Justice D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced nine Chinese nationals to one-year imprisonment each for cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, following their arrest in a major sting operation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

According to a statement on Tuesday via X by the EFCC, the convicts, identified as LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang, and Du Ji Feng, were part of a syndicate of 792 alleged cryptocurrency investment and romance fraud suspects apprehended on December 19, 2024.

The EFCC’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 charged the nine individuals in February 2025 with one count separate charges of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud.

The charge stated, “That you, LI Dong, Deng Wei Qiang, Huang Bo, Xiong Zhen, Lai Rui Feng, Zhao Xiao Hui, Lui Hai Rong, Lui Gang and Du Ji Feng, sometime in December, 2024 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: cause to be accessed computer system used for the purpose of destabilising and destroying the economy and social structure of Nigeria and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (b) and punishable under Section 18(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015.”

Initially pleading “not guilty,” the defendants reversed their pleas to “guilty” during a court session on June 5, 2025.

Prosecution counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly, a request supported by the defence counsel.

Justice Osiagor subsequently sentenced each defendant to one year in prison, effective from their arrest date of December 10, 2025, and imposed a fine of N1,000,000 on each.

The court further ordered that the convicts be repatriated to their country of origin within seven days of completing their sentences, as directed to the Comptroller General of Immigration.

Additionally, mobile phones, computers, laptops, and routers seized during the EFCC’s “Eagle Flush Operation” were forfeited to the Federal Government.

A Nigerian pastor, Abel Damina of Abel Damina Ministries International, has said the offerings and tithes collected in churches don’t belong to God, but men.

The controversial man of God stirred discussion with his recent statements regarding the destination of offerings and tithes collected by churches.

In a viral video clip from a Sunday service sermon, Damina asserted that these contributions do not go to heaven.

“No offering goes to heaven. Every offering we collect is used by men.

“All the offerings we give to God go to men,” he explained, claiming that the funds are, in fact, spent.

He also challenged common pastoral rhetoric, specifically those statements used to encourage tithe payments.

According to Damina, preachers propagate the idea that God utilises offerings and tithes exclusively to affect people’s thoughts. 

He further alleged that many preachers who require their congregations to tithe do not tithe themselves.

“Those tithe mongers who say the windows of heaven will open when you pay tithes are lying.

“The doors have been open since Jesus rose from the dead.

“They collect from everyone but don’t give to anyone.

“I was there; I know how it works,” Damina stated.

Nigerians woke up to the delightful news, Monday morning, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, currently on Sallah vacation in Lagos, had decided, following entreaties from interested and concerned parties, to forgive his political godson, with whom there had been a frosty relationship for months. The political godson is Mr. Babajide Sanwoolu, the sitting Governor of Lagos. It is common knowledge that till date no one can be Governor of Lagos State without the blessing of President Tinubu. He has been the Kabiyesi of Lagos state politics long before he became the President of Nigeria.  Every Governor after his own tenure as Governor of Lagos State (1999 – 2007) was handpicked by him. Anyone who has ever held any important political position in Lagos State since 1999, either as a councillor, Local government chairman, member of the House of Assembly, National Assembly member, or a political appointee knows that he or she has held that position at the pleasure of the Godfather, popularly known as Asiwaju or the Jagaban. One wrong step, any act of misdemeanour could land the person in the Godfather’s black book. 

Those who have found themselves in such a position would rather wish it had never happened. And so it happened to Governor Sanwoolu. The rift between the Governor and his Godfather became a matter of open, public knowledge during the President’s latest visit to Lagos for the Eid-el-Kabir break. When the President arrived at the Murtala Muhammad Airport in Lagos, it was reported that as courtesy and convention dictate, the Governor had gone to the airport to receive him. He was reportedly snubbed publicly. The President by-passed the Governor and shook hands with the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and others. During the inauguration of the Phase one, 30 kilometres stretch of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, a major public event, the President again openly snubbed the Governor. He refused to shake his hands. Rather than invite him to speak, he being the host Governor, the President ignored Sanwoolu and asked Governor Dapo Abiodun, Governor of neighbouring Ogun state, to speak. Everyone was shocked. The snub was so open, so clear, it was no longer a matter for speculation.

