By Rukevwe Odeh

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has distanced itself from recent acts of violence allegedly carried out by political thugs, urging security agencies to take decisive steps to prevent further unrest ahead of the state’s governorship election.

Speaking during a media briefing in Osogbo, the Director-General of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, Oluwole Oke, rejected allegations that the party was responsible for the attacks. He instead accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of encouraging the activities of armed thugs and creating instability across the state.

Oke appealed to law enforcement agencies to act swiftly in addressing the growing security concerns and ensuring peace before the election.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke has alleged that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, has not been working effectively with his administration despite rising security challenges as the August 2026 governorship election approaches. The governor made the claim during an interaction with selected journalists.

In a separate incident, gunmen reportedly abducted Debo Farounbi, the Vice Chairman of Ifedayo Local Government Area, following an attack on Ora, a community located along the Osun-Kwara border.

Tension also arose during the inauguration of Adeleke’s re-election campaign in Ijebu-Jesa, Ori-Ade Local Government Area, when a stage suddenly collapsed. The governor, his sister Modupe Adeleke, and several government officials were on the platform when the incident occurred.

A number of attendees, including members of the Accord Party and event officials, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Security personnel quickly evacuated Adeleke and other dignitaries from the scene. As of the time of reporting, there was no official update on the governor’s condition.

By Favour Bibaikefie

WARRI: Gbaramatu Kingdom-born peace ambassador and development advocate Comrade Mulade Sheriff, PhD, has congratulated Chief Pedro Bekenawei on his successful selection as NDC candidate nominee for Warri Federal Constituency.

The renowned environmentalist, thank the leadership of Nigeria Democratic Congress NDC, for the platform and opportunity to express his political ambition.

In as much as, the party decided to jettison the outcome of the primaries, as if it never mattered, and decided to employ an appointment process, hitherto unknown, to select the highest bidder, is greatly acknowledged, because party is essentially Supreme.

“It is imperative to state that, political office seeking is not a do or die affairs, and I am not a desperate office seeker, either.

My vision is, and has always been, to collaboratively contribute and work towards permanent ethnic unity, progress, development and peaceful coexistence among the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo ethnic nationalities in Warri Federal Constituency.

“I wish to seize this medium, once again, to congratulate my dear brother, Chief Pedro Tuwayerin Bekenawei on his successful selection as the NDC flag bear, for the Warri Federal Constituency. I wish him all the best of God’s guidance.

“I also appreciate all my teeming supporters for their commitment, dedication and confidence in me, at all time.

“The renowned peace advocate strongly advise that despite cultural differences and competing interests, the future of Warri and environs depend on collaborative efforts, mutual respect, shared commitment to progress and peaceful coexistence for development”

“I wish to equally appeal to all members of NDC and stakeholders of Warri Federal Constituency to give him all the needed support” he concluded.

By Favour Bibaikefie

ABUJA — Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, has demanded the immediate withdrawal of what he described as false, malicious, and defamatory statements allegedly made against him by actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo during a live television broadcast.

The demand was conveyed through a legal letter dated June 9, 2026, issued by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme (SAN) & Co., who stated that he was acting on the instructions of Obi.

According to the letter, Obi’s legal team took exception to comments allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, and subsequently circulated by various media outlets and social media platforms.

The lawyers alleged that Okonkwo claimed that Obi and NDC leaders in the South-East demanded a bribe of N10 million from House of Representatives aspirants in addition to official party fees. The letter further stated that Okonkwo allegedly asserted that documentary evidence existed to support the claim and that Obi personally compiled the party’s list of candidates from a hotel room.

Other statements challenged by Obi’s legal team include allegations that he was “going to scam” party aspirants, that he “travels abroad to collect money from people,” and that he and South-East NDC leaders were “perpetuating criminality.”

Describing the statements as “false, baseless, malicious, reckless, defamatory and wholly unsupported by any fact,” the legal team argued that the allegations portrayed Obi as a person who “demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes,” and who engages in extortion, fraud and criminal conspiracy.

“The above statements, in their natural and ordinary meaning, falsely and maliciously represent our Client as a person who demands, solicits, organises and collects bribes; who extorts, defrauds and swindles political aspirants of their money,” the letter stated.

The lawyers maintained that the remarks went beyond legitimate political criticism and amounted to a direct attack on Obi’s reputation, integrity and public standing.

“It is particularly disturbing that the said statements were made by you on live television and were thereafter republished, broadcast and widely circulated through online and social media platforms,” the letter added.

Citing constitutional and legal protections of reputation, the legal practitioners argued that freedom of expression does not extend to the publication of false statements that impute criminal conduct to another person.

“The right to freedom of expression does not extend to the reckless destruction of another person’s reputation,” the letter stated.

Consequently, Obi’s legal team issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding that Okonkwo:

• Withdraw the allegedly defamatory statements in their entirety;
• Publish an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to Peter Obi;
• Ensure that the apology receives the same or greater prominence as the original publication;
• Publish the apology across all platforms through which the statements were disseminated; and
• Provide a written undertaking to refrain from making similar statements in the future.

The lawyers also demanded the payment of N5 billion as general, aggravated and exemplary damages for the alleged injury to Obi’s reputation.

“Pay to our Client… the sum of Five Billion Naira (N5,000,000,000.00) only, as general, aggravated and exemplary damages,” the letter stated.

The legal team warned that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period would leave their client with “no option than to seek legal redress” through the courts, including claims for damages, injunctive reliefs, public retraction, apology and legal costs.

As of the time of filing this report, Kenneth Okonkwo had not publicly responded to the allegations and demands contained in the letter.

The matter remains subject to legal proceedings, and all allegations contained in the correspondence represent the claims of the parties involved.