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A two-term Presidential aspirant and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dele Momodu, has raised alarm that Nigeria’s democracy is in danger.
Momodu said the country is going back to a civilian dictatorship.
He stated this when he featured on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday.
He added that the situation is especially sad as the country prepares to mark Democracy Day.
He stated, “I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy.
“The summary of it all is that on the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry.”
Momodu blamed both elected officials and government institutions for ignoring the people, saying the leaders are bold and shameless in how they treat Nigerians.
He said, “We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair because the audacity, the effrontery of this set of politicians, whether in the executive, legislature, or local government, is totally unbelievable.”
He added that those who fought and died for Nigeria’s democracy during the June 12 struggle would be heartbroken if they were alive today.
“All those who suffered for this democracy, especially those who are now in heaven—if they can see us, they would be crying,” he noted.
On the crisis within the PDP, Momodu blamed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for taking over the party and causing chaos.
“It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go in 2027. What Wike is doing is a rehash of what he did in Rivers State—and he is clearly doing so with the backing of those at the top.”
“Where was Wike during the June 12 struggle? Who knew him then? But today, he speaks as if he’s the founding father of Nigeria,” he stated.
He also blamed Wike for the crisis in Rivers State, saying it led to the state of emergency.
He noted, “A major crisis of monumental dimension was orchestrated and aggravated by one man. Just because he wouldn’t go away quietly, a state of emergency had to be declared. It’s unprecedented in Nigeria’s history.”
He described Wike’s actions as a “coup” against the PDP, accusing him of forcing his will on the party.
Momodu stated, “What he’s doing now is tantamount to staging a coup against the party that made him everything he is today. He does not have the moral right to dictate the direction of the PDP.”
Momodu also reacted to President Bola Tinubu’s comments during the reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre.
Recall that Tinubu had referred to some Nigerians as “busybodies” and “bystanders,”.
This, however, did not sit well with Momodu, who found it disturbing.
“I listened to the President refer to concerned Nigerians as ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country? All because of one man, Wike.”
“Wike was dancing after commissioning a centre said to have cost over ₦30 billion. Right now, it feels like we have two presidents in Nigeria,” he complained.
Despite the issues in PDP, Momodu said he would never join the ruling APC.
He insisted, “If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking to you like this. I’d be giving excuses, like the rest. But my soul is out of PDP—I cannot sit in a room where one man dictates to adults who have served Nigeria all their lives.”
He ended by warning that Nigeria is moving dangerously towards autocracy unless the country fixes its political system.
He added, “PDP is part of its own problem, no doubt. But people like Wike, doing what they do with impunity, are taking us dangerously backwards.”
Nollywood actress Abiola Adebayo has responded to criticism and mockery she received online following the public announcement of her failed marriage.
In a video that began trending on Tuesday night, the podcaster reminded her trolls that she is human, adding that her decision to speak publicly about the separation was a deliberate move to prevent misinformation and to control the narrative surrounding her personal life.
She revealed that she had informed her estranged husband prior to making the post public. According to her, he was aware of the announcement and understands her true personality, contrary to the public speculation that followed.
Speaking in both English and Yoruba, she said, “I am human. The other time I posted about my marriage, it was because I didn’t want people to tell my story for me, yet you all used it against me. I told my husband before I posted, so he was aware of the post. He knows I am not what people say I am, but God will reward everyone.”
Adebayo confirmed that she and her husband have been separated since April 2024. Despite the end of the marital relationship, she noted that both parties have agreed to co-parent their son in a mature and peaceful manner.
Addressing those who may feel disappointed by the development, the actress expressed regret that her marriage did not work. She, however, emphasised the importance of prioritising her well-being, stating, “It is better to be alive to tell the story.”
The actress also appealed to her followers to keep her family in their prayers.
She noted the emotional toll the separation had taken on her, revealing that although she appeared cheerful in public, she had endured nights of emotional distress.
Media
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of ‘Ugosimba 1 of Enugu’ by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.
The title, which means jewel/eagle from another kingdom, was conferred on her on Tuesday, during her two-day working visit to the state.
According to the Chairman of the Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, the title recognised her love for Enugu, humanitarian service, and commitment to national development.
“You served three terms in the Senate and were honoured with the Commander of the Order of Niger.
