Category: Featured

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, has reacted to growing claims by different politicians in Oyo State allegedly linking their 2027 governorship ambitions to his endorsement.

Speaking with Journalists at his residence on Wednesday, the monarch said politicians are free to associate themselves with him or claim his support, stressing that as a father figure to many political actors in the state, he cannot stop anyone from using his name politically.

Oba Ladoja, however, maintained that no endorsement alone can determine electoral victory, noting that the personal records, political strength, acceptability, and campaign strategies of aspirants would ultimately decide who emerges successful in the 2027 governorship race.

“Any of my sons can use my name and say I have endorsed them. It is only their work and how they market themselves that will stand them out and make them win. I’m a father to all of them,” the monarch said.

The Olubadan’s comment comes amid increasing political permutations and consultations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, with several aspirants across political parties reportedly intensifying efforts to gain public support and political relevance.

In recent months, supporters of some governorship hopefuls have repeatedly referenced their closeness to the revered Ibadan monarch as a perceived political advantage, fueling speculations over possible royal backing ahead of the contest.

However, Oba Ladoja’s clarification appears aimed at distancing the palace from partisan alignment while reinforcing his position as a father to all political stakeholders irrespective of party affiliations or ambitions.

The IJABALL Fan Base has strongly condemned what it described as false and misleading allegations linking Coach Daniel Ogunmodede to the relegation struggles of Remo Stars, insisting that the coach should not be solely blamed for the club’s decline.

In a statement signed by the group’s head, Comrade Anuoluwani Omidiji, the supporters defended Ogunmodede’s legacy and contributions to the club, describing him as one of the key architects of the modern Remo Stars structure and football philosophy.

According to the group, Ogunmodede served the club in several major capacities over the years, including Head Coach, Director of Youth Football Development, and a major contributor to the academy system that later evolved into Beyond Limits Academy.

The fans highlighted his achievements to include the club’s promotion to the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) in 2021, qualification for continental competitions, multiple strong league campaigns, and the historic 2024/2025 NPFL title triumph which made Remo Stars the first Southwest club to win the league since Julius Berger in 2000.

The statement also alleged that operational instability and technical interference contributed significantly to the club’s eventual decline.

The group cited incidents during the CAF Champions League campaign and league fixtures against Rivers United, Abia Warriors, and Mamelodi Sundowns as evidence of growing instability within the club’s football management structure.

IJABALL Fans further alleged that Ogunmodede suffered humiliation on October 25, 2025, when he was reportedly walked out of a training session despite arriving with his technical crew and players to prepare for an upcoming fixture.

According to the statement, the development disrupted dressing room confidence, technical coordination, and team stability at a critical stage of the season.

The fan group noted that Ogunmodede was later stepped down from active duties on October 30, 2025, while the club reportedly occupied sixth position on the NPFL table with three matches still outstanding.

The supporters also questioned the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Usman Abdallah as Technical Adviser in February 2026, claiming there was no official clarification regarding Ogunmodede’s employment status or transparent communication with supporters about the restructuring process.

While expressing continued respect for Remo Stars owner Kunle Soname, the group maintained that Ogunmodede remained loyal to the club because of his emotional attachment and commitment to its vision despite the difficult circumstances.

The IJABALL Fan Base therefore rejected narratives blaming the coach solely for the club’s relegation, insisting that administrative decisions, recruitment issues, squad instability, and technical restructuring all contributed to the downturn.

The group called on the media, football stakeholders, and the public to approach the issue with fairness, professionalism, and historical accuracy.

Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, says Peter Obi, Goodluck Jonathan and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are being positioned to divide President Bola Tinubu’s Southern votes in the 2027 general elections.

Osoba made this allegation on Sunday during the announcement of the result of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta.

He charged party members not be carried away by the votes garnered by the President in the primary.

The elder statesman equally alleged that there is an underground plot to reduce Tinubu’s margin in the South ahead of the 2027 elections.

