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The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in last Saturday’s Osun State election, Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, on Friday called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to rein in his supporters and halt alleged attacks on members of the opposition party in the state.

Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, made the appeal while speaking with journalists at the State House, Abuja, shortly after meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The APC candidate alleged that attacks on members of his party had continued after the election, claiming that four or five people were attacked in his hometown, Ikire, on Friday morning.

He said the incidents had been reported to security agencies and urged Adeleke to prevail on his supporters to embrace peace and allow political actors in the state to coexist without violence.

‘I want to advise the governor that it’s important for him to talk to his people. Violence against our people is not too good, and he needs to talk to them so that each and every one of us can be on the same page’, Oyebamiji said.

Asked to shed more light on concerns he had earlier raised over alleged attacks on APC members following the declaration of the governorship election results, Oyebamiji said the situation had persisted.

‘Well, yes. Even as of this morning, in my own village, Ikire, some were attacked; about four, five people were attacked. We have informed the security operatives accordingly. That’s what I have to say about that’, he said.

Oyebamiji, however, appealed to APC members and his supporters across Osun State to remain calm and peaceful, stressing that electoral contests should not be allowed to undermine the peace of the state.

According to him, elections should be approached peacefully because the ultimate purpose of government is to serve the people.

‘The most important thing is to run every election with a peaceful mind. It is important for us Nigerians to know that government is about people, and because it’s about people, it is important that we be peaceful. I want to appeal to our people in Osun that they need to be peaceful,’ he said.

The APC candidate also said the party was still reviewing the outcome of the August 15 governorship election and had yet to make a final decision on its next course of action.

He said the party would make its position public after completing its examination of the election results and other relevant records.

‘For now, the APC is still examining the books, and by the time we spread our sheets, we’ll be able to get back to the public on what our own opinions are and what decisions we want to take, but the take-home is that they should be calm,’ Oyebamiji said.

Oyebamiji’s visit to the Presidential Villa came less than 24 hours after Adeleke met President Tinubu at the State House on Thursday.

Adeleke, who contested the August 15 election on the platform of the Accord Party, was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 511,067 votes.

Oyebamiji, his closest challenger, scored 444,815 votes, leaving a margin of 66,252 votes between the two leading candidates.

Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji carried 11.

Following his meeting with Tinubu on Thursday, Adeleke had thanked the President for allowing what he described as a free and fair election in Osun, saying Tinubu’s conduct reflected his longstanding commitment to Nigeria’s democratic struggle.

Oyebamiji’s comments on Friday, however, indicated that the APC was keeping its options open on the election outcome, even as he urged party members to remain peaceful pending the conclusion of its review.

Ishaku Yamawo, Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Federal Capital Territory, says Nigerians will re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027 based on recorded achievements under his administration.

Yamawo stated this on Thursday in Abuja during the unveiling of ‘Project 4+4 for Tinubu/Shettima 2027’.

It was organised by the Forum of 2027 APC Female Aspirants and Candidates Network (FAFAN) and Traditional and Religious Women Leaders Network (TARWLN-RHA).

‘Looking at the record so far, Mr President has performed excellently. In the political setting, you hardly see 70-80% agreeing to the government in power because of some policy.

‘I want to assure you, come 2027, Nigeria will be a different country from what we are facing today. If you are talking of insecurity, the challenge is winding down gradually,’ he said.

Yamawo said that Nigerians have benefited from the President’s policies and projects, hence the need to give him another four-year term for continuity.

‘I’m fully convinced that Nigerians are going to vote for Mr President and other candidates of our party in Nigeria,’ he said.

On FCT-specific achievements, Tanko noted that the President had addressed long-standing issues of representation and infrastructure in the territory.

‘I think Mr President has done everything for us as people of FCT; the residents and the original inhabitants.

‘Before now, we don’t have a representative in the Federal Executive Council. Today, we have a minister that is an indigene of FCT,’ he said.

He cited road projects in communities as evidence of government presence in the lives of the people.

‘Go to villages like Dangara, Gomani Road. But today, you have roads with street lights from Dangara and Gomani communities, ‘ he added.

The event also featured the inauguration of National, Zonal and State Coordinators of FAFAN and TARWLN, and the endorsement of Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima and all 2027 APC female candidates.

The Chairman of the occasion, James Faleke, said the project tagged ‘Operation Water the Ground – Get Out the Vote’ was designed for early grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) has urged the federal government, state governors and Houses of Assembly to fast-track the establishment and implementation of state police, saying worsening insecurity across the country has made decentralised policing necessary.

The senators expressed concern over recent terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Sokoto states, which they said claimed more than 36 lives, including security personnel and worshippers.

