The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ADELEKE

  • Conviction of Osun monarch in US ‘ugly development’, says Adeleke, dethronement imminent

    Conviction of Osun monarch in US ‘ugly development’, says Adeleke, dethronement imminent

    The dethronement of Apetu of Ipetumodu, Oba Joseph Oloyede, who was recently jailed in the United States of America(USA) by District Judge Christopher Boyko over $4.2 million in COVID-19 fraud, may be imminent as Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke described the development as ‘ugly’. 

    Oba Oloyede, who was arrested in May 2024, was jailed with Pastor Edward Oluwasanmi in August 2025, causing ripples in Ipetumodu, headquarters of Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State. 

    The Nation reports there was a crisis in the town during the week as princes, chiefs and kingmakers clashed at a meeting over a call to dethrone Oba Oloyede after he was sentenced to prison in the US. 

    The kingmakers, led by Asalu, Chief Sunday Afolabi Adedeji opposed the call on the basis that government was yet to obtained a Certified True Copy(CTC) or give any directives. 

    But Governor Adeleke, after the State Executive Council meeting on Friday night, frowned at the development in Ipetumodu. 

    Read Also: Adeleke settles rift between deputy, PDP leaders 

    A statement by the Commissioner for information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi explained: “He (Adeleke) further instructed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to take action on the ugly development at Ipetumodu where the King was recently jailed in the United States of America.”

    Reacting to the development, an heir to the throne, Prince Olaboye Ayoola from the Aribile Ruling House commended Governor Adeleke for his directive noting that it will douse the existing tension in the town. 

    He said: “Since the embattled monarch was jailed, there is tension in our community, but the directive of the Governor will ease it now. The kingmakers who were opposing his dethronement will heed to the directive now.”

    He urged the Governor to ensure that Aribile ruling house replaces Oloyede and not move to Fagbemokun because the embattled king did not die but was jailed. 

    When contacted, the head of kingmakers, Chief Adedeji said : “We can’t do anything outside the directive of the Commissioner, we will be waiting for his directive.”

  • Osun LG crisis: Reinstated APC chairmen seek tenure elongation, sue FG, IGP, Adeleke

    Osun LG crisis: Reinstated APC chairmen seek tenure elongation, sue FG, IGP, Adeleke

    Amid the ongoing local government crisis in Osun State, the reinstated council chairmen of All Progressives Congress(APC) have dragged Federal Government, Inspector General of Police, Osun State Government and others to court to seek for elongation of tenure ahead of expiration of October 2025 tenure.

    The council chairmen were elected into office in October 2022, but were sacked by Governor Ademola Adeleke after a Federal Court declared the election as illegal. However, in February 2025, the Court of Appeal reinstated them to office while PDP members were also sworn in as council executives after February 22nd LG poll in the state.

    Since February 2025, APC and PDP have been laying claim on the control of the council, despite that members of Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) have been on strike and council allocations withheld.

    The reinstated APC council executives whose tenure will expire in October, 2025 in an originating summon filed by Barrister Muhideen Adeoye on behalf of Saheed Onibonokuta and seven other local council chairmen, which was made available to The Nation sought for extension of their tenure to February 19th 2028.

     They filed the suit FHC/OS/CS/147/2025 against Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, Osun State Governor, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State Independent Electoral Commission(OSIEC) and Osun State House of Assembly.

     The reinstated chairmen prayed the court to determine six issues among which are tenure of office, swearing in of the PDP council executives among others.

    Read Also: FG revokes license of Oritsemeyin rig

     The claimants sought for eight reliefs for declaration that OSIEC cannot validly issue a notice of polls, conduct elections into the councils and swear in another set of members during the subsistence of the tenure of office; all steps taken and being taken by the 3th, 4th, 5th and 6th Defendants from the 22nd day of February 2025 and particularly in August, 2025 till date, to force into the Local Government Councils in Osun State some individuals as members of the Councils during the subsistence of the tenure of office of the Claimants is illegal, unlawful, invalid, unconstitutional, null and void.”

    They also urged the court that upon a proper interpretation by AGF(1st Defendant) prescribing and curtailing the tenure of office of the Claimants to end in October, 2025 is ultra vires his office, unconstitutional, illegal, null and void only to the extent of his curtailing the tenure of office of the Claimants till October, 2025.

    They prayed the court to mandate AGF and IGP to provide needed security to the Claimants to preserve, protect and enforce their constitutionally and statutorily guaranteed tenure of office till the 19th day of February, 2028 when their three-year tenure will expire by effluxion of time.

