THE Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has achieved a major milestone, recording over one million student loan applications since its official launch on May 24, 2024, just as it has disbursed a whopping N116 billion to beneficiaries across federal and state tertiary institutions.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by NELFUND’s Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, who described the feat as a clear demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in action.
According to the statement, the N116 billion disbursed covers both institutional fees and upkeep allowances for students in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education nationwide.
NELFUND Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Akintunde Sawyerr, hailed the development as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s push for equitable access to higher education.
“Crossing the one-million mark represents more than data; it represents renewed hope for a generation of Nigerians determined to rise above financial barriers to education,” Sawyerr said.
“It is a testament to visionary leadership, sound policy design, and the collective efforts of all stakeholders driving this transformative agenda,” he added.
The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity, stressing that the scheme is open to all qualified Nigerian students, irrespective of tribe, religion, or region.
“NELFUND is a non-discriminatory initiative that benefits Nigerians of all faiths and tribes—Christians, Muslims, and others across diverse ethnic backgrounds. It helps to unify the country by providing equal access to education and fostering shared progress,” the statement read.
It further assured continuous improvement in its processes to ensure that no eligible student is left behind due to financial constraints.
“With this milestone, NELFUND stands as a shining example of a government initiative that is working, authentic, effective, and truly transformative,” the Fund declared.
As the scheme expands, NELFUND said it remains focused on its core mandate: ensuring that financial hardship does not deny any Nigerian the right to education and national development.
The internal turmoil rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, with former governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State and Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State openly endorsing the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in a move that further fractures the opposition party.
The endorsements come amid frantic regrouping by loyalists of Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and other governors determined to wrest control from the Wike camp ahead of the party’s national convention.
In separate statements issued on Sunday, Ortom and Fayose threw their support behind the PDP faction led by National Vice Chairman (North Central), Abdulrahman Mohammed, while sharply criticising acting National Chairman Umar Damagum for exacerbating the crisis through what they described as poor leadership and exclusionary tactics.
Despite scheduled National Elective Convention dates of November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State, the PDP remains bogged down by disputes over party structures, zonal leadership, and convention modalities.
Supporters of Wike have levelled accusations of bias and incompetence against the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), pointing to unresolved conflicts in the South-South zone and alleged flouting of micro-zoning principles.
The crisis escalated dramatically on Friday when the Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim injunction restraining the party from proceeding with the convention until it complies fully with its constitution and the Electoral Act.
Justice James Omotosho directed the PDP to halt all preparatory activities pending further court orders, a decision that has plunged the party into deeper disarray.
In a retaliatory move on Saturday, the Damagum-led NWC announced the suspension of National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu, National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN), Deputy Legal Adviser Okechukwu Osuoha, and National Organising Secretary Umar Bature, citing alleged anti-party activities.
The rival faction, spearheaded by Anyanwu, responded swiftly by counter-suspending Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja, and others over claims of financial misconduct and incompetence.
Ortom, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, attributed the party’s woes to leadership failures and a disregard for inclusivity. “Democracy thrives when people of diverse views come together for the common good,” he stated. “Unfortunately, a few individuals have attempted to run the party without recourse to collective consultation.” He lamented that his earlier calls for reconciliation were ignored.
Fayose, addressing journalists in Ado Ekiti on Sunday, hailed the suspension of Damagum by the Mohammed faction as “a necessary step to rescue the party from total collapse.” Describing the Damagum NWC as “undertakers” intent on burying the PDP, Fayose positioned Mohammed as a potential saviour. “Damagum will go the way of Ayu,” he predicted, referencing former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu. “He manipulated the process to remain in office and caused widespread confusion. We will support Abdulrahman to reposition the PDP, correct the state chapters, and prepare for the convention.”
Sources close to Governor Makinde disclosed to Guardian Nigeria that the Oyo bloc and allied governors are holding strategic meetings to challenge the court injunction and reclaim dominance. “We are not folding our hands. We have the majority, and discussions are ongoing on how to appeal the judgment and keep preparations for the convention alive,” a source revealed.
Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim condemned the court ruling as “a calculated move to weaken the opposition and weaponise the judiciary.” He alleged a conspiracy involving “external pressures and internal sabotage” aimed at stifling the PDP and fostering a one-party state, vowing that “true democrats will resist attempts to destroy multiparty democracy in Nigeria.”
