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PDP to sue Delta governor, others

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said it will sue Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other elected officials of the state, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The party’s Acting National Chairman, Ilyas Damagum, said the intention is to retrieve their mandate from the governor and the lawmakers.

This is one of the decisions of the National Working Committee (NWC) at its meeting yesterday following the defection of the governor and all elected party and government officials in Delta State to the APC. All of them were received into the ruling party on Monday in Asaba by Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.

Damagum also said the NWC decided that errant party chiefs, who openly flirt with the APC would be expelled.

Another decision of the NWC, according to him, is the total adoption of the resolutions of the PDP governors’ meeting in Ibadan on April 14.

Read Also: An anatomy of the Delta PDP defections

The PDP governors resolve that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting should hold on May 27 and the national convention slated for August on a date to be decided by the NEC.

The governors also rejected Samuel Anyanwu and Monday Udeh-Okoye, both claimants to the office of National Secretary. They ask Assistant National Secretary, Setonji Koshoedo, to act until the election of a substantive secretary at the convention.

Damagum, who spoke to reporters after the NWC meeting, said: “We have adopted the decisions of the PDP Governors’ Forum as recommended so that the NEC can take decisions on them,” Damagum stated.

“We are not conquered people, I urge all our supporters to remain loyal; we may have internal crises but they are surmountable like others that we had overcome in the past.

Also, it was decided to among others, constitute a Zoning Committee to address all issues relating to the zoning of party offices arrange for PDP’s National convention in Kano between August 28 to 30.

In Asaba yesterday, the day after the transplant of the PDP structures in the APC, the state secretariat of the PDP was desolate. It remained locked without any sign of life around there, although the party’s name and logo still adorned the building.

Some officials said last night that the secretariat might likely be repainted with APC colours and the PDP flags replaced with that of the APC.

Yesterday, Damagum said a caretaker committee for PDP in Delta to be headed by a past chairman of the chapter, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, would be constituted to run the party on an interim basis until substantive officials are elected.

Moro: legal action in order

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), endorsed the PDP’s decision to pursue legal action against the defectors.

Moro, who spoke on a television programmed, described the defections as a “reprehensible” betrayal of the party, saying that the move to seek legal redress is justified and necessary to uphold political accountability and deter future betrayals.

Moro argued that the legal action is a critical step in reinforcing the principle that elected officials cannot abandon the platform that brought them to power without consequences.

He said: “As a law-abiding organisation, the PDP has this option, this window of suing these members, not necessarily for the sake of saying, ‘Hey, come back,’ but at least to show that you cannot betray the party and go scot-free.”

Moro emphasised that the defections raised a “moral question,” particularly for prominent figures like Okowa, who rose through the ranks of the PDP as a senator, governor, and the vice-presidential candidate.

He expressed dismay at Okowa’s public regret over his role as the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate, describing it as “uncharitable” and a sign of disloyalty.

Moro stressed: “Having been a senator before, having been a governor before, on the platform of the PDP, I think it’s uncharitable for him to come forth now and say that he regretted being on the ticket. He was not forced. He asked for it, and he was given.”

He said Okowa’s selection as Atiku Abubakar’s running mate was a “political miscalculation,” noting that some party members believed other candidates were more committed and could have delivered better electoral outcomes.

Moro frowned at Okowa’s inability to secure Delta for the PDP in the presidential election, despite being a sitting governor and vice-presidential candidate.

He said: “How can you explain that a sitting governor, a former senator, a vice-presidential candidate of the party, couldn’t deliver his state even to the presidential candidate? His soul was not in the PDP. His soul was not in that election. And that is why we performed very miserably in Delta State.”

Moro, who acknowledged the PDP’s internal crises, leadership disputes and factionalism, however, rejected the notion that the party is on the verge of collapse.

He alluded to the resilience of PDP members at the grassroots level, who he believes will sustain the party’s relevance, saying: “Those people who make elections are out there—the electorate, the masses, the ordinary member of the party. They are the ones that make the party.”

Moro also addressed concerns about the PDP’s dwindling numbers in the Senate, where the APC now holds 64 seats compared to the PDP’s 33, following the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North) in February.

He alleged that some defections were influenced by “compromises,” such as offers of committee positions, saying that such moves are devoid of principle.

Moro said: “I can tell you for free here that some of these persons were compromised. There’s no doubt about it.”

