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Here are the seven top business stories you need to track this week — April 28 to May 2.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNAL UPHOLDS FCCPC’S $220M FINE AGAINST META
The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on April 25, by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission for the cost incurred during the investigation.
The tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.
However, Meta said it will appeal the tribunal’s decision.
IMF PROJECTS NIGERIA’S ECONOMIC GROWTH RATE TO DROP TO 3%
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Nigeria’s economy will grow at a much slower pace of 3 percent in 2025.
The projection is a downgrade from the IMF’s estimate of 3.2 percent announced in October 2024, according to the fund’s World Economic Outlook (WEO) report presented at the spring meetings in Washington D.C.
The Bretton Woods organisation also expects Nigeria’s economic growth to further slow down to 2.7 percent in 2026, owing to lower oil prices.
FG HALTS IMPORT WAIVERS FOR THREADED PIPES IN OIL AND GAS SECTOR
The federal government has banned the issuing of tax waivers for imported threaded pipes into the Nigerian oil and gas industry.
Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources (oil), gave the directive to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) at the commissioning of Monarch Alloys Limited’s concrete weight coating plant in Lagos on April 24.
The plant has an annual external coating capacity of two million square meters and an internal square meters coating capacity of one million square meters.
NIGERIA IN TALKS WITH JP MORGAN TO RE-ENTER BOND INDEX
Patience Oniha, the director-general of the Debt Management Office (DMO), says Nigeria is in talks with J.P. Morgan to be admitted back into its government bond index for emerging markets.
Oniha spoke briefly on April 22 during the Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington D.C, the United States.
J.P. Morgan, in 2022, removed Nigeria from the list of emerging market sovereign recommendations that investors should be ‘overweight’ in.
The development reportedly followed the country’s inability to capitalise on high oil prices.
NDIC BEGINS PAYMENT OF N46BN TO HERITAGE BANK DEPOSITORS
The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) says it has commenced the payment of N46.6 billion from liquidation dividends to depositors of the defunct Heritage Bank.
Hawwau Gambo, acting head of communication and public affairs at the corporation, announced in a statement on Sunday.
Gambo said the funds, being released to depositors with over N5 million deposits, are from the sale of Heritage Bank’s assets and the recovery of debts owed to the institution.
‘FORENSIC AUDIT OF NNPC UNDERWAY’
Wale Edun, the minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, says a forensic audit of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is afoot.
Edun spoke on April 22 during the Nigerian Investor Forum, held on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank spring meetings in Washington D.C, United States.
Addressing a group of investors drawn from renowned global financial institutions, including J.P. Morgan, the minister outlined critical reforms the federal government has implemented to reset the economy and restore confidence.
‘NIGERIA’S PETROL STILL PROFITABLE TO SMUGGLE DESPITE SUBSIDY REMOVAL’
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says cross-border petrol smuggling persists in Nigeria despite the subsidy removal due to the difference in prices in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja on April 22, Adewale Adeniyi, comptroller-general (CG) of customs, said smuggling of petrol is still a profitable business for smugglers.
According to the CG, there has been a reduction in the pump price of petrol in Nigeria recently, ranging from N850 per litre to N900 per litre.
However, Adeniyi said the product is sold at higher prices in neighbouring countries.
[TheCable]
Following the gale of defections sweeping through the ranks and strongholds of the country’s leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, the National Working Committee of the PDP has scheduled a meeting for Tuesday to address the wave of defections and other internal crises that have plagued the party over the past years, The PUNCH reports.
The storm had been long speculated before the dramatic defection of the PDP’s former vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa; the Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire PDP party structure in Delta, one of the former ruling party’s strongholds.
Delta Deputy Governor Monday Onyeme, state commissioners, local government chairmen, and the state’s grassroots machinery all moved en bloc to the APC after a closed-door meeting in Asaba last week following ‘Hurricane Tinubu’, which had swept the PDP apart, with the opposition claiming the country was drifting towards a one-party state.
The party is facing one of its most difficult times since its formation in 1998. Having lost several members in the federal parliament, the latest being Oluwole Oke, a five-time member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, more defections, as being touted, would place the party at a competitive disadvantage with the ruling APC, with less than two years to the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, recently reaffirmed as National Secretary by the Supreme Court, has vowed to attend the meeting despite the stance of the Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed led PDP Governors Forum.
A high-ranking source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to comment on the matter, confirmed to The PUNCH that the NWC meeting will address the defection of party members to the All Progressives Congress and explore ways to prevent further defections.
The PDP has faced persistent internal strife both before and after the 2023 elections, leading to increasing instability and divisions across the party.
Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has faced intense criticisms since taking over from Iyorchia Ayu.
The crisis has disrupted operations at all levels, with most state chapters in disarray and zonal structures—particularly in the South-South—severely weakened.
Conflicts over the position of National Secretary have further split the National Working Committee, leaving it largely ineffective.
Additionally, the terms of many Board of Trustees members have lapsed without replacements, and the few remaining are split into opposing camps.
Amid the ongoing turmoil, a previous exclusive report by The PUNCH on February 18 disclosed that over 300 PDP members switched to the APC between February 2024 and February 2025, mainly due to internal conflicts at both state and national levels.
Likewise, the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Labour Party have experienced major defections to the APC, with internal disputes being a common reason.
Most recently, on April 23rd, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor and PDP’s 2023 vice presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa, and all party members in the state officially joined the APC.
NWC meeting
Setonji Koshoedo, the acting Secretary appointed by PDP Governors, confirmed that the National Working Committee meeting will take place in Abuja on Tuesday.
Recall that the Supreme Court ruling on March 21 overturned Anyanwu’s removal, affirming that internal party disputes are not for judicial intervention.
In response to the ruling on April 14, the PDP Governors urged the South East Zone to propose a nominee for the position and announced Koshoedo as acting National Secretary.
Koshoedo in an invitation to NWC members, exclusively obtained by our correspondent, disclosed that the meeting is scheduled for 12 noon.
The notification stated “Based on popular demand and wide consultation, I have been directed to call for an NWC Meeting as detailed below:
“Date: Tuesday, April 29th, 2025, Venue: National Working Committee (NWC) Hall, Wadata Plaza, PDP National Secretariat, Abuja. Time: 12 Noon Prompt.
