Oduduwa News

Says Africa should unite behind historic resolution and formally notify the world

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has urged the African Union (AU) to officially adopt Algeria’s parliamentary position declaring colonization a crime against humanity, and to elevate it into a continental resolution.

PeacePro in a statement by Its Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat on Christmas day, said the AU should encourage all member states to formally adopt the same position through their national institutions, stressing that Africa must speak with one voice on the historical injustice of colonization.

“The African Union should officially adopt the Algerian parliamentary position, encourage all member states to domesticate it, and ensure that all countries of the world are formally communicated about Africa’s collective resolution on this historic matter,” PeacePro stated.

Hamzat noted that colonization and its variants, economic domination, political interference, militarization, and structural dependency, continue to undermine peace, development, and sovereignty across the continent.

PeacePro added that a unified AU position would strengthen Africa’s moral authority globally, advance the cause of historical accountability, and reinforce ongoing efforts toward sovereignty, dignity, and lasting peace.

Human Rights Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned reported United States airstrikes on Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Sokoto State, describing the action as a violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty.

In a Facebook post on Friday, Sowore reacted to reports that the strikes were carried out on Christmas Day, following announcements by US President Donald Trump and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. He questioned claims by the Nigerian government that it was fully aware of the operation.

“I have read reports that the United States government launched attacks on Nigerian soil on Christmas Day,” Sowore wrote, adding that despite official claims of a joint operation, the strikes were carried out “without the genuine authority or informed consent of the weaklings masquerading as government.”

Sowore argued that the operation showed a lack of concern for Nigeria by the US leadership, saying the confirmed strike on a village in Sokoto suggested that the US president “neither understands nor genuinely cares about Nigeria or Nigerians.”

Describing the development as alarming, he said it was “deeply troubling that Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, lacks the capable and sovereign leadership required to protect its people and its territory.”

According to him, the situation has reduced Nigeria to “a bystander while its sovereignty is violated under the direction of US President Donald J. Trump,” stressing that only “true, tested, and informed leadership can protect Nigerians.”

Nigeria has confirmed that it provided actionable intelligence and formally approved recent United States airstrikes on terrorist targets within its territory. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, disclosed that the operation was carried out with the full authorisation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a coordinated security effort between Abuja and Washington.

According to Tuggar, Nigerian and U.S. authorities were in close communication ahead of the strikes, with intelligence sharing forming a critical part of the mission. He revealed that he personally held last-minute discussions with top U.S. officials shortly before the operation commenced, underscoring Nigeria’s direct involvement and consent rather than any unilateral foreign action.

The Federal Government stressed that the strikes were part of structured security cooperation aimed at combating terrorism and violent extremism threatening national stability. Tuggar emphasised that Nigeria’s sovereignty was not compromised, noting that the operation was jointly executed and not targeted at any religion, but against armed terrorist groups endangering civilians.

The development has sparked national and international debate, particularly following comments by U.S. officials framing the strikes in religious terms. Nigerian authorities, however, insist the action aligns with broader counter-terrorism objectives and signal that further collaboration with international partners may continue as the government intensifies efforts to dismantle terrorist networks across the country.

The Presidency has firmly dismissed circulating reports on social media claiming that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has replaced his Chief of Staff, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, with Principal Private Secretary Hakeem Muri-Okunola.

In an official statement released on Christmas Day by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency described the claim as a complete fabrication designed to sow discord within the government.

“There is absolutely no truth to this story. We advise Nigerians to disregard it entirely,” the statement read.

It emphasized that Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila continues to serve in his role as Chief of Staff, while Hakeem Muri-Okunola remains Principal Private Secretary. No replacement has taken place.

The Presidency attributed the viral falsehood to “mischievous purveyors of fake news” and urged media outlets and the public to always verify information before sharing or publishing.

The denial comes after several social media posts some dated as early as December 24 began spreading the unverified claim of a change in the Chief of Staff position, including graphics and “breaking” announcements that quickly gained traction online.

The Federation of Oyo State Students’ Union (FOSSU), National Council, has congratulated Governor Seyi Makinde on his 58th birthday, describing him as a student-friendly leader whose policies have significantly improved the welfare and academic experience of students across the state.

