Headlines
Akeredolu Gets Sworn in for Second Term Promises to Bring Back Obaseki
Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo, says he will bring back Godwin Obaseki, his Edo counterpart, to the “fold”.
Akeredolu stated this on Wednesday during the swearing-in ceremony for his second term in office.
Obaseki had defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the build-up to the 2020 Edo governorship election, after he was disqualified from contesting on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Edo governor secured the ticket of the PDP, and went on to win the governorship election for his second term in office.
“They said you have returned to the fold, and we are happy to have you,” Akeredolu jokingly said, in what appeared to be a reference to Obaseki’s possible return to the APC.
Obaseki, who was surrounded by some governors, immediately made a no-no gesture in response to Akeredolu’s comment.
Afterwards, the Ondo governor continued: “If they cannot bring you, I will bring you back.”
Akeredolu went on to describe Obaseki as a “brother, neighbour, friend and co-traveller”, while appreciating the governor for attending the inauguration.
The event was also attended by Adegboyega Oyetola, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Kayode Fayemi, governors of Osun, Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti, respectively; Bola Tinubu, national leader of the APC, as well as other party chieftains.
Headlines
Jonathan Highlights IBB’s Importance to Nigeria As Former Military President Launches Memoir
A former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has lauded the country’s one time amilitary President, General Ibrahim Babangida (retd) for his generous contributions to the growth of the nation, saying Nigeria’s history is incomplete without the his story.
Jonathan said this in Abuja on Thursday during the launch of a book by the ex-dictator, titled, ‘A Journey in Service”.
Jonathan noted at the event which also doubles as the launch of Babangida’s presidential library, “So, Ibrahim Bagandiga as we all know, is one of the most charismatic leaders in this country. He is somebody that, up to date, people go as if they are going on a pilgrimage to consult him. We thank God for giving him that grace and the wisdom to continue to mentor people.
“In terms of leadership, Nigerians know you have contributed significantly in terms of the infrastructure development of this country and social mobilisation. We cannot write the history of Nigeria without dedicating a reasonable part to your service as the President of Nigeria.
“You’ve done well!”
According to him, with the launch of the book, the former Head of State has contributed immensely to the documentation of the country’s rich history.
“So, if you contribute to the documentation of the history, it makes your history stronger, more relevant,” he continued.
“So, today, you’re helping us,” the former Bayelsa governor told the gathering which included past and present leaders.
Jonathan thanked the former president for launching the presidential library.
He called on other leaders, especially ex-presidents to key into building a presidential library.
According to him, this will aid in better documentation of Nigeria’s history.
Jonathan, who is also a former governor of Bayelsa State, asked the Federal Government to help in the management of these libraries as it is done in several parts of the world.
“They are a source of history. If any scholar wants to know what happens at a segment of history, he goes to the presidential library,” he said.
General Babangida was at the helm of affairs between 1987 and 1993 when he stepped aside as a result of the heat that generated following the annulment of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has once again condemned the local government crisis that erupted in Osun State on Monday, resulting in the loss of six lives.
In a statement issued via his verified X handle on Tuesday, the former VP described the chaos as a brutal display of lawlessness, political brigandage, and subversion of democracy.
“Nigerians bore witness to a chilling display of lawlessness yesterday, as the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress exposed the depths of its desperation to retain power at all costs — through sheer political brigandage and the subversion of democracy,” Atiku wrote.
He stated that the APC’s actions in Osun State were an assault on Nigeria’s democracy and must be condemned.
“In Osun State, the APC orchestrated a full-scale assault on the democratic process, attempting to hijack the local government elections through brute force.
“Armed thugs and mercenaries, operating under the party’s protection, launched an audacious bid to seize control of all 30 local government area council secretariats. And yet, the so-called national leadership of the APC and the presidency watched in complicit silence,” Atiku stated.
He argued that had it not been for the fearless resistance of the Osun people — who stood their ground against the APC’s rampaging foot soldiers — democracy in the state would have been trampled under the boots of political marauders acting at the behest of their party’s overlords.
He said Osun State would never bow to anti-democratic forces, as the people have shown beyond doubt that they will not allow their electoral rights to be stolen, no matter the level of intimidation.
Atiku further urged the security agencies deployed for Saturday’s elections to uphold their constitutional duty with professionalism by “refusing to be used as enforcers of the APC’s criminal agenda” because the world is watching.
He warned that these are dangerous times and that the APC has “abandoned any pretence of democratic legitimacy, resorting instead to brute force in its bid to cling to power,” despite resistance from the people.
“We commend the brave citizens of Osun for standing up to the tyranny that sought to break them. Their resilience is a beacon of hope in the face of unrelenting oppression,” Atiku stated.
He added, “Tinubu’s APC has left no doubt — it will stop at nothing to subvert democracy and impose itself against the will of the people. But Nigerians must resist. The time-honoured warning remains true: eternal vigilance is the price of liberty.”
He further warned, “President Bola A. Tinubu and his dwindling band of enablers must cease their reckless acts of political sabotage — not just in Osun or Lagos, but across Nigeria.
“The people demand governance, not chaos. Nigerians will not sit idly while their democracy is hijacked by a power-drunk regime intent on setting the country on fire.”
The 2025 edition of the annual 42km 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has been once again dominated by East African runners from Kenya and Ethiopia.
Kenya’s Edwin Kibet on Saturday emerged winner in the men category, clocking a time of 2:14:06 to win the $50,000 price money.
Kibet came third last year behind his compatriot Bernard Sang who won it with a time of 02:16:49 and another Kenyan Cheprot who came second.
It is Kibet’s second win in the competition following his first victory in the 2023 edition.
In the women’s category, Ethiopia’s Guta Meseret Hirpa emerged victorious clocking a time of 2:37:04 for her first win in the competition.
First Nigerian to finish the race, Nyango Gyang Boyi, made history by finishing in the to 10 positions.
He finished the race in 8th place, clocking a time 2:25:41.58 which will earn him a prize award of $4,000. As the first Nigerian to finish the race, Boyi also won the N2million top prize in the Nigerian category.
The governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was also one of the participants in this year’s Lagos City Marathon.
The 42km race commenced at Western Avenue, in front of the National Stadium Surulere, and finished in front of Eko Atlantic City, Victoria Island.
This year’s edition of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon had thousands of runners competing for the top prize.
The annual event was to a gold label by the World Athletics in 2023 less than eight years after its first edition.
