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Tag: Ademola Adeleke

  • Osun community seeks Adeleke, Ooni’s intervention to avert communal clash over Obaship dispute

    Osun community seeks Adeleke, Ooni’s intervention to avert communal clash over Obaship dispute

    Indigenes and residents of Moro Town in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun State have appealed to Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to intervene urgently and prevent a potential communal clash arising from an unresolved obaship dispute and allegations of impersonation within the community.

    The town has been in the process of installing a new monarch following the death of Oba Ezekiel Oyeniyi in 2024. However, tensions have escalated as claims over the rightful occupant of the throne remain contested.

    Addressing journalists on Sunday at the palace, the Olumoro Chiefs-in-Council, led by High Chief Festus Abidoye, the Oosa, confirmed that the dispute is currently before the Osun State High Court, Ile-Ife.

    Chief Abidoye alleged that one Prince Gideon has been presenting himself as the Olumoro, describing the act as unacceptable and warning him to desist immediately.

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    He said, “It is pertinent to note that the matter of the Olumoro stool is currently before a competent Court of law. The case is ongoing, with the next hearing scheduled for early February 2026. As a people known for wisdom and respect for order, we must recognize that once a matter is sub judice, it is no longer subject to personal interpretation or unilateral action.

    “Unfortunately, it has come to the attention of the Olumoro Chiefs-in-Council and concerned stakeholders that one of the contestants to the stool, Prince Gideon, is allegedly parading himself as the Olumoro while the case remains unresolved. This development is deeply concerning.”

    He warned, “The act of impersonation and interference of Saalu Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Oladepo, can snowball into a communal clash among the contenders of the stool.

    “We appeal to Governor Ademola Adeleke and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to intervene in this matter and call these two people to order before this result to communal clash.”

    Also, the Youth Jide Abomide urged Adeleke and Ooni to prevail on Salu and the prince who is impersonating as the monarch of the town. 

  • APC chief demands Adeleke’s resignation

    APC chief demands Adeleke’s resignation

    • Govt: allegations baseless

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Surulere Constituency II, Lagos State, Quassim Shittu, has called for the resignation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over allegations of N13.7 billion payroll fraud.

    Speaking with reporters in Lagos, he urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to conduct an independent investigation, stressing that the claims required scrutiny to protect public funds.

    The allegations emanated from findings presented by a Lagos-based forensic audit firm contracted by Osun State Government in April 2023 to undertake a comprehensive verification of the state’s payroll.

    According to the firm, its audit reduced the monthly payroll from N4.48 billion for 37,456 workers and 17,918 pensioners in January 2023 to about N3.34 billion for 29,004 workers, with the pensioners’ figure unchanged.

    It further alleged the discovery of 8,452 ghost workers, estimating monthly savings of N1.14 billion and annual savings of N13.7 billion.

    Shittu condemned the alleged findings, saying Osun State required leadership driven by accountability and transparency.

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    He said if validated, the allegations should compel Governor Adeleke to resign.

    He urged residents to support the APC’s 2026 governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, whom he described as a credible alternative with the capacity to reposition the state, citing his experience as a former managing director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

    However, Osun State Government has dismissed the allegations, describing the audit firm’s claims as an attempt to impose a flawed and possibly fraudulent report on the state.

    In a statement issued at the weekend, Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the figures presented by Sally Tibbot Consulting Ltd were inflated, prompting a re-verification exercise that uncovered substantial discrepancies.

    According to the government, many individuals labelled as ghost workers appeared physically during the re-verification, confirming they were legitimate employees.

    The government said it offered to provide the firm with proof of the workers’ existence, noting that the company neither requested the documentation nor issued an acceptance letter for payment based on the 1,316 workers who were genuinely unaccounted for.

  • Adeleke orders enforcement of Osun LG financial law compliance as NULGE resumes Jan 5 

    Adeleke orders enforcement of Osun LG financial law compliance as NULGE resumes Jan 5 

    …praises police protection of workers

    Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Saturday directed strict compliance with the Osun State Local Government Accounts Administration Law, 2025, which regulates the opening, management and operation of local government accounts.

    In a statement issued through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor also commended the Osun State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees for resolving to resume work on January 5, describing the decision as patriotic and people-oriented.

    It will be recalled that the NULGE leadership had announced that its members would return to duty after an 11-month strike over the dispute surrounding the control of local government councils between the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.

    Adeleke said the decision of the workers to resume work reflected the labour movement’s sensitivity to the yearnings and aspirations of the people, expressing optimism that January 5 would mark a new beginning for revitalised services and improved social delivery at the grassroots.

