By Ganiyu Olarewaju (Oshogbo)

Even as the re elected governor of Odin state, Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his endorsement of president Bola Tinubu’s second term, moments after he was declared winner of Saturday’s governorship election in Odin state, his Campaign Council, the Imole Campaign Council has denied any political agreement behind the governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The council noted that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than a pre-arranged political deal.

The campaign council made the statement in reaction by to remarks by the Aviation Minister and Aero Space Development ,Festus Keyamo, who noted that “Agreement is Agreement” while congratulating the governor 

Keyamo wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”

Reacting to the post, the  Imole campaign council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said this in a post on his X handle on Sunday. said the comment should not undermine the choice made by Osun voters in the August 15 governorship election.

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

“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically.”

Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s victory was a product of the voters’ decision and maintained that Tinubu only ensured that the democratic process was respected.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

By Eze Nnadi 

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has described  the outcome of Saturday’s governorship election in Odin state as a democratic victory for the people of the state

Obi, who congratulated Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election, said the election was a reflection of what will happen in the 2027 general election, noting that all valid votes must be counted 

The former governor of Anambra state in a statement on Sunday, said residents of the state had reaffirmed, through the process, that the power to choose their leaders ultimately belongs to them.

“I warmly congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on his re-election and the good people of Osun State on this important democratic victory.

“Through his commitment to the people, compassion for their needs, and the strength of his work and achievements in office, Governor Adeleke has earned their renewed confidence and been entrusted once again with their mandate.”

Obi singled out Osun youths for his praises for their role in safeguarding the electoral process, describing their conduct as an example of civic vigilance.

“I particularly commend the courageous youths of Osun who rose to the occasion and peacefully defended their democratic mandate.

“Their vigilance and determination demonstrate that when citizens stand firmly to protect their votes, the forces of good can overcome the forces of darkness

“The lesson from Osun is clear: democracy is strongest when citizens are alert, conscious of their civic responsibility, and determined to ensure that their votes count.

“Every genuine vote must be respected, and every lawful mandate must be protected,” he said.

He described the Osun election as a pointer to what Nigerians must replicate ahead of the 2027 general election, urging citizens to remain active participants in the democratic process.

“This is also a clarion call as we approach 2027. Nigeriansy must remain informed, participate actively, vote, and protect their votes.

“The Nigerian people are the ones experiencing hunger, deprivation, insecurity, and hardship; therefore, they are also the ones with the power, through their votes, to bring about the change that will end these conditions

“I urge all political actors to place the interests of the people above partisan considerations and to embrace peace, unity, and the rule of law.

“Elections should never be battles of violence, but contests of ideas, competence, character, and service,” he said.

He expressed hope that the Osun experience would serve as inspiration for the rest of the country.

“May the Osun experience strengthen our confidence in the democratic process and inspire Nigerians everywhere to remain vigilant and committed to building a just, secure, prosperous, and truly people-centred nation,” he said.

By Umaru Ashama

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has dragged President Bola Tinubu to court over alleged forgery of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate.

In a suit filed at the federal high court in Abuja on Friday, Atiku is seeking Tinubu’s disqualification from the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the ADC, filed the suit alongside the party. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are joined as defendants.

Atiku also personally appeared at the court registry to depose to an affidavit in support of the suit, saying the case concerned the constitutional requirements for occupying the office of president.

The plaintiffs are challenging Tinubu’s eligibility under provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and the Electoral Act, 2026.

At the centre of their case is section 137(1)(j) of the constitution, which provides that a person is not qualified for election as president if they have presented a forged certificate to INEC.

According to the affidavit, the NYSC certificate submitted to INEC bears the name “Tinubu Bola Adekunle”, which the plaintiffs contend is different from Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the president’s name.

Atiku and the ADC are asking the court to determine whether Tinubu and the APC should be disqualified from participating in the 2027 presidential election if the allegations are established.

They are also asking INEC to produce Tinubu’s Form CF001 submitted for the 2023 and 2027 presidential elections.

The plaintiffs said Atiku had earlier applied for certified true copies of the relevant documents but had not received a response by the time the suit was prepared.

Speaking after deposing to the affidavit, Atiku said he personally appeared at the registry because of the constitutional implications of the case.

“I came here personally because the issues before the court go to the heart of our constitution and the integrity of the office of president,” Atiku said.

“I have therefore put my name, my signature and my oath behind the facts we are presenting to the court. Now it is President Tinubu’s turn to answer them.”

The suit also challenges provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026, which the plaintiffs argue restrict the ability to challenge a candidate’s qualification at the pre-election stage.

They contend that an act of the National Assembly cannot override an express provision of the constitution and are asking the court to determine whether the statutory restrictions can prevent them from relying on section 137(1)(j).

The plaintiffs are consequently seeking an order disqualifying Tinubu and the APC from participating in the 2027 presidential election on the grounds set out in the suit.

Atiku said the matter should be resolved through the courts and not political arguments or public speculation.

“We are not asking Nigerians to decide this matter on social media, and we are not asking INEC to become a court,” he said.

“We are asking the institution holding the records to produce them and the judiciary to examine the evidence and pronounce on it.”

Counsel to the plaintiffs, Edwin Inegedu, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), and Joseph Onu Silas, said they were confident in the case after reviewing the relevant constitutional and electoral provisions.

Silas said the suit also presented an opportunity for the courts to further clarify Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.

“We are confident that justice will prevail. This case presents an important opportunity to further develop Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence,” he added.