OCTOBER 10,
Strategy To Dislodge Adeleke Through LG Uncovered
●‘APC Planning To Run Alternative Government’
●Oyetola, Omisore’s Loyalists Fight Over Council Appointments
●As Bank Withdraws Seven-Month Salaries Paid To Yes/No Chairmen
●FG Acted Illegally On Withheld LG Funds-Omoluabi Progressives
Yusuf Oketola
THERE is an alleged subterranean plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State to dislodge Governor Ademola Adeleke from Bola Ige House, Abere in 2026, OSUN DEFENDER gathered.
The APC according to mul ple sources has concluded plans to run an alterna ve government through the released local government fund by the federal government.
The party was said to have penned down some projects across the 30 local governments in the
state to be done with the released alloca on, a strategy to oust and destroy the governor’s structure and presence at the grassroot.
According to a source in one of the councils in Osun East Senatorial District, the APC leadership in the state has cons tuted a commi ee to oversee the execu on of the approved project with the funds.
“Yes, it is true. Some projects have been listed to be executed with the released local govern-
•Continued on Page 2
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025
Strategy To Dislodge Adeleke Through LG Uncovered
•Continued from front page
ment alloca on. The APC has formed a commi ee to supervise the project. This is part of their campaign strategy and the people may fall for it. The APC will have something to show the people and what the alloca on was used for,” the source said.
Also, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the YES or No Chairmen have made several appointments across councils. The medium learnt that party loyalists have been appointed as Execu ve Assistants Supervisory Councillors and Special Adviser. The purported appointments as gathered by OSUN DEFENDER have caused discontent between the camp of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola and Senator Iyiola Omisore. Names of APC members who are loyalists of Omisore were removed from the local government appointment list. This was spearheaded by one of Oyetola’s loyalists, Remi Omowaye. Some of the affected local governments are Ilesa West, Ife East among others. It was gathered that the seven months salaries paid to the YES or No council chairmen from the released alloca on was reversed by the United Bank of Africa (UBA) on Sunday’s night a er a court order a er payment of the ecological fund to their accounts.
Recall that an Oyo State High Court on Friday, October 26, 2025 ordered UBA not to release funds from 30 accounts opened in the names of Osun State’s local governments by court-sacked APC chairmen and councillors.
The interim injuncon, in suit number 1/1149/25, was sought by the A orney-General and Osun State Commissioner for Jus ce, Oluwole JimiBada, a er the Federal Government transferred seized statutory allocaons for each of the 30 councils into the disputed accounts on the same day.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER In a telephone interview, one of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) council chairman who does not want his name in print said the council chairman lacks authority to access the local fund in absence of other signatories. He men oned that signatories to the local government account include the Head of Local Government Administraon, Council Chairman, Director of finance and
Director of Admin. But the APC have appointed individuals who are not local government staff as treasurers.
“In Boluwaduro Local Government, the person appointed as treasurer by the chairman is a staff of
Iresi polytechnic. You can imagine the kind of people that want to lead the affairs of our councils. We believe this shenanigan will stop soon,” the chairman stated.
Also, Omoluabi Progressives, a group loyal
to former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, has accused the FG of unlawfully releasing LG allocaons in the state to what it described as “illegal” council chairmen loyal to the APC.
The group, in a state-
ment on Monday, warned the chairmen elected during the October 15, 2022 council elec on held under the administra on of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, against spending the six months’ alloca on recently released to them.
•Wife of the Governor of Osun State, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, Secretary to the State Government, Hon.
missioner for Commerce, Hon. Bunmi Jenyo at the Osun State dinner and industrial investment
Wednesday
Aregbesola Recommends Linking Voter Cards With NIN
Yusuf Oketola
FORMER Governor of Osun State and Naonal Secretary of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has recommended the linkage of voter registra on with the Na onal Iden ficaon Number (NIN) to eliminate mul ple registra ons and ensure credible voter data in Nigeria.
This is as he called for a comprehensive review of the country’s electoral process to restore public confidence and ensure credible elec ons.
Speaking at the launch of the Athena Elec on Observatory (AEO) and the unveiling of a report tled “Innova on in Electoral Technology (2015–2025): Gains, Gaps, and the Road Ahead” by the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Aregbesola said the current system, where the si ng president appoints the Chairman of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), undermines credibil-
ity and transparency.
He proposed a new model where all poli cal par es with at least five members in the Na onal Assembly nominate representa ves to lead INEC on an equal basis.
According to him, such an arrangement would eliminate parsanship and foster trust among stakeholders.
“The principal
beneficiary of manipula on should not be the one to nominate who chairs INEC,” Aregbesola said.
“Let poli cal pares with at least five members in the Naonal Assembly nominate those who will lead the Commission. That will inspire confidence and resolve the major issues undermining our elecons.”
He argued that
•Aregbesola
confidence in the electoral process begins with how officials are appointed, adding that elec on results should never be announced before the comple on of colla on.
The ADC scribe also urged INEC to publicly demonstrate the technologies it plans to deploy for the 2027 general elec ons.
“Don’t tell us you are using BVAS or IReV only for us to see something different on elec on day. Physically demonstrate the system so Nigerians can understand how it works,” he said.
Aregbesola also emphasized the need for the judiciary to protect the will of the people, warning that allowing courts to install losers through technicali es damages democracy.
“The minimum that should happen in any disputed elecon is for the court to order a fresh poll—not to decide for the people,” he added.
The chairman of the group, Alhaji. Isa Adesiji, said the release of the funds—allegedly paid into accounts belonging to persons not recognised by law—was “a gross viola on of financial regula ons” and an a empt by the APC-led Federal Government to convert Osun’s public resources into a poli cal war chest.
