"We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke" — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears - Newstrends
Connect with us

Politics

“We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke” — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears

Published

on

"We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke" — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears
Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji popularly known as AMBO

“We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke” — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears

As the clock ticks toward Osun State’s high-stakes governorship election on Saturday, August 15, 2026, the political atmosphere has become increasingly charged—not just with campaign rhetoric, but with grave accusations of violence and victimhood. At the center of the storm is Biodun Oyebamiji, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) , who has pushed back forcefully against claims made by the state’s incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Oyebamiji, a former Chief Executive Officer of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) , addressed journalists on Friday to present a starkly different narrative from the one being promoted by the ruling Accord Party in the state. While Governor Adeleke has repeatedly accused the APC of orchestrating violent attacks to instill fear among his supporters, Oyebamiji dismissed the allegations as a calculated attempt to gain public sympathy.

“We are the victims. The governor is just playing the victim to curry sympathy. In his mind, he knows the truth,” Oyebamiji declared. “Both the APC and I are the real victims of persistent political violence in Osun State.”

Oyebamiji did not mince words as he detailed a grim history of violence that he claims has plagued his party since the 2022 governorship election. He alleged that no fewer than 25 APC members were murdered during that electoral cycle by agents of the political party currently in power. He further cited the killing of Remi Abass, the APC Chairman of Irewole Local Government Area, who was reportedly murdered inside the council secretariat last year. According to Oyebamiji, such killings have continued unchecked from 2023 to date, with several citizens and party loyalists losing their lives in politically motivated attacks.

“Our party has documented several politically motivated attacks and killings, for which we continue to seek justice through the courts. The ongoing political violence has all the signs of government in power on it,” he stated.

READ ALSO:

Oyebamiji also referenced a recent visit by the Inspector-General of Police to Osun State, during which the police chief publicly raised concerns about individuals accused of criminal activities being housed within the Government House. He pointed to recent attacks in Ede, the hometown of Governor Adeleke, as further evidence that opposition party members are being targeted.

Governor Adeleke, on his part, has painted an equally dire picture. In recent public statements, he claimed that seven Accord Party members have been killed in the past three months alone, with more than 20 others injured and over 60 party members currently in police custody. The governor has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Peace Committee to intervene, stating that “Osun is bleeding.” The divergence in narratives highlights the deep polarization gripping the state. Both parties accuse each other of political thuggery, and independent reports suggest a frightening escalation. A recent analysis by Kimpact Development Initiative recorded 44 election-related violent incidents and 13 fatalities between October 2025 and June 2026 in Osun State. In a particularly shocking incident last month, suspected gunmen attacked an APC meeting in Osogbo, killing two members and injuring a 13-year-old girl.

Amid the finger-pointing, Oyebamiji also took time to outline his vision for the state, should he secure the mandate of the people. He pledged that within his first 100 days in office, his administration would undertake a comprehensive review of all outstanding entitlements owed to active and retired workers and commence immediate payment. He further highlighted three key pillars of his economic recovery plan: operationalizing the Dagbolu Dry Port to boost trade and logistics; empowering 10,000 young people through strategic partnerships in information and communication technology; and institutionalizing monthly meetings of the State Security Council to involve security agencies, traditional rulers, and local government leaders in proactive security management.

The August 15 election is widely seen as a three-horse race among Governor Adeleke, APC’s Oyebamiji, and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) . With tensions running high, the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed multiple arrests in connection with the violence and has assured residents of adequate security at polling units across the state. For now, the question of who is the true victim remains a matter of political narrative. But as both parties brace for the polls, many residents are simply hoping for peace—and that the ballot, not the bullet, will decide the next leader of Osun State.

“We Are the Victims, Not Adeleke” — APC Candidate Denies Violence Claims as Osun Election Nears

Loading

Politics

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

Published

on

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

Student leaders from tertiary institutions across Nigeria’s 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, promising to mobilise students across campuses in support of his candidacy.