    The governor, who described local government administration as the most effective means of reaching residents and citizens, said the labour leaders had demonstrated confidence in responsible leadership.

    He also commended the police authorities for their recent decision to enforce law and order at various local government secretariats across the state.

    “As much as I’m commending the NULGE leadership, I must also appreciate the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 11 and the Osun state Commissioner of Police for their commitment to provide security cover for lawful resumption of activities at the various council secretariats.

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    “The police command has acted responsibly to prevent anarchy and violence being plotted by some elements. The prompt action of the police has nipped in the bud any untoward happening across our secretariats. We hope to see the Command following through its directive against the evil plot to disrupt workers’ resumption of duty.

    “Our government is not opposed to local government autonomy. The presidential decision on local autonomy has good intentions of devolving good governance to the local level. We support it. What we however advocate is that rule of law and due process must never be sacrificed on the altar of political shenanigans.

    “The constitution and the laws on the local government system must be complied with in financial, administrative and other matters. The rightfully elected leadership of the local government should also not be denied their legitimate rights to exercise their mandate. This has been our position.

    “We welcome the workers’ resumption of duties. We commend the police and other security agencies for keeping our state peaceful. Only under harmonious conditions can the dividends of democracy be sufficiently delivered. We need peace, unity and adherence to democratic principles”, the governor posited.

  • Adeleke slams call by lawmaker to deregister Accord Party

    Adeleke slams call by lawmaker to deregister Accord Party

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday berated a lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke, for advising the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister Accord Party ahead of 2026 governorship election.

    Oke had admonished INEC to deregister Accord Party, saying it did not have any elected official in public office, pursuant to Section 225A of the constitution.

    Adeleke through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement said All Progressives Congress (APC) was obsessed with illegal and unconstitutional means against Osun State governor.

    He said Oke had become a laughing stock in his ridiculous quest to please his new masters within APC fold, adding that Accord had become a party of victory, of triumph within a short span of its unveiling by Governor Adeleke.

    “As the APC is desperately working to financially strangle Osun State by withholding local government allocations in the evil scheme to punish the voters into submission, it is equally plotting to destroy the ruling party in the state. This is not democracy; this is a recipe for democratic chaos.

    “The APC strategy so far is built on undemocratic plot and scheming, rather than contend with the electorate, who have serious questions for Mr Bola Oyebamiji and the top hierarchy of APC. If APC is sure of its electoral potency, it should drop the evil plot to destroy Accord Party and let the fight be taken to the voters.

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    “Governor Adeleke has delivered in several sectors as attested to by local and international observers. In this festive period, Osun diaspora across the world are seeing first hand and hearing testimonies about the impressive performance of Governor Adeleke in the last three years.

    “The governor has delivered across sectors, with Osun emerging the best in Southwest in primary health care; with Osun moving from 33rd position under APC to seventh position in NECO and WAEC ratings; with sports sector undergoing policy reform under an ongoing five star upgrade and renovation of Osogbo City Stadium; with science and innovation receiving policy and implementation attention; with tractors and input support now available to farmers; with over 250 kilometres of roads built state-wide; with over 100 billion naira pension and half salary debt paid; with close to four billion naira allocated to cooperatives and artisans financing; with ease of doing business attracting investment and booming PPP sector.”

    Rasheed challenged the APC candidate to run on his party’s records from 2018 to 2022 across the sectors, noting that “Governor Adeleke is running on his own records from 2022 to date; and comparing the two eras, the jury is out—Governor Adeleke surpassed 12 years of APC rule under three years.”

  • I have delivered across all sectors—Adeleke boasts

    I have delivered across all sectors—Adeleke boasts

    The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday affirmed that his administration in three years has delivered good governance in all sectors of the state.

    This is just as he challenged his critics to judge him by his records as a governor in the last three years, saying, “leadership is not and should not be a master–servant relationship.”

    A statement by Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed that the governor made it known at Iwude Ijesha carnival at Ilesa on Sunday, who fired back at critics who questioned his style of governance asserted that governance is not about stern-looking leaders parading corridors of power.

    He explained, “Governance is about making a direct positive impact on the lives of the people. Your delivery as a governor is the best judge of your performance and capacity to lead. Judge me on my records, outputs, and agenda as a governor. That is the best globally accepted parameters to measure leadership.

    “My people, I have delivered across sectors in the last three years. I positively touched all sectors and federal constituencies. My records affirm and validate my capacity and competence to continue to lead our dear state.”

