The Daily Beam

  By Abel Chigozie The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Rt. Hon. Najeem Salam, popularly known as Iwaloye, has pledged to provide stable electricity across the state if elected governor, saying reliable power supply is the foundation for economic growth and job creation. Speaking during a governorship debate organised by BBC News Yoruba on Friday, Salam said his administration would prioritize electricity to attract local and foreign investors into Osun State. According to him, improved power supply would stimulate industrial development, encourage businesses to thrive, and create employment opportunities for thousands of young people across the state. He pointed to states such as Abia and Niger, which have taken steps towards improving electricity supply, noting that Osun could achieve similar success with the right leadership and political will. The ADC candidate further promised to create 20,000 ...

  By Abel Chigozie  Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has described his decision to select Atiku Abubakar as his running mate in the 1999 presidential election as the greatest mistake of his political career. Obasanjo made the remark on Friday during a fireside chat with veteran musician and activist Charly Boy in Lagos at the unveiling of Charly Boy's foundation and his memoir, 999: A Memoir in Tribute to Late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.  Reflecting on his time in office, the former president said that, with the benefit of hindsight, he would not have chosen Atiku as his vice president.  "I would say the greatest mistake I made was picking Atiku Abubakar as my vice president in 1999," Obasanjo said.  Despite expressing regret over the decision, Obasanjo stressed that he harbours no bitterness towards his former deputy. He said that although their relationship later deteriorated, he remained focused on governance throughout his eight-year administration and was a...

  By Abel Chigozie  The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has formally ushered in a new leadership as its outgoing Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, handed over the affairs of the examination body to his successor, Prof. Segun Aina, following the expiration of his tenure. The official handover ceremony was held on Friday, July 31, and streamed live on JAMB's official social media platforms, marking the end of Oloyede's tenure and the beginning of a new chapter in the administration of the board.  In a statement announcing the event, JAMB described the transition as a significant milestone in the institution's leadership journey and invited members of the public, stakeholders, candidates and education enthusiasts to witness the ceremony. The board stated that the event marked the formal transfer of leadership from Prof. Oloyede, who has served as Registrar since August 2016, to Prof. Aina, recently appointed by President Bola Tinubu to lead the examination body...

  By Abel Chigozie  Nigeria's First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has urged young Nigerians to embrace contentment, patience and hard work, cautioning them against cultivating what she described as a "beggarly mindset" in their pursuit of success. She gave the advice on Friday while receiving the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Wing at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where she also donated nine buses to support the youth wing's mobilisation and outreach activities. Speaking during the event, the First Lady encouraged youths to avoid the temptation of seeking quick wealth or comparing themselves with others, stressing that genuine success comes through perseverance, discipline and faith in God. "God always knows our needs, and that is what the young people do not know. They are always in a hurry. I am teaching you how to learn contentment and not be beggarly," she said. Using the eagle as an example, Senator Tinubu urged young ...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has directed lawyers and court officials to stop using the title "Barrister" as a prefix to their names in all official engagements at the Supreme Court. The directive was contained in a memorandum dated July 13, 2026, signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, and made public on Friday. According to the circular, the use of the title "Barrister" before names is considered inappropriate and inconsistent with the level of professionalism expected within Nigeria's apex court. The memo, addressed to litigation staff, legal practitioners, court registrars, and lawyers, stated: "I am directed by the Honourable the Chief Justice of Nigeria to notify all Litigation Staff, Legal Practitioners, Court Registrars, and Lawyers that the use of the title 'Barrister' as a prefix to names is inappropriate and inconsistent with the standards of professionalism...

  By Abel Chigozie  South African Grammy-winning singer Tyla has removed Lagos from the schedule of her APOP World Tour, days after her planned December 22 concert in Nigeria sparked widespread calls for a boycott over renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians in South Africa.  A check of the singer's official tour website on Friday confirmed that the Lagos concert, previously listed as the only Nigerian stop on the tour, had been removed from the itinerary. The revised schedule retains performances across Europe, North America and South Africa but no longer includes Nigeria.  The development comes just days after the tour announcement triggered heated debate on social media, with many Nigerians urging fellow citizens to boycott the concert in protest against the reported attacks and killings of Nigerians in South Africa. While some argued that no South African artiste should perform in Nigeria amid the crisis, others maintained that musicians should not be held r...

