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  • Osogbo and the struggle for power shift

    Osogbo and the struggle for power shift

    • By Rasheed Bolarinwa

    There are moments in the life of a city when its collective spirit shifts – quietly at first, then unmistakably. That is the Osogbo I encountered recently: a capital humming with clarity, determination, and a renewed understanding of its own political weight. Conversations across the city no longer revolve around what might happen in the future; they centre on what Osogbo is prepared to make happen now. The atmosphere feels like a city stepping into its own agency after years of deferring its rightful ambition.

    This clarity becomes more significant when placed beside current electoral data. Osun State now tops the national chart of newly registered eligible voters, recording about 185,089 out of Nigeria’s 2.3 million fresh CVR completions. A sizeable percentage of these nearly 200,000 new voters belongs to Osogbo – driven by intentional civic advocacy and strong community mobilisation across “agbooles” and homesteads. The numbers are not just statistics; they are a subtle declaration of readiness.

    Osogbo is done waiting. And this time, the mood is different. It is not the recycled political mantra of “our turn will come.” It is a grounded, unified insistence that the capital city must rightfully stake its claim in 2026. What stands out is not noise or agitation but consensus—a rare convergence of voices across divides. From community leaders and professionals to artisans, traditional custodians, and political actors, the refrain is consistent: 2026 is Osogbo’s year to lead. Underlying this confidence is a shared conviction around one individual—Kunle Rasheed Adegoke  (KRAD).

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     The alignment behind him is not accidental, nor is it the product of fleeting political excitement. It feels more like a thoughtful convergence of interests, ambitions, and assessments. In countless side conversations, strategy discussions, and community engagements, his name emerges as the embodiment of Osogbo’s aspirations.

    KRAD represents something the city has been waiting for: a candidate who appeals simultaneously to emotion and logic, to grassroots and elite, to tradition and modern political strategy. He is seen as the bridge between a city eager to reclaim its place and a party—APC—that needs a credible, relatable, and refined contender.

    This support has not been hidden in whispers. Osogbo’s leaders have taken their resolve directly to the party’s highest moral and political authorities: Baba Bisi Akande; Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola; the State APC leadership and traditional rulers and their councils

    The tone was respectful but clear: “Osogbo is aligned. Osogbo is prepared. And Osogbo is hoping APC recognises the unity emerging here.”

    This unity is noteworthy because capital cities are rarely aligned. They are typically fragmented by interests, ambitions, and overlapping power blocs. Yet, Osogbo has managed to collapse these divides into one shared declaration: “we will not stand on the sidelines any longer.”

    This unity is reinforced by political developments within the APC itself – such as the weekend withdrawal of the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, from the 2026 governorship race, citing reasons that further recalibrate the field and open new strategic pathways.

    The developments – grassroots energy, elite alignment, favourable demographics, and shifting party dynamics – are converging into a clear trajectory. Osogbo is not just expressing desire; it is demonstrating leverage.

    And that leverage is grounded in structure, numbers, and momentum.

    The capital city enters the 2026 cycle with tangible advantages: a rapidly growing voter base; strong APC machinery; expanding urban influence; deep emotional investment; an unprecedented elite consensus and a candidate who resonates with both the city and the broader party family

    These are not ingredients of a plea. They are foundations of a strategic plan. What is unfolding is deliberate: harmonising of aspirations, grievances, civic energy, and political arithmetic into a serious, well-timed push to break the ceiling that has kept Osogbo outside the governorship seat.

    Osogbo is not raising dust; it is raising structure. Not emotions; but a strategic pathway. Not entitlement; but readiness. For the first time in decades, it is approaching the governorship with an edge difficult to contest and impossible to ignore, 2026 is no longer just about aspiration. It is about positioning. And Osogbo is positioned – clearly, confidently, and with the numbers to back its resolve.

    • Bolarinwa, PR & Strategic Communication expert, can be reached via: rasheedbolarinwa@gmail.com

  • Three truck drivers arraigned in Osogbo for alleged incitement against FRSC patrol team

    Three truck drivers arraigned in Osogbo for alleged incitement against FRSC patrol team

    Three members of the Allied Truck Transport Association of Nigeria (ATTAN) have been arraigned before the Osogbo Magistrate Court, Osun State, for allegedly inciting a mob attack on a patrol team of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC).

    The FRSC Sector Commander in Osun, Leye Adegboyega, in a statement, identified the defendants as Olatunde Abioye, Abdul-lateef Raheem, and Abdullazeez Mudasiru. They are facing three counts of conspiracy, obstruction of a public highway, and breach of public peace.

