By David Owei
The re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke received a huge boost on Tuesday as traditional security outfits and ethnic groups endorsed him as the candidate of choice for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun state.

The endorsement which occurred at an elaborate event in Osogbo, saw the local security and ethnic groups take turns to announce their preference of Governor Adeleke to continue in office beyond November 2026 and vow to vote for him massively and also defend their votes.

In his opening remark, the convener of the event, Chief Lukman Ayodeji (aka Sango of Africa), said the endorsement was marked by the widespread support for the remarkable work that Governor Adeleke is doing, noting that the groups came together to show that the people will always rally behind any leader that delivers for them.

Ayodeji praised Governor Adeleke for restoring faith in governance through high impact deliveries, adding that the past administration neglected the people and drove Osun to the edge with bad governance.

“Indeed, he is Imole (Light) going by how much he transformed Osun, starting with this place (Governor’s annex office). People here are declaring their support for him because they have seen the good things he can do and want it to continue,” he said.

In his own remark, the representative of Agbekoya in Osun state, Chief Aremu Abiodun said the people trust Governor Adeleke and will reward him with an overwhelming vote in the August 15, 2026 poll.

Chief Aremu acknowledged Governor Adeleke’s support for intelligence-led security, which has contributed to ridding the state of security challenges, declaring the resolve of the group to give everything to the re-election bid of the governor.

“Because you protect the land, the land will protect you too. Because you protect the people, the people will stand firmly behind you,” he noted, urging members to return home and exercise their voting rights by mobilising at least 10 to 20 people to vote for Governor Adeleke.

“We want him (Governor Adeleke) because he is truthful. He delivered for us and he is our only choice for the governorship poll, the Agbekoya stressed, sealing the endorsement with prayers for the governor.

Speaking in a similar tone, the Association of Hunters in Osun led by Oba Ogunlade Oluwasanjo assured that they are backing the governor for a second term on the strength of his exceptional performance across sectors, vowing that they will resist any attempt to manipulate or rig the upcoming governorship poll.

“All local hunters in Osun are firmly in support of Governor Adeleke and we will vote en enmass,” he declared, adding that they are prepared to form a shield against election riggers and safeguard the sanctity of the will of the electorate in the August 15, 2026 poll.

“No one will rig the August 15 governorship poll because it is our constitutional right to decide who leads us. We know our environments very well and will not tolerate any attempt to foist someone on us,” he said.

Giving their own endorsement, the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) through Comrade Kazeem Oriade, said it will work vigorously for the re-election Governor Adeleke, conveying the assurance of its National President, Iba Gani Adams that every necessary support will be accorded the governor to succeed in the poll.

“We will not allow them to steal the vote, rig the elections or hijack the victory of the Governor in the poll,” he said

This was followed by the endorsement of the Community Security Initiative (COMSAC) who through its representative, Commander Olabamiji Ayeni, said Governor Adeleke has performed to satisfaction and will be supported to continue the good work.

In their separate words of endorsement, the Hausa and Igbo communities declared their resolve to mobilise their people to vote for the Governor in the August 15 poll, noting that they will not be swayed by empty rhetoric or temporary gift being employed by the opposition to halt the tide of progress Osun is seeing under Governor Adeleke.

Highlight of the event was the moment when convicts that were recently pardoned by Governor Adeleke approached him to appreciate their good gesture and assured him of reciprocating the Governor’s leniency for them by mobilising family and friends to vote for him at the poll.

By Ignatius Okorocha

The Acting National Secretary of Okun Development Association (ODA) has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding an illustrious son of South-East Yagba worthy to assume the position of a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a statement signed he signed himself, Acting National Secretary of Okun Development Association (ODA), Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, said he deeply felicitates an illustrious and greatly esteemed Okun compatriot, the Agba Akin of South-East Yagba, and Aare Atona of Ekinrin-Adde, His Excellency, Ambassador Audu-Rafiu Olusola ENIKANOLAIYE, on his well-deserved appointment as Minister of State-Designate, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“This appointment is considered fitting and one of the most strategic decisions of President Tinubu. It is a good development that will impact significantly on Nigeria’s image and foreign policy trajectory, considering the uncommon wealth of experience and noble character of the Minister-designate.