     They prayed the court to restrain the Governor Ademola Adeleke, Attorney-General of the Osun State, House of Assembly and OSIEC from taking any step or act to forcefully remove, oust or force the Claimants out of their offices anytime in October, 2025 or thereafter till the 19th day of February, 2028 in their various Local Government Councils.

  • Adeleke’s deputy, PDP settle rift, as leaders affirm Adewusi’s loyalty

    Adeleke’s deputy, PDP settle rift, as leaders affirm Adewusi’s loyalty

    The Deputy Governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi and leaders of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday settled their rift as they affirmed his loyalty to the party.

    It will be recalled that party leaders from Ife Federal Constituency, led by the state Financial Secretary, Prince Adesoji Adegoke, former Deputy Speaker Ropo Oyewole, two serving commissioners, Dipo Eluwole and Biyi Odunlade, along with 35 others, had passed a vote of no confidence on him(Adewusi) alongside Professor Wale Oladipo (PDP BoT member) over alleged anti-party activities.

    Meanwhile, at a unity meeting which was held at the residence of the deputy governor in Ile-Ife and attended by party leaders including, PDP State Chairman, Sunday Bisi, Senatorial Chairman, Akin Famuyide, lawmakers, council chairmen and all political appointees of Governor Adeleke in Ile-Ife Federal Constituency, affirmed Adewusi loyalty to the party, saying “the rift has been settled”.

    Read Also: FG revokes license of Oritsemeyin rig

    Adewusi described the rift as a storm in the cup of tea which has been settled by the party internal mechanism, warning that it should not be dragged beyond limit.

    “Bygone is bygone. We have forgotten everything that happened in the past, and we have turned over a new leaf. What happened here today is to tell all of you that PDP is one. There is no division between us, and in politics, you cannot rule out what has happened in the past.”

     In his remarks, Bisi, explained that the meeting was to foster unity among the stakeholders of the party in Ife Federal constituency, noting that “the vote of no confidence has been withdrawn.”

     He said PDP has internal mechanism through which rift and differences are resolved, adding that “We have done it here today and Ile-Ife which peace reigns, the storm is over and peace will reign in supreme in Ife PDP and Osun PDP in general.”

  • Adeleke settles rift between deputy, PDP leaders 

    Adeleke settles rift between deputy, PDP leaders 

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has resolved the feud between his deputy, Kola Adewusi and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The leaders had passed a vote of no confidence in him for alleged anti-party activities.

    The Nation recalls that PDP leaders and members of the party from Ife Federal Constituency, led by the Financial Secretary, Prince Adesoji Adegoke, ex-Deputy Speaker, Ropo Oyewole, two commissioners, Dipo Eluwole, Biyi Odunlade and 35 others, reached the agreement after their meeting last Monday.

    A statement by the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, confirmed that Adeleke had resolved the differences, urging stakeholders to beware of agents of division engineered by the opposition.

    Read Also: FG approves $300 as Nigeria’s official De Minimis threshold

    The statement said: “At a high powered reconciliation meeting attended by Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Deputy Senate Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi, state Chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi; Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Kazeem Akinleye; Chairman of the Commissioners’ Forum, Alhaji Ganiyu Olaoluwa and other party stalwarts, the family feud was declared resolved, with a resolution to forget and forgive for victory next year.’’

    Governor Adeleke, rounding off the meeting, described the recent disagreement as a product of communication gap and deliberate efforts by some external forces to sow seeds of discord within the party.

    He lauded the leaders for their openness and brotherhood.

    “Throughout this meeting today, I see Ile Ife PDP as very united. I listen to all the leaders here and I see clearly a communication gap among the leaders. There is also a strong sign of an outsider plot to divide Ife PDP.

    “Now that we have seen the root of the matter, I urge us to get back to work. Our administration has done so much for Ife land and we are still going to do more.

    “Ile Ife is a PDP territory. Go back and sustain the tempo. I commend the elders and leaders, the senatorial leader, the local party chairmen, the elected party chairmen, party chiefs and operatives. Go back and continue working for victory for the party,” the governor told the party chiefs.

    The Chairman, Bisi, described the incident leading to a vote of no confidence as a family affair, saying “all parties have demonstrated true love for the party.

