The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said Nasir El-Rufai left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for personal ambition.

Naija News reports that Bwala said the former Governor of Kaduna State chose the Social Democratic Party (SDP) over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because he wanted a place where he could exert control.

In an interview with TVC on Wednesday, the presidential spokesman recalled that El-Rufai had said he would not leave the ruling party.

He said, unlike PDP, SDP has no structure and the party’s Chairman, Shehu Gabam, is El-Rufai’s friend whom he could dictate for.

His words: “The reason El-Rufai didn’t go to PDP is because the structure there, he can’t go and dictate things for them. But he told the world that SDP, the chairman, is his friend. So they went there because they want to go and dictate.

“Let me ask you, with the greatest respect, don’t you have records of El-Rufai saying, I will never leave APC till I die? Don’t you have records where he said, there is no political party other than APC?  I’m not holding it against him. Because it’s possible he may have said that around the time because of his feeling. The only thing I said, which you gave in your monologue, is that your constitutional right of association is guaranteed. I don’t have anything against that. But your motive must be interrogated.”

THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has urged the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, to declare vacant the seat currently being occupied by the Senator representing the people of Delta North Senatorial District, Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko over his recent defection to the All Progressive Congress, APC.

The PDP in Suit No:FHC/ABJ/CS/454/2025, through it’s Counsel, Dr. Ayo Asala SAN prayed the court to immediately order the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a bye-election to fill the vacant position.

The originating summons dated 27th February, 2025 had the PDP as Plaintiff with Sen. Ned Nwoko, the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the Independent National Electoral Commission before the Court as 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Defendants respectively.

PDP also prayed the Court to direct Sen. Ned Munir Nwoko to return all salaries, allowances and other emoluments received by him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly from the date he defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In the originating summons, PDP is asking the following questions amongst others;

“Whether or Not, having regard to the clear an unambiguous provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended), the 1st Defendant herein,who was elected under the the platform of the plaintiff herein, namely, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria(3rd Defendant) and who has now defected to another political party to wit, the All Progressives Congress,(APC) ought not to have vacated his seat as a senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly?

“Whether or Not, having regard to the clear and unambiguous provisions of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended),the 2nd and 3rd Defendants ought to have declared the seat of the 1st Defendant as a senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly vacant, the 1st Defendant having defected to another political party,to wit, the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him for election into the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

“Upon the construction/determination of the forgoing questions in favour of the plaintiff, the plaintiff seeks the following reliefs;

“A declaration that the 1st Defendant, having defected from the plaintiff being the political party(People’s Democratic Party) that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party which is the All Progressives Congress (APC), ought to have vacated his seat in the said National Assembly with immediate effect by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended).

“A declaration that the 2nd and 3rd Defendants are under constitution and legal duties by virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended) to declare the seat of the 1st Defendant as a Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly vacant , the 1st Defendant, having defected from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party,being the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order declaring vacant the seat of Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly currently occupied by the 1st Defendant and directing the 1st Defendant to with immediate effect, vacate the said seat by Virtue of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,1999(As Amended). The 1st Defendant having defected from the plaintiff being the Political party(People’s Democratic Party)that sponsored him and on whose platform he was elected as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party namely, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 1st Defendant to immediately vacate his seat as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly,having defected from the plaintiff being the political party that sponsored him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly to another political party to wit, All Progressives Congress (APC).

“An order of this Honourable Court directing the 4th Defendant to immediately conduct a by-election to fill the vacant seat of the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District in the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon declaring the seat vacant.

“An order this Honourable Court to directing the 1st Defendant to return all salaries, allowances and other emoluments received by him as a Senator representing the Delta North Senatorial District in the National Assembly from the date he defected from the plaintiff to another political party to wit,the All Progressives Congress (APC).” It added.

Twenty-seven lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, barred Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara from accessing the State House of Assembly on Wednesday morning, preventing him from presenting the 2025 budget.

Reports indicate that Governor Fubara had arrived at the Assembly early in the day to implement a key provision of the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the Supreme Court judgment—the presentation of the 2025 budget to a properly constituted State Assembly.

However, Assembly staff, speaking anonymously, claimed there was no formal communication regarding the Governor’s visit.

“I am not aware that the Governor was scheduled to be at the Assembly today (Wednesday). If such information existed, the Rt. Hon. Speaker would have informed us. As of now, we have no knowledge of his visit,” a source stated.

However, Fubara said he communicated his coming to Speaker Martins Amaewhule through a letter and has tried to call him on the phone since Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Fubara has reaffirmed his commitment to fully implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment, emphasizing that his administration will adhere strictly to the ruling.

