The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has congratulated Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election, describing the result as a victory for democracy and the people of the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said Adeleke’s victory was achieved despite what it described as intimidation and the heavy use of government resources by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC also praised opposition parties and their supporters for working together to defeat what it called the APC tyranny.

The party said the election showed that voters could still resist pressure and choose their preferred candidate through the ballot box.

“The people of Osun have shown Nigerians that no political machine is greater than a determined electorate,” the statement said.

The ADC claimed that more than 30 state governors, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, lawmakers and other senior government officials were mobilised to Osun to support the APC during the election.

It said the heavy security presence and alleged incidents of violence, arrests and intimidation did not stop voters from turning out.

“The lesson is unmistakable: no deployment is large enough to defeat a people who have lost their fear,” the party said.

While celebrating Adeleke’s victory, the ADC raised concerns over the suspension of result uploads on the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV).

The party alleged that its intelligence report showed that INEC was directed at about 8 pm on Saturday to stop uploading results because it had become clear that the APC was losing.

The ADC said the interruption lasted nearly four hours and demanded a full explanation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“INEC must tell Nigerians precisely what happened,” the party said.

The ADC further alleged that there may have been an attempt to interfere with the election results and make the process inconclusive. It said the situation was only prevented from escalating because of warnings raised by Adeleke, election monitors and observers.

The party said the incident should not be ignored because it could indicate what Nigerians might face during the 2027 general elections.

According to the ADC, the APC may try to present its defeat in Osun as proof of its commitment to democracy, but the party described such a move as damage control.

The ADC said the election had shown that government power could not determine how people voted.

“If Osun has taught us anything this weekend, it is this: A government may deploy power everywhere, but it cannot deploy it inside the ballot booth,” the statement said.

ADC congratulates Adeleke on Osun governorship election victory

The campaign council of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has responded to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, saying the governor does not have any political deal with President Bola Tinubu.

The denial is contained in a statement posted on X by the council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, on Sunday.

According to the council, Adeleke’s support for Tinubu is based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than a pre-arranged political deal.

The council was responding to Keyamo, who, while congratulating Adeleke on his re-election, said, “Agreement is agreement.”

The minister’s statement has drawn mixed reactions from various quarters with some interpreting it as evidence of a private pact between the governor and the President.

The council said the comment should not undermine the choice made by Osun voters in the August 15 governorship election.

“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement.

“Our support for Tinubu is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Adeleke’s camp said.

Osun election: No political deal with Tinubu – Adeleke’s camp replies Keyamo

Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 3-0 in this year’s Community Shield, to win first silverware of the 2026/2027 campaign.

The Gunners came out flying in the game played at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, South Wales.

They took the lead within the opening seconds, after Myles Lewis-Skelly found Riccardo Calafiori inside the box.

Calafiori kept his composure to slide home the ball, after his compatriot Gianluigi Donnarumma had dived early.

Arsenal made it 2-0 before the break, with Donnarumma fumbling Kai Havertz’s header into the net.

The Premier League champions made the scoreline emphatic after Martin Odegaard dribbled into the area to score the third.

Mikel Arteta’s men will begin the defence of their title against Coventry City on Friday, while City play Bournemouth.

Community Shield: Arsenal thrash Man City to win first silverware of season

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has signed 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office, according to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

The figure is 17,575 higher than the 8,697 Certificates of Occupancy produced and signed between 2010 and 2023.

According to a statement issued on Sunday by Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Public Communications and Social Media, 5,500 Certificates of Occupancy were produced and signed during the five-and-a-half-year administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, while 3,197 were produced and signed during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Olayinka said many of the beneficiaries of the 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy issued under the current administration had received their land allocations more than 10 years ago.

He said the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy was important to businesses because the documents could serve as collateral for commercial loans, mortgages and business expansion.

According to him, the inability of property owners to obtain Certificates of Occupancy when needed had been one of the challenges facing small and medium-sized businesses, as it restricted their access to funding.

Olayinka said the FCT Administration had streamlined the process, allowing land allottees to receive their Certificates of Occupancy within two weeks of completing the necessary payments.

“The moment necessary payments are made, land allottees can now get their C-of-O within two weeks.

“Also, an automated notification has been introduced to ensure that land allottees are informed when their documents are ready for collection,” he said.

He attributed delays in the past to inefficiencies that discouraged some landowners from completing their payments.

The statement also said the FCT Administration had granted 2,521 Consents to Assign and 177 Consents to Mortgage during the first three years of President Tinubu’s administration.

This compares with 753 Consents to Assign and 180 Consents to Mortgage granted during the Jonathan administration, as well as 684 Consents to Assign and 164 Consents to Mortgage granted during the Buhari administration.

A Consent to Assign is a legal approval required for the transfer of an interest in a property, while a Consent to Mortgage is an official approval required before a property can be used as collateral for a loan.

FCT: Wike signs 26,272 Certificates of Occupancy under Tinubu

Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has reacted to the recently concluded Osun State governorship election.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Sunday, Utomi said the Osun election is a testament that voters can beat rigging.

This came after the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke, was declared winner of the polls by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

DAILY POST reports that INEC won the election after beating his closest rival, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC Bola Oyebamiji.

Adeleke won in 19 Local Government Areas with 511,067 votes against his opponent, Oyebamiji who won in 11 Local Government Areas with 444,815 votes.

Reacting, Utomi said, “Nigeria we hail thee. So the people triumphed in the state of Osun.

“Like in Kano in years before, the people proved that their will can triumph over the forces of rigging.

“Massive turn out and a fighting spirit can save democracy. On to 2027 in confidence,” he wrote.

Osun election proves voters can beat rigging – Pat Utomi

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has slammed Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke over his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Writing on his verified X handle on Sunday, Sowore said endorsing Tinubu is a mission to destroy Nigeria beyond 2027.

DAILY POST recalls that Adeleke after his declaration as the winner of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, endorsed Tinubu for 2027.

Reacting, the activist said, “Governor Adeleke has endorsed the failed Tinubu presidency to continue its mission of destroying Nigeria beyond 2027.

“At the end of the day, the Adelekes and the Tinubus are looking out for their own personal and political interests, watching each other’s backs, protecting their political fortunes, and safeguarding their loot.

“I feel sorry for the nearly 50 people whose lives were wasted in election violence before and during the polls so that these corrupt political families could prove how much they love and protect one another.”

Adeleke endorsed Tinubu to destroy Nigeria beyond 2027 – Sowore

Micheal Ibe is close to a move back to Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, side Katsina United.

Ibe previously played for the Chanji Boys during the 2023/24 season.

The experienced forward was spotted at Katisna United’s pre-season camping this week 

Ibe left Remo Stars following the expiration of his contract.

The 31-year-old won the NPFL title with Remo Stars two seasons ago.

He was named Katsina United’s Player of the Season three years ago.

Ibe’s return is expected to add more fire power to the team’s attack next term.

NPFL: Micheal Ibe nears a return to Katsina United