Category: Business Day

The Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) has congratulated the Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, describing the outcome as a strong affirmation of the people’s democratic choice.

In a statement signed by the President of the Yoruba Youth Council, Alawode Rahmon Akintunde, the organisation commended the people of Osun State for turning out to exercise their constitutional right and for demonstrating their commitment to democratic governance.

The Council also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as his commitment to democratic principles and respect for the will of the electorate.

According to the YYC President, the Osun election has provided another opportunity to demonstrate that Nigeria’s democracy is capable of producing outcomes that reflect the wishes of the people.

‘The victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke is a victory for democracy and a clear demonstration that the people’s votes can determine the direction of governance when the electoral process is allowed to function effectively.

‘We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing the political environment for a credible electoral process. His commitment to democratic principles and respect for the people’s choice will, in our view, strengthen his standing among Nigerians and could significantly enhance his prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election.’

The Council noted that President Tinubu’s democratic approach, particularly the willingness to allow the electorate to freely express its choice, should be sustained as the country moves towards the 2027 general elections.

The YYC further congratulated Governor Adeleke for securing another mandate from the people of Osun State, urging him to see the victory as a renewed responsibility to deliver inclusive development, good governance and people-oriented leadership.

The organisation also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their roles in the conduct of the election.

The Council said the peaceful conduct of the poll and the eventual declaration of the result demonstrated the importance of professional electoral administration and effective security arrangements in strengthening public confidence in democracy.

The YYC therefore called on all political actors, regardless of party affiliation, to respect the outcome of the election and pursue any grievances through lawful and constitutional channels.

The Council urged Governor Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of Osun State and continue working for the development and prosperity of the state.

Arsenal made a statement ahead of the new Premier League season after beating Manchester City 3-0 to win the 2026 Community Shield in Cardiff on Sunday.

Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions produced a dominant display against the FA Cup holders, securing their second trophy in four months and their 18th Community Shield title.

The Gunners needed just 23 seconds to take the lead after Myles Lewis-Skelly played a superb pass into the path of Riccardo Calafiori, who calmly slotted the ball past new City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.

The early setback immediately put Enzo Maresca’s Manchester City under pressure as the former Chelsea manager took charge of the club for the first time in a competitive fixture following Pep Guardiola’s departure.

Havertz doubles Arsenal’s lead

Arsenal doubled their advantage in the 28th minute through Kai Havertz.

Summer signing Christos Tzolis nodded Martin Ødegaard’s cross back across the face of goal, allowing Havertz to meet it with a downward header that left Donnarumma with little chance.

City struggled to respond as Arsenal controlled possession and continued to threaten on the counter.

Ødegaard seals emphatic victory

The Gunners added a third goal just three minutes into the second half.

Tzolis again played a key role, finding Ødegaard inside the City penalty area. The Arsenal captain produced an excellent fake shot to send Donnarumma the wrong way before calmly passing the ball into the opposite corner.

The goal completed a convincing victory for Arsenal and provided an early indication of their ambitions for the new campaign.

Arsenal send Premier League warning

The result gives Arsenal significant early momentum as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

Their victory over City also marked a memorable start to the new season, while underlining the growing rivalry between the two clubs after years of competition for domestic honours.

For City, meanwhile, the defeat represents a disappointing beginning to the post-Guardiola era under Maresca.

The Community Shield was staged at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, with Wembley unavailable because it is hosting Canadian singer The Weeknd’s After Hours Til Dawn tour.

Arsenal’s emphatic victory means the champions begin the new campaign with another piece of silverware and a warning to their Premier League rivals that they intend to remain at the top.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ademola Adeleke for his re-election as Osun state Governor, saying it is a sign that democracy will flourish in Nigeria

The President who stated that he personally called and spoke with the Governor, disclosed this in his message to Adeleke, for coming out victorious in the just-concluded Osun election

He however, urged the Governor to unite all the opponents as well as rally the people of the state for effective grassroot development

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, in a statement, said the President described the results as ‘ a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country under the All Progressives Congress administration.

