President Bola Tinubu on Friday received the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The visit came less than four months after Ladoja’s formal installation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland in September 2025 and just a day after Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, also paid a visit to the President. Although details of their discussions were not disclosed, the meeting marked the monarch’s first official visit to Tinubu since his ascension to the throne. Before becoming Olubadan, Ladoja served as Governor of Oyo State between May 2003 and January 2006 under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. He succeeded Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who died in July 2025 after a brief reign of about one year. Ladoja emerged as Olubadan in line with Ibadan’s rotational chieftaincy system, which alternates between the civil (Egbe Agba) and military (Balogun) ruling lines. The late Olakulehin hailed from the Balogun line. Prior to his emergence as monarch, Ladoja had been the Otun Olubadan since August 2024, a position that placed him at the top of the line of succession. Governor Makinde had formally approved his appointment as Olubadan last September.

Founder of the Living Faith Church, Winners Chapel Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo has revealed an encounter he had with an alleged fraudster. While delivering a sermon during the mild-week service, Oyedepo said he was impersonated by an alleged fraudster sometime ago. He said the alleged impersonator attempted to extort money from the victims but was later exposed. He said, “We had an experience some time back when someone was claiming to be me and that I was asking for something. “My assistant called and the person said ‘can I speak to Bishop Oyedepo’? My assistant said yes, you can talk to him. “He (victim) could not wait to make findings and said the Lord curse you,” he said. Oyedepo admitted that there are fraudsters even within the church, stressing that his images are being used for fraudulent activities. “That is the world we live in today. 419 plenty in church, plenty in market, school and everywhere. “Walk in the truth and you will never be trapped”, Oyedepo added

The palace of the Arujale-Ojime of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, has issued a stern warning to the general public against what it described as disrespectful modes of address directed at the 22-year-old traditional ruler, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II. In a statement issued on behalf of the palace on Friday, the Chief of Staff to the monarch, Prince Adefemi Olorunfemi, stressed that the king must be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times, noting that any deviation from this would no longer be tolerated. According to him, some people are hiding under the guise of addressing the monarch as “bro or blood” particularly to disrespect him. The statement read, “I write in my capacity as Amb. Prince Adefemi Michael Olorunfemi, Chief of Staff to the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, Ondo State, to address an important matter that requires the attention of the general public. Kindly note that Alayeluwa Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II is to be addressed strictly as His Royal Majesty at all times. “Any other form of address is unacceptable. The fact that His Royal Majesty is the youngest king in Yoruba land does not give room for disrespect in any form. “Addressing our revered monarch with terms such as ‘bro,’ ‘blood,’ or any casual or demeaning expressions is highly inappropriate and will no longer be tolerated. Such actions will be met with strong and decisive measures. His Majesty’s leniency and calm disposition should not be mistaken for weakness, nor should it be taken as permission to do the wrong thing. Especially for those who call themselves Yoruba, we should know better. Culture, tradition, and respect for constituted authority are values we must uphold at all times. “Regardless of your status, age, or position in society, the king must be respected. This is non-negotiable. His Royal Majesty is not just our father; he is Igbakeji awon orisa, the representative of the gods on earth. The throne he occupies is sacred, and respect for the throne is respect for our heritage and identity as a people.” The palace called on residents of Okeluse Kingdom and the general public to always uphold the dignity of the throne, stressing that respect for the monarch remained central to the preservation of Yoruba culture and tradition. “We urge everyone, within and outside Okeluse Kingdom, to conduct themselves accordingly and uphold the dignity of the palace and the person of His Royal Majesty. Respect for the throne is non-negotiable,” the statement added. Oba Akinghare ascended the throne of his forefathers at age 16 as a secondary school student. The kingship fell on him as the only son out of four children of his late father who was the monarch of the town. Since the tradition of the ancient town demands that the first son of the monarch who passed on should automatically ascend the throne, the teenager was left with no option other than to become the traditional ruler of the town. The kingmakers of the town wasted no time in pronouncing the teenager as the new traditional ruler of Okeluse, while the state government expressly approved the choice of the people of the town.

