Oyo 2027: APC unveils Ali, Adedeji as governorship candidate, deputy

Senator Sharafadeen Alli, on Thursday, received the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination form as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the 2027 general election.

The Senator representing Oyo South senatorial district also unveiled Mr Michael Adedeji, a 46-year-old Economics graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, from Iwo-Ate in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area as his running mate.

Speaking at the event, the APC Chairman in Oyo State and former Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, urged party members to remain united and work together to secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.

Adeyemo said it was better for the party to be in government than in the opposition, appealing to aggrieved members to put aside their grievances and support the APC.

“By the grace of God, come May 29, 2027, our governor and deputy governor will be Senator Sharafadeen Alli and Hon. Adesoji Adedeji. I plead with us in the name of the Lord to come together,” he said.

Presenting the INEC nomination form to Alli, the APC Deputy National Auditor, Mr Gbenga Olayemi, described the governorship candidate as the party’s flag bearer rather than an individual candidate.

“You will recall that I presented the nomination forms to National Assembly candidates on Monday. Senator Alli is not just our governorship candidate; he is our flag bearer. Every APC member in Oyo State is a governorship candidate,” Olayemi said.

In his acceptance speech, Alli described his emergence as the APC candidate as a collective victory for all party members and pledged to lead with fairness, accountability and inclusiveness if elected.

He thanked President Bola Tinubu, the APC National Working Committee, the state leadership of the party, security agencies and members of the party for their support throughout the primary election.

The senator also extended appreciation to his fellow aspirants, urging them and their supporters to unite behind the party’s common goal of reclaiming Oyo State.

According to him, the task ahead requires unity, sacrifice and collective commitment, stressing that the APC must move beyond the primary election and work together to achieve victory in 2027.

“Our people are yearning for leadership that listens, unites and understands their pains. They deserve a government that works for everyone, regardless of religion, ethnicity, social class or geopolitical zone,” he said.

Alli said his administration, if elected, would focus on empowering farmers, creating opportunities for youths, improving education and healthcare, strengthening infrastructure, protecting the environment and ensuring economic growth benefits all parts of the state.vvvvvvvcv

He added that his government would align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda by promoting justice, fairness, accountability, compassion and service to the people.

“I will remain accessible, accountable and a good listener. I will never take the trust of the people for granted. Let us reject division, embrace unity and work together to restore the true Pacesetter glory of Oyo State,” he said.

Accepting his nomination as the deputy governorship candidate, Adedeji thanked the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him and expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious in the 2027 governorship election.

The event was attended by members of the APC State Working Committee led by Chief Moses Adeyemo, National Assembly and State Assembly candidates for the 2027 elections, party leaders and stakeholders, including Senators Ayo Adeseun, Hosea Agboola and Femi Lanlehin, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, Pa Timothy Jolaoso and Alhaji Olayide Abbas, among others.

Police Foil Midnight Abduction, Rescue 61-Year-Old Woman After Gun Battle in Ondo

 

Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have foiled a midnight kidnap operation in Owo, rescuing a 61-year-old woman, Mrs. Modupe Oladele, after a fierce gun battle with suspected kidnappers.

The police also recovered the victim's stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle while several members of the criminal gang were believed to have escaped into the bush with gunshot injuries following the exchange of fire.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, the incident occurred at about 2:50 a.m. on June 23, 2026, when armed hoodlums invaded Mrs. Oladele's residence in Owo, forcefully abducted her at gunpoint, and fled with her Toyota Matrix, bearing registration number WWW-434-AG.

The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of B Division, Owo, immediately mobilised operatives after receiving a distress call and launched a coordinated pursuit of the kidnappers.

The police team tracked the suspects to the outskirts of Ojana Phase 3, where they engaged the fleeing gang in a gun duel.

Unable to withstand the superior firepower of the operatives, the kidnappers abandoned the victim and the stolen vehicle before escaping into the surrounding forest. Police said some of the suspects were believed to have sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

Items recovered from the scene included two expended cartridges, a sandal suspected to belong to one of the fleeing criminals, and a torchlight abandoned during the escape.

