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An Accord Party member has allegedly been killed by suspectedTmwy political thugs in Osun State, barely 24 hours before the state’s governorship election.

The incident reportedly occurred around 6:00 a.m. on Friday in Omi Eran Atijo community, Osun State.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the victim was allegedly chased by a group of suspected assailants before he was caught and killed.

A video circulating in connection with the incident purportedly shows the body of the deceased lying in a drainage channel, surrounded by blood.
The development has heightened concerns over the security situation in the state ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with residents expressing fears of possible political violence.

A source in the community alleged that security personnel deployed to the area had failed to respond adequately to growing concerns over the activities of suspected political thugs.

The source said the situation had created fear among residents and supporters of opposition parties ahead of the election.

A relative of the deceased, who spoke on the incident, described the killing as devastating, saying the victim was a family man with a wife and children.

“I’m not okay as I am speaking to you. The man they killed was very close to me. They killed him, and he had a wife and children,” the relative said.

The incident has further raised concerns among residents and political stakeholders, who have called on security agencies to investigate the killing, identify those responsible and ensure that they are prosecuted.
They also urged security agencies to intensify patrols and take immediate measures to prevent further violence in the community and other parts of the state before, during and after the election.
Controversy over APC candidate’s arrest
The alleged killing comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State following the reported arrest of Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West State Constituency.
Komolafe was reportedly arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Navy in his hometown, Ifewara, after he was allegedly found in possession of a firearm.
However, sources claimed that the APC candidate was later released following what they described as “orders from above.”
The sources further alleged that the Naval Commander who ordered the arrest was subsequently redeployed after the incident attracted public attention.
“The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed.
“When the news went viral, those from above became agitated and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat,” a source alleged.
Another source claimed that Komolafe was released following intervention from senior authorities.
“They have freed the House of Assembly candidate, Komolafe, based on orders from those high up. After the report went viral, instead of taking action, they let Komolafe go while the Naval officer who stood up to the occasion was punished,” the source alleged.
The circumstances surrounding both the reported killing and the alleged firearm incident could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
With voters expected to go to the polls on Saturday, stakeholders have urged security agencies to remain neutral and ensure adequate protection for voters, candidates and residents across the state.

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By Gloria Ikibah

Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in key areas, including humanitarian affairs, youth empowerment, cultural exchange, countering extremism and socio-economic development.

This formed the focus of discussions when the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Umar Ahmed, received the Assistant Secretary-General of the OIC, Ambassador Dr Tarig Ali Bakheet, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both officials reviewed the longstanding relationship between Nigeria and the OIC and explored new areas of collaboration aimed at addressing emerging regional challenges.

During the meeting, Ambassador Dunoma reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the ideals and programmes of the organisation and proposed the establishment of a Nigeria-OIC Working Group on Humanitarian Affairs.

He said the initiative will strengthen regional coordination in tackling insecurity and the growing humanitarian crisis in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin.

The Permanent Secretary also stressed the need to promote interfaith dialogue and provide greater support for displaced populations across the region.

He further advocated stronger cultural cooperation among member states, including the organisation of cultural festivals to encourage greater interaction among young people.

According to him, such initiatives will expose young people to diverse cultural traditions while promoting peace, unity and mutual understanding.

Ambassador Dunoma also called for increased support for vocational training, women’s empowerment and healthcare programmes.

He emphasised the need for OIC-backed interventions that will have a direct and measurable impact on the lives of citizens.

On his part, Ambassador Bakheet commended Nigeria for what he described as its active and constructive role within the organisation.

He reaffirmed the OIC’s readiness to deepen cooperation with Nigeria in areas of mutual interest.

The Assistant Secretary-General also invited Nigeria to consider hosting the next OIC Social Development Conference, as well as the organisation’s annual cultural festivals.

He further encouraged greater Nigerian participation in the management structure of the organisation.

Both officials agreed that sustained high-level engagement and practical cooperation will be crucial to advancing the interests of Nigeria, OIC member states and the wider Islamic world.

The Permanent Secretary also assured the visiting OIC official that Nigeria will participate in the forthcoming OIC Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting scheduled to hold in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on August 27, 2026.

The meeting is expected to feature the election of a new Secretary-General of the organisation.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere, reflecting the enduring partnership between Nigeria and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria, Mersole Mellejor, has called for stronger institutional structures and legislative frameworks to guarantee gender equality, describing gender mainstreaming as an ongoing process that must remain at the heart of governance.

The ambassador made the call during a dialogue session organised under the Female Legislative Mentorship Initiative on Parliamentary Affairs and Diplomacy at the Philippine Embassy in Abuja.

The session, themed “Women at the Table: The Philippine Gender and Development (GAD) Framework for Inclusive Governance, Diplomacy, and Peace,” brought together officials from the Directorate of Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the diplomatic community.

Speaking during the event, Mellejor outlined the Philippines’ approach to gender inclusion, explaining how the country’s legal and institutional frameworks compel both public and private institutions to prioritise gender-responsive policies.

“In the Philippines, we have parameters in place that carry direct budget implications for government agencies.

“Failure to implement gender mainstreaming directly impacts an agency’s budgetary allocation, serving as a firm measure to force compliance,” Mellejor said.

The envoy explained that the Philippine model goes beyond policy declarations by tying compliance to funding, thereby ensuring that government institutions take gender issues seriously.

He also highlighted the country’s Safe Spaces Act, which criminalises gender-based harassment and abuse in both public places and workplaces.

According to him, the law empowers not only victims but also third parties to initiate legal action in cases involving gender-based violations.

Reflecting on Nigeria’s efforts to promote gender equality, Mellejor commended the progress already made despite the country’s social and cultural complexities.

“As an outsider, I am very encouraged by where Nigeria is in terms of gender initiatives.

“Nigeria is a diverse nation of over 230 million people, but based on the Philippine experience, diversity should not be a source of weakness; it is a vital generator of unity,” he said.

He also pointed to Nigeria’s youthful population as one of its greatest assets, noting that the country’s growing digital and technology-driven workforce presents enormous opportunities for economic growth.

According to him, Nigeria’s expanding creative and technology sectors could serve as important areas for deeper collaboration between both countries.

The mentorship session provided an opportunity for participants to exchange ideas on gender-responsive legislation, women’s participation in leadership and peacebuilding strategies.

Members of the Philippine diplomatic mission, including Vice-Consul Norman and Vice-Consul Yate, also shared insights into the embassy’s Gender and Development programmes and how they have been implemented in both domestic and international engagements.

Mellejor expressed optimism that the discussions will lead to stronger institutional partnerships between the Philippine Embassy, National Assembly and civil society organisations.

He said sustained collaboration will help deepen diplomatic engagement and strengthen efforts to advance gender equality through legislation and public policy.