“Government allocaons cannot be paid directly or indirectly into any individual’s account. Doing so amounts to an egregious viola on of financial procedures which the ICPC should urgently inves gate,” Adesiji said at a press briefing in Osogbo.
“The so-called YES OR NO illegal chairmen must not touch the money. The Federal Government must stop trea ng Osun people’s resources as the APC’s poli cal war fund.”
Adesiji alleged that the FG, instead of respec ng court rulings and upholding due process, was “starving duly elected local government execu ves” produced by the Peoples Democra c Party administra on of Governor Ademola Adeleke while empowering a “disbanded” set of chairmen reinstated by a controversial appellate judgment.
“This unconscionable act amounts to a declara on of war against the Nigerian Cons tu on and against the people of Osun State. It sets a dangerous precedent where the Federal Government disregards valid court judgments to entrench its party’s rejected cronies in power,” he said.
The Omoluabi Progressives urged professional bodies, civil society groups, and labour unions to resist what it called the Federal Government’s “creeping authoritarianism,” saying the issue went beyond par san poli cs and touched on cons tu onal integrity.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgement in a suit filed by the Osun State A orney General of the Federa on (AGF) over the release of withheld local government funds to disputed council chairmen.
Jus ce Uwani Aba’aji, who led a seven-member panel, announced during Tuesday’s proceedings that judgement would be delivered at a later date, and both par es would be no fied when it is ready.
The tenure of the YES or NO chairman expired October 15, 2025.
Teslim Igbalaye, Com-
roundtable, in Osogbo, on
Vice President’s Praise For Dangote
THE Vice President was right to heap encomiums on industrialist Aliko Dangote in a recent speech. We must encourage Nigerian entrepreneurs to invest at home, rather than stashing their money abroad or acquiring luxury properes in places like Dubai and Florida. Dangote is a shining example, having created tens of thousands of jobs and increased revenue locally. We commend the Vice President for recognizing his achievements.
However, it’s crucial to point out that the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Nigeria s ll faces significant challenges. Despite some progress, the ease of doing business in the country remains uncompe ve. Obtaining permits and regulatory approvals can be costly and me-consuming, hindering the growth of small and medium-scale businesses.
To address these issues, we suggest that the Vice President establish a small business research center in his office. This center would focus on iden fying solu ons to the problems plaguing Nigeria’s small and medium-scale enterprises, streamlining processes, and making them more compe ve. This ini ave would complement the work of the Small and Medi-
“To address these issues, we suggest that the Vice President establish a small business research center in his office. This center would focus on identifying solutions to the problems plaguing Nigeria’s small and mediumscale enterprises, streamlining processes, and making them more competitive”
um Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN).
The Economist magazine’s recent ar cle, “Africa has too many small businesses,” highlights a cri cal issue that the Vice President should priori ze. Scaling up small businesses is essen al for enhancing their compe veness, job crea on, revenue genera on, and tax paying capabili es. The Vice President should take the lead in exploring ways to support Nigeria’s millions of small businesses, enabling them to grow and become exporters. By doing so, Nigeria can unlock its full economic potenal.
Nigeria must take a decisive look at its entrepreneurial landscape and bolster pa ent capital to unlock its poten al. This must be achieved through con nuous recapitaliza on of development finance agencies, such as:
- Bank of Industry
- Development Bank of Nigeria
- Bank of Agriculture
This recapitaliza on effort should be sustained, year-a er-year commitment, rather than a one-off such as the recent 1.5 Billion Dollars capital infusion into the bank of Agriculture. Pa ent capital is crucial for building a robust business scene, par cularly for small and medium-scale industries that need to scale up. By priori zing pa ent capital, Nigeria can foster a more suppor ve environment for entrepreneurs and drive economic growth. A very good example of why pa ent capital ma ers comes from Brazil, in that country the bank for sustainable development (BNDES) founded in 1952 as consistently been the engine room as well as the driving force for Economic development in that country, we should follow this route.
The Discourse
ADC’s Entry Into Osun Politics: Fresh Hope Or Familiar Faces?
•Analyzing whether ADC offers genuine change or a reconfiguration of existing political actors
ABy Matt. Olu Olowokere
T
first glance, this seems like a welcome development. Osun poli cs, like much of Nigeria’s, has long been defined by entrenched poli cal interests. Cizens increasingly voice frustra ons with the revolving door of governance, where poli cians change par es more o en than policies change lives. In that context, a new party rising offers, at least symbolically, a break from stagna on.
But is ADC truly new?
A deeper look reveals a more nuanced picture. Many of those spearheading the ADC movement in Osun are not strangers to the game. Some are former members of the APC and PDP, including aspirants and power brokers who have simply crossed over, o en ci ng internal wrangling or marginaliza on in their former par es. This raises a legi mate concern: Is the ADC offering Osun voters fresh leadership or recycled ambi on?
Poli cal observers argue that even recycled poli cians can deliver change if the structure, ideology, and internal democracy of their new pla orm are robust. ADC, to its credit, has posi oned itself on a progressive manifesto— focusing on youth engagement, local economic development, educa on, and tech-enabled governance. If these ideals are more than campaign slogans, and if the party truly empowers emerging leaders beyond the usual suspects, then it could redefine poli cal engagement in Osun.
