Category: PM News

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term was driven by development considerations and long preceded his victory in the August 15 governorship election, his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, has said.

Rasheed, the governor’s Special Adviser and Spokesperson, said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu should therefore not be interpreted as a political reward following his re-election.

Speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, he said the governor had openly backed Tinubu while still in the Peoples Democratic Party and maintained the position after moving to the Accord Party.

‘When Mr. Governor was within the PDP, the endorsement was announced. When he crossed over to Accord, the endorsement was announced. So the endorsement predates this election victory,’ Rasheed said.

Adeleke had publicly reaffirmed his support for Tinubu months before the Osun election, describing the decision as development-driven and in the interest of the state.

Rasheed said Adeleke’s calculation was centred on attracting greater federal presence to Osun and strengthening cooperation with the Federal Government on critical infrastructure.

‘The whole world, the political space is aware that Mr. Governor has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the governor explained the reasons why he’s endorsing.

‘He talks about developmental focus. The need to attract federal presence. The need to get most of the roads in Osun’s federal project done, and the need to support a man that is on the seat that can do this for us,’ he said.

The spokesman pointed to federal road projects in Osun as evidence of the benefits of the relationship with the Tinubu administration.

He specifically mentioned the Ilesa-Ibadan, Osogbo-Ibadan and Gbongan-Osogbo corridors.

Adeleke had in May praised Tinubu and Works Minister David Umahi following federal approvals for the rehabilitation of key roads, including the Osogbo-Iwo and Gbongan-Akoda-Osogbo routes.

‘And as a consequence of that endorsement, Ilesa-Ibadan Road is being worked on. We have Osogbo-Ibadan Road being awarded, the work has started. We have Gbongan to Osogbo already awarded, and so on,’ Rasheed said.

He maintained that Osun residents had no reason to feel betrayed by Adeleke’s backing of Tinubu.

According to him, the governor was pursuing what he believed would produce tangible benefits for the people rather than making an opportunistic political move after winning re-election.

‘So, the governor is looking at backing the man on the seat for several reasons, and you know this predates our election victory.

‘So, I will say people should not feel betrayed. Mr. Governor is only doing the right thing that is in the best interest of Osun people,’ Rasheed said.

Following his victory at the polls, Adeleke again reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election and thanked the President for supporting a free and fair governorship contest.

Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, has urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate in the Osun governorship election, Bola Oyebamiji, to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election.

Bamidele, who is also Chairman of the National Assembly Southwest Caucus, made the call in a statement following the outcome of the August 15 governorship election.

He said Oyebamiji should reach out to Adeleke and also offer policy suggestions that could contribute to the development of Osun State.

Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared winner after polling 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji of the APC scored 444,815 votes.

Bamidele congratulated Adeleke on his victory, saying the outcome of the election reflected the choice of Osun voters.

He urged the governor to see the renewed mandate as a responsibility to unite residents of the state and promote peace and inclusive governance.

According to the Senate Leader, Adeleke should extend a hand of fellowship to other candidates and political parties following the conclusion of the contest.

Bamidele also said the election provided useful lessons for the APC as the ruling party prepares for the 2027 general election.

He stressed the need for stronger internal unity within the party, wider engagement with voters and more effective communication of the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Bamidele said the APC must deepen its relationship with different sections of society, including traders, artisans, farmers, youths, women, civil society groups and traditional institutions.

‘Our engagement approach must be all-encompassing and leave no one behind,’ he said.

The Senate Leader also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the conduct of the election.

He maintained that despite losing the governorship contest, the APC remained an important stakeholder in the progress and development of Osun.

Bamidele expressed confidence that the election would strengthen democratic participation and contribute to the economic, social and technological development of the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, other presidential candidates and leadership of political parties contesting the 2027 general elections on Tuesday in signed a Peace Accord committing to peaceful, issue-based campaigns and the non-involvement in electoral violence before, during and after the 2027 polls.

However, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is the presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC and his party were absent at the event.

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Apart from Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who was represented by Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the other presidential candidates that signed the peace accord were Peter Obi of Nigeria Democratic Congress and Adewale Adebayo of Social Democratic Party.

Others were candidates for the governorship and National Assembly.

The peace agreement, organised by the National Peace Committee (NPC) under the chairmanship of former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.), aims to foster social cohesion, minimise political friction and ensure that democratic choices reflected the will of the people.

