The Labour Party’s Directorate of Mobilization and Integration (DMI) has appealed to Nigerian leaders to embody the spirit of unity and moral leadership that the late Pope Francis represented.

As world leaders gather in Rome to pay tribute to Pope Francis, who was widely celebrated for his leadership across religious, political, and cultural divides, Nigeria’s delegation, led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, is present at the solemn event in Vatican City.

Also part of the delegation are Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

The funeral ceremonies, held from April 23 to 25, saw millions of mourners, including heads of state, diplomats, and dignitaries, gather in Rome to celebrate the life of Pope Francis — hailed not just as a shepherd of faith but also as a moral compass for humanity.

During his tribute, Marcel Ngogbehei, Director General of the Labour Party’s DMI, called on Nigerian leaders to learn from the example of the late pontiff, whose influence was felt across different races, religions, and political landscapes.

He said, “Last week was for the masses. Today belongs to the world stage, to the leaders of nations, the stewards of policy, and the architects of the global future.”

Ngogbehei praised Pope Francis as a rare kind of leader whose authority did not stem from political power but from the ability to touch lives worldwide through compassion, humility, and bravery.

“In him, we found not a pope of convenience, but a pope of conscience. The kind of leadership we yearn for in our dear country Nigeria,” he stated.

Highlighting the pope’s advocacy on global issues, Ngogbehei recalled, “Pope Francis courageously spoke at climate conferences, challenged economic systems that marginalized the poor, and addressed world parliaments with urgency rather than platitudes.”

He stressed that Pope Francis’ message of justice, humility, and humanity was not reserved for Catholics alone but offered guidance for the entire world.

Governor Yusuf, 

The Kano State government has uncovered a massive payroll fraud involving 247 ghost workers who had been receiving salaries under the local government system.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Umar Ibrahim Faruq, the discovery was made by a special committee set up by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf to review the payroll system.

The investigation revealed that some of the ghost workers listed on the payroll were either deceased or had retired from service.

The committee’s findings come after widespread public complaints over illegal deductions from workers’ salaries and cases where some employees’ payments were entirely withheld.

In a statement signed by the Press Secretary, Cabinet Office, Mallam Musa Tanko Muhammad, the government confirmed that the sum of ₦27,824,395.40, previously allocated for the ghost workers’ salaries for March 2025, has been successfully blocked.

“In a prompt and effective response, and while further due diligence is being conducted to determine the extent of this apparent fraud and the perpetrators, the monies recovered will be returned to the Local Government Treasury,” Musa stated.

He emphasized the government’s determination to clean up the payroll system, warning that individuals found guilty would be held accountable.

“The Government remains resolute in its commitment to purging the payroll system of irregularities.”

“Individuals found to be involved in this fraudulent activity will be identified and held fully accountable in accordance with the law,” he said.

The statement also noted that the committee, tasked with considering the reintroduction of the Pay Parade system, has begun preparations for its full implementation.

“Consequently, the Committee printed the March 2025 payroll vouchers and requested all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and Local Government Councils to study the Payrolls and make necessary observations as a prelude to a comprehensive Pay Parade scheduled to be flagged off on Monday, the 28th of April,” the statement added.

Minister Nnaji, 

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji, has dismissed allegations made by some individuals claiming to be stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu North Senatorial Zone, accusing him of instigating a leadership crisis within the party.

In a statement released on Saturday in Enugu, Nnaji described the accusations as unfounded and the product of “desperate utterances by persons who no longer have any recognised standing within APC.”

The Minister clarified that those making the allegations neither represent the authentic leadership of the APC in Enugu State nor speak for the party.

Reaffirming his position within the APC, Nnaji emphasized his longstanding role as a respected leader, stating that he remains “a founding member and pillar of the party in Enugu State and a critical voice for the advancement of progressive ideals across the South-East.”

He also highlighted his unwavering loyalty and substantial contributions to the growth and stability of the APC at the state, regional, and national levels, noting that they are “well-documented and widely acknowledged.”

Backing the current leadership of the APC in the state, Nnaji expressed full confidence in Chief Ugo Agballa, stating that “Agballa remains the duly recognised and authentic Chairman of the APC in Enugu State.”

Addressing the legitimacy of a recent stakeholders’ meeting, Nnaji said “It is necessary to state unequivocally that those who convened and attended the so-called stakeholders’ meeting; their purported gathering holds no legitimacy, and their pronouncements are of no consequence to official activities, leadership, or direction of APC.”

He described the gathering as an attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary confusion within the party.

“Their claims should be disregarded by the public,” he said, calling their actions “calculated attempts to cause confusion and mislead party members and the general public.”

Nnaji also urged true members of the APC in Enugu State to remain steadfast, focused, and committed to efforts aimed at repositioning the party for greater success.

He called on the national leadership of the APC and the general public to ignore the activities and statements of individuals who “have no mandate to speak for or represent the party.”

Nnaji reaffirmed his dedication to the APC and his responsibilities as Minister, emphasizing that he would not be swayed by “orchestrated campaigns of calumny and mischief.”