  By Abel Chigozie  The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will secure a second term in the 2027 presidential election, describing the contest as a "coronation exercise" rather than a fiercely contested poll. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Keyamo said the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) enjoys a strong electoral advantage based on its nationwide political structure and what he described as favourable demographic realities. According to the minister, the opposition would struggle to mount a serious challenge against the President in the next general election. He stated that, based on available political indicators, Tinubu remains well-positioned to defeat leading opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. Keyamo said the 2027 election would be "a coronation, not an election," but clarif...

  By Abdulahi Musa  A 41-year-old herder, Musa Lawal, has reportedly collapsed after 42 of his cows died under mysterious circumstances in Koroko community, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when two of Lawal's sons took the cattle out to graze. According to the Treasurer of the FCT chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Yahuza Ibrahim, the animals were later found dead in different locations across the grazing area. Ibrahim said the association was immediately alerted, prompting its leadership to dispatch officials to the scene to assess the situation. Preliminary findings suggest the cattle may have consumed grass contaminated with chemicals, although the exact cause of death has yet to be established. Authorities are awaiting the outcome of a formal investigation before drawing conclusions.  Witnesses said Lawal collapsed after arriving at the scene and seeing the e...

  By Abdulahi Musa   The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to immediately remove the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Teslim Igbalaye, from office over allegations that a wanted suspect was arrested at his residence during a police operation.  Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the council, through its Head of Media and Publicity, Remi Omowaiye, urged the governor to allow security agencies to carry out an unhindered investigation into the matter.  The APC alleged that Igbalaye harboured a suspect on the police watchlist and argued that retaining him in office would undermine public confidence in the state's commitment to justice and accountability. The party further claimed that Governor Adeleke was attempting to shield individuals under investigation, describing such actions as inconsistent with the principles of the rule of law.  Omowaiye...

  By Abdulahi Musa  As Osun State prepares for its crucial August 15, 2026 governorship election, the Nigeria Police Force has entrusted election security to a newly promoted senior officer, Commissioner of Police Samuel Etaifo Erale. The Edo State-born police chief takes over as Osun's Commissioner of Police following his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police on July 1, 2026. Until his latest posting, he headed the Communications Operations Department at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he coordinated critical police communication and operational support. CP Erale brings years of policing experience to his new assignment. Before his promotion, he served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration at the Rivers State Police Command, earning recognition for his commitment to professionalism, accountability, and administrative excellence. During his tenure, he championed capacity-building programmes for officers, delivering lectur...

  By The Daily Beam Investigative Desk In the final stretch of the Osun State governorship campaign, one question appears to have been drowned out by the noise of political confrontation: What exactly do the candidates want to do for the people of Osun State? An investigation and analysis by The Daily Beam shows that the political conversation has increasingly shifted from governance, policy and development to allegations of violence, intimidation, arrests, security controversies and endless exchanges of accusations among political actors. Over the past few weeks, the state's political landscape has been dominated by reports of alleged attacks on politicians, claims of politically motivated arrests, accusations against security agencies, allegations of election manipulation, resignations linked to the election, and repeated calls for peace by stakeholders. While these incidents are undeniably newsworthy and deserve public attention, The Daily Beam found that they have largely overs...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Hon. Adekunle Akinrinade, the Senior Special Assistant to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Youth Parliament, has recounted how he allegedly escaped an attempted abduction after being attacked by four men, some of whom he claimed were wearing APC-branded caps, in Osogbo on Thursday evening. The governor's aide alleged that the incident occurred at about 6:40 p.m. near the MRS filling station, a few metres from the Ilerioluwa Campaign Office in the Ogooluwa area of the Osun State capital. According to Akinrinade, he was with Hon. Alaba Samuel Oluwagbotemi when one of the suspects arrived on a motorcycle and allegedly launched an attack on him without provocation. He claimed the assailant pulled out a dagger and attempted to stab him before three other men, who had arrived in a waiting vehicle, allegedly instructed him to stop attacking him in public and instead force him into the car. "They wanted to bundle me into the vehicle and take me away from the ...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the August 15 Osun State governorship election, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, was absent on Thursday as political parties signed the National Peace Committee's Peace Accord in Osogbo. The ceremony brought together representatives of the 14 political parties, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders, who pledged to promote a peaceful, credible and violence-free election. Despite the significance of the event, Oyebamiji did not attend the peace accord signing. However, the APC was represented by its deputy governorship candidate, Engr. Kayode Adereti, who was present at the ceremony alongside other party representatives. During the event, INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, warned politicians and their supporters against violence, voter intimidation and vote buying, stressing that anyone found ...

