News
JUST IN: Tension in Osun as controversial LG election holds amid security threats
There is tension in Osun State following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s insistence to conduct the controversial Local Government election despite security threats and stiff resistance from opposition parties.
Stakeholders, particularly opposition parties and security agencies, have raised concerns over the security situation in the state, predicting unrest.
The concerns followed previous events where members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, clashed, resulting in the death of at least six party members on Monday.
The crisis escalated when the previously sacked local government chairmen and councillors moved to return to council offices after a court judgement.
The APC members had moved to enforce the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, delivered on February 10, 2025, which overturned their sack by the verdict of the Osogbo Federal High Court on November 25, 2022.
Recall that a judgment by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of an Osogbo Federal High Court, delivered on November 25, 2022, had sacked the chairmen and councillors elected in the poll conducted by the immediate past Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.
However, the Court of Appeal nullified the judgment on February 10 this year, leading to chaos across all the Local Government Areas in the state.
Despite resistance from the PDP members, the reinstated Chairmen insisted that the planned election must be cancelled until their tenure elapsed in October 2025.
AGF warns Governor Adeleke against disobeying Appeal Court ruling
Wading into the crisis on Thursday, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi urged Governor Adeleke to respect the Appeal Court judgement, stating that the tenure of the chairmen and the councillors has been restored.
The AGF accused Governor Adeleke of attempting to override the judiciary and warned that proceeding with the election would constitute a serious violation of the Nigerian constitution.
According to him, such elections will “not only be invalid since the term of office of the elected officials just restored by the judgment of the Court of Appeal will still be running until October 2025, but it will also amount to an egregious breach of the Constitution which Governor Adeleke has sworn to uphold”.
Court orders conduct of polls SaturdayDespite the legal advice from the AGF, an Osun State High Court in Ilesa on Friday ordered the State Independent Electoral Commission, OSSIEC, to conduct elections for the LG chairmen and councillors in all the 30 council areas on Saturday (today).
Justice A. Aderigbigbe, who gave the judgement, stated that there is vacancy in the 30 local government areas of the state as earlier held in a judgement by the Federal High Court.
The court also directed and compelled all the security agencies, including the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, DSS, Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC, among others, to provide adequate security, during and after the election.
News
Fayose Meets Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Holds Closed-Door Talks at OOPL
The meeting has, however, sparked political speculation, coming at a time when discussions around the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national reconciliation efforts are gaining momentum.
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Fayose, who arrived at the OOPL complex was received by aides of the former president before proceeding to Obasanjo’s private where the meeting was held.
Although details of their discussions were not made public, sources close to the meeting described it as “a private visit” that lasted for over an hour.
The former Ekiti governor, known for his outspoken political style and criticism of national leaders, has in recent times called for unity among southern political actors ahead of future political realignments.
The meeting has, however, sparked political speculation, coming at a time when discussions around the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national reconciliation efforts are gaining momentum.
The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has sealed a construction site and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to another property within the Lekki–Ikoyi corridor for engaging in unauthorised development.
In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the agency said its officials sealed a building under construction at Femi Okunnu Road, Alexander Avenue, after the developers failed to obtain the necessary building permits.
LASBCA stressed that strict adherence to building regulations remains essential to curb the rise of illegal structures and ensure safety and orderly urban development across Lagos.
The agency also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to QMB Mart to dismantle all illegal structures erected on Coastal Road and under the powerline.
According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, the space in question was originally designated as a parking lot but had been converted into a commercial complex without proper approvals.
“The occupants allegedly turned the area into a commercial hub, erecting a laundromat, clubhouse, and eatery without authorisation,” Abiodun said. “Development in Lagos must follow due process. Any structure built without approval or any change in the use of government-allocated spaces without consent is illegal. We are committed to upholding the state’s master plan.”
The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement across all development zones.
“Our duty is to ensure that all buildings in Lagos meet safety and regulatory standards,” she stated. “Anyone who erects structures without approval will be identified, marked, and subjected to necessary enforcement actions.”
LASBCA added that the ongoing enforcement drive will continue across the state as part of efforts to eliminate illegal constructions and promote a safer, well-planned Lagos.
Islamic groups in Kano State are currently protesting against recent moves by United States President, Donald Trump, to intervene in the country’s security crisis.
The protesters trooped out on Saturday to counter Trump’s claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
They were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria’, ‘There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria’, ‘America wants to control our resources’, amongst others.
Islamic groups in Kano State are currently protesting against recent moves by United States President, Donald Trump, to intervene in the country’s security crisis.
The protesters trooped out on Saturday to counter Trump’s claim of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
They were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions such as ‘We condemn Trump’s threat to attack Nigeria’, ‘There is no Christian genocide in Nigeria’, ‘America wants to control our resources’, amongst others.
Ohibaba recalls that Trump recently designated Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern’ over the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
The US President subsequently threatened that if the Nigerian government fails to address the killing of Christians, the American military will intervene.
The Nigerian government has since denied the alleged Christian genocide, describing it as false.
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