“All members of NWC and Cabinet Secretaries should pls note.”
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, a source, who is an NWC member, stated that the party leadership is concerned about the current state of the PDP.
He stated “There is nothing the PDP can do to stop those who want to leave. Most of them defect for personal reasons, and some leave because they have issues with anti-corruption agencies. What reason did the Delta State Governor and others give? After all the PDP did for them, they still dumped the party. So obviously, it is difficult stop those who are determined to defect—unless you have the power to fulfill their desires or shield them from anti-graft agencies targeting them or their allies. But we will keep doing our best.
“The National Working Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to address a range of critical issues affecting the party. During the meeting, we will discuss the ongoing defections, the upcoming Congresses, the forthcoming National Executive Committee meeting, and the National Elective Convention, as well as consider the recommendations put forward by the Governors Forum.
“At this meeting, we will carefully review these matters and devise proactive strategies aimed at strengthening and repositioning the PDP in preparation for future elections.”
Anyanwu also confirmed the meeting and pledged to attend as the party’s National Secretary.
In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, Anyanwu urged the remaining party members to stay dedicated to strengthening and uniting the party.
He stated “I am aware of the meeting, and I will attend. The Governors Forum’s recommendations are part of the crisis. So, I will attend the meeting and see. We will do our best to ensure that peace reigns in the PDP and that the party is preserved.”
Anyanwu urged PDP members nationwide not to be discouraged by the party’s current challenges, assuring them that all issues will be resolved soon.
“It is time for peace. We have to bring the party together. Everyone must forget about their interests; we must ensure that the PDP is peaceful, united, and progressing before talking about individual interests.
“Defection or no defection, the rest of us must work to unite and reposition the party.”
Meanwhile, PDP NEC members, including Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary Diran Odeyemi called on party leaders to align their actions with their words.
They emphasised that broader consultations and reconciliation efforts would help restore confidence among party members nationwide.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Osadolor urged the party leadership to come down from their high positions.
He said, “If there are questions or criticisms about the management style of the party leadership, we should counter them with solutions.
“We have to propose the solutions to the party leadership so that the party itself can self-reform and provide the necessary leadership. There is no perfect organisation or institution on earth. For those saying the NWC, currently led by Damagun, is not performing at its best, I wonder what they want.
“Ambassador Ilya Damagun has preached peace, reconciliation, harmony, and unity within the party. I don’t know if they expect him to go to a market and buy gum to bring the party together.
“The truth is that everyone involved has come down from their high positions to explore ways to advance the party’s interests in a manner that makes the PDP attractive and ready to win future elections.
“To achieve this, all party leaders—whether Governors, NWC members, BoT members, or others—must match their words with actions.”
To stop defections, Osadolor suggested amending Nigerian laws to prevent elected officials from leaving the political platform through which they were elected to join another.
Also, Odeyemi expressed regret that the divisions within all levels of the party contributed to the wave of defections affecting it.
In an interview with our correspondent, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary urged all party leaders to move beyond just issuing press statements.
He stated “For me, the governors and all organs of the party should go beyond just issuing a press statement. It should focus on tackling the party’s issues.
“If possible, they should put aside their egos and individual differences, and sit down to properly diagnose the problems and move forward. The governors remain the only stakeholders who can design a system or strategy to get the party back on track.
“The NWC, as we know, is polarized. The NEC has not been able to meet. Various dates for the NEC meeting have been proposed but have never worked. This is demoralizing the entire membership of the party nationwide, especially the governors. Some of them are even rumored to be defecting.
“The Governors silence is not helping the party. They need to be more proactive and concerned about the party, not just national affairs. Only when you have peace within your home can you focus on what is happening outside.”
APC welcomes Oborevwori
In a related development, The PUNCH has exclusively learned that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma and the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, will lead other party officials, ministers, and others in welcoming Okowa, Oborevwori, and other defectors into the ruling party.
The source revealed that the defectors will be officially welcomed into the party in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday (today).
Confirming this, APC Publicity Director Bala Ibrahim stated that all arrangements have been finalised to welcome the defectors into the party.
Ibrahim, in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, stated, “APC governors, the National Chairman, and some key members of the National Working Committee will be there to welcome them into our party.
“This doesn’t mean that other activities of the party will stand still because of the reception; everything will happen in Delta State, and the party’s National Headquarters will remain operational in Abuja.”
More so, the APC Deputy National Chairman South, Emma Eneukwu, called Delta State Governor’s defection a significant boost, sending positive signals nationwide.
In a letter to the governor, he welcomed the move, noting it strengthens the link between Delta and the Federal Government, bringing more benefits to the people.
The letter read in part, “I write on behalf of the entire Southern chapter of the All Progressives Congress APC, to welcome you to the large and vibrant family of the party and to pledge our commitment to working with you for the benefit of our zone and our nation in general.
“We have watched and followed your outstanding performance and your kind of politics long before you even became be Governor of Delta State. You have been loyal, dependable, goal getter and a complete gentleman.
“Your joining our party is therefore a major booster to the APC which has room for all and is eager to welcome everyone for us to build the Nigerian dream together.
“We in the APC have never pretended that Nigeria has reached an Eldorado under our watch, but we are very convinced that nation building is a gradual process that requires men and women of good heart and conscience to achieve.”
Eneukwu praised Governor Oborevwori for his infrastructure achievements in Delta State and expressed joy that he, along with his cabinet and key political leaders, joined the APC.
It added “We have no doubt that you will bring your wealth of experience to bear as you contribute more to the centre in terms of robust ideas and strategic engagements as exemplified by the solid infrastructural revolution you have embarked upon since you assume office as Governor of Delta state.
“We are excited that within the short time you have been Governor, you have shown utmost impact and distinction. So we see your coming into our party as a massive political asset and boost.
“To demonstrate your leadership capacity and influence, you did not only come into the APC but you came with all those who matter in Delta politics, your State Executive Council and your entire political structure. By this act we are gladdened that APC is now firmly in control of the entire Delta state and would clinch all posts in any election. What a feat! We thank you and we are proud of your efforts”
“We also use his medium to welcome former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, your predecessor who also declared for the APC and extend our right hand of fellowship to him.
