Why Omisore Shunned Oyetola’s Birthday Reception - Sources
•The Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup
sary in Ilesa, on Wednesday
THE family of Mr Oyebamiji of Akinlalu community in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State has been thrown into eternal sadness following the killing of his three children, allegedly by opera ves of the state Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corps. The vic ms - Ibrahim, Sefiu, and Ismaila Oyebamiji were allegedly shot dead by opera ves of the
Kazeem Badmus Osun Amotekun when they stormed the village on Tuesday.
Apart from three people, one other person, Abiola Olutayo, was reported to have also been killed, with many others sustaining gunshot injuries, in an incident that had shaken the town.
Other people who sustained injuries during the incident were: Olutayo Abiola, Olutayo Omotosho, Fayomi Sheriff, Odefunke Alabi, Badmus Folorunso, Omoboriowo
Abiodun, Oyebamiji Ikeoluwa, Adeagbo Isiaq, and Adeagbo Kadijat.
Although the Amotekun Corps claimed the vic ms were among the armed hoodlums who a acked its opera ves on their way to the community, eyewitness accounts said the vic ms were innocent residents who were killed without jusfica on.
Osun Amotekun Corps spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, had in a statement on Tuesday, said opera-
ves were a acked on their way to respond to a distress call from residents of the community.
The statement noted that the residents had earlier reported that a group of suspected bandits had invaded farmlands in the area.
Yusuf said the Amotekun team was ambushed by the armed assailants on their way to the community.
Idowu noted that the Amotekun Corps engaged
Ajimoko III alongside his Chiefs marking Nigeria’s
Why Omisore Shunned Oyetola’s Birthday Reception - Sources
THE Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, on Monday held a recep on to mark his 71st birthday at his hometown, Iragbiji, but one of the governorship aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, Senator Iyiola Omisore, was conspicuously absent, signalling the internal wrangling between him and the celebrant.
Though, a check by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that Omisore sent a congratulatory message to the Minister but did not give reason for not gracing the event.
Some of the APC aspirants who a ended the birthday party included ex-deputy governor, Benedict Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Bola Oyebamiji.
The medium learnt that the former deputy governor may have deliberately shunned the venue of the event having a ended the Olojo Fes val in Ife, on Saturday.
But poli cal observers in the state opined that he may have distanced himself from the event due to his 2026 governorship ambi on. Recall that there has been uneasy calm in the rank and file of the APC following the entrance of Omisore.
According to sources in the party, members of the party, especially those in the camp of the former Commissioner for Finance, Bola Oyebamiji, who is said to be Oyetola’s poten al candidate have been in panic mode since Omisore announced his inten on to contest the August 8, 2026 elecon.
Omisore was accused of launching a direct a ack on former governor Oyetola.
“His absence from Oyetola’s birthday recep on is a signal that all is not well between the two leaders. He did not give any reason for not a ending the event. He was at the Olojo fes val last Saturday. Therefore, I don’t think he has an excuse for not being present at the birthday party,” a chie ain of the party tells OSUN DEFENDER. OSUN DEFENDER reports that Omisore, during a mee ng with
receiving an award on behalf of his
chie ain, the recent remarks credited to Omisore were not good for the party, accusing the former deputy governor of undermining the leadership structure of the APC.
He said, “It is a serious issue and the leadership of the party needs to address this quickly before it degenerates into another thing. Omisore is like a ger that needs to be tamed before it causes mayhem.
APC ward chairmen recently, said that President Bola Tinubu asked him to contest for the 2026 governorship poll.
The former lawmaker who represented Osun East said he inially declined to contest because he thought former governor Oyetola would come back for a second term.
He, however, said he decided to join the gubernatorial race since the minister of Marine and Blue Economy had said he is not interested in coming back in 2026.
He said, “When President Bola Tinubu called me last year to contest for the governorship posi on, I told him former governor Oyetola would come back for a second term, but he said he wasn’t sure he would.
“So, I told Oyetola what I discussed with the president and he said he will think about it. I ini ally didn’t want to come out to contest since I thought Oyetola would recontest, but since he said he is not contes ng again, that is why I am contes ng.”
In another mee ng with the Vice Chairmen in the state, Omisore threw shade at his coaspirants
He said, “A er careful considera on, without sounding immodest, I looked at those who have come out to declare their ambion, and I realised that some of the people who even came to ask me to contest are better materials than the other aspirants.”
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, a chie ain
of the APC who does not want his name in print because of the
at the 50th anniversary of the Luther Kings College, Ile Ogbo, Osun State, recently sensi vity of the matter, described Omisore as a ger who needs to be tamed quickly by the leadership of the party.
According to the APC
“All that he is saying is not good for the party. He is trying to undermine the leadership structure of the party and former governor Gboyega Oyetola. I am not against aspirants going out to meet with people but we must be cau ous of what we will be saying outside.”
Pain, Agony As Amotekun Allegedly...
•Continued from front page
the armed hoodlums in a deadly confronta on, adding that three people died during the incident.
He said, “However, at the T-junc on leading into Akinlalu, the road was found barricaded by the assailants, who immediately opened fire on the opera ves, triggering a fierce gun ba le that lasted for over an hour.
“Despite the intensity of the a ack, the Amotekun opera ves successfully overpowered the assailants. In the aftermath of the encounter, three lives were confirmed lost, including individuals believed to be among the a ackers. Three were arrested while several others sustained injuries and fled the scene,” the statement noted.
OSUN DEFENDER reliably gathered that the issue started on Monday when some farmers in ‘Aba Oba’, a village around Akinlalu, alerted the Amotekun Corps that they had apprehended some thieves who stole their cocoa.
