News

Osun guber: Campaign councils trade accusations over alleged killing of members

Published

2 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

Preport

The Osun State governorship campaign atmosphere intensified on Friday as the governorship campaign councils of the two major political parties exchanged allegations over unresolved political killings, with both calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In separate statements issued during the visit of the Inspector-General of Police to Osun State on Friday, the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council urged the police chief to ensure the arrest of suspects declared wanted in connection with the killings of its members, while the Imole Campaign Council (ICC), representing the Accord Party, called for investigations into alleged killings involving APC members and demanded the redeployment of the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

The APC Campaign Council, in a statement signed by its Head of Media and Publicity Committee, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, welcomed the Inspector-General of Police and expressed confidence in his commitment to professionalism, justice and the rule of law.

According to the council, “the police should intensify efforts to apprehend all persons declared wanted over alleged violent crimes and ensure they are prosecuted in accordance with the law.”

The APC campaign also requested a comprehensive review of unresolved murder cases involving its members since 2022, alleging that several party chieftains and supporters were killed in separate incidents across the state.

It appealed for a thorough investigation into the recent alleged attempted assassination of its Director-General, Hon. Oluwole Oke.

The council specifically called for “the immediate arrest of Olalekan Oyeyemi, also known as Emir Ajagungbade, Nurudeen Wakili, also known as Nurudeen Alawonle, Solomon Adefioye, also known as Solo Iwara, and Jide Joda. They had been declared wanted by the police in connection with various killings involving APC members.”

It also urged the Inspector-General to investigate allegations linking Senate Minority Leader Lere Oyewumi to the murders of APC chieftains Saheed Oyegunju and Remi Abass, as well as claims that he allegedly interfered with police investigations.

The council called on the police to “follow all credible leads and evidence without interference.”

“The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council remains committed to peace, democracy and the rule of law. We urge all our members and supporters to remain peaceful and continue to cooperate with security agencies as they discharge their constitutional responsibilities.”

Responding in its own statement, the Imole Campaign Council expressed concern over recent developments involving policing and security management in Osun State, arguing that public confidence in law enforcement should be protected.

The council, through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that unresolved killings involving Accord members also deserved investigation.

It listed several people who have lost their lives in separate incidents of political violence and urged the Inspector-General to ensure that all cases were thoroughly investigated.

The Imole Campaign Council also called for the redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, arguing that a new police commissioner whose neutrality would inspire public confidence should be appointed ahead of the governorship election.

“This call is not made out of hostility toward any individual but in the overriding interest of restoring public trust in policing within Osun State. Confidence in law enforcement is indispensable to peaceful elections, political stability and effective crime fighting,” the statement said.

The council urged the Inspector-General to investigate APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, Wole Oke and Engr. Remi Omowaiye over separate allegations relating to the killings of Accord members, while also seeking the arrest of several individuals it alleged were involved in violent attacks in parts of the state.

The council, while urging its supporters to remain law-abiding, avoid inflammatory conduct and cooperate with lawful security operations, maintained that it remained committed to peaceful political engagement before, during and after the August 15 governorship election.

News

Taraba APC crisis: Electoral victories should not breed arrogance, exclusion – Kefas tells candidates

Published

1 hour ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba State has urged party members who secured the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket ahead of the upcoming elections to demonstrate humility by reaching out to those who were unsuccessful, saying electoral victories should not breed arrogance or exclusion.

The governor made the appeal on Tuesday during a reconciliation dinner with APC stakeholders in Jalingo, describing the gathering as a “family meeting,” aimed at healing divisions, rebuilding trust, and strengthening the party.

He called on APC members in the state to put aside grievances arising from the party’s congresses and primary elections and work together ahead of future electoral contests.

Kefas acknowledged that the process leading to his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, as well as the ward, local government, and state congresses and subsequent primaries, had generated mixed feelings among party members.

He admitted that while some members were satisfied with the outcome of the exercises, others felt disappointed or excluded from the process.

“Wherever this happened, I sincerely regret the pain or misunderstanding that may have arisen,” the governor said, adding that his decisions were never intended to suppress legitimate political ambitions or diminish the contributions of party stakeholders.

“The decisions taken during the political process were aimed at preventing prolonged internal conflicts that could have weakened the party and divided the people of Taraba State,” Kefas said.

