President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, describing the outcome as a reflection of the will and confidence of the people.

Tinubu, in a statement issued on Sunday, said he had personally called Adeleke to congratulate him on his victory. He wished the governor “great success” as he prepares to lead Osun State for another four years.

The President, however, urged Adeleke to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of Osun State, irrespective of their political choices, and rally them towards growth, stability and socio-economic progress.

“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election.”

Tinubu also commended the other contestants for their courage and discipline during the election, saying their participation strengthened Nigeria’s democratic culture. He further praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election.

Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, was declared winner after securing 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

Says Accord Party’s Performance Is Also a Victory for Democracy

Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the outcome of the governorship election as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Hashim, in a congratulatory message, commended the people of Osun for exercising their democratic rights and participating in the electoral process.

He said the election had once again demonstrated the power of the people to determine who governs them through the ballot.

“This victory is, above all, a testament to the power of the people and the enduring strength of democracy. When citizens exercise their civic responsibility with courage and conviction, their voice can shape the direction of their state,” he said.

Hashim also congratulated Accord Party leaders, members and supporters who participated in the election, describing their performance and commitment as part of the broader democratic gains recorded in the state.

He said Accord’s participation reinforced the principle that Nigeria’s democracy must remain open to genuine political competition and that every political party and candidate has a role to play in strengthening the democratic process.

The Accord presidential candidate urged Governor Adeleke to see his re-election as a renewed mandate to serve all residents of Osun State, irrespective of political affiliation.

“Elections end, but governance continues. The real responsibility now is to build an Osun where every citizen has a sense of belonging, where development reaches every community, young people have meaningful opportunities, and peace, justice and prosperity remain shared aspirations,” Hashim said.

He also urged all political actors and citizens to put the contest behind them and work towards the development of the state.

“To Governor Adeleke, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes for continued wisdom and success in the service of the people of Osun State.

“To the people of Osun, your voice has been heard. Your mandate has spoken. May this new chapter bring greater peace, progress and prosperity to your dear state,” he added.

Hashim concluded by congratulating Governor Adeleke, the people of Osun State and the entire Accord family, while reaffirming his commitment to democratic renewal and the building of a better Nigeria.

“Above all we give Glory to God” he said.

Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured victory in 19 of Osun State’s 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the ongoing governorship election results collation, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, has won 11 LGAs.

The results are being announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the State Collation Centre in Osogbo.

However, INEC has not yet formally declared the overall winner of the election. The LGA results announced so far only indicate the performance of the candidates across the state, while the commission is still completing the collation of the aggregate results.

Adeleke, the incumbent governor, is seeking another term in office, while Oyebamiji is challenging for the governorship on the APC platform.

The election was held across the 30 LGAs of the state on Saturday, with voters choosing among candidates from various political parties.

The exercise was largely completed across the state, although there were reports of isolated challenges, including delays, malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and allegations of vote-buying and other electoral infractions in some locations.

With Adeleke currently leading in 19 LGAs to Oyebamiji’s 11, attention has shifted to the completion of the state-level collation and the final tally of votes scored by each candidate.

Until the Returning Officer officially announces the final statewide result and declares a winner, it remains premature to report that Adeleke has been declared the winner of the Osun governorship election.

The final declaration by INEC is expected to determine whether Adeleke will retain the Osun governorship for another term or whether the APC will take over the state.

Voting is currently underway across Osun State as residents head to polling units to elect the governor who will lead the state for the next four years. The election, being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is taking place across all 30 local government areas of the state.

A total of 2,339,233 registered voters are eligible for the election, with 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected ahead of the poll. Fifteen political parties are participating in the contest, following the inclusion of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on the ballot after a court order.

The major battle is between incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Adeleke is seeking another term, while the APC is seeking to reclaim the state and the ADC is positioning itself as a major alternative in the contest.

Early reports indicate significant voter turnout in several polling locations, while electoral officials and security agencies continue to oversee the process. There have also been isolated incidents of tension at some polling units, underscoring concerns about security and the need for a peaceful election.

