₦airaland Forum

The struggle for control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensified on Tuesday as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, headed to the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking to overturn the party’s November 15–16 national convention in Ibadan.

The faction wants the court to declare the convention invalid and to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising any officers or decisions that emerged from it.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2501/2025, the plaintiffs, the PDP, Acting National Chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, and National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, asked the court to declare the November 15–16 Ibadan convention and all decisions taken there as “null, void, and of no effect.”

The plaintiffs, all loyal to the Wike camp, insist that the convention was conducted in blatant disregard of three subsisting judgments of the Federal High Court.

They argued that the court had previously nullified the 21-day notice issued for the convention and expressly restrained the party from conducting any such exercise.

In the originating summons, the plaintiffs cited:

The October 31 judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025 (Austine Nwachukwu v INEC & Ors);

The interim order of November 11 and judgment of November 14 in FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025 (Sule Lamido v PDP & Ors);

The May 31, 2023 judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/139/2023 (Nyesom Wike v PDP & Ors).

Despite these rulings, the plaintiffs alleged that the 5th to 25th defendants, including Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, and other prominent members, organised themselves and their cohorts and convened the Ibadan convention where national officers were elected and key party members expelled.

In an affidavit, Anyanwu said the Damagum-led group attempted on November 18 to “forcibly take control” of the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza and Legacy House in Abuja.

According to him, instead of enforcing the court orders, the police and Department of State Services “sealed up the premises” and blocked legitimate officials from accessing their offices.

“The 2nd to 4th defendants have now sealed up the premises of the 1st plaintiff and denied the 2nd and 3rd plaintiffs access to their offices,” the affidavit stated.

The plaintiffs asked the court to declare that INEC, the Inspector-General of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, and the DSS are constitutionally bound to enforce the earlier judgments.

They also seek:

An order restraining INEC and security agencies from recognising the Ibadan convention or any decisions taken there;

An order preventing the 6th to 25th defendants from parading themselves as PDP officials;

A directive compelling the security agencies to provide protection for the plaintiffs and grant them access to Wadata Plaza and Legacy House;

An order stopping INEC from accepting any change of the PDP’s official address other than its two Abuja locations.

The plaintiffs further asked the court to determine whether any authority can lawfully recognise the Ibadan convention in view of the subsisting judgments, the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the PDP Constitution.

The suit has not yet been assigned to a judge, and no date has been fixed for the hearing.

The Federal Government has announced that it is set to open the completed portion of the section 1 of the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to motorists between December 12 and 17.

The government is also set to formally commission section 1 in April 2026. The section 1 has about two kilmetres to be fully completed.
Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclose these on Sunday while on inspection tour of the coastal highway.

A total of 47. 37 kilomtres was covered during the inspection.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is a 700-km project beginning from Victoria Island, Lagos to Calabar in Cross River State.

Speaking with journalists on the inspection, Umahi commended the level of the project, pointing out that the had achieved measurable progress.

The minister explained that the construction work was deliberately slowed on select segments to allow proper subsoil settlement which he described as an engineering requirement crucial for the road’s structural integrity and long-term lifespan.

He commended Hitech for what he called an “uncommon commitment” to the project, saying the company’s drive “goes far beyond financial incentives.”

On the funding of the sprawling project, he said the foreign loan component was oversubscribed by $100 million, indicating investor confidence in the project’s economic viability and the ministry’s transparent management processes.

In his remarks, The Managing Director of Hitech, Danny Aboud, said the sand filling was advancing steadily across critical swamp zones, while between 34 and 35 kilometres of the concrete eeinforced cement pavement had already been done.

Beyond Section One, Other places inspected include a 25-kilomtre dual carriageway under construction by federal government between Eleko around Dangote Cement, Ibeju-Lekki and Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State and an expansive flyover at Chainage 47.474. The flyover designed to link Sections 1 and 2 of the coastal highway.

With 80 per cent of piling works completed, the interchange is projected for delivery in the first quarter of 2026 and will support seamless traffic flow to the Dangote Refinery and the adjoining port access road, according to Umahi at the site.

The minister equally announced the launch of the President Tinubu Engineering Mentorship Programme, expected to commence in January.

According to Umahi, the initiative is expected to recruit civil engineers, electrical engineers, designers and technicians across the country offering hands-on training on legacy projects such as the coastal highway, Sokoto- Badagry coastal road and others.

The minister said after the traing, participants will be given start-up support to acquire essential equipment, in a move aimed at boosting indigenous engineering capacity of the country while reducing reliance on foreign expertise.

The National Assembly on Monday held what leaders described as the final and decisive joint retreat on the ongoing Constitution review process, signalling the last major engagement before lawmakers vote on landmark amendments expected to reshape Nigeria’s governance framework.

Members of the Constitution Review Committee and Speakers of State Houses of Assembly declared that deliberations had formally ended and that the next step would be historic voting on the Constitution alteration bills.

Senate Deputy President and Chairman of the Constitution Review Committee, Senator Barau Jibrin, stressed that the retreat was not another round of debates but the concluding session before decisions are taken.

He said, “Our meeting today will be less deliberative… the purpose is to approve positions reached previously.”

“This is the last lap of this assignment. We must fulfil our promise to Nigerians that the Bills will be transmitted to the State Houses of Assembly this year.”

He reminded participants that most contentious issues were resolved at the Lagos retreat held last month, leaving only ratification and technical documentation.

Echoing the urgency, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, declared the session a defining moment.

Kalu said, “Colleagues, let me be clear: this is the final retreat before the historic voting on the constitution alteration bills.”

“After today, we move from deliberation to decision. We move from consultation to legislative action. We move from debate to delivery.”

He noted that the committee had conducted six zonal hearings, three technical retreats, and wide-ranging consultations with governors, security chiefs, traditional rulers, political parties, civil society organisations, and women’s groups.

According to Kalu, these engagements revealed overwhelming national demand for reforms that would:

– Devolve more powers to states

– Guarantee local government autonomy

– Strengthen state policing and internal security

– Ensure credible elections

– Deepen fiscal federalism

– Expand gender representation



State Assemblies Hold The Deciding Power

Both chairmen emphasised that the fate of the amendments now rests heavily with the State Houses of Assembly.

Kalu said, “The success or failure of this review will not be determined here in Abuja, but in the 36 State Assemblies. You are the gatekeepers of constitutional reform.”

Senator Barau explained that the retreat was deliberately structured to ensure state lawmakers are aligned before the transmission of the bills.

Kalu also announced that all governors would be briefed on Wednesday to secure state-level endorsement and avoid political resistance.

He said, “This is not to undermine executive authority, but to strengthen federalism and deliver the democracy Nigerians deserve.”

Kalu urged Speakers and lawmakers to embrace their responsibility at this pivotal moment.

He said, “History is watching us. Over 200 million Nigerians anticipate direction from this Assembly. This is our moment. Let us rise to it.”

With deliberations now concluded, sub-committee reports will be harmonised and forwarded to plenary sessions in both chambers.

Lawmakers are expected to begin voting on what could become one of the most consequential legislative exercises of the 10th National Assembly.

If the bills secure two-thirds approval in state assemblies, as required under Section 9 of the Constitution, Nigeria may witness sweeping constitutional reforms before the end of the legislative year.

The presidency has asserted that the comment of former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over the life imprisonment handed to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, does not reflect courage but was made from a place of convenience.

Kanu was on Thursday sentenced to life imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja after Justice James Omotosho found him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism and related offences.

In a statement via his 𝕏 handle on Saturday, Peter Obi stated that Kanu‘s conviction is coming at a time when Nigeria is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance.

