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Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Fani-Kayode Rejects Cleric’s Claim Nigeria Belongs to Muslims

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Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Fani-Kayode Rejects Cleric's Claim Nigeria Belongs to Muslims
Nigeria's Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Fani-Kayode Rejects Cleric’s Claim Nigeria Belongs to Muslims

Ambassador-designate says Sheikh Yahaya Jingir’s “extremist rhetoric” could alienate Christian voters and endanger President Tinubu’s re-election

Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has strongly criticised Islamic cleric Sheikh Yahaya Jingir over remarks made in support of a Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such rhetoric could alienate Christian voters and deepen religious divisions in the country. The controversy erupted after a video of Jingir speaking at an event in Kano, attended by some All Progressives Congress (APC) governors including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Jigawa Governor Umar Namadi, circulated widely on social media. In the video, Jingir praised President Bola Tinubu for adopting the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 presidential election and declared his continued support for the arrangement. “Special thanks to my (political) hero, Bola Tinubu, who raised the flag of this political ideology, describing it as a purely Muslim-Muslim coalition,” Jingir said. “I am among the staunch advocates of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, and I call on you to come together for Muslim-Muslim ticket,” he added. The cleric acknowledged opposition to the arrangement by Christians and members of other religious groups but questioned whether his advocacy amounted to wrongdoing. “I am aware that some are embittered by this word. However, are there no Christians alike? Are there no Jews? Are there no traditionalists? Have I done anything wrong by merely campaigning for a Muslim-Muslim ticket?” he asked. Reaffirming his position, Jingir said, “But as a Muslim, I repeat it, Muslim-Muslim! No going back on this.”

Jingir also urged Muslims at the gathering to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the 2027 elections. “I urge all of us here to go and get our voters’ cards ready. Let’s show the infidels their limit, who claim they are more populous than us in Nigeria. They are lying!” he said. He was also reported to have advised Nigerians who oppose a Muslim-Muslim ticket to leave the country, stating that Nigeria “belongs to us.” The cleric attributed the previous electoral defeat of opponents to his stance on the issue, saying, “If it wasn’t for my stance on a Muslim-Muslim ticket, somebody would have claimed they are more populous than us. But by the grace of Allah, we defeated them so ignominiously that they did not even make it to the second place in the polls, did they? They came third after all.”

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Reacting to the controversy on Sunday via his official X handle, Fani-Kayode said he held the cleric in high regard but disagreed strongly with what he described as extremist rhetoric. “I have immense respect for Sheik Jingir but I am constrained to point out that the extremist rhetoric he has indulged in here is most unhelpful and neither is it true. Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative. Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided,” Fani-Kayode wrote. The former Minister of Aviation stressed that Nigeria is neither a Muslim nor a Christian country, describing the nation as a secular and multi-religious state comprising both Christians and Muslims in equal numbers. “Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country. She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising of BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” he said.

Fani-Kayode warned that Jingir’s remarks could provide ammunition for the opposition and undermine the chances of APC candidates seeking support from both Christian and Muslim voters in the 2027 presidential election. According to Fani-Kayode, he received more than 100 calls and messages from concerned Christians and Muslims following the publication of Jingir’s comments. He also criticised the Kano State Governor for allegedly cheering and celebrating the cleric’s remarks, describing this development as particularly troubling. “There is only one thing worse and that saddened me more than what he said and that is to have seen my friend and brother, the Governor of Kano State, cheering him on and celebrating it,” he said. “You do not talk like that in a country with over 120 million Christians. This is especially so when we are already being falsely accused of Christian genocide and of harbouring an agenda to Islamise the country and do away with all Christians by some of our American friends,” Fani-Kayode stated. He argued that Jingir’s remarks could reinforce such perceptions and ultimately hurt the electoral prospects of the ruling party. “Jingir is not only feeding into that false narrative with his reckless words, but he is also endangering the chances of our candidates in the 2027 presidential election because in order for us to win, we need BOTH Muslim AND Christian votes. What he has done is given the opposition something to hold on to and use against us and this is unfortunate,” he said. He stressed that Jingir does not represent the feelings of the APC or the views of the majority of Nigerian Muslims. “Jingir does not represent the feelings of the APC and neither does he speak for us. He only speaks for himself,” Fani-Kayode added.

