Amid conflicting claims and rising political tension following the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Oluyole Federal Constituency, party faithfuls and stakeholders have rallied behind Hon. Mumeen Olalekan Tajudeen (popularly known as MOT), affirming him as the authentic winner of the keenly contested primary.
According to results announced by party faithfuls and leaders present at the exercise, Hon. Mumeen Olalekan Tajudeen (MOT) secured a commanding 1911 votes, defeating other aspirants in the race, including Hon. Kehinde Olaosebikan, who polled 115 votes, Hon. Gbolagade Abiodun who polled 818, Hon. Olusunbo Olugbemi with 156 votes, Hon. Jide who polled 05 votes and the incumbent House of Representatives member, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, who garnered 24 votes. According to the report, the breakdown of the votes ward by ward stated as thus:
The declaration comes amid confusion generated by separate claims of victory reportedly made by the incumbent lawmaker, Hon. Akande-Sadipe had emerged victorious. However, party members and supporters across Oluyole have dismissed such reports, insisting that the officially collated results clearly establish MOT as the duly elected APC candidate for the 2027 general election.
Party faithfuls and supporters trouped out in some communities in Oluyole Federal Constituency to rejoice and affirm over what many described as “the triumph of grassroots politics, humility, and people-centered leadership.” Party faithfuls noted that Hon. Mumeen Tajudeen’s victory reflects the trust and confidence the delegates and constituents have placed in his vision for inclusive development and effective representation.
Speaking in appreciation after emerging victorious, Hon. Mumeen Olalekan Tajudeen (MOT) expressed profound gratitude to the APC leadership, delegates, supporters, and the people of Oluyole for their unwavering support and belief in his candidacy.
“I am deeply humbled and honored by this overwhelming mandate. This victory is not mine alone, it belongs to every member of our great party and every resident of Oluyole who believes in progress, unity, and purposeful leadership. I thank Almighty God, our party leaders, delegates, and the good people of Oluyole for this trust. I pledge to remain committed to serving with sincerity, integrity, and dedication,” he said.
Hon. Tajudeen also extended his appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national leadership of the APC, and all loyal party stakeholders whose efforts continue to strengthen democratic ideals within the party.
As at the time of filing this report , efforts made to speak to APC Spokesman in Oyo State, Olawale Sadare proven abortive as he neither responds to his calls nor replying chats.
As the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepare to choose the party’s standard-bearer for the Oyo North Senatorial District ahead of Monday’s primary election, they carry a responsibility that extends beyond routine political calculation. Their decision will shape not only the party’s electoral fortunes in the district but also the quality of representation Oyo North may receive at a crucial moment in its political and developmental journey.
Encouragingly, the APC enters this contest with an array of accomplished aspirants, each bringing unique strengths and distinguished records of service. Among them is Chief Mrs. Hannah Ogunesan, a highly respected administrator and accomplished public servant whose years of dedicated service particularly as former Head of Service under the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi have earned her admiration across political divides. Her discipline, professionalism, and commitment to governance remain commendable, and her aspiration reflects the growing importance of experienced women in leadership.
Also in the race is Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Gbenga Adegbola, a retired military officer whose career has been shaped by discipline, patriotism, and service to the nation. His background in the armed forces, combined with his intellectual and leadership credentials, adds another important dimension to the contest. His entry into the race reinforces the depth of quality leadership available within the APC and offers members yet another capable hand to consider for the task ahead.
Yet, elections especially for legislative offices often require more than impressive credentials. They demand a careful consideration of preparedness, strategic advantage, and the capacity to deliver immediate and meaningful impact. It is within this context that many stakeholders are increasingly asking an important question: Why not Professor Adeolu Akande?
A distinguished scholar, seasoned administrator, and experienced public servant, Professor Adeolu Akande brings a profile that uniquely blends intellectual depth with practical governance experience. As a Professor of Political Science, former Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and immediate past Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), his public service journey reflects a steady commitment to policy, leadership, and development-oriented governance.
