Category: Featured

Hon. Dele Adeola, Member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, has extended warm birthday greetings to his colleague, Hon. Akintunde Olajide, popularly known as AKT, who represents Lagelu State Constituency.

In a message personally signed by him, Hon. Adeola described AKT as a committed, visionary, and resourceful lawmaker whose contributions continue to strengthen the legislature and advance democratic governance in the state.

He noted that AKT has consistently demonstrated leadership excellence, dedication to his people, and unwavering passion for public service.

Hon. Adeola commended his colleague for his collaborative spirit within the House, acknowledging that AKT’s experience and proactive engagement on critical legislative issues have made him an invaluable partner in driving impactful policymaking. He added that AKT’s representation reflects a deep understanding of the needs of the Lagelu constituents, which is evident in his community-focused interventions and legislative advocacy.

He prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom, and good health for Hon. Akintunde Olajide, wishing him greater accomplishments as he continues to serve the people of Oyo State. Hon. Adeola further expressed optimism that AKT’s new year will bring renewed strength and more opportunities for purposeful leadership.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today for Johannesburg, South Africa, and Luanda, Angola, to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit and the AU–EU Summit.

This was disclosed in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu will first join world leaders at the 20th G20 Summit in Johannesburg from November 22 to 23, hosted by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The meeting, themed “Solidarity, Equality, Sustainability,” will focus on inclusive growth, disaster risk reduction, climate change, energy transition, food systems, critical minerals, decent work and artificial intelligence.

After the G20 sessions, Tinubu will proceed to Luanda for the 7th AU–EU Summit holding from November 24 to 25.

The summit will gather African and European leaders, young innovators and civil society groups to develop recommendations on climate change, infrastructure, digital economy, manufacturing and agribusiness.

Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings on security, development and economic cooperation.

He will be accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, Finance Minister Wale Edun, Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake, Trade and Investment Minister Jumoke Oduwole and NIA DG Mohammed Mohammed.

The president will return to Nigeria after the engagements.

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party may be far from over, as events took a dramatic turn on Tuesday 18 November, 2026, as the factional National Executive Committee loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced the expulsion of Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, and Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

The NEC also expelled former Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; former National Vice Chairman of the party, Bode George, and the recently elected party National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN.

This is coming days after Wike and his loyalists were also expelled at the controversial PDP national convention held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

In addition to the expulsions, the faction also dissolved several state executive committees, citing widespread breaches of internal processes and factional loyalties. States affected include Oyo, Bauchi, Lagos, Ekiti, Edo, Zamfara, and Yobe, where fresh congresses are expected to be conducted under newly appointed caretaker committees. The decision further solidified the faction’s push to reassert control at both national and sub-national levels.

The NEC concluded by announcing a new nationwide reconciliation initiative and a comprehensive membership audit ahead of preparations for the 2027 elections. However, the latest wave of expulsions has intensified concerns among party observers, who warn that the PDP may be heading toward its most significant internal split in decades unless urgent mediation efforts succeed.

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has once again taken aim at former President Olusegun Obasanjo, rekindling their long-standing political rivalry. Fayose accused the former president of consistently undermining Nigeria’s democratic institutions and using his influence to intimidate political opponents.

Speaking during a media session in Lagos on Tuesday, Fayose alleged that Obasanjo’s public posturing as an elder statesman contrasts sharply with what he described as “a history of political intolerance and dictatorial tendencies.” He claimed that several pressing national challenges today stem from what he called Obasanjo’s “failure to nurture genuine democratic values” during his time in office.

Fayose, who has repeatedly clashed with the former president since his first term as governor, insisted that his criticism was not personal but a call for Nigerians to “stop glorifying leaders who contributed to current national problems.” He added that Obasanjo’s frequent letters to sitting presidents were attempts to “retain relevance” after leaving office.