Presidency reacts
The Presidency on Sunday said the recent en masse defections of heavyweights from the PDP to the APC were of their free will and not coercion from President Bola Tinubu or his allies.
It denied accusations of a one-party state, insisting that democracy was not under threat or undermined “simply because politicians exercise their rights of association.”
“Nigerians migrating to the APC and expressing support for Tinubu are doing so out of their free will, based on the belief that the reforms being executed are in the interest of Nigerians and the unborn generation,” Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement Sunday.
The statement is titled ‘Democracy Strong and Alive in Nigeria.’
Onanuga’s rebuttal follows last Wednesday’s defection, the first time a sitting Delta governor had abandoned the PDP since 1999.
Delta’s wave of defection follows similar realignments in Rivers and Cross River, trimming the PDP’s governorship map to ten states and shaking a region once regarded as a fortress for the opposition.
Feelers from the APC identified Governors Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Aba Yusuf of Kano and the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers, as four new converts expected to join the party in the coming weeks.
The PDP, Labour Party, and NNPP are currently grappling with internal crises compounded by defections to the APC, which has left their parties in disarray.
Some politicians say the crises are being sponsored to weaken the opposition ahead of 2027, a claim the Presidency denied.
“The opposition cannot blame President Tinubu and the governing APC for their poor organisation, indiscipline, and gross incompetence in managing their affairs,” it said on Sunday.
“While the opposition elements are understandably heartbroken and disillusioned over the failure of their fabled grand coalition to gain traction, we find it disturbing that they resorted to peddling false allegations of the promotion of a one-party State against President Bola Tinubu, who is working very hard to reverse decades of economic mismanagement of our country.
“Contrary to the false claims in the sponsored propaganda materials in circulation across mainstream and social media, democracy is not under any threat in Nigeria. Accusations that the administration is moving towards authoritarianism are baseless and exaggerated.
“We must add that no policy, official action, or directive from the Presidency seeks to ‘dismantle democracy’ or ‘weaken opposition or create a one-party state,’” Onanuga added.
The Presidency said accusations of bribery, blackmail, and the weaponisation of state institutions “only exist in the idle minds” of politicians and their agents “who have failed in their assigned duty of opposition.”
“It is certainly not part of President Tinubu’s job to organise or strengthen opposition parties,” it insisted.
It questioned the moral stance of those who celebrated the defection of the former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, to the Social Democratic Party and the formation of a regional grand coalition with the sole aim of defeating President Tinubu in the 2027 election but are “shedding crocodile tears” over Nigeria’s so-called drift to a one-party state and authoritarianism.
It argued that while the “defenders of democracy” raised no anxious voice against the disgruntled politicians cobbling an anti-Tinubu, anti-APC coalition along dangerous regional lines, even before INEC blows the whistle for party politicking, they are quick to ascribe the political shifts in some states to “bribery, blackmail, and coercion” without any shred of evidence.
“Without any equivocation, freedom of association, freedom of speech and freedom of choice are part of the cherished ideals of democracy. When politicians and citizens can not freely join any association or political party of their choice or cannot openly express their views, democracy is imperiled.
“Those opposed to the Tinubu administration should understand that they can issue diatribes, without fear, against the government because we practice democracy.
“It is hypocrisy writ large when opposition politicians and their collaborators in the ‘human rights’ movement desire that the party of the President should implode so they can gain electoral advantage and cry wolf when their wish does not materialize,” the President said.
It also described as “a gross disservice to democracy” by its accusers to delegitimise the political choices of some Nigerians while upholding the choices of others to form a coalition against Tinubu and APC.
Onanuga opined that under President Tinubu, democracy is strong, and the multiparty democratic system will continue to flourish unhindered.
“His administration remains resolutely committed to upholding and strengthening the democratic foundations upon which our Fourth Republic has stood since 1999. Politicians changing party affiliation are not new or peculiar to Nigeria.
“In more advanced democracies, there are ready examples of notable politicians, statesmen and women who changed their parties,” he added.
The Presidential aide said Tinubu and the APC’s National Working Committee, led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, deserve commendation for making the governing party viable and attractive to Nigerians willing to participate in the democratic process.
“President Tinubu is an avowed democrat and a firm believer in multiparty democracy. His political activism and democratic credentials in galvanising and strengthening opposition platforms as a force that defeated a sitting President and the then ruling party attest to his profound credibility as a tested and relentless defender of multiparty democracy.
“We urge all Nigerians to join hands with the administration in protecting our democracy by respecting their choices and giving a wide berth to peddlers of alarming narratives rooted in fiction,” the statement concluded.
Akwa Ibom jigsaw
Meanwhile, all is not well with the PDP in Akwa Ibom State following the alleged planned defection of Governor Umo Eno to the APC.
The governor, elected on the platform of the PDP, recently declared his readiness to support the 2027 re-election bid of President Tinubu.
Widely seen as one of the PDP governors plotting his exit from the party to join the APC in the weeks ahead, things are not panning out seamlessly for the Akwa Ibom governor as planned.
The PUNCH gathered exclusively that Eno’s quest to exit the PDP has not received the backing of his predecessor, Udom Emmanuel, who is said to have told close sources that his loyalty to the PDP remained unshaken.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that though Eno was to quickly follow on the heels of his Delta counterpart, Oborevwori, the unwillingness of Emmanuel to jump ship is making things difficult for him.
A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the issue’s sensitive nature, told our correspondent that the different posture between the two Akwa Ibom leaders has left the state chapter of the PDP in disarray.
He said, “Gov Eno has made up his mind to leave the PDP, but the challenge before him is that the man who brought him to power, Udom Emmanuel, is not ready to leave the PDP. Emmanuel is aware of the insults and backlash directed at his former colleague, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, when he led Governor Oborevwori and the PDP state structure to APC on Wednesday.
“It was Okowa who sold the idea of defection to Sheriff because, whether you like it or not, Okowa, for now, holds the key to that structure in Delta State. But in the case of Akwa Ibom, it’s Eno who is seeking the help of Emmanuel to make this move; Emmanuel is not convinced, leaving the governor in a state of confusion. This is the current dilemma Eno has found himself in.”