The Amotekun Corps, according to sources, went to apprehend the suspected thieves, and on their way to Akinlalu, the suspected thief dragged a gun with two of the security personnel, injuring one of them in the process.
Following the incident, OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some people from Akinlalu went to the Amotekun office in Ife to check on the injured personnel and they were told
everything was in order.
However, the Amotekun personnel stormed the community on Tuesday in three vehicles and shot sporadically, killing people in the process.
Speaking in a video obtained by OSUN DEFENDER, Mr Oyebamiji, who struggled to fight back tears, narrated how his children were killed.
According to him, “I came back from the farm with my child. When we got home, he said he was hungry and I gave him money to go and buy what he would eat.
“The Amotekun Corps members who came to the town met him where he was buying biscuits and shot him.
“Someone came to call me at home that they’ve killed my child. I rushed there with his brother. On ge ng to the scene, the Amotekun shot at us but their bullets couldn’t penetrate me. They used a cutlass on my body.
“I didn’t know that my third son had already been killed by the Amotekun Corps as soon as they entered the town.”
The bereaved father urged the state government to ensure jus ce for his children, calling for the prosecu on of all the people involved in the incident.
“All I want now is true jus ce. My child’s death should not be in vain. My children were easygoing. They don’t have anyone.”
One of the injured people who spoke in the video, Olujide Akinfenwa, said he was shot while
coming from work by the Amotekun opera ves.
He said, “I was coming back from work on my motorcycle when the Amotekun personnel shot at me. I was rescued at the hospital with eight bullets removed from my body.”
Mr Nurudeen Adeagbo, whose two children sustained gunshot injuries, said, “My children were ea ng inside our house when the Amotekun personnel came in.
“I asked them what they were looking for but they didn’t say anything. They only shot at my two children. One was shot at the abdomen while the other was shot on the arm”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command said it has launched an inves ga on into the matter.
According to a statement by the Osun Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, “Informa on received from Chief Oyebamiji Kamorudeen of Akinlalu that, members of Western security network also known as Amotekun came in large numbers and invaded Akinlalu community with
their two official patrol and one private vehicle in retalia on for the two pump ac on guns earlier allegedly snatched from their opera ves by yet to be iden fied person(s).
“During the invasion, they shot sporadically, which caused serious bullet injuries to the following people, namely: Adeagbo Kadijat ‘f’ 22yrs, Oke-Ila Oyebamiji ‘f’ 60yrs, and Fayomi Toheeb m 19yrs. It was further alleged that three persons lost their lives during the shoo ng, namely: Ibrahim Oyebamiji (m), 26 years, Sefiu Oyebamiji (m), and Abiola Olutayo (m) , and their corpses were taken away by Amotekun opera ves.
Ojelabi said the Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Inves gaon Department (SCID), Osogbo, for a discreet and thorough inves ga on.
“All claims and counterclaims — including allega ons of murder, assault occasioning harm, gun snatching, wounding, and impersona on — will be carefully verified to establish facts and ensure jus ce,” Ojelabi assured.
Yusuf Oketola
•Former Deputy Chief Whip, Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Gbenga Ogunkanmi,
late father, Col. Oye Ogunkanmi
The President’s Speech
“ SOME men think of things that have happened and ask themselves why. I have dreams about all those things that never were, and then I ask myself why not” Aesythelus.
The President of the Federal Republic, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, gave the usual Independence Day speech to the na on on two days ago. The speech came against the backdrop of large na onal pessimism. This is not surprising, given the increasing feeling of heartlessness vis-à-vis the security situa on in the country and the diminishing purchasing power parity. The speechalso comes at a me when the middle class was shrinking, and there is an emerging consensus that the spirit of independence and the op mism of October 1, 1960, has been largely unfulfilled.
1960 Nigeria was the 27th largest economy in the world today it is 59!!!
The fact of the ma er is that a large part of the President’s speech is conten ous. For example, the President made a compara ve analysis with where the country was in 1960. Any serious compara ve analysis will show that the country has grossly underachieved since the day of independence and transforma on into a sovereign State. For instance, Nigeria has only increased its rail network by 32% since 1960, adding just 1,000 kilometers to the rail network of 4,000 kilometers present when Colonia rule ended. Given the importance of a rail network for a country seeking to break out of underdevelopment, this is a damning indictment of successive administra ons since 1960. We may well contrast this with the massive achievements of India since 1947, where the con nuing expansion of the rail network has underpinned the country’s movement from a very low base to what is now the fi h-largest economy in the world. The convenonal wisdom is that India will be the largest economy in the world by 2050. The post-Independent compara ve analysis since 1960 is even more dismal if we look at let us say the Electricity sector as well as general infrastructure. The President, made a high point that the na on now has 20,000 secondary schools. This can not be in magnificent achievement, if we take into account the level of the popula on in 1960 and the level the popula on today.
In his famous speech, one of the greatest speeches of the last century, on the eve of India’s independence in 1947, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru Pandit talked about India
“We have to go back to the enthusiasm and promise of that era and draw up a new map that will be based not on consumption and elite security alone but to provide a new type of society in which the focus will be on the welfare of mass of the people of the country, and in which they will continue to achieve better living standards decade by decad”
having a “tryst with des ny.” The fact of the ma er is that Nigeria has largely evaded its tryst with des ny, unlike India. The country has grossly underperformed. We ought to be among the top twelve economies in the world, given the country’s magnificent endowment and mouth-watering human capital base. There’s no need to gloss over underperformance; it is real, it is punishing, and it is not about to go away.
