Oduduwa News

‎In order to ensure accountability and transparency and correct anomalies of past years in the spending of public funds, the Oyo State House of Assembly, through its Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has commenced a probe on Auditor-General’s reports on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Local Government Areas in the state.
‎
‎The consideration for the public hearing, according to the Committee, will cover three years, 2020, 2021, and 2022 for MDAs and two years, 2023 and 2024, for local government areas.
‎
‎The public hearing, which is expected to last two weeks, is being held at the Caucus Room of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Secretariat, Ibadan.
‎
‎The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olusola Owolabi, disclosed that the aim of the exercise is to ensure accountability and transparency in the spending of public funds.
‎
‎The lawmaker, who represents Ibadan North East State constituency 2, said that the House is acting under Sections 85(5-6), 128, and 129 of the Nigerian Constitution to re-examine every query on public income, expenditure, and internally generated revenue by the MDAs and council areas.
‎
‎Hon. Owolabi, who vowed that the Committee would not hesitate to refer culpable officers to the anti-graft agency for further probe, said that the House of Assembly, after years of unanswered audit queries, is ready to address years of negligence and check how public funds are spent.
‎
‎”The Constitution has saddled the House of Assembly with the responsibility of rechecking what the Auditor-General has raised. What were the responses of our agencies, ministries, and corporations to the audit queries? That is why we have to invite all MDAs and institutions to come and tell us what their answers to the Auditor-General’s queries were.
‎
‎”The objective is accountability. Money is being budgeted, and money is being given as releases, but they are not telling us how it is being spent. It is a public fund; it is taxpayers’ money. It belongs to all of us. So, we have to confirm what is being spent on. We have the right as a House of Assembly to scrutinize income and expenditure for accountability and transparency purposes.
‎
‎”Oyo State has an agency that has to do with the rule of law, that’s number one. Another agency we call Oyaka has to do with investigation, investigating corrupt officers and corrupt corporations. These agencies were established so that the accountability of Oyo State money will be paramount. When we find out that any person or any corporation or any agency is culpable, we hand them over to the anti-graft agency so that they can answer in detail so that the law will take its place,” Hon. Owolabi said.
‎
‎Revealing the guidelines for the public hearing to invited agencies, a member of the Committee, Hon. Olasunkanmi Babalola, warned that officials found liable for misappropriation, unauthorized spending, diversion, or contract irregularities would be referred to Oyo State anti-graft agencies.
‎
‎He established that the exercise is a legal duty, not a political move, saying that budget passage must be matched by transparent spending.
‎
‎Other members of the Oyo State House of Assembly Committee on Public Accounts are Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, Hon. Abiodun Babalola, and Hon. Johnson Ogundele.
‎
The Clerk of the House, Bar. Adenike Taiwo Muraina-Akinola, who was represented by the Deputy Clerk, Legal, Mrs. Aderonke Ogundeji, called on all the invited MDAs and local governments to cooperate with the Committee, emphasizing that the exercise is not to witch-hunt them.

Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has described the internal legal dispute within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a ‘family quarrel’ that should come to an end following the judgment of the Court of Appeal, in a ruling reshaping the party’s leadership dispute, which invalidated the party’s Ibadan convention and upheld the suspension of Samuel Anyanwu as national secretary.

The court ruling has now pushed party leaders toward a negotiated settlement.

The decision has also renewed calls within the party to resolve months of disagreements that eventually ended up in court, with senior figures now pushing for talks aimed at harmonising positions and restoring stability within the opposition party ahead of future political contests.

In a statement on Monday, Dr. Hashim maintained that leaders from the contending sides had already agreed in principle to work toward common ground through ongoing talks and negotiations.

“This is a family quarrel that must now end at the Appeal Court.

” Leaders on both sides have agreed in principle to unite and harmonise positions in all the talks and negotiations we have heard,” he said.

He also expressed optimism that the reconciliation efforts would succeed, noting that party members and many Nigerians are eager to see a united opposition.

“We trust that this unity would be achieved by the grace of God. Nigerians earnestly expect this and posterity demands it,” he added.

The Peoples Democratic Party has in recent months been dealing with internal disagreements and legal battles among rival factions, a situation party stakeholders say, must be resolved to restore cohesion and strengthen the party ahead of future political contests.

Since 2023 General Elections, no fewer than nine PDP governors have left the party, citing an irreconcilable crisis.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the national convention of the (PDP) held in , , dealing a fresh blow to the opposition party’s leadership structure.