“But beyond politics, we admire your compassion for the less privileged, your support for nurses and midwives, and your work in uplifting humanity,” Asadu said.
In her acceptance speech, Mrs Tinubu expressed deep gratitude, describing Enugu as a peaceful state where she had felt “inner peace” since her arrival.
She said the title was not just a personal honour but one for her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and their entire family.
“This is a special honour that I will cherish forever. I love your state—it is calm and welcoming.
“As you have honoured me today, Enugu State will be remembered for good,” she said.
Italian-Senegalese social media sensation, Khaby Lame, known as the world’s most followed TikTok creator, has been deported from the United States after allegedly overstaying his visa, The New York Times reported.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Lame, 25, was detained last Friday at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas.
The agency confirmed the detention in an official statement, stating that Lame entered the country on April 30 but “overstayed the terms of his visa.”
Lame, who rose to international fame for his silent comedic reactions to overcomplicated “life hack” videos, has amassed over 160 million followers on TikTok.
His online popularity led to collaborations with global fashion brands, a role in a Hollywood film, and a reality show on Tubi titled Khaby Is Coming To America.
His deportation has sparked a storm of reactions online.
“Every single illegal alien needs to be DEPORTED. When I found out the biggest TikTok star, Khaby Lame, is an illegal alien evading taxes, I worked with Trump’s ICE to have him removed. He’s since been detained by ICE and removed,” Bo Loudon, a Gen Z Trump supporter and self-styled activist, wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Following his deportation, Lame has not issued any formal statement. However, on Monday, he posted an Instagram story tagged in São Paulo, Brazil, marking his first confirmed location since leaving the US
Lame’s former legal representative, Riccardo Lanzo, told The New York Times that the influencer had spent significant time in the US recently but acknowledged uncertainty regarding his visa status.
The case came amid a broader immigration enforcement push under Trump’s renewed administration.
Several months after the demise of some federal lawmakers in active service, and the resignation of two legislators, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to conduct by-elections to fill the vacuum created.
Some persons of the affected constituencies have cried out, citing failure of the commission to guarantee them adequate representation and sense of belonging.
However, INEC has said that it is being hampered by funds. Speaking to Daily Trust yesterday, the commission said it would act on the issue when funds are made available.
Daily Trust reports that there are seven vacant seats at the National Assembly. A break down showed that there are two vacant seats at the Senate and five at the House of Representatives.
Also, while five vacancies have been created sequel to the death of five lawmakers in both chambers, two vacancies are occasioned by the electoral victories of two lawmakers.
In the Senate, two seats are vacant. This followed the death of Senator Ifeanyi Uba (APC, Anambra South) and the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central) as governor of Edo State.
Uba died in London in September 2024, while Okpebholo was elected governor on September 21, 2024.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has since declared their seats vacant.
The members
The member representing Garki/Babura Federal Constituency of Jigawa State, Rep. Isa Dogonyaro died in May, 2024.
Similarly, Rep. Olaide Akinremi, representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency of Oyo State and Rep. Ekene Adams, representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, also died on separate dates in July, 2024.
In September 2024, Senator Ifeanyi Uba (APC, Anambra South), lost his life in London. His seat was later declared vacant by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In January, 2025, the House also lost its Deputy Chief Whip, Rep. Adewunmi Onanuga, who represented Ikenne/Sagamu/Remo North Federal Constituency of Ogun State.
Sequel to the deaths of members, the House held a valedictory session to appreciate their contributions to nation-building and other sacrifices they made before their departure.
The valedictory session which was held at the Chambers with tributes and reflections from House members was led by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Apart from those who died in active service, two other lawmakers – one from the Senate and another from the House of Representatives – won elections and left the National Assembly for new roles at the state level.
Senator Monday Okpebholo (APC, Edo Central) had contested and won the September 21 governorship election in his home state of Edo to clinch the number one citizen in the state.
After assuming office, he returned to the National Assembly to bid senators, his former colleagues farewell in December 2024.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, used the occasion to declare his seat at the Senate vacant. The declaration aligns with Section 68(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which mandates that a lawmaker’s seat becomes vacant upon assumption of another public office.
Similarly, the seat of Dennis Idahosa became vacant when he was elected alongside Governor Okpebholo as deputy governor of Edo State.
