The controversy over the financial circumstances of political appointees in Oyo State has taken a new turn following allegations by Ibadan Mogaji and politician, Abass Oloko, that many appointees of Governor Seyi Makinde are wallowing in poverty despite their positions in government.
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‎Oloko had alleged that some appointees were experiencing financial difficulties, claiming that a serving two-term commissioner in the administration sold an official vehicle to pay the university fees of a child studying in Ghana.
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‎Reacting to the allegations, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Road Maintenance Agency (OYSROMA), Hon. Busoye Ogunlade, defended the Makinde administration, insisting that political appointees were appointed to contribute to the development of the state rather than enrich themselves through public resources.

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‎Ogunlade accused some old-generation politicians of wanting government funds to be channelled towards personal interests instead of projects and programmes that would directly benefit the people of Oyo State.
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‎He said the Makinde administration had prioritised public welfare and infrastructure development, arguing that its approach to governance differed from what he described as the practice of placing personal interests above the needs of the masses.
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‎According to Ogunlade, the administration has executed several road projects and other infrastructure initiatives aimed at improving the lives of residents across the state.
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‎Among the projects he cited were the 65-kilometre Moniya-Iseyin Road, Iseyin-Ogbomoso Road, Iseyin-Oyo Road, Ibadan Circular Road and the rehabilitation of inner roads across Oyo State’s five zones.
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‎He also listed the upgrade of Ibadan Airport to international standard among the initiatives reflecting the administration’s development priorities.
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‎Addressing concerns about the financial circumstances of government appointees, Ogunlade maintained that workers and political appointees receive their salaries as and when due, challenging the impression that members of the administration were generally experiencing financial hardship.
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‎“Workers and appointees are being paid on the same day. We are getting our salaries as and when due,” he said.
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‎The OYSROMA chairman further alleged that some politicians wanted a return to an era in which public resources were used to satisfy personal interests, but maintained that Makinde had resisted such pressure in favour of the people who elected him.
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‎“Some old and greedy politicians wanted the era of buje budanu to return, but our leader stood his ground by prioritising the welfare of the masses who gave him the mandate,” Ogunlade stated.
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‎He added that the governor had used available resources to reposition the state, arguing that his administration had demonstrated a commitment to development rather than the personal enrichment of political officeholders.
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‎In a further criticism of Oloko and others questioning the administration, Ogunlade alleged that some of the governor’s critics had expected to enrich themselves through public resources but were disappointed by Makinde’s approach to financial management.
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‎“Oloko and others who are discrediting the Governor thought they could enrich themselves with the resources, but they didn’t know that our leader is a prudent manager of resources,” he said.
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‎The exchange between Ogunlade and Oloko has further intensified the debate over public spending, the welfare of political appointees and the priorities of the Makinde administration, with Ogunlade defending the governor’s record and Oloko previously insisting that he stood by his allegations.

The Ogun State Government has taken Mistura Adebayo, a young girl reportedly found wandering on two occasions, into its custody and commenced medical investigations to assess her health and determine the appropriate care she requires.

The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development disclosed that its intervention followed reports brought to the attention of the former Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hon. Adijat Adeleye, by Adetoun Adejobi.

According to the Ministry, Adeleye immediately contacted the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Adebimpe Folusho Obienu, who coordinated the deployment of social workers to the police station where the girl had been taken.

On arrival, the social workers were informed that Mistura had already been released to her grandmother.

The Ministry said it received another report the following day that the girl had been seen wandering again, prompting a fresh intervention that resulted in her being taken into government custody.

It added that medical investigations were ongoing to establish her health status and identify any underlying concerns requiring further attention.

The Ministry assured the public that it would continue to take the necessary steps to protect Mistura and provide an appropriate and sustainable care arrangement in her best interests.

Meanwhile, the Ministry urged members of the public to report cases of gender-based violence, child abuse, neglect, exploitation and other concerns affecting the safety and welfare of women and children.

It said residents could report such cases or seek assistance through its toll-free lines: Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, 0800 0000 666; Sagamu Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC), 0800 0000 555; Ilaro SARC, 0800 0000 077; Ijebu-Ode SARC, 0800 0000 088; and Abeokuta SARC, 0800 0000 099.

The Ministry stressed that prompt reporting could help save lives and protect vulnerable persons, urging residents to speak up whenever they encountered situations that threatened the safety and welfare of women and children.