In a statement on Friday, Chairman of the forum, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua (APC, Katsina Central), called on the Presidential Working Group chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, state governors and Houses of Assembly to expedite action on the State Police Bill awaiting ratification.

The forum said the prevailing security challenges required urgent reforms rather than prolonged bureaucratic processes.

‘Decentralised policing is critical to improving response time and intelligence gathering at the grassroots.

‘We cannot continue to lose innocent lives to insurgents while bureaucracy delays critical security reforms. The time to act is now,’ the senators said.

The forum condemned the attacks on the Gaya community in Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and Ungushi village in Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

It said more than 36 Nigerians, including security personnel and worshippers, were killed in the attacks.

‘The Northern Senators Forum strongly condemns the recent wave of terrorist attacks in Gaya community, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State and in Ungushi village, Kebbe Local Government Area of Sokoto State, which have claimed the lives of over 36 Nigerians, including security personnel and innocent worshippers,’ the statement said.

The lawmakers commiserated with the families of the victims and prayed for the repose of their souls, while wishing those injured speedy recovery.

Beyond state police, the senators urged state and local governments to strengthen community vigilante groups, describing them as important partners in intelligence gathering for the police and military.

They said closer collaboration between security agencies and local communities would strengthen early warning systems and enable authorities to respond more quickly to emerging threats.

The forum maintained that the recent attacks underscored the need for comprehensive security reforms, warning that further delays could expose more communities and Nigerians to terrorist attacks.

Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, was captured in a light-hearted moment with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, jokingly claiming victory for his side in a video that went viral on Friday.

The clip, shared on Instagram by OfficialPrinceNwauzor, was recorded on Thursday during a visit by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to Wike’s office.

In the video, Davido, dressed in brown traditional attire, stood and repeatedly told the minister, ‘I won. I beat you guys.’

Wike, seated in a white shirt, responded with a smile, ‘No, no.’

‘I won! I beat you,’ Davido insisted.

‘You beat us?’ Wike asked.

‘I beat you,’ Davido replied, as laughter and shouts of ‘I beg o’ filled the background.

The exchange ended with Davido prostrating before Wike and embracing him, drawing cheers and applause from those present.

Governor Adeleke had earlier met President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa before proceeding to visit the FCT Minister.

Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party with 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.

He won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas.

Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has assured investors of a safe environment for their businesses to thrive.

He said his administration recognised the private sector as a critical partner in development.

He said his SHINE Agenda was designed to improve infrastructure, strengthen security, support agriculture and human development, thus creating an enabling environment for businesses and investors.

Governor Okpebholo spoke in Gbelebu, Ovia South West Local Government while inaugurating a mini solar power grid established for the community by Okomu Oil Palm Company PLC, in partnership with the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) and ETIN Power.

The governor, represented by his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, said the solar project was beyond providing electricity to the community, but represented an investment in the people, their livelihoods, economic opportunities and quality of life.

Okpebholo commended Okomu Oil Palm Company and its development partners for the initiative.

He urged other businesses operating in the state to emulate the gesture by supporting their host communities.

The governor appealed to communities to protect legitimate investments and regard responsible businesses as partners in development.

Acting Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government, Mr Nosakhare Edobor, advised residents of Gbelebu to protect developmental projects located in the community.

Managing Director of Okomu Oil Palm Company plc, Mr Graham Hefer, said the company remained committed to contributing to the development of its host communities.

The Amanawei of Gbelebu Community, High Chief Enoch Sulubor, thanked the oil firm for the development projects in the community.

The Face of Good Governance Nigeria (FOGGN) has expressed its commitment to mobilising support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Director-General of FOGGN, Sonia Joy Okochichi, alongside other stakeholders, reaffirmed the organisation’s support for the President during a road walk in Abuja.

Okochichi said the group’s support for the administration was based on the belief that the government’s policies and programmes could contribute to economic growth, youth empowerment and national development.

The road walk, which started in Nyanya and ended at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, drew youths, members of the organisation, and other supporters who expressed confidence in the administration and its policies.

Participants carried placards and chanted solidarity messages as they moved through the city, saying the exercise aimed to demonstrate their support for continuity, good governance and the country’s development.

The organisers explained that the exercise was intended not only to demonstrate political support for the President but also to promote peace, unity, and responsible citizenship among Nigerians.

According to them, the road walk gave young Nigerians a platform to express their views on national issues and encouraged greater participation in the country’s democratic process.

They stressed the need for sustained youth involvement in governance and national development, noting that young Nigerians have important roles to play in shaping the country’s future.

Okochichi and other stakeholders called on youths to remain committed to Nigeria’s progress and to participate constructively in the democratic process.