Asked if Eno was likely to defect to the APC without the support of his predecessor, the source added, “At the moment, Eno cannot boast of more than a few state lawmakers and maybe one or two federal lawmakers on his side. As I said, the structure is with the ex-governor. What would his sole defection do for him? Things were easier in Delta State because the owner of the structure engineered the move to the APC. In Akwa Ibom, it is the governor who is desperate to move. Unfortunately, he does not have the machinery to enable him to call the shots as it were.”
Meanwhile, Osadolor lauded the ex-Akwa governor for his principled stand on quitting the PDP, saying, “His resolve not to be distracted shows his strength of character. We are proud of him.”
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader dismissed claims that some governors elected on the platform of the party were not in charge of their respective state structures.
“It is strange to hear this because by our convention the governor is the leader of the party at the state level. If, after handing over the party structures to them, they turned back and gave them to their predecessors, that is their business. All we know is that the Delta governor ought to be in charge of the PDP in his state, while Eno should similarly be in charge in Akwa Ibom. If indeed they handed over control to their predecessors, perhaps it is their style and they should accept the responsibility that comes with this.”
[Punch]
Red-hatted cardinals were expected to pick a date Monday for the conclave to elect a new leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, following the death of Pope Francis.
Dozens of so-called “Princes of the Church” from across the world have been gathering at the Vatican since the 88-year-old Argentine pontiff died on April 21.
But so far there are few clues as to who they might choose next.
“I believe that if Francis has been the pope of surprises, this conclave will be too, as it is not at all predictable,” Spanish Cardinal Jose Cobo said in an interview published Sunday.
In previous conclaves, “you can see where things might go”, he told El Pais newspaper, whereas this time many cardinals hail from beyond Europe and have not even met each other before.
Francis was laid to rest Saturday with a funeral and burial ceremony that drew 400,000 people to St Peter’s Square and beyond, including royalty, world leaders and ordinary pilgrims.
Vast crowds also gathered Sunday to view his marble tomb in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome, after the “pope of the poor” opted to be buried outside the Vatican’s walls.
With conflicts and diplomatic crises raging around the world, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who under Francis was secretary of state — the pope’s number two — is for many the favourite to succeed him.
British bookmakers William Hill put him slightly ahead of Filipino Luis Antonio Tagle, the Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Manila, followed by Ghana’s Cardinal Peter Turkson.
Next in their odds comes Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, then Guinea’s Cardinal Robert Sarah, and Matteo Zuppi, the Archbishop of Bologna.
– ‘Right pope’ –
Ricardo Cruz, 44, a data and artificial intelligence specialist who came to see Francis’s tomb on Sunday, said that as a Filipino he hoped the next pope would be from Asia, but as a Catholic he just hoped the cardinals would pick the “right pope”.
While Francis’s efforts to create a more compassionate Church earned him widespread affection and respect, some of his reforms angered the Church’s conservative wing, particularly in the United States and Africa.
Roberto Regoli, a professor of Church history and culture at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, told AFP the cardinals would be looking “to find someone who knows how to forge greater unity”.
“We are in a period in which Catholicism is experiencing various polarisations, so I don’t imagine it will be a very, very quick conclave,” he said.
The cardinals have held general meetings since Francis’s death to make decisions about the funeral and beyond.
At 9:00 am (0700 GMT) on Monday, they will hold their fifth meeting, at which they are likely to fix a conclave date.
Experts have suggested it may take place on May 5 or 6 — shortly after the nine days of papal mourning, which ends on May 4.
So far, there has been an atmosphere of “great openness”, Italian Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi told La Repubblica newspaper.
“There are different opinions, but there is a more spiritual than political or combative climate,” he said Sunday.
– ‘Courageous leader’ –
There are 252 cardinals but only 135 of them are aged under 80 and therefore eligible to vote for a new pope.
Some 80 percent of the cardinal electors were appointed by Francis — though that is no guarantee they will pick a successor in his likeness.
Most are relatively young, and for many it is their first conclave.
The vote, held in the Sistine Chapel with its 16th-century ceiling frescoed by Michelangelo, is highly secretive and follows strict rules and ceremonial procedures.
The process could take several days, or potentially longer.
There are four votes per day — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — until one candidate secures a two-thirds majority.
Fewer than half of those eligible to vote are European.
“The future pope must have a universal heart, love all the continents. We must not look at colour, at origin, but at what is proposed,” Cardinal Dieudonne Nzapalainga from the Central African Republic told the Italian newspaper Il Messaggero.
“We need a courageous leader, a bold one, capable of speaking forcefully, of holding the helm of the Church steady even in storms… offering stability in an era of great uncertainty.”
[[Vanguard]
Odumodublvck has won the ‘Next Rated’ award at the 17th edition of The Headies.
The music ceremony, hosted by Nigerian actress Nancy Isime, was held on Sunday at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos.
The 17th edition of the show celebrated outstanding achievements in music released between April 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024.
Odumodublvck clinched the ‘Next Rated’ award after edging out other nominees, including Qing Madi, Shallipopi, Ayo Maff, and Nasboi.
The late singer Mohbad won the ‘Best Street-Hop Artiste’ award, while Rema secured ‘Album of the Year’ for ‘HeIs’.