OYO STATE — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has ordered a fresh selection process for filling the vacant stool of the Onikoyi of Ikoyi-Ile in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The directive was communicated to prominent ruling houses in Ikoyi-Ile through a letter dated October 16, 2026, signed on behalf of the Oriire Local Government Chairman by William Jare Idowu.

According to a report by MouthpieceNGR, the council informed the ruling houses that the administrative process for filling the vacant traditional stool should commence afresh and be made inclusive.

The Onikoyi stool became vacant on April 7, 2022, following the death of Oba Abdulyekeen Ayinla Oladipupo IV.

The fresh selection process is reportedly linked to the absence of a certified Oyo State Government Gazette documenting the Onikoyi chieftaincy, a development that has necessitated the inclusion of the recognised ruling houses in the process.

The four major ruling houses traditionally associated with the stool are the Oladipupo, Adegun, Adesite and Ojo Atoyebi families. The new directive is expected to allow qualified candidates from the ruling houses to present themselves for consideration.

The development has generated renewed expectations among residents and traditional stakeholders in Ikoyi-Ile, who are looking forward to the emergence of a new monarch after more than four years of vacancy.

The selection process is expected to pave the way for the installation of a new Onikoyi, subject to the applicable chieftaincy laws and customary procedures of Oyo State.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of the state’s Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi.

The governor described Ogunjobi’s death as a painful loss to the FRSC, the road safety community and the nation, acknowledging his contributions to road safety administration and the protection of lives and property.

In a condolence message, Abiodun commiserated with the Corps Marshal and national leadership of the FRSC, officers and men of the Corps across the country, as well as the deceased’s family, friends and professional associates.

He noted that the late sector commander demonstrated commitment to public enlightenment, stakeholder engagement and the promotion of responsible road use, adding that his efforts contributed to improving compliance with traffic regulations and making roads safer for motorists and other road users in Ogun State.

Abiodun lamented that the death came at a time when the collective efforts of road safety officials remained crucial to reducing road traffic crashes and safeguarding the lives of citizens.

The governor prayed for the peaceful repose of Ogunjobi’s soul and urged his family, colleagues and associates to draw comfort from the worthy service he rendered to the nation.

He also prayed that God would grant the bereaved family, the FRSC leadership and all those affected by the loss the strength and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Presidency has dismissed Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s claim that the Federal Government withheld more than ₦250 billion in Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends meant for each state of the federation.

The Presidency, through Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, described the governor’s allegation as false and urged Nigerians to disregard it. The rebuttal followed Makinde’s remarks that the Federal Government had spent NLNG dividend funds without distributing the states’ respective shares.

Makinde had made the allegation during a stakeholders’ consultative engagement on Oyo State’s 2027 budget at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. He claimed that each state was entitled to more than ₦250 billion after a reconciliation of the amounts due from NLNG dividend payments.

However, the Presidency challenged the financial basis of Makinde’s claim, arguing that NLNG had never paid $25 billion in dividends into the Federation Account in a single transaction. It maintained that the figure being claimed as outstanding for each state was inconsistent with the company’s historical dividend payments to the federation.

The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the management and distribution of public revenues, with the two sides presenting conflicting positions on the alleged NLNG dividend payments and the amounts due to state governments.

Further clarification on the underlying figures and the status of any outstanding payments would be necessary to resolve the dispute.

IBADAN, OYO STATE — Tragedy struck on Saturday afternoon at Aduloju Bus Stop along the Ojoo–Iwo Road Expressway in Ibadan, Oyo State, after a fully loaded 45,000-litre diesel tanker reportedly crushed five people to death in a road crash.

The incident, according to preliminary reports, involved the tanker, a Tokunbo car and four Micra vehicles, leaving five people feared dead.

The victims were identified as two males and three females. They reportedly died in the crash, although further details surrounding the circumstances of the incident were not immediately available.

The accident is expected to raise renewed concerns about road safety and the risks associated with heavy-duty fuel tankers navigating busy roads in Ibadan.

Oduduwa News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more details emerge.

More details are awaited.

INEC chairman, Amupitan says commission will comply with court judgment as preparations continue for elections involving more than 103 million registered voters.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it will respect the Federal High Court judgment directing it to include Accord Party presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo- Hashim, on the final list of candidates for the 2027 presidential election.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday at an event organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), stating that another candidate had been added to the presidential race, bringing the total number to 19.

