1 – Amendment of Incompetent Suit:
a) The Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court erred in gran ng the PDP’s applica on to amend its Origina ng Summons by subs tu ng the repealed OSSIEC Law 2015 with the OSSIEC Law 2022.
b) The Court emphasized that an incompetent ac on cannot be cured by amendment. Once a suit is fundamentally defec ve, par cularly for lack of a proper legal founda on or jus ciable issue at the me it was ins tuted, any amendment would amount to pu ng something on nothing. The proper course is to strike out the suit, not to amend it.
c) In this instance, while the PDP originally ins tuted its suit to challenge the OSSIEC Law 2015, that law was repealed during the pendency of the suit and replaced with the OSSIEC Law 2022 under which the local government elec ons were eventually conducted.
d) The Court found that this development
rendered the suit academic and specula ve, as there was no longer a live dispute under the repealed law by the me the amendment was sought. It further held that the a empt to subs tute a repealed law with a new enactment amounted to introducing a fresh and fundamentally different cause of ac on, which could not relate back to the date of the original filing.
e) Therefore, the Court concluded that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdic on to grant the amendment, and the ac on ought to have been struck out in limine. 2.4 On Issue 2 – Whether the Suit Disclosed a Reasonable Cause of Ac on: a) The Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court erred in dismissing the Preliminary Objec on filed by the Appellants which contended that the suit did not disclose any reasonable cause of ac on.
b) The appellate court reasoned that for a suit to be jus ciable, there must be a live dispute, a real controversy, and a demonstrable legal injury suffered or imminently threatened. In this case, the PDP ins tuted the ac on before the local government elec ons were conducted, and its complaint was essen ally that the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) planned to conduct elec ons under the OSSIEC Law 2015.
c) The Court observed that the PDP failed to demonstrate any actual or imminent legal injury. There was no evidence of exclusion from the elec ons, denial of rights under the Electoral Act, or any act done or threatened that would have given rise to a concrete grievance. The PDP’s claim was premised en rely on a presump on or fear that an elec on would be conducted under a law it believed was inconsistent with the Electoral Act and the Cons tu on.
d) Consequently, the Court of Appeal held that the claim was academic and specula ve, lacking any factual basis to support a real cause of ac on. It agreed with the Appellants that the Federal High Court ought to have upheld the Preliminary Objec on and struck out the suit at that stage.
e) By sustaining this issue, the Court effec vely determined that the PDP had no legal standing to maintain the ac on, and that the suit was incompetent ab ini o. 2.5 On Issues 3 and 4 – Validity of OSSIEC Law 2022 and Legality of the Conduct of the Elec on
OSUN DEFENDER
a) The Court of Appeal declined to consider the Federal High Court’s decisions that: • Sec ons 25 and 26 of the OSSIEC Law 2022 were uncons tu onal, and • The elec ons were null and void and the officials must vacate office.
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b) It reasoned that having upheld Issues 1 and 2 (i.e., that the amendment to the suit was incompetent and the suit disclosed no reasonable cause of ac on), the founda on of the en re case had collapsed. The result was that there was no longer a live suit or valid process upon which the Federal High Court could have exercised jurisdicon or granted any substanve relief.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
Two Years After, Osun Govt Abandons 80-Bed Hospital Donated By Buhari’s Aide
AN 80-bed hospital equipped with modern medical equipment which was facilitated by the former Senior Special Adviser to Late President Muhammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina for the use of Ipetumodu community and others in Osun State is yet to commence opera on two years a er it was commissioned.
The project, aimed at providing affordable and adequate healthcare delivery to the community was commissioned on May 23, 2023 and handed over to the state government. But three years down the lane, the dream of the people of Ipetumodu is yet to come to reality.
OSUN DEFENDER learnt that due to delay in pu ng the facility into use, the place was some mes burgled with Air condi oners, genera ng set cable carted away. But the equipment was replaced by the state government through the intervenon of the Osun State Deputy Speaker, Hon. Akinyode Oyewusi.
The community has also been paying monthly for the security guiding the place as the project is said to be uncompleted.
The Secretary, Ipetumodu Development Forum, Mr. Kehinde Oyetunmbi while reac ng to the delay appealed to the state government to fast track the project and bring it to life.