The declaration was made in Kaduna at the inauguration of the Students’ Wing of Arewa for Asiwaju (A4A), a support group created to coordinate student mobilisation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The organisers said the students’ position was influenced by policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration, particularly in education, student financing, skills development and youth empowerment.

The coordinator of the A4A Students’ Wing and President of the Bayero University Kano Students’ Union Government, Abdulmudallib Sheriff, said the students’ support was intended to translate into an organised mobilisation network rather than remain a symbolic declaration.

Sheriff cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) among the federal government programmes that informed the students’ position, saying the scheme had provided financial support to students facing difficulties funding their tertiary education.

He also pointed to government initiatives in technical and vocational education, skills acquisition and youth development as areas the student leaders considered relevant to young Nigerians.

According to the organisers, the A4A Students’ Wing plans to build a coordinated structure capable of reaching students in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education across the northern region.

The Kaduna inauguration was attended by student union leaders and representatives of tertiary institutions from different parts of Northern Nigeria.

READ ALSO:

Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani, who addressed the gathering, urged the student leaders to base their political engagement on policies and verifiable records rather than personal attacks against political opponents.

Sani highlighted areas including education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture and technical and vocational education, while drawing attention to programmes such as NELFUND and federal TVET initiatives.

The student endorsement comes amid increasing political mobilisation across Northern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general election.

Several groups in the region have recently announced support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, including organisations representing Muslim women scholars, preachers and Da’wah leaders. Other groups representing communities and youth interests in the North have also held meetings and launched mobilisation activities ahead of the election.

A separate group representing Igbos living in the 19 northern states and the FCT has also expressed support for Tinubu and pledged to mobilise voters for his re-election.

The growing activity reflects efforts by political support groups to build grassroots structures well ahead of the 2027 poll, with youth and student voters expected to remain an important constituency for political parties and candidates.

The Tinubu administration has made NELFUND one of its prominent education initiatives. The programme provides loans and related financial assistance to eligible Nigerian students in tertiary institutions, with the government presenting it as part of efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education.

The administration has also promoted technical and vocational education and training (TVET) as part of its broader youth skills-development agenda.

However, the endorsement announced in Kaduna represents the position of the participating student leaders and organisations. It does not necessarily reflect the views of all students, tertiary institutions or young people across Northern Nigeria.

The political development also comes as opposition groups and presidential aspirants intensify their own mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition political actors are building structures across the country, while presidential contenders, including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, are also seeking support ahead of the election.

The student leaders backing Tinubu said their immediate focus would be to extend the A4A Students’ Wing to more campuses and strengthen its mobilisation network across the North.

Their declaration adds to the growing series of political endorsements and campaign activities taking place ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as competing political groups seek to attract young voters and build support at the grassroots.

Ultimately, the endorsement remains a declaration by the participating student organisations, while individual voters will make their choices through the electoral process.

2027: Northern Students Back Tinubu, Pledge Campus-to-Campus Mobilisation

Loading

Continue Reading

Politics

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

Published

on

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit
President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar seven days to serve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu with a suit challenging his eligibility to contest the 2027 presidential election.

Justice Inyang Ekwo issued the order after granting an application for substituted service, allowing Atiku and the ADC to serve the President through his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1888/2026, was instituted by Atiku and the ADC against Tinubu, the APC and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Atiku is asking the court to determine whether Tinubu is qualified to participate in the 2027 presidential election based on allegations concerning an NYSC discharge certificate allegedly submitted to INEC.

According to the plaintiffs, the disputed certificate bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which they contend raises questions about its authenticity and its connection with the President. Atiku’s case also alleges that the document was presented to INEC as genuine and raises questions about information contained in the electoral documents submitted by Tinubu.

The allegations remain claims before the court and have not been established by a final judgment.