  By Abdulahi Musa  President Bola Tinubu has urged state governors to stop constructing flyovers in areas with little traffic and instead invest their increased federal allocations in road networks that improve living standards and enhance security operations across the country. The President made the appeal on Thursday while receiving a delegation of Oyo State traditional rulers led by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The monarchs had visited to congratulate him on the successful rescue of schoolchildren and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area after spending 56 days in captivity. Addressing the delegation, Tinubu noted that state governments now receive four to five times more revenue from the Federation Account than in previous years, stressing that the increased allocations should be used to deliver projects with direct benefits to citizens. "The cost of operation is high. But the money that I'm pushing to the ...

  By Abdulahi Musa  As political activities intensify ahead of the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, a legislative aide to Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi has resigned from his position, citing his conscience, fear of God, and commitment to the welfare of his people. In a resignation letter dated July 30, 2026, Hon. Babafemi Bisi Olusola, who served as Legislative Aide (L.A.1) to Senator Fadahunsi representing Osun East Senatorial District, formally announced his resignation with immediate effect. Addressing the letter to the senator at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Olusola expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve under Fadahunsi's leadership, describing the experience as invaluable. "I sincerely appreciate the opportunity and privilege of serving under your leadership. I remain grateful for the confidence you reposed in me and for the invaluable experience gained during my time in your office," he wrote. Explaining the reason for h...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday accused the Nigeria Police Force of partisan conduct and alleged political persecution of members of the Accord Party, calling on the National Peace Committee to intervene to prevent further escalation of tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Speaking at the Peace Summit on the forthcoming governorship poll in Osogbo, Adeleke said he attended the meeting despite what he described as sustained violence and intimidation against his administration, party members and supporters over the past three months. The governor said he had contemplated boycotting the peace meeting but decided to attend out of respect for members of the National Peace Committee and their efforts to ensure peaceful elections. According to him, while the summit was convened to promote peace, Osun State has continued to witness what he termed "police-sanctioned violence and intimidation," alleging that the Osun State Police ...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has welcomed the release of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Chief Teslim Igbalaye, from police custody, describing the development as a victory for the people while calling for the immediate and unconditional release of other political detainees. In a statement issued on Thursday, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Osun State for what he described as yielding to public pressure and responding to widespread calls for Igbalaye's release. The campaign council maintained that while it was pleased with the SSG's release, the continued detention of other political suspects remained unacceptable, urging the police to free them without delay. According to the statement, the Nigeria Police Force best serves the country when it upholds justice, the rule of law and re...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of allegedly orchestrating violence and using security agencies to influence the forthcoming Osun State governorship election. In a statement on Thursday, Sowore alleged that the Osun governorship poll was unfolding as one of Tinubu's "signature political stunts," characterised by violence, partisan security operations and what he described as preparations for a manipulated electoral process. According to him, the involvement of the police and other security agencies in the state's political affairs raises concerns about the credibility of the August 15 governorship election. Sowore also condemned the detention of the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), describing it as unlawful and reflective of what he called Tinubu's style of politics. "The Osun State election is turning out to be Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tin...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that no amount of intimidation or alleged external interference will stop the people of the state from determining the outcome of the August 15 governorship election. In a statement, Adeleke said Osun residents had a long history of resisting oppression and would not be intimidated ahead of the poll. "Throughout the history of Osun State, our people have never bowed to intimidation. We are resilient, determined, and fiercely protective of our rights," the governor said. He expressed confidence that the will of the electorate would prevail, insisting that alleged attempts to influence the election would not override the people's decision at the ballot. Adeleke further claimed that independent opinion polls consistently project a "clear and decisive victory" for the Accord Party, attributing the forecast to what he described as his administration's achievements in infrastructure, education,...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, of abusing his office, alleging that the police chief orchestrated an attempt to arrest the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye, during an INEC stakeholders' meeting. In a statement on Thursday, Egbedun said he, the Deputy Governor, and the SSG were seated together throughout the meeting when Commissioner Gotan was reportedly booed by some attendees while addressing stakeholders. According to the Speaker, after returning to his seat, the police commissioner allegedly made a series of telephone calls, prompting him to suspect that an action had been initiated against the SSG. "I turned to the SSG and said, 'The Commissioner of Police has just ordered your arrest,'" Egbedun claimed. He said the SSG later received a phone call informing him that police officers were waiting...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Popular Nigerian singer Peter Okoye has denied claims that he expressed hatred for the Igbo language, saying his comments were taken out of context and misrepresented on social media.  The controversy began after the artiste responded to a question about whether his children could speak Igbo. His reply, which included the phrase, "Who Naija language help?", sparked widespread criticism, with many accusing him of looking down on the Igbo language and culture.  Reacting to the backlash in a statement shared on his social media pages, Peter insisted that he never mentioned the Igbo language specifically.  "At no point did I say I hate the Igbo language or Igbo culture. I said 'Naija language,' referring to the different languages in Nigeria, but some individuals twisted it and made it seem like I specifically mentioned Igbo. I didn't."  The singer, however, acknowledged that his comments offended many people and accepted responsibility f...