Despite his criticism of Jingir, Fani-Kayode clarified that his own support for a Muslim-Muslim ticket for 2027 was not based on religious considerations but on the qualities and capacity of the candidates. “We are supporting a Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027, as we did in 2023, only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims,” he explained. He added that Nigeria could also have a Christian-Christian ticket in the future, stressing that political discussions should focus on policies, issues, and the competence of candidates rather than religious identity. “We must leave religion out of politics and consider issues, policies and personalities instead,” he said. Fani-Kayode urged Jingir to apologise to Christians and Nigerians generally and to embrace what he described as “the path of peace, civility and reconciliation” in the interest of the country. He also called on the Department of State Services (DSS) to invite and caution the cleric over his comments, warning against rhetoric that could heighten religious tension. “We will not keep quiet and watch our faith being dragged all over the floor because of politics. Matters of faith and salvation are far more important than anything we see or get in this world. Politics and earthly power come and go but faith and the afterlife is eternal. This divisive rhetoric has to stop and we should stop playing with fire,” he said.

The controversy has also drawn reactions from other prominent Nigerians. Former Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, condemned Jingir’s comments, warning that Nigeria risks sliding into what he called “a dangerous form of religious majoritarianism” if political leadership becomes a contest over which faith has more followers. Dalung questioned the wisdom of reducing Nigeria’s complex political and socioeconomic problems to a religious headcount and rejected the suggestion that religious identity should determine who deserves political power. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju also condemned the remarks, warning that religious rhetoric targeting Christians and other faith groups could deepen Nigeria’s existing divisions and threaten national unity. Adeyanju questioned whether the Muslim-Muslim ticket had translated into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, arguing that political leadership should be assessed based on performance rather than religious identity. “Has the Muslim-Muslim ticket put food on the tables of Nigerians, solved insecurity, unemployment, inflation, or strengthened the Nigerian passport and Nigeria’s standing in the world?” he asked.

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Fani-Kayode Rejects Cleric’s Claim Nigeria Belongs to Muslims

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FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident

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FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident

FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident

FRSC confirms Saturday evening accident along Enagi-Mokwa Road, blames overspeeding and wrongful overtaking

Fifteen travellers were burnt to death and 25 others sustained injuries in a fatal road crash along the Enagi-Mokwa Road in Niger State on Saturday evening. The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in the state, Aishatu Sa’adu, confirmed the incident in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Minna on Sunday.

According to Sa’adu, the crash involved two commercial buses travelling in the same direction. She said the buses collided head-on after one of the drivers allegedly attempted to overtake wrongly at a bend, resulting in both vehicles catching fire. “Fifteen people were burnt to death in the crash, while 25 others sustained injuries,” she stated. The injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre in Bida and the General Hospital in Kutigi for treatment.

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Sa’adu attributed the accident to overspeeding and wrongful overtaking, advising motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid dangerous overtaking. “The accident was a result of overspeeding and wrongfully overtaking. I advise motorists to always maintain a good speed limit and avoid wrongful overtaking,” she said. The FRSC commander also urged commercial drivers to exercise greater caution when navigating sharp bends, especially during the rainy season when road conditions can become hazardous.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the crash occurred at a sharp bend around Costain Duma, where the bus reportedly caught fire, trapping passengers inside. An eyewitness, Ahmed Ndagana, said the vehicle was engulfed in flames shortly after the crash, leaving occupants with little chance of escape. The tragic incident has renewed concerns over the dangers posed by sharp bends and difficult road conditions in the region.

It also highlights the persistent challenge of road safety in Nigeria, where speed violations and reckless driving frequently lead to fatal accidents. At the time of filing this report, further details from the police were not immediately available.

FRSC Confirms 15 Dead, 25 Injured in Enagi-Mokwa Road Accident

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Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death

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Family Recounts Temitope Osoba's Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death
Family Recounts Temitope Osoba's Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death

Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death

Aunt reveals fiancé told actress she would die that day as family calls for police investigation amid conflicting accounts surrounding her passing

The family of late Nollywood actress Temitope Osoba has recounted her final moments, revealing that she repeatedly expressed fears that she would die on the same day she eventually passed away. Osoba’s maternal aunt, Pejuola Ogunesan, made the disclosure during an interview with actor Kunle Afod and another family member, Dupe, on Sunday. According to Pejuola, Osoba told her at a police station that her fiancé, Prophet Itunu Onadeko, had previously told her that she would die that day. The revelation comes amid controversy surrounding the circumstances of the actress’s death, with conflicting accounts emerging from the family and her fiancé. Temitope Osoba, a Yoruba Nollywood actress who survived breast cancer, died at the age of 40 on August 4, 2026. Her final public message was “Ogo Tuntun” (A New Glory), which she posted on WhatsApp.