Representatives of the Minister of Youth and Sports Development and the Director-General of the Tinubu Support Group commended participants for their commitment and peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.

They said initiatives that encourage youth participation in national affairs could create more opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.

The representatives also urged young people to remain peaceful and law-abiding while actively participating in programmes and initiatives that promote national unity and development.

At the Federal Secretariat, where the road walk ended, participants reiterated their support for the President and called for sustained efforts to address the country’s development challenges.

FOGGN said it would continue to engage Nigerians, particularly youths, on issues of governance and development while mobilising support for its preferred political direction ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The Edo State Government has denied reports that Governor Monday Okpebholo banned Nigerian musician David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, from entering the state.

The denial followed a viral video in which an aide to the governor, Pastor Kassy Chukwu, claimed that Davido had been barred from visiting Edo State.

However, Okpebholo, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dissociated his administration from the claim, describing the person behind the purported ban as an impostor.

The governor said Edo State remained open to everyone regardless of their beliefs, political affiliations or other interests.

‘Our enemies are at it again; we did not ban Davido from entering Edo State,’ the statement said.

The governor added that his administration would be willing to collaborate with the musician if he intended to perform in the state in the future.

He described Davido as ‘one of our illustrious sons’, noting that the singer’s mother is from Edo State.

‘Should he wish to visit Edo State, we would happily host and fete him,’ he said.

Okpebholo said the disagreement involving Davido after the recent Osun State governorship election was political and had no personal dimension.

He described Davido as a global ambassador for Nigeria and commended his achievements in the music industry.

‘As a government, we are pleased with his conduct, commitment and calculated conquest in the music industry. Indeed, we look forward to him being awarded a Grammy title,’ the governor said.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on residents to set aside divisions created by the just-concluded governorship election and work together for the state’s continued development.

Adeleke made the appeal in a statement shared on his X account on Friday, days after securing re-election for a second term.

The governor expressed appreciation to the people of Osun for renewing his mandate, describing the outcome as a victory for every resident of the state.

He thanked traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, civil servants, pensioners, youths, women, artisans, traders, farmers and other citizens for their support and for voting to sustain his administration.

‘It is time to heal, unite and continue building a greater Osun,’ Adeleke said.

He added, ‘My dear people of Osun State, I am deeply humbled and grateful for the confidence you have reposed in me by re-electing me as your Governor.

‘To our traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, civil servants, pensioners, youths, women, artisans, traders, farmers, and every citizen who came out to vote and support our administration; thank you for believing in us and choosing continuity.’

Adeleke said he accepted the renewed mandate with humility and a deep sense of responsibility, stressing that the victory belonged to all residents, regardless of political affiliation.

The governor also sympathised with families who lost loved ones in incidents of electoral violence recorded before the poll.

‘As we celebrate, we also remember the victims of electoral violence before the election. My heartfelt condolences go to their families and loved ones,’ he said.

He prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and urged residents to move beyond the painful experiences and focus on the state’s collective progress.

‘May Almighty God grant the departed eternal rest and comfort those they left behind. Together, let us heal, unite and continue building a greater Osun,’ he added.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has called on Nigerian journalists to prioritise the dignity, privacy, safety and best interests of children in their reporting.

The call was set out in a communiqué issued at the end of a two-day national workshop on ethical reporting about children, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, from August 19 to 20.

Organised under the auspices of the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) and UNICEF, the workshop brought together 40 journalists from the North Central, South East and South South geopolitical zones, representing print, broadcast and online media.

Participants deliberated on the ethical, legal and professional responsibilities of journalists in reporting on issues affecting children and adopted a number of resolutions to strengthen child-sensitive journalism.

They urged journalists to report issues involving children accurately, without presenting allegations as established facts.

They also advised media practitioners to use appropriate terms such as ‘alleged’ or ‘accused’ until guilt is established by a competent court, while avoiding graphic, sensational or unnecessary details that could expose children to further harm, stigma, discrimination or exploitation.

The participants stressed that children’s protection, medical care, psychological well-being and access to justice must remain central to reports involving them.

They also cautioned journalists against conducting interviews in ways that could cause further trauma or re-traumatisation.

According to the communiqué, journalists should seek relevant information from appropriate authorities, including the police and recognised child-protection agencies, when reporting cases involving children.

The participants further urged journalists to disclose any personal relationship or conflict of interest to their editors and, where necessary, allow another journalist to handle the assignment.

They said media reports should focus public attention on child protection, institutional response and accountability rather than unnecessary details of alleged sexual or other forms of abuse.