However, the hurdles are steep. The poli cal climate in Osun is historically two-pronged, with APC and PDP holding sway across the three senatorial districts. Breaking that stronghold requires more than presence—it demands policy clarity, strategic alliances, and trust-
building with the electorate, especially in rural communi es where party loyalty is o en inherited. Another challenge is visibility. Despite increased online cha er and occasional rallies, ADC s ll lacks a strong state-wide recognion. With elec ons looming in the next cycle, the party’s ability to translate presence into performance will depend on how well it communicates its dis nc veness from the dominant par es—and whether it can field credible candidates.
There is also a genera onal demand for something new. Osun, with a rising youthful popula on, is looking for voices that reflect current reali es—job crea on, educaon reform, digital infrastructure, and transparency. If ADC can posion itself as the pla orm for forward-thinking governance and give room for technocrats and youth leaders to shine, it might tap into an undercurrent of frustra on with tradi onal poli cs.
OSUN DEFENDER
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola
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Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto
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Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
In conclusion, the ADC’s entry into Osun poli cs presents a paradox. On one hand, it is a breath of fresh air in a poli cally fa gued state; on the other hand, it risks becoming just another colour in the same old rainbow if not though ully managed. Whether the party brings real change or plays into familiar pa erns will depend on who they promote, how they campaign, and whether they stay true to the ideals they preach. One thing is certain: Osun voters are watching. And in a season where polical awareness is rising, rhetoric alone won’t be enough.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025
Adeleke Shops For Replacement Over Public Outcry On Amotekun Boss
HERE are indica ons
Tthat the Osun State government is set to sack the Commander of the state Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Omoyele following the tragic incident that happened at Akinlalu village, a community in IfeNorth Local Government Area.
Government sources told OSUN DEFENDER that there is likely to be a change in the leadership of Osun Amotekun, with a source no ng that Omoyele may not survive the latest incident.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that opera ves of Osun Amotekun Corps last Tuesday invaded Akinlalu Community and shot some residents, reportedly killing four people.
The incident, which led to public condemna on of the mode of opera ons of the Corps, also led several people to demand the arrest and prosecu on of those opera ves who perpetrated the act, as well as the sacking of Omoyele.
Apart from those who were reportedly shot dead during the incident, at least 10 other people sustained gunshot injuries.
The leadership of the Amotekun Corps in the state had earlier said those killed had engaged its opera ves in an exchange of gunfight.
The Corps said its opera ves were ambushed by hoodlums, who had gone to Akinlalu to retrieve two rifles forcibly taken away from its opera ves.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke who does not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said Omoyele might be sacked by the state government.
The source noted that the government sees Omoyele as someone who has been consumed by power, a development that is reflec ng on the personnel of the Amotekun Corps.
“I can tell you that it is being discussed internally. Omoyele might be sacked due to the latest development. It is evident that people no longer have trust in his leadership, and the governor won’t allow something that can disrupt the peace being enjoyed by residents.
“Since he assumed office as Amotekun Commander, a lot of unpleasant incidents have happened and we all know that everything has a limit.
“The Akinlalu incident is an unfortunate one.
Even though he might not know anything about it but he is the boss and he should take responsibility for whatever happens.
“There are some people who believe Omoyele has been consumed by power and that is showing on the Amotekun personnel. They are to protect the ci zens, but they now lord themselves over the people and commit atrocies,” the source noted.
Meanwhile, police officers from Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday, stormed the opera on base of Osun Amotekun Corps in OkeFia and Ile-Ife and arrested about 20 personnel of the corps.
The raid was in connec on with the recent incident at Akinlalu community where opera ves of Osun Amotekun allegedly shot four people dead.
Confirming the development, Osun Amotekun spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, said the policemen arrested about 20 officers of the security agency.
He said, “Some policemen came but they didn’t seal our headquarters. They burst our opera on base in Oke-Fia and the Ife Central command.
“They also arrested about 20 of our opera ves at Oke-Fia and Ife Central. They came in respect of the Akinlalu incident. The policemen are s ll
at Oke-Fia, and we don’t know where they took our personnel whom they arrested.”
Also, the Osun State Police Command has confirmed that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the elite invesga ve body of the Force, the IRT-FID to take over the Akinlalu case.
The spokesperson for the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed that five people have been arrested in connecon with the incident.
Ojelabi, in a statement on Wednesday
Firewood From The Past: Fuel For Today’s Decisions
IN the quiet corners of many African homes, par cularly in rural towns across Osun State, the use of firewood remains a common sight — a prac cal link between the past and present. But beyond its u lity, firewood carries metaphorical weight. As our elders o en say, “You don’t discard the firewood of yesterday — it might be dry enough to light today’s fire.” This proverb, layered in wisdom, speaks volumes about the relevance of history in shaping our current decisions.
In a me when modern society is in a hurry to forget its roots, the firewood of our past — the lessons, experiences, and hard-won wisdom — is more important than ever. Africa, and by extension Osun State, stands at a crossroads where poli cal, economic, and social decisions demand
evening, said ”inves gaon carried out by the Police revealed that the a ackers are members of Amotekun Corps and individuals were menoned to have masterminded the a ack, which vic ms and witnesses of the a ack said they can iden fy them if seen.”
He also said efforts to bring the Commander of Osun Amotekun Corps in for ques oning have proved abor ve; his claim of allegedly being a acked by unknown gunmen was fabricated.
“The Commander of Amotekun Corps has
been invited to clarify his roles played in the en re episode of the attack. Meanwhile, he has refused to honour the invita on, and equally, efforts made to reach him on the phone proved abor ve as his phone has been switched off
“Only for him to come on social media on 6th October, 2025, and put up a claim of being a acked by unknown armed men wearing masks, which preliminary enquiry reveals to be a figment of his own imagina on aimed at concealing the truth and derailing the
Art/Culture
not just speed but depth. And depth can only come from looking back to look forward.