“I want to appeal to us all ahead of the coming election: let us not be caught off guard. Many people are saying we have no opponents, but that is a misleading narrative. The enemies are many.

As we approach the next election, there is a strong gang-up against us. They are plotting to field several candidates from our region in the South. Obi has emerged, Jonathan is quietly waiting in the background, and Makinde has been grandstanding. All these appear to be attempts to divide votes from the South,” he said.

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Ogun I Area Command, has intercepted a commercial luxury bus loaded with military camouflage uniforms and substances suspected to be Cannabis Indica, with the total seizure valued at approximately N259 million.

The interception, described as a major breakthrough in the command’s anti-smuggling operations, was carried out by operatives of the Ogun Area One Command following credible intelligence and sustained surveillance along one of the state’s strategic transit corridors.

According to Customs authorities, the luxury commercial bus was flagged and subjected to a detailed search after officers noticed suspicious movements and inconsistencies surrounding its cargo declaration.

Upon inspection, operatives discovered a cache of concealed military camouflage uniforms, allegedly hidden to evade detection, alongside large quantities of substances suspected to be Cannabis Indica, carefully packaged and stashed within compartments of the vehicle.

Officials said the seizure raises serious security concerns, particularly over the illegal movement of military-grade materials which could potentially be used by criminal elements to impersonate security personnel and perpetrate unlawful activities.

The Customs Area Controller of Ogun I Command described the operation as a testament to the command’s renewed commitment to securing Nigeria’s borders and combating smuggling, illicit trafficking, and threats to national security.

“This interception demonstrates our resolve to dismantle criminal networks involved in the illegal importation and movement of prohibited items. The concealment of military camouflage and suspected narcotics in a passenger vehicle is deeply troubling and underscores the sophistication of smuggling operations we are confronting,” the official stated.

The command disclosed that investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend all individuals connected to the illegal consignment, while the seized suspected narcotics are expected to be handed over to the relevant anti-drug enforcement authorities for further examination and prosecution.

The Nigeria Customs Service also reiterated its warning to smugglers and criminal syndicates to desist from illegal activities, emphasizing that intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency collaboration would continue to strengthen efforts to safeguard national security and economic stability.

Residents and transport operators have meanwhile been urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, as security agencies intensify monitoring across key border communities and transport routes in Ogun State.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reportedly backed by influential party leaders including Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirming the eligibility of former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.

The court’s ruling, delivered by the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, held that Jonathan remains constitutionally qualified to seek the nation’s highest office despite having previously taken the presidential oath of office twice, effectively clearing a major legal hurdle ahead of the PDP’s presidential primaries.

In a statement issued by the party’s Interim National Working Committee and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the judgment as a victory for constitutional order, democratic principles, and common sense.

According to the party, the court’s decision aligns squarely with the law, stressing that legal provisions cannot be applied retroactively to disqualify Jonathan from participating in the 2027 race.

The PDP also criticised the suit challenging Jonathan’s eligibility, describing it as vexatious and a gross abuse of judicial process, arguing that the matter should never have been brought before the court.

“The punitive cost awarded against the plaintiff is highly commendable and should serve as a deterrent to political irritants and busybodies who make themselves available for use by anti-democratic forces seeking to distract and derail the nation’s democratic process,” the statement read.

The party further revealed that it had already granted former President Jonathan a screening waiver, a move interpreted by political observers as a strong indication of internal consensus and strategic backing for his possible return to the presidential contest.

With the PDP’s primaries scheduled to hold on May 28, 2026, the court judgment is seen as significantly strengthening Jonathan’s pathway toward what party leaders have described as a potential “presidential rescue mission” for Nigeria.

The development is expected to reshape political calculations across party lines, as Jonathan’s possible return to the ballot could alter the dynamics of the 2027 presidential race and reignite national debate over leadership, continuity, and democratic renewal.

The Accord Party governorship primary in Oyo State has ended in controversy and confusion following the emergence of two separate candidates from parallel processes held by different factions of the party.

