Oduduwa News

The Minister of Power and 2027 governorship aspirant under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, has sought the support of members of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) and On-Air Personalities (OAPs) towards the actualization of his gubernatorial ambition.

Speaking at a meeting held at his Iyaganku residence in Ibadan, Adelabu emphasized the strategic role of media and entertainment professionals in shaping public opinion and influencing the political landscape. He noted that the development of Oyo State requires a collective effort, which remains a top priority for him.

While addressing attendees, Adelabu clarified that the meeting was not a political rally but an interactive session with key stakeholders. He dismissed widespread perceptions that he is arrogant or inaccessible.

“I’m one of the most accessible politicians in this state,” Adelabu stated. “Some people say I’m arrogant and not approachable — that’s far from the truth. I am not stingy either. Those who have worked closely with me can attest to that. I called this meeting to foster a harmonious working relationship with you, so we can reach our shared goals.”

The Minister urged members of the APC across Oyo State to unite and work together to reclaim power from the PDP in the 2027 elections. According to him, the party’s losses in 2019 and 2023 were largely due to internal disunity.

“We must speak with one voice and avoid actions that can divide us. Unity is the only way we can return to power in 2027,” he said.

Adelabu also called on Nigerians, especially residents of Oyo State, to continue supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC, assuring them that the current challenges would soon give way to positive change.

In their separate remarks, several TAMPAN members and OAPs pledged their support for Adelabu, promising to contribute meaningfully to his campaign efforts.

A highlight of the event was the donation of ₦20 million to support members of TAMPAN and the OAP community.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed that English Language and Mathematics remain compulsory subjects for all students registering for their Ordinary Level (O’Level) examinations across the country.

This clarification follows recent speculations and misconceptions arising from the review of admission requirements by some tertiary institutions, which led to public concern over the status of these core subjects.

In an official statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Education, the government emphasized that regardless of the flexibility now being introduced in university admission processes, the foundational importance of English and Mathematics remains unchanged.

“Students must understand that passing English Language and Mathematics is still a non-negotiable requirement at the O’Level stage. These subjects are essential for both academic progression and life skills,” the statement read.

Education stakeholders and school administrators have also been urged to continue preparing students adequately in these subjects and not misinterpret the revised admission policies as a relaxation of core academic standards.

The ministry warned against misleading narratives that may cause students to neglect these key subjects, noting that both WAEC and NECO still list them as mandatory for certification.

The clarification aims to guide parents, students, and schools as registration for upcoming examinations begins, ensuring that academic integrity and national education standards are maintained.

The Presidency and the Nigerian military have jointly debunked widespread rumours of a planned coup, describing the reports as false, reckless, and aimed at destabilizing the country.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, said the Presidency is aware of false claims making rounds on social media about alleged plots within the Armed Forces. He dismissed the reports as “fabricated lies designed to cause panic and distrust in government institutions.”

“There is no coup plot anywhere. The Nigerian military remains loyal to the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, and to the Nigerian Constitution. Those peddling such dangerous rumours are enemies of democracy and national stability,” Onanuga stated.

Similarly, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) in a separate statement signed by the Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, clarified that the recent arrest of 16 military officers had nothing to do with any political conspiracy.

According to Buba, the officers were detained over acts of indiscipline and violations of military regulations, which are being addressed through the established chain of command.

“The Armed Forces of Nigeria are professional and apolitical. Any attempt to link routine disciplinary actions to a coup plot is false, mischievous, and should be disregarded,” the statement read in part.

Both the Presidency and the military warned those spreading fake and inciting information to desist or face the full weight of the law, reiterating that Nigeria’s democracy is stable, secure, and not under threat.

They assured citizens that the government remains focused on its developmental agenda, while the military continues to uphold its constitutional duty of protecting the nation’s sovereignty and democratic order.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo, says the recent wave of defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a distraction from the country’s worsening economic hardship.

Recently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been hit by a gale of defections, with several prominent members, including governors and lawmakers, leaving the opposition party for the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa, moved to the APC this week.

In his monthly newsletter, released on Thursday, Makinde said the defections have not addressed the country’s prevailing poverty, hunger, inequality, and declining living standards.

