FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Our Reporter
THE last may not have been heard on the crisis rocking the opposi on All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State following the choice of the party’s deputy governorship candidate.
Although the party has presented Mr. Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as its gorvernorship candidate, the choice of the deputy governorship candidate has con nued to cause troubles within the party.
Ini ally, the leadership of the party was said to have se led for a former Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, Hon Tunde Olatunji but it was learnt that some top members of the party were not favourably disposed to his (Olatunji) choice.
Olatunji who hails from Edunabon in Ife North Local Government Area of Osun East senatorial district was said to be the choice of a few leaders of the party, while majority are against him.
Others whose name
had earlier been penciled down as possible deputy governorship candidates according to sources within the party are Engr Remi Omowaye, a former Commissioner for Works in the
state and Hon Timothy Owoeye who was a former Speaker of the State House of Assembly. Others are Hon Sunday Akere, a former Commissioner for Informa on and
Strategy in the state and Engr Olalekan Badmus who was also a Commissioner in the immediate past administra on of Mr Gboyega Oyetola. While the duo of Omo-
waye and Owoeye hail from Ilesa in Osun East senatorial district, both Akere and Badmus are from Osun central senatorial district. It was gathered that
TAremu Bisola to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident in line with the established procedures of the Nigeria Police Force.
HE Osun State Police Command says it has commenced an immediate review following a viral video and a press statement issued by the Na onal Associaon of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, over the alleged shooting and reckless pursuit of a student and his family by police officers in Osogbo.
In a statement dated February 23, 2026, the Command confirmed that preliminary findings are being compiled regarding the incident reported to have occurred between Itaolokan Junc on and the Oke Ayepe area of Osogbo. According to the police, opera onal records and eyewitness accounts are currently under review.
The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Opera ons and other senior officers, visited the vic ms at the hospital.
The Command noted that the vic ms are responding to treatment and that it has assumed responsibility for their medical bills.
Police authori es further disclosed that the Commissioner has ordered a thorough and transparent inves ga on
The Command confirmed that a team of officers suspected to be involved is currently under inves ga on. It stressed that any unauthorized or reckless discharge of firearms, if proven, will not be tolerated, adding that
officers found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary ac on.
Reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, accountability, transparency and the protec on of human rights, the Command called on members of the public with verifiable informaon, video evidence or firsthand accounts to come forward to assist
the inves ga on.
The police also urged student bodies and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow due process to take its course.
A tragic incident had reportedly occurred in Osogbo lasi Saturday a er officers of the Special An-Robbery Squad (SARS) allegedly pursued a family in their vehicle.
According to prelimi-
nary accounts, the officers were alleged to have shot at the car’s res during the chase, causing the driver to lose control.
The vehicle reportedly veered off the road and plunged into a river near Ayepe area in Osogbo.
An inves ga on is expected to determine the full circumstances of the alleged pursuit and the events that followed.
MIbrahim Abdullahi ignated ruling houses. Each en tled royal family is expected to nominate qualified princes for considera on.
OVES to fill the vacant stool of the Apetu of Ipetumodu have formally commenced, as the town’s recognised ruling houses begin the tradi onal succession process in line with established customs.
The stool became vacant following the arrest and subsequent deten on of the former occupant of the stool who is said to be serving jail terms in the United States of America as a result of his complicity in fraud related ma er.
Community sources disclosed that consultaons are ongoing among royal families, elders, and kingmakers to ensure a smooth transi on.
Under the exis ng chie aincy arrangement, succession to the Apetu throne rotates among des-
The nominees will subsequently be screened by
the kingmakers, who will deliberate and select a preferred candidate in accordance with tradi on.
Following the selec on, the name of the chosen candidate will be forwarded
to the government of Osun State for official approval, as required by the state’s Chiefs Law.
Community leaders have called for calm and unity throughout the process, urging all stakeholders to priori se peace and the collec ve interest of the town.
They emphasised that the role of the Apetu extends beyond ceremonial du es, no ng that the monarch plays a vital part in cultural preserva on, conflict resolu on, and grassroots development.
Residents expressed opmism that the succession process would be transparent and free of disputes, paving the way for the emergence of a widely accepted tradi onal ruler.
Further developments are expected in the coming days as the nomina on and screening process progress.
the party is yet to decide on the choice of the deputy governorship candidate and this is causing a lot of internal wrangling within the party as some individuals within the party believe that Olatunji may eventually scale through the hurdles he’s currently facing and subsequently be the running mate of Oyebamiji.
A sec on of the party holds the view that the camp of senator Iyiola Omisore should produce the deputy governorship candidate of the party, having been screened out of the gorvernorship race in a controversial circumstance which has made him boyco ed all ac vi es of the party in the recent me.
Omisore who is reportedly angry with the party over the manner at which he was schemed out of the gorvernorship race has not par cipated in any acvity of the party in the recent me, a development which is making observers to raise aspersions over his stand in the party.
Just on Monday, the Elders caucus of the party otherwise known as Igbimo Agba visited Omisore at his country home in IleIfe.
The visit, sources said was to persuade the former deputy governor and also plead with him to reconsider his stand in the party as there are insinuaons in some quarters that Omisore may not work for the APC in the August 8 governorship elec on.
Although the gorvernorship candidate of the party, Bola Oyebamiji did not follow the members of the APC Elders Caucus to Omisore, it was learnt that his case was presented to Omisore and pleas were made on behalf of the party leadership.
It was rumoured that the former Governor of the state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola who reportedly championed the ambi on of Oyebamiji is not in good terms with Omisore.
Also, the posi on of the former Governor of the state, Chief Adebisi Akande is not known on the internal crisis in the party, even though he’s believed to be the one that can resolve the matters in the party. In a statement released by Omisore on his verified Facebook page, the former Deputy Governor acknowledged the visit of the members of the APC Elders Caucus, though failed to explain the basis of the visit.
THE immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP) should be commended for priori zing the sor ng out of nagging family issues over his job. We wish him happy rerement.
