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LG crisis: Adeleke, Oyetola row deepens as aides trade words
The feud over local government control in Osun State deepened on Wednesday as aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola traded accusations over the ongoing crisis.
Oyetola’s Special Adviser, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, accused Adeleke of spreading “propaganda, falsehood and deliberate misinformation” to conceal his “administrative failure and disregard for judicial authority.”
The statement was in response to Adeleke’s allegation that Oyetola was backing the illegal occupation of council offices in the state.
But Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, countered by accusing Oyetola of attempting to “reframe facts” on the LG crisis.
He said the dispute arose not from Adeleke, but from “a brazen effort by unelected individuals, backed by partisan federal actors, to forcefully occupy local government secretariats after their removal by the courts.”
Referring to Adeleke’s claims that Oyetola influenced the withholding of local government funds, Akinola described them as “nothing more than a desperate attempt to deflect attention from his glaring incompetence and serial abuse of the judicial process.”
He insisted that any delay in LG financing is the responsibility of the Adeleke administration, which, he said, has flooded courts with “frivolous and ill-conceived lawsuits” to overturn settled judicial decisions.
Akinola also accused Adeleke of previously paralysing local government administration by instigating prolonged strikes by council workers.
“The local government secretariats are open and functioning. Services continue, workers are back at their posts, and councils are carrying out their statutory responsibilities. The narrative of paralysis exists only in the imagination of a governor using falsehood to seek public sympathy,” he said.
He cited a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on February 10, 2025, which he said reinstated elected local government chairmen in Osun State.
He added that the issue of tenure is pending before the courts and advised Adeleke to desist from interfering in local government affairs, noting that the Supreme Court has granted full financial autonomy to councils nationwide.
But Alimi, responding further, dismissed Akinola’s claims of reinstatement.
“The court judgments are public documents. There was no reinstatement. Even if there was, tenure is a matter of law, not sentiment. Once tenure expires, no court order can resurrect it. Going to court does not confer the right to remain in office,” he said.
The commissioner also criticised the Federal Government’s alleged role in the crisis. “The continued freezing of Osun local government funds raises serious questions about political interference at the highest levels. This is no longer an Osun issue; it is a test case for Nigeria’s federalism, constitutional order and the credibility of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law.”
Alimi urged President Tinubu to rein in Oyetola, warning that the minister “cannot continue to use federal power to punish a state for partisan reasons, nor should federal institutions be dragged into local political vendettas.”
The PUNCH reports that the Osun State Government and the opposition All Progressives Congress remain locked in legal and political battles over control of local government areas, with multiple court cases complicating administration across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, mother of Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy LoveWorld Nation fame, is dead.
Reports from Edo State say that she died at the age of 88 yesterday, Friday, September 25, 2026.
A local publication, Esan News Magazine, reported thus:
“An Iroko has fallen. A mother of nations is gone. Heaven has gained a saint.
According to information made available to Esan News Magazine by a prominent member of the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele, Ewu, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, the matriarch of the great Oyakhilome Clan, the beloved mother of our son Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, Deaconess Angel Oyakhilome, fondly called Big Mummy, has transited to glory.
September, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, humility and motherhood that touched generations across the world.
“Big Mummy was not just the mother of Pastor Chris. She was the mother of all. A virtuous woman, a prayer warrior, a woman of uncommon grace who raised children that have become global blessings and pride to Esan land.
“Idunwele Ewu is mourning. Ekagholo Family is mourning. Ewu Kingdom is mourning. Esanland is mourning. For we have lost an Okpokhuo, a true jewel of Esan motherhood.
“Her life was a testimony. She lived for God, she lived for family, she lived for humanity. Her laughter brought joy. Her prayers brought strength. Her counsel brought wisdom.
“On behalf of the management and staff of Esan News Magazine and the entire Esan Nation home and abroad, we extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to our dear elder brother, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, the entire Oyakhilome Clan, the Ekagholo Family of Idunwele Ewu, and the Christ Embassy family worldwide.
“We mourn with you in this time of grief. We stand with you. We pray that the good Lord who called Mama home will grant you all the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
“May her gentle, beautiful and faithful soul rest in perfect peace. Rest on, Big Mummy. Rest on, beloved mother of Pastor Chris. Rest on, Iroko of Ewu.
“Adieu Mama!”
Meanwhile, a senior official of Christ Embassy who was contacted by News Express this Saturday afternoon neither confirmed nor denied the report.
He said: “I have heard the news, too, but it is not for me to confirm her death. I mean, she was aged 88.”
The official promised to make relevant contacts, adding: “I am sure that a statement would be issued if the news is true.”
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