It was at this point that peacemakers who had knowledge of the rift between Godfather and godson intensified their efforts to broker peace. They seem to have succeeded as reported at length by ThisDay newspaper of June 9. The newspaper refers to them as “Wise Men”. The Holy Scripture at Matthew 5: 9 says “Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.” The peacemakers include the Chairman of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Alhaji Tajudeen Olusi, Chairman of the All-Progressives Congress in the state, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi and other members of the GAC (the Baba Sope group) in Lagos. They appealed to the President to forgive the Governor and others who might have erred in his sight. The President reportedly responded that “It’s all over now. All is forgiven,” and that he had also accepted the report on the local council primary elections. Members of the GAC were said to have immediately prostrated for the President. Some of them are either his age-mates or older than him. His hands were tied. 

Outside of the GAC members who were granted audience, ThisDay reports that quite a number of “wise men” also intervened to make the truce possible. They include Chief Dipo Eludoyin, Mr. Gilbert Chagoury, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka, Mr. Dele Alake, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, Chief Bisi Akande, Chief James Ibori, and Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola. There are probably traditional rulers, like the Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II, and others in the background, which means the ThisDay list may not be exhaustive.  

Governor Sanwoolu owes the peacemakers a debt of gratitude. They are individually and collectively people that the President respects and whose friendship he values.  The Governor is also a very lucky man. Godfathers in Nigerian politics do not often forgive their godsons that offend them. They crush them. They inflict much pain to teach them a lesson and to deter other present and future godsons who may be tempted to grow wings. Whoever is in doubt should revisit the travails of Gov. Rasheed Ladoja of Oyo State (2003 – 2006, 2006 - 2007) and his Godfather, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu; Gov. Chris Ngige of Anambra State (2003 – 2006) and his godfathers, Chris and Andy Uba; former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State (2016 – 2024), and his Godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomhole; Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State (2015 -2019), and his Godfather, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State (2023 to date) and Godfather Nasir el Rufai, and Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State (2023 to date, currently suspended), and his Godfather, Minister Nyesom Wike. It is not often that the godson succeeds in driving the political Godfather out of town as Gov Uba Sani may have done, or gets reinstated in office as in the examples of Ladoja and Chris Ngige. It is usually the case that the godson gets punished.  By promising to forgive Governor Sanwoolu and everyone who has erred against him, President Tinubu has shown magnanimity. He may have forgiven, and may not forget, but the act of forgiveness is in itself divine. By that singular gesture, President Tinubu has set a good example for other Godfathers in Nigeria’s political landscape. Those Godfathers who go about threatening to fight those who have offended them “to the finish” should learn from the President’s leadership example. The symbolism of the Eid el Adha season inheres in the ideal of sacrifice. Godfathers should project the milk of human kindness by learning to sacrifice their egos. As the folk saying states, it is only the elder who learns to forgive who can build a large community. 

It is now up to Governor Babajide Sanwoolu “to go and sin no more”. We have argued elsewhere about the menace of Godfathers in Nigerian politics. In a heavily competitive atmosphere, those who seek advancement in politics cannot rely solely on the wisdom of the electorate. Nigerian politics is expensive. It is money-driven. Godfathers provide the financial resources. They fund the political machinery. They mobilize goodwill. The electorate and party agents listen to the Godfather who is part-financier, part-cultural leader, even if they do not know the candidate. Disagreements with the Godfather usually occur when the godson, now in office gets so carried away, he begins to assert himself, act independently, expresses opinions that are unacceptable to the Godfather, or as in the case of Ladoja and Ngige fails to honour deals previously agreed to with the Godfather. The average political godson asserts himself at his own risk. It is instructive that the referent here is masculine as there are extremely few goddaughters involved. This is a graphic illustration of the underdeveloped and exclusionary nature of Nigeria’s democracy. 