Pejuola said she had been estranged from Osoba since 2023, when the actress left Evercare Hospital, Lekki, where she was receiving treatment for breast cancer, with Onadeko and actress Foluke Daramola. She explained that the relationship deteriorated after Osoba accused the family of taking her phone away while she was preparing for surgery. “She had told them that she didn’t want to see us because we collected her phone when she was supposed to focus on the surgery for her breast cancer,” Pejuola said. “We tried calling her and discovered that she had blocked all of us. Since then, I swore never to have anything to do with her again. I called my elder sister, whom she had also called, and we headed for the police station where she was.” When Pejuola and her sister arrived at the police station, Osoba recognised them and introduced them to the Divisional Police Officer as her aunties. “She (Temitope) would complain of not being able to sleep, seeing monsters and the fiancé. Now that Aunty Peju is here, she would die. She mentioned that the fiancé had told her that they would post her obituary that day,” the aunt said.

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The aunt further alleged that Osoba jumped out of a vehicle after officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority stopped another vehicle travelling ahead of them. Osoba told one of the officials that she did not know where they were taking her and demanded that they be taken to a police station. At the police station, Osoba allegedly made several allegations against Onadeko. Pejuola claimed that the prophet had relationships with multiple women and had asked Osoba to leave his home and pretend that they had ended their relationship for two months, which eventually led her to stay with her hairstylist. The aunt also said Osoba told her that she had suffered three miscarriages despite being advised against becoming pregnant within five years of her surgery.

Pejuola explained that Osoba had planned to visit a prophetess, Kehinde Osoba, whom she considered a family member, after being advised to seek spiritual help over strange dreams that had reportedly affected her ability to eat. However, when the family contacted the prophetess, she reportedly asked them not to bring the actress to the church, promising instead to pick her up after her programme. After waiting for several hours, the family found the church locked and the prophetess could no longer be reached. The family then took Osoba to another church, where prayers were offered after the actress became increasingly distressed. “She was just saying that the guy said she would die today,” Pejuola added.

Osoba later stayed with the family, but her condition continued to worsen. She made a social media post titled “Ogo tuntun” (new glory), sent messages to several people and complained of feeling uncomfortable. As her condition deteriorated, the family rushed her to a hospital. Pejuola said they were referred to the Ogun State University Teaching Hospital, but Osoba died shortly after arriving. “When we got there, they referred us to OSUTH. Suddenly, she just defecated in the car. Her head suddenly dropped. Before we could get to the emergency, she was confirmed dead,” she said.

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Prophet Itunu Onadeko, Osoba’s fiancé, has given a different account of events. In an interview with the Celestial Reality Check, Onadeko alleged that Osoba died at a police station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, and dismissed claims that she died from cancer complications, poisoning, or maltreatment. He said he was informed of her death through a phone call around midnight. “It was a random person that called me around 12 am that she died in a police station in Ikorodu,” Onadeko said. He said he did not know the particular police station where Osoba died but reported himself at a nearby station. Onadeko said Osoba had gone to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba shortly before her death. “She had insisted to see Mrs Kehinde Osoba, she also has a church, although she said she wanted to see me too. When they left for there, I told them that I wasn’t chanced to go that day because of church programmes,” he said. The prophet also denied allegations that he had access to funds donated for Osoba’s cancer treatment or used the money to construct his church. “It wasn’t my account they sent the money to, it was hers. And I didn’t use the money to build church as rumoured. What I know is that people gave her money including Mike Adenuga who offered her a cheque. I never had access to her money,” he said. Onadeko further denied claims that Osoba was prevented from driving her car, saying she drove it herself when she travelled to Iperu shortly before her death. He also revealed that Osoba struggled with smoking and said he had encouraged her to stop. He denied allegations that Osoba was maltreated before her death, including claims that faeces or urine was poured on her body as punishment for allegedly stealing biscuits.