The former Governors of Anambra state said he had always maintained that Nnamdi Kanu should never have been arrested, stressing that he consistently argued for dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance as the path to lasting peace.

According to Peter Obi, Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.

Reacting, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada, in a post via 𝕏, said Peter Obi’s statement is a calculated attempt to politicise a national security issue and turn Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction into another opportunity for political posturing.

Dada pointed out that Peter Obi has never openly condemned the killings, beheadings, arson, kidnappings, and terror carried out by IPOB for years.

He wrote, “Mr Obi, your statement is not driven by justice or genuine concern for peace. It is a calculated attempt to politicize a national security issue and turn Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction into another opportunity for political posturing. What makes your intervention even more troubling are as follows; You have never openly condemned the killings, beheadings, arson, kidnappings, and terror carried out by IPOB and ESN. For years, you carefully avoided acknowledging the violence in the Southeast.

“You remained silent while innocent people were murdered. You said nothing when entire communities lived in fear. You had no comment when sit-at-home orders crippled economic life and cost lives. You consistently avoided the topic not until now, when the judgment offers you a chance to score political points. Even in this long statement, you still refused to mention a single victim of IPOB’s violence. Not one. Instead, you paint Kanu as the aggrieved party, while erasing the pain of those whose lives his rhetoric helped destroy. That silence is not neutrality.

"It is selective empathy and it exposes the hypocrisy in your take. To say Kanu “should never have been arrested” without acknowledging the bloodshed linked to his movement is not leadership. It is political calculation. Dragging Nigeria’s economic hardship into the discussion is a diversion tactic, an attempt to shift focus away from the carnage and present Kanu as a symbol rather than a man whose actions had real, deadly consequences.

"Dialogue and political solutions are meaningful only when there is accountability and remorse not when communities are still bleeding. Putting Nigeria first means standing with victims, not sanitizing the actions of an agitator because it serves a political narrative. Your take does not unite. It does not heal. It does not reflect courage. It reflects convenience, the convenience of speaking only when it benefits you, and staying silent when Nigerians were suffering and it is low even for you. Nigeria deserves leaders who tell the truth not those who remain quiet about violence for years and suddenly find their voice only when it suits them.”

The United States Defence Secretary, Pete Hegseth, has called on the Nigerian government to take decisive steps to curb violence targeting Christians.

Hegseth made the call during a meeting with Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the Pentagon, Hegseth used the meeting, held on Thursday, to express concern over the rising attacks in Nigeria.

The Defence Secretary wrote on his X handle on Friday,

“Yesterday (Thursday), I met with Nigeria’s National Security Advisor and his team to discuss the horrific violence against Christians in their country. Under @POTUS leadership, DOW is working aggressively with Nigeria to end the persecution of Christians by jihadist terrorists.”

Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement that Hegseth urged Nigeria to “take both urgent and enduring action to stop violence against Christians,”

adding that Washington seeks closer cooperation with Abuja “to deter and degrade terrorists that threaten the United States.”

The meeting, held at the Pentagon, followed recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that Christianity was “facing an existential threat” in Nigeria.

Trump warned that if the Federal Government failed to stop the killings, the United States could deploy military forces to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, US Congressman Riley Moore disclosed on Wednesday night that he met with the Nigerian delegation led by Ribadu to discuss what he described as the intensifying persecution of Christians and rising terrorist activity.

He said the talks, held in Washington, DC, were “frank, honest, and productive,” focusing on counterterrorism collaboration, security assistance, and the protection of vulnerable communities.

The Nigerian delegation included senior government and security officials: Bianca Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs; Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police; Chief Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation; General Olufemi Olatunbosun Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff; and Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Undiendeye, Chief of Defence Intelligence, among others.

President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday vehemently denied South Africa's announcement that the United States was ending a boycott of this weekend's G20 summit in Johannesburg, saying no US official would take part in talks.

South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters in Johannesburg that the U.S. had indicated it was changing its mind over its boycott of the G20 leaders summit at the “11th hour” and wanted to take part.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that was not true and had sharp words for Ramaphosa in response.

“I saw the South African president running his mouth a little bit against the United States and the president of the United States earlier today, and that language is not appreciated by the president or his team,” Leavitt said at the White House.

She said the U.S. was sending a diplomatic official to the summit to simply recognize that the U.S. will take over the rotating presidency of the bloc and host near year’s G20 summit.

A representative from the U.S. Embassy in South Africa will attend the formal handover ceremony at the end of the two-day summit that opens on Saturday, but Washington still won’t take part in any talks, a White House official said.


Handover ceremony

A formal handover ceremony is traditional at the end of each G20 summit and Ramaphosa previously expressed disappointment that the U.S. boycott would mean that he hands over to an “empty chair” at the end of the summit.

On Thursday, the South African president said that he welcomed U.S. participation at Africa’s first G20 summit “in one shape or form or another” and viewed the late communication as a “pleasing” change of approach from the world’s biggest economy.

Ramaphosa earlier said that the United States had a "change of mind about participating in one shape, form or other, in the summit."

Ramaphosa said the supposed change of heart was "a positive sign".

"All countries are here, and the United States, the biggest economy in the world, needs to be here," he said.

Ramaphosa's remarks came despite the US embassy in Pretoria sending a notice that it would not attend.

In the weekend message, it said South Africa's G20 priorities "run counter to the US policy views and we cannot support consensus on any documents negotiated under your presidency."

U.S. boycott

Ramaphosa had also addressed the U.S. boycott — which threatens to undermine the summit — earlier Thursday, when he said that the G20 meeting would issue a joint declaration, despite pressure from Washington not to issue one.

A South African G20 official said earlier this week that the U.S. had sent diplomatic communication to South Africa advising that there should be no declaration adopted at the summit, because the U.S. wasn’t there and therefore there would be no consensus.

Instead, the U.S. wants a toned-down statement from South Africa only to cap the summit, which is a culmination of more than 120 meetings that Africa’s most advanced economy has hosted since it took over the G20’s rotating presidency for this year.

The U.S. has previously derided South Africa’s priorities for the group, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio skipping a G20 foreign ministers meeting in February and dismissing South Africa’s priorities as being about diversity, equity and inclusion and climate change.

Rubio said that he wouldn’t waste U.S. taxpayer money on that agenda.


Trump’s criticism

Trump has repeatedly targeted South Africa for criticism since he returned to office. He held a tense meeting with Ramaphosa at the White House in May, when he confronted South Africa’s leader with baseless claims of widespread violence against Afrikaners, who are descendants of Dutch, French and German settlers who first came to South Africa in the 17th century.

The U.S. president has repeated his claims in the leadup to the G20 that Ramaphosa’s Black-led government is pursuing racist anti-white policies against Afrikaners.

Trump has imposed 30 percent trade tariffs on South Africa, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Trump administration also expelled South Africa's ambassador after he accused Trump of racism.



Business 20 (B20) event

Despite Trump's boycott, US businesses are well represented at a separate Business 20 (B20) event that wound up in Johannesburg on Thursday.

"The US Chamber of Commerce will use our B20 leadership to foster international collaboration," Clark said.

The United States has significant business interests in South Africa with more than 600 US companies operating there, according to the South African embassy in Washington.


Other absentee

Other leaders are also skipping the G20 summit, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Argentine President Javier Milei, but they have sent delegations to represent them in the talks.

“The only country that is not in the room is the United States and, of course, it is their choice not to be in the room,” Xolisa Mabhongo, a South African ambassador to the G20, told national broadcaster SABC this week.

