IBADAN — The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) has officially appointed the Rt. Rev. T. B. Olayinka, the current Bishop of the Ogbomosho Diocese, as the supervisory bishop of the Ibadan Diocese. This strategic deployment ensures administrative and spiritual continuity within the diocese. It follows a similar intervention by the Church leadership, which previously appointed the Rt. Rev. Prof. Dapo Asaju to supervise the Ife East Diocese after the transition of Bishop Shelemiah Oyelade. In Anglican polity, bishops are structural guardians of the Church rather than ceremonial figures. They hold ultimate responsibility for doctrine, worship, discipline, and pastoral order. The house of bishops deploys supervisory oversight to maintain structural accountability. Just as parish priests manage local congregations, bishops oversee entire dioceses and clergy to ensure strict compliance with Scripture, sound teaching, and Church Canons. Church leadership emphasizes that this supervision focuses on unity, correction, guidance, and order rather than dominance. This structured oversight dates back to the early Christian Church, drawing biblical precedent from St. Paul’s instruction to Titus to “set in order the things that are lacking” (Titus 1:5). The appointment of a supervisory bishop serves to protect four core pillars of the Anglican communion:Doctrinal stability by preventing unauthorized theological teachings.Liturgical order by ensuring uniform worship traditions.Pastoral accountability by maintaining high standards for clergy conduct.Provincial unity by keeping dioceses connected to the larger Church body. Anglicanism relies heavily on this episcopal leadership to prevent administrative confusion and spiritual disorder, balancing spiritual growth with strict organizational governance.

Former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, says Peter Obi, Goodluck Jonathan and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, are being positioned to divide President Bola Tinubu’s Southern votes in the 2027 general elections. Osoba made this allegation on Sunday during the announcement of the result of the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta. He charged party members not be carried away by the votes garnered by the President in the primary. The elder statesman equally alleged that there is an underground plot to reduce Tinubu’s margin in the South ahead of the 2027 elections. “I want to appeal to us all ahead of the coming election: let us not be caught off guard. Many people are saying we have no opponents, but that is a misleading narrative. The enemies are many. “As we approach the next election, there is a strong gang-up against us. They are plotting to field several candidates from our region in the South. Obi has emerged, Jonathan is quietly waiting in the background, and Makinde has been grandstanding. All these appear to be attempts to divide votes from the South,” he said.

Ahmad Gumi, an Islamic leader from Kaduna, has suggested that the federal government should think about offering amnesty to armed bandits. Addressing a press conference at his home in Kaduna on Monday, Gumi stated that the country should use the same rehabilitation method for those who have turned away from Boko Haram and surrendered to the military. He pointed out that Nigeria’s long-term use of military power has not succeeded in stopping banditry and insurgency. Gumi said: “If the kinetic method hasn’t been effective for 17 years, why not try a different method? Let’s change the method. “What Katsina did was to bring in the bandits, give them money, and then let them leave with the rebels. Why don’t we change the method? Let’s engage them. “Let’s dislodge them from the forest. Let’s take their kids and enroll them in school. Let’s do something different but you know, when you want money to be used, when you want a budget to be spent, that’s when it will happen.” Gumi noted that the officials have not focused enough on plans for helping former insurgents reintegrate and rehabilitate, even though many have given themselves up over the years. He said that some bandits have said they would be ready to give up their weapons if they are promised safety from being arrested or facing revenge. Gumi said: “These people (bandits) told us they are willing to stop fighting, but what do they want in return? Has anybody listened to them? “They expressed their worry that if they stop fighting, they will be chased and taken into custody. “Provide them with amnesty so they won’t be afraid to lay down their weapons and see what happens. Let’s change the approach. “Let’s alter the approach. The cleric also took this opportunity to reject claims that he backs terrorism or violent organizations.”