In a goodwill message issued on Wednesday, December 25, 2025, the student body praised the governor for prioritising education, youth empowerment and social welfare, noting that his administration has consistently demonstrated commitment to the needs and aspirations of Oyo State students.

FOSSU highlighted several recent interventions by the Makinde administration, including the approval and payment of bursaries to over 2,500 final-year students, clinical students and law school students. The union also commended the donation of brand-new buses to indigenous and tertiary students’ unions across institutions in the state, as well as the provision of stipends for students’ union leaders.
The students further applauded the governor for allocating land for the construction of the FOSSU national secretariat, describing the gesture as a strong signal of institutional support and long-term partnership with the student community.

Signed by the National President-Elect, Sen. Ahmed A. Mufutau, and the General Secretary-Elect, Comr. Olayiwola Stephen, FOSSU prayed for the governor’s continued good health, wisdom and success, while appealing for sustained commitment to policies that deliver the dividends of democracy to students and youths in Oyo State.

Bolaji Tunji, the Special Adviser on Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, on Wednesday berated Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over what he described as an unwarranted verbal attack on his principal.

Tunji, in a statement, accused Governor Makinde of resorting to personal insults rather than engaging in constructive and issue-based discourse, stressing that such comments do not contribute to national development or healthy democratic debate. He maintained that Chief Adelabu has remained focused on his responsibilities in the power sector, working to address longstanding challenges affecting electricity supply across the country.

The minister’s aide further described Makinde’s comments as politically motivated, noting that Chief Adelabu’s performance in office speaks for itself and should be assessed based on tangible outcomes rather than rhetoric. He added that the Power Minister has continued to prioritize reforms, infrastructure improvement, and collaboration with stakeholders to stabilize the sector.

Tunji advised the Oyo State governor to channel his energy toward governance and service delivery to the people of the state, rather than engaging in public exchanges that could heighten political tension. He reaffirmed Adelabu’s commitment to his mandate and said the minister would remain undistracted by distractions or personal attacks.

A fire outbreak on Wednesday gutted parts of the Great Nigeria Insurance House, a multi-storey plaza on Martins Street in the Lagos Island area of Lagos State.

The fire reportedly started at about 5 p.m. in the building, which is mainly used as a warehouse for clothing materials, with offices and shops also operating within the complex.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said preliminary findings showed that the fire originated from an office on the fourth floor before spreading to other parts of the building.

He explained that the LASEMA Shark Response Team arrived to find the structure already engulfed, with the fire escalating to higher floors, while rescue and firefighting operations were still ongoing.

Also speaking, the Controller-General of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Mrs Margaret Adeseye, said the fire had affected up to the fifth floor of the building but confirmed that no casualties had been recorded.

She added that firefighters were working to contain the blaze and prevent further spread, while the cause of the fire remained unknown as of press time.

A founding member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bisi Akande, has disclosed that late former President Muhammadu Buhari informed him that he never instigated ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to contest against now President Bola Tinubu in 2022.

During the APC primary election in 2022, Tinubu emerged as the party’s flagbearer while Osinbajo came a distant third.

Osinbajo is widely believed to be a political protege of Tinubu after he served under him as Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General while the now President was governor of Lagos State.

There are speculations that Tinubu was instrumental in Osinbajo’s emergence as Vice President to Buhari.

However, Akande while featuring on Edmund Obilo’s podcast, State Affairs, said Osinbajo never stepped down for Tinubu because it was his right to contest in the primary election.

Akande said: “I wanted everybody to be free to contest the election but I don’t want bitterness, I wanted them to talk on issues and not one to destroy another because I wanted one of them to emerge in the end, I wanted a Yoruba President.”

On convincing Osinbajo to step down for Tinubu, he said, “After several meetings, I told them we want only one and I want any of you to voluntarily step down.

“On the evening of the primary, some came to me that they were going to step down and they stepped down, it wasn’t too late.

“Osinbajo did not step down and I didn’t discuss it with Tinubu thereafter. Osinbajo has every right to contest and he did and I don’t blame anybody for contesting elections.”

On if Buhari was against Tinubu, Akande said: “He (Buhari) didn’t tell me so because I put many questions to him, he wanted me to see that he was not the one who instigated Osinbajo to contest against Tinubu and he made it clear that in his own culture when your mentor is interested in one position, you don’t contest with him but when Osinbajo came he was surprised and only wished him well.”