He dismissed fears that the party cannot recover ahead of 2027 elections, citing the PDP’s historical dominance, having once controlled 28 states and both arms of the National Assembly, as evidence of its enduring strength.

He said: “Out of these failures, out of these disappointments and betrayals, I can assure you PDP will reorganize itself, learning from the mistakes and forge ahead.”

Moro expressed disappointment that Atiku did not take a more proactive role in unifying the party post-election.

He said: “I expected that Alhaji Atiku Abubakar should have started from day one after the election to galvanise the PDP and hold some level of cohesion within the party.”

April 30, 2025
Okowa: Atiku’s 2023 bid for president insensitive

• ‘I regret running with him’

• ‘Tinubu deserves second term’

• I bear no grudge, says ex-VP

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential bid smacked of insensitivity to zoning and power rotation, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa said yesterday.

Atiku ran on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with Okowa as his running mate.

They were defeated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Delta governor said he regretted pairing with Atiku in the election.

In a stunning turnaround, Okowa, along with Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, all elected officials and party officials at all levels, defected to the APC last week.

They were received into the party on Monday by Vice President Kashim Shettima and National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje.

The former governor, who had hosted the meeting of the Southern Governors’ Forum in Asaba, the state capital, where a resolution was passed about zoning, recalled that his subsequent opposition to power shift to the South contradicted the wishes and aspirations of Deltans.

Speaking on a television programme yesterday, Okowa explained that upon reflection, he had come to the realisation that his decision to be running mate conflicted with the prevailing sentiments in the state.

Justifying his decision to defect to the APC, he said the PDP’s protracted internal crises and weak leadership strategy heralded the gale of defections.

The former governor also chided former Senate President Bukola Saraki for attacking him over the defection.

He said Saraki lacked the moral right to criticise his decision.

Read Also: Revisiting Adamolekun’s Reflections on Governance

I regret being a running mate, says Okowa

Okowa said in retrospect, he regretted his aloofness to the popular wishes and quest of his people for political equity and justice through zoning.

Despite his being on the ballot, the PDP lost Delta State in the 2023 presidential election.

He said given his track record as a public servant and feats in terms of infrastructure development, free maternal and child healthcare, and the victory of his successor, Oborevwori, his decision to serve as running mate came at a political cost.

He recalled: “Even when we were campaigning, I realised our people were not interested in having another northerner come to power.

“But the decision had already been taken at the federal level by the party, and I had been nominated.

“Still, in retrospect, I now believe I should have gone with the will of my people.”

Returning the salvos by Saraki, Okowa said the former Kwara State governor lacked the moral standing to criticise his defection.

He said: “I did not expect that someone like Senator Bukola Saraki should be able to speak concerning me, because he knows that he had also moved to the APC before and eventually returned.

“So, he has had movement to and fro. So, I don’t think that he has the moral right to even speak about my defection at all.”

Defending his decision to leave PDP for APC, Okowa explained that the decision was not taken lightly, adding that it was a collective resolution by key chieftains in Delta.

He said the defection was necessitated by internal crises and a lack of strategic direction by the PDP.

Okowa stressed: “Several things have been going on in the party. While I do not want to join issues with people, as stakeholders, our leaders in this state have sat down to look at the events in the last several months.

“Because of the events that we see and the communications coming out from the leadership of the PDP at the moment, it did not appear to us that it was the proper political vehicle for us to continue in.”

Okowa said the PDP was not prepared for serious competition in 2027, pointing out its governors’ resistance to a coalition and the protracted leadership crisis are clear signs.

Okowa attributed the PDP’s failure in Delta during the presidential poll to the people’s sentiment, acknowledging that while he ran out of loyalty in his party, the South was interested in producing Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as successor to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said the tide turned three weeks later in the governorship election, where PDP triumphed in 21 of the 25 local governments.

Okowa said: “That showed the people still believed in us, believed in me. They said you’ve done well, and we will support the governor (candidate) you have chosen. And they did.”

On the insinuations that his defection would insulate him from probe by the anti-graft agencies, Okowa said he has not committed any sin.

Emphasising that he was not arrested, he said he only honoured an invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Okowa said: “I did well for the people of the state. Petitions can be written by anybody, but whatever petitions are written, the right of investigation is with the EFCC.

“So, there are no fears concerning that at all. And I have never spoken to Adams Oshiomole.

“We talked for the first time only yesterday because we were on different political paths and were of different political parties; we were not friends per se.”

Okowa, who acknowledged that he dumped PDP after serving in public office on the platform, said he owed nobody an apology.