In Osun State, Senator Adenigba Fadahunsi, who recently defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declared the opposition party “as good as dead.” Speaking at his Ilase-Ijesa residence, Fadahunsi said, “We didn’t abandon the PDP; the PDP abandoned itself. The party is dead, and those still there should not sink with the ship.” He, however, praised President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, expressing confidence in their long-term benefits.
As the PDP grapples with suspensions, court battles, and factional realignments, observers warn that the prolonged crisis risks further eroding the party’s credibility as Nigeria’s main opposition ahead of future electoral contests.
A brewing diplomatic crisis between Nigeria and the United States has placed 12 northern state governors, influential traditional rulers, and senior judicial officers in the eye of the storm, as the US Congress deliberates a bill that could slap targeted sanctions on them for purported complicity in what American legislators term a “Christian genocide” and widespread persecution linked to Sharia and blasphemy laws.
The proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz and introduced on September 9, seeks to designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) for religious freedom violations. If enacted, it would mandate the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, to submit within 90 days a report to Congress identifying Nigerian officials—including governors, judges, and monarchs—who have “promoted, enacted, or maintained blasphemy laws” or “tolerated violence by non-state actors invoking religious justification.”
Sanctions under Executive Order 13818, part of the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework, could include visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions on those listed.
The bill’s momentum follows US President Donald Trump’s recent designation of Nigeria as a CPC and his directive to Rubio for swift action. In a post on Truth Social last Friday, Trump decried the killing of “thousands of Christians” in Nigeria, urging Congressman Riley Moore, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, and the panel to investigate urgently and report back.
Senator Cruz, defending the legislation, accused Nigeria’s leadership of “institutionalising Sharia law and enabling jihadist violence.” He cited statistics claiming over 52,000 Christians murdered, 20,000 churches and faith institutions destroyed, and dozens of villages razed since 2009, asserting that federal and state governments have “failed to act, and in many cases, they are complicit.”
This marks the second US CPC designation for Nigeria, the first occurring in December 2020 under the State Department for “systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom,” amid Boko Haram attacks and ethno-religious conflicts aggravated by the judiciary.
## Sharia’s Expansion and Controversies
Central to the bill is the implementation of Sharia in northern Nigeria, which it equates with blasphemy laws deemed hostile to Christians. Sharia, rooted in Islamic jurisprudence, has historically governed personal, moral, and communal matters among Muslim communities in the north.
The pivotal shift came in 1999-2000, post-civilian rule, when Zamfara State under Governor Ahmad Sani Yerima extended Sharia to criminal law and public morality. Within two years, 12 states followed suit, establishing parallel Sharia courts alongside secular ones: Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe.
States like Kwara, Kogi, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, and Adamawa, despite sizeable Muslim populations, confine Sharia to personal status issues—marriage, inheritance, and family matters—for Muslims only.
The bill notes that since Zamfara’s 2000 adoption during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, nearly all 19 northern states incorporated blasphemy provisions. States such as Kano, Bauchi, Sokoto, and Katsina have faced international condemnation for blasphemy-related death sentences.
Recent tensions arose when the Sharia Council announced arbitration panels in southern Oyo and Ogun states for Muslim disputes, sparking clashes before clarification that these were non-binding mediation bodies, not courts.
Critics highlight human rights concerns: restrictions on non-Muslim worship, church construction, and festivals; persecution of Islamic converts to Christianity; and vague blasphemy laws enabling mob violence. High-profile cases include the 2022 lynching and burning of Deborah Samuel, a Sokoto college student; butcher Usman Buda’s mob killing in Sokoto; a Bauchi water vendor’s 2021 death; and 74-year-old Bridget Agbahime’s 2016 murder in Kano—all over alleged blasphemy, with perpetrators often evading justice.
## Trump’s Threats and US Preparedness
Trump warned of halting all US aid to Nigeria and potential military intervention if the Tinubu administration fails to curb alleged Christian persecution. “If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the USA will immediately stop all aid… and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’” he posted, instructing the Department of War to prepare.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth echoed this on X Sunday: “The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists…”
The bill would also designate Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa as Entities of Particular Concern.
