Iran Officials Exit Canada Ahead of FIFA Congress Over Airport ‘Treatment’ — Report

  Top Iranian football officials departed Canada ahead of the FIFA Congress after raising concerns over their treatment by immigration authorities at Toronto’s international airport, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. Iran’s football federation president and deputy secretary general “returned to Turkey on the first flight due to the inappropriate behaviour of the immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian Armed Forces”, several outlets reported, without providing further details. In 2024, Canada designated Iran’s Revolutionary Guards a terror group, barring its members from entering the country. The Iranian reports said the officials had travelled to Canada with “official visas” before turning around. Canada is co-hosting the 2026 World Cup with the United States and Mexico, while FIFA’s congress is to be held in Vancouver this week. Fears have risen about the Iranian team’s attendance because of the Middle East war that began on February 28 with a massive wave of US-Israel attacks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted last week that Iran’s footballers would be welcome at the global spectacle. But he warned that the United States may yet bar entry to members of the Iranian delegation it judged to have ties to the Revolutionary Guard, which is also designated a terrorist organisation by Washington and several other governments. No one “from the US has told them they can’t come,” Rubio said. The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) had said in April it was negotiating with FIFA to relocate the country’s World Cup matches from the United States to Mexico. But FIFA President Gianni Infantino told AFP last month that Iran would be at the World Cup and that they will play “where they are supposed to be, according to the draw”. The FIFA chief reiterated that stance in Washington earlier this month. AFP

Oyo PDP Celebrates Ogundoyin’s Exit As Conference of Speakers Chairman, Says “We’re Proud Of You”

  IBADAN – THE Oyo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Adebo Ogundoyin, on the successful completion of his tenure as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria. In a statement issued and signed by the State Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Micheal Ogunsina, the PDP described Ogundoyin’s tenure as impactful and exemplary, noting that his leadership brought renewed vigour, inclusiveness and reforms to the Conference. The party said it was proud of the numerous achievements recorded by the Speaker, stressing that since its formation, the PDP has always put forward its best hands in service to the people, a tradition it said was clearly reflected in Ogundoyin’s stewardship both as Chairman of the Conference of Speakers and as Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. According to the statement, Ogundoyin emerged as the youngest Chairman in the history of the Conference, a development the party described as symbolic of a generational shift that ushered in a reform-driven and inclusive leadership era. The PDP highlighted the digital transformation of state legislatures during his tenure, noting that through a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), legislative processes were modernised to enhance transparency, efficiency, accountability and citizen engagement. The party also commended the strengthening of legislative autonomy under his leadership, which it said further institutionalised the independence and voice of state legislatures across the country. It further stated that Ogundoyin deepened intergovernmental relations between the Conference of Speakers and the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, with engagements focusing on constitutional amendments, governance reforms and the strengthening of democracy at sub-national levels. Under his chairmanship, the Conference intensified advocacy for the implementation of financial autonomy for state legislatures and made notable contributions to Nigeria’s constitutional review process. These, the party said, included advocacy for the establishment of state police, devolution of powers to sub-national governments, and expanded international and diplomatic engagements. The statement noted that the Conference held strategic discussions with the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria on legislative development and investment opportunities, as well as engagements with the United States Consul General and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, focusing on democratic values, legislative accountability and institutional capacity building. The PDP assured Nigerians that despite prevailing challenges, the party remains committed to protecting the interests of the people and will continue to present capable and credible leaders in service to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.