Fubara made this declaration on Tuesday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of the New Judges’ Quarters, built by his administration in the Old GRA area of the state capital.

The governor stressed that no personal ambition or political dispute should supersede the collective peace and stability of Rivers State, stating that no sacrifice is too great for peace.

The governor acknowledged that the past 16 months had been rough for his government, saying that he would leave office one day but that his good work would speak for him.

He said since the crisis started, a lot of money and resources that should have been channelled to the development of the state had been wasted by both sides.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, will join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Naija News reports that Bwala said the presidency and the APC were having success in emptying the Labour Party.

In an interview with TVC on Wednesday, the presidential spokesman said the former Labour Party presidential candidate would not run for presidency under the party.

“Do you know we are emptying Labour Party? Not because we go and ask them to come. They are coming. Valentine Ozigbo has joined us. Balami has joined us. Even Peter Obi will join us. I mean, we are successful in this window. Peter Obi will not run in Labour Party. They are all leaving Labour Party,” he said.

Asked why he was sure of Obi’s defection to the ruling party, Bwala explained that the defection of Valentine Ozigbo to the APC signalled the former Anambra governor’s next move.

He added that the defection of opposition political leaders to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) would not work.

According to him, the question of who becomes the presidential candidate and who gets what would affect any coalition movement.

“For Valentine Ozigbo to come to our party. Valentine Ozigbo is actually the custodian of Peter Obi. Right? Then I know for a fact that Peter Obi will join us. Do you know why I said that? It’s after one week or two weeks of these melodramatic activities.

“The way they scheme this thing is that every week you will hear a breaking news. A gladiator has joined SDP so that they will dominate the media space with conversation. And I hope that the media will be smart enough to know that. But that is what they intend to do to keep the conversation in the media. But the thing is, why I said he will join us is, by the time the two weeks is over, and they are able to enjoy this momentarily coverage, when they sit down, they will start fighting. Who will be president? Who will be vice president? Who will determine what?” Bwala added.

South African businessman Patrice Motsepe has secured a second term as the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after being re-elected unopposed.

Motsepe, 63, who first assumed office in 2021, had announced his intention to seek re-election in October 2024.

His second four-year term was officially confirmed during CAF’s extraordinary general assembly held in Cairo on Wednesday, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino in attendance.

 
A renowned mining magnate and owner of South African club Mamelodi Sundowns, Motsepe expressed his commitment to building on the progress achieved during his tenure.

Under his leadership, CAF has undertaken various reforms aimed at strengthening African football.

While his re-election was a mere formality, elections were conducted for CAF’s executive committee, where Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o secured a seat.

The continent’s representatives for the FIFA Council were also elected during the assembly.

Social media content creator Ifeluv has announced the end of her relationship with her fiancé and baby daddy, Oluwadolarz.

The breakup comes just four months after Oluwadolarz proposed to Ifeluv. 

In a post shared on her Instagram page Tuesday evening, Ifeluv accused the singer of infidelity and financial irresponsibility, claiming he failed to fulfill his promises after their engagement.

In the lengthy statement now deleted, she said: “I left him the first time because of cheating. He spent two years trying to convince me that he had changed.

“Meanwhile, I have been taking 85 per cent responsibility for our child because he is broke most of the time. Just living a fake life and chasing anything in a skirt. He absolutely has nothing to his name. If you give him an advert deal, he won’t deliver.

“Brands keep threatening him, and every time he sees me achieving something, he starts crying because he hates it. But guess what? I make my own money.

“I rarely even visit him. He even embarrassed me online with a public apology, and I let it slide, accepting his proposal—only to go pick up my son at his place and find his actress, Lola, hiding in the bathroom. And this guy looked me dead in the eye and said nothing was going on! This man was my absolute first. But now? It’s over.”

The Chairman of Canadian Senate Committee on Human Rights, Salma Ataullahjan, has demanded justice for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged sexual harassment.

Naija News reported that the Kogi Central Senator, on Tuesday, reported the Nigerian Senate and its President, Godswill Akpabio, to the United Nations’ Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Senator Natasha stated that the Senate suspended her for six months because she complained of alleged sexual harassment against Akpabio.

“I was suspended illegally because I submitted a petition of 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 will submit ourselves to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition for a fair and transparent investigation. Unfortunately, I was silenced and I was suspended,” she said.

Recall that the Senate explained that the Kogi Central Senator was suspended for violating Senate Standing Rule and misconduct.

On her ? handle on Wednesday, the Canadian Senate’s Chairman on Human Rights lauded Natasha for speaking out.

“Stay strong, Natasha Akpoti. Your bravery for speaking out against sexual harassment is a powerful reminder that we must all continue to fight for a safer, more respectful world for everyone,” she wrote.

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.