The new ac ng IGP Tunji Dissu arrives in the office with credible creden als and wishing him good performance in his endeavors. It is in our collec ve interest to wish him well. There are however, issues which we have to do as we navigate the path way to the future.
First of all, this concept in view of what it was based on which translates to “the brutality of conquest” in order to keep the na ves in their place.
Unfortunately, this mentality was not discarded immediately a er we obtained independence. This con nues to be a fault line. We must discard the nomenclature now and start a new means to carry out the much needed professionalisa on of the Nigeria police. We must have a change of name.
What’s in name? In this instance, there is a defining tone in this par cular name which represents its stumbling block! We must follow the commendable example of the Republic of Serie Leone and drop FORCE, replacing it with Nigeria Police.
There is already a precedence to follow, the Federal Execu ve Council under the late President Muhammadu Buhari correctly change Nigerian Prison into Correc onal Services, it is not a coincidence that the Minister in charge of the Interior Ministry at that me, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is an acclaimed reformer and on the Frontline of progressive thinking.
This is the way to go for it to indicate a change of interpreta on of what is on offer. Very importantly it also signals a decisive and irreversible break with the past sta ng that the new course is based on professionalism.
All of our services must be professionalised across the board including customs, immigra on and so on and so forth. This is the only way to build a compe ve economy which is of fundamental importance in view of today’s brutally compe ve and ever changing interna onal trade system.
We cannot overlook the compelling needs of all the Police Act in view of today’s condi on. A er all, there has been a sweeping review of the country’s tax system. It might be conten ous but reviewing systems which might needs overhauling is very important.
We might care to look at pst-apathied Republic of South Africa on assuming office as the first post -apartheid Republic of South Africa Dr. Nelson Madela very sensibly decided to overhaul the internal security framework of South Africa.
To implement the sweeping reform he appointed N. Neyer the chief execu ve officer of South African Brewer-
•Institutional reforms must accompany changes in personnel
•Kayode
ies as the head of the South African Defense Force which is responsible for the country’s internal defense system.
N. Mneyer came into office as one of the most talented managers of a genera on interna onally. His track record was top-notch. Today, South Africa Breweries to which he returned a er his s nt in office is the second largest Breweries in the world!
It says everything about the management capacity of N.mneyer. Under our present Police Act, this would not have been possible to bring in an outsider and put him at the top of the system
This posi on must be reconsidered. Nigeria is s ll too hubble by what used to be known as Buggins’Turn. Buggins’Turn is used to describe a system of opera ons based on promo on by rota on and seniority. This system was put to rest a er a famous le er wri en by Lord Fisher the Unit-
ed Kingdom’s Minister for the Navy in 1905. He declined to sign off on a promo on list based on rota on and seniority.
This was a revolu onary act of the
“There is already a precedence to follow, the Federal Executive Council under the late President Muhammadu Buhari correctly change Nigerian Prison into Correctional Services, it is not a coincidence that the Minister in charge of the Interior Ministry at that time, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola is an acclaimed reformer and on the Frontline of progressive thinking”
fires but it had a posi ve effect and made the Bri sh Public service more compe ve. Other countries followed suit; with for example the United States of America under President Theodore passing the public services Act to remodel the effec veness of the American Public Service.
What all of the above based on the discarding of promo on based on rota on and seniority clearly shows is that to be compe ve a country must s ve as much as possible to always field its first eleven. This is a Mandarin system device and used in China over centuries which is today captured by the results of a fiercely compeve economy which has become the workshop of the world and its second largest economy.
It’s not enough to have perennial musical cheers the key words must be professionaliza on. Nigeria must develope a devolved policing system based on a method of recruiting band selec on which favors the most talented. The training and retraining of the officer must be topnotch and be of interna onal standard.
The forensic capacity must be retooled and also propelled to be cu ng -edge. People o en wonder why those who graduated with very good degrees in subjects such as Industrial Chemistry, Bio Chemistry and so forth cannot be a racted into the forensic services a vital component of a modern Police service.
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The ques on is even more poignant when we have to accept that in today world ar ficial intelligence (AI) is been incorporated into modern policing systems. We must answer the ques ons: how will the policing framework adapt to and be compa ble with the age of Ar ficial Intelligence? This is a fundamental issue. Meaning that we must move away from the present Antediluvian framework.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State.
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
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All correspondence to the above email addresses.
Frankly, there is no alterna ve. Sweeping reforms must be undertaking as we make an effort to build compe ve Nigeria ready to assert its place in the world.
We wish ac ng IGP Tunji Dissu the very best.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Amember of the House of Representa ves represen ng Obokun/Oriade Federal Cons tuency of Osun State, Wole Oke and Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi have resulted into war of words over allega ons of unexecuted cons tuency projects by the lawmaker. Olajengbesi, in a series of Facebook posts on Tuesday, alleged that ₦500 million appropriated in the 2024 federal budget for the construc on of inner roads and the installaon of solar street lights in Ikeji-Arakeji have not been executed.
“Under the 2024 federal budget, a sum of ₦500,000,000 was appropriated for the construcon of inner roads and the provision of solar street lights in Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State. This has been since 2024,” he wrote.
He further alleged that “Oke took this project in the name of some of his staff ’s companies,” claiming that proxies allegedly fronted as directors of three firms — MC Aremo, Mukusmukus and Olumojo Lines — that secured the contracts.
“I have been to Ikeji-Arakeji today and the queson is very simple: What is the current status of execu on of this contract since 2024? What efforts have been put in place to get the job done? Why was the contract done by his staff? Where exactly are the constructed roads and installed solar street lights?” Olajengbesi asked.
The lawyer also accused the lawmaker of viola ng the Code of Conduct for public officers.
“As a public officer, you are prohibited from placing yourself in a posi on where your personal interest conflicts with your official du es, and using a proxy company to win government contracts cons tutes a clear conflict of interest and a breach of cons tu onal duty,” he stated.
