Oriontimes

  OrionTimes Political Desk | June 9, 2026 The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has raised alarm over what it described as an escalating wave of politically motivated violence across the state, alleging that supporters of the ruling government are targeting innocent citizens and backers of the party's governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Council condemned what it called a growing culture of intimidation, harassment, and violence allegedly being carried out by criminal elements linked to the ruling party. The Council called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to immediately rein in his supporters and political associates, warning that continued violence could further destabilize Osun State and threaten public peace. According to the statement, campaign buses belonging to the APC were attacked and vandalized on Tuesday morning in the Owode-Ede area by individuals suspected to be support...

By Mukhtar Ajelogbon  Different sources have complained about the disturbing concerns bothered on University of Ilesa (UNILESA), over the welfare of hundreds of newly employed staff members in the Institution, with allegations of disputed remuneration structures, prolonged delay in payment of backlogs of salary, breach of contractual agreement and growing frustration among affected workers. According to multiple sources familiar with the situation including some affected staff, some academic and non-academic staff members employed by the institution in the year 2025 most especially reportedly worked for several months without receiving corresponding salaries for those months till date despite continuous discharging of their official assignments. The findings raise questions about staff welfare, contractual obligations and the challenges confronting one of Osun State's newest public universities. EMPLOYMENT WITHOUT EARNING Sources told OsunReporters News that many of the affected em...

 OSOGBO — Governor Ademola Adeleke has condemned what he described as coordinated attacks on residents of Ile-Ife, Ede and Osogbo by suspected political thugs, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and security chiefs to urgently intervene before the situation escalates into a wider security crisis. Addressing an emergency press conference at the Government House on Tuesday, Adeleke alleged that the attacks were carried out by supporters of the AMBO political movement and accused former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, of contributing to rising political tensions in the state. According to the Governor, the violence reportedly began in Ile-Ife before spreading through Akoda, Owode, Olaiya, Old Garage, Okefia and other parts of Osogbo. He alleged that the attackers moved in a convoy of about 15 vehicles branded with AMBO insignia and operated openly without resistance from security agencies. "As at the time of calling this press conference, ...

  Brufut, June 9, 2026 (By Abioye Tosin Lawrence) There are tragedies in this world that arrive with sirens, sanctions, and emergency summits. There are others that arrive with silence. The latter is what troubles my conscience. Across Africa, families have buried sons and daughters who crossed borders not in search of conquest, but in search of survival. They travelled with dreams folded inside worn-out passports, believing that an African brother's land would offer them shelter, opportunity, and dignity. Instead, some met hostility. Some met violence. Some never returned home. Yet, the world appears to move on. A press statement is released. A condemnation is issued. Leaders promise action. The headlines fade. The dead remain dead. And so I struggle with a question that refuses to leave my mind: at what point does recurring xenophobic violence become more than a regrettable incident? At what point does it become a matter demanding the full weight of international justice? Perhaps...

  By OrionTimes News Desk | June 8, 2026 The Osun State Government has cautioned the state police command against yielding to alleged political pressure in the handling of a suspected bandit linked to the Lameco security case, warning against what it described as attempts to secure the suspect's release through unverified psychiatric claims. The government's reaction followed separate developments surrounding the controversial case. Earlier on Sunday, a civil society organisation, the Public Safety Accountability Group, alleged that prominent members of the opposition APC in Osun State were mounting pressure on law enforcement authorities to facilitate the suspect's release on medical grounds. According to the group, several APC chieftains were allegedly visiting police formations and making contacts aimed at obtaining bail for the suspect. The organisation described the move as an attempt to undermine what it called a significant breakthrough in efforts to dismantle a crim...

  Group alleges irregularities, candidate imposition and constitutional breaches; mobilises over 30 lawyers, including SANs, for legal showdown The internal crisis rocking the Edo State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has taken a dramatic turn as aggrieved members and aspirants announced plans to seek judicial intervention over what they described as an irregular and undemocratic screening exercise conducted by the party. The development follows growing dissatisfaction among party stakeholders over the recently concluded screening process, which critics claim was marred by alleged constitutional violations, lack of transparency, and attempts to sideline qualified aspirants. In an open letter dated June 8, 2026, and addressed to the National Chairman, National Working Committee (NWC), and other national officers of the party, the aggrieved members formally notified the national leadership of their decision to challenge the exercise in court. The letter, signed by H...

Concerned stakeholders urge national leadership to reject politically motivated disqualification, demand transparent primaries ahead of 2027 election Concerned members of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ebonyi State have issued an open letter to the party's national leadership, warning against what they described as emerging attempts to use zoning arrangements as a basis for the unjust disqualification of Senator Paulinus Igwe Nwagu from the party's 2027 governorship race. In the letter dated June 7, 2026, and signed by Engr. Uchenna Kelechi on behalf of concerned party elders, stakeholders, grassroots mobilizers, youth and women wings, and ward and local government executives, the group expressed fears that certain interests within the party may seek to manipulate the screening process to prevent Senator Nwagu from contesting for the governorship ticket. The group described Senator Nwagu as one of the most experienced and widely accepted political figures in Ebonyi S...

The family of late Mrs. Olanrewaju Aduni has paid glowing tribute to their beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, describing her as a woman whose life was marked by love, sacrifice, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of her family and community. Speaking on behalf of the family, Mr. Okunlola Timothy, an in-law to the deceased, said the passing of Mrs. Aduni has left a profound void in the hearts of her children, relatives, friends, and loved ones, noting that her remarkable impact and selfless nature will never be forgotten. "You lived an impactful life, and we miss you more every day," he said, reflecting on the cherished memories and enduring values she left behind. The family described the late matriarch as a source of strength, wisdom, and guidance whose kindness, humility, and compassion touched countless lives. They noted that she devoted her life to nurturing her family, instilling strong values, integrity, and a spirit of service i...

  Senegal Offers Africa a Rare but Powerful Reminder of What Democratic Maturity Looks Like Abioye Tosin Lawrence, Publisher Oriontimes Online Newspaper In politics, loyalty is often mistaken for wisdom, and enthusiasm is frequently confused with strategy. As Osun State inches closer to the 2026 governorship election, the political temperature is rising once again. Alignments are shifting, rhetoric is hardening, and young political actors are becoming increasingly vocal.  Yet, amid this energy, there is a troubling pattern: a growing tolerance for politics without principle, and participation without dignity. There is nothing inherently wrong with defending a political party or supporting a candidate. Democracy thrives on competition. However, what is at stake is not participation, it is the manner of participation. Too many young elites in Osun and across Nigeria are slowly normalizing a political culture that reduces elections to warfare rather than civic responsibility....

  Wole Oke, Representing AMBO at St. Paul’s Cathedral Synod, Urges Christians to Prioritize Character, Competence and Integrity in Politics As political activities ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election continue to gather momentum, a message delivered at the 12th Synod of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Gbongan, has reignited discussions on the role of faith, leadership and governance in shaping the future of the state. Speaking on the theme, “The Role of Christendom in Politics and Governance,”  the federal lawmaker and Director-General of the APC Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Wole Oke, represented the party's governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), during the first session of the synod where the candidate was honoured with the Episcopal Distinguished Merit Award. In his address, Oke described the recognition bestowed on Oyebamiji as a reflection of a life dedicated to service, integrity, humility and commitment to humanity. He commended the Anglican D...