Ije̩bu-Ode on Edge as Battle for Sacred Throne Intensifies

Protests Rock City after govt halted Awujale Selection, DSS summons 90 aspirants 

​A high-stakes standoff between ancient tradition and state power reached a breaking point on Friday, as thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Ijebu Ode to protect the sanctity of the vacant Awujale stool.

​What was intended to be a seamless transition for one of Yorubaland’s most revered monarchies has instead descended into a volatile face-off.

The Fusengbuwa Ruling House’s list of 90 eligible princes—a testament to the depth of the royal lineage—now sits in a bureaucratic limbo after the Ogun State Government ordered an indefinite freeze on the selection process.

​Key Flashpoints of the Crisis:

• ​The Street Revolt: Residents marched on the Local Government Secretariat, alleging a plot by the state to “impose” a hand-picked candidate against the will of the people.
• ​Security Scrutiny: In an unprecedented move, royal aspirants were reportedly summoned to the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters, fueling rumors of political intimidation.
• ​The Official Defense: Commissioner Ganiyu Hamzat insists the “pause” is a legal necessity to prevent future litigation, while Regent Olorogun Sunny Kuku maintains the Governor is acting only as a neutral peacemaker.

​As the kingmakers wait for “security reports” and the government cites “procedural errors,” the people of Ijebu Ode have made their stance clear: The crown belongs to the lineage, not the cabinet.

Osun Ex‑APC Guber Aspirant Alleges Death Threats After Criticising Adeleke Govt

A former APC governorship aspirant in Osun State, Professor Rafiu Durodoye, has raised the alarm over alleged death threats against him following his public criticism of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his administration. Durodoye, who contested for the APC gubernatorial ticket, claims his life has been threatened due to comments on the governor’s qualifications and governance record.

According to Durodoye, he has received anonymous calls warning him to retract his statements or face violent consequences, and unidentified individuals reportedly visited his residence in Osogbo, though they left when they discovered he was away. The former aspirant has petitioned the Osun State Police Command, urging authorities to investigate the threats and provide adequate security.

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Durodoye’s legal team has also called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS) to ensure his safety, stressing that his criticisms are a legitimate exercise of free speech and political accountability.

The controversy has drawn a response from Governor Adeleke’s media office, which warned against spreading disinformation and stressed that political disagreements should be resolved responsibly without resorting to intimidation.

This incident comes amid rising political tensions in Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with parties accusing each other of destabilising tactics and political intimidation, heightening concerns over the security of political actors and democratic processes.

Osun Ex‑APC Guber Aspirant Alleges Death Threats After Criticising Adeleke Govt

MURIC Queries Withdrawal of Soldiers Before Maga Schoolgirls’ Abduction

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demanded answers over the mysterious withdrawal of soldiers from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, shortly before bandits abducted 25 female students.

In a statement issued on Saturday, January 24, 2026, and signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the faith-based civil society organisation questioned why the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) and the National Assembly are yet to make public the outcome of investigations into the incident, more than two months after it occurred.

The school was attacked in the early hours of Monday, November 17, 2025, despite prior intelligence reports warning of a possible assault. During the attack, bandits reportedly killed the vice principal and kidnapped 25 schoolgirls.

MURIC recalled that Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, had earlier disclosed that security agencies were alerted following intelligence about an impending attack. According to the governor, soldiers were deployed to the school but withdrew around 3:00 a.m., barely 45 minutes before the bandits struck.

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The group described the circumstances surrounding the withdrawal as troubling, questioning who authorized the soldiers’ exit at such a critical hour. MURIC also raised concerns over what it described as a breach of basic security protocol, noting that guards ordinarily do not abandon a post without replacement.

While acknowledging reports that the DHQ had interrogated the soldiers involved, MURIC expressed concern that no official findings have been released to the public. It also noted that the Senate had mandated its joint committee on security to investigate the withdrawal and gave a two-week ultimatum for a report, which has since elapsed without any public briefing.

According to MURIC, the silence surrounding the investigations is unsettling and undermines public confidence in the fight against insecurity.

“Nigerians want to know why both DHQ and the Senate are yet to make their findings public,” the group said, stressing that accountability is essential if Nigeria is to effectively address terrorism and banditry.

MURIC warned against what it described as a culture of “mass amnesia” in the country, where critical national issues are quickly forgotten, and vowed to continue drawing attention to the Maga school abduction until those responsible are held accountable.

MURIC Queries Withdrawal of Soldiers Before Maga Schoolgirls’ Abduction