He made the appeal in a statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.
“Fast-forward, 3 years down the lane when this healthcare centre, constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria, facilitated by Chief Femi Adesina, the Oluomo of Ipetumodu, was commissioned in 2023. The facility was handed over to the state government for: Staffing, Opera on & Management.
“It’s quite unfortunate that the facility’s monthly security salary was le into the hand of HRM Oba Prof Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, Apetumodu of Ipetumodu, being assisted by the Ipetumodu Development Forum all these years, a government facility for that ma er.
“The facility was
once burgled with Air condi oners, Generating set cable etc carted away ,
News a racted the state government atten on through the office of the state dep-
uty speaker, who facilitated the replacement of some equipment carted away, although,
the contractor is yet to complete all that is necessary to put the facility into opera on
Akinlalu Community Seeks Police Station After Amotekun Attack
•Continued from Page 2
any sacred cows. Any Amotekun officer needed for interroga on by the police is to cooperate with the inves ga on. I have directed the Board chairman of Amotekun security service, AIG Wale Abbas Rtd. to cooperate with the inves ga on by the police”, the governor asserted at the palace.
Reinforcing up-
dates from the police, the Governor said suspects in the dastardly opera on are being arrested by the police even as he urged the town people to supply names of Amotekun opera ves they know are involved in the incident.
“I commend the town for sustaining peace. We will compensate the families of the vic ms. We will also build a police sta-
When The Moon Is Full, The Wise Speak Clearly
THERE’S an old Yoruba saying: “Ti osupa bá pó, àgbà ló máa sọrọ oyè” — when the moon is full, the wise speak clearly. This proverb, wrapped in poe c imagery, reminds us that clarity comes not in the noise of youth or the rush of ambi on, but in moments of reflec on, often from those who have lived, endured, and seen the cycles of life repeat.
Growing up in Osun State, I o en sat with elders under the open sky — especially on full moon nights when power was out and silence was deep. They would speak in low, steady tones — about land disputes that lasted decades, about friendships broken by poli cs, and about wealth that came and vanished like Harma an fog. At the me, I didn’t understand why their stories moved slowly, without urgency. But now I do. Wisdom doesn’t shout.
It se les.
on for the town as requested. Akinlalu is our town and the plan of my administra on is to fast track its development. Above all, suspects will face the law”, the Governor noted.
In his speech while welcoming the Governor to the town, the Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Israel Oluwabusola Aborisade, commended the Governor for the infra
projects in the town and pleaded with him to press hard to ensure the perpetrators are punished for killings of his people.
“Excellency, we appreciate this visit. Secure jus ce for us. We trust your leadership. To my people, I urge us to con nue to maintain peace. We are confident the suspects will not go unpunished,” the tradional rulers asserted.
Art/Culture
In today’s fast-spinning world, dominated by digital noise, poli cal arguments, and economic stress, we seem to have lost touch with the slow but powerful voice of our elders — the moonlit clarity of those who speak not to impress, but to guide.
Many of our challenges in Nigeria — from governance to infrastructure, even family structures — come from forge ng old wisdom while chasing new ideas. It’s not that innova on is bad. But when innova on runs without direc on, and progress forgets the path that brought us here, we risk building fast — and failing faster.
A re red civil servant in Ilesa once told me, “We used to serve the government; now, people expect the government to serve them — without serving it back.” That may sound oldfashioned, but it speaks to a
deeper truth: commitment to duty and accountability to community are now rare traits. And without those values, poli cs becomes performance, and leadership becomes noise. When the moon is full, the wise don’t just talk — they remember. They remember when roads were fewer, but maintained. When public servants lived among the people, not behind nted SUVs. When leaders ate amala at the same buka as bricklayers. That memory is not nostalgia — it is grounding.
In Osun today, the younger genera on faces enormous pressures — to
leave, to hustle, to prove themselves. Many are building dreams in tech, trade, and entrepreneurship, and that is worthy. But along the way, they need the voices of those who’ve seen the pitfalls — not to discourage them, but to steady their hands.
The moon is full in our genera on — full of opportunity, exposure, knowledge. But are we listening to the wise? Are we crea ng spaces for intergenera onal conversa ons, not just on panels or conferences, but at dinner tables, on porches, under trees?
