Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni has directed an immediate response to provide life-supportive assistance to areas heavily affected by flooding on Friday.

According to Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency the agency received emergency alerts on a heavy downpour in some parts of the state in the early hours of August 15.

“We have received emergency alerts on a heavy downpour in some parts of the state in the early hours of August, 15.

“SEMA has activated its field team to assess the situation. Fortunately, no lives have been lost as of the time of the report.

“A detailed assessment is currently ongoing, and the government has pledged to provide life-saving support, protection, and response immediately,” the statement revealed.

Preliminary reports and spatial analysis indicate that several locations have been affected, including, Old Prison, Filin Mashe, Unguwar Makafi, Unguwar Jaje Bakin Kwari, and Afghanistan Wards.

Additional affected wards include: Tsangaya, Karofi, Bayan Garejin Dan Juma, Jigawa Bayan Makarahuta and Tandari Ward.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress on Friday alleged that it had uncovered plans by the Peoples Democratic Party to cause chaos by attacking selected polling and collation centres during Saturday’s by-election in Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency.

In a statement signed by the state APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, the party also alleged that the state PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, and a top party chieftain, Chief Francis Inegbeniki, were part of the plot.

However, Aziegbemi, who chairs the PDP caretaker committee in the state, dismissed the allegation in a message to journalists, describing it as “absolute nonsense.”

PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, also said the APC did not deserve a response, adding, “All we demand is a level playing field for a free, fair and transparent election.”

Inegbeniki also denied any plan to disrupt the election, describing the APC’s claims as “malicious, false, and misleading.”

The APC statement read, “The All Progressives Congress wishes to inform the general public, and in particular, electorates in Edo State, that we have uncovered a dastardly plan by the remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party to cause chaos by attacking some selected polling and collation centres on Saturday in the Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency by-election.

“Last (Thursday) night, a large crowd of thugs suspected to have been imported from neighbouring states was seen gathered at Chief Francis Inegbeniki’s home in Opoji, Esan West Local Government Area of the state, and they were dispatched last night to various points in Edo Central.

“We have earlier reported to the security agencies that Inegbeniki played a major role in the murder of Inspector Akor, but sadly, he has been left to walk the streets freely unchallenged. One of those who attended the briefing informed us that they were brought from neighbouring states for the purpose of the senatorial election.

“Similarly, strange-looking youngsters in several unmarked buses were seen last night, parked at the residence of the state caretaker chairman of the PDP, Mr. Tony Aziegbemi, in Benin City, and again we have been told that the unidentified fierce-looking men have been dispatched to Ovia North East and Ovia South West Local Government Areas to disrupt the re-run election.”

Tenebe urged the Nigerian Police to arrest the PDP leaders and others allegedly involved to prevent attacks on voters, stressing that elections should not be treated as war.

He said the APC remained committed to the principles of free, fair, and credible elections, adding that the party had campaigned vigorously and was ready to win both by-elections overwhelmingly.

“We are advising Aziegbemi and his cohorts that they should not stand in our way to victory, but if they insist on their evil plans to constitute themselves as hurdles, they will be the way. Saturday’s election shall be the testament and confirmation of the 2.5 million votes Edo people have promised President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. We call on all eligible voters to turn out in their numbers to cast their votes unhindered,” Tenebe added.

In his response, Inegbeniki said, “My attention has been drawn to a libellous press release signed by a self-styled Emperor Jarret Tenebe, where my name was mentioned as one of those mobilising thugs to disrupt the Saturday election in Esan Land (Edo Central Senatorial District).

“I take exception to that reckless statement coming from the mouth of a deserter soldier man. It is clear that Tenebe needs urgent mental health attention, and he should not be taken seriously.

“Tenebe has become a disgrace to the APC. He is known for his reckless talks; he talks before thinking.”*

He urged the people of Edo Central to go about their civic duties peacefully and turn out to vote.

*“The APC must begin to watch the activities of Jarret Tenebe. He is known in the past to make this kind of reckless statement so that the APC can release money to him to counter the so-called imaginary thugs. This must be one of such statements to collect money from the APC.

