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It Is My Turn – Sule Lamido Declares Bid For PDP National Chairmanship

 

Former Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido, has officially declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lamido made the announcement on Monday via a post on his verified Facebook page, confirming that he would visit the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to obtain his nomination form.

“By the grace of God, I shall today, Monday, 27th October 2025, by 11 am, be at Wadata Plaza, the national headquarters of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, to purchase the nomination form to run for the office of National Chairman,” he wrote.

A founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lamido said his decision stemmed from a deep commitment to rebuilding and strengthening the party ahead of the next general elections.

“My commitment to democracy and resolve to restore our dear party to its old glory is unstoppable,” he added.

The PDP, which governed Nigeria from 1999 to 2015, is preparing to elect a new national chairman at its upcoming National Convention, as part of efforts to reposition itself before the 2027 general elections.

Lamido’s declaration follows reports that northern PDP stakeholders had earlier endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as their consensus candidate for the chairmanship.

However, factions loyal to Lamido and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, have rejected Turaki’s endorsement, arguing that the selection process lacked adequate consultation and transparency.

The development underscores rising internal tensions within the PDP over its leadership direction and zoning arrangements.

At the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on August 25 in Abuja, members resolved to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while reserving the position of National Chairman for the North.

Meanwhile, the PDP has fixed its 2025 Elective National Convention for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In preparation, the party announced the formation of a 13-member National Convention Screening Committee to vet aspirants for national offices.

The committee, chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal practitioner, will conduct its screening exercise on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, according to a statement signed by Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Governor of Adamawa State and Chairman of the PDP National Convention Organising Committee.

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85 Underage Candidates Clear JAMB Special Screening, Results Released

 

The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced that 85 underage candidates have successfully passed its special screening for exceptional admission.

The Board explained that all successful candidates were under 16 years old as of September 2025.

Out of 182 finalists, these 85 candidates met the criteria and have been cleared to proceed to their respective institutions to complete their admission processes and print their JAMB admission letters.

In a statement, JAMB Spokesperson Dr. Fabian Benjamin said the policy aligns with global best practices, noting that such exceptional admissions are rare.

The statement also provided a breakdown of the selection process:

A total of 2,031,133 candidates sat for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

41,027 candidates applied under the underage category.

Of these, 599 candidates scored above the 80% UTME threshold.

After further screening of certificates and PUTME results, 182 candidates emerged as finalists.

Following interviews and verification, 85 candidates were finally cleared for admission.

JAMB encouraged any of the 182 finalists who missed the final interview for valid reasons to submit requests through the new “2025 Underage Complaint” category in the JAMB Support Ticketing System.

Each case will be considered individually on merit.

Additionally, candidates who scored 320 and above in the 2025 UTME but were disqualified for not uploading O-Level results have until Wednesday, 29 October 2025, to upload their results and notify the Board through the ticketing system.

JAMB reiterated its commitment to transparency and fairness, stressing that all complaints and uploads must meet the deadlines to be considered.

The Board also highlighted widespread malpractice during the 2025 UTME.

Findings from its Special Committee on Examination Infractions (SCEI) revealed 4,251 cases of “finger blending,” a biometric manipulation technique, 190 cases of AI-assisted impersonation using image morphing and 1,878 instances of false disability claims.

Other infractions including forged documents, multiple NIN registrations, and collusion with organised exam syndicates.

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I Feel Sorry For Men With Only One Wife – Senator Ned Nwoke

 

Senator Ned Nwoko has expressed sympathy for men who have only one wife, arguing that polygamy brings stability and balance to a household.

The Delta North lawmaker made the remarks on Sunday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

Nwoko described managing multiple wives as the ideal marital arrangement for men and insisted he has no regrets about his own marital choices.

“Think of it like standing on one leg, it’s difficult. But standing on two, three, or four is more balanced. That’s why I feel sorry for men with only one wife,” he said.

When asked about criticisms that the Bible does not support polygamy, Nwoko clarified, “The Old Testament does. I am a man of faith, but that’s not the main point here.”

He reiterated that he has no regrets about his marital decisions and would make the same choices again.

On allegations of domestic violence, the senator denied any wrongdoing.

“No, I am not a violent person. I respect my wives. I love them and my kids,” he said.

Nwoko’s comments came shortly after his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, shared pictures of a newly acquired mansion on Instagram.