    “We are glad that all issues have been ironed out. It is the resolution of this meeting that all statutory meetings for party mobilisation should reconvene and all party members and leaders should frown at any act capable of misinterpretation,” the party chairman told the meeting.

  • Adeleke urges security agencies to stay neutral, says Osun must not become political battleground

    Adeleke urges security agencies to stay neutral, says Osun must not become political battleground

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called on security agencies to remain professional and non-partisan in the unfolding political climate, stressing that Osun, being the home state of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, must not be turned into a political battleground.

    A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, noted that the governor made the appeal during the decoration ceremony of his Aide-De-Camp (ADC), Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ahmed Bio Abdulraman, at the Government House, Osogbo.

    The event was attended by the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan; the NSCDC State Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo; the FRSC Sector Commander, Leye Adegboyega; and other service chiefs.

    Adeleke praised the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism, commending the Inspector General of Police and the Osun Command for their discipline and adherence to due process. 

    Read Also: Crisis rocks Osun PDP as leaders pass vote of no confidence in Adeleke’s deputy, others over alleged anti-party 

    He particularly lauded Commissioner Gotan for his leadership style, which he said has fostered peace and order across the state.

    While appreciating the synergy among security agencies, the governor charged them to remain neutral in political activities. 

    “We should continue to maintain a level playing field. This is the home state of Mr. President. Mr. President belongs to all of us. Osun should not be turned into a battleground,” he stressed.

    Expressing delight over the promotion of his ADC, Adeleke described DSP Abdulraman as an exemplary officer whose loyalty and discipline reflect the values of the Nigeria Police, noting that the Force remains a vital institution for Nigeria’s growth and stability.

  • Osun PDP leaders pass vote of no confidence in Adeleke’s deputy

    Osun PDP leaders pass vote of no confidence in Adeleke’s deputy

    Leaders and members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have passed a vote of no confidence in the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi and ex-National Secretary, Prof Wale Oladipo, over anti-party activities.

    The leaders and members of the party from Ife Federal Constituency, led by the state Financial Secretary, Prince Adesoji Adegoke, ex-Deputy Speaker, Ropo Oyewole and two serving commissioners, Dipo Eluwole, Biyi Odunlade and 35 others, reached the agreement after their meeting on Monday.

    The communiqué jointly signed by 39 chieftains noted that several activities of the duo amounted to anti-party actions, hence, they passed a vote of no confidence in them.

    According to the communiqué, they held that they were dissatisfied with the actions and conduct of Bimbo Ajilesoro, a member of the House of Representatives, who defected from the party ‘’with the mandate freely given to him by our people.’’

    READ ALSO: Your governor has your money, ask him for it

    “We condemn invitation of hoodlums to Ife Federal Constituency meeting by the party Chairman, Olasunkanmi Makinde (aka Benco), purportedly on the instructions of Prof. Wale Oladipo. This meeting was earlier scheduled to be held at the home of the deputy governor.

    “That the leadership is equally disappointed by the continued fraternity of Prof. Oladipo, the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, and Ife East PDP Chairman, Olasunkanmi Makinde (aka Benco), with Bimbo Ajilesoro, who has since defected from the party.”

    They said the party was enraged that loyal members like Lawrence Omotosho, Adeyinka Adeniji (aka Gbogbo Ebe), Yakubu Olawusi and others, who openly disassociated themselves from Bimbo Ajilesoro, following his defection, were being continuously victimised by being relieved of their government and party positions.

  • Adeleke hails wife on birthday, hall of fame induction

    Adeleke hails wife on birthday, hall of fame induction

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has congratulated his wife, Erelu Ngozi Adeleke, on the occasion of her birthday and her induction into the Nigerian Books of Record’s Hall of Fame.

    The dual celebration, held at Admus Hotels in Osogbo, was graced by top government officials and traditional rulers, including the Elerinmo of Erinmo-Ijesa, Oba Michael Odunayo Ajayi; the Ishi Ubom of Ishi Ubomiri, Imo State, Eze Emma Saint-George Ekeh; and the Timi of Ede, Oba Munirudeen Adesola Lawal.

    Read Also: Gov. Adeleke bags icon of good governance award from Nigerian Books of Record 

    In his tribute, Governor Adeleke described his wife as a “dependable partner and supporter of his governance legacies,” noting that her life exemplifies joy, grace, and divine blessings.

    “I rejoice with my dear wife, Amb. Erelu Ngozi, on her birthday. She is a pillar of support and a beautiful mother. Her empowerment programmes and projects have touched countless lives both locally and nationally,” the Governor said.