In response, sources close to the former president dismissed Fayose’s comments as “baseless and attention-seeking,” noting that Obasanjo had consistently spoken out on national issues out of patriotism. They argued that the ex-president remains one of the few Nigerian leaders willing to challenge government excesses and advocate reforms.

Political analysts say the renewed verbal exchange highlights deeper divisions within the political class ahead of upcoming national realignments. Many believe the Fayose–Obasanjo feud reflects broader tensions among influential figures battling for relevance and control within the opposition landscape.

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged Nigerians who have paid ransom to kidnappers or bandits to take the Federal Government to court and demand a refund, arguing that the state has failed in its constitutional duty to protect its citizens.

Falana made the call while speaking at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, where he criticised what he described as the government’s “selective urgency” in responding to abductions.

According to him, while the state moves swiftly when high-ranking individuals are kidnapped, ordinary Nigerians are often abandoned to negotiate with criminals for their own safety.

He insisted that both the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Nigerian Constitution impose a clear obligation on the government to safeguard every citizen, warning that the rising wave of kidnappings reflects a gross dereliction of duty.

“I have suggested that citizens who are abducted by bandits or kidnappers, and whose family members are compelled to pay ransom to rescue them, have the right to go to court and say the government must refund the ransom,” he said.

Falana argued that demanding refunds would not only enforce the rights of victims but also force the Nigerian government to take security responsibilities more seriously.

“It is the duty of the government to protect every life. If that life is threatened or taken, the government must pay for it,” he maintained.

Highlighting what he called a “class dimension” to kidnapping responses, the senior lawyer noted that high-profile victims often receive immediate rescue operations, while ordinary citizens are left vulnerable.

“If a judge, minister, or former minister is kidnapped, the government will order security forces to rescue them. But when it comes to ordinary Nigerians, you are at the mercy of the criminals,” he said, adding that all citizens are equal before the law and deserve equal protection.

His comments come amid new data showing the scale of kidnapping in Nigeria. The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, revealed that Nigerians paid a staggering N2.23 trillion in ransom between May 2023 and April 2024.

The report estimated kidnapping incidents at over 2.2 million during the period, with an average ransom payment of N2.7 million per incident, a trend security analysts warn is fueling a booming criminal industry.

Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has urged Nigerians to remain united and not allow international political tensions or global narratives sow division within the country. He made the appeal while addressing concerns surrounding global conflicts and the way they shape domestic debates.

Gbajabiamila noted that foreign political dynamics—particularly disputes between powerful nations and international blocs—often influence conversations in developing countries like Nigeria. He cautioned citizens against unconsciously importing such tensions into national discourse in ways that may disrupt peace, unity, and social cohesion.

According to him, Nigeria has its own unique social and political realities that must be prioritized above external influences. He stressed that while Nigerians should remain globally informed, they must exercise caution in aligning with foreign agendas that do not reflect the nation’s interests or values.

The Chief of Staff also emphasized that unity is essential for Nigeria’s political stability and economic progress, especially at a time when the nation is undergoing critical reforms aimed at strengthening national development. He appealed to leaders, civil society organizations, and the media to promote national harmony and resist narratives capable of escalating division.

Gbajabiamila reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to sustaining national stability, promoting inclusive governance, and ensuring that Nigeria remains united despite external geopolitical pressures. He encouraged citizens to engage responsibly in public discourse and work collectively toward building a stronger, more cohesive nation.

Oyo State lawmaker, Hon. Dele Adeola, representing the Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, has applauded Governor Seyi Makinde for the successful hosting of the national Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) convention in Ibadan, describing him as a trailblazer whose leadership continues to set new standards within the party and the state.

Adeola said the seamless and widely commended organisation of the convention was a testament to Makinde’s exceptional leadership capacity and the increasing trust reposed in him by party members across the country. He noted that the governor’s coordination ensured a peaceful, orderly, and unifying gathering that further strengthened the PDP nationwide.

According to the lawmaker, the success of the event reaffirmed Oyo State’s rising profile as a hub for national political activities, largely driven by Makinde’s visionary approach and administrative competence. He stated that the governor’s style of governance has elevated the state and positioned it as a model for others to emulate.

