Three years after the deadly assault on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, bandits have issued a fresh threat to launch another attack on the church.

The anonymous assailants, in a letter addressed to the church, vowed to carry out a strike “soon”, with no specific timeline stipulated.

With the threat, tension has gripped the ancient community, which is still reeling from the June 5, 2022, Pentecost Sunday attack, where gunmen stormed the church, killing 41 worshippers and injuring 69 others.

The tragic incident, one of Nigeria’s deadliest acts of violence against a religious institution, left scars on Owo’s residents, many of whom remain fearful amid persistent insecurity in parts of the state and country.

Concerned about the development, the community led by its traditional ruler, the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Ogunoye , convened a security summit to address the rising insecurity in the area.

According to the summit’s publicity secretary, Mr Bosun Oladimeji, the maiden edition of the Owo Security Summit, themed “Securing Owo and its Environs: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience”, will be held next week.

Oladimeji maintained that the summit will raise awareness about community security, foster cooperation between residents and law enforcement, reduce crime, and propose sustainable security initiatives with the key objective to establish a Security Trust Fund to support long-term efforts.

The South-East caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party has given the former Senate President Bukola Saraki-led reconciliation panel a list of conditions that will stop the defections of its leaders and members from the party.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that this happened during the closed-door meeting between the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and the Saraki panel on Friday at the Enugu State Government House. Mbah is the leader of the party in the zone.

The caucus reportedly insisted that the National Youth Leader, Sunday Ude-Okoye, must be retained as the party’s National Secretary.

The group also said that the party would lose its grip on the South-East if the leadership failed to address the concerns of stakeholders from the zone.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the meeting was part of efforts to stem the tide of defections rocking the party, especially from the South-South and South-East.

Saraki, who addressed journalists after the meeting, had said, “Frankly, we had a very useful discussion. We are going away with some of the suggestions that we have here and hopefully will work on that.”

Insiders at the meeting confided in our correspondents that Mbah lamented that the zone had not been treated fairly in party affairs.

According to a source, the governor complained that the South-East, which had for years been a strong pillar of support for the party, was not respected.

He said, “The governor told the panel that, as a condition to sustain the dominance of the party in the region, the PDP must retain Ude-Okoye as the party’s National Secretary instead of Senator Samuel Anyanwu.

“He lamented that the zone had not been given due recognition in party affairs. The governor reminded the panel that the South-East, led by the then Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, stood firm and brought back PDP on a strong footing when the party had a crisis in 2015. The governor told the panel that the PDP leadership must give the South-East a prominent role in the party.”

Recall that the South-East PDP leaders had on May 14 issued a communique in which they threatened to exit the party if Udeh-Okoye was not retained as National Secretary.

Signed by the Zonal Chairman, Chief Ali Odefa, the communique partly read, “The South-East has consistently served as a stronghold of the PDP from inception. In its near three-decade existence, we have given our loyalty and all to the party.

“Therefore, we hope that this time around, the position of the South-East PDP regarding the office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves.

“However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the party, the South-East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward.”

Party crisis

The PDP has been embroiled in a protracted leadership crisis centred on the position of National Secretary, involving Anyanwu and Udeh-Okoye.

The crisis began when Anyanwu, who was elected as the PDP National Secretary in 2021, contested the Imo State gubernatorial election under the party in 2023.

His participation in the election led to internal disputes within the party, with some members arguing that his candidacy effectively vacated his position as the party’s scribe. 

Following the controversy, the National Executive Committee of the party asked the South-East, where Anyanwu hails from, to name his replacement.

The South-East subsequently nominated Udeh-Okoye as the new PDP scribe, a development that resulted in a legal battle.

Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, tensions persist within the PDP, as the party’s governors nominated the Deputy National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, as the acting National Secretary.

NEC meeting

Meanwhile, Sunday PUNCH has exclusively gathered that the disputed position of National Secretary, zonal congresses, and the upcoming elective national convention will top the agenda at the PDP’s 99th National Executive Committee meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, at the party’s headquarters in Abuja.

A reliable source within the PDP National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that various committees were also expected to present progress reports.

The PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed that the NEC meeting would address and resolve all outstanding issues.

The reliable source within the NWC confirmed that the party leadership was making significant efforts to ensure the meeting takes place on Tuesday.

He said, “The more the NEC meeting is postponed, the deeper the crisis within the party becomes. That’s why the current National Working Committee, led by Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, is making every effort to ensure the meeting holds as scheduled on May 27.