In one of the exercises, Kunle Busari, popularly known as Gudugudu, was declared winner of the party’s governorship primary after reportedly securing victory through a primary election conducted under the supervision of party officials and electoral observers.

Party stakeholders backing Busari described the process as lawful, transparent, and in line with the Accord Party’s internal guidelines, insisting that his emergence reflects the democratic choice of delegates across the state.

According to sources within the party, Busari polled the highest number of votes totalling 29,427, while Oriyomi Hazmat polled 18,716 and Fatai Owoseni polled 11,922 to clinch the governorship ticket, positioning himself as the Accord Party’s flag bearer ahead of the 2027 Oyo governorship election.

However, in a dramatic twist, another faction of the party reportedly endorsed media entrepreneur and founder of Agidigbo FM, Oriyomi Hamzat, as a consensus governorship candidate through a separate parallel process held almost simultaneously.

Supporters of Oriyomi maintained that his adoption followed broad consultations among party leaders and stakeholders who believe his popularity, grassroots appeal, and humanitarian credentials make him the strongest contender to challenge for the governorship seat.

The parallel declarations have thrown the party into uncertainty, raising fresh concerns over internal divisions and possible legal battles over the authentic governorship ticket.

The development comes shortly after former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, withdrew from the Accord governorship race, citing alleged infiltration of party structures, manipulation, and the use of thuggery to influence the process.

Political observers say the unfolding crisis could weaken the Accord Party’s chances in Oyo State if urgent reconciliation efforts are not undertaken to resolve the leadership dispute and determine a universally accepted candidate.

As of the time of filing this report, the state and national leadership of the Accord Party had yet to issue an official clarification on which of the two parallel exercises would be recognised as legitimate.

With both camps claiming legitimacy, attention is now on the party’s national executives and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whose eventual recognition may determine the authentic Accord governorship candidate for Oyo State.

A former presidential candidate and 2027 presidential hopeful, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has formally confirmed his membership of the Accord Party and declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the party’s platform.

Speaking with journalists in response to enquiries, Hashim disclosed that his political structure had already commenced extensive grassroots mobilisation within the party across the country.

According to him, over one million supporters have so far been mobilised into the Accord Party as part of efforts to build a formidable political movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“We have quietly mobilised about one million of our supporters into the Accord Party, and we are still doing so,” he stated.

Hashim also reacted to comments reportedly credited to a governor, suggesting that the Accord Party would not field a presidential candidate in 2027.
Describing the remark as an overreach, Hashim insisted that no individual possesses the authority to determine who becomes Nigeria’s next president.

“That is an overreach for him. The presidency of Nigeria is too big for anyone to allocate. It is in the hands of God and the Nigerian people,” he said.

The former presidential candidate further argued that political actors often make such pronouncements out of fear and political survival instincts within Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment.
“I know the governor is scared stiff that if he does not go about dancing and declaring support for the incumbent president in a rival party, they would rig him out. But that does not give him the power to allocate the presidency,” Hashim added.

He maintained that political power ultimately belongs to the Nigerian electorate and cautioned against attempts to predetermine the outcome of future elections.
“When power changes hands, those who think they can control it will be shocked and humbled,” he stated.

Hashim reaffirmed his commitment to providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative anchored on competence, national unity, economic revival, and inclusive development as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Former Lagos State Commissioner of Police and ex-Special Adviser on Security to Oyo State Governor, Fatai Owoseni, has withdrawn from the Accord Party governorship primary in Oyo State, citing alleged internal manipulation, infiltration, and rising violence within the party.

Owoseni announced his decision on Tuesday in a statement, describing the move as a difficult but necessary step in light of what he called disturbing developments capable of frustrating his political ambition on the Accord platform.

The retired police commissioner, who only recently joined the Accord Party after resigning from Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration and obtaining his governorship nomination forms, said unfolding events within the party had made it impossible for his aspiration to thrive.

“I speak with a heavy but resolute heart to the good people of Oyo State and our teeming supporters. Recent developments within the Accord Party have compelled me to rethink my political company and association,” Owoseni stated.

