The South-East bloc of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned it may reevaluate its ties with the party if the zone is not given the position of National Secretary. This was stated in a communiqué issued after the South-East PDP Zonal Executive Committee (ZEC) meeting held Wednesday in Enugu. The communiqué, signed by Chief Ali Odefa, Chairman of the PDP South-East Zone, noted that the ZEC unanimously endorsed Mr. Sunday Udeh-Okoye for the role of National Secretary. “Therefore, we hope that this time around, the position of the South-East PDP regarding the Office of the National Secretary is accorded the honour and immediacy it deserves. “However, in the event that our position is not promptly implemented by the party, the South- East PDP, as a family, will be compelled to reconsider our relationship with the PDP going forward,” he said. Odefa urged PDP National Working Committee (NWC) to uphold its decision at its 600th meeting on April 29 which allowed the party’s Deputy National Secretary to function as Acting National Secretary. This, he said, would be pending the time a substantive national secretary would be confirmed. “The South-East ZEC further noted that the zone had to go through this process for the umpteenth time, unlike what obtains in the filling of vacant national offices by other zones. “It is recalled that the South East ZEC met in October 2023 and nominated Udeh-Okoye to serve out the remaining term of the National Secretary. “This position was reaffirmed during the Feb. 20, 2024 meeting of the PDP South-East ZEC. We also reiterated this during the meeting of ZEC in Enug today,” Odefa said. The zonal chairman said that South-East had consistently served as PDP stronghold from the inception of the party. He said that while the party had been losing key members following post-2023 general election, the South-East PDP was at the vanguard of strengthening the party by rallying major opposition figures into its fold. “In Enugu State, the governorship candidate of the Labour Party is back to the PDP; two members of the House of Representatives are equally back from Labour Party. “Furthermore, PDP seats in the Enugu State House of Assembly have grown from 10 at the inception of the Assembly to 20 today,’’ he said. He recalled that on March 21 the Supreme Court brought to a close the protracted legal tussle over the position of the National Secretary of the PDP. According to him, the apex court, in its ruling, held that the issue of the leadership of a political party was the internal affairs of the affected party. “The PDP Governors’ Forum, at its April 14, 2025 meeting held in Ibadan recommended that the South-East PDP should nominate a candidate. “This followed the consideration of the report of the panel it set up to review the Supreme Court judgment. “Their position is that the candidate would serve out the remaining tenure of the National Secretary of the Party zoned to the region,’’ Odefa said.

The Senate has urged the Federal Government to include one representative from each local government council in the states and one from each area council in the Federal Capital Territory in the deliberations of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC). It also mandated that this resolution be immediately communicated to the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, who chairs the FAAC. This resolution, aimed at reinforcing constitutional adherence and promoting financial transparency at the grassroots level, was triggered by a motion from Senator Barau Jibrin (Kano North). He noted that local government councils, recognized as the third tier of government under Section 7(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), are constitutionally entitled to direct allocations from the Federation Account. The Senate referenced a Supreme Court ruling which affirmed that state governments merely act as channels for transferring local government funds and do not possess any ownership or discretionary authority over those allocations. Lawmakers further pointed out that while FAAC currently includes only federal and state representatives, Section 5 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc.) Act 1981 excludes local governments—a provision now considered unconstitutional in light of the Supreme Court’s July 2024 judgment. The Senate concluded that with the legal landscape evolving, direct representation of local governments in FAAC is now necessary to protect their interests and ensure greater transparency in revenue distribution.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled June 27 to deliver a final judgment in the case brought by suspended Kogi Central senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Akpoti-Uduaghan is contesting her suspension from the Senate, which she believes was unjust and driven by bias. She approached the court after the Senate, under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, suspended her over allegations of misconduct. She named the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, and Senator Neda Imasuen—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct—as defendants in the suit. The case was initially assigned to Justice Obiorah Egwuatu, who later recused himself. It was subsequently reassigned to Justice Nyako. During Monday’s hearing, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Jibrin Okutekpa, informed the court that they had filed all required documents in compliance with an earlier directive. Lawyers for the Senate and the Senate President, Paul Daudu and Ekwo Ejembi, also said they had filed their documents. However, they pointed out that Akpoti-Uduaghan had gone against a court order. They accused her of disobeying the court by posting a satirical apology to the Senate President on her Facebook page on March 27 and publishing it in some newspapers. “The plaintiff had responded to our motion,” the lawyers said, referring to the steps she took after being accused of contempt. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s other lawyer, Michael Numan, said they had received the motion accusing her of disobeying the court. He also reminded the judge that they had filed a similar motion earlier, accusing the defendants of disobeying the court. He said, “The alleged statement credited to the plaintiff had no connection with her,” and insisted that “the alleged contemptuous statement had no nexus with the plaintiff.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has praised former Delta State Governor and 2023 PDP vice presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, for defecting to the All Progressives Congress, describing the move as “smart” and a display of political bravery. He also criticized the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for failing to foresee the defection. Speaking during a monthly media parley on Monday in Abuja, Wike expressed astonishment at the PDP’s lack of foresight, referring to Okowa as a seasoned and strategic political figure. “I’m surprised that PDP said they didn’t see it coming,” Wike remarked. “I won’t call the names of the governors. I call them. I said listen, the way things are going, I have warned you people. You said they are governors. I have no problem. Let’s see what will happen.” He further defended Okowa’s decision, insisting it was an honest and principled stance in contrast to others who play both sides. “He said he was going to support the President. That’s the crime? But the Chairman of the Board of Trustees – the conscience of the party – adopted Alex Otti for a second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that? He adopted the governor under the Labour Party to go for a second term.” In Wike’s view, Okowa chose clarity over duplicity. “Now this man said, look, I’m not going to do that kind of pretense. I will not be here and go and support him. Smart politician.” The FCT Minister, known for his vocal critiques of his former party, used the opportunity to reiterate his concerns about PDP’s leadership and internal cohesion. He continued, “If you don’t show leadership, you suffer for it. This is what I’ve been saying. When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his deputy and all his team moved out of PDP to APC. What? What wrong did he do?”