“A lot of work is going on behind the scenes, though it may not be visible to the public. But this time, the NEC meeting will definitely take place.”

The source acknowledged that the meeting was expected to be tense due to the number of critical issues on the agenda.

However, there is optimism that it will end well and mark a turning point for the PDP.

“We will consider the Governors’ Forum’s recommendation for an early convention in August. The NEC will also receive reports from several committees, including the Disciplinary Panel and the Reconciliation Committee.

“In addition, discussions will cover the zonal congresses and the long-disputed position of National Secretary, which we expect the NEC to finally resolve. All pending matters affecting the party will be deliberated on, and appropriate resolutions will be made.”

The National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the NEC meeting will hold on May 27 as planned, with all arrangements in place to address the National Secretary dispute and other pending issues.

He said, “NEC is going to hold as scheduled on May 27. We are moving ahead with our NEC.

“Politics is all about interest. But the PDP has internal mechanisms with the capacity to reconcile all these issues. And that is why all issues about the National Secretary are going to NEC. The NEC will sort it out.

“Also, there will be several meetings before the NEC. The National Working Committee will meet with the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, and there will be a National Caucus meeting, among others. There will be a caucus on May 26.”

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has said the 2027 general elections may be his final shot at the presidency.

Obi, who confirmed he would contest in 2027 on the LP’s platform, hinted at a possible exit from active politics after that.

He spoke in a seven-minute, 16-second video clip that went viral on the party’s WhatsApp platform during an informal address to young Nigerians.

The former Anambra State governor noted that he would be 65 in 2027 and might not be willing to pursue public office beyond that age.

“I believe we should have a retirement age for politicians. By 2027, I will be 65. If the presidency goes back to the North in 2031, it may not return to the South until 2039 — by then, I will be 77. I wouldn’t want to run for office at that age. It would make a mess of everything,” he said.

Despite suggesting that he may not return to the ballot beyond 2027, Obi assured his audience of continued support for young Nigerians who are serious about national transformation.

“Even if I’m not contesting, I will always support those of you who are committed to real change, with whatever resources I can provide,” he stated.

Although Sunday PUNCH could not verify when the video was recorded, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, confirmed it was recent. 

“It’s a recent video, around last week, yes. But I can’t remember the exact day that it held,” Ibrahim said.

Addressing internal crises in opposition parties, Obi blamed the ruling government for fuelling the turmoil in both the LP and Peoples Democratic Party.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government. Quote me anywhere,” he declared, adding that interference in party affairs was a calculated effort to weaken the opposition.

He recalled how former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua once intervened in a similar situation to ensure internal stability within political parties.

Obi said, “Back then, I went to President Yar’Adua. He called the INEC Chairman, Prof. Maurice Iwu, and said he didn’t want any issues in any political party. The problems were fixed. But today, every party is facing one crisis or another — and it is deliberate.”

He stated Nigeria’s democracy couldn’t thrive without strong opposition parties, expressing his determination to fix such structural challenges if elected.

The former Anambra governor also urged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for defending the integrity of their votes, warning that any meaningful reform would be met with resistance from those benefitting from the current system.

A former House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency in Osun State, Gideon Aloba, has called for a strategic alliance and genuine power-sharing arrangement between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement shared with Sunday PUNCH, Aloba said only a united front between the opposition leaders could unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“To defeat Tinubu in 2027, there must be a handshake between Atiku and Obi. One of them must be ready to shelve personal ambition and offer strategic support,” he said.

Aloba called for a coalition modelled after the 2010 UK Conservative–Liberal Democrat government, where clear roles and responsibilities were outlined in a formal agreement.

He warned that without a binding framework, any merger could collapse under political pressure. 

The LP chieftain said, “To effectively manage the merger and protect the interests of both parties, a bipartisan coalition agreement must be signed. This document should clearly outline the roles, responsibilities, and oversight mechanisms for each side.

“The coalition should not be a mere president-and-spare-tyre arrangement. It must reflect true power-sharing where, for instance, one leader manages the economy and the other handles security and anti-corruption.

“The merger is not only inevitable; it is necessary. Though such alliances are always delicate, especially in Nigeria’s political space, a well-negotiated, clearly documented, and mutually respected agreement remains the best possible safeguard for the success of both parties, and more importantly, for the future of Nigeria.”

He stressed that managing ticket dynamics would be crucial in maintaining the support base of both parties, urging a display of political maturity and national interest above personal ambition.

President Bola Tinubu has appointed the immediate-past Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, as director-general of the National Institute for Sports (NIS).