‘I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him.

‘I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election.

President Tinubu while also saluting the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election, added that ‘ their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture.

He stressed that the ‘outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land.’

President Tinubu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission and the security agencies for conducting a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.

The Adamawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving maternal and adolescent healthcare, stressing that the health and survival of women and newborns remain a top priority in its efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.

The commitment was reiterated during a stakeholder meeting organised by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government and supported by the European Union-funded Strengthening Access to Reproductive and Adolescent Health (EU-SARAH) programme.

The meeting brought together health experts, government officials, journalists and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for reducing maternal and newborn deaths while improving access to quality healthcare services for women and adolescents.

Speaking at the event, Oluseyi Olosunde, UNICEF Health Officer at the Bauchi Field Office, described maternal and adolescent health as a critical component of national development, noting that the well-being of women has a direct impact on families, communities and the future of society.

According to him, maternal health extends beyond preventing deaths during pregnancy and childbirth. He explained that it involves creating opportunities for women and adolescents to live healthy lives, reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to national growth and development.

‘A healthy woman determines the health of the family and the nation. Maternal and adolescent health is more than preventing death; it is about enabling women and adolescents to survive, thrive and reach their full potentials,’ Olosunde said.

He warned against home deliveries, saying complications such as severe bleeding and other medical emergencies could arise unexpectedly and become life-threatening when skilled healthcare professionals are not available to provide immediate intervention.

Olosunde therefore urged pregnant women to take advantage of health facilities where trained birth attendants, emergency obstetric services and other essential maternal healthcare services are available to ensure safe deliveries.

He also highlighted the importance of regular antenatal care, proper nutrition, access to accurate health information, safe facility-based childbirth and postnatal care, describing them as vital measures for reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates.

The UNICEF official further encouraged mothers to practise exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of a child’s life, noting that it remains one of the most effective ways of promoting healthy growth, strengthening immunity and improving child survival.

He called on stakeholders, community leaders and healthcare workers to intensify public awareness campaigns and community engagement efforts aimed at encouraging safe motherhood practices and improving healthcare-seeking behaviour among women.

The health expert called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, development partners, journalists and local communities to accelerate progress in maternal and adolescent healthcare and ensure that more women and children have access to quality health services across Adamawa State.

Laja Adeoye, Lagos State governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in the 2027 election, has urged Lagos voters to draw lessons from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election in Osun State and use their votes to end the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) hold on Lagos in the 2027 governorship election.

Adeoye, in a statement on Sunday congratulating Adeleke on his victory in the Osun governorship election, said the result demonstrated that voters could overcome the influence of political parties and state institutions through the ballot box.

He said the Osun election should serve as a signal to Lagosians ahead of the 2027 election, when he intends to challenge the APC for control of the state.

‘The determination of the Osun people and the power of their votes have shown us the way. In 2027, Lagosians can and must end APC misrule through the same resolve and the ballot box,’ Adeoye said.

He said the APM would present itself as an alternative to the APC, promising what he described as better policies, prudent fiscal management and practical solutions to challenges confronting Lagos residents.

Adeoye listed annual flooding, traffic congestion, youth unemployment and the housing crisis among the issues he said required a change in the state’s governance approach.

His comments followed the declaration of Adeleke of the Accord Party as winner of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.

According to figures announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Adeoye described the result as a rejection of what he called attempts to impose a candidate on the electorate.

‘The outcome of this election is a powerful reminder to the ruling APC that a determined people cannot be defeated,’ he said.

The APM candidate said the Osun result showed that voters could resist political pressure when they were determined to protect their mandate.

He also appealed to Adeleke to remain committed to the people who voted for him, urging the governor not to align with the APC at the presidential level in 2027.

‘He must not take this hard-won mandate to the APC at the presidential level in 2027, as that would amount to a betrayal of the trust the people have placed in him,’ Adeoye said.

In a strategic bid to tackle the high rate of agricultural equipment downtime and scale up local productivity, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has graduated the pilot cohort of 250 participants under the National Agricultural Mechanisation Service Providers (NAMSP) Training Program.

