President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr Zacch Adedeji, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, on his birthday.

President Tinubu commends Adedeji’s sterling leadership of the 83-year-old revenue agency, the introduction of fresh ideas, the adoption of global best practices, the automation of systems, and the upskilling of staff members for the greater good of the nation.

“I salute the NRS Chairman for his visionary and charismatic dedication in restructuring, aligning and managing the revenue profile of the country.

“He recorded a historic achievement, meeting the budget targets in the Third Quarter of 2025, and stimulating the economy for prosperity.

“Zacch has also been instrumental in the adoption of the National Single Window, a transformative federal digital platform to streamline import and export processes, enhance transparency and reduce cargo clearance from 21 days to one week,” the President remarks.

Dr Adedeji previously served as a senior member of Procter & Gamble’s management team, as Commissioner of Finance for Oyo State, and as Executive Secretary of the National Sugar Development Council, where he established the National Sugar Institute.

He also served as Special Adviser to the President on Revenue before being appointed as FIRS chairman in September 2023.

The President prays that the Almighty God will grant the NRS Chairman more years of good health, wisdom and strength to keep serving the nation.

Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogbomoso on Monday held a massive rally to reaffirm their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and strengthen mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring their determination to reclaim Oyo State from the opposition.

The open-air rally, which took place at the Soun Ogunlola Hall, Oja’gbo, Ogbomoso, drew a large gathering of APC leaders, elected officials, former office holders and grassroots mobilisers, reflecting renewed unity and strategic coordination within the party in the Ogbomoso zone.

The mobilisation exercise was organised by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, led by Senator Teslim Folarin. Party leaders disclosed plans to embark on a statewide tour across the seven geopolitical zones and fourteen federal constituencies in Oyo State to galvanise grassroots support for President Tinubu and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Prominent APC figures at the rally included Senators Sarafadeen Alli, Yunus Akintunde, Ayoade Adeseun and Abdulfatai Buhari; former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Hon. Sunday Dare; Hon. Remi Oseni; Hon. Akeem Adeyemi; former Oyo State First Lady, Mrs Florence Ajimobi; Barrister Iyiola Oladokun; and members of the APC state executive led by the Oyo State Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abass. Also present were former and aspiring governorship candidates, including Chief Adebayo Adelabu and Prince Kayode Oyewumi (Bayewuwon).

Other notable APC stakeholders in attendance were Senator Braimoh Yusuf (rtd); former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Asimiyu Alarape; Engineer Dayo Lawal; Engineer Idris Adeoye; Chief Sunday Adegoke (Maigida); Professor Ralph Afonja; Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi (Bunvic); Hon. Olaminuwonlo Alao-Akala; Hon. Gunji Ojo; Hon. Tunde Oloyede; Prince Aremu, youth leader; Alhaja Adija Oritoke Aremu; Hon. Wumi Oladeji; Chief Wasiu Ademola; Chief Akin Onigbinde (SAN); Mrs Kemi Alao-Akala; Senator Hosea Agboola; Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle; Engr. Rauf Olaniyan; and Hon. Olagunju Ojo, among others.

In his welcome address, Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi described Ogbomoso as a traditional stronghold of the APC, assuring party members that the zone was fully mobilised to deliver overwhelming support for the party in future elections.

“Ogbomoso will deliver massively for the APC. Our people are solidly behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

Speaking earlier, the Oyo State APC Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abass, commended party members in Ogbomoso for their resilience, loyalty and organisational strength, stressing that their commitment was critical to the APC’s resolve to reclaim Oyo State in 2027. He urged members to remain united and intensify grassroots engagement across the state.

Delivering the keynote address, Senator Teslim Folarin called on APC members to take the Renewed Hope Agenda to the grassroots, urging them to enlighten the public on the policies and leadership direction of President Tinubu.

“Our mission is clear: APC in Oyo State is fully ready to key into the Renewed Hope Agenda. The unity and togetherness we see today will be sustained, and at the right time, we will mobilise voters across the state. 2027 will be a total victory for the APC,” Folarin declared.

Also speaking, former Oyo State First Lady and Ambassador-designate, Mrs Florence Ajimobi, appealed for sustained unity and peace within the APC, describing the party as the most formidable political force in the state. She assured party members that stakeholders had resolved to work together for the re-election of President Tinubu and the return of the APC to the Agodi Government House in 2027.

Former Oyo State APC Chairman, Chief Akin Oke, emphasised the need for teamwork, noting that the party had spent long enough in opposition.