One of the most powerful memories I carry is of
when he claimed money received exhausted and since then, nothing seems happening.
“We are appealing again to the Osun State Government through Ipetumodu Sons and Daughters in the helm of affairs, to complete and bring this facility into func on.
This will improve the health status of Ife North Electorates, reduce the kabiyesi monthly spending from his personal purse on the security of the health centre without any commensurate result and also bring the health centre equipment into the maximum opera on level.
“Please, bring this facility into opera on for Ipetumodu and we shall forever be grateful. The compleon and opera on of this project shouldn’t be for another eleconeering campaign. Thanks for your understanding and proacveness to this call,” the statement reads.
The Osun State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Jola Akintola did not respond to enquiry made by OSUN DEFENDER on the project as at the me of filing this report yesterday.
my grandfather pausing mid-story to say, “Ọmọ mi, don’t be in a hurry. Even the fastest river bends before reaching the ocean.” It sounded like poetry then. It sounds like instruc on now.
So, what do we do?
We return to listening — not only to what’s trending but to what’s true.
We involve elders not only for culture’s sake but for counsel.
We document not only data but stories — real, lived experiences of resilience, conflict, forgiveness, and growth.
And we learn to pause. Because, when the moon is full — when the world gives us a rare moment of clarity — we must not be too busy to hear what ma ers most.
Let us create spaces where the wise can speak clearly again — not in museums of memory but in everyday decision-making. A er all, when the moon is full, the wise speak clearly — and the rest of us would do well to listen.
Yusuf Oketola
The burgled
•Members of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Commandant of the NSCDC, CC Igbalawole Emmanuel Sotiyo, at their command headquarters in Osogbo
TESCOM Laments Unauthorised Teacher Transfers In Osun
THE Chairman, Osun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), Comrade Tope Mustapha, has expressed concern about the alleged fraudulent ac vi es ongoing within the All Nigeria Confedera on of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in the state.
Comrade Mustapha accused the ANCOPSS leadership of fraudulent syndromes, fraudulent unauthorised pos ng of principals and transac onal mentali es associated with duty post, an act he described as hindrance to the progress of the commission.
The allega ons were made in a statement by the chairman in commemora on of the 2025 Teachers’ Day while highligh ng the challenges facing the educa on sector in the state.
Mustapha further alleged that some in-
●Accuses ANCOPSS Of Fraudulent Syndromes
dividuals have benefited from the system and refuse to re re, dicta ng and frustrating government poli-
cies in Osun. The statement reads, “However, as a sincere government meant to serve the
people diligently, we must acknowledge the challenges that have hindered our progress. Fraudulent
syndromes, unauthorized pos ng of principals by ANCOPSS leadership, transac onal mentali es associated
Ruling Houses Want Adeleke To Declare Apetu Stool Vacant
THE two Ruling Houses in Ipetumodu, Osun State, have appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, to approve the deposi on of Oba Joseph Oloyede as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu.
In a le er addressed to the Governor, Aribile -the Ruling House that produced Oloyede and Fagbemokun, also called for the stool of Apetumodu to be declared vacant.
In the le er dated October 13, 2025, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, the ruling houses also called on the governor to direct the Ministry of Jus ce to lodge and domescate the cer fied U.S. judgment with the appropriate Nigerian registry to complete the administra ve record in support of deposion.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Judge Christopher Boyko of the Northern District of Ohio, United States, on August 26, sentenced the monarch to five years in prison for his role in a mul -milliondollar scheme that siphoned U.S. COVID-19
relief funds.
The monarch was also ordered to repay about $4.4 million to the vic ms.
Court records show that Oba Oloyede pleaded guilty a er prosecutors revealed that he used six companies to fraudulently obtain loans through emergency relief programmes, including the Paycheck Protecon Programme and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan scheme.
Meanwhile, the royal houses in the le er, noted that the Apetumodu stool has remained under suspension for over three years due to the prolonged absence of the Oba Oloyede, saying age-long customs and tradi ons of the town have been suffering as a result of the situaon.
The le er read, “Now, following his convic on and sentencing to 56 months (4 and 5 years) imprisonment, along with an addi onal three years(3years) of supervised release in the United States of America (USA), the need for urgent government interven on has become even more compelling.
