Osun Defender Online Newspaper of October 20, 2025

Tinubu’s Govt Bent On Silencing

Yusuf Oketola

THE Na onal Secre-

tary of the African Democra c Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administra on of in mida ng opposi on voices and weaponising state power against dissent.

Aregbesola made the accusa on on Saturday at the unveiling of the ADC Secretariat in Ilorin, Kwara State, where he described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as intolerant and undemocra c.

According to him, the APC-led government had failed Nigerians through greed, corrup on, and incompetence, which had worsened hunger, insecurity and infrastructural decay across the country.

“Under the current administra on, hunger has taken over the land. Governance has been reduced to personal enrichment and poli cal in mida on. Nigerians are suffering because of failed leadership under the APC,” he said.

The former Osun State governor said the ruling party’s intolerance of opposi on voices showed fear, not strength, no ng that ADC is fully prepared to challenge the ruling party at the polls in 2027, warning against any attempt to rig the elec on.

“If the APC is confi-

dent of its popularity, it would not be hounding and haun ng opposi on members everywhere.

“The hatred of Nigerians for the ruling party is obvious, and the party that will harvest that unpopularity is the ADC,” Aregbesola added.

He described the ADC as a party of conscience and service, insis ng it was the only credible platform capable of rescuing Nigeria ahead of the 2027

Opposition, Intimidating ADC Members – Aregbesola

general elec ons.

Also speaking, the ADC Na onal Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) was poli cally dead, leaving the ADC as the only viable alternave to the APC.

“The ques on is no longer whether Kwarans want the APC—they don’t. What remains is to show them that the ADC is the true alterna ve,” Abdullahi said, while la-

men ng worsening insecurity that had crippled farming in rural communi es.

Former Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, described the launch of the ADC Secretariat as a new chapter in the state’s poli cal history. “This is the beginning of a new direc on. The ADC is ready to build a party that reflects the true aspira ons of Kwarans,” he stated.

Anxiety As Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Holds Today

TENSION has gripped major ci es across the country as human rights ac vist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, mobilises Nigerians for a na onwide protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanu scheduled to hold today.

The protest, according to organisers, is aimed at demanding the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 despite several court orders for his release.

Sowore, in a statement on Saturday, said the protest would be peaceful but firm, insis ng that con nued deten on of Kanu was

a viola on of human rights and an assault on Nigeria’s democracy.

“The government cannot con nue to disregard court rulings and expect ci zens to keep quiet. Jus ce must be obeyed. Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, and we will not stop demanding it,” Sowore stated.

Security agencies,

however, have reportedly been placed on high alert in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Onitsha, and Owerri, following intelligence reports of possible infiltra on by violent groups.

The Nigeria Police Force has also warned that any act capable of breaching public peace would be met with resistance.

Residents of major

South Eastern ci es expressed fear that the demonstra on could degenerate into clashes between protesters and security opera ves, given the heightened tension in the region.

Meanwhile, pro-democracy groups and civil society organisa ons have called for restraint on both sides, urging security

opera ves to respect the rights of peaceful protesters.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that as of last night, organisers confirmed that the rally would commence simultaneously in several states, with Sowore expected to lead the Abuja procession to the Na onal Human Rights Commission headquarters.

Ekiti 2026: ADC Releases Timetable As Aspirants Woo Members For Party’s Ticket

Francis Adekunle, Ado-Ekiti

AHEAD of the 2026 governorship elec on in Eki State, poli cal acvi es have intensified as major par es prepare for their primary elec ons to select flag bearers.

The African Democra c Congress (ADC) over the weekend released its official metable for the conduct of its governorship primary, signalling the start of internal consulta ons among aspirants.

According to the party’s spokesman, Hon. Gboyega Aribisogun, the metable covers

screening, delegates’ congress, and the final primary elec on.

He confirmed that four aspirants are currently in the race for the party’s cket.

They include former Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Dare Bejide; Apostle Ayodele David-Adesua; Mr. Emmanuel Fayose

Osun APC, Govt Trade Words Over Alleged Bribe To Striking NULGE Workers

THE Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has accused the state government of giving monetary inducement to striking local government workers.

The APC, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Informa on, Kola Olabisi, accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of paying millions of naira to leaders of the Naonal Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to sustain their eight-month strike.