Naija News reports that the NIS, which was established in 1974, is a research and training Institute and a parastatal under the National Sports Commission (NSC).

The Institute is responsible for producing top-rated coaches, sports managers, and sports scientists, conducting sports research and aiming to improve Nigeria’s performance in international sporting competitions.

According to Leadership, Shaibu is expected to initiate reforms in the Institute to reposition it.

Meanwhile, Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a ₦50 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by former Deputy Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu, against ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki and four others.

Naija News gathered that the case was struck out on Monday after Shaibu’s legal team applied to withdraw the suit, citing an amicable settlement of the dispute.

Shaibu’s counsel, Anita Oteh, told the court that the matter had been resolved among the parties, thus prompting the decision to discontinue the proceedings.

However, Aliyu Abdulkadir, representing the Attorney General of the Federation (the fourth defendant), expressed surprise at the claim of settlement, saying his client had not been informed. While he raised no objection to the withdrawal, Abdulkadir asked the court to dismiss the case outright.

Oteh opposed the request for dismissal, urging the court to grant a simple withdrawal instead.

In his ruling, Justice Lifu held that since pleadings had already been joined in the case, a dismissal was the appropriate order.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi, has poured cold water on the emerging coalition of opposition political parties, declaring on Saturday that he will run for president again in the 2027 general elections under the Labour Party.

He made the declaration while speaking to a group of young supporters in a video that is in circulation.

Obi, in the 7-minute, 16-second video, addressed concerns about the perceived internal crises within both the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), attributing these issues to external influences from the current government.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government; quote me anywhere.

“We had a problem at our party before, in the past. I went to him then; he called the INEC Chairman and told him he didn’t want any problems in any party. We were forced to fix it,” he explained.

“Today, all parties are experiencing issues that are deliberately created by the system. These are some of the matters I aim to address if given the opportunity.”

When asked which party he intended to contest in the 2027 elections, Obi stated that “I will continue to run in the Labour Party, as I am still a member.”

Obi urged Nigerians to take ownership of their electoral power, stressing that while political parties may hire agents to safeguard their interests, it is ultimately the voters who hold the key to ensuring their votes are counted.

He encouraged the youth and the electorate to remain hopeful, reminding them that resistance to positive change often comes from those benefiting from the status quo.

The Anambra State former governor expressed his views on political longevity, suggesting that there should be a retirement age for politicians seeking public office, noting that by the time the 2027 elections occur, he will be 65 years old, indicating he does not wish to be campaigning in his 70s.

Zamfara State governor, Dauda Lawal, has settled all outstanding debts owed to examination bodies by previous administrations in the State, a development that has led to the release of withheld results of students who sat for SSCE spanning five years.

The previous Zamfara State governments failed to pay exam fees to the National Examinations Council (NECO) from 2014 to 2018 and the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) from 2018 to 2022.

However, a statement by the spokesperson for the Zamfara State Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, on Saturday, revealed that the incumbent Governor Lawal has settled the debts and consequently the examination bodies have released all results withheld by them from 2018 to 2022.

The statement added that the present government’s effort to settle the outstanding debts was part of a broader strategy in line with Governor Lawal’s declaration of a state of emergency on education.

The statement read in part: “In his commitment to overhauling the educational sector of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has settled all backlog of payments owed by previous administrations in the state.

“The nonpayment of fees for WAEC and NECO has caused a significant setback for public schools throughout Zamfara State, continually placing Zamfara at the bottom of educational indices across Nigeria.

“Recognising the issues within the education system, Governor Lawal declared a state of emergency in education in November 2023, a decision producing positive results for the educational sector in Zamfara State.

“More than 500 schools have been renovated and equipped since the emergency declaration. Public teachers have been trained and are undergoing retraining.

“The swift payment of the outstanding debt to WAEC and NECO has relieved the stranded Zamfara students, who completed their final exams but could not proceed due to the examination bodies withholding their results.

“For the West African Examination Council (WAEC), Governor Dauda Lawal has paid the outstanding of one billion four hundred million naira that the previous administrations owed from 2018 to 2022.

“The immediate past government could not pay for the 2023 WAEC; therefore, no public school in Zamfara State participated in the examination. However, payment was made for 2024, and students took the exams.

“On the part of the National Examination Council (NECO), Governor Lawal has paid N320, 699, 850.00 to settle a debt owed the council from 2020 to 2021.

“The previous administrations from 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 failed to pay the National Examination Council (NECO) the sum of one billion and twenty-two million naira, a reason why the council decided to withhold the results of Zamfara students who sat during that period.