What could possibly have been Sanwoolu’s offence in the present case? Those who are familiar with the matter have come up with a number of possibilities but these can at best be regarded as assumptions since neither the President nor Sanwoolu has publicly disclosed what transpired between them. The speculations are as follows:

One: It is said that the rift could be traced to the 2023 General elections. It would be recalled that the President, then a candidate on the platform of the APC scored less than 50% in Lagos, his very own political stronghold. He was outperformed by Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), who won the state with 45.81% in the February 25, 2023 election. This was a huge political embarrassment. President Tinubu thus found himself in a situation similar to that of President Olusegun Obasanjo in the 1999 Presidential election in Ogun State and indeed the South West. Jagaban was one of the opposition politicians who laughed at OBJ then: how he even lost at the polling booth in front of his own home. For Tinubu who had earned a reputation over the years as a master political strategist, it was a deep cut for him to be defeated by Peter Obi in Lagos! When the Gubernatorial election held on March 18, 2023 with Sanwoolu as candidate, the APC won Lagos with 65.95% of the votes. It turned out that on February 25, APC party agents were not mobilized to man polling centres during the Presidential election. The feedback was that the Governor said there was no cash, allowing Labour Party agents to have a field day at the polling centres! But cash became available ahead of the Governor’s own election. With all his claim to political mastery, President Tinubu cannot in all honesty accuse any of his supporters in other states of failing to win enough votes for him, when he also fell short in his own state. Where was Sanwoolu, the sitting Governor of Lagos state? What did he fail to do to help the Godfather? 

Two: as if that was not embarrassing enough, there was also the case of the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Hon. Mudasiru Obasa. There had been no love lost between the Governor and the Speaker. In November 2024, when the Governor went to present Budget 2025 proposals to the Assembly, accompanied by members of the GAC, they were reportedly kept waiting for four whole hours by the Speaker. This was clearly disrespectful. When the President visited Lagos in December 2024, both the GAC and the Governor reported Obasa to the President. He was summoned and was reprimanded by the President. The President did not want another Rivers state in his own backyard. But if he thought he had settled the brewing conflict between the Executive and the Legislature in his state, he was mistaken. When the President travelled abroad in January, and Obasa travelled to the United States, the Speaker’s impeachment was quickly arranged and he was replaced by his own Deputy. When Obasa returned from his trip, he refused to vacate the seat, and literally, hell was let loose in Lagos. It was said that the President not only wondered who on earth could have overruled him in Lagos state, he was further miffed when the Governor feigned ignorance about the crisis in the Lagos State House of Assembly. If he had overlooked the election matter, he did not this time around. He shut the door against Sanwoolu thereafter. Every effort by the Governor to see the President was rebuffed. Whenever the President travelled either to Doha or France, Sanwoolu travelled hoping to be granted audience. But no way. Eventually, President Tinubu directed that Hon. Obasa must be reinstated as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.  Nobody needed to tell the Governor that he was in trouble. 

Three: there is this additional matter of a certain merry widow who went to the Caribbean to throw a lavish birthday party in an exotic, all-expenses paid hotel resort. Governor Sanwoolu was reportedly sighted at the party behaving as if he had inherited another man’s workshop! He sneaked out of town, abandoned his duty post, and people saw him, merrying around in a strange land, and they talked. They whispered. The President of course must have heard too and he thought the Governor was beginning to lose concentration…

But all that is over now…The President says all sins are forgiven. Sanwoolu is old enough to know that his “enemies” would now go into an overdrive to watch everything he does or says, and what he fails to do, so they can build another case against him, to tell the President that he is not deserving of the forgiveness that he has been granted. He is advised to stay away from sin and sinful activities. He stands to lose nothing if he extends the olive branch to his known detractors. He will lose more if he tries to fight back. It was good to see him at the President’s Lagos residence granting an interview and saying there is no discord between him, the son, and the father, President Tinubu. He is like the Biblical prodigal son, whose story is told in Luke 15: 11-32.  In his joy and celebration, Governor Sanwoolu should reflect on lessons he may have learnt. He should be concerned about his political future, for having served as Governor for nearly two terms, he certainly should not do anything to risk a spell in political wilderness. Above all, he should not meddle in the politics of other states. He should concentrate on the mandate that he has been given in Lagos State. Let him go and sin no more. 