In her post, she wrote: “In my house, I am a Queen! I needed a roof over my head, so I got this for me and my family.”

Her post followed a viral video from October 18 in which she appeared in tears, alleging abuse in her marriage.

“In Ned Nwoko’s house, I am nothing, but in my own house, I am a Queen. Not again. I can’t stand the violence, it’s too much,” she said in the footage.

The couple, who married in 2019, have two children together.

Their marriage has attracted significant public attention due to their age gap and Nwoko’s polygamous lifestyle.

Recent events, however, have fueled public scrutiny, though neither party has released an official joint statement regarding their relationship.

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PDP Postpones Screening Of Aspirants For National Convention

 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced the postponement of the screening exercise for aspirants ahead of its 2025 Elective National Convention, earlier scheduled for Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

According to Fintiri, the postponement was due to “unforeseen circumstances,” and a new date would be communicated to all aspirants and party stakeholders in due course.

“A new date will be communicated once fixed. The NCOC regrets any inconvenience caused by the postponement. All aspirants and members of our party should note the foregoing and be guided accordingly,” the statement read.

He reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to conducting a credible, transparent, and hitch-free national convention, assuring party members that the delay would not affect preparations for the upcoming exercise.

DAILY GAZETTE had earlier reported that the PDP scheduled its 2025 Elective National Convention for November 15–16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

On October 25, the party had announced a 13-member National Convention Screening Committee to vet aspirants for national offices.

The panel, chaired by Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), a former Ondo State governorship candidate and respected legal luminary, was expected to begin screening on October 28 before the latest postponement.

The development comes just hours after former Jigawa State governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, formally declared his intention to contest for the position of National Chairman of the PDP.

Lamido’s declaration followed the endorsement of former Minister Kabiru Tanimu Turaki (SAN) as the northern consensus candidate for the chairmanship position, a move that has been rejected by factions loyal to Lamido and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, who allege that the selection process lacked proper consultation.

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Cameroon Opposition Leader Rejects Biya’s Re-Election, Labels It A ‘Masquerade’

 

Cameroon’s long-time ruler, Paul Biya, has secured a controversial eighth term in office, extending his 43-year grip on power.

The 92-year-old president, who is the world’s oldest sitting head of state, was declared the winner with 53.7 percent of the vote, according to results announced Monday by the country’s Constitutional Council.

However, his main rival, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, swiftly rejected the results, describing the process as “a masquerade” and claiming that he, not Biya, had won the October 12 presidential election.

“There was no election; it was rather a masquerade. We won unequivocally,” Tchiroma told AFP shortly after the official declaration.

Tchiroma, a former government minister who ran under the Front for the National Salvation of Cameroon (FNSC), had previously proclaimed victory two days after polls closed and urged supporters to demonstrate.

Protests have since erupted across parts of the country. Tchiroma said two of his supporters were killed in the northern city of Garoua when security forces opened fire during a rally outside his home.

An AFP reporter at the scene confirmed seeing one man shot, though it was unclear whether he survived.

Separately, four people were reported dead in the commercial capital Douala on Sunday amid clashes between opposition supporters and security forces.

Witnesses said police initially used tear gas before firing live rounds to disperse crowds.

Following the unrest, authorities imposed bans on public gatherings and restricted movement in major cities, including Yaoundé.

Security personnel were stationed at key intersections and government buildings on Monday as tensions remained high.

Shops, gas stations, and other businesses remained closed in parts of the capital amid fears of further violence.

Official figures placed voter turnout at 46.3 percent.

According to the Constitutional Council’s results, Tchiroma came second with 35.2 percent of the vote.

Other candidates trailed far behind, Cabral Libii earned 3.4 percent, Bello Bouba Maigari 2.5 percent, and Hermine Patricia Tomaino Ndam Njoya, the only female candidate, 1.7 percent.

Eight other contenders secured less than one percent each.

Despite widespread criticism of the election process, most analysts had predicted Biya’s victory in what they describe as a political system heavily tilted in his favor.

Biya has ruled Cameroon since 1982, making him the country’s second leader since independence from France in 1960.

His government has faced growing criticism over corruption, human rights abuses, and an ongoing separatist conflict in the Anglophone regions.

Tchiroma, in his campaign, had promised a three-to-five-year transitional government to rebuild the nation, accusing Biya’s regime of destroying Cameroon’s democratic and economic foundations.