The country must now look at itself in the mirror and stop crea ng alterna ve reali es, which to a considerable extent was mirrored in the speech of the President. Collec vely, the country’s ruling establishment must admit that the country has not fulfilled its historic mission. An earlier poli cal establishment, since the forma on of the West African Students Union in London in 1942, at least had a clear roadmap, like their Indian, Malaysian, and other counterparts, of what was needed to break out of underdevelopment, underachievement, and build a society that could be compe ve and in which only a minimal, containable handful would be in poverty.
We have to go back to the enthusiasm and promise of that era and draw up a new map that will be based not on consump on and elite security alone but to provide a new type of society in which the focus will be on the welfare of mass of the people of the country, and in which they will con nue to achieve be er living standards decade by decade. Sadly, we do not see this happening any me soon, and this has to be rec fied. The president ought to have borrowed a leaf from Exodus quoted above and focused more on “What might have been and why great promise has been largely unfulfilled”
The growth rate of the popula on in Nigeria and the economic growth rates are very, very disturbing. The country must now try to achieve at least an 8% growth rate and singledigit interest rates over the next decade to have a figh ng chance of aver ng a social catastrophe. There are simply too many poor people in Nigeria, not to become a threat to public safety.
The Interpreter
Aristocracy Of Labour Or Trade Unions
NIGERIA marked its 65th anniversary of what has largely turned out to be flag independence two days ago. There are many conten ons about the real form of the Nigerian state, its nomenclature, and its very raison d’être, underpinning the jus fica on for its existence.
A key point of discourse centers around the poli cal economy underpinning na onal iden ty. In the run-up to the anniversary, there was a dispute between some unions who are key players in the oil sector and the management of the Dangote group. The dispute could have become an existen al issue if it had not been properly diffused. The dispute brought to the fore issues centering on compe on, as well as the efficacy of the trade union movement, in terms of the protec on of workers’ rights and the overall produc vity and compe veness of Nigeria’s economy.
Compared to the colonial era, there are doubts about the performance index of the trade union movement in Nigeria. Under colonialism, agita on for workers’ rights was a key mobilizing element in the struggle for independence. They raised an -imperialist awareness, which was a veritable mobilizing tool, and achieved a lot in terms of defending and raising a living wage.
Sixty-five years a er independence, there is reasonable doubt about the impact of the trade union movement. A compara ve analysis with countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia shows underperformance. A good example comes from Brazil; in that country, the workers’ movement, which has aligned into the workers’ party, has consistently been instrumental in taking tens of millions out of poverty. Indeed, the trade union movement in Brazil was instrumental in ini a ng the mass housing program, which ended up construc ng a million affordable housing units a year, giving out on a monthly rent-to-buy scheme.
The post-Michael Imou workers’ movement in Nigeria does not have such a track record. Vacuous sloganeering appears to have replaced a clear strategic impera ve. It is becoming conven onal wisdom that the
trade union movement in Nigeria has now become, in the o en-cited posi on of Karl Marx, “an aristocracy of labor.” If this is the case, the defense of the long-term structured interests of the workers becomes secondary or even problema c.
In the Marxist interpreta on, the labor aristocracy is the segment of the working class that has be er wages and working condi ons compared to the broader proletariat, o en enabled by their specialized skills, membership in trade unions or guilds, and, in a global context, by the exploita on of colonized or underdeveloped countries.
The tussle with the management of the Dangote group (who, mind you, are not exactly angels themselves) brings to the fore the defini on of trade unionism in contemporary Nigeria. In the course of the tussle, people had reserva ons about what the generality of workers and indeed the Nigerian consumer of petroleum were actually gaining from the protracted impasse.
A conten ous point involves all manner of levies, as well as rake-offs said to be accruing to selected members of the unions, leading to increases in costs, which are then passed on to Nigeria’s long-suffering consumers. Obviously, there’s hardly any transparency about these levies. This sort of framework cuts across the board.
The trade union movement is supposed to be at the forefront of discouraging non-state actors from collec ng taxes. If the unions are actually involved in this distor ng malprac ce, then they can be, even if unfairly, described as now taking on the toga of an aristocracy of labor, implying a privileged set of people favoring their own nests.
Sixty-five years on, Nigeria has to go back to the basics of strong unions as the driving force of the na onal economy and the quest for sustainable development. We have seen from the German and Scandinavian models that a “social market” model, in which fiscal discipline leads to heightened produc on and the eleva on of living standards, has worked.
OSUN DEFENDER
The Nigerian trade union movement must now exactly dissect this model. There must be infla on targe ng as a tool for the protec on of living standards and a focus on schemes such as mass housing, voca onal educa on, 100% health insurance coverage, and free and compulsory educa on up to the age of 16.
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The Nigerian trade union movement must do a reboot and face the stark reality that Nigeria is today poorer than on the eve of independence in 1960 and is also less compe ve than it was under the 1960 and 1963 cons tu ons. There is a clear impera ve that the trade union should re-examine their historical objec ves and be at the forefront of the construc on of a new and be er society based on social jus ce and ever-increasing living standards.
•Kanmi Ademiluyi With research done by Olaide Fadipe.
Sacked APC LG Chairmen Receive Withheld Allocation Despite Court Order
THE sacked All Progressives Congress, APC, Local Government Chairmen in Osun State have reportedly received the withheld six months allocaon from the Federal Government despite a court order restraining United Bank of Africa (UBA) from disbursing the money.
Recall that an Oyo State High Court on
Friday ordered UBA not to release funds from 30 accounts opened in the names of Osun State’s local governments by courtsacked 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 Jimi-Bada, a er the Federal Government transferred seized
statutory alloca ons for each of the 30 councils into the disputed accounts on Friday.