Beyond titles and credentials, his record suggests a deliberate effort to convert national opportunities into local impact. Across Oyo North, his supporters point to interventions in youth empowerment, facilitation of federal appointments, and ICT-focused training programmes aimed at preparing young people for relevance in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Educational institutions in the district have also benefited from digital infrastructure and capacity-building initiatives linked to his tenure in public office, contributions that many regard as evidence of both foresight and commitment.
These qualities may prove particularly relevant at a time when legislative representation increasingly demands more than visibility. Oyo North requires a senator capable of combining policy understanding with political access, advocacy with influence, and constituency service with strategic thinking. Professor Akande’s academic grounding and administrative experience arguably place him in a strong position to meet those expectations.
The political stakes are also significant. Whoever emerges as the APC candidate is expected to face a competitive general election, with formidable opposition likely from rival political platforms. Such a contest will demand broad appeal, grassroots trust, political maturity, and the ability to unify diverse interests behind a common purpose.
This reality, however, does not diminish the worthiness of the other aspirants. Chief Hannah Ogunesan’s longstanding contributions to public service remain deeply respected, while Col. (Rtd.) Dr. Gbenga Adegbola’s disciplined leadership and patriotic service add considerable value to the field. The strength of the APC lies partly in its ability to present voters with candidates of such calibre.
Still, as members prepare to cast their votes, they must weigh a simple but critical question: Who is best prepared for the demands of this moment?
For many observers, Professor Adeolu Akande represents a compelling answer not merely because he is qualified, but because his blend of experience, intellect, and demonstrable public service appears closely aligned with the expectations of effective senatorial leadership.
Sometimes, leadership is not only about who can contest. It is about who is most ready to serve. In that conversation, Prof. Adeolu Akande remains difficult to ignore.
This is a periodic editorial of Oduduwa News. For contact: oduduwanews1@gmail.com.
In a landmark move aimed at transforming transportation and economic integration across Nigeria’s Southwest, the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC) has secured a provisional Rail Operating and Track License from the , paving the way for the development of an expansive regional rail system connecting all six states in the zone.
The groundbreaking initiative is expected to revive several abandoned and unserved railway corridors while establishing a modern 44-city rail network that will link Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States. The project is being described by stakeholders as one of the most ambitious regional infrastructure undertakings in recent years, with the potential to significantly boost commerce, industrial productivity, and regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
According to officials familiar with the development, the provisional license grants the Southwest Development Commission authority to begin preliminary planning, route mapping, technical assessments, and stakeholder consultations necessary for the commencement of rail operations. The proposed network is expected to connect major commercial hubs, agricultural belts, educational centers, and industrial corridors across the region, thereby improving mobility for millions of residents and businesses.
Economic analysts have welcomed the move, noting that an interconnected Southwest rail system could reduce pressure on overstretched road networks, lower transportation costs, enhance supply chain efficiency, and stimulate investments in manufacturing, tourism, and real estate. The rail project is also expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during both construction and operational phases.
The revival of dormant rail routes is seen as particularly significant, as many communities in the Southwest have remained disconnected from Nigeria’s modern transportation reforms despite their strategic economic importance. By bringing these communities back into active transport circulation, the Commission hopes to unlock new opportunities for trade and rural development.
Observers say the development reflects the growing importance of regional development commissions as instruments for targeted growth and localized economic planning. There have been increasing calls for all geopolitical zones in Nigeria to activate and strengthen their respective development commissions, with a focus on infrastructure, innovation, and sustainable economic expansion tailored to their unique regional needs.
If successfully implemented, the Southwest rail initiative could serve as a model for other regional commissions across the country, demonstrating how coordinated sub-national development efforts can complement federal infrastructure policies and accelerate national progress.
Further details on project timelines, funding mechanisms, and implementation phases are expected to be unveiled by the Southwest Development Commission in the coming weeks.
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the reported disqualification of several aspirants, including Kolapo Kola-Daisi, son-in-law of late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, from the party’s ongoing senatorial primary process.