A fiery confrontation erupted on Piers Morgan’s programme on Tuesday as Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, clashed with former Canadian lawmaker, Goldie Ghamari, over allegations of widespread persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Tuggar appeared on the show to counter claims of genocide, challenge statistics being circulated internationally, and provide what he described as a more accurate context to Nigeria’s security challenges.

Morgan opened the interview with figures from the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), which alleged that over 50,000 Christians had been killed since 2009 and more than 18,000 churches destroyed.

Tuggar dismissed the figures as inaccurate and challenged the religious framing, saying the government does not tally deaths by faith and views all victims as Nigerians first.

When pressed for Nigeria’s own data, Tuggar stated that only 177 Christians were killed and 102 churches were attacked over the last five years.

The interview turned even more confrontational when Morgan introduced Ghamari as a second guest.

Ghamari accused the Nigerian government of quietly enabling a “form of jihad”, drawing parallels between Nigeria’s insecurity and the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

She went further, alleging that the government’s inaction was ideologically motivated, citing the faith of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

She said, “By the way, this is a government that is working closely behind the scenes with the Islamic Republic of Iran.

You should ask the foreign minister why Nigerian school children are holding pictures of the Ayatollah, who is a brutal dictator and is murdering my people in Iran.

“People need to look into the linkages between the current Nigerian government and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"I was a politician for seven years, Piers, and I can tell when someone is lying and avoiding the truth. That’s exactly what this foreign minister is doing, and shame on him for lying."

Tuggar called Ghamari’s comments a display of ignorance and dismissed her speech as waffling.

He accused the former Canadian MP of sitting far away and treating the lives of Nigerians like a game.

On Tinubu and Shettima’s faith, the minister said Nigerians are more concerned with regional balance than religion. Tinubu is from the southern region, while Shettima hails from the north.

Asked by Morgan if he condemned the attack on Christians by Islamist militants, Tuggar replied in the affirmative.

The minister said, “I lost my father-in-law to an attack by an Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram, so I myself I’m a victim. I’ve lost family members to attacks and they were Muslims.

"But it doesn’t matter whether they’re Muslim or Christian because their aim is to kill, to maim, so that they would achieve their objectives. And the number one enemy of Boko Haram is not a Christian. It is a Muslim who does not subscribe to their own brand of Islam.”

Morgan turned to Ghamari with the minister’s submission for a response. The politician said the killing of Muslims does not “negate the fact that there is a targeted ethnic cleansing of Christians in Nigeria.”

Tuggar said in response to Ghamari’s stand, “People like her trade in starting wars in faraway places where they have no contact, they have no understanding of, and they can do that from their armchairs from a safe distance. It’s a real-life situation.

“This lady would not know the difference between a Fulani man, a Tiv man, or an Igbo man if they stood in front of her.

“But you can see clearly overnight because it pays. She’s probably making money out of it. She is out there trying to start a war.

“They want to break up Nigeria the same way they broke up Sudan, and now they’ve run away. She’s not talking about Sudan anymore. She’s not talking about South Sudan. I bet she was one of those that was agitating for Sudan to be dismembered.

“This is what they do. This is what they try to do to Africa. Nigeria is the largest country on the African continent. It is the largest shock absorber to the African continent in terms of admitting migrants and in terms of freedom of religion. It’s Africa’s largest democracy.

“But people like you who don’t really care about freedoms, about the freedoms of either Christians or Muslims or Africans, will continue to agitate for the break-up of Nigeria for war, the same way that it’s happening in South Sudan, and you’ve kept mum because you’ve moved on.

“You don’t care about the loss of lives. For you, it’s just another black country to be broken up. You don’t care who dies.

“It’s not going to happen to Nigeria. Move on to your next project. You’re a disgrace. You’re a disgrace to the Canadian nation. I’m shocked that you say that you actually practice as a politician in Canada. Move on to the next episode. Leave us alone.”

Morgan ended the interview shortly afterwards.

The lawmaker representing Kebbi South, Senator Garba Maidoki, is optimistic of an early return for schoolgirls abducted in the State.

Maidoki spoke on Wednesday when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today, days after gunmen abducted about 25 students from the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Kebbi State.

“We have a fair idea where the girls are, and we are sure they have not moved outside the Kebbi South Senatorial District,” Maidoki said on the current affairs show.

“There is high hope that the girls will return home in one or two days.”

The incident happened on Monday, leading to the death of the vice principal, who attempted to stop the gunmen from abducting the students.

Since the attack, the Federal Government has ordered security agencies to rescue the girls.

The aircraft conveying the Shettima landed at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport in Birnin Kebbi. On Wednesday, Vice President Kashim Shettima, visited the community as directed by President Bola Tinubu. Shettima re-echoed Tinubu’s priority of the girls’ safe return and lauded security agencies for their efforts so far.

The VP had landed at the Sir Ahmadu Bello International Airport alongside the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, and other members of his entourage earlier in the day.

He described the incident as unfortunate said the Federal Government will do everything possible to ensure the safe return of the students. Shettima said the Nigerian authorities will deploy all machineries of government to make that happen.

The incident has continued to draw attention globally with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) among the list of high-profile organisations calling for the safe return of the students.

Already, President Tinubu has postponed his foreign trips to South Africa and Angola in the wake of the attack. The Kebbi mass abduction adds to the growing number of kidnappings in schools across the country.

In 2014, gunmen took away scores of students in the Chibok community of Borno State, one of the firsts in the series of kidnapping in learning institutions in Nigeria.

Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North, has clarified his position on his strained marriage to his estranged wife, actress and filmmaker Regina Daniels.

On Monday, Regina alleged that Mr Nwoko continued to call her despite her stating that she no longer wished to remain in the marriage.
In a lengthy Instagram post, she alleged that the 64-year-old senator was attempting to “ruin” her both publicly and privately to secure custody of their children.

She also vowed to expose what she described as the “lawmaker’s illicit activities” if he refused to let her go.

However, Mr Nwoko, in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, insisted that his last conversation with Regina took place on 17 October.

His team also denied claims that he wanted her back in his home, noting instead that his primary concern was ensuring she received therapy and rehabilitation.

“Senator Ned Nwoko is not chatting with Regina and does not want her back in the house. All he is insisting on is that she should be encouraged to go to therapy. It is important to state that Regina continues to be completely under the influence of hard drugs, and whatever she says is a lie from the pit of hell.

For example, the allegations of drugs and sex are a figment of her wild imagination and can never be substantiated. Please look at a verifiable WhatsApp message from Senator Ned Nwoko to Regina on the 17th of October.

“This message contains the last documented communication of expression of frustration and ultimatum of return to rehabilitation or no longer will (I) fund your lifestyle. It was after this message that Regina went violent and berserk, destroying cars and other properties.

According to Senator Ned Nwoko she was not violent previously, she began to lie about everything. She became dirty, her environment became dirty.

He had to encourage her to shower. He had to encourage her to go to sleep in her room. Within the last eight months, Regina became something else. Then came Phyna with her friends. He tolerated them only because he was trying to manage Regina’s situation”, said the communication team via the post.




Bedroom saga

Additionally, the communication team revealed that the lawmaker once woke up early in the morning to use the bathroom, only to find Regina inside, filming him.

According to the account, he woke up at about 5 a.m. to use the bathroom and was stunned to discover Regina recording him.

The communication team added that he was even more shocked when she later posted the footage online.

“That is how irrational she had become in those moments. If anyone around her claims to love her and care for the kids, they should take her to a respected rehab centre, and all this nonsense will stop.”

The communication team added that Mr Nwoko acted to ensure Regina remained alive for the sake of their two young sons.

They further stated that, in due course, clarity would prevail and the truth would speak for itself.

