NEWS
2022: Oyetola re-election Campaign Council urges EFCC to investigate Adeleke, PDP over voters’ inducement
…warns opposition party against billboard vandalization
The reelection Campaign Council of the Osun governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to investigate the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ademola Adeleke, over his comment that he will induce voters before and during the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the State.
Governor Oyetola Campaign Council said it is pertinent to draw the attention of the anti-graft agency to the unguarded comment in order to challenge Adeleke and his party, the PDP, to explain what he meant by his comments that he had arrived with hard currencies to prosecute the election and to approach the election “fire for fire”.
Addressing a Press Conference, at the Ilerioluwa Campaign Office, the Director-General of the Osun APC Campaign Council, Senator Ajibola Basiru argued that for an individual to have declared publicly his uncontrolled and insatiable appetite for power to the extent of boasting to financially induce the electorate, he needed to be investigated and prosecuted by the anti-graft body to stop him from compromising the electoral process and fledgling democracy.
He called on the EFCC and other anti-graft agencies to beam their searchlight on the matter and summon the PDP candidate in the state for a thorough investigation and questioning to unravel what he meant that he has brought pounds, dollars, euros and other hard currencies to buy a vote.
“I expected the EFCC to have invited Senator Ademola Adeleke to give account of what he meant by coming to the state with hard currencies for the Osun State guber election.
“Certainly, inducement of voters is a great offence. So, for Senator Adeleke to manifestly declare an intention to induce voters, it warrants criminal investigation by EFCC.
“EFCC should summon him for investigation for questioning by what he meant that he has brought pounds, dollars, euros and other hard currencies to buy a vote.
“That clearly is a manifest intention to commit the offence of inducement of voters which is clearly an electoral offence under the Nigerian law”, Basiru added.
The APC Campaign Council sent a strong warning to the PDP and its candidate to desist from the campaign of acrimony that had degenerated into a violent attacks on the members and loyalists of the ruling party since Ademola Adeleke publicly declared his readiness to engage in a fire-for-fire approach.
Senator Basiru, who recalled some of the violent attacks on the party’s loyalists, said it has become imperative to intimate the general public with the clandestine move by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to kill, maim and harass leading figures in the Osun Government and the All Progressives Congress, APC, using political thugs, and then turn round to accuse the APC, its government and sympathisers as the brain behind the wicked act.
“You will recall that on Friday, May 16, 2022, the candidate of the party, Sen. Jackson Ademola Adeleke, at a rally in Osogbo, publicly proclaimed, among other things, that he had arrived with Pounds Sterling, Dollars and other hard currencies to bribe the good people of Osun in the days leading to the election and on the election day. He went further to say that this time around, he would unleash violence and terror on the State. He insisted that this time around, it is “Fire-for-Fire.”
“We promptly reacted by cautioning him and letting him know that Osun people are not commodities waiting to be purchased off the shelf of any supermarket. These exchanges are well documented by both the conventional and digital media. We had thought he would heed our advice to play by the rule and call off the demons he intended to unleash on our people. But alas, a leopard will never change its spot.
“Rather than heed our call, what followed was large-scale destruction of our campaign billboards and those of our candidate across the State, especially in the State capital. We have both the video and pictorial documentation of the large-scale destruction carried out by the PDP and its agents.
“In the early hours of June 9, 2022, we got an intelligence that a certain known political thug in the State, by the name Olamilekan Oyeyemi Ajagungbade, otherwise known as ‘Emir’, had been contracted by the PDP to carry out the destruction as part of the conditions to sign him on for further destructive operations in the State ahead of the elections.
“And by the next day, the destruction began. By Sunday, June 12, 2022, Emir moved to the PDP secretariat to dislodge another set of hoodlums that had been working for the PDP before his arrival. This led to a shootout between the two groups, as guns, machetes and other dangerous weapons were freely used. Again, we have video documentary evidence of what transpired. In the end, several other passers-by, including some visiting investigative journalists, who were in Osun for an assignment, fell victim of the attack”, he said.