The development, which has stirred reactions among party members and supporters, comes as the APC intensifies preparations for its senatorial primaries across the state. Kola-Daisi, who had recently met with party leaders and publicly declared his intention to contest, was said to be among aspirants screened out by the party’s internal vetting committee, alongside other unnamed hopefuls.
Although the APC has yet to issue a detailed public explanation regarding the specific reasons for the disqualifications, party insiders suggest that the decision may be linked to internal eligibility requirements, documentation issues, and strategic political considerations aimed at streamlining the contest ahead of Monday’s primary election.
The disqualification of Kola-Daisi has drawn particular attention due to his political profile and family ties. The businessman and politician, married to one of the daughters of the late former governor, had been actively consulting party stakeholders and expressing confidence in securing the APC ticket. His political ambition had been viewed by many as an attempt to continue the Ajimobi political legacy within Oyo politics.
Sources within the party say the move has triggered fresh tension among some APC loyalists, especially supporters who believe the screening process should be transparent and free from internal manipulation. Some members have reportedly called for clarification from the party leadership to prevent grievances from escalating into wider discontent.
Political analysts warn that the development could deepen existing cracks within the Oyo APC, where factional disagreements and candidate selection disputes have recently become more pronounced. Concerns are mounting that unresolved disputes could weaken party unity ahead of the general elections.
Despite the setback, there are indications that some affected aspirants may challenge the decision through the party’s appeal mechanisms, hoping for reconsideration before the final candidate list is ratified.
As the APC moves closer to its senatorial primaries, attention now shifts to how party leaders will manage the fallout and reassure members of a credible, inclusive process capable of preserving unity within the fold.
Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Hashim, has called for a more comprehensive and coordinated counter-terrorism strategy following the reported killing of a senior Islamic State commander, Abu Bilal al-Minuki, in a joint operation involving the United States and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Hashim, in a statement issued on Saturday, described the development as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of genuine international cooperation in the fight against global terrorism.
According to him, the successful operation validates long-standing concerns about the growing ambitions of terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
“For over five years, we have consistently advocated for this level of collaboration. This operation underscores what can be achieved when global partners work together sincerely,” he said.
Hashim noted that he had repeatedly warned that terrorist elements in Nigeria were pursuing the objective of establishing an ISIS-style enclave in parts of Northern Nigeria,adding that the latest operation validates those concerns.
While commending the joint military operation, he cautioned against relying solely on the elimination of high-profile terror leaders as a long-term security strategy.
He observed that such operations often leave vulnerable rural communities exposed to retaliatory attacks by insurgent groups. “Nigeria’s counter-terrorism approach must go beyond periodic strikes. It must be deliberate, sustained, and focused on eliminating terrorism at its roots,” he stated.
Hashim described the scale of insecurity in the country as alarming, noting that more than 18,000 Nigerians had lost their lives to terrorism and related violence in the last three years.
He identified extreme poverty, social deprivation, unemployment, and mass illiteracy as major drivers of insecurity, warning that Nigeria’s over 18 million out-of-school children remain highly vulnerable to extremist recruitment.
According to him, addressing terrorism requires more than military force, stressing the need for strong governance and policies aimed at tackling the socio-economic conditions fueling violent extremism.
He further emphasized that only a patriotic, decisive, and uncompromised leadership can effectively implement a comprehensive counter-terrorism programme capable of restoring peace and stability across the country.
“Addressing terrorism requires not just military action, but strong governance capable of confronting the socio-economic realities that sustain violent extremism,” Hashim added.
Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila has revealed how he nearly lost his job over allegations linking him and Lagos lawmaker to the controversial Lagos State House of Assembly impeachment saga.
Gbajabiamila said President Tinubu summoned him during the crisis and questioned whether Desmond Elliott was closely associated with him, adding that intelligence reports suggested the lawmaker Desmond Elliot was among those allegedly involved in the Assembly crisis.
