Governor Bala Muhammad of Bauchi State, who also serves as the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, has confirmed that efforts are underway to return the party’s national chairmanship to the North Central region.

This follows consultations between the PDP Governors’ Forum and members of the National Working Committee (NWC), including acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, and National Legal Adviser, Kamaludden Ajibade (SAN).

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Speaking with journalists in Bauchi after a meeting with the NWC, Governor Bala noted that the acting chairman’s current position is a “constitutional anomaly,” as the national chairmanship was originally zoned to the North Central.

He emphasized that, per the party’s constitution, leadership vacancies should be filled by individuals from the region where the position was initially allocated.

“The North Central has long aspired for this leadership role. We are working closely with the NWC to ensure the chairmanship returns to this region,” Bala said.

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He further recalled a precedent from the North East, where former Governor Ahmadu Muazu stepped in as National Chairman after Alhaji Bamanga Tukur’s resignation, arguing that this was a similar constitutional arrangement.

However, acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has argued that there is no explicit requirement in the PDP constitution mandating that the national chairmanship must always remain in the North Central.

He explained that the deputy chairmen of the party are positioned to maintain regional balance—one for the North and one for the South.

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“The constitution only states that if a chairman leaves, the deputy from that region takes over,” Damagum clarified

On Tuesday night, Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, engaged in a private meeting with the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led by Senator Adolphus Wabara.

The BoT had reached out to Wike in August, requesting a meeting to address ongoing issues within the party, particularly those affecting Rivers State.

This request followed a previous meeting with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

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The meeting, which is still in progress, was closed to the media, and no details have been released as of the latest update.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has announced its decision to boycott the local government elections scheduled for September 21 in Imo State.

IPAC’s state chairman, Ichie Levi Ekeh, criticized the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC) for failing to adhere to the election guidelines, claiming that the commission has not published candidate and voter lists, nor provided necessary forms in time.

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Ekeh, who also leads the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the state, expressed frustration with ISIEC’s handling of candidate registration and the imposition of non-refundable fees.

He alleged that candidates were charged N200,000 for chairmanship positions and N51,000 for councillorship positions without proper communication with the political parties.

In response, Chief Charles Ejiogu, ISIEC Chairman, countered IPAC’s allegations, asserting that the commission has followed all guidelines and is well-prepared for the election.

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Ejiogu defended the fee structure and stated that training for electoral staff is on track, with 15,000 ad hoc workers set to support the election across 305 wards and 4,758 polling units.

IPAC’s boycott reflects ongoing concerns about fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

With just three days left before the governorship election in Edo State, major political parties are intensifying their efforts to secure voter support.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP) are engaging in last-minute strategies to sway undecided voters.

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The PDP, led by Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has received spiritual backing from the City of Conqueror Ministries International, which held a special prayer service for peace and Ighodalo’s success.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of the APC has been meeting with teachers and civil servants, highlighting his administration’s achievements and urging them to campaign for his preferred successor, Ighodalo.

Meanwhile, Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, organized a roadshow to rally support.

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The APC’s Amb. Terry Igiebor distributed N50,000 grants to 150 women and youths in Orhionmwon, urging them to vote for APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa. APC Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Omorede Osifo praised Okpebholo’s potential to surpass the achievements of former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

LP candidate Olumide Akpata has been visiting riverine communities, demonstrating his commitment by reaching out to often-overlooked areas.

His efforts have been well-received, with local support growing as he promises a fresh approach compared to the PDP and APC.

Each party is working vigorously to secure votes and ensure their candidate’s victory in the upcoming election.

The Sokoto State Government has submitted a petition to the state commission of inquiry, accusing the previous administration led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of misappropriating N16.1 billion in shares.

These shares were reportedly sold through the Sokoto State Investment Company between 2018 and 2023, with the proceeds allegedly unaccounted for.

