Remi Tinubu: N20bn library fundraiser not for 2027 re-election - Newstrends
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Remi Tinubu: N20bn library fundraiser not for 2027 re-election

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Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu

Remi Tinubu: N20bn library fundraiser not for 2027 re-election

First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, on Tuesday, debunked claims that her 65th birthday anniversary fundraiser is tied to her husband’s 2027 re-election bid.

Tinubu also revealed that the fundraiser, which is for the construction of a new National Library complex, has received over N20.4bn in donations since she first announced it last Thursday.

Speaking at an interactive session with State House Correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, Tinubu said, “Let me at this point correct a notion moving around about this fundraising. It is not connected to anything political… So far, we have raised N20.4bn since this fund launched last week, and more are still coming.”

She reflected on her prior fundraising successes, emphasizing her ongoing dedication to nation-building through philanthropy, saying, “This is not the first time I have raised funds for causes close to my heart. For my 45th birthday, I raised N50m to complete the National Sickle Cell Foundation Centre, which has since become fully operational. For my 50th birthday, I raised N200m for the New Era Foundation.”

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Her comments come amid remarks by the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, Peter Obi, who argued that Nigeria does not need to wait for birthday gifts before completing its National Library.

In a statement titled ‘We Are Finished’ on X, Obi wrote, “We are finished! I join millions of Nigerians in wishing Her Excellency, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, a happy birthday. May God Almighty, who has been with her all these years, grant her many more healthy, fruitful, and happy years.”

Speaking on the misconceptions about any political motives behind the fundraising, the First Lady emphasized the importance of collective action for national development.

“What is wrong with drawing attention to areas of need and inclusion? Helping to rebuild does not have a political undertone—it’s our duty as citizens to contribute meaningfully to society. I even donated to the post-war rebuilding of schools in Liberia,” she affirmed.

Stressing the words of former US President John F. Kennedy, Tinubu urged Nigerians to adopt a spirit of service.

“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. This should guide our actions. Like President Kennedy said, ‘Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of what divides us.’”

She also stated that the scriptural injunction in Isaiah 58:6 has inspired her lifelong dedication to serving the nation.

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Tinubu revealed that the birthday account will be open until December 2025 to accept additional donations from willing Nigerians.

She said that the account’s signatories are the Minister of Education and the Federation’s Chief Librarian, and she insisted that her role was to help drive the funds.

Tinubu revealed intentions to raise cash for the completion of the country’s long-delayed National Library before her 65th birthday on Sunday, September 21.

She called on well-wishers to donate to the fund instead of sending her gifts and paying for newspaper advertisements to mark the days.

In a statement she signed last Thursday, the First Lady said she would spend her birthday “dedicated to God for all His blessings in my life and having a quiet birthday” and appealed for contributions to an account tagged the “Oluremi@65 Education Fund,” coordinated by the Ministry of Education.

“I wish to appeal to those who would like to send a birthday card, cakes, flowers, greetings in the newspapers, or gifts; please send the funds to the designated account for a special project close to my heart… The completion of the National Library,” she said.

“This will be the best birthday present I will ever receive. My love for education has informed my decision to dedicate my birthday to this worthy cause,” Tinubu added.

Remi Tinubu: N20bn library fundraiser not for 2027 re-election

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Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State

Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15 governorship election, describing the outcome as a strong assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in Nigeria.

 

The President, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said he personally called Adeleke earlier in the day to congratulate him on his re-election.

 

Tinubu said Adeleke’s victory had once again demonstrated the confidence the people of Osun State reposed in his leadership.

 

“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” the President said.

 

He urged the governor, who has secured another term in office, to use his renewed mandate to unite the people of the state irrespective of their political affiliations or choices during the election.

 

According to Tinubu, the governor’s immediate responsibility is to bring the people together and mobilise them towards achieving greater development, stability and prosperity in the state.

 

“I wish him great success as he prepares to lead the state for the next four years. Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election,” he said.

 

The President also commended other candidates who contested the election, praising what he described as their courage and discipline throughout the electoral process.

 

He said their participation had contributed to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic culture, adding that the outcome of the poll represented the decision of the electorate.

 

“I salute the courage and discipline displayed by other contestants in the election. Their participation deepened and enriched our country’s democratic culture,” Tinubu said.

 

He added that the result of the election reflected the will of the people of Osun State and provided further confidence in the survival and growth of democratic governance in the country.

 

“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land,” the President stated.

 

Tinubu further commended the Independent National Electoral Commission for its role in conducting the election, as well as the security agencies deployed for the exercise.

 

The President described the election as peaceful and transparent, noting that the process produced a clear winner.

 

His commendation comes after Osun voters went to the polls on Saturday to elect the governor who will lead the state for another four-year term.