Ci ng the Corrupt Prac ces and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Act he said, “Sec on 19 criminalizes the use of office or posi on to confer corrupt advantage upon oneself or any other person.”
Olajengbesi also alleged that in 2024, MC Aremo Ltd was awarded ₦237,053,625 for the empowerment and training of youths and women in Ijebu-Ijesa, claiming that beneficiaries did not receive the funds or empowerment items.
“In 2024, MC Aremo Ltd was awarded N237,053,625 for the empowerment and training of youths and women in Ijebu-Ijesa. The youth and women of Ijebu-Ijesa did not get this money or empowerment,” he said.
He posted documents, including a cer ficate of job comple on and a list of supposed beneficiaries, as well as videos of individuals who allegedly denied benefi ng from the programme.
However, a check by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the project in ques on is domiciled in Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU),
and facilitated by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, represen ng Eki Central Senatorial district.
A source within the university who confided in OSUN DEFENDER, confirmed that the project has been executed with the construc on of the campus roads and installa on of solar street lights.
Meanwhile, the execu on of a cons tuency project in Osun State by a lawmaker from another state has raised quesons from residents of the state.
But inves ga on by the medium revealed that Senator Bamidele was in
2023 bestowed honorary doctorate degree by the university.
Responding to the allega on in a press release on Tuesday, Segun Omolebi-Sunday, the Senior Aide on Media and Public Communica on to Oke dismissed the allegaons and maintained that all projects had been executed.
He said, “It is deeply regre able that a legal praconer would allow poli cal interests to override professional judgment by circula ng misleading and damaging claims against me.
“Contrary to asser ons
made by Pelumi Olajengbesi, the ₦500 million Ikeji–Arakeji road project is sponsored by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, not Hon. Wole Oke. Any insinuaon that I appropriated or influenced the project is false and misleading. The processes governing public project bidding, award and execu on are clearly defined under exis ng procurement laws and do not support the narra ve being peddled,” he said.
The lawmaker added that all documents circulated online and purportedly bearing his signature are forged, adding that those responsible have a
•Members of the electoral committee, Ajegunle Market men and Artisans Association sorting out ballots after the association’s election held on Thursday in Osogbo.
THERE is a quiet elegance in African proverbs. They rarely shout, yet they echo across genera ons with stubborn relevance. One such proverb tells us that ears that listen live longer. It is a phrase that speaks not only to longevity in years, but to survival in wisdom, stability, and judgment. In socie es where memory once traveled by word of mouth rather than wri en record, listening was not merely polite behavior — it was a necessary skill for life.
In tradi onal African communi es, listening carried the weight of responsibility. Elders were more than aged members of society; they were living archives. They preserved the memory of droughts and abundance, conflicts and reconcilia ons, prosperity and decline. Their counsel emerged not from speculaon, but from observa on refined by me. To ignore such voices was not an act of independence; it was often an invita on to repeat old mistakes. Modern life, however, has altered the rhythm
of listening. Speed has replaced pa ence. Opinions are formed instantly, broadcast widely, and defended fiercely. In this environment, listening — especially to those perceived as “old-fashioned” — can appear unnecessary. Yet history repeatedly demonstrates that socie es pay dearly when experience is mistaken for irrelevance.
Listening, at its core, is an act of humility. It requires acknowledging that knowledge is not monopolized by youth, educa on, or technology. There are truths that only me reveals — pa erns of human behavior, cycles of governance, the unintended consequences of well-meaning decisions. Elders, having lived through transi ons and turbulence, o en recognize dangers long before they become visible to others.
In Osun State, as in many parts of Nigeria, this lesson resonates deeply. Our poli cal and social landscapes have witnessed waves of enthusiasm — new ideas, new leaders, new promises. While change is essen al for growth, it becomes fragile
when it lacks the tempering influence of reflec on. Naons, much like individuals, stumble when they refuse to listen. Policies may be ambi ous, reforms may be celebrated, but without careful a en on to experience, progress risks becoming repe on disguised as innova on.
Listening to elders is not about preserving nostalgia. It is about preserving perspec ve. An elder’s cau on is not always resistance; it is o en recognion. The farmer who reads the clouds, the ar san who senses material fa gue, the teacher who understands genera onal shi s — these forms of knowledge arise from lived encounters with reality. They are insights that cannot be hurried into existence.
At the personal level, listening can be the difference between guidance and regret. Many life lessons — financial discipline, emo onal restraint, ethical judgment — are rarely mastered through instruc on alone. They are learned through stories, warnings, and examples passed down through conversa on. The
clear intent to cause misinforma on and reputaonal harm.
“Hon. Wole Oke unequivocally dissociates himself from the claims and media sensa onalism surrounding this ma er. Addi onally, all documents circulated by Pelumi Olajengbesi and purportedly bearing my signature are forged. The signatures are falsified, and those responsible have a clear intent to cause misinforma on and reputa onal harm.
Oke stated that a criminal complaint would be lodged with the relevant law enforcement agencies and that the clarifica on was issued ahead of an imminent legal ac on.
“A criminal complaint will immediately be lodged with the relevant law enforcement agencies. This clarifica on is issued ahead of imminent legal ac on to correct the false impressions deliberately created and to safeguard my integrity. Poli cal contesta on must not devolve into reckless falsehoods. A pe on will also be presented against Pelumi Olajengbesi for professional misconduct,” he added.
wisdom embedded in such exchanges o en saves individuals from avoidable hardship.
At the na onal level, the stakes are even higher. Governance demands foresight, and foresight is sharpened by memory. Na ons that listen to experienced voices o en navigate crises with greater stability. Those that silence or dismiss them frequently rediscover old challenges with renewed intensity. Listening, therefore, becomes not an act of tradi on, but of strategy. Importantly, listening does not imply blind obedience. African tradi on has always accommodated dialogue. Elders advise; younger genera ons adapt. Wisdom evolves through exchange, not hierarchy. The vitality of youth and the depth of experience are not opposing forces but complementary ones. Progress thrives when energy is guided by under-
standing.