“On 26-27 August 2025, a United States Federal Court (Northern District of Ohio) sentenced Oba Joseph Oloyede to a custodial term of 56 months (over four years) following his guilty plea to serious offences arising from a mul -milliondollar COVID-19 relief fraud scheme.
“Official releases from U.S. authori es and mul ple credible Nigerian media outlets confirm the convic on and sentence beyond dispute. The Osun State Government has publicly acknowledged the development and indicated its inten on to obtain a cer fied copy of the U.S. judgment. These facts have brought the ins tu on of the Apetumodu into disrepute both at home and abroad.”
The royal houses in their prayers, said, “In view of the foregoing, and ac ng to safeguard the dignity of our forebears and the welfare of
Ipetumodu, we humbly request that Your Excellency approve the deposi on of Oba Joseph Oloyede as Apetumodu of Ipetumodu pursuant to the Chiefs Law of Osun
State and na ve law and custom, on the ground of a criminal convic on for offences of moral turpitude that have gravely tarnished the office.
“We also want you to declare the Apetumodu Stool vacant with immediate effect, and formally nofy the Ife North Local Government and the Ipetumodu Chiefs in accordance with the government.
“Direct the Ministry of Jus ce to lodge and domes cate the cer fied U.S. judgment (and or authen cated records) with the ap-
propriate Nigerian registry to complete the administra ve record in support of deposion, consistent with Osun State’s earlier stated inten on.”
They, however, affirmed commitment to a peaceful, lawful, and transparent succession under the Chiefs Law and the Apetumodu Chie aincy Declaraon, assuring readiness to cooperate fully with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ife North Local Government, for a credible process that will restore honour to the throne.
with duty post, and administra ve fraud of blocking teachers transfer have plagued our system.
“Some individuals have benefited from the system and refuse to re re, dicta ng and frustra ng government policies. We must say NO to mental slavery and allow modern innova ve thinking to replace analogue mentality. We must check our excesses and put a stop to unauthorized rebates!
“The commission will not sit back and allow these fraudulent ac vi es to undermine our educa onal system. We charge the leadership of the Naonal Union of Teachers in Osun State and the na onal body to brace up and address these issues of financial transparency, accountability, and the democra za on of the ANCOPSS leadership through periodic submission of the body to elec ons is a step in the right direc on.
“If certain groups refuse to embrace progress, we should be ready to collecvely send them to the dustbin of history. As builders of educaon legacies, we must stand out and not fit in. I celebrate and rejoice with all Osun State teachers today and charge you to keep the nobility of your profession alive”
The chairman also revealed that the commission has executed the recommenda ons of the 2023 educa on summit, adding that TESCOM under his leadership has undergone radical transforma on.
“Under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, the Execu ve Governor of Osun State, the Osun State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) under my selfless leadership has undergone radical transforma on.
“We’ve executed the recommenda ons of the 2023 educa on summit, gaze ed by the execu ve council of the state, provided unprecedented salary increments, and eliminated the psychological trauma of stagnaon and depriva on.”
•Oba Oloyede
Yusuf Oketola
•From left, Osun State deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Israel Oluwabusola Aborisade, and Governor Ademola Adeleke during his condolence visit to the families of victims killed by operatives of Amotekun corps
Kazeem Badmus
OCTOBER 17, 2025
Four Arraigned Over Death Of Osun APC Council Boss, Remi Abass
Kazeem Badmus
FOUR suspects were arraigned on Wednesday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, over the murder of the chairman of Irewole Local Government of Osun State, elected under the All Progressives Congress, Mr. Remi Abass.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Abass was killed during the mayhem between supporters of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democra c Party over the control of local government secretariats in the state.
The defendants, Abubakar Kabiru (38), Tajudeen Opeyemi (30), Akeem Agbomojo (28), and Akintoye Olayemi (40), were arraigned before Jus ce Joyce Abdulmalik.
They were arraigned on three counts of terrorism, unlawful possession of firearms, and murder.
