News

Osun 2026: Babayemi warns APC members against oppositions’ temptations

Published

2 months ago

April 23, 2026

As the August 15 governorship election in Osun State draws near, the Osun West Director-General for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign, Dotun Babayemi, has cautioned residents of the state—particularly party members—to be vigilant and resist any form of inducement that could distract them from supporting the party at the polls.

Babayemi, widely recognised for his grassroots mobilisation efforts, also called on the party leadership to intensify campaign activities across the state to secure victory for the APC’s governorship candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

He gave the warning during a meeting of the umbrella body of his political group, the Ireti Osun Movement, which brought together stakeholders from the state’s 332 wards. The meeting was held in Osogbo.

Addressing participants, Babayemi said the party had reached a critical stage ahead of the election and urged members to remain cautious of what he described as deceptive overtures from opposition parties, particularly the ruling party in the state.

“We are now at a critical phase, and I want to sound a note of caution. We should be mindful of various deceitful overtures in the form of inducements from opposing parties, especially the ruling party in Osun. Because they know the game is up for them, they are moving around with tempting offers to mislead the people. Please be careful and do not allow yourselves to be trapped by any dubious gifts,” he warned.

The campaign director-general maintained that such overtures were largely opportunistic and driven by personal interests rather than genuine concern for the people. He urged party members to remain focused on securing victory for the APC in the August governorship election and supporting the re-election of Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Babayemi further expressed confidence that the APC governorship candidate stood a better chance than other contenders seeking the state’s top office. He therefore urged party leaders to adopt a coordinated campaign strategy that would make the party’s electoral victory easier to achieve.

Reaffirming his stance, Babayemi stated that the Ireti Osun Movement remained firmly within the APC and fully aligned with the party’s decisions. He assured members that every effort would be made to ensure Oyebamiji emerges victorious in the forthcoming election.

He also revealed that he had been working quietly behind the scenes to strengthen the party’s chances of reclaiming power in the state.

Calling for patience and unwavering loyalty, Babayemi noted that not all expectations align with divine plans, but assured party members that their dedication and commitment would ultimately be rewarded.

He also encouraged members with political ambitions to remain committed to the party’s success, describing it as the most viable pathway to achieving their aspirations. He further urged members across the state’s zones to set aside their differences and unite in pursuit of victory at the polls.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the movement, Gbenga Adebusuyi, emphasised the need for unity and cooperation among party members to achieve the desired electoral success.

Other speakers at the gathering included a former commissioner in the state, Bode Olaonipekun, and Emmanuel Monyeh, who both underscored the importance of unity within the APC as the election approaches.

News

Edo cracks down on cultists, kidnappers

Published

3 days ago

June 27, 2026

The Exclusives

Monday Okpebholo

Edo State Government has established a Special Criminal Court to expedite the prosecution of cultists, kidnappers and other criminal offenders as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the state.

The Chief Registrar of the Edo State Judiciary, Benson Osawaru, disclosed on Friday that the court was established at the request of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

According to Osawaru, the Special Criminal Court will handle cases relating to cultism, kidnapping and other matters that may be assigned by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.

He said the initiative was aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and curbing the growing wave of cult-related violence and abductions across the state.

“The move is expected to address the rising cases of cult-related violence and kidnappings by ensuring quick prosecution of offenders and serving as a deterrent to criminal elements,” Osawaru stated.

Edo State has in recent months witnessed a surge in violent crimes, particularly incidents of kidnapping and cult clashes in several communities.
Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo has reiterated his administration’s commitment to eliminating kidnapping, banditry and other forms of criminality from the state.

Speaking at the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government election campaign for the Edo Central Senatorial District at the Uromi Town Hall in the Esan North-East Local Government Area, the governor assured residents that decisive measures were being taken to restore security and public confidence.

He said efforts were underway to create a safe environment that would enable farmers displaced by insecurity to return to their farmlands without fear.

The governor stressed that criminal elements terrorising communities would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“Governors are ready to fight insecurity across the nation. The perpetrators will be exposed, and they will run away from the country. In Edo State, there will be security, and our farmers will be able to return to their farms,” he said.
Okpebholo added that his administration would not allow kidnappers and bandits to find refuge in the state.

“I am determined to ensure that kidnappers and bandits do not find a haven in Edo State. Our decisive action against criminals will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

The governor further declared that tough measures against convicted criminals would discourage others from engaging in crime.

“I am serious about the fight against insecurity. By the time we execute one, two, three and more of these criminals, others will run away from Edo State,” he stated.

News

Why insecurity persists in the north, by Nasarawa governor

Published

3 days ago

June 26, 2026

The Exclusives

Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has identified some of the reasons for the incidences of insecurity and out-of-school crisis in the northern part of Nigeria.

Speaking at a Summit on enhancing human capital development in Northern Nigeria in Abuja, Sule said the Almajiri system is “the single largest structural contributor” to Nigeria’s education emergency.

The Almajiri is a traditional system of Islamic education prevalent in northern Nigeria, where young boys leave their families to study the Quran under the guidance of religious teachers (Mallams). Originally a respected scholarship tradition, it has devolved into a socio-economic crisis, leaving millions of out-of-school children vulnerable to destitution and exploitation.

The country has an estimated 18.3 million out-of-school children, and recent data shows Almajiri children make up roughly 72% to 81% of that total, concentrated in the North.

He, therefore, urged the National Assembly to permanently outlaw the Almajiri system.
“Many minors recruited into banditry graduated from the Almajiri system,” Sule said.

Nasarawa accounts for about 430,000 out-of-school children.

At the event, the governor recalled the 2020 mass repatriation of Almajiri children by Nasarawa and Kaduna states but said enforcement alone isn’t enough without alternatives.

He is proposing a total ban on the Almajiri system, replaced with mandatory formal education and skills acquisition.
Sule is seeking total collaboration of the Northern intelligentsia, the political class, and the traditional system.

He urged Northern leaders to turn summit discussions into actionable draft bills, arguing that “policy changes are the only way to defeat regional poverty.”