## Federal Government Pushes Back
The Federal Government robustly defended Nigeria’s framework in a Ministry of Foreign Affairs policy note, “Nigeria’s Constitutional Commitment to Religious Freedom and Rule of Law.” It emphasised the 1999 Constitution’s bans on state religion (Section 10), guarantees of religious freedom (Section 38), and anti-discrimination provisions (Section 42).
“Sharia in Nigeria is not a nationwide, compulsory system,” it stated, applying only to professing Muslims in select states, with non-Muslims exempt. It rejected persecution claims, framing violence as terrorism, crime, resource disputes, or climate-related, not purely religious.
The government highlighted proscriptions of Boko Haram and ISWAP, thousands of arrests, prosecutions, and deradicalisation efforts, plus unbiased joint operations. It slammed the bill as “legally and factually flawed,” conflating distinct legal regimes and mischaracterising public-order laws.
Nigeria reaffirmed commitments to international pacts like the ICCPR and African Charter, enforceable domestically, with courts upholding supremacy.
## Presidency, Diplomats, and Stakeholders Respond
Presidential aide Daniel Bwala announced an impending Tinubu-Trump meeting to discuss counterterrorism and clarify attack narratives. “Both leaders have shared interests in the fight against insurgency,” he posted on X.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, said Tinubu anticipated “orchestrated moves” against Nigeria, quoting his charge to new service chiefs: “We must smash the new snakes right in the head.”
Retired diplomats warned of fallout. Former Ambassador Mohammed Mabdul foresaw reduced US aid in health, education, and gender programmes; curtailed arms sales and intelligence sharing; and strained ties under Tinubu’s Europe/Middle East-focused engagements.
Ogbole Amedu-Ode called it a “wake-up call” for protecting lives, predicting investment dips but possible fills by emerging economies, plus international isolation.
Ambassador Godknows Igali advocated third-country mediation and caution with Trump’s “strong views.” Analyst Charles Onunaiju urged factual rebuttals and reforms over hostility.
Former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso advocated US tech aid against threats, not divisive labels, and urged envoy deployments for dialogue.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria condemned Trump’s war threat as “an abomination.”
Christian Association of Nigeria (Northern CAN) Chairman Rev. John Hayab blamed leadership inaction, seeing Trump’s warning as a chance for decisive anti-violence measures.
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Director Prof. Ishaq Akintola viewed threats as anti-terrorist, welcoming strikes on Boko Haram/ISWAP but warning against civilian/Muslim targeting as “religious aggression.” He urged calm and diplomacy.
A former US mayor, Mike Arnold, challenged Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar in an open letter over alleged jihadist links from his Pakistan posting and mineral looting. The Sultanate Council dismissed it as baseless, focusing on peace.
PDP chieftain Segun Showunmi warned of CPC-Magnitsky combo crippling Nigeria’s image and elites, urging urgent diplomacy.
As debates intensify, stakeholders call for unity, robust engagement, and internal reforms to avert escalation.
…Police launch manhunt for four-man gang …Residents decry worsening insecurity, demand improved patrols
Panic swept through the upscale neighbourhood of Victoria Island, Lagos, in the early hours of Saturday, November 1, 2025, as a four-man armed gang brazenly robbed a motorist of a brand-new Mercedes-Benz SUV at gunpoint.
The incident, which occurred around midnight on Akin-Olugbade Street, has reignited security concerns among residents and business operators in the highbrow area.
According to eyewitness accounts, the hoodlums, who arrived in an unidentified small car, ambushed the driver of the black 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350 with registration number WTO 21 AM.
A resident, who spoke with PUNCH on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the incident, narrated the scene.
“The robbers were used their car to block the Mercedes, forcing it to stop. They immediately ordered the driver to come out. When he showed hesitation, one of them fired a single shot into the air. They then dragged him out of the vehicle, got in, and sped off towards Ozumba Mbadiwe Road. The whole operation did not last more than five minutes,” the witness stated.
It was gathered that the victim sustained minor injuries during the encounter, having put up some resistance against the assailants.
Confirming the incident, a senior officer at the Lagos State Police Command told our correspondent that a full-scale manhunt had been launched to apprehend the suspects.
