Category: Politics

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has received an award from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in recognition of his commitment to the rule of law. However, the governor has also found himself in the midst of renewed political tension with his predecessor, Rauf Aregbesola, whom he sharply criticised on Monday. In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke clarified that contrary to recent reports, he did not rebuke the Supreme Court over its judgment on the controversial local government dispute in Osun State. He described the claims as misleading and reaffirmed his respect for the judiciary as a cornerstone of democracy. Meanwhile, the governor launched a scathing attack on former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in response to the latter’s alleged threats to unseat him in the 2026 governorship election. Describing Aregbesola’s administration as “the worst in Osun history,” Adeleke accused the former governor of leaving behind a legacy of “huge debt, half salaries, scam learning tablets (Opon Imo), and inflated, abandoned projects.” “The empty boast of Mr Aregbesola about 2026 is a symptom of a troubled mind who sees wrong visions, who is battling his benefactor, and who is haunted by the pains and suffering he inflicted on millions of Osun people,” the statement read. Governor Adeleke said his administration had paid 28 months of the half salaries owed by Aregbesola’s government and cleared close to ₦60 billion in pension debt. He also claimed to have reduced Osun’s debt burden by 40%, without borrowing for infrastructure development. Listing his achievements, Adeleke cited the construction of over 200 kilometres of roads, the rehabilitation of more than 200 schools and health centres, free health insurance coverage for over 30,000 pensioners, and free medical surgeries for more than 60,000 residents. He also highlighted the completion of abandoned university projects and the establishment of the University of Ilesa. “Within less than three years, Governor Adeleke has surpassed the delivery of Mr Aregbesola’s eight years without borrowing a kobo,” Rasheed said. The statement concluded with a strong rebuke: “Mr Aregbesola is a shrew (Asin tí ò mọ̀ pé òun ń rùn) who does not know that he is smelling. 2026 is payback time when Osun people will punish the former governor and his new party for wilfully inflicting pain and suffering on Osun people throughout his eight-year rule.” As political temperatures rise in Osun ahead of the next election cycle, Governor Adeleke’s administration appears focused on consolidating support by highlighting contrasts with the past, while maintaining his public image with national recognition such as the NBA’s award for legal adherence.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it described as another instance of “disdain for accountability,” following his delayed return to Nigeria after the conclusion of the 2025 BRICS Summit in Brazil. In a statement issued on Sunday, the ADC expressed concern that Tinubu only returned to Abuja on July 13—five days after the summit ended on July 7—without offering any public explanation, official statement, or briefing to Nigerians. “While other world leaders returned home, briefed their citizens, and resumed work, our President reappeared in the early hours of Sunday with no word,” the ADC noted. “A whole five days is significant in the life of a country, especially one grappling with insecurity, economic hardship, and public discontent.” The opposition party insisted that Tinubu’s absence cannot be treated as inconsequential, especially since he was on official duty, not vacation. The ADC also pointed to a pattern of unexplained overseas absences by the President, citing at least four previous occasions in 2024 where Tinubu reportedly disappeared from public view during or after foreign trips without clarifying his whereabouts. “These serial vanishings have triggered wild speculation, fuelled unhealthy rumours, and undermined public trust,” the party said. The ADC warned that such unaccountable conduct tarnishes Nigeria’s international reputation and signals a troubling disregard for transparency. “A president who disappears without explanation cannot be trusted to solve the nation’s crises,” the party concluded. “Nigerians must take note: A leader who is unaccountable to the people has no moral authority to demand sacrifice from them.” The presidency has yet to respond to the ADC’s statement.