Basiru who reiterated the commitment of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to continue to maintain peace and sustain the status of Osun as the most peaceful State in Nigeria regardless of any form of security threat from any quarter, said, “For the avoidance of doubt, our candidate does not believe in violence and you journalists seated here this evening can attest to that fact.”
He stated further: “The Osun APC remains law-abiding, responsible, peace-loving and we will never resort to violence or engage in any act capable of disrupting the peace of the State, more so when it is obvious that the overwhelming majority of the people of Osun are with us and are ready to re-elect their Governor for a second term of office.
“Unlike the PDP, we have been preaching peace and conducting ourselves peacefully since the campaigns began, and this is what we shall continue to do till the day of the election and beyond. We shall remain law-abiding, responsible, and will never resort to violence or engage in any act capable of disrupting the peace of the State.
“Our candidate has proved in the last three and half years that he has the capacity to lead Osun. We shall campaign on what we have done, and they speak for themselves. Our candidate remains the candidate to beat come July 16, 2022.
“However, the PDP in Osun is reputed for thuggery and brigandage and have always exhibited violent tendencies even among themselves. They must be cautioned.”
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has called for an upward review of the national minimum wage, declaring that the current ₦70,000 salary can no longer meet the needs of Nigerian workers due to rising inflation and the increasing cost of living.
The demand was made on Friday at the Nigeria Rights of Workers Summit 2026 in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, where labour leaders, government officials, employers, civil society organisations and workers gathered to commemorate 88 years of legally recognised trade unionism in Nigeria.
SEE MORE: ‘Enough Is Enough!’ — NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Strike Over Insecurity
Speaking on behalf of NLC President Joe Ajaero, the Deputy President of the Congress, Adewale Adeyanju (Amba), said the purchasing power of the current minimum wage has been severely eroded by prevailing economic realities.
“The current ₦70,000 minimum wage can no longer adequately respond to the realities confronting Nigerian workers, particularly with the rising cost of living,” Adeyanju said.
He noted that the existing wage arrangement has expired, making fresh negotiations with the Federal Government and state governments necessary.
According to him, labour expects a new wage structure that reflects current economic conditions and enables workers to meet their basic needs.
The summit, themed “The Rights of Workers: Decent Work and a Just Economy in Nigeria,” focused on workers’ remuneration, workplace safety, job security, discrimination, and the protection of casual and other non-traditional workers across the country.
Convener of the summit and Executive Director of Call a Lawyer, Ekpa Stanley, said the gathering was aimed at assessing the progress made in advancing workers’ rights while identifying areas requiring urgent attention.
“This summit is not only about celebrating 88 years of trade unionism; it is also an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved, the challenges that remain, and what must be done to guarantee decent work for Nigerian workers,” he said.
Former NLC President Ayuba Wabba stressed that improving workers’ welfare should go beyond increasing salaries.
“Decent work is not only about wages. It is also about workers’ rights, social protection and meaningful social dialogue between workers, employers and government,” Wabba stated.
He urged policymakers to implement measures that guarantee workers’ dignity, strengthen social protection and improve job security amid the nation’s economic challenges.
Meanwhile, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris assured workers that his administration would implement any new national minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
“Whatever is agreed upon at the national level on the minimum wage, Kebbi State will implement it,” the governor said.
He also pledged to advocate improved remuneration for workers during deliberations at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
Participants at the summit further called for stricter enforcement of labour laws, improved workplace safety, stronger protection against discrimination and greater support for workers in the informal sector.
The event concluded with goodwill messages from labour leaders, affiliate unions and representatives of the National Industrial Court, while awards were presented to individuals, including Governor Idris, in recognition of their contributions to workers’ welfare.
Anambra State First Lady, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has emerged as the winner of the Health Activism category at the 2026 BudgIT Active Citizens Awards, beating other leading health advocates to clinch the prestigious national recognition.
The award, now in its third edition, celebrates individuals and organisations making exceptional contributions to civic engagement, social development, accountability and sustainable development across Nigeria.
ALSO READ: Two Officers Killed as Hoodlums Ambush Soludo Aide’s Convoy in Anambra
Dr. Soludo earned the honour for her outstanding work in promoting preventive healthcare, community wellness and public health advocacy through her Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, a non-governmental organisation dedicated to improving the health of communities across Anambra State.