The Command said the case has been transferred to the appropriate investigative unit for further investigation, while efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal gang.

Commending the officers for their courage and professionalism, the Commissioner of Police, Felix Ohagwu, praised the swift response that led to the successful rescue of the victim without loss of life.

He reaffirmed the Command's commitment to protecting lives and property across Ondo State, assuring residents that the perpetrators would be tracked down and brought to justice.

The Commissioner also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, stressing that community support remains vital in the fight against kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Kidnapped soldier escapes from captors, returns to military base

A Nigerian soldier who was abducted by suspected kidnappers has escaped from captivity and safely reached a military facility in Makurdi, Benue State.

Security sources said the soldier, attached to the 130 Battalion (Main), Baga, was abducted on June 27 while travelling on welfare pass to the Rear location of the battalion in Ogoja, Cross River State.

The sources disclosed that at about 11:53 a.m. on June 30, intelligence from the 401 Intelligence Cell in Makurdi confirmed that the soldier had escaped from his captors and made his way to the 72 Special Forces Battalion in Makurdi.

The circumstances surrounding his escape were not immediately disclosed.

Military authorities are making arrangements to move the soldier to the 130 Battalion (Rear) in Ogoja for debriefing, medical evaluation and other administrative procedures.

Security sources said further investigations were ongoing to establish the circumstances of the abduction and identify those responsible. (Zagazola, but headline reworked)

Tinubu Defends NYSC Overhaul, Says Reforms Will Prepare Youth for Modern Challenges

President Bola Tinubu has defended the Federal Government’s comprehensive reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), saying the changes are necessary to align the scheme with Nigeria’s current realities and better prepare young people for the future.

In a statement shared on his official X account on Wednesday, the President described the reforms, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, as the most far-reaching since the NYSC was established in 1973.

Tinubu said the overhaul fulfils a key promise he made during his inauguration to expand opportunities for young Nigerians and ensure they play a leading role in national development.

According to him, the administration is transforming the NYSC from a programme focused mainly on national service into a platform that equips participants with practical skills, enhances employability and encourages entrepreneurship.

He stressed that Nigeria’s youth, who make up nearly 70 per cent of the country’s population, should be viewed as a strategic asset rather than a burden.

“Our young people are the engine of the one-trillion-dollar economy we are building and the hope of this nation,” the President stated.

Six-Week Orientation Programme

Under the approved reforms, the NYSC orientation course will be extended to six weeks. The programme will begin with civic responsibility, leadership, national values and personal development before moving into career readiness, entrepreneurship, digital skills, financial literacy and specialised training based on participants’ academic qualifications and career interests.

The specialised training will cover sectors such as agriculture, education, healthcare, technology, law, public service, infrastructure, the green economy, enterprise, the creative industry, as well as paramilitary and security services.

Improved Security and Smarter Deployment

Tinubu also announced measures aimed at strengthening the safety of corps members.

He explained that postings to security-sensitive states would now be based on detailed risk assessments. Priority would be given to indigenes, residents, graduates of institutions within those states and neighbouring states in the same geopolitical zone.

The President added that the mobilisation process would become fully technology-driven, while primary assignments would be matched more closely with corps members’ academic backgrounds, skills and career paths.

Civilian Leadership for NYSC

As part of the reforms, the NYSC will now be headed by a civilian Director-General supported by three Executive Directors, one of whom will represent the military or paramilitary services and oversee security matters.

Orientation camps will also be evaluated under a national grading and certification system, while the traditional Passing-Out Parade will be replaced with a Graduation Ceremony to reflect the programme’s expanded developmental focus.

Legal Backing for Reforms

Tinubu disclosed that he has directed the Federal Ministry of Youth Development and the Federal Ministry of Justice to begin the process of amending the NYSC Act and other relevant regulations to provide legal support for the reforms.

He also commended the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, Special Adviser on Policy and Coordination Hadiza Bala Usman, the Federal Ministry of Education and members of the reform committee for their contributions.