The appellate court upheld an earlier judgment of the which declared the convention invalid on the grounds that it was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders restraining the party from holding the exercise.

The convention, held in November 2025 in Ibadan, had produced new national officers for the party, a development that intensified the internal crisis within the PDP as rival factions laid claim to the party’s leadership.

With the ruling, all decisions taken at the convention have been set aside, while the court affirmed that the party must follow due legal processes before conducting another convention, further deepening the leadership tussle within the PDP.

Suspected political thugs on Sunday invaded the Ibadan residence of former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, , destroying vehicles and other valuable property within the premises.

The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours when the attackers stormed the residence located in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. Eyewitnesses said the hoodlums, who arrived in groups, vandalised several vehicles parked in the compound and damaged parts of the building before fleeing the scene.

Sources close to the former deputy governor said the attackers smashed windscreens of vehicles, destroyed household items and caused panic in the neighbourhood. Although no casualty was reported, the incident left residents of the area in fear.

The motive behind the attack had not been officially confirmed as of the time of filing this report, but political observers suspect it may be linked to rising tensions within the in Oyo State.

When contacted, aides of condemned the attack, describing it as a dangerous development capable of heating up the political atmosphere in the state. They called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice.

Efforts to reach the for an official reaction were ongoing at the time of filing this report, but residents said security personnel had since visited the scene to assess the damage.

The attack has sparked concerns among political stakeholders in , with calls for restraint and peaceful engagement among political actors as the political climate in the state continues to intensify.

Nigerians have begun to express deep frustration and concern following a fresh increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, as the country continues to grapple with harsh economic conditions.

Checks Oduduwa News reveal that the price of petrol has surged to as high as ₦1,040 per litre in Lagos, ₦1,050 per litre in Ibadan and ₦1,080 per litre in Abuja, after fuel marketers effected a new price adjustment across several retail outlets.

The latest increase comes barely 24 hours after the Dangote Refinery raised its ex-gantry price of petrol to ₦995 per litre, a development that has quickly triggered a ripple effect across filling stations nationwide.

Many motorists and commuters who spoke with Lagos Reporters lamented that the rising cost of fuel will further worsen the already high cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods.

Residents say the continuous hike in petrol prices is placing enormous pressure on household incomes, with many families struggling to cope with the growing economic hardship.

Economic analysts warn that the development could further fuel inflation, as businesses are likely to transfer the increased cost of fuel to consumers through higher prices of goods and services.

As Nigerians continue to feel the impact of the latest fuel price adjustment, citizens are calling on the government to urgently introduce measures that will cushion the effect of the rising cost of petrol on the masses.

After months of public tension, legal disputes and factional maneuvering within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), fresh signs of reconciliation are emerging following what party insiders describe as a carefully coordinated mediation effort led by Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a presidential aspirant in the party.

Multiple high-level sources within the party confirmed that Hashim, a founding member of the PDP in 1998 and a former presidential candidate, has been quietly engaging key stakeholders across rival blocs in a bid to halt escalating internal divisions and reposition the party ahead of future electoral contests.

Officials familiar with the process said the reconciliation initiative began in January with consultations involving leaders of the Turaki bloc before extending to discussions with Mallam Abdulrahman, a prominent figure within the faction often associated with former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
Sources said the conversations were substantive and focused largely on the political and institutional consequences of prolonged litigation within the party.

Hashim is said to have emphasized the risks associated with sustained court battles, warning that extended judicial confrontation could erode the party’s institutional stability and weaken its electoral preparedness. Insiders noted that the thrust of the mediation effort was not personal rapprochement but the safeguarding of the party’s structural integrity.

In a move widely interpreted as invoking the authority of the party’s founding generation, Hashim also consulted former Heads of State, Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, both influential figures in the PDP’s early years.
Although neither elder statesman has publicly commented on the consultations, sources indicated that their counsel centered on unity, stability and national competitiveness as essential pillars for the party’s revival.

Party insiders said the consultations helped reinforce the perception that the mediation was an institutional effort rather than a factional maneuver, particularly as Hashim is not widely associated with any of the competing factions.

Developments in the legal arena also appear to be reinforcing the push for reconciliation.

During the hearing of an appeal at the Court of Appeal of Nigeria sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday, the justices reportedly advised the parties involved in the dispute to consider reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of political stability and internal dispute resolution within political parties.

Last weekend reportedly marked a significant turning point. Intensified backchannel communications between key figures on both sides culminated in what sources described as an agreement in principle to begin harmonizing positions irrespective of pending court rulings.

