NEWS
Osun 2026: Accord Nominates Adeleke as Governorship Candidate
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Accord after the governorship primary held at Osogbo.
It was gathered that the governorship primary was observed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others.
A government house statement in Osogbo on Wednesday said that the governor scored 145 votes while five votes were voided.
The governor who was the sole aspirant for the position accepted the nomination and asserted that his records of achievements and the mass goodwill of the people will guarantee victory for the Accord in the 2026 polls.
The governor further used the occasion to unveil an upgraded five point agenda for the 2026 race namely integrated citizens and workers’ welfare; infrastructure consolidation for economic prosperity; Increased agro-Industrial expansion for youth empowerment; innovations for health, education and social care; and Improved Business Environment for Job Creation.
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The governor spoke further: “We are today launching the battle for continuity of progress, good governance and democratic dividends. My candidacy signals the sustenance of the golden movement when the light of development continues to shine across our state. We vow never to relent in the rewarding service to our people.
“We note today as the point of resolution never to go back to the dark days but to advance further into the journey of modernisation. For a long time, Osun has witnessed failed promises. In the last three years, we actualize the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Ours is a government of talk and do.
“In the forthcoming polls, I challenge likely opponents to run on their records. In their days in governments, what were their deliverables to the people of Osun state ? How did they run or manage the state? What legacy did they leave for the people?
“In their days in power, they failed the people; they failed their party; they even failed themselves. Today, the people reject them. Even their own partymen and women are up in arms against them.
“I am proud to run on my records of achievements of the last three years. Despite harassment and blockages, my administration outperforms, outshines and surpasses the records of the opposition. I have raised the bar of governance beyond rhetorics and deceits. Our achievements can be seen and felt by the people.
“That Osun moved from number 33 under the APC government to number 7 under my leadership in a national examination rating cannot be disputed. That my government reduces the Osun infrastructure deficit from over 80 percent in 2022 by over 40 percent as of 2025 is attested to by many experts. That we paid over 40 percent of Osun inherited debt is confirmed by the Debt Management Office. That we came first in access to primary health care across the Southwest is in the public domain.
“Our governance delivery proved governance can be real, that leadership can actually serve the people, that there are leaders still committed to the service of the people. I belong to that circle of leaders who prioritises meeting the aspirations and needs of our people.
“To the good people of Osun, the 2026 race is not just about running on our records, we are bringing new innovations and new packages to take our people to new levels of development. I am bold to announce that I have substantially delivered on my five point agenda which I promised the people of Osun State in 2022”, the governor noted.
The National Chairman of the party, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, who handed over the certificate of return and victory to Governor Ademola Adeleke said the primary has confirmed Accord as a party of due process and internal democracy.
He described the emergence of Gov Adeleke as divine even as he expressed strong optimism that Gov Adeleke will resoundingly win his re-election in 2026.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, on Thursday visited Bauchi State for a closed-door meeting with Governor Bala Mohammed amid growing political realignments in the country.
Obi, who is also a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition, arrived at the Bauchi State Government House where he proceeded to a private meeting with the governor at the Presidential Lounge.
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The purpose of the visit was not immediately known as both politicians held discussions behind closed doors.
Details of the meeting remained undisclosed at the time of filing this report.
However, sources within the Government House suggested that the meeting may be connected to recent political developments and possible alignments ahead of future elections, though this could not be independently verified.
Both leaders are expected to brief journalists after the meeting concludes.
Governor Bala Mohammed, who serves as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has recently been at the center of political speculation regarding his party allegiance.
On March 31, he reportedly hinted at a possible political shift during a meeting with a delegation of the African Democratic Congress led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.
However, his political engagements appeared to take a different turn shortly after, as he also hosted the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on April 1 at the same venue.
The latest meeting with Obi has further intensified speculation about ongoing political consultations and possible future alignments among key political actors.
President Bola Tinubu has requested the approval of the Senate for a fresh external borrowing of $516.33 million, in a move that is expected to further raise concerns over Nigeria’s growing debt profile.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and was read during plenary on Thursday at the National Assembly.
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According to the letter, the proposed loan is to be sourced from Deutsche Bank and will be used to finance a key infrastructure component under the government’s already approved borrowing programme—the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway project, a major road corridor designed to enhance connectivity across the country.
President Tinubu, in the request, urged the Senate to give the proposal expedited consideration and approval, stressing the importance of the project to national infrastructure development and economic growth.
Following the reading of the letter, Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, directing the committee to examine the proposal and submit its report within one week.
The latest borrowing request comes amid ongoing national debates over Nigeria’s debt sustainability, as the federal government continues to rely on external loans to fund large-scale infrastructure projects.
A Kaduna State High Court has rejected the bail application filed by former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, ordering that he remain in the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) pending the determination of his trial.
The ruling was delivered by Justice D.H. Khobo, who held that the seriousness of the allegations against the former governor, as well as concerns over possible interference with ongoing investigations, made the grant of bail inappropriate at this stage.
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El-Rufai had approached the court seeking release on bail pending trial over a nine-count charge filed by the Federal Government through the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
He argued that the offences were not capital in nature and that he posed no flight risk, citing his community ties, fixed residences, and willingness to cooperate with investigators.
He also told the court that he voluntarily returned to Nigeria to honour official invitations and challenged the validity of the charges, describing them as defective.
Additionally, he raised health concerns, requesting bail on medical grounds.
However, the prosecution opposed the application, insisting that the alleged offences were serious and economically damaging, with a likelihood that the defendant could interfere with witnesses and ongoing investigations.
In his ruling, Justice Khobo held that the gravity of the charges and the risk of interference outweighed the arguments for bail.
The court also ruled that insufficient medical evidence had been provided to justify release on health grounds.
The judge therefore ordered that El-Rufai remain in ICPC custody and directed that the trial proceed on an accelerated basis, fixing early hearing dates for the case.
The former governor will remain detained as proceedings continue in the high-profile corruption trial.
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