The governor stressed that reconciliation should now take precedence over political differences, noting that party contests should not create permanent enemies or destroy long-standing relationships.

He urged party members who secured the APC ticket to demonstrate humility by reaching out to those who were unsuccessful, saying electoral victories should not breed arrogance or exclusion.

“No candidate can succeed alone,” he said, urging successful aspirants to carry every stakeholder along, regardless of the outcome of the primaries.

Kefas also appealed to aspirants who did not emerge victorious to remain committed to the party, assuring them that political opportunities extend beyond a single election cycle.

He pledged to deepen consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the state, saying reconciliation would not end with the dinner but would continue through sustained dialogue at the ward, local government, senatorial, and state levels.

The governor said reconciliation should go beyond appointments and political positions, stressing that respect, consultation, inclusion, and recognition were essential to building a stronger party.

He called for an end to divisions between old and new members of the APC, insisting that there should be “only one APC in Taraba State.”

Kefas further pledged to lead with humility, listen to constructive criticism, and broaden consultations in decision-making, while urging all stakeholders to place the collective interest of the party above personal grievances.

He reminded party members that politics should ultimately focus on improving the lives of citizens through better security, education, healthcare, infrastructure, electricity, employment, and agricultural development rather than internal disputes.

The governor urged party leaders, aspirants, and supporters to embrace forgiveness, rebuild trust, and unite ahead of future elections.

“Let tonight mark the beginning of a new chapter founded on respect, forgiveness, consultation, discipline, and shared purpose,” he said.

Kefas expressed confidence that a united APC would be better positioned to earn the confidence of the people of Taraba State and achieve electoral success while adv

News

Super Falcons Familiarise Themselves With Casablanca’s Stade el Arbi Zaouli Ahead Of Friendly Versus Ghana

Published

3 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

Players and coaches of Nigeria’s female national team, Super Falcons are familiarising themselves with the posh ambience and facilities of Stade el Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca, Morocco, where they are scheduled to face Black Queens of Ghana in an international friendly on Saturday.

Sports247 gathered that the encounter will be the Falcons’ final builld-up match before they step out against Malawi in their first match at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, where they will also tackle Zambia and Egypt in Group C of the expanded 16-team championship.

Coach JUstin Madugu and his players will be all out to snatch a record extending 11th WAFCON title during this year’s competition, ahead of which they commenced full training on Tuesday at the 30,000 capacity multi-purpose Stade el Arbi Zaouli located in Hay Mohammadi district of Casablanca.

The arena, which is the home ground for Tihad Athletic Sport (TAS) Casablanca men’s club and SC Casablanca women’s team, is located along Boulevard de la Grande Ceinture and boasts of several ultra-modern multi-purpose facilities that include standard grass pitch, concrete bleachers, neat spectator conveniences, local cafes and seafood restaurants.

The Falcons are now using the facilities to fine tune their strategies ahead of their first match of Group C against Malawi in Rabat on Tuesday, July 28th, before which they will take on the Ghanaian squad, who are also preparing for WAFCON 2026.

A press release by the communications department of Ngeria Football Federation (NFF) added, “The 10-time champions opened camp in Casablanca, Morocco’s industrial and economic capital, on Monday, as final preparations got underway.

“As at lunch time on Tuesday, a total of 10 players had arrived at the Super Falcons’ hotel in Casablanca, with midfielder Toni Payne, who recently joined Inter Milan Women of Italy from Everton Ladies in England, expected on Wednesday.

“At the team’s Hotel Marriott in Casablanca are captain Rasheedat Ajibade, goalkeepers Chiamaka Nnadozie and Fatima Oloko, defenders Oluwatosin Demehin, Glory Ogbonna, Christy Ucheibe, Shukurat Oladipo and Rofiat Imuran, midfielder Jennifer Echegini and forward Asisat Oshoala.

“The friendly encounter with Ghana’s Black Queens, who lost in the final to the Super Falcons in the inaugural edition of the competition that Nigeria hosted in 1998, will take place at the Stade el Arbi Zaouli, with kick-off set for 4pm.”

Sports247 reports further that, after taking on Malawi, the Falcons will face Zambia on Saturday, 1st August and Egypt on Wednesday, 5th August in Group C of this year’s WAFCON, from which all four semi-finalists will qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, while the fifth-placed team will feature in an intercontinental play-off.