He said: “Yes, I was a key player in the PDP from the formative stages, but the PDP of today is not the same party we built in 1998.

“When you find that the values and vision you once believed in are no longer there, then you step away.”

Okowa elaborated on the PDP’s strategic shortcomings, particularly its refusal to pursue alliances or mergers critical to electoral success.

He said: “If a party in opposition, with fewer governors than the APC, decide against alliances and mergers with other political parties, the question is, how do they truly want to compete?”

He said PDP’s internal conflicts, particularly the unresolved disputes over key positions, are proof of its unpreparedness for future contests.

Okowa insisted that the consensus-building that led to the mass defection underscored the unity of purpose in the Delta PDP.

He said: “We did consult with the caucus of the party, with all elected members of the party from the National Assembly, the state Assembly, to local government council chairmen, and the commissioners and other top appointees of the government.

“We thereafter consulted with all the leadership of the party, along with the state excos and the local government excos represented in the stakeholders’ meetings.”

Okowa said aligning with the APC would grant Delta greater access to federal resources, unlike when he was governor for eight years.

He added: “If you are a governor in a ruling party, you’re likely to have greater access to goodwill and resources from the party at the centre.

“I was governor in opposition for eight years, and I know that though we tried to do our best in the state, we could not get many benefits at the federal level.”

Okowa also said President Tinubu is entitled to a second term, adding that it is good for political stability.

He said: “But beyond all this, for the stability of this nation, I also do believe that, yes, President Tinubu was elected president in 2023, and for the stability of Nigeria, it is best for us to have him complete his eight-year tenure, then the presidency can move back to the North.

“I believe that is the right thing, while not calling it a North-South thing.

“The politics today may not be about the North-South, because I believe that both from the North and the South, people are competing, and in all political parties, you’re likely going to have people from the North and the South.”

I bear no grudge against defectors, says Atiku

Atiku, who reacted to Okowa’s remarks, said he bore no grudge against the defectors, adding that he was not hurt by their departure.

A statement by his media aide, Paul Ibe, said Atiku believes there is no justification for negative feelings over the exercise of democratic rights by the defectors.

He reiterated Atiku’s loyalty and commitment to the PDP, saying that speculations about leaving the party for any other were off the mark.

The statement added: “Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, bears no grudge; he has said that and he means it.

“As a democrat, he subscribes to the universality and constitutionality of the freedom of association, which is one of the pillars of democracy, without which democracy would be meaningless.

“We have addressed the issues about a coalition. Remember that we had a statement to that effect.

“Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is not leaving the PDP, and he has said that clearly.

“As for those talking about him leaving the PDP, we don’t know where they are getting that from.”

April 30, 2025
How we arrested Kanu in Lagos hotel, by DSS

• Trial resumes Friday

The Department of State Services (DSS) said it arrested the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in a hotel in Lagos after he secretly entered the country in 2015.

The first prosecution witness in Kanu’s terrorism trial, whose identity was shielded for security reasons, testified behind a screen while being led in evidence by the prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN).

Identified as PWAAA, the witness, a DSS operative, said his agency, acting on intelligence, deployed an eight-man team of operatives to a hotel in Ikeja on October 15, 2015, where Kanu was arrested during a room-to-room search.

The witness said the operatives opted for a room-to-room search because Kanu’s name was not on the hotel’s record.

Read Also: An anatomy of the Delta PDP defections

PWAAA said the operatives discovered he checked in with another native name.

Items recovered from him include IPOB pamphlets, IPOB complementary cards, laptops, IPADs, microphones, microphone stands, flash drives, power adaptors for mixers, various brands of phones, perfumes, ATM cards, and a wristwatch, among others.

The items, brought to court in four suites, were displayed and admitted as exhibits by Justice James Omotosho.

The witness told the court that the interrogation of Kanu was recorded and that he admitted to being the founder and leader of IPOB.

He added that the defendant admitted to establishing and operating Radio Biafra and that he did not register it with the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The video of Kanu’s interrogation was played in court while the statement he made on October 15, 2015, was read out.

In the video, Kanu admitted setting up Radio Biafra in London and not registering it with the NBC “because there was no need for it”.

He stated he was fighting for the emancipation of the people of Southeast, Southsouth and parts of Benue and Kogi.

Kanu claimed that freedom fighting was not a crime anywhere, including in Nigeria, but a fundamental right.

The IPOB leader also claimed not to be involved in violence.