Three ruling houses in Iwo, Osun State, have dragged the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abudulroshed Akanbi, before the State High Court, seeking his removal over alleged exhumation of remains of past kings of the town from the palace premises. The claimants, Princes Olalekan Lamuye, Adedoja Osunwo, Alade Ismaila, Ganiyu Saheed, Kosiru Kolawole, and Wasiu Abolusodun, instituted the suit number HoS/56/2026 on behalf of Ogunmakinde Ande, Adegunodo and Alausa ruling houses in Iwo. The defendants in the suit, beside Oba Akanbi, include the Osun State Governor, the Secretary, Iwo Local Government, the Osun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Osun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director, National Cyber Crime Centre, Abuja. In the deposition filed through their counsel, Soji Oyetayo, dated May 21, 2026, copy of which was obtained in Osogbo on Monday, the claimants sought 13 reliefs including an order of court declaring Oba Akanbi unqualified for appointment and installation as Oluwo of Iwo. “A MANDATORY ORDER of Court compelling the 1st Defendant to vacate and/or abdicate the exalted throne of Oluwo of Iwo being no longer a fit and proper person to occupy and/or continue to occupy the exalted throne of Oluwo of Iwo. “A DECLARATION that the unilateral decision of the 1st Defendant to exhume and the exhumation of the remains of the corpses of the past Oluwo of Iwo from the traditional place of ‘Ileta’ where they were buried within the palace (in accordance with the custom and tradition of Iwo) is irregular, unlawful, without moral justification and same is against the custom and tradition of Iwo land. “AN ORDER of Court declaring the stool and throne of Oluwo of Iwo vacant. “(vii) AN ORDER of Court compelling the 2nd & 3rd Defendants to commence a fresh process of filling the stool and throne of Oluwo of Iwo in accordance with the provisions of Chiefs Law of Osun State by inviting members of the next ruling house in the order of rotation in the Oluwo of Iwo Chieftaincy Declaration of 1988 to submit name(s) of candidates for consideration by the Iwo Kingmakers to replace the 1st Defendant,” the deposition obtained by our correspondent partly read. They also asked the court for a declaration that the invitation, arrest and subsequent detention of Adedoja Osunwo, the second claimant in the case, for four days by officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja at the instance of Oba Akanbi over “purely civil matter of defamation of character” is unlawful, irregular and illegal, and in breach of the claimant’s fundamental rights. The claimants also sought “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 6th & 7th Defendants, their servants, agents, officers or otherwise howsoever called from inviting, arresting, detaining or further inviting, further arresting and further detaining the 24 claimants over purely civil matter of defamation of character of the 1st defendant and at the instance and prompting of the 1st defendant.” They also sought “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st Defendant from performing or further performing the function of Oluwo of Iwo and from parading himself or further parading himself, and from holding himself out or further holding himself out as the Oluwo of Iwo or from claiming to be entitled to occupy the throne of Oluwo of Iwo and from claiming or further claiming any benefit, rights or entitlement as Oluwo of Iwo.” Reacting to the suit through his media aide, Alli Ibraheem, the royal father described the claimants as noisemakers who should not be reckoned with. “They are obviously dazed about the progress Iwo is recording under the reign of Oba Akanbi. He is representing God, no one can remove him. They can approach the court. They are noise makers,” he said. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Oba Akanbi, the 16th Oluwo of Iwo from Gbaase Ruling House, was installed by then Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, in 2016, succeeding Oba Ashiru Tadese, whose death was made public on February 18, 2012. In recent past, the monarch has been having a running battle with princes from the three other ruling houses in Iwo over issues relating to chieftaincy, among others.

President Bola Tinubu has admitted that a lot of Nigerians are still facing economic struggles and safety concerns. Tinubu spoke on Sunday when he accepted the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential ticket for the 2027 election. Recognizing the economic difficulties the country is facing, he said: “However, there are still challenges ahead. Many Nigerians continue to face challenges with increasing prices and changes in the economy. “We take these concerns seriously; we see them and lead not from a place of ease, but from a true understanding of the situation, with honesty and decisive action.” The President also acknowledged that safety is still a big problem in some areas of the country, even with the military efforts underway. “I recognize that there are still security challenges facing some areas of our great country,” Tinubu stated. He noted that his government has put money into intelligence, surveillance, and advanced security tools. “We have put money into intelligence, watching over things, and new tools, and we are working on the main reasons behind insecurity,” Tinubu said. He also called on the National Assembly to approve state police “as a matter of national emergency.”

