From Ayinde Akintade, Osogbo

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has issued an Executive Order establishing a Coroner Inquest/Panel of Inquiry into the killings, shootings, injuries and violence reported at Naira and Kobo Junction, Motor Park/Garage Area, Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area, on August 24, 2026.

The Executive Order, which took effect on August 31st, 2026, empowers the panel to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the identities and number of victims, establish the immediate and remote causes of the violence, and examine whether criminal responsibility is connected to the deaths.

Magistrate Ayokunle Shiyanbola has been appointed Chairman of the Coroner Inquest/Panel, with Abiodun Badiora as Secretary. Other members include Dr. Aderanti Kayode (Rtd), Dele Akintayo, a representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, Wale Balogun representing Civil Society Organisations, a community representative from Ikire, and Dr. Babatunde Afolabi as Medical/Forensic Representative.

The panel is mandated to determine the circumstances leading to the shootings and killings, examine the role of security operatives, establish whether live ammunition or other weapons were used and whether their use complied with the law, rules of engagement and human rights standards.

It is also empowered to identify any individual, group, security personnel, political actor, transport union member, public official or other person whose action or omission may have contributed to the incident.

The panel may recommend prosecution, disciplinary measures, compensation for victims and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence.

The inquiry will have powers to summon witnesses, demand relevant police and medical records, inspect the scene of the incident and other relevant locations, receive oral and documentary evidence, and recommend protective measures for witnesses and persons at risk of intimidation or retaliation.

Adeleke also directed the preservation of firearms, ammunition records, station diaries, communication logs, incident reports, duty rosters, medical records, autopsy reports, photographs, videos and other materials relevant to the inquiry.

The Executive Order further calls for appropriate measures to protect witnesses and victims’ families, obtain medical and forensic documentation, and maintain peace in Ikire pending the conclusion of the inquiry.

The Inspector-General of Police, Police Service Commission and Osun State Commissioner of Police are formally requested to take appropriate interim administrative steps concerning any police officer whose continued operational command may prejudice the inquiry or affect public confidence.

The panel is expected to commence sitting within seven days of its inauguration and submit its final report to the Osun State Government within 30 days from the date of its first sitting, subject to any necessary extension approved by the Governor.

The government has invited victims’ families, eyewitnesses, journalists, transport workers, police officers, medical personnel, civil society organisations, political parties, community leaders, human rights activists and other concerned persons to submit memoranda and evidence to the panel.

The Governor assured the people of Ikire, families of the deceased, the injured and the general public that the incident would be investigated thoroughly, fairly and transparently.

The Executive Order states that no person found culpable shall be shielded from justice, irrespective of status, office, political connection or institutional affiliation, while stressing that all allegations remain allegations until established by credible evidence before the Coroner Inquest/Panel.

Steve Otaloro, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Public Engagement to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, has dismissed rumours that the governor is supporting opposition candidates against the All Progressives Congress (APC) flagbearers.

Otaloro stated this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday in Akure.

He denied reports suggesting that Aiyedatiwa had shifted support from the APC candidates in the 2027 general election.

He noted that the clarity was necessary due to alleged reports that the governor had dumped the APC candidate for Ondo South Senatorial District, Dr Isaacs Kekemeke, for an opposition party candidate.

Otaloro described the allegation as untrue, insisting that Aiyedatiwa remained firmly committed to the APC and its candidates.

“There is no truth whatsoever in the insinuation that Governor Aiyedatiwa has abandoned the APC candidate or is supporting the candidate of another political party,” he said.

The governor’s aide said Aiyedatiwa’s political history demonstrated his longstanding commitment to the progressive political family, dating back to the Alliance for Democracy(AD) and the Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), which eventually metamorphosed into the APC.

Otaloro noted that it would be inconsistent with the governor’s political antecedents and his current position as the leader of the APC in Ondo State for him to support an opposition candidate against his party’s candidate.

“It is inconceivable that the governor, who currently leads the APC in Ondo State, would deliberately pitch his tent against the candidate of the same party in favour of a candidate contesting on the platform of another political party,” he said.

Otaloro said the governor had not authorised anyone to speak on his behalf in support of any opposition candidate.

He urged the public to disregard any claim suggesting otherwise.

The SSA described the alleged shift in the governor’s support as “false, mischievous and politically motivated.”

He said such claims were capable of creating unnecessary tension and division within the party.

Otaloro also referred to recent comments by Kekemeke, who reportedly dismissed speculations about a disagreement between him and Aiyedatiwa.

He said the governor’s position as the leader of the party in the state required him to uphold and support the party’s candidates.

“Governor Aiyedatiwa is an APC leader, an APC loyalist and a supporter of the party’s candidates.

“He will not support any candidate against the party he leads in Ondo State,” Otaloro said. (NAN)

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has affirmed Nasiru Sule-Garo as its senatorial candidate for Kano North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.

The affirmation followed the party’s decision to substitute Sunusi Danbatta as its substantive candidate for the senatorial election.

Usaini Mai-Riga, the Chairman of the party in Kano State disclosed this at a ceremony held at the party’s senatorial office on Sunday in Bichi.

He said the decision followed extensive consultations and consideration of Sule-Garo’s experience as a former member of the National Assembly.

Mai-Riga, who was represented by the party’s Zonal Vice Chairman, Alhaji Bello Yandadi, said the affirmation marked the conclusion of the party’s internal process for selecting its candidate ahead of the 2027 elections.

In his remarks, Danbatta described his withdrawal as voluntary and pledged his full support and cooperation to the candidate.

He promised to work for the success of NDC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Accepting the nomination, Sule-Garo pledged to carry all members of the party along and provide effective representation if elected.

He appealed to voters across the district to support his candidacy and the party’s political agenda.

Sule-Garo was a three-time member of the House of Representatives representing Gwarzo/Kabo Federal Constituency.

The State Organising Secretary of the party, Alhaji Sunusi Kwankwaso, said Sule-Garo’s candidacy would strengthen the NDC’s preparations for the 2027 election in Kano North.

Kwankwaso said the party’s campaign would focus on issues affecting constituents, including economic empowerment, agricultural development, education, healthcare, infrastructure and improved representation.