    According to Adegboyega, the incident occurred on Saturday near the main gate of the Government Secretariat, Abere, when a mini truck (registration number APM499XA) was stopped for a seatbelt violation.

    The patrol team issued a Notice of Offence ticket and confiscated the driver’s licence pending payment of the fine into the government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA).

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    However, the driver allegedly refused to accept the ticket and called on fellow ATTAN members. Within minutes, about 50 men reportedly arrived in union vehicles, blocked the road, and disrupted public peace, preventing the FRSC team from carrying out their lawful duties. The mob allegedly attempted to attack and disarm policemen at the scene.

    Adegboyega said efforts by some union leaders to calm the situation were ignored, and the three accused persons were subsequently arrested.

    They were arraigned before Senior Magistrate A.O. Ayilara on August 9, 2025, and granted bail for ₦1 million each, with sureties of reasonable means within the court’s jurisdiction. The case was adjourned to September 25, 2025, for trial.

    The Sector Commander commended the police for their intervention and reaffirmed FRSC’s commitment to carrying out its statutory duties without compromise.

  • Alumni association rewards teachers with N1.5m, donates facilities to alma mater

    Alumni association rewards teachers with N1.5m, donates facilities to alma mater

    The St. Charles Old Boys Association (SCOBA) has rewarded teachers in St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, with a sum of N1.5 million as the academic performance of students in the school keeps improving consistently.

    At the Founder’s Day celebration in Osogbo, the Global President of SCOBA, Mr. Tade Adekunle, commended the teachers for their efforts that culminated in the improved academic performance of the students.

    Adekunle said St Charles Grammar School, Osogbo, is known for academic excellence since it was founded, and expressed gratitude to the teachers and students for sustaining the legacy of excellence.

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    He said the 1.5m donation to teachers was in appreciation of their efforts leading to students’ 94 percent credit pass in the 2024 May/June WAEC examination.

    Adekunle said the old boys also donated 53 two-seater desks and Chairs to the school. He added that SCOBA also donated 120 stools for the Physics/Chemistry laboratories.

    He said: “June 3rd is our founder’s day. We come to the school every year to celebrate it. We want the current students to also imbibe this. The old boys have contributed significantly to the school, and we hope that the current students will emulate this.”

    The Secretary General of SCOBA, Mr. Leye Odetoyibo, assured that the old boys remain committed to supporting the school to retain its top position among its contemporaries.

  • ‘Wait till 2030 for governor of Osogbo extraction’

    ‘Wait till 2030 for governor of Osogbo extraction’

    The leader of the Muslim community in Osogbo, Muniru Raji, has enjoined governorship aspirants from the state capital to wait until 2030, when the ticket would be zoned to Osun Central, to realise their ambition of governing the state.

    Raji, who is also Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, warned the indigenes against internal wrangling, noting that it may jeopardize the town’s chances of producing the governor when the time comes.

    He made the remark during a stakeholder engagement at the Osogbo Affairs Forum held at Osogbo City Hall. The Asiwaju Musulumi who made the disclosure in a viral video stressed the importance of unity in the agitation for a governor of Osogbo extraction.

    He said: “Let us wait for five years before agitating for the governorship seat. Osogbo’s political stakeholders must be wary of internal disunity; it could jeopardize the chances of an Osogbo indigene becoming the governor of Osun State in 2030.

    “Osogbo has the potential to lead Osun State, but disunity among our people remains a significant barrier. Without a united front, achieving the dream of producing a governor from Osogbo will be nearly impossible.”

    He called on all political actors, traditional leaders, and youth organizations in Osogbo to foster unity and work collaboratively toward achieving their shared goals.

    xRead Also: Osogbo to launch digital data bank to promote unity, social welfare

    Meanwhile, the Osun West Majiyagbe Ambassadors (TOWMA), one of the groups lobbying the APC to concede its governorship ticket to an aspirant from Osun West Senatorial District, has dispelled insinuation that the call is laced with imposition tendencies.

    In a statement by its Coordinator, Moshood Mujeeb said the group is not interested in any particular aspirant and that its agitation for zoning the governorship ticket to Osun West is to ensure equity fairness and transparency.

    Mujeeb said: “False claims about top party officials attempting to impose a candidate not only undermine our democratic ethos but also diminish the voices of our party hierarchies. Our vision for the 2026 elections aligns with the principles of fairness, unity, and progress that underpin our great party. By working together, we can ensure an inclusive and prosperous future for Osun State.”

