Comdt. Joseph Haruna Sduzaof, the representative of Munya Constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, has passed away.

He reportedly died on Friday evening after a brief illness. Sduzaof was the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Security and Intelligence.

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His death was confirmed by Farouq Isah, the Head of Media and Public Relations of the Niger State House of Assembly.

In a statement, Farouq said, “The death occurred this evening, Friday, 13th September 2024, after a brief illness. We pray that God grants his soul eternal rest and provides strength to his family, the leadership, members, and staff of the Assembly, as well as the people of Munya Local Government Area, to bear this loss.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced on Friday that he would no longer back Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, in his political career.

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Wike made the declaration during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he accused Governor Fubara of making false statements against him.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter in Ijumu has declared that the alleged suspension letter of Senator Dino Melaye is a forgery and cannot be upheld.

Hon. Olorunmaiye Olabode, the PDP Chairman in Ijumu Local Government, issued a communiqué in Lokoja on Friday, stating that the suspension of Melaye is baseless and was hurriedly written, with inconsistencies in the date.

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Olabode emphasized the party’s commitment to its constitution and regulations, pointing out that no proper procedures were followed in conducting the Ward Ad hoc Congress or the LGA Congress in Ijumu.

He further denounced the alleged State Congress held in Lokoja as an illegal and failed effort.

The communiqué claimed the suspension was orchestrated by external forces attempting to remove Melaye, the party leader in Kogi State, to weaken loyal party members.

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It also highlighted Melaye’s contributions, including paying for the party’s accommodation, staff salaries, and purchasing membership cards.

The PDP Ijumu chapter urged members to disregard the suspension, stating that it lacked due process and was part of a malicious plot to vilify Melaye.

Senator Nanedi Usman, the National Interim Chairperson of the Labour Party (LP), has called for unity and reconciliation as she steps into her leadership role.

In her inaugural speech, Usman expressed her aspiration to unify the party and build a strong, resilient political force capable of winning elections across the country.

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Acknowledging past divisions within the party, she urged members to forgive each other and focus on moving forward together with integrity and fairness.

Usman emphasized that no individual or faction should feel defeated, as all had emerged victorious through legal processes.

She encouraged all party members, including Julius Abure and others, to set aside their differences and work towards the shared goal of strengthening the party.

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Extending an olive branch, Usman warned that those who sow division would be met with prayers, while those who strive for unity would receive support.

“Those who fight together as brothers for freedom will ultimately win together as champions of liberty,” she said.

Professor Theophilus Ndubuaku, the Acting Chairman of the NLC Political Commission, echoed Usman’s message of reconciliation, urging all members to join forces for the betterment of the party, declaring, “There is no victor, no vanquished—let’s build together.”

The Federal Government has announced that Monday, September 16, 2024, will be observed as a public holiday in celebration of Eid-ul-Mawlid, the commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of Interior, made this announcement on behalf of the government, extending his congratulations to Muslims across Nigeria and abroad.

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In a statement released by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Minister encouraged the Muslim community and all Nigerians to embrace values such as patience, sacrifice, and resilience during this period.

He also called on the faithful to use the occasion to pray for lasting peace and progress in the country, urging all citizens to work towards a more prosperous and just nation.

Amid growing frustration, Nigerians have taken to social media to question the relevance of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Many have expressed disappointment over the party’s internal struggles, particularly the overwhelming influence of former Rivers State governor and current minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

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Social media was ablaze with the statement, “PDP is dead, buried, and forgotten,” as critics voiced concerns over the party’s failure to stand up to Wike, who has been accused of wielding too much power and using his financial resources to control the party’s leadership.

Some argued that PDP’s leaders have “sold their birthright” for Wike’s money, abandoning the values that once made it a formidable force in Nigeria’s political scene.

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“Not even Atiku can wrestle Wike in PDP? What a shame,” one user wrote, reflecting the widespread disappointment with Atiku’s perceived inability to assert leadership within the party.

Many have questioned whether the former vice president still holds sway or if Wike’s dominance has effectively sidelined him.

The hashtag “Where is Atiku?” quickly trended on X formerly called Twitter, with Nigerians demanding to know why the PDP presidential candidate has remained silent amid the internal rift.

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Atiku’s absence from key political discussions and his perceived reluctance to challenge Wike has led many to doubt his strength as a leader capable of uniting the party ahead of future elections.

Wike, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and secured a key ministerial position, has become a controversial figure.

His departure from PDP and subsequent rise in influence has deepened divisions within the opposition party, leading many to declare the PDP’s downfall.

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As Nigerians continue to debate the party’s future, one thing seems clear—many believe that without significant reforms and a strong leader, PDP’s chances of reclaiming its former glory appear increasingly slim.

Hon. Johnpaul Anih, a former Enugu State House of Assembly candidate, has called on the National Assembly to prioritize reforms of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary to ensure their full independence and functionality.

Anih made this statement during a public lecture and book presentation, where he highlighted the significance of these institutions in fostering a credible electoral process and upholding justice in Nigeria.

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Anih stressed that INEC’s true independence is crucial for ensuring free and fair elections, where every vote is counted.

He pointed out that the judiciary also needs reforms to bolster its independence and ability to uphold the rule of law, which in turn would increase public trust in the electoral process and governance.

During the event, Anih presented his book, “Beyond Boundaries: Rethinking Nigeria’s Future,” which emphasizes the power of resilience and individual efforts in driving positive change in Nigeria.

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He encouraged the youth to take an active role in shaping the future of the country by bringing innovative ideas and solutions to governance, especially through the use of technology to enhance transparency.

Anih also called for the integration of stronger civic education within the Nigerian educational system to empower young people with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

He stressed that educating the populace about their role in the democratic process would strengthen Nigeria’s democracy.

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Anih assured continued efforts towards ensuring that citizens are better informed and able to participate actively in the governance of their country, urging young Nigerians to seize opportunities to make a meaningful impact.