AKURE, ONDO STATE — The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has issued a restraining order against the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, blocking any further government intervention in the highly contested Akirun of Ikirun chieftaincy dispute.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appellate court, in a ruling delivered on Monday, directed all feuding parties to strictly maintain the status quo concerning the royal stool currently occupied by Oba Olalekan Akadiri, pending the final determination of the substantive appeal.

The judicial intervention follows a controversial decision by the Osun State Government to declare the monarch’s seat vacant. The government had previously ordered stakeholders to pause further actions while awaiting the outcome of the appeal court—a stance formalised in a White Paper issued after a review committee evaluated Governor Adeleke’s November 2022 executive orders.

Alleged Violations Triggers Judicial Rebound

Presiding Judge, Justice S.O. Nwaka Gbagi, issued the explicit freeze order after listening to arguments indicating that certain actors were attempting to bypass the legal process.

Counsel to Oba Akadiri, Chief N.O. Oke (SAN), alerted the court that the Chairman of the Ikirun Kingmakers, Chief Kareem Adetoyese, had allegedly undermined the ongoing legal process by writing to the Gboleru Ruling House to present fresh nominees for the throne. The monarch’s legal team argued that this clandestine move was a blatant violation of both state government directives and pending judicial protocols.

All Parties Bind to Peace Pact

In a unified response to the developments, legal representatives for all key interests, including the Gboleru Ruling House, the Kingmakers, and the Osun State Ministry of Justice, agreed that fresh traditional processes must be suspended to protect public peace.

Chief Sola Ebiseni, counsel representing the accused kingmakers, denied direct knowledge of his client’s letters but consented to the application for a complete halt in proceedings to ensure tranquility in the Ikirun community.

“It Is Unfortunate” — Appeal Court Slams Defiant Parties

Delivering the final verdict, Justice Gbagi expressed deep disappointment that local authorities tried to initiate a fresh selection process despite explicit guidelines captured in the government’s official White Paper.

“It has been brought to the knowledge of this court that despite the government White Paper advising all parties to halt the processing of nomination of the Akirun of Ikirun, learned Silk Counsel to the 15th Respondent has informed the court that the fourth respondent has been calling for nominations for the stool,” the court noted.

“It is unfortunate that the fourth respondent can go outside the government’s directive in a matter that is pending before this court. It is hereby ordered that parties maintain the status quo and avoid a breakdown of law and order.”

With this binding judicial freeze, Governor Adeleke and the Ikirun kingmakers are legally barred from making appointments, calling for nominations, or attempting to depose Oba Olalekan Akadiri until the appellate court resolves the ultimate ownership of the ancient throne.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda, has firmly cleared the air regarding the internal politics of the Rivers State chapter, asserting that the party played no role in Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s sudden withdrawal from the APC governorship primary.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

ABUJA, FCT — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has revealed that the ongoing structural facelift of the symbolic FCT City Gate was entirely the visionary concept of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Wike disclosed this on Monday during an extensive inspection tour of critical road and infrastructure projects across the nation’s capital, which have been slated for formal commissioning ahead of the June celebrations.

The aggressive infrastructural projects are being wrapped up to mark the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The inspection covered massive infrastructural hubs, including:

• The Renewed Hope City Access Road in Karsana District.

• The Old Keffi Road Rehabilitation project.

• FCT Highway 105 (linking Airport Road to Kuje).

• The Kuje-to-Gwagwalada dualization project (Phase 1).

• The complete remodeling of the FCT City Gate.

“One of My Happiest Days” — Wike

Expressing absolute satisfaction with both the speed and execution of the engineering firms on-site, the FCT Minister described the progress as a major milestone for residents of Abuja.

“Today is one of my happiest days, seeing that these heavily anticipated projects are now fully primed for inauguration,” Wike stated excitedly.

Shifting focus to the aesthetic redesign of the federal capital’s entrance, the Minister noted that the project underscores the strategic contributions of the First Lady to the success of the current administration.

“This is what you get when you have a supportive wife who genuinely means well for her husband’s administration. I am talking about the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” Wike said.

“This facelift is completely her brainchild, and I am certain she will be incredibly proud of what has been achieved here.”

Julius Berger Delivers Midnight Magic

The Minister extended high praise to the construction giant handling the project, Julius Berger, guaranteeing that the new installations will completely redefine the entry experience into Nigeria’s seat of power.

“I am very pleased with Julius Berger and the premium quality of work delivered. I am confident that anyone driving into the capital city at night will experience a beautifully transformed scenery as they enter the nation’s capital,” Wike concluded.

With construction crews working around the clock, the FCT administration is fully set to hand over these landmark projects to the public by June.