Idahosa, represented Ovia Federal Constituency of Edo State in the House before he got elected as deputy governor. His seat has remained vacant since then.
We feel forgotten, neglected – Constituents
Reacting, residents of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency in Kaduna State expressed frustration over the delay in filling the vacuum created by the demise of Ekene Adams, saying, they have been shut out of legislative representation at the federal level for a whole year.
Benjamin Yuhana Maigari, a community leader in Kajuru, described the delay as a betrayal of democratic principles, saying, “By-election delay has left us feeling extremely bad and disfranchised because we don’t have a representative.
“As a community, we are not happy with the government. We expected the election to be conducted within three to four months, but it has been over a year now.
“Since his death, nothing has come from the federal legislature—no resources, no impact. We feel forgotten, neglected, and unrepresented.”
Another constituent, Haruna Ibrahim Nasarawa from Chikun Local Government Area, echoed similar concerns, describing the delay as a violation of citizens’ rights.
“It’s our right to have a representative in the House of Representatives through a by-election. We are aware that if a lawmaker dies, a by-election is supposed to be held within 90 days. But in our case, it’s been over a year since Ekene Adams passed away, and still no election,” Nasarawa said.
Similarly, constituents from Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia North East /Ovia South West Federal Constituency have decried the failure of the electoral body to conduct by-elections into the vacancies created by Senator Monday Okpebholo (now Edo governor) and Dennis Idahosa (now Edo deputy governor).
Speaking with Daily Trust on the development, Aslem Ojezua, who hails from Edo Central, described the trend as worrisome, saying the constitution and electoral act make provisions for time frame to conduct by-election into a vacant seat.
Ojezua, a member of the APC said it is incumbent on the National Assembly to make provisions for INEC to meet the timeframe for conduct of by-elections.
He said the implication of not conducting the election is that the district is not being represented at the National Assembly, and advised the commission to conduct the poll without further delay.
Similarly, Victor Edoro, a former member of the Edo State House of Assembly and a constituent in the district said he wrote a personal letter to the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, intimating him of the injustice INEC is doing to the district, but nothing has been done since then.
“Edo Central is not being represented today. Where does the salary and the money for constituency projects for the district go to?”he queried.
“We have been deprived of representative dividend and the Esan people are not happy because as we speak, we don’t have a voice in Nigeria” he added.
On his part, Peter Agwele, said, “most of us are seeing this as a deliberate way of alienating us as a people. It is unfair”.
Also, a constituent from Ovia Federal Constituency, Friday Aghedo said INEC has no reason not to conduct the by-elections into the affected federal constituencies and senatorial districts.
Aghedo, who is the spokesperson to the Edo State deputy governor, Denise Idahosa, said, “We have lost voice at the House of Representative since Idahosa was elected the deputy governor.”
Also speaking, another constituents from Ovia Constituency, Dr. Jerry Osamede, said, “It is 150 days now without quality representation of Ovia Federal Constituency. We are no longer getting the democratic dividend from the federal government.”
Meanwhile, the PDP in the state has described the development as a bad omen for the nation’s democracy. Speaking with Daily Trust, the PDP Secretary, Hilary Otsu said, “It is regrettable because the governor was sworn-in eight months ago, yet the INEC couldn’t do the needful.”
Also, the acting chairman of the APC in the state, Jarret Tenabe, said the development is “against the spirit and letters of our constitution and democratic norms.”
Funding, a big challenge –Electoral body
But reacting, INEC cited lack of funds as reason for the delay in conducting the by-elections.
Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi, the Chief Press Secretary to INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, however, told Daily Trust that the commission was confident that the issue of funding would soon be resolved and the by-elections will be conducted.
“INEC will conduct all outstanding by-elections in due course. We have been hampered by lack of funds. But we are confident that all funding issues will soon be resolved,” Oyekanmi said.
However, sources within INEC told one of our reporters that apart from the issue of funding, the commission was concerned about the security challenges in some of the affected constituencies and the safety of its personnel who would conduct the by-elections.
No excuse is tenable – Okorie
An elder statesman and politician, Chief Chekwas Okorie, urged INEC to conduct the by-elections and stop giving excuses.
Okorie, a former presidential candidate and founder of the defunct United Progressives Party (UPP) in a telephone interview with Daily Trust said, “INEC is giving excuses that funds are not available to conduct those elections.
