Category: PM News

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that he is lobbying to become Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike said he had not discussed the leadership or membership of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign council with anyone, describing reports linking him to the position as false.

The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Wike, who said he was currently outside Nigeria resting after weeks of project activities in the FCT, maintained that his focus remained delivering on his ministerial mandate and strengthening Tinubu’s electoral prospects.

‘I am outside Nigeria, resting and relaxing after spending over 30 days, commissioning projects, flagging off new ones and inspecting ongoing ones, especially those scheduled for commissioning in December and January, next year,’ he said.

The former Rivers State governor said his priorities would remain unchanged when he returns to the country.

‘When I return, our focus will be the continuous delivery of our mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to further enhance his electoral fortune in Rivers State and the FCT,’ Wike said.

He insisted that he did not require any formal position in the APC presidential campaign structure to work for Tinubu’s re-election.

‘Therefore, I do not need to be the DG or even member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT,’ he said.

Wike reiterated his support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, maintaining that he would work to secure a strong showing for the President in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory in 2027.

Nigeria’s first certified astronaut, Chief Owolabi Salis, has urged President Bola Tinubu to revisit the submissions made by Catholic Bishops led by former Cardinal John Onaiyekan, saying their concerns reflect the growing hardship faced by Nigerians.

Salis, a chartered accountant and lawyer who spoke from the United States, said the President should give serious consideration to the views of the Catholic Bishops in the national interest, citing their leadership experience, proximity to the people and longstanding record of speaking truth to power.

According to him, the position occupied by the bishops gives them a unique perspective on the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians and enables them to communicate the people’s grievances to government without equivocation.

‘The truth is that so many people are dying. It is those who are concerned who feel it, and Cardinal Onaiyekan is a consistent voice of reason that cannot be ignored,’ Salis said.

He said the level of hardship among Nigerians had become evident to him through the numerous requests for assistance he receives, despite living outside the country.

‘Today alone, I know the number of people that have called me for one assistance or the other. I spend the large chunk of my resources on so many poor homes in Nigeria that I sometimes ask myself whether I am being stupid,’ he said.

Salis urged the President to reconsider aspects of the government’s approach to economic reforms and remain conscious of the responsibility that comes with governing the country.

‘The government needs to change strategy. The President needs to constantly remind himself of the onerous responsibility of governance of the people,’ he said.

He said the administration should prioritise policies aimed at narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor, arguing that the government appeared disconnected from the realities confronting many Nigerians.

‘He should constantly be working on how to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor. Unfortunately, he seems detached from the people each time you hear talk about his administration,’ Salis said.

He expressed concern over hunger across the country, saying the situation should be a major priority for the President as the custodian of the people’s mandate.

‘The truth is that people are dying of hunger across Nigeria and that should concern every Nigerian, especially the President who is the custodian of the people’s mandate,’ he said.

While acknowledging efforts by the government to reduce food prices, Salis argued that lower prices alone would not solve the problem if millions of Nigerians lacked the income and purchasing power to afford basic necessities.

‘It is true that government is bringing down the price of food, but you have to look at it from the angle of the income of the people. The bitter truth is that many people are so poor in Nigeria that they cannot buy such food because they lack the purchasing power,’ he said.

Salis said his location in the United States had not insulated him from the hardship in Nigeria, noting that he remained in regular contact with people affected by the economic situation.

‘Though I am in the United States, I feel the pinch of the suffering of the people because I interact with the people almost on a daily basis,’ he said.

He also identified corruption as a major obstacle to effective delivery of government programmes, alleging that resources intended for the people often fail to reach their beneficiaries.

‘Part of the problem is corruption because resources of state meant for the people hardly get to them,’ Salis said.

He argued that the wealthy were less affected by rising food costs, stressing that the greater challenge was ensuring that poor Nigerians could afford to feed themselves.

‘The rich people do not have the problem of food, but the real challenge is how to get food to the poor who cannot afford to eat,’ he said.

Salis also questioned the government’s handling of corruption allegations involving a former minister responsible for the welfare of poor Nigerians.

‘Remember a minister in charge of welfare of the poor was involved in corruption, but till today we have not heard that she has been sanctioned,’ he said.