Temitope Kofoworola Osoba was born on December 2, 1985, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and raised by her grandparents after losing both parents at a young age. She began her acting career in 2005 after being discovered during a movie rehearsal in Lagos and went on to appear in productions including Gucci Girls, Igboro Ti Daru, Oogun Mi, Ifedolapo, and Accident. In late 2024, Osoba discovered a lump in her breast during a routine self-examination and went public with her diagnosis immediately. Her corrective surgery carried a price tag of N12 million, and actresses Foluke Daramola and Iyabo Ojo spearheaded fundraising efforts that helped cover her bills. She underwent surgery in November 2024 and announced her recovery in August 2025. In December 2025, she turned 40, describing the milestone as “a victory, a blessing and a reminder that miracles happen.”

The family of the late actress has announced that Temitope Osoba will be laid to rest on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Saint James Anglican Church, Iperu Remo, Ogun State. The family has also requested that mourners wear white attire for the burial service. Friends and colleagues have announced a candlelight procession and artistes’ night tagged “An Evening of Love, Music & Memories” scheduled for Tuesday, August 11, at LTV 8 Blueroof, Ikeja, Lagos. Meanwhile, the family has urged the public to ignore rumors surrounding her passing and requested privacy as they mourn her loss.

Family Recounts Temitope Osoba’s Last Moment, Says Actress Repeatedly Predicted Her Death

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“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims

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"President Eats Once a Day" — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu's Extravagant Lifestyle Claims

“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims

Zacch Adedeji defends President’s lifestyle amid economic hardship, says Tinubu does not live extravagantly

The Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) , Zacch Adedeji, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu walks to his office and eats only once a day, while dismissing claims that the President lives an extravagant lifestyle amid Nigeria’s economic difficulties. Adedeji made the remarks during an interview with Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, while responding to questions from journalist Seun Okinbaloye about the lifestyles of political office holders as Nigerians continue to grapple with rising living costs and growing economic pressures. His comments come amid public debate over government spending and the perceived extravagant lifestyles of some public officials, at a time when citizens are confronting high living costs and other economic pressures.

According to Adedeji, Tinubu usually walks from his residence to his office and only uses a vehicle when he is heading to the airport. “Mr President goes from home to office on foot, not even driving except when he is going to the airport. I don’t know where you see the convoy. Before he became president, what is he riding?” Adedeji said. He further claimed that the President eats only once daily and had not travelled outside Nigeria in the previous three months. “What is living large? In the last months, he has not even left the shores of this country, trekking and working. If you go there now, you will see him review one document or the other,” he said.

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The NRS boss was also questioned about reports concerning the number of Cadillac Escalades allegedly attached to Tinubu’s convoy. Responding, Adedeji challenged the basis of the concern, arguing that the President could afford such vehicles and should not be portrayed as living extravagantly because of their use. “How much is an Escalade that the president of Nigeria cannot afford? Please don’t embarrass this country,” he said. He further questioned how frequently the President attends social events, arguing that his activities do not suggest a lavish lifestyle. “So what is living large? The president eats once in a day. How many parties have you seen him at in the last three years? Tell me where you have seen him, whether on holiday or anywhere?” Adedeji asked.

His comments follow President Tinubu’s own admission in May 2026 that he had lost weight and sleep since assuming office, which he attributed to the demands of his reform agenda. Speaking after securing the APC presidential ticket, Tinubu said: “I know what it takes to reform this nation we met in tatters. If you lost sleep, I’ve lost some too. If you’ve lost weight, I’ve lost some too.” Critics have however pointed to what they describe as the disconnect between Adedeji’s description of Tinubu’s lifestyle and the visible security presence and protocol that typically accompany a president.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of rising food inflation at 17.52 percent and headline inflation at 15.91 percent, alongside a N70,000 minimum wage that many Nigerians argue is inadequate amid the current economic climate. The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) has warned that rising food prices continue to erode household purchasing power, worsen poverty and food insecurity, and weaken the inclusiveness of the current reform programme. Nigerians on social media have also reacted with skepticism to Adedeji’s claims, with some describing his comments as insensitive given the economic realities facing ordinary citizens.

“President Eats Once a Day” — NRS Boss Dismisses Tinubu’s Extravagant Lifestyle Claims

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