Our ancestors understood the importance of pa ence, community, and sustainability. They built se lements that respected the land, se led disputes under the shade of trees, and passed down values through oral tradi on and appren ceship. While the world today is driven by algorithms and ar ficial intelligence, the decision to embrace certain innova ons — or reject others — must be guided by the firewood of cultural insight and genera onal knowledge. For example, consider how tradi onal construcon techniques adapted to Osun’s climate and resources: mud walls that kept homes cool, thatched roofs made from local palms, and compounds designed for communal living. Today, as housing
crises mount and the climate grows more erra c, modern architects are beginning to rediscover these “outdated” techniques — only to realise they were ahead of their me. What we thought was backward was simply rooted in sustainable wisdom.
In poli cs too, our historical firewood is essenal. Many of the leadership challenges we face today — from governance lapses to disconnec on from the people — can be traced to a break in the chain of mentorship and memory. In the old Oyo empire and other Yoruba poli es, leadership was deeply ed to
accountability and service. Kings ruled with councils, chiefs were not above reproach, and every public figure was reminded of the transience of power. Imagine how different today’s governance might look if such principles were more than ceremonial. Young people, in par cular, must not see history as a boring subject locked in textbooks. History is alive. It is the rhythm of bata drums during fes vals, the folktales told under moonlight, and the cau onary stories of past poli cal errors. If properly harnessed, these become compasses in a world spinning faster
course of jus ce to the vic ms,” he added.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the spokesperson of Osun Amotekun Corps, Yusuf Idowu, in a statement on Tuesday, said Omoyele narrowly escaped an assassina on a empt on his life on Monday night. According to Idowu, the unknown gunmen attacked Omoyele a er the close of duty around 10 p.m.
The statement said the Amotekun boss sustained injuries in his car, which was riddled with bullets.
than we can follow. Yet, we must be cauous. Not all firewood from the past burns clean. Some ideas — especially those rooted in division, supers on, or injus ce — must be le behind. The art is in knowing which logs to burn and which to discard. This requires wisdom, dialogue, and a willingness to learn from both our triumphs and our traumas.
As Osun con nues to evolve — in governance, development, and identy — we must hold fast to the wisdom in our roots. Our decision-making must not be solely reac ve but reflec ve. Before we leap, we must ask: What did our forebears do in similar situa ons? What worked, and what failed? Where is the ancient ember that can s ll ignite progress?
In every sense, firewood from the past is fuel for today’s decisions. Let us not lose it in our rush to modernity. Let us dry it well, stack it wisely, and light the fires of a be er, more grounded future.
Kazeem Badmus
•National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, addressing the progressive force grassroots canvassers, and dedicated politicians in Eti-Osa Local Government, Lagos State, recently
Osun CJ Neglecting Staff Welfare - JUSUN
THE Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has cri cised the response of the state Chief Judge, Jus ce Adepele Ojo, to its ongoing strike, describing it as “not encouraging”.
The union, which embarked on the industrial
●
●
As Strike Enters Third Week
Urges NBA Intervention To End Judiciary Strike
ac on on September 19, 2025, is demanding that the Judicial Service Commission address promoon for staff members for 2024 and 2025. JUSUN is also calling for staff parcipa on in capacity-
building and training programmes at the Na onal Judicial Ins tute, among other welfare measures.
Chairman of JUSUN in Osun, Idris Adeniyan, said in a statement on Tuesday in Osogbo that
the Chief Judge 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
LG Crisis: How We Are Surviving Without Salaries - Osun Monarchs
SOME tradi onal rulers in Osun State have explained how they were surviving without their salaries, which have not been paid for the past eight months.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the imbroglio over the local government alloca ons led to the nonpayment of salaries to the monarchs. It would be recalled that the alloca ons due to local governments in the state were withheld by the federal government for eight months due to the leadership tussle between the council officials elected under the All Progressives Congress and those elected under the Peoples Democra c Party.
While the APC council chairmen who were sacked by a federal high court were claiming they had been returned by the Court of Appeal, Akure, the PDP council officials were also claiming to be the authen c LG chairmen. Meanwhile, the federal government has reportedly released the local government allocaons to chairmen elected under the APC.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, a royal father in Oriade Local Government, said he has been surviving with farming.
The tradi onal ruler, who does not want his name in print, said the non-payment of his salaries has not deterred him from performing his responsibili es at home.
“I have farmland and I have been surviving through that. I am a farmer and most of the money I spend comes from farming. Even when I was getng paid, my farm is my major source of income,” the monarch stated.
Another tradi onal ruler in Ayeedade Local Government Area told OSUN DEFENDER that his children have been suppor ng him since the salary stopped.
The monarch urged the federal and state governments to resolve the local government issue, adding that people at the grassroots were the ones bearing the brunt.
“My children are the ones paying me salaries even though I don’t really want that to happen. They can’t leave their father alone. I hope this issue will be resolved very quickly.
“We, the monarchs, will find a way to keep growing and living well, but the real problem is the people at the grassroots. They are the ones suffering the consequences of the fight between the two poli cal par es,” the tradi onal ruler who spoke on condi on of an-
onymity said.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the local government Chairmen elected under the All Progressives Congress recently promised to clear the arrears owed to the tradi onal rulers by the state government.
The leader of the APC chairmen, Hon. Abiodun Idowu, stated this in a statement, no ng that, “Plans are ongoing to recall and re-engage the 1,500 teachers employed by the last APC government of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola but sacked by the present administra on.