    He also praised her induction into the Nigerian Books of Record as “a national honour that reflects the depth of her impact, character, and contributions.” 

    He urged her to intensify her efforts in supporting the poor and less privileged.

    Erelu Adeleke, a United Nations Peace Ambassador and the Erelu Soludero of Erinmo-Ijesa, has made remarkable strides in philanthropy through the Esther Adeleke Humanitarian Foundation, which has empowered many in Osun State and beyond. 

    She has received numerous awards for her humanitarian work.

  • APM faults Adeleke’s massive infrastructural drive to Ede community

    APM faults Adeleke’s massive infrastructural drive to Ede community

    The Osun State Chairman of Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Hon Adewale Adebayo, has faulted the concentration of the infrastructure drive to Ede, the hometown of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

    The Nation recalled that Adeleke just approved the construction of dual carriage roads from Abere to Ede, Ofatedo to Ede, and Ara junction to Ede recently which was proposed to be completed within six months.

    Meanwhile, Hon Adebayo in a statement over the weekend reacting to the development berated the simultaneous approval of dual carriage roads to the hometown of the governor, describing the approval as nepotistic.

    He said, “It is getting clearer every day that Osun State under Adeleke is a government of Ede, by Ede and for Ede which the administration has consistently shown since 2022 that it places little value on the collective will of the Osun people who voted him into power.

    “Osun people should not forget his earliest actions were the erection of a statue of his late brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, at the entrance of the Osun State Secretariat in Abere, while also changing the official address of the Secretariat from Osogbo, the state capital, to Abere in Ede land. This symbolic gesture alone revealed his intentions—shifting the identity and pride of Osun’s capital toward his hometown.”

    Read Also: Abuja–Kaduna train derailment: Alkali, Opeifa rule out sabotage

    He continued, “Months ago, when we raised concerns that Adeleke’s infrastructural projects were being disproportionately concentrated in Ede, we were dismissed and ridiculed. Today, it has become undeniable: Osun is witnessing a government of Ede, by Ede, and for Ede.

    “Every major road in Ede has either been rehabilitated or newly constructed under Adeleke’s watch. Roads are being opened to private homes—both prominent and obscure. In less than three years, Ede’s infrastructural development has outshone Osogbo.”

    He highlighted that in Ede; a dual carriageway from Akoda–Redeemer University junction to Oke-Gada, another from Abere to Ede spanning over 5km, 10km Ofatedo–Ede dualisation project and yet another dual carriageway from Oke-Gada road to Ara Junction.

    “Meanwhile, the administration attempts to cover up its bias by announcing flyover projects in Osogbo and Ile-Ife—projects that appear more like political distractions than genuine commitments.

    “After a gale of defection hit his inglorious party, PDP, the government dishes out politically timed, token projects in Ilesa less than 3KM and another in Ila-Orangun because the two Senators who dumped his party are from Ijesa and Ila.”

    He berated Adeleke for the discontinuation of Ipade Imole, his supposed town hall accountability session to evade public scrutiny.

    “Osun people are no longer deceived. If Governor Adeleke can be this intentional about building only his hometown, the people of Osun will be just as intentional about returning him home in 2026. APM stands ready to break this cycle of greed and self-serving politics, offering a credible, inclusive, and people-driven alternative to the APC and PDP.”

  • Gov. Adeleke bags icon of good governance award from Nigerian Books of Record 

    The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has been conferred with the prestigious 2025 Nigerian Icon of Good Governance (NIGG) Award by the Nigerian Books of Record (NBR). 

    In a presentation ceremony held in his honor on  Thursday 28th August 2025, in Ede, Osun State,  governor Adeleke also earned a place in the revered NBR Hall of Fame, a rare recognition reserved for transformational leaders whose contributions have left a lasting mark on Nigeria’s development.

    The double honour, presented to him celebrated Governor Adeleke’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-oriented  leadership.

    Speaking at the event, NBR Director General, Prof. David  David, described the NIGG Award as a catalyst for responsible and responsive leadership.

     “By honouring leaders like Governor Adeleke, we inspire others to use power for national development, minimize corruption, and foster transparency,” he said.

    The Nigerian Books of Record established the NIGG Award to recognise leaders who demonstrate measurable impact across ten governance indicators, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, fiscal discipline, and economic empowerment. The process follows strict international evaluation standards, notably the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) guidelines.