“But this shouldn’t make INEC to renege on their statutory responsibility. That is not enough reason to violate the provisions of the law. The National Assembly should have called INEC to order because there are seats that are vacant in that Assembly and the constituents are not being represented.
“In other words, the constituents have been shut out by the behaviour of INEC, and there are several implications for what INEC is doing”, he said.
CSO, analysts speak
Speaking on the matter, the Executive Director of the Yiaga Africa, Mr Samson Itodo, said the delay in conducting by-elections into vacant seats is a matter of significant concern, especially in a democracy where citizens’ right to representation is paramount.
He said while it is easy to direct blame at the INEC, it is important to consider the broader context within which the process unfolds.
“Under Sections 76(2), 116(2), and 178(2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), INEC is mandated to conduct by-elections once a formal declaration of vacancy is made by the presiding officer of the legislative house whether that is the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the relevant State Assembly Speaker.
“If these presiding officers fail to declare the seat vacant, INEC is unable to proceed.
“In addition to this procedural bottleneck, another critical factor contributing to the delay is lack of funding. By-elections can be costly and require significant financial resources, including logistics, security, and personnel. In instances where there is insufficient funding, INEC’s capacity to organise these elections promptly is severely constrained.
“This situation highlights the need for both legal reforms and greater financial support for INEC. There should be clear guidelines and penalties for the timely declaration of vacancies by presiding officers, as well as consistent funding to ensure that the electoral body can efficiently carry out its mandate,” Itodo said.
Also, a professor of political science, Chris Kwaja, expressed worry over the development and called for a review of the laws to make things right.
He said some of the issues including those of conducting by-elections have been politicised, thus, paving the way for delays and controversies.
“We currently run a democracy that is liberal in theory and not in practice. The law must be reviewed in such a way that the power to declare seats vacant, in the case of defections, does not come from the presiding officers of the National Assembly,” he added.
Another political analyst, Jackson Lekan Ojo, condemned the delay in the conduct of the by-elections, saying denying the people quality representatiion is a bad omen for democracy.
“I wonder what has become of INEC. They are failing in their responsibilities. This is wrong,” he said.
He called on the electoral body to reconcile the issue of funding with the appropriate authorities in government to give hope to the people.
[DailyTrust]
Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has declared that he is ready to die to ensure victory for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Kalu said he and other APC loyalists will work hard to deliver the state to President Bola Tinubu and the party.
The former governor disclosed this while addressing journalists at his country home in Igbere, Abia State yesterday.
He also said Tinubu’s achievements in the past two years were enough to gain the support of Nigerians.
He said: “APC is strong in Abia. Like I said in my interview, I am ready to lay down my life for the party. I am a member of the party and a strong one at that. I am APC to the core. That’s why APC is strong in Abia North.
“Our party will work hard to deliver the President in the state. We have done it in the past, and we will do it again in 2027.”
The former Senate Chief Whip further expressed confidence that Nigeria’s economy would bounce back because Tinubu is working hard to make the naira regain its value.
He said, “The economy needs time to bounce back. The President is working to ensure that the economy bounces back.”
[Dailypost]
The lifespan of the capital vote component of the Federal Government’s 2024 budget is set for extension.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele gave this hint yesterday, saying this is necessary to ensure full implementation.
Bamidele said: “We have to sit and assess the full implementation of the 2024 budget.
“We will further extend the capital expenditure timeline while ensuring that the 2025 budget is fully implemented.”
The National Assembly, before the passage of this year’s budget, extended the implementation of the capital expenditure for the 2024 budget till June 30, this year.
The planned further extension might have been a result of the inability to fully implement the capital vote.
Last December 18, the National Assembly extended the implementation of the 2024 Budget by six months.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking at the 2025 Budget presentation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the 2024 Budget had achieved a 50 per cent performance rate in capital expenditure and 48 per cent in recurrent expenditure.
“Your Excellency, we have noted the 2024 Budget performance.
“Given this great achievement, we have deemed it necessary to extend the life span of the 2024 Budget to June 30th, 2025.
“The enabling law for this extension will soon be placed before you for your assent as a testament to our appreciation for the great performance of the budget, ensuring that we build upon your momentum,” Akpabio had said.