The signing ceremony was held on the eve of the official commencement of campaigns for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

In his remarks, Abubakar tasked political parties, candidates, campaign councils, and their spokespersons to campaign based on issues of significant concerns to Nigerians.

Abubakar represented by a member of the NPC, Martin Agwai, noted that since 2015, the committee had facilitated 30 peace accords, five at the national level before 2015, 2019, and 2023 general elections.

He added that the committee also organised 25 peace accords at the sub-national levels, including state off-cycle elections.

Abubakar noted that the issues-based peace accord established in 2019 was to promote political campaigns and rallies based on issues related to Nigeria rather than sentiment.

He noted that over the years, political campaigns and rallies had neglected the significance of party manifestos and programmes, and created a platform for political parties to resort to name-calling, personal insults and character assassination.

He added that political campaigns had taken away dignity and decency in public discourse and conversation, creating a toxic atmosphere that had the potential to incite citizens against the state, against other political parties and candidates.

‘Now that the 2027 general election is five months away and the official commencement of campaign is tomorrow, the NPC is today committing all political parties, party chairmen, candidates and campaign spokespersons to peaceful political rallies, devoid of incitement, personal insults and abuse.

‘Therefore, on behalf of all members of the NPC and all Nigerians, I am appealing to all political parties, party chairmen, candidates, campaign councils and their spokespersons to please campaign based on issues that are of significant concerns to Nigerians.

‘Avoid the spread of false and fake news, personal attacks and insults. Promote respect and tolerance for differences of opinion, ensure decency and civility in public discourse and comply with the spirit and the letter of the accord,’ he said.

The Programme Officer, Kukah Ccntre, Asabe Ndahi, presenting ‘the National contest of emerging issues’ said that evidence from previous electoral cycles showed that the biggest breach of the Peace Accord was with Clause 1, where parties committed themselves to conduct issue-based campaigns.

Ndahi said that result showed that there was 43 per cent breach of that particular clause, while the clause provides for refraining from insults and violence was also breached.

‘Also the clause that provides that there will be no fake news or some disinformation was also breached up to 90 per cent.

‘All the other clauses of the Accord were equally breached, but not in equal percentage,’ she said.

Asabe also added that the clause regarding conduct of issue-based campaigns was also violated, adding that 58 per cent of those violations were from spokespersons.

‘The number of states that were affected out of the 36 were 32 states. The most affected states were Kaduna, Plateau, Kano, Lagos, Rivers, and Benue,’ she said.

Ndahi urged stakeholders especially candidates and their supporters to allow peaceful campaigns and elections as campaigns commence on Wednesday.

‘We recommend that political parties and candidates in favour of this campaign conduct peaceful, issue-based campaigns, debate policies and ideas based on political parties’ opinions.

‘For campaign teams and supporters, we expect you to mobilise responsibly and do not cause any violence or intimidation in the process of mobilisation.

‘As for the party and candidate spokesperson, we expect a lot from you because this is where most of the issue starts.

‘We expect responsible messaging, timely verified information and avoid inflammatory or inciting statements.

‘As for the media and Civil society organisations, verify information before amplifying and conduct evidence-based advocacy.

She also tasked security agencies and INEC on neutrality, impartiality, transparency and consistent in enforcement of laws, while also urging Nigerians on peaceful conduct.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Continental Overseer for Continent 3, Pastor Joseph Odesola, has appealed to Nigerians to stop pressuring the church’s General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to publicly attack President Bola Tinubu.

Odesola, in an article published by Impact Nigeria on Monday and shared on his X page, said Adeboye would speak on the nation’s political and economic challenges when he believed it was the right time.

He said some Nigerians were not simply waiting for Adeboye to speak, but had already decided what they wanted him to say.

‘Some people are waiting eagerly for Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye to speak about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But it appears that they are not merely waiting for him to speak; they already have a script they want him to follow.’

Odesola said a religious leader should not speak merely to satisfy public expectations.

‘A man of God does not have to speak simply because people are demanding that he speak,’ he said.

‘There is a difference between speaking because the crowd is shouting and speaking because one has something meaningful to say. There is also a difference between political commentary and prophetic responsibility.’

He urged Nigerians not to turn religious leaders into instruments of political campaigns, stressing that the church should be able to challenge those in government without becoming an opposition platform.