    To qualify, nominees must have served for at least two years and produced verifiable results in service delivery. This rigorous benchmark, NBR stressed, makes the award a gold standard for governance recognition in Nigeria.

    Since his assumption of office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke has pursued a five-point agenda anchored on workers’ welfare, infrastructure renewal, social policies, economic empowerment, and agro-industrial growth.

    Infrastructure: His administration has constructed and rehabilitated over 150km of intercity roads, including the Oke Fia Flyover in Osogbo, and dualized major roads in Ede, Ilesa, and Iwo. The ₦159 billion infrastructure plan, executed without loans, also covers healthcare, schools, and water projects, with 75% of funds retained locally.

    Healthcare & Social Welfare: Over 200 health centres have been upgraded, while the Imole Surgical Outreach provided free surgeries to more than 50,000 citizens. The Osun Health Insurance Scheme (O’HIS) was expanded to include pensioners and persons with disabilities. 

    Governor Adeleke also cleared a ₦48 billion pension debt backlog and approved a ₦75,000 minimum wage, one of Nigeria’s highest.

    Economic Empowerment: Through initiatives like the Cooperative Revolving Loan Scheme (₦1.58 billion disbursed) and the Imole Business Empowerment Scheme, thousands of women and youths gained financial support. The newly passed Osun Electricity Market Bill aims to attract energy investment and create jobs.

    Education & Innovation: Osun’s ranking in national exams jumped from 33rd to 7th, with 250 new classrooms built. The establishment of the University of Ilesa, a new Tech Innovation Policy, and adoption of Nigeria’s Startup Act have positioned Osun as a rising digital hub.

    Fiscal Discipline: Despite heavy inherited debts, Adeleke cut Osun’s debt burden by 43% and achieved 97.3% IGR growth in 2024, placing the state 5th on Nigeria’s Fiscal Transparency League Table in 2025.

    The induction into the NBR Hall of Fame solidifies Governor Adeleke’s status as one of Nigeria’s most impactful contemporary leaders. The Hall of Fame immortalises individuals whose contributions redefine the country’s socio-economic and political history.

    For Adeleke, the honour reflects his resilience in overcoming political setbacks, his fulfilment of campaign promises, and his reputation as a “Man of the People.”

     From his pro-worker policies to social interventions like the Imole Free Train Service during festive periods, he has earned the trust of Osun citizens and endorsements from unions for a second term.

    The NBR emphasized that its awards are more than ceremonial—they are benchmarks for governance excellence.

     By documenting and celebrating leaders like Adeleke, the institution seeks to inspire a new generation of Nigerian leaders to embrace transparency, accountability, and citizen-centric governance.

    “Governor Adeleke’s leadership demonstrates that good governance is not about rhetoric but about measurable impact on people’s lives,” Prof. David noted.

    In his acceptance speech , Governor Adeleke thanked the NBR and the good people of Osun and promised to keep up his unmatched legacy of performance. 

    With this recognition, Osun State under Adeleke is now widely viewed as a model of sustainable development, while the NBR continues to set the pace in celebrating transformative achievements across Nigeria.

    Deputy Governor of Osun State, members of Osun State executive council, House of Assembly speaker, members of house of assembly, Chiefs, Captain of industries attended the event.

  • Osun workers’ welfare my priority – Adeleke

    Osun workers’ welfare my priority – Adeleke

    Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State says the welfare of workers in the state remains his top priority.

    Adeleke made this statement while addressing workers at a welcome-back rally organised in his honor at Government Secretariat on Thursday in Abere, Osun.

    The governor said one of his campaign promises was to prioritise workers’ welfare, which he said he had started.

    “For this show of love, I can tell you that you haven’t seen anything yet. I am your governor, and I will make your welfare a priority”, he said.

    Read Also: Osun APC blasts Adeleke for dragging FG to Supreme Court over withheld LG funds

    Adeleke also announced that he would soon unveil the “Imole Soft Loan” scheme for workers.

    In his remarks, the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) Chairman in the state, Dr Nathaniel Ogungbami, said the rally was to honor the governor after his short vacation.

    Ogungbami added that the workers would continue to support the governor due to his worker-friendly policies.

    Also, the Chairman of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in the state, Abiola Fasai, said that the workers would continue to support the governor.

    Fasai noted that the governor was prioritising workers’ welfare and they would reciprocate the gesture during the Osun governorship election.

    (NAN)