A 24-year old resident of Delta State, Jessica Anthony, has revealed that she contacted suspected armed robbers to rob her boyfriend and extort about N7 million to offset her sister’s hospital bills. The young lady was arrested by operatives of the Delta State command after her plans failed to materialize. The spokesman of the Delta Command, SP Bright Edafe, who interviewed the suspect in a video he posted on his X account, said luck ran out on the suspect when she informed some bad boys of her evil intentions. According to Edafe, one of those the suspect sought to carry out the robbery, knows the boyfriend but played along until she was arrested. Asked why she wanted her boyfriend robbed, the suspect said, “because I needed money for my sister’s hospital bills of N7 million. I wanted them to steal his gold”.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party, declaring his comfort in the opposition party despite a growing wave of high-profile defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. “No, I’m comfortable in the PDP,” Makinde told journalists after closed-door talks with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja on Thursday. The Oyo governor emphasised that his visit to the President was focused on governance matters affecting the nation rather than party political considerations. “The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of APC. And we’re talking about governance here. “So I came to discuss with the President on some governance issues, basically,” Makinde said. When pressed on whether recent public friction with other PDP stakeholders and his trip to meet the President signalled a shift toward the ruling party, Makinde affirmed that he was comfortable in his party. The governor stressed that while he was willing to work with the President on matters of national interest, his party allegiance remained unwavering. He argued that maintaining a strong opposition was essential to Nigeria’s democratic health, particularly as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. “We may have issues in this country where you need bipartisan approach, where it won’t be an issue of maybe APC talking alone or PDP talking alone. When you get to that junction, you need everybody on board,” Makinde said. He argued that harmonious relations with the ruling party on governance matters did not constitute a departure from PDP principles. Makinde noted that leaders had a responsibility to work together on issues transcending party lines, particularly matters of national security and poverty alleviation. “There’s nothing that I’ve said in the past that says we’re not enjoying a harmonious relationship. You know, politics is politics. “We belong to different political parties. But Nigeria is a project that all Nigerians must be concerned about, the welfare of our people,” he said. The governor added, “Those are things that have no coloration of a party. As leaders, whether President or governor of a state, those are things that we have to work together, consult with one another, and ensure that we can make life one shade better for our people.” The governor’s statement comes as the PDP faces its most significant challenge since 2015, with governors, senators, and other high-profile members abandoning the party for the ruling APC or other platforms. Since 2025, the opposition has experienced unprecedented defections to the ruling APC ahead of the 2027 general elections. In April 2025, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defected to the APC alongside his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, and the entire PDP structure in the state. Okowa, who was the PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, cited the need to align with the federal government to access resources for development. Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno formally joined the APC in June 2025, stating he could not guarantee electoral victory under the PDP. In October, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah announced his defection, describing President Tinubu as “a partner in purpose.” By year-end, additional governors had switched allegiances. These include the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke who on December 9, 2025, moved to the Accord in December, while Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara defected to the APC in the same month. Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, also defected from the PDP to the APC later in December. Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri had joined the APC in November of 2025, citing what he called the “terminal decline” of the PDP. The PDP now controls four states; Adamawa, Bauchi, Oyo, and Zamfara, down from 16 states it controlled in 2015. Senate representation has also declined from 36 members at the 2023 inauguration to 23 by the end of 2025. Makinde had previously alleged that Wike, during a private meeting with President Tinubu, promised to “hold down the PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 elections. He recounted that Wike made the statement without prior consultation or the consent of other PDP stakeholders, an action that, he said, shocked him and prompted him to immediately confront Wike upon leaving the meeting. “Wike can support him, and that is within his right. But it is equally my right to decide who I will support and what role I will play in 2027,” Makinde has previously stated, emphasising that he views the former Rivers Governor’s approach as a threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. Wike has denied making any such pledge, describing Makinde’s account as “a blatant lie.” He said the meeting was a routine visit by G-5 governors to discuss state matters with the President, and that Makinde had kept silent about the discussion for months before public allegations. Wike, while serving as FCT Minister in an APC-led government, has remained a PDP member. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde said on December 23, 2025 that he regrets backing President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 election, despite being a PDP governor and part of the G5 group that opposed the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. He also said Tinubu will not have his support in 2027, citing concerns about the survival of multiparty democracy and alleging attempts to weaken the PDP. He also indicated he will not support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing concerns about the administration’s policies and what he views as attempts to weaken the opposition. The governor has been widely believed to be nursing presidential ambitions for 2027. Makinde’s meeting with the President also comes amid allegations surrounding the Federal Government’s relief intervention following the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan. Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose publicly alleged that Makinde received N50bn from the FG as relief funds but had not fully accounted for the disbursement. Makinde clarified that while the FG promised N50bn, only N30bn was actually released. He said he used N4.5bn to provide direct support to explosion victims and the remainder for reconstruction efforts including road repairs, security upgrades, and memorial plans.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has cautioned non-citizens against participating in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise across the country. The warning was issued on Thursday in Bauchi by the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Umar Ibrahim, during an interactive session held ahead of the commencement of Phase Two of the CVR in the state. Ibrahim commended the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security for detecting a non-citizen who was mistakenly registered during Phase One. He said the Commission has already initiated the statutory processes required to address the irregularity in line with the law. “As Phase Two progresses, the Commission urges all stakeholders to intensify sensitisation, mobilisation and public enlightenment to ensure eligible citizens register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards,” the REC said. Ibrahim added that voter registration remains a fundamental component of the electoral process, hence the need to engage stakeholders ahead of the resumption of the Phase Two exercise. Also speaking, a representative of the Controller of the Nigeria Immigration Service in Bauchi State, Danladi Abdulkadir, stressed that no non-citizen is permitted to vote or be voted for in Nigeria. He called on citizens to report suspected non-citizens to the relevant authorities. THENEWSCREDIT recalls that Phase One of the CVR was conducted from August 18 to December 10, 2025. During the period, INEC recorded significant improvements in voter registration, voter record management and Permanent Voter Card distribution across Bauchi State. Phase Two of the nationwide CVR commenced on January 5, 2026, and is scheduled to run until April 17, 2026

