Osun Defender

Osun Defender is a Nigerian tabloid newspaper established in 2006 and published in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State. The publication is issued by Moremi Publishing House Ltd and covers political, civic, and general-interest developments in Osun State alongside national Nigerian news. Its identity has historically been closely associated with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), a political party that later became part of Nigeria's broader opposition-party realignment. This political association has shaped the newspaper's public profile and placed it within the partisan tradition of Nigerian state-level newspapers. The newspaper's coverage has included elections, protests, policing, court proceedings, and political disputes. Its reporting during the 2007 election period brought it particular attention. In April 2007, an attempt was made to assassinate Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, then the ACN candidate for governor. Kola Olabisi, identified in reference material as the newspaper's editor and managing editor, was present during the incident and reportedly survived after a bullet passed through his clothing. The episode illustrated the risks faced by political actors and affiliated media during contentious elections in Nigeria. Osun Defender also became involved in a legal and press-freedom controversy following its 14 May 2007 report titled “Osun Police Arrest 764 Over Election Protest.” The article discussed a press conference by activist Amitolu Shittu concerning the prosecution of demonstrators who alleged that the 14 April presidential election had been rigged. Shittu reportedly accused the presiding judge of releasing protesters in exchange for bribes. The judge responded by issuing arrest warrants for Shittu, the reporter who wrote the article, and Kola Olabisi. The three reportedly went into hiding. This incident remains one of the best-documented episodes in the publication's history and demonstrates the consequences of its politically engaged reporting. The newspaper has also claimed that its website was among Nigeria's six most visited newspaper websites. The available reference material does not provide independently verified traffic figures, ownership changes, current circulation, or a confirmed current editorial leadership roster. Accordingly, its present operating status, audience scale, and digital performance should be treated as requiring further verification.

Osun Defender was founded in 2006 as a privately owned tabloid newspaper serving Osun State, Nigeria. It is published by Moremi Publishing House Ltd in Osogbo. From its early period, the newspaper developed a reputation for politically oriented reporting and was traditionally associated with the Action Congress of Nigeria, or ACN. Its editorial identity therefore combined regional newspaper coverage with an identifiable opposition-party perspective. The newspaper's most documented period came during Nigeria's 2007 election cycle. In April, an attempt was made to assassinate Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the ACN candidate for governor. Kola Olabisi, described in reference material as Osun Defender's editor and managing editor, was present and reportedly escaped injury when a bullet passed through his dress. The episode connected the newspaper to the dangerous political environment surrounding the election and highlighted the exposure of journalists working near political campaigns. On 14 May 2007, Osun Defender published a report headed “Osun Police Arrest 764 Over Election Protest.” The report covered a press conference held by activist Amitolu Shittu about the trial of demonstrators who claimed that the 14 April presidential election had been rigged. Shittu was reported to have accused the judge involved in the case of releasing demonstrators in exchange for bribes. The judge responded by issuing arrest warrants for Shittu, the journalist who wrote the article, and Kola Olabisi. According to the cited account, all three went into hiding. The episode placed the newspaper at the center of a confrontation involving political protest, allegations of judicial corruption, and press reporting. Osun Defender has published both print and online news. It has claimed that its website was the sixth most visited newspaper website in Nigeria, although the available reference material does not establish an independently audited ranking or provide a date for the claim. Information about its current ownership, circulation, staffing, financial position, and operating status is not established by the supplied sources.

• 2007

  Election-period attack involving the editorial team

  [1]Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org

  During the April 2007 elections, editor Kola Olabisi reportedly survived an assassination attempt directed at ACN gubernatorial candidate Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola.

• 2007

  Election-protest report and arrest warrants

  [1]Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org

  A 14 May report about arrests of election protesters was followed by arrest warrants for activist Amitolu Shittu, the reporter, and managing editor Kola Olabisi.

• 2006

  Newspaper founded

  [1]Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org

  Osun Defender was established as a privately owned tabloid serving Osun State and wider Nigerian news audiences.

A privately owned, politically engaged Osun State tabloid with a strong focus on regional affairs and additional national news reporting.

• Newspaper · 2006

  Osun Defender newspaper

  The core publication is a privately owned Nigerian tabloid covering politics, public affairs, policing, courts, protests, and general news. Its primary geographic focus is Osun State, while its reporting also includes national Nigerian developments.

• Digital news publication

  Osun Defender website

  The newspaper maintains an online presence at osundefender.org for digital publication and news distribution. The publication has claimed a high ranking among Nigerian newspaper websites, but the supplied reference does not provide independently verified traffic data.

• 2007

  Political violence during the 2007 election period affected Osun Defender's editor[1]Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  During the April 2007 elections, an assassination attempt was made against Rauf Adesoji Aregbesola, the Action Congress of Nigeria candidate for governor. Kola Olabisi of Osun Defender was reportedly nearly killed when a bullet passed through his clothing.

• 2007

  Report on election protests led to arrest warrants[1]Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org

  Lawsuit · Other

  After Osun Defender published a 14 May report about police arrests of election protesters, the judge discussed in the article reportedly issued warrants for activist Amitolu Shittu, the reporter, and managing editor Kola Olabisi. The three reportedly went into hiding.

1. 1Osun Defenderen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Osun Defender official websiteosundefender.org