The Nation Newspaper

Tag: OSUN

  • Osun: N16.5bn dual carriageway, township roads to boost Ilesa economy

    Osun: N16.5bn dual carriageway, township roads to boost Ilesa economy

    The Osun State Government on Saturday said the N16.5 billion dual carriageway and 10 township roads in the Ilesa industrial corridor were constructed to stimulate economic growth, expand business hubs, and support start-ups in the ancient town.

    The Director of Highways, Engr Moruf Ojebode, told journalists during an inspection of the projects that the roads formed part of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s infrastructure-driven agenda to reposition Ilesa as a major commercial and economic hub.

    He said the improved road network, spanning about 20 kilometres, has eased movement, improved access to markets and industrial clusters, and created a more enabling environment for investors and small-scale businesses.

    Ojebode added that Ilesa had never had a dual carriageway before the current administration. 

    He said the new road stretches from the palace of the Owa-Obokun through the International Brewery axis to the Ilesa–Akure expressway, covering about 6.2 kilometres, with walkways and solar-powered street lights.

    “If you look at the geography of Ilesa, you will discover that the industrial section of it is the road that we have chosen. We have International brewery and others that are located in the corridor of that road. You will discover that after the completion of that road, those areas and houses have transformed into companies and business hubs.”

    He continued, “That dual carriageway has put Ilesa in limelight, it has developed the town more by bringing out majestic upliftment of the ancient town.

    “We have completed other roads in the town numbering about 10 namely; Ademoroti, Ogbon titun, Bonke, Ita Ofa, Atakunmosa market, Imose, Adeti, Oke Ese, Ajimoko and INEC roads.”

    The community through their leaders lauded the infrastructure interventions and endorsed Governor Adeleke for Second term in office, stating that it resonated with their demands. 

    The council chairman of Ilesa West, Hon Oladiti Aluko, advised the residents and road users against activities that is capable to damage the road, saying, “our governor has fulfilled part of his electoral promises to us and we must make good use of the road.”

    Also, a community head, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said “All Ilesa indigenes are behind Governor Ademola Adeleke for second term. He has done so well in the area of infrastructure and we must continue to support his government.”

    Similarly, the Vice Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), Abuja Park, Temitope Matthew, said “this road is beneficial to my members and we are in full support of this government. We will vote for him massively in 2026 guber poll.”

  • Death sentence for three over murder, possession of human parts in Osun

    Death sentence for three over murder, possession of human parts in Osun

    A 47-year-OLD commercial motorcyclist, Muyideen Tunji, and his two friends, Yusuf Muslim(48), and Rabiu Fatai(55), have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo, for killing a 53-year-old widow for money ritual.

    The trio were arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2022, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts, contrary to Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

    The convicts pleaded not guilty.

    During the trial, the prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Dele Akintayo, informed the court that Tunji invited the deceased, Asiata Yekeen(a widow), to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the pretext of paying her the money he owed her.

    Akintayo stated that, upon Asiata’s arrival, she met Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai in the house, they strangled her shortly after, dismembered her, and buried the remains in a shallow grave behind Tunji’s house after severing vital body parts.

    Read Also: Electoral Act: Senate failed Nigerians, Opposition parties allege

    He continued: “The case was reported to the police and the Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo by Mr. Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman when efforts to reach the deceased failed. Witnesses who saw the deceased enter Tunji’s house, who is an Okada rider, also alerted security operatives.

    “Subsequently, Tunji fled upon learning that security operatives were searching for him and hid at the residence of Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai, allegedly taking some human body parts of the deceased along with him.”

    The defence counsel to the three convicts, J. D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade argued that the prosecution’s evidence was hearsay and urged the court to dismiss the charges.

    But, Akintayo called six witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits, including the convicts’ confessional statements.

    Justice Sodamade held that the prosecution proved its case beyond doubt and found the defendants guilty on the counts.

    The convicts were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, death by hanging for murder, and five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of human parts.