The 10-day intensive program executed in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, AGCOMS, and key private-sector stakeholders serves as the opening phase of a broader federal initiative aimed at training 4,000 tractor drivers and mechanics nationwide.

The curriculum spanned tractor operation, equipment management, basic troubleshooting, enterprise development, and occupational safety, addressing critical technical capacity gaps that have historically undermined agricultural asset performance in Nigeria.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Thursday, Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, represented by Ernest Ihedigbo, Fund’s General Manager, Technical, emphasised that sustainable mechanisation relies on long-term operational viability rather than mere asset acquisition.

Ibrahim said the programme was designed not only to train machinery operators and service providers but also to build the skills, systems and maintenance culture required to sustain agricultural productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s food and nutrition security.

He commended President Bola Tinubu for positioning agriculture as a key driver of food security, economic diversification, job creation and national prosperity under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for his leadership in advancing reforms and partnerships aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and improving farmers’ livelihoods.

According to him, the participants drawn from the six geopolitical zones underwent intensive training in agricultural mechanisation service delivery, machinery and equipment management, occupational safety, enterprise development, sustainable maintenance, environmental conservation and Environmental Sustainability.

‘Beyond technical skills, the programme has strengthened professionalism, enterprise mindset and operational discipline required to sustain an efficient mechanisation ecosystem,’ he said.

The NADF boss said the pilot cohort consisted of 250 trainees, adding that their certification by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) would qualify them for inclusion in a national database of proficient mechanisation service providers being developed by NADF.

He said the database would support long-term public and private-sector investments in agricultural machinery and implements and potentially enable certified service providers to be entrusted with multimillion-naira agricultural assets.

Ibrahim, however, stressed that sustainable mechanisation should not be measured by the number of tractors and other machines acquired but by the ability to keep them operational, productive and economically viable.

He noted that previous investments in agricultural mechanisation had sometimes failed to deliver their full value because of inadequate technical capacity, maintenance systems and accountability.

‘The future of agricultural mechanisation in Nigeria depends not only on acquiring machines, but on sustaining them through technical competence, accountability, and responsible asset and environmental stewardship,’ he said.

He said the NAMSP training was part of NADF’s broader interventions to address constraints across agricultural value chains, alongside the Farm Input Support Programme, which he said supports 109,000 smallholder farmers, and the Grassroots Digital Extension Corps initiative, which has trained 1,884 extension agents and food security specialists nationwide.

He added that NADF was also strengthening agricultural research institutions through investments in modern laboratories, digital extension infrastructure, biotechnology facilities, renewable energy systems, irrigation infrastructure and innovation platforms.

The NADF chief executive urged mechanisation associations and State Agricultural Development Projects to prioritise the recruitment and training of young people and women, particularly against the backdrop of rural-urban migration and the ageing farming population.

He said the graduates represented a new generation of skilled practitioners capable of improving machinery utilisation, reducing downtime, expanding access to mechanisation and protecting public and private investments in agricultural assets.

He called on the graduates to become ambassadors of professionalism, accountability and sustainability in Nigeria’s agricultural mechanisation ecosystem.

‘Let your work increase productivity, expand access to mechanisation, preserve national investments, and accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural prosperity,’ Ibrahim noted.

Also speaking, Abdullahi Mohammed, National President of the Tractor Owners and Hiring Facilities Association of Nigeria (TOHFAN), commended NADF for bringing together 250 participants from different parts of the country for the training.

Mohammed said tractor operators, mechanics and service providers required continuous training to ensure that machines deployed to farms remained productive and sustainable.

He said while machinery vendors and manufacturers often provide initial training, their presence could not be guaranteed in every location where tractors operate.

‘We need much of this training. The service provider wants training, the operator and the mechanic also need this type of training,’ he said.

He appealed for continued collaboration between NADF, machinery manufacturers, vendors and service providers, as well as government support to make agricultural machinery more affordable.

Mohammed also said the training had helped unite tractor operators from different organisations and parts of Nigeria under a common platform.