“Eight years in opposition is enough. We must work together and return APC to power in Oyo State,” he said.

Senator Ayoade Adeseun also assured supporters that Ogbomoso would vote massively for the APC in the 2027 elections.

The highlight of the rally was the formal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, alongside the reception of hundreds of defectors from other political parties into the APC. The defectors came from Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, Oriire, Ogo-Oluwa and Surulere local government areas.

The rally ended with renewed calls for unity, sustained mobilisation and strategic grassroots engagement as the APC positions itself to reclaim Oyo State in the 2027 general elections.

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Monday, announced a cabinet reshuffle.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde has relieved the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, of her appointment with immediate effect.
Professor Musibau Adetunji Babatunde has been appointed as the new Secretary to the State Government.

The statement further said that Barr. Temilolu Seun Ashamu has been moved from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

Also, Governor Makinde has announced his Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Ademola Aderinto, as a commissioner-designate.

He will consequently be presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly for screening.

The statement also announced the appointment of Honourable Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Kolawole Elijah Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning.

The Budget Office of the Federation has reaffirmed the integrity of Nigeria’s newly enacted Tax Reform Acts, cautioning against what it described as governance by speculation and unverified claims following allegations of post-passage alterations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fiscal transparency, institutional integrity, and reforms that advance national prosperity while safeguarding citizens’ rights.

The Budget Office said it had taken note of concerns raised by the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives, stressing that the sanctity of the law is central to constitutional democracy and not a mere procedural formality.

According to the Office, any suggestion that a law could be altered after debate, passage, authentication, and presidential assent without due process would strike at the core of the Republic and undermine citizens’ right to be governed by transparent and stable laws.

However, it warned that democratic integrity is also endangered by the careless amplification of unverified claims. “A nation cannot be governed by insinuation or sustained on circulating documents of uncertain origin,” the statement noted, adding that public confidence, once shaken by speculation, is often difficult to restore.

The Budget Office emphasized that both government and citizens share a common interest in truth, clarity, and due process, noting that public finance depends heavily on trust in the legality and clarity of fiscal laws. It welcomed the decision of the National Assembly to investigate the allegations, describing institutional inquiry, not conjecture as the appropriate response to claims of illegality.

On public access to the law, the Office agreed that Nigerians and the business community are entitled to clear and authoritative texts of all laws they are required to obey. It clarified, however, that the authenticity of legislation is determined by certified legislative records and official publication processes, not by informal or viral reproductions.

The statement also underscored the importance of separation of powers, warning that claims suggesting Nigeria is being governed by “fake laws,” if not backed by established facts, risk eroding confidence in democratic institutions. At the same time, it stressed that legislative scrutiny should not be dismissed by the executive, noting that oversight is a constitutional duty, not an act of hostility.

From a fiscal perspective, the Budget Office said legal certainty is essential for revenue projections, macroeconomic stability, budget credibility, and investor confidence. While it is not the custodian of legislative records, it maintained that uncertainty around operative tax provisions directly affects economic planning.

To restore confidence, the Office proposed a set of measures, including the publication of verified reference texts in a single public repository, orderly access to Certified True Copies for stakeholders, clear public explanations where discrepancies are alleged, and strict alignment of all implementing regulations with authenticated legal texts.

Addressing calls for suspension of the tax reforms, the Budget Office cautioned against allowing prudence to slide into paralysis. It argued that properly implemented tax reform is necessary to reduce dependence on borrowing and inflationary financing, while easing indirect burdens on vulnerable citizens.

“Where clarification is required, it must be provided; where correction is required, it must be effected; where investigation is required, it must proceed,” the statement said, adding that governance and reform should not be stalled by unresolved conjecture.

The Office concluded by describing taxation as a democratic covenant that binds citizens and the state, insisting that compliance depends on transparency and trust. It called on political actors to protect institutions as much as positions, urging citizens and businesses to rely on verified sources and resist the spread of unauthenticated information.

The statement was signed by Tanimu Yakubu, Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, who reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to fiscal transparency, institutional integrity, and reforms that advance national prosperity while safeguarding citizens’ rights.

Today, the 1st of January, 2026, the Government of Oyo state, through the Hon. Commissioners for Budget and planning and that of Information released a third statement with respect to the whistle blown by the former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose.

Fayose had accused Governor Seyi Makinde of concealing the fact that he received the sum of 50 billion Naira from president Tinubu as intervention funding to support the Government of Oyo state and the victims of the Bodija explosion.