But findings by the OSUN DEFENDER revealed that individual accounts of APC Council chairman were credited on Tuesday by the bank.
The alloca on spanning March to August was released from the Federa on Account directly to the accounts opened
by the 30 local government councils last week, it was gathered yesterday.
But the amount released to each of the councils could not be verified by our reporter last night.
The funds were withheld as a result of the crisis that engulfed the councils a er the elected officials were sacked by Governor Ademola Adeleke before the expira on of their tenure.
A Goat Does Not Wander Far From Its Mother
•Ancestral Guidance Is The Moral Compass Today’s Youth Need
YOUTH in our communies are increasingly disconnected from this tradi onal compass. Many now look outward — to foreign influences, celebrity culture, or digital trends — for iden ty, often at the expense of grounded, local wisdom. While change is inevitable and not all modern influences are bad, the complete detachment from our roots is dangerous. Without ancestral moorings, how do
we judge right from wrong? Who do we emulate when the village square is empty, and grandma’s stool is abandoned?
The Yoruba worldview holds that the spirit of one’s ancestors con nues to watch over the living. These ancestral spirits are not just religious enes; they are moral shadows, quietly reminding us to honour our name, respect our lineage, and act with dignity. When a child strays too far
Art/Culture
— morally or culturally — it’s not only seen as personal failure, but also a form of “loss of alignment” with one’s origin. Yet, not all hope is lost. Across Osun — from Ilesa to Ikire — there are cultural ini a ves reviving fes vals, tradi onal games, na ve songs, and community mentorship programs. These serve as bridges reconnecting young people with heritage. Some schools have started encouraging students to speak Yoruba proudly, dress in na ve a res on Fridays, and learn proverbs and idioms that carry deep meaning. It is these small acts of reconnec on that will ensure the goat
does not forget its path home. However, elders too must step into this moment with inten on. Silence, judgment, or withdrawal will not help the young find their way. Rather, intergenerational dialogue, open storytelling, and acve mentoring are needed. Let the fathers walk with their sons through the family farmlands again. Let mothers teach their daughters how our ancestors managed homes not just with chores, but with deep spiritual and communal wisdom. Let the village square echo again with ìtàn, òwe, and iróyìn à jọ — stories of old.
In an age where technology threatens to erase oral
The governor went ahead to conduct another local government elec on despite the court cases as a result of the crisis.
A orney-General of the Federa on and Minister of Jus ce Lateef Fagbemi cauoned the governor against conduc ng the elec on because of subsis ng judgment.
But the governor swore-in members of his party, Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) as new officials and told them not to go to the office.
Confirming the release of the funds, Osun APC Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, said the withheld alloca on were paid into the local government councils’ accounts and not personal accounts of the chairmen.
Reac ng to the development, the PDP Director of Media and Publicity, Hezekiah Oladele, accused FG of complicity, saying that “it is shameful that the revered office of na onal ins tu ons such as the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federa on and Central Bank of Nigeria would find it hard to admit the truth that, billions of naira meant for Osun local
government were dubiously diverted into a private accounts.”
Meanwhile, former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, and ex-Commissioner for Works and Transport, Remi Omowaye, have publicly celebrated reports of the release of long-awaited local government allocaons to the APC-controlled councils in the state.
In a video posted on Mr. Omowaye’s social media handle and seen by OSUN DEFENDER, the duo could be seen rejoicing over what they described as a significant breakthrough for grassroots governance under the APC. Their reac ons have quickly circulated online, drawing applause from party loyalists.
Although the announcement has not yet been officially confirmed by the Federal Government, financial ins tu ons, or the APC’s state leadership, the news has already sparked widespread jubila on among supporters. Many on social media hailed the reported disbursement as a lifeline for the councils and a major boost to the legimacy of the APC leadership in Osun.
culture, we must use it as a tool of preserva on. Podcasts in Yoruba, digital storytelling of African values, social media pages dedicated to tradional ethics — all of these can become the new firewood that keeps the ancestral flame alive.
As we approach another generaon of Osun youth — faced with both opportunity and
confusion — may we remind ourselves that a goat that follows its mother never gets lost. And may we all, young and old, return to the wellspring of wisdom that has carried us this far.
Becausethe path forward, as it has always been in Africa, lies not in forge ng where we came from — but in carrying it with us.
Yusuf Oketola
•Chief Medical Director (CMD), Uniosun Teaching Hospital, Dr. Babatunde Afolabi with Dr. Yusuf Kallie, Managing Director, Police Health Maintenance Organisation, during the signing of MOU between the two parties on Wednesday
Residents Seek Adeleke’s Help As Gullies Take Over Iwo-Ibadan Road
Kazeem Badmus
RESIDENTS, com-
muters, and business owners in Iwo, Osun State, have lamented the poor state of a por on of the Iwo-Ibadan Road, which has metamorphosed into a gully.
The area where commuters and residents were lamen ng is immediately a er the NNPC filling sta on, Iwo, with potholes occupying a large part of the road.
According to the residents who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER, the por on of the road has become worse and needs urgent government a enon.
Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, a resident of Iwo, Ibrahim Olajuyi, appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke to urgently address the situa on.
Olajuyi said the condion of the road was bad,
“The
Osun APC Risks Losing 2026 Guber Election If…Party Chieftain
Yusuf Oketola
AChie ain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olufunsho Akinrinade has predicted that the party will lose the August 8, 2026 governorship elec on if a candidate is imposed.