The proverb also reminds us that survival is rarely accidental. Individuals who listen tend to make fewer reckless decisions. Communi es that listen tend to avoid predictable conflicts. Na ons that listen tend to build ins tu ons with endurance rather than fragility. Listening becomes a quiet safeguard against the arrogance of certainty. Ul mately, ears that listen live longer is less about age and more about awareness. It is a reminder that wisdom o en arrives so ly — through reflecon, counsel, and experience shared across genera ons. In honoring this truth, socie es do not slow their progress; they strengthen it.
For in life, as in leadership, longevity belongs not merely to those who speak the loudest, but to those wise enough to listen.
OSUN State Govern-
ment is yet to release appointment
le ers to the first batch of the newly recruited teachers in the state six weeks a er Governor Ademola Adeleke ordered that the le ers be issued.
Recall that Governor Adeleke had on Thursday, January 15, 2026 gave the direc ve while speaking at the commenda on and solidarity parade organized by the Stay-in-School Inia ve at St. Charles Grammar School, Osogbo.
The Governor who gave the direc ve to the state Commissioner for Educa on, Mr Dipo Eluwole said the direc ve was in line with the decision of the State Execu ve Council held during its mee ng in December 2025.
But six weeks later, the awai ng teachers have con nued to protest the delay while ques oning the Governor’s promise.
OSUN DEFENDER reports that this is the second me the Governor would issue a direc ve for the release of appointment le ers to the awaiting teachers without fulfilling his promise.
On March 10, 2025, Adeleke had during a meeting of the State Execu ve Council made the same pronouncement but the status quo remains nine months a er
A cross sec on of the applicants who spoke to OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday, protested the prolonged delay, saying they have pa ently waited for over two years for the process to be finally con-
Shola Aderinto to his (Adebisi) victory.
THE Ajegunle Market Men and Ar sans Associa on has elected new set of execu ves to direct the affairs of the associa on.
In a keenly contested elecon, Alhaji Rasheed Adebisi emerged the chairman of the associa on.
The elec on was conducted to replace the outgoing chairman, Alhaji Azeez Kamarudeen, whose tenure will end in few weeks me.
Adebisi who was the former Vice Chairman of the Market Associa on, emerged victorious with 458 votes, defea ng his closest rival, Mr. Taofeek Olalekan, who polled 405 votes.
Mr. Azeez Taiwo stepped down for Alhaji Rasheed Adebisi before the elec on, a development which contributed
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Dugbe police division, Mr Joshua Owolabi, advised the two contestants to accept the results and embrace peace.
According to the elec on results, a total of 868 voters were accredited, with 863 votes cast and 5 votes were voided.
Speaking a er the announcement of the results, Adebisi expressed his gra tude to God for the victory.
Adebisi thanked the outgoing chairman for his support and understanding, saying, “It was because of him I was voted for in this market.”
The outgoing chairman, Alhaji Azeez Kamarudeen, appreciated the elders of the market for their support throughout his tenure.
cluded. But not yet to see the light of the day.
“Today, we speak with heavy hearts about the painful delay in the release of appointment le ers to the applicants. For three years, qualified, hardworking and passionate individuals have waited pa ently for the opportunity they were promised.
“Three years is not just a number. It represents lost me, broken expectaons, financial struggles,
and emo onal distress.
“Many applicants have put their lives on hold, hoping that the system would honour its commitment. Unfortunately, silence and repeated delays have been their reward.
“Educa on is the backbone of any society. When teachers are neglected, the future of our children is placed at risk. These applicants are not asking for favours — they are asking for fairness, transparency and
the fulfilment of promises made to them.
“We therefore call on the appropriate authori es to act swi ly, release the appointment le ers, and restore hope to these dedicated educators. Jus ce delayed is jus ce denied,” the applicants said.
Reac ng to the delay, the state commissioner for Educa on, Hon. Eluwole, blamed the situaon on the withheld local government alloca on by
the Federal Government, stressing that “coun ng of date is not what ma ers at the moment.”
Eluwole stated this while responding to an inquiry made by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday.
“Coun ng of date is not what ma ers here, if we all really love our people let us join voices together and prevail on the Federal Government to release the Local Government allocaon,” he said.
ANKARA, the vibrant African print fabric is taking the fashion world by storm. Ankara know for its colorful pa erns and rich cultural heritage and has become a staple in Nigerian fashion and beyond.
THE Osun State House of Assembly has passed the Osun State Local Government Amendment bill into law.
The bill was passed during the plenary with the mo on moved by the Majority Leader, Hon. Babajide Kofoworola and Seconded by Hon Olujinmi Asagade represen ng Ejigbo State Cons t-
uency respec vely.
Earlier, the House adopted the reports of the House commi ee on Public Account which was presented by Hon. Rasheed Bamidele who is the Chairman of the commi ee on Public Account.
In his brief remarks, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun noted that the bill was necessary for proper account-
ability and development of the local government and the state at large.
He confirmed that the final copy of the bill would be produced in due course and forwarded to the state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke for accent.
The Speaker assured that the bill would allow accountability in local governments across the state.
Designers are now incorpora ng this tradi onal fabric into modern designs, blending it with contemporary styles and trends from casual wear to high end fashion.
Fashion lovers are loving the unique touch it adds to ou its,and designers are raving about its versa lity.
Ankara allows us to be
in vogue, celebrate our culture, while staying ontrend” says Nigerian fashion designer, Ajao La fah.
Ankara increased visibility has opened up new opportuni es for African designers and ar sans,promo ng cultural exchange and economic growth.
In Nigeria,ankara is a symbol of cultural pride
and iden ty.The fabric has been a part of tradi onal a re for genera ons,and its modern interpreta ons are keeping the culture alive. One thing is clear,this vibrant print is here to stay. With its rich history,cultural significance,and modern appeal,ankara is set to remain a fashion favorite for years to come.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
THE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has cri cized the bill recently passed by the State House of Assembly seeking to ghten control over local council bank accounts, saying that it is contrary to the Supreme Court judgment that granted autonomy to the Local Governments in the country.