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding separate meetings with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The two governors arrived at the State House separately at about 3:00 p.m. and 03:30 pm, with Mutfwang arriving first, our correspondent observed. The meetings come against the backdrop of ongoing political realignments as key stakeholders commence strategic consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains one of the few PDP governors still standing with the opposition amid a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The Oyo governor is widely believed to be nursing a presidential ambition and is positioning himself for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket. Mutfwang, on the other hand, recently dumped the PDP for the APC, joining the growing list of opposition figures who have crossed over to the ruling party. Thursday’s meeting marked his first known encounter with President Tinubu since his official defection. President Tinubu has in recent months held a series of engagements with governors across party lines.

The Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, has announced plans to regulate the activities of house agents in the state to curb widespread extortion and exploitation. Ogundoyin made this known at the maiden annual stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan. The meeting brought together representatives of registered youth organisations and associations across the state. During the interactive session, several youth leaders raised concerns over the alarming rate of extortion by house agents, lamenting that unregulated practices have made access to housing increasingly difficult and unaffordable for residents. Responding, the Speaker disclosed that the Oyo State House of Assembly would constitute a committee to draft a bill aimed at regulating the activities of house agents and curbing their excesses. He assured stakeholders that the proposed legislation would be concluded and transmitted to Governor Seyi Makinde for assent before the end of the first quarter of the year. According to him, the bill would underscore the seriousness of the House in addressing the menace of extortion and restoring sanity to the housing sector. “This bill will demonstrate how serious the leadership of the House is about addressing the extortion by house agents. It will protect residents from exploitation and bring long-awaited relief to the people,” Ogundoyin said. Speaking further, the Speaker described himself as a representative and voice of young people in governance, stressing the need for deliberate and sustained investment in youth development. He called for the establishment and strengthening of modern skill acquisition centres, noting that contemporary skills are critical for self-reliance and survival in today’s highly competitive environment. “We must intentionally develop our youths. Attention should be given to skill acquisition centres that focus on modern skills that fit into today’s challenging world, especially in terms of self-sustainability,” he added. Ogundoyin also urged young people to shun social vices such as cybercrime (Yahoo Yahoo), ritual practices, and other destructive behaviours, warning that such acts undermine their future and tarnish the image of the state. Earlier, the Chairman of the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development, Hon. Adebowale Adebayo Falana, commended the Speaker for his consistent support for youth-oriented initiatives and progressive legislation. Falana noted that, under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde, the executive and legislative arms, in collaboration with the agency, remain committed to empowering youths through advocacy, leadership development, and sustained engagement on socio-economic issues. He further disclosed that Governor Makinde has approved the reconstruction of the agency’s new building, which will accommodate offices for all youth organisations in the state, alongside a befitting hall for events and recreational activities aimed at youth transformation. The chairman also announced upcoming programmes of the agency, including the Mic and Mix competition and the 2026 New Year concert, to be headlined by Afrobeat star Olamide Baddo, as part of efforts to boost the state’s creative economy. In his goodwill message, the Coordinating Director of the agency, Mr. Sangogade Olusumbo, described the meeting as epoch-making, noting that the agency had never experienced such engagement with youths before the current leadership. He assured that all programmes lined up for 2026 would be fully implemented, adding that the agency remains committed to uplifting youth organisations and promoting all-round development. Dignitaries at the event included Hon. Adebayo Babajide Gabriel, Hon. Olorunpoto Rahaman Cephas, Hon. Owolabi Olushola, Hon. Modiu Akande Opeyemi, and Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola. Youth groups represented at the meeting included ARSOYOC, NYCN, NYC, PROTAAN, Association of Entertainment Stakeholders, Oke-Ogun Youth Solidarity Forum, Federation of Boys and Girls, Coalition of Yoruba Youth Movement, and the Oyo State Agency for Youth Development.