  • Okada rider, friends sentenced to death by hanging for murder of Osun widow

    Okada rider, friends sentenced to death by hanging for murder of Osun widow

    A 47-year-old commercial motorcyclist, Muyideen Tunji, his friends, Yusuf Muslim (48yrs), and Rabiu Fatai (55 years) have been sentenced to death by hanging by an Osun State High Court sitting in Iwo, over the murder of a 53-year-old widow for money ritual.

    The Nation recalled that the trio were arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Fatimah Sodamade on January 31, 2022, on a three-count charge of conspiracy, murder, and unlawful possession of human parts, contrary to Sections 324, 319(a), and 329A(1) of the Criminal Code, Cap 34, Volume 2, Laws of Osun State of Nigeria, 2002.

    Meanwhile, the convicts pleaded not guilty to the charges pressed against them by the Osun State Government.

    At the trial, the prosecutor from the Ministry of Justice, Barrister Dele Akintayo, informed the court that Tunji invited the deceased, Asiata Yekeen (a widow), to his residence in Ile-Ogbo under the pretext of paying her money he owed.

    Akintayo stated that, upon Asiata’s arrival, she met Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai in the house. They strangled her shortly after she arrived at the house, dismembered her body, and buried the remains in a shallow grave behind Tunji’s house after severing vital body parts.

    He continued, “The case was reported to the police and the Amotekun Corps in Ile-Ogbo by Mr. Suleiman Akorede and Yekini Suleiman when efforts to reach the deceased failed. Witnesses who saw the deceased enter Tunji’s house, who is an Okada rider, also alerted security operatives.

    “Subsequently, Tunji fled upon learning that security operatives were searching for him and hid at the residence of Yusuf Muslim and Rabiu Fatai, allegedly taking some human body parts of the deceased along with him.”

    Meanwhile, the defence counsel to the three convicts, Barrister J.D. Olaniyan, Adesina Olaniyan, and Bayo Alade, argued that the prosecution’s evidence was hearsay and urged the court to dismiss the charge against their clients.

    But, State Counsel, Akintayo called six witnesses and tendered 13 exhibits, including the convicts’ confessional statements.

    In her judgment, Justice Sodamade held that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt and found the defendants guilty on all counts.

    The convicts were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit murder, death by hanging for murder, and five years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of human parts.

  • Osun APC, ALGON warn Adeleke against misleading public on LG funding crisis

    Osun APC, ALGON warn Adeleke against misleading public on LG funding crisis

    • …stop routinely subjecting Tinubu to public criticism—APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Osun State have cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against what they described as deliberate attempts to mislead the public over the ongoing local government control and funding crisis.

    They alleged that multiple court actions initiated by the Adeleke administration are the primary factor hindering the release of statutory allocations to local government councils in the state.

    The Nation recalled that the governor, in a statewide broadcast, had appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene in the crisis, citing the continued stay in office of what he termed “reinstated” APC local government executives whose tenure had allegedly expired, as well as the purported withholding of council funds by the Federal Government.

    However, the APC, during a press conference at its state secretariat on Wednesday, accused the governor of distorting facts surrounding the legal and administrative status of local government councils and the disbursement of federal allocations.

    Read Also: Goronyo leads mobilisation drive, rallies APC stakeholders to boost e-registration in Sokoto

    Addressing journalists, the party’s Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, said the Adeleke administration’s narrative on the crisis does not reflect the true position of the law or the prevailing administrative realities in the state.

    “The claims of Adeleke was regrettably built on misrepresentation, selective narration of facts, and a deliberate attempt to deflect responsibility for a crisis largely of his administration’s own making.”

    He said that “It is patently false to assert that the reinstated APC Chairmen and Councillors are illegally occupying Local Government secretariats. Their return to office followed clear and subsisting judicial pronouncements, most notably the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on 10 February, 2025, which nullified the foundation upon which their earlier removal was predicated. That judgment remains valid, binding, and unappealed.”