READ ALSO:

The plaintiffs are relying on provisions of the 1999 Constitution relating to the presentation of forged certificates to INEC. They are seeking, among other reliefs, orders that would prevent Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the basis of the allegations contained in the suit.

The latest ruling followed a procedural dispute over how the President should be served with the court processes.

When the matter came up earlier in September, Atiku’s lawyers told the court that they had been unable to personally serve Tinubu. Although counsel representing Tinubu indicated that he was prepared to accept service on behalf of his client, the plaintiffs declined, saying they wanted to avoid possible technical objections concerning the validity of service at a later stage.

The court subsequently allowed the issue to be addressed through substituted service.

Justice Ekwo had earlier adjourned proceedings to September 28 following the service dispute. The judge also warned lawyers involved in the case against discussing the matter in the traditional or social media, directing that arguments concerning the case should be presented in court.

Meanwhile, Tinubu and the APC have rejected the allegations and asked the Federal High Court to dismiss the suit.

In their response, the President and the APC denied that Tinubu submitted a forged certificate to INEC for either the 2023 or 2027 presidential elections. They also questioned the legal foundation of Atiku and the ADC’s action and raised preliminary objections to the case.

The defendants have argued that the disputed certificate has not been established as forged and that the NYSC has not disowned the document at the centre of the controversy.

They have therefore urged the court to dismiss the suit rather than proceed to the substantive claims.

INEC has also challenged Atiku’s case and opposed aspects of the plaintiffs’ application to amend their suit. The electoral commission has raised procedural and legal objections, including arguments concerning the competence of the action and the plaintiffs’ standing.

The case has consequently developed into a series of preliminary procedural and legal disputes even before the court determines the central allegations surrounding the disputed NYSC certificate.

Atiku and the ADC maintain that the alleged certificate and information submitted to INEC raise constitutional questions concerning Tinubu’s eligibility for the 2027 presidential election.

Tinubu and the APC, however, deny the allegations and are seeking the dismissal of the case, while INEC has also opposed the action.

The Federal High Court’s latest decision is limited to the method and timeframe for serving Tinubu with the court processes.

It does not constitute a ruling that Tinubu is ineligible to contest the 2027 election, nor does it establish that the disputed NYSC certificate is forged.

The substantive claims, alongside the objections raised by Tinubu, the APC and INEC, remain before the court for determination.

2027: Court Gives Atiku Seven Days to Serve Tinubu Through APC in Eligibility Suit

Loading

Continue Reading

Politics

“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

Published

on

Osun Poll: Fayose Says Federal Might Could Have Swayed Result If Deployed
“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

On Channels Television, the former Ekiti governor says tensions over the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ will not hurt President Tinubu’s 2027 prospects.

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has weighed in on the sharp exchange between Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governors’ Forum, characterizing the disagreement as a battle of individual egos rather than a genuine threat to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Speaking Tuesday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose noted that public friction often surfaces when assertive leaders navigate complex multi-party arrangements.

The spat erupted after Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, speaking for the APC Governors’ Forum, announced that party executives would reject any outside alliance or coalition capable of diluting the party’s strength or challenging its candidates in upcoming elections.

Wike responded swiftly during a televised broadcast, describing the governors as politically lazy and clarifying that his “Rainbow Coalition” was created specifically to mobilize cross-party votes for the president rather than fight local battles on behalf of state governors.

Addressing the controversy, Fayose remarked that everyday Nigerians understand Wike’s outspoken personality just as they understand the institutional posture of the Governors’ Forum.

He insisted that the rhetorical crossfire has no direct bearing on the president’s electoral fortunes, observing that political leaders across the spectrum possess strong personal pride that occasionally spills into public view. Fayose maintained that practical grassroots voter mobilization will ultimately outweigh public posturing as the 2027 race draws nearer.

 

“Clash of Egos”: Ayo Fayose Downplays Public Feud Between Wike and APC Governors

Loading

Continue Reading

Trending