According to Akinrinade, if a er the primary, all aspirants are not satisfied with the selec on process, it will have a negave effect on the outcome of our 2026 elec on.
He stated this in an interview with the Nigerian Tribune recently.
“Well, if they insist on consensus, it depends on the form it takes. Consensus is built, not imposed. However, consensus is a recognised and legal way of conduc ng primaries. Those signifying interest now do not become aspirants un l they buy the party forms, and after that, every single one must voluntarily agree to withdraw from the race in wri ng.
“That is why the imposi on of Senator Ahmed Lawan as the presiden al candidate of APC failed in 2023 — that and other factors. So I think it might be late for outright consensus. If all the aspirants are not sa sfied with the selec on process, it will have a nega ve effect on the outcome of our 2026 elec on,” he stated.
Commen ng on whether the APC candidate for the elec on will be solely imposed by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola through consensus, Akinriande said, “Yes. Well, he is the leader of the party and our representa ve in the Federal Execu ve Council (FEC), so his poli cal capacity is not in doubt, and he might succeed in imposing his candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
“But I know for a fact that he did not carry all cri cal stakeholders along when making this decision. So, if he succeeds, it will cause unnecessary discontent which will lead to all manner of intrigues that would be detrimental to the outcome. State actors are relying on him for patronage and federal appointments, so they are not telling him the truth. But honest and dedicated party members are complaining quietly.
“I don’t necessarily blame them; it is not always easy to speak truth to power, especially when you feel that your des ny is in their hands. What I am saying without mincing words is that it is difficult enough for an incumbent governor to impose a replacement, but it might be morally unacceptable for an incumbent who failed at re-elec on to impose one.”
is now a nightmare for people, especially the motorists.”
A commuter who gave his name as Yunus Abdulganiyu, while expressing frustra on over the dilapidated condi on of the road, said it has become a major challenge, especially during the rainy season.
He said, “This road is in bad shape and whenever it rains, it becomes terrible to navigate. The potholes along this road are too many, and a lot of vehicles have developed faults while passing this road.
“I want to appeal to the Osun State Governor and the Ministry of Works to fix it before. This road
Fashion
“I can only appeal to the state government to consider us and help in fixing this. I know they are construc ng some roads for us in Iwo, but they should also look at how they will assist us in fixing this, too,” Abdulganiyu appealed.
Fashion In Osun: Tradition Reinvented For A Modern Generation
Olaide Fadipe
FASHION is more than just clothing in Osun State—it is iden ty, culture, and pride. Whether you walk through the ancient markets of Osogbo, a end a wedding in Ilesa, or visit a university campus in Ife, you will see that the way people dress tells the story of a society balancing its deep tradi ons with the pulse of modern trends.
However, no discussion of Osun fashion is complete without adire, the e-and-dye fabric with roots deep in Yoruba heritage.
For decades, adire was considered the clothing of mothers, market women, and tradi onal ceremonies. But in recent years, the story has changed.
Young designers in Osogbo and Ede are bringing adire back to the spotlight, not as old wrappers but as contemporary fashion pieces. At the Osun Osogbo Fes val this year,
teenagers paraded in adire bomber jackets, jumpsuits, crop tops, and even sneakers decorated with e-and-dye pa erns.
According to a young designer, Ayomide Adebayo, “Adire is no longer just a tradi on; it’s our brand. We are telling the world that Osun has always been fashionable.”
Fashion houses in Osun now export adire to Lagos, Abuja, and even abroad. Some have even adopted ecofriendly dyes to give the fabric a modern appeal while keeping its cultural roots intact.
From the e-anddye stalls of Osogbo to the sleek weddings of Ilesa and the vibrant campuses of Ife, Osun’s fashion
scene is thriving. It is bold, innova ve, and deeply cultural.
What makes Osun unique is not just the clothing but the statement behind it: a people who proudly wear their history while confidently stepping into the future.
In the words of one OAU student I interviewed, “We don’t just dress to cover our bodies; we dress to show who we are.”
And indeed, who Osun is today— through its fashion— is a community of crea vity, pride, and cultural resilience.
no ng that commu ng on the road has become a nightmare. He said,
road
which is just immediately a er the NNPC Filling sta on, Iwo, is in a bad shape. This por on of the
road is so dilapidated that urgent a en on of the Osun State Government is required.
OCTOBER 03, 2025
Court Orders OAU To Suspend 2025/2026 Admission
AFederal High Court judge, Jus ce A.T. Segun-Bello, has directed the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB) and Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), to halt admission processes for the 2025/2026 academic session.
The verdict was revealed on Tuesday in a post shared on X by an educa on technology expert and Chief Execu ve Officer of Educare, Alex Onyia.
According to him, the order followed an ex-parte mo on filed by a group of candidates, Chibuzor Success, Oyeleye
Zainab Ayomide, Adedeji John Samuel, Monsura Aliat Aduragbem, and Bassey Daniel Nsikak, on behalf of other affected
applicants of the 2025 post-UTME examina ons of both universi es.
The applicants had sought interim injunc ons restraining the instu ons and JAMB from releasing, approving, uploading, or finalizing any admission list for the new session.
While ruling on the applica on in Enugu, Jus ce Segun-Bello held that there was a “veritable and triable issue” requiring both sides to
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be heard.
The judge further directed the applicants to put the respondents on no ce.
He went on to order all par es to maintain the sta-
tus quo, preserving the current state of affairs regarding the 2025/2026 admission list, pending the hearing of the substan ve mo on on October 28.
