Politics
PDP Calls Osun Gov To Order
The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to desist from political gimmicks and deal with the alleged maladministration being perpetrated by his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a statement signed by Sunday Bisi, the Osun PDP Chairman and made available to newsmen, the party disclosed that the call became necessary due to the laborious- cum-dramatic integrity inspection being conducted on a few school building projects, most of which were completed less than six years ago but are now on the verge of total collapse.
While wondering why the inspection which the PDP described as ‘APC orchestrated emergency situation’ had to wait until the 11th hour to the Osun gubernatorial election before government would start informing the populace about the potentially fatal defects on the project which was executed at outrageous costs, it noted that the state was being made to make monthly refunds on loans obtained on the projects running into hundreds of billions of Naira.
The party tasked the state government to extend its integrity searchlight to the flyover at Olaiya before it would inflict fatal pains on innocent road users in the state.
It maintained that the integrity radar should also explain to the public why the flyover was compressed into a single carriage way as against what was tabled before the public prior to commencement of work on the project.
“Although, our party is not unmindful of Mr. Oyetola’s desperate bid to hide under pretentious actions as this 11th hour so called integrity tests on projects executed by their own government and as a matter of fact, when Mr. Oyetola was calling shots around as the chief of staff to his former boss, Rauf Aregbesola.”
The party wanted the governor and his party to purge themselves of the deception it was selling to unsuspecting members of the public whenever they were confronted with electoral humiliation.
They also accused the government of ineptitude, wickedness and lack of respect for human lives, especially innocent children who had been marching to the “death traps” almost on a daily basis.
They asked the state governor not to distance himself from a government in which he was a principal actor for eight years, adding that claiming ignorance of actions taken in the last administration was a mere waste of time.
“For all we care, Oyetola can stab his former boss in the back but the cost burden in terms of consequential liabilities on the state, which have been shrouded in uncanny secrecy should also be unraveled. That is where people can begin to take the governor’s integrity a bit serious.
“That the good people of our dear state are not availed the actual debt portfolio incurred to execute the failed mega schools and other abandoned projects scattered across the state, is a cracked integrity foundation on its own.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government through the Secretary to the State Government, Wole Oyebamiji, has reiterated its determination to keep its citizens and residents safe irrespective of mischief makers’ insinuations to the contrary.
Making this known in statement to debunk claims that the administration of Adegboyega Oyetola was out to witch-hunt its predecessor with the decision to carry out integrity tests on the state-owned model schools, the government said safety of students, teachers and all workers in the affected schools was the reason for the exercise.
Oyebamiji also said the governor would continue to do what was right for his people unlike the desperate elements trying to score cheap political points at the expense of human lives.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.