    He added that the governor who felicitated with the Ijesa people on the occasion of the Iwude day said his team conducted due diligence on the basic developmental challenges facing Ijeshaland in 2022.

    Read Also: Adeleke puts security agencies on red alert after attack on Osun border community

    According to him, “When we came on board in late 2022, Ijesaland was being plundered without accountability. There was an inglorious rape of the land actively aided by the government of the time. Environmental degradation caused by illegal mining was so pervasive that the underground water across Ijesaland was declared polluted. Illegal mining was not just a challenge; the revenue flow from the mining sector was then to private pockets rather than the state treasury.

    “Our administration launched a mining sector reform. Today, Osun’s shareholding within the Segilola Gold Project is secured. Concerted war is being waged on illegal mining. Environmental cleaning up is now a continuous exercise. We launched a river clean-up project manned by tested professionals.”

    Adeleke continued, “The Ilesa Water project, which was a center of corruption under the previous government, was reviewed, and anti-corruption measures yielded positive results. A project meant to provide water supply to the Ijesa people was turned into a channel of self-enrichment by some people from this land. Today, the contract for the water project has been cleaned up, and the project is set to continue after processing by the Islamic Development Bank.

    “Beyond several infrastructure projects already executed across this great land, the late Adimula made two requests from me when I was campaigning for the governorship. By the grace of God, we have delivered and even exceeded the demands of our late father.”

    He highlighted several interventions his government delivered for the Ijesa, including the University of Ilesa, roads, among others.

    “I call on you all to renew your dedication to our joint mission of taking our dear state to a new, greater height. We must not allow political and developmental setbacks to afflict us again, the governor ended. 

  • Adeleke set for Accord as chaos rocks PDP primary

    Adeleke set for Accord as chaos rocks PDP primary

    • Adedayo picks PDP governorship ticket

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is set to join Accord (A) next week as the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) worsened.

    IN the midst of the party’s crisis, Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola yesterday won the governorship ticket of the PDP ahead of next year’s election in Osun State.

    A total of 990 delegates were billed for the primary, but 957 were accredited for the exercise that took place at Adolak Event Centre, Osogbo, amid heavy security.

    The Chairman of the party’s Primary Committee, Humphery Abba, announced before the commencement of the exercise that the party received two nominations, including Governor Ademola Adeleke and Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola.

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    He said: “However, few hours to the primary, Adeleke dumped the party.”

    The exercise was monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    At the end of the exercise, Abba declared Adedamola as the winner of the primary.

    He said: “Void votes 20. We told you earlier that one of the aspirants withdrew. The candidate who got the remaining votes is Adebayo Adedamola with 919 votes and stands elected and returned.”

  • JUST IN: PDP to hold guber primary today after Adeleke’s exit from party 

    JUST IN: PDP to hold guber primary today after Adeleke’s exit from party 

    …organisers allege threat to life

    Barely 12 hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke exited the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the party’s Osun Chairman, Sunday Bisi, declared that the governorship primary would not hold as scheduled, the PDP is now set to conduct its primary election on Tuesday, December 2.

    Bisi had told selected journalists on Monday that the suspension and counter-suspension of key national officers, who play statutory roles in conducting congresses, primaries, and transmitting candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had thrown the process into confusion.

    He further stated that due to the crisis rocking the national leadership of the PDP, Governor Adeleke might no longer be interested in seeking the party’s ticket for the 2026 Osun governorship election unless an INEC-recognized resolution is reached within the stipulated timeline.

    Hours later, a resignation letter purportedly signed by Governor Adeleke surfaced online, dated November 4, 2025, in which he cited the party’s national leadership crisis as his reason for quitting.

    However, the PDP national secretariat, through its National Organising Secretary, Hon. Theophilus Shan, maintained in a letter dated December 1, 2025, that the primary would proceed as planned on December 2, 2025.

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    The letter read, “Sequel to the earlier notice of 28th October, 2025 to the gubernatorial primaries and the successful completion of congresses to elect ad-hoc delegates and National delegates in Osun State on the 24th and 29th of November, 2025, the Party hereby reminds strategic stakeholders and the general public that the primaries to elect the gubernatorial candidate will hold on December 2nd, 2025 at Atlantis Multipurpose Hall, Ring road, Osogbo, Osun State, 10am.”

    He noted that the Electoral Committee for the Primary has been constituted and will oversee the conduct of the exercise accordingly.

    The letter advised, “The candidates cleared for the primaries are advised to behave in accordance with the provisions of our party’s constitution and the in the interest of law and order, as any act of indiscipline will be severely punished.”