Meanwhile, election-monitoring organisation Yiaga Africa says it is deploying artificial intelligence and its Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) system to independently scrutinise results as they emerge. The organisation says the initiative is designed to strengthen transparency and provide an independent assessment of the final outcome.

The election is being closely watched beyond Osun, with observers describing it as an important test of Nigeria’s electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections. Attention will now shift to counting, transmission and collation of results after voting ends.

Lagos — Lagos State Governor has commissioned the Lagos Fresh Food Hub at Pen Cinema, Agege, a modern facility designed to streamline the movement of food from farmers and suppliers to communities across the state.

Speaking at the commissioning on today, the governor said the 7,000-square-metre hub was built to make food distribution faster, safer, and more efficient for traders and consumers.

The facility features trading spaces for hundreds of vendors, dry and cold storage units, a dedicated seafood section, ample parking, and electric vehicle charging points.

According to the governor, the hub does more than provide infrastructure.
“More importantly, it brings farmers, traders, retailers, institutional buyers and consumers together in a more organised food distribution system,” he said.

He explained that Agege is one of the middle-level hubs in the state’s wider food distribution network, with supply coming directly from the Central Food Security and Logistics Hub at Ketu-Ereyun.

The governor added that with similar hubs in locations such as Mushin, the administration is working to bring food distribution closer to residents and strengthen food security across Lagos.

The new Agege hub is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve price stability, and create jobs for traders and logistics operators in the area.

The commissioning was attended by members of the State Executive Council, market leaders, farmers’ associations, and other stakeholders.

Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has mobilised the party’s structures across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging party leaders, candidates and supporters across all divides to close ranks and work collectively to deliver Accord at the polls.

The mobilisation took place amid the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Accord Party in Osun State and competing claims over the party’s political direction.

Addressing party stakeholders drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state at a meeting in Osogbo on Thursday, Hashim, who was represented by the National Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) and South-West Coordinator, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, described Accord as “one family”, urging members to put internal disagreements behind them and concentrate on strengthening the party’s organisation ahead of the election.

“Accord is one family. We may have disagreements, but our shared commitment to the party and to democratic renewal must remain stronger than our differences.”

Hashim called on Accord leaders across the state to activate their respective structures and ensure that the party maintains a strong presence across wards and polling units.

He said the immediate priority was to preserve the integrity of the Accord structure, maintain unity among members and ensure that supporters participate peacefully and confidently in the electoral process.

The Accord presidential candidate urged party members in Osun not to lose faith in the party, insisting that Accord’s future must be determined by the commitment of its members and the strength of its democratic structures.

Hashim also urged the Osun structures to remain disciplined, peaceful and focused on the election, warning that political disagreements should not be allowed to weaken the party’s organisational foundation.

“This is the time to unite. This is the time to mobilise. This is the time to demonstrate that Accord is bigger than any individual. We are one family, and we must act as one family,” he said.

He further urged Accord supporters to resist provocation and intimidation, insisting that the party’s response to political pressure must be peaceful mobilisation and democratic participation.

“Nobody should be intimidated. Nobody should be provoked into violence. Our strength is our organisation, our people and our commitment to democracy,” Hashim said.

He called on party leaders, candidates and supporters across Osun to turn out peacefully on August 15 and participate fully in the electoral process.

“Let us close ranks, mobilise our people and protect the Accord family. Whatever our differences may have been, today we have one responsibility, which is to deliver Accord at the poll on August 15,” he added.

The meeting also provided a visible show of support for the Hashim project, as the hall was filled with participants wearing face caps bearing the inscription “Gbenga Hashim for Imole.”

Among those present were Hon. Wumi Ajibade Fadaka from Ife East, Hon. Adewuyi Adediji from Egbedore Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Adelakun Khadijah from Ede South Local Government and Elder Ponle, among other party stakeholders and supporters.

The mobilisation underscores Hashim’s call for Accord members to set aside internal differences, strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and approach the election as a united political family.