‘A genuine servant of God should not become the mouthpiece of any political camp,’ Odesola said.

He added that criticism did not have to come through insults or anger.

‘Truth does not become more powerful because it is delivered with insults. A curse does not become a prophecy simply because it is pronounced from a pulpit. And anger should never be mistaken for spiritual authority.’

Odesola acknowledged that Nigerians needed religious leaders to speak on poverty, insecurity, unemployment, rising living costs and other national problems.

‘Nigeria needs voices that can tell the government the truth without hatred. We need voices that can challenge opposition politicians without fear,’ he said.

‘Let Pastor Adeboye pray. Let him listen. Let him discern. And when he has something he believes God has instructed him to say, let him say it with the courage of conviction.’

He concluded: ‘Don’t write his script for him. He will speak when he believes he should speak. He will pray when he believes he should pray. And if God has not told him to say what the crowd wants to hear, he should have the courage to say nothing at all.’

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate demolition of houses built on waterways in Maitama and other flood-prone parts of Abuja, warning that senators and other influential property owners will not be spared.

Wike gave the directive on Tuesday during an inspection of areas affected by recent flooding in the capital.

He ordered the FCT Development Control Department to begin pulling down offending structures immediately and continue the exercise through Saturday.

‘Any house that’s found on the water channel will go down. We will demolish all those houses found on the water channel. Some of them are senators. Some of them are big men,’ Wike said.

‘Whether there’s election or there’s no election, all those houses will go down. Heaven will not fall. Rather, heaven will be at peace that the right thing has been done.’

The minister said the recent flooding exposed widespread violations of the Abuja Master Plan, including buildings erected on stormwater channels and drainage corridors.

Several mansions in Maitama Extension were submerged by flood over the weekend, with residents blaming indiscriminate construction and blocked drainage channels.

Wike said inspections showed that some natural drainage routes had been obstructed by developments.

‘Unfortunately, we have gone there, and we have seen how people have blocked channels where, in the Master Plan, that is the right way where the water is supposed to be channelled,’ he said.

He insisted that the status of property owners would not stop the enforcement exercise.

According to Wike, many of the affected structures had existed for years and were owned by wealthy Nigerians, but the government could no longer allow illegal developments to worsen flooding in the city.

The minister also directed relevant FCT agencies to immediately desilt identified drainage systems.

He warned residents and traders against dumping refuse in waterways, saying blocked drains and poor maintenance had compounded the impact of heavy rainfall.

Wike acknowledged that flooding could result from natural factors, including unusually heavy rainfall and climate change, but said human activities had significantly worsened the situation.

‘Flood could be a natural disaster,’ he said, adding that ‘man-made factors’ were also responsible for the scale of the damage.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has recovered 2.3 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, (diesel) valued at N4.485 billion allegedly stolen and criminal converted by Mamemo Ibru of Ibafon Oil and Gas from Prudent Energy and Services Limited in Lagos.

The recovery followed investigation into a petition submitted by Prudent Energy and Services Limited to EFCC in Lagos, Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for the anti-graft agency said in a statement.

According to the statement, Prudent Energy and Services Limited had in the petition alleged that petroleum products it entrusted to Ibafon Oil and Gas for storage had been unlawfully converted, resulting in a significant shortfall in the company’s stock.

The petitioner also alleged that periodic withdrawals were made from the stored products until the outstanding balance stood at 2,574,031 litres.

However, during a subsequent physical measurement and reconciliation exercise, only 206,761 litres remained in the storage tanks, leaving a deficit of 2,367,270 litres.

EFCC said its investigation revealed that Ibafon Oil and Gas is involved in the purchase and sale of diesel and also stores its petroleum products at the same depot alongside products belonging to its customers.

It added that it was further revealed that Ibru allegedly used his position as the owner of Ibafon Oil and Gas to truck out petroleum products in excess of the quantity owned by the company, thereby converting the petitioner’s products for his own use.

However, following the Commission’s intervention, the suspect handed over the recovered products to the petitioner, Prudent Energy and Services Limited.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged the commitment of his administration and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a peaceful and transparent 2027 general election, urging political parties to campaign on ideas rather than exploit ethnic and religious divisions.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the signing of a peace accord ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

The ceremony, convened by the National Peace Committee (NPC), came ahead of the commencement of political campaigns for the January and February 2027 general elections.