In a statement signed by its Director of Media and Informa on, Kola Olabisi, the party accused the Assembly of a emp ng to undermine the apex court’s ruling through what it termed backdoor legisla ve ac ons.
The party therefore, urged the lawmakers to desist from enac ng laws that could weaken the independence of the local government.
The Assembly had passed the Osun State Local Government (Amendment No. 2) Bill, 2026, introducing addi onal rules and oversight measures over local council accounts.
The bill was adopted
•(R-L)
following the presenta on of a report by the Chairman of the Commi ee on Public Accounts, Bamidele Rasheed, who represents Osogbo State Cons tuency.
The APC described the development as disturbing, alleging that the legislature was devising means to frustrate the autonomy granted to local governments by the Supreme Court,
According to Olabisi,
the essence of any law lies in its enforceability, warning that legisla on, which cannot be implemented, would amount to a waste of legisla ve effort.
The party, which maintained that the move undermines the spirit and intent of the apex court’s judgement on local council autonomy, therefore, called on the Assembly to reconsider the legisla on and align its ac ons with cons tu onal provisions
and judicial pronouncements.
We Are Guided By Cons tu on, Not Polical Noise – Egbedun Fires Osun APC
Reac ng to the APC claims, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun said the allega ons were unfounded and borne out of what he described as despera on.
This was contained in a statement issued by his
Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu.
“We have the mandate of the people of Osun State to legislate. That responsibility cannot and will not be surrendered because of par san pressure,” the Speaker said.
“Our duty is to ensure peace, order and good governance, and that includes strengthening accountability mechanisms where necessary.”
Egbedun clarified that
the Supreme Court judgement does not invalidate the cons tu onal powers of state legislatures over local government administra on.
“The Supreme Court judgement does not erase Sec on 7 of the 1999 Cons tu on. That sec on expressly empowers state Houses of Assembly to make laws for the proper administra on of local governments. Autonomy does not translate into absence of legisla ve oversight,” he said.
According to him, the amendment was designed to promote transparency and prevent administrave errors in the handling of public funds at the grassroots, not to seize control of local government finances.
The Speaker described the APC’s condemna on of the bill as premature and unnecessary, arguing that the opposi on had failed to properly examine the provisions of the amendment before issuing its statement.
RESIDENTS of Ilesa in Osun State have called for the immediate ban on open grazing to forestall breakdown of law and order in the area.
The call was necessitated by the recent destruc on of a seven acre cassava farm, belonging to one Prince Adebanjo Adebiyi.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the farm, located at the Leven s Founda on in Ilesa was destroyed by suspected Fulani herders, opera ng from Obokun Avenue, Ilesa East Local Government, a nearby se lement.
The medium learnt that the farm was destroyed between the night of February 10 and 11, 2026.
The farmer esmated the total loss at about ₦5 million, describing the damage as extensive.
He further revealed that one of the herders allegedly involved had offered to se le the ma er with a payment of ₦500,000, which he considered
grossly inadequate compared to the scale of investment and loss incurred.
However, community members have expressed concern over recurring clashes between farmers and herders in the area, calling for urgent interven on to prevent further destruc on and ensure peaceful coexistence.
Reac ng through social media posts, Micheal Bu er, stressed that the matter must be taken seriously with the interven on of the Commissioner of Police and local authories.
“Before you know it, the owner of the Farm will be invited by the Commissioner of Police and he will be detained. Please let our leaders in Ijesa land take ac on on the said ma er, before it gets out of hand. If this criminal act is not properly handled as expected, it could discourage others who are interested in farming,” he stated.
“This is the area our
king needs to step in and ban anyone from open grazing and make public announcements, and they must give out a number people can call if the they see anyone with cows around the street, both at day
and night. This is totally unacceptable and this is the right me to install CCTV cameras on every street,” Sunday David wrote.
According to Akeem Adewale, “Most of those cows are owned by Generals in the military and they usually se le our so-called leaders or chiefs before they start opera on in any area you come across cases like this. That is why most of these cases don’t carry weight.”
THE Interna onal Federa on of Women Lawyers (FIDA) in Osun State has called on defenders of rape vic ms to ensure that suspects are prosecuted under the Violence Against Persons Prohibi on (VAPP) Law.
The state coordinator of FIDA, Damilola Olabiyi, made the call during the quarterly mee ng of the Adolescent and Young People’s Health and Development Technical Working Group held in Osogbo.
She stressed the need for swi and decisive ac on on rape cases.
Ms Olabiyi charged human rights advocates to insist that the
police and other law enforcement agencies file rape charges under the VAPP Law rather than the Criminal Procedure Law.
According to her, the Criminal Procedure Law downplays rape by limi ng it to vaginal penetra on, leaving several grey areas unaddressed.
“The Criminal Procedure Law limits rape to vaginal penetra on. The VAPP Law recognizes penetra on through the vagina, anus, or mouth and also covers the rape of boys,” she said.
Ms Olabiyi added that acts such as spiking a person’s drink to induce sex are also recognized as rape under the VAPP Law.
The ac vist noted that the VAPP Law is a federal legisla on adopted by many states, including Osun State in 2021 and can be invoked to ensure jus ce for vic ms.
The Adolescents Health Desk Officer at the Primary Healthcare Board, Roseline Akinlabi, said that the VAPP Law protects everyone, not just women and children.
Ms Akinlabi said that stakeholders had been sensi sed to advocate inclusive programmes that cater to adolescents, including the boy-child, to curb cases of rape and abuse in communi es.
“It is surprising that they have not even seen the specific column that was amended or taken me to understand the purpose behind it, yet they rushed to the press with sweeping accusaons. That approach reflects a lack of adequate knowledge and due diligence,” he said.