“Our Kabiyesis, sacked teachers, health workers, O’YES and O’Meal workers will smile again,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved judgment in a suit filed by the Osun state government seeking to restrain the A orney General of the Federa on (AGF) from releasing the withheld Local Government funds to the Local Government chairmen elected on the APC.
The judgment was reserved by Jus ce Uwani Aba’aji a er listening to arguments from counsels to the state government and the AGF, Musbau Adetumbi, SAN, and Chief Akin Olujimi, SAN, respec vely.
Jus ce Aba’aji, who led
a 7-man panel of Jus ces in Tuesday’s proceedings, announced that the date for judgment delivery in the suit with Number, SC/ CV/773/2025 would be communicated to the two par es when it is ready.
The Osun A orney General had, in the suit, sought an order of the apex court direc ng the AGF to immediately release the statutory alloca ons to Chairmen and Councilors validly elected for the 30 Local Government Areas of the Osun state.
The Osun A orney General had said the AGF was wrong in his le er recognizing the APC Local Government chairmen when the ma er was pending before the court of records.
He also predicated his case on the ground that the elec on that brought in the APC officials as Local Government chairmen and Councillors had been nullified by a Federal High Court and upheld by the Court of Appeal in Abuja.
Adetumbi, while presen ng the case of the plain ff, pleaded with the seven Jus ces to uphold his arguments and grant all the reliefs sought by his client.
However, Akin Olujimi SAN urged the apex court to dismiss the case of the plain ff on various grounds.
step to resolve the issue is not encouraging,” Adesiyan said.
He added that the lack of dialogue is detrimental to both union members and the general public.
The union has scheduled a mee ng with the Nigerian Bar Associa on (NBA) in Osun for today to discuss possible reso-
lu ons to the ongoing industrial ac ons. They also commended members for their full compliance with the strike.
The strike, now in its third week, con nues to disrupt judicial operaon in the state JUSUN presses for improved welfare and career development opportunies for judiciary staff
Senate Approves Upgrade Of Wesley Guild To FMC
●As Fadahunsi, Omirin Laud Development
THE Nigeria House of Senate has approved the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre, Wesley Guid, Ilesa, OSUN DEFENDER reports. This was revealed by the lawmaker represen ng Osun East, Senator Francis Fadahunsi in a social media post on Tuesday.
According to Fadahunsi, the legal framework for the medical centre is sorted.
A bill for the establishment of a psychiatrist hospital in Osun East (Ife zone) to care for Psychiatry needs was also presented by the senator.
He wrote, “It was a glorious resump on today as I had the honour to present the Psychiatric Hospitals Management Board Act (Amendment) Bill 2025, SB 901 for first reading. The bill seeks to establish a psychiatrist hospital in Osun East (Ife zone) to care for Psychiatry needs of the people of the state and neighbouring states.
“This hospital will add great value to the people of Osun East, Osun state and neighbouring states. Besides assis ng with mental health treatments, it will also provide jobs for our youths and ease the burden on the current facili es of our ter ary ins tu ons.
“Another win today was the Senates’ concurrence for the estab-
lishment of the Federal Medical Centre Wesley guild Ilesa. With the concurrence, the legal framework for the Federal Medical Centre is sorted. This simply means Osun East will soon be selfsufficient in health care delivery since the Federal orthopaedics hospital Obokun is wai ng for the President’s assent.”
Also, the House of Representa ves member represen ng Ijesa South, Hon. Sanya Omirin who had earlier presented the bill for the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre at the pleanary of the house applauded the development.
“It’s with great delight that I announce to you that the long-awaited concurrence for the Federal Medical Centre Wesley guild Ilesa bill has go en the Senates’ s blessings today.
“Today’s concurrence for the establishment of Federal Medical Centres, got Federal Medical Centre Wesley guild Ilesa listed as part of the 7 new Federal Medical Centres in the Federal Medical Centres Act (Amendment) Bill 2025
“With the Senates’ concurrence, I want to plead with all Ijesa South sons and daughters all over the world to support in whatever way to get the President’s assent. A big thank you to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Yusuf Oketola
Kazeem Badmus
•Middle: The Chairman Omoluabi Progressives, Alhaji Isa Adesiji and leaders of the tendency addressing a world press confrence on the ongoing Local Government crisis in Osun State on Monday
Yusuf Oketola
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025
Osun College Set For Upgrade To Polytechnic
THE Governing Council of the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, has announced plans to upgrade the ins tu on from its current monotechnic status to that of a polytechnic.
This, according to the ins tu on, is part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s ongoing educa on reform drive in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the College’s Public Rela ons Officer, Mr. Kingsley Omoyeni, and made available to journalists in Osogbo on Tuesday.
According to Omoyeni, the decision to ini ate the upgrade process was one of the major resolu ons reached at the Council’s recent mee ng held at the ins tu on’s premises.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Mr. Abayomi Adegoke, said the move was in line with Governor Adeleke’s vision to reposi on the College as a leading health and allied sciences ins tu on capable of compe ng with other ter ary ins tu ons across Nigeria.
Adegoke emphasized that the upgrade would not only enhance the academic profile of the ins tu on but also expand its capacity to offer more diverse programmes, thereby crea ng greater opportuni es for
Adeleke
students and staff alike.
He stated, “The development and transformaon of this College remain a top priority for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administra on. The Governor has given us a clear mandate— to build a modern ins tu on that meets global standards in health and technology educa on.”
“It is me this College stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other polytechnics in the country in terms of academic excellence, infrastructure, and aesthe cs. With determina on and teamwork, we can make this vision a reality,” he added.
