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Police Deny Sealing PDP Secretariat, Say Officers Deployed To Maintain Order

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  The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied reports alleging that it sealed off the Peoples Democratic Party’s national headquarters located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, on Monday. Addressing newsmen, a BoT member, and former PDP National Secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, accused the police of barring members of the Board of Trustees from accessing the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, where they were scheduled to hold a meeting. Tsauri said the operatives informed them they were acting on “orders from above” and that no meetings were to take place within the party premises. However, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the command described the reports as “false, misleading, and not reflective of the true situation on ground.” Adeh noted that police personnel were only deployed to the area to maintain law and order in line with their constitutional responsibility of ensuring public safety. She said, “The FCT Police Command is aware of the news making the rounds alleging that the police sealed off the PDP secretariat in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja. “The command wishes to categorically state that this information is false, misleading, and does not reflect the true situation on ground. “Police officers were only deployed to the venue to maintain law and order and ensure public safety in line with their constitutional mandate. At no time was the secretariat sealed off by the police. “The Commissioner of Police, FCT, urges media outlets to verify information through the office of the command police public relations officer before disseminating.” Punch

Peter Obi Declares 2027 Presidential Ambition, To Serve Only One Term

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  Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has confirmed he will contest the 2027 presidential election. Obi added that he was willing to serve a single four-year term if elected. He made the declaration on Sunday night while speaking during a live session on X Spaces, where he answered questions from supporters both in Nigeria and abroad. In a statement released on Monday by his spokesman, Ibrahim Umar of the Peter Obi Media Reach, Obi dismissed claims of a possible joint ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. However, he admitted being open to coalition talks, only if they are focused on addressing Nigeria’s core problems. “If the coalition is not about stopping the killings in Benue, Zamfara, how to revive our economy, how to make our industries productive, how to put food on the tables of Nigerians… Count me out. Nigeria is currently at war. We need to do something about it,” Obi said. He also promised to stabilise Nigeria within two years of his administration and urged Nigerians to join him in the mission to rescue the nation. “I will bring stability in Nigeria within two years in office. Leaders of Nigeria should sit down in Nigeria and fix Nigeria,” he added. Speaking on the crisis within the Labour Party, Obi revealed that efforts were ongoing to secure the Independent National Electoral Commission’s recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling. On power rotation, Obi stated, “I believe in the rotation of government between North and South. I implemented it in Anambra as a governor.” Commenting on President Bola Tinubu’s reported trip to St. Lucia, Obi criticised the President’s domestic absence, saying, “St Lucia is about the size of the 10th largest city of Nigeria, Ilorin. President Tinubu has never slept a night in any state of Nigeria outside Lagos since the assumption of office in 2023. PBAT to stay in St Lucia for 10 days.” Regarding his 2027 plans, Obi said the approach would be non-violent and focused on transparency. He stated, “We will do things differently in 2027. We will follow a non-violent approach and insist that the right thing will be done before the result announcement in Abuja. Our votes in 2027 will count, and we will ensure they count.” He outlined three priorities for his first 100 days in office: security, education, and poverty reduction. “My family will not be involved in corruption. Funds to be channelled into key critical sectors,” he said. Obi vowed to promote strong party opposition and end party-switching by elected officials. “There will be no defection of elected officials to other parties when I am in charge,” he asserted. He criticised the current administration for misaligned priorities, saying, “Imagine in this country, people are dying in Benue, Borno, and other parts of the country], and our leaders are commissioning bus stops and holidaying.” He called for responsible governance and integrity. “To bring order in governance, I will prioritise security, education and pulling people out of poverty. To do this is by cutting the cost of governance and fighting corruption from day one. “My past speaks loudly for me. Wherever there was an issue in Anambra State, I was there physically. Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for the lives of Nigerians. Nobody abroad takes you seriously if you don’t have a stable government.” Punch