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Chaos In Cameroon As World’s Oldest Sitting President Biya Wins Controversial Eighth Term After 43 Years In Power

 

Cameroon’s long-serving president, Paul Biya, has secured a controversial eighth term in office, winning 53.7 percent of the vote, according to official results released by the country’s Constitutional Council on Monday.

His main challenger, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, a former government minister, came second with 35.2 percent, the council announced.

Tchiroma had earlier declared himself the winner two days after the October 12 presidential election, claiming he secured 54.8 percent of the votes compared to 31.3 percent for Biya.

He subsequently called for nationwide demonstrations to protest what he described as massive electoral fraud.

The disputed results have already triggered violence.

On Sunday, four people were killed in clashes between security forces and opposition supporters in the economic capital, Douala, according to the region’s governor.

Protesters told AFP that security forces initially fired tear gas before resorting to live ammunition to disperse crowds.

Since last week, thousands of Tchiroma’s supporters have taken to the streets demanding that the government respect what they claim to be the “true results” of the election.

Most political observers had predicted Biya’s re-election, citing his decades-long grip on power and a political system that critics say is tightly controlled by the ruling elite.

At 92, Biya remains the world’s oldest serving head of state and one of Africa’s longest-ruling leaders.

He has been in power since 1982, making him only the second president of Cameroon since the country’s independence from France in 1960.

Throughout his rule, Biya has been accused of repressing opposition voices, curbing dissent, and maintaining power through a mix of political control, economic patronage, and heavy-handed security tactics amid recurring separatist violence and social unrest.

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Interstate Theft Foiled As Enugu Police Recover Truck Stolen Same Day In Edo, Trail Fleeing Suspects

 

Operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have recovered a MAN Diesel truck that was reportedly stolen in Benin City, Edo State, in the early hours of Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the vehicle was recovered around 6:30 am by officers attached to the Ozalla Division and the Distress Response Squad (DRS) along the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway in Ozalla, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

Ndukwe explained that the recovery followed a swift response to distress information received by the Command’s Control Room, which indicated that the stolen truck, taken from where it was parked in Benin City at about 12:05 am, was being driven toward the expressway in Enugu.

“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums abandoned the truck and fled into the bush,” the statement read.

“However, the operatives are on the trail of the fleeing interstate criminal suspects, while the recovered vehicle has been secured for further investigative actions.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa, psc, commended the officers for their prompt and coordinated response, describing their action as a testament to the Command’s renewed commitment to proactive policing and rapid response to distress calls.

He further urged residents of Enugu State to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious persons or criminal activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s hotlines: 08032003702, 08086671202, and the State Command-and-Control Centre on 112, 09134666668, or 09134448093.

“The Command will continue to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property across the state,” the Commissioner assured.

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Drama In Court As Nnamdi Kanu Dares Justice Omotosho

 

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declined to open his defence in his ongoing trial for alleged terrorism offences, insisting that there is no valid charge against him.

At Monday’s resumed hearing, Kanu informed the Federal High Court in Abuja that, after thoroughly reviewing his case file, he found no legal basis for the charges brought by the Federal Government.

“I have gone through the case file and realised that there is no valid charge against me,” Kanu told the court.

The court had earlier, on October 24, adjourned the matter to October 27 to allow Kanu to open his defence.

Prior to the adjournment, the IPOB leader had notified the court of his plan to call witnesses and requested summons for them, seeking additional time to study his case documents.

However, at the resumed session, Kanu said his review convinced him that the trial was unlawful, and therefore there was no need to call witnesses or present any defence.

“Since I am convinced there is no valid charge against me and that I have been subjected to an unlawful trial, there is no need for me to open any defence,” he said.

In response, Justice James Omotosho directed Kanu to file a written address stating his position and to serve a copy on the prosecution.

The judge also advised Kanu to consult legal experts on the possible implications of his decision not to enter a defence.

The matter was subsequently adjourned to November 4, 5, and 6, for the adoption of final written addresses, either on Kanu’s claim that the prosecution failed to establish any case against him or, if he changes his position, for the continuation of his defence.

Stay tuned…

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Anambra AAC Governorship Candidate Promises N100,000 Minimum Wage

 

The governorship candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the forthcoming November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, Chioma Ifemeludike, has pledged to raise the state’s minimum wage to ₦100,000 if elected.

Ifemeludike said the pledge was not a political promise but a practical commitment, noting that her administration would achieve it by cutting unnecessary government expenses and investing strategically in agriculture and internal revenue generation.