Bamidele, in a statement by his media adviser, Gboyega Akinsanmi, also spoke on the need to institutionalise a presidential address every June 12 in recognition of its historical significance.
The Senator said: “We are hoping to bring a bill soon to institutionalise the President’s address on June 12 because of its historical importance.
“There can’t be a better time to address the nation through the parliament than on June 12, especially since it is a joint sitting.”
President Tinubu is slated to address the Federal lawmakers at a joint sitting tomorrow.
Bamidele said the proposed legislation would also seek to designate the National Assembly Complex as the venue for future presidential inauguration.
He added: “We are hoping, in that bill, to ensure that the swearing-in of the next President and Commander-in-Chief, who we believe is President Tinubu, will be held within the arcade of the National Assembly.”
June 12 was declared Democracy Day as a replacement for May 29 by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The historic election won by Chief Moshood Abiola and annulled by Military President Ibrahim Babangida was held on June 12, 1993.
May 29, 1999, is the anniversary of the return to civil rule after 13 years of military.
Bamidele said a bill to make the presidential address at the National Assembly on June 12 mandatory will be proposed.
The Senator, who is the Vice Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, acknowledged that the constitution amendment has been slow.
However, he assured Nigerians that the process is ongoing, adding that it will bear fruit.
Bamidele said the committee is approaching the final stage of its work and planning to hold public hearings at zonal levels.
He said the public hearings would lead to a joint public hearing coordinated by the House of Representatives and the Senate.
He stressed: “We have done almost 70 per cent of the work before going public.
“Before the end of the third legislative year, we intend to complete the constitutional amendment process.”
[TheNation]
The battle for the soul of the Peoples Democratic Party has reportedly pitted the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, against the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The two political gladiators used to be good friends and played a key role in the victory of President Bola Tinubu in 2023, following their resolve to work against the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The duo, alongside Okezie Ikpeazu, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Samuel Ortom — then governors of Abia, Enugu and Benue states respectively- formed the G-5 bloc and insisted on a southern presidential ticket; but Atiku, who comes from the North, claimed the PDP ticket at the national convention.
Things have since fallen apart, with the Oyo State Governor, backed by his Bauchi counterpart, Bala Mohammed, and the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, no longer enjoying a cordial political relationship with Wike.
On his part, Wike is enjoying the support of Governors Caleb Muftwang (Plateau) and Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
The rift between Makinde and Wike reached its peak when, at a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the PDP governors rejected the planned reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu by the Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation Committee; a move seen by Wike as a betrayal by the Oyo State Governor.
Makinde is working in sync with the party’s national leadership, which has fixed June 30 for the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting and August 2025 for its convention.
On Monday, Wike rallied members of the defunct G-5, bar Makinde, to lay down his terms for peace to reign.
The PUNCH gathered that the Wike-backed group is pushing for a postponement of the convention, apparently to get a stronger hold of the party ahead of the 2027 election.
Despite this move, the plan by the PDP to hold its convention in August 2025 will not be affected by Wike’s move, party chieftains told The PUNCH on Tuesday.
This is just as they ruled out the postponement of the event on account of the press conference convened by Wike in Abuja.
On Monday, Wike and members of the G-5 – Ortom, Ikpeazu and Ugwuanyi – converged on Abuja to deliberate on the state of affairs of the PDP, giving conditions for peace and progress of the party.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Wike-led group made it clear that the decision of the PDP governors to back Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary against Senator Samuel Anyanwu is a recipe for chaos and upheaval in the party.
The leading opposition party has been enmeshed in a series of crises primarily driven by a power struggle between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike.
The dispute is anchored on the control of the party’s structure, with both leaders vying to assert their dominance ahead of the 2027 general election, where Atiku appears set to seek the party’s presidential ticket once again.
Wike, who has since pledged to lead the campaign for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, is determined to ensure that the PDP is sufficiently weakened to render it incapable of causing any upset against the sitting President.
The internal rift has intensified calls for the removal of the party’s National Chairman, Samuel Anyanwu, who is widely suspected of aligning with Wike in holding down the party. Wike’s perceived influence within the party’s hierarchy has further fueled concerns among Atiku’s loyalists, who believe that Anyanwu’s continued leadership could compromise the PDP’s unity and electoral prospects.
