Endorsing Tinubu not enough, join us – APC scribe tells Osun senators

By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo Following the endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office by Osun Senators at the Senate, All Progressives Congress, APC’s National Secretary, Dr Ajibola Basiru, has tasked the three PDP senators to join the APC. Senators Francis Fadahunsi, Olalere Oyewumi and Olubiyi Fadeyi had on Tuesday endorsed President Tinubu for another term in office in Abuja despite belonging to the opposition party. In a statement issued by Senator Ajibola Basiru Campaign Organisation, SABCO, signed by Professor Aderemi Ajala on Wednesday, Basiru urged the lawmakers to leave the troubled Peoples Demicratic Party, PDP, for the progressive camp. His words, “This shows his leadership and style of governance are bringing positive results to Nigerians, including the electorates and constituents in their different senatorial districts in Osun State. “We appreciate that these senators have acknowledged the Renewed Hope Agenda and how it is beginning to positively impact their constituencies. This kind of honest leadership deserves to be encouraged and applauded, especially in a time when Nigerians seek real progress. “The public recognition by the PDP senators of President Tinubu’s achievements especially in the areas of infrastructure development, economic reforms, food security, and national security is another testimonial that Nigeria is working under our leader and moving towards the clear path of development and it shows a clear act of truthfulness and statesmanship”. While seeking their full alliance and alignment with APC at the state level to show true commitment, he said doing so would allow Osun state and her citizens to fully benefit from the President’s bigger vision to integrate development across the length and breath of Nigeria. “Pitching your tent with the APC will help bring the needed development to Osun APC led state government when inaugurated in 2026, in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, agriculture, sustainable economy, healthcare. It will also help end the underperformance and maladministration currently witnessed under the deceptive administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke. “Finally, we call on the three Osun PDP senators to display courage and show real leadership by joining forces with progressive elements and emulating other national assembly lawmakers who have already moved to the APC. This is the time to act for the good of Osun State and Nigeria at large,” he advised.

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Fubara welcome to join Rivers APC, says chairman

The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed readiness to welcome suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara into the party if he decides to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Speaking with The PUNCH on Tuesday, the reinstated Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Emeka Beke, said such a move would be mutually beneficial to both Governor Fubara and the APC. His remarks come amid speculation that Fubara may defect to the APC as part of a political negotiation to resolve the lingering crisis in Rivers State, which led to his suspension by President Bola Tinubu. Speaking through his Chief of Staff, Chizi Enyi, Beke said the APC would have no hesitation in admitting the governor. “Sure, we will welcome the governor. Do we have an option? Welcoming the governor into the party will mean the APC gains a strategic advantage in Rivers State,” he said. He noted that states where the governor is not from the ruling party often face challenges in funding and participation in state activities. According to him, Fubara’s defection would give the APC greater leverage and visibility in the state’s governance. “As the governor of Rivers State, he automatically becomes the leader of the party at the state level. This would also allow the APC to play a key role in state programmes and functions,” he added. Beke further stated that he would be open to offering guidance to Fubara on how to improve governance in the state. He explained that while the APC, as the opposition, had previously withheld such advice, the dynamic would change should the governor join the party. “As an opposition party, we have what it takes to help the governor do better than what he is currently doing. But we have kept our suggestions as part of our ideology. If the governor joins us, we’ll open our hearts to him and offer input on how to improve the lives of Rivers people and others residing in the state,” he said. Meanwhile, the Rivers State Elders and Leaders Council has distanced itself from any political party affiliation, insisting that their main concern is the return of Governor Fubara to office. A member of the council and pioneer spokesman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, Anabs Sara-Igbe, stated this during a phone interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday. He criticised the continued stay of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.) as Sole Administrator of the state, describing his appointment as unconstitutional. Asked whether Fubara should join the APC as part of a peace deal with his former political mentor, now FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Sara-Igbe said such speculation was irrelevant. “Rivers people are not interested in that now. We are not interested in any party. What we want is Sim’s return. That is our interest,” he said. He added, “We elected him as our governor. We don’t want anyone else coming to take our resources.” Fubara’s media aide on electronic media, Jerry Omatsogunwa, confirmed that reconciliation talks between the governor and Wike are ongoing, though he declined to share details. “They are talking, but the details are not clear. Everything you are hearing is still speculation. In time, we will know the full outcome,” he said. On reports suggesting the governor might defect to the APC, Omatsogunwa said, “We have not heard anything about that for now.”