  By Abdulahi Musa  About 78 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government have earmarked nearly ₦400 billion in the proposed 2026 budget for the construction, renovation and rehabilitation of mosques, traditional rulers' palaces, community halls, village market squares and civic centres across the country.  An analysis of the 2026 Appropriation Bill showed that the allocations are spread across several government agencies, with projects described as constituency-based interventions and community development initiatives. The proposed spending comes at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with economic challenges, including rising inflation, high public debt and calls for increased investment in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure and security.  Critics have questioned the priority given to the projects, arguing that scarce public funds should be directed towards addressing pressing national needs rather than cons...

  After the dust of this election settles, I humbly suggest a mandatory refresher course for the Osun State Police Command, particularly CP Ibrahim Gotan. It is now clear that he has become a ‘cancer’ the people of Osun must manage before he returns to Pankshin LGA, Plateau he came from. I recommend these two courses for him, if he eventually considers my advice. Discretion 101, Native Intelligence 104, and How Not to Be a Prop in Someone’s Political Skit 203. Beyond the allegations of bias and complicity aside, it is clear the command currently runs on vibes, not leadership. Discretion has left the building, and apparently the building is also under a cage, padlocked by people who take advantage of its lack of quality leadership.  When I saw: “SSG TESLIM IGBALAYE ARRESTED,” on social media, I briefly dusted off my keyboard to write him a resignation speech after I read from some minions who perhaps think for the Osun Police Command that he was in possession of 14,000 voter ca...