Not surprisingly, the Wike-led group stated, “In the spirit of fairness, inclusion, federal character principles and respect for our party constitution, the party must make an unequivocal announcement, zoning its presidential candidate to the South in the 2027 general election.
“That to finally arrest the inexorable drift towards extinction in our party, the party must, without further delay, respect the judgment of the Supreme Court. We, therefore, unequivocally reaffirm Senator Sam Anyanwu as the duly elected and substantive National Secretary of our great Party.
“In line with the provisions of our party constitution, only the National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, can issue notices of meetings of the National Convention, National Executive Committee, National Caucus and the National Working Committee and to this end, all notices not issued by him and actions founded on them, including correspondences to the Independent National Electoral Commission, are null and void and of no effect whatsoever.”
George warns Wike
Speaking exclusively with The PUNCH on Tuesday, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Olabode George, warned Wike and his group to know that nobody, no matter their status, could hijack the party.
He stated that the NEC meeting scheduled for June 30 would go on as planned.
“As an elder, I am a custodian of the rules and regulations governing our party. I want to advise this young man (Wike) to know that the only authority that can make a comment on this issue (convention) is the NEC. I want to advise them (G-5) that if they have any issue that will be of support to the party, or even if they are against the direction of the party, it is morally expedient to talk about it within the family,” he said.
He added, “These guys (Wike-led group) should calm down. They will not dare the NEC. Let the decision come from NEC. I spent 10 years in the National Working Committee but I have never seen anything like this before. We will not discuss anything outside of NEC. Whatever the majority says, that is it!”
The party, he further stated, is a collective heritage, saying, “Nobody owns this party, no matter who the heck you are. We don’t have any emperors in our party. We will stick with the rules and regulations as stated. We will be meeting on June 30, and by the grace of God, all this back and forth and innuendos will be put to bed.”
Ex-secretary reacts
In a separate interview with The PUNCH, another BoT member and former National Secretary of the PDP, Sen Ibrahim Tsauri, said, “Wike and his group may be planning to stop or sabotage the planned national convention but what is new in their plans or plots? Their plots cannot be as unacceptable as their utterances and resolve to support President Bola Tinubu.
“Whoever is in the PDP and expects to hear anything supportive from Wike and his group as regards the NEC meeting or convention must be deceiving himself, but we should know that Wike truly contributed greatly to the growth of the PDP after it lost the election in 2015.”
The former National Secretary ruled out a rescheduling of the convention, stating that despite the setbacks recently experienced by the party, it still boasts 10 governors.
“As for the postponement of the proposed convention, Nigerians should realise that PDP still has 10 committed sitting governors. For anyone to think that the proposed convention would be shifted simply because of a threat from an individual or group; that person may not be fair to himself, the teeming PDP supporters and even Nigerians.
“Wike and his group may be working to stop the convention while the PDP does not bother much on what it expects to happen,” he stated.
He added that having openly admitted to supporting the re-election bid of President Tinubu, Wike has done his worst for PDP.
“Imagine someone who claims to still be in the PDP but intends to support the presidential candidate of the ruling party in 2027 — what could be worse than that?
“For us, it’s simple. They may continue to insist, citing constitutional rights, that they remain PDP members. But the truth is, the leadership of the PDP has been compromised. If the leadership were serious, the constitution already provides for disciplinary action, including expulsion. That should have been done by now,” he added.
Also speaking, former National Vice Chairman of the PDP (South-West), Eddy Olafeso, faulted Wike’s stand on the reinstatement of Ayanwu as the party’s National Secretary, saying, “I don’t know exactly where he is getting his interpretations of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Supreme Court judgment from.”
On his part, the PDP National Organising Secretary, Capt Umar Bature (retd.), told The PUNCH that the insistence of the Wike-led group for Anyanwu to be duly recognised as the party’s National Secretary was in order.
He said, “That is the fact based on the Supreme Court judgement.”
S’West, Bauchi chapters
Meanwhile, the PDP South West Vice Chairman, Kamoru Ajisafe, faulted the communique issued by the Wike-led group in Abuja.
In an interview with one of our correspondents, Ajisafe said the NWC of the party, being the highest working organ of PDP, has decided on the issue of the National Secretary.
He added that the NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30.