    He added that, “It is contradictory for a governor who routinely subjects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to public criticism to now seek presidential intervention to undermine the clear words and spirit of a Supreme Court judgment affirming local government autonomy nationwide.”

    Also, Chairman of ALGON, Hon Abiodun Idowu, berated Adeleke for maligning Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola over the local government crisis.  

    Reacting to the development, Osun State Commisssioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi cautioned Oyetola against using Federal cover to impede council administration in Osun State. 

  • Osun APC ex-guber aspirant alleges threat to life after criticising Adeleke’s education qualifications

    Osun APC ex-guber aspirant alleges threat to life after criticising Adeleke’s education qualifications

    • Petitions IGP, DSS, NSCDC

    A professor of Mathematics from the United States of America (USA), Rafiu Durodoye, who contested for the Osun State governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised the alarm over an alleged threat to his life after criticising the government of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

     Durodoye recently granted an interview with an online platform, where he questioned the quality of education at Atlanta Metropolitan College, Georgia, and the certificate earned by Adeleke in the school. Also, he criticised his style of governance, stating that he should be voted out in 2026.

    However, Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement, warned the US university don against disinformation aimed at the governor.

    While addressing newsmen in Osogbo capital of Osun State, on Friday, Durodoye raised alarm over alleged death threats from unknown people who were bitter about how he criticised Governor Adeleke.

    He said: “I received a call from Ede, hometown of the governor, the person warned and threatened me over my comments on Adeleke with an unknown number.  After another person told me that they had given him my job to do, to kill me. After that, Adeleke’s spokesperson wrote things against me on social media.

    Read Also: NELFUND disburses N1.33bn to UNILAG to cover loans of 6,308 students

    “Two weeks ago, three armed men were knocking at my gate at 9:30 pm I was not in, so my neighbour approached them, and they said they wanted that Professor. They were told that I was not in, then they sent him to tell me that they would be back to deliver the message. So they left.

    “On Monday, I went to Ibadan, and my people came back to Osogbo. They were stopped and blocked at the last junction to my house, and they were led to my gate with guns. They came in a Sienna SUV and two Okadas. They told them that I was not home, but they did not believe them, so one of them said maybe they should kill one of my cousins as a message to me, but one of them said no, that they needed me. They left and promised to come back.”

    He stated that Adeleke and his supporters should be held responsible if anything happens to him, adding that the threats have heightened concerns about his personal safety and the shrinking space for dissenting opinions in the state.

    The don disclosed that he has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Department of State Service (DSS) and Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) over the matter to seek security.

  • Police bust cult members from Edo, Lagos, Osun in Ondo

    Police bust cult members from Edo, Lagos, Osun in Ondo

    …arrest 25 suspects during initiation

    …recovers SUV highlander, motorcycle from cult leaders 

    Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled an alleged cult initiation ceremony at Uso community in Owo Local Government Area of the state, arresting 25 suspected members of a proscribed cult group.

    The suspects were alleged to be members of the outlawed Black Axe confraternity, also known as the Neo Black Movement (NBM), while their arrest followed credible intelligence received by the police from concerned citizens.

    According to the police, the suspects reportedly travelled from Lagos, Osun, and Edo states to Ondo State to participate in the initiation of new members into the cult group before they were caught and apprehended. 

    Their arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Jimoh Abayomi, and made available to journalists in Akure, the state capital.

    “Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of the Command were mobilised and deployed using intelligence-led tactics to disrupt the planned initiation. 

    “The operation resulted in the arrest of twenty-five (25) suspects, drawn from Ondo State, Osun State, Lagos State, and Edo State, at the scene of the initiation,” Abayomi said. 

    He disclosed that one Toyota Highlander SUV and one unregistered Daylong motorcycle were recovered during the operation, adding that the suspects are currently in police custody.

    Abayomi further revealed that the suspects have allegedly confessed to their involvement in cult-related activities and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

    Commending the operatives, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, CP Adebowale Lawal, lauded his men for their swift response, professionalism and dedication, stressing that the command would not relent in its fight against cultism across the state.