In his remarks,Hayatu Tambuwal, Director of Training at the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), said the ITF was pleased with the outcome of the programme and had monitored the training from its commencement to the closing ceremony.

Tambuwal said the agency’s role was to evaluate the programme and provide certification, adding that its officials observed positive attitudes and evidence that learning had taken place among the participants.

He urged NADF to sustain its partnership with ITF and expand the training to other parts of the country, stressing that such programmes would require adequate funding and resources.

The education standard gap between Nigerian and United Kingdom universities may be reduced in the near future if Nigerian education system can be more practical.

This may help Nigeria attract back fleeing scholars who chase after globally recognised and career-enhancing academic qualifications.

This is as admissions officials in charge of West Africa for Middlesex University in the UK have commended the partnership between Aptech and Middlesex, saying Aptech has been very diligent while both parties have been much committed to the relationship over the years.

Favour Ugbaja, one of the senior admissions officers for Middlesex for West Africa, who spoke in Port Harcourt in the week, urged Nigerian universities to learn from Aptech because in the area of huge input practicality into their mode of teaching.

She spoke to BusinessDay at the end of the 2016 Career Quest by Aptech which featured the pathway from Aptech to Middlesex.

She said: ‘It’s not just the theoretical aspects of learning where Nigerian universities seem to do very well anywhere in the world. Aptech tries to focus on both, and that is actually why they can succeed in the UK. In the UK, education focuses more on the practical side so graduates can demonstrate what they learned with high degree of competence.’

Another important area of improvement in Nigerian universities, she stated, is equipment and modernization. ‘If you go to some of our universities, you would see that most of the facilities are outdated. It’s either they are outdated or they are not even in existence at all. So imagine that you’re learning a course as technical as IT-related programme for instance, and then you’re mainly learning the theoretical part. How would you compete when you graduate, or how do you excel? So first of all, we need to start really with facilities because that is going to aid in the practical aspect of the course.

‘That is why we are really impressed with Aptech and what they are doing and how they’ve kept up with their project and the partnership. Their cross policy and making sure that students stand out in the UK is very impressive.’

She said Nigerian students who passed through Aptech centres do very well in Middlesex, with some of them making First Class.

Ugbaja said Middlesex has had no major challenges but they have a very seamless process. ‘Most issues that students have are largely financial, especially with Nigeria’s foreign exchange volatility.’

The Middlesex official also praised Nigerian officials for fighting hard to get the best education for their children, saying Nigeria makes up 80% of the students going from West Africa to Middlesex (UK) every admission circle.

‘So you can imagine how hard it must be for those parents to put together such sums. There are some that had to wait for over five years after completion at Aptech to gather all the funds just because they want their children to have a better future. They believe that if their children can leave the country, get that global exposure, they can be better career-wise, employment otherwise. So that’s commendable.’

Relevance, Aptech’s success key:

In an interview, Kallol Mukherjee, executive vice president of Aptech and head, International Business, said Aptech has always believed to be relevant. ‘When we see the world changing in terms of the artificial intelligence uncertainty, Aptech has ensured that the future of my Port Harcourt students are in secure hands, and they will be taught the latest, and being future-proof for getting the relevant and desired job.

‘The motto of Aptech has always been employability. The competition that we have is only employability. Nothing else. So we address the competition called employability, my students, my youth are happy.’

On fears over AI, the tech management guru said its half knowledge that is the concern because, according to him, half knowledge is always detrimental. ‘We, at Aptech, we teach you what AI is and why it is not something that you can get scared of and you should get worried about. Computer age scared a lot of people but now, they can’t do without it. We used to think when computer comes, jobs will go, but when computers came, job market increased 10 fold.

‘So AI will not take out jobs. AI will only fine-tune the knowledge of the person. And we are fine-tuning that particular mind and knowledge so that my students are relevant in this AI world.’