“With these defections, political pundits have been busy reading meanings into every handshake and silence. I have watched as our national conversation once again turns to who is moving rather than what is moving,” Makinde wrote.

“For me, the only defection that truly matters is the one that has not happened yet — the defection of hunger. I will only be moved when hunger defects into the APC.

“I meant every word of it because while people are busy changing parties, Nigerians are struggling to afford the basic necessities.

“Families are being forced to make impossible choices daily. These are the real issues, not political realignment.

“We cannot continue pretending everything is fine simply because someone in government says so. What we are experiencing is the widening of inequality. While the rich are adjusting, the poor are sinking — and that is what must command our attention.

“It is hunger, not partisanship, that fuels frustration and hopelessness. Until we deal with that, every political drama will remain a distraction.”

Makinde said every government decision that takes money out of people’s pockets moves them closer to poverty.

“Policies divorced from the realities of hunger, unemployment, and the erosion of dignity are not policies worth defending. My belief is that our politics must serve humanity,” he said.

The governor said the PDP once presided over a period of relative prosperity in Nigeria, noting that the standard of living was not fair at the time.

“Nigerians may disagree on many things, but they remember when salaries had value, when businesses could plan, and when hope was not an illusion,” he said.

He said the task of the PDP members is to rebuild that trust and restore the party to what it should represent — a platform that prioritises people over politics.

Makinde said the PDP national convention in November is an opportunity for the party to “reset and reassert” its values and send a clear message that “we are focused on rebuilding lives, not merely rebuilding structures of power”.

“Let me say this again: no matter what the analysts predict, and no matter how many defections are engineered, it is the Nigerian people who will decide the outcome of the 2027 elections,” the governor added.

“Our job in the PDP is to continue to provide proof that we can deliver relief where others have brought pain.

“The hunger that grips our nation today will not last forever — but only if we, together, refuse to normalise it.”

Nigerian singer and songwriter Tiwa Savage has said she is open to becoming a second wife, revealing that most of her potential suitors are either much older or already married.

Speaking on a recent episode of the American podcast Lip Service, which began trending on Friday, the Afrobeats star said she has reached a stage in life where her dating options are limited.

“I’m like a sugar mama, but I don’t want to be. If I meet somebody who can really marry me, they are either in their 50s or already married. So, I don’t know. Maybe I can be a second wife,” Savage said. “I think so. I could be a second wife.”

The award-winning singer added that she would not be a difficult co-wife, stressing that she values peace and mutual respect in relationships.

“I think I can get along with the first wife and she’s going to love me because I’m not going to be troublesome,” she said. “I’m going to be going on tours, I’m not really going to stress you. I’m very respectful, I know that you are the first wife and would accord you that respect.”

Savage, a mother of one, was previously married to music executive Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TBillz. The pair tied the knot in 2013 and divorced in 2018. Their union produced a son. Both parties later accused each other of infidelity following their separation.

The 2027 presidential race took a defining turn on Friday as stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State formally endorsed Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim for president, declaring that the era of “politics of entitlement” is over.

The endorsement, made under the aegis of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), positions Ogun as the epicenter of a growing South West political reawakening, a wave that has already gained traction across Osun, Lagos, Ekiti, Ondo, and Oyo States.

Speaking after the adoption, Hon. Gbenga Idowu, State Coordinator of GHSM, described Hashim as “the bridge between the North and South” and “the most competent and credible alternative to the failed APC leadership.”

“President Tinubu has failed both Nigeria and the South West. What he promised as renewal has turned into national ruin. Inflation is at its worst, insecurity has deepened, and the people are hungry,” Idowu declared.

He added that, Ogun is joining the rest of the South West to say enough is enough. It was here that Tinubu once said ‘Emilokan’ and God permitted it. Today, we are saying, ‘Baba, eti ja wa kule. Ni 2027, Gbenga ni o má gbe wa ga’, meaning, the feast is over; it is Gbenga who will lift us higher.”

The stakeholders hailed Hashim’s comprehensive $4 trillion economic blueprint, which emphasizes industrial expansion, energy reform, agricultural value chains, and youth employment as pillars for national rebirth.

They also praised his integrated national security plan, which combines intelligence coordination, defense reform, and community policing to tackle insecurity holistically.