    Lawal also expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, for his strategic leadership and continued support, which he said had strengthened the command’s anti-cultism operations.

    The Ondo police boss, however, advised youths to shun cultism and other criminal activities, warning that such acts only lead to grave consequences. 

    He reassured residents of the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security in the state and urged the public to continue providing credible information to aid crime prevention.

  • Factional Osun council workers warn against HLA takeover amid LG crisis

    Factional Osun council workers warn against HLA takeover amid LG crisis

    A faction of council workers under the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers, Osun State, has warned against actions capable of plunging local government administration into disorder amid the lingering leadership crisis.

    The group faulted the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees for calling on Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the running of councils, describing the move as unconstitutional and potentially destabilising.

    Addressing journalists on Sunday at the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel in Osogbo, the faction’s State Chairman, Adekunle Adedayo, accused the NULGE leadership, led by Dr Kehinde Ogungbangbe, of playing a partisan role in the control tussle between executives of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party at the local government level.

    NULGE had embarked on a strike on February 17, 2025, but in December 2025 directed its members to resume work on January 5, 2026, while also calling on HLAs to assume control of council administration.

    Reacting, Adedayo said members of his faction had continued to work peacefully with the APC-led council executives, noting that their salaries and other entitlements had been paid promptly.

    “Our members are sincerely grateful to the APC ALGON-led executives for the prompt payment of our salaries and benefits after our names were unjustly removed from the payroll by the PDP-led state government because of our principled position,” he said.

    Read Also: Nigeria are favourites, Mozambique coach admits

    Citing several Supreme Court judgments, Adedayo rejected the call for HLAs to head local governments, arguing that political authority at the local level cannot be exercised by unelected officials.

    “Any attempt by a Head of Local Government Administration to assume political powers amounts to usurpation of democratic authority and abuse of office. The call for councils to be headed by HLAs is not in line with the constitution and is therefore null and void,” he said.

    He advised NULGE members planning to resume work to act within the confines of the law, stressing that the focus should be on utilising local government autonomy to improve grassroots development and public service delivery.

    Meanwhile, the APC, through its Director of Media, Chief Kola Olabisi, commended the Nigeria Police for what it described as a proactive approach to maintaining law and order ahead of the resumption of NULGE members.

    “Our party remains grateful to the police and other security agencies for upholding the rule of law with diligence. This has ensured peace across local government areas under the APC-reinstated chairmen and councillors since February 10, 2025,” the statement said.

  • 2026: Return Osun to progressive fold for genuine development—Ex-OSICOL MD 

    2026: Return Osun to progressive fold for genuine development—Ex-OSICOL MD 

    • …distribute food items to 10,000 households 

    The former Managing Director of Osun State Investment Company Limited (OSICOL), Dr Tunde Faleye, has called on residents of the state to return the All Progressives Congress (APC) to government in the August 2026 governorship election, saying only progressive leadership can deliver genuine and sustainable development.

    Faleye made the call on Thursday during the distribution of food items to about 10,000 households across Ijesaland, an initiative aimed at cushioning the effects of economic hardship during the festive season.

    Speaking at the event held in Ilesa, he said Osun residents should seize the opportunity of the 2026 election to align the state with what he described as mainstream development under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    He urged voters to make informed choices as the state heads into an election year, insisting that a change in leadership is necessary.

    According to him, it has become imperative to remove the incumbent administration, which he claimed has “practically mortgaged the state” through what he described as unfocused and visionless policies that have set Osun back since 2022.

    “The current administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has failed the residents of the state as seen in its palpable mal-administration and malfeasance in handling critical sectors that have become moribund since its emergence.”

    The ex-OSICOL MD noted that “for the state to experience genuine and real development, thus the state must align with the government at the centre by returning Osun to progressive fold.”

    He eulogized the shift of allegiance by other states due to President Bola Tinubu’s policies, stating that “Osun shouldn’t be an exception.”