Egbedun further suggested that the reac on of the opposi on party raised concerns about its true inten ons,. adding that: “Their outburst only exposes despera on and a tendency to poli cise every legisla ve effort.”
“Instead of construcve engagement, they have chosen sensa onalism. It makes one wonder whether the real fear is the preven on of any opportunity to misappropriate public funds.”
He urged the APC to exercise restraint, thoroughly study the contents of the amendment, and always approach the House of Assembly for clarifica on on any grey areas observed in laws passed by the legislature rather than resor ng to public specula on.
“Opposi on is an essen al part of democracy, but it must be responsible and informed. We advise them to desist from making statements without adequate knowledge of the issues at hand. Where there are concerns or ambiguies, the proper step is to seek clarifica on from the House in the interest of truth and the people of Osun State,” Egbedun added.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026
By Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo
By Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo
Sermon By Rev. Rotimi Mebuyaku
WE feel obliged to give a big thank to Almighty Allah, The En rely Merciful, The Especially Merciful Who counted us among those witnessing this unique season of the year, and earnestly praying to Him to spare our lives ll the end of the holy month and beyond. Ramadan as great as it is, o en meets majority of Muslims in an awful state of prepara ons to receive it. They are found as if ge ng ready for food ea ng competition. They focus so much on the quan ty of foodstuff and drinks to be stocked for the month to the extent that the prices of commodities before every Ramadan soar. Whereas it is supposed to be the other way round, if the spirit of Ramadan is to be strictly observed. The rate of food consump on by Muslims is supposed to decrease considerably during Ramadan. A er all, one out of the three daily meals is designed to be omi ed. Sahoor, (a predawn meal) is not only permi ed but highly recommended for the Prophet (SAW) said: “Take sahoor, for indeed, there is blessing in so doing.” The lunch is completely omi ed while the breakfast should be as light as possible; taking some fruits at sunset on hearing the Adhan, (calling to prayer) preferably palm date if available, or water, or any other fruit in the absence of those two is equally good, followed by a light meal a er Maghrib (the sunset prayer). The Prophe c advice on feeding is: Never eat except when you are hungry and when you eat, never fill your stomach to the brim. Rather divide your stomach into three parts; fill the first part with food, the second part with water and leave the third part for the air.”
is located, according to the Prophet (PBOH), such person, by the end of the month would have added a complete eighty-three years and three months to his age. A fact deduced from Q97:3. In rela on to that, the mother of the faithful, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah! If I witness the night of power what sort of supplica ons should I be doing? He, PBOH answered: You should say: “ Oh Allah! You are The All forgiving You love forgiveness so forgive me my sins.”
A Muslim should keep himself busy spiritually throughput the ramadan. Muslims should work on how to move closer to Allah, increase in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, reconcile with those with whom you have rancor par cularly forgiving those who have offended you, draw a comprehensive metable for the glorious Qur’an recitaon, studying and memorizing some of the chapters/verses, listening to its recita on and for the beginners, learning how to recite it.
There will be no excuse for any Muslim what so ever to say he or she cannot read the Qur’an except for those who are mentally retarded and cannot even learn to read the language of their mother’s tongue. But if you can learn, read and speak English fluently, what is your excuse for your inability to read the book of Allah, about which The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever pronounces one single le er from the Qur’an has one reward. And each single reward will be mulplied by ten. He went further to say: “I am not saying that Alif… Laam… Meem… is a le er but Alif is a le er on its own, laam is another one while meem is also a le er.”
However, to a ain a high spiritual level in the month, one needs to dras cally reduce his or her feeding habit to the barest minimum, for if you eat too much you will have to drink too much and that will lead to sleeping too much and will eventually miss a lot in this month of abundant blessings about which the Prophet SAW said: “I wonder for three categories of people, someone who met his parents alive and fails to prosper through being kind to them, someone whom I, (Muhammad),am men oned in his presence and fails to invoke for blessing upon me, someone who witnesses Ramadan but fails to achieve the mercy of Allah and have an enormous share from His abundant blessings associated with the season.
Furthermore, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith in Allah and seeking for His pleasure, such will be purified from all sins as if he or she is a newly born baby.”
Beside that, if he or she a er fas ng during the day follows it up with tahajjud (night prayer). especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan within which the night of power
Any Muslim who is contented with his or her inability to recite the Qur’an in its original language is really missing a lot spiritually. Whereas, Allah The Almighty said: “And we have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember”
Daily azkaar (remembrance of Allah) should not be le out. Increment in showing kindness to the parents if they are s ll alive or even dead. The living parents should enjoy more from our benevolence by frequent visita on if they are close by or constant call if they are far away, financial support as much as possible. While the dead parents should always be prayed for, especially during our salaat (daily prayer). And visi ng their grave and pray for them, without seeking any assistance from them. For they are the ones in need of our assistance not the other way round.
Concluded.
• Sheikh Ibrahimd Oladejo Raji, Imaam Kosemani Jum’ah Mosque, off Iwo Ibadan Road, by Adetoro Shopping Complex, Mercyland Area, Dada Estate Osogbo, Osun State. irajoladejo1951@gmail.com
LENT is not merely a season of giving something up; it is a sacred invitaon to let God do something deeper within us.
Too o en, we focus on outward adjustments—fas ng from certain foods, a ending extra services, modifying habits. While these prac ces are valuable, Lent calls us beyond surface change into inward renewal.
The cry of Psalm 51 captures this longing perfectly: “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.”Psalm 51 was born out of David’s deep repentance.
Confronted with his sin, David did not merely ask for his reputa on to be restored or his consequences removed. He asked for a new heart. He understood that the real problem was not external—it was internal.
Sin had corrupted the centre of his being. So he prayed for what only God could do: create. The Hebrew word echoes the language of Genesis—create out of nothing. David knew self-reforma on was not enough.
He needed divine transforma on.Lent exposes the truth that behaviour modifica on without heart transforma on is temporary. We can change habits without changing desires. We can alter rou nes without surrendering mo ves. Yet God is not sa sfied with ritual alone.
