Suleiman Nazif, a former deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has officially resigned from the party and defected to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The former senator, who represented Bauchi North in the National Assembly, announced his departure in a statement released on Friday.

He cited consultations with his supporters and the need for a more effective political platform as key reasons for his decision.

“This decision comes after extensive consultation and in response to the admonition of the people whose voices I have always valued and respected throughout my political journey,” Nazif stated.

He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and national development, saying, “My dedication to democracy, nation-building, and a brighter future for Nigeria remains unwavering. Consequently, I have decided to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to help build a strong, robust political platform that upholds democratic principles and fosters a more effective leadership recruitment system in Nigeria.”

Nazif was a key figure in the PDP, serving as a member of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BoT).

His defection comes amid ongoing internal crises within the PDP, which have led to an increasing number of party members switching allegiances to other political groups.

Gov. Kefas, 

Lawmakers in the Taraba State House of Assembly have refuted claims that they received a N150 billion bribe before approving Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas’ request for a N350 billion bond.

The allegations were made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) leadership in the state, with former ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Ardo Jika, voicing concerns over the loan’s approval.

Jika questioned the rationale behind securing such a large bond without a clear framework for its utilization and repayment.

He also criticized the state government, noting that despite a significant increase in federal allocations from N3 billion to N13 billion per month and a rise in internally generated revenue (IGR), there had been little visible development.

Responding to the allegations, the lawmakers, through the House Committee Chairman on Information, Nelson Len, dismissed the claims as baseless and misleading.

“The claim that we were given N150 billion is false, baseless, and misleading,” Len stated during a press briefing in Jalingo on Saturday.

He defended the approval process, explaining that the bond was legally presented to the Assembly and that the lawmakers acted in the interest of the state’s development.

“We approved the bond because it is aimed at fostering development in Taraba State. The funds will be accessed in N20 billion tranches and will be used for meaningful projects,” he explained.

Len further rejected suggestions that the Assembly was merely a rubber stamp for the governor, maintaining that the lawmakers remained independent and committed to the people’s welfare.

“We are not puppets to the governor,” he asserted, emphasizing that the House would continue to uphold accountability and transparency in governance.

The Nigerian Senate has instructed the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to halt the proposed sale of Lafarge Cement Plc to a Chinese company, citing concerns over national security and economic sovereignty.

Lafarge Cement, a major player in Nigeria’s construction and industrial sectors, operates in Ewekoro Local Government Area, Ogun State.

The Senate’s decision aims to ensure that any divestment safeguards national interests.

During Thursday’s plenary, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu (Ogun Central) presented a motion stressing the strategic importance of Lafarge Cement to Nigeria’s infrastructure and economic development.

He underscored that the company is not merely a business but a vital contributor to Nigeria’s growth.

Holcim AG, the majority stakeholder in Lafarge Africa with an 83.8% share, has agreed to sell its stake to Huaxin Cement Co, a Chinese manufacturer, in a $1 billion deal set for completion in 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Expressing concerns over the sale, Senator Salisu warned that the deal could result in capital flight, job losses, and weakened regulatory oversight in the cement industry.

He also highlighted that Nigerian investors have shown interest in acquiring Lafarge but face obstacles in participating.

“We cannot afford to wake up one day and realize that our cement industry, one of the backbones of our economy, is entirely in foreign hands,” he said. “This is a matter of economic patriotism.”

The Senate emphasized the importance of protecting Nigeria’s strategic assets and urged the government to implement policies that encourage local investment in critical industries.

Gov. Diri, 

Tension has gripped Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, as a planned rally in honor of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, faces stiff opposition from Governor Douye Diri.

The event, organized by the NEW associates—a political movement aligned with Wike—was scheduled to hold today (Saturday) but has been met with strong resistance from the Bayelsa State government.

Governor Diri, citing security concerns, has warned against the rally, stating that it could disrupt the peace of the state.

During a state security meeting, he raised concerns over an alleged “plot to breach the peace of the state,” adding that any attempt to transfer the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State to Bayelsa would be firmly resisted.

“Any attempt to import the Rivers State political crisis into Bayelsa will be resisted,” Diri declared.

“I urge security commanders in the state to be on the alert. Parents and traditional rulers should discourage their wards and children from being used by unscrupulous elements to cause trouble in the state.”

The governor also linked the situation to the suspension of George Turnah, the South-South Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a known ally of Wike.

According to Diri, Turnah’s suspension was necessary due to his alleged role in creating factions within the Bayelsa PDP.

“As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis there is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come into Bayelsa State,” the governor said.

Diri further accused Turnah of working alongside a former governor to establish a parallel PDP structure in the state, an action he described as unacceptable.

He recalled that the PDP South-South zonal congress, which Turnah participated in, had been rejected by the party’s National Working Committee.

“We had in our party a renegade, who has decided to form a parallel PDP in Bayelsa State, working with an ex-governor. The party in our state suspended him for gross misconduct, and for now, he is not a member of our party in Bayelsa State,” Diri stated.

He emphasized that Bayelsa, as the homeland of the Ijaw people, would not tolerate any act that could disturb its peace.

He warned against underestimating the state’s peaceful nature, insisting that law and order would be upheld.

“The peaceful disposition of the Ijaws should not be misconstrued for cowardice,” Diri said.

“We will not allow a faceless group to foment trouble in Bayelsa.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has dismissed claims that he received campaign funds from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu during the 2023 presidential election.

Atiku, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the election, described the reports as false and politically motivated.

“We at Atiku Media Office have taken note of reports in a section of the media that the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu through Ms Aisha Achimugu made available to His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007 money purportedly belonging to Lagos State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is also credited with investigating the matter.

“Let it be known, that this is a blatant lie from the pit of hell; a contrived political hogwash, and a futile campaign of calumny aimed at advancing the political interests of President Bola A. Tinubu,” a statement by Atiku’s media team said.

The statement further clarified that Atiku has no personal or financial connection with Sanwo-Olu.

“This piece of kindergarten propaganda is beneath the camp of Tinubu. How is it possible for an Atiku that does not know and had no connection with Sanwo-Olu to be having a transaction with him involving the exchange of money – let alone during the Presidential election of 2023 in which his boss was a contestant? To what end would that be?

“We wish to, therefore, state emphatically and for the record that it is a political hatchet job aimed at providing a much-needed justification to jettison Governor Sanwo-Olu, who appears to have fallen out of favour with the ‘Bourdillon Cult.’

“Indeed, their strategy is two-fold: get rid of Sanwo-Olu and to discredit the coalition being put together by the opposition political leaders, of which Atiku Abubakar is a key stakeholder.

“To even underscore how poor the propaganda is, an unnamed Sanwo-Olu’s aide is quoted in the news story trashing his principal and adding fuel to the fire. Pray, who does that?”

Atiku’s team also called on the EFCC to disclose the findings of its alleged investigation.

“Since the EFCC has been dragged into the arena of politics and propaganda, we challenge the anti-corruption agency to make public the outcome of its alleged investigation.

“It is not just the President that is entitled to that information but the generality of the Nigerian public, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi.

“This voyage of misadventure and campaign of calumny against the person and reputation of Atiku Abubakar must be halted immediately and with alacrity, too.”