Hon. Adeola went further to congratulate all newly elected party officials, expressing confidence that the resolutions of the convention would help reposition the PDP for future political contests and internal cohesion.

He also called on the citizens of Oyo State to fully embrace Governor Makinde’s leadership of transformation, stressing that unity and collective support remain essential for the continued growth and development of the state.

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, has dismissed recent claims that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was acquitted of sexual offences involving a minor.

Addressing journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro described the reports as “false, misleading, and irresponsible,” warning that they distort the official judicial record and could mislead the public. He specifically referenced a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, later shared by an online publication, which falsely suggested Baba Ijesha had been exonerated and that the entire case was a sham.

Pedro emphasized that “no such clearance ever occurred at any stage of the judicial process” and provided a clear summary of the litigation history:

• On July 14, 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child for incidents that occurred in 2021, sentencing him to five and three years respectively, to run concurrently.

• The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on June 28, 2024, set aside convictions related to alleged offences from 2013–2014 but upheld the 2021 conviction and sentence.

A subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out on May 29, 2025, due to procedural incompetence.

A final motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal’s affirmation of the 2021 conviction intact.

Pedro clarified that Baba Ijesha’s release was solely because he had served his full sentence, not because he was acquitted. “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of sexual assault or indecent treatment of a child,” he stressed.

Pedro concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to child protection, upholding criminal convictions, and ensuring that judicial outcomes are accurately reported.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sounded the alarm over the growing number of university graduates entering Nigeria’s labour market without sufficient employment opportunities.

Speaking (via a representative) at the 36th convocation of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), he urged universities to overhaul their curricula to prioritise employability, entrepreneurship, and job creation.

Tinubu emphasized that the government cannot absorb all graduates and called for stronger university-industry partnerships, more research funding, and a policy focus on science, technology, and innovation.

He also encouraged young graduates to tap into the agricultural value chain as a “goldmine” for jobs. To support this vision, he highlighted reforms such as increased funding from TETFund, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund), and the Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF).

Amid deepening tensions within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), former presidential candidate and founding member of the party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has urged immediate reconciliation and a return to the party’s original principles, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is at stake.

Hashim issued the statement on Sunday as a faction of the PDP proceeded with a controversial National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite a string of contradictory court orders and even a subsisting court judgment restraining the faction from holding the Convention. The development has further exposed the widening cracks within the major opposition party.

In his intervention, Hashim reminded Nigerians of the party’s historic origins 27 years ago, describing the founding of the PDP as one of the most remarkable demonstrations of political maturity in the Country’s history. He noted that the party’s formation brought together over 13 political associations, each robust enough to stand independently, united through dialogue, broad consultation, and a deep spirit of inclusion.

According to him, the founding leaders deliberately created a platform capable of preventing military adventurism, safeguarding the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian State, and promoting genuine Federalism.

He emphasized that this inclusive and consultative spirit was the reason the PDP secured almost two-thirds of elected positions during the December 1998 local government election, an early success that helped stabilize Nigeria’s democratic order.

Hashim stressed that the current path of fragmentation, court induced confusion, and exclusionary politics is a dangerous departure from the party’s foundational ideals.

“Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP,” he warned. “We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy.”

He insisted that the party’s revival depends on genuine unity and purposeful reconciliation, urging leaders to commit to a single watchword, “We must not leave anyone behind.”

Hashim added a scriptural reminder, noting that the Bible teaches that “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). He stressed that this is not the season to expel members, it is the season to reconcile and bring new members, it is the season to save the PDP in order to save Nigeria’s democracy.

As the PDP continues to navigate legal disputes, factional activities, and internal distrust, Hashim’s intervention adds pressure on party stakeholders to abandon parallel structures and return the party to a cohesive and credible opposition force, one capable of safeguarding Nigeria’s democratic future.