The factions, insiders said, are prepared to deepen internal consultations and move toward structured, face-to-face engagement.
While formal documentation of the understanding has yet to be finalized, the mood within party circles appears to have shifted.
“The temperature has dropped,” a senior party official said. “People are talking again.”

Another party source described the prevailing sentiment more broadly.
“The mood in the party is reconciliation, whatever the expected decision of the Court of Appeal early next week. Many members’ political careers depend on it. Those aspiring to the State Assembly, governorship seats, the House of Representatives and the Senate all understand that their ambitions depend on having a stable and united party,” the source said.

Political analysts observe that the timing of the reconciliation push may prove strategic.
The PDP’s recent performance in Area Council elections, they noted, demonstrated the resilience of the party’s grassroots machinery. However, party leaders acknowledge that cohesion at the top remains critical to sustaining momentum at the base.
“The structure is strong. What was missing was cohesion,” another senior party member said.

Observers argue that the emerging truce could mark more than the end of a crisis. It may represent a broader recalibration aimed at restoring the PDP’s credibility as a consolidated opposition platform ahead of the next electoral cycle.

For Hashim, who previously served as Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, the initiative signals a renewed assertion of influence by founding members within a political organisation increasingly shaped by newer power blocs. His consistent advocacy for an out-of-court resolution appears to have resonated with stakeholders concerned about institutional fatigue and public perception.

Whether the tentative breakthrough will translate into durable structural unity remains uncertain. Legal proceedings are ongoing, political ambitions persist, and alliances in Nigerian politics often shift rapidly.

Nevertheless, insiders agree on one notable development , previously frozen communication channels are now open.
If the current momentum is sustained, the PDP may be entering not only a phase of reconciliation but also a period of strategic repositioning , a process that, in Nigeria’s political landscape, often precedes political resurgence.

The Basorun of Ajia Land and National President of the Igbo Elerin Grammar School Old Students’ Association, Engr. Sunday Gbenjo, on Friday marked his 63rd birthday with students of his alma mater, Igbo Elerin Grammar School, Ibadan, where he donated sports equipment and pledged continued support for the development of the school.

Gbenjo, a respected community leader and philanthropist, began the celebration with a visit to the school where he donated a standard table tennis board and kits to promote sporting activities among students.

He also presented a cash reward of N100,000 to the house that emerged overall winner at the school’s last inter-house sports competition held in February.

The event attracted members of his team, friends, national executives of the old students’ association and other well-wishers, who were warmly received by the school community.

Students of the school added colour to the occasion with cultural dance performances and chants, creating a lively atmosphere during the celebration.

Speaking at the event, Gbenjo explained that the donation was in fulfillment of a promise he made during the school’s recent inter-house sports competition.

He said, “The donation is a fulfilment of the promise I made during the inter-house sports held in February. I believe strongly in giving back to the school that helped shape my early life.”

The Ajia chief further assured the school of his continued support, noting that more developmental projects would be undertaken if the donated facilities were properly utilised.

He added that the association had already facilitated several projects in the school and remained committed to improving learning and extracurricular activities for the students.

Gbenjo, who previously served as President of Egbe Omo-Omo Ajorosun Club, a foremost socio-cultural group in Ibadan, is widely known for his philanthropic contributions and support for community development initiatives.

Later in the evening, the celebrant hosted friends, family members and associates to an iftar gathering at his residence, which was attended by business associates, community leaders and well-wishers.

The event featured goodwill messages, presentation of gifts and awards in honour of the celebrant.

…Say Gbolarumi cannot destabilise party in the state

Two prominent Ibadan Mogajis and chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have warned a former party member, Diran Odeyemi, to steer clear of the affairs of the party, describing his recent comments on the party’s internal matters as unnecessary and provocative.

The warning was issued by two prominent party stakeholders, Mogaji Abass Oloko and Mogaji Ademola Olasomi Oladosu, who also criticised former deputy governor of the state, , for what they described as actions capable of causing disharmony within the party.

In a statement made available to journalists in on Friday, the Mogajis said it was surprising that , who they claimed was no longer an active member of the PDP in the state, would continue to make comments on issues concerning the party. They said such actions were capable of misleading the public and creating unnecessary tension within the party structure.

The duo maintained that the PDP in Oyo State remains united and firmly under the leadership of Governor , stressing that no individual or group has the capacity to destabilise the party ahead of future political engagements.