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that amendments to the Electoral Act will be implemented ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking to journalists on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, during the swearing-in of two new INEC National Commissioners by President Bola Tinubu, Yakubu also dismissed rumours of his removal, affirming that he remains in charge of the commission. He noted that INEC, along with other stakeholders, has reviewed the 2023 general elections and made 142 recommendations. He said out of these, eight need changes to the constitution or the Electoral Act. He said, “We are here today, basically for the swearing in of two national commissioners. As you are aware, the commission is made up of a chairman and 12 national commissioners drawn on the basis of two commissioners per geopolitical zone. So vacancies existed for the North West and the South East, and the Senate has screened and confirmed the nominees, and Mister President today performed the swearing in.” “So, we have almost the full complement of commissioners of the commission. As we are also aware, about two weeks ago or so, we lost one of our commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (retd), may his soul rest in peace. So now, we have almost the full complement of commissioners.” On electoral reforms, Yakubu said INEC recently met with the National Assembly’s electoral reform committees in Lagos. “Thereafter, the National Assembly is going to organise a public hearing, and it’s after the public hearing that a new bill will, at the end of the day, be submitted to the President for assent. “So, we’re working with the National Assembly on electoral reform, but at this point, I’m not going to give you any more details. You will hear from the National Assembly whose responsibility it is, but we reviewed the 2023 general elections on our own. “We engaged with the stakeholders. We came up with 142 recommendations. Out of this, eight require constitutional or Electoral Act amendment, and we discussed this with members of the National Assembly. “So far so good, we are happy with our discussions with them, and we are also happy with the speed with which they want to proceed so that we’ll have some necessary amendments done to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he explained. On rumours about his removal from office, he said, “I don’t think we need to waste time so much on this unnecessary speculation. As far as the law is concerned, and as far as I’m aware, I remain the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and under the Constitution, the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the Federation, and under the Electoral Act, the returning officer for the presidential election.”

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is taking steps to reconcile their differences. Wike, a former Rivers Governor, revealed that Fubara visited him with two other governors. The FCT Minister said this on Monday following reports that Fubara, suspended earlier in the year, visited him. “Yes, he visited,” Wike confirmed the reports during a media parley with select journalists in Abuja. “Yes, he came with two governors and one elder person. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors. So, I will not pursue him. He said he wants peace. That’s fine. I also want peace,” he said. The rift between Wike and Fubara started shortly after latter assumed office as Governor of Rivers State. The crisis reached a crescendo in March when President Bola Tinubu suspended Fubara, the deputy governor, Ngozi Odu and the Rivers Assembly. Following their suspension, the President appointed a state administrator whom he saddled with the responsibility of running Rivers affairs for six months. Meanwhile, Fubara has been suing for peace but Wike said the suspended governor needs to take more reconciliatory steps rather than allegedly organising protests against the President’s declaration of a state of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that selfish interests could destroy the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Wike also stated that the PDP stands no chance of winning the 2027 elections. He made these remarks during his monthly press conference in Abuja on Monday. The minister said, “Leadership is key, if you don’t show the right leadership you will suffer for it and this is what I have been saying. “When people talk about the governor of Delta State and his predecessor moving out of PDP to APC, what wrong did he do? That he said he was going to support Tinubu, that was the crime. “But the Chairman of the BoT who is the conscience of the party adopted Otti for second tenure. Why are people not commenting about that? “The Chairman of PDP BoT adopted Alex Otti, governor under Labour Party, for second tenure. “No opposition party allows impunity, it’s only the ruling party. Opposition is going to organize itself to take over the affairs of government. “How many times have they made efforts? How many people have you wooed? Rather they are after Wike, they abandoned what they are supposed to do – the only crime is that Wike is a minister under APC government. “I’m the only former governor who did not support the presidential candidate but made sure PDP won 100 percent in the governorship, State Assembly and National Assembly. “Let any sitting governor or former governor come out to say that happened in their states. “If PDP doesn’t take care, watch out for what will happen because selfish interest can kill an organization. You haven’t won an election but you are excluding people. “You want to play the same game you played in 2023, it will backfire. I have told people that this smartness will not help you. Wike is telling you now to stop this smartness.”