  • Protest rocks Osogbo over alleged illegal sales of lands, abuse of power by Ataoja 

    Protest rocks Osogbo over alleged illegal sales of lands, abuse of power by Ataoja 

    • …allegations are baseless, ill conceived—Palace spokesman 

    Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, witnessed protests on Sunday, November 24, as residents, including members of royal families of past kings, accused the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, of illegal land sales and abuse of power.

    Carrying placards, the protesters also condemned the monarch’s decision to appoint non-indigenes as traditional community heads, particularly in the Agunbelewo community.

    Olori Adesiyan Adenle, wife of a former Ataoja, called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to intervene, warning that the monarch’s actions could lead to communal clashes.

    Speaking on behalf of the royal families, Prince Agboola Adejobi, Head of Oluawo Oba Compound, emphasized the need for accountability to the people and the gods, as upheld by past Ataojas.

    “The primary duty of Ataoja is to develop the domain, as well as protect and develop every aspect of the sociocultural well-being of the Osogbo land.”

    Read Also: Osogbo communities end FGM practice

    “The cultural heritage of the Osogbo has not been as vibrant and elegant as it used to be, the traditional values and morals laid down by past Ataojas have been jettisoned by Olanipekun.”

    However, when contacted, the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun, through his personal secretary, Bello Wasiu, dismissed the protesters’ claims as baseless and unfounded, describing the allegations as ill-conceived.

  • Osogbo communities end FGM practice

    Osogbo communities end FGM practice

    Five communities in Osogbo, Osun State have declared their resolve to end the practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).

    During the public declaration at the Osogbo Local Government Secretariat, the communities including Owódé, Ibú Ajé, Ìlúdùn, Baba Kekere, and Gá Fúlàní Bàbá Pupa affirmed the decision to stop FGM.

    The FGM abandonment in the Osogbo communities was a result of a sustained campaign against the practice by the state government and stakeholders because of its harmful effects.

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    The state Ministries of Health and Women Affairs in collaboration with a nonprofit organisation, Action Health Incorporated with the support of UNFPA had held various events aimed at sensitising communities to the danger of FGM practice and the need to stop it.

    Speaking at the public declaration of FGM abandonment by the communities, the wife of the Governor, Mrs Titi Adeleke commended the communities for the resolve.

    The UNFPA Gender/FGM Analyst, Mrs Uzoma Ayodeji and the AHI programme officer, Miss Fatimah Idris urged community leaders to keep monitoring and ensure compliant to the commitment.

  • Tension in Osogbo as crisis rock Park Management team over alleged extortion

    Tension in Osogbo as crisis rock Park Management team over alleged extortion

    …rivalry team took over park managers’ secretariat

    There was palpable tension in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, on Tuesday, July 2, after several gunshots were fired at the State Secretariat of the Osun Park Management System (OPMS) over alleged extortion, high-handedness, and death threats by an appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

    The crisis erupted barely 18 months after Governor Adeleke appointed Nurudeen Wakili, also known as Alowonle, as the chairman of the Osun park managers.

    The incident began on Tuesday morning when a group of park managers, led by a man identified as Aroso and former State Secretary of the National Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Comrade Morounkade Akinade, protested against the chairman over issues including extortion and non-remittance of revenue to the government.

    The protesters took over the secretariat, chasing away the executives of the park managers.

    However, the executives regrouped and countered the protesters, leading to a gun battle and a fight that resulted in the hacking of the park manager’s chairman.

    Speaking about the protest, Akinade alleged: “Wakili always extort us. He collected N1.2m from us when Adeleke was conferred as Asiwaju of Ede Land. He very found of collecting money with the name of Adeleke’s family. If anyone challenged him he will threaten such person. So we decided that we don’t want him again. We don’t want him to direct the affairs of this Osun Transport Management System.

    “The government gave us ticket, he refused to remit money to them. We opposed him then he threatened to kill us. We are at the secretariat now and they are threatening us with guns. They said they will kill us.”

    Read Also: Police grill Ataoja of Osogbo over purported petition by co-monarch 

    However, the chairman of park managers, Wakili denied the allegation while speaking with newmen at hospital as he had sustained injury on his neck and right arm during the invasion to the secretariat.

    He said: “I saw that some hoodlums gathered and blocked me on the road, two of them were our former members. They attacked and stabbed me. They shot at my car. They are the enemies of government. They are not pleased with the park management system that government formed. One of them is Arogundade Wasiu, aka Aroso, is one of them.”

    Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola said that the command is aware of the incident and has drafted operatives to the area affected.

  • I am sure of victory, says Osun APC candidate Basiru

    The senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun Central, Dr Ajibola Basiru yesterday said he’s sure of winning tomorrow’s election.