“What he (Wike) did was not normal. The process of removing any officer must involve the NWC, which the Supreme Court, at its discretion, has established.
“The NWC of any political party remains the highest working organ of the party, and we have so decided regarding the post of the National Secretary.
“What we have right now is the Acting National Secretary, who is the Deputy National Secretary, and we are having our National Executive Committee meeting on June 30. Anything short of that, there are procedures. I don’t know what Wike is trying to establish.”
In the same vein, the PDP Bauchi State chapter clarified that the decision on whether to postpone the national convention to October, as requested by the FCT Minister and some stakeholders, rests with the party’s national leadership.
Bauchi State PDP Publicity Secretary Dayyabu Ciroma stated this in an interview with The PUNCH on Tuesday.
“This should be the decision of the national leadership. As state officials, we don’t have the right to deny or grant any recommendations of national affairs,” Ciroma said.
He expressed confidence in the national officials’ ability to handle the matter, saying they “Are equal to the task and may respond to the recommendations soon.”
Regarding Anyanwu’s retention as National Secretary, Ciroma noted that states have no say in the matter, saying, “It is solely the affairs of the national officials, NWC, BoT and the South-East PDP stakeholders.”
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Gov Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Mukhtar Gidado, did not respond to calls and messages by our correspondent as at the time of filing this report.
‘Followers and friends’
On its part, the Oyo State chapter of the party has described the meeting convened on Monday by Wike as alien and strange to the structure of the PDP.
The party, through its Publicity Secretary, Micheal Ogunsina, told The PUNCH that the meeting would not be regarded or recognised in any official capacity within the PDP.
According to Ogunsina, what took place was simply Wike meeting with his “committee of followers and friends,” not a gathering of bona fide party stakeholders.
He said, “The meeting Wike called is for Nyesom Wike’s followers and friends, not concerned PDP stakeholders.
“The meeting is alien and strange to the structure of our party. Whatever it is they discussed has nothing to do with the PDP or what we do as a political party.
“It’s just Wike and his committee of followers and friends having a gist on different matters. The meeting holds no water, and we don’t count it as a serious meeting.”
On the absence of Makinde from the Abuja meeting, Ogunsina stated that the Oyo governor held a meeting with the chairman of the PDP reconciliation committee, Senator Bukola Saraki.
“Bukola Sàràkí was with Governor Makinde yesterday (Monday) while the Abuja meeting was ongoing,” Ogunsina added.
Senegal captain Khalidou Koulibaly hailed victory against England on Tuesday night as one of his nation's greatest.
The 3-1 friendly win was the first time an African nation had defeated England at senior level.
After Harry Kane had given England the lead, Senegal took control to win 1-3 through goals from Ismaila Sarr, Habib Diarra and Cheikh Sabaly.
"Fantastic night. We knew we could do something in this game," Senegal captain Koulibaly told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"It was a tough game, but we showed our personality and showed we can play at this level."
Koulibaly likened the win to Senegal's Africa Cup of Nations victory in 2022.
"It is fantastic. We are not used to making history and we made it when we won AFCON, and we made it tonight," he added.
"We want to continue writing the story of Senegal. We wanted to show we have a good nation."
London’s famed black cabs will be joined by autonomous taxis early next year when Uber Technologies Inc. links up with British artificial intelligence firm Wayve Technologies Ltd. in Uber’s first pilot scheme for robotaxis.
With Google LLC’s Waymo currently leading the pack where robotaxis are concerned, Uber is playing catch-up, as is Tesla Inc., which today announced it will soon be bringing autonomous taxis to Austin, Texas. Meanwhile, Waymo has become the target of anti-ICE protestors in the U.S., with some protestors less than enamored with the prospect of a driverless future.
Uber said its London plan will be its first foray into robotaxis, with the trial to start with human drivers at the wheel – a safety standard for autonomous driving known in the industry as “Level 4.” The company said that the hurdle will be passed and London will soon get its first fully autonomous taxis, although it didn’t say exactly when that will happen.
This was recently made possible after the U.K. government had a volte-face and introduced an accelerated framework to bring autonomous bus and taxi commercial services to the country. “By having faster reaction times than humans, and by being trained on large numbers of driving scenarios, including learning from real-world incidents, self-driving vehicles can help reduce deaths and injuries,” the government said in a press release discussing the upcoming legislation, the Automated Vehicles Act.