They also cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, , against interfering in the internal affairs of the party in Oyo State, insisting that the state chapter of the PDP is capable of managing its own issues without external influence.

According to them, attempts by some individuals to align with external political interests in order to create division within the party would not succeed, noting that party leaders and grassroots stakeholders remain committed to protecting the unity and stability of the PDP in the state.

The Mogajis further stated that the alleged political moves by Gbolarumi would not gain traction among party faithful, adding that members across the state remain loyal to the existing leadership and the collective vision that has sustained the PDP’s dominance in Oyo State.

They urged party members and supporters to remain calm and focused, assuring that the leadership of the party would not allow distractions capable of derailing its programmes and preparations for future elections.

The PDP chieftains also reaffirmed their support for Governor Makinde’s administration, describing his leadership style as inclusive and responsible, while urging those with grievances to channel them through appropriate party structures rather than engaging in public confrontations.

They concluded by warning that individuals who are no longer part of the party should refrain from making inflammatory remarks about its internal affairs, stressing that the PDP in Oyo State remains united and committed to strengthening its structures across all local governments.

President has approved the posting of 65 ambassadors-designate to various countries and international missions across the world to represent Nigeria’s diplomatic interests.

The list, which comprises 31 career diplomats and 34 non-career ambassadors, was earlier confirmed by the Senate in December 2025. The postings were announced in a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, , on Friday.

Among the non-career ambassadors are former Minister of Aviation , who has been posted to Germany; former presidential aide to Mexico; former Minister of Interior to China; former Lagos State Deputy Governor to Australia; and former Director-General of the Department of State Services to France. Also on the list are former Senate spokesperson to South Africa and former Chief of Naval Staff to the Philippines.

Other prominent appointments include businessman and former senator as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, former Minister of Health to Canada, and security expert to the United States. Former Nigerian Ambassador and diplomat was also listed among the envoys deployed to serve in Nigeria’s foreign missions.

According to the statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already received agrément from the United Kingdom for Ambassador Aminu Dalhatu as High Commissioner-designate, while France has approved the appointment of Ambassador Ayodele Oke. Requests for agrément for the other ambassadors have also been sent to their respective host countries in line with diplomatic protocol.

President Tinubu further directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to immediately commence an induction programme for all ambassadors-designate and high commissioners ahead of their deployment to their respective countries.

Africa’s preeminent peacebuilding organization, the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), has called for a global reassessment of foreign military deployments, urging the United Nations and the broader international community to consider a phased shutdown of foreign military bases worldwide in light of the escalating Middle East crisis.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, PeacePro argued that the current crisis in the Middle East between US-Isreal and Iran, aswell as the Gulf States demonstrate the dangers of forward military positioning and alliance based security architecture.

“Militarization breeds escalation,” Hamzat said.

PeacePro stated that the presence of foreign military bases often transforms regional disputes into international confrontations.

“The continued expansion of foreign military bases across sovereign territories has increased the likelihood of global entanglement in regional conflicts,” Hamzat said. “The Middle East crisis is a reminder that militarized deterrence frequently produces escalation rather than peace.”

PeacePro emphasized that foreign bases can make host nations potential targets during geopolitical disputes, heightening civilian vulnerability and destabilizing entire regions.

PeacePro urged major global powers, including the United States, China, and Russia, to begin negotiations toward a multilateral agreement aimed at reducing permanent foreign troop deployments outside their home territories.

According to Hamzat, a gradual demilitarization framework could include
Phased withdrawal of foreign combat forces,
Conversion of certain military facilities into joint humanitarian or peacekeeping hubs, Strengthening regional security mechanisms independent of great power rivalry and Expanding diplomatic and conflict resolution frameworks.

PeacePro framed the issue as one of sovereignty and global equity.

“No region should become a chessboard for major power competition. True security must be built on cooperation, not encirclement,” Hamzat stated.

Hamzat argued that long term peace depends less on military deterrence and more on economic cooperation, inclusive diplomacy, and respect for sovereign decision making.

While acknowledging that the proposal may face resistance, PeacePro insisted that the current Middle East tensions present a critical opportunity to rethink global security architecture in the 21st century.

PeacePro called on the United Nations and relevant regional blocs to convene a global summit focused specifically on the future of foreign military basing arrangements.

“The world must decide,” PeacePro concluded, “whether security will continue to be built on confrontation, or whether humanity is prepared to move toward cooperative coexistence.”

PeacePro has consistently led advocacy efforts for the demilitarization of Africa and the total shutdown of all foreign military bases across the continent.