“She was doing well with rehabilitation until her birthday when her friends arrived and she said she would drink and smoke to celebrate. She hired a complete floor at the Destination hotel in Wuse 2, where they all stayed for 4 days of drugs, violence, and fights with police and other guests. This was the beginning of the end”, the communication team noted.




Record of WhatsApp

The communication team stated that the final WhatsApp message Mr Nwoko sent to Regina read:

“I won’t accept your friends coming here at odd hours again. First, it was Glam on Sunday night. I spoke with two of you about going to sleep at 1 am, or she should leave. She didn’t do either. It was an all-night of noise, music, and all that goes with it. By 3 a.m, another two friends (Phyna and co) joined you.

“They left the following afternoon. Again today, I asked you to go to bed at 3 a.m. You refused. It was the noise of doors downstairs that woke me up. Lo and behold, you and Sonia were heading to your room at exactly 3.30 a.m.

You have shown so much disrespect in the past few days. I don’t know who is giving you drugs amongst them, and this lifestyle is totally unacceptable, and we can’t continue like this.

“It is either you continue with your therapy or you check into the rehab in Asokoro. My health is deteriorating because of your situation. I am worried about your life and what will happen with the kids. More importantly, I won’t fund your lifestyle again until you are fully rehabilitated.”

The communication team noted that the message was sent on 17 October, at a time when it was impossible to reach her.




Regina’s claims

However, in a series of Instagram Story posts on Monday, Regina alleged that the 64-year-old introduced her to drugs for his sexual gratification.

She wrote: “You introduced me to the drugs ecstasy (Molly) just to be able to satisfy you, and that’s the only drug I know of which reduced the rape because it made our sexual life wild, and that’s how you love your women, ‘wild and erotic’ while you took viagra, hence your frequent blood pressure spike. Remember, I have rushed you to the hospital countless times because of the same reason.

“Thank God your onye ocha Coke addict wife accepted to taking drugs, but very foolish to say I taught her, but I understand her foolishness as a pick me wife and my wannabe. 17-year-old me met a pattern in the house that I could only follow and not change.

Coming up with a fake drug report just because you want to take custody of my kids is insane and demeaning to your personality. Hearing from your number one loyalist in your camp (camp wey don scatter), as old as you are, you are forming a camp against a 24-year-old me.”

Furthermore, the actress threatened to expose the lawmaker’s alleged illegal dealings if he refused to allow her to go her own way.
She warned that she would dig up and reveal everything, adding that he had labelled her a “drug head”.

Regina added that Mr Nwoko repeatedly claimed she needed rehabilitation in an attempt to discredit her and gain custody of her children.

“You thought I would blackmail you with what I know. But I’m still giving you the last respect as the father of my kids with everything that has happened and what you’ve covered up with money.

If you don’t leave me alone, I’m going to dig, spill everything… I know health-wise you are not sound, and I don’t want to send you to your early grave, respect yourself.

“Thank God I’m out of your bad hood krib where a lot of things go down. My future is promised it’s not too late to pick up. Guys, this man is choking me and it’s driving me crazy. Y‘all don’t know half a bit. I just want to be free! My life feels spherical just turning in the same place.

People insulted us for years and I held us down. At least put some respect on the 1% I was a good wife and mother since you badly want to paint my remaining 99% as bad. I can’t wait to put this behind me, God”, said Regina.

She urged the lawmaker to leave her alone, adding that Mr Nwoko had been “choking” her with his behaviour and was driving her to the brink of frustration.

Regina further advised the lawmaker to take a new wife, so he could finally let her be.

“Isn’t that what you said you would do? Use that one console yourself. People of Delta North, your senator has left his responsibilities and focused on small me.

Why exactly are you trying to take my Instagram down? You always wanted it down if it wasn’t promoting you, that’s why you made me deactivate my Instagram the last time. Thank God for this, my coconut head, sha. How do I speak leave me alone in Arabic if it’s that one you understand.

“Why are you trying so hard to ruin me publicly and privately because you know in my part of the world, a good reputation equals money. Don’t forget the media loves entertainment, and I am an entertainer, but I’m tired! You trapped my life since I was 17, so this is me fighting for my freedom.

I still have a long way to go and you are almost done! Because I damaged myself by saying I took drugs, you are trying to accumulate nonsense?”, she said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly condemned the call for foreign intervention by the new factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki.

Speaking to newsmen on Tuesday, November 18, after gaining access to the PDP secretariat in Abuja , following a prolonged standoff, the new PDP chairperson stated that Nigeria’s brand of democracy desperately needs help from countries like the US.

The PDP chairman said his appeal followed “actions of those undermining democracy and progress”.

Turaki said: “I want to call on President Trump; what is at stake is not just genocide against Nigerian Christians ."

He added: “He (Trump) should come and save democracy in Nigeria. Democracy is under threat. I’m calling on all other developed nations: come and save Nigeria, come and save democracy.”

APC slams PDP

But reacting to the trending video, Felix Morka, APC's national spokesperson, said Turaki's call is "reckless and unpatriotic".

The APC said: "For a man declared National Chairman barely 72 hours ago by a faction of his deeply fractured party, Turaki looked and sounded desperate, at his wit's end, confused, incoherent, and grossly lacking in stamina and capacity to manage his party's crisis".

Furthermore, the APC said it trusts the international community to dismiss the PDP's "disgraceful and unpatriotic call", branding it "a pitiful distraction from the failure of its internal democracy and embarrassing disintegration."

The ruling party said:"The heightened desperation of the PDP and other opposition leaders is now clear for all to see. Turaki's call shows how far they are willing to go, even to the extent of actively seeking destructive intervention of foreign powers on Nigerian soil in order to serve their sinister political agenda."

PDP chair committed treason' - Onanuga

In the same vein, Bayo Onanuga , one of the spokespersons to President Bola Tinubu, accused Turaki of committing "high treason".

Posting the video of Turaki seeking Trump's assistance, Onanuga wrote on his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle:

"We shall never forget this video: the day a Nigerian politician committed high treason for calling for a foreign invasion of Nigeria, all because of intra-party dispute."

President Bola Tinubu is set to leave Abuja for a two-nation visit toSouth Africa and Angola.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

Onanuga said the President’s first stop is Johannesburg, where he will attend the 20th G20 Leaders Summit before proceeding to Angola for the AU-EU Summit.

DAILY POST reports that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who also serves as the current President of the G20 group, invited his Nigerian counterpart to participate in this year’s edition.

Recall that Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, during his Presidency of the group in 2024, had also invited President Tinubu to Rio de Janeiro.

DAILY POST reports that the Summit, which will be held from Saturday, November 22, to Sunday, November 23, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, brings together leaders from the world’s top 20 economies, including the European Union, the African Union, and financial institutions, among others.

According to the statement, President Tinubu is also expected to hold bilateral meetings during the summit in furtherance of the Renewed Hope Agenda, as well as to discuss regional and international peace, security, and development.

It added that at the conclusion of the G20 Summit, the President will join other Heads of State and Government from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) for the 7th meeting of the two bodies, scheduled to take place from November 24 to 25, 2025, in Luanda, Angola.

“The AU and EU meeting will bring together young leaders, innovators and civil society organisations to brainstorm on some of the shared challenges of the two unions.

“It will also provide recommendations on how to address issues related to climate change, inclusivity in development, infrastructure, the digital economy, the creative industry, manufacturing, and agribusiness.

“President Tinubu will be accompanied by top government officials, including Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar; his Finance and Coordinating Economy counterpart, Wale Edun; Solid Minerals, Dele Alake; Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; and the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed,” the statement said.

