News

*Final Batch Departs For Medina Ahead Of Makkah Trip Today By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan A total of 945 persons from Oyo State have successfully completed the Umrah (lesser pilgrimage) in Makkah in continuation of their Hajj religious obligations. A statement by the state Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, on Monday, noted that the last batch of the pilgrims who were currently in Medina, were expected to join their counterparts in Makkah today (Tuesday,12 May) for similar exercises. The three batches, received warmly by the representatives of the Saudi Arabian government, performed Umrah with little or no stress under the tutelage…

*Outlines Her Vision By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu ​The race for Awka North and Awka South Federal Constituency seat of Anambra State in the House of Representatives has gained significant momentum following the official entry of lawyer and development professional, Kachi Aghasili. Seeking to represent the constituency in the 2027 general elections, Aghasili formally obtained her Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms under the platform of the Labour Party (LP). ​The move signals the formal commencement of her quest to clinch the party’s ticket ahead of the upcoming primary elections. Aghasili’s entry into the contest is expected to reshape the political…

*Opt For Another Candidate By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan Many constituents and All Progressives Congress (APC) members of Oluyole Federal Constituency of Oyo State have expressed dissatisfaction over the representation offered by the current lawmaker from the constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe. This is coming on the heels of a report at the weekend that supporters and stakeholders in the constituency have intensified calls for the continuity of representation by Akande-Sadipe. However, many other constituents and her party members queried the rationale behind such a stance. For instance, a party member, who claimed to come from her…

By Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Enugu State Government has announced the commencement of a special verification exercise for newly employed civil servants, pensioners,retirees and next-of-kin of deceased retirees who were unable to participate in previous verification exercises. The exercise, according to a public service announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, is aimed at strengthening transparency, improving records management, and ensuring the prompt processing of legitimate entitlements. The exercise is scheduled to begin on Monday, 18 May, 2026, at the Local Government Staff Pension Board, Enugu, and will commence daily from 8:00 a.m. From the schedule…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan As part of the promises made by Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke, the Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadanland, two years ago, to run a purposeful administration as the President of Jericho Businessmen Club (JBC), he has, once again, at a training, empowered another 40 youths across Oyo State in cyber security and data analytics. The presentation of certificates to the participants was part of activities marking the end of the two-year tenure of the Adegoke-led executive, during the organization's 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the Channel 8 Premium Hotel, Bodija, Ibadan, at the weekend. The…

By Stephen Gbadamosi, Ibadan, & Sylvia Kodilichukwu, Enugu Oyo State Police Command has broken up a syndicate that specialises in stealing motorcycles, popularly known as okada. This was disclosed in a statement by the State Command's spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the state capital, on Sunday. "The Oyo State Police Command recorded another breakthrough in its sustained efforts to curb criminal activities and rid the state of crimes and criminal elements across the state. "In furtherance of this objective, and acting on credible intelligence that a group of individuals…

*Though Accused Are Innocent Till Proven Guilty, Latest Move Is Another PR Blow Against An Administration That Loudly Flaunted Its Anti-Corruption Credentials Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, the powerful Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, is now a wanted person. The ex-Minister, who was appointed in 2019 at the beginning of Buhari's second and final term in office and served till 2023 when the then President's tenure ended, was on Saturday declared wanted by anti-graft body, Economic and Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for alleged involvement in a multibillion…

*The Peter Obi, Goodluck Jonathan Links By our reporters State Governors of the federally-ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) appear to be in disarray as a tussle for leadership of their umbrella Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) has torn the group apart. Though Director General (DG) of the forum, Folorunsho S. Aluko, has immediately jumped to defend the status quo in the body, saying Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma, allegedly dethroned by an emerging faction, led by Governors Dapo Abiodun (Ogun State) and AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara State), remains in office as PGF Chairman, information available to People&Politics showed that all is not…

By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto Troops of Sector 2, Joint Task Force North West, codenamed 'Operation FANSAN YAMMA', have recorded another operational success against terrorists in Zamfara State, neutralising three suspected terrorists and recovering arms and ammunition during a fighting patrol. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Thursday across Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas as part of ongoing efforts to rid the area of criminal elements and restore peace in the North-West region. According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops engaged…

By Rosemary Ameh, Sokoto The Federal High Court in Sokoto yesterday adjourned to 19 May, 2026, hearing in a suit challenging the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the North-West state. The case in the court, presided over by Justice Ahmad Gama Mahmud, centres on a dispute over the rightful leadership of the party’s Sokoto State chapter. Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Mathew Burkaa SAN, told the court that the suit arose from what he described as a “hijack of power” by the second and third defendants, who are allegedly parading themselves as the Chairman and Secretary of…