The Federal Government is expected to lose $4m from a World Bank loan after failing to meet auditing standards on a key revenue reform covering the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service.

The fund formed part of the $103m Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, a public financial management initiative financed through a credit facility from the International Development Association.

According to the World Bank’s restructuring paper dated June 2025, the revenue assurance audit covering the FIRS and Customs for the 2018 to 2021 financial years was assessed as not achieved because the reports submitted did not meet international auditing standards.

A World Bank document obtained by The PUNCH on Sunday read, “Revenue assurance audit of Main Income Generating Agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the Nigeria Customs Service for FY 2018 – 2021 with an allocation of $4m.

“These Intermediate Results to be implemented by the Office of Auditor-General of the Federation were assessed as not achieved by the Independent Verification Agent because the reports submitted for verification did not meet the requisite international auditing standards.”

The failed audit was one of ten performance-based conditions under the project that the government could not deliver before the closing date of June 30, 2025. As a result, the Federal Ministry of Finance formally requested the cancellation of $10.4m in project funds.

“The FMF has requested cancellation of $0.9m of unused funds for Technical Assistance and $9.5m, which is the amount allocated to 10 Performance-Based Conditions, which will not be achieved by the close of the Project on June 30, 2025,” the document read.

The breakdown further shows that $4.5m was tied to the uncompleted Revenue Assurance and Billing System, while $1m was allocated to the development of a National Budget Portal.

According to the document, the Budget Office of the Federation, which was responsible for the portal, did not submit any evidence of achievement. In addition, $0.9m in technical assistance funding was left uncommitted and has also been cancelled.

The document read, “The proposed change is to cancel the $10.4m, constituting $9.5m for PBCs that will not be achieved and verified by the closing date, and $0.9m uncommitted funds from the technical assistance component.”

This latest adjustment follows an earlier restructuring in June 2024, when $22m was dropped from the original $125m envelope, bringing the project down to $103m. With the new cancellation, the total funding now stands at $92.6m.

The Fiscal Governance and Institutions Project, approved in June 2018 and effective from May 2019, was designed to improve the credibility of public finance and national statistics through reforms in revenue administration, budget transparency, and data systems.

Although the government missed key targets, the project recorded progress in other areas, including revenue performance. According to the World Bank, non-oil revenue outturn was 153 per cent of the budgeted target in 2024, up from a baseline of 64.9 per cent in 2018.

The bank attributed the increase to the unification of Nigeria’s exchange rate, improved tax administration via the TaxProMax system, and reforms that automated revenue remittances from ministries and agencies.

In addition, the government exceeded expectations in the publication of reconciled economic and fiscal datasets, achieving 10 publications against the project target of six.

However, capital expenditure execution remains below expectations at 50 per cent, short of the 65 per cent target, while project monitoring and evaluation were rated as moderately unsatisfactory.

Other areas of progress include the launch of the Electronic Register of Beneficial Owners by the Corporate Affairs Commission, which now covers about 40 per cent of registered businesses, and the publication of a National Asset Registry and financial reports by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated.

The final disbursement on the project is projected at $96.04m, which represents 93 per cent of the pre-cancellation total of $103m.

•APC courts four PDP govs, 10 A’Ibom NASS members to join Eno, two Edo, Nasarawa senators to quit SDP, LP

Ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Young Peoples Party have resolved to join Governor Umo Eno in the All Progressives Congress.

They join two senators from Edo and Nasarawa, Neda Imasuen and Ahmed Wadada respectively, in planned defections to the ruling APC.

This happened just as the ruling party admitted it was working to bring four other PDP governors into its fold despite accusations it was working to turn Nigeria into a one-party state.

Some of the Akwa Ibom senators and Reps members confirmed their intention to switch to the APC but declined to speak on record, citing the need to follow due legislative process.

The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, affirmed the lawmakers’ plan to defect to the ruling APC in an interview with The PUNCH.

The PDP lawmakers who have pledged allegiance to the APC are Senators Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), and House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak and Ime Bassey. Others are Martins Esin, Unyime Idem and Mark Esset.

