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Fresh Call As Middle Belt Group Demands Stronger Military Action Against Terrorists.

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The Middle Belt Conscience Guard has praised the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Nigerian Armed Forces for sustaining coordinated military offensives against insurgents and criminal groups across different parts of the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The commendation follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s announcement of the elimination of senior Islamic State commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Manuki, also known as Abu-Mainok, during a joint counterterrorism operation carried out by Nigerian and United States forces.

According to President Tinubu, the overnight operation in the Lake Chad Basin targeted the terrorist leader’s compound and resulted in the killing of several of his lieutenants, describing it as a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism.

In a statement signed by the group’s President, Dr. Anthony Idoko, and Secretary-General, Amos Adamu, the organisation said recent military offensives in the North-Central and North-East reflected renewed determination and improved tactical coordination among security agencies.

The group commended General Oluyede for what it described as strong operational leadership and strategic direction in the ongoing counter-insurgency and anti-banditry campaigns.

According to the Middle Belt Conscience Guard, intensified offensives, intelligence-led missions, and enhanced collaboration among security agencies are beginning to improve security in parts of the Middle Belt.

The group stated that the current momentum by the armed forces demonstrates that sustained and coordinated military pressure remains one of the most effective strategies against insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes threatening national stability.

It also praised military commanders and frontline troops for maintaining pressure on criminal elements in troubled regions.

The organisation stressed that the military deserves public support rather than the politicisation of ongoing security operations, noting that the scale of insecurity in Nigeria requires unity and institutional cooperation.

It urged the armed forces to remain relentless in dismantling terrorist hideouts, disrupting illegal arms networks, and reclaiming communities affected by violence.

The group added that recent military gains have started restoring confidence among residents of rural communities previously abandoned due to repeated attacks.

It also called on state governments and local communities to strengthen cooperation with security agencies through intelligence sharing and grassroots support systems.

According to the organisation, no security structure can succeed without the trust and active participation of local populations.

The group further appealed to the Federal Government to sustain investment in military welfare, intelligence capabilities, surveillance technology, and operational logistics.

It maintained that although Nigeria’s security challenges remain significant, consistent military coordination and strategic leadership are beginning to deliver measurable progress in conflict-affected areas.

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Why Some People Around Tinubu Don’t Want Fashola In His Government – Akande.

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Former presidential aide Laolu Akande has claimed that some individuals within President Bola Tinubu’s inner circle do not want former Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola to be part of the current administration because he would not tolerate certain practices within the government.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Akande made the allegation during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast.

Akande suggested that Fashola’s absence from the administration could partly be attributed to fatigue, but maintained that resistance from some people close to the President was a more significant factor.

According to the former presidential aide, Fashola is known for standing firmly by his principles and would not compromise to accommodate individuals engaging in practices he considers unacceptable.

He said, “I think the reason why Fashola is not in this government, two reasons. I think Fashola himself has a bit of fatigue, more importantly, I think there are people around the president who don’t want to see Fashola because Fashola is not going to tolerate many of those things that you are seeing around.”

Akande further described Fashola as someone who would not tolerate what he considered inappropriate conduct, suggesting that this attitude might have made some individuals within Tinubu’s circle uncomfortable.

He added, “Whatever you say about Fashola, he doesn’t take nonsense and the people who wanted to get some nonsense going, they didn’t want Fashola.”

The former presidential aide, however, noted that Fashola remained close to Tinubu and had not experienced any major public fallout with the President.

He suggested that although there had been no openly acknowledged confrontation between the two politicians, some underlying tensions might exist in their relationship.

Akande said, “Even somebody like Fashola, who is still very close to the president, no problems openly, although they are also under current which he will speak about, but at least he didn’t have any blowout problem with the man.”

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Tinubu And Adeleke’s Osun Power Deal Sparks Fresh Questions Over APC’s Future.

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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reportedly secured a leading position in a new power-sharing arrangement with the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to Leadership, the deal was reportedly brokered by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, as part of efforts to strengthen the coalition backing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in Osun State.

Sources familiar with the negotiations disclosed that Adeleke had effectively emerged as the leader of the coalition coordinating Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign in the state, despite remaining a member of the Accord Party.

The governor contested the last governorship election under the Accord Party after leaving the crisis-hit Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15, 2026, governorship election, with 511,067 votes.

He defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes across Osun State’s 30 local government areas.

The returning officer, Professor Joshua Ogunwole, announced the results in the early hours of August 16 at the INEC office in Osogbo.

Under the reported agreement, Adeleke is expected to coordinate the coalition’s political activities and receive a larger share of political appointments, particularly at the federal level.

The arrangement is also expected to reshape the APC’s power structure in Osun, which has long been dominated by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Oyetola, considered a close ally of President Tinubu, has wielded considerable influence over the party’s leadership structure and candidate-selection process in the state.

He was reportedly instrumental in choosing Oyebamiji as the APC’s governorship candidate, alongside his running mate, as well as influencing the selection of the party’s senatorial candidates and other nominees ahead of the 2027 elections.

Other prominent figures involved in the power struggle include APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru and former deputy governor and ex-national secretary of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Under the reported terms of the agreement, Adeleke is expected to nominate chairmen for 20 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyetola, Omisore and Basiru would share the remaining 10 councils.

The four political leaders are also expected to nominate councillors in the local government areas allocated to their respective camps.

Out-of-Court Settlement of Local Government Dispute

Sources familiar with the negotiations also disclosed that the ongoing legal dispute over control of local government councils in Osun State would be resolved through an out-of-court settlement.

Under the proposed arrangement, the parties would inform the Court of Appeal of their intention to settle the matter amicably and request time to agree on the terms of settlement.

The agreed terms would subsequently be presented to the court for adoption as its judgment.

A source explained, “The two parties are to inform the court that the issues will be resolved amicably, and the court is expected to give them time to meet and return with the terms of settlement, which will be the judgment of the court when eventually adopted.”

The source further revealed that the camps loyal to Omisore and Basiru had welcomed the agreement, while Oyetola’s group was reportedly dissatisfied with the new arrangement.

According to the source, the deal represents a significant shift from the previous power structure, under which Oyetola’s camp allegedly controlled most of the party’s leadership positions and nominations for federal appointments.

“You know, the Oyetola group was having everything before? The group was in charge of the party’s leadership; it was also solely responsible for nominating people for federal appointments and other positions. Now, things are changing,” the source said.

The source added that the agreement would give the Basiru and Omisore camps a share of political appointments and influence they previously lacked, while reducing Oyetola’s dominance.

“For the Basiru and the Omisore groups, it is a welcome development. Both camps are coming from zero allocation to something, while the Oyetola camp is coming from 100 per cent allocation to less than 20 per cent now,” the source added.

The reported agreement signals a potential realignment of political interests in Osun State as the parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.

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2027: Fresh Speculation As Adeleke Reportedly Considers Defection To APC

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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the 2027 general elections, according to sources familiar with the ongoing political realignment in the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sources who spoke to Leadership disclosed that Adeleke could join the ruling party alongside his supporters, a move that would reportedly position him as the APC’s leader in Osun State.

One source close to the political arrangement argued that Adeleke’s electoral performance had made him one of the most influential politicians in the state, including within the APC.

The source noted that the governor had defeated the APC twice in previous elections, questioning whether any of the party’s prominent figures could challenge his political influence.

“He has defeated us (the APC) twice. Even without federal might, he won convincingly. So, who will stand in his way?” the source asked.

The source also questioned the electoral strength of other leading APC figures in the state, mentioning former governor Adegboyega Oyetola, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru and former party National Secretary Iyiola Omisore.

“Is it Oyetola, who could not win his senatorial district, or Bashiru and Omisore, who are already positioning themselves for the next governorship ticket?” the source said.

According to the source, Adeleke has emerged as a dominant political figure in Osun, with an influence that could reshape the APC’s leadership structure if he eventually joins the party.

“By every consideration, Adeleke has become the leader, not only in the state but also in our party,” the source added.

The source further alleged that President Bola Tinubu had previously wanted Adeleke to contest the last governorship election on the APC platform, but some party leaders opposed the proposal because they believed they could secure victory without him.

“Recall that the President wanted him to be our flag bearer in the last governorship election, but those who believed they could win opposed him. What was the outcome, despite the enormous amount we spent on the election?” the source said.

However, the reported possibility of Adeleke defecting to the APC after the 2027 general elections remains an unconfirmed political claim attributed to sources familiar with the discussions.

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