Author: Bolanle Akinwalere

A looming clash between two contending factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) triggered an early-morning security lockdown at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, on Tuesday. Heavily armed operatives from the Mobile Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS) took over the area from about 5 a.m., responding to rising tension over competing claims to the party’s leadership structure and office space. The crisis intensified after a faction loyal to Nyesom Wike and Samuel Anyanwu—both of whom were expelled at the party’s national convention in Ibadan last weekend—summoned…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has entered a new phase of leadership renewal following the successful conclusion of its Elective National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, where delegates elected Dr. Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as National Chairman and Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja as National Secretary. The convention, held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, brought together more than 3,000 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory in what party leaders described as a decisive step toward unity and preparation for the 2027 general elections. Proceedings began on November 15 and extended into the early hours of November 16,…

The fallout from the expulsion of Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) continued on Tuesday as both men, through their aide, mocked the party’s national convention in Ibadan, describing it as nothing more than an early festive spree. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Wike, reacted in a statement, saying the PDP convention resembled “Dirty December in November,” suggesting that delegates arrived in Ibadan not for serious political business but to revel. “They went to Ibadan to start their…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expelled several prominent members, including Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike; former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; former National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu; and former National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Adeyemi Ajibade (SAN). Others expelled are Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, George Turner, Hon. Umar Bature, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, and additional members found culpable of anti-party activities. The far-reaching decision was taken on Friday at the party’s ongoing 2025 National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, and was ratified by an overwhelming majority of delegates. The move marks a decisive step…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the renewal of the appointment of Brigadier-General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd.) as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for another five-year term. Marwa, first appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021 after serving as Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Drug Abuse (2018–2020), will now remain in office until 2031. The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga, who described the reappointment as a reinforcement of the administration’s confidence in…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed that its 2025 National Convention will proceed as planned this weekend in Ibadan, Oyo State, despite circulating reports suggesting otherwise. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and the 2025 National Convention Organizing Committee (NCOC), the PDP dismissed claims of a postponement, describing them as “false and misleading.” According to the statement signed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary and Secretary of the Publicity and Communication Sub-Committee of the NCOC, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the National Convention will take place from Saturday, November 15…

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), has strongly condemned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, describing his recent public outburst against a uniformed military officer as a serious threat to national security and a violation of the nation’s command structure. In a statement issued on Monday, Buratai expressed deep concern over the incident, which occurred on November 11, 2025, during which Wike reportedly reprimanded an officer of the Nigerian Armed Forces in public. According to the former Army Chief, the minister’s conduct “transcends mere misconduct” and constitutes “a palpable threat to…

The Forum of State Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reaffirmed its confidence in the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagun, and the National Working Committee (NWC), declaring full support ahead of the party’s National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State. This was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a crucial meeting held on Thursday, November 6, 2025, with twenty-nine (29) State Chairmen in attendance. According to the communiqué, the Forum passed several resolutions after extensive deliberations on critical issues affecting the party. Firstly, the Forum unanimously expressed total support, confidence,…

The Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has given the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the go-ahead to hold its Elective National Convention slated for November 15 and 16, 2025, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State. The ruling, delivered on Monday, November 3, 2025, by Hon. Justice A. L. Akintola, put an end to uncertainties surrounding the convention. The case, filed as Suit No. I/1336/2025, was instituted by Folahan Malamo Adelabi, an aspirant for the position of Deputy National Organizing Secretary of the party. Justice Akintola ordered the PDP and its servants, agents, or officers not to…

A deeply emotional story shared by health influencer and medical doctor, Dr. Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, has stirred outrage and empathy across Nigeria after he revealed how a man allegedly threw his wife and their newborn baby onto the streets because the child was born with a life-threatening condition. In a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), Dr. Egemba recounted the ordeal of Blessing Obukohwo, a young mother who gave birth prematurely to a baby girl named Victory. The baby was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a severe neurological condition caused by the accumulation of fluid in the brain.…