A dramatic standoff unfolded on Tuesday at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja, as rival factions battled for control amid a deepening leadership crisis.

The confrontation began at dawn when the faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman gained early control of the secretariat around 7:30 am, locking out the camp loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, whose group had recently elected Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman.

By 11:00 a.m, Governors Bala Mohammed and Seyi Makinde arrived with supporters to assert their faction’s authority, escorting Turaki toward the complex while the Abdulrahman faction was holding a Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting. Their arrival sparked pandemonium as thugs from both camps surged toward the entrance.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed and newly elected National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, arrived at Wadata Plaza in a convoy and remained seated inside Bala Mohammed’s vehicle due to heightened security tension.

Policemen deployed to the scene fired teargas to disperse the crowd, forcing party members, staff, and journalists to flee. The melee quickly escalated into physical confrontations, with party loyalists engaging in fistfights at the gates.

Earlier, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a key figure in the pro-Wike faction, stormed the secretariat with supporters and addressed journalists.

He mocked the Turaki-led leadership elected at the Ibadan convention over the weekend, insisting his camp remained the authentic PDP leadership.

Anyanwu and his loyalists were preparing to hold their own meeting at the NEC Hall when Makinde, Bala Mohammed and members of the newly inaugurated National Working Committee walked in.

Despite heavy security barricades, Makinde and Bala forced their way into the NEC Hall and addressed journalists.

They announced the postponement of the Board of Trustees and National Executive Committee meetings to Wednesday due to the volatile situation.

Turaki declared that Anyanwu and his faction were “no longer members of the party” and vowed to safeguard what he called the mandate given to the new NWC.

“They came armed to fight us, but the police stood up to their responsibility,” Turaki said. “Due to incidents instigated by enemies of progress and democracy, we have decided to postpone the inaugural NWC meeting until tomorrow.”

He praised the police for their protection but condemned the use of teargas, calling for international attention to the crisis, which he said threatens Nigeria’s democratic process.

Turaki called on US President Donald Trump and the rest of the international community to “come and save democracy in Nigeria” as rival party factions clashed at the PDP national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.

As the Turaki-led camp prepared to depart, tension spiked when Wike arrived at the party headquarters.

The FCT Minister forced his way through the heavy security presence into the secretariat, prompting Makinde, Bala and Turaki to remain inside the premises instead of leaving.

Security operatives subsequently ordered everyone, including journalists, to vacate the premises due to fears of a breakdown of law and order.

However, the governors and PDP leaders refused to leave unless Wike was also ordered out of the party headquarters.

Meanwhile, the Wike-aligned faction taunted Makinde and Turaki’s supporters for their temporary withdrawal, describing it as a “retreat from battle.”

The standoff underscores deepening divisions within the PDP, with both camps claiming legitimacy. The national secretariat remains under heavy security watch as tensions persist.

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has sent a serious warning to her estranged husband, Ned Nwoko.

In a series of posts on her Instagram account, she implored him to leave her alone, questioning why he was attempting to ruin her publicly and personally.

She stated that he had controlled her life since she was 17 and that she is now battling for her liberation.

The movie star claimed that he was trying to accumulate evidence because she had harmed herself by using drugs.


The movie star insisted that Senator Ned Nwoko introduced her to ecstasy drugs (Molly), which she said helped their sex life.

According to her, Ned loves his women wild and erotic, stressing that her estranged husband often takes viagra to improve his performance during sex with his women.

Regina Daniels also claimed to have rushed Ned to the hospital a few times after he became unconscious as a result of taking the sex enhancement drugs.

She wrote, “Ned, can you actually leave me alone ?? Why are you trying so hard to ruin me publicly and privately, because you know in my part of the world, a good reputation equals money. Don’t forget the media loves entertainment and I am an entertainer but I’m tiredddd !! You trapped my life since 17 so this is me fighting for my freedom. I still have a long way to go and you are almost done ! Because I damaged myself by saying I took drugs you are trying to accumulate nonsense ?.

“You introduced me to the drugs esctasy (Molly) just to be able to satisfy you and that’s the only drug I know off which reduced the rape because it made our sexual life wild and that’s how you love your women “wild and erotic” while you took viagra hence your frequent blood pressure spike.

Remember I have rushed you to the hospital countless times because of same reason. Thank God your onye ocha coke addict wife accepted to taking drugs but very foolisj to say I taught her bit I understand her foolishness as a pick me wife and wannabe. 17 years old me that met a pattern in the house can only follow and not change. coming with fake drug report just becayse you want to take custody of my kids is insane and demeaning of your personality.

“Hearing from your number one loyalist in your camp (camp wey don scatter) as old as you are you are forming camp against 24years old me. You have been calling me a drug head, then leave me alone ! Saying I need rehab is just your way oftrying to discredit me in getting my kids and because you thought would blackmail you with what I know.

But I’m still giving you the last respect as the father of my kids with everything that has happened and what you’ve covered up with money… if you don’t leave me alone I’m going to dig, spill everything whether murder case, land grabbing, fraud etc…as the father of my kids, I know health-wise you are not sound and I don’t want to send you to your early grave.”

A photo of a Rwanadan woman who is said to be a fiancée to a man from Anambra was shared online.

A netizen reshared the picture and wrote, “This is what am talking about!. “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying Igbo woman that’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for wife".

“Go to East Africa, especially this Rwanda and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media and you can link up with them.”

Responding, the actress condemned the tweet, stating that the netizen was advising men to go for unsuspecting women instead of working on themselves.

She wrote, “In order words, Instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”

Another X user responded to Genevieve, saying:

“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”

And the actress hit back, writing:

“The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”

The Presidency on Sunday defended the size and spread of Nigeria’s delegation to COP30, saying the climate talks require officials from many ministries and agencies to protect the country’s interests.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Temitope Ajayi, argued that climate negotiations cut across energy, finance, environment, transport, agriculture and security, making a narrow team disadvantageous.

Responding to inquiries by our correspondent, Ajayi said,

“Because of the multidisciplinary and multidimensional nature of the climate subject, you will typically see government officials from different agencies who are representing the government’s interest across different subject-matter areas.

“It is so because the issues being discussed are vast and the government must be represented at every point to advance the Nigerian government’s position.”

Speaking further, Ajayi said most attendees worldwide are non-state actors, whose names are nonetheless counted under their countries of origin.

“A larger majority of attendees at COPs are usually CSOs, activists and private sector players. It is called the Conference of Parties for a reason. Participants are listed against their countries where they registered from.

“If people from Environmental Right Action are attending, for example, and I know a number of friends from climate-focused non-governmental organisations in Brazil, their attendance will be registered against Nigeria because that is their country of origin and where they registered from. Does it mean the government paid for them? They are not sponsored by the government,” he explained.

He said the same applies to prominent Nigerian business leaders who choose to attend the summit.

“ If Dangote, Tony Elumelu or Kola Adesina, for example and other actors in the energy sector are attending COP, does it mean they are part of the government delegation or sponsored by the government?” he asked.


His comments come hours after the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, accused the Tinubu-led government of what he called a “stunning display of misplaced priorities” for sending a 749-member delegation to COP30.

A breakdown of the delegates list shared by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and seen by The PUNCH shows that 749 names carry Nigeria’s party badge across the “Parties” and “Parties overflow” lists, an categorisation that includes civil society, private-sector actors, academics and partners who registered under Nigeria.

