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2027: Oyetola’s leadership’ll pave way for APC’s victory in Osun — ex-Speaker

The immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, has praised the leadership style of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, stating that his efforts will strengthen the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2026 governorship election and the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday, Owoeye emphasized that the APC is in a stronger position in Osun compared to 2022. He credited Oyetola’s contributions, including food distribution programs, medical outreaches, and federal government projects in the state, as pivotal to repositioning the party.
He also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s developmental projects in Osun, such as the N12 billion Ilesa-Eti-Oni road, the newly established Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies in Iragbiji, and the Alternative High School for Girls in Osogbo, as factors boosting APC’s appeal among residents.
Owoeye further lauded Oyetola’s performance in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, noting that his leadership had earned the ministry top rankings in the Ease of Doing Business assessment by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC).
Meanwhile, the former Speaker criticized Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration for what he described as political blackmail. He dismissed allegations against Oyetola regarding the alleged misappropriation of a $20 million World Bank health grant, calling the accusations baseless.
Owoeye accused the state government of jeopardizing future grants and donor-funded projects through premature accusations. He also recalled discrepancies in the state’s debt figures presented by Governor Adeleke and the Debt Management Office, questioning the credibility of the administration’s claims.
He urged the current government to prioritize governance over political distractions, stating that Osun State deserves better leadership.
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PANDEF Clarifies Visit To Tinubu, Knocks Wike Over Inflammatory Comments

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike to retract his publicly disparaging remarks made recently against the socio-political body.
PANDEF described as regrerrable and embarrassing comments by Wike in the aftermath of the group’s visit to Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, even to the extent of insulting the late former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South Leader, Chief Edwin.
Recall that the FCT minister had, on Thursday, during a media chat, described PANDEF as “the worst organisation anybody can rely on”, while also calling the board of trustee members of the body “political merchants”.
In a statement signed by PANDEF Chairman on Saturday in Abuja, Ambassador Godknows Boladei Igali, urged President Tinubu as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent.
Igali clarified that the meeting with the president provided a valuable platform to discuss pressing issues of national and regional importance. Adding that “PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region.”
His words: ^To set the record straight, PANDEF the foremost socio-political body representing the South-South regions, composed of some of Nigeria’s most distinguished personalities. The delegation to Mr. President included chairpersons of at least four of the six SouthSouth states’ traditional councils, senior traditional rulers of major ethnic groups, former governors, past presiding officers of the Senate, prominent entrepreneurs, academics, and high-ranking retired military officers.
“It is, therefore, highly regrettable and totally unacceptable that a serving minister in the Federal Government would exhibit such brazen disrespect towards individuals of this standing. This attitude perhaps explains his continued refusal of the Minister to engage with the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which PANDEF constituted as far back as October 2024, despite repeated attempts to reach.
“The Honourable Minister (Wike) characterized PANDEF as the worst organization ever” and accused its members of visiting the Presidential Villa merely to solicit financial favors. These statements are not only false but also unbecoming of a public official of his stature.
“PANDEF hereby calls upon Mr. President, as the father of the nation, to prevail upon the Honourable Minister to retract his inflammatory statements and extend due respect to these eminent Nigerians and traditional rulers who were, after all, esteemed guests of the Commander-in-Chief. It is apt to remind that the Minister does not own the Niger-Delta and his errant conduct should not be condoned.
“Notwithstanding this regrettable development, PANDEF remains unwavering in its commitment to peace, stability, and equitable development in the Niger Delta. We will continue to engage with great vigour, all relevant stakeholders in pursuit of lasting harmony in Rivers State and the broader South-South region,” Igali stated.
On efforts to restore peace in River State, Igali restated PANDEF’s commitment for peace in the oil-rich State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Peace and Reconciliation Committee, which remains committed to resolving the Rivers State crisis,” Igali stated.
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