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Adeleke Warns Appointees Against Corruption, Bags PDP’s Endorsement For 2nd Term
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned political appointees against corruption and abuse of office in their various positions.
Biztellers reports that Sen Adeleke issued the caution in Osogbo on Tuesday during the 2024 prayer programme of the Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he was publicly endorsed as the governorship flag bearer of the party for 2026 guber polls.
Sen Adeleke said, “from the outside, we are inside as officials of the government. Those yet to be reached will soon get accommodated. Those already appointed should be mindful of public service regulations.
“Let me use this opportunity to warn our party members holding various offices to be good representatives of the party. We are a party of law and order, due process and rule of law. We must comply with the law in all our doings.
“Appointees must know their rights and responsibilities. As board members, you are not to be involved in the day to day running of the agency. That is the turf of the management of the agency. But as a board, you have supervisory roles on the management in line with policies you set at your board meetings and in line with laws setting up the agency. All appointees must take note of this separation of functions.
“I had earlier warned all appointees to beware of self-serving posture. We are in office to serve the people. This administration will not tolerate corruption and abuse of office and powers either by appointees or management of the agencies. We will impose heavy sanctions on those who breach state laws.”
On the rot inherited from the previous government, the governor said his team devised several strategies and tactics to provide much needed solutions.
“Our efforts paid off in several areas. God provides us with wisdom and directions, leading to ongoing attention to workers’ welfare, infra upgrade, water provision, school rehabilitation and widening of health access to our people.
“Since we took over a year or so ago, we have launched a series of reconstruction efforts to achieve recovery. Your government since inception has equally been delivering democratic dividends to the good people of the state. Everywhere in Nigeria and abroad, our good work attracts commendation and applause from Osun people at home and in the diaspora.
“I am happy to congratulate you all that your government has not failed the people. We have kept faith with our electoral promises. We are directly addressing the wishes and aspirations of our people. In all our conduct as a government, we have carried the party along to ensure those who worked reap the benefit of their labour.
“As a pro-people leadership, we have used the party structure to service our people. The goal is to strengthen the party as the platform on which we all got into office. We are going to do more for the party in 2024”, he said.
Governor Adeleke revealed that several programmes have been lined up for the benefit of the state, her people and PDP members.
He called on party members to unite for the good of the party and the state.
“Permit me to also inform you all that we have kick-started the reconciliation process. We are to build a united strong family. I call on us to embrace the peace and unity movement. Henceforth, there should be no more segregation. We are all one happy family”, he noted.
Earlier, the party through its state Working Committee announced its endorsement of the Governor for a second term in 2026.
Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has taken legal steps against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of defamation and incitement.
Bello, through his lawyer N.A. Abubakar, on Wednesday petitioned the Inspector General of Police, urging the force to invite the senator to present evidence backing the allegations she made against him at a recent event.
READ MORE: Drop Akpabio’s Petition, Probe Threats Against My Life – Senator Natasha To IGP
The former governor insists that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan falsely accused him of being involved in an assassination plot during her homecoming ceremony on April 1, 2025, in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The petition described her statements as both “malicious” and harmful, urging the police to prosecute her if she fails to justify her claims.
“Where she fails to do so, cause her to be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law for criminal defamation, inciting public disturbance, and spreading false information injurious to public peace,” Bello’s lawyer wrote in the petition.
In addition to involving the police, Bello has also sent a personal demand letter to the senator via another lawyer, R.O. Balogun, asking her to issue a retraction and a public apology or risk facing legal consequences.
Bello’s legal team argues that her allegations violate Section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act, 2015.
“By accusing our client of plotting an assassination and naming him as a co-conspirator in a purported murder plot (with an attempt to disguise the killing as mob or ethnic violence), Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan has:
“Gravely damaged our client’s reputation by portraying him as a violent and vengeful political actor and misled the public and tried to incite ethnic and political distrust, especially among clans of Ebiraland in particular and the people of Kogi Central in general.
“Brought his name into disrepute on the basis of an allegation so weighty that, if left unchallenged, could harm his political career and personal safety; and abused her parliamentary status and platform by propagating such falsehoods without evidence, in a very public and politically charged setting,” the solicitor noted.
The Rivers State Government has debunked reports making the rounds on social media, which alleged that the Sole Administrator of the state, Vice Admiral Ibok-Etteh Ibas (Rtd.), had summoned suspended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, to a meeting scheduled for Friday, April 18, 2025.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the administration described the report as entirely false and intended to mislead the public.
The government warned against the spread of fake news, which it said was a calculated attempt to create panic and destabilize the state.
READ ALSO: “I Have No Connection To Militants’ – Fubara
The statement, signed by Sir Dede Sampson Friday, Permanent Secretary from the Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), condemned the social media posts, which it labeled as malicious and fraudulent.
“The Rivers State Government has become aware of fraudulent announcements circulating on social media, falsely attributed to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government,” the statement noted.
“These malicious fabrications are designed to mislead the public, create panic, and disrupt the peace in Rivers State.”
One of the false messages specifically claimed that Governor Fubara and his deputy had been invited to Government House to answer questions regarding appointments and other matters of state.
Reacting to this, the state government firmly dismissed the announcement as fake and emphasized that no such directive was ever issued.
“The Rivers State Government categorically states that this announcement is fake and did not originate from any official source.
The public is urged to disregard this and any similar misinformation, as they are the work of troublemakers seeking to destabilize the state.”
The government further urged citizens to remain cautious and seek information only through verified platforms, highlighting the state’s official website — www.riversstate.gov.ng — as a reliable source for accurate updates.
Following the deadly attack on Otobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Governor Hyacinth Alia has confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to the killings.
The attack, which took place on Tuesday evening, saw suspected armed herders invade the community, unleashing violence that left at least eleven people dead.
Several houses were set ablaze during the onslaught, forcing many residents to flee to nearby villages.
READ ALSO: No Safety Guarantee For Unscheduled Visitors To Benue – Gov Alia
Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Governor Alia described the attack as “condemnable” and assured the public that security agencies were working to track down everyone involved.
He also disclosed that three suspected herdsmen had been apprehended in connection with the incident.
“The National Security Advisor has promised to deploy more security operatives to the state following the current wave of attacks in the state, particularly, the incessant attacks on Otukpo,” Alia said.
He further appealed to security personnel to intensify efforts in ensuring the perpetrators are brought to book.
Reacting to the incident, the lawmaker representing Otukpo constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, Kennedy Angbo, confirmed the attack and shared that the assailants stormed the community around 5:30 pm on Tuesday.
Angbo noted that nine bodies were recovered on the night of the attack, while two more were discovered on Wednesday morning.
He also added that several survivors who sustained injuries are currently receiving medical attention in Otukpo.
Meanwhile, security operatives have reportedly been deployed to the area as authorities intensify efforts to restore calm and prevent further attacks.
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