However, the number of delegates from government entities was around 423. This includes the Federal Ministry of Environment, NCCC, NESREA, NOSDRA, NiMet, NIHSA, other clearly labelled federal MDAs such as Finance, Trade, Power, Solid Minerals, Agriculture & Food Security, Housing, Water Resources & Sanitation, Marine & Blue Economy, Works/Transport/Aviation), the National Assembly/Presidency/FCTA, state governments, and named regulators/SOEs such as NNPC Ltd, NUPRC, NMDPRA, NPA, NCAA, NRC.

Obi had argued that China, the world’s second-largest economy with a population of over 1.4 billion, sent 789 delegates to the event held in Belém, Brazil.

In a Saturday post on his official X handle titled ‘In Delegations, Nigeria competes well,’ the former Anambra State Governor said,

“Again, in a bitter twist of irony, we thank Nigeria for having the third-largest delegation at COP30, with 749 delegates, similar to China with 789 delegates.

Responding to uproar over Nigeria’s delegate size at the global event, Ajayi said most attendees worldwide are non-state actors, whose names are nonetheless counted under their countries of origin.

Many are recorded as “guests of the nominating entity” or as having “paid relationships/contracts with an affiliate,” indicating private or project funding rather than federal sponsorship.

The aide faulted what he called “shallow commentary” around COP attendance, insisting that Nigeria must show up strongly where decisions on climate finance, carbon markets and energy transition are taken.

“There must be context and nuance to this type of analysis,” he added.

Another senior official in the presidency simply stated, “Not all those people who went there were sponsored by the government.”

In 2023, Nigeria’s delegation size at the COP28 Summit in Dubai attracted harsh criticism.
At the time, Ajayi noted that the delegates, who included those from Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region, were at the Summit to promote their respective causes.

However, the number of Nigerian delegates grew from 1,411 at COP28 to 1,453 at COP30.
An analysis of the delegate list published by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change revealed that 1,453 Nigerians registered for COP30, cutting across federal and state governments, parliament, academia, private sector and civil society. Seven hundred and forty-nine delegates are from various government agencies.

The single largest bloc was the core climate agencies including officials of the Federal Ministry of Environment, the National Council on Climate Change, NESREA, NOSDRA, NiMet, NIHSA and related climate-change project desks, comprising hundreds of directors, technical officers and advisers.

Energy and extractive regulators such as NNPC Ltd., NUPRC, NMDPRA, Gas Aggregation Company Nigeria Ltd, PTDF and HYPREP were also on the delegation, alongside marine, ports, rail, aviation and water-resources agencies tied to blue-economy and decarbonisation plans.

Several states, including Lagos, Rivers, Delta, Kogi, Oyo, Kaduna, Borno, Nasarawa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom registered commissioners, permanent secretaries, climate directors and lawmakers.

National Assembly members and aides, finance, trade, power, solid minerals, agriculture, housing and youth MDAs, universities, standards bodies and development commissions were also on the list.

Asides from government agencies, private-sector energy and finance players, NGOs, youth and women’s networks, media organisations and professional bodies, as well as staff of Nigerian missions abroad were also on the list.

Most entries were tagged “guest of the nominating entity”, with others marked as contract/affiliate staff or partners and sponsors.

A former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, has said deaths arising from violent clashes, particularly in the Northern parts of the country, have no religious motivation, contending that they predate Christianity.

He made this submission in a lecture titled: “Speaking Truth to Power in Contemporary Nigeria,” which he presented to the Oxford African Governance Forum at Oxford University in the UK over the weekend.

Speaking against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s declaration of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, Omokri argued that the labelling had no basis in fact and noted that it was a grave misconception of the situation on the ground.

President Trump recently declared Nigeria a CPC, claiming that Christians were being targeted and killed. He threatened military action if the Nigerian government failed to stop the alleged killings.

President Bola Tinubu, in a comprehensive response, denied the designation and stated that he has been faithful to his oath of office, which mandates him to protect all Nigerians irrespective of their religion and ethnicity.

Omokri’s lecture backed the Nigerian government’s position, emphasising that the US government’s claim was false.

“It is condescending for President Donald Trump to say that the Nigerian government allows Christians to be killed, he stated, querying, “does it make sense to say that the American government allowed the terrorist who attempted to kill President Trump two years ago?”

He challenged the US president and Senator Ted Cruz, who has been at the forefront of the allegation, to name, shame, and provide evidence of the Nigerian government officials they alleged are facilitating the killing of Christians.

He also punctured the claim that terror-related deaths are on the rise in the country as a disreputable lie that is easily dispelled by the latest figures on the Global Terrorism Index, which show that the deaths have decreased by 90% over ten years, dropping from 7,000 in 2015 to 500 in 2025.

Going on the historical lane, Omokri told his audience that the violent clashes, particularly in the North, are economically motivated, explaining that they are caused by the contest for land for grazing and farming.

He argued that the security challenge dates back to precolonial times and referred to the Kwararafa Kingdom, which he said stretched from Zuru in Kebbi State to Gembu in Taraba State, where he explained killings resulting from clashes over land existed long before Christianity.

He referenced colonial records dating back to 1924, indicating that farmer/herder clashes had become a security challenge.

He also apprehended population growth as a major cause of the clashes, pointing out that the contest for land grew worse as more people needed space for their economic activities.

The former presidential aide said in 1924, when the colonial records indicated the rising cases of farmer/herder clashes, Nigeria’s population was 18 million, 10 million in the North and eight million in the South, explaining that with the explosion of the figure to more than 200 million, the competition for limited resources was bound to rise.

He listed several efforts made to stem the clashes, including the Fadama all-year-round farming method and the creation of the livestock development ministry by the Bola Tinubu administration.

Omokri blamed the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, for the false campaign against Nigeria, claiming that the trending allegation of Christian genocide began after he addressed a Congress committee earlier this year.

He criticised the Labour Party chieftain for defending the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra as not a terrorist organisation when, in fact, the organisation has been proscribed and declared a terrorist gang by the law.

Omokri said Obi offered that defence even though the leading lights of IPOB, like Mr Simon Ekpa, had been convicted for terrorism, while its leader, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, faces judgment in weeks.

Concluding his lecture, the former presidential aide asked for a more balanced and data-driven approach to the assessment of the situation in Nigeria.

“If we as a people can transcend religion and ethnicity, we will build a strong, united and peaceful nation,” he stated.

The lecture was a part of the Michael Mas Conference Series at the Oxford African Forum of the University in the United Kingdom.

The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected a leaked report from its reconciliation committee, stating that the document does not accurately represent its official stance.

The report was prepared by a six-member panel set up last week to mediate between the party’s rival factions ahead of the national elective convention, which kicks off today in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The PDP has been grappling with deep divisions fueled by conflicting court orders. One faction is led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, the Acting National Chairman, while the other is headed by Umar Damagum, the party’s National Chairman.

Damagum’s group has the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, whereas Abdulrahman’s faction leans on support from the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. To ease the tensions, the BoT constituted a reconciliation panel chaired by Ambassador Hassan Adamu.

On Friday, a report suggesting the suspension of the convention and the creation of a caretaker committee leaked to the press, a development that reportedly embarrassed the Adolphus Wabara-led BoT.

A statement on Saturday morning titled: “PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) disowns Reconciliation Committee Report” by chairman of the Board Senator Adolphus Wabara said the report does not represent the position of the Board. Wabara said the BoT stands by the resolution to go ahead with the national convention in line with the Supreme Court judgement that made the affairs of political parties their internal affair.

In a statement on Saturday, Wabara clarified that while the report exists, it has not been adopted and therefore does not reflect the Board’s position.

“The Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party categorically dissociates and distances itself from the purported Report of the BoT Reconciliation Committee being circulated in some sections of the media,” the statement read.