“Governor Dauda Lawal has also approved the payment of the withheld results from 2014 to 2018, and an agreement has been reached with NECO to release the results immediately after receiving the first batch of the payment.”

Former Senate Leader and Senator representing Borno South, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his appointment of individuals from the three geopolitical zones in the North to key federal government parastatals and agencies.

The announcement made on Friday revealed that approximately 12 individuals from the North have been appointed to strategic national positions. 

The list includes Yazid Shehu Umar Danfulani (Zamfara) as Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC); Alhaji Hamza Ibrahim Baba (Kano) as Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP); Alhaji Abubakar Umar Jarengol (Adamawa) as Executive Director of Operations at NAIC; Barrister Sama’ila Audu (Katsina) as Executive Director of Administration at the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF); Professor Musa Garba Mai Tafsiri (Kebbi) as Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, and Comrade Isa Aremu (Kwara) as Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS), among others.

In a statement he personally signed and issued to the press on Saturday, the ranking lawmaker described the appointments as a reflection of President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance.

It is worth noting that Senator Ndume had previously expressed concerns about what he called imbalances in the appointments made by Tinubu, which he deemed a violation of the Federal Character principle enshrined in the Constitution. 

Citing Section 14 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, he argued that such imbalances could deepen political discontent and fuel opposition coalitions against the President and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

However, in his latest statement, the vocal Senator expressed satisfaction with the President’s actions, noting that they demonstrated Tinubu’s willingness to listen to constructive criticism.

He remarked, “President Tinubu is someone who is open to constructive feedback. I recognise him as a fair-minded and cosmopolitan individual. While we are all prone to errors, no one is infallible.”

He continued, “I recall that leaders in the North, including myself, were genuinely concerned about the recent appointments to key federal positions, voicing our discontent over the perceived imbalances. The hallmark of a good leader and statesman is the ability to adjust when decisions or policies are met with widespread disapproval.”

Senator Ndume asserted, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently shown himself to be a responsive leader. This recent appointment of Northerners into significant positions within federal parastatals and agencies was intended to rectify the imbalances created by prior appointments that left the North feeling neglected.”

He emphasised that he holds no personal grudges against President Tinubu and his administration, reaffirming his confidence in Tinubu’s ability to fulfil the expectations of Nigerians in delivering the dividends of democracy.

While congratulating the appointees, Senator Ndume urged them to not disappoint the nation, but to justify the trust placed in them through their respective assignments. He also reassured President Tinubu of his loyalty, affirming his commitment to fulfilling his duties as a lawmaker by highlighting any perceived excesses of the Executive arm of government.

The International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol) national central bureau in Abuja has extradited one Abubakar Aboki Muhammed from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the country over alleged multi-million dollar fraud.

Muhammed, a Nigerian, was arrested in Dubai, UAE, following an investigation over alleged fraud perpetrated against an Abuja-based businessman.

The case was reported to the police in July 2023.  

A statement by Muyiwa Adejobi, force spokesperson, said Muhammed allegedly defrauded the businessman after posing as a shipping agent.

Adejobi said the suspect allegedly secured a “contract to facilitate payments and freight of ten high-end vehicles, valued at $307,500.00, from the UAE to Nigeria via designated registered shipping companies”.

“After establishing trust, Muhammed fraudulently received the full payment through a third-party account at FCMB belonging to Anas Usaini, a Kano resident, which was subsequently used for money laundering activities in Dubai,” the force spokesperson said. 

“Upon receipt of the payment, Muhammed provided the complainant with a forged bill of lading for the vehicles and subsequently became uncontactable.

“He was apprehended in Dubai on April 15, 2025, and has been extradited to Nigeria to face prosecution at the Federal High Court, marking a significant success in the ongoing fight against transnational financial crime.” 

Adejobi said Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police, commended the Dubai Police, INTERPOL NCB Abu Dhabi, and the Nigerian Consulate General in Dubai for facilitating the suspect’s extradition.

Peter Okoye, the popular Nigerian singer, who is also known as Mr P of the P-Square duo, has spoken about his split from his twin brother, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy.

According to him, there is a joy that comes with a solo career.

Speaking in a recent interview with Cool FM, Lagos, Mr P urged fans to respect their decisions, stressing that they tried to remain as a duo, but it wasn’t working.

“There’s a joy that comes with going solo. Please respect our decisions. We’ve tried it, it’s not working,” he said.

Recall that Paul confirmed in August last year that P-Square had broken up again. The group first split in 2016 but reunited in 2021.