The workshop also called on media organisations to establish dedicated Child Rights Desks in their newsrooms to ensure sustained attention to issues affecting children and promote specialised reporting on children’s rights.

The participants urged bloggers and online journalism platforms to provide additional avenues for reporting child-rights issues while maintaining the same ethical, legal and professional standards expected of mainstream media.

Susan Akila of UNICEF, Temitoye Falayi of CRIB, Dr Geoffrey Njoku of Truevine Communications, Namsel Nimyel, former Executive Director of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lanre Idowu of DAME, and Dr Jide Johnson of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism facilitated the workshop.

The training covered child rights and the role of the media, ethical principles in reporting children’s issues, balancing public interest with child protection, trauma-informed journalism, storytelling that protects and empowers, and the legal and institutional framework for reporting on children in Nigeria.

In their recommendations, the participants called for strengthening and sustaining the strategic partnership between UNICEF and the Guild of Editors on coverage of issues affecting children.

They said the partnership would strengthen newsrooms’ capacity to consistently and responsibly report issues affecting children and ensure that journalists’ efforts to amplify children’s rights and concerns receive institutional support.

The journalists also called on UNICEF to broaden its training programmes to include media owners, publishers and senior management of media organisations, including the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria and the National Broadcasting Organisations.

They said involving media owners and senior managers would help institutionalise child-sensitive reporting policies and practices across newsrooms.

The participants further recommended that media organisations develop and implement internal child-protection and ethical reporting policies to guide journalists and editors handling stories involving children.

They also called for regular training and capacity-building programmes for journalists, editors and other media professionals on child rights, trauma-informed journalism, digital safety, privacy and the legal framework governing the reporting of children in Nigeria.

The participants expressed appreciation to UNICEF for funding and sponsoring the training and retraining of journalists, saying the initiative would strengthen responsible media coverage of children’s issues and contribute to protecting and promoting children’s rights.

They also appreciated the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation and the Child Rights Information Bureau for supporting initiatives to strengthen ethical and responsible reporting on children.

The participants reaffirmed their commitment to journalism that informs, protects and empowers children, stressing that while the media has a critical role in amplifying children’s voices and exposing violations of their rights, reportage should not become a source of further harm.

The resolutions are consistent with concerns raised by UNICEF and other facilitators at the Port Harcourt workshop that sensationalism, inappropriate identification and intrusive reporting can expose vulnerable children to stigma and further trauma.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Representatives candidate for Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency of Taraba State, Mukhtar Galadima, has commended the military and other security agencies for rescuing 18 kidnapped victims in Ibi Local Government Area of the state.

Galadima, in a statement reacting to the development, described the operation as a major boost to efforts to restore peace and confidence in communities threatened by kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He specifically praised troops of Sector 3 deployed in Ibi for their swift response to reports of kidnapping at Kwatan Bajji in the early hours of August 18, which led to the recovery of the victims.

The PDP candidate said the successful operation should reassure residents of Wukari/Ibi Federal Constituency that the nation’s security forces remain committed to protecting lives and property and to confronting criminal elements operating in the area.

He congratulated the rescued victims and their families, urging security agencies not to relent until all criminal networks responsible for attacks in the area are identified and brought to justice.

Galadima, however, called for stronger collaboration among the military, police, and other security and intelligence agencies, particularly in intelligence gathering and information sharing.

According to him, effective intelligence remains critical to preventing attacks, tracking criminal networks, and disrupting their operations before they can unleash violence on communities.

He also advocated stronger legislative and institutional support for the Armed Forces and other security agencies to improve their operational and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

Galadima said the government must invest more in modern surveillance equipment, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, and the welfare of security personnel to enable them to confront emerging security threats effectively.

He stressed that security operations should move beyond responding to attacks after they occur to developing a proactive system capable of detecting criminal movements and preventing attacks before they happen.

The candidate also urged residents of Wukari/Ibi to support security agencies by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities in their communities.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, and other residents to strengthen cooperation with security agencies, noting that community-based intelligence could play a crucial role in preventing kidnapping and other crimes.

Galadima cautioned residents against withholding useful information out of fear, stressing that early reporting of suspicious movements could prevent crimes and save lives.

He also urged security agencies to protect the identities of credible informants and strengthen confidence in community intelligence networks.

While commending the Federal Government for supporting security operations, Galadima said that sustained investment in security personnel, equipment, intelligence and operational capacity remained essential to achieving lasting peace in Taraba State.

He expressed optimism that stronger inter-agency cooperation, improved legislation, community participation and sustained government support would significantly reduce kidnapping and other forms of crime across Wukari, Ibi and other vulnerable communities in the state.