Akande’s claim is almost the same to claims in Buhari’s biography, ‘From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammad Buhari’, authored by Dr Charles Omole, that the late former president didn’t support Osinbajo’s presidential ambition.

The book quoted Buhari as saying he never supported Osinbajo’s ambition in 2022 because he never knew him.

Buhari was said to have stated that he knew the ex-Vice President through Tinubu.

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced the inauguration of a 17-member Caretaker Committee for Oyo State, further deepening the party’s internal leadership crisis.

The faction said the caretaker committee would oversee party affairs in the state pending the conduct of fresh congresses, insisting the move is in line with efforts to restore order and reposition the party. It follows similar actions by the group in other states where existing party executives were dissolved.

However, the development has intensified tensions within the PDP, as rival party leaders have continued to reject the authority of the Wike-backed faction, describing its actions as unconstitutional and illegitimate. The opposing camp maintains that the party’s recognised leadership remains intact.

The members of the committee is as highlighted below:

1. Prof Abdulrahman Akinoso – Chairman
2. Mr Adio daudaTolani – member.
3. Hon Ali Hammed Okesola – Member
4. Prince Adewale Lukuman Adewale – Member
5. Mr Tunde Sikiru Adeniran – Member
6. Alhaja Risikat Kola Popoola – Member
7. Hon Kabiru Adesokan- Member
8. Hon Yekini Adebisi Toyosi – Member
9. Hon Rotimi Adewuyi – Member
10. Hon Musbau Olayowola – Member
11. Hon Oyewole Olaosebikan – Member
12. Hon Abideen Olarewaju – Member
13. Comrade Akinloye Oyeniyi- Member
14. Chief Bili Muraina – Member
15. Hon Dauda Ramon Bamibeke-Member
16. Barr Babatunde Akinola -Member
17. Dr Biola Olanipekun- Secretary

The unfolding dispute has raised concerns among political observers about the PDP’s unity and preparedness ahead of future elections, particularly as parallel party structures continue to emerge across several states.

The Oore of Otun-Ekiti and Paramount Ruler of Mobaland, His Royal Majesty Oba Adekunle Adeagbo, has firmly debunked reports alleging that the Ooni of Ife conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on any individual, describing the claim as false and misleading.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Akogun Banjo Ayinde, the Oore reacted to what he termed “media attacks” allegedly emanating from the Alaafin’s palace against the House of Odùduwà. He stressed that the influence and royal territories of the Ooni of Ife, as the Arole Odùduwà, extend beyond Yorubaland into other parts of Africa, including the Itsekiri of Delta State, the Benin Kingdom, Ga and Ashanti kingdoms in Ghana, the Luo of Uganda, and other Odùduwà-linked communities across the continent.

The statement categorically denied that the Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has ever conceived, discussed, or installed anyone as Okanlomo of Yorubaland. It challenged anyone in possession of verifiable historical or cultural evidence to present such proof publicly. According to the Oore, while the Ooni possesses unquestionable ancestral and spiritual authority to bestow territorial titles when necessary, his reign has been focused on broader objectives of unity, peace, and development among Odùduwà descendants worldwide.

Clarifying further, the Oore noted that since ascending the throne, the Ooni has carried out only three official territorial chieftaincy installations — Odole Oodua, Iyalaje Oodua, and Yeye Oodua — all rooted in deep spiritual and ancestral traditions. He added that the Ooni’s leadership philosophy prioritizes socio-economic development, citing major investments and projects across Yorubaland that have created thousands of jobs for youths.

The statement also cautioned against what it described as outdated struggles for emperorship, noting that constitutional democracy has long eroded such notions. It urged the public to seek clarity on any Supreme Court judgments being referenced in the controversy, warning against attempts to drag the sacred stool of the Ooni into disputes that do not concern it.
Reaffirming the Ooni’s position as the natural father and spiritual head of the Odùduwà race, the Oore of Moba emphasized that leadership is earned through service, wisdom, and acceptability, not through force or threats. The House of Odùduwà, he concluded, remains committed to peace, unity, and prosperity across Yorubaland and the wider African space.