The charge sheet obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, read, “That you, Abubakar Kabiru, Tajudeen Opeyemi, Akeem Agbomojo, Akintoye Olayemi, all of lkire and Apomu, Osun state,
within the jurisdic on of this Honourable Court, some mes around and or about 17th February, 2025 with others (now at large), did conspire, aid, abet, and ins gate act of terrorism in various villages and towns in Osun State and par cularly in lkire of Osun State. You thereby commi ed an offence contrary to sec on 26 (1) (2) (a) (b) and (c) of Terrorism (Preven on and Prohibi on) Act, 2022.
“That you, Abubakar Kabiru, Tajudeen Opeyemi, Akeem Agbomojo, Akintoye Olayemi, some mes around and about 17th February, 2025, with others (now at large), did conspire among yourselves and others (now at large) to commit an offence, to wit: illegal possession of firearms. You were arrested with three (3) pump-ac on Rifles. You thereby commi ed an offence contrary to Sec on 3 of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Robbery Provisions)Act, LFN 2004.
“That you, Abubakar Kabiru, Tajudeen Op-
eyemi, Akeem Agbomojo, Akintoye Olayemi, some mes around and or about 17th February, 2025, with others (now at large) did kill one Remi Abass on 17th February, 2024, at Ikire, Osun State. You knew death will be probable cause of your ac on. You thereby commi ed an offence
contrary to sec on 316 and punishable under sec on 319 of Criminal Code Act, Cap 38 LFN, 2004.”
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the counts.
Following their plea, Jus ce Abdulmalik ordered their remand at Kuje Correc onal Cen-
tre. The ma er was then adjourned to December 04, 2025, for hearing.
Earlier, the police withdrew the charge it had earlier filed, which included 7 defendants led by one Jide Jooda.
The prosecu on noted that the withdrawal became necessary fol-
lowing the death of one of the suspects.
During the proceedings, A. S. Oyeyemi Esq., appeared for the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Sunday Adebayo Esq, and two others appeared for the defendants, while Muhydeen Adeoye Esq watched the brief for the nominal complaints.
•A delegation of newly commissioned military officers from Osun State, who recently graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), paid a courtesy visit to the office of Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in Osogbo, yesterday
Osun Police Seek Alternative Court As JUSUN Strike Enters 4th Week
Yusuf Oketola
THE Osun State Command has moved for the establishment of a mobile court to trial offenders in the state as a strike embarked on by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) enters its fourth week.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER on the effect of the strike on police acvi es, the spokesperson for the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, noted that the state of police sta ons across the state s ll remains the same aside from the state Criminal Inves ga ve Department (CID). According to him, suspects with minor offences are being given administra ve bails while those with capital offences are been transferred to the state CID, adding that the legal department of the state command is currently liaising with the A orney
General and Registrar of the High Court to establish a mobile court to trial suspects pending the resump on of the judicial workers.
“The fact remains that the police staons are s ll in the same state except state CID. We have directed all DPOs to grant administra ve bails to suspects with minor offences while they transfer those with capital offences to the state command. Even some of the capital offences are se led in most cases within families.
“Presently the legal department of the command is trying to liaise with the A orney General of the state and Registrar of the High Court for the establishment of a mobile court to trial suspects as it was done during COVID19 lockdown. The arrangement should be concluded between this by next week if the JUSUN strike persists,”
Ojelabi stated.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the union, which embarked on the industrial acon on September 19, 2025, is demanding that the Judicial Service Commission address promo on for staff members for 2024 and 2025.
JUSUN is also calling for staff par cipa on in capacitybuilding and training programmes at the Na onal Judicial Ins tute, among other welfare measures.
They alleged that the Chief Judge, Jus ce Adepele Ojo had refused to engage with the union leadership regarding the strike.
“Her lordship’s abrupt departure from the state on the day the strike commenced without any step to resolve the issue is not encouraging,” Chairman of JUSUN in Osun, Idris Adeniyan said.
He added that the lack of dialogue is detrimental to both union members and the general public.
My Administration Committed To Workers’ Welfare - Adeleke
OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has said his administra on is commi ed to the welfare of Osun workers.
The governor stated this on Wednesday in Osogbo at the Golden Jubilee Anniversary and 40th Na onal Conference and Annual General Mee ng of the Nigeria Associa on of Social Workers.
Adeleke who was represented by the Commissioner for Informaon and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described Osun workers as “the backbone of the state’s progress and development,” no ng that Governor Adeleke’s administra on remains commi ed to priori sing their welfare, prompt payment of salaries, and the con nuous enhancement of working condi ons.
