Category: PM News

Amb. Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, on Tuesday formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Oyo State governorship election under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The declaration, held at the PDP State Secretariat in Molete, Ibadan, drew an unprecedented attendance from party leaders, traditional families, community groups, youth organisations, and supporters from all 33 local government areas.

In a rare show of organisational unity, the entire 39-member Oyo State PDP Executive Committee and the 33 Local Government Party Chairmen were present–an indication many interpreted as a strong and early endorsement of Ajadi’s ambition.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with the party leadership, Ajadi said his entry into the 2027 race was driven by ancestral duty and the need to expand his humanitarian impact.

“I am rooted in both Ogun and Oyo States, but my father’s land has called me to Oyo,” he declared. “The political stalwarts and ancestral families said it is time to bring my humanitarian services home. I am simply honouring the call of my father’s land.”

Ajadi, who traces his paternal roots to Osegere in Egbeda Local Government, said the people urged him to bring his long-standing philanthropic interventions formally into Oyo State through public leadership.

“My people told me that Oyo State needs more of my humanitarian touch than ever before,” he said. “I have touched lives across the nation, but they said the good work must now be brought home.”

Over the years, Ajadi has built a reputation through the Ajadi Movement, which focuses on youth empowerment, community development, transparent governance, and support for vulnerable groups.

His interventions include business grants, medical outreaches, rural development schemes, skills acquisition programmes, and direct welfare support. Recently, in Ibafo, Ogun State, he funded the rehabilitation of more than twelve major link roads–bringing relief to thousands of residents and motorists.

Ajadi said his governorship aspiration is intended to expand these programmes.

“I am financially ready to continue my good deeds, but governance provides a bigger platform to reach more people. Serving Oyo State is a sacred duty for me.”

Speaking on the current administration, Ajadi noted that “Governor Makinde has done exceptionally well.”

Ajadi commended Governor Makinde, describing him as a visionary leader whose achievements must be sustained.

“Governor Seyi Makinde has done exceptionally well in good governance,” he said. “Part of my manifesto is to continue where he stops because continuity is sacrosanct. Governance must be consistent if we want positive legacies to endure.”

He said his agenda would focus on economic expansion, security enhancement, youth engagement, rural development, and people-centred policies.

“My mission is simple: to ensure the people of Oyo State remain happy, empowered, and prosperous.”

“Many may contest, but my antecedents speak for me”

Asked about potential opponents in the primaries, Ajadi expressed confidence in his record.

“People will contest, no doubt. But my political antecedents, my compassion, and my sincerity speak for me. The people of Oyo State know genuine commitment when they see it.”

PDP Leaders React

PDP State Chairman, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro, praised Ajadi for demonstrating courage and readiness to serve.

“Ambassador Ajadi’s declaration reflects true leadership and capacity,” Ogungbenro said. “He is a man with a proven record of service, and the party welcomes his ambition.”

Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke, added that the PDP remains open to all aspirants.

“The PDP is transparent and democratic. We welcome aspirants who can articulate ideas that will deepen our collective progress.”

Party executives assured that the PDP would conduct a fair and credible primary election, noting that unity remains the party’s strongest advantage ahead of 2027.

The event ended with songs, prayers, and chants from supporters who described Ajadi’s declaration as the beginning of a new political chapter for the state.

Nigerian Disc Jockey and Billionaire heiress Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, popularly known as DJ Cuppy, has opened up on her relationship status and why it is yet to change.

The DJ, on her X handle, made a revelation that sparked reactions from users. She claimed that her inability to prepare meals is the reason she remains unmarried. In the lighthearted post, DJ Cuppy also claimed her husband was hiding from her because of this.

“Maybe if I finally learn how to cook my husband will stop hiding from me,” she wrote.

Cuppy has, on multiple occasions, expressed her readiness to be a wife and settle down.

The chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, has again promised that the commission will fight every form of election rigging, especially vote-buying.

He made this statement on Tuesday at INEC headquarters in Abuja while swearing in Professor Adeniran Tella, the newly deployed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Oyo State.

Amupitan urged the new REC to always show professionalism and integrity in all his duties.

He said his mission as INEC chairman is to deliver elections that are free, fair, transparent, credible, and reflect the true choice of Nigerians.

According to him, this responsibility is not only a legal requirement but also a moral one.

He reminded Professor Tella that the credibility of Nigeria’s elections depends on the actions of RECs across the country.

He stressed that integrity in election management is “non-negotiable,” and warned that the commission will not tolerate any misconduct.