Oyo To Build Helipad, 21 Structures In N63.4bn Govt House Overhaul

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  Oyo State Government, on Friday, justified the proposed spending of N63.4 billion to overhaul the over 70-year-old Government House. This was made known in a statement by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in Ibadan, the state capital. He lamented that the section of the media that touted the impression that the Government House was going to be renovated is either ignorant or mischievous. Oyelade said, “The present administration has over 200 ongoing projects, including the Samuel Ladoke Akintola International Airport, the 110KM Circular Road, LAUTECH, Iseyin campus, Fashola Agro-industrial hub and several other infrastructural development projects across the seven zones of the state and the Government House overhauling and reconstruction is one of them. “The Seyi Makinde administration is the least that can be accused of not getting its priorities right and for six years, the government has nurtured the finance of the state efficiently, such that the Internally Generated Revenue has increased by over 300% within this period from about N1.5 billion to N7.8 billion as at the end of May 2025. “The administration has also vigorously pursued the welfare of its workers such that it would pay over N174 billion annually in salaries and wages at N14.5 billion monthly, to the largest State workforce in Nigeria.” He explained that an administration that has employed over 27,000 workers, spent a record N13 billion on gratuities and pension for the aged, subsidises the transportation fare of over 42,000 commuters every day till date and promoted 45 permanent secretaries in one fell swoop, cannot be accused of profligacy. “The decrepit presidential lodge and the banquet hall, which will be ready for the state’s 50th anniversary celebration next year February, will be totally reconstructed while the Governor and the Deputy Governor’s main residences will be overhauled and structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical works will be comprehensively carried out. “Also affected are several quarters and chalets for visitors, senior and junior staff, whose duties would necessitate dwelling in the Government House. “The mosque, church, external botanical garden, roadworks, landscaping, fencing and furniture are also affected in the reconstruction. “It is instructive that the new building will also accommodate a helipad to allow VIP visitors including the presidency, fellow Governors, important dignitaries and the host Governor himself to commute seamlessly to and from their destinations in helicopters.” “In arriving at this decision, the governor had factored-in, the pride of the state, a befitting official residence for the number one and two citizens of the state and a legacy of a beautiful ambience for a place that once had the likes of Sir. John Rankin, Sir. Adesoji Aderemi and others as tenants.” The commissioner then described as laughable and kindergarten the suggestion by a potential gubernatorial candidate in 2027 that the people of the state would be better served by distributing N3 million of the N63.4 billion to 20,000 citizens.

CSO, PDP Bicker Over Fagbemi’s Stand On Osun LG Crisis

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  An Osun-based civil society group, The Osun Masterminds, has urged the State Government to respect the opinion of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, regarding the leadership crisis rocking local government areas in the state. The group said Fagbemi, being the number one law officer of the federation, his opinions on issues relating to law are not just official, but are also binding. This was disclosed by the Executive Director of the group, Prof. Wasiu Oyedokun-Alli, while speaking with journalists at the monthly media briefing of the organisation held in Osogbo on Friday. Oyedokun-Alli, who said accused the state government of disregard for, not just the Appeal Court, but also the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, adding that the group has studied several legal positions on the Osun local government disputes and came to the conclusion that the government was swimming against the tide of clear court pronouncements. “We are to point out, however, that the utter disregard for, not just the Appeal Court, but also the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, by the Osun State Government is a matter of grave concern. Where we understand that the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, is the number one Law Officer of the Federation, we must realise that his opinions are not just official, they are also binding. “We have studied several legal positions on this matter, especially from highly revered silks who have dissected the pronouncements of the Court, and one thing remains obvious – the Osun State Government is swimming against the tide of clear Court pronouncements. “The question that begs answers, however, is why the Osun State Government is so unwilling to work with Local Government Chairmen elected under a different political platform. Where we respect the principles of separation of powers, should we not be willing to work together even if the political parties are not the same? Has the APC-led Federal Government refused to work with the Adeleke Government because it is of the PDP?”, Oyedokun-Alli said. Calling on the stakeholders to prevail on the Osun State Government to end the LG crisis, Oyedokun-Alli, however, urged the residents, regardless of party affiliation, to cohabitate in peace. Responding to issues raised by the group, the spokesperson for the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Oladele Bamiji, said TOM was a partisan organisation that has consistently supported the All Progressives Congress in the state. Bamiji further said, “Their so-called ‘civil society’ posturing has long collapsed under the weight of its hypocrisy and shameless servitude to the dictates of APC in Osun and beyond, and it is sad they are dead to their dented image out there. “TOM has again confirmed to the people of Osun that it is nothing but a busy body propaganda irritant of the APC, issuing monthly rankings, not out of civic concern but to earn its monthly stipend from its political sponsors. “We find it laughable and frankly disturbing that any group claiming to possess civic literacy would hold binding the personal opinion of a political appointee like the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, over and above the ruling of a competent court of law.” Punch