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JAMB drops fresh announcement for candidates who missed 2025 UTME

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced a new round of mop-up examinations to accommodate the over 5.6 per cent of candidates who were unable to sit for the recently concluded 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME). Disclosing this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, JAMB Registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said the fresh mop-up would provide a second chance for all affected candidates, irrespective of the reasons for their absence. This time, we are creating a new mop-up. Even those who missed the earlier exam due to absence will get another opportunity,” he said. It’s not extraordinary. In any serious system, when students miss an exam, they’re allowed to make up—provided there’s no abuse,” he added. Clarifying the purpose of the UTME, Oloyede noted that the exam is designed strictly as a placement test and not a measure of intelligence or academic potential. “Its purpose is to rank candidates for limited admission slots, not to test how smart someone is,” he said. In response to mounting criticism and allegations of ethnic bias and administrative failure in the conduct of the 2025 UTME, the JAMB boss firmly dismissed such claims. “I take responsibility, not because I failed, but because that’s leadership,” Oloyede said. “I didn’t even realise people viewed issues around me through ethnic lenses. We must rise above such profiling,” he stated. He commended both candidates and JAMB staff for their resilience despite operational and logistical setbacks. We had limited space. We knew if we wasted more time grieving the challenges, students would lose their opportunity,” he said. The Punch reports that JAMB has assured the public that a date for the special mop-up examination will be announced soon, affirming its unwavering commitment to transparency, fairness, and equal opportunity in the admissions process.

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Tinubu returns to Abuja after Pope Leo XIV inauguration

President Bola Tinubu; FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and SGF, George Akume as president returned to Abuja from Rome on Tuesday. President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday returned to Abuja after attending the inauguration of the 267th Pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, in Rome, Italy. The President who arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at about 6.50 p.m. was received by senior government officials. The President had attended the inaugural mass of the new Pope. Tinubu met with members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria on Sunday, calling on leaders at all levels to work for the betterment of the citizenry. “If we use our diversity not for adversity but for prosperity, the country’s hope is stability and progress,” Tinubu said. He said it was historic being the President of Nigeria when a new Pope was inaugurated in Rome. The Catholic bishops were part of President Tinubu’s delegation to the installation mass of Pope Leo XIV’s on Sunday.

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Ogun 2024: Tinubu Declares National Sports Festival Open

President Bola Tinubu on Sunday officially declared open the 22nd edition of the National Sports Festival (NSF) holding in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. Tinubu, who was represented at the opening event by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, charged the participating athletes to compete favourable with integrity in the spirit of true sportsmanship. The president, in his address at the event tagged: “Gateway 2024”, expressed the optimism that the ‘Torch of Unity’ lit at the commencement of the game would serve purposes more than unity. Tinubu noted that sports has for several decades placed Nigeria on the global map, through which the country has been able to walk taller among comity of nations. He commended the organisers of the festival, particularly the Chairman of the NSC, Mallam Shehu Dikko and his deputy for their renewed hope initiative for Nigeria’s sports economic framework. Tinubu also commended the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for the hospitality which the participating youths have enjoyed since their arrival in the state for the festival. He stressed that Ogun State has further consolidated itself as not only the Gateway to knowledge, but one encompassing the desires of the nation. Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Abiodun said Ogun State was hosting the festival to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to national development. Abiodun, who disclosed that Ogun State was currently hosting over 10, 000 athletes and coaches, allayed the fear of insecurity, emphasising that in conjunction with the National Sports Commission (NSC), his administration has put in place very effective security arrangements to guaranty the safety of every participant.

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Oyo Assembly approves rotation of monarchs’ chairmanship

The Oyo State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, okayed rotation of Chairmanship of Obas among the Alaafin of Oyo, Olubadan of Ibadanland and Soun of Ogbomosoland. The bill was passed during plenary session following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters and State Honours by its Vice Chairman, Bamidele Adeola. It resolved that “the Chairmanship position should be rotated among the Alaafin of Oyo, the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Soun of Ogbomosoland. The bill, which passed its second reading on the floor of the House last Thursday, had generated heated argument among the traditional rulers and stakeholders in the state. While some stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland vilified the bill, others saw it as a welcomed development. It was, however, passed for the amendment after a third reading at the plenary on Tuesday. The House has also approved the appointment of the 13 Chairmen of the Council, including the Otun and Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland. The resolution of the House did not go down well with two lawmakers from Oyo East and Atiba Constituencies, Olorunpoto Rahman and Gbenga Oyekola Atiba constituency, respectively. They walked out while the House was deliberating on the recommendation of the committee In a sideline interview with newsmen, Rahman said, “We should be guided by the truth on whatever law that we made. Everyone knows the position of Alaafin. We are not out of touch with the history. “Alaafin is a paramount ruler. We should not make laws for political convenience. We should make a law that can stand the test of time. We should make a law that will align with history. “We are not satisfied with the process that the committee walked through. There was neither public hearing nor stakeholders engagement. There is no instance where they invited anyone from Oyo to come and speak to this bill. I have serious issues with that,” he added. Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland on Monday opposed a proposed legal amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs. https://punchng.com/ibadan-ogbomoso-monarchs-reject-alaafin-as-permanent-council-chair/ The opposition was contained in a joint statement issued in Ibadan and signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative, prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, and Mogajis from the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso.

