Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has assured his supporters that he would not betray their trust if given the opportunity to serve beyond his current tenure.

Adeleke spoke in Osogbo on Thursday at a programme organised by the Peoples First Movement—a coalition of traders’ unions and artisans—where his second-term bid received endorsement.

The endorsement, considered a major boost ahead of the August 8, 2026, governorship election, follows earlier declarations of support from civil servants, farmers, and other groups.

Addressing the large crowd at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Adeleke said, “Great people of Osun State, I will not betray your trust. You will always find in me Imole of good governance and democratic dividends.

“Permit me to use this occasion to urge all eligible voters to register and collect their voters’ cards. Your card is your certificate of authority to vote and be voted for. For good governance to continue, get your voter’s card. Mobilise your people, families, and friends. Let your voice be heard. Let your vote count.”

In his remarks, the coordinator of PFM, Luqman Ayoade, commended Adeleke for his achievements since assuming office in November 2022.

“In the last three years, he has done well, especially in infrastructural development. We score him 100% because he has excelled beyond people’s expectations. In the beginning, many thought he could not perform, but he has proved them wrong,” Ayoade said, citing projects such as flyovers and road dualisation despite limited funds.

Ahead of the 2026 polls, Adeleke’s ambition has enjoyed increasing support within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

His endorsement first came from the Osun West Senatorial District caucus, followed by the state PDP leadership, which unanimously backed him for a second term, citing his popularity, acceptance, and governance record.

Since assuming office, Adeleke has anchored his administration on infrastructure renewal, workers’ welfare, and grassroots empowerment, which he regularly brands as the “Imole” (light) agenda.

The endorsements by traders and artisans under the People’s First Movement are particularly significant, given the bloc’s influence in mobilising market women, youths, and grassroots voters across the state.

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The Independent National Electoral Commission has announced that 14 political associations have met the initial requirements to proceed to the next stage of registration as political parties in Nigeria.

This decision followed the Commission’s regular meeting held on Thursday, where it also reviewed preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and the end-of-tenure Area Council election in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, INEC revealed that it received 171 applications from associations seeking registration.

“Each request was assessed on the basis of its prima facie compliance with the provisions of Section 222 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Section 79 (1, 2 and 4) of the Electoral Act 2022 and Clause 2 (i and ii) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022,” the commission stated.

Out of the total applications, only 14 associations satisfied the preliminary legal and procedural criteria to advance, while 157 did not meet the threshold.

“Out of the total number of applications received, 14 associations have met the requirements to proceed to the next stage, while 157 have not.

“The commission shall officially communicate the decision arising from today’s meeting to all the associations in the next 24 hours,” the statement noted.

Olumekun noted that their interim chairmen and secretaries will be invited to a briefing scheduled for Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 11:00 am at INEC Headquarters in Abuja.

“The interim Chairmen and Secretaries of the pre-qualified associations are invited to a briefing on Wednesday, 17th September 2025 at 11 am at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja,” he stated.

INEC emphasised that meeting these initial criteria does not equate to full registration.

The final decision on the registrability of each association will be made after this verification phase to ensure full compliance with the legal framework.

“In addition to uploading the required information to the portal, the commission will physically verify all claims by each association in line with our Regulations and Guidelines.

“The final determination of the registrability of the associations as political parties will be made after the physical verification of all their claims to determine compliance with the legal framework,” the statement said.

“We wish to reiterate that party registration is a continuous process under the law. The commission remains open to the consideration of applications that meet the criteria as provided by law,” Olumekun added.

Fourteen associations are now cleared for the next phase, including the African Transformation Party, chaired by Ikhane Stanley, with Secretary Emmanuel Shaibu; The All Democratic Alliance is led by Chief Akin A. Ricketts and Secretary Abdullahi Musa Elayo; Mohammed Kabir and Secretary Chibuike Onyendilefu represent the Advance Nigeria Congress; while the Abundance Social Party is represented by Comrade Frank Oruwa and Secretary Sikiru Oripelaye.

The African Alliance Party is headed by Olusegun Peters with Secretary Haruna Abubakar; the Citizens Democratic Alliance is led by Engr. Muazu Magaji and Secretary Tamunotonye Inioribo; Barr. Fortune Oghenegare Aghwaretoma and Secretary Munirat Adama lead the Democratic Leadership Alliance; The Grassroots Initiative Party is represented by Nze Kanayo Chukwumezie and Secretary Mohammed Abas Kuti; while the Green Future Party has Dr. Adebayo Adefolaseye and Secretary Peace Daful as its interim leaders.

The Liberation People’s Party is chaired by Hon. Alani Akinde with Secretary Douglas Aji; Hon. Ada Okwori and Secretary Asuquo Edet Alexander are at the helm of the National Democratic Party; The National Reform Party is led by Abdulkadir Mohammed and Secretary Destiny Ormonigho Odugo; Also shortlisted are the Patriotic Peoples Alliance represented by Hon. John Ughulu and Secretary Jackie Wayas; and the Peoples Freedom Party chaired by Engr. Agbanifo Francis Akhigbe with Secretary Akintola Michael Alao.

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The All Progressives Congress in Lagos State has defended the borrowing policy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, insisting it is strategic and aimed at funding critical infrastructure, not reckless as alleged by Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Nigeria’s rising debt profile has remained a recurring issue in national discourse. Tinubu’s administration has defended its borrowing as necessary for infrastructure expansion and economic reforms, citing global practices.

However, critics, including opposition figures, argue that mounting debt without visible improvements in living standards worsens Nigeria’s economic challenges.

The APC Spokesman, Mr Seye Oladejo, in a statement titled “Peter Obi’s Borrowing Hypocrisy: Physician, Heal Thyself” on Thursday berated the 2023 Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate’s criticism of Tinubu’s borrowings.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the former Anambra governor had called on accountants to confront Tinubu-Federal Government over what he called “reckless borrowings”.

Oladejo advised Obi to play to his strengths in politics, “as topics bordering on finance, economy, development, and social policy remain his enduring handicap.”

According to him, borrowing under the present administration is strategic, tied to projects and funding of productive sectors.

“First, borrowing is not inherently reckless. What matters is purpose and prudence.

“Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, borrowing is strategic, tied to critical infrastructure, energy, transportation, and productive sectors.

“This is the globally accepted practice-even the most advanced economies borrow to fund growth. Second, Peter Obi has no moral authority to lecture anyone about prudence.

“Nigerians remember that as governor, he left behind unpaid pensions, collapsing infrastructure, and poor human capital indices,” Oladejo said.

He said that Obi had consistently displayed extravagant tendencies, adding that it was a contradiction that he was going about giving sermons on prudent management of resources.

“For someone who flew around the world in private jets during his campaign while sermonising about cutting costs, the contradictions are glaring,” he said.

According to him, unlike Obi’s motivational-speech politics, Tinubu is taking bold, necessary steps to reset the economy.

“Subsidy removal, currency reforms, and targeted borrowing are difficult but inevitable measures to secure Nigeria’s future. This is leadership in action – not empty moralising,” he added

He urged Obi to refrain from commenting on serious matters of finance and governance,” he is out of depth and out of place”.

Oladejo said that Tinubu was building Nigeria’s future, while Obi was busy building sound bites. One is a reformer, the other a motivational speaker. Nigerians know the difference,” he said.

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