The rivalry between former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesome Wike has escalated as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gears up for its 98th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Thursday, April 18.

One of the key issues expected to dominate the meeting is the leadership of the party, with calls for the replacement of acting National Chairman Umar Damagum. Damagum assumed the role following the suspension of National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu by the court in March last year.

Sources within the party reveal that Atiku’s camp is backing former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam for the position, while Wike’s camp, supported by some PDP governors, is pushing for Damagum to be confirmed as the substantive chairman to complete Ayu’s tenure.

The power struggle between Atiku and Wike dates back to the build-up to the 2023 general elections when Atiku defeated Wike for the PDP presidential ticket and subsequently chose Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate instead of Wike. The fallout led to Wike supporting the eventual winner, President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress.

A member of the PDP North Central Caucus, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated, “Wike and some PDP governors want Damagum to be confirmed as the PDP substantive chairman. They are supporting someone from the North-East to complete the tenure of a position zoned to the North Central for their selfish reasons.”

However, a highly placed member of the PDP National Working Committee asserted that the position of National Chairman is not vacant since Ayu’s case is still in court. The source added, “The PDP Constitution does not specify the duration or tenure for someone to assume the role of acting party leader. Therefore, Damagum will continue to serve in that capacity.”

As the NEC meeting approaches, the PDP faces internal divisions and a battle for control between the Atiku and Wike factions.

Bayer Leverkusen lifted the Bundesliga title for the first time in their 120-year history on Sunday, with a 5-0 victory over Werder Bremen.

The title win breaks Bayern Munich’s 11-year stranglehold on the German top flight.

Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen knew victory would secure the title with five games to spare, but there were no signs of nerves in a dominant performance.

A hat-trick from Florian Wirtz and goals from Victor Boniface and Granit Xhaka extended their unbeaten run to a stunning 43 games in all competitions.

Alonso looked ahead to Thursday’s Europa League trip to London to face West Ham, making seven changes to his starting XI and benching stars Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo, the latter for the first time in the league this season.

Piero Hincapie, Grimaldo’s replacement, had an early effort at goal saved but it would be the fit-again Boniface, making his first start since mid-December, who put the home side in front.

With 22 minutes gone, Jonas Hofmann was felled in the box by Bremen’s Julian Malatini, with the referee pointing to the spot after VAR urged him to view the contact again on the monitor.

Boniface stepped up and nervelessly slotted the penalty past a helpless Michael Zetterer to send the home fans into raptures.

Hofmann was almost the provider again shortly before half-time, his pass finding Amine Adli who fired against the crossbar.

Bremen started the second half strongly but their hopes of spoiling the party were snuffed out on the 60-minute mark, Boniface finding Xhaka who unleashed a long-range rocket before slapping his badge in front of the ecstatic home fans.

Wirtz, who came on at half-time for Adli, replicated Xhaka’s effort eight minutes later from almost the same spot on the pitch.

He added another with seven minutes remaining before sealing his hat-trick in the 90th minute as Leverkusen rid themselves of their nearly men tag in style.

A former National Vice Chairman, North-West, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Salihu Lukman said imposition of candidates is rampant in the party because relevant party organs are not meeting.

Lukman stated this in a statement on Sunday.

According to him, if organs of the party are meeting regularly, impositions of candidates would be minimised.

He added that for party organs to be made functional, the issue of party funding must be resolved beyond the current reality of dependence on elected representatives.

Lukman called for deliberate reforms in the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said, “The whole issue of activating all party structures and making them functional in line with provisions of the APC Constitution must be guaranteed.

“Once APC, being the ruling party, can operate based on provisions of its Constitution, the campaign to reform Nigerian politics and expand democratic space will be made much easier.

“If organs of the party are meeting regularly, problems of impositions of candidates will be minimised.

“In any case, issues leading to imposition of candidates are made possible and stronger because organs of the party vested with the responsibility of decisions regarding party primary are undermined.

“Consequently, party stakeholders who should have a say in decisions that can guarantee free and fair primary are marginalised.

“As much as party organs are meeting as prescribed by the party Constitution, incidences of imposition will be minimised.”

The Organised Labour are demanding ₦615,000 as the new minimum wage for workers, due to the hardship in the country.

An executive of the organized labour, requesting anonymity as he lacked authorization to speak on the issue, disclosed to Sunday PUNCH that the consensus on the new monthly wage of ₦615,000 was reached through consultations facilitated by the NLC and TUC.

The source said, “We (NLC and TUC) have given our figures to the government (on the minimum wage), and it is ₦615,000. That is the position of the NLC and TUC on the matter. The government has been informed as well.”

Recall that the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, had said in an interview that rising inflation in the country might push organised labour to demand ₦1 million as the minimum wage.

As a result, various controversies emerged, with experts expressing doubts about the feasibility or long-term viability of the proposed wage.

However, in an interview with Punch correspondent, another labour leader emphasized that the NLC and TUC had tentatively agreed on setting the new wage at ₦615,000.

When questioned about whether the May 1 deadline was still feasible, the labour leader said, “What I want you to know is that we are doing our best. Both the TUC and NLC have harmonised, and they have sent their position to the government.

“We are in the process. Be assured that once anything happens, I will, as usual, inform you. That is all I can tell you for now because we have not met, even though we have submitted our unified positions to the Federal Government. We will be speaking with one voice.

“But, let me also hint to you that with the removal of the electricity tariff subsidy, we are going to have another round of serious conversations with the government.

