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Lawyer Tells Davido to Apologise to Edo Governor

Timothy Tugbiyele, a legal practitioner and author, has called on singer David Adeleke to apologise to Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo for sharing the governor’s alleged West African Examinations Council result on social media.

Tugbiyele made the call in a video posted online on Monday while commenting on political exchanges ahead of the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15.

Adeleke had shared what appeared to be Okpebholo’s WAEC result on social media on Friday, shortly after the Edo governor criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over his leadership style whilst campaigning for the All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji.

Okpebholo had questioned Adeleke’s frequent dancing, suggesting it was his primary activity over four years in office.

Tugbiyele argued that Adeleke should not have responded personally to the governor’s remarks.

He contended that although Okpebholo’s alleged result may not have been satisfactory, it should not have been used to ridicule him.


Davido trolls Edo gov with WAEC result

Tugbiyele maintained that Adeleke could have responded through official channels via a commissioner of information or special assistant rather than allowing Adeleke to engage the governor directly.

He stressed that Adeleke and Okpebholo occupy different social positions and should not engage on the same level.

Tugbiyele described the post as disrespectful and appealed to Adeleke to exercise humility and apologise, recalling instances of the singer prostrating before elders.

He rejected the argument that the exchange should be viewed simply as political rivalry, contending that political disagreement need not descend into personal attacks or disrespect toward elders.

He further argued that poor academic performance at one stage of life should not define an individual, using his own experience to illustrate that past setbacks need not determine one’s future.

He concluded by directly urging Adeleke to apologise to Okpebholo.

The controversy emerges amid heightened political activity in Osun State, with Adeleke openly supporting Osun Governor Adeleke’s bid for a second term.

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APC Says Adeleke Could Lose Osun Governorship Election

The All Progressives Congress has asserted that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is vulnerable to electoral defeat, citing his underwhelming governance record.

Felix Morka, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, advanced this position during an appearance on a television programme on Wednesday, expressing confidence that the APC candidate possesses sufficient backing from the electorate to unseat the incumbent.

Morka characterised Adeleke’s performance in office as dismal and deficient, pointing to deterioration across education and healthcare.

He contended that the governor has failed to deliver for the state and argued that public sentiment will determine the outcome.

Morka underscored that the Independent National Electoral Commission would conduct the election in accordance with legal obligations, and predicted that despite reports of violence, Osun voters would participate and exercise their choice for the state’s future.

The governorship election in Osun State is scheduled for August 15, 2026.

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Oyo Govt Vows Crackdown Over Common Entrance Exam Scandal

The Oyo State Government has pledged stringent accountability for anyone teachers, school administrators, or principals implicated in examination irregularities linked to the Common Entrance Placement Examination.

Olusegun Olayiwola, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, conveyed this position during a meeting with Local Inspectors of Education and school principals convened to investigate allegations of examination leakage and malpractice.

The examination in question was administered on August 6, 2026, for pupil admission into Junior Secondary School One.

Olayiwola stated that the state government had implemented preventive measures against examination fraud during the Joint Promotion and Common Entrance examinations and remained committed to identifying and prosecuting culpable parties without exception.

He stressed that the government would not tolerate conduct jeopardising the credibility of the state’s educational system.

All school principals have executed indemnity agreements, and any administrator discovered to have facilitated, encouraged, or participated in examination irregularities faces legal and disciplinary remedies.

The government indicated it would pursue a thorough investigation into current allegations, with penalties applied uniformly irrespective of rank or status.

Olayiwola also cautioned broadcast media organisations regarding their coverage of the allegations, emphasising the necessity for journalists and news presenters to substantiate claims and conduct thorough enquiries before making accusations against individuals or institutions.

He reiterated the Oyo State Government’s dedication to upholding the transparency, reliability, and impartiality of examinations throughout the state.

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Peter Obi Says Nigerian Youths Are the Nations Biggest Asset

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, has characterised Nigerian youths as the nation’s foremost asset rather than a burden requiring management.

In a statement posted on social media on Wednesday marking International Youth Day, the former Anambra State governor praised young Nigerians for their courage, creativity, ingenuity, and substantial potential, positioning them not merely as future leaders but as indispensable contributors to Nigeria’s present.

Obi underscored the imperative for Nigeria to establish conditions where young people can realise their aspirations without necessity of emigration.

He stressed the requirement for heightened investment in education quality, vocational training, healthcare services, technological infrastructure, sports development, and meaningful employment pathways.

Drawing on a recent encounter whilst travelling to Bauchi, Obi reflected on two aircraft captains aged 20 and 28 and their young crew, whose proficiency and professionalism demonstrated that youth can achieve excellence when afforded opportunities to develop skills, engage productively, and assume leadership roles.