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address what it describes as a “lopsided” pattern in federal appointments that disproportionately benefits the South-West region, undermining Nigeria’s diversity and constitutional order.

In a statement issued on Friday, the NEF demanded the immediate disbandment of the newly inaugurated National Census Committee, citing concerns over its unclear mandate and the unauthorized involvement of individuals during the inauguration.

The forum expressed its discontent with what it sees as a regional agenda pursued by the Tinubu administration since it took office in May 2023, warning that such actions could threaten Nigeria’s democratic integrity and unity.

NEF spokesperson, Professor Abubakar Jika Jiddere, emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of all federal appointments to ensure equitable representation across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

Jiddere remarked, “NEF has observed with much dismay and regret that since its coming to office, this administration has created some anomalies in the philosophy of governance, characterized by arbitrary disdain for public opinion, a sense of impunity, and lack of accountability.”

He further reminded the government and the Nigerian public that the federal system is based on two core principles: constitutionalism and inclusiveness.

“Our democracy is underpinned by the Federal Character Principle enshrined in our constitution. Therefore, all appointments into federal offices and the citing of federal projects must reflect these principles,” he added.

The NEF also pointed out that Nigeria’s democracy is founded on a social contract between the state and its people, as outlined in Chapter 2 of the 1999 Constitution.

They criticized the newly formed National Census Committee, calling it “grossly and blatantly lopsided in favour of the South-West,” undermining the integrity of the census process.”

“The forum warned that ignoring the principles of equity, justice, and inclusivity could jeopardize Nigeria’s unity.

Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, the NEF reminded the Tinubu administration that the 2023 electoral victory was achieved with significant support from the North, and that this support should serve as a guiding principle in federal appointments.

“This should not be a reason to alienate other regions,” the forum emphasized.

NEF called for a “holistic review and equitable redistribution” of all federal appointments made to date across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), ensuring compliance with the principles of national diversity and constitutional fairness..

Despite the ongoing concerns over the mass defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the departure of several prominent figures from Delta State, party stalwart and Board of Trustees member Chief Bode George remains confident that the PDP will bounce back stronger after its forthcoming National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, set for May 15.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, George addressed the mass exodus of party members, particularly from Delta State, including the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and all 25 local government chairmen in the state.

Although analysts have described this as a “tsunami,” George insisted that the PDP remains resilient.

“A date has been fixed for our NEC meeting and after that meeting, you will see that this same Iroko tree, the political Iroko tree, will bounce back,” George declared.

He condemned the defections from Delta as “despicable” and a “lack of respect for a platform that honoured you,” voicing his disappointment in what he sees as self-serving political moves.

When questioned about the significance of high-profile defections such as Okowa’s, who was the PDP’s vice-presidential candidate in the last general election, George dismissed the impact.

“It is an experience. We have gone through this before. It is not a threat. Because something happened doesn’t mean it is fixated or it is finality,” he remarked.

George further argued that although the All Progressives Congress (APC) has benefited from these defections, it does not offer a viable alternative for Nigerians.

“There is hunger in the land. There is anger in the land. What do you think they are going to do there? If it is not a personal embellishment, what are they going to do there?” he questioned.

While acknowledging the apparent damage caused by the defections, he remained optimistic that the party will recover, as it has done in the past.

“We will come up with a suggested solution which will be unanimous. These challenges we are facing now will further strengthen us,” George concluded.

He also warned about the potential consequences of electoral manipulation in future elections, stating, “If we lose, we hands off. But if we win and you manipulate the results, you are looking for an unimaginable conflagration. And we cannot afford that.”

Despite the challenges, George maintained that the PDP is far from finished.

The candidate for the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election, Paul Chukwuma, officially introduced Uzo Okagbue as his running mate during an event on Friday.

The unveiling took place at the YPP Secretariat in Udoka Housing Estate, Awka.

Okagbue, hailing from the Umunnachi community in Dunukofia Local Government Area, previously served as the Chief Protocol Officer to the former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano.

Chukwuma explained that Okagbue’s selection followed extensive consultations with God, his family, clergy, party officials, and other key stakeholders across all 21 local government areas of Anambra State.

“We are confident that with Okagbue as our running mate and his long-time grassroots mobilization experience, the YPP is fully prepared to unseat the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance, led by Governor Chukwuma Soludo,” he stated.

He added, “Okagbue is the right fit for our progressive vision for Anambra State. His selection is based on thoughtful discussions with relevant stakeholders.”

In his acceptance speech, Okagbue expressed his gratitude for being chosen and vowed to apply his political strategies to ensure the party’s success in the November election.

He also stated that the YPP was determined to take over governance in the state from March 17, 2026.

“I am deeply thankful to the party for trusting me with this position, and I will work tirelessly to ensure our victory,” Okagbue said.

The event was attended by various party supporters and was officiated by the State Chairman, Moses Obi.

Okagbue, who graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Abuja, completed his National Youth Service Corps year before securing a position with a new-generation bank.

He worked with the bank until 2022, when he resigned voluntarily to focus on his private businesses after the end of Governor Obiano’s tenure.