• Chief of Staff empowers pardoned inmates
• Adeleke embarks on a vacation to Europe, probes Obaship dispute

With the expiration of 21 days window for appeal against the declaration of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the Osun State August 15, 2026, gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its standard bearer, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, have failed to file a petition against the exercise at the election petition tribunal in Osogbo.

Findings by The Guardian indicate that as of the close of official business on Friday and Saturday, the election tribunal, located within the premises of Osun State High Court, Osogbo, had not received any petition disputing the results of the polls.

In another development, the Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, Kazeem Akinleye, has empowered some inmates pardoned by the state government with Point-of-Sale (POS) machines and cash capital to enable them to start small businesses and rebuild their lives.

The beneficiaries were inmates granted pardon by Governor Ademola Adeleke last year as part of efforts to promote rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

Meanwhile, Adeleke, yesterday, departed Nigeria on a vacation to Europe, just as he ordered investigation into the dispute over the kingship of Koka town in Obokun Local Council of the state.

A statement by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said that the governor would also visit the United Kingdom (UK) for a medical check-up as part of the vacation before travelling to other destinations, which will be announced later.

The beneficiaries had, during the 2026 governorship election, voluntarily participated in the administration’s mobilisation and campaign activities, taking the message of a new political party’s awareness to the streets, markets and communities across the state.

They reportedly mobilised support and canvassed votes for Adeleke, contributing to the governor’s successful re-election bid.

Akinleye, while recognising their commitment and sacrifices, presented the beneficiaries with POS machines and financial assistance as start-up capital, while a monitoring team was constituted to track their progress over the next three to 24 months.

He said the initiative was designed to go beyond temporary assistance by providing the beneficiaries with practical means to become economically independent.

A statement by his Spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said that the governor would also visit the United Kingdom (UK) for a medical check-up as part of the vacation before travelling to other destinations, which will be announced later.

“I am taking a short break to refresh and get further prepared to serve the good people of Osun State,” Adeleke was quoted to have stated while taking off at the Lagos airport.

He, however, directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to probe the circumstances surrounding the reported appointment of another king for Koka Ilase, which allegedly led to the emergence of two traditional rulers in the community.

Adeleke emphasised that the development had become expedient for reviewing the situation and enforcing due process of the law in respect of the chieftaincy law and tradition.