Sokoto Gov Converts May Salary To Loan, Orders Immediate June Payment

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  Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, has approved the conversion of the May 2025 salary, which was paid ahead of Eid-el-Adha, to a soft loan, to be repaid in three instalments. A statement by the governor’s Press Secretary, Abubakar Bawa, on Friday, said the decision was made to ease post-festive financial strain on civil servants. Aliyu said the initiative became necessary due to the financial pressure civil servants often face during major religious celebrations. He said, “I am aware that many of our workers are still facing financial challenges due to the expenses incurred during the Sallah festivities. “This measure is intended to support them by easing immediate financial strain, allowing for repayment in three convenient monthly deductions.” He expressed optimism that the initiative would provide meaningful relief and improve the welfare of civil servants and their families. The governor also directed the immediate payment of June 2025 salaries to all categories of workers in the state. This includes staff under the state and local governments, Local Government Education Authorities, and pensioners, with payment expected to commence from Monday, June 30. Aliyu reiterated his administration’s commitment to revitalising the civil service for enhanced service delivery. He urged workers to reciprocate government efforts through increased dedication, punctuality, and discipline in the discharge of their duties. He also expressed appreciation to the people of Sokoto State for their continued support and reaffirmed his determination to deliver more dividends of democracy. Punch

BREAKING: APC National Chairman Ganduje Resigns

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  The National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, has stepped down from his position. A source within the APC national headquarters, who does not want his name mentioned in print because he is not authorised to speak on the matter, said the National Working Committee will announce an acting chairman soon. As of Friday, details surrounding his resignation remain unclear at press time. However, a reliable source exclusively informed our correspondent that “Yes, Ganduje has resigned, and most of his personal belongings have been moved from the APC national secretariat. “The National Working Committee will soon confirm this and announce an acting replacement.” When our correspondent visited the APC national headquarters in Abuja, several party supporters were seen gathered in clusters, discussing the development and awaiting official confirmation from the NWC. Attempts to reach the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, for confirmation or denial were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls from our correspondent. Meanwhile, a former media aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad posted on his X handle on Friday, said, “The National Chairman of our great party, the All Progressives Congress(APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has resigned from his position, effective immediately, as confirmed by multiple sources. “The former National Chairman of our party would be succeeded in acting capacity by one of the party’s national vice chairmen until a substantive chairman is elected at the national convention scheduled for December 2025.”

VIDEO: “She Was Buried In A Wooden Crate” Ibrahim Chatta Recounts Loss Of First Child

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  Nollywood actor, Ibrahim Chatta, has opened up about a heartbreaking moment in his life when he lost his first child due to an inability to pay hospital bills. In a now-viral video originally posted by Abiola Orisile Events & Parties TV on YouTube, Chatta was seen speaking with colleagues when he shared the emotional story. “My first child is not Malik. The first child I had died,” he said. According to Chatta, the child was admitted in a hospital in Lagos State, but he was unable to raise the money needed for treatment despite trekking through many parts of Lagos in a desperate attempt to find help. “I trekked from Ijora Badia, passed through Orile, Itolo… places I used to hawk puff-puff. I went through Shitta, Lawanson, Stadium, Costain railway till I got to Makoko, yet I couldn’t get any money until the child died. “We buried her in a crate of Coke, the olden days wooden crate of coke,” he recounted. Chatta also spoke about the deep bond he shares with his only daughter, Awawu, whom he named after his late mother. “When I went to Dubai and bought a diamond anklet for Awawu, her mother was upset, saying I should have bought it for her who gave birth to the child, but I told her, this is my only daughter. I had one before, but she died. “She was buried in a wooden crate of Coke. All of them just started crying and I was cooking in the kitchen. They’d never heard the story before then,” he said. Chatta, who currently has three children, expressed his desire to have more children. He said, “I love all my children. God gave me three but I want to have more children. You see Awawu was named after my mother because she was born after my mother’s death. So I call her my mother. There’s nothing she wants to buy that I won’t give her.” Watch video below: ‘𝐒𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐝 𝐈𝐧 𝐖𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞,’ 𝐈𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬   “My first child is not Malik. The first child I had died,” he said. “I trekked from Ijora Badia,… pic.twitter.com/yR5z8FQadJ