Before proceedings began, the court granted a request by the Federal Government for prosecution witnesses to testify behind a screen and with their faces masked.

Awomolo told the court that the measure was necessary to safeguard the identities of the operatives.

“Given the sensitive nature of their roles and the security risks involved, it is imperative that these witnesses be allowed to testify anonymously,” he said.

Lead counsel to the defence, Kanu Agabi (SAN), did not oppose the motion.

Justice Omotosho agreed with the prosecution and granted the application as prayed.

The judge also pruned the number of persons who applied to observe the trial to 20, mostly family members.

Over 30 persons applied to be in court as observers, among them, the convener of “Take it Back Movement”, Omoyele Sowore, who was denied.

Justice Omotosho adjourned till Friday for the cross-examination of the witness.

April 30, 2025
BREAKING: EFCC arrests E-Money over alleged Naira abuse

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested prominent Lagos socialite, Emeka Okonkwo Daniel, popularly known as E-Money, over alleged abuse of the Nigerian currency.

E-Money was reportedly picked up on Monday night at his residence in the Omole area of Lagos.

Read Also: Alleged N8b deal: EFCC confirms arrest of Aisha Achimugu

It was gathered on Tuesday that the socialite is being investigated for allegedly spraying United States dollars at public events, a practice that may contravene provisions of the Foreign Exchange Act and regulations on currency abuse.

Details shortly…

April 29, 2025
JUST IN: Court admits video recording of Kanu’s interrogation, other items

A video recording of Nnamdi Kanu’s interrogation by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been played in court in his ongoing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The statement Kanu made on October 15, 2015 has also been read.

In the video, he admitted establishment of Radio Biafra and registration in London.

Kanu also admitted not registering the radio station with NBC because there was no need for it.

In his statement, he admitted fighting for emancipation of the people of South East, South South and parts of Benue and Kogi.

Read Also: JUST IN: Court okays shielding of prosecution’s witnesses in Nnamdi Kanu’s terrorism trial

He made it abundantly clear that freedom fighting is not a crime in any part of the world including Nigeria because it is a fundamental right.

Kanu claimed not to be involved in any violence because he has not been linked with any one.

Items in four suitcases recovered from him in his hotel room in 2015 were also brought to the court room full display.

Defence lawyer, Kanu Agabi (SAN) did not object when prosecuting lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) applied to tender all the items in evidence.

Justice James Omotosho has admitted the items in evidence.

Details shortly…

April 29, 2025
JUST IN: EFCC arrests wanted Achimugu at Abuja airport

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested prominent business executive and socialite, Aisha Sulaiman Achimugu.

According to a statement by her legal team on Tuesday, Achimugu was taken into custody at around 5am shortly after voluntarily arriving in Nigeria from London.

The arrest came less than 24 hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice I.E. Ekwo, ordered her to present herself before the EFCC on Tuesday.

Read Also: Achimugu’s probe has nothing to do with Atiku, Sanwoolu, says EFCC

The court also directed the anti-graft agency to produce her in court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

At the time of filing this report, EFCC’s spokesperson had not responded to requests for official comments.

Reacting to the development, Achimugu’s lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), criticised the arrest, noting that his client willingly returned to the country.

“Aisha Achimugu, who arrived voluntarily from London, was arrested by the EFCC. She has immediately commenced a hunger strike. She is a prisoner of conscience,” Ojukwu stated.

April 29, 2025
Defection of Oborevwori, Okowa to APC a tsunami , says Shettima
- 14 governors, senators, ministers receive Delta’s ex-PDP bigwigs
- ‘Why we moved’
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s defection into the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a political tsunami, Vice President Kashim Shettima has said.

He spoke in Asaba yesterday while receiving Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa and the entire Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure into the APC.

Shettima said the new chieftains have become co-owners of the party and not guests, stressing that they are giants of national politics.

The Vice President and APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje presented the flags and brooms, symbols of the party, to Oborevwori and Okowa, at the Cenotaph, venue of the carnival-like rally in Asaba, the state capital.

No fewer than 15 APC governors, three ministers and senators joined party leaders and the VP to receive new members.

“What can be greater than the promise of this day? This is a political tsunami of an unimaginable proportion that has never happened in the history of the Southsouth sub-region, and barely in the history of this country,” said Shettima, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the historic event.

Read Also: UPDATED: Oborevwori, Okowa, others formally join APC

He added: “A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.