 

Adeleke’s victory means the incumbent governor will continue in office for another term, giving his administration an opportunity to consolidate on its programmes and policies while addressing the developmental challenges confronting the state.

 

The President’s statement also appeared to emphasise the need for political reconciliation following the election, urging the governor to extend his leadership to all residents of Osun State, including those who voted against him.

 

Tinubu’s congratulatory message further underscored the importance of accepting electoral outcomes and ensuring that political competition does not undermine governance, unity and development after elections.

 

The statement was signed by Onanuga on August 16, 2026.

 

Tinubu Congratulates Adeleke, Says Osun Victory Affirms Nigeria’s Democratic Progress

 

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Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory

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Osun election: Àtàọ́ja should stop running joro-jara-joro
Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Abidemi Larooye II

Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory

 

The Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Abidemi Larooye II, has congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

 

The monarch described Adeleke’s victory as a reflection of the confidence reposed in him by the people of the state, while commending the electorate for exercising their democratic rights peacefully.

 

In a statement issued by the Media Unit of the Ataoja’s Palace, Oba Larooye also urged all candidates, political parties and their supporters to accept the outcome of the election in the spirit of democracy.

 

The monarch advised anyone dissatisfied with the result to seek redress through lawful and constitutional channels, stressing the need to preserve peace and stability in the state.

 

The Ataoja expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for respecting the democratic process and acknowledging the outcome of the election.

 

According to him, allowing the will of the people to prevail remains essential to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and promoting peace and stability.

 

Oba Larooye further acknowledged the cordial relationship between the people of Osogbo and the Adeleke family, urging the governor to reciprocate the goodwill by sustaining his commitment to the development of Osogbo and Osun State.

 

He called on Adeleke to prioritise developmental projects, improved infrastructure, economic opportunities and programmes capable of improving the living standards of residents across the state.

 

The monarch also urged the governor, following the conclusion of the election, to extend a hand of fellowship to citizens across political divides and govern with maturity, fairness, inclusiveness and compassion.

 

He prayed that Almighty Allah would grant Adeleke wisdom, good health, strength and divine guidance to utilise his renewed mandate for the peace, unity, prosperity and sustainable development of Osun State.

 

“Congratulations, Your Excellency, Asiwaju Dr. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, on your renewed mandate. May your second term bring greater development and prosperity to the good people of Osun State,” the monarch said.

 

The statement was signed by the Media Unit of the Palace of the Ataoja of Osogbo Land.

 

Ataoja Congratulates Adeleke on Osun Governorship Election Victory

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Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun

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Osun election: Adeleke widens lead as Oyinlola, Omisore lose polling units

Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun

OSOGBO — Governor Ademola Adeleke has secured a second term in office after defeating his closest challenger, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Bola Oyebamiji, in the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

Adeleke, who contested the election on the platform of the Accord Party, polled 511,067 votes to emerge victorious, defeating Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate and former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Najeem Salaam, finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.

The result, announced in the early hours of Sunday by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at the collation centre in Osogbo, gave Adeleke another four years at the helm of affairs in the state.

The incumbent secured the highest number of votes in 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in the remaining 11 LGAs, in a closely watched contest that effectively became a two-horse race between the Accord candidate and his APC challenger.

Adeleke recorded victories in Ede North, Ede South, Ejigbo, Iwo, Egbedore, Ife North, Ife East, Ife Central, Oriade, Ifelodun, Orolu, Ayedaade, Ayedire, Odo Otin, Boluwaduro, Ilesa West, Ifedayo, Osogbo and one other local government area.

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Oyebamiji, on the other hand, secured victories in Irewole, Isokan, Olorunda, Atakunmosa East, Atakunmosa West, Ilesa East, Boripe, Irepodun and Obokun, with the remaining two LGAs reflected in the final collation accounting for his 11-LGA tally.

Announcing the final figures, Ogunwole said 1,005,800 votes were cast in the election. Adeleke’s 511,067 votes represented the largest share, followed by Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes, while the remaining candidates shared the balance.

After the agents of the participating political parties signed the results, the Returning Officer formally declared Adeleke the winner.

“That Ademola Nurudeen-Jackson Adeleke, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner of the August 15 Governorship election and returned elected,” Ogunwole declared.

The victory marks another major political milestone for Adeleke, who took office in November 2022 after defeating the then-incumbent APC governor, Gboyega Oyetola. His re-election means he will remain governor of Osun until 2030.

The 2026 election also produced a significant political shift, with Adeleke winning the governorship under the Accord Party, the first time the party has captured the Osun governorship since its creation in 2006.

With the final declaration, attention now turns to Adeleke’s second-term agenda and whether the governor can consolidate his electoral victory by translating the mandate into broader economic development, infrastructure delivery and improved welfare for the people of Osun.

 

Breaking: Adeleke Crushes APC’s Oyebamiji, Wins Second Term in Osun

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