“Gbenga Hashim has a plan, not slogans. While others trade in political catchphrases, Hashim offers leadership with depth, clarity, and vision,” Idowu asserted.

The Hashim wave is already resonating across the South West, with similar endorsements emerging from PDP stakeholders and grassroots coalitions in Osun, Oyo, Lagos, and Ekiti, signaling what political observers describe as a “South West PDP rebirth” anchored on Hashim’s leadership.

“Gbenga Hashim is not in politics for ego or profit,” Idowu emphasized. “He is here for purpose to unite our nation, reform our economy, and restore the dignity of governance.”

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a founding member of the PDP, businessman, and former presidential candidate, has in recent months emerged as a formidable national contender ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Political analysts say Ogun’s endorsement marks a major shift in regional dynamics and could reshape South West politics in the countdown to 2027.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.

It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary. This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.
This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice appreciates the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, which continue to strengthen institutional integrity. Public engagement is always welcome, as it demonstrates that Nigerians care deeply about justice and good governance.

There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.

The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice wishes to clarify that no inmate approved for clemency under the recent exercise of the President’s power of prerogative of mercy has been released from custody.

The process remains at the final administrative stage, which includes a standard review to ensure that all names and recommendations fully comply with established legal and procedural requirements before any instrument of release is issued.

It is important to note that the last stage of the exercise, after approval by the Council of State, is the issuance of the instrument for the implementation of the decision concerning each beneficiary. This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action.
This verification process is part of the standard protocol and reflects the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence.

The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice appreciates the public’s vigilance and constructive feedback, which continue to strengthen institutional integrity. Public engagement is always welcome, as it demonstrates that Nigerians care deeply about justice and good governance.

There is no delay in the process; it is simply following the law to the letter to ensure that only those duly qualified benefit from the President’s mercy. As soon as all legal and procedural checks are concluded, the public will be duly informed. The rule of law does not rush; it ensures fairness.

There was confusion at an Area Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Thursday, when a woman identified as Mulikat Yusuf suddenly slumped after her husband, Ishaq Abdulganiyu, insisted on ending their marriage.

The incident occurred during a heated divorce proceeding in which Abdulganiyu told the court he could no longer continue with the union, citing irreconcilable differences. According to eyewitnesses, the woman, who appeared visibly emotional throughout the session, fainted the moment her husband maintained his stand despite pleas from relatives and court officials for reconciliation.

Court attendants and sympathizers quickly rushed to her aid, while proceedings were temporarily halted. She was later revived and taken outside the courtroom for medical attention.

The presiding judge, visibly moved by the scene, adjourned the case to a later date to allow the woman to recover fully. The dramatic turn of events drew the attention of many present at the court premises, sparking discussions on the emotional toll of divorce cases.

Ogun State Government and two leading renewable energy service companies (RESCOs) have entered into a landmark partnership agreement to generate around 1,100 MW of solar power in the state to strengthen its industrial base.

The companies are: Tranos Contracting Limited, which is to establish 600MW solar panel manufacturing plant and battery pack in the state, and Vision Gas and Power Limited, which is also to establish 500MW solar panel manufacturing plant with potential expansion to 1GW.

The partnership was sealed at the instance of the Vice-President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, during the Nigeria Renewable Energy Innovation Forum(NREIF) 2025, holding between October 14th and 15th, 2025 at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on Media & Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, stated that the forum was convened under the Federal Ministry of Power and co-organized with the United Nations Development Programme(UNDP), the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) with Vice-President Kashim Shettima as Chairman for the year 2025.

With the theme: “Implementing the Nigeria first policy: Facilitating Local Content Development and Manufacturing in the Renewable Energy Ecosystem NREIF2025”, the forum, according to the statement, is Nigeria’s premier platform to shape the future of renewable energy manufacturing in Nigeria by bringing together global leaders, investors and policy makers, among others.

“These partnerships will ultimately spotlight Ogun state as a leader in innovation, industrial readiness and inclusive growth, while affirming our state’s commitment to economic diversification and environmental sustainability.

“This is in tandem with our vision to attract investments that drive robust economic base, create jobs, and ensure that our State remains a model of innovation and sustainability.

“By expanding local capacity for clean energy production, we are reducing dependence on imports and laying a foundation for inclusive industrial growth”, the statement read.