“The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly. So many members of the House of Representatives, the governor and his entire cabinet and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?

“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction.”

The Vice President also pronounced Oborevwori as the state party leader, saying: “Now that you have come, we are all co-owners because according to the constitution of the party, the governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state. This is now as much as your party as it is ours.

“You have brought to us a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful.

“This is a declaration that the strength of our great nation is alive, a spirit that brings your personal ambition, your party alliance and sees the larger set of history.”

Shettima paid tribute to Okowa, the 2023 running mate to PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar, hailing the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor.

He said: “Senator Okowa, you are indeed a great leader, and Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him, for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader.

“We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be apart.

“What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity, it is our acceptance that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.

“Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances.”

It’s a movement, says Oborevwori

Oborevwori, who spoke after receiving the APC flag, described the defection as a “movement,” borne out of unity and collective action.

He said: “Delta cannot carry last. We have been in opposition for almost 10 years. Mr President has supported us; he has shown us love.

“We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. That love that he has shown us in Delta state, we need to reciprocate it. We cannot do it in our old party; you have to be inside to do it and to do it well.”

Oborevwori said members of the National Assembly from Delta have agreed to defect on the floor at their next resumption.

He said all the structures of the Delta PDP would move to the APC in the coming days, adding that members of the state executive council, advisers, council chairmen, 500 councillors, ward chairmen, and local government party chairmen are all part of the movement.

Oborevwori stressed: “All of our members in the National Assembly, at the next resumption, have agreed to defect on the floor of the House. Mr Speaker is here, heaven will not fall.

“There is nothing wrong, it is normal. I was a lawmaker, a presiding officer. We have a lot of problems, we have reasoned and have justification to move.”

Why we defected, by Okowa

Okowa said the decision to defect was taken in the best interest of Deltans.

He said there was a need to connect with Abuja and be a beneficiary of the resources for which Delta is a “large contributor”.

Okowa said the decision to defect was “patriotic, strategic and well-intentioned”, stressing that it was done after consultation with stakeholders of the party.

He added: “There is always a time to take a path for the common good of the people.

“And whatever decision that we took was based on that common good and the need to change our path in the best interest of the state.

“There’s a need to connect to Abuja, that goodwill that is in Abuja, that resource in Abuja for which Delta is a large contributor, there is the need to connect to it.”

Okowa urged those who earlier defected from the PDP to the APC to embrace new members and work with “oneness of heart.”

He said it was time to work together and give support to President Tinubu and Oborevwori “to dominate the politics of Delta State”.

Okowa stressed: “It is time for us to embrace each other; our brothers that are already in APC and those of us that have come into the family, we need to embrace each other and work with the oneness of heart.”

Ganduje applauds synergy

Ganduje, who expressed delight at the courageous move, applauded the cordial relationship between Oborevwori and Okowa.

He said the APC National Working Committee (NWC) was highly impressed by the absence of the predecessor/successor crisis, which is rare.

Ganduje said: “We have to thank Dr. Okowa for that good relationship.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important which is accepting, welcoming and also, embracing the governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.

“Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidentally, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive governor.

“So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party.

“We believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self accountability and we thank you for coming in.”

Uzodinma: it is historic

Chairman of Progressive Governors Forum/Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma said the ceremony was quite historic and special in the life of the APC.

He believes the defectors mean well for Delta and the country.

He said: “We are here to identify with you. We, therefore, urge all Deltans to continue to support their governor as he consolidates on the achievements his administration had recorded so far.”

Otu: defections driven by Tinubu’s performance

Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu attributed the gale of defections into the APC to the performance of President Tinubu.

He said in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill, that Oborevwori’s defection was a thoughtful and courageous response to the growing aspirations for a better Delta State, a more prosperous Niger Delta, and a stronger Nigeria.

He emphasised that Cross River, which for years stood as the lone APC state in the Southsouth, was happy to share the progressive banner with Delta and Edo states.

He said the defection marked a new dawn of political realignment in the region.

Otu added: “An increasing number of Southsouth states under APC governance is a dream realised.”

He said President Tinubu’s transformational leadership had inspired trust, value reorientation, infrastructural rebirth, and economic rejuvenation across the nation.

Otu said the mass defection has set the stage for deeper regional collaboration, accelerated economic development, and greater political stability.

The governor, who is Vice Chairman of the Southsouth Governors’ Forum, urged Oborevwori, other political stalwarts, and their supporters to bring their wealth of experience and grassroots mobilisation strength to bear in advancing the collective quest for a flourishing Southsouth and a renewed Nigeria.

