Senators and House of Representatives members from Osun State have renewed their loyalty to the executive governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Jackson Adeleke and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Their fresh commitment was coming amid defection of of one of the Reps member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Woke Oke to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The defection raised concerns in Osun State that lawmakers who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party might have concluded plans to join the APC.

CAPITAL POST gathered on Friday that the three Senators pledged their loyal to Adeleke administration and the Peoples Democratic Party, despite gale of defections rocking the PDP across the country.

Also other members of the House of Representatives, eight in number have distanced themselves from the defection of Wole Oke and reaffirmed their commitment to Governor Adeleke’s administration.

Letter of commitment issued by the three Senators was sighted by CAPITAL POST on Saturday, making a categorical statement that they were unperturbed and believed in the administration of Ademola Adeleke.

The statement signed by Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Senator Oyewumi Olalere (Osun West), and Senator Fadeyi Olubiyi (Osun Central) read: “The three senators from Osun State hereby resolve and wish to state categorically that we remain steadfast with our amiable and performing Governor, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

“We pledge our unalloyed loyalty to the people’s governor and our great party, the PDP.”

The statement of the Reps members, signed by Bamidele Salam (Ede North, South/Egbedero/Ejigbo Constituency), Ajilesoro Abimbola Taofeek (Ife Central/East/North/South Constituency), Mudashiru Lukman Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Constituency), Akanni Clement Ademola (Boluraduro/Ifedayo Ila Constituency), Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Constituency), Adewale Moruf Adebayo (Irepodun/Olorunda/Oshogbo/Orolu Constituency ), Adetunji Abidemi Olusoji (Odo-Itin/Ifelodun/Boripe Constituency) and Oladebo Lanre Omoleye (Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Constituency), read:
“The defection of our colleague, Hon. Wole Oke, is a personal decision that holds no bearing on the stability or cohesion of the PDP in Osun.

“The remaining eight members of the caucus remain fully committed to the ideals and leadership of the party.”

They commended Adeleke’s efforts in education, healthcare, infrastructure and social welfare.
“The achievements of Governor Adeleke are visible across all sectors — education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social welfare.

“His governance style continues to inspire confidence within the party and among the people of Osun,” they added.

Minna, capital of Niger State has been designated as an alternative airport to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja.

The Airport which is now Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, has Ben designated because its closeness to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The news of its designation was broken by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

He stat3d this at the flight inauguration of Overland Airways’ commercial flights from the Minna airport.

Highlighting the airport’s capacity and strategic relevance, Keyamo praised the facility’s infrastructure and its potential to serve as a major aviation hub.

“The runway is an international runway; a 747 and a triple seven can use this runway. Why, over the years, this has been underutilised is still a puzzle,” the minister said.

He emphasised that the airport meets international standards in both physical and operational aspects, and expressed surprise at its previous underuse.

“Our eyes are on this airport. By the powers conferred on me, I declare Minna Airport as the alternative to Abuja Airport. NCAA, FAAN, take note,” Keyamo declared.

The declaration is expected to bolster aviation traffic in Minna and serve as a strategic relief point for flight operations in  the North, especially during emergencies or congestion at the Abuja airport.

Also, yesterday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, spoke on the importance of robust collaboration between state governments and the Federal Government.

This, he said, was important in advancing the nation’s developmental agenda.

The minister stated this when the inaugural commercial flight from the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna, landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.

He said that sustainable national progress can only be achieved when all tiers of government work in synergy, pooling resources, aligning policies, and coordinating efforts to deliver impactful governance to the  people.

The Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport, Minna was built by the administration of Umaru Bago in Niger State and named after the President.

“One of the key issues that we need to talk about is the kind of collaboration that Mr. President is always talking about between the Federal Government and the sub-nationals. This is one great example that Niger State has shown that the states can indeed come together with the Federal Government to collaborate in order to bring prosperity to Nigerians,” he said.

The inaugural commercial flight, Overland Air with Registration Number 5N-CCN landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 1:32pm conveying the first set of passengers including the Niger State Governor, Mr. Umaru Bago, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, former Niger State Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and other top government officials.

The Minister expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for providing the enabling environment that facilitated the successful commencement of operations at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna.

He noted that this milestone reflects the President’s unwavering commitment to infrastructural development and improved connectivity across the country.

The Minister also hailed Governor Bago, for his visionary leadership in opening up the Niger State for agricultural development, commercial activities, industrial growth, and overall economic prosperity.

He described  Bago’s efforts as a demonstration of uncommon passion and dedication to the advancement of Niger State and the well-being of its people.

“We have to appreciate our president like our Governor has said. This is indeed a dream come true. The Governor has indeed made this happen. He is so passionate about opening up Niger State for agriculture, commerce, industry and prosperity,” he said.