“You must ensure transparency and follow all guidelines and procedures in the Electoral Act,” he said.

Amupitan added that INEC has a duty to keep the electoral process clean, and any wrongdoing whether deliberate or accidental will not be accepted.

He encouraged the new REC to assure voters in Oyo State that their votes truly matter, and emphasized that INEC is committed to ending rigging and vote-buying.

“The eyes of the nation are on us,” he said. “The public trust in INEC is sacred.” He urged Professor Tella to work closely with INEC staff to make Oyo State an example of integrity and strong democratic values.

Amupitan said restoring trust in elections will also help reduce voter apathy and other long-standing challenges.

Nigerian singer Portable has called out Olamide in a video rant over being excluded from the rapper’s recent sold-out London concert at the OVO Wembley Arena.

In the video, Portable expressed frustration that Olamide did not respond to his messages or include him in the show, which attracted over 12,000 fans.

He said: “Olamide and I both sang Zazzo. I didn’t wrong him, and he stopped replying my messages. He refused to take me to London. Skepta and I both sang ‘Tony Montana,’ and he invited me to London. Tell Olamide to reply me so he won’t regret it in the future.”

Portable also highlighted his contribution to Olamide’s international recognition: “Olamide didn’t shoot the Zazzo video with me, he didn’t stand alongside me in the video. I was the one that gave Olamide international recognition. Zazzo made Olamide. Why didn’t Olamide call me for his show?”

Noni Madueke scored his first goal for Arsenal on Wednesday night as the Gunners defeated Bayern Munich 3-1 to maintain their perfect Champions League record this season.

Arsenal started strongly at the Emirates and went ahead in the 22nd minute when Jurrien Timber headed in Bukayo Saka’s corner. It was Arsenal’s 10th goal from a corner this season the highest by any team across Europe’s top five leagues.

Bayern responded well and equalised 10 minutes later through 17-year-old Lennart Karl, who tapped in Serge Gnabry’s low cross after a long pass from Joshua Kimmich. The goal was the first Arsenal had conceded in the competition this season.

Madueke restored Arsenal’s lead in the second half, guiding home a powerful cross from substitute Riccardo Calafiori.

The hosts sealed the victory late on when Eberechi Eze lifted a pass behind the Bayern defence for Gabriel Martinelli, who rounded goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to score and hand the German champions their first defeat of the season.

The win continues Arsenal’s strong form. Mikel Arteta’s side have now won five out of five in the Champions League and remain top of both the Premier League and European standings. Key players such as Martin Odegaard, Martinelli and Madueke have also returned from injury.

By Peter Uwumarogie

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Gombe State has confirmed three persons dead in a road crash on GombeYola Road.

Mr Samson Kaura, the Sector Commander, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gombe on Wednesday.

He said the crash involving two cars occurred around 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday before Kashere junction in Akko Local Government Area of the state.

Kaura said that six other persons who sustained varying degrees of injuries were receiving treatment at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe.

While the corpses of the deceased had been deposited at the Specialist Hospital Gombe.

The commander attributed the crash to wrongful overtaking which resulted in head-on collision.

“We always advise against night driving, speed, wrongful overtaking, among others.

“Though it is the right of anyone to drive at night but if it is not necessary, kindly avoid it. The cars involved in this crash were on speed even when they were driving at night.

“At night, we must drive with extra caution and maintain reasonable speed because the car you think is far off may just be closer than you think,” he said.

The sector commander urged motorists to prioritise safety over speed and drive in a manner that do not expose them and other road users at risk.

By Olalekan Adigun

The year is 2025, yet many American politicians still behave as though the world is frozen in the postWorld War II and Cold War era, when the myth of U.S. exceptionalism held strong influence across Africa. Today’s global order has shifted, but Washington’s tone toward Africa remains trapped in an age of threats, lectures, and unchecked arrogance. The result? The United States is losing ground on a continent that now demands respect, partnership, and dignity–not paternalism.

Over the years, African leaders and citizens have grown increasingly disillusioned with how U.S. officials speak about them. From the infamous “shithole countries” remarks–echoed repeatedly by American politicians who mirror Donald Trump’s style–to the persistent framing of African states as helpless dependents, Washington’s posture feels outdated. As an African saying goes: If you are not feeding me, and I have never begged you to feed me, telling me you are richer than I am is useless information.

Africa of 2025 is not the Africa of the past. Gone are the days when leaders trooped to Washington “cap in hand” in pursuit of crumbs. Economically, geopolitically, and demographically, the continent has become a fiercely competitive space–and the numbers tell the story.

