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A crisis is brewing in the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following a petition by some members seeking an investigation into allegations against the party’s state chairman.

The petitioners accused the chairman of abuse of office, anti-democratic practices, anti-party activities and actions they claimed are hindering the growth of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The petition, dated July 20, 2026, was addressed to the party’s national leadership through its National Secretariat in Abuja. It was signed by Engr. Oshiariyo Stephen Adeyinka and co-signed by other members.

Copies were also sent to the party’s National Chairman, Senator Cleopas Moses Zuwoghe; the Deputy National Chairman (South-West), Babatunde Ali; and the party’s National Leader, former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

The aggrieved members said they submitted the petition ‘in the interest of justice, internal democracy, party unity and the long-term growth of the Nigeria Democratic Congress in Oyo State.’

‘It is with great concern that we bring to the attention of the National Leadership a series of actions allegedly committed by the Oyo State Chairman of the party, Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu, which, if left unchecked, may seriously undermine the credibility, unity and electoral prospects of our great party,’ the petition read.

The petitioners alleged that the state chairman had exercised the powers of her office arbitrarily by taking unilateral decisions without consulting the State Executive Committee and other relevant organs of the party.

They urged the national leadership to investigate the allegations and take appropriate steps to safeguard internal democracy and unity within the party.

The petition stated, ‘Mrs Oyeronke Akinlolu has allegedly exercised the powers of her office in an arbitrary manner, making unilateral decisions without consultation with the State Executive Committee or relevant party organs, contrary to the principles of transparency and collective leadership.’

The petitioners also alleged that the state chairman had consistently undermined internal democracy within the party by excluding members from decision-making processes and creating an atmosphere of intimidation.

‘The State Chairman is alleged to have consistently suppressed internal democracy by excluding members from decision-making processes, refusing to encourage open discussions, and creating an atmosphere of intimidation within the party,’ the petition read.

The aggrieved members further alleged that more than 50 members were removed from the party’s official Oyo State WhatsApp platform without any disciplinary process.

According to the petition, ‘Over fifty members of the party were arbitrarily removed from the official Oyo State WhatsApp platform without due process or any disciplinary proceedings.’

‘This action has alienated committed members, weakened communication and created unnecessary divisions within the party.’

The petition also accused Mrs Akinlolu of alleged anti-party conduct, claiming that some of her actions and public statements had raised concerns about her commitment to the ideals and objectives of the party.

It added, ‘Several actions and utterances attributed to the State Chairman have raised serious concerns regarding loyalty to the ideals and objectives of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.’

‘Such conduct has caused disaffection among members and has weakened confidence in the leadership of the State chapter.’

The petitioners equally alleged that the state chairman had removed or replaced recognised executive members without following constitutional procedures.

‘The State Chairman is alleged to have removed or replaced duly recognised executive members without following the procedures laid down by the party’s constitution or obtaining the approval of the appropriate organs of the party,’ the petition stated.

They further claimed that the leadership style allegedly adopted by the state chairman had deepened divisions within the Oyo State chapter of the party.

The petition further read: ‘Rather than promoting reconciliation and expansion of the party, the leadership style allegedly adopted by the State Chairman has resulted in factionalisation, mistrust, declining membership and internal crises that threaten the survival of the party in Oyo State.’

The petition also alleged that Mrs Akinlolu had openly expressed hostility towards the party’s presidential ticket comprising Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

‘It has been alleged that the State Chairman has openly expressed dislike and shown hostility towards the party’s Presidential Candidate, H.E. Peter Obi, and his running mate, H.E. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.’

‘Such conduct, if established, is inconsistent with the obligation of every party leader to promote and defend the party’s candidates at all levels,’ the petition stated.

The petitioners argued that the allegations, taken together, portrayed ‘a pattern of leadership that is inconsistent with the democratic ideals, constitutional provisions and vision of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.’

They urged the national leadership of the party to institute an independent investigation into the allegations, restore members allegedly removed from the party’s official communication platforms pending the outcome of the investigation, review executive appointments and replacements allegedly made outside the party’s constitution, and impose appropriate disciplinary measures if the allegations were substantiated.

The petition also called on the party leadership to introduce measures capable of restoring unity, inclusiveness, fairness and confidence among members of the Oyo State chapter.

‘This petition is made in good faith and in the overall interest of strengthening our great party. We remain committed to the ideals of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and trust that the National Leadership will give this matter the urgent attention it deserves,’ the petition concluded.

Lionel Messi encouraged Lamine Yamal ‘to go his own way’ in the immediate aftermath of Spain’s win over Argentina in the World Cup final.

Yamal, 19, was seen hugging Messi, 39, on the pitch after the final whistle in Sunday’s title game in New York before the two exchanged some words.

When asked what eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and former Barcelona captain Messi had said to him, Yamal revealed: ‘He told me to keep going my way and that the future belongs to our generation. Those words mean as much to me as the gold medal around my neck.’

