The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (BoT-PDP) has said it will meet with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in January in order to resolve the crisis in the party.

This was part of the resolutions arrived at on Thursday during its emergency meeting in Abuja.

The PDP-BoT also said that President Bola Tinubu’s “poorly-implemented reforms” were pushing millions of Nigerians deeper into poverty.

The BoT similarly criticised the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee for repeatedly postponing the National Executive Committee meeting thus worsening the crisis in the party.

The resolutions which were read by the PDP-BoT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara said, “On the national front, the harsh economic policies of the (President Bola) Tinubu administration have exacerbated the suffering of Nigerians.

“The skyrocketing cost of living, coupled with poorly implemented economic reforms, has pushed millions into deeper poverty.

“The promises of economic relief have proven hollow, leaving families struggling to make ends meet,” the PDP board said.

It enjoined the party to “rise to this occasion by offering credible alternatives and amplifying the voices of the suffering masses.

“Let us reaffirm our commitment to the values of fairness, equity, and prosperity for all Nigerians.

“Internally, we must put our house in order. I want to use this platform to call for unity among our PDP governors.

“The strength of our party lies in our collective resolve, not in individual pursuits. We cannot afford to let personal ambitions or differences overshadow our shared vision for a better Nigeria.

“Our governors are the bedrock of the PDP’s successes across states, and their synergy is vital for our collective progress.

“Let us prioritize dialogue, collaboration, and a sense of shared responsibility as we navigate these trying times.

“The BoT will be relentless in seeking for peace and unity in our party as the conscience of PDP.”

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will receive an honorary doctorate degree at the 48th convocation ceremony of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The university’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Simeon Bamire, disclosed this during a pre-convocation press briefing held on campus on Thursday.

The Vice-Chancellor also announced that the Group Chairman of Mutual Benefits Plc, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, and the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria Communications, Karl Toriola, will also be honoured.

Bamire further revealed that, during the three-day convocation ceremonies, 7,368 students will graduate, and two other distinguished individuals — academic and entrepreneur Professor Anthony Adegbulugbe, and oil and gas industry leader Daere Afonya-Akobo — will also receive honorary doctorate degrees.

Explaining the basis for Senator Tinubu’s award, Bamire highlighted her longstanding support for the university, noting her contributions towards improving the welfare of OAU students and the university community.

“Specifically, we will confer honorary awards on five exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to humanity by uplifting the less privileged and advancing societal progress through their talents, financial resources, and material support,” Bamire said.

The Honorary Award Recipients for this year are:

“Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, OON First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu is an astute politician and advocate for the underprivileged, particularly women and children.

“Dr. Akinade Akanmu Ogunbiyi Group Chairman of Mutual Benefit PIc, leads a conglomerate of nine companies employing over 5,000 people.

“Prof. Anthony Adegbulugbe: A distinguished entrepreneur, academic, and engineer, Prof. Adegbulugbe has demonstrated extraordinary generosity through the Springland Kids and Youth Foundation (SKY Foundation) and the Anthony and Afolake Adegbulugbe Foundation.

“Prince Karl Olutokun Toriola: A seasoned business leader and telecommunications expert, Prince Toriola serves as the CEO of MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.

“Daere Afonya-Akobo: A prominent figure in the oil and gas sector, Daere Afonya-Akobo is highly committed to education and philanthropy. His contributions include Donating ICT units to Rivers State University in 2021,” the VC said.

Giving details of the grades obtained by the graduating students drawn from the 13 faculties in the university, Bamire said 215 students made First Class Honours, Second Class Upper Division, 2,197, Second Class Lower Division, 2,691, Third Class Honours Upper Credit, 61, Lower Credit, 33, Pass, 62, making a total of 6,015 students for Classified Degrees.

For Unclassified Degrees, Bamire said, Distinction, 13 students, Pass with Distinction, 59 students, Pass with Credit,154 and Pass, 169, making a total of 395 for Unclassified Degrees.

For Postgraduate Degrees, the VC said 74 students would bag Postgraduate Diplomas, while 708 and 176 students would bag Master’s Degrees and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), respectively.

The ECOWAS Court of Justice has ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compensate Oluwatimilehin Adebayo with ₦5 million for the violation of his right to freedom from torture.

The court also ordered Nigeria to conduct a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation into the torture and prosecute those responsible.

Adebayo, in a suit marked (ECW/CCJ/APP/47/23), accused some police officers from Ogun State of subjecting him to severe physical abuse, including beating him with the handle of an axe and tying his limbs with chains to a pole.

He said this ordeal caused him physical injuries, including trauma to his scrotum and left him suffering from significant psychological distress.

However, the respondent, the Nigerian Government, challenged the jurisdiction of the Court, arguing that the case was filed outside the three-year limitation period stipulated under the Court’s rules, rendering it statute-barred.

It also argued that the Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter, arguing that it would involve reviewing a case that is either pending (sub judice) or already decided by a municipal court within the respondent state.

However, the court, in its judgment sent to our correspondent via email on Thursday, dismissed Nigeria’s preliminary objections, asserting its jurisdiction to hear human rights cases.

It clarified that the three-year limitation period under Article 9(3)(b) of the Court’s Protocol does not apply to cases of human rights violations.

In the judgment delivered by Justice Dupe Atoki, the court held that these acts constituted torture, violating Article 5 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Nigeria is a party.

“The Court noted that the torture was intentional and aimed at coercing Mr. Adebayo into signing a pre-written statement. Consequently, it ordered the Federal Republic of Nigeria to pay ₦5 million in compensation to the Applicant for the violation of his right to freedom from torture.

“It also ordered Nigeria to conduct a prompt, impartial, and effective investigation into the torture and prosecute those responsible.

“However, the Court dismissed the claim that the applicant’s right to a remedy had been violated, noting that there was no evidence the Applicant had formally reported the abuse to relevant authorities,” it added.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has dismissed allegations that the state will gain the most from the proposed tax reforms, urging Nigerians to thoroughly understand the provisions of the reforms before concluding.

Speaking on Wednesday during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2024 in Morocco, Sanwo-Olu addressed concerns raised by Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum.

Zulum claimed on December 2 that the value-added tax (VAT) sharing model proposed in the reforms would disproportionately favour the states of Lagos and Rivers.

Sanwo-Olu countered Zulum’s assertion, emphasising that the reforms aim to create a more efficient tax system that benefits all states by addressing structural challenges in revenue generation and distribution.

Sanwo-Olu said, “What those uncomfortable with the tax reform are not willing to accept is that there is no way of making an omelette without breaking the egg.

“You cannot make changes if the reforms are not set in. I have advised that people should take time to read the provisions of the reform very well and to fully understand what they’re trying to do.

“I have seen comments around. Comments like Lagos is going to be the major beneficiary. It is not true. Lagos is actually going to be a shaped-off in some places, but on a larger scale basis, we see it as a global thing for a better governance structure.

“All of us will play better and we’ll be able to discipline ourselves more. Some of the things that you will see is that you need to work harder for you to get the full benefit of the reform. So it’s not just an easy kill.”

According to Sanwo-Olu, while Lagos state may face some losses in certain areas, it will also gain greater opportunities to play a more significant role.

He stressed the urgent need for reform, pointing out Nigeria’s low tax-to-GDP ratio, which ranks among the lowest globally.

The governor expressed optimism that the proposed reforms would unlock significant opportunities for all states and non-governmental actors.

He reassured Nigerians that the reforms are not intended to hurt anyone but to foster a fair and inclusive system that benefits everyone.

The governor said, “I have a positive attitude to it. I see it as a very wonderful reform. Tax-to-GDP ratio in Nigeria is one of the lowest in the world.

“So, there are a few things that need to happen, and like I keep saying, not only when you make those changes, you will not be able to see the opportunities that are found in your account.

“We really need to be bullish. We need to be encouraging ourselves and know that the intention is not to hurt anybody. This, I am very sure of.

“The intention is to better a lot, but not just better a lot of one person or one set of people. It’s for all of us, and so we should look at it this way.”

Sanwo-Olu, who attended the forum alongside other governors to attract investors, said he has been actively engaging stakeholders to clarify misconceptions about the reforms.

The governor said he has personally urged the presidential tax reform committee, led by Taiwo Oyedele, to intensify its public engagement efforts.

He also acknowledged that some resistance to the reforms stems from misunderstandings but noted that public engagement is a positive development.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has criticized the Federal Government’s student loan initiative, arguing that beneficiaries often struggle to repay the loans.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on Thursday, ASUU President Emmanuel Osodeke stated that the union’s research on student loan systems in other countries shows that graduates often become societal burdens and feel demoralized.

“Imagine a student graduating from the university with a loan of five million naira, even me as a professor, I cannot pay back such a loan in 20 years’ time..

“A student who graduated has a loan of N5 million and is not sure of getting a job in the next 10 or 20 years”, he said.

Osodeke suggested that increasing the budgetary allocation for education would eliminate the need for student loans.

He also noted that this is the third attempt to implement such an initiative, which previously failed, raising doubts about its viability this time.

Citing the United States, where student loans are prevalent, he mentioned that many students are unable to repay their debts, leading to severe consequences, including suicides.

He added that President Joe Biden had to intervene to address the loan crisis.

The professor questioned how the initiative could succeed in a country with a high unemployment rate.

Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party House of Representatives caucus.

Ms Ibori-Suenu announced her defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC in a letter read on the floor of the House on Thursday.

Her Father, Ibori served as the Governor of Delta State from 1999 to 2007 and is believed to have retained his hold on the political structure of the the PDP in the state.

Ms Ibori’s defection is the latest in the gale of defection rocking the minority caucus.

Earlier, four members of the Labour Party caucus also defected to the APC.

A major defection wave has rocked the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives, as four members have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The four LP candidates that defected on the floor of the House on Thursday are from four states: Kaduna, Imo, Edo and Cross River.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the defection on the floor of the House.

The lawmakers are Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Constituency) and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo).

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has likened governance to a covenant where politician must live up to the campaign promises made to the electorates.

This was as Wike said President Bola Tinubu is fulfilling his promises through him.

Wike disclosed this while inaugurating the construction of the Kabusa Ketti Access road in Abuja on Wednesday.

He said: “I tell people something: there is nothing difficult about government. Note that Mr President has come through me to fulfill the promise he has made.

“This time around we will send people who will listen. Politics no be grammar… Make una no dey follow people wey dey speak grammar. You don see who grammar help?

“We will send people who will come back to you and say this is what you sent me to do and this is what I have brought.”