The Council Chairman further disclosed that, as part of the upgrade ini ave, the College would also reclaim a parcel of land currently occupied by the Ministry of Water Resources.
He described the land as a strategic asset that would support the planned infrastructural expansion and boost the ins tu on’s internally generated rev-
Adegoke also stressed the need to strengthen the
security architecture within and around the College, calling for the appointment of a Chief Security Officer to ensure the safety of lives and property on campus.
In his remarks, the Provost of the ins tu on, Dr. Lateef Olarewaju, commended the Governing Council for its proacve steps and reaffirmed the management’s commitment to working diligently towards the attainment of the proposed polytechnic status.
THE Senate of Osun State University (UNIOSUN), Osogbo, has approved a new, harmonised format for wri ng names across all official University documents, in alignment with global best prac ces.
The decision, aimed at ensuring consistency and clarity in documenta on, was reached during one of the recent Senate mee ngs and communicated through an official circular issued by the Registrar, Mrs. A nuke Abosede Oguntunde, on October 2, 2025.
According to the circular, the harmonisa on exercise seeks to standardise how names of students and staff are presented in both academic and administra ve
Tasks Traditional Rulers To Guard Borders Against Bandits
OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has directed tradi onal rulers along border areas of state to be vigilant and report any suspicious infiltra on of their communi es by alleged bandits from neighbouring states to security agencies.
Speaking a er a state security council mee ng held at Osogbo, the Governor urged tradi onal councils across the state to report strange se lers who may have entered their territories to security agencies.
Adeleke in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, warned that “this is not the me to allow mass internal migraon into Osun communi es in view of
the ongoing banditry crisis in states bordering Osun state, charging community leaders and stakeholders to report suspicious movements.
“Osun is one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria. We are keen to sustain that record. We should watch our borders. Bandits should not be allowed to infiltrate Osun state”, the Governor was quoted as saying.
The governor expressed sa sfac on that the security council has mapped out an effec ve plan of ac on to stop the bandits from gaining foothold in Osun State, thumping up his security team and the various service commanders.
He specifically commended the Agbooro Community, Ikirun, for working
with the security agencies to get the group of Bororo settlers who recently occupied parts of their community to peacefully vacate the area.
“I commend the security agencies and the Akinrun-in-Council for ac ng promptly to resolve the matter. Our border towns should emulate this step and adopt open surveillance in partnership with the security agencies”, the Governor noted in the statement.
“The vision of the Council aligns with our opera onal goals. We are ready to work handin-hand to ensure that the College a ains polytechnic status soon,” he said.
The planned upgrade, when completed, is expected to posi on the Osun State College of Health Technology, Ilesa, as a hub for health and technological innova on in Osun and the SouthWest region at large.
UNIOSUN Approves Harmonised Format For Writing Names
records. The approved format is designed to eliminate inconsistencies that have long existed in the University’s documenta on system.
The new guideline s pulates that names should be wri en as First Name / Middle Name / Last Name (Surname), with the surname wri en in upper case le ers. For example, “A nuke Abosede OGUNTUNDE.” This format is now to be used in all official communica ons, records, and documenta on throughout the University.
Furthermore, for individuals who use only two names, the approved arrangement remains First Name / Last Name (Surname), also with the surname in uppercase. An example provided in the cir-
cular reads: “A nuke OGUNTUNDE.” In cases where ini als are used instead of full first or middle names, the Senate approved the format Ini al(s) with Last Name (Surname), wri en in uppercase for instance, “Mrs. A.A. OGUNTUNDE.” This clarifica on is intended to provide uniformity in all wri en correspondences and official documents bearing names of staff or students.
The circular, referenced REG/ADM/CIRC/160009, was distributed to all key offices and personnel across the University, including the Vice-Chancellor, Deputy Vice-Chancellors, Provosts, Deans, Academic Directors, Heads of Departments, and the University Librarian. Copies were also sent to faculty no ce boards for wider dis-
semina on among staff and students.
Registrar Oguntunde emphasized in the circular that the decision was made to promote administra ve efficiency, eliminate confusion in record management, and align with interna onal standards adopted by reputable ins tu ons. She noted that proper name forma ng is essen al for documentaon integrity, par cularly in cer ficates, transcripts, and employment records. All members of the University community both staff and students, have been directed to comply immediately with the new format in all official dealings and submissions. This includes the writing of names on academic records, official forms, identy cards, and internal communica ons.
Lawmaker Submits Petition To Senate Over ‘Unlawful’ Dismissal Of Osun Military Officers
THE lawmaker representing Osun West, Lere Oyewumi, on Tuesday, submi ed a pe on to the Senate over the alleged unlawful dismissal of some military officers from the district.
The deputy minority leader in a post on his official Facebook page, noted that he submi ed the peon on behalf of the dismissed officers at the plenary on Tuesday.
According to the lawmaker, the peon was to seek jus ce for the military officers’ alleged unlawful disengagement from service.
Oyewumi reiterated his commitment to serving his cons tuents and
voicing their concerns where necessary.
He wrote, “As the duly elected representative of the good people of Osun West Senatorial District, I remain committed to voicing their concerns, advancing their interests, and ensuring that meaningful development reaches every part of our cons tuency.
“During plenary,
I also submi ed a pe on on behalf of some illegally dismissed military officers from Osun West, seeking jusce and appropriate remedy for their unlawful disengagement from service.
“Together, we will con nue to work towards a stronger, more prosperous, and inclusive Osun West and by extension, a be er Nigeria.”
Kazeem Badmus
Kazeem Badmus
enue.
