“I warned President Tinubu about Aregbesola’s disloyal behaviour”
“I warned President Tinubu about Aregbesola’s disloyal behaviour”
Former Osun State Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Ismail Omipidan, has revealed that he alerted President Bola Tinubu in 2018 of the alleged deceitful behavior of former Minister Rauf Aregbesola.
In an excerpt from his recently published book ‘Persona Non Grata’, which he put on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Omipidan revealed this finding.
Omipidan explained that the warning was made prior to his appointment in 2019 as CPS to Governor Oyetola. He recounted his involvement in the 2014 Osun State gubernatorial election, when he formed and funded a six-member media team to support Aregbesola’s re-election bid.
Despite his significant contributions to Aregbesola’s campaign, Omipidan revealed that after the election, when the team members inquired about a celebratory visit to Osun, he disclosed that he had no financial ties with the government, leaving many of them surprised.
Looking back on the 2018 gubernatorial election, Omipidan reflected on the challenges faced by his party, particularly Oyetola’s narrow victory.
He said, “In fact, I had predicted in one of my articles before the 2018 election that no clear winner would emerge from the first ballot. I went further to state emphatically that any of the two leading candidates that were interested in winning must negotiate with Senator Iyiola Omisore, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, to carry the day. That was exactly what eventually happened.”
Omipidan added that the 2018 election served as a referendum on Aregbesola’s political influence.
He described it as the “battle of his life” for Aregbesola, noting that his position as a key figure in the political landscape was under scrutiny.
After the election, Omipidan continued to advise Governor Oyetola, suggesting that he shed the arrogance of Aregbesola’s administration to succeed.
He also urged Tinubu to reassess Aregbesola’s role within the political family.
Omipidan’s concerns were rooted in his observations of Aregbesola’s actions during the 2017 and 2018 governorship elections in Ondo and Osun states, where he perceived Aregbesola’s indifference to the stakes of the elections.
He reflected on his earlier suggestion to Tinubu, saying, “I want to believe that I am vindicated by Aregbesola’s disposition towards President Tinubu’s presidential ambition four years after my suggestion.”
Omipidan also acknowledged the late former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, for his dedicated support during the 2018 election, contrasting it with Aregbesola’s seemingly lackluster effort. He concluded, “Aregbesola carried on in that election as if nothing was at stake.”
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President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing
President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).
Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.
The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.
On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.
It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.
In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.
The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.
Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.
He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)
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APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
APC clears air on receiving letter of defection from another State Governor
The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied receiving a letter from Gov. Dauda Lawal seeking to defect to the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there were speculations across the state over Lawal’s move to defect to APC.
A statement issued in Gusau on Saturday by the state APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, described the speculations as fabricated.
“The party came across a fabricated report purported to have emanated from one Tambarin Gusau claiming that Go Dauda Lawal has sent a letter to the party wanting to join the APC.
“The report is malicious, unfortunate, unfounded, mischievous and showed the unprofessional manner which some people can go in misleading others and causing chaos in a stable and a peaceful party like the APC.
“The APC has responsible channels where everything is done in a guided manner,” Idris said.
According to him, the party has not received any letter from Lawal as claimed through the imagination of the writer nor was the party aware of any recent moves by the governor to defect from the PDP to the APC.
“All members of the party and indeed the public especially in Zamfara should therefore disregard such report.,” Idris added.(NAN)
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282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
282 Passengers safe as plane makes emergency landing in Lagos
A Qatar Airways passenger plane on Friday made an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos after developing a technical fault mid-flight.
The aircraft, which had 248 passengers and 12 crew members on board, was forced to land abruptly after the malfunction was detected while it was operating within Nigerian airspace.
The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) confirmed the incident in a statement released by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.
According to him, the agency was alerted to the situation through its 767 and 112 toll-free emergency lines, prompting an immediate response from emergency officials.
He explained that upon receiving the distress call, the LASEMA Response Team (LRT) was swiftly deployed to the airport to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
“Upon arrival at the scene, the LASEMA Response Team confirmed that the aircraft was in distress,” the statement noted.
“The pilot executed a safe landing on the runway at Murtala Mohammed International Airport with LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders standing by on extreme high alert on the runway.
“Collaborative efforts of the multi-agency responders were coordinated. After proper check by the pilot and the engineering crew, the aircraft was moved to the apron for detailed inspection and prompt repairs.”
“All passengers of the distressed airplane were evacuated safely; no injuries reported, no loss of lives,” the statement said.
Despite the technical issue and the emergency landing, the agency stated that there was the aircraft experienced no major damage.
“The aircraft has been secured on the apron. Recovery activities have been completed,” the statement added.
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