Emmanuel Ukpongudo, a member of the YPP, is also reported to have chosen to throw his lot in with the APC.

The development comes on the heels of the defection of Governor Eno to the PDP last Friday. He cited the need to align the oil-rich state with the government at the centre.

Eno followed in the steps of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who dumped the PDP for the APC in April.

Leading the APC delegation, which received Eno into his new party, was Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma.

A video shared on the official APC X (formerly Twitter) handle captured President Bola Tinubu following the proceedings on TVC News, underscoring his keen interest in the event and emphasising his preparation ahead of the 2027 election.

Addressing party leaders and his supporters in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, last week, the governor said, “I have decided to progressively move to the APC. Our government has always been an inclusive government, which will never change.”

He added that his decision followed “three months of wide consultations” with critical stakeholders across the state.

“Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while equally affirming the constancy of our collective values and defining ethos as a state.

“For some time now, the political space, particularly in this state and the nation in general, has been awash with the news of my likely movement from the PDP, the platform that had provided the levers and ladder of my political ascendancy to the position of governor of this state.

“The discussions have elicited various layers of analysis in the process. Today, I am here to answer some of those nagging questions. Like the Dalai Lama had said, we should always be open to change, but not let go of our shared values.

“Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal letter of resignation from the PDP to my ward chairman, and same copy was sent to both the state chairman, as well as the national chairman. I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.”

However, unlike Governor Oborevwori, who defected with the entire Delta State PDP structure into the APC, the Akwa Ibom State governor only succeeded in convincing federal lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP to join him in the APC and one from YPP as some of his appointees.

Three commissioners resigned from Eno’s cabinet, opting not to defect with the governor.

Eno’s political godfather and immediate governor, Udom Emmanuel, shunned the defection ceremony.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that Udom vowed to remain loyal to the PDP regardless of its state of affairs.

One of the lawmakers said they decided to follow Eno, not out of pressure whatsoever.

He said, “We left with the governor on June 6. When I say we, I mean all the PDP National Assembly members (from Akwa Ibom State), including one YPP member. We followed our leader to the APC.”

When asked if the defection was a result of any pressure, the lawmaker said, “There was no pressure from any angle.”

An aide to one of the lawmakers disclosed that their defection letters would be read by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Hon Tajudeen Abbas, on the floor of the National Assembly when the federal lawmakers, currently on vacation, resume plenary June 17.

“They have decided to move with the governor. Of course, we know that formal activity will take place on the floor of the Senate. But they all resolved to join the APC.

“It is not just the two senators but the eight other members of the House of Representatives, who were until Friday members of the PDP.

“For a long time before now, both Senators Sampson and Bassey had affirmed they would move with the governor,” an aide shared.

In a similar vein, the Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District under the banner of the Labour Party, Neda Imasuen, has announced plans to defect to the APC June 12 as the potent Hurricane Tinubu sweeps more political bigwigs into the APC ahead of the 2027 election.

Imasuen hinged his action on what he termed “disarray” within the LP and the desire to better align Edo South Senatorial District with federal development priorities under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking in Benin City to mark his second year in office, Imasuen, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, said, “I will be leaving the Labour Party to the APC as the current disarray in the LP will not help me achieve my aim for my people. My movement will also help align Edo South with the Federal Government and bring development to our people.”

Also, sources close to Senator Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West, say the lawmaker is also set to join the ruling party after he announced that he planned to exit the party.

The Social Democratic Party member’s decision stemmed from what he described as “irreconcilable differences” with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, whose recent defection to the SDP reportedly stirred controversy within party ranks.

Wadada, while acknowledging his personal respect for el-Rufai, expressed deep concern over the ex-governor’s political style and questioned his ideological consistency. At a press conference in Lafia, Wadada made it clear that el-Rufai’s entry into the party marked a turning point for him. 

“I cannot be part of a political platform where there is no ideological direction and where personal ambition overrides collective interest.”

A source close to the senator hinted that Wadada would join the APC soon.

“Even though he (Wadada) hasn’t officially made his next party destination public yet, there is a strong conviction among his followers that the senator is headed for the APC,” our source said.

