President Bola Tinubu congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the 2026 governorship election before the Independent National Electoral Commission formally declared him winner, an Accord Party chieftain, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has disclosed.

Olajengbesi made the disclosure while speaking with journalists at the INEC collation centre in Osogbo shortly after Adeleke was declared winner of the election.

He commended Tinubu for what he described as the President’s decision not to interfere with the electoral process, saying it demonstrated his commitment to ensuring that the election was free, fair and credible.

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According to him, the President had earlier directed INEC and security agencies to ensure that the election met the required standards.

However, Olajengbesi said the poll could not be considered entirely free and fair, alleging that opposition supporters were subjected to oppression and arrests.

“Let me be honest with you, we are also appreciative of Mr. President because at the commencement of this election, Mr. President himself announced to the world and gave a directive to INEC and all security agencies that this election must be free, fair, and credible.

“We want to believe that this election is very credible, but we do not agree that this election is free and fair because it was oppressive. Our people are still in detention. As I speak to you today, even during the election, over 11 persons were arrested in the process.”

Despite his concerns, Olajengbesi praised Tinubu for allowing the electoral process to continue and respecting the outcome.

“We are glad that the president was able to stand by his word and insist that the right thing must be done,” he said.

He further revealed that Tinubu had contacted Adeleke to congratulate him before INEC formally announced the result.

“Let me tell you this quickly: even before the result was declared yesterday night, Mr. President called Mr. Governor and congratulated him, and that is good leadership,” Olajengbesi said.

Adeleke won the election with 511,067 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 444,815 votes.

The Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF) has called for greater empowerment of police officers’ wives, saying economically empowered families can boost the morale, stability and effectiveness of personnel.

The Fund made the call after training and equipping 100 wives of police officers in Kogi State with tailoring and hairstyling starter packs.

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The empowerment programme, which was held at the 37 Squadron, Police Mobile Force (MOPOL) Barracks, Lokoja, was designed to equip the beneficiaries with vocational skills and tools to establish sustainable sources of income.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, represented by Salihu Aliyu, said the initiative was aimed at strengthening the families behind police officers who often operate under demanding and hazardous conditions.

He said, “By providing these starter packs, the Fund is creating opportunities for beneficiaries to become economically empowered, develop sustainable sources of income and contribute meaningfully to the wellbeing of their families.

“These starter packs represent opportunity, empowerment, hope and a pathway towards self-reliance.”

Sheidu urged the beneficiaries to regard the equipment as an investment in their future and utilise the skills acquired during the training to establish viable businesses.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, represented by DCP Baba Mallam, stressed the importance of supporting police wives as part of efforts to improve the welfare and effectiveness of police personnel.

He said, “The welfare of the police extends beyond our officers to the families who support them and make their service possible. Our officers make enormous sacrifices in the service of our nation.

“An empowered family is a stronger family. Such families contribute significantly to the morale, stability and effectiveness of officers.”

Kankarofi commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for his commitment to the welfare of police personnel and their families, while appreciating the NPTF for sponsoring the empowerment programme.

He urged the beneficiaries to put the skills and equipment to productive use and turn them into sustainable sources of livelihood.

The Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Kogi State Chapter, Mrs Asmau Kankarofi, described the starter packs as “seeds of economic independence” for the beneficiaries.

She said police wives remained a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to their husbands and families, particularly given the sacrifices associated with policing.

“We understand the sacrifices that come with the policing profession. As wives, we remain a vital source of encouragement, strength and support to our husbands and families,” she said.

She urged the beneficiaries to utilise the equipment judiciously and support one another in building sustainable businesses.

The beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the NPTF and pledged to make productive use of the equipment to improve the welfare of their families.

A fire outbreak has ravaged part of the Technology Incubation Centre near the Police Headquarters in Gombe, destroying property estimated at N4 million.

The incident occurred on Friday and affected five shops at the centre, according to the Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command.

The command said its prompt intervention prevented the fire from spreading further, enabling firefighters to save property estimated at N15 million.

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The Federal Fire Service said it received a distress call about the incident at approximately 10:14 a.m., after which a multipurpose water tender was immediately deployed to the scene.

The firefighting operation was led by ASF II Mukhtar Shehu, with IF Bernard serving as the driver.

The crew successfully contained the blaze and extinguished it using one medium jet of water.

According to the command, four of the five affected shops were successfully saved, limiting the extent of the damage.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASF MB Muazu, said firefighters carried out a thorough inspection after extinguishing the flames and confirmed that there was no immediate threat of re-ignition.

Muazu said, “The Federal Fire Service, Gombe State Command, has successfully contained a fire outbreak involving five shops at the Technology Incubation Centre, near the Police Headquarters, Gombe.”

He added, “Four of the five affected shops were successfully saved, with property estimated at N15m salvaged, while the estimated loss stood at approximately N4m.”

The fire appliance and crew returned to the station at about 11:09 a.m. after confirming that the fire had been completely extinguished.

The Federal Fire Service reaffirmed its commitment to responding promptly to emergencies and protecting lives and property.

Muazu urged members of the public to report fire incidents promptly and adhere to basic fire safety precautions to prevent avoidable losses.