OSUN DEFENDER reports that workers in the council areas have stayed away from work since February 17, 2025 owing to the protracted leadership crisis facing the third- er of government in the state.

According to the statement, Heads of Local Government Administra on in all 69 councils and development areas received ₦750,000 each, while

Directors of Administra on and Finance got ₦500,000 with other directors ge ng ₦250,000. It further claimed

that NULGE chairmen across the councils also received financial rewards from the state government.

Describing the al-

leged payments as shameful, absurd and unpatrio c, the APC said the ac on had worsened hardship in rural areas and exposed

Don’t Move 2027 Polls To 2026, NNPP Chieftain Warns National Assembly

Ade Adeloye, Ibadan

ASouth-West chie ain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Oguntoyinbo, has cauoned the Na onal Assembly against shiing the 2027 general elec ons to November 2026.

Ajadi, in a statement, said the proposed change would put unnecessary pressure on poli cal pares, candidates and the Independent Naonal Electoral Commission (INEC), making proper prepara on impossible.

He argued that the reason given by the lawmakers to allow

elec on pe ons to be concluded before the May 29, 2027 handover date was weak and unneces-

sary, saying the judiciary should rather expedite the hearing of cases.

According to him, elections require adequate planning and resources, which cannot be rushed without undermining credibility, stressing that moving the polls forward would cripple governance and weaken poli cal instu ons.

tradi onal rulers and residents to needless suffering.

The party also accused the governor of being behind the delay in the payment of federal alloca ons to local governments, contrary to claims that the opposi on and federal agencies were responsible.

But the state government, through Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the allega ons as baseless and polically mo vated.

Rasheed said the APC’s claims were a new bag of lies, insis ng that the NULGE leadership remained independent and had not received any inducement from the government.

He accused the opposi on party of disrespec ng court rulings and a emp ng to illegally reclaim control of local councils, urging the public to ignore what he described as the APC’s desperate propaganda.

and Otunba Olumuyiwa Babalola.

Aribisogun told OSUN DEFENDER that the aspirants have commenced mee ngs with stakeholders across the 16 local government areas, adding that the ADC would present a credible and peoplecentered alterna ve in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in the state has also begun its internal process, with four aspirants cleared to contest its primary.

They are Dr. Wole Oluyede, Mr. Peter Obafemi, Mr. Funsho Ayeni and Mrs. Theresa Ogun, the only female aspirant in the race.

The PDP, led by its State Chairman, Hon. Tunji Odeyemi, will hold its ad-hoc delegates’ primary on October 20 and 21, ahead of the main governorship primary scheduled for November 8, 2025.

Party stakeholders, including Mr. Jackson Adebayo and Mr. Gani Salami, confirmed that all four aspirants had purchased and submitted their nomina on forms and were cleared to par cipate.

In the All Progressives Congress (APC), incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji remains the party’s consensus candidate a er other aspirants either withdrew or were disqualified, se ng the stage for an adop on on October 27.

THIS is the season of party hopping let us ravel in it?

We think not! Across the aisle movements is a clear tes mony to the state of underdevelopment of the country and the absence of a clear alterna ve to the present ambiance of all mo on and no movement.

The absence of an ideological demarca on is a problem for the country, it means that there is no government in wai ng based on a clearly defined costed alterna ve program wai ng to be implemented.

Therefore, we need a comprehensive re-

“As of now the African Democratic Congress (ADC) offers the best bet for the formation of a popular which will herald a government of popular unity uniting the entire country around a programme of national rebirth ”

A Gale Of Decamping

“The absence of an ideological demarcation is a problem for the country, it means that there is no government in waiting based on a clearly defined costed alternative program waiting to be implemented”

view as to get out of the bond, the country needs an alterna ve which will translate into a ‘Popular Democra c Front’ against mass misery and the present cost of existence crises.

As of now, the African Democra c Congress (ADC) offers the best bet for the forma on

of a popular which will herald a government of popular unity uniting the en re country around a programme of na onal rebirth. Such a programme will directly tackle the cost of living by advoca ng jobs crea ng massive public works schemes through direct Labour, focussed

The Discourse

programmes to rebuild the middle class incorpora ng affordable housing schemes and an emphasis on vocaonal educa on as well as appre ship schemes. What will emerge will be a programme to rebuild Nigeria back.