    “God has blessed us in the state, that we now have a beacon of hope, we now have a man that has the genuine care of the people at heart, by the special grace of God with the help of God and the help of party faithful, we have been able to have a candidate in person of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebanji popularly called AMBO.

    “As we all know, AMBO is APC candidate that would take Osun to the next level, he is experienced, he is exposed, he is a man with genuine concern for development and progress of the state. AMBO is learnerd and he has been able to work both in the private and public sectors which makes him to distinguish himself.”

    Speaking on the humanitarian gesture, he said “we will distribute food items to 10,000 households, if you look at the impressive turnout, the goes beyond politics but we extend the olive to many people particularly less privileged and downtrodden in Ijesaland”, he added. 

    A royal father, Aloringbon of Ilorigbo Agede-Ijesa, Oba Abiodun Esan Makanjuola lauded the founder and leadership of the Foundation for their consistency and commitment to human development. 

  • Osun ready to move from dancing to working – Okpebholo

    Osun ready to move from dancing to working – Okpebholo

    • …we have given red card to Adeleke – Yilwatda

    The emergence of Bola Oyebamiji as the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 2026 Osun State Governorship Election is an indication that the state is ready to move from dancing to working, Governor Monday Okpebholo has declared.

    The party also said it has handed a red card to the incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke from the Government House in August next year.

    Chairman of the party’s Governorship Primary Election Committee and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo made this declaration in Abuja on Wednesday shortly after submitting the report on the last Saturday party shadow election.

    Addressing newsmen at Muhammadu Buhari House, after submitting his report, Okpebholo said the outcome of the shadow election was a testament that the people were eager for a change.

    According to him, “The people of Osun are tired of dancing. In the morning, they dance; in the afternoon, they dance; in the evening, they dance—yet there is less work. Now, they are looking for somebody who can really work for them.

    “That is what APC has on the table. I believe that with our candidate in Osun, the sky is the limit in terms of development in the state.”

    Commending the committee, APC National Chairman, Professor Yilwatda, said the party was set to change the narrative in the state by providing purposeful governance as opposed to what obtains in the state today.

    Re-echoing Okpebholo, the National Chairman said, “The people of Osun State are ready to move from dancing to working. They want to see the economy move; they want to see roads; they want to see schools; they want to see every aspect of the economy revived. That is the most important thing for us at APC now.

    Reaffirming the resolve of the party to regain Osun State for the party, the Chairman said the party was intentional in the choice of the calibre of people that conducted the primary election, adding that the outcome of the shadow election was a warning signal to the incumbent governor.

    “We had a high-level delegation made up of governors, former governors, and credible members of the APC. We were on the ground to ensure the conduct of the primary election. It is a show of intent that we intend to reclaim Osun.

    “It is ours, and we want to take it back to where it is supposed to be. We are looking forward to the election in August 2026. Already, we have given him (Adeleke) a yellow card in this primary

    “By August 8, 2026, we will give a red card to the Accord Party because he (Adeleke) has moved from PDP to the Accord Party. So, I gave him and the Accord Party a red card to move out of the Government House after August 2026.”

    The chairman then commended all the other aspirants in the primary election for the maturity they displayed before, during, and after the election.

    “All our members who aspired to that position stepped down for a period, as they agreed on a consensus to present one candidate.

    “It shows the level of maturity we have in APC. As progressives, we are happy that they took that route. Most importantly, we saw the joy, the celebration, and an atmosphere different from what we had seen before in Osun State.”

  • BREAKING: Osun Gov Adeleke resigns from PDP

    BREAKING: Osun Gov Adeleke resigns from PDP

    The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as political parties commenced 2026 gubernatorial primaries.

    This is coming barely 12 hours when the Osun State Chairman of PDP, Sunday Bisi said Adeleke will not pick the party re-election ticket over national leadership crisis.

    A letter of resignation by Adeleke obtained by The Nation, was addressed to the PDP chairman of his Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede, Osun State, which was dated 4th November 2025.

    According to the letter, titled: “Resignation of my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’ read, “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect.

    “I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”