“Once again, I deny any involvement in the death of Inspector Akor. I was not on Airport Road on the day of the incident, nor did I plan or conspire with anyone. I am innocent of the allegations. It is now clear that it was Tenebe who framed up the allegations against me just to smear my hard-earned reputation.

“Being an innocent and law-abiding Nigerian, I have already instituted a libel action against Jaret Tenebe and his cohorts. We are in court, and I believe I will get justice”, he stated.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Ahead of its National Elective Convention scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Peoples Democratic Party has inaugurated a 44-member zoning committee, charging it to make decisions that will shape the party’s future and restore public confidence.

At the inauguration ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, said the panel—chaired by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri—would ensure fairness in allocating National Working Committee positions.

He stressed that the committee’s recommendations would not only determine the distribution of party offices but could also indicate which geopolitical zone might get the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket.

Zoning has long influenced the PDP’s electoral fortunes. In 2015, northern members opposed then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid, insisting the ticket be zoned to their region—discontent that contributed to the party’s loss to the All Progressives Congress.

A similar rift emerged in 2023 when five governors, led by then-Rivers State Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, opposed Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy.

Despite a zoning committee chaired by then-Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom throwing the ticket open, dissenters argued that after Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure, the South should have been favoured. The PDP again lost to the APC.

Following Senator Iyorchia Ayu’s removal as National Chairman in 2023, North Central leaders demanded the right to nominate his replacement. The rejection of this demand prompted prominent figures—including former Senate President David Mark, Senator Dino Melaye, and former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam—to defect to the newly formed African Democratic Congress.

“From 2015 till date, disputes over zoning—whether for the presidential ticket or NWC positions—have consistently plunged our party into crisis,” Damagum said.

Urging the committee to act with “wisdom, foresight, and fairness,” Damagum described the zoning process as the “engine room” for laying the PDP’s leadership foundation for the next four years.

“Our zoning process must reflect fairness, equity, and strategic thinking, strengthen our unity, reward loyalty, and position us for electoral victory,” he said. “PDP over anyone, and PDP above any personal interest.”

Damagum, who became acting chairman after serving as Deputy National Chairman (North), told members that deputies are “just as important as principals,” citing his own unexpected elevation to the top job.

“Loyalty is the lifeblood of our party. Without it, unity is impossible. But loyalty must go hand in hand with competence,” he added. “Politics demands pragmatism, not sentiment—especially now, when the state of the economy has left many Nigerians disillusioned.”

National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, said the zoning committee’s work would “lay the foundation for the PDP’s future,” noting that it would submit its report to the National Executive Committee on August 25.

PDP Governors’ Forum Chairman and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, assured the committee of the governors’ full support, saying the PDP remained Nigeria’s best hope for credible governance.

“The many years of APC administration have left woes, melancholy, hunger, and anger,” he said. “Maybe the losses we suffered were to make us aware of our limitations so that we can do better.”

Responding on behalf of the committee, Diri pledged a consultative and inclusive approach to delivering “a fair and just zoning formula.”

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, is the committee’s Vice Chairman, while Plateau State Governor, Caleb Muftwang, serves as Secretary.

PDP demands Wike’s  loyalty

The inauguration came a day after the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, warned that the party would not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that “anything short of 100 per cent loyalty” would attract sanctions under the party’s constitution.

His statement followed recent remarks by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who warned that fresh crises could erupt if the party fails to recognise the zonal congress that elected Chief Dan Orbih as National Vice Chairman (South-South) and to reorganise the South-East zonal congress.

Ologunagba dismissed Wike’s position, saying the South-South Zonal Committee’s tenure had expired in March and that a constitutionally approved caretaker committee, headed by Elder Emma Ogidi, had since been inaugurated.

“PDP will not take conditions from anybody,” he said. “Membership of the party is voluntary, but what we will not take is disloyalty. This is the only political party where you can achieve your goals and aspirations in politics. Ninety per cent of those who have left had their tutelage in the PDP.”

He added: “We are stable, strong, and moving towards the National Convention. This is the right time to come back. But loyalty will be total—and we will enforce it.”

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM