A Federal Character Commissioner from Oyo State, Adeniyi Olowofela, has stated that the defection of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, from the All Progressives Congress will not hinder President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking during a telephone interview with Noble FM in Ibadan, Olwofela described El-Rufai’s defection to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) as political suicide.

He argued that Tinubu holds the most powerful seat in Nigeria, and this, combined with the country’s political culture, will make it difficult to wrestle power from the president.

He said, “Bola Ige once said the most powerful person in Nigeria is the President. As a result, it is difficult to unseat Tinubu. His policies will yield positive results by the time the 2027 election approaches. What we are witnessing now is the natural interplay of demand and supply, which is beyond the government’s control.”

He dismissed claims of divisions within the APC, asserting that Tinubu has consolidated power within the party. “Contrary to what people are saying about APC being divided, it originated from the ACN and CPC. Tinubu has united all factions. The supposed divisions are mere political distractions,” he said.

Addressing speculation about the roles of former APC leaders such as Rauf Aregbesola and Kayode Fayemi, Olowofela maintained that they were merely Tinubu’s political foot soldiers. He also ruled out the possibility of opposition figures like Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar forming a successful alliance with El-Rufai, as they would not join a party where they cannot secure a presidential ticket.

“Tinubu’s second term is in the North’s best interest. Many assume Northerners act as a single political bloc, but this is a misconception. Atiku and Rabiu Kwankwaso, for instance, will not align with a party that doesn’t guarantee them a presidential ticket,” he explained, predicting that Tinubu will secure victory in over 18 states in 2027.

Olowofela also criticized El-Rufai’s leadership in Kaduna, labeling him a religious extremist who alienated Christians. He suggested that this may play a role in the rejection of El-Rufai’s ministerial nomination.

It appears the controversy over the allegations by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill and her suspension from the Red Chamber may not be getting off the news anytime soon.

This is because the suspended Kogi Senator on Tuesday took her case to a global stage.

The Senate suspended the lawmaker for violation of the Senate’s rules days after she submitted a petition against Akpabio for sexual assault and other accusations, claims the Senate President has strongly refuted.

But at the Women in Parliament session held at the Inter-Parliamentary Union Meeting (IPU) at the United Nations in New York, Senator Natasha is seeking justice and the intervention of global democratic institutions.

The lawmaker is asking for justice over what she described as injustice meted out to her. Senator Natasha described her suspension from the Senate as illegal.

“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition for sexual harassment against the President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio. I thought that by submitting the petition, he would recuse himself and both of us would submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petition for a fair, transparent investigation. But unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended,” she told the gathering.

“That means I’m here illegally, but I have no other place to go but to come here and speak to you because this is a bigger picture. This is a bigger picture. It depicts the crisis of women’s political representation. My suspension is not just about me. It’s about the systemic exclusion of women from political leadership in Nigeria,” the Kogi lawmaker added.

After her speech, she expressed worry about her security. The Kogi Central lawmaker claimed there are indications that she may be held against her will in New York for speaking up on the issue at the global event by “the powers that be” from Nigeria.

Last week, the Senate suspended the lawmaker in a move that has continued to generate debates across the country. 

She had initially submitted a petition to the Senate accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment. But the lawmakers threw it out before suspending her even after submitting another petition.

Senator Natasha vowed to continue the fight against “injustice”. But in the wake of the suspension, Akpabio denied the accusations and maintained he has never assaulted women.

Her altercation with the Senate president started on February 20, 2025, after her seat was changed during plenary.

That is not the first time both individuals had issues. In July 2024, Akpabio had while trying to correct her for misconduct told her to follow the rules and that the Senate is not a nightclub where anybody can talk anyhow. The Akwa Ibom lawmaker, however, later apologised to her for the remark.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, has said the government policies to revitalize the economy have been yielding positive returns.

Naija News reports that Edun stated this on Tuesday when he paid a courtesy visit to the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu.

Edun, along with his team, visited the First Lady’s office to inform her about the forthcoming 32nd Annual General Meeting of the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIM Bank), which will be held between June 23rd and 27th this year.

Mrs. Tinubu expressed readiness in hosting the spouses of Heads of Governments of African and other Countries who would be attending the meeting, noting that it would be another opportunity to showcase the best of Nigeria.

“This is one of the ways that God has just been blessing us in this administration with the quality of the people that are running the affairs of the country.

“Therefore, I thank the Minister for approaching us with the forthcoming AGM meeting of the AFRIMEX Bank. Meanwhile, ours is very easy being the wife of Mr President, I am supposed to be the Chief Hostess and to ensure that we take care of things,” she said.

The Minister, in his remarks, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to stabilising the nation’s economy with manufacturing and export becoming more competitive with others globally.

He emphasised Nigeria’s strong partnership with AFREXIM Bank and its commitment to fostering trade and economic growth for Africa and beyond.

“What we refer to was the competitiveness of the Nigerian economy, bold and courageous under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu over the last 20 months, the AFREXIM Bank has been reformed, it has been changed and it has been improved.

“We have a situation now where we have inflation stabilizing, food prices crashing down, petroleum prices coming down amongst other improvements in the economy.

“While we still have relatively high inflation, there is focus on helping people with their cost of living, and those reductions in major prices that affect the land, particularly encouraging and heartwarming for Mr President,” he stated.

Edun, who specifically talked about the reduction in inflation, added that this would be stabilised to the minimal level as time goes on with policies that would favour the indigenous manufacturers to be able to compete with others globally being put in place.

The 32nd AFREXIM Bank Annual General Meeting has as its theme, ‘Building the Future on Decades of Resilience’ and would be held in Abuja.

The immediate-past governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai, has alleged that the crises being faced by opposition parties like the PDP, LP, NNPP, amongst others, were being sponsored by “the government of the day.”

El-Rufai stated this during a visit to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) national headquarters on Tuesday, barely 72 hours after he resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the SDP. 

Recalls that El-Rufai, who was one of the founding members of the ruling APC, resigned and joined the opposition party on Monday.

In a statement issued on Monday announcing his defection, El-Rufai said developments in the last two years confirmed that those who currently control and run the APC did not desire to acknowledge, much less address, the party’s unhealthy situation. 

The former governor said on Tuesday that even the act of going to courts, divisions, and factions across opposition parties were all contrived by the ruling party to destabilise the opposition.

“The crisis that is being faced in the Labour Party is contrived and funded by the government of the day.

“Everyone knows it. Jumping from one court to another is all designed to distract the party leadership from focusing on their functions.

“The same thing is happening in the PDP, even the NNPP has been targeted with distraction.

“There are people that have been resourced to go and cause problems in the NNPP. The last thing I read about NNPP was that one faction of the party has expelled Kwankwaso and the sitting governor.

“When you see things like that, you know it’s contrived crisis. Which party sacks a sitting governor? The only governor they have, you know it is contrived.

“I don’t have the details, I cannot mention names,” El-Rufai stated.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has tactically asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara to implement the recent judgement by the Supreme Court on the political crisis in Rivers State.

Addressing political leaders from the South-South on Tuesday in Abuja, Tinubu emphasised the critical need for adherence to the rule of law in Rivers State to ensure lasting peace and prosperity.

During a meeting with representatives and leaders of the Niger Delta under the Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), President Tinubu, in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, reiterated that respect for the judiciary is crucial in upholding democracy and fostering harmony.

The President advised the leaders to be more broadminded, selfless and focused on the larger vision of salvaging the region, politically and economically, by insisting that the judiciary’s interpretations of the Constitution be respected. 

“I am here by the grace of God, appreciating your support, prayers and concern. I cannot complain. I campaigned for this position and begged for the job. I must do it with all my heart, whatever it takes.

“I will make sure we achieve our promises and goals. Nigeria is a great country. To some cabinet members here, from outside looking in and inside looking out, we have been doing our best to give Nigeria a re-bounce, a reset and a recalibration of the economic fortune.

“Yes, Niger Delta is the goose that lays the golden egg. We must care for the goose; otherwise, we lose the golden egg. I just wanted to let you know that I got your signal and your concern, particularly on Rivers State.

I have been on the issue for quite some time. I foresaw the crisis festering for too long before I intervened.

“We reached an agreement, written agreement, and both parties signed.”

The President said stakeholders must make sacrifices for the state to move forward by recognising the Constitution.

“This is a nation governed by the rule of law. I should not be here as President without a rule of law. I have total confidence in our judiciary. We have expectations. Human beings can make errors. But once the court has spoken, that is it.

“Please go back home and help implement the court rulings within the shortest possible time. I am putting the ball in your court. Help! Privately and openly intervene and counsel the governor. Pursue the path of peace and stability,” he added.

President Tinubu told the delegation that his priority remains community development, particularly projects and programmes that positively impact citizens.

“Go back home and take charge of peace. If you need me, let me know. I have given the situation enough time and enough consideration. We cannot fall back, and we will not. The people of Rivers State will not suffer because of democracy. We worked together on it. They will not suffer. They must be protected,” President Tinubu said.

The President commended the leadership of the Niger Delta.

“I have seen what you have tolerated in the region. Community development is very close to my heart. The leader of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, is doing a great job and should be encouraged to do more.

“He is your son. We are all proud of him. Yes, there are lots of misadventurers around Nigeria on democracy. We will continue to work on preserving the integrity and character of our legislators.

“I sincerely thank you for bringing up those issues. And for doing what you are doing for the country. Nigeria is too big for anyone. And greater than anyone. It is so great. That greatness must come from us through our determination, perseverance and endurance to do all we can to improve it.” 

President Tinubu thanked the delegation for acknowledging the efforts to stimulate the economy for more sustainable and predictable growth. 

“We cannot achieve Eldorado in one day. But we are on the path to it. We will succeed by the grace of God Almighty. We are resetting the economy, and it looks far better. We have funds for our children in college. Our medical colleges are also getting equipped,” he said. 

The President noted that the ongoing coastal road project will create new economic benefits for the Niger Delta and the country. 

“We are already working with international companies to build ports in the Niger Delta States,” he stated. 

King Alfred Papapreye Diete-Spiff, Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass Kingdom and Co-Chairman of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, thanked the President for his commitment to South-South well-being and appointments given to Niger Delta indigenes. 

“Your government has taken the bull by the horns, and we are sure you will succeed. We are here to give you our assurance and support. I can say now that God bless Nigeria and your government,” he said. 

Obong Victor Attah, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and co-chair of the PANDEF Board of Trustees, called for further intervention in the Rivers State crisis. 

Attah, who also chairs the reconciliation committee set up by PANDEF in Rivers State, said the political crises in Rivers State threaten national stability and deserve more attention. 

“Instability there has far-reaching consequences on the peace and stability of the nation,” he added. 

He praised the President’s reforms, including power devolution and regional development recognition, and urged focus on infrastructure, seaports, environmental sustainability, and fiscal federalism in the South-South. 

The PANDEF delegation included former governors, legislators, ministers, traditional leaders, religious figures, and youth and women groups.

Pandemonium broke out on Tuesday night in Lagos residents of Otedola Estate and road users around the vicinity scampered for safety when a gas-laden tanker exploded and resulted in a raging blaze outward of Otedola Bridge in the Omole area of Lagos.

It was gathered that the inferno started at about 8pm when the accident involving a gas tanker led to an explosion with motorists and other road users fleeing in different directions.

Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, disclosed and confirmed that the inferno was being curtailed as it has spread to properties along the road leading to the Otedola bridge.

According to her, “The 30 tonnes DAF Gas Truck with an unknown registration number is on its way navigating the Lagos-Ibadan expressway before an accident resulting in an ensuing explosion accompanied with fireballs in front of a Redeemed Church.”

Adeseye further said, “The resultant fire quickly spread to the church and adjoining bungalow building as well as four different brands of vehicles while it is being mitigated from causing further damage.”

Meanwhile, she added that while firefighting operations were ongoing, there has been no record of casualty, promising further updates to follow.

The chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kogi State, Moses Peter Oricha, has urged the general public, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to disregard a purported congress being organised by some individuals claiming to be members of the party later this week.

The alarm comes barely 24 hours after the former Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, joined the party. 

The SDP is being projected as the party of choice for the opposition coalition movement as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party have been weighed down by series of crisis.

Oricha, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noted that certain individuals, whom he described as ghost members, are planning to conduct a congress on behalf of SDP in Kogi State on March 12, 2025.

“It has just come to my notice that some ghost individuals claiming to be members of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Kogi State are planning to organise a state congress this Wednesday, 12th March 2025.

“This is not only laughable but criminal in a modern democratic setting. These individuals are not only faceless but are also being sponsored by their paymasters—not just for their selfish interests but also to cause chaos in our party, which we built from scratch.

“The general public should not take these individuals seriously with their caricature of a state congress, which cannot stand the test of time because nobody knows them in SDP Kogi State.

“I have written to the Independent National Electoral Commission, and copied the Department of State Services, DSS, and the Commissioner of Police, urging them to disregard and stop this purported illegal congress, which will never stand the test of time.

“I am the authentic chairman of SDP in Kogi State, and we will not allow intruders who are working hard to destroy our party, which we have built over the years. This congress, scheduled for Wednesday, is null and void and cannot stand,” he said.

Oricha recalled that the congress of the present executive under his leadership, held on April 9, 2022, remains valid under the SDP constitution.

Explaining further, he said: “Any plan to conduct an SDP congress in Kogi State cannot hold. We urge SDP supporters to disregard any such purported plan by this group of disgruntled elements who are enemies of our party.

“To me, these are all ghost individuals who are not members of the SDP. We urge INEC and security agencies to be on high alert. As far as the SDP is concerned, there is no congress taking place later this week or this year until April 2026, in accordance with our party’s constitution.”

Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, has dismissed claims that 25 lawmakers are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress to an unnamed party.

According to Leadership, Olukayode described in a Tuesday statement that the report is “entirely false and without merit.”

“We categorically state that this claim is entirely false and without merit.

“During the recent leadership dispute within the Assembly, a similar report surfaced, suggesting that twenty-seven (27) members were preparing to leave the APC for the Labour Party.

“That claim was also unequivocally refuted, with members affirming their commitment to the party and confidence in resolving internal disagreements through established mechanisms,” he stated.

He emphasized that no APC lawmaker in the Assembly was contemplating defection, reiterating that as progressives, any challenges faced are resolved through democratic and lawful means.

Olukayode further assured that the APC leadership is actively addressing all internal concerns and outstanding issues will be resolved amicably.

He urged those spreading the rumours to desist from misleading the public, stressing that the Lagos Assembly remains focused on its legislative duties of enacting laws and motions that drive the state’s development.

PUNCH Online reports that the Lagos State House of Assembly recently experienced significant leadership changes.

On January 13, 2025, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa was impeached over allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office. Mojisola Meranda was subsequently elected as the first female Speaker of the Assembly.

However, on March 3, 2025, Meranda resigned from her position, and Obasa was reinstated as Speaker.

These events have led to internal disagreements within the Assembly, prompting rumours of potential defections.

However, as stated by Olukayode, members have reaffirmed their commitment to the APC and are confident in resolving internal disagreements through established mechanisms.