    Meanwhile, a top security source confirmed that the primary may not hold at the venue due to several threats that the exercise must not proceed because the state leadership has taken its stance. 

    The source said, “They have threatened both the owner and the manager of the venue never to allow the primary to hold. This may force them to change the venue to another place. But we are on top of the situation.”

    Also, a source within the party who pleaded anonymity, said, “The primary will hold as schedule but we are yet to know the venue, we have changed the earlier venue. Security is guaranteed for all the delegates.” 

    Also, one of the organisers of the Primary simply identified as Abiodun said “the state chapter of PDP is threatening us but we won’t panic. We are going to hold the primary no matter the threat.”

    Efforts to speak with State Chairman, Sunday Bisi was abortive as his phone was not available as at the time of filing this report. 

  • Row over passage rites for Osun monarch Oba Famodun

    Row over passage rites for Osun monarch Oba Famodun

    • Adeleke orders 24-hour curfew on community

    Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke yesterday declared 24-hour curfew on Igbajo town in Boluwaduro Local Government, as residents have clashed over the passage rites for the late monarch of the town, Oba Adegboyega Famodun.

    The monarch, who died last Friday, was Osun State chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC). He was installed in 2022 as the 30th king of the town in the twilight of the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

    He was later removed through an executive order by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who appointed Oba Ademola Makinde to replace him.

    However, in January, Osun State High Court reinstated Oba Famodun, a decision that has been challenged in court.

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    The community has been in crisis over the authentic king, as the majority of the chiefs and heads of compounds pledged their loyalty to Oba Famodun.

    After the Gbeleru Royal Family announced his death, traditionalists and chiefs of the town began the rites of passage, which some loyalists of Oba Makinde opposed, saying, “the town has one king who is alive and healthy.”

    The loyalists started the clash on Sunday, which continued yesterday morning when chiefs and community members loyal to the late Oba Famodun stormed the market to shut it, to honour the late monarch.

    Later, Governor Adeleke in a statement by his Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, announced an immediate 24-hour curfew, following breakdown of law and order.

    The statement said: “According to intelligence report from the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Samuel Ojo, Governor Adeleke has announced lockdown of the town with the imposition of 24-hour curfew.

    ‘’The curfew, which is with immediate effect until peace is restored, is as a result of continued breach of law and order among the indigenes. A development which has been attributed to the demise of Oba Famodun.

    “Governor Adeleke condemns the development with a declaration that his administration will not be a party to any civil disobedience capable of truncating the peace and harmony being enjoyed throughout Osun State, Igbajo inclusive.

    “Governor Adeleke, in line with the new directive on the 24-hour curfew, issues a stern warning to the indigenes and non-indigenes to continue to toe the path of peace and order, as anyone found or caught in any act, openly or clandestinely, will be dealt with in line with the dictates of the law.”

  • Osun 2026: Adeleke shops for political platform to seek re-election

    Osun 2026: Adeleke shops for political platform to seek re-election

    • Gov negotiating with Accord Party, process 85% completed – Source
    • He’s still with us, has free decision to leave party – Osun PDP
    • We’re ready to receive governor – Accord Party

    The Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke is said to be shopping for an alternative platform outside his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for his re-election in 2026, following the deepening and irreconcilable crisis rocking its national leadership.

    The Nation recalled that PDP has been embroiled in a crisis over factions loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nysom Wike, and the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, which has made it difficult to administer the party unanimously, including the nomination of candidates in Ekiti and Osun states.

    Amidst this development, Adeleke may not be properly nominated as the candidate of the party in accordance with the timetable issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which fixed November 24th to December 15 2025 for all the political parties to hold their respective primaries.

    The PDP National Vice-Chairman(South), Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe, confirmed that the party cannot nominate a candidate owing to the internal crisis.

    While featuring on a private radio station, Rave FM in Osun State during a talk show programme, Frank Talk, monitored by The Nation, Ajisafe  berated the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nysome Wike and factional secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu over the crisis rocking the party.

    According to him, “I am not happy with the way things are going in the party, Anyanwu is my personal friend. Like that of Ekiti, we said we are going to do the primary we have written to INEC to monitor the exercise but the Anyanwu group wrote to INEC that there should be no primary.

    “Like that of Osun State now, they gave us time for our primary which is December 15, Anyanwu was not ready to sign. So how do we move? That is an automatic ceding of the mandate of the election. Wike and Dr Ademola Adeleke met, they discussed freely only for Wike to come to national television and say that he advised the Osun Governor. What advice did he give? Adeleke told him that he had to stop all the shenanigans and requested what he wanted.”