A special recognition award was also presented to Lagos governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Alex Okosi, and Amaju Pinnick, former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Here is the full list of winners:
Best Recording of the Year
- Tems – ‘Burning’ — WINNER
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Pattern’
- Burna Boy – ‘Higher’
- Ayra Star and Giveon – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Sarz and Lojay – ‘Billions’
Best Street-hop Artiste
- Seyi Vibez – ‘Different Patterns’
- Ayo Maff – ‘Dealer’ ft (Fire Boy)
- Shallipopi – ‘Cast’ ft (Odumodu Blvck)
- Zhus Jdo – ‘Johnbull’
- Mohbad – ‘Ask About Me’–WINNER
Afrobeats Single of the Year
- ‘Big Big Things’ – Young John ft Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez
- ‘Twe Twe remix’ – Kizz Daniel ft Davido
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike ft Mohbad
- ‘Remember’ – Asake
- ‘Ogechi remix’ – Hyce, Boypee and Brown Joel ft Davido
- ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour — WINNER
Producer of the Year
- Sarz – ‘Happiness’
- London – ‘Ozeba’ — WINNER
- Magicsticks – ‘Basquiat’
- Rema/Producer X/Cubeats/Deatz/Klimperboy – ‘Hehehe’
- Dibs – ‘Different Pattern’
Best Vocal Performance (Female)
- Ayra Star – ‘Last Heartbreak Song’
- Niniola – ‘Level’
- Simi – ‘Stranger’
- Liya – ‘I’m Done’ –WINNER
- Yemi Alade – ‘Tomorrow’
Best Vocal Performance (Male)
- ‘Billions’ – Lojay — WINNER
- ‘Moving’ – Omah Lay
- ‘Gratitude’ – Anendlessocean
- ‘For You’ – Johnny Drille
- ‘Ke Na Ke So’ – Timi Dakolo
Best Rap Single
- ‘Cast’ – Odumodu Blvck and Shallipopi — WINNER
- ‘Blood on the dance floor’ – Bloody Civilian, Wale and Odumodu Blvck
- ‘Hallelujah’ – Ladipoe, Rozzz, and Morello
- ‘Canada’ – Magnito
- ‘Ije Nwoke’ – Jeriq
Rookie of the year
- Zerry DL — WINNER
- Taves
- Kaestyles
- Llona
Songwriter of the Year
- Simisola Kosoko – ‘Stranger’ (Simi)
- Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – ‘Vision’ (Qing Madi) — WINNER
- Michael Ajuma Attah – ‘Can’t Breathe’ (Llona)
- Emoseh Khamofu – ‘Family Meeting’ (Bloody Civilian)
- Fuayefika Maxwell – ‘Stages of Life’ (Wizard Chan)
Music Video of the Year
- ‘Charm’ – Rema, Oerlinks and Folarin Oludare
- ‘Metaverse’ – Jyde Ajala
- ‘Like Ice Spice’ – Perlinks and Emeka Shine Shine
- ‘Ojapiano’ – Mattmax
- ‘Egwu’ – Director Pink — WINNER
- ‘Showa’ – TG Omori
- ‘Na Money’ – Dammy Twitch
Best East African Artiste of the Year
- Bien (KENYA)
- Diamond Platnumz (TANZANIA)
- Juma Jux (TANZANIA) — WINNER
- Bruce Melodie (RWANDA)
- Azawi (UGANDA)
Next Rated
- Qing Madi
- Shallipopi
- Odumodublvck — WINNER
- Ayo Maff
- Nasboi
Song Of The Year
- ‘Showa’ – Kizz Daniel
- ‘Commas’ – Ayra Starr
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike AND Mohbad
- ‘Lonely At The Top’ – Asake — WINNER
- ‘Ozeba’ – Rema
- ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour
Digital Artiste of the Year
• Ayra Starr
• Rema
• Shallipopi
• Tems
• Davido — WINNER
• Kizz Daniel
• Asake
Album Of The Year
• ‘Born In The Wild’ – Tems
• ‘HeIs’ – Rema — WINNER
• ‘The Year I Turned 21’ – Ayra Starr
• ‘Stubborn’ – Victony
• ‘Work Of Art’ – Asake
Soundtrack of the Year
- ‘Eledumare’ – Teledalase (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
- ‘Lose to Gain’– Kaline (Breathe of Life)
- ‘Kill Boro’ – Native Filmworks and Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)
- ‘Orisa’ – Beriola (Orisa)
- ‘Emotions’ – Tiwa Savage and Asa (Water and Garri)
- ‘Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack’ – TCJ and Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah Soundtrack) — WINNER
Headies Viewer’s Choice
- ‘Egwu’ – Chike & Mohbad — WINNER
- ‘Big Baller’ – Flavour
- ‘Big Big Things’ – Young Jonn (ft. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez)
- ‘Ogechi Remix’ – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel (ft. Davido)
- ‘Showa’ – Kizz Daniel
- ‘Different Pattern’ – Seyi Vibez
- ‘OZEBA’ – Rema
- ‘Love Me Jeje’ – Tems
- ‘Cast’ – Shallipopi (ft. Odumodublvck)
- ‘Dealer’ – Ayo Maff (ft. Fireboy DML)
[TheCable]
The President of the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation and former President of Buhari Youth Organisation, Dr Jibril Mustapha, on Sunday urged former President Goodluck Jonathan to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Mustapha, who made this call in a statement released on Sunday in Lagos, said Jonathan should heed the calls to run for the office of the president again.
“As the nation prepares for the 2027 elections, the Nigeria Rescue Mission Organisation believes that now is the time for all stakeholders to come together and support a candidate who can genuinely represent the interests of all Nigerians.
“We urge former President Goodluck Jonathan to consider this call and to step forward as a candidate who can unite our country and lead us towards a brighter future.
“This appeal comes in light of the numerous challenges currently facing Nigeria, including economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment, and rampant banditry,” Mustapha said.
According to him, there is an urgent need for a leader who embodies integrity, inclusivity, and a commitment to national unity.
Mustapha added, “Nigeria is at a crossroads. We are grappling with significant issues that threaten our stability and progress.
“We need a leader who can bring all Nigerians together, regardless of their background.”
He said that the former Nigerian leader, during his tenure, demonstrated a commitment to democratic values and governance that prioritised the welfare of all citizens.
According to him, the group believes Jonathan has the vision and experience necessary to lead Nigeria.
“His leadership style is one that fosters inclusivity and economic advancement, which is exactly what our nation needs at this critical juncture.
“Under Jonathan’s leadership, we can work towards restoring Nigeria’s lost glory on the international stage and within our borders.”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that BYO is a youth-based supporters group of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Jonathan lost his second term ambition to Buhari in the 2015 presidential election.
NAN recalls amidst the debate on whether Jonathan was eligible to run again or not, having taken the oath of office twice as President, the Federal High Court in Bayelsa had in 2022 ruled that Jonathan could still contest the presidential election.
The presiding judge, Justice Dashen, who gave the judgment, held that Jonathan’s right could not be stopped by any retroactive law.
According to him, the 2007 general election produced the late Umaru Yar’Adua as president and not Jonathan, stressing that Section 137 could not have a retroactive effect to stop him from contesting for the presidency.
Dashen ruled that there was no presidential election conducted in the country in 2010 and Jonathan could not be deemed to have been sworn into the office of the president that year.
(NAN)
Five persons have been killed following an explosion that occurred at a facility where illegally refined petroleum products were stored at Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.
The Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC-Nigeria), in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday morning, said the incident occured on Saturday morning.
The statement, which was signed by YEAC-Nigeria President, Dr. Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface, said the victims were four women and one man, who were burnt beyond recognition.
It read in part: “The inferno is said to have occurred in a house where people purchased and stored illegally refined petroleum products including condensate for resale in the area.
“Members of the Advocacy Centre youth volunteers network under the auspices of the One Million Youth Volunteers Network of Human Rights Defenders and Promoters in the Niger Delta in ONELGA told YEAC-Nigeria that the incident occurred in the late hours of Saturday, April 26 by about 11:00AM, killing five persons, four females and one male burnt beyond recognition.
“While calling for investigation into the incident, the Advocacy Centre warns residents and youths against involvement in pipeline vandalism, crude oil theft, artisanal refineries and trading in illegally refined petroleum products including home storage to avoid ugly incidents of this nature.
“The group also used the opportunity to renew its call on the federal government to legalise artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta through the establishment of its July 27, 2020 proposed Presidential Artisanal Crude Oil Refining Development Initiative (PACORDI) and/or Modular Refineries for artisanal Refiners in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region to mitigate incidents of this nature.”
Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Ayo Olorunfemi, has cautioned Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, to disregard growing calls for him to abandon the LP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Naija News recalls that a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, in the wake of a series of defections in Delta State, had intensified his call for former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, to return to the party.
Sowunmi’s appeal comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, where he believes Obi’s rejoining the PDP could help the party wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, Olorunfemi who also contested the 2024 Ondo governorship election under the LP advised Obi to concentrate on healing and strengthening the party instead of considering defection.
Although he acknowledged that Obi has the constitutional freedom to associate with any political party of his choice, Olorunfemi warned that accepting overtures from other parties could prove detrimental.
He said, “Now that he has contested and he has seen the LP force, if he decides to go to another political party, it will then speak volumes of his intention.”
Continuing, he added, “It will tell whether he truly believed in the ideology of the Labour Party before coming to run, or he just wanted to use the opportunity of the platform.”
According to Olorunfemi, any move by Obi to switch platforms would raise serious questions among Nigerians regarding his political motives.
“So, it will now be left for Nigerians to decide whether Obi, who got millions of votes under the Labour Party, can still be voted for under the PDP or another party,” he stated.
Offering firm advice, Olorunfemi suggested that Obi should take responsibility for rebuilding LP rather than seeking greener pastures elsewhere.
“He (Obi) must use his tongue to count his teeth. If I were he, what I would be doing now is working to restore peace in the Labour Party and rebuild it,” he urged.
The party chieftain stressed the importance of reconciliation efforts within LP: “He should find a way to resolve the issues in the party and remain on the platform. He should remain in the party and restore peace. He should stay and resolve the crises he and others created in LP.”
Olorunfemi also warned that defecting would paint Obi in a negative light, suggesting, “Moving around will portray him as an opportunistic politician, not different from these politicians jumping here and there.”
Reflecting on the sacrifices made by LP members to support Obi’s presidential bid, Olorunfemi reminded him that many aspirants had stepped aside in 2022 to give him a chance. Yet, he made it clear that the party’s survival does not hinge solely on Obi: if he leaves, the LP will continue to thrive as a strong opposition force.
Addressing the leadership crisis within the party, Olorunfemi defended the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee (NWC), insisting that it had not wronged Obi or his supporters.
He recalled the fierce loyalty shown to Obi during the 2023 elections. “What is the offence of Abure? He stood in the sun, stood in the rain. All of us in the NWC stood by him (Obi). In spite of all the attacks, we stood by him.”
He further recounted personal sacrifices, noting, “My own people, in the course of fighting for him (Obi), called me names for fighting for someone not from my tribe. LP is blind to ethnicity, and I supported him because I believe in politics devoid of ethnic sentiment.”
Olorunfemi admitted that crises were inevitable in politics but stressed that the party’s response has remained lawful and measured. “There is bound to be a crisis. People will come with different things in mind, but we have to moderate everything like we are doing now in LP.”
He underscored the NWC’s commitment to constitutional governance, stating, “Everything we are doing in the Labour Party is in line with our constitution. That is our strength.”
Finally, he challenged critics to present evidence of constitutional violations if they believe the leadership has erred: “Anybody who wants to challenge the authority of the NWC should challenge it to the constitution.
“They should show us the aspect of the constitution that has been violated. If they confront us with the facts, then we will agree with them.”
Mai Mala Buni, governor of Yobe, says he has no plans to join the opposition coalition being promoted by some opposition leaders, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
Buni’s stance is contained in a statement issued by Mamman Mohammed, the director-general of press and media affairs in the office of the Yobe state governor.
According to NAN, a viral message had claimed that Buni and four other All Progressives Congress (APC) governors were finalising plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before the 2027 elections.
This follows growing coalition talks among opposition politicians seeking to wrest power from the ruling APC ahead of the next general election.
The former vice-president has been at the forefront of strategic meetings and talks around the proposed coalition against the APC.
However, Buni’s spokesperson dismissed the claim of Buni joining the coalition, describing it as “baseless fabrications, unwarranted imagination, and assumptions that did not cross paths with reality in any way, shape, and form”.
He said the author of the message had never been close enough to Buni to predict the governor’s political movement.
“Buni is no ordinary member of APC; he is not just an APC governor. He is APC in all ramifications, with APC flowing in his veins,” the statement reads.
“His contributions to building APC as a two-term National Secretary and National Chairman who chaired the party’s convention committee make him unique, and whose imagination of leaving the party cannot be speculated.”
Mohammed said the author and his paymasters must have been interested in Buni’s political sagacity and only wished they would have the likes of the governor.
“It must be wishful thinking,” he added.
Joseph Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu in Osun state, and Edward Oluwasanmi, a pastor, have pleaded guilty to swindling the United States government of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds.
Citing court records, a Punch report said Oluwasanmi reportedly used his companies – Dayspring Transportation Limited, Dayspring Holding Incorporated, and Dayspring Property Incorporated – to obtain millions of dollars, which he later diverted for personal expenses in violation of US federal laws.