FG Seeks Compensation from South Africa for Nigerians’ Lost Properties

The Federal Government has announced plans to seek compensation from the South African government for Nigerians who were forced to abandon businesses, homes and other valuable assets while fleeing renewed xenophobic tensions in the country.

The move comes as another 269 Nigerians arrived in Lagos aboard the third government-assisted evacuation flight, bringing the total number of evacuees to 603.

The returnees include 268 Nigerians evacuated by Air Peace in the first batch, 66 airlifted by ValueJet in the second batch, and 269 brought back on the latest Air Peace flight.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief as the latest batch landed in Lagos, Acting Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Temitope Ajayi, said the government had begun compiling records of businesses and properties abandoned by returning Nigerians.

According to Ajayi, the documentation will form the basis of discussions with South African authorities over possible compensation.

He explained that Nigerian officials had already initiated conversations with South African counterparts, including the country’s Deputy Minister of Finance, on the issue.

Ajayi said returnees had been instructed to accurately document all businesses, vehicles, movable and immovable assets they were leaving behind.

He noted that the Nigerian government would verify the information with South African authorities before formally pursuing compensation.

“We will not allow the investments and years of hard work of our citizens to be lost without seeking redress,” he said.

The envoy also dismissed claims that most Nigerians affected by the evacuation were undocumented migrants.

According to him, the majority entered South Africa legally but became victims of prolonged delays in the country’s immigration system while attempting to renew their permits.

He explained that backlogs at South Africa’s Home Affairs Department over the past few years had left many foreign nationals, including Nigerians, waiting for documentation, making it unfair to label them illegal immigrants.

Third evacuation flight arrives in Lagos

The latest evacuation was part of the five Air Peace flights approved by President Bola Tinubu to bring home Nigerians affected by the anti-immigrant protests.

The approval followed the screening and clearance of more than 1,000 Nigerians by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.

The returnees were received at the airport by officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by the Director of African Affairs, Ambassador Haruna Ali Gombe, who conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message and reassured them of the government’s commitment to their welfare.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its spokesperson Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the evacuation exercise would continue beyond the June 30 deadline announced by South African authorities for undocumented foreigners.

The ministry also assured that the Federal Government would continue diplomatic engagement with Pretoria to ensure the safety and protection of Nigerians living in South Africa.

Ebienfa urged Nigerians still awaiting evacuation to remain calm, stay security conscious, avoid protest routes and maintain regular contact with the Nigerian High Commission for updates.

Nigerians in South Africa report calm despite protests

Meanwhile, Nigerians living in South Africa said the nationwide anti-immigrant protests remained largely peaceful due to a heavy deployment of security personnel.

South African authorities mobilised about 13,000 law enforcement officers, helicopters, drones and thousands of surveillance cameras across Gauteng Province to prevent a repeat of the violent unrest experienced in 2021.

A Nigerian resident in Johannesburg, who identified himself simply as Madueke, said businesses were shut and many residents stayed indoors as protesters marched through parts of the city.

He, however, noted that the presence of military personnel prevented attacks on businesses and residents.

According to him, security forces closely monitored the demonstrators, preventing the looting and destruction that had characterised previous xenophobic attacks.

Madueke appealed to the Nigerian government to provide additional evacuation flights, saying thousands of Nigerians were still waiting to return home after registering at the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.

Law-abiding Nigerians cannot be forced out

Also speaking, National Secretary of the Igbo Union South Africa, Ezeanozie Eleberi, described the situation as calm but maintained that law-abiding Nigerians could not be forced out of the country by anti-immigrant groups.

He said only about 1,500 Nigerians had indicated interest in voluntary repatriation, while many others remain legally resident in South Africa with established businesses, jobs and families.

Eleberi argued that individuals leading the protests were private citizens without the authority to expel foreign nationals.

He added that Nigerian associations had continued working with the Nigerian High Commission to provide food, water and other emergency support to stranded citizens while warning them to avoid areas where tensions were high.

Eleberi also blamed South Africa’s immigration system for the documentation challenges facing many Nigerians, saying numerous permit renewal applications had remained unattended to for years.