Through the prophet in Isaiah 58, the Lord rebuked Israel for fas ng outwardly while harbouring injus ce inwardly. They humbled themselves in appearance, but
“As we journey through Lent, the goal is not simply to arrive at Easter having endured forty days of restraint. The goal is to arrive with a renewed heart — more tender, more obedient, more aligned with Christ. When God cleanses the heart, He restores joy. When He renews the spirit, He strengthens obedience”
their hearts remained proud and unyielded.
God declared that the fast He chooses loosens chains of injus ce, shares bread with the hungry, and walks in humility. In other words, true fas ng reshapes the heart— and a reshaped heart reshapes our lives.
The promise woven throughout Scripture is that God does not merely clean up the old heart; He gives a new one. Lent reminds us that through Christ, we are not trapped in cycles of failure. The same God who heard David’s cry hears ours.
The same Spirit who convicts also renews. God specializes in heart surgery. But how do we cooperate with this inward work?First, through honest confession. David said, “I acknowledge my transgressions.”
Transforma on begins when we stop managing appearances and start naming reality. Confession breaks denial and invites grace.Second, through accountability. Sin thrives in secrecy, but healing grows in the light.
Trusted spiritual rela onships help us remain honest about our struggles and faithful in our growth.Third, through spiritual disciplines. Prayer, fas ng, medita on on Scripture, and acts of mercy are not performances for God; they are pathways for God to shape us.
These disciplines create space for the Spirit to search us and so en us.As we journey through Lent, the goal is not simply to arrive at Easter having endured forty days of restraint. The goal is to arrive with a renewed heart—more tender, more obedient, more aligned with Christ.
When God cleanses the heart, He restores joy. When He renews the spirit, He strengthens obedience.So let this be our prayer: not “Lord, change my circumstances,” but “Lord, change me.” Not “make me look be er,” but “make me new.”“Create in me a clean heart, O God.” And He will.
Rev. Ro mi Mebuyaku, The Transcending Glory Global Church (TGGC), Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2026 VOL. 21 NO 16 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
PRESIDENT Tinubu GCFR will become the fi h Nigerian leader to be hosted by the Bri sh Monarch.
The previous four leaders were hosted at Buckingham Palace. The first was the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa (December 1912 – 15 January 1966), who was hosted by Queen Elizabeth on December 14, 1965. Twenty-nine days later, he was assassinated in Lagos.
On that visit, he was accompanied by Alhaji Nuhu Bamali, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, while he was both Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister. Alhaji Tafawa Balewa was literally begged then, by the British Government to help in solving the Rhodesian crisis.
Alhaji Tafawa Balewa had breakfast with Sir Alec Douglas-Home, was received by the Queen, and had a visit from Arthur Bo omley. He was infuriated by one reporter who wondered whether Nigeria was calling the conference just to spite Ghana in some way: ‘We don’t work like that!’ Before being flown home in an RAF transport command Comet he said that despite President Julius Nyerere’s final decision to quit, he s ll did not think Nigeria should break off rela ons; and in Lagos he told the familiar welcoming crowd that he was almost certain that the Commonwealth conference in Lagos on 10 January, would deal effec vely with Rhodesia in a Commonwealth context.
The Bri sh Prime Minister, Mr. Harold Wilson, he claimed, had reassured him and heightened his hopes; but he was himself s ll convinced that economic sanc ons alone could not solve the problem. The Daily Times of London called him ‘a knight in shining armour stepping in to confront his dithering counterpart’. As Rhodesia introduced ra oning of petrol and diesel fuel, calls were heard for another hasty emergency OAU conference, this me of Heads of State. Alhaji Abubakar demurred that he was considering it, and did later agree to add Nigeria’s name to those willing to meet on January 19; but his hopes rested for the present with Mr. Gooneratne, Arnold Smith’s deputy, who had flown out from London to organize the Commonwealth conference.
On June 12, 1973, Queen Elizabeth (21 April 1926 - 8 September 2022) hosted General Yakubu Gowon (91) and his wife, Victoria (80), for a State visit at Buckingham Palace. The visit lasted ll June 15. The Queen also hosted President Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari (25 February 1925- 28 December 2018) from March 17 to March 20, 1981. I covered the visit for THE PUNCH at that me. The hotel I was, in Central London at that me, housed the Na onal chairman of the NPN, Chief Augustus Meridith Adisa Akinloye (August 19, 1916 – September 18, 2007) and the Na onal Secretary of the party, Alhaji Suleiman Takuma (14 April 1934 – 4 September 2001).
“The hosting by King Charles of President Tinubu is no doubt a plus for Nigeria. This country is still a great country in spite of what we have gone through and we are going through now. When President Tinubu was sworn-in on May 29, 2023, the expectation was that Nigeria will be closer to London than any other country. Apart from being our colonial master, we speak the English Language. The British along with the Vatican brought the Christian religion to us”
By
The fear of the two men was that the UPN supporters would organise in London to disrupt the state visit of President Shehu Shagari. In interviews I had with them they were so sure that the UPN supporters would sabotage the visit. Their fears did not come to pass, as most Nigerians in London at that me wore na ve a res with Nigeria’s flags. The state visit was successful in that cold weather.
On May 9, 1989, Queen Elizabeth hosted General Ibrahim Babangida (85) and his wife, Mariam (November 1, 1948 – December 27, 2009) at the Buckingham Palace. The visit ended on May 12, 1989. Nigeria and South Africa are the only countries so far to be hosted in Buckingham Palace, three mes, among African na ons. Whereas Congo has been hosted once, same with Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Sudan, Senegal, Morocco, Malawi, Liberia, Kenya, Ghana, Egypt and Ethiopia.