Adedeji Adeleke, father of Nigerian music star Davido, has opened up on how the family coordinated several DNA tests to determine whether 12-year-old Anuoluwapo is the singer’s daughter. THENEWSCREDIT recalls that the paternity controversy involving Davido and the alleged daughter surfaced mid-January. In an Instagram post shared on January 15, Anuoluwapo alleged that she had been subjected to bullying and mockery over claims that Davido, whose real name is David Adeleke, is her father. She said the situation had affected her mental health and subsequently demanded that the singer undergo a DNA test to confirm her paternity. Reacting, however, Adeleke told newsmen that before the matter reached them, social media personality Kemi Olunloyo had alleged that the child might be B-Red’s, Davido’s cousin. He said: “Because B-Red’s name is Adebayo, but his middle name is also David Adeleke, when the aunty of the little girl came, I said, ‘Look, this is what we are going to do.’ “You go and pick your own clinic of your choice, come to Lagos, I will make sure it is available, bring the little girl, and we will go to your clinic and do the test. “But I said before we do that, I am going to arrange for another clinic in Lekki apart from the one we went to before, so that David and the little girl will do two more tests, and then I will arrange two clinics for my nephew Bayo to do two tests. “So the day you come, we are going to have four different tests. That’s why you must have heard we’ve done five DNA tests.” According to Dr. Adeleke, three of the tests were conducted for Davido, while two were for B-Red. He recounted how the family first became aware of the child: “I received a document in my mail, sent to me from Ibadan in 2014 via DHL, and in the package there were pictures of a little girl, pictures of David with the little girl, and a picture of the mother of the girl. In that mail, there was also a birth certificate of the child, and what caught my attention was that the record of the birth certificate stated the full name of the father as Adeleke David and the full name of the mother as Adeleke Ayoomide. “How can she be Adeleke? That caught my attention. Also in that package was a letter from the grandmother of the girl, Anu, with her telephone number.” The letter read: “Dear Sir, I know you and your family are in good health. I know the Lord has been good to you, and I do not expect otherwise, Sir. I am a widow with two daughters; I lost my husband 13 years ago and have singlehandedly cared for both of them with the help of God, but was challenged. Early last year, my eldest daughter Ayotomide informed me that your son David Adeleke was responsible for her pregnancy. “Their meeting occurred when your son came to Ibadan for a show. I sat with her as a mother to ask her who the father of the child was. She has confided in me so many times that your son is indeed the father of her child. She put to bed on November 19 and gave birth to a baby girl.” Adeleke described how he contacted the grandmother and arranged for the DNA tests: “Immediately I saw this letter, even before I called David, I called this woman and said I had not spoken to my son yet, but I was going to speak to him. I suggested she give me her address in Ibadan; I would send my driver to come and see where she lived. I assured her that if this girl is my granddaughter, she would have no problem with me; I would welcome her into my family. She gave me her address, and I told her the hospital I use in Lekki is an Indian hospital, that’s where I do my check-ups and everything. I asked the hospital to arrange for a DNA test.” He added that the test was conducted via saliva samples and analyzed in South Africa: “When the day came, my driver brought the mother of the child, the baby, and the grandmother. We all met at the hospital. David, myself, and Lati went up first, and the doctor told us the procedure. It was not done by blood but from saliva collected and sealed, then sent to South Africa for analysis. “When the result was ready, the mother, the grandmother, and I signed that both of us would be the ones to receive the result. When the result was ready, I called her, and we opened the test result together.”

The Awujale Kingmakers Council has announced the cancellation of a planned meet-and-greet earlier scheduled to be held at the Aafin Awujale, directing instead that Awujale nominees report to the Department of State Services office in Ijebu-Ode on Wednesday by 11 am. This was contained in a formal communication dated January 20, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa ruling house, Otunba Lateef Owoyemi; his deputy, Otunba Dokun Ajidagba; and the Vice Chairman, Prof. Fassy Yusuf. According to the notice, all Awujale nominees are required to present themselves at the DSS office located along NTA Road, beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode, by 11:00 a.m. prompt. The council stated that the decision led to the cancellation of the earlier engagement at the Aafin Awujale and expressed regret for any inconvenience the sudden change may cause. The letter, signed by the Secretary of the Awujale Afobaje Council, Chief Ayotunde Ola Odulaja, urged all concerned nominees to comply strictly with the directive and ensure punctuality. The development is coming amid ongoing traditional processes surrounding Awujale-related nominations in Ijebuland. Further details on the outcome of the DSS engagement were not disclosed at the time of filing this report. The letter partly reads “We write to formally inform you that the meet-and-greet earlier scheduled for this morning at the Aafin Awujale has been cancelled. “Accordingly, the Awujale nominees are hereby directed to report to the Department of State Services (DSS) office located at State Security Service (SSS) Along NTA Road, Beside the State Psychiatric Hospital, Off Igbeba Road, Ijebu-Ode. Time: 11:00 a.m. prompt. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this change may cause. Kindly ensure that all concerned nominees are punctual and comply strictly with this directive.”