China has firmly established itself as Africa’s largest source of imports. As of 2025, 34 of Africa’s 54 countries list China as their top import partner, reflecting Beijing’s broad export and developmental presence–from giant infrastructure projects and mining ventures to machinery, chemicals, and everyday consumer goods. It is a full-spectrum relationship built on convenience, speed, and mutual economic benefit.

On the export side, resource-rich African nations increasingly look to the UAE and China. The UAE, now a major importer of African gold, has aggressively expanded diplomatic and commercial ties across the continent. China remains one of the largest buyers of African crude oil. The U.S., meanwhile, trails far behind.

The Trump administration, which returned to power in January 2025, aims to secure “advantageous” trade deals through tariffs and tougher rules. But such measures threaten key African economies that depend on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Countries like Ethiopia, Madagascar, Kenya, and Eswatini–whose textile and apparel sectors are built around U.S. markets–face serious economic shocks if AGOA is abolished or tariffs increased.

Instead of strengthening partnerships, Washington appears intent on signaling dominance. Africa is responding by diversifying–and choosing partners who treat them as equals.

What Africans want is simple: respect. Not lectures. Not threats. And certainly not condescending conditions masquerading as “assistance.”

China’s model–while not perfect–offers lessons. Beijing does not visit Africa to scold governments over known problems; it comes to negotiate railways, ports, power plants, and industrial parks. It may all be business, but it is business wrapped in dignity. China does not insist that Africans change their political systems, cultural identities, or ideologies before cooperation can proceed.

Contrast that with Washington’s approach.

In 2017, after years of resistance, the U.S. finally sold Nigeria the A-29 Super Tucano aircraft to fight insurgency–only after imposing strict conditions: the jets could only be used in the North-East. Nigeria paid $593 million of its own hard-earned money, yet Washington dictated how and where the aircraft could be deployed. Predictably, insurgents adapted and expanded operations into other regions. To many Nigerians, that did not feel like assistance–it felt like control.

The U.S.’s unconditional support for Israel’s devastating assault on Gaza has made Washington increasingly isolated in global opinion. African countries, which take issues of justice and human rights seriously due to their own histories, watched closely as South Africa dragged Israel before the International Court of Justice in 2024. Washington’s anger over this move marked the beginning of a strained relationship with Pretoria. Trump even revived old tropes, suddenly claiming that “white South Africans” needed protection–comments widely dismissed across the continent.

Since his first election in 2016, Donald Trump has never set foot in Africa. Yet he talks about the continent in the most degrading terms. His disdain reflects a wider problem: many U.S. policymakers still view Africa as a peripheral region deserving of sermons, not sovereignty. This is not lost on African governments, who increasingly perceive the U.S. as unreliable, disrespectful, and out of touch.

Africa is young, rising, and increasingly empowered. New partners–China, UAE, India, Turkey, Brazil, Gulf states–are courting the continent with investment, infrastructure, and flexible diplomacy. The U.S., by contrast, is clinging to outdated assumptions and moral superiority.

If Washington wants to regain influence, it must change its tone. Africans do not demand charity. They demand dignity. They demand equality. They demand genuine partnership.

Until American leaders stop speaking down to Africa and start engaging it as a global player, the United States will continue to lose ground on a continent that has clearly–and decisively–moved on.

Olalekan Adigun is a researcher and journalist based in Abuja. He can be reached on +2348136502040 or email: . He tweets from @MrLekanAdigun

Property owners in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, are asking the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to pay them compensation for taking over their houses during railway construction in 2018.

Five families from Adisa Estate, along Murtala Muhammed Way, were displaced and went to the Federal High Court in Lagos in 2019 to seek justice.

The families are:

Oba Akinola Ovetade Akinrera

Alhaja Aisha Aminu Gwadabe

Alhaja Sadiat Abduiazeez

Mr. Justin Ajufo

Mr. Ayodele Joseph Ojo

On May 9, 2023, Justice Y. Bogoro ruled that the NRC took the houses without following due process. The court said the action violated the owners’ rights and awarded N10 million in damages.

According to the judge, NRC officials and more than 100 armed policemen entered the properties on October 10, 2018, without giving the owners any notice. This was declared a breach of Sections 43 and 44(1)(a) of the Constitution and Article 14 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Before the court case, the Ministry of Transportation had hired Dupe Longe and Associates, through the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), to assess 19 affected properties and pay compensation. But five of the homeowners refused the initial payment offered.