According to Amupitan, the commission would comply with the court’s decision concerning Hashim’s candidacy.

The development follows a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on October 5, 2026, directing Accord Party to recognise Hashim as its presidential candidate and submit his name to INEC.

The commission’s position marks a development in the dispute over Accord’s presidential ticket and confirms Hashim’s inclusion in the contest, subject to the official updated list.

Speaking at the NOA event, Amupitan described the 2027 general election as potentially the largest democratic exercise on the African continent and one of the most complex administrative undertakings in the world.

He cited Nigeria’s more than 103 million registered voters and 176,846 polling units across 774 local government areas as indicators of the scale of the exercise.

The figures underscore the logistical demands facing the commission as it prepares to conduct elections across the country.

The 2027 elections will involve multiple levels of voting, including the presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

Hashim’s addition takes the presidential candidate count from 18, as reflected in the list published in September, to 19, according to the INEC chairman’s announcement.

The commission is expected to reflect the change in its official candidate records in compliance with the court judgment.

Oyo Governor Says Sustainability Study Will Be Conducted as Ahmed Raji Hails Development in Oke Ogun

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has promised to initiate the process of granting autonomy to the Iseyin campus of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, following a request by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and President of the Oke Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), Alhaji Ahmed Raji.

Makinde gave the assurance on Wednesday during the commissioning and handover of the Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building at L.A. Primary School, Oke Esa, Iseyin, a facility donated to the Oyo State Government by Raji.

Responding to the appeal for the Iseyin campus to become a full-fledged autonomous university, the governor said his administration would engage the National Universities Commission (NUC) and conduct a sustainability study to determine the feasibility of the proposal.

“Regarding your request on the Iseyin Campus of LAUTECH becoming an autonomous university, we will go through the process. We will apply through the NUC, and I will carry out a sustainability study too. So, what you have asked for is done,” Makinde said.

Earlier, Raji commended the Makinde administration for its developmental projects across Iseyin and the wider Oke Ogun Zone, particularly the Moniya–Iseyin Road, Oyo–Iseyin Road and Iseyin–Fapote–Ogbomoso Road.

He also praised the establishment of LAUTECH’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin, describing it as a significant contribution to educational development in the area.

“When those who call themselves progressives were in government, they didn’t give us this. You came and gave us what they could not,” Raji said, while urging the governor to take further steps towards granting the campus autonomy.

The donated Alhaji Kazeem Owonikoko Building, equipped with classrooms, offices, solar power, furniture and modern learning facilities, was also commended by Makinde, who described it as a demonstration of the importance of private contributions to public education.

The governor reiterated his commitment to development across Oyo State, irrespective of political affiliation, and highlighted ongoing industrial activities in Iseyin, including the sugar factory near Fasola Farms, which he said was undergoing test running.

The event was attended by the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal; Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin; and other government officials, traditional rulers and community leaders.

The police said the victim, identified as 40-year-old Azeez Tajudeen from Oke Amu in Itesiwaju Local Government Area of Oyo State, sustained a severe injury to his right eye during the attack.

He was rushed to the State Hospital, Ring Road, Ibadan, where he was examined and confirmed dead. His remains have since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga, has directed the Command Monitoring Unit to investigate the incident and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The attack occurred on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, shortly after the supporters left Molete for Iwo Road, where Hamzat’s Agidigbo FM office is located. Earlier reports said some supporters were injured and vehicles in the convoy were vandalised during the incident.

The police have urged political aspirants, party leaders and event organisers to notify the command at least 48 hours before planned processions or public gatherings to enable adequate security arrangements.

The command also appealed to members of the public with credible information about the attack to assist the ongoing investigation. The identities of the suspected attackers and their motive have not been officially established.

A tanker crash in Lagos has resulted in the spillage of approximately 33,000 litres of groundnut oil, prompting the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to issue a public warning against consuming the spilled product.

The incident raised concerns over public safety, possible contamination and the risks associated with the collection or consumption of products involved in road accidents.

LASTMA urged residents to avoid scooping or purchasing the spilled oil, while motorists were advised to exercise caution around the affected area.
The incident highlights the need for proper emergency response and safe handling of food products involved in road accidents.