•Adeleke
•Oyewumi
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2025
Sport
Barca Change Camp Nou Return Plan Again
SPANISH champions Barcelona announced that they now plan to return to their renovated Camp Nou home only once they receive permission for a temporary capacity of 45,000 supporters.
This decision comes less than a week a er Barca once again delayed their expected return to their iconic home stadium, which was ini ally slated for November 2024 before being postponed several mes.
Previously, the Catalan giants had hoped to reopen their stadium once they secured a licence to host matches in front of 27,000 fans—something they ancipated obtaining last month.
The decision to wait un l the temporary capacity is increased to 45,000 is almost certain to cause further delays in the re-opening of one of Europe’s great
stadiums, a er a redevelopment that has faced numerous setbacks. The club is es mated to be paying €1.5 billion ($1.75 billion) for the Camp Nou rebuild, which has been plagued by reconstruc on chaos.
“Although we expect to soon receive the first occupancy licence for phase 1A, Barcelona will work towards returning to Spo fy Camp Nou once the licence for phase 1B is obtained, which will expand the capacity to 45,000 spectators,” the club stated in a communica on, without providing any indica on of when that would occur.
Barcelona was humilia ngly forced to play two matches at their 6,000 capacity Johan Cruyff training ground in the early weeks of the season a er failing to obtain the necessary permit for Camp Nou.
The city council stated
in September that they would not allow Barcelona to return to the stadium, which will have a capacity of 105,000 when completed, due to safety concerns.
Barcelona confirmed on Tuesday that they will host their next La Liga game against Girona on October 18 at the Olympic stadium on the city’s Montjuïc hill. The club played there for the last two seasons while Camp Nou was closed and had to return there at the end of September following their two games at the small Johan Cruyff venue.
Super Eagles Can Still Qualify For 2026 World Cup,
Says Mikel
FORMER Super Eagles captain
John Mikel Obi has insisted that the na onal team can s ll secure a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
This is in a show of confidence ahead of the crucial matchday nine encounter between Nigeria and Lesotho.
The Super Eagles are set to face the Crocodiless of Lesotho at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane today.
Following this match, Eric Chelle’s side will conclude their qualifying campaign with a home game against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic next Tuesday in Uyo.
Currently, Nigeria sits in third place in Group C with 11
South West
points, three points behind leaders Benin Republic and secondplaced South Africa. Despite this challenging posi on, Mikel has urged the players to demonstrate their commitment on the pitch and ensure victory in both remaining matches to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
“It is crucial for the players to fight hard
to achieve posi ve results in the remaining two games,” Mikel stated during an interview on the ObiOne Podcast. “It would be a crime—an absolute crime—if Nigeria fails to qualify for the World Cup again. We love our football too much. Our World Cup fate rests in the hands of the players. They must win these two games—no excuses.”
Ekiti 2026: Heavy Security As Oyebanji’s Main Challenger, Ojo, Visits APC Secretariat
Francis Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti
TENSION
gripped AdoEki on Thursday as heavy security presence enveloped the All Progressives Congress (APC) Secretariat at Ajilosun, as Engr. Kayode Ojo, one of the leading aspirants and major challenger to Governor Biodun Oyebanji in the race for the 2026 governorship elec on visited the party’s secretariat.
Armed opera ves from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC),
and the Department of State Services (DSS) were sta oned strategically around the party secretariat
and adjoining streets to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.
The heightened security followed intelligence reports that large crowds of Ojo’s supporters from across the state were expected to accompany him.
By mid-morning, hundreds of loyalists had already gathered around Ajilosun, waving placards and chan ng solidarity songs.
Party insiders confirmed that over 1,000 members from the 16 local government areas were mobilised to show support for Ojo, who had been quietly building poli cal structures and posi oning himself as the main threat to Oyebanji’s re-elec on bid.
Ojo, a U.S.-trained engineer, businessman, and former governorship aspirant in the 2018 and 2022 APC primaries,
How Governors Are Aiding Bandits In Kwara, Kogi – Hunters Chief
THE President of the Soludero Hunters Associa on of Nigeria, King Nureni Lasisi, has accused the governors of Kwara and Kogi States of aiding banditry through their refusal to support local hunters in the fight against insecurity.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Thursday, Oba Lasisi said bandits had con nued to unleash terror on residents of both states because the authori es failed to act on the associa on’s proposals to assist security agencies.
“We approached the governments of Kwara and Kogi, but they kept making promises. If they had approved our proposal,
we would have dislodged the bandits long ago,” he said. “Before I le home this morning, my people in both states briefed me on the situa on. We are watching closely, but we can’t move without official backing.”
The hunters’ chief noted that his members had successfully helped to curb insecurity in parts of Oyo and Osun States, but were o en discouraged by the fear of being turned against by the police a er opera ons.
“We’ve arrested criminals and handed them over to the police, only for the cases to be twisted against us,” he added.
“We rely on tradi onal powers, and the record of our work is there for anyone to verify,” he said.
He also warned Fulani herders and other criminal elements to steer clear of the South West, saying they would “meet their Waterloo” if they at-
tempted to bring violence to the region.
The hunters’ leader further called for stronger backing from South West governors and tradi onal
rulers, par cularly the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to enhance local security opera ons.
Police Arrest Prophet For Raping EKSU Student
THE Eki State Police Command has arrested a self-acclaimed prophet, Ajayi Oluwatosin (40), for allegedly raping a 20-yearold 100-level student of Eki State University (EKSU). The suspect was nabbed following a report lodged at the Iworoko Divisional Headquarters on September 22.