NRC spokesperson, Adeyinka Aderibigbe, said two of the five families have now agreed to collect their money.

However, the families’ lawyer, Akeem Aponmade, said his clients want the full amount they deserve.

In a letter sent to the NRC on October 9, 2025, Aponmade demanded N154.25 million for the five families based on earlier valuation reports. He said the compensation due to them had already been properly calculated by a certified valuer.

The case shows the ongoing struggle between government development projects and the rights of citizens whose properties are affected. Many displaced residents continue to seek fair treatment and compensation for properties taken for public projects.

By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani

Condom distribution in Nigeria fell by 55 per cent over the past year, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) said in its 2025 World AIDS Day report, Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response launched on Tuesday.

UNAIDS reports widespread disruption to HIV prevention, testing and community-led programmes in the report.

It added that across 13 countries, the number of people newly initiated on treatment has fallen.

UNAIDS warned in the that global HIV response is facing worst setback in decades.

“Nigeria recorded a 55 per cent drop in condom distribution”, UNAIDS said.

According to UNAIDS, 450,000 women in sub-Saharan Africa lose access to “mother mentors,” trusted community workers who link them to care.

The UN AIDS agency said abrupt funding cuts and a deteriorating human rights environment disrupt prevention and treatment services across dozens of countries.

“The funding crisis has exposed the fragility of the progress we fought so hard to achieve,” Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, said in Geneva on Tuesday.

“Behind every data point in this report are people,” Byanyima said.

“Babies missed for HIV screening, young women cut off from prevention support, and communities suddenly left without services and care. We cannot abandon them,” she added.

UNAIDS said before the crisis, adolescent girls and young women were already severely affected as 570 new HIV infections occur every day among young women aged 15 to 24.

“This is our moment to choose,” Byanyima said.

“We can allow these shocks to undo decades of hard-won gains, or we can unite behind the shared vision of ending AIDS.

“Millions of lives depend on the choices we make today.”

The UN agency warned that dismantled prevention programmes leave them even more vulnerable.

Community-led organisations, the backbone of HIV outreach, are also under pressure.

It said more than 60 per cent of women-led organisations say they have had to suspend essential services.

UNAIDS modelling now suggests that failure to restore prevention efforts could lead to an additional 3.3 million new HIV infections between 2025 and 2030.

The UN agency said international assistance has sharply declined, with OECD projections showing external health funding could fall by 30 to 40 per cent in 2025 compared with 2023.

“The impact has been immediate and severe, especially in low- and middle-income countries highly affected by HIV.”

UNAIDS urged world leaders to reaffirm global solidarity and multilateralism, including commitments made at the recent G20 Leaders Summit in South Africa.

The UN agency also urged world leaders to maintain and increase HIV funding, especially for countries most dependent on external assistance

It called for investment in innovation, including affordable long-acting prevention and upholding human rights and empower communities, which remain central to successful HIV responses.

(NAN)

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Oyo State government has confirmed that at least 16 lives were lost in an accident involving an 18-seater bus and a stationary truck along the Oyo/Ogbomosho Expressway in Oyo town.

The Special Adviser on Fire Reform and Chairman of Fire Services Agency to Oyo State Governor, Adebayo Akinwande, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday.

He said incident occurred in front of Emmanuel Alayande University of Education with report about the incident received at exactly 06:21 hours on Tuesday, 25th November 2025, via a telephone call

He explained that the agency’s officers promptly responded and deployed to the scene of the incident.

kinwande said investigations revealed that the passenger bus reportedly swerved and hit the stationary Howo truck from the the rear.

He said trailer was subsequently engulfed in inferno which also consumed the bus and its passengers.

kinwande said 16 bodies were recovered from the scene with three survivors were transferred to the hospital by the officers from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for proper medical treatment.

“Upon arrival at the scene of the incident, it was an eighteen (18) passenger Mazda bus, Reg. No (Kano) GWL 687 XB swerved and hit a stationary Howo trailer with Reg. No (Lagos) LSR 340 XW from the rear, and the trailer caught fire. The fire crew quickly swung into action by carrying out a rescue operation, and the fire was extinguished.”

The Oyo government special adviser blamed the ghastly incident on overspeeding and careless parking of heavy trucks along the highway.

kinwande also appealed to road users to always observe road safety tips while driving, particularly during the ember months.

He also decried the nonchalant attitude of trailer drivers who park their vehicles on the roadside without taking the potential dangers to other motorists into account.