Political tension is at a boiling point in Osun State as violent clashes between supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) over local government control turn deadly.
Amid the unrest, former APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Timi Frank, has sounded the alarm, accusing the APC of orchestrating chaos to justify a federal takeover of the state.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Frank called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and rein in Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, whom he accuses of fueling the crisis. According to Frank, Oyetola and his allies are deliberately stoking violence in a bid to make Osun ungovernable for Governor Ademola Adeleke, creating grounds for a state of emergency declaration.

“Their major target is to declare a state of emergency because they know that if elections are held today, Governor Adeleke will still win,” Frank stated. “So they want to abort his second term through crisis and violence.”

The crisis stems from a contentious Court of Appeal ruling, which both the APC and PDP interpret differently regarding the reinstatement of sacked local government chairmen. While Governor Adeleke has insisted that security concerns make their return impossible, Oyetola has vowed to enforce the ruling through legal channels.

The APC National Secretary, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, escalated tensions further by suggesting on live television that the Federal Government should consider declaring a state of emergency in Osun to curb the violence.
Frank, however, sees this as a calculated move to use federal might to undermine Adeleke’s administration.

“We call on the people of Osun to stand with Governor Adeleke and resist this political coup disguised as a crisis,” Frank urged. “This is nothing but an attempt to take Osun by force because APC knows they can’t win the state through the ballot box.”

As uncertainty looms, Osun residents watch closely to see whether the Federal Government will step in to douse the flames or if the crisis will spiral further, threatening the state’s stability.

Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, has called for greater gender equity in global security and governance.
She made this strong appeal at the 2025 Munich Security Conference (MSC), where she joined world leaders to discuss the challenges facing women in leadership and peacebuilding.

Speaking on a high-profile panel alongside Kosovo’s President Vjosa Osmani, former Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, and EU Commissioner Hadja Lahbib, Akpoti Uduaghan stressed the urgent need for inclusive governance and gender-sensitive security policies.

“The exclusion of women from decision-making isn’t just unfair—it’s a security risk. To build lasting peace, women must not only be at the table but leading the discussions that shape our future.”

A statement from her media office on Sunday in Abuja highlighted the senator’s concerns over the growing global backlash against women’s participation in leadership, warning that this trend threatens long-term stability and development.
Bringing an African perspective to the discussion, Akpoti Uduaghan shed light on the systemic challenges Nigerian women face in politics, ranging from intimidation to exclusion and political violence.
She called for stronger policies to protect women and create an enabling environment for their active participation in governance.
“The backlash against gender inclusivity in politics and security is not just a setback for women; it is a setback for global development.
“The world must move beyond rhetoric and take concrete actions to ensure that women are not just included in peace and security discussions but are given equal opportunities to lead and influence policies.”
The MSC panel, moderated by a senior policy expert, saw a robust exchange of ideas on gender-based discrimination, political violence, and the role of women in conflict resolution.
President Osmani shared insights from Kosovo’s experience in advancing women’s leadership.
Sanna Marin pointed to the Nordic model of gender inclusivity as a global benchmark.

Commissioner Lahbib reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to integrating women in crisis preparedness and security frameworks.
As the conference wrapped up, there was a unanimous agreement that reversing gender regression requires policy reforms, international cooperation, and sustained efforts to empower women in governance and security.

Senator Akpoti Uduaghan’s participation at MSC 2025 reinforces her growing influence as a global advocate for women’s rights, governance reform, and inclusive security policies. Her message was clear: a just, stable, and peaceful world cannot be achieved without women at the forefront of decision-making.

Following the passing of Pa Ayo Adebanjo at the age of 96, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to see his death not as the end of his struggle but as a renewed call to action for justice, fairness, and democracy.

Obi urged Nigerians to transform their grief into determination, ensuring that the values Pa Adebanjo championed—equity, good governance, and inclusion—remain alive.

“May his death serve as a renewed call to action for all who believe in justice and fairness,” Obi declared in his heartfelt tribute.

Describing Pa Adebanjo as more than just a political leader, Obi praised him as a fearless advocate who stood against oppression and injustice for decades. He emphasized that Adebanjo’s endorsement in the 2023 elections was not about partisanship but a commitment to principle.

Reflecting on their last conversation, Obi recalled the elder statesman’s powerful words: “Always stand on the path of justice.”
He affirmed that these words will continue to guide him and should inspire all Nigerians to fight for a just and equitable society.

“Pa Adebanjo’s passing is not just a moment of national mourning; it is a wake-up call. The struggle for a Nigeria built on justice, fairness, and inclusion is far from over. As we bid farewell to a great patriot, let us not let his sacrifices be in vain. Now, more than ever, we must unite to demand good governance, equity, and a Nigeria that works for all.”

For years, Pa Adebanjo was a relentless voice against political injustice, advocating for power rotation, restructuring, and a more inclusive Nigeria. His passing places a new responsibility on those who share his vision—to keep the fire of justice burning.

As Nigeria reflects on his impactful life, the message is clear: the best way to honor Pa Ayo Adebanjo is to continue his fight.