The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Barrister Steve Oruruo, has affirmed that the party remains strong, united and focused, despite the recent defection of Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking during a media briefing in Enugu, Oruruo stated that the PDP is undergoing a period of reawakening, and remains deeply rooted in its values and legacy.

“Our mission is to energise our supporters and ensure the PDP stays united and motivated,” he said.

“We are creating a sense of rebirth and renaissance. The departure of a few does not equate to the collapse of the party.”

Oruruo dismissed fears that the governor’s exit would cripple the PDP, asserting that the party’s foundation is resilient.

“The values and legacy of the PDP are fundamentally entrenched. This is not the first time a sitting governor has left. Yet, the PDP has always stood firm,” he added.

Oruruo emphasised that under his leadership, the party will uphold principles of fairness, transparency, and inclusiveness.

“We are committed to fairness, equity, and solidarity. Our goal is to ensure that the PDP retains its relevance, value, and substance in the political landscape,” he said.

While acknowledging that losing a sitting governor may present financial and structural challenges, Oruruo remained confident in the strength of the people’s will.

“There may be temporary discomfort, but the will of the masses will always triumph over political turbulence,” he asserted.

The acting chairman highlighted the importance of the South-East in the national structure of the PDP, warning against marginalisation.

“We have consistently championed inclusivity and credible leadership. The South-East must be fully represented in national party calculations. Any attempt to sideline a region will naturally erode people’s trust in the party,” he said.

On the recent defection of Governor Mbah and speculation about potential legislative seat recalls, Oruruo stressed that defections are a constitutional right, and not a cause for panic.

“Defection is allowed by the constitution. What we must do now is rebuild, strengthen our base, and renew our focus on credible leadership,” he stated.

He added that removing defectors is beyond his jurisdiction and not a priority at this time.

“It is not within my power to stop anyone from defecting. My duty is to ensure the PDP remains solid, even in the face of political realignments,” Oruruo said.

While acknowledging internal challenges, Oruruo said the PDP has strong conflict resolution mechanisms.

“Yes, the PDP has internal issues, but we have established systems to address them. The road to our next convention may be bumpy, but we are confident that light lies at the end of the tunnel.”

He called on party members and supporters to remain steadfast, describing the current phase as a test of resilience and a chance for renewal.

“Our commitment is unshaken. The PDP in Enugu remains firm, focused, and ready to rebuild stronger than ever. We are unalloyed in our loyalty and prepared for the future.”

The Obidient Movement, a citizens-led political movement inspired by former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, has firmly denied claims circulating online that it has endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo for a second term in office.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the Movement described the rumour as false, misleading, and an intentional attempt to exploit the credibility of the Obidient brand for political gain.

“The Obidient Movement has not endorsed, supported, or authorised Governor Soludo or any other candidate outside our declared position,” the statement said.

The Movement reiterated its official backing of George Moghalu as its preferred candidate for the upcoming Anambra governorship election, a choice aligned with Peter Obi’s public endorsement.

Dr. Tanko emphasized that the Movement is not affiliated with any political party, nor does it operate as a political wing of any group.

“We supported Peter Obi in 2023 because of his competence and integrity, not because of a party label. Our values remain unchanged, truth, accountability and good governance.”

The Obidient Movement condemned the unauthorised use of its name and identity, warning that individuals or groups trying to hijack its platform for political advantage would be exposed.

“The Obidient identity is not for sale, not for rent, and not available for political laundering,” the statement declared.

The Movement also urged the media, political actors, and the general public to verify information before sharing, warning against the dangers of disinformation in the political space.

“False claims such as these are intended to deceive the public. We urge Nigerians to stay alert and only trust verified information from our official platforms.”

The group restated its mission to foster a new generation of ethical, accountable leaders, adding that all decisions, including those related to the 2027 presidential election, would be reached collectively and communicated through verified channels.

“The Obidient Movement stands for truth, justice, and a better Nigeria. No amount of propaganda will derail our mission,” Dr. Tanko concluded.

The Obidient Movement emerged during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential elections as a grassroots campaign championing Peter Obi’s candidacy.

Since then, it has evolved into a nationwide citizens’ platform focused on promoting transparency, youth inclusion, and accountable governance.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan over alleged cybercrime offences to November 24, 2025.

Justice Mohammed Umar, who had originally slated the trial to begin on Monday, was absent from court due to disruptions caused by a protest in Abuja, organized by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Court proceedings resumed on Tuesday, with the judge setting a new date for the trial.

The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/195/2025, was initially scheduled for hearing on September 22, following an earlier postponement caused by an objection raised by the defence.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was arraigned on June 30 on a six-count charge filed by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) (Amendment) Act, 2024.

She was granted bail after her arraignment.

On the September 22 sitting, just as the prosecution, led by David Kaswe, was preparing to open its case and call the first witness, the defence objected.

A television screen had already been installed in the courtroom to facilitate the presentation of evidence when Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ehiogie West-Idahosa, representing Akpoti-Uduaghan, raised a preliminary objection, challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

West-Idahosa clarified that the objection did not question the content of the charges but was aimed at alleged misuse of the prosecutorial powers by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).

