• Says She’s A Non-indigene Who Hails From Ogun State

Stephen Olufemi Oni Ilorin

A wave of discontent has continued to pervade the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Ekiti/ Irepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara State, as a
prominent group, under the aegis of Concerned APC Stakeholders, has vehemently opposed the purported nomination of Hon. Florence Olasumbo Oyeyemi as the party’s candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2027 general elections.

According to the group, the candidate for their constituency should be an indigene of the Ekiti bloc, and not Olasumbo, who, they said, hails from Ijebu in Ogun State.

They described the development as a betrayal of the aspirations of party faithful and constituents, insisting that Olasumbo does not represent the interests or identity of the people she is expected to serve.

Addressing a press conference in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, the Coordinator of the group, Hon. Bayode Dada, said the alleged move to replace Hon. Tunji Olawuyi, popularly known as Ajuloopin, with Oyeyemi was unacceptable and capable of jeopardising the demand of the Ekiti bloc for the House of Representatives slot, adding that the movie was capable of destabilising the party ahead of the general elections, while calling for an urgent change of Olasumbo’s name to a bonafide indigene of the Ekiti bloc.

According to Dada, while many members had accepted the decision that Ajuloopin should no longer fly the party’s flag, replacing him with someone they described as a non-indigene was a dangerous move that could trigger widespread dissatisfaction within the APC.

“All we need now is Ekiti for Ekiti and not an Ijebu woman from Ogun state to take our slot, we can’t afford to toy with our destiny by placing it in the hands of a stranger,” he said.

He alleged that Oyeyemi is not an indigene of either Oke-Ero Local Government Area or Kwara State, claiming instead that she hails from Ijebu in Ogun State.

He argued that such a background makes it difficult for her to understand the peculiar challenges, aspirations and developmental needs of the constituency.

“The people deserve a representative who shares their history, understands their struggles and has deep roots in the constituency.

“Leadership is not just about political appointment; it is also about identity, trust and genuine connection with the people,” Adewara stated.

He warned that imposing what he described as an outsider on the constituency could provoke internal resistance within the APC and weaken the party’s electoral strength, thereby creating an opportunity for opposition parties to capitalise on the growing discontent.

“We appreciate the fact that Ajuloopin is no longer in the race because many believed retaining him could have negatively affected our chances at the polls.

“However, replacing him with Olasumbo is equally unacceptable because she does not represent what the people want,” he said.

The Coordinator urged the national and state leadership of the APC to retrace their steps and ensure that the party’s candidate emerges through a transparent process that respects both the outcome of the primaries and the wishes of party members in the constituency.

He further argued that any attempt to sideline qualified aspirants who are bona fide indigenes of the constituency could deepen existing divisions within the party and erode the confidence of loyal supporters.

Describing the reported nomination as insensitive, Dada maintained that the people of Oke-Ero had endured years of perceived political marginalisation and should not be subjected to what he termed another act of political imposition.

“We need an original son or daughter of Oke-Ero to replace Ajuloopin, not someone from Ijebu in Ogun State.

“The people deserve representation that reflects their identity and protects their interests,” he added.

He noted that questions of zoning, local identity and grassroots acceptance have historically played significant roles in determining electoral outcomes in many parts of Nigeria.

He said, Candidates perceived as lacking local legitimacy often face resistance from party structures and the electorate, regardless of their political credentials.

He said that internal disagreements over candidate selection remain one of the leading causes of defections and electoral setbacks for political parties in Nigeria.

According to him, Several elections have demonstrated that unresolved disputes arising from party primaries and nominations frequently weaken campaign cohesion and benefit opposition parties.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Miss Florence Olasumbo Oyeyemi nor the leadership of the APC in Kwara State had issued an official response to the allegations and demands contained in the statement.

The controversy is expected to intensify discussions within the party over fairness, inclusiveness and the importance of local representation as political realignments continue within the constituency.

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has shared the personal experience that led him to stop drinking alcohol, describing it as a defining moment during his time on a United Nations mission in Somalia.

Speaking in a video that has since gone viral, Osinbajo, who is also a pastor, revealed that he occasionally drank red wine and beer before deciding to quit completely.

According to him, the turning point came while he was serving in Mogadishu. After preaching at a fellowship service on a Sunday, he planned to buy a couple of cans of beer and return to his room.

Osinbajo recalled entering a restaurant within the UN camp, where he met colleagues from different countries who were drinking. On seeing him, they immediately tried to hide their alcoholic drinks.

Curious about their reaction, he asked one of his colleagues from Denmark why they were concealing the drinks.

According to Osinbajo, the colleague replied: “You are the priest, and we cannot be drinking around the priest.”

He said the response prompted deep reflection about his calling and the example he was setting for others.

Osinbajo explained that the encounter made him realize that although certain actions may be permissible, they may not always be appropriate.

Quoting a biblical principle, he said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.”

He added that from that day onward, he made the personal decision to stop drinking alcohol completely.

Recalling the incident, Osinbajo said:

“I like my red wine once in a while, and then I like my beer. On this particular Sunday, I was coming back from the fellowship where I had preached, and I was just hoping to buy two canned Heineken and go to my room and read my Bible.

“There were many restaurants in the UN compound in Mogadishu. So, I went to this particular restaurant, and as I walked in, I saw many of my colleagues from different countries. They were drinking… They said, ‘You are the priest, and we cannot be drinking around the priest.’ That made me realize that all things may be lawful, but not all things are expedient.”

By: Fabian Apechihin

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been appointed President of the Board of Trustees of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, pledging to strengthen environmental conservation and climate action in Nigeria.

Osinbajo made the commitment on Wednesday during his acceptance speech at the Foundation’s 37th Annual General Meeting held in Lagos.

In his remarks, the former vice president paid tribute to the founding fathers of the NCF, especially its President Emeritus, Chief Philip Asiodu, for championing environmental conservation long before climate change became a major global issue.

He also acknowledged the contributions of the late Chief S.L. Edu and other founding trustees, saying their vision laid the foundation for Nigeria’s biodiversity conservation movement.

“They deserve our commendation and gratitude because, but for their vision, Nigeria would not have had the strong foundation it has today for climate action,” Osinbajo said.

Osinbajo noted that climate change is increasingly affecting Nigeria through flooding, rising temperatures and other environmental challenges. He added that extreme temperatures being recorded in parts of Europe highlight the urgency of global climate action.

“There is no question that we are living in the most challenging times with respect to climate change,” he stated.

Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism that advances in technology, innovation and scientific knowledge would provide new opportunities to address environmental problems and promote sustainability.

Describing the NCF as Nigeria’s leading non-governmental organisation focused on environmental conservation and climate action, Osinbajo commended its trustees, staff, volunteers and development partners for sustaining its programmes over the years.

Accepting his new role, he pledged to build on the achievements of previous leaders and deepen collaboration with stakeholders.

“I accept this responsibility with great humility and gratitude. I look forward to working with the Board, management, staff, volunteers and partners to advance the Foundation’s mission and secure a healthier environment for future generations,” he said.

He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the Foundation’s leadership role in biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability across Nigeria.