“Our administra on recognises the vital role of workers as the true engine of development,” the Governor stated.
“We will con nue to promote fairness, reward diligence, and
strengthen social welfare systems that touch lives across Osun State.”
Earlier, the Na onal President, Nigeria Associa on of Social Workers (NASOW), Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to constute and inaugurate the Nigerian Council for Social Work.
According to the NASOW president, the cons tu on of the council would address quackery in the profession. Mustapha noted that it is important that the
council, as a government agency, be led by qualified professional social workers.
He said, “I want to appeal to President Bola Tinubu to cons tute and inaugurate the Nigerian Council for Social Work. The Act has been signed into law but it has not been cons tuted.
“Cons tu ng the council will ensure that we are pu ng the round peg in the round hole and qualified professionals are put in charge of things in our associaon.”
Kazeem Badmus
•Adeleke
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2025
Sport
2026 WC Qualifier: History And Football
It is no longer news that the Super Eagles of Nigeria have qualified for the playoffs, in prepara ons for eventual qualifica on for the World Cup proper. Many view the somewhat cumbersome playoffs that will require the Eagles to play between 5 to 6 matches (depending on their ra ngs in FIFA) to qualify an unnecessary burden.
Actually, going through the playoffs could be a blessing in disguise for the Eagles. It would serve as avenue for the team to gel and develop teamwork, which is a vital ingredient in football and any endeavour that requires more than one person to execute.
In the early 1940s, while World War Two was very rife, Mao Tze Dung was to decide between figh ng against Chiang Khai Shek’s na onalist army in a civil
war in China or facing the imperialist Japanese invaders. He chose the la er and successfully convinced his commanders to evade the civil war and face the stronger and refined Japanese army first. His reason being that figh ng against the stronger and larger Japanese would have given his army experience and mova on to crush their opponents in the civil war.
The strategy worked, figh ng for 4 good years against the Japanese in the hilly terrain of northern part
of China kept his army movated and in good shape for the civil war. His army emerged more experienced, stronger, and mo vated from figh ng the Japanese. It simply crushed Chiang’s army and sent them out of mainland China.
Mao’s army laid the founda on of that country we know today as China, while Chiang’s army moved to form the government of modern-day Taiwan on the Taipei Island, off the coast of mainland China.
It is not bad for the Eagles to play the playoffs, what they make of the experience is what ma ers. A er all, they would s ll be required to play friendlies before the world Cup if they qualified directly, so, these playoffs could be viewed ad prepara ons for World Cup.
Jibola Olatoye is a Historian and a football enthusiast 07054043435 Jibolatoye78@gmail.com
Messi Unveils Youth Tournament ‘Messi Cup’ For December
Lionel Messi has announced the first edion of the Messi Cup, an interna onal youth soccer tournament to be held in South Florida that will include Inter Miami and Barcelona.
Messi, with his producon company 525 Rosario, will host the tournament between Dec. 9-14.
The compe on will have 18 matches and be played by eight clubs: Inter Miami, Barcelona, Manchester City, River Plate, Inter Milan, Newell’s Old Boys, Atlé co Madrid, and Chelsea.
“Thrilled to finally share this with you. This December, Miami will host a very special youth football tournament featuring some of the top clubs from around the world,” Messi said in a post on Instagram.
“The future of the game will be on full display, and it’s more than just matches
— we’ve got an incredible few days planned with lots of other exci ng ac vi es.
This is about the next genera on. Hope you like it!
This is the Messi Cup.”
525 Rosario said the purpose of the tournament is to shape the future of the sport.
“More than a tournament, it is a series of live events and a digitally-
driven pla orm that fuses sport, culture, and innova on,” a statement from the company said.
“Its mission is to generate long-term value for athletes developing their careers, for the communies that unite around a passion for sport, and for brands seeking authen c and las ng connec ons in the new era of football.
The eight teams are set to be divided into two groups of four, which will then face each other in a round-robin style phase over the first three days of the compe on. A playoff match will be hosted to determine final posi ons before the third-place match and final are subsequently played at Chase Stadium.