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Amanzi Amanzi, the commission’s counsel, revealed that the petition, filed by Permanent Secretary Abdullahi Yabo, requests an investigation into the transfer and sale of the state-owned shares and the missing funds.

According to Amanzi, the petition alleges that all government shares were sold during Tambuwal’s tenure, but the resulting funds were not properly recorded.

“The petition highlights that the state’s shares were transferred to the Sokoto State Investment Company Limited in 2018, and over the next five years, the shares were sold without clear documentation of the proceeds,” Amanzi explained.

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Additionally, the petition claims that N4 billion of the proceeds may have been distributed through private and corporate accounts.

The commission is also addressing other petitions related to land issues, encroachments, and similar concerns.

The Enugu State Government and Jelfah Nigeria Ltd have signed a N40 billion deal aimed at revitalizing the long-defunct Sunrise Flour Mills.

The agreement, finalized at the Government House in Enugu on Tuesday, grants Jelfah a 60% equity stake in the mills, while the state government retains a 40% stake based on existing assets.

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Jelfah is set to invest N24 billion into reviving the mills, which have been inactive since 1985, just two years after their commissioning in 1983.

Governor Peter Mbah, speaking at the signing ceremony, noted that this partnership follows a recent N100 billion deal to revive Enugu United Palm Products Limited (UPPL), reinforcing his administration’s goal to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through private sector-driven investments.

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“This N40 billion investment by Jelfah Group will see N22 billion dedicated to revitalizing Sunrise Flour Mills and an additional N2 billion injected into the state as cash. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will also secure 10,000 hectares of farmland to cultivate inputs like cassava and grains for the mills,” Mbah explained.

He emphasized that Enugu State is committed to fostering a favorable business environment and urged other investors to seize opportunities in the state.

“We want to send a clear message that Enugu is open for business. We are creating a win-win situation for investors and the people of the state,” he added.

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Chairman of Jelfah Group, Moses Saromi, praised the governor’s leadership and vision, which he said had significantly improved the ease of doing business in the state.

He expressed Jelfah’s eagerness to transform Sunrise Mills into a hub of excellence and support the state’s economic development.

“Governor Mbah’s policies have unlocked new opportunities for private sector participation. We are proud to acquire 60% equity in Sunrise Flour Mills, which aligns with both Jelfah’s long-term vision and the governor’s goal of revitalizing moribund assets,” Saromi stated.

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He also highlighted that within 90 days, significant activity would commence at the mills, including recruitment of local staff and preparation for farming on the 10,000 hectares of land allocated for input cultivation.

Saromi concluded by affirming that the partnership will stimulate job creation, boost local production capacities, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic progress of Enugu State.

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP) has rejected claims made by Sen. Nenadi Usman, the Interim National Chairperson appointed by party stakeholders, that her committee saved the party from deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Tuesday, the Labour Party dismissed Usman’s claims as false and misleading.

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Ifoh emphasized that the party is in full compliance with legal requirements and is not facing any threat of deregistration by INEC.

He also criticized Usman’s group for exploiting INEC’s erroneous belief that the current leadership’s tenure had expired, accusing them of attempting to undermine the party’s leadership.

Ifoh reiterated that the Labour Party remains legally intact, supported by recent court rulings that affirmed Julius Abure as the rightful National Chairman.

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He further criticized the legitimacy of the September 4 Stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, which Usman’s leadership stemmed from, calling it unconstitutional and not recognized by the party’s rules.

The statement also highlighted that several court rulings, including those from the Appeal Courts in Edo and the FCT, had validated Abure’s leadership, while a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the legality of the party’s national convention held in March 2024.

Ifoh urged Usman and her supporters to stop shopping for court rulings outside their jurisdiction and instead focus on the unity and future of the Labour Party, as factionalism would benefit no one as the 2027 elections approach.

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Usman had earlier claimed that without her committee’s intervention, INEC would have taken action against the Labour Party amid its leadership crisis.