The two men were charged to court on 13 counts, including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to defraud, money laundering, and engaging in monetary transactions with criminally derived property.
On April 10, Oluwasanmi, represented by Henry Hilow, a counsel, pleaded guilty to counts one, 11, and 12 of the indictment.
The counts accused him of using fraud proceeds to purchase commercial property at 422 South Green Road, South Euclid, Ohio, through wire transfer, and transferring money into a Dayspring transportation brokerage account.
According to the report, Oloyede submitted his guilty plea on Monday.
With a sentencing set for July 2, both men face potential prison terms.
Oloyede was crowned as the monarch of Ipetumodu in 2019 but frequently travelled between Nigeria and the US for “royal and personal engagements”.
Indigenes began raising concerns after his throne was vacant for nearly a year.
Oloyede and Oluwasanmi were arrested on April 5, 2024, according to a statement issued by the US department of transportation earlier this month, revealing the monarch’s whereabouts.
A dramatic scene played out in one of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) centers as a female candidate refused to attempt any questions, opting instead to wait for miraculous intervention.
According to JAMB Public Communication Advisor, Fabian Benjamin, the candidate was complying with the instruction of her grandfather to do nothing during the examination.
Benjamin, in a statement on Saturday, said candidates must prepare and hard work to achieve success rather than relying on miracles.
Meanwhile, JAMB has offered a financial reward to anyone who can provide authentic proof of a candidate being posted to an examination center outside their chosen town.
JAMB clarified that candidates have the right to select their preferred examination town during registration, and the board assigns them to a center within that chosen town.
The board described claims that candidates are placed in towns different from their selections as “erroneous, malicious, and aimed solely at tarnishing the Board’s reputation.”
The Board also challenged the public to provide proof of such cases within 96 hours, which should be sent to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) WhatsApp number, 08056003030.
JAMB also explained that candidates are required to arrive at the examination centers 90 minutes before the commencement of the examination for preliminary verification, which includes processes that take time.
“Similarly, anyone who finds no fault in airlines requesting air-travellers to arrive at the airport 2 hours before the departure time should find no fault in encouraging candidates to arrive at the CBT centres, 90 minutes before commencement of examination for preliminary verification.
“Many parents who expect candidates to spend not more than 2 hours for the 2 hours examination are apparently oblivious of the required preliminary processes,” the statement said.
The board assured the public that it is committed to public good and exists to serve the public interest in the best possible manner.
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Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Olayemi Cardoso, and the minister of Finance and Coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, have declared that Nigeria has exited its most turbulent economic period and is now firmly on the path to growth and stability.
Speaking on Friday night at a joint press conference at the end of the 2025 International Monetary Fund (IMF)/World Bank Spring meetings, the CBN governor asserted that the country’s monetary and financial framework has matured significantly, with the foreign exchange market now operating effectively based on market fundamentals.
Cardoso emphasised that the Central Bank’s primary duty remains safeguarding stability, not imposing rates arbitrarily. “We are custodians of stability. Our role is to ensure that people can plan without suffering the shocks of internal or external disruptions,” he said.
He cautioned against lingering cynicism, describing the current economic climate as one ripe with opportunities that Nigerians must seize. “This is not the time to be cynical. If we do not recognise and take advantage of our opportunities, others will. Capital moves to where the environment is enabled. So it’s not the time to be cynical. It’s the time for us to look to the future. With every confidence that we will get out of any problem that we are faced with.” Cardoso stated.
Noting that the progress recorded in the economy had been due to the difficult but necessary reforms undertaken by the monetary and fiscal authorities, he said, Nigeria’s resilience during recent external pressures has made it a reference point in the international community.
“It has taken a lot of coordination between the fiscal and the monetary, learn from mistakes, being bold enough to look at other at other means of doing certain things to get better results, and now we are here at a time where the international community are asking others to learn from what Nigeria has been able to accomplish.
On his part, the Finance minister and coordinating minister of the economy, Mr. Wale Edun, confirmed that key economic indicators are trending positively, a clear departure from the nation’s situation a few years ago.
Responding to question report that the country had slipped to the fourth largest economy in Africa, he said: “I have not seen the report but Nigeria is economically, financially, in a very much better place than it was just a couple of years ago. Inflation is coming down, the exchange rate is stabilizing, food prices are easing, and the fundamentals are much stronger.”
According to Edun, the resilience of Nigeria’s external sector during recent challenges, where investors eventually restored confidence, is proof of the underlying strength of the economy.
Looking ahead, he outlined an ambitious target for economic growth. “We must now push to grow the Nigerian economy deliberately at no less than 7% per annum. Anything less will not move our people out of poverty fast enough,” he said.
“We have turned the corner. It is now time for every Nigerian to contribute towards building a stronger, more prosperous economy,” Edun stated.
The defection of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has heightened fears regarding the potential defection of other state governors from opposition parties. Long before Oborevwori left the PDP, signs that some opposition governors might follow suit had already emerged. From their utterances and body language, it was obvious that some of these governors were hobnobbing with the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC). Findings by Sunday Vanguard showed that there is a growing uncertainty in some states, particularly among party faithful, regarding their future in the opposition. This anxiety exists despite the denials by party officials who claim that there are no plans for defections.
The wave of defections from the PDP to the APC has raised significant concerns within opposition states. While some states exhibit signs of potential shifts, others maintain a firm stance against such moves. The varying responses underscore the complex and localised nature of Nigerian politics, where individual relationships, party dynamics, and regional considerations play pivotal roles in shaping political allegiances. Enugu: On Shaky Grounds Enugu State has been a stronghold of the PDP since the beginning of the Fourth Republic. However, there are now speculations that overtures have been made to Governor Peter Mbah to leave the PDP. It is well-known that the governor is a close ally of President Bola Tinubu, and Sunday Vanguard gathered that the presidency has been consistently wooing Mbah to join the APC.
As a result, the APC in Enugu State, which is the opposition, has continually praised the governor for his developmental strides in the state. However, the APC Chairman in the state, Ugo Agballa, is opposed to such a move. Sources suggest that Agballa and the party leadership have vowed to ensure that any alleged plan for Mbah to defect does not materialize. While the APC is making efforts to gain influence in the state, the opposition within Enugu State’s PDP remains strong, making it unclear whether the governor will take the plunge and abandon his current political affiliation.