He urged the Tinubu administration to demonstrate greater empathy with Nigerians, particularly when implementing reforms that impose significant short-term hardship, saying government must show citizens that it understands and shares their pain.

President Bola Tinubu has set an ambitious target to more than double Nigeria’s livestock sector’s annual economic contribution from its current $32 billion, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to tackle food insecurity, create jobs and diversify the economy.

Tinubu disclosed this on Monday in Abuja at the opening of the 9th All Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture, where he said Nigeria was positioning the livestock industry as a major engine of economic growth and a potential regional hub for production, processing and exports.

The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the livestock sector already contributes more than $32 billion annually to the Nigerian economy, with millions of Nigerians depending on it for food, income and livelihoods.

‘Our national strategy aims to more than double the sector’s economic contributions to position Nigeria as a leading hub for livestock production and processing in Africa,’ Tinubu said.

The President said the country’s livestock population includes more than 58 million cattle, 64 million sheep, 124 million goats and 660 million poultry, describing the scale of the sector as evidence of its enormous economic potential.

He said his administration had placed agriculture and food security at the centre of its Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing to the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024 as a major step towards transforming the industry.

According to Tinubu, the ministry was established to move livestock production away from largely subsistence and traditional practices towards a modern, technology-driven and commercially competitive industry integrated into global markets.

He said the government had also approved institutional reforms based on the recommendations of the Presidential Committee on Livestock Reforms to improve governance, raise productivity, promote peaceful livestock production and attract private investment.

At the heart of the government’s strategy, he said, is the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, designed to strengthen the entire livestock value chain.

The strategy covers improved animal health services, commercial feed production, livestock genetics, climate-smart production, value-chain development, peacebuilding and the expansion of opportunities for livestock investment and exports.

Tinubu also highlighted ranching and modern livestock production systems as part of efforts to improve productivity while reducing conflicts associated with traditional livestock practices.

He said the government was encouraging investment in dairy production, meat processing, leather, feed milling and livestock infrastructure.

A major focus, according to the President, is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products and retaining more foreign exchange within the economy.

‘Our ongoing dairy transformation programme seeks to double local milk production through improved genetics, better nutrition, modern breeding systems, and stronger private sector participation,’ he said.

The programme will support improved breeds, pasture development, commercial feed production, milk collection facilities, private dairy investments and modern processing plants.

Beyond food production, Tinubu said the livestock value chain could become a major source of employment for Nigeria’s rapidly growing youth population, with opportunities spanning production, processing, logistics, technology and exports.

‘Millions of jobs can be created for our growing youth population in Africa. The Nigerian government is committed to fully optimising the value chain,’ he said.

He added that the government was working to increase the participation of women and young people through improved access to finance, digital technology, innovation, value-chain opportunities and private-sector partnerships.

Tinubu also called for greater cooperation among African countries, noting that animal diseases, climate change, food insecurity, trade barriers and cross-border livestock movement could not be effectively addressed by individual countries acting alone.

‘The future of Africa’s livestock industry depends on innovation, science, technology, and regional cooperation. No country can achieve sustainable livestock transformation in isolation,’ he said.

He said Nigeria would continue to support continental collaboration under the African Continental Free Trade Area, particularly in livestock production and trade.

The President challenged delegates at the conference to develop practical recommendations covering animal health, disease control, climate-smart production, genetics, regional trade, youth and women empowerment, research, innovation and investment.

He assured participants that Nigeria was prepared to work with other African countries, development partners, research institutions and private investors to build a productive, sustainable and globally competitive livestock industry.

‘Together, we can transform Africa from a continent with enormous livestock potential into a global leader in livestock production,’ Tinubu said.

He thereafter declared the conference open, reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to providing leadership in the transformation of Africa’s livestock sector.

The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, on Sunday appealed to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to support the construction of service lanes and drainage channels on Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

‘You have to bring money, Governor, to do the service lanes, and also to do the drainage channels. We must join hands to solve this problem for the sake of our people,’ Umahi said he said at a stakeholder engagement on the coastal highway and some other projects in the state.

The Minister, however, praised Lagos State Government for supporting Federal Government’s infrastructure development in the commercial city.

Umahi announced that the Federal Government would soon begin construction of the service lane for the coastal highway.

