Ondo: Ajayi rejects results, says ‘APC, INEC perpetrated criminality in guise of election’: THE 2024 Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Agboola Ajayi, has rejected the result of the election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Sunday, and vowed to seek justice at the tribunal. Ajayi, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Ayo Fadaka, said that he kept silent since poll results were announced to enable him to investigate ‘contents of criminality perpetrated by both the victorious All Progressives Congress, APC, and the INEC. He said: “We have uncovered lots of actions undertaken to compromise the electoral desires of the people and sadly conclude that democracy cannot thrive in an environment where unabated criminality is....Read Full Article>>

The Abia State Government has blamed oposition politicians for the unprecedented wave of attacks against army personnel in the state. The government alleged that “unpatriotic opposition politicians in connivance with external forces” were involved in promoting the violence. This accusation came in the wake of the killing of two soldiers last Wednesday at a checkpoint at Ekenobizi, Umuopara, an Abia community in Umuahia South Local Government Area at the border with neighbouring Imo State. The government’s stance on the latest attack was contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, made available to the media in Umuahia yesterday. He announced that the government has launched “a new Counter Offensive,” in order “to decimate every structure of....Read Full Article>>

Osun State Government has raised alarm over the alleged shooting to near death in police custody of the Chairman of Osun Transport Management System, Comrade Iyanda Alowonle, over a domestic matter.....Read Full Article>>

This was contained in a statement issued by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, on Tuesday.

The statement reads, “Alowonle is presently on life support at the Intensive Care Unit of the Osun State Teaching Hospital after a gunshot wound in the abdomen while in the custody of the police at Osogbo. “Video clips of Alowonle in handcuffs and under interrogation circulating in the media space dispelled any excuse that the park chairman was trying to escape.

The fact that he was shot in the abdomen as video from his hospital bed confirmed proved that he was shot at close range with intent to eliminate him.

“Interactions between the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the State Governor, Mr Samuel Ojo, and the Head of Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Moses Lohor provided direct proof that the incident was premeditated to murder Mr Alowonle.

“We also note that the issue that generated the purported arrest was a civil matter, not criminally related to have warranted the involvement of Mr Moses Lohor, the head of the Anti-Kidnapping squad except for the repeat of a recent pattern of police harassment of officials of the state government on partisan motivation.

“The programmed attempted murder of Mr Alowonle is just one in the series of shootings and attacks on officials of the state by the head of anti-kidnapping squad who regularly acted with impunity and who has not hidden his vow to eliminate supporters of the state government.

“As we summoned several meetings to calm frayed nerves today, we struggled hard to stop reprisal attacks against police establishments across the state due to what the public now see as police partisan conduct in breach of the law.

“As we regret a situation in which law enforcers are becoming threat to peace and stability of the state, the state government therefore demands the Inspector General of Police and the National Security Adviser to take judicious note of the increasing breach of state peace by the hostile conduct of some police officers who now shot at innocent civilians and suspects at will.

“We call for the immediate arrest and prosecution of Mr Moses Lohor, the Head of the Anti- Kidnapping Squad, for his wilful act of attempted murder.*

“We demand police impartiality and commitment to rule of law without fixation on partisan considerations

“We also call the attention of the National Security Adviser to the increasing threat to peace in Osun state amidst threat to unleash violence ahead of 2026 election

“We call on the Inspector General of Police to rise to the occasion and abandon any signal that may portray him as acting against Osun peace and stability”, the statement concluded.

Ondo Gubernatorial: “Peter Obi, NLC Made Me Lose The Election “- LP Candidate Cried Out; See details....Read Full Article>>

Ayodele Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the recently concluded Ondo State governorship election, has accused the party’ s leadership, including its presidential candidate Peter Obi and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), of sabotaging his chances of victory. Olorunfemi expressed his disappointment over the lack of support and coordination that marred his campaign.

Speaking to journalists after the election results were announced, Olorunfemi highlighted the absence of critical resources and organizational backing from his party. ” I went into this election with high hopes, but the internal challenges within the Labour Party made it an uphill battle, ” he lamented.

He particularly criticized Peter Obi for his lack of involvement in the campaign. Obi, who has become a prominent political figure after his performance in the 2023 presidential election, was expected to play a key role in rallying support for Olorunfemi’ s candidacy. ” Obi is a symbol of hope for many Nigerians, especially the youth. His absence in our campaign sent a wrong message to the electorate, ” Olorunfemi said.

The candidate also took aim at the NLC, a major stakeholder in the Labour Party, for what he described as a lack of commitment. According to Olorunfemi, the NLC leadership failed to mobilize workers and unions to support his campaign. ” The Labour Party is supposed to represent the interests of workers, but the NLC abandoned us when it mattered most, ” he stated.

The Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has said the level of corruption in the power sector would make people cry.....Read Full Article>>

He put it this way: “As we speak, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears.

“People were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment. Instead of using what they call 9.0 guage, they will go and buy 5.0.

Every time you see the thing tripping off, the thing gets burnt, and all of that, it falters and it collapses. It’s part of our problems.”

Olukoyede made the revelation during an oversight visit by the House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes to the EFCC’s headquarters in Abuja, today.