She made the statement in a press release on Monday, where she also appreciated the organisers of the Anambra Governorship Debate held in Awka last Friday by the Creative Mind Centre for Youth and Community Development, in partnership with Active Citizens Media.

“The Chioma4Governor Campaign Team expresses deep appreciation to the Creative Mind Centre for Youth and Community Development in collaboration with Active Citizens Media for organising the just-concluded governorship debate, a platform that allowed candidates to share their ideas and connect with Ndi Anambra,” the statement read.

“Chioma Ifemeludike, who once again demonstrated leadership built on clarity, courage, and practical solutions. Our campaign isn’t built on empty promises or politics as usual; it’s built on a realistic, achievable plan to make governance work for the people.”

According to her, the debate provided an opportunity to share her vision for a safer, smarter, and more inclusive Anambra.

On security, Ifemeludike said her administration would establish a professional Vigilante Agency trained to work closely with communities and security agencies.

“This agency will operate within the law, work closely with communities, and restore confidence in local security,” she said.

The AAC candidate also reaffirmed her plan to revamp education in the state by updating school curricula, improving infrastructure, and strengthening both formal and informal learning systems.

“We will strengthen both formal and informal education, ensuring that every child, youth, and adult in Anambra has access to opportunities for growth and skill development,” she said.

Ifemeludike highlighted youth empowerment and job creation as key priorities, promising investments in vocational and entrepreneurial training to help young people “build, create, and sustain businesses.”

“By supporting our youth, we will reduce unemployment and stimulate the local economy. Agriculture remains a key pillar of our vision,” she added.

She further pledged to mechanise farming, introducing modern tools and methods while providing grants, loans, and equipment to farmers to boost productivity and food security.

On workers’ welfare, she reiterated her ₦100,000 minimum wage promise, stressing that it was achievable with responsible fiscal management.

“This is not a political promise but a practical commitment. By cutting unnecessary government expenses and investing wisely in agriculture and internal revenue growth, we can achieve this and sustain it,” she said.

Ifemeludike also assured persons with disabilities of full inclusion in governance, promising to appoint qualified individuals with disabilities to her cabinet.

“I stated clearly that my administration will appoint qualified persons with disabilities to the cabinet because good governance must represent everyone,” she added.

The AAC candidate said the positive reception at the debate reflected a growing connection between her message and the people.

“The reaction from the audience at the debate was deeply encouraging. Ndi Anambra connected with our message because it was not built on abstract promises but on practical, measurable, and human-centred plans. We did not just give them hope for a better Anambra; we showed them how we intend to build it,” the statement concluded.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 16 candidates from various political parties will contest the governorship election on November 8, 2025, with the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), seeking re-election.

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Father Arrested For Defiling Two Daughters In Enugu

 

The Enugu State Government has confirmed the arrest of Ozioma Okonkwo, who allegedly defiled his two biological daughters, aged two and five.

Okonkwo, a native of Imo State residing in Enugu, was apprehended on the night of Saturday, October 25, 2025, following a tip-off from a concerned citizen who alerted authorities about the incident.

The development was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Children, Gender Affairs and Social Development.

According to the statement, the suspect is currently in police custody and will be prosecuted once investigations are completed.

The ministry also disclosed that the two children have been taken to a government-approved shelter, where they are receiving medical attention and psychosocial support.

Their mother, described as deeply traumatised, is also undergoing therapy under the supervision of the ministry’s social welfare and counselling unit.

“The Enugu State Government commends the Nigeria Police Force for their swift and professional response, which led to the prompt arrest of the suspect,” the statement read.

Reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on sexual and gender-based violence, the ministry condemned the act, describing it as “a heart-wrenching and unacceptable crime against innocence.”

“The Enugu State Government under the leadership of Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, remains unwavering in its commitment to protect every child and ensure that perpetrators of such evil acts are brought to justice.”

“No child should ever have to endure such trauma, especially from those meant to provide care and protection,” the statement added.

The government further thanked citizens for their vigilance and cooperation, urging continued public support in efforts to safeguard the rights and dignity of women and children across the state.

In a related development, the ministry recalled a previous case in 2022, when Michake Ogbar was sentenced to triple life imprisonment for raping his three daughters aged 10, 20, and 24 years.

Ogbar was convicted on three counts bordering on defilement and rape, offences contrary to Sections 137 and 258(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

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