According to him, he immediately contacted Elliott, who denied any involvement. However, days later, the Director-General of the DSS reportedly informed him that his own name was being mentioned as a supporter of the alleged impeachment plot because of his connection to Elliott.
The Chief of Staff said he again urged Desmond Elliott to publicly disclaim any role in the controversy to clear both their names, but lamented that the lawmaker has yet to make such a public statement.
While Elliott has maintained that he was not part of any effort to destabilize the Assembly, Gbajabiamila’s remarks are being seen as a sign that he has withdrawn political support for the actor-turned-lawmaker as he seeks a fourth term in office.
The Oyo State Government through the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (OYOSUBEB) has confirmed an attack on two schools in Ahoro-Esinele community in Oriire Local Government Area, which left one teacher dead and some pupils kidnapped.
In a press statement issued Thursday, OYOSUBEB said gunmen attacked LA School and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, in what it described as “a dark and painful moment” for the state’s education family.
According to a source who pleaded anonymity confirmed also to Oduduwa News, that a secondary school principal and teachers were equally abducted.
The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board expresses profound sorrow and deep concern over the unfortunate attack on LA School, Ahoro-Esinele, and Community Grammar School, Ahoro-Esinele, Oriire LGUBEA, which resulted in the killing of a teacher and the kidnapping of some pupils,” the statement said.
The Board said the exact number of pupils abducted was yet to be ascertained as security agencies continued to comb the area and gather details. It added that the safety of children remained its utmost priority.
OYOSUBEB Executive Chairman, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said security operatives under the coordination of the Commissioner of Police were “fully on top of the situation.” A tactical response team has been deployed, and intelligence and operational measures are ongoing to secure the release of the pupils and restore calm to the community.
“In the interest of safety, the Board has directed all primary schools in neighbouring communities, including Surulere, Oyo East, Oriire, and Olorunsogo, to immediately vacate their schools until further notice,” Adeniran said.
He explained that the temporary closure was to prevent further incidents and allow security agencies to stabilise the area.
Adeniran appealed to parents, guardians and community leaders to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause panic. He assured that the government would not abandon the affected children.
“We understand your pain. We understand your fears. But we want to reassure you, your children will not be abandoned, and this government will not rest until every child is safely returned,” he said.
The Board also expressed condolences to the family of the slain teacher, saying his “service, dedication, and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
OYOSUBEB said it was in constant communication with security agencies and would provide updates as new information emerged. It urged residents to cooperate with security operatives and remain vigilant.
Tension gripped the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday as aggrieved party members reportedly stormed the party’s state secretariat in , forcing some aspirants and party executives to flee the premises amid violence and confusion.
The incident occurred at the APC State Secretariat located in the Oke Ado area of Ibadan, where disgruntled members had gathered to protest what they described as unresolved internal crises and dissatisfaction over recent developments within the party.
Eyewitnesses said the protest quickly escalated into chaos, causing panic within and around the secretariat as party officials, staff, and visitors scampered for safety.
Security operatives were later deployed to the scene to restore calm and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
Confirming the attack in a statement made available to journalists on Thursday, the Oyo APC Publicity Secretary, Wale Sadare, strongly condemned the invasion of the party secretariat.
According to him, the attackers arrived in large numbers, allegedly armed with dangerous weapons and charms, and unleashed terror on party members and officials present at the venue.
“The hoodlums who reportedly unleashed terror on members of the state executive committee, staff and others who were present at the secretariat, were armed with dangerous weapons and charms as they came in high numbers to carry out their nefarious acts,” Sadare stated.
He further disclosed that the attack, which reportedly lasted for about two hours, caused extensive damage to vehicles and property within the secretariat.
“The attacks, which lasted for about two hours, left in its wake damage to private cars and the secretariat building as windshields, tyres, office windows, doors, among other things, were shattered,” he added.
The incident is believed to be connected to deepening internal disagreements within the Oyo APC as political consultations and realignments intensify ahead of the .
As of the time of filing this report, no arrests had been officially confirmed by security authorities.