Furthermore, stressed the importance of collaboration between the Commission and lawmakers to combat financial crimes effectively.

One of the key areas of concern, according to Olukoyede, is the power sector, where corrupt practices have been undermining the country’s infrastructure.

It was at this point the EFCC boss revealed that some contractors awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment were involved in cutting corners.

He said they were using substandard materials that have contributed to the frequent power outages and system failures.

Olukoyede also discussed the EFCC’s new strategic focus on asset tracing and recovery, which he credited for the agency’s successes over the past year.

Furthermore, he revealed that “For every 10 Naira recovered, perhaps 30 or 40 Naira may have been stolen.

“If we recover about 440 billion Naira and several billions of dollars in a year, imagine the total amount siphoned from our system. That’s the unfortunate reality.

“Thus, we are focusing on prevention. Over the last year, we have established a new directorate for risk assessment and control.

“To recover 10 Naira, you may spend between 4 and 5 Naira. But to prevent 10 Naira from being stolen, you spend less than 1 Naira, based on our research and experience.

“Prevention is, therefore, the more effective way to combat corruption.

“We need more resources to carry out our mandate effectively. Our staff are underpaid, and we need to improve their welfare.”

President Bola Tinubu’ s special adviser on public communication and orientation, Sunday Dare, has strongly criticized former President Olusegun Obasanjo following comments the latter made about the current administration.....Read Full Article>>

Speaking at a leadership event at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, Obasanjo attributed Nigeria’ s deteriorating state to ” pervasive corruption, ineffective leadership, and declining moral standards” under Tinubu’ s government. He further accused the political class of engaging in ” state capture, ” alleging they exploit national policies and resources for personal benefit.

In response, Dare dismissed Obasanjo’ s remarks, asserting that the former president lacks the moral authority to criticize Tinubu’ s administration. He claimed that ” democracy suffered irreparable damage during Obasanjo’ s tenure, ” and suggested the ex- president’ s comments were insincere.

” Obasanjo is widely known for his knack for stirring mischief, and Nigerians are aware of his consistent detachment from reality, ” Dare wrote on X, formerly Twitter. ” His presidency is historically recognized as one of the most corrupt in our nation’ s history, rendering his criticism baseless. ”

Dare highlighted Obasanjo’ s failure to explain the disappearance of $16 billion supposedly spent on electricity projects, which, according to him, yielded no tangible results. He described this expenditure as a ” monumental waste” that plunged the country into deeper darkness.

President Bola Tinubu has reassigned the roles of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to improve the efficiency of the government’s communication operations.....Read Full Article>>

In the new reassignment of roles, three Special Advisers are to serve as joint spokespersons for the Bola Tinubu-led administration.

The Special Advisers includes Bayo Onanuga, Sunday Dare and Daniel Bwala.

As part of the reorganization, Sunday Dare, formerly the Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation, has been appointed as the Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications. Meanwhile, Daniel Bwala, who previously served as the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s Presidential Campaign Council, has been named the Special Adviser on Policy Communication.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Monday, November 19.

The statement reads: “President Bola Tinubu has re-designated the positions of two recently appointed officials in the State House media and communications team to enhance efficiency within the government’s communication machinery.

“The restructuring is as follows: Mr Sunday Dare – hitherto Special Adviser on Public Communication and National Orientation is now Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications.

“Mr Daniel Bwala – announced last week as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communication, is now Special Adviser, Policy Communication.

“These appointments, along with the existing role of Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, underscore that there is no single individual spokesperson for the Presidency.

“Instead, all the three Special Advisers will collectively serve as spokespersons for the government.

“This approach aims to ensure effective and consistent communication of government policies, decisions, and engagements.”

Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun is expected to present the 2025 budget before the state House of Assembly on Wednesday.....Read Full Article>>

The Speaker of the House, Mr Adewale Egbedun, disclosed this on Tuesday during plenary.

According to Egbedun, the governor forwarded a letter dated Nov. 11, with a title “Laying of Year 2025 Draft Budget of Osun State before the House”, to the assembly, intimating the Speaker and state lawmakers of the budget presentation.

“I am pleased to inform the distinguished members of the Osun State House of Assembly through the Honourable Speaker of our intention to lay the 2025 draft budget of the state before the house on Wednesday, Nov. 13, having concluded its preparation and approved by the state executive council.

“This is to confirm with the extant rules and regulations which stipulates that such draft budget should be presented to the House for approval at the end of the year preceding the commencement of the budget implementation,” the letter reads

A minute of silence was, however, observed for late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, after his tribute was read by Mr Adekunle Oladimeji, the lawmaker representing Irepodun/Orolu State Constituency, where Lagbaja hailed from.

The House thereafter deliberated on the Osun State Property Protection Bill 2024 which eventually scaled first reading, while ‘Osun State Drug and Medical Supply Management Agency Establishment Bill 2024’ policy thrust was read by the Majority Leader, Mr Babajide Kofoworola.

The Drug and Medical Supply Management Agency Establishment Bill was passed for second reading after lawmakers made contributions and stated the advantages of having the agency in the state.

The house later dissolved into the “committee of whole” where they further considered and deliberated on the Osun State Consumer Protection Agency Establishment Bill 2024.