The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere, for alleged unauthorised fundraising over an upcoming oil and has summit in the state.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, on Tuesday in Benin.

The SSG said the governor also announced the immediate halt of the planned summit, scheduled to begin on August 7.

“Due to the breach, the proposed summit is suspended, and Isere is directed to refund all monies collected from donors for the event.

“Prospective donors are hereby advised to stop all dealings with the suspended adviser,” Ikhilor said.

(NAN)

Former Director-General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Dr. Paul Orhii, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling a major political shift in Benue State.  

In a letter addressed to the Atirkyese Council Ward Chairman in Benue State, Orhii explained that his decision followed wide-ranging consultations with stakeholders across different levels.

“After intensive consultations with my family, friends, thousands of my supporters and political associates locally, nationally and globally, I have decided to resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) with immediate effect,” he stated.  

Dr. Orhii, who was a PDP governorship aspirant in both the 2019 and 2023 elections, added that his resignation would allow him to join the ADC’s national “rescue mission.”  

“This is to enable me join the coalition of other progressive-minded Nigerians in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on the rescue mission,” he explained.  

He expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him a platform to serve the nation, particularly during his tenure as NAFDAC boss.

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has been expelled from the Social Democratic Party, SDP.

Announcing his expulsion from the party, SDP also imposed a 30-year ban on El-Rufai.

SDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, said the action was in line with the party’s constitution, ideology, manifesto, principles, and practices, as well as in consonance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act pertaining to the exclusive right of a political party to determine its membership.

A statement by the party’s spokesman, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, warned members against associating with El-Rufai and those who don’t represent its interest.

Parts of the statement read: “El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today.”

It would be recalled that El-Rufai joined the SDP after quiting the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, El-Rufai is also a key member of the opposition coalition which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, as its platform ahead of the 2027 election.