Roll call:

Governors at the ceremony were AbdulRahman-AbdulRazaq (Kwara State), Mohammed Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Usman Ododo (Kogi), and Francis Nwifuru(Ebonyi).

Also at the rally were Senator Adams Oshiomole; Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh; Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege.

Delta Senators Ned Nwoko, Ede Dafinone and Joel-Onowakpo Thomas; members of the House of Representatives; members of the State House of Assembly led by the Speaker Emomotimi Guwor; Council chairmen; Uche Ekwenife, Director General, South East Forum, were present.

Party officers who witnessed the event were Deputy National Chairman (South) Emma Eneukwu; National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka; Deputy National Secretary, Festus Faunter; National Legal Adviser, Prof. AbdulKarim Kana; National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa; National Vice Chairman (NorthCentral), Muazu Rijau; National Vice Chairman (SouthEast), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu; National Women Leader, Dr. Mary Alile; National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel; Leader of People With Disabilities, Tolu Bankole; Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Duro Meseko and former member of House of Representatives from Kano, Faruk Lawan.
April 29, 2025
Workers’ pending five months Wage Award for payment

Civil servants on federal payroll are to get five months arrears of the N35, 000 Wage Award, the government announced yesterday.

The Federal Government and organized Labour agreed to the Wage Award for the period negotiations on the New Minimum Wage were ongoing.

It was part of the palliative measures introduced by the government to cushion the effects of economic reforms, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidies and other fiscal adjustments

The Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) which dropped the hint in a statement in Abuja, said that arrangements have been concluded to settle the outstanding payments.

OAGF Director of Press and Public Relations Bawa Mokwa, who signed the statement, said the Federal Government had previously paid five months of the wage award to eligible workers in installments.

It noted, however, that arrears for an additional five months remain outstanding and that these will now be paid in installments of N35, 000 per month over a period of five months.

The statement clarified that the first installment of the outstanding stop-gap cash would be disbursed immediately after the payment of April 2025 salaries.

It explained that while workers would receive their normal salaries for April as scheduled, the separate payment for the wage award arrears would follow promptly.

“The wage award arrears would not be paid with the April 2025 salary; it will come immediately after the salary is paid,” the statement read.

The OAGF also restated the government’s commitment to the implementation of all policies and agreements relating to staff remuneration and welfare.

It indicated that measures were being put in place to ensure that the welfare of workers is adequately addressed, recognising its critical role in promoting increased productivity and operational efficiency across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

Read Also: Wages; Solar; Happi; 145; CSR

Workers had previously received part of the wage award in response to negotiations between the government and Labour unions, which sought to mitigate the rising cost of living.

With this latest development, federal employees who had been awaiting the settlement of the remaining arrears can now expect phased payments starting from the end of this month.

The OAGF assured workers that it would work closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure seamless disbursements and that no eligible employee would be left out of the process.

April 29, 2025
Lagos, Police raise Strike Force to battle criminals

The Police in Lagos have raised a standby intervention squad known as Eko Strike Force, as part of the re-jigged crime prevention and control strategies.

The Strike Force introduced by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Olohundare Jimoh, with the endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, is made up of policemen drawn from the Police Mobile Force (PMF).

Speaking with 35 participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 18, National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) Abuja, who visited the command on a study tour, Jimoh said the Strike Force was stationed at Surulere, which is a nexus between the Island and Mainland of the city state.

The police chief said the crime rate in Lagos had dropped below what was the situation when he resumed two months ago.

He attributed the feat to the synergy that existed among security agencies and the cooperation from the community.

“The crime rate in Lagos State has been reduced to the barest minimum and we are working to ensure it stays low. I want to not only attribute this to our efforts, but also to the support of other security, intelligence and safety agencies that are cooperating with us. The rate I met on ground was not alarming.

“This is because Lagos State has a structure that is second to none in the country. We thank Governor Sanwo-Olu for all he has been doing to ensure there is safety in Lagos.

“Just recently, he presented 72 patrol vehicles for police divisions. We know there will be more to assist us further and we are appreciative of the support.”

Speaking about how the command was able to contain activities of armed/violent non-state actors, Jimoh said the establishment of the Strike Force was one of the ways, explaining that its creation had ensured response teams were not pulled from neighbouring divisions to attend to urgent matters.