According to the Minister, the decision to construct service lanes and secondary drainage channels on Sections 1 and 2 of the highway projects was prompted by recent heavy rainfalls and flooding experienced in Lagos.

The Minister also said Lot 1 of the coastal highway had been completed and Lot 2, over 80 per cent done.

‘We have done over 30 per cent of the job in Calabar and Akwa Ibom. We have started the largest section, 180km by two,’ he said.

He gave the assurance that the highway project would be completed in time.

‘ We want everybody on this corridor, the entire Nigerians that are benefitting and will benefit from this coastal highway construction to continue to pray for and support the President.’

Umahi expressed dissatisfaction at the attitude of unpatriotic Nigerians vandalising national assets.

‘It is very disheartening. The effort they are putting to destroy national assets, if they put it in labour in all construction sites of state governments and the Federal Government, they will make more money.

‘It is devilish, wickedness and unacceptable; so, we have to come together to protect our national assets.

‘When these roads are built under the President, it will last for a hundred years but when the roads are excavated and removed, we will be back to square one,’ he said.

The Centre for Energy Policy, Research and Strategic Development (CEPRSD) has commended Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), for what it described as transparent, disciplined and professional management of the 2025 oil and gas licensing round.

In a statement on Sunday, Dr Cletus Okpe, Executive Director of CEPRSD, said the emergence of 31 successful companies for 37 oil and gas blocks reflected the credibility of the bidding process and growing investor interest in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

Okpe said the outcome was particularly significant because the 37 blocks that attracted bids were spread across established petroleum-producing areas and frontier basins, including the Benue Trough, Chad Basin, Anambra Basin and Benin Basin.

He said the level of participation demonstrated that transparent regulatory processes could help restore investor confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

‘The latest licensing round provides a strong indication of what is possible when the allocation of national petroleum assets is managed through a transparent, structured and competitive process. The participation of 143 companies, which submitted 200 bids for 37 assets, shows that investors are willing to commit resources to Nigeria when they have confidence in the rules, evaluation process and regulatory environment,’ Okpe said.

According to him, 37 of the 50 blocks offered by the commission attracted bids, while the remaining 13 received no bids.

Okpe said the spread of successful bids across different terrains was an important development, particularly the interest generated in frontier basins that have historically attracted less investment than established oil-producing regions.

He credited Eyesan’s leadership for maintaining a professional approach to the process and ensuring that the commercial stage was conducted within a clearly defined regulatory framework.

The CEPRSD executive director also commended the commission for its emphasis on financial discipline, saying the requirement for successful bidders to meet their financial obligations before receiving final awards would help prevent speculative acquisition of petroleum assets.

He said the approach was necessary to ensure that companies granted access to Nigeria’s petroleum resources had the financial capacity and commitment to develop them.

‘Financial discipline is critical to the success of any licensing exercise. It is not enough for companies to win blocks; they must demonstrate that they have the capacity and willingness to pay the required signature bonuses, execute their work programmes and move the assets towards production. The insistence on these obligations protects government revenue and ensures that valuable acreage does not remain idle in the hands of speculative investors,’ he said.

Okpe further praised the commission’s application of the ‘drill or drop’ principle, describing it as an important mechanism for ensuring accountability among operators.

He said the policy would help the government distinguish between investors interested in developing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon resources and those seeking to hold acreage without meaningful activity.

The Centre also commended the involvement of relevant government institutions and stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), in monitoring the commercial bid conference.

Okpe said such participation strengthened confidence in the integrity of the process and demonstrated the importance of independent oversight in the management of Nigeria’s petroleum resources.

He said the licensing round had the potential to deepen investment in the upstream sector, support reserve growth, create jobs and increase government revenue if the successful bidders fulfilled their commitments.

‘What Nigeria needs now is for the credibility achieved during the bidding process to continue through the post-award stage. Successful companies must translate their awards into capital deployment, exploration, development and production. The NUPRC must equally sustain its regulatory discipline by enforcing performance obligations without fear or favour,’ he said.

Okpe urged Eyesan and her team to maintain the transparency and predictability demonstrated during the licensing exercise, saying regular and credible licensing rounds would provide investors with a clearer pipeline of opportunities.