“The BoT states in clear terms that the content of the said Report is not and does not represent the official position of the Board. Having not been considered or adopted by the BoT, it cannot in any form or guise whatsoever be regarded as the position of the BoT.

“The BoT is unwavering in its endorsement of the conduct of the elective national convention as scheduled on Saturday, 15 to Sunday, 16 November 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, for the purpose of electing a new set of leaders to pilot the affairs of the party in the next four years.

“This position is guided by the judgment of the Supreme Court, which reaffirmed the supremacy of a political party in the conduct of its internal affairs.” The BoT also dismissed calls for a caretaker committee, stressing that the convention is firmly set to go ahead and falls within the party’s jurisdiction, beyond the courts’ reach.

“The BoT therefore urges party members to remain committed and focused on the success of the elective national convention,” the statement added.

FACT-CHECK: No Brigade Commander Abducted in Damboa Ambush – Viral Claim False

By: Zagazola Makama

Zagazola has verified as false the viral claim circulating on social media alleging that Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters ambushed a Nigerian military convoy on Friday night, killing several soldiers and abducting a Brigade Commander with other troops.

Following a detailed investigation supported by military sources, ground verifications, and a video released by the Brigade Commander himself, Zagazola can categorically confirm that no senior officer was abducted by ISWAP.

Contrary to online reports, the ambush did not occur at night. The incident happened between 1330 and 1600 hours along the Main Supply Route (MSR) Burum–Kubua axis, near Azir/Wajiroko, on the Damboa–Biu road in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

Troops of 25 Task Force Brigade, operating with Hybrid Forces and Forest Guards, came under a deliberate ISWAP ambush executed by fighters linked to Ba Shuwa and Abu Qudama, who had maneuvered from the Sabil Huda axis of Sambisa/Bama into the Timbouctou–Farouq Triangle.

Unfortunately, two members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), identified as Konto Alhaji and Garba Mohammed, were killed in action while supporting the troops during the encounter.

COMMANDER AND TROOPS EXTRICATED THEMSELVES

Initial confusion following the firefight led to rumours of missing personnel including the Brigade Commander; however, the majority of those initially unaccounted for have since returned to base in good condition.

Crucially, the Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. M. Uba, and his troops successfully fought through the ambush, regrouped, and executed a tactical withdrawal to safety. At no time was the Commander in terrorist custody.

To further dispel the rumours, the Brigade Commander released a video statement, confirming he was alive, unharmed, and fully in command. Therefore the claims that ISWAP abducted a serving Brigade Commander, the first of such in Nigeria are entirely false and misleading.

The verified facts establish that: An ambush did occur, but not at night, Two CJTF members were killed in the line of duty, The Brigade Commander and his troops extricated themselves from the ambush. The terrorists made away with some motorcycles.

Zagazola advises the public and media platforms to refrain from amplifying unverified information, particularly those capable of undermining troop morale and operational integrity.

Viewers descretion strongly advised.

@DHQNigeria
@HQNigerianArmy

The Cross River State Indigenes Development Association (CRIDA) in Abuja has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the reinstatement and promotion of their daughter, Mrs Marilyn Ogar of the Department of State Services.

This recognition follows the President’s decision to reinstate and promote Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, former Spokesperson of the Department of State Services (DSS), and his intervention in clearing the name of Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.

CRIDA’s President, Chief Sankara Dickson Unung, in a statement on Wednesday, praised the President’s actions, stating that he has demonstrated a powerful commitment to justice , fairness, and reward for merit.

“Mrs. Ogar served the nation with integrity, courage, and professionalism, and her reinstatement is a triumph of truth and faith,” Chief Unung said.

The association also applauded President Tinubu’s promotion of Lt. Gen. Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye as Chief of Defence Intelligence, recognizing his exceptional service and leadership in national security.

CRIDA expressed gratitude to the Director-General of the DSS, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, for facilitating Mrs. Ogar’s reinstatement and congratulated her on her steadfast faith and resilience.

“We stand solidly behind President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. We see in his leadership a new dawn of justice, merit, and inclusion for all Nigerians.” Chief Unung affirmed.

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels sparked conversations once again after responding to an Instagram user who labelled her marriage to billionaire Ned Nwoko as toxic.

In her candid post, Daniels admitted that while she believed her estranged husband loved her, their union had its challenges.

“Yes, I think he loved me, but a toxic one!” she wrote.

She added that Nwoko, a polygamist, often forgot the principles of polygamy, seemingly more interested in the media attention his multiple relationships brought.

She also shared private insights into her married life, revealing how she ensured her husband remained committed to their home.

“You know why? Because as a Delta babe, I hold am well for the other room. Ladies, use your skills. That’s all men want, actually,” she said

She further clarified that Nwoko never slept outside their home in their seven years of marriage, despite the challenges of coexisting with his other wives.

The actress’s revelations have once again thrust her private life into the spotlight, highlighting both the struggles and strategies involved in maintaining a high-profile marriage.

This comes after the actress revealed that she once secretly terminated a pregnancy for Ned before their marriage.

She explained that the pregnancy was the real reason behind their rushed marriage at the time.
According to her, Ned’s dislike for her former friend, Ann, dated back to the role she allegedly played in helping her terminate the pregnancy without her mother’s knowledge.

However, in a new post on Instagram, Regina, whose drug test leaked online , revealed that for years, fans never truly knew who she was.

She described herself as “extremely shameless with pride”, saying that she can accept any label as long as it has nothing to do with promiscuity.
Regina insisted that she has no problem being called names, mocked, or misunderstood.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, says there is no reason for Nigerians to panic over President Bola Tinubu’s fresh ₦1.15 trillion domestic loan request to help finance the 2025 budget deficit.

Rewane, who appeared on Channels Television’s Business Morning programme on Thursday, explained that the loan approval the president is seeking from the National Assembly is simply to ratify what is already included in the 2025 budget.

According to him, paying off the debt on schedule will not be a problem due to increased revenue following the Federal Government’s suspension of subsidies.

“I think the approvals that are being requested now are just to ratify what is there, these are not additional debts to be honest with you,” Rewane said on the programme.

“It is just a ratification of the financing of the budget because before you go into the budget for 2026 which will be announced any moment from now, you need to up all the outstanding items. So, the N1.15trn for the domestic borrowing is just for the ratification of what has been there.

“Don’t forget that our budget of this year was in excess of about N54 trillion and the deficit was almost as wide as 13 or 14 trillion naira. So what the president is asking for is the instrument to finance this by issuing bonds and other papers, so I don’t think it is anything to worry about.

“Because our revenue has increased, because subsidies have been virtually eliminated, you find that revenue available to pay up this debt when it is required is not in doubt. So, it is not any reason to panic at all.”

On Thursday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike expressed disappointment over what he described as misinterpretation of the incident that occurred last Tuesday with Naval officers led by Lt A.M Yerima.

Wike questioned the comment by the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), that his action is a threat to national security and a slight on the authority of President Bola Tinubu.

The Minister, who addressed reporters at his official residence at Life Camp, faulted Buratai, for asking him to apologise to Lt. Yerima for the incident which happened in Gaduwa District of Abuja, saying the former Army chief cannot educate him about decency.

The Minister also did not spare Yarima for his role in the altercation that escalated over the disputed parcel of land that belonged to former Naval Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, which the FCT Administration said was illegal.

He accused the naval officer of accepting an illegal order in stark contravention of the rule of law.
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Wike said: “I read what one former Chief of Army Staff wrote. He cannot tell me of decency and he can’t teach me. This was the same man who (allegedly) directed his GOC to rig election, my election in 2019. He couldn’t rig me. He lost.