The officer, who also requested anonymity as he was not authorised to speak officially, disclosed that the vehicle, identified by the Vehicle Identification Number 4JGFB4FB8SB274117, had been placed on the security watch list across the state and the nation.
“The Commissioner of Police has been briefed, and we have activated our intelligence and operational assets. Our teams are on joint patrol, and all exit routes from Victoria Island are under intense surveillance. We are urging anyone with useful information to come forward,” the police source said.
The stolen SUV is described as a black metallic 2025 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350, featuring a brown leather interior, factory-fitted tinted windows, and distinctive AMG alloy wheels.
The police have appealed to the public, particularly car dealers, mechanics, and parking lot attendants, to be vigilant and report any sighting of the vehicle immediately through the emergency hotlines 112 or 767, or at the nearest police station.
The brazen robbery has, however, left a cloud of apprehension over the community, with many residents calling for immediate action from the authorities.
A cross-section of residents who spoke with NEWSFOCUS lamented the perceived decline in security, urging the government to intensify night patrols, improve the often-faulty street lighting, and enhance coordination between state security agencies and private estate guards to prevent a recurrence.
As of press time, the police said investigations were ongoing to track down the suspects and recover the luxury vehicle.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, powerful northern groups have commenced moves to forge a solid political bloc for the region and halt its declining influence in national politics.
The Northern Elders Forum and the National Political Consultative Group are spearheading the move, which will culminate in a major Northern Unity Summit in early 2026.
The initiative aims to rally traditional rulers, religious leaders, and politicians across the 19 northern states to promote unity and a collective political agenda, echoing the era of the late Premier of the Northern Region, Sir Ahmadu Bello.
Disclosing the plan at an NPCG expanded meeting in Abuja on Saturday, the Director-General of the NEF, Prof. Doknan Sheni, declared that the first step to reclaiming the region’s political strength was to tackle the factors fuelling its disunity.
Speaking on the theme, ‘The Imperative of Northern Unity Ahead of 2027 Elections,’ Sheni sounded a strong warning that unless identity politics is checked, “the North, and by extension Nigeria, may continue to slide into deeper ethno-religious fragmentation.”
He charged northern leaders to immediately launch massive voter enlightenment campaigns to reorient the electorate towards ideology and party manifestos, instead of being swayed by ethnic and religious sentiments.
The university don insisted that for the north to unite for the 2027 polls, a summit must hold in the first quarter of 2026 to harmonise ideas and produce a Northern Development Blueprint.
He cautioned that political actors from other regions are actively exploiting the North’s internal divisions to weaken it.
“There may be other political interests by other Nigerians to wedge and exploit political, religious and ethnic differences within northerners so that they could get inroads into the region. If we permit these differences among us to be exploited by other politicians outside our region, then we have agreed to be permanently divided,” Sheni stated bluntly.
He emphasised that a united North is non-negotiable for the region to effectively negotiate for power, influence national policy, and secure its fair share of national resources.
The NEF DG also pointed to the region’s severe security challenges—terrorism, banditry, and kidnapping—demanding that Northern Governors, elders, and traditional rulers align their strategies immediately.
Furthermore, he called for a renewed drive for investments through initiatives like the Northern Nigeria Investment and Industrialization Summit to tackle the rampant unemployment and youth restiveness fueling the region’s crises.
ABUJA – The Presidency has announced plans for a high-level meeting between President Bola Tinubu and former United States President Donald Trump in the coming days, following incendiary comments from the American leader accusing Nigeria of ignoring widespread attacks on Christians.
The planned dialogue was disclosed on Saturday by Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, via a post on the social media platform X.
According to Bwala, the central aim of the meeting will be to strengthen bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism and to address what he termed “misconceptions” regarding the sectarian nature of terrorist violence in the country.
The announcement comes directly in the wake of a threat from Mr. Trump, who recently suggested the United States could suspend aid and even consider military action against Nigeria over allegations of Christian persecution.
“The two leaders, President @officialABAT and President @realDonald Trump, have shared interests in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity,” Bwala stated.
He highlighted existing security collaboration, noting, “President Trump has assisted Nigeria a lot by authorising the sale of arms, and President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity in the fight against terrorism, with massive results to show for it.”