  By Abel Chigozie  The Nigerian Army has been recognised as Africa's Best National Army in Counter-Terrorism Operations for 2025 by African Security Watch, in recognition of its sustained efforts against terrorism and insurgency across the country.  The award was presented to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, during the 16th African Security Symposium held in Abuja on Wednesday. The organisers said the honour reflects the Nigerian Army's operational successes, resilience, and commitment to restoring peace in areas affected by terrorist activities.  According to the organisers, the recognition also acknowledges the Army's strategic leadership, improved operational capabilities, and collaboration with regional and international partners in combating terrorism across the continent.  Speaking after receiving the award on behalf of the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff dedicated the honour to officers and soldiers serving on the front...

  By Abel Chigozie  A former Chairman of Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, Abdullahi Gali Shitu, popularly known as Comrade Abdullahi Gali Basaf, has returned to his tailoring business months after leaving office following his removal by a court. Speaking on Wednesday, Basaf said his decision was meant to send a strong message that politics should not be seen as a permanent profession or the only means of livelihood. He stressed that public office is an opportunity to serve the people and that every politician should have a sustainable source of income outside politics.  According to the former council chairman, tailoring has been his primary occupation for more than a decade and played a major role in financing his political career. He said, "Tailoring is not a small trade. It sustains livelihoods. Even in politics, my tailoring business helped me financially to support my campaigns and organisations." Basaf currently runs a tailoring shop in Sheka Ward, Kumb...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Fresh controversy has erupted ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election after the Osun State Government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) offered sharply conflicting accounts of a police operation at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaye. While the state government described the operation as a politically motivated assault on its officials, the APC insisted the raid validated its long-standing allegations of political violence and electoral manipulation against Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the Osun Government accused the state police command of carrying out what it called a "systematic invasion" of the homes of senior government officials without lawful search warrants. According to the government, a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter, Comrade Akinbode Olakolupo Oluwasegun, has commended the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, and the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Barr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin O. Babalola, for what he described as the Commission's outstanding preparations ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election. Speaking during the INEC Stakeholders' Engagement held at the Atlantis Event Centre in Osogbo, Akinbode praised the electoral body for its strategic leadership, voter education campaigns, stakeholder engagements, grassroots sensitisation, and ongoing distribution of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), noting that the initiatives have strengthened public confidence in the electoral process. He said the Commission had demonstrated a high level of professionalism and readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible, and conclusi...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that 2,339,233 registered voters will be eligible to vote in the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, disclosed the figure during a visit to the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, as part of the Commission's stakeholder engagement ahead of the election. He described the Osun poll as a crucial exercise that would serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2027 general elections. According to the Commission, the registered voters will cast their ballots across 3,763 polling units located in 332 registration areas covering the state's 30 local government areas. Amupitan appealed to traditional rulers and political stakeholders to work together in ensuring a peaceful, free, fair and credible election. He urged politicians and their supporters to shun violence, stressing that no political contest is worth the loss of human lives. "The b...

  By Abdulahi Musa  The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) at Registration Area (RA) centres across Osun State by three days following the impressive turnout of voters and challenges experienced during the exercise. In a press release issued by the Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity, Ariyo Rufus, on behalf of the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), the Commission announced that the collection exercise, originally scheduled to end on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, will now continue until Friday, July 31, 2026. According to INEC, the distribution of PVCs at the Registration Area level commenced on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. During the exercise, a total of 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, representing 62 percent of the available PVCs in the state, were successfully collected by registered voters. The Commission explained that the decision to extend the exercise was informed by n...

  By Abdulahi Musa  Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, has concluded plans to donate one-third of his vast fortune to charitable causes as part of a carefully structured succession plan, according to his daughter, Halima Dangote. Halima, who serves as a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the development during an interview with Bloomberg, explaining that the billionaire has already secured the support of his family for the decision. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote's net worth is estimated at about $35.1 billion, meaning that roughly $11.7 billion could eventually be dedicated to philanthropy if his wealth remains at that level. Halima said her father has long viewed philanthropy as an essential part of his legacy and has incorporated it into the family's long-term inheritance plans. She explained that the foundation focuses primarily on improving healthcare and education, adding that Dangote had already made substantial commitments t...