The oil and gas expert said the process offered a model for how Nigeria could balance investor confidence with its responsibility to protect public resources.

‘The stewardship displayed by Mrs Eyesan deserves recognition because transparency in resource allocation is inseparable from public trust. If this level of professionalism, financial discipline and accountability is sustained, the NUPRC will not only attract credible investment but also ensure that Nigeria derives measurable economic value from its petroleum resources,’ Okpe added.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has described Atiku Abubakar’s presidential ambition as a ‘cheap product’ while accusing the former vice president of influencing the African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate selection process in Adamawa State.

Lawal made the remarks in the latest edition of his ‘Kachalla Series’ posted on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.

He alleged that ADC replaced its Adamawa governorship primary winner, Engr Umar Suleiman, with Tukur Moddibo, claiming the decision was influenced by Atiku.

Suleiman, according to Lawal, won the party’s governorship primary but was replaced after pressure from Atiku and other party leaders.

The former SGF accused Atiku of favouring ethnic and religious interests, alleging that the development reflected concerns he had previously raised about a possible Atiku presidency.

Lawal also criticised ADC’s leadership over the decision, claiming the party’s action could affect its chances in the 2027 governorship election in Adamawa.

He alleged that the substitution was part of a broader political arrangement to weaken certain interests in the state, while backing other candidates.

Comparing the development to an online marketplace purchase, Lawal wrote that APC had ‘donated’ its governorship candidate to Adamawa and alleged that ADC had done the same, describing Atiku’s presidential ambition as appearing like a ‘cheap product from TEMU.’

He questioned how Atiku was able to influence the party’s national leadership, accusing him of pursuing personal political interests ahead of broader concerns.

Lawal, however, said the decision would be challenged in court, alleging that the substitution violated electoral laws, the ADC constitution and the party’s primary election guidelines.

He urged voters in Adamawa to consider other political options ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that the outcome of the election would be determined by the people of the state.

Ayobami Eruobami, Chairman of Erumedia Group, founder of Pressford and an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR), has called for a fundamental shift in the way public relations is practised across Nigeria and Africa.

Eruobami said the profession must move beyond securing media coverage and generating online visibility to become a strategic discipline that shapes reputation, influences policy, builds public trust and creates long-term value for organisations and nations.

He made the call while speaking on the future of public relations in Africa, stressing that media relations, publicity and crisis communication, although important, represent only a fraction of what modern PR should offer.

According to him, African businesses, governments and institutions need communication professionals who are involved in strategic decision-making from the beginning, rather than being brought in only when organisations require publicity or face a crisis.

‘The future of public relations in Africa depends on our ability to move beyond publicity and demonstrate the strategic value of communication,’ Eruobami said.

He noted that the communications landscape has changed significantly with the rise of artificial intelligence, digital reputation management, search visibility, data-driven storytelling and stakeholder engagement.

Drawing from his experience leading Erumedia Group and building Pressford, a technology-driven media distribution platform, Eruobami said PR practitioners must embrace emerging technologies and new communication strategies to remain relevant.

He explained that trust is increasingly shaped online before it is formed offline, making it essential for communication professionals to understand how digital platforms influence public perception.

Eruobami also expressed concern that many organisations across Africa continue to underestimate the strategic value of public relations.

He said communication budgets are often treated as promotional expenses rather than investments in institutional credibility, arguing that PR professionals should instead serve as trusted advisers to executive leadership.

According to him, communication experts should contribute to corporate strategy, public policy engagement, investor confidence and organisational resilience.

He also stressed the importance of professionalism and ethics in strengthening the credibility of the industry.

Eruobami said ethical communication, continuous learning, research-backed campaigns, measurable outcomes and responsible storytelling must become defining standards for African PR practitioners.

He warned that excessive reliance on superficial publicity and transactional media engagement could undermine a profession whose primary responsibility is to build and sustain trust.

Speaking on the next generation of PR practitioners, Eruobami urged young professionals to develop expertise beyond traditional media relations.

He said future PR leaders must understand technology, business strategy, behavioural science, digital communication and global affairs.

‘The communications professional of the future cannot be merely a publicist. They must become reputation strategists and architects of influence,’ he said.