At this cri cal juncture, history beckons on the ADC as well as all patriots to unite around a banner of redempon. New methods of agita on and propaganda must be divided to drive home the message based on effec ve constant reminders. All progressive forces must take part in mass mobiliza on and voter educaon during the ongoing voters mobilisa on. It is going to be a long and hard road but history beckons. To remember the words of the polical ac vist Frantz Fanon “every genera on out of obscurity has a mission which it must fulfill or betray”. The ADC has a mission to fulfill!

Eye-Contact, Charms, And The Art Of Bus-Stop Selling

By Babatunde Adesokan

GROWING up and watching my father sales, we took some cues as per what a smile could do and how your gaze could pummel your would-be customer to make an urgent purchase. We sold to Yoruba and we sold to Fulanis, who o en have the knacks for buying be er mattresses for their marriageable females. Yet, language differences did not at once affect the use of monetary figure and the psychic need to know when and how to close a deal.

Aside that the bus stop engagements unmask the fake lure of Ibadan peacefulness, the city’s park hub is a beehive of lessons for would-be salesperson. Sales there start from compulsory patronage and discre onary patronage as we have in a micra driver and a hawker respec vely. Whilst a micra would not need charms to sell his service, nor eye contact to make his demand sink in, a hawker employs a lot of subtle psychological tac cs to get you to buy.

“A street hawker besides the bus, knows the importance of convincing you to buy. That’s why they build justification for sales. “Iya kaabo, Omo ku ile” roughly translated as “This is a wonderful gift for your children after sojourn as a mother”

ile” roughly translated as “This is a wonderful gi for your children a er sojourn as a mother”. They employ this with the use of charms and eye contact.

Eye contact, to them, serves as a vital hook to grab the a en on of passing or disinterested customers. Vendors establish connec on, convey enthusiasm and build trust through eye contact.

Street hawkers, alongside the aforemen oned, have developed

unique charming techniques of mirroring (subtly imitate the customer’s body language to create a sense of rapport), proximity closing and engaging facial expressions.

OSUN DEFENDER

Art of Charm in Sales is to create rapport, diffuse tension and kill skep cism in the mind of the customer, also to highlight benefits in an a en ve way. Some hawkers go as far as telling alarming stories (we remember the usual “molue” pitch), stand up comedy, compliments passing etc.

Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.

Asst. News Editor – Yusuf Oketola

Asst. Features Editor – Kazeem Badmus

Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto

Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere

Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa

Because, for someone selling discre onary goods or services the buyer’s choice to buy is based on personal preferences, desires or priori es. A street hawker besides the bus, knows the importance of convincing you to buy. That’s why they build jus ficaon for sales. “Iya kaabo, Omo ku

In fact, neccesary services created a niche for the likes of Micra drivers who may appear rude and seem very en tled but you s ll have to engage their services. Same way a “motherly” nurse might treat her pa ents like they would regard their recalcitrant kids at home. Whereas, a street vendor, even when bereaved, will s ll rile all form of nice es to get you to close purchase.

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.

To them on the street, these are not rocket science but necessary skills you pick up through creavity, flexibility and resilient learning and unlearning. Just like us, as small boys, we subtly imbibed our fathers knacks for closing purchases and remaining a friend to almost every customer for life. #ThingsILearntFromMyFather.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2025 VOL. 20 NO 52 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

“ IN the world, there must be a certain degree of honour, just as there must be a certain amount of light. When there are many without honour, there are always others who bear in themselves the honour of many men. These are men who rebel with great force against those who steal the people’s freedom, that is to say, against those who steal honour itself. In those men, thousands more are contained, an en re people is contained, human dignity is contained……” — José Mar

These immortal lines capture the essence of Comrade Fidelista Abiodun Aremu (Aremson) — a revolu onary of epic stature. Always ready for engagement — intellectual, ideological, or physical — he lived and breathed the struggle.

I first met him in the 1970s at the Comrade Ola Oni School of Marxism. Together with our leaders and comrades, we founded the Socialist Party of Workers, Farmers and Youth (SPWFY) in 1978, that was later changed to the Socialist Workers Party (SWP).