He also complained about the non-service of prosecution witness statements to the defence team.

Although Kaswe argued that the defence’s objection should not delay proceedings, Justice Umar ruled that the court must first resolve the jurisdictional challenge before proceeding with the trial.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is accused of transmitting false and injurious information electronically with the intent to malign reputations, incite violence, endanger lives, and disturb public order.

Specifically, she allegedly made statements on April 4, during a public address in Ihima, Kogi State, claiming that Senate President Godswill Akpabio instructed former Kogi Governor Yahaya Bello to have her assassinated.

She reportedly repeated these claims during a television interview

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly condemned the arson attack on its Ekiti State secretariat, calling it a deliberate act of political terrorism intended to intimidate opposition parties ahead of the upcoming governorship election.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday, October 21, when unknown assailants set fire to the ADC office located in Ado-Ekiti, just hours before the party’s planned Reconfiguration and Affirmation Ceremony.

In a statement issued by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, the ADC described the attack as part of a disturbing pattern of violence targeting its members and infrastructure across multiple states.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and civil society organisations to intervene and demand accountability.

“This was not an isolated incident,” Abdullahi said.

“It was a calculated attempt to sabotage our activities and send a chilling message to opposition parties nationwide.”

According to the party, the now-destroyed event was meant to reaffirm and reorganise its leadership across all levels, ward, local government, senatorial and state, as part of internal preparations for upcoming elections.

Abdullahi outlined a series of recent attacks on the ADC, which he claimed prove a coordinated campaign of suppression:

In Kaduna (August 30), party leaders were assaulted during an inauguration event.

In Lagos, ADC members were attacked in Alimosho.

In Kebbi, a convoy of party officials was ambushed in Birnin Kebbi in early September.

In Kogi, the party’s Dekina secretariat was targeted.

In Edo State, the sitting governor allegedly made veiled threats against ADC members.

“Each of these events might seem unrelated on the surface, but taken together, they reveal a pattern, five states, multiple attacks, a clear target,” he said.

“This is no longer partisan politics. It’s an attack on democracy itself.”

He also expressed concern over what he called a “troubling silence” from national institutions and democracy stakeholders.

“Where is the outrage from those who claim to defend democratic values? A political system that tolerates the violent suppression of opposition voices is heading toward crisis,” Abdullahi warned.

Despite the destruction in Ekiti, the ADC confirmed that its Affirmation Ceremony would still proceed “even if it has to take place under a tree.”

“To those who believe violence can silence us, we have a clear message: The ADC is not going anywhere. The fire in Ekiti is evidence that our message is working, that our movement is growing, and that the ruling party is scared,” the statement concluded.

The Nigerian Senate has taken a major step toward strengthening child protection laws by proposing life imprisonment for anyone convicted of defiling a minor, with no option of fines.

The proposal forms part of a wider amendment to the Criminal Code Act, aimed at updating and reinforcing laws surrounding sexual offences.

The bill, Criminal Code Act (Amendment) Bill, 2025, originated in the House of Representatives and was presented in the Senate by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.

He emphasized that the amendment not only imposes stricter penalties but also seeks to eliminate gender bias in the prosecution of sexual crimes.

Currently, the offence of defilement carries a five-year jail term, but under the proposed changes, this would be upgraded to a mandatory life sentence.

Alongside this, the bill also recommends a minimum 10-year prison sentence for rape, which is defined in the bill as the act of forcing any person, male or female, to engage in sexual activity without consent, regardless of location.

A key clause, Clause 2(1), states:

“Any person who detains a man or boy, a girl or a woman against his or her will in any premises in order to have unlawful carnal knowledge of him or her; in a brothel or any place, commits a felony and attracts a minimum jail term of 10 years, on conviction.”

However, the bill’s progress was halted temporarily after intense discussions, particularly over a controversial clause related to abortion and its religious implications.

The Senate opted to step down the bill and referred it to the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Human Rights for further review.

The committee is expected to report back within two weeks.

There was a brief moment of tension during proceedings when Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan attempted to reopen debate on the abortion clause after the bill had already been withdrawn.

Her move was quickly challenged by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who raised a point of order, arguing that Senate rules do not allow discussion on matters that have already been ruled on or stepped down.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld Oshiomhole’s objection, stating:

“I’m not a spirit to know what she wanted to say,” before ruling Senator Natasha out of order.

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded to the Senate the name of Dr. Bernard Mohammed Doro from Plateau State for confirmation as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

His nomination follows the elevation of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, who previously held the position and became National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in July.

Born on 23 January 1969 in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Dr. Doro brings over two decades of experience across clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership and community engagement in both the UK and Nigeria.

He holds degrees in Pharmacy and Law, an MBA with a focus on IT‑driven business strategy, and a Master’s in Advanced Clinical Practice.

He is also an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with frontline experience in the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) in urgent care, walk‑in centres, GP practices and hospital settings.

Furthermore, Dr. Doro has been actively engaged in youth mentorship and social‑impact initiatives in both the diaspora and local communities.