He said India is an IT leading country and that India would play a leading role in the future of the IT world. In terms of laws and regulations, he said the way AI is being understood, or rather misunderstood, is being corrected. ‘We are doing everything within the framework of the law. That is why my courses are NYSC-compliant. I am an operating skill player for the last 27 years. So definitely we are with the organization and with the government of Nigeria, supporting their vision and their objective to make Nigeria the superpower.’

He spoke on how universities in Nigeria can regulate AI use by students to avoid excessive plagiarism. He faulted frequent or dramatic change of curriculum. ‘That is why Aptech comes into picture. That is why Aptech, which changes its curriculum or content every one year, is much more liked and much more time free or future free in terms of making students’ life perfect. That is why we are much more successful than the Nigerian university education system.

On regulation, he advised countries to make their local laws to regulate digital matters and AI use but must align with global regulations. ‘Every country’s ecosystem is very unique to the country. But with the digital world, with the way the world has got connected to each other, you need to also respect the global law. So the Nigerian law has to have a clarity of the global law and also respect the local law.’

To the Port Harcourt digital community, the Aptech international business head said: ‘Believe in yourself, and believe in Aptech. We have believed in Nigeria, that is why we have almost 70-odd network centres. Nigerians are very, very high in terms of their spirit, in terms of their energy, and they have a very good mind. So learn and learn. It’s the ultimate success mantra.’

Four Nigerian techies bag N40.4m study subsidy

Meanwhile, four Nigerian youth techies and scholars have bagged half scholarship packages worth N40.4m to subsidize their schooling in the United Kingdom. The subsidy also has a Nigerian component worth N8m out of the N40.4m booty.

The hunt for the subsidy ended Wednesday, August 12, 2026, at the Bougainvillea Hotel on Sani Abacha Road in the GRA section of Port Harcourt where Aptech’s Career Quest draws were held.

The exercise was witnessed by Ugbaja, Senior Admissions Officer at Middlesex University, West Africa office in Lagos; and Mukherjee, Aptech International Business Head and Executive Vice President. Others were Sajan Rohan Suvarna (COO Raptors Group) and Sumit Sharma (head of operations, Raptors Group), that manage the Aptech facility.

The lucky techies who bagged the UK half scholarship were Mmesoma Ifeoma Alozie and Eleazar Udo, who would proceed to Middlesex University at half of the 17,200 British Pounds for their degree courses or whatever course level they are eligible for.

The others were Olalusi Olayinka Divine and Akum Maiden Orusha. The four have been scholars and technophiles studying at the Port Harcourt Aptech Centre but with opportunity to finish in Middlesex (or in any of their other two international campuses), a scheme that seems to help subsidize cost of foreign education for young Nigerians.

The winners of the scholarship were chosen by hand-picked draws carried out by two parents on behalf of all the other parents.

The draws usually elicit huge excitement when names of the winners were called. The scheme seems to attract parents and scholars.

Most parents say the scheme reduces the cost of maintaining children abroad for education. They say it guarantees international-standard education and opportunity to end in any top country abroad. Yet, they say, careers for their wards are guaranteed, both abroad or back home in Nigeria.

Each of the awardees expressed profound gratitude to APTECH for the scholarship opportunity their wards won. They promised to acquire more insightful knowledge and impact same on upcoming generations.

They also appreciated their parents for the love and investment of quality education in them that propelled them to such new heights.

Speaking, Ugbaja said both Aptech and Middlesex have played strictly by the rules over the past 18 years. She said the gateway was the best route from Aptech to Middlesex.

In his opening remarks at the event, Suvarna thanked the parents for consistency in their quest for their wards’ top education. ‘We are part of the Raptors group and we are the largest franchise, the initial or the first franchise for Aptech in Nigeria. We’ve got 12 centers across Nigeria now, with 24 licenses.’

Aptech is said to have over 70 centres in Nigeria, all doing well, sending about 120 students to the UK every year.

In his key address, Aptech International Business Head and Executive Vice President, said Aptech worked with Middlesex for 20 years so far, saying they decided to reach out to every single Nigerian. He said japa without top skill was like jumping from fire to frying pan.