He noted that across multiple sectors football, technology, medicine, aviation, entrepreneurship, academia, and creative industries Nigerian young people continue to exhibit exceptional talent.

The deficiency, he argued, lay not in talent availability but in deliberate, systemic investment and conditions conducive to its development.

Obi pledged his commitment to establishing a Nigeria in which every young person possesses opportunities to learn, work, innovate, lead, and thrive.

He concluded that a transformed Nigeria becomes attainable through active youth engagement and participation.

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Police Probe AIG Jimoh, Summon VDM Over Allegations

The Nigeria Police Force has reaffirmed its commitment to due process, institutional discipline and the rule of law, confirming that it has commenced an internal review involving the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Lagos, AIG Moshood Jimoh, while also inviting social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to provide evidence in support of allegations he made against the senior officer.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police said the criminal matter referenced in ongoing public discussions has already been investigated and is currently before a court of competent jurisdiction, following legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The Force stressed that, given that the matter is now before the court, it would not engage in media trials or allow public commentary to influence the judicial process.

 

According to the statement, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) has invited AIG Jimoh for questioning as part of the Force’s internal administrative review of the allegations.

 

The police also disclosed that on July 30, 2026, the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja formally invited VDM to appear before investigators and substantiate the claims he had made publicly.

The Force said the parallel judicial and administrative processes reflect its commitment to investigating all credible allegations of misconduct through established channels, regardless of the rank of the officer involved or the public profile of the complainant.

It noted that complaints against police personnel are handled through statutory mechanisms, including the Force CID, the Force Complaint Response Unit and, where necessary, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police.

While acknowledging Nigerians’ constitutional right to freedom of expression and to demand accountability from public institutions, the police maintained that such rights must be exercised responsibly.

The statement stressed that freedom of expression does not extend to defamation or the publication of unsubstantiated allegations aimed at compelling disciplinary action outside established legal and administrative procedures.

The Force assured the public that any officer found culpable following investigation would face appropriate sanctions in line with the Constitution, the Police Act 2020, the Police Regulations, Force Orders and other applicable laws, adding that where allegations are found to be false and deliberately damaging, it reserves the right to pursue legal remedies.

The police urged VDM to honour the FCID’s invitation, cooperate fully with investigators, and allow both the administrative review and the judicial process to proceed without interference.

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Naira Holds Steady as Dollar Trades Above ₦1,400 in Parallel Market

The naira traded at around ₦1,362.55 per dollar on the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) as the official market remained relatively stable at the start of the new trading day.

According to data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria, the official exchange rate closed at ₦1,362.55/$1 on August 4, with intraday trading ranging between ₦1,361 and ₦1,364.70.

The NFEM rate, calculated using a volume-weighted average, serves as the country’s official benchmark.

In the parallel market, commonly known as the black market, the dollar was quoted at about ₦1,415/$1 on Wednesday, according to market updates from a currency tracking platform.

This puts the gap between the official and parallel market rates at roughly ₦52 per dollar, an indication that demand for foreign currency in the informal market continues to outpace supply, despite the relative calm in the official window.

Other street-market trackers showed dealers buying dollars at around ₦1,410 and selling near ₦1,425, suggesting rates may vary slightly across Lagos and other major trading hubs depending on transaction size and location.

Market analysts say the naira has remained broadly range-bound in recent sessions, supported by continued central bank interventions and improved liquidity in the official market.

It was reported that Nigeria’s currency has been trading within a relatively narrow band, even as demand from importers and other dollar users persists.

Compared to levels seen earlier in July, the official exchange rate has held close to the ₦1,360 ₦1,365 range, while the parallel market has fluctuated around ₦1,405–₦1,425.

For individuals and businesses carrying out dollar transactions today, the applicable rates stand at approximately ₦1,362.55/$1 at the NFEM and ₦1,415/$1 in the parallel market, though actual buy and sell prices may differ slightly across banks, bureaux de change and street dealers.

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Petrol Prices May Drop Further as Marketers Hint at More Cuts

Nigerian petroleum products marketers say more filling stations across the country could reduce their petrol pump prices in the coming days in order to remain competitive.

The National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this in an interview with an online news platform on Tuesday, reacting to the recent reduction in petrol pump prices by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, MRS, and other retail outlets.

Gillis-Harry attributed the latest round of price cuts to a drop in the landing cost of the product, noting that more retailers may follow suit and lower their prices further as long as landing costs continue to decline, as part of efforts to attract customers.

