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Wole Oke, Oyebade, Others Lead Conversations on Democracy, Progressive Governance in Osun OSOGBO — Calls for the protection of democratic values, accountable leadership, and progressive governance took centre stage on Friday as political leaders, public affairs experts, civil society advocates and stakeholders gathered in Osogbo for the June 12 Democracy Day Celebration organized by the Civil Society Committee of the APC 2026 Campaign Council. The event, themed "Democracy and the Ideals of Progressive Governance," brought together eminent Nigerians to reflect on the nation's democratic journey and the responsibilities of leaders and citizens in sustaining democratic gains. The Director-General of the APC Osun 2026 Gubernatorial Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, Member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Foreign Affairs, described June 12 as a defining symbol of sacrifice, resilience, justice and the struggle for accountable g...

 Oriontimes Poitical Desk | June 12, 2026 The Concerned Leadership of Political Party Chairmen in Osun State has appealed to political stakeholders to embrace peaceful campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election, while also raising concerns over a proposed peace summit reportedly being organised by a group known as “The Democrat”. In a communiqué issued on Thursday, the group, which said it comprises chairmen of parties including the Action People's Party (APP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and others, questioned the motives behind the planned summit. The chairmen alleged that the organisers had excluded several major political parties and stakeholders from participation despite presenting the event as a peace-building initiative. According to the communiqué, the group believes the proposed summit lacks broad representation and therefore does not reflect the interests of all political actors in the state. The statement said: “Some politi...

 ACCRA, Ghana – Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Ghana's capital, Accra, on Thursday, converging on the headquarters of MTN Ghana as public anger mounted over alleged xenophobic attacks against African migrants in South Africa. The demonstrators, chanting "South Africa Must Go," marched through parts of the city before gathering outside the telecommunications company's headquarters. MTN Ghana, a subsidiary of South Africa's MTN Group, became the focal point of the protest as participants sought to register their displeasure over reports of hostility towards foreign nationals in South Africa. Videos circulating on social media showed protesters carrying placards and chanting slogans while demanding stronger action from African leaders and authorities to address concerns over the treatment of migrants in South Africa. The protest comes amid renewed discussions across the continent regarding recurring incidents of xenophobic violence and anti-immigrant s...

  Mexico launched their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating South Africa 2-0 in a fiery opening encounter that produced goals, red cards, and enough drama to satisfy even the most demanding football fans. In what could be described as a symbolic reversal of roles, Mexico effectively "deported" South Africa from the spotlight within 90 minutes, leaving Bafana Bafana with little to show for their efforts except frustration and disciplinary troubles. The match was anything but ordinary. Three red cards punctuated a tense and physical contest, as emotions boiled over on both sides. However, amid the chaos, Mexico remained composed enough to capitalize on their opportunities. Julián Quiñones opened the scoring with a clinical finish that stunned the South Africans and handed Mexico early control of proceedings. As South Africa pushed forward in search of an equalizer, gaps began to emerge in their defensive setup. Veteran striker Raúl Jiménez then delivered...

 Oriontimes Poitical Desk| June 12, 2026 Party leaders express confidence in victory as campaign machinery expands across four local government areas The All Progressives Congress (APC) has intensified its grassroots mobilization drive ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election with the inauguration of more than 12,000 canvassers across the Ijesa South Federal Constituency in support of its governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO). The inauguration exercise, held on Thursday, attracted large crowds of party faithful, supporters and stakeholders across the constituency. The programme commenced at Osu Town Hall in Atakumosa West Local Government Area, moved to Iperindo Town Hall in Atakumosa East Local Government Area, and concluded at S.B. Bakare Field, opposite Ilesa Grammar School, where canvassers from Ilesa East and Ilesa West Local Government Areas were formally inaugurated. Leading the exercise were the Director-General of the AMBO Campaign Coun...

 Oriontimes Poitical Desk| June 11, 2026 Governor’s Aide Dismisses APC Claims as “Bundle of Fake News,” Insists Ilesa Rally Was a Massive Success The spokesperson to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State of orchestrating a failed attempt to stop the Accord Party's canvassers' rally held in Ilesa, describing subsequent allegations by the opposition as a “bundle of fake news.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, Rasheed alleged that the Osun APC embarked on what he described as an anti-democratic plot aimed at frustrating a legally organized political mobilization event that had Governor Adeleke as its chief host. According to the governor's spokesperson, the APC allegedly sought to use the police as a tool to prevent the rally from taking place by claiming to have scheduled another event on the same day, a move he said was intended to create grounds for the cancellation of political activiti...

 Oriontimes News Desk| June 10, 2026 Spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, Barrister Pelumi Olajengbesi has said that the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke in forthcoming 2026 Governorship election will liberate Ijesa North Federal Constituency from darkness and from the hands of its oppressors. While stating this at the Inauguration of 10,000 Imole Canvassers, in Ijebu-jesha, the headquarters of Oriade Local Government of Osun State, he stated that the gesture was to show the Governor that the people of Ijesa North are with him. He said, "I want to thank you, your Excellency for honouring us with your presence. This event is put together to officially inaugurate the 10,000 canvassers we have assembled for your re-election but more importantly to show you that the people of Ijesaland love you dearly and are fully with you. "The people of Ijesa North are aware that my victory and your re-election as Governor of this state is the only way to liberate Ijesa North from da...

  Calls on Adeleke to Rein in Supporters, Urges International Observers to Monitor Developments By OrionTimes Political Desk | June 10, 2026 The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of failing to curb what it described as escalating political violence, intimidation, and harassment allegedly carried out by individuals linked to the ruling party. The opposition party made the allegations during a press conference held in Osogbo on Wednesday, where it called on security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to urgently intervene and prevent further deterioration of security in the state. Addressing journalists on behalf of the APC Governorship Campaign Council, the Director-General of the 2026 Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, alongside APC Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Benjamin Adereti; former Commiss...

  By OrionTimes Political Desk | June 10, 2026 The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), has strongly condemned the recent wave of political violence across the state, declaring that no political ambition is worth the loss of human life. In a personal statement issued on Tuesday, Oyebamiji expressed deep concern over reports of attacks, injuries, destruction of property, and growing political intolerance in several parts of Osun State. Addressing the people of the state, the APC candidate said he was saddened by the trauma and suffering inflicted on citizens and party supporters, offering prayers for the recovery of victims and comfort for affected families. According to him, democracy must remain a contest of ideas and service, not a battlefield where innocent citizens become casualties of political rivalry. "There is no political office, including the office of Governor, that is worth the blood of a...