The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr Arodiogbu, said nearly all Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly members have elected to defect to the APC, apart from a few “hesitant” ones who are being persuaded.

“For us, Akwa Ibom is now a clean sweep,” he stated. “The lawmakers are coming with the governor. We understand they must declare on the Senate and House floors, but they have already committed. And we are working on the few who have not responded positively.”

He further hinted that the defection momentum was spreading, noting that the party expected more governors from the opposition party to switch parties soon.

“We are expecting more PDP governors to join the APC. Talks are ongoing. Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa are under serious watch.”

Arodiogbu dismissed speculations that the defectors were induced, insisting that their decision was voluntary and driven by what he described as the “visible success” of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“No one is being coerced,” he said. “The achievements of the Tinubu administration are self-evident. People are simply aligning with progress.”

The defection of Governor Eno, now the second South-South PDP governor to join the APC after Oborevwori, marks a turning point in the regional political landscape.

The APC now controls 23 states, leaving the PDP with just 10, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance, the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party each have one governor.

Who’s left?

The latest development has also put the spotlight on other PDP governors.

Governors Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau, and Rivers’ suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara are said to be under intense watch. 

Reports that Fintiri recently met with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu had fuelled speculations that he may succumb to the Tinubu political hurricane sweeping the landscape.

This happened against the backdrop of his strained relationship with the 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who is alleged to be his godfather.

Atiku recently reconnected with Fintiri’s 2023 rival, Aishatu Binani, further sparking rumours of a looming power shift in the state.

Bauchi, Zamfara, Taraba

Meanwhile, the PDP in Bauchi State has described Eno’s defection to the APC as a betrayal of his predecessor, who has continued to stand firm with the party.

It downplayed the significance of his action, noting that it did not reflect the party’s fate.

The state PDP Publicity Secretary, Dayyabu Ciroma, said Eno’s move to the APC was no surprise.

“Eno has been romancing the APC since his swearing-in. He has betrayed his predecessor, who supported him against other interests.”

He added that the PDP wasn’t wishing the governor well and predicted that the party would defeat him in the state come 2027.

When asked if the state governor would emulate his Delta and Akwa Ibom counterparts, Ciroma stressed that Bauchi has been a PDP stronghold since 1999 and would remain so.

“Our governor is a core beneficiary of the party, and we doubt he’ll defect to the APC. Bauchi will stay PDP, and we will deliver the party again in 2027,” he said.

Ciroma also expressed optimism about Governor Bala Mohammed’s potential presidential bid in 2027, saying, “We are hopeful he will defeat Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

He concluded that there’s no cause for concern in Bauchi State, as the party would remain intact.

Also speaking on the likelihood of Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas moving to the APC, the PDP asserted that the state remained firmly in the grip of the party, insisting that it would maintain its status as the only Northern state yet to be governed by any opposition party since 1999.

In a statement in Jalingo, the PDP state chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, dismissed rumours that Kefas might join the APC, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

“Taraba State is the stronghold of PDP in northern Nigeria,” Bawa said. “While other states in the region have explored opposition parties, Taraba has remained a steadfast PDP bastion.”

He credited the party’s enduring dominance in the state to the performance of PDP leaders and its connection with grassroots voters.

He also hailed Kefas as a leader “who embodies the party’s values and commitment to public service.”

“Governor Kefas has shown exceptional leadership through the prompt implementation of the N30,000 minimum wage and the recent upgrade to N70,000. He has also cleared a 10-month salary backlog for PDP secretariat staff, reinforcing his loyalty to the party and its members,” Bawa said.

However, APC stakeholders in Taraba welcomed the ongoing realignments in national politics and welcomed Kefas, should he choose to join the ruling party.

Ambassador Ardo Hassan, a chieftain of the APC in Taraba, said, “The APC is big enough to accommodate everyone. If the Governor of Taraba is willing to join, he will be warmly welcomed.

“However, those defecting must understand that there were people in the party before they joined. They should come in with humility and cooperate with the existing leadership and grassroots supporters,” he added.