There is nothing wrong with ambition. In fact, democracy dies the day only a privileged few are considered qualified to dream of power. But democracy also demands honesty, and honesty requires us to separate aspiration from delusion, momentum from noise, and a genuine national project from a well-packaged local ego trip. That is the burden now hanging over Governor Seyi Makinde’s presidential declaration.
Because in Nigerian politics, not every man who can fill a hall in his state can fill a map of the country.
Makinde’s bid has been greeted in some quarters with admiration, in others with curiosity, and in many places with the kind of polite skepticism reserved for political projects that sound larger on television than they do on the ground. In Oyo State, especially in Ibadan, he is a formidable political figure. He has visibility, a loyal base, and enough confidence to convince his supporters that the road from Agodi to Aso Rock is merely the next logical step. But presidential politics in Nigeria is not a promotion exercise for successful governors. It is not a reward for local popularity. It is not an enlarged version of a state election. It is a brutal national contest that punishes vanity, humiliates overreach, and exposes the difference between being admired at home and being accepted across a fractured federation.
That is why the question must be asked without sentiment: is this truly a presidential project, or is it simply an extended statewide confidence boost dressed in national clothing?
Nigeria has seen too many versions of this movie to pretend otherwise. Governors have emerged from their states convinced that their local achievements, media profile, elite friendships, or personal wealth had prepared them for the presidency. They declared. They consulted. They traveled. They printed posters, assembled think tanks, booked hotels, hired image-makers, and surrounded themselves with the familiar orchestra of praise-singers who specialize in converting private ambition into public illusion. But when the moment of truth arrived, most found out what Nigerian politics has always known: that the presidency is not won by self-belief, regional applause, or glossy branding. It is won by reach, structure, coalition, timing, ruthless arithmetic, and national trust.
The graveyard of overestimated ambition is already full.
Orji Uzor Kalu projected presidential ambition more than once, but never built the kind of national coalition that could carry him to serious contention. Rochas Okorocha cultivated the style of a national populist and never lacked for confidence, yet his reach remained far louder than his viability. Ibikunle Amosun flirted with presidential relevance, but influence in Ogun and visibility in elite circles never became a path to Aso Rock. Kayode Fayemi entered the 2022 APC race with clear credentials, intellectual heft, and institutional experience, yet discovered that in Nigeria, a polished résumé is not a substitute for political force. Anyim Pius Anyim brought establishment pedigree and national experience, but his campaign only reinforced the old lesson that being known in Abuja is not the same as being wanted by Nigeria.
This pattern is not new. It is one of the oldest deceptions in Nigerian politics: the illusion that local strength can be inflated into national destiny.
And this is where Makinde’s aspiration begins to invite mockery. It is one thing to be strong in Oyo. It is another thing entirely to persuade voters in Jigawa, Borno, Adamawa, Delta, Rivers, Kano, or even Lagos that your candidacy is more than a regional confidence ritual. The problem with homegrown political enthusiasm is that it often mistakes familiarity for inevitability. In Ibadan, Makinde may look presidential. In much of Nigeria, he is still being measured against harder questions. Can he build trust outside his comfort zone? Can he cut through entrenched regional loyalties? Can he unsettle Bola Tinubu where it matters, compete with Peter Obi for reform-minded and urban voters, and deepen the PDP’s internal anxieties around Atiku Abubakar? Or is this all just a beautifully staged exercise in expanding Oyo self-belief to national dimensions?
That is why the cruel line remains so effective: perhaps this is not a bid for president of Nigeria at all, but an audition to become the first president of the United States of Ibadan.
Cruel, yes. But Nigeria’s political class has earned the cruelty directed at its vanities.
Because what often makes these declarations even more insulting is the cost. Presidential ambition is not a harmless hobby. It swallows money, time, attention, statecraft, political focus, travel, consultation fees, media management, strategy sessions, accommodation, logistics, and the endless maintenance of perception. Even when the funds do not come directly from public accounts, governance itself still pays a price. Energy that should go into roads, schools, hospitals, agriculture, water systems, rural development, urban planning, and job creation is redirected into the theatre of ambition. Meetings are held. Loyalists are mobilized. Images are polished. Alliances are courted. And all the while, the business of governing waits quietly in the corner like an inconvenience.