Flood: NEMA Calls For Construction Of Functional Drainage Systems In Iwo
Yusuf Oketola
THE Na onal Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called for the urgent construc on of a func onal drainage system in Iwo communi es to properly channel stormwater and mi gate future flood risks.
NEMA made the recommenda on recently while carrying out a joint assessment of communi es in the Iwo Local Government Area affected by recent flooding. The assessment was done
through NEMA Ibadan Operaons Office, in collaboration with the Osun State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA).
The incident followed hours of heavy rainfall that led to the overflow of the Iyanifa River and widespread flooding across several communi es, including Ike-Oluwa, YidiOba, Ponyan, and Ku
During the assessment, the team led by Mr. Kadiri Olanrewaju, Head of the Ibadan Operaons Office, vis-
ited the affected areas to determine the level
of destruc on. He sympathized with the vic ms
and advised residents to desist from indiscrimi-
Nigeria@65: Adeleke Frees 36 Convicts
OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has granted 36 convicts serving various jail terms in the two correc onal centres in the state, pardon in commemora on of Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
In a statement by the spokesperson to the governor, Olawale Rasheed, the pardon was made in line with the powers conferred on the Governor under Sec on 212 of the Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended).
Rasheed also said the pardon was sequel to recommenda ons
of the State Advisory Council on Preroga ve of Mercy.
The statement obtained by OSUN DEFENDER in Osogbo on Wednesday reads,“The beneficiaries of the Independence Day amnesty include men and women convicted mostly of minor offences such as stealing and conspiracy, many of whom had served substan al por ons of their sentences”
“From Ilesa Correconal Centre; Kehinde Ganiyu, Isiaka Mohammed, Oluwatosin Femi, Adebisi Adeniyi, Ro mi Paul, Oyewole Sunday, Ojo Adewale, Tajudeen Ridwan, Jokotola Quadri, Akinola Taofeek, On-
ibukun Adebisi, Azeez Afeez, Abdulgafar Quadri, Udoh Monday O, Babawale Saheed, Olasunkanmi Wasiu, Adetoro Toheeb, Mudashiru Lawal, Ismaila Wahab, Yinka Oyeniyi, Olaniyan Taofeek, Sheu Mumini, Ololade Bashit, Musibau
Abdulkareem, Jamiu Sulaeeb, Jeremiah Ayuba, Abimbola Samad, Oladeji Tosin and Mathew Samuel.”
The statement listed others released from Ile-Ife Correc onal Centre as; “Yusuf Ola, Oyedeji Sunday, Ojo Olaoluwa, Ogunola
•Adeleke
Rafiu, Ayomide Amos, Usman Adefisan and Adedigba Abiodun.”
Adeleke, while speaking on the reason behind the pardon granted the convicts, emphasised that the decision reflects the spirit of compassion, jus ce, and renewal which Nigeria’s Independence Day represents
“As a government of the people, we remain commi ed to upholding jus ce while extending mercy to deserving ci zens. This amnesty is not only a gesture of freedom but also a call for true rehabilita on, reintegraon, and a fresh start for these individuals,” the Governor said.
nate dumping of refuse into waterways, no ng that such pracces contribute to blocked drainage channels and worsen the impact of flooding.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that the flood destroyed homes, shops, farms, and other sources of livelihood, leaving many families displaced and businesses disrupted. Community members explained that the disaster had caused significant hardship, forcing them to seek temporary shelter with rela ves while also struggling to recover their means of livelihood.
Kazeem Badmus
NNL Sets Strict October 24 Deadline For Club Registration
THE manage-
ment of the Nigeria Na onal League (NNL) has warned that only the teams that meet strict registra on condi ons will be cleared to compete in the 2025/2026 season.
The NNL Secretariat confirmed that the registra on portal will officially open on October 6 and shut down on October 24, giving clubs a narrow two-week window to comply.
The season itself is slated to kick off on November 8, 2025.
According to NNL Chief Operating Officer, Danlami Alanana, the deadline will be enforced without excep on as the league seeks to maintain a stable calendar.
“We are doing everything possible to enable us tena-
ciously to s ck to our planned programme of ac vi es and would not want to be distracted. So we advise clubs to s ck with us,” Alanana warned.
The NNL further urged teams to work closely with the Secretariat to avoid last-minute administra ve bo lenecks,
insis ng that the responsibility lies with clubs to ensure compliance.
This firm stance signals the league’s determina on to curb delays and improve professionalism, a move analysts say could mark a turning point for Nigeria’s second- er league.
Don’t Abandon Us After Norway Defeat - Flying Eagles Captain Begs Fans
NIGERIA’S Flying Eagles captain, Daniel Bameyi, has appealed to Nigerians not to give up on the team following their disappoin ng start at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile.
The Under-20 team where defeated 2-0 by Norway in their opening game.
Bameyi admi ed that the defeat was a huge setback and a dent to their qualifica on hopes, but he insisted the players are determined to bounce back.
“We know we disappointed our fans. Losing the first match is not what we planned, but we are not giving up and neither should Nigerians,” he said.
The young defender highlighted lapses in concentra on and missed chances as the major reasons for the defeat.
“We had opportuni es but failed to take them. Norway was clinical, and at this level, that’s the difference,” Bameyi explained.
Despite the loss, the captain remains op mis c about the team’s chances of progressing.
“We s ll have two matches to play. We must correct our
mistakes and fight harder. Qualifica on is s ll possible if we give our all.”
Bameyi also appealed for pa ence and con nued support from Nigerians.
“This is not the me to cri cize or abandon us. We need encouragement. The fans are our strength, and with them behind us, we can turn things around.”