A er the collapse of that republic, we formed the Socialist Revolu onary Vanguard (SRV). It was from the SRV that I was commissioned to engage with le -of-centre poli cal formaons — SDP, AD, ACN, and others.

Aremson played a decisive role in shaping my approach to that engagement, par cularly my choice to openly work with these progressive movements. Though he did not personally belong to those groups, he offered unwavering ideological support. Un l his passing, he remained an invaluable comradein-arms.

The Final Chapter

“Aremson played a decisive role in shaping my approach to that engagement, particularly my choice to openly work with these progressive movements. Though he did not personally belong to those groups, he offered unwavering ideological support. Until his passing, he remained an invaluable comrade-inarms”

By OGBENI RAUF AREGBESOLA

Comrade Fidelista Abiodun Aremu (Aremson): The Exit Of A Revolutionary Combatant

The chain of events leading to that fateful Sunday, October 12, 2025, began on July 6, 2023, when Comrade John Odah first raised concerns about Aremson’s health. Every possible measure was taken to prevent the catastrophe that eventually struck on March 3, 2024, when he suffered a stroke.

A er ini al treatment at a hospital in Isolo, Lagos — facilitated by a comrade — he travelled to Havana, Cuba, on September 9, 2024, where he received worldclass medical care. He returned to Lagos on November 2, 2024, remarkably improved. But Comrade Fidelista Abiodun Aremu was never one to retreat from the ba lefield of ideas and acvism. Against medical advice, he threw himself back into the struggle for freedom and human dignity, which led to a second stroke on April 29, 2025, undoing much of his earlier progress.

Even then, he refused to slow down. He con nued to par cipate, engage, and lead struggles and ba les— locally and interna onally. His intellectual energy was matched only by his physical resolve. Colleagues and comrades were worried about his intensity, but he could not be dissuaded. He was determined and irrepressible — as if he was racing against me.

Recently, Comrade Owei Lakemfa and I advised him against a grueling back-to-back travel schedule between Abuja and Lagos. He declined firmly, seeing those engagements as revolu onary du es that could not be compromised.

We met at the Centenary of Commandante Fidel Castro in Abuja on Thursday, September 18, 2025. A er our usual camaraderie, he offered a quiet but resolute salute — the kind that spoke volumes of convic on

and defiance.

I could not agree more with his spirit. Painfully, that was our last mee ng.

A Rebel Till the End!

When Comrade Lakemfa called at 21:18 hrs on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to break the news of his transi on, my first thought a er the shock and grief was of Bob Marley’s “Babylon System” (1979) — a song Aremson deeply loved, and one that perfectly mirrored his life and struggle:

We refuse to be what you wanted us to be,

We are what we are, that’s the way it’s going to be.

Talking ‘bout my freedom, people’s freedom and liberty! Babylon system is the vampire, sucking the children day by day...

Tell the children the truth... Got to rebel, y’all!

Since hearing of his passing, this song has echoed ceaselessly in my mind. It is how I have been able to internalise his departure — a rebel’s requiem.

Immortal Spirit

Like all mortals, our comrade has crossed to the other side. Yet, his deeds and example remain luminous — a beacon to all who con nue the struggle.

In his final note to me on October 6, 2025, Aremson wrote:

“I SALUTE Comrade Usifo of TUC, all the NEC of TUC and PENGASSAN for this new dawn in trade unionism in Nigeria. I am excited because I am a disciple of Commandante Fidel. CHE’s ba le cry goes thus: A ba le is either won or lost. The most decisive is to join the ba le! Me, Comrade Fidelista Abiodun Aremu, join every ba le any me, so long as I breathe.” — Wri en October 5, posted October 6, 2025.

This final declara on captures the totality of the man — unyielding, inspired, and eternally commi ed to the cause of human dignity and libera on.

To his wife and children: your patriarch was a hero of revoluonary struggles — a steadfast voice for workers, a fearless advocate for the oppressed, and a man of unimpeachable convicon.

To the leaders and cadres of the socialist movement, let us find solace in the words of C.L.R. James: “This act in itself will not delay their day of judgement.”

Forward ever, backward never — ll victory always. Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola

•Ògbeni Ràùf Arẹgbéṣọlá