Students, Alumni Reject Renaming Of Ibadan Poly

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  Students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, alongside alumni bodies, on Friday, rejected the renaming of the institution by the State Governor, Seyi Makinde, after the late former Governor Omololu Olunloyo. PUNCH Online reports that Makinde had, on Thursday, announced the renaming of the institution in honour of late Olunloyo, who was the first Rector of the institution. A statement released by the President of the Students Union Government, Oladipupo Olamide, in Ibadan, the state capital, expressed disappointment over the decision. Olamide said, “We strongly believe that this decision is unjustifiable and disregards the rich heritage and history of our beloved school. “For over 50 years, The Polytechnic, Ibadan has been a beacon of academic excellence, producing outstanding graduates who have made significant contributions to society. The name “The Polytechnic, Ibadan” is synonymous with quality education and has earned respect and recognition nationwide. “Renaming the institution would erase its identity and legacy, causing irreparable harm to its reputation and alumni.” The SUG president urged the governor to reconsider his decision and allow the school to retain its original name, which reflects its history, values, and mission. “We are willing to engage in dialogue to find alternative solutions that benefit the institution. We request an immediate reversal of this decision and look forward to a prompt response.” Also, members of the institution’s alumni community rejected the action, calling for an immediate review. An alumnus and leader of the Non-Academic Staff Union at the institution, Yomi Akande, expressed dissatisfaction among alumni regarding the announcement. “As an alumnus of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, the name of the institution holds significant recognition worldwide. “While the name of the late former Governor Olunloyo is honourable, what many people oppose is the change of the institution’s name. This change will not bring any new developments to the school.

FCTA Workers Begin Three-Day Protest Monday

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  The Joint Union Action Committee of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, has declared a three-day protest beginning Monday, June 30 to Wednesday, July 2, 2025, over what it describes as the “blatant refusal” of the FCT Minister to address longstanding issues affecting staff welfare and rights. President of JUAC, Rifkatu Iortyer, in a statement titled “PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!! PROTEST!!!” on Thursday, directed all members and affiliate unions across the FCTA to mobilise and gather at the Minister’s Main Gate in Area 11, Garki, by 7:00 am each day of the protest. According to her, “The protest is against the blatant refusal of the FCT Minister to address… salient issues affecting staff.” She listed grievances to include the non-promotion of staff since 2023, unresolved salary administration problems, and unpaid entitlements. The union is also demanding structural changes within the administration, improved staff welfare, and an end to deductions they consider illegal. “The Chairman FCT Civil Service Commission must go. We say no to overseeing directors’ position,” Iortyer declared, Other demands include, “Domestication of IPPIS, inaccessibility of the salary portal to salary desk officers, no overhead since December 2024, stop our NHF deduction, non-payment of five months wage awards/health workers hazard allowance arrears, no training and retraining of FCTA staff, out-of-school FCTA primary school pupils, and non-payment of AEPB enforcement squad. All members of staff are advised to gather at the Minister’s main gate Area 11 to drive home their demands,” the statement added.  

BREAKING: Tinubu Signs Tax Reform Bills Into Law

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  President Bola Tinubu has signed into law four tax reform bills on key areas of Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework. Tinubu signed the bills at a ceremony held at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, at about 03:20pm local time. The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders. “When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Onanuga said. The presidential assent to the bills was witnessed by the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, and his House counterpart. The Chairman of the Governors Forum, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State; the Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma of Imo State; the Minister of Finance and Coordination Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; and the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, were also at the ceremony. One of the four bills is the Nigeria Tax Bill (Ease of Doing Business), which aims to consolidate Nigeria’s fragmented tax laws into a harmonised statute. “By reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment,” said the Presidency in a statement Wednesday night. The second bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, will establish a uniform legal and operational framework for tax administration across federal, state, and local governments. The Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the third bill, repeals the current Federal Inland Revenue Service Act and creates a more autonomous and performance-driven national revenue agency— the Nigeria Revenue Service. It defines the NRS’s expanded mandate, including non-tax revenue collection, and lays out transparency, accountability, and efficiency mechanisms. The fourth bill is the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill. It provides for a formal governance structure to facilitate cooperation between revenue authorities at all levels of government. It introduces essential oversight mechanisms, including establishing a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman. Punch

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