A deeply troubling confession has rocked a local community after a woman admitted that the family`s trusted priest is the biological father of all four of her children, including her current pregnancy. The shocking revelation—made under the duress of a severe, mysterious illness—has left her husband in emotional turmoil. While the betrayal has ignited public outrage, family law experts are warning that this is far more than a "private family matter". The situation now triggers profound legal and societal consequences that will permanently alter the lives of everyone involved. Paternity Fraud and Civil Disputes When a man raises children believing they are his, only to discover otherwise, it often results in paternity fraud. This deception can trigger significant legal battles over child custody, maintenance refunds, inheritance rights, and property sharing. Many men sign birth documents without ever anticipating such a devastating revelation, and the law can intervene to address the deceit. The Collapse of the Marriage Under family law globally, adultery and severe marital deception are standard grounds for divorce proceedings. The breach of trust in this case extends beyond a typical infidelity, as it involved the very spiritual leader the husband trusted to guide his home. Once legal divorce proceedings begin, disputes over finances and marital assets invariably follow. The Lasting Impact on Innocent ChildrenPerhaps the most tragic victims in this scenario are the children. Stripped of their true paternal lineage and thrust into the center of a highly public scandal, they face severe identity crises, emotional trauma, and the social stigma of illegitimacy. Furthermore, this complicates their future as they may face inheritance disputes and potential rejection from extended family networks. This unraveling saga highlights how a single prolonged lie can completely destroy not just a marriage, but the emotional futures of innocent children. Paternity disputes can be evaluated through official channels, and individuals dealing with such circumstances are generally encouraged to seek guidance from local [Family Law Legal Aid Services] or their local bar association to understand their rights.

A fresh leadership crisis is rocking the Oyo State Accord Party following a warning issued to governorship aspirant Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat over alleged violence and misconduct at the party’s screening exercise. In an attempt to quell the tensions, some legislative aspirants have formally apologized to the party`s Executive Committee (ExCos) on his behalf. The party leadership condemned alleged violent acts and the destruction of properties during a screening event at the Grand Serene Hotel in Ibadan. The Accord State Executive Committee (led by the Chairman and Secretary) issued a stern warning to Hamzat, emphasizing party supremacy and condemning the usurpation of committee powers. Following the party`s warning, concerned aspirants—including some vying for the House of Assembly—intervened to beg for forgiveness on behalf of the governorship hopeful to prevent a deeper fracture in the party. Oriyomi Hamzat, a prominent broadcaster and founder of Agidigbo FM, publicly declared his 2027 gubernatorial bid under the Accord Party. This internal rift comes as a critical test for the party as it tries to maintain discipline and order ahead of the 2027 elections.

An undercover Amotekun operation in Ondo State has exposed a suspected kidnapper and robber who was posing as a mentally ill individual to evade detection. Amotekun Corps operatives arrested the suspect after observing suspicious behavior that contradicted his appearance as a madman. Upon searching the suspect, operatives discovered a functioning mobile phone, which investigators believe he used to coordinate criminal activities. Authorities suspect the individual used the disguise to gather intelligence, target victims, and facilitate kidnapping and armed robbery operations. The suspect remains in custody and is undergoing rigorous interrogation to identify his accomplices and operational network.

President Bola Tinubu has emerged as the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 general election after securing nearly 11 million votes in the party’s nationwide primary election. The results, drawn from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, showed President Tinubu in a commanding lead over fellow aspirant Stanley Osifo, cementing his dominance within the ruling party ahead of the next electoral cycle. President Bola Tinubu secured 10.99 million votes to defeat his sole rival, who polled 16,504 votes, in the All Progressives Congress presidential primary election held across 8,809 wards nationwide. The figures were announced during the ongoing national collation of results at the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja. Governors of 31 states, alongside other senior party figures serving as state coordinators and collation officers, presented the outcomes of the direct primaries to the Presidential Primary Election Committee chaired by former Senate President Pius Anyim. In the South-West, Tinubu recorded commanding victories in key states considered strongholds of the party. He polled 814,988 votes in Lagos, 322,485 in Ogun, 181,996 in Ondo, 142,754 in Oyo, 100,888 in Osun, and 85,340 votes in Ekiti. Osifo managed only marginal figures in the zone, including 1,186 votes in Lagos and 929 votes in Oyo, while recording zero votes in several states. The North-West also delivered overwhelming support for the President. Kaduna produced one of the highest figures with 618,914 votes for Tinubu, while Kano returned 500,852 votes. Katsina gave him 467,003 votes, Gombe recorded 450,517, Kebbi delivered 292,972, Sokoto returned 301,000, and Zamfara added 321,579 votes. Osifo’s performance remained weak across the region, with only scattered votes recorded in a few states. In the North-Central region, Tinubu maintained a wide lead with 310,990 votes in Kwara, 285,436 in Nasarawa, 241,720 in Plateau, 197,370 in Kogi, 175,487 in Niger, and 374,787 votes in Benue. The Federal Capital Territory also delivered 36,103 votes to the President, while Osifo failed to secure any vote there. The South-East and South-South zones equally produced impressive numbers for Tinubu. He secured 582,960 votes in Imo, 383,382 in Enugu, 207,579 in Ebonyi, 161,005 in Abia, and 43,034 in Anambra. In the South-South, Tinubu polled 407,646 votes in Delta, 389,197 in Akwa Ibom, 280,082 in Rivers, and 227,192 in Bayelsa. Osifo recorded modest figures in a handful of states, including 1,007 votes in Abia and 384 votes in Anambra. At the end of collation, Tinubu emerged with a total of 10,999,967 votes, while Osifo garnered 16,504 votes nationwide.