Police Begin Enforcement Of Tinted Glass Permit In Osun
THE Osun State Police Command has announced the commencement of the enforcement of the nted glass permit across the state.
The enforcement is in compliance with the direc ve of the InspectorGeneral of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The Command said the enforcement exercise will begin na onwide on Thursday, October 2, 2025, and urged vehicle owners with nted windows to register or reac vate their permits through the Police Specialized Services Automa on Pla orm (POSSAP).
This direc ve was contained in a statement issued by the Osun State Police Public Rela ons Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
According to the statement, “The Osun State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the enforcement of nted glass permit commences na onwide on 2nd October 2025. Vehicle owners with nted glasses are enjoined to register or reac vate their nted vehicles through the POS-
SAP pla orm at possap. gov.ng.”
The Command explained that the direc ve followed the decision of the Inspector-General of Police to reac vate the issuance and regula on of nted glass permits na onwide.
It further outlined the process for obtaining the permit, sta ng that applicants are required to log in to the POSSAP portal, create an account using a valid email and password, and follow the steps applicable to individuals, corporate bodies, or non-governmental organisa ons.
“Applicants are to select an iden fica on tag, either NIN or BVN, enter the iden fica on number, and proceed to fill in the other required details,” the statement added.
The Command listed the documents needed for the applica on, including proof of vehicle ownership, vehicle registra on licence, passport photograph, and suppor ng documenta on jus fying the need for nted glass — such as a medical report or security clearance. It also noted that vehicle documents showing
that the nted windows are factory-fi ed must be uploaded during the applica on process.
“For further enquiries, the Command advised applicants to contact the POSSAP Cus-
tomer Support Team through the 24/7 helpline on 02018884040, or via direct messages
on X (Twi er), Facebook, and Instagram, or email at info@possap.gov.ng,” the statement added.
TKazeem Badmus
RADITIONAL rulers
in Origbo, Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State have issued a 21-day ul matum to the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, demanding a retrac on of his recent allega ons against the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
The monarch stated this in a communiqué issued a er a mee ng on Thursday at the Palace of Salu Edunabon.
The monarchs accused Oluwo of misbehavior, insult, and gross disrespect to the sacred throne of Oduduwa.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that Oba Akanbi had in a video posted on his official Facebook page, accused Ooni of a emp ng to kill him some years back.
Oba Akanbi in the video, alleged that Ooni set him up with a woman
who tried several mes to kill him but failed.
Oluwo, who did not men on the woman’s name, however, said he had a child with her, describing her as his exwife.
Speaking in the video, Oba Akanbi said, “I helped Ooni Adeyeye, but because he aligns with the idols and me, God has put me above those idols as a king. Ooni doesn’t want me to tell the story and he was looking for my downfall.
“What he did was that he packaged a woman for me whom I didn’t know before. It was a setup. She was in my house and they were talking to the woman to set me up through videos and others.
“The supposedly exwife will be asking me ques ons then and they were communica ng with her. She was there for over three years. She had a child, whom I don’t
even know if is mine.
“She poisoned me twice, they set up an assassina on a empt, and other things for me to die, but they failed.”
Oluwo added that after he found out the secret, he sent the woman and her child away. He, however, alleged that Oba Ogunwusi took the woman and her child in and provided shelter for them.
Oluwo said, “When I found out the secret and I kicked this woman out, the woman went to meet the Ooni at a hotel. It is the same Ooni who rented an apartment for the woman and her child.”
The monarch added, “This fight cannot end, and no one can kill me.”
However, the tradional rulers described the Oluwo’s remarks as criminal, defamatory, and unbecoming of a tradi onal ruler.
The Obas said Olu-
wo’s recent outbursts were aimed at ridiculing the ins tu on of tradional leadership in Yorubaland, warning that such behavior would no longer be tolerated.
Reading the communiqué, Oba Adesoji Kehinde Oladepo, the Salu of Edunabon and Acting Chairman of the Ife North Chie aincy Commi ee, said the Oluwo has 21 days to write to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to substan ate his allega ons or retract them publicly.
“Failure to do so will leave us with no choice but to take legal ac on against him at the expira on of this ul matum,” the statement declared.
The Obas emphasized that the Ooni of Ife remains the head of all tradi onal rulers in Yorubaland, describing the Oluwo’s con nued outbursts as a empts to gain undue a en on.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 03, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 47 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
THE poli cal terrain of Osun State is entering a season of flux, as expectant eyes turn toward 2026. Among the emerging actors, the African Democra c Congress (ADC) is posi oning itself as a pivotal force. Its ascent, strategic alignments, and internal discipline are likely to affect how candidate selec ons unfold and how voters respond. Below is an analysis of how ADC might shape Osun’s electoral future—and what stakeholders must watch.
ADC’s Growing Footprint in Osun
Though once considered marginal, the ADC has lately gained noce in Osun. In mid-2025, several members disillusioned with the ruling PDP defected to ADC, ci ng dissa sfac on with local leadership.
While the state government officially denied rumors of Governor Adeleke joining, the defec ons signaled discontent within PDP ranks. This gives ADC a cri cal window to recruit grassroots actors and rebrand as a viable alterna ve.
2. Youth and undecided mobiliza on — ADC’s new iden ty may appeal to younger voters seeking fresh narra ves.
3. Vote spli ng risk — If ADC divides votes among similar ideologies, it may weaken both PDP and APC in ght races.
4. Policy-first vo ng. — With ADC championing accountability and “new poli cs,” issue-based persuasion may gain trac on over ethnic or patronage appeals.
Challenges Ahead for ADC.