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    Responding to Adeleke’s possible defection from PDP ahead of the primary, he said, “Let me tell you that if anything happens in Osun, it has to do with looking for a platform to contest, I am telling you. Where is the platform to contest now? If you are a very good party man, will you be happy losing someone like Taraba State governor, Osun state, like you rightly said he is planning, I don’t know about planning, a political platform is to contest, I am happy about that.

    “But the problem we have in Osun is quite different from what we have in Taraba, election in Taraba and some other states is 2027, our own in Osun is 2026, the primary for any political party trying to present a candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election is December 15. What is the position of INEC, what do we do, how are we going to manage that? After December 15, INEC by the constitution will not recognise any emergence of a candidate from any political primary.

    Ajisafe added that “It is absolutely known to the whole world that there is no way that the PDP would be able to nominate a candidate for the 2026 governorship election.”

    Amid this development, The Nation gathered authoritatively that Adeleke is considering the Accord Party as a source disclosed that arrangements had reached 85 per cent to conclude his move.

     Reacting to the development, Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Mr Victor Akande denied the speculation that Adeleke had concluded plans to join his party ahead of the primary.

    He said, “To us, it is still a rumour.  Adeleke is not talking to us at both the state and national level. If he initiated the talks I would be carried along but nothing of such yet.”

    “Although, if he wants to join us, our two hands are wide open to receive him into our party. The political party’s door doesn’t have a door, hence we can’t shut it against him.”

    Meanwhile, Osun State PDP through its Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji affirmed that Adeleke is still in PDP and if he wants to leave the party, he is entitled to his decision.

    Bamiji stated that “Adeleke is a strong force in Osun political space today, he would win anybody from any party. He has not told us at the party level that he is leaving. We are still united and working assiduously to ensure that he is reelected.”

  • Nobody can defeat me in Osun, Adeleke boasts

    Nobody can defeat me in Osun, Adeleke boasts

    Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday boasted that nobody can defeat him in the August 8, 2026 governorship election, saying he was not afraid of any federal might. 

    Speaking with newsmen after facing the Osun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)!Governorship Screening Committee in Abuja on Thursday, the Governor boasted that he was confident that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not do anything at will “mess up his administration”.

    He said if he can defeat an incumbent Governor to claim the seat, he was more than confident that the 2026 election will be a walk over, saying ” we will be dancing and winning”

     Adeleke said: “First of all, we don’t have any internal wranglings in Osun State. When you look around, I can tell you that the PDP in Osun is number one. We are one family and everything is going on well. So, there’s no internal wrangling in PDP.

    “I confident of winning the elections because I have performed very well. You know, I mean, I introduced what they call fact-checking. You can go back and fact-check in Osun and see what is going on there. We are in the era of technology. You can just Google it and check it out, you will know that we are doing very well in Osun.

    “I am so confident that I am going to win. I defeated an incumbent and I am the Governor. Within two years, it’s unprecedented what we have achieved. Man, I’m so confident that nobody can beat us there”.

    Asked what he plan to do for the people of the state, the Governor said: “This time, more goodies all the way, more goodies all the way throughout Osun State. We’ll be dancing, and we’ll be working.”

    The Governor said he was not scared  of any antics that may be brought to bear on the election, saying “I am not scared. How can I be scared? I am too popular. Anywhere I go, don’t you love me? I love you! Hey, everybody say Imole. 

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    “Anywhere I go, throughout this country, even in the APC, I have some friends and in other parties too. Just take APC as a case study. Anytime they are having a party or an event, I go there and even take over the place. They all love me. If you are not performing, that’s when you’ll be scared. When you have your people behind you, you don’t have to fear.

    “During my first term, the federal might was there. I saw the equipment, I saw the resources. But now, that same federal might is there. But I don’t think the President will want to do something that will mess the administration up because my election is going to be the election before the presidential election. So, I am sure everything will be free and fair, and that is what we are talking about.”

    Chairman, Osun PDP Gubernatorial Screening Committee, Adebayo Adepoju, said the committee has gone through the documents of the Governor was was confident that the coast was clear for him to proceed with the election

    Asked whether the Governor was running unopposed, he said: “Well, we’re hoping, I think we have somebody else who is supposed to come in after him. He hasn’t shown up yet. So, right now, we have screened him. It’s very possible we’ll have a second person coming in, and until that person arrives, there’s still some time.

    “Once that person comes in, we cannot answer that question fully. So, when that person arrives and we screen them, then we’ll know if there are going to be one, two, or even three aspirants. But for now, it’s only him”.