“The Messi Cup is the mee ng point between the football of today and the players of tomorrow,” CEO of 525 Rosario Tim Pastore said.
OSPDC Boss Harps On Dedication To Public Service In Osun
THE General Manager, Osun State Property Development Corpora on (OSPDC), TPL. Clement Olubunmi Oyesowo has harped on loyalty and dedica on to duty of public servants in Osun State which he stressed are pivotal to the success of the present administra on of Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.
TPL Oyesowo stated this recently while receiving ESV Segun Akano, ESV Bayo Ojo and ESV Tola Ogunrinde who are members of the Osun State Branch of the Nigerian Ins tu on of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) who were in his office to express their unequalled happiness on the recent eleva on of their very own in person of ESV Sola Adebiyi FNIVS to the enviable posi on of the Director, Estate, Town Planning and Survey of the Osun State Property Development Corpora on.
The OSPDC Boss maintained that Osun State is very
lucky to have a compassionate individual at the saddle, stressing that Governor Adeleke has proven beyond every reasonable doubt to be workers’ friendly, hence the need for the requisite reciprocity of the State Public Servants.
He said ESV Sola Adebiyi’s eleva on is very deserving as a result of his unparalleled loyalty, dedica on to duty and phenomenal commitment to the progress of the Corpora on and by extension Osun State.
Oyesowo posited that while promoon from one grade level to another could be automa c, the a ached privileges which includes but not limited to considera on for sensi ve offices are definitely not so, as they are ed to loyalty, discipline, intellectual prowess, capacity, dedica on to duty and sartorial eleganze, which according to him placed Adebiyi above board.
The General Manager who was flanked by his Management Team and some Members of
Staff, appreciated his visitors, assuring them of stronger bonding and connued partnership of his Office with the NIESV.
Earlier in his remarks, ESV Segun Akano commended the uncommon, and transforma ve leadership of the General Manager, maintaining that the feelers NIESV have been ge ng from his ac vi es at OSPDC are very
heartwarming.
ESV Akano who was flanked by ESV Bayo Ojo and ESV Tola Ogunrinde, eulogized ESV Sola Adebiyi who he said despite being a Fellow of their Ins tute never looked down on any of them, rather, he said Adebiyi has never ceased to relate with them as noble colleagues.
Highlight of the event was the presenta on of a beauful frame of ESV
THE InspectorGeneral of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has presented cheques totalling N40,360,075.66 to the families and next of kin of 45 deceased police officers in Osun State.
The presentaon ceremony took place on Wednesday at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Osun State Police Command Public
Rela ons Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi.
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Finance and Administra on, Adebisi Bola Lateef, made the presenta on on behalf of the Inspector-General.
According to the command, the financial support forms part of the Nigeria Police Force Family Welfare Packages and
Adebiyi to the General Manager who in turn presented same to the newest Director in the Corpora on.
In his response, ESV. Sola Adebiyi who could not hide his happiness, appreciated his what his colleagues have done, maintaining that he would not let them down.
Adebiyi who dedicated the beau ful frame to the Osun State Property De-
velopment Corporaon (OSPDC) family, appreciated his Indefa gable General Manager for being a great and reliable leader.
ESV Adebiyi promised to jus fy the confidence reposed in him by not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring that he joined forces with the General Manager to take the Corporaon to an enviable height.
the Group Life Assurance Scheme designed to assist families of fallen officers.
In his address, the Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General for “a thoughtful and benevolent gesture towards the families of departed heroes.”
He urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased officers.
“The InspectorGeneral of Police
remains commi ed to ensuring that the welfare of personnel and their families is not neglected,” Gotan said.
He added that the Police would con nue to priori se welfare schemes aimed at suppor ng officers and their dependants who have made sacrifices for peace and na onal stability.
The event was a ended by senior police officers, representa ves of the beneficiaries, and other stakeholders from the Osun State Police Command.
Jibola Olatoye
EVERYONE that is asking for electoral reforms authoma caly becomes an enemy of Tinubu and his crew of life perishing sailors at the helm of the na onal affairs of this na on.
You’ve just embarked on tax reforms because it serves your whims perfectly. More money in the public coffers means more money to be stólen since this governance contrap on have very li le compunc on to serve the Nigerian public.
