Politics

Fayemi mourns Ekiti APC Chairman, Paul Omotosho

Members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in Ekiti state are mourning the sudden death of the party’s chairman, Barrister Paul Omotoso.

Omotoso died in the early hours of Wednesday after a brief illness, after complaining of feeling feverish on Tuesday and was rushed to a government hospital in Ado-Ekiti.

While paying tribute to the deceased, for former Governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi described him as a committed leader, unifier, and key figure in the party in the state.

Fayemi, in a statement signed by the head of his media office, Ahmad Sajoh, on Wednesday noted that Omotoso unexpected exit has created a significant gap within the APC family in Ekiti state

The former Governor noted that under Paul Omotoso’s guidance, the APC in Ekiti State secured significant electoral victories and also fostered a sense of unity and purpose among its members.

He added that the late Omotoso was a dedicated leader and unwavering advocate of the APC’s principles and agenda in Ekiti State.

“Under his stewardship, our party achieved significant victories in recent elections, gaining the trust of our people. This would not have been possible without his commitment to uniting our members and working selflessly for the greater good of our state and nation,’’ he said.

He also noted that Omotoso had been a loyal member of the party for many years, starting from the Alliance for Democracy days and has held various positions within the party, including secretary and chairman of the APC.

He had previously served as Commissioner for Local Government and Environment during Fayemi’s first term as governor, from 2010 to 2014.

Fayemi added, “Omotoso’s contributions and sacrifices for our party will never be forgotten. He was a man of integrity who led by example, inspiring the party faithful with his passion for service and dedication. His leadership kept us united and focused on our mission even in the face of challenges.

“Ekiti State and the APC have lost a pillar, a grassroots mobilizer, and a committed leader. We mourn this devastating loss, but we take solace in the lasting legacy and sterling example he leaves behind.

“His ideals and examples will continue to guide us as we rededicate ourselves to the vision of a more prosperous Ekiti. In this moment of sorrow, I urge all members and supporters of our party to remain strong and united in honouring the memory of our late chairman.

“On behalf of my family, I extend my deep condolences to the Ekiti State chapter of the APC, the family and associates of the late Chairman and the people of Ekiti on this irreparable loss.”

Politics

N’Assembly threatens zero allocation to JAMB over N1b spent on meals, refreshments

NASS Transmits Constitution Amendment Bills To State Assemblies

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Finance has threatened to cut off the Federal Government’s grant to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) in the 2025 budget proposal over excessive spending.

This decision was made after JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede presented the agency’s 2025 budget proposal to the Joint Committee of the Senate and House of Representatives.

According to Oloyede, JAMB remitted N4 billion to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2024 but received a grant of N6 billion from the Federal Government.

This sparked criticism from committee members, including Hon. James Abiodun Faleke and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who questioned why a self-funding agency like JAMB should receive government allocations.

Faleke asked: “Why not keep the N4 billion and stop government funding for JAMB?” Oshiomhole also slammed JAMB for its expenses, including N1.1 billion on meals and refreshments, N850 million on security and cleaning.

Faleke asked: “Why not keep the N4 billion and stop government funding for JAMB”? Oshiomhole also slammed JAMB for its expenses, including N1.1 billion on meals and refreshments, N850 million on security and cleaning, and N600 million on local travels. He demanded justification for the N6.5 billion spent on local trainings, asking, “What did you fumigate? Is it mosquitoes that took all this money?”

“You remitted N4 billion and got N6bn f on the Federal Government. Why not keep the N4bn and we stop. the government from funding JAMB,” the Chairman, House Committee on Finance, Faleke asked.

“You spent N1.1 billion on meals and refreshment. Are you being freely fed by the government? What this means is that you are spending the money you generate from poor students, many of them orphans.

“You also spent N850m on security, cleaning and fumigation in 2024.What did you fumigate? Is it mosquitoes that took al this money”? Oshiomhole asked

The former Edo State Governor also slammed JAMB for spending N600m on local travels even as he called on Oloyede to justify the N6.5 billion on local trainings.

Politics

Mojisola Meranda emerges new Lagos Assembly Speaker

Mojisola Meranda has emerged as the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

This development comes after the impeachment of former Speaker Mudashiru Obasa.

Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency I, was previously the Deputy Speaker of the 10th Assembly.

She has been a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly for three consecutive terms, starting from 2015.

With her new role, Meranda is expected to lead the House and ensure the passage of laws that benefit the people of Lagos.

Politics

Gov. Adeleke breaks silence on report of ‘defection to APC’

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has rubbished reports claiming that he has made several attempts to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor gave his response to the defection report on Monday via a statement issued by his media aide Mallam Olawale Rasheed.

According to Olawale, the report of defection is fake and from a pit of hell.

Olawale further said: “The report reflects the depth of unelectability of the APC in the 2026 guber election as the opposition is at a crossroad over acute short supply of electable aspirants. The opposition has noticed the futility of fielding the former Governor, confused over the cantankerous nature of Senator Ajibola Bashiru and in disarray over the featherweight, Oyebamiji from Ikirre whose traditional leaders have endorsed a second term bid for Governor Adeleke.

“By the fake reports, the opposition is indirectly preparing for the possibility and eventuality of a second term win for the State Governor. The ‘Imole’ winning signal must have become so clear that the state APC is surrendering to the reality that God, the people and even federal authorities have affirmed the re-election of Mr Governor even before 2026.

“I will put on record that Governor Adeleke has never at any time hosted any meeting on defection either within or outside the country. A very popular Governor with over 85 percent approval rating is the doyen of all stakeholders at subnational and federal levels. Recent report confirmed that the state APC under the former Governor has lost more than 65 percent of its followership to the PDP because of the Governor’s acclaimed superlative performance.

“Mr Governor enjoys the confidence of the Presidency and top federal officials because he concentrates on good governance delivery and patriotic collaboration with the Federal Government on federal- national programmes. As a state governor, he prioritises positive partnership for service delivery instead of political bickering which retards rather than advance development.

“Mr Governor is also a passionate believer that President Bola Tinubu must succeed in his efforts to reform the national economy for several reasons. We all know that the success of President Tinubu is the success of all Yoruba sons and daughters as well as of all patriotic Nigerians. So supporting the President is a national duty as far as Governor Adeleke is concerned.

“There is however no plan whatsoever by the Governor to defect to the APC. We pity the APC for its crisis of unelectability. It is apparent that Governor Adeleke is unbeatable, hence there is a crisis of electoral strategy within Osun APC. That crisis within the opposition will get more compounded if the Osun APC continues on the path of fake news and concerted falsehood

“It is not wrong neither is it bad if the Osun APC can simply abandon futile efforts of fielding a candidate in 2026.

“As the former Governor cannot beat Governor Adeleke, neither Senator Bashiru nor Oyebamiji can scratch the solid re- election assurance of the incumbent.”