Political analysts say while the PDP remains dominant in Taraba, the increasing overtures by the APC could test the loyalty of key stakeholders in the months leading up to the 2027 elections.

Still, Bawa remains confident.

“Taraba’s loyalty to the PDP is a reflection of effective governance. We are not losing sleep over any rumour.”

Meanwhile, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State also vowed not to dump the PDP.

The Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, declared his principal’s stance in an interview with The PUNCH.

He was reacting to a taunt by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, who asked Lawal to end his “hide and seek” and join the ruling party publicly.

Matawalle, a former governor of the state and now a top member of the APC, made the comments during Sallah festivities in Maradun.

“Instead of hiding in the day and appearing at night, the governor should be bold enough to follow due process and join the APC like a true progressive,” Matawalle jibed.

But Kaura maintained that the governor has said it several times that he would not betray the electorate who voted him to power under the platform of the PDP.

He said, “Some people have been spreading rumours that Governor Dauda Lawal is planning to dump his party, the PDP and join the APC. There is no iota of truth in this; and as such, I want the PDP supporters to disregard this.

“Governor Dauda Lawal will remain in the PDP and has no intention of joining any other party. He is a true believer who believes in God and whatever God has destined to happen, must happen, no matter the party he belongs to,” Kaura pointed out.

Plateau

In reaction to reports that Plateau Governor Caleb Mutfwang was under pressure to leave the PDP, the APC chairman in the state, Rufus Bature, stated he is welcome to join the APC.

Asked if the party was wooing the governor, he said, “The APC, which I chair in Plateau State, I don’t think we have had cause to sit down anywhere to discuss that.”

However, when asked if he would like Mutfwang to join the APC, Bature cited the Nigerian Constitution, saying, “The Constitution of Nigeria allows freedom of association and freedom of speech. So, I cannot be the one to be seen as flouting the Constitution of Nigeria.”

Commenting on the matter, the state PDP Deputy chairman, Bitrus Golen, stated, “There is no need to sensationalise the issue because Governor Mutfwang  has repeatedly said he remains a member and committed to the PDP and that has not changed, to the best of my knowledge as of today (Tuesday).”

More to move

In a related development, the Labour Party chairman in Edo State, Kelly Ogbaloi, lamented the exit of Senator Imasuen from the party.

Ogbaloi stated that the party persuaded Imasuen to remain with the LP but added that the lawmaker had his mind made up.

He said, “It is confirmed that Senator Neda Imasuen is moving to the APC, his new choice of party. We were consulted. We persuaded him and told him there was no need to do that, but it appears that he is very certain and does not intend to change his decision.

“Therefore, we are going to wish him success wherever he goes. It is painful that he has to leave us, but there is nothing the party can do to keep him.’’

The Secretary of the Edo APC, Lawrence Okah, said Imasuen’s defection was a testament to the good job the party, through the government, was doing in the state.

He stated that notable politicians would also move to the APC on June 12.

He said, “I will also tell you that other notable politicians will join the APC on that day, as we hope that more will join after June 12.”

Foremost lawyer Femi Falana has said that the economic policies of the Tinubu administration only benefit the rich.

He said that while the policies improve life solely for the wealthy, the living standards of the masses have deteriorated.

Falana stated this in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, adding that many Nigerians are struggling to survive.

DAILY POST reports that some top officials within the All Progressives Congress, APC, celebrated the president’s second anniversary, claiming he has performed exceptionally well.

“For members of the government—and I’m talking of top officials—it’s been very rosy. One of them was singing a week ago that things are getting better.

“Of course, for the rich, the bourgeoisie, things are getting better. But for the masses of our people, things are getting tougher because they are going through an excruciating economic crisis,” Falana stated.

Some of the policies introduced by the president upon assuming office two years ago include the unification of the forex windows and the removal of fuel subsidy

Bandit leader, Bello Turji has reportedly threatened farmers around Zamfara state this rainy season.

According to security expert, Bakatsine in a post on his X handle, Turji said farmers can only ‘peacefully’ go to their farms after paying N50m tax.

This ransom is said to affect residents of Tsalaken Gulbi from Fakai village, Shinkafi LGA, Zamfara State. It extends up to Qaya near the Niger border.