“Most times when we have an issue to respond to, we normally pull out the patrol team from a specific location to address it and then they go. I saw a loophole there because the non-state actors can capitalise on the absence of patrol teams at that location or reduced manpower in a division to wreak havoc.

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“That was why I set up this Eko Strike Force and Mr. Governor agreed to it. They are in Surulere and all of them are mobile officers. As we all know, Surulere is the link between Lagos Island and Mainland.

“They move in if there is any issue of crime, address the issue and then the Area Command or Division takes over from them.

“Last week, we had some disturbances at YabaTech and it was the Eko Strike Force that was deployed there to arrest the situation,” explained CP Jimoh.

He said the command was also working with vigilance groups and community corps, especially those in riverine locations, to ensure they were all on the same page towards ensuring safety and security of Lagosians.

“So they join the patrol with us. And when we have incidence of crime, they equally mobilise to assist us. Since I resumed two months ago, we have not had any case of kidnapping in Lagos.

“The incidents we usually have are those that are traditional with Lagos- street fighting and ‘Omonile’. Actually, we are working with the state government and a lot of arrangements have been put in place that will be unveiled very soon by the governor, on the issue of ‘Omonile’.”

Jimoh assured the course participants that Lagos was safe and secure. He said the security architecture of the state was in tune with the government’s agenda to ensure adequate safety, security for all residents and properties so that businesses would thrive and the economy would continue to boom.

The institute’s Director of Coordination and Liaison, Mrs Foluke Arigbede, who led the delegation, said the study tour was part of the requirements for the course, adding that it would expose the participants to hands-on experience that would be useful when they returned to their agencies.

Among the 35 participants were officers of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Department of State Services (DSS), Rwanda Police as well as other security and law enforcement agencies.

April 29, 2025
JUST IN: Shettima receives Oborevwori, Okowa, PDP members to APC in Delta

It was a carnival-like atmosphere on Monday in Asaba, the Delta State capital, as a massive crowd of Deltans gathered to witness Vice President Kashim Shettima formally receive Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and the entire Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Cenotaph, venue of the event, was transformed into a sea of yellow — the signature colour of Governor Oborevwori’s political family — as party faithful turned out in their thousands, defying the scorching sun to dance and celebrate to music blaring from strategically positioned loudspeakers.

The grand event attracted an array of dignitaries, including APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, 16 APC governors, members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC), federal lawmakers, and ministers.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Shettima, described the political realignment as a “tsunami of unimaginable proportions,” praising Governor Oborevwori and immediate past Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for their statesmanship and the unity displayed in leading the defection to the APC.

Tinubu commended the cordial relationship between the two Delta leaders, expressing confidence that their move would strengthen the APC’s dominance and foster greater political stability in the state and the nation at large.

He said: “What can be greater than the promise of this day. This is a political tsunami of unimaginable proportions that has never happened in the history of the South-South region and barely in the history of this country.

“A political tsunami of this proportion has never happened where all the members of the upper chamber of the National Assembly are in the APC.

“The Speaker and all the members of the House of Assembly. So many members of the House of Representatives, the Governor and his entire cabinet, and 500 councillors across the 25 local government areas of this great state. What testimony do you have greater than this?

“The true measure of a political party lies not merely in the industry, the very name of its members, but in the conviction. It is, in fact, among those who once stood across from them.

“This vindication is even more fundamental. When those who once saw us as outsiders and opponents crossed the lines of difference to become part of the enduring family we have built.

“This historic day, therefore, is both a celebration of the enduring promise of the APC and a tribute to the vision, courage, and foresight of the great giants we have come to welcome into the hall of fame of our political party, along with their devoted followers who are joining us today.

“I want to pay special tribute to Senator Ifeanyi Okowa for the wonderful relationship that exists between him and his successor

“Senator Okowa, you are indeed a great leader and Governor Oborevwori, for embracing him, for treating him with respect and decorum, you are even a greater leader,” he said.

“We are here with our unshaken belief in the power of collaboration, the understanding that we are stronger together than we can ever be apart.

“What sets the APC apart is not an illusion of uniformity; it is our accepting that differences are inevitable and that greatness lies in managing them.

“Our tables have always been tables of dialogue, places where every member, no matter how big or small, is welcome to air their grievances.

“Your Excellencies, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the other great men and women, we welcome you to the APC today.

“I bring them the warm assurance of His Excellency President Bola, Ahmed Tendul, GCFR, and all members of the APC.