That is the real obscenity of failed presidential vanity projects in a country like Nigeria. They are not just political miscalculations. They are developmental distractions.
If this ambition ends the way many similar ambitions have ended, what exactly would Oyo have gained? What becomes of the months spent chasing headlines rather than hard outcomes? What happens to the political oxygen consumed by a dream that never had enough national legs to walk? How many rural roads could have been rehabilitated with the money burned on consultations and image-laundering? How many schools could have been better equipped? How many primary health centres could have been upgraded? How many communities could have seen improved water access, stronger flood control, safer transport links, or better agricultural support if the machinery of presidential fantasy had been redirected toward practical governance?
These are not small questions. They go to the heart of leadership.
Because Oyo does not need a governor auditioning for history while everyday development waits for attention. The state still needs stronger infrastructure beyond headline projects. It needs deeper investment in public schools. It needs better-equipped hospitals and primary healthcare centres. It needs support for farmers and rural markets. It needs serious urban planning, flood prevention, youth employment, and local productivity. These are the quiet, difficult tasks of governance. They do not trend. They do not produce presidential optics. But they improve lives.
And that, ultimately, is the standard by which ambition should be judged.
To be clear, nobody is saying Makinde has no right to run. He does. That is democracy. But democracy also permits citizens to ask whether a declaration is rooted in strategy or vanity, whether it is powered by national possibility or hometown intoxication. A serious presidential project must prove itself beyond the applause of loyal supporters. It must build structure where sentiment is absent. It must create discomfort among serious rivals. It must demonstrate strength where the candidate’s name alone carries no emotional premium. It must show that it can travel.
If Makinde can do that, then skeptics will have to adjust. But if he cannot, then this declaration will join the long and embarrassing archive of Nigerian ambitions that mistook confidence for capability and media attention for momentum.
And history will be merciless.
It will not remember this as a bold democratic intervention. It will not remember it as the rise of a compelling national alternative. It will remember it as what so many of these declarations become in the end: a local success story inflated into a presidential costume, a statewide confidence boost dressed in national clothing, marching toward Aso Rock with the map of Oyo tucked proudly in its pocket — and discovering too late that Nigeria is a much larger country than Ibadan applause ever imagined.
Wale Ajani writes from Ibadan, Oyo State 08055660077
Political developments in Oyo State took a dramatic turn on Thursday as Governor Seyi Makinde and the national leadership of the Allied People’s Movement (APM) moved to formalize a strategic political alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The much-anticipated event, scheduled to hold today, will witness the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied People’s Movement (APM), a move political observers describe as a major realignment that could reshape Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
According to sources within both parties, the agreement is expected to provide a new political platform for loyalists of Governor Makinde, with many of his key supporters reportedly set to contest future elections under the APM banner.
The alliance has further fueled speculations over Makinde’s national political ambitions, as reports indicate that the Oyo governor is also expected to formally declare his intention to contest for the presidency in 2027.
Following the MoU signing ceremony, members and supporters of both parties are expected to converge at the historic Mapo hall in Ibadan for what organizers have described as a “grand unity rally.” The gathering is anticipated to draw thousands of party faithful, political stakeholders, youth groups, and supporters from across the state and beyond.
Political analysts say the partnership could serve as a strategic backup structure for Makinde and his allies, potentially strengthening their political reach while expanding influence beyond the traditional PDP framework.
Neither the PDP nor the APM has officially disclosed the full details of the agreement, but insiders suggest the pact may include cooperation on candidate nominations, grassroots mobilization, and broader electoral strategy ahead of the next election cycle.
The development is expected to trigger fresh reactions within Nigeria’s political space, particularly within the opposition camp, as alliances and realignments continue to shape the road to 2027.