Messi, who captained Argentina to World Cup glory in 2022, had an outstanding tournament.

He finished with eight goals and four assists while playing in all eight of Argentina’s World Cup games in North America.

For Yamal, the Argentina captain is ‘the best in the history.’

‘He’s someone I’ve always admired,’ the Barcelona star said of Messi. ‘At the end of the match, I showed him my respect.’

While at Barcelona, a then-20-year-old Messi took part in a photo shoot for UNICEF and Barça calendar where the Argentina was captured giving the 5-month-old future star Yamal a bath.

The Argentinian had praised Yamal. who inherited Messi’s iconic Barcelona No. 10 shirt last season, before the 2026 World Cup final.

‘He’s a tremendous player … a global star,’ Messi said. ‘He’s 19 years old and has his whole career ahead of him.’

Amid political violence ahead of the August 15th 2026 Osun State governorship election, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has called on security agencies and political actors to guarantee the safety of journalists covering the poll.

The Osun chapter union, in a communique jointly signed by the Secretary, Comrade Lekan Akindoju, NAWOJ chairperson, Comrade Abisola Ariwodola, and one other after its monthly meeting, also condemned the spate of violence that characterised the pre-election mood in the state and urged the police to play a neutral role.

The communique read, ‘The NUJ also called on the security operatives to guarantee the safety of Journalists in the state, before, during, and after the governorship election.

‘Congress condemned the spate of political violence ahead of the governorship election in the state, urged security agencies, most especially the police, to be neutral, adding that there is a need for the police to project their image positively to gain public trust.’

They tasked politicians with playing by the rules and reining in their supporters, as it was asserted that the election should not be a do-or-die affair.

‘The NUJ further urged registered voters to collect their PVCs at the INEC-designated centres, and also charged everyone to reject fear and ensure they vote on Election Day.’

The Federal Government has unveiled a broader strategy to overhaul Nigeria’s agricultural sector by promoting innovation, encouraging private investment and strengthening cooperation among government institutions and development partners to improve food production and reduce poverty.

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, disclosed this in Abuja during the second Biannual Meeting of the Agrifood Systems Working Group organised by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

He said agriculture remains one of the strongest tools available to drive economic growth, improve livelihoods and guarantee adequate food for Nigerians, adding that achieving these goals will require the active participation of governments, researchers, financial institutions, farmers and businesses.

Bagudu said Nigeria’s implementation of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) 2026-2035 provides an opportunity to accelerate reforms that will make the country’s food system stronger and more competitive. He praised the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for coordinating the programme and ensuring that Nigeria remains aligned with continental agricultural priorities.

The minister explained that while the African Union has set agricultural development targets up to 2035, the Tinubu administration is pursuing a faster timetable, with the aim of reducing poverty and expanding economic opportunities for millions of Nigerians by 2030.

He noted that responsibility for food production is shared by the Federal, State and Local Governments, making close cooperation across all levels of government essential if the country is to achieve lasting improvements in agriculture.

Bagudu said Nigeria’s farming sector is built largely on the efforts of more than 42 million farming families, most of whom operate on a small scale. He added that improving their productivity and earnings would have a direct impact on food availability, employment, household incomes and national economic growth.

‘Our food system can only reach its full potential when farmers have better access to finance, improved technology, quality inputs and reliable markets that allow them to increase production and earn better incomes,’ he said.

According to the minister, the Federal Government is restructuring key institutions to improve support for agriculture. He cited the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the movement of fisheries to the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy as part of efforts to give greater attention to specialised areas of the sector.

He said additional support is also being channelled to agencies such as the National Agricultural Development Fund and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority to increase agricultural financing, expand access to farmland and encourage farming methods that can withstand the effects of climate change.

Bagudu argued that agricultural development should not be left to one ministry alone, saying progress depends on stronger partnerships involving scientists, universities, research institutes, young people, women, financial institutions and private investors.

He added that wider use of research findings and modern farming technologies would help farmers increase output, improve profitability and make agriculture more attractive as a business.

Describing the private sector as the main engine of agricultural production, Bagudu said government would continue to focus on policies that remove barriers to investment while creating conditions that enable farmers and agribusinesses to expand their operations.

The minister also called for greater cooperation to tackle emerging threats to food production, including rising production costs caused by higher fertiliser and energy prices as well as international trade practices that make imported agricultural products cheaper than locally produced goods.

Although insecurity has disrupted farming activities in several parts of the country, Bagudu said the restoration of peace in many previously affected communities, particularly in the North-East, has enabled farmers to return to their fields and record improved harvests.

He said protecting these gains would require sustained support from government, development partners, investors and farming communities working together toward a common objective.

Bagudu expressed optimism that Nigeria has the capacity to build a modern, productive and resilient agricultural system that can strengthen food security, create jobs, reduce poverty and support the country’s long-term economic development if all stakeholders remain committed to the shared vision.