Eruobami further argued that Nigeria is well positioned to lead the evolution of public relations across Africa, citing its large media ecosystem, growing digital economy and vibrant community of communication professionals.

He, however, said achieving this would require stronger collaboration among PR agencies, corporate organisations, educational institutions and professional bodies to promote innovation, research and the adoption of global best practices.

Eruobami said Africa’s greatest competitive advantage lies in the authenticity of its stories, adding that the continent needs narratives that are credible, strategic and capable of earning global respect.

He maintained that communication professionals have a responsibility that goes beyond promoting brands, as they also help shape national identities, strengthen institutions, attract investment and influence how Africa is perceived internationally.

According to him, the future of public relations in Africa will not be determined by who generates the most headlines, but by practitioners who consistently build trust, influence meaningful conversations and elevate the reputation of African brands and institutions on the global stage.

The Oil and Gas Professionals Forum (OGPF) has accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) of issuing a misleading and diversionary response to concerns raised over the latest Marginal Field bid round and alleged links involving the NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari.

On August 2, the OGPF called for the removal of Ojulari, and the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, Meyiwa Eyesa, over the continued underperformance of Nigeria’s oil sector, questionable transactions and contracts, and controversies surrounding the award of oil blocks.

The group particularly alleged that Ojulari secured oil blocks for allies and cronies in the recently concluded licensing round conducted by the NUPRC, in which 31 companies emerged as winners and 37 available oil blocks were subsequently awarded.

OGPF alleged that Ojulari’s cronies and friends, including one of his wives, secured favourable oil blocks through insider influence.

Reacting to the accusations, the state-owned firm said under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021, the conduct of oil licensing rounds and the allocation of oil blocks fall squarely within the statutory mandate of the NUPRC.

‘NNPC Limited, since its incorporation, has operated strictly as a commercial entity and holds no regulatory or allocative authority,’ NNPCL stated.

In a statement responding to the NNPC, the forum said the corporation failed to directly address questions relating to alleged conflicts of interest, the identities of bid beneficiaries and the performance of the current NNPC leadership.

The statement, which was signed by the OGPF convener, Ayodele Momoh, said the publication by the NNPC was ‘misleading, diversionary, and largely unresponsive to the core issues.’

‘The NNPC publication attempts to distract from the substance of OGPF’s concerns by focusing on peripheral matters while failing to directly confront the questions put forward.

‘OGPF maintains that the facts remain clear: A wife of Bayo Ojulari played a major role in the bid evaluation process.

‘At least two of the marginal field award beneficiaries are close allies of Mr. Ojulari.

‘One of the awardees holds the dubious distinction of being the first beneficiary of an FTSA award granted by Mr. Ojulari.

‘OGPF rejects any attempt to treat these connections as coincidental. Where relationships and roles intersect in bid evaluation and awards, the outcome raises legitimate questions of conflict of interest and private gain that cannot be wished away through rhetorical framing,’ the group said.

The forum also challenged what it described as NNPC’s emphasis on production figures, arguing that performance claims did not resolve the accountability and governance issues raised in relation to the bid process.

The group stated: ‘The performance narrative does not answer the accountability question.

‘The NNPC publication also pivots into a glossy account of production performance rather than addressing the governance and integrity concerns raised by OGPF.

‘On performance and delivery, OGPF holds that accountability is non-negotiable: Reporting only 6% oil production growth and 5% gas production growth between April 2025 and August 2026 falls short of the expectations of the leadership role.

‘If the stated ambition is 3 million barrels within two years, then the current pace- measured by progress of approximately 80,000 barrels – cannot be treated as grounds for celebration.

‘OGPF’s position is that results must be evaluated against targets, and leadership must take decisive action to close the gap, rather than seeking applause. NNPC under the current leadership should do better than brag about decimals.’

OGPF further disputed NNPC’s transparency claims, alleging that the corporation’s approach could preserve existing patronage networks and favour a narrow group of interests, including politically exposed persons and entities opposed to the Tinubu administration.

‘The approach reflected in the publication appears designed to preserve the status quo and maintain NNPC as a channel of patronage for a narrow set of interests, including politically exposed persons and entities that have been verifiably positioned against the Tinubu Administration. This pattern reinforces the concerns OGPF has raised from the outset.