Clarifying the Narrative on Terrorist Targets
A key point of contention to be addressed at the proposed summit is the characterisation of the victims of terrorism. The Nigerian government has consistently pushed back against claims that militants exclusively target Christians, arguing that insurgents have killed thousands of Muslims and Christians alike.
Bwala indicated that resolving this divergent narrative is a top priority. “As for the differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or all faiths, those would be discussed and resolved by the two leaders when they meet in the coming days, either in the State House or White House,” he wrote.
The recent accusations from the US political sphere were amplified by American lawmaker, Riley Moore, who has alleged a “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in Nigeria, labelling the nation the deadliest place in the world for followers of the faith.
In a statement dated October 6, Moore urged US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to take immediate diplomatic action, calling for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and for an immediate suspension of arms sales until the Federal Government demonstrates a “tangible commitment” to ending the violence.
The planned Tinubu-Trump meeting is therefore viewed by analysts as a critical diplomatic move to de-escalate tensions and preserve a strategic security partnership that has been called into question.
The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has called for urgent government intervention and sanctions against pharmaceutical companies and individuals allegedly involved in illegal drug distribution within several Federal Health Institutions (FHIs).
In a strongly-worded statement, the National Chairman of the association, Pharm. Ezeh Ambrose Igwekamma, accused some pharmaceutical firms of operating unlawfully within public hospitals, often with the tacit approval of hospital management and regulatory agencies.
Igwekamma decried what he termed a “persistent culture of disregard for the law,” stating it is a “travesty of justice” that institutions mandated to uphold regulations have become enablers of illegal operations.
He specifically alleged that the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has turned a blind eye as unregistered private pharmacy operators take over drug distribution activities in federal hospitals under questionable Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements.
The ACPN chairman faulted the Ministry’s past experiments with models like Medipool, describing them as unlawful ventures that created significant loopholes in Nigeria’s public drug distribution system.
Violations of Statutory Frameworks
Igwekamma emphasized that the legally recognized framework for managing drug supplies in public hospitals remains the Drug Revolving Fund (DRF), established under Decree 43 of 1989 (now Cap 252 LFN 2004), which legally empowers pharmacists to oversee procurement, distribution, and management.
He, however, lamented that the DRF system has been undermined by the alleged mismanagement of hospital Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs), leading to recurring drug stock-outs and unstable availability.
Citing the DRF project at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi, as a success model, he noted that under pharmacists’ leadership, the department built a ₦200 million pharmacy complex in 2014 without compromising the DRF account—an achievement he claimed remains unmatched.
Catalogue of Legal Breaches
The ACPN listed numerous institutions, including the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, National Hospital Abuja, and several Federal Medical Centres, as hosting what it deems illegal PPP pharmacy models.
The association outlined multiple alleged breaches of the Pharmacy Council of Nigeria (PCN) Act 2022, including:
· Operation of unregistered and uninspected pharmacies (Section 22(1)). · Running private pharmacies inside public health facilities (Section 27(5)). · Operating pharmacies not under the direct control of a superintendent pharmacist (Section 29).
Igwekamma further revealed that over 20 pharmacy premises under these PPP arrangements are unregistered, alleging that one “particularly aggressive company” in Lagos has taken over a major teaching hospital’s pharmacy unit while “dropping names of senior government officials to legitimize its activities.”
Ultimatum and Call to Action
The ACPN has issued an ultimatum to all superintendent pharmacists whose licences are being used for such arrangements to regularize their status by the end of 2025 or face disciplinary action in 2026. The association also vowed to pursue sanctions under the Consumer Protection and Trade Malpractices Act.
Reaffirming its commitment to drug security, the ACPN called for strengthened local manufacturing, transparent procurement, and the protection of DRF accounts.
The association urgently called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to order, warning that the current “government-induced chaos” in drug distribution is a direct threat to public health.
“We must restore sanity, legality, and professionalism in drug distribution in the public sector,” Pharm. Ezeh declared. “The health of the Nigerian people depends on it.”
Abuja – The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested one Nura Auwal, aged 20, for his alleged involvement in the sexual assault of a 10-year-old boy in the Lugbe area of Abuja.
The incident, which has sparked outrage, was reported at the Trademore Police Division on October 24, 2025, by the victim’s father, Mr. Sani Yakubu.