“He told his GOC to kill me and I could not be killed. He became an agent in APC primaries to one of APC’s presidential aspirants. Look at the rank of a polling agent. He is the one commenting that the minister did this and that. I have never seen people like this.

“I have no regrets for my political opponents. I will continue to make them have sleepless nights. Whether you are in PDP, whether you are in APC, whether you are in ADC, it is not my business.

” I have no regrets supporting President Tinubu and I have never hidden my intention and I will continue to do what is right. So, if you like to write anything you want to write, as far as I know, I am standing by the side of the law. If you like, bring every ethnicity coloration, it is your business”.

Wike also blamed Lt. Yerima for the part in shoving by insisting he acted within the confines of his authority as a Minister representing President Bola Tinubu.

He said: “I mean, anybody should know. Yes, you are a young man and you are a commissioned officer. Mr man, I am a Minister and I’m representing Mr. President. That alone should have given you that decorum. But no, no you chose to challenge the Minister representing the President.

“And then you think that I am not a human being, I have no emotions. You are carrying out an illegal job. When people say, Order, do you need to carry out an illegal order?.

When you are an officer, you are doing something illegal. Even if it’s a legal order given to you, that job you are doing is illegal. I went there as an institution not a private individual, they arrested our officials”.

He cautioned everyone irrespective of position to respect the rule of law at all times.

A heated exchange broke out in Abuja between the former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, during the National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025, as both clashed over the performance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

In his remarks at the summit, organised by the Movement for Electoral Reform, Amaechi took a swipe at the current administration, describing it as “insensitive to the yearnings of Nigerians.”

He lamented the worsening hardship across the country, accusing the government of failing to deliver good governance and protect citizens from economic suffering.

“People are suffering, yet there is no ASUU, no NLC, no NANS to mount pressure on the government. Nigerians are quiet when they should be demanding accountability,” Amaechi said.

He further warned that Tinubu’s government is “defeatable” through democratic means.

However, his comments immediately drew a sharp response from Senator Sani, who accused Amaechi of hypocrisy and reminded him of his own record in public service.

“You were part of governance from the state to the centre for many years, with little or no remarkable achievement,” Sani fired back.

“You are now attacking Nigerians for not protesting, but you yourself never led any protest when you were in power.”

The former lawmaker argued that many of the challenges now blamed on Tinubu’s administration were created by previous leaders, including those who served under both the PDP and APC governments since 1999.

“All that he is pointing out as bad were problems created by leaders like him. It is ironic that after two years out of power, he has suddenly become a critic,” Sani added.

The National Electoral Reforms Summit 2025, held in Abuja, brought together politicians, civil society leaders, and electoral experts to deliberate on strengthening Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of future elections.

Other notable participants included Dr Usman Bugaje, IPAC Chairman Peter Ameh, former SDP presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo, Dr Yunusa Tanko, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Rejected Rivers politician can’t lead revolt against Tinubu’s reelection’ – APC hits Amaechi

Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Wednesday lambasted former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi over his remark that Nigerians should mobilize because President Bola Tinubu can be defeated in 2027. It described Amaechi’s remark as a “well-deserved contempt,” and “political hallucination.”

The spokesman of the state arm of the party, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, said a politician who was rejected at home can’t a national revolt against Tinubu. In a statement, Oladejo wondered how a man declared political non-grata wants to lead a national mobilization.

He said: “Amaechi is free to dream, but he must stop mistaking his nightmares for national reality. “Let us start with the obvious: Amaechi is a political orphan – disowned in Rivers, irrelevant nationally, and steadily sinking into total political oblivion.

“In Rivers State today, mentioning Amaechi’s name in political discussions is viewed as a provocative joke. A man who has lost his structure, lost his followers, and lost his voice has suddenly found the courage to lecture Nigerians on how to “mobilise.”

“Mobilise who? The few loyalists left in his WhatsApp group, Politicians who abandoned him the moment he lost the presidential primaries? The same Rivers electorate that no longer take him seriously? ‘You cannot lead a national movement when your own backyard has padlocked the gate against you.”

“ That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, sometimes in October, 2025 having the intent to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturbing the public peace, posted a message calling for a coup in Nigeria on your social media account to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria government and join the AES. That is all we need now.’ You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 59 (1) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap 77, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: ‘It will happen eventually, Nigerian. The military needs your support now! Only them can save this country. The bastardd in Aso Rock has basically sold this country to the West and they run our intelligence apparatus only the military can reset this country.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27 years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your verified account, to wit: your verified X account| (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “Tinubu has to go and APC has to die for Nigeria to have any semblance of normal life. And if you think your stupid, votes can remove Tinubu. I’m here to tell you that you’re a fool.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).

“That you, Innocent Chukwuemeka Onukwume, male, 27years old of Umusayo Layout, Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State, on or about 15th day of October, 2025 and within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, with intent to cause annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, enlmity, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety, against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, knowingly and intentionally posted a message on the social media via your. verified account, to wit: your verified X account (@theagroman), by which you published the following words: “A coup in Nigeria is needed. Dispose of APC, suspend the Nigeria Government and join the AES. That is all we need now.’ You thereby committed an offence Contrary to Section 24 (1) (b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2024 (As Amended).”

The office of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike , has accused former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo , of using soldiers to intimidate civilians over the development of a land for which he has no title document. This was made known by the media aide to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, in a statement on Tuesday.

According to Olayinka, Gambo was ordered to stop building on the land because he has no approved papers, but instead of complying, he deployed soldiers to attack officials of the FCTA Department of Development Control.

Olayinka added that Wike visited the site to enforce the stoppage order after speaking with the Chief of Defence Staff on the phone.

“Because he was told to stop building on a land he has no TITLE DOCUMENT and Building Approval, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, sent his Armed Military Security Details to attack men of the FCTA Department of Development Control.

“He also stationed armed Military Men to protect the illegal development, with the Military Men threatening to shoot anyone who interfere with them.

“Today, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, visited the site, after talking to the Chief of Defence Staff on Phone, ” Olayinka wrote in a statement via his 𝕏 account alongside a video of part of what transpired at the site.

Speaking to newsmen at the site, Wike insisted that Gambo is carrying out an illegal development as he has no document that shows approval.

He accused the former Chief of Naval Staff of attempting to intimidate people with soldiers, but Wike insisted that he couldn’t be intimidated and he would not allow the illegal development of the land to continue.

Wike had asked why the soldiers mounted a siege to the property simply because it was linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

“Because you are an officer? Nobody does that. The man took land because he was the Chief of Naval Staff?” Wike said.

But the officer objected saying the acquisition was lawful. “I am an officer with integrity. Everything was acquired legally,” he replied.

“Shut up,” Wike thundered, to which the officer responded, “I will not shut up.”

“You are a very big fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school,” Wike shouted.

“I am not a fool sir, I am not a fool sir, I am not a fool sir, I am not a fool, sir. I am acting on orders, I am acting on orders, I am acting on orders, I am acting on orders,” the officer replied.

“You will see if you will not leave here. Go and develop there and let me see,”the minister had said.

The security men in Wike’s entourage had earlier tried to persuade the soldiers to allow Wike access the land but they refused,

“We cannot continue to act in impunity. We cannot continue this way. This country cannot go along this line.”

“You cannot be higher than any government. You cannot be carrying a gun to intimidate anybody. I am not one of those that they can intimidate,” the minister shouted, yet the soldiers who said they were acting on orders from above refused to allow him go in.

“I don’t understand how somebody who attained that position, seeing that he has a problem, cannot approach my office to say, ‘Look, this is what’s going on,’ or simply because he is a military man, they could use that to intimidate Nigerians.”