She was selected ahead of renowned Nigerian health and gender rights advocate Ramatu Ada Ochekliye and public health and social impact professional Sidney Sampson following a rigorous evaluation process.
Nominees were assessed on innovation, impact, sustainability, inclusion, leadership and measurable community outcomes.
Receiving the award, the First Lady described the recognition as both humbling and a renewed call to deepen her commitment to public service.
“Like a family driven by one common goal, we have shown that when communities take ownership of their health, lasting transformation becomes very possible,” she said.
She dedicated the award to members of the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, healthcare workers, volunteers, community leaders, development partners and residents of Anambra State for embracing the vision of healthier living.
Dr. Soludo also expressed gratitude to BudgIT, Civic Hive and the Ford Foundation for the recognition, noting that it would inspire the initiative to expand its programmes and continue promoting healthier communities across the state.
In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor’s Wife, Daniel Ezeigwe, said the award reflects growing national recognition of the impact of Dr. Soludo’s healthy living campaign, describing it as a model for advancing preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyles.
According to Ezeigwe, the First Lady has championed several people-centred initiatives since assuming office.
These include statewide fitness campaigns, maternal and child health advocacy, nutrition education, environmental sanitation, the Healthy Living Pad Bank for schoolgirls, free seed distribution to households and the Nonye’s Healthy Living Pap Initiative, which is aimed at tackling childhood malnutrition.
“These programmes have touched thousands of lives while reinforcing the importance of prevention as the foundation of a healthier society,” Ezeigwe said.
He added that the latest recognition underscores Dr. Soludo’s unwavering commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of Anambra residents while contributing to Nigeria’s broader public health development.
Four people were injured after a petrol tanker carrying approximately 60,000 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) burst into flames while offloading fuel at AYM Shafa Filling Station in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, on Thursday night.
The filling station, located beside the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) office along Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti Way, witnessed panic as the fire spread to part of the adjoining three-storey FCT-IRS building before emergency responders brought the situation under control.
SEE ALSO: Another Tanker Accident Hits Niger State Days After Tragic Explosion
The Federal Fire Service (FFS), in a statement issued on Friday by its National Public Relations Officer and Head of Corporate Services, DCF Paul Abraham, confirmed that the blaze was successfully extinguished through a coordinated emergency response involving multiple firefighting appliances, medium water jets and foam compound.
According to the statement, the Controller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Olumode Samuel Adeyemi, personally led the operation as Incident Commander and remained at the scene until the early hours of Friday to ensure the fire had been completely extinguished.
The Fire Service disclosed that the four injured victims, all adult males, were evacuated by a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) ambulance to a nearby hospital, where they received treatment and were later discharged.
Following a thorough inspection of the site, officials confirmed there were no further fire outbreaks or additional casualties, while all emergency personnel and equipment safely returned to their respective stations after the operation.
The FFS commended residents, motorists and members of the public for cooperating with safety directives throughout the emergency.
It also acknowledged the support of sister agencies, including the FCT Fire Service, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, and other emergency responders for their swift intervention.
The agency further announced that an investigation has commenced to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the incident in a bid to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“The Federal Fire Service remains committed to safeguarding lives, property and critical national assets through prompt, professional and coordinated emergency response,” the statement added.
‘₦70,000 Is No Longer Enough’ — NLC Pushes for New Minimum Wage
NNPC Ltd Considers Commissioning, as AKK Gas Pipeline Lands Abuja
Tinubu Credits Economic Strategists for Stock Market Rebound, Moots Listing NNPC Ltd
2027 Race Begins as APC Completes 100% Candidate Upload to INEC
FIFA Rift Deepens as Mexico Defies CONCACAF to Support Infantino
How Anambra First Lady Nonye Soludo Beat Top Health Advocates to Win 2026 BudgIT Award
Trump’s Family Unveils New Cryptocurrency Platform
Senate Denies Receiving Petitions Against Tinubu’s Ambassadorial Nominees
Dangote Cement Lights Up Benue Host Communities With CSR Initiatives
Reps Recommend 3-year Jail Term For Aviation minister
Tems Sets New Record On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
