News
Battle rages in PDP NWC
The relative peace in the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been disrupted.
The latest setback arose from last month’s judgment of the Court of Appeal which declared Sunday Ude-Okoye as National Secretary in place of Samuel Anyanwu.
While Anyanwu is at home in Imo State observing the holiday, Ude-Okoye has seized the initiative.
Although Anyanwu said he would return to the secretariat this week after the break, Ude-Okoye who could not access the secretariat, took along with him some NWC members and visited three governors at the weekend.
The team was well received by Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Bala Muhammed (Bauchi) and Duoye Diri (Bayelsa).
It was learnt that the trips did not receive the blessing of Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum.
According to a source, the pro-Atiku forces bent on shoving aside Anyanwu, were behind Ude-Okoye’s action.
Justifying his reception for Ude-Okoye, Makinde said he believes in the rule of law. He referred to the subsisting judgment which declared Ude-Okoye as National Secretary.
With Ude-Okoye on the trip to Ibadan were: Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja, Deputy National Chairman; Mrs Amina Bryhm, National Women Leader; Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), National Legal Adviser; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Alhaji Ahmed Yayari, National Treasurer; Obi Okechukwu, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Dr Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary; Dr. Bovoa Emmanuel, National Vice Chairman PDP Northeast and High Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman PDP South-East.
On rule of law I stand, says MakindeUrging party faithful to maintain their fidelity to the platform, Makinde, who reflected on the challenges facing the main opposition party, said only adherence to the rule of law can resolve the lingering leadership tussle.
He recalled advising the party to always abide by the law, even before the court pronouncement.
Makinde spoke in Ibadan, the state capital, when he received some national party officers, purportedly led by Okoye.
The officers were in the state to commiserate with the governor on the death of 35 children during last month’s stampede and to present Okoye to him as national secretary.
He said Nigerians wanted the PDP to put its house in order and provide an alternative route for good governance.
Makinde told reporters: “There is a court pronouncement on the issue of the National Secretary.
“My position was clear from day one and I will always follow the rule of law.
“This is the new National Secretary by court pronouncement. I said without mincing words that we would stay on the side of the law.
News
Rivers Lawmakers Insist on Investigating Fubara, Deputy
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
Twenty -five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) said that there is no going back on investigating Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, for alleged gross misconducts.
The members re-stated this at Friday’s plenary in the temporary hallowed chamber of the State House of Assembly in their Legislative quarters.
The Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, a seven man panel each have been constituted to investigate governor Fubara and his deputy.
He also said that the Chief judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi is to be immediately notified about the resolution of the House.
The order paper of the house in Friday’s sitting has only two items which include investigating governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu.
Meanwhile,the house has adjourned plenary till January 27.
News
FG approves 6-month maternity leave for female lecturers without pay
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
Photo: Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa (right), and Minister of State for Education
The Federal Government has announced that qualified female academic staff shall be entitled to a maternity Leave of six months as provided in the subsisting Public Service Rules,” Section 3.4(vii) reads.
The Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, disclosed this during the presentation of the renegotiated agreement between the Federal Government and ASUU.
He clarified that the Section 3.4 of the agreement, which focuses on ‘Non-salary conditions of service’, makes provision for six-month maternity leave as a fringe benefit.
Alausa described the agreement as a historic turning point that symbolises renewed trust, restored confidence and a firm commitment to uninterrupted academic calendars in Nigerian universities.
Alausa emphasised that the agreement reflects the resolve of President Bola Tinubu to prioritise education as the foundation of national development, noting that it marked the first time a sitting president took full ownership of the long-standing challenges confronting the university system.
News
Insurgency: Trump allocates N587bn to US Africa Command for military operations in Nigeria, others
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The United States plans to spend N587 billion ($413.046 million) on counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria and other African countries in 2026 amid worsening security conditions across West Africa.
The allocation is contained in the US National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. The funds were approved under Title XLIII – Operation and Maintenance.
The security budget for the US Africa Command comes against the backdrop of the Christmas Day attacks on terrorists’ hideouts in Sokoto State by the Donald Trump administration.
On Tuesday, AFRICOM delivered a consignment of military equipment to Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security operations across the country.
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