President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and his wife, Thobeka Mabhija Zuma, were hosted between March 3 to March 5, 2010. President John Kuffour of Ghana and his wife, Theresa Kuffour, were hosted between March 13 to 15, 2007. President Thabo Mbeki and his wife, Zanele Dlamini Mbeki were hosted between
ACROSSmany African countries, all the way back to Nigeria and down to Osun State, there is a heavy knee on the neck of democracy, threatening to snuff life out of it in the George Floyd manner. Democracy is on oxygen in Chad and Mali and the an -democra c cancer is spreading.
It is a shame that Africa had to contend with internal and external forces that are against democracy and her development right from incepon of na onhood at the point of exit of her colonisers some 75 years ago ll date. At the point of encounter with Europe, a majority of Africans was under one form of monarchy or the other. The inbuilt systems for order, and against tyranny, within those monarchical systems never meant they were anything other than monarchy. Therefore, the transi on to “freedom,” democracy and the Rule of Law (a er the colonist have had their field day and had to leave stylishly or forcibly) was unarguably an imposi on, albeit a welcomed one.
Majority of the ruling elite across Africa and many of the founding fathers, hooked on monarchical majesty and privileges, never fully embraced modernity and democracy. Therefore, many of them quickly colluded as willing tools in the hands of the departed colonial masters (who never meant us well and were only eager to modernise the colonisa on) to eliminate the few great leaders of vision who have embraced modernism and were intent on pushing African countries to the height of development. Assassina ons and
June 12 and 15, 2001. President Nelson Mandela of South Africa was hosted between July 9 to 12, 1996. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe was hosted between May 17 to 20, 1994. President Abdou Diouf of Senegal and his wife, Elizabeth were hosted between November 8 to 11, 1988. King Hassan of Morocco was hosted between July 14 to 17, 1987. President Has ngs Kamuzu Banda was hosted between April 16 to 19, 1985 President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia and his wife, Be y, were hosted March 22 to 25, 1985. President Daniel Arap Moi of Kenya was host-
coup d’états were common throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s, where outright apartheid governments were not sustained. Rulership of African countries was always remote-controlled, o en at any and all costs, into the hands of willing tools of the West in the then bi-polar world which gave way to American Imperial domina on in the unipolar late 20th and 21st centuries.
If we understand this development, it will be easy to comprehend why a majority of our elites, sustained by former colonial powers, has remained uncommi ed to modernity and democracy all the while, preferring imperial rules and military dictatorships as they build themselves into monsters, refusing to build strong ins tu ons instead. Being merely stranded with the democra c order of the 21st century in which military rule (a crime against humanity) has gone out of fashion, they nevertheless sustain the strongman modality: godfatherism, mafia and cabal operandi, and all sorts of violent and in mida ng “opera ng system” for what Fela Anikulapo Ku referred to as “demo-crazy and demonstra on of craze.”
For the last 75 years though, the above reali es did not go without patrio c struggles from the people and their champions among the elites – writers, journalist, musicians, scholars, policians, ar stes, students’ leaders, legal luminaries, and many more who saw through the imperialising and underdevelopment agenda, and fought heroically, some me paying the supreme price, in order to keep the libera on fire burning. In Nigeria, the resistance span from the first stone hauled
ed between June 12 to 15, 1979. President Julius Nyerere of Tanzania was hosted between November 18 to 21, 1975. President Mobutu Sese Seko of Congo and his wife, Antoinne e, were hosted between December 11 to 14, 1973. President Abboud of Sudan was hosted between May 26 to June 4, 1964. President William Taubman of Liberia and his wife, Antoine e were hosted July 10 to 13, 1962 and Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia October 14 to 16, 1964.
The hos ng by King Charles of President Tinubu is no doubt a plus for Nigeria. This country is s ll a great country in spite of what we have gone through and we are going through now. When President Tinubu was sworn-in on May 29, 2023, the expecta on was that Nigeria will be closer to London than any other country. Apart from being our colonial master, we speak the English Language. The Bri sh along with the Va can brought the Chris an religion to us. Apart from that, the Bri sh/Nigeria rela onship had always been very strong.
Over three million Nigerians are presently in the United Kingdom. London was the headquarters of NADECO in the days of General Sani Abacha GCFR (20 September 1943 – 8 June 1998). Even the then Senator Bola Tinubu was living in London during his NADECO years in the same house with my late friend, Dapo Durosinmi-E
But since being sworn-in, courtesy of Gilbert Chagoury (80), the President has moved closer to the Elysee Palace in Paris and extended a li le bit of friendship to the Arab world. He has played less role on the African con nent, some mes sending his Vice, Alhaji Kashim She ma Mustapha (60) GCON to attend ceremonies in the con nent. Maybe the March 18 visit, will change the Presidents’ attude towards London.
•Read full article on www.osundefender.com
•Eric Teniola, a former director at the Presidency, wrote from Lagos.
against the slave traders to the 2020 #EndSARS and various protests since then.
Poli cal par es are one of the strong instu ons of Democracy. In the hand of imperial elites, however, they become smokescreens for manipula on of the people by select few who are merely contending bi erly among themselves to be the chief slave drivers. Imposi on, lack of internal democracy, mone sa on of the polity, electoral frauds, crimes and violence; in simple terms, lack of principle, ideology, transparency – while holding out fancy manifestoes and promises to the people – are chief characteris cs of party poli cs across board.
The new genera on of patrio c ci zens, especially youths, seeking freedom from centuries of elite-based, imperial-controlled governance, anywhere in Africa, Nigeria or Osun, must realise that democracy works (as the best form of government on earth) only if the people take ownership of it through principled struggle. As grotesque and bastardised as democracy may become, it remains the only hope, rather than the resort to self-helps of all kinds that have propelled us in just a few years to the edge of catastrophe.
Democracy and Party poli cs, however deformed, is s ll a game played according to clearly set out rules. The elites gainfully delight in side-stepping the rules, those who must save democracy from suffoca ng under their brutal knees only need to insist on playing always according to the rules. Democracy can breathe again, survive, and translate to “Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress” only through principled struggle by the young genera on who must embrace it.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, Off Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, MICHAEL BAMIGBOLA, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com