Headlines

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and several other prominent political figures are currently in a closed-door meeting as part of consultations ahead of the unveiling of a new opposition coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, reportedly chaired by Mark, is said to centre on deliberations among Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders on whether to remain within the party or fully commit to the emerging opposition alliance.

Also in attendance are former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido; former PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; and former governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), and Sam Egwu (Ebonyi).

Sources indicate that the gathering is one of a series of high-level discussions aimed at strengthening opposition unity and strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting as a victory for both the party and Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement personally signed and released on Monday, Saraki said the meeting marked a pivotal moment for the opposition party, emphasizing that despite recent tensions, PDP leaders chose unity over division.

“This evening, our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), successfully concluded the 100th edition of its National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting,” Saraki stated.

“It was a symbolic gathering, as the meeting could have either been the breaking point, going by events of the last 48 hours, or the junction to cross the Rubicon and march forward into greater heights. Our esteemed leaders chose the latter.”

He stressed that no faction emerged victorious over the other, declaring: “Today, there was no victor and no vanquished. The winner today is the PDP. Another winner is Nigeria’s democracy because, without a vibrant opposition, democracy dies.”

The meeting proceeded as scheduled despite a disruption at the PDP National Secretariat on the eve of the gathering, when police operatives reportedly sealed off the premises. Party leaders, however, convened and resolved to work towards internal peace and cohesion.

Six palace chiefs have been dethroned by the Ojora of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, Oba AbdulFatai Aromire Oyegbemi.

The chiefs were said to have been dethroned for attending the flag-off campaign organized by the Labour Party in Apapa.

It was gathered that the traditional title holders were accused of violating palace protocol and impersonating the Oba at the political event.

Declaring the action by the chiefs unacceptable, the Oba said it was wrong for the leaders to take such decision on his behalf without due consent.

A statement from the palace said, “The decisive action of dethroning the six Chiefs underscores his commitment to maintaining order and coherence within his leadership structure.

“During this assembly, Kabiyesi also took the opportunity to commend the present Government’s ongoing development initiatives in Ojora Land, expressing his commitment to continue supporting the Administration as it fosters growth and progress for the Kingdom.

“This event has reaffirmed the significance of transparency and collaboration between the traditional authorities and their representation in political matters, reminding all Chiefs of their responsibilities while serving under the esteemed Ojora Kingdom,” the statement said.

Those dethroned:

1 Chief Lateef Ojora (Bale Alaba Oro),

2 Chief Saliu Biliamin (Bale Alafia Dodoro)

3 Chief Taiwo Hassan (Bale Oke Ira)

4 Chief Idris Oladipupo Ojora (Bale Abule Kere)

5 Chief Hakeem Oseni (Bale Mosafejo Amukoko)

6 Chief Sule Raji Balogun (Balogun of Abule Kere)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been awarded the title of Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Lucia (KCOSL), one of the highest national honours bestowed by the Caribbean nation.

The Government of Saint Lucia announced the honour in a statement posted on the official X handle of the Office of the Prime Minister, confirming that the Governor General approved the conferment on the advice of the government.

According to the statement, the honour recognises President Tinubu’s “exceptional leadership on the African continent,” his role in strengthening South-South cooperation, and his efforts in rekindling cultural, historical, and diplomatic ties between Africa and the Caribbean.

Tinubu, who is currently on a state visit to Saint Lucia as part of a broader diplomatic tour of the Caribbean and South America, joins a select group of African leaders to receive the prestigious distinction.

The Government of Saint Lucia noted that the Knight Commander rank is typically reserved for individuals who have rendered distinguished service of national or international importance.

The conferment also aligns with Nigeria’s ongoing re-engagement efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to reposition the country as a major player in global diplomacy and cultural exchange.

Established in 1985, the Order of Saint Lucia is the island nation’s highest system of national honours. The Knight Commander is the second-highest rank in the order, surpassed only by the Grand Cross.

The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau I. Jibrin, and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, have arrived in Madina, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the burial of elder statesman and business mogul, Alhaji Aminu Dantata.

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy President of the Senate, Ismail Mudashir, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.

According to the statement, Barau and Ganduje departed Abuja on Monday evening and touched down at the Prince Mohammad Bin Abdulaziz International Airport, Madina, at 5:15 a.m. Saudi Arabian time along with other dignitaries from Kano and across Nigeria.

hairman of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Senator Muntari Dandutse; Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon. Ali Madaki; and Hon. Sani Bala.

Also in the delegation are Ahmad Munzali Dantata, a son of the late elder statesman; Engr. Hamisu Ibrahim Chidari, a federal lawmaker representing Makoda/Dambatta; and Usman Yahaya Kansila, among others.

Recall that the late Dantata, a highly respected philanthropist and industrialist, passed away in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, over the weekend.

He will be laid to rest on Tuesday in Madina, close to his wife, Rabi’a, who died last year.

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is set to be reinstated following a resolution brokered by President Bola Tinubu, with the agreement hinging on four key conditions aimed at ending the prolonged political crisis in the state.

The deal was reportedly reached during a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday night, involving Tinubu and principal actors in the Rivers political conflict.

According to sources familiar with the development, Fubara’s return to office will be on the condition that he completes his current four-year term but agrees not to seek re-election in 2027.

As part of the agreement, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, will have the authority to nominate chairpersons for all 23 local government councils in the state.

In addition, Governor Fubara is expected to settle all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who were previously suspended from the state House of Assembly.

The lawmakers, in turn, have agreed not to initiate any impeachment proceedings against the governor once reinstated.