“Obviously, and undeniably, President Tinubu made the right choice by nominating Ambassador ENIKANOLAIYE, considering for the post of Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, considering that he is well-suited to add the desired value to this administration quest of repositioning our nation’s policy architecture for greater efficiency, strategic engagement, and stronger global partnerships, as well as to promote Nigeria’s national interest, advance economic diplomacy, foster regional cooporation and stability, while safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians at home and abroad.

“Ambassador ENIKANOLAIYE’s good career record, vast international exposure, network, and the depth of his professional knowledge and expertise in the Nigerian foreign service as a distinguished diplomat make him a good pick for the job.

“His vast career experience having earlier served as permanent secretary at the ministry of foreign affairs, and as senior special assistant on foreign affairs and international relations to the Preisident, will surely place the new Minister in good stead on his tour of duty, particularly at this juncture of increasing volatility in global politics and shifting dynamics of global order manifesting in a major transition from unipolarity to a complex multipolar system.”

According to him,”Sola ENIKANOLAIYE represents the pinnacle of ethical social and moral behaviour. He ia is a personification of nobility and an embodiment of impeccable character, integrity, humility, and excellence. His moral courage to always stand for what is right is most endearing.

“This great Okun son is known and celebrated as an exemplar of the act and art of social and a promoter of unity in diversity, and he always prioritizes the community and public good overself.

“His stepping up to the national stage as a federal cabinet member to contribute to the sustainable growth and development of the nation at this point in time is heartwarming for all Okun son and daughter gobally.

“It is undeniable that he has, over the years, not only impacted his Okun homeland and people but has played key roles in community development and has been a vital agent for social harmony. He has remarkably snd consistently given to the Okun nation, the larger Nigerian society and humanity in general, in deeds and in position actions.

“I have a strong conviction that Ambassador Sola ENIKANOLAIYE will do the Okun nation proud, and he will work to reposition Nigeria for greater global reckoning, and will assuredly write his indeliby name on the sands of time.

“Sir, I feel very proud to be associated with you. This is wishing you God’s speed, good health, and divine protection as you embark on this critical national assignment, which will further and admirably place the name of Okun on national and global map.”

By George Mgbeleke

Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Tuesday, inspected the ongoing construction work at the Creek Road Market, Port Harcourt, declaring that the project will be completed by January 2027.

The new market, which is divided into three sections is designed to provide a decent and more conducive environment for traders who had for many years extended their buying and selling activities to the road due to congestion in the old market.

The governor was conducted round the project site by Architect Opiribo West, the site engineer for E.S.T Masters Construction, the firm handling the project, alongside Hon. Tonye Belgam, the State Commissioner for Special Projects.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the inspection tour, Governor Fubara explained that the reconstruction of the market was borne out of the need to provide adequate space for the traders and clear the surrounding roads of the spillover from the market.

He noted that the ongoing rehabilitation of the network of roads in the old Port Harcourt Township had been significantly hampered by the lack of a modern market, stressing that the new market will be a promise kept and part of the high-quality infrastructure and urban renewal programme of his administration.

“You are aware that we did promise our people that all the roads in town will be fixed. But we had a very serious issue because of the Creek Road section of the township roads . Because of not having adequate space to accommodate the traders in the market, they extended their activities into the road and that became a serious issue for our construction work.

“So we decided that for us to deliver a better project that would impress our people, we must, as a matter of fact, embark on building a better and more comfortable market for our people,” he said.

Governor Fubara explained that while construction work has begun in
Section A of the market, Section B is being prepared for immediate commencement of construction while Section C will require a more rigorous engineering approach because of it’s location on a borrow pit.

“As you are aware, we’ve been here once to check the activities of the contractor. Today, I’m here to see for myself the extent of work that is ongoing. And I feel very happy that they are doing a very good job.

“They just informed me that the market is divided into three sections. The section A and the section B and the section C. The A is the one we just saw here that they’ve already started from the ground. This B section is the other side which they will start soon, while the C section is the one that they discovered that it was a borrow pit.

“And you know, you can’t build on top of a borrow pit. So we had to do evacuation and filling. So I believe that once those things are done, the other part of the section of the market will also commence. They even assured me that the timeline I gave to them for January that they are going to deliver the project fully for our people to use,” he said.

Governor Fubara emphasised that the investment in a modern market is an integral part of his administration’s agenda on good governance through the delivery of legacy projects.