I have carefully gone through the 3 page statement and I have to say that I am terribly disappointed at Governor Seyi Makinde and those who appended their signatures to the extremely, further indicting document.

The contents of the statement is another sharp contrast to the statement issued by the Government of Oyo state through the Governor’s Chief Press secretary, Sulaimon Olanrewaju on Sunday.

In a press statement titled, ‘ Makinde: Truth is Not a Casualty of Political Desperation, Olanrewaju claimed and I quote, that, ‘ …. when it was time to act, only 30 billion was released. The partial release was accompanied by demands for inducements tied to the disbursement of the balance. Governor Makinde refused. As a result, the remaining 20 billion was withheld ‘.

That was the reason for the alleged withholding of the balance of 20 billion Naira as adduced by Governor Seyi Makinde through his Chief Press secretary last Sunday.

Interestingly, I am seeing something completely different from the statement of the Oyo state Commissioners for Budget and planning and that of Information as the reason why Governor Makinde is yet to receive the balance of 20 billion Naira from the Federal Government and I will also quote them.

On page 2, paragraph 2 of a copy of the draft of their statement, they held that, ‘ Oyo state Government had deliberately refrained from utilizing the 30 billion already released in recognition of the fact that the remaining 20 billion has remained withheld by the relevant Federal Agencies for reasons that have not been communicated to the state ‘!

What exactly is going on here?

I thought Governor Makinde and his attack dogs told us not to take Ayodele Fayose seriously?

Why are they this rattled that they couldn’t get themselves together?

What does the Oyo state Government want us to believe now?

That they couldn’t get the balance of 20 billion Naira because some unnamed Federal Government officials are demanding for inducements or because the Federal Government is holding on to the balance for reasons they have not communicated to the Oyo state Government?

If the Government of Oyo state has chosen to release lies to the public, shouldn’t they be consistent with their lies?

Why do they keep contradicting themselves?

Also, on the same page 2, now paragraph 3 of the same statement, Oyo state Government claims that, ‘ .. given the disgraceful drama of the last couple of days from the Federal Government on the approval, the Government of Oyo state is convinced on the wisdom of its decision to ‘ wait and see’ before deciding what to do with the money ‘.

Honestly, these people are confused.

When Oyo state Government begin to talk about ‘ a disgraceful drama ‘, I think they need to explain to the public what they know that we do not know.

Which disgraceful drama are they talking about?

By their own admission, the Federal Government of Nigeria had approved the sum of 50 billion Naira since August of 2024.

Up till today, I am not aware and neither did they told us that the Federal Government has made any comments regarding the approval.

Exactly what is the sin of the Federal Government for the Oyo state Government to label it’s action as ‘ disgraceful ‘ with respect to an approval that has been granted since 2025?

Or, has the Oyo state Government been so confused that it fails to understand the fact that Fayose was not acting on behalf of the Federal Government and neither is he part of the Government?

I am also surprised that the Oyo state Government is having the time to talk about the Bodija explosion almost on a daily basis now.

Who would have known that a lot went down in the midst of that disaster?

It is equally surprising that Oyo state is now claiming to have spent 24.6 billion Naira of its resources on the explosion at Bodija as at January 1st, 2026 despite admitting that only 4.085 billion Naira was paid as compensation to the victims.

The most indicting part of the press statement is the admission by the Government that it got the sum of 30 billion Naira and kept same in a designated account for several months without disclosing to the people of Oyo state on whose behalf the money was received.
The excuses and explanations adduced by the Oyo state Government for keeping the sum of 30 billion Naira, public funds, in a designated account for months is not only flimsy, it is also laughable .

By the way, will the Government of Oyo state disclose the signatories to the said account and show us the statement of the account since the funds were lodged?
I am shocked to read that Oyo state Government is saying that to come clean about funds received as grants is an unusual practice in Government.

That is not true.

It is not a crime for Government to make disclosures about such funds.

Infact, it is the right thing to do. Public funds are meant to be accounted for.

Every day, Governor Makinde and his Government have been frantically trying to cover something up about this 30 billion Naira and some of us are becoming more interested in it.

Every right thinking resident of Oyo state must give kudos to former Governor Ayodele Fayose.

He has opened a can of worms in Oyo state and Governor Makinde has not been able to get his rhythm since Fayose exposed him.

Every attempts to bring the Federal Government into this issue is bound to fail.