“Mind you, the tariff increase is also very good for us, because they (the government) did it when the new minimum wage process had not been concluded. So, it is going to be a good ground for us to ask for more.

“Our position will be defended based on the new price of ₦225 per kWh of electricity. Although we (the government and Labour) are not in agreement, we are waiting to meet and decide on the next point of action.”

Iran’s mission to the United Nations has said the country’s missiles and drones fired toward Israel were justified, warning the United States to “stay away.”

“It is a conflict between Iran and the rogue Israeli regime, from which the U.S. MUST STAY AWAY!,” Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement, according to Fox News.

Iran’s warning came after U.S. officials confirmed to Fox News that the United States military is continuing to shoot down Iranian drones that are headed toward Israel.

“U.S. forces in the region continue to shoot down Iranian-launched drones targeting Israel. Our forces remain postured to provide additional defensive support and to protect U.S. forces operating in the region,” a U.S. military official said.

According to Iran’s mission to the United Nations, the attacks were justified by Article 51 of the UN Charter, which recognizes a member of the United Nations’ right to self-defence if attacked by another nation.

Iran said that the missiles and drones were launched in a retaliatory attack to an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Syria which killed several generals.

“Iran’s military action was in response to the Zionist regime’s aggression against our diplomatic premises in Damascus,” the statement said.

Israel has not taken responsibility for the attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus.

Iran said that the retaliatory attack could be deemed concluded. However, should the Israeli regime make another mistake, its response will be considerably more severe.

Former President Trump has shared a heated message to those in attendance at his rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday, after Iran’s attack on Israel, vowing it should not have happened.

Fox News reports that Trump joined other GOP politicians in voicing their concerns about President Joe Biden’s administration and the attacks.

“Before going any further, I want to say God bless the people of Israel. They’re under attack right now. That’s because we show great weakness,” Trump said.

“The weakness that we’ve shown is unbelievable, and it would not have happened if we were in office. You know that. They know that, and everybody knows that,” the former President added.

Trump said America is praying for Israel and is sending absolute support to everyone in harm’s way.

DAILY POST reported that Israel witnessed an unprecedented air attack from Iran on Saturday being a retaliation against Israeli attack on its consul in Syria.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has called on citizens of the country to refrain from speaking ill of Nigeria but pray for its betterment.

The governor gave the advice on Saturday at the 2024 Eid-el-Fitr celebration at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

The celebration had the theme: “Allah will not Change the Way of the People until they Change What is in their Hearts”.

Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, called on Nigerians to change their thoughts about Nigeria, urging them to speak positively about the country.

According to the governor, God will not change anything for any society until the people decide to change their minds for good.

Sanwo-Olu added that the citizens should stop cursing the country so that God would change it for the better.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to believe in their current leaders and pray for them and the country.

“Almighty God will not change anything for any society until they change what is in their minds.

“Our collective intent should be to keep praying for Nigeria and the leadership to do the right thing.

“That is when Allah will intervene in the present situation of our country.

“It is, therefore, important for us to desist from talking ill about the country,” he said.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has cleared the 16 aspirants seeking their ticket to contest the November 20 Ondo State Governorship election.

DAILY POST reports that the seven-man screening committee, led by Sen. Joshua Lidani, gave all the aspirants the nod to contest the April 20 primary election.

A report submitted to the party’s Directorate of Organisation in Abuja on Saturday said the committee considered eligibility, suitability, character, and support base, among other areas.

Among those cleared were the incumbent Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Isaac Kekemeke, former APC National Vice-Chairman (South West), Olusoji Ehinlanwo, a former member of the House of Assembly, Olugbenga Edema, and Sen. Jimoh Ibrahim.

Others are Mrs Funmilayo Waheed-Adekojo, Akinfolarin Samuel, former Commissioner for Finance, Adewale Akinterinwa, Chief Olusola Oke, Ohunyeye Felix and Morayo Lebi.

Also cleared were Garvey Iyanjan; Prof. Francis Faduyile, Mrs Judith Omogoroye, Ifeoluwa Oyedele and Okunjimi John.

“All aspirants demonstrated a willingness to support the aspirant that emerged as the party’s candidate for the November 2024 governorship election,” the report said.

It tasked the party’s leadership to ensure that the April 20 primary election is free, fair, credible and acceptable to all.

Former England women’s player, Eniola Aluko, has become the first black woman to own a club in Italy.

Aluko has acquired a major stake in FC Como’s female team.

The 37-year-old confirmed this in a post on her X page, where revealed she is a part of a $100 million ownership group, known as Mercury 13, which acquired a majority stake.

Como Women was only established in 2020, and they use a 3,700-capacity stadium.

They currently play in the top flight of the Italian Serie A.

Eniola, who is the sister of former Super Eagles player Sone Aluko, was born in Lagos to Nigerian parents in 1987.

But she eventually naturalized to England and played for the Three Lionesses.

Former Manchester United defender, Rio Ferdinand, has identified the two fixtures that will cost Arsenal the Premier League title.

With seven matches left, the Gunners can go back to the top of the table with a win over Aston Villa on Sunday.

But Ferdinand believes that Mikel Arteta’s men will suffer two more defeats before the season’s end, which will eventually cost them the title in the process.

While predicting the run-in for TNT Sport, Ferdinand tipped Arsenal to lose 2-1 away at North London rivals Tottenham, before falling to another defeat against United at Old Trafford in the penultimate game of the campaign.

According to him, Erik ten Hag’s side will run out 3-2 winners against Arteta’s men.