The President commended members of the committee, particularly former Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, for their efforts to promote peaceful elections since 2014.

Tinubu said Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999 had been accompanied by anxiety during election periods because of intense competition for political power, but argued that the country had made significant progress in election management.

He attributed part of the progress to technological improvements introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), particularly the Permanent Voter’s Card and the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.

According to him, the reforms had strengthened voters’ confidence that their votes would count while making politicians more accountable to the electorate.

Tinubu cited the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun off-cycle elections conducted between October 2025 and August 15, 2026, saying different political parties won the polls and that local and international observers described the elections as free, credible and transparent.

He argued that transparent electoral processes could also reduce post-election disputes and litigation.

The President said the peace accord should serve as a commitment by political leaders to place Nigeria’s national interest above personal and partisan ambitions.

He urged political parties, civil society organisations, the media, foreign partners and citizens to contribute to strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

Tinubu stressed that democracy should go beyond periodic elections, saying citizens must participate actively in national affairs, build trust in public institutions and promote good governance.

As political campaigns approach, he urged candidates and parties to avoid ethnic and religious sentiments, hate speech, violence, misinformation and incitement, particularly through social media and artificial intelligence-generated content.

‘It is natural during campaigns to disagree as opponents and advocate competing governing visions for our country,’ he said, while warning that political disagreements should not undermine national unity.

The President called for campaigns based on competing policies and ideas capable of expanding opportunities and accelerating Nigeria’s development.

He specifically pledged the APC’s commitment to the principles contained in the peace accord, saying the party rejected violence, hate speech, misinformation and all forms of incitement.

Tinubu also appealed to other political parties and political actors to make similar commitments.

‘Let us remember that elections are not a do-or-die affair. We are partners in the project of nation-building. Win or lose, our country, Nigeria, must be the ultimate winner,’ he said.

It was a bountiful harvest as Federal Government, 36 state governments and 774 Local Government Councils (LGCs) on Tuesday shared N3.007 trillions as Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) revenue for the month of July.

The FAAC revenue shared in July represented an increase of N658.087 billion, or 17.8 per cent, compared with the N3.700 trillion recorded in June.

The Director, Press and Public Relations Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mokwa said the allocation was approved by FAAC at its regular monthly meeting in Owerri, Imo.

He said the meeting was convened on the margins of the ongoing National Council of Federation and Economic Development (NACOFED).

He said the July figures indicated an improvement in statutory revenue, with gross statutory revenue rising to N4.359 trillion.

Mokwa said it represented an increase of N658.087 billion, or 17.8 per cent, compared with the N3.700 trillion recorded in June.

According to Mokwa, the gross Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue stood at N793.968 billion, a marginal decline of N5.778 billion, or 0.7 per cent, from the N799.746 billion recorded in June.

He quoted the FAAC communiqué as saying that the increase in statutory revenue was driven by significant growth in several revenue streams, including Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT).

‘Others are Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Companies Income Tax (CIT), Capital Gains Tax (CGT), Stamp Duty Tax (SDT), petroleum royalties, mineral royalties, excise duty and gas-flaring penalties.

‘The gains were partly offset by declines in VAT, import duty, CET levies, rental of gas-flaring fees and miscellaneous oil revenue,’ he said.

He said that the committee would continue to work with revenue-generating agencies to address collection gaps and strengthen remittance discipline.

Mokwa also reaffirmed FAAC’s commitment to the full, transparent and timely remittance of collectible revenues into the Federation Account, ahead of the planned accounts reconciliation exercise.

He stressed the need to diversify the federation’s revenue based beyond oil, in line with ongoing tax administration and non-oil revenue mobilisation reforms.

‘FAAC also highlighted the importance of continued coordination between the Federal Government and state governments.

‘The coordination is through NACOFED on fiscal policy, revenue sharing and broader economic development priorities,’ he said.

He said that solid minerals and other non-oil royalty streams remained areas with significant potential for expanding federation revenue.

Mokwa also said that improvement in statutory revenue recorded in July would require continued discipline in revenue collection and remittance by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He reiterated support for reforms, aimed at improving the predictability, sustainability and growth of allocations to the three tiers of government.

Operatives the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kano Strategic Command, have arrested 80 suspects and dislodged 16 known drug joints across the state within seven days of ‘Operation Restore Order’ in Kano State.