He said more filling stations were expected to review their petrol prices in line with favourable landing costs, adding that stations would want to stay competitive.

According to the report, Dangote Refinery has set its gantry petrol price at N1,215 per litre, while depot owners have recently adjusted their ex-depot prices to between N1,215 and N1,225 per litre.

Nigerians currently buy petrol at between N1,265 and N1,310 per litre in Abuja and its environs.

The development comes as Brent and West Texas Intermediate crude prices dropped to $78 and $75 per barrel respectively, as of the time of filing this report.

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9 Killed, Several Injured in Tragic Bauchi Highway Crash

Nine people have been confirmed d£ad following a multiple road traffic crash involving two vehicles in Bauchi State.

This was disclosed in a First Information Report (FIR) issued on Tuesday by the RS12.1 Bauchi Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

According to the report, the crash occurred at about 11:20 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026, and was reported five minutes later, at 11:25 p.m.

FRSC operatives arrived at the scene by 11:40 p.m., putting the response time at 15 minutes.

The incident happened near Zangoro village along the Bauchi–Maiduguri Federal Highway and involved a Toyota commercial bus with registration number DRZ 133 LG and an unregistered MAN diesel tipper truck that had been conveying sand.

The FRSC said 17 adult males were involved in the crash, nine of whom were confirmed d£ad and burnt beyond recognition, while eight others sustained injuries of varying degrees.

A tyre burst while the vehicle was in motion was identified as the probable cause of the crash.

The vehicles and other items recovered from the scene were handed over to the Motor Traffic Division (MTD) of the Bauchi State Police Command for further investigation and possible prosecution.

The FRSC rescue team worked to establish the identities of the victims, which were confirmed on Tuesday.

The injured were taken to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH) for treatment, while the bodies of those who d!£d were deposited at the hospital’s morgue.

The rescue operation was led by SRMA SA Toro.

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Oyo Promotes 1,535 Local Government Workers in Major Career Boost

As part of the 2025 promotion exercise, the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission issued 1,535 promotion letters to employees in the state’s 33 local government districts.

The letters address advancements from Grade Levels 06 to 17 for commission employees as well as personnel from seven local government departments in the state.

A statement signed by the Director of Education and Social Services, Lala Foluso, and made available to journalists on Tuesday said the beneficiaries were drawn from the following departments: Administration and General Services (288); Agriculture and Natural Resources (57); Budget, Planning, Research and Statistics (40); Education and Social Services (431); Environmental Health Services (44); Finance and Supplies (315); and Works, Housing, Lands and Survey (360).

The commission’s chairman, Bashorun Akinwole, presented the letters on the commission’s behalf and stated that the activity was consistent with Governor Seyi Makinde’s dedication to the welfare, motivation, and career advancement of employees.

According to Akinwole, “the promotion is a clear demonstration of the current administration’s commitment to building a professional, efficient, and well-motivated local government workforce capable of delivering quality service to the people at the grassroots.”

“This administration, led by Governor Seyi Makinde, recognizes that good governance is powered by a motivated workforce.”

He continued, “The timely issuance of these promotion letters is consistent with its determination to guarantee that no civil servant stagnates and that diligence is appropriately acknowledged and rewarded.”

The chairman thanked the recently promoted officers and encouraged them to see the promotion as a summons to increased responsibility as well as a reward for their previous hard work.

“See the promotion as a call to greater responsibility in service delivery across all local governments and the commission, as well as a reward for past diligence,” he said.

Akinwole also reiterated the commission’s commitment to regular and timely promotion exercises, capacity building and improved welfare packages for staff in line with the Omituntun 2.0 agenda of the Makinde administration.

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Adeleke Confident of Osun Victory as Election Tension Rises

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has expressed confidence in victory in the August 15 governorship election, provided it is conducted freely and fairly.

Speaking on Monday during his re-election campaign in Osogbo, the governor said he was confident of winning with God on his side, so long as the election was free and fair.

Alleging that members of the Accord Party were being k!lled, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to direct the police to act professionally and impartially during the election.

He said the President needed to be aware of what was happening in Osun, describing the k!lling of his supporters and appealing to him as a father figure to intervene.

He vowed that his party would not accept any attempt to rig the election, urging the President not to allow innocent people to be k!lled and to ensure the police remained neutral.

He further reminded Tinubu of his own role in Nigeria’s democratic struggle, urging him not to allow anyone to undermine it, and noted that the international community would be watching the election as a test ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adeleke also urged the electorate to turn out en masse on election day to vote for him, calling on his supporters to come out on 15 August and defend their votes until results are declared.

He said he was ready for the election, describing the process as a revolution to be won through the ballot box.