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Court dismisses VDM’s objection to Falanas' defamation suit

An Ikeja High Court on Tuesday awarded N200,000 in costs and dismissed preliminary objections filed by Instagram celebrity, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) in N1 billion defamation suit filed against him by human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), and his son, Folarin Falana (Falz) The Falanas initiated the suit after an alleged audio recording by cross-dresser Bobrisky accusing them of perverting justice was made public by VDM. The claimants are seeking N500 million each in damages over the video made by VDM to publicize the Bobrisky’s alleged audio recording and posted on his social media platforms. Justice Fimisola Azeez dismissed VDM’s objections and ordered him to pay N100,000 each to both claimants as costs. The judge also directed the respondent to promptly file his defence to the defamation claims made against him. VDM had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged offence occurred outside Lagos State. In reply, the claimants filed a counter-affidavit and a written address, urging the court to dismiss the objection. The court rejected VDM’s preliminary objection and adjourned the case until July 8 for mention, instructing him to file his defence. VDM is being sued over a video posted on his Instagram handle on 24 Sept. 24, 2024, alleged to contain defamatory remarks. When the case was called, Falana was absent but represented by his lawyers, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi. Falz appeared in court, while VDM was absent but represented by his counsel, Mr Marvin Omorogbe. The claimants accused VDM of character assassination and urged the court to order him to issue a public apology. They also requested a court order restraining VDM from publishing similar or identical defamatory statements. Furthermore, they asked the court to declare VDM’s Instagram post as libellous, injurious, derogatory, and defamatory. They are demanding N500 million each — totaling N1 billion — in damages from the defendant. They also requested a perpetual injunction preventing the defendant and his agents from further defamatory publications. Additionally, the claimants want the court to order VDM to publish an apology across all his social media platforms and in a national daily. Justice Mathias Dawodu had on April 15 struck out a pre-emptive suit filed by the claimants due to a pending substantive case before Justice Azeez. Dawodu ruled that hearing the pre-emptive suit would be academic and a waste of the court’s time. VDM had also filed for a stay of proceedings, but his application was struck out due to the ongoing substantive matter.

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Youths protest alleged harassment by EFCC in Benin

Angry youths suspected to be students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), defied the early morning downpour in Benin City, Edo State, on Tuesday to protest alleged incessant harassment by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Armed with placards with various inscriptions the protesters caused traffic gridlocks on the ever-busy Benin-Lagos highway for several hours. It was gathered that the protesters attacked and vandalised a van said to be conveying personnel of the Edo State Security Corps (ESSC), at the Isihor axis of the road. Some of the youths wbo craved anonimity, alleged that operatives of the anti graft agency had severally broke into students hostels at about 2 am. They expressed concern for their safety. “We are angry because of EFCC harassment. They go to students’ hostels at midnights, arrest everyone and tag them internet fraudstars. “This must stop. We call on Governor Monday Okpebholo and President Bola Tinubu to call them to order,” they sai Meanwhile, EFCC has beefed up security around its Benin Zonal office located along High Court Road, to forestall possible attacks. It was observed that the operatives mounted checkpoint on the road leading to its office, where they subjected motorists to rigorous screening. The Spokesman for the Benin Zonal Command of the EFCC, William Oseghale, could not be reached for comments as calls to his mobile line went unanswered.

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IBADAN, OGBOMOSHO MONARCHS REJECT ALAAFIN AS PERMANENT COUNCIL CHAIRMAN

Traditional leaders and stakeholders from Ibadanland and Ogbomosoland have strongly opposed a proposed legal amendment by the Oyo State House of Assembly seeking to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman of the state’s Council of Obas and Chiefs. The opposition was contained in a joint statement issued on Monday in Ibadan and signed by Mogajis, Baales, monarchs, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, the Ibadan Compounds Peace Initiative, prominent sons and daughters of Ibadanland, and Mogajis from the Soun Ruling Houses of Ogbomoso. The bill to amend the chieftaincy law, which would establish the Alaafin as the permanent chairman of the council, passed its second reading on the floor of the Oyo State House of Assembly last Thursday. The session was presided over by Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin. The bill was subsequently referred to the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for further scrutiny. The bill seeks to make the Alaafin the presiding authority of the Oyo State Council of Obas. The bill proposed that in the absence of the Alaafin, the Olubadan of Ibadanland would preside, and if both were absent, the Soun of Ogbomoso would chair the council. However, the traditional leaders and stakeholders condemned the amendment, describing it as a distortion of historical tradition and an affront to other royal institutions in the state. “The chairmanship of the council has always been rotational and should remain so to reflect fairness and equity among all royal stools in the state,” the statement emphasised. President of the Ibadan Mogajis, Asimiyu Ariori, and ICPI Coordinator, Nurudeen Akinade, reiterated that their opposition was not driven by personal interest but rooted in historical precedent and a desire to ensure unity and peace across the state. They warned the House against creating unnecessary tension, urging lawmakers to respect tradition and uphold the rotational leadership model for the Council of Obas and Chiefs. “The respect we have for the immediate past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, was because of his relationship with the traditional institutions and some distinguished personalities in Ibadanland,” they said.“We respected and honoured Oba Adeyemi’s age and wisdom. He spent over 50 years on the throne before his demise, yet he never disrespected the Ibadan people. The current Alaafin should tread softly.”

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