Category: Featured

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will continue to identify with the Nigerian masses and their aspirations despite the gale of defection that has hit the party.

The governor stated this on Wednesday, at the official inauguration of the newly elected PDP South West zonal executive members held at the party’s zonal secretariat, Soji Adagunodo House, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.

Makinde, who added that the 2027 election would be determined by hungry Nigerians and not politicians, stressed that the party would not be overly bothered about members defecting to other parties.

He charged members of the party not to be discouraged by the recent cases of defection from the party to opposition parties, noting that PDP remains the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions.

Reiterating his support for the zonal executive, Makinde said, “My brother, the Executive Governor of Osun State, has already mentioned that the two of us will support our zonal Exco so that you can deliver. I am just reaffirming that. We will support this Exco to deliver on its mandate.”

While appreciating members of the party for their steadfastness, Makinde said, “This is a demonstration of your commitment to this party, it is not about positions. And I can give you the assurance that there are still some positions coming. We are going to have the National Convention and would be asked to do one or two things. Rest assured that we will not forget you, and God will not also forget you.

“People have been asking us as leaders of this party that a lot of people are decamping, even governors, and some others are threatening to decamp and all of that. And they said, look, where is this party going?
“Well, I have good news; I said to the people that we will not be bothered until hunger has decamped to the ruling party, APC.

“The day hunger decamps, they should come and tell us and, then, we will know what to do. Because there is hunger in the land and majority of the people that are hungry would determine what 2027 would look like.

“So, don’t be bothered. If any governors like, let them decamp. We will stay with the people of Nigeria.

“I read an analysis where they said the PDP has been building strong men but not strong institutions. I beg to differ. PDP lost power at the federal level in 2015 but PDP did not die. After then, I read an article sometime around 2017 which was about PDP and its many crises in Oyo State. Despite the crises, we won election in Oyo State under PDP.

“We are here today to inaugurate the South West Executive for the PDP. How much of an institution do you still want? They may sponsor so many people against the party but don’t be discouraged, PDP is the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions. Have you heard about APC holding South West congress? After this speech of mine, mark it, they will quickly go and do South West Congress.

“This is a party that only held NEC meeting once since the advent of this current administration. PDP’s NEC meeting, I believe the next one we are having is the 300th NEC meeting. So, PDP is the only party in Nigeria with very strong institutions.

“As leaders, we are committed to even further strengthen the institutions within the PDP. So, hold on to your party and I will repeat again that 2027 would not be APC versus PDP but APC versus the people that are hungry in Nigeria.”

Also in his remarks, the Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, who described the emergence of the new leaders of the party as a good omen in the South West, urged the newly inaugurated executive members to strengthen the party structures at all levels through inclusive practices and build the party from the grassroots so as to maintain and gain more electoral territory. He charged them to embark on aggressive peace building across the South West states and bring aggrieved members of the party together in unity.

The Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao, has expressed his dissatisfaction to the Obaship amendment bill as recently passed by the Oyo State House of Assembly.

A statement by his media consultant, Bisi Oladele, explained that if the bill is allowed to sail through, Ibadan’s dominance on other zones would have been cemented.

“The Palace of the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon views the Council of Obas and Chiefs (further amendment) Bill 2025 brought to the Oyo State House of Assembly as a faulty political document whose consideration should be halted to give room for consultations.

“The bill is faulty and defective because there was no adequate consultation by the House of Assembly, neither was there public hearing or enquiry before it was presented and considered,” he said.

The bill earlier sought to make the Alaafin of Oyo the permanent chairman and the Olubadan of Ibadan and Soun of Ogbomoso co-chairmen. The three monarchs will be concurrent chairmen but later changed to two-year rotational basis between Alaafin, Olubadan, Soun.

The controversial bill was later passed yesterday at the Plenary after amendment has been made.

Continued Olugbon: “The amendment also listed the 10 Ibadan high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-In-Council, as members of the Council. This is an aberration in culture and tradition.