“Now that you have come we are all co-owners because according to the constitution of the party, the Governor of the party is the leader of the party in the state, this is now as much as your party as it is ours.

“You have brought to us a wealth of experience, a breath of wisdom and a measure of strength for which we shall always remain grateful.

“This is a declaration that the strength of our great nation is alive, a spirit that brings your ambition, your party alliance and sees the larger set of history.

“Nigeria is greater than all of us, and what we do here today is a step towards strengthening our promise. We welcome you, Your Excellency, not as defectors but as brothers and sisters who have found your rightful place amongst us.

“We welcome you not as guests but as family, we welcome you as fellow architects of a better Nigeria and may this day be remembered not just by what it signifies today but for the enduring fraternity and vision of source for tomorrow.”

Responding, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori described the defection as a historic movement in the best interest of the state.

He pledged to unify the party to ensure total victory for the party in the coming elections.

“What you have seen here today is a movement, it’s not a defection, it’s a movement. We have done consultation with the National Assembly, with leadership, with stakeholders at the state level, at the senatorial level, at the local government level, at the ward level, and we all decided that we must all join.”

“This is Delta state we cannot carry last, when we stand for something we remain committed to it, we have been in opposition for almost 10 years.

“Do we need that? Mr. President has supported us, he has shown us love. We cannot face him in 2027 to work against him. The love that he has shown to us in Delta State, we need to reciprocate it.

“We cannot do it in our own party. You have to be inside to do it, and to do it well. We have to do it at our party.

“When you consult widely, you see everybody will come with you, and you can see that the love is organic, you can see my relationship with governors, you see all the governors here

you see the large numbers of governors yesterday 9 came yesterday and slept today see all of them here I want to bless all of you. I want to thank all of you.

This is a movement, this is not defection. We have agreed we will move together and when we move together, what is in the national we will be able to grab it.

“Our members in the National Assembly they are all the next, they have agreed they will all defect on the floor of the house. Mr Speaker and we have justification to move.

“All of us want to be in the Renew Hope Agenda, which is in line with my MORE Agenda.

“For us in Delta State, it’s a statement, and I believe other governors will join because it’s a movement, and when you have a movement, you don’t fail.

“There are some things people say in the newspaper, that there is confusion, there is a faction.

“As I have come, there will be no faction again. Let me tell you, APC is not like PDP. The Governor takes charge, and we are taking charge.

“I don’t believe in any faction, everybody must queue and we will unite the party to move this state forward for the benefit of our people and to bring development, peace and unity to our state and Nigeria.”

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, applauded the cordial relationship between the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.

Ganduje said the National Working Committee of the party was highly impressed because of the cordial relationship existing between the predecessor and successor which, according to him, is very difficult see in the country.

“So, we have to thank Dr. Okowa for that good relationship. Ladies and gentlemen, my job is very important, which is accepting, welcoming, and also embracing the Governor and the people of Delta State into our great party, the APC.

“Mr. Governor, what l would like to tell you while accepting you into our party, is that our core value in APC is progressive leadership and coincidentally, from what we have seen on the ground in respect of your programmes and your projects, you are a progressive Governor.

“So, we are welcoming you for coming home. We believe in progressive ideas, we believe in proximity, interacting with different levels of our party; we believe in openness, we believe in internal democracy, we believe in self accountability and we thank you for coming in,” he said.

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Earlier, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, said the ceremony was quite historic and special in the life of the APC as a political party in Nigeria.

Senator Uzodinma who disclosed that members of the APC were happy with the new political development in Delta State, said that the All Progressives Congress meant well for the country.

“We are here to identify with you. We, therefore, urged all Deltans to continue to support their Governor as he consolidates on the achievements his administration has recorded so far,” he added.

On his part, the immediate past Governor of the State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, explained that the decision to change political direction was made for the common good and in the best interest of the state.

“It was not about personal ambitions but the need to connect to Abuja, where significant goodwill and resources exist, especially since the state is a major contributor.

Reflecting on his experience as a former governor in opposition, Okowa emphasised that while Governor Sheriff Oborevwori is performing well, aligning with Abuja would strengthen his efforts.

“After thorough consultations with stakeholders, it was clear that a bold, strategic, and patriotic move was necessary for the state’s future.”

He stressed the importance of unity among all members, both old and new, encouraging everyone to embrace each other and work together with a shared purpose.

He called for strong support for both the President and the Governor, believing that this unity would allow them to dominate the political landscape of Delta State.

April 28, 2025