News

APC council officials accuse Osun govt of fueling fresh political crises

Published

1 month ago

June 19, 2026

Preport

Members of the Osun State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Friday accused the Osun State Government of deliberately instigating crises over the control of local government councils in the state.

Addressing a press conference in Osogbo on behalf of the party, Barrister Adegoke Ogunsola alleged that the state government had misinterpreted a recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Osogbo, in a manner capable of causing public disorder.

Ogunsola said the suit, filed by reinstated APC chairmen and councillors on September 12, 2025, sought judicial interpretation of the commencement date of their tenure in office under relevant Osun State laws and noted that the court dismissed the case on June 15, 2026.

According to him, “the dismissal of the suit did not amount to validation of the local government elections allegedly conducted on February 22, 2025, as being claimed by the state government and its supporters.

“Sequel to the dismissal, the Osun State Government and its henchmen stormed the streets and began to foment avoidable crises by ascribing the dismissal of the suit to validation of the ruse being paraded as the outcome of local government elections purportedly held on February 22, 2025.”

The APC leaders further criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s request for police protection for individuals he described as elected local government officials, arguing that such a move was embarrassing and condemnable and could plunge the state into chaos.

Ogunsola disclosed that the Federal High Court judgment had already been appealed and that an application for stay of execution was filed on June 16, 2026, and served on all parties involved, including the police.

“To set the record straight, the judgment of the FHC that they want to utilise to enthrone themselves is the subject of an appeal, with an application for stay of execution dated and filed on June 16, 2026, and which has been served on the parties,” he stated.

He argued that the individuals seeking to assume control of the councils were not parties to the suit and that the court did not grant any relief in their favour.

He maintained that the police, being aware of the pending appeal and motion for stay, should not be used to enforce the judgment.

Ogunsola also cited a portion of the court judgment which, according to him, affirmed that the tenure of the elected chairmen and councillors ran from October 2022 to October 2025.

Quoting from the ruling, Ogunsola said, “No matter the interruptions or interjections in the tenure of the elected public officer after subscription to the oath of office and oath of allegiance, the expiration date of the said tenure remains the same as per the Constitution or the statute.”

He argued that the court’s pronouncement implied that the local government elections and subsequent swearing-in ceremony allegedly conducted by the state government in February 2025 were null and void, adding that the matter had already been placed before the Court of Appeal.

The APC leaders urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful and continue their lawful activities, insisting that there was no court order authorising any group to take over council secretariats pending the determination of the appeal.

While commending security agencies, including the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for maintaining peace in the state, they warned that any breakdown of law and order arising from attempts to enforce the disputed interpretation of the judgment would be the responsibility of the Osun State Government.

News

2027: SDP leaders welcome INEC confirmation of Adebayo’s candidacy

Published

2 hours ago

August 2, 2026

Preport

Leaders of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, have welcomed the confirmation of Prince Adewole Adebayo as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The party described the development as a significant milestone ahead of the 2027 presidential election, following INEC’s publication of the final list of presidential candidates, and expressed confidence in its chances at the polls.

In a statement, the Chairman of the SDP in Delta State, Felix Obuseh, said the publication of Adebayo’s name by INEC had boosted the confidence of party members and supporters across the country.

Obuseh said the party would continue mobilising support for its presidential candidate ahead of the election.

Also reacting, the Chairman of the SDP in Zamfara State, Bilal Aliyu Gusau, congratulated Adebayo on his confirmation by INEC and wished him a successful campaign.

Similarly, Cotterell Tumbodiaa described the confirmation of Adebayo and his running mate as an important step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.

He expressed hope that the SDP would offer Nigerians a credible alternative and wished the party’s presidential candidate success in the campaign.

The reactions followed INEC’s publication of the names of candidates cleared to contest the 2027 presidential election, including Adebayo as the SDP flag bearer.

News

10-Woman Super Falcons Shock Zambia, Oshoala’s Heroics Revive WAFCON Dream

Published

5 hours ago

August 2, 2026

Preport

The Super Falcons produced a spirited and resilient performance to defeat Zambia 1-0 despite playing with 10 players for more than half the match, breathing new life into their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) campaign on Saturday night in Rabat.

After suffering a shock opening defeat to Malawi, the 10-time African champions responded like true title contenders, with Asisat Oshoala’s early goal proving enough to hand Nigeria a vital three points against the highly-rated Copper Queens.

Nigeria made a bright start and deservedly took the lead in the eighth minute when Oshoala latched onto a perfectly weighted pass inside the penalty area before calmly slotting beyond the Zambian goalkeeper to send the Super Falcons into an early lead.

The encounter took a dramatic twist before halftime following a series of incidents involving defender Tosin Demehin and Zambia captain Barbra Banda.

Demehin was initially shown a yellow card before a lengthy VAR review ruled Banda offside in the build-up, leading to the caution being withdrawn. However, minutes later, another challenge involving the pair resulted in the Nigerian defender being sent off in the 40th minute, leaving the Super Falcons to play the remainder of the contest with 10 players.

Faced with the numerical disadvantage, head coach Justin Madugu reshuffled his side after the interval, introducing Shukurat Oladipo for debutant Rofiat Imuran to reinforce the defence.

Zambia dominated possession for long periods of the second half, but Nigeria remained disciplined and compact, frustrating the Copper Queens while still posing a threat on the counterattack through Uchenna Kanu and substitute Esther Okoronkwo.

Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie also delivered an assured display, producing crucial interventions as Nigeria’s reorganised backline stood firm to withstand sustained late pressure and preserve the narrow advantage until the final whistle.

The victory marked Nigeria’s second consecutive WAFCON win over Zambia and revived the Super Falcons’ hopes of reaching the knockout stage following their opening-day setback.

The Super Falcons will now turn their attention to their final Group C fixture against Egypt on Wednesday, August 5, knowing that another positive result would strengthen their chances of advancing to the quarter-finals as they continue their pursuit of a record-extending 11th WAFCON title.