It has become almost tradition for farmers around troubled areas in the North to pay a sort of safety tax to bandits before farming and during harvest.

However, previous reports confirmed that some farmers still lose their lives, even after paying the tax, while other times, they lose their farm produce to the bandits or both

 A popular Nigerian financial analyst and Chief Economist at SPM, Paul Alaje, has said if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can tame inflation completely and fix electricity in the next two years, he would be the greatest Nigerian president.

Alaje made this known on Monday during an interview with Channels Television’s morning show monitored by DAILY POST.

Analyzing Tinubu’s administration in the last two years, he said the government had rolled out a few policies that have worked and others that didn’t.

According to him, the Tinubu government must completely tame inflation, which stood at 23.7 percent as of April 2025, as a major panacea to tackling the country’s economic hardship.

Similarly, he stressed that the government in the next two years should work to fix electricity, especially for manufacturers.

“After these two years, a few things have worked and another few have not worked.

“In the next two years, we should look out for how inflation can be tamed completely. That is the ultimate for the people. If the inflation is not tamed, no matter what is done, people will not feel the impact.

“Secondly, President Tinubu should start laying the foundation for electricity. When he became the president, I told him.

“When former President Muhammadu Buhari was in office for eight years, I told one of his former colleagues that the president can only be successful if he has a one-point agenda: fix electricity and link it to manufacturers. I am telling President Bola Tinubu the same thing.

“If you want your name to be in the sound of time, fix power and electricity. We will continue to remember him as one of the greatest presidents ever. Let power be available, especially for manufacturers,” he stated.

DAILY POST reports that in April, Nigeria’s inflation cooled off on a month-on-month basis despite skyrocketing market prices of goods and services.

Meanwhile, Nigeria is among the countries with the largest electricity access deficit, with around 13.2 million customers in a population of over 200 million grappling with about 5,000 megawatts of electricity supply nationwide.

Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal has become the most valuable player in the world.

According to Transfermarkt’s latest valuation updates, the Spain international has dethroned Vinícius Júnior to become the world’s most valuable footballer.

This follows his outstanding performances for both club and country over the past year.

The 17-year-old now ranks ahead of five Real Madrid stars — Vinícius, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde and Rodrygo.

Mbappé and Bellingham are jointly valued at €180 million, placing them just behind Yamal in the overall standings.

Vinícius, meanwhile, has seen his valuation drop from €200 million to €170 million.

Most valuable players in the world at the moment:

Lamine Yamal – €200m

Jude Bellingham – €180m

Erling Haaland – €180m

Kylian Mbappé – €180m

Vinícius Júnior – €170m

Bukayo Saka – €150m

Pedri – €140m

Florian Wirtz – €140m

Jamal Musiala – €140m

Federico Valverde – €130m

Cole Palmer – €120m

Declan Rice – €120m

Alexander Isak – €120m

Rodri – €110m

Julián Álvarez – €100m

Michael Olise – €100m

Alexis Mac Allister – €100m

Phil Foden – €100m

Lautaro Martínez – €95m

Désiré Doué – €90m

Moisés Caicedo – €90m

Khvicha Kvaratskhelia – €90m

Rodrygo – €90m

Raphinha – €90m

Ousmane Dembélé – €90m

Real Madrid are reportedly preparing a late move to hijack Arsenal-bound midfielder Martin Zubimendi, according to Marca.

The Gunners have been in advanced negotiations with Real Sociedad and have subsequently triggered Zubimendi’s £51 million release clause.

It is understood that only the medical remains before the deal becomes official, with all payment structures already agreed upon.

However, Real Madrid have made contact with Zubimendi’s representatives to ascertain whether the player has finalised an agreement with Arsenal.

It is claimed that the call from the La Liga giants has “changed everything,” with Zubimendi now aware of the possibility of joining them.

Real Madrid are now said to be considering a formal approach to Real Sociedad and are expressing a desire to sign Arsenal’s summer target.

Nevertheless, Arsenal remain confident they will secure their top transfer target, despite Madrid’s late intervention