‘OGPF reiterates that its focus remains on NNPC and Mr. Ojulari’s leadership. OGPF is not persuaded by diversionary messaging, and OGPF remains unconvinced by the record observed over the past 18 months.

‘OGPF will continue to press for clarity, integrity, and accountability, especially where conflicts of interest and bid-related governance concerns are present,’ the statement concluded.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has vowed not to become a political godfather who dictates the affairs of government after leaving office in 2027.

Makinde made the declaration on Monday while hosting members of the Muslim community at a Hijrah 1448 luncheon held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.

The governor said that after spending eight years serving the people of Oyo State, he would ensure a smooth transition and give his successor the freedom to lead without undue interference.

‘I won’t be a political godfather to my successor. After eight years of serving the people of Oyo State, I will ensure that there is a smooth transition and that whoever succeeds me is given the opportunity to develop and implement policies in line with the aspirations and yearnings of the people,’ Makinde said.

He said political leadership should not be measured by the ability of a former office holder to control those who succeed him, but by the impact made while in office and the institutions left behind to serve the people.

‘The essence of political leadership should not be the ability to control those who come after a public office holder, but the willingness to serve humanity and leave behind institutions and structures that can continue to benefit the people,’ he said.

Makinde also urged eligible voters to carefully scrutinise candidates seeking political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning against allowing ethnicity, religion and other primordial considerations to influence their choices.

‘Leadership should be about service to humanity, not about control. As we approach another election period, I want to urge our people, especially our Muslim brothers and sisters, to hold those seeking political office accountable,’ he said.

The governor advised voters to focus on the competence, character and commitment of political aspirants, rather than their ethnic or religious identities.

‘Do not assess political aspirants based on ethnicity, religion or other primordial considerations. Look at their competence, their character and their commitment to public service.

‘Ask yourselves what they have done, what they can do and whether they genuinely have the interest of the people at heart,’ he added.

According to Makinde, the primary responsibility of government is to improve the lives of citizens, stressing that public officials must place the interests of the people above personal and political considerations.

‘Governance is about improving the lives of the people. Those entrusted with public office must always put the interest of the citizens above their personal interests or political interests. That is the essence of leadership and that is what our people deserve,’ he said.

The governor further assured residents that his administration would remain focused on delivering good governance and consolidating its achievements during the remainder of its tenure.

‘Our remaining period in office will be dedicated to consolidating the achievements we have recorded so far and delivering more impactful projects and programmes for the benefit of our people across the state,’ Makinde said.

‘Until the expiration of this administration, we will continue to make decisions and take actions that will promote development, peace and prosperity in Oyo. We will continue to work for the people and ensure that the resources entrusted to us are used for the benefit of the people.’

Makinde also thanked residents for the confidence and support they had given his administration over the past eight years, while acknowledging the contributions of the Muslim community to the development and stability of the state.

‘I want to appreciate the people of Oyo for the confidence and support you have given this administration over the last eight years. We do not take that support for granted.

‘I also want to sincerely appreciate the Muslim community for your partnership and your contributions to the growth and stability of our state. Your support has been important to the progress we have made,’ he said.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to inclusive governance, assuring residents that every segment of Oyo State would continue to have a sense of belonging under his leadership.

National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Rauf Aregbesola, has said he remained faithful to his wife, Sherifat, throughout their marriage because of his fear of God.

Aregbesola made the revelation while addressing supporters at an ADC campaign rally in Ejigbo Local Government Area of Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Speaking in Yoruba, the former Osun State governor said he had never had an intimate relationship with another woman since marrying his wife.

He said his decision was based on a personal commitment and his desire to remain obedient to God.

‘Because of your fear, I never had any intimacy with another woman since I married my wife,’ Aregbesola said.

The former governor described the declaration as something only a few men could confidently make, adding that his faithfulness formed part of his prayers while seeking divine intervention in his political ambition.

He also said he had prayed for success in his political journey, expressing hope that he would achieve his goal of returning to government.

Aregbesola, who served as Osun governor from 2010 to 2018, is currently the National Secretary of the ADC, which is challenging the ruling party ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election, while Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Najeem Folasayo Salaam of the ADC are among the major contenders.