- Funding and infrastructure: Building campaign logis cs across Osun’s 30+ local governments will strain resources.
- Internal cohesion: Ensuring new defectors and old party loyalists collaborate without fac onalism is crucial.
- Brand clarity: ADC must clearly dis nguish itself from PDP, APC, or lesser par es for voters to trust its iden ty.
What to Watch.
- Early defec ons or endorsements reveals ADC’s strength and alliances.
- Candidate’s primary processes show fairness, adherence to party discipline.
- Messaging consistency reflects ideological clarity and voter trust.
- Turnout among youth and
“Given former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s influence and reputation in the Southwest, many analysts now see him as a major architect of ADC’s reemergence. His involvement may be key in uniting voters who admire his prior governance and want a fresh alignment. If ADC offers him a platform in Osun, it could reshape internal competition within both PDP and APC”
PERSPECTIVE
By MATT OLU OLOWOKERE
Osun’s Political Realignment: The Role Of ADC In Shaping 2026 Election
swing voters determines how wide ADC’s reach will be beyond core base.
Moreover, at the na onal level,
ADC has pressed for formal loyalty among coali onal members—direc ng those s ll holding party loyal es elsewhere to resign.
This internal discipline may help ADC project seriousness and cohesion in Osun’s poli cal ecosystem.
One of ADC’s core tests in Osun will be who it fields in 2026. To win, any candidate must straddle two lines:
- Local legi macy: Someone rooted in Osun, possibly with experience in local government or community engagement.
- Na onal appeal: A persona that resonates beyond state lines— especially within ADC’s broader coali on ambi ons.
Given former Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s influence and reputa on in the Southwest, many analysts now see him as a major architect of ADC’s reemergence. His involvement may be key in uni ng voters who admire his prior governance and want a fresh alignment. If ADC offers him a pla orm in Osun, it could reshape internal compe on within both PDP and APC.
ADC’s rise could influence voter behavior in several ways:
- An -incumbent sen ment — Voters disillusioned with PDP’s performance may see ADC as a correcve op on.
- ADC’s role in the 2026 Osun elec ons may well be that of a kingmaker or disruptor. Its choices in branding, candidate selec on, and grassroots posi oning could either propel it into the mainstream or relegate it to the sidelines.
The realignment now underway offers both risk and opportunity— for ADC, for PDP, and for Osun’s voters.
People, Power And Return To Federal Republic
LET’S begin this edi on with a solid understanding of democracy, state of the na on, our powers as common people with decisive votes, and what we can do, individually and collec vely to salvage the situa on at hand and achieve some forward mo on developmentally, rather than the current “one step forwards, ten steps backwards.”
Experience basically determines our conducts and ul mately our values, for the majority. As far as governance is concerned, our past experiences have not been good enough for democracy. For hundreds of years, we lived under the absolute rule of monarchs, when one man (or woman) reigned supreme. Between 1960 ll date when democracy was introduced by the depar ng colonisers, more than half that period we lived under brutal military dictatorship, almost worse than the reign of kings and queens.
The last 26 years offered the longest sustained experience of “government of the people, by the people and for the people.” However, previous experiences robbed off badly on the “civilian rule.”
The poli cal elites, majority of who were buddies of the military brass and inherited civilian government and the warped cons tu on from them, simply carried on with that military mentality. In an underdeveloped country with so much poverty and ignorance, with mone sed poli cs, religion and ethnic fault lines and suffo-
ca ng corrup on, genuine patriots and democrats (who fought for and achieved the return to democracy in the first place) as well as their various organisa ons and progressive poli cal par es came under sustained brutalisa on from various dictatorial cabals posing as democrats but firmly against restructuring for genuine federalism and blindly, greedily, solely after the oil rent dollar money.
With deepened poverty and ignorance amidst ethno-religious manipula ons and ins tu onalised corrup on, violent crimes and extremism that led to terror organisa ons took root and spread relentlessly. Without a policing and jus ce system that can rise to the occasion, we are where we are today with complex insecurity challenges and divisions that threaten not only democracy survival but the very existence of the country.
The ul mate solu on is to return Nigeria to a genuine Federal Republic with all the implied content and context – with every state on its own (with all it has!) to cooperate however it likes with states in its region, and all contribu ng to the federal towards only na onal agenda uni ng us, Nigeria is finally redeemed for greatness; it is the final panacea for produc vity, prosperity, unity and peace. However, with the military-mentality of civilian poli cal elites majorly united against that choice, the choice of the people in all upcoming elecons (2026 in Osun and 2027 na onally),
beyond party poli cs, is to iden fy aspirants and candidates that are against that choice and reject them, within all par es! By their reputa ons you shall know them!
The simple thing to do with peoples’ power of vote is to vote out all elites opposed to restructuring to achieve genuine federalism and all elites without democra c disposi on (internally within party and in government).
The task of popular organisa ons is therefore clear as far as mobilisa on is concerned, aware that they are once again up against the usual suspects, ul mate Kingmakers and an -federalist non-democrats: OBJ, IBB and Abdulsalami. There are poli cal par es that will dominantly emerge. Despite the scarcity of genuine poli cal elites who are federalists and democrats within them, the fundamental task is to work passionately to get enough federalists and democrats into the state and na onal assemblies, as many such governors, and most cri cal of all a President of such disposi on. A er all the elecons come the popular ac ons to demand implementa on. It is a daun ng mobilisaon task but it is not unachievable, realising that unless it is achieved, bring the Holy Prophet or The Christ to run the present system, it can never deliver democra c or good governance, can never deliver development, prosperity, peace or unity. The slide into the abyss will only con nue for another four years.
Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com