“For such an important bill that seeks to revive and do justice to the council of obas and chiefs, the key stakeholders are the traditional rulers who should have been adequately consulted before it was packaged. Besides, there should be a public hearing on the proposal.

“The actions on the bill so far clearly ignored the relevance of traditional rulers in Oyo State. It is openly based on political patronage.

“In the proposed amendment, the law further cements Ibadans’ dominance on indigenes from other parts of the state. Should the bill be passed, indigenes of Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa zones will again become second-class indigenes in their own state, just as Ibadan indigenes have been dominating other parts of the state politically. The city has produced the governors since 1999 with the exception of the late Adebayo Alao-Akala.

“While there is need for the Council to be revived and strengthened, it should not be skewed in favour of a particular zone to further dominate other zones. It should reflect fairness, justice, equity, and possess the capacity to promote peace among traditional rulers in the state.

“The Olugbon urges the lawmakers and other stakeholders to suspend work on the bill and consult widely to avoid passing a bill that will breed crisis among monarchs in Oyo State,” said the statement.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has signaled a bold political movement that has sprung up ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at a recent event, El-Rufai revealed ongoing efforts to form a powerful political alliance aimed at challenging the current administration.

“We had a very important meeting with the coalition that we are putting together to ensure that Pres. Tinubu goes back to Lagos,” El-Rufai stated.

The comment has stirred speculation about El-Rufai’s next political steps and the details of the coalition movement.

Abdulrahman Bello, the suspected murderer of Hafsoh Lawal along with his accomplices on Wednesday appeared in court in continuation of the muder case charge against them.

In the video evidence shown in the court, Abdulrahman Bello, confessed that he killed Hafsoh Lawal because he needed human’s hands for money rituals .

He confirmed that if he had the connection of how to get such part from anywhere, he wouldn’t have gone to the extent of killing another soul personnally stressing that he carried out the evil act all alone.

The trial continued with the appearance of another witness, Inspector Ayodele Azeez attached to Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Kwara State Police Command.

He said that “on 14th February 2025, a case of murder and rape was transfered from C Division Oja-Oba to State CID. The 1st defendant of Olunlade was found with the following exihibits; one axe, cutlass, table , charms, right and left hands of the victim, consultation book, techno phone, iPhone, iPhone SR, paint rubber, container with blood, slippers and after the case has been accepted at the state CID, it was later reffered to anti-homicide and anti-robbery sections.

“The case was assigned to some team of Police officers led by ASP Dada Segun who directed me to obtain statement from the suspect and I took him to a conducive environment in a room. I asked him which language he prefer to speak and he settled from English Language and I asked him some other important questions that did he have any relative around the police command or any lawyer to witness how his statement will be recorded.”

The police personel added that, “He said No! I asked him if he need the service of any lawyer so that I can assist him to get one. He agreed that I should get him a lawyer but that he doesn’t have any money to pay for the legal service. I told him not to worry about the money.

“I eventually got him a lawyer and the lawyer agreed on how his statement will be recorded. After this, I brought out my statement sheet already cuationed. After writing his statement under caution, he signed it and after recording everything in his own hand writing in the presence of his lawyer, Barr. A.O. Ahmed.

“I told him to cross check again incase there was any ommission or need for addition to the earlier wrtitten Statement and he confirmed the there was no problem and he finally signed the statement.

“After checking the statement, my team leader ASP Dada Segun requested that the lawyer should also endorse the statement which he also did while I also signed my column too as an IPO. ASP Dada Segun also requested me to also do video recording of how the suspect signed his statement.

“I also used my Android Phone to do recording and I transfered it to my laptop and later to s Compact Disk with Certificate of compliance.”

Speaking further, Insp. Azeez said: “On 16th February 2025, team led by ASP Dada Segun left the office and went to the scene of the crime at Olunlade and a pair of ear ring belonging to Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal was found therein.”

