Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi, has joined the 2023 presidential election race, declaring his decision to vie for the number one seat. He met behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, and said he would not be weighed down by Tinubu's entry into the race. He argued that the opposition party was not ready to cede the 2023 ticket to the Southeast, and that he stands a better chance if the APC throws the ticket open. He also proposed a political solution to the prevailing insecurity in the Southeast, which he said should not interfere with the judicial process. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu has declared his readiness to contest the APC Presidential ticket in 2023, if the party zones it to the South. He believes his own region, the Southeast, is ripe for the Presidency and has all it takes to match Tinubu's grit for grit and campaign for campaign.

The crisis rocking the Ibadan chieftaincy institution appeared to have been resolved after members of the Olubadan-in-Council agreed to drop their titles. The Osi-Balogun Olubadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, said they agreed with Governor Seyi Makinde's decision to revert to the original concept. The controversy began in 2017 when the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi embarked on reform of the ancient Ibadan traditional system, which culminated in elevation of High Chiefs to Royal Majesties and Baales to Royal Highnesses. Despite the then government's position that all stakeholders should be carried along, the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Osi-Olubadan, who is also a former governor in the state, Rashidi Ladoja, opposed the reform. Makinde publicly denounced the reform made by his predecessor.

President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have paid tribute to Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala, a former Governor of Oyo State, who passed away yesterday aged 71. Makinde abruptly ended the 2022 Inter-faith Prayer Service as the news broke, while Tinubu called for a minute's silence and condoled with the immediate family members of the former governor, his political associates and residents of the state. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, Chairman of South West Governors' Forum and Ondo State Governor, described the death of Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala as a personal loss and urged family and associates to take solace in the good legacies he left behind. He commiserated with Governor Seyi Makinde, the government and people of Oyo State, friends, associates and admirers of the deceased politician, and his Ogun State counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, who described the death as a rude shock. Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, also expressed his condolences.

Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji died aged 93 at the University College Hospital (UCH) in Ibadan, palace spokesman said. President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde have expressed grief over the late monarch's death. Barring any unforeseen development, Dr. Lekan Balogun, who turns 80 this year, will be the youngest Olubadan in recent history. President urges discretion in selection of new monarch as odds favour Balogun. President Muhammadu Buhari, National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, have expressed grief over the death of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadan and Chairman, Oyo State Council of Chiefs, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji.A statement issued, yesterday, by the palace spokesman, Adeola Oloko, confirmed that Oba Adetunji died aged 93 at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.The late monarch ascended the throne in March 2016, after the death of his predecessor, Oba Samuel Odulana, who died at 101. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has expressed sadness over the death of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Adetunji. The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has commiserated with the Oduduwa race worldwide, over the passing of the monarch. Oyo State Governor Abiola Makinde has described the late king as an "exemplary royalty, a great leader and an exemplary royal father".

The Olubadan-in-Council endorsed Senator Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland, but Rashidi Ladoja was absent from the meeting. The council members insisted that no court case would stop the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan. Other high chiefs at the media briefing included Balogun Olubadan, Owolabi Olakulehin, Otun Balogun, Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Olubadan, Amidu Ajibade, Ekaarun Olubadan, Kola Adegbola and Ekerin Olubadan. Michael Lana has asked Governor Seyi Makinde not to allow'strangers' to mislead him on who becomes the next monarch. Lana argued that Balogun and all the high chiefs, who were crowned Obas in 2017, were unfit to be Olubadan. On Tuesday, legal representatives of the high chiefs faulted Lana's letter to the governor. Lana advised Makinde to be wary of advice from those who do not have knowledge of Ibadan chieftaincy laws.

Rashidi Ladoja, former Governor of Oyo State and Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, yesterday said there is no controversy on who succeeds the late Oba Saliu Adetunji as Olubadan based on tradition. 10 of the 11-member Olubadan-in-Council endorsed Balogun, and Ladoja clarified the impression that he had a hand in the letter written by an Ibadan-born lawyer and former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Michael Lana. He added that there is still mourning the Olubadan.

The Olubadan-in-Council will hold a press conference today to decide on succession plan for the next Olubadan of Ibadan. Chief Lekan Balogun is widely believed to be the next Olubadan, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has applauded the peaceful reign of the late Oba Saliu Adetunji. Olubadan was a peace-loving monarch who reigned for six years in Ibadan and Oyo State. Bishop Samuel Olawode of Maranatha Cathedral compared the late monarch to King Hezekiah and stressed the need for righteous living. Oba David Omisore, the father of Senator Iyiola Omisore, has died at the age of 90.