The Kwara State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three worshippers and the abduction of 15 others following a deadly attack by armed assailants at a prayer ground in Ekiti Local Government Area of the state. The PUNCH gathered that the attack occurred on Saturday night at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ikerin/Ajuba axis of the local government area, throwing surrounding communities into panic. Sources in the area had earlier disclosed that terrorists stormed the community in large numbers, attacking worshippers and residents before fleeing through nearby forest routes. A resident told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal that many villagers spent the night searching for missing relatives and loved ones after the assailants escaped from the area. He said, “People were running in different directions because of the gunshots. Some families could not even find their relatives until this morning.” Confirming the incident in a statement issued on Sunday in Ilorin by the spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, the Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, described the attack as gruesome and condemnable. The statement read, “The Kwara State Police Command strongly condemns the gruesome attack, killing, and abduction of innocent worshippers by armed criminals at Ori-Oke Ajaiye, located on the outskirts of Ikiran Village in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.” Speaking on the development, the Commissioner of Police explained that the incident was reported to the authorities by Pastor Adebayo Abiodun of Ijo Ajaye Ati Igbala, Ekerin Village, who was conducting a night vigil with members of his congregation when the gunmen struck. He said, “While conducting a night vigil alongside members of his congregation at Ori-Oke Ijaye via Ekerin village, armed hoodlums invaded the prayer ground, firing sporadically.” He confirmed that three persons were killed during the attack, while 15 others were taken away to an unknown destination by the gunmen. According to the police boss, operatives attached to the Ekiti Division were immediately mobilised to the scene after the distress report was received. “Upon receipt of the distress report, the Divisional Police Officer, Ekiti Division, immediately mobilised operatives to the scene,” he said. Adekimi further disclosed that he has ordered a coordinated tactical and intelligence-driven rescue operation to secure the release of the abducted victims and apprehend those behind the attack. “A comprehensive tactical and intelligence-driven operation involving the Police Drone Team, PMF personnel, Intelligence Units, and other operational assets has been deployed for a coordinated rescue mission,” he noted. The police commissioner described the attack as barbaric, assuring residents that the command remained committed to restoring security in the affected communities. “The command is fully committed to ensuring the rescue of all victims and the apprehension of the perpetrators behind the heinous act,” he promised. The police boss also assured residents of Ekiti Local Government Area and the wider Kwara community that security operatives had intensified bush combing and intelligence gathering across the area. He said, “Vigorous efforts are ongoing, including bush combing, intelligence gathering, and coordinated security operations to track down the assailants and bring them to justice,” the statement added. The command urged members of the public to remain calm and support security agencies with credible information that could aid ongoing rescue and security operations. The latest attack comes amid recurring assaults on worship centres in Kwara South. In November 2025, armed bandits attacked the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Isegun, in Eruku, Ekiti LGA, killing three worshippers and abducting 38 congregants before the victims were later rescued after a security operation. In March 2026, another ECWA church in Omugo, Ifelodun LGA was attacked, with eleven worshippers abducted before a joint security response led to the rescue of three victims, while the other eight remain in captivity as of press time. Both incidents heightened fear in rural communities and led to intensified security operations across forested areas in Kwara State.