With the election only days away, the meeting ended with a renewed emphasis on unity, grassroots mobilisation, peaceful participation and the protection of Accord’s presence across Osun’s wards and polling units.

The Federal Ministry of Youth Development has thrown its weight behind the Ọ̀yọ́ State Emerging Political Leaders Summit 2026, with the Minister, Ayodele Olawande, describing it as a “timely and significant” platform to prepare a new generation of leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a formal endorsement letter dated August 11, 2026, and addressed to the Convener, Wale Ajani, the Minister said the summit represents a critical intervention to deepen political participation and strengthen the place of young people in Nigeria’s democracy.

The 2-day summit is scheduled for August 24–25, 2026 at the Ibadan Civic Centre, Agodi GRA, Ibadan under the theme: “Bridging the Gap, Uniting Political Strength, and Mobilizing Emerging Leaders for 2027.”

The Minister used the endorsement to issue a direct challenge to Nigeria’s political class, warning against treating young people as election-season tools.

“I have consistently maintained that young people must not be regarded merely as foot soldiers of politics or mobilised only when elections approach,” the Minister stated.

“They must be recognised as stakeholders, decision-makers and leaders with a legitimate role in shaping the direction of their communities and our country.”

As Nigeria approaches another democratic transition, he said the country “must deliberately create platforms that promote inclusion, encourage constructive political engagement and prepare a new generation of leaders with the character, competence and capacity to contribute meaningfully to governance.”

In what may become the defining soundbite of the summit, the Minister laid out a new code of conduct for emerging political leaders heading into 2027:

“We need young political leaders who can organise without dividing, compete without destroying relationships, disagree without becoming enemies, and understand that politics must ultimately be about service, responsibility and improving the lives of the people.”

The summit, convened by renowned political strategist Wale Ajani, is expected to draw emerging political leaders, youth stakeholders, grassroots mobilisers, women leaders and other influential voices from across Ọ̀yọ́ State.

The Minister commended the organising team and urged participants to see the gathering as more than “another political gathering.”

“I encourage all participants to see the Summit as an opportunity to build bridges, exchange ideas, strengthen unity and inspire a new generation of purposeful political leadership,” Olawande wrote.

“The future of our democracy will be shaped by young people who are prepared not only to seek leadership, but to demonstrate the character, competence and courage required to lead.”

With federal backing now secured just two weeks to the event, expectations are high that the Ibadan Civic Centre will host one of the most consequential youth political gatherings in the South-West ahead of 2027.

…Seizes prohibited goods, vehicles in intensified anti-smuggling operations

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ (FOU ‘A’), has intercepted 220 consignments of prohibited and illegally imported goods with a combined duty-paid value of about N3.24 billion in the South-West.

The development was disclosed by the Unit on Monday as Customs intensified its operations against smuggling networks operating across the South-West corridor. The seizures followed a series of intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting the movement of prohibited goods and denying smugglers access to established routes in the region.

According to the NCS, the intercepted consignments comprised various categories of prohibited goods, which were seized in line with the provisions of Nigeria’s customs laws and the Federal Government’s policy on restricted imports.

The Unit said the latest seizures reflected its continued efforts to strengthen border control, protect legitimate businesses and prevent the activities of smugglers from undermining the Nigerian economy.

The NCS has consistently maintained that smuggling poses significant threats to domestic industries, government revenue and national security, particularly when prohibited commodities are moved through unapproved routes and concealed in vehicles or other means of transportation.

The Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’, which covers the South-West, has consequently intensified surveillance and intelligence gathering along major smuggling corridors in the region.

The Customs authorities also warned individuals and organised groups involved in smuggling that the Service would continue to deploy intelligence, technology and operational resources to identify and dismantle their networks.

The NCS urged members of the public to support its anti-smuggling campaign by providing credible information on suspicious activities, while encouraging traders and importers to comply with existing customs regulations.

The latest seizure, valued at N3.24 billion, represents another major setback for smuggling networks operating across the South-West and underscores the Customs Service’s renewed determination to tighten enforcement and protect Nigeria’s economic interests.