Tinubu is a beneficiary of the same electoral reforms he’s now spurning. It took a very special service to this na on from President Jonathan to appoint Prof. Jega. A man he never met before, just because he was a vocal cri c of the elec on that ushered in his dual presidenal cket with Yar’Adua. Taking such steps in Nigeria was like a poli cal suicide. But Jonathan would rather risk the power being taken away from him than to put the future of our common patrimony on the part of destruc on.
Jega got there and serve the interest that was against that of Jonathan. He was steering the elec on towards electoral college when Jonathan halted the process and opted out.
The coming of Buhari was the front runner that saw Tinubu emerged in the face of so many unanswered ques ons that bordered on legi macy and morality.
If the court case that was ensued in Chicago’s District Court took place while nubu wasn’t in power, it would have been impossible for his candidature to be presented or considered at all. There was also a copy of his Guinean passport on display.
Trying use these internet r(a) ts to deride a legi mate claim for elec on reforms would be
“Watching elections elsewhere shows quite clearly we have few hurdles to clear before we can beat our chests that we’ve conducted transparent and acceptable election vouching that genuine winners have emerged”
By
FREDERICK ODUJOLE
Election And Transparency
most immoral. The European Union who are big stake holders in Nigerian elec ons in terms of finances have repeatedly voiced specific concerns about our electoral conduct. They posi vely engaged INEC to see that suggested concerns were addressed in a sweeping reform that shall usher in credible elecons forthwith.
Watching elec ons elsewhere shows quite clearly we have few hurdles to clear before we can beat our chests that we’ve conducted transparent and acceptable elec on vouching that genuine winners have emerged. What these supporters of evil are trying to avoid will equally affect them. When the powers that be, used the elecon to portray Nigeria as Savage na on where all manner of inhuman acts s ll takes place, it will affect our interna onal image. Our global image is o en at stake. When Abacha was in power he damned the internaonal community and that reflected on our acceptability in the commity of na ons. Even Nigerian football team rarely appeared on con nental compe ons. We were treated like leppers because of the indiscreon of our na onal ruler.
Now we have respectable stake holder in the wellbeing of this na on in person of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola voicing his concern about the quality or lack of it about the leadership of INEC that shall manage the next electoral circle. In normal climes such interven on are taken with all seriousness it deserves. Not pedestrian commentators reducing the vital counsel to reckless and ill-informed commentaries
What a truly na onal leadership should be doing now is to consider every sugges on that will take away the image of this na on from the pathway of becoming a pariah na on.
Electoral Reform is cri cal for the con nuity of this na on. I’m sure this president won’t allow himself to be goaded towards another misnomer presiden al elec on where principal technicality that shall authen cate the elec on will not be func oning. He should be warned against possible disaster
It is very clear to most honest Nigerians that those wishing to see Nigerian con nue like this un l 2031 are scanty in numbers compared to those seeking sweeping reforms. If this gov-
“If you can permit tax reforms you should be able to allow for electoral reforms. All reforms are in the mindset of the just. The tax reforms is obviously a political ploy against political adversaries”
ernment allow the current social frustra on go into that elecon without adequate reforms what ever comes out of it will their’s to deal with.
Electoral Reforms is the watch word. When Yar’Adua took the mantle of leadership in 2007 the first observa on he made was about the imperfec on of the elec on that ushered him into power. He promised a reform. Thankfully Jonathan pick up the gauntlet and turn the challenge to na onal electoral victories. Now miscreant praise singers of the na onal defect have taken the center stage to rebuke every voice demanding acceptable elec on in Nigeria. These beastly acts are unbecoming. We need proper elec on to appoint our na onal leaders democra cally.
If you can permit tax reforms you should be able to allow for electoral reforms. All reforms are in the mindset of the just. The tax reforms is obviously a poli cal ploy against poli cal adversaries. Otherwise for a naon that’s suffering economically, the priority should not be set towards increased govt earnings at the expense of the public.
On electoral Reforms this naon stands. Without it, whomsoever that shall emerge shall have persistent issues to confront with the public. The people of this na on should be cleverly steered away from impending frustra on emana ng from the bad handling of this democracy.
Thank you Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for making such a just observa on at this cri cal me in the history of our na on. You are indeed a worthy Leader in this na on. God Bless you Sir!