Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has insisted on conducting local government elections today, Saturday, February 22, despite advise from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, against the move

Fagbemi had on Thursday advised Adeleke not to proceed with the election and urged the Governor to respect the Court of Appeal, Akure, judgement which restored the All Progressives Congress (APC) local government chairmen and councillors sacked in 2022 by the Federal High Court, Osogbo.

Adeleke, in a statement on Friday in Osogbo made available to newsmen by Malam Olawale Rasheed, the spokesperson to the governor, said this while playing host to a delegation of the Civil Society Coalition.

According to the governor, democracy is governed by the rule of law and nobody can assume the authority of the court.

He advised all parties, including local and national stakeholders, to abide by democratic norms.

“As for me and my people, we stand by the rule of law, not illegal self-help.

“The election is going to hold and the outcome will fast-track development at the local level.

“I urge our people to remain peaceful. Osun is truly a peaceful state,” he said.

The governor, who said the delegates were in the state to monitor the local government poll, expressed satisfaction with the level of preparation by the state electoral body.

According to him, the electorate are prepared to exercise their voting rights on Saturday.

Justice JK Omotosho of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party can proceed with its South South Zonal Elective Congress scheduled for today, February 22, 2025, in Calabar, Cross Rivers State.

This decision comes after the court refused an interim injunction sought by plaintiffs Desmond Owei and Osahon Terry Okonedo to halt the congress.

In a ruling issued Friday, February 21, 2025, Justice Omotosho denied the plaintiffs’ Motion Exparte, which was filed on February 20, 2025. The motion sought to restrain the defendants—Amb. Iliya Damagun (Acting National Chairman of the PDP), Chief Dan Osi Orbhi (National Vice Chairman, South South Zone), and the PDP itself—from holding the zonal congress, approved by the Zonal Executive Committee, pending the hearing of a related Motion on Notice.

The court’s order, supported by an affidavit from Vincent Sani, a litigation secretary at Dr. O.J. Onoja SAN and Associates, and argued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria George Ibrahim alongside Oguche Agbonika Esq. and F.O. Akoh Esq., stated that the ex parte application to stop the congress was refused. The court directed that the Motion on Notice, also filed on February 20, 2025, seeking an interlocutory injunction, be served on all respondents, with the matter adjourned to March 4, 2025, for a hearing.

This ruling clears the way for the PDP to conduct its South South Zonal Elective Congress as planned.

Oil mogul, Prince Arthur Eze has praised former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida (rtd), for his magnanimity, saying he and many Nigerian billionaires were made rich by the Babangida.

Arthur Eze made the revelations in Abuja on  Thursday at the public presentation of babangida’s book, A Journey in Service. He said Africa’s richest person, Aliko Dangote and others were among beneficiaries of Babangida’s magnanimity.

According to the Anambra born business empire owner, as a top military officer, Babangida introduced him to all the military governors and GOCs at that time, adding that he travelled to many countries for business including Sierra Leone and others for businesses with the support of the former military leader.

Describing Babangida as a man without enemies, Eze said he cannot thank God for His grace without mentioning Babangida without whim he said, “I would have been dead.”

In appreciation, Arthur Eze donated N500m to the former military president, saying he has done so much and that the book event presented him the opportunity to do something for Babangida.

The event was attended by President BolaTinubu, former heads of state and former presidents including Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, captains of industry, retired military officers and several others.