The Service said its operations would continue, with particular attention being paid to routes and locations identified as major channels for the movement of prohibited goods.

…NBA deploys National Election Observers Team, urges politicians, security agencies to uphold peace and neutrality

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern warning against the escalation of political violence in Osun State, declaring that the state must not be allowed to “go up in flames” over the struggle for political power ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, raised the alarm on Wednesday in Osogbo while addressing journalists after arriving in the state with members of the association’s election observation team. He said the deteriorating security situation had compelled the NBA to commence its election observation activities before election day.

According to Osigwe, available data indicated that about 73 election-related violence incidents had been reported in Osun State, while one report put the number of people killed between May and July at about 29. He expressed concern that the violence appeared to be intensifying as the election drew closer.

The NBA President described the pattern of violence as particularly disturbing, saying available reports suggested that the incidents were not spontaneous but appeared to have been planned, coordinated and orchestrated.

He identified Osogbo and Ilesa as emerging flashpoints, noting that more than half of the reported incidents had occurred in the two areas. He warned that political violence must not be allowed to intimidate voters, suppress turnout or undermine the credibility of the electoral process.

Osigwe appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to immediately rein in their supporters and desist from actions capable of provoking violence.

He also called on security agencies deployed for the election to maintain strict neutrality and professionalism, stressing that their responsibility was to protect voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders rather than assist any political party.

The NBA President noted that personnel from the police, civil defence, correctional services, NDLEA, the military and other agencies had been deployed to the state. He urged them to operate strictly within their statutory mandates and ensure that every eligible voter could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.

“Osun must not be allowed to go up in flames because of the pursuit of political power,” the NBA’s warning underscores, as the association seeks to ensure that political competition does not degenerate into violence and loss of lives.

The association’s intervention comes amid growing concerns from other civil society organisations over the security situation in the state. The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), for instance, has also raised concerns over reported killings, voter intimidation, alleged vote buying and other electoral offences ahead of the August 15 poll.

CISLAC cited several reported incidents, including the death of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, the reported killing of Kolade Eluyera in Irewole Local Government Area, the alleged shooting of a political office holder in Osogbo and the killing of a political youth leader in Esa-Oke. The organisation, however, stressed that the circumstances and responsibility for some of the incidents remained subject to investigation.

With the election only days away, the NBA said the priority must be to protect lives, preserve the integrity of the electoral process and restore public confidence.

Osigwe expressed the hope that Saturday’s election would produce an outcome that would inspire confidence among voters and prove wrong those predicting that the exercise could descend into violence.

He urged all stakeholders to remember that political power is temporary, while the consequences of violence can remain with communities and families long after an election has ended.

The NBA’s message is therefore clear: political ambition must not be allowed to become a justification for bloodshed, intimidation or the destruction of Osun’s peace.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed criticism of his penchant for dancing, saying members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are only attacking him because they cannot dance like him.

Adeleke made the remarks during a recent Osun governorship town hall programme, where he defended his dancing hobby and argued that it has no bearing on his performance as governor.

The governor said dancing is part of his personality and a source of happiness for him, stressing that his participation in social and cultural activities does not prevent him from carrying out his responsibilities as governor. He challenged his critics to focus on his administration’s record rather than his personal hobby.

Adeleke’s comments came amid renewed political attacks over his public dancing, particularly as the state approaches the 2026 governorship election. He maintained that his political opponents have attempted to use the issue to portray him negatively, but insisted that dancing does not affect his ability to govern Osun State.

The governor also used the occasion to project confidence in his re-election bid, presenting himself as a leader who is not intimidated by his political opponents. He has continued to defend his administration’s achievements while taking aim at the APC and its candidate ahead of the poll.

Adeleke’s dancing has become one of the most recognisable features of his public persona since he emerged as governor, frequently drawing attention on social media. However, the governor has consistently maintained that his dancing is simply an expression of his personality and should not be used as a measure of his administrative performance.