State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, disclosed this while pa-
rading suspects at the command headquarters in Ado-Eki . He vowed that the police would not relent in ensuring the protec on of lives and property across the state.
Eribo also revealed that Ajetomobi Ayomide (23) was arrested by opera ves in Aramoko-Eki for allegedly defiling an eight-year-old girl mulple mes and threatening to kill her if she spoke out. The case, he said, is being handled by the Gender Unit of the CID.
In another opera on, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) intercepted two armed suspects, Bolaji Kazeem and Isa Sikirulahi, in Ado-Eki . A locally-made pistol, live cartridges, and a stolen motorcycle were recovered from them.
The police chief assured residents that all suspects would face prosecu on and urged the public to con nue suppor ng security agencies with credible informa on.
is seen as a formidable contender with strong grassroots followership and deep financial backing.
His renewed poli cal ac vi es have reportedly unse led Oyebanji’s camp, with insiders admitng that “the governor’s men are watching Ojo closely” amid fears that his growing influence could split the ruling party ahead of the 2026 polls.
The development also caused traffic disrup ons along the Ajilosun–Ajebandele axis, as residents, students, and workers struggled to reach their desna ons due to the scarcity of commercial vehicles diverted away from the area.
Business operators around the secretariat temporarily shut their shops as the atmosphere grew tense.
Party officials at the secretariat declined to comment on the purpose of Ojo’s visit, but sources hinted that it might be a strategic consulta on meeting with key APC stakeholders ahead of his formal declara on for the 2026 governorship race.
Ade Adeloye, Ibadan
Francis Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti
THIS early morning, I took me to cri cally reflect again on the lingering crisis surrounding the withheld local government funds in Osun State. At the heart of this impasse is the tension between cons tu onal democracy and personal poli cal interests at the federal level. The disturbing reality is that if cau on is not exercised, Nigeria though constu onally declared a democratic na on may unwi ngly dri toward a state where the form of democracy survives while its substance quietly dies.
The Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended) unequivocally affirms Nigeria as a democra c state. Sec on 1(2) provides that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Cons tu on.” Similarly, Sec on 14(1) declares that “the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based on the principles of democracy and social jusce.” These clauses are not ornamental; they are binding impera ves that require the three co-equal arms of government, the Execu ve, Legislature, and Judiciary to operate within their cons tu onal boundaries in order to preserve the democra c order.
In every true democracy, the delicate balance among these three arms is non-nego able. Where any arm either abdicates its duty or encroaches upon another, the en re system begins to decay. Nigeria is no excep on. In the current Osun local government controversy, the Execu ve’s alleged
“If Nigeria is to remain, in fact as well as in name, a democratic nation as envisioned by Sections 1 and 14 of the 1999 Constitution, then the judiciary must reclaim its role as the fearless interpreter of law, the legislature must provide effective oversight, and the executive must respect the rule of law without equivocation. Anything less will reduce our democracy to a hollow façade alive in ceremony but dead in essence”
By
OLANIHU N S. ZECHARIAH
Judicial At The Crossroads: The Osun LG Crisis And Nigeria’s Democratic Soul
withholding of statutory funds has raised serious cons tu onal ques ons. Yet the most troubling dimension, in my considered view, lies in the Judiciary’s reluctance to speak with unmistakable clarity. The judiciary is cons tu onally mandated to interpret the law (Sec on 6), but interpreta on without precision risks eroding public confidence in the very ins tu on that should be the last hope of the common man.
The Court of Appeal decision, which has been at the center of the Osun debacle, illustrates this ambiguity. Senior legal authori es have weighed in with telling observa ons:
Professor Mike Ozekhome, SAN, remarked, “My reading of
the judgment is that the Court of Appeal did not reinstate the sacked local government chairmen.
J. S. Okutepa, SAN, went further to challenge the legal community, declaring, “I dare any lawyer to point to any part of the judgment where the court ordered reinstatement of the sacked council chairmen. That order is simply not there.”
Kunle Adegoke, SAN, on the other hand, has offered more ambiguous commentary, leaving observers divided on the exact legal implica ons.
These interven ons, though illumina ng, underscore a deeper concern: why has the Judiciary itself not issued a lucid, unambiguous pronounce-
“Electoral and democratic interests must always rise above parochial political calculations. Osun State, historically a bastion of peace, should not become the testing ground for constitutional ambivalence. Nigeria’s judiciary must therefore re-engineer its processes, reaffirm its interpretive clarity, and uphold the constitutional promise that justice shall not only be done but shall manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done”
ment that would se le the ma er and restore administrave normalcy in Osun? When judicial decisions become riddled with interpre ve confusion, the door opens for execuve overreach and legisla ve iner a an outcome inimical to democra c governance. The Chief Jus ce of Nigeria, as head of the judiciary, equally bears the moral and ins tu onal responsibility to ensure that judgments, especially those with far-reaching implica ons, are communicated with the clarity and precision demanded by a cons tu onal democracy. Electoral and democra c interests must always rise above parochial poli cal calcula ons. Osun State, historically a bason of peace, should not become the tes ng ground for cons tu onal ambivalence. Nigeria’s judiciary must therefore re-engineer its processes, reaffirm its interpre ve clarity, and uphold the cons tu onal promise that jus ce shall not only be done but shall manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.
If Nigeria is to remain, in fact as well as in name, a democra c na on as envisioned by Sec ons 1 and 14 of the 1999 Cons tu on, then the judiciary must reclaim its role as the fearless interpreter of law, the legislature must provide effec ve oversight, and the execu ve must respect the rule of law without equivoca on. Anything less will reduce our democracy to a hollow façade alive in ceremony but dead in essence.