    In a statement by his media office, Basiru said: No amount of blackmail and mudslinging will stop us from coasting home to victory.

    Apparently reacting to the criticism on his visit to Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) secretariat in Osogbo during his campaign tour, the APC candidate said: “I’ have taken my campaigns to Pastors and Imams and that does not denigrate me from my faith. I am to be a senator to entire Osun Central Senaorial District and so shall it be by Allah’s grace”.

    He advised the opposition to nurse the wound of their imminent defeat secretly and stop assassinating his character.

    Basiru told the APC supporters to protect their votes by staying around after voting . He said the law permits the electorate to stay at a distance after casting their votes to monitor the ballot boxes and witness counting of votes. He urged them to maintain peace during and after voting.

    The immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice urged APC agents to be on the alert and report any malpractice to security agents on ground. He also advised the security personnel to be neutral in order to enhance the credibility of the electoral process.

    He stressed the need for voters to use their index fingers to print the ballots in order to avoid void votes. He also told voters not to allow themselves to be disenfranchised on the excuse that the smart card reader machine could not recognise their fingers.

    He said: “If you are duly registered and possess the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) you should insist on being screened again and again until the machine brings out your data. Tell the presiding officer that it is your right to vote.”

    He advised women to clean their fingers of the local paint called “laali” before going to the polling units on the day of election.  He said failure to remove the paints may suggest they have voted when they have not.

     

  • FRSC to certify vehicles on election duties from February 5

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Osun said on Wednesday that it would certify all vehicles to be used in conveying sensitive election materials in the state as from Feb. 5.

    FRSC’s Sector Commander, Mr Peter Oke, said in Osogbo that the measure was to avoid any breakdown or delay in the electioneering process.

    Oke said the command would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that such vehicles were in good condition.

    He said that the drivers of the vehicles would also be certified to have genuine drivers’ licences.

    “The exercise will commence from Feb. 5 nationwide, to ascertain the condition of the vehicles to be used for the exercise.

    “We will ensure drivers are well-trained and retrained and are with genuine licences. We will also ensure that all the vehicles are in good condition,” he said.

    According to him, the command is working with other sister agencies, to ensure that the elections are conducted peacefully in the state.

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    “The certified vehicles will be given stickers, which will be pasted on the windscreen together with other means of identification.”

    Oke noted that the command would also collaborate with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), to ensure smooth transportation of election materials.

    The sector commander said that ambulances would also be stationed at strategic locations during and after the exercise, with FRSC officials on patrol throughout the state.

    Oke, however, urged relevant stakeholders to support the command in ensuring peaceful and hitch-free elections.

    NAN

     

  • Osun residents charged to see governance as joint responsibility

    The residents of Osun State have been advised to see business of governance as a joint responsibility for which they must be active participants.

    Addressing a press briefing in Osogbo, the Supervisor in charge of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, therefore, called for the support of the people to make the Gboyega Oyetola administration succeed.

    The immediate past Commissioner for Finance, who is also the Supervisor for Commerce, Cooperatives and Industries, submitted that for government to succeed, the people must contribute their quota by paying their taxes and other levies promptly for the government to be able to provide social amenities and build infrastructure.

    He stressed the need for residents to join hands with the government to move the state forward.

    Read Also: Osun tribunal: Oyetola to open defence January 30

    According to him: “All over the world, no government can succeed without the input and contribution of the governed either through payment of taxes and levies or through the maintenance of public works.

    “The administration of Mr. Oyetola is ready to look inwards and raise funds which will, in turn, be used to better the lives of the masses in the state. The time has passed that state government will be looking up to the federal government for funds through the federal allocation which is already is dwindling.

    “The Oyetola administration is determined to make life better for the people of the state and it is eager to build on the achievements of the past eight years. I want to sincerely appeal to residents of Osun and indigenes, both home and abroad, to see the task of moving the state forward as onerous which all and sundry must join hands with government to achieve.

    “The present administration in Osun is eager to put smiles on the faces of the people through masses oriented programmes and policies but this can be only achieved if the people play their roles. it is time that we began to see business of governance as a joint responsibility. If you don’t have any means of paying your tax or other levies you can assist government in the maintenance of public works.

    “Mr. Gboyega Oyetola is another kind-hearted individual with a sincere heart to continue from where the immediate past administration stopped. The policy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is to put smiles on the faces of the people and so we have no choice than to continue to drive the growth and development of our dear state.

    “Osun is already on a pedestal of greatness and we shall get there but with the support of the people. Our state is ranked among the best in the country. With the support of our people, the task ahead will easy for us to achieve.“