He however confirmed all the exihibits tendered before the court as items recovered from Abdulrahman Bello’s house.

Barr. Agbede who held brief for Chukwudi Maduka, counsel to the 1st defendant objected to the admisibility of the Compact Disk by the court stressing that the suspect was coersed before making his statement while counsels to other defendant raised no objection.

Justice Hannah Olushola Ajayi however admitted the Compact Disk tendered by the witness as an exihibit and ordered that the compact Disk be played in the court room.

The witness further added that, “when the investigation started, Abdulrahman’s call log revealed that the remaining defendants were on his regular call list before the day and the very day he perpetrated the evil act.

“All of them were tracked and arrested. When we took them before Abdulrahman Bello, it was discovered that they know each other, and the 2nd defendant happens to be the teacher of Abdulrahman, the 3rd defendant his also a student of the 2nd defendant while the 3rd and 5th defendant are the closest friends of the 1st defendant.

“We carried search on their houses but nothing was recovered and we returned them back to the station.

The Nigerian Police Force, Oyo State Command has reacted to the report on the death of a student who was hit by stray bullet fired by one of its officials yesterday.

The Police said the father of the deceased drove recklessly and hit OYRTMA and Police vehicles to Evade Arrest which led to the tragic incident. The Police made this statement through its Public Relations Officer, Adewale Osifeso as reproduced below:

RE: FATAL TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT INCIDENT INVOLVING OYTMA AND POLICE PERSONNEL.

The Oyo State Police Command regrets to inform the general public of a tragic incident that occurred during a joint traffic enforcement operation with the Oyo State Traffic Management Authority (OYTMA), which led to the unfortunate death of a 14-year-old male, Kehinde Alade.

2. At approximately 0745 hours on May 20th, 2025, along the Airport Roundabout, Alakia-Adelubi/Airport Road, Egbeda Local Government Area, an enforcement team comprising OYTMA officers and personnel of the Oyo State Police Command attempted to stop a black Honda Accord (LAGOS registration number FST 639 JJ), driven by one Odunayo Alade,’m’ (father of the deceased young male) who was found to be driving against traffic (one-way).
   Rather than complying with lawful directives, the driver allegedly accelerated towards the enforcement team in an attempt to evade arrest, ramming into two OYTMA vehicles and a Police Buffalo Patrol truck.

3.In an effort to prevent further damage and harm to officers and other road users, barricades were set up to demobilize the fleeing vehicle. However, the driver reportedly broke through these barricades, continuing to drive recklessly and endangering lives.

4.Given the nature of the driver’s conduct, officers suspected possible criminal activity or a case of abduction. A police chase ensued. In an attempt to immobilize the vehicle, a police corporal discharged a firearm aimed at the tyres. Tragically, the bullet missed and struck Kehinde Alade ‘m’, who was seated in the rear seat behind the driver. He was immediately rushed to the University College Hospital (UCH), where he was confirmed dead on arrival. The deceased’s body has been deposited at the Adeoyo State Hospital mortuary for autopsy and preservation.

5.To forestall any threat to public peace, the Commissioner of Police, CP Johnson Adenola, psc, immediately deployed tactical and intelligence units, including the Police Mobile Force (PMF), to the scene and other strategic locations in Ibadan. This swift response restored calm, ensured public safety, and allowed for normal activities to resume.

6. The Commissioner of Police has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, to be led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). The officer responsible for the discharge of the firearm has been taken into custody and, along with other members of the team, is cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation. The Command assures the public that the process will be transparent and the findings made public.

7.The Oyo State Police Command extends its deepest condolences to the family of Kehinde Alade. The Command remains resolute in its commitment to upholding justice and ensuring accountability. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.

8.In cases of emergency, the Command can be contacted through the Oyo State Call Response Center: 615 or call any of the following Oyo State Police Command Control Room Numbers: 08081768614, 09054133071, and 09061299291.