I see that both Prince Dotun Oyelade and Professor Musibau Babatunde tried to paint the Federal Government black by misrepresenting the document published by Fayose.

They tried to present a case that looks like President Tinubu doesn’t care about Oyo state because he approved more funds for some unnamed South Western states despite the fact that Oyo state had a more devastating disaster.

Where is the evidence to support that claim?

First, Oyo state Government didn’t give the names of the affected states and neither did they tell us the incidents that took place at the States.

How would the public be able to ascertain the correctness or otherwise of their allegations?

Secondly, Governor Makinde must think that we are all gullible and foolish.

Their allegation in this regard also exposes them.

The document published by Fayose, though, it shows the figures approved generally, it only reflected the amount requested by Oyo state in the schedule.

The figures for the other states were not published.

So, the Oyo state Government have that document and they know it is genuine, yet, they claimed that Fayose published trash?

You claim a document is worthless and now, you’re quoting from the same document?

I will be waiting for Governor Makinde’s further damage control.

This one is worthless and self indicting.

Oyo State Government has disclosed that the ₦30 billion released by the Federal Government as part of the intervention fund approved for the January 2024 Bodija explosion in Ibadan was kept in the bank. Recall that there has been a growing call for accountability and transparency following the discovery that the state received N30 billion from the federal government.

However, the state government says that it has rather spent ₦24.6bn of state funds on the incident, and called on the President Bola Tinubu administration to release the outstanding ₦20 billion balance of the ₦50 billion approved to support the reconstruction of the Old Bodija and its environs following the 16 January, 2024 explosion.

The state government disclosed in a press statement, on Thursday, by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade, that the whole ₦30 donated by the Federal Government billion is intact in Oyo State Government Infrastructure Support Account Number 2045199879 with the First Bank of Nigeria.

It explained that it deliberately refrained from accessing the funds because the remaining ₦20 billion was being withheld by relevant federal agencies, without any official explanation.

The statement reads: “Following the unfortunate explosion that occurred on January 16, 2024, in the Bodija area of Ibadan, and being aware that intervention funds exist at the federal level for states facing emergencies, His Excellency, the governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, formally wrote to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, requesting approval for financial support to assist the state in managing the disaster.

“The governor then highlighted additional areas where federal assistance was required, including clearing of rubble, compensation for owners of affected properties, reconstruction of Old Bodija, and environmental impact assessment, among others.

“To address these needs, the Oyo State Government estimated the cost of intervention at ₦100 billion and requested the president’s approval for that amount. The president, however, approved ₦50 billion— half of the requested sum.

“The purpose of the approved fund was clearly stated by the Federal Government as ‘Support for the reconstruction of Old Bodija and environs after the Bodija explosion.’

“Out of the approved ₦50 billion, the Federal Government, through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), released ₦30 billion to Oyo State on November 4, 2024. As of yesterday, December 31, 2025, the ₦30 billion remained untouched in the Oyo State infrastructure account with the First Bank.

“The Oyo State Government has deliberately refrained from utilising the ₦30 billion already released in recognition of the fact that the remaining ₦20 billion has remained withheld by the relevant federal agencies for reasons that have not been communicated to the state.

“Almost two years after the disaster, the Federal Government is yet to release the outstanding balance of ₦20 billion from the approved sum of ₦50 billion.

“The Oyo State Government remains committed to securing the balance of the approved funds to comprehensively address the damage caused by the explosion to both public and private properties.

“As of today, January 1, 2026, the Oyo State Government has spent ₦24.6 billion from its own resources on Bodija and its environs in direct response to the explosion and its consequences.

“The Oyo State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, appreciates the continued support and understanding of the people of the state.”

Adebayo Gbenga Adedamola, popularly known as Fryo and recently declared the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Osun 2026 governorship election, has threatened legal action against former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, over what he described as a defamatory statement linking him to the assassination of former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Bola Ige.

Fryo, through his legal team, issued a stern warning demanding an immediate retraction and public apology from Fayose, following a recent interview in which Fayose allegedly suggested Fryo’s involvement in the 2001 murder of the prominent legal icon.

In a statement released on Wednesday evening , Fryo described Fayose’s comment as “baseless, reckless, and deeply damaging,” adding that such statements were capable of inciting public distrust and endangering his safety and political career.

He urged security agencies and the media to treat the matter with the seriousness it deserves, stating that legal proceedings will commence should Fayose fail to retract the statement within 72 hours.