‘We will make them aware about this particular association and what it brings for them in terms of taking their career ahead, and we launched the event named Career Quest.

‘So, we have been into this field of education for the past 40 years, with almost close to 1,000-odd centres network, and with an alumni base of 7.5 million students.’

Dr. Najeem Salaam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the Osun State election has faulted the alleged non-recognition of the party’s agents at wards in about 10 local government areas, describing the development as ‘worrisome and disturbing.’

Salaam, who spoke after casting his vote at Ward 4, Unit 13, Ejigbo, in Ejigbo Local Government Area, said the names of the party’s agents had been uploaded onto the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) platform.

He alleged that ADC agents in Ward 5, Ejigbo, were not issued tags despite the party having submitted their names, adding that a similar situation was reported in about 10 local government areas across the state.

Salaam said he might address the press again at the end of the election to give an update on the matter.

According to him, the matter had been reported to the relevant authorities, who he said were looking into it.

His words: ‘The report that my agents are not being recognised at most of the wards across the state is worrisome and disturbing.

‘Despite the fact that we uploaded all the names of our party agents, especially here in Ejigbo, the agents in Ward 5 for the ADC were not given tags. The same thing happened in about 10 local governments across the state.

‘I reported the matter to the relevant authorities, and they are looking into it. When the votes are being counted, it is necessary for my agents to be recognised at the polling units.

‘Apart from that, in Ejigbo Local Government, the process has been going on without any crisis for now. I want to believe it will remain peaceful until the end of the exercise.

‘As it stands, we cannot accept a situation where our party agents are not recognised. The importance of having party agents at the polling units cannot be oversee.

‘All the names were uploaded onto the INEC platform, so I don’t understand why we are now being denied the opportunity to have our party agents present.

‘Maybe towards the end of the election process, I will still address the press and let the people know how far we have gone with the matter.

‘What I’m saying is part of the preparation on the side of INEC. When you requested that the parties upload the names of their agents, we did so. I don’t understand how or why the party agents would not be given tags.

‘If there is a fair election, with no rigging or manipulation, and there is a level playing field, I trust my God that I’m going to win the election.

‘We engage with the people and let them know about our programmes. That is exactly what we do. Vote-buying is out of it. I have never in my life bought votes.

‘People should decide whom they want, and I think it should be fair enough for them to have the right to choose whom they prefer as a candidate or as the governor of the state.’

Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has commended security agencies for maintaining peace during the ongoing Osun State governorship election.

Oyetola and his wife cast their votes at Ward 1, Unit 10, in Iragbiji, Boripe Local Government Area of the state, at about 10:30 a.m.

Speaking after voting, the former governor of the state commended the military and police for their presence across the state, saying their deployment had helped to provide security and encourage voters to come out and exercise their franchise.

He described the turnout as impressive, noting that the election had remained peaceful.

‘Our state is known for peace. I don’t know why voting, which is a normal process, should create any issue at all,’ Oyetola said.

He also thanked voters for coming out in large numbers to participate in the election, saying the exercise provided an opportunity for them to determine the kind of government they wanted.

The minister said, ‘I’m impressed and I thank our people for coming out enmass to vote for their candidate, which I believe we are the candidate. This is a progressive state. And particularly I’m here, there is no reason why people should not come out.

‘We’ve actually enjoyed dividend of democracy all over the state and people are yearning for a change, sir the most appropriate thing is for them to turn out enmass and vote, so that they can have a way of confirming that this is the kind of government they want. It is a normal process of four years.

‘My candidate will win by the grace of God.’

Voting was disrupted at the polling unit of Najeem Salam, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State on Saturday after suspected thugs invaded the centre and destroyed election materials.

Salam was whisked away from the scene for safety following the incident at Unit 13, Ward 4, where the candidate had gone to vote.

The disruption reportedly followed a confrontation involving some individuals at the polling unit before suspected thugs invaded the centre.

The situation escalated as the suspected thugs destroyed materials deployed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the election.

The incident sent voters fleeing from the polling unit for safety, bringing voting activities at the centre to a halt.