E-SIGNED
CSP OSIFESO ADEWALE mnipr
Police Public Relations Officer
For: Commissioner of Police
Oyo State Command

The Oyo State House of Assembly has started a debate on the bill to make the Oyo State traditional council chairman a 2-year rotational seat.

The amendment bill was read by the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Dele Adeola in the absence of the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Akintunde AKT representing Lagelu State Constituency.

For few minutes, the House went rowdy when Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas alleged that some honourable members were assembling at the back of the Plenary contrary to the standing rules of the House.

He raised observation against turning the Plenary to a caucus meeting alleging that some members have decided to turn the Plenary to family meeting and that history would have him on record that representatives from Oyo are being sidelined.

In his own words, Hon. Oyekola representing Atiba State Constituency expressed his displeasure against rewriting history at the Plenary. He said he would not be part of a sitting that is ganging up against the reverred stool of Alaafin.

He affirmed that the people he represents are not happy with them since the beginning of the amendment bill, saying that they have compromised and that atmosphere is very tensed in Oyo town. He said people believe that they are altering history to relegate Alaafin of Oyo and that it would not be palatable if some people from other zones are ganging up against Oyo zone.

He thereafter staged a walk out and left the floor of the Assembly, hinging his decision on the fact that he doesn’t want history to put him on record where age-long traditional council history would be altered.

In a show of solidarity, Hon. Olorunpoto Cephas representing Oyo East/West while speaking also frowned against an attempt to rewrite history and also joined his colleague to stage a walk out from the Plenary.

Despite the institution’s financial difficulties., Authorities of the Adeyemi Federal University of Education, AFUED, Ondo State have said that no less than N26 million is being spent on electricity monthly.

The Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Samuel Akintunde, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Ondo ahead of the institution’s 61st Foundation Day and 35th Convocation Ceremony.

Akintunde noted that the sum was aside from the fund spent on diesel to power the generating set to light up the school when there is outage.

He explained that the university was facing financial challenges with the number of enrolment of students as it strived to provide other crucial needs for the development of the federal institution.

“We paid about N26 million naira for electricity, that is aside from the amount we expend on a monthly basis on diesel. We used 5,000 litres of diesel within two weeks, so we have the problem of funding,” the acting VC said.

While revealing that the school would address the huge cost by exploring other alternative sources of power, he said that the university remained a leading institution in teacher education, academic research, and community development.

The controversy surrounding the amendment bill on chairmanship seat of the traditional council of Oyo State will be laid to rest today as the newly reviewed amendment bill will be debated at the Plenary today.

Oduduwa News Correspondent confirmed that the amendment bill will be debated at the Plenary today to accommodate varying degrees of interest of all stakeholders amid criticisms that have trailed the proposed amendment.

Earlier, the amendment proposed was to make Alaafin permanent chairman with Olubadan, Soun, Eleruwa and other traditional rulers to be acted under the clause of concurrent chairman in the absence of Alaafin.

The bill which was read at the last Plenary was earlier refered to the the public hearing after a thorough debate by the members of the House of Assembly.

Recall, the amendment bill has generated a lot of controversies from the members of the public.

The bill has been altered to accommodate 2 year-rotational chairmanship seat as against the permanent chairman earlier proposed for Alaafin of Oyo.

Details later.

Oduduwa News has gathered that some protesters had stormed Oyo State Secretariat with the corpse of a slain student who was hit by stray bullet fired by one triggered happy Police Officer.

Eyewitnesses report that a policeman, while trying to shoot at a vehicle they were chasing along Gbagi market road in Ibadan, hit an innocent school student with a stray bullet while he was in his father’s car.

The student was rushed to Welfare Hospital but was declared dead on arrival (DOA).

It was reported that the student, along with his twin, was on his way to write his WAEC exams this morning when the incident occurred. Protesters took the corpse to the Oyo State Secretariat to inform Governor Seyi Makinde.