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has maintained that he is not desperate to reclaim his position. He stated this during a service of songs held on Sunday in Port Harcourt, in honour of the late elder statesman, Edwin Clark. “Can’t you see how better I look? Do you think I am interested in it? “Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit had already left that place long ago,” he said. Fubara is believed to have been responding to several speakers at the event, who referred to him as “Governor” and called for immediate reversal. “Not everything is by Oshogbe, I want everybody to focus, there are some fights you don’t fight,” he said.

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has adopted a revised salary structure for its elected officials, setting the total monthly wage bill at N306,496,000, effective May 31, 2025. This decision was announced in a communiqué released after a State Working Caretaker Committee meeting held on May 8 in Yenagoa, and presided over by the party’s acting Chairman, George Turnah. Under the new arrangement, party officials will receive salaries equivalent to those of Bayelsa State Government appointees. “During discussions, the committee expressed deep concern regarding the inadequate welfare and challenging working conditions experienced by its elected officials, particularly the ward executives who receive a meagre monthly stipend of N5,000.00, and the Local Government Area Executives who earn a mere N20,000.00 as monthly allowances. “Accordingly, the committee adopted and approved a harmonised salary structure for elected officials of the party at all levels, including Ward, Local Government Area, senatorial, and state levels, as well as ex-officio and non-working committee members at the state level,” the communique read partly. “Accordingly, the committee adopted and approved a harmonised salary structure for elected officials of the party at all levels, including Ward, Local Government Area, senatorial, and state levels, as well as ex-officio and non-working committee members at the state level,” the communique read partly. Under the new salary structure, a PDP local government chairman will now earn N621,000.00 monthly, equivalent to a special adviser, while the vice chairman and secretary will earn N336,000, equals to the salary of a senior special assistant in the Bayelsa State Government. According to the communique signed by acting State Publicity Secretary, Derri Alasuote Wright, the rest of the 15 LG party executive members will henceforth be earning N196,000, equivalent to a special assistant. “These new figures are a significant increase compared to the current salaries, which include N50,000 paid to the LG party chairman, N45,000 to the vice chairman, N40,000 to the secretary, and N20,000 to the other 15 members of the LG party executive committee. “At the ward level, the approved new salary for the party’s ward chairman is set at N336,000, the vice chairman and secretary will now earn N196,000 each, while the remaining 14 members of the ward executive will each earn N120,000 as equivalent to grassroot mobilisation appointees in the state Government. “Similarly, elected party officials at the senatorial district levels and non-working committee members of the party at the state level are classified as special advisers equivalent in the and will now earn the sum of N621,000 as monthly stipend, while members of the State Working Committee, placed at par with cabinet commissioners will now earn the sum of N1,048,500 as monthly allowances going forward,” said the communique. The committee directed the Acting State Secretary to formally communicate the resolution to the state Governor, Douye Diri, who is the party leader in the state for necessary action. “The cumulative wage bill for elected officials of the party in the state will come to the sum of N306,496,000.00 monthly. For a party in power in the state, this figure is not only reasonable but affordable as it will help in enhancing the capacity and performance of elected party officials of the party in the state, as well as improving their welfare and wellbeing while in active service to the party, the government, and the people of Bayelsa State. “The State Working Caretaker Committee has directed the Acting State Secretary to immediately communicate this resolution and the approved new salary structure to the leader of the party in the state, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, for his attention and necessary action,” it added.

Professor of Political Economy, Pat Utomi, has announced that he will no longer seek any political office in Nigeria. He also stated clearly that he will not accept any government appointment or contract. Utomi made this known during an interview on Politics Today aired Friday on Channels Television. “Let me state clearly: I will not run for public office, I will not accept an appointment, contract by any government in Nigeria. My only concern is the well-being of the next generation. “I have lived my life decently without government money or stealing anybody’s thing. I want to take that away from people who talk nonsense like, ‘Oh, he is looking for a contract’,” Utomi said.