While the impact of driverless taxis in a city that is renowned for its seemingly never-ending sinuous streets – where human-driven taxis are omnipresent – has already been discussed in terms of possible job losses, the U.K.’s Department for Transport has said the industry could create 38,000 jobs and add £42 billion ($56 billion) to the U.K. economy by 2035.
“The future of transport is arriving,” said Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander. “Self-driving cars could bring jobs, investment, and the opportunity for the U.K , to be among the world leaders in new technology.”
It seems London’s “cabbies” are not overly concerned about the rise of the robotaxi in their city, with the general secretary of the Licensed Taxi Drivers’ Association, Steve McNamara, telling The Guardian that robotaxis on London’s streets is “fantasy.” He added, “We’re probably going to have flying taxis before we have autonomous ones in London,” explaining that if such vehicles are struggling with San Francisco’s streets, they won’t have a chance in London. “Come back to me in 2040,” he said
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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Mr. Collins Omokaro, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience. He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step toward a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
Dr. Zacch Adedeji, FIRS Executive Chairman, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organization, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
[Vanguard]
Senegal have become the first African country to beat England, following their 3-1 win in an international friendly on Tuesday night.
Before the game, the Three Lions had recorded a narrow 1-0 win over Andorra.
Thomas Tuchel had been critical of his team’s performance and demanded better against the Teranga Lions.
The hosts took the lead early through Captain Harry Kane.
But the Senegalese fought back to dominate the match played at the City Ground.
Ismaila Sarr made it 1-1 before Habib Diarra burst through to give the West Africans the lead.
England were sluggish about taking a free kick and it led to a counterattack, which saw Cheikh Sabaly put the game out of reach.
This is also Tuchel’s first defeat in charge of England.
[VIDEO] Nigerian woman in shock as widower father, mother-in-law started an affair during omugwo abroad
AFOLABI![[VIDEO] Nigerian woman in shock as widower father, mother-in-law started an affair during omugwo abroad](/media/k2/items/cache/728aee4b9a81cb7a03ff7cd5ad46aa31_XS.jpg?t=20250611_073456)
A Twitter user has narrated a jaw-dropping family drama involving a Nigerian woman living abroad who just had a baby, her father and her mother-in-law who came for Omugwo.
According to the story, the new mum invited her father from Nigeria to join her abroad for omugwo (the traditional postpartum care, usually done by the new mum’s mother). Since her mum had passed away, her dad was the next best thing. Meanwhile, her husband also invited his own mother, the new mum’s mother-in-law — for the same omugwo duties.
So far, so good… until it wasn’t.
Two months into their stay, the woman reportedly checked her home’s security camera feed, which is connected to her phone, and what she discovered left her completely shattered. She allegedly found out that her father and her mother-in-law have been having an affair right under her roof.
To make matters worse, both parents have been sharing the same bedroom due to limited space. The house has just three rooms — one for the couple, one for the baby, and one extra room with two beds that both parents were using.
Now, the woman is confused and torn. She doesn’t know how to tell her husband. She doesn’t know if she should confront her father. She doesn’t even know how to navigate the remaining six months of their visit without causing a complete breakdown in the family.
Social media users are already debating what they would do if they were in her shoes, with many calling it the “wildest omugwo story of the year.”
Watch video below…
Media
Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesman to Atiku Abubakar, the ex-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has given condition to support President Bola Tinubu.
Sowunmi disclosed that he would defect from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress before supporting President Tinubu.
Featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday evening, Sowunmi said there is a strong possibility that he might leave the PDP.
According to him: “If I’m going to support Tinubu in 2027, by God and everything that is in me, I will leave and join his party.
“I don’t believe in the nonsense that says you are in one party while supporting someone else.
“I don’t have time for pretense, if I’m not there, I’m not there. I have been in PDP for 28 years and most of them don’t even have that record of 28 days.
“If I’m going to leave to support the president, I will damn say that I’m going.
“Why will anyone with sense in his head stay in a party when you are telling them to repair the party.
“I have screamed and shouted that we needed to reform the party. There is a very strong possibility, looking at what is going on in my environment, looking at my state where I come from, looking at my tribe and desire – there is a very strong possibility that I may likely leave.”