Anambra: ‘APC Lacks Foundation’
In Anambra State, despite Governor Charles Soludo’s closeness to President Bola Tinubu, there is little concern over the possibility of defection. Soludo, who was elected under the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), has not shown any inclination toward defecting to the APC. Since coming to office in 2021, Soludo has maintained a positive relationship with the APGA leadership in the state. In fact, the governor recently dismissed the APC as a party without any significant foundation in Anambra, stating that it has never managed to secure even a single councillor in previous elections. According to Soludo, the APC has failed to make any significant impact in the state, citing their lack of electoral traction in both general and local government elections.
“Now, wind down to Anambra. In Anambra, APC doesn’t even have a councillor. Not even one. In all previous elections, they’ve never been able to get traction. Look at the last several elections— general elections and local government elections—not even 3–4% of the votes. You can’t put something on nothing, so to speak,” Soludo stated. Most stakeholders in the state do not believe the governor, who is seeking a second term, would defect. “There is no reason for that. APGA is not a party, but a movement that Ndigbo subscribe to. We are connected to the party in every reasonable way. Our governor is a principled person, who has paid his dues in respected fields. He should not be ranked alongside those defecting,” said Emma Udemezue, an APGA chieftain, when speaking with Sunday Vanguard.
Abia:
Defections Have No Impact The recent defections in Delta State seem unlikely to have any significant effect on the PDP in Abia State, for several reasons. Abia is not currently controlled by either the PDP or the APC, and the defections in Delta have little to no bearing on the political dynamics in Abia. For Governor Alex Otti, defection is far from being a priority. A PDP chieftain and aspirant for the party’s chairmanship in 2024, Chief Olugh Kalu, told Sunday Vanguard: “Every politics is local. Their defection happened in Delta and cannot have any effect in Abia because Abia is not Delta State.” Since the Labour Party (LP) took control of Abia in the 2023 elections, local residents have not shown much interest in the affairs of either the PDP or APC. Many former PDP stakeholders have already defected to the APC, and more are expected to follow before the 2027 elections. The people of Abia, for the most part, are more focused on the performance of Otti’s LP-led administration than on the shifting alliances of the traditional political parties. Despite internal leadership struggles within LP, which have persisted for several months, the governor’s governance is seen as a more pressing concern.
Osun:
Party Faithful Disturbed Long before the defection of Delta Governor Oborevwori, there had been speculations that Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State might leave the PDP for the APC. Party faithful in Osun are particularly concerned about the defections in Delta and the recent resignation of the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr. Oluwole Oke. Oke, a fifth-term lawmaker, had been at odds with the PDP leadership in Osun, leading to factionalism in his constituency. In a letter dated April 16, addressed to the Ward 7 Chairman of the party in Obokun Local Government Area, Oke stated that his decision to resign was made after consulting with his constituents. Although Oke did not explicitly state whether he would join another party, the speculation that he might join the ruling APC has further fueled the belief that Adeleke could be considering the same move.
However, some party leaders have dismissed the significance of Oke’s resignation, arguing that it should not be seen as a harbinger of Adeleke’s defection. “We have heard that several PDP governors, including Ademola Adeleke, were planning to defect to the APC. This defection of the Delta State Governor and Mr. Oluwole Oke further strengthened the talk in town that Adeleke may join the ruling party,” a local resident said. Diran Odeyemi, a former Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, dismissed the idea
Demands action on escalating attacks in Kaduna, Plateau
The leadership of Evangelical Church Winning All, ECWA, has condemned the rising cases of violence, banditry, and kidnappings in Kaduna and Plateau states, urging the Federal Government to take urgent action.
General Secretary of ECWA, Rev. Ayuba Asheshe, at a press conference in Jos, said the Church had already spent over N300 million in ransom payments, adding that over 50 of their members remain in captivity.
His words: “ECWA expresses its profound grief and deep concern over a surge of violent incidents impacting its members and communities in Kaduna and Plateau states. These interconnected crises, marked by banditry, kidnappings, and brutal militia attacks, demand immediate and decisive intervention from government and all stakeholders.
“In Kaduna State, the Kwassam DCC of the Kauru Local Government Area has been ravaged by relentless banditry and kidnappings in recent weeks. Over 20 lives have been lost, and over 100 individuals, including Church members and community residents, have been abducted.
“The Church has already spent over 300 million Naira in ransom payments, yet over 50 individuals remain in captivity, placing an unbearable financial strain on the Church and affected families, many of whom have lost their livelihoods. The targeting of predominantly farming communities in the region further exacerbates the crisis, posing a significant threat to food security in the affected areas and neighboring communities due to the disruption of agricultural activities.”
The Kano State government said it has uncovered an anomaly in the March salary payroll system and leading to the recovery of over N28m paid to 247 dead or retired workers.
The government, through a committee, a pay parade committee established in the state, uncovered the anomaly following a validation exercise on the March salary payroll system.
In a statement by the Press Secretary to the Secretary to the Kano State Government (SSG), Musa Tanko Muhammad, said the disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils which the findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead, yet have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries running.
The Government, however, assured of its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities, while the individuals found to be involved in the fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law.
According to the statement, “In a decisive move towards cleansing the State Payroll, the Kano State Government, under the leadership of Governor Abba Yusuf, has recorded a major milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the salary administration system within the State civil service.
“As part of the reform process, a Pay Parade Committee has been established and will commence its operations shortly. In preparation for the full implementation of its mandate, the Committee deemed it necessary to involve all stakeholders. Consequently, the Committee printed the March 2025 payroll vouchers and requested all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Councils to study the Payrolls and make necessary observations as a prelude to a comprehensive Pay Parade scheduled to be flagged off on Monday the 28th of April. Arising from the validation exercise, a disturbing irregularity was uncovered within the payroll system of Local Government Councils. The findings revealed that 247 individuals have either retired from service or dead yet, yet have been appearing in the payroll and their salaries are running. These fraudulent salary payments amount to the sum of ₦27,824,395.40 for March 2025 alone.
“In a prompt and effective response, and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the amount has been recovered and returned to the Local Government Treasury.
“This significant recovery underscores the administration’s unwavering dedication to entrenching governance, transparency, and responsible management of public resources,” the statement however, reads.