Acting on the directive of the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), the Kano Strategic Command, led by Commander DY Lawal, carried out coordinated raids on multiple locations identified as hubs for drug trafficking and abuse as part of the Agency’s sustained effort to restore order and create a safer, drug-free environment for residents.

Between 10th and 16th August 2026, NDLEA teams stormed and dislodged notorious spots including Filin Mahaha, Koki, Dorayi, Rijiyar Lemo, Charanchi, Kasuwar Kurmi, Zage, Gwammaja, Sauna, Wambai, Yan Ayaba, Indabawa, Bela Village, Farm Center, Masaka and Panshekara, among others.

Officers recovered a wide-range of assorted illicit substances and paraphernalia, notably Cannabis sativa, Diazepam, Exol-5, rubber solution, locally named substances such as ‘Suck and Die,’ various other narcotics, cutting agents and packaging materials, as well as locally manufactured weapons and tools used in the trade.

‘This operation is intelligence-led and resolute. The directive from our Chairman/CEO is clear: we must restore order and protect our communities. Those still engaged in these illicit activities should repent before it is too late; we will not relent until Kano is drug-free.’

Arrested suspects will be processed and prosecuted in accordance with the law, and investigations will continue to identify and dismantle wider trafficking networks,’ said Commander DY Lawal

He added that: ‘Operation Restore Order will be sustained and expanded as intelligence dictates, with continued occupation of dislodged sites and follow-up enforcement to prevent immediate reoccupation.

‘ The NDLEA appeals to members of the public to remain vigilant and to support ongoing operations by providing timely and credible information; community cooperation and intelligence sharing remain critical to sustaining the gains of this campaign and bringing major offenders to justice.’

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State says it will not rush to congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory in the August 15 governorship election, insisting that it is still examining the conduct and results of the poll.

The party’s position was disclosed by its Director-General for the governorship campaign, Oluwole Oke, during an interview with Arise News on Monday.

Oke said the campaign organisation had begun a detailed review of the election and would decide its next move after scrutinising the available records.

He said the position of President Bola Tinubu, who congratulated Adeleke after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner, should not be confused with that of the APC campaign team.

According to him, the campaign team was directly involved in the election and was therefore conducting its own assessment of what transpired.

‘And like I’ve told you that what we are doing, even for future, for records, is to conduct a thorough review of the entire process and then form our opinion,’ he said.

Oke added, ‘We won’t be under any sort of pressure to easily reach out to congratulate Senator Ademola Adeleke.’

He further said the APC was not accepting INEC’s declaration at this stage.

‘We do not agree with the declaration of INEC. That’s our position for now. We believe he did not score the highest valid votes,’ Oke said.

INEC declared Adeleke the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, ahead of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The ADC candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji prevailed in 11. The margin between the two leading candidates was 66,252 votes.

After his declaration as winner, Adeleke said he expected Oyebamiji to contact him and offer congratulations, describing it as the ‘civilised thing to do’.

The APC campaign team, however, said it would first complete its examination of the election before deciding whether to respond.

‘When you have a project of this nature with the outcome announced by INEC, we will not be in a haste, nor shall we be under pressure without doing the needful,’ Oke said.

He disclosed that the party had instructed its polling agents to submit copies of the relevant electoral documents for verification.

‘We have embarked on an audit process. We have asked all our party agents to submit copies of Forms EC8A, B, and C to our secretariat for review. We need to inspect the materials,’ he said.

The APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, also said the party was still analysing results from all 332 wards in the state.

The party maintained that the electoral process could extend beyond the announcement of results, noting that an election was ‘a process that continues through the tribunal, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court’.

It said it would consult its legal team and consider all available legal options under the Electoral Act if its review uncovered irregularities.

Oke said the review would cover not only election-day events but also developments before the poll and whether they complied with the Electoral Act and other relevant laws.

‘Until we do that and form our opinion, we won’t be able to go further to say anything on this,’ he said.

The APC campaign chief also criticised the Adeleke administration, particularly its performance in education, healthcare and support for farmers.

He said, ‘When you look at this in totality, you can see the failures of government glaring in the citizens’ faces.’

Oke appealed for patience, saying the APC needed sufficient time to complete its assessment before announcing its next course of action.