News
Rumbling in PDP deepens
There seems no end in sight to the protracted crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The conflict escalated yesterday following the refusal of party bigwigs summoned to appear before a disciplinary committee headed by Chief Tom Ikimi.
Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom and embattled National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu declined the invitation.
Ortom said he could not bring himself to appear before a panel he described as illegal.
According to him, it is a violation of the party’s constitution and the Cybercrime Act.
He demanded an apology from the committee and threatened legal action.
Anyanwu wrote to the panel that he could not honour the invitation because he had a medical appointment.
Benue PDP Chairman Ezekiel Adaji, who was also invited by the committee, said it was curious that faceless people wrote petitions against him.Adaji requested Ikimi to compel the petitioners to back their petitions with evidence.
The division in the National Working Committee (NWC) also widened yesterday over the national secretary saga.
National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba announced that in line with the position of the party’s governors’ forum and the Board of Trustees, the NWC had started taking steps to recognise Sunday Udeh-Okoye as National Secretary.
But the Acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, denied that the NWC had rejected Anyanwu as secretary, saying that Ologunagba expressed a personal view.
The Ikimi Committee, which was set up by the BoT, had summoned Anyanwu and Ortom, following petitions from some party members alleging anti-party activities by the two chieftains.
However, Ikimi explained that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were not summoned by the panel because there was no petition against them.
News
Jega loses wife, Hajiya Hadiza
Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.
The Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has lost his wife, Hajiya Hadiza Jega.
Hajia Hadiza passed on yesterday and was buried according to Islamic rites.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President at the janazah (Islamic funeral rites) yesterday at the National Mosque in Abuja, conveyed the President’s heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved family.
President Tinubu described the late Hajiya Hadiza as a woman of uncommon grace and strength, noting that she played a pivotal role as a steady support system to her husband throughout his years of public service, including his tenure as chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
A statement in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the President also applauded her contributions to education and community development, highlighting her quiet but impactful influence in advancing social causes.
News
Atiku hires US lobbying firm for $1.2m to boost image – Report
One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has hired a Washington-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., to strengthen his reputational standing in the United States.
The PUNCH reported that the details of the deal are contained in documents filed with the U.S. Department of Justice, which show that the agreement was signed on March 9 and 10, 2026, by the firm’s managing partner, Karl Von Batten, and Nigerian politician Fabiyi Oladimeji on behalf of the former vice president.
According to the filing sighted on the Department of Justice ’s website on Sunday, the contract is aimed at shaping perceptions of Atiku within U.S. policy circles and countering narratives linked to the Nigerian government.
One of the objectives of the engagement is to “counterbalance” the Nigerian government’s “lobbying narratives” in the United States, while also working to “advance understanding” of Atiku’s “leadership posture and policy vision” among policymakers.
Under the arrangement, the firm is expected to facilitate meetings between the former vice-president and U.S. government officials, including members of Congress, as well as provide advisory services on policy positioning and engagement strategy.
“These activities include lobbying and government affairs engagement with Members of Congress, congressional staff, and executive branch officials concerning issues related to democratic governance, regional stability, economic development, and U.S. engagement with Nigeria and the broader West African region,” part of the contract reads.
The firm will also undertake “promotion, perception management, and public relations activities designed to enhance understanding among U.S. policymakers and relevant stakeholders” of Atiku’s positions.
News
Kaduna Mando Garage Explosion Not Bomb- Police
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 3:00a.m. on Sunday at the premises of Silver Luxury Travel, a bus company operating at Mando Garage, Kaduna.
The Kaduna State Police Command has confirmed that an explosion at the Lagos Garage Terminus in Mando area of Kaduna State today wasn’t a bomb explosion, but a CNG-powered luxury bus that ruptured after its gas tank was overfilled.
The incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday with the loud blast drawing attention from commuters, traders, and nearby residents, prompting a swift response from emergency services.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 3:00a.m. on Sunday at the premises of Silver Luxury Travel, a bus company operating at Mando Garage, Kaduna.
He said detectives were immediately deployed to the scene after a loud sound was reported, and that the vehicle has been safely evacuated, while normal business activities have since resumed at the motor park.
He noted that no casualties or loss of property were recorded, and normal activities had since resumed in the area.
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