According to him, one of the major reasons for his withdrawal was what he described as the total infiltration and manipulation of the party’s structure, particularly at the state level, by political interests determined to maintain influence and frustrate genuine democratic participation.

“The first is the total infiltration and manipulation of the party structure by elements who will go to any lengths to ensure that perpetuity in government is sustained,” he said.

Owoseni also raised concerns over what he called the emergence of thuggery and violence as tools being deployed to destabilise the party and derail a transparent primary process.

“Secondly, thuggery and violence are emerging as instruments to destabilise the party and ensure that the entire process is stalemated,” he alleged.

Despite stepping away from the Accord Party, Owoseni assured his supporters that his commitment to the development and security of Oyo State remains unwavering.

“The quest for the greater good for the greater majority remains our focus. To our supporters who have believed in this cause, I offer my heartfelt gratitude and ask for your understanding at this moment,” he added.

He also expressed sympathy for victims of the recent security crisis in Ogbomoso, noting that the state’s worsening insecurity should ordinarily be the top concern of political leaders and stakeholders.

Owoseni’s withdrawal comes barely weeks after his dramatic entry into the Accord governorship race, where he had promised issue-based politics, continuity in development, and an end to money-driven electoral contests.

Political observers say the development may significantly alter the dynamics of the opposition party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State, while raising fresh questions about internal democracy and stability within the Accord Party.

The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three suspected kidnappers during a joint security operation in Otu community, located in the Oke-Ogun axis of the state, while successfully rescuing an abducted victim held captive by the criminal gang.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the operation was carried out in collaboration with local hunters and other security agencies following a distress report of armed men attacking hunters on a routine expedition in the area.

The police disclosed that upon receiving intelligence on the activities of the kidnappers, security operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene and engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle deep within the forest.

During the exchange, three of the suspected kidnappers were neutralised, forcing others in the gang to flee into surrounding bushes with possible gunshot injuries.

The operation also led to the successful rescue of an abducted victim identified as Mosudi Gbolagade, a 50-year-old man who had earlier been kidnapped at Okaka and kept in captivity within the Otu forest.

Authorities revealed that the rescued victim sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation but was immediately evacuated for urgent medical attention and is currently receiving treatment.

Security operatives recovered several weapons from the suspects, including one AK-47 rifle, one single-barrel gun, and a machete, further highlighting the violent nature of the criminal network.

The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State commended the bravery and coordination of the officers, local hunters, and other security personnel involved in the operation, reaffirming the command’s commitment to rooting out criminal elements threatening peace and safety across the state.

Residents of Oke-Ogun and surrounding communities have been urged to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies to support ongoing efforts against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

The latest breakthrough comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of Oyo State following recent reports of abductions and attacks, with authorities intensifying operations to dismantle criminal hideouts and restore public confidence.

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced the receipt of the result sheets of the Ogun East Senatorial District primary election from the Chairman of the Ogun State APC National Assembly Primary Elections Committee, Comrade Philip Shuaib.

Governor Abiodun disclosed that the peaceful, transparent, and orderly conduct of the primary election across the district once again reflected the unity, strength, and democratic values of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor, the successful completion of the exercise demonstrates the party’s commitment to internal democracy and credible electoral processes, as members and stakeholders conducted themselves responsibly throughout the exercise.

“We sincerely appreciate party members, leaders, electoral officials, and all stakeholders for their commitment to a successful process,” Governor Abiodun stated, commending everyone involved for ensuring a hitch-free primary election.

He noted that the orderly conduct of the exercise is a testament to the APC’s enduring spirit of unity and its readiness to continue providing purposeful leadership to the people.

Governor Abiodun also urged party faithful to remain steadfast and united as the party prepares for future electoral contests, stressing that collective commitment and cooperation remain vital to achieving victory.

The Ogun East Senatorial District primary election is part of the APC’s broader preparations ahead of upcoming political engagements, with party leaders expressing confidence in the credibility and transparency of the process.