According to the police, Mr. Yakubu reported that his son returned home from a nearby bush on October 23, crying. Upon questioning, the minor alleged that he was accosted and sexually assaulted by the suspect, Auwal, after he had gone into the bush to defecate.
The suspect was also alleged to have given the victim the sum of N200 and threatened to kill him if he revealed the incident to anyone.
The victim was immediately taken to the Police Hospital in Garki, Abuja, for medical examination and treatment.
In a statement released on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer for the FCT Command, SP Josephine Adeh, confirmed that operatives from the Trademore Division swiftly launched an investigation which led to the arrest of the suspect within the Lugbe area.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect has a history of engaging in similar acts and was introduced to the practice by an acquaintance in Katsina State,” the statement revealed.
SP Adeh added that the investigation is ongoing and that the suspect will be charged to court upon its conclusion.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Miller G. Dantawaye, has strongly condemned the incident, reaffirming the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
The CP further assured the public that the victim is receiving the necessary medical assistance and psycho-social support.
The Command has also used the opportunity to enjoin parents, guardians, and community leaders to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious acts of abuse to the nearest police formation.
Bokku Mart has issued a public apology after facing widespread condemnation and calls for a boycott over a viral advertisement many Nigerians described as ethnically insensitive and derogatory towards the Igbo community.
The retail company found itself in a crisis after a promotional video featured an influencer using the phrase “Omo Igbo” in a manner that sparked instant backlash and accusations of prejudice.
The controversy erupted on Tuesday when a female influencer, identified as Defolah, featured in a clip posted on the supermarket’s official social media page. In the since-deleted video, which was promoting the affordability of the mart’s products, she stated, “No Omo Igbo can cheat me.”
The remark was swiftly condemned across social media platforms, with many users interpreting it as a harmful stereotype targeting Nigerians of South-East extraction, leading to intense pressure on the brand to respond.
In a statement posted on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Bokku Mart described the language used in the video as “offensive and hurtful,” stressing that the content was a grave misrepresentation of its corporate values.
“We are deeply saddened and disturbed by a video recently shared online that contained offensive and hurtful language. The language used in the video was unacceptable and deeply misaligned with Bokku’s values,” the company stated.
The supermarket explained that the controversial video was created by an external influencer and published by a third-party agency without receiving prior internal approval from its management.
“While the content originated from an external influencer and was published by a third-party media firm without prior review by our team, we take full responsibility for its appearance on our platforms,” the company acknowledged.
As part of its damage control measures, Bokku Mart announced it has implemented stricter content review procedures and enhanced oversight of its vendors to prevent a recurrence.
“We have since strengthened our content approval and vendor oversight processes to ensure such an incident never happens again,” the statement added.
Analysis: A Recurring Pattern of Brand Missteps
This incident highlights the increasing sensitivity of the Nigerian public to ethnic slurs and the swift accountability demanded from brands in the digital age. The rapid escalation from a single social media post to a full-blown public relations crisis underscores the critical need for corporations to exercise extreme diligence in their marketing campaigns.
The backlash also reflects deeper societal tensions and the enduring pain associated with ethnic stereotypes, particularly those targeting the Igbo community. For a brand that claims a national identity, such a misstep not only risks alienating a significant portion of its market but also damages its reputation as an inclusive enterprise.
Bokku Mart’s response, taking “full responsibility” despite attributing the error to a third party, aligns with modern crisis management protocol. However, restoring public trust will likely depend on the perceived genuineness of its apology and the tangible changes it implements behind the scenes.
Reaffirming its commitment to inclusivity, the company concluded, “Bokku Mart is more than a retail brand; we are a proudly Nigerian company built on love for our people and communities… We celebrate our nation’s rich diversity and stand firmly against all forms of discrimination.”
The social media influencer, Defolah, has also issued a separate personal apology for her role in the controversy.
The Peoples Democratic Party was on Friday thrown into a state of disarray as a Federal High Court in Abuja halted its planned national convention, prompting an emergency meeting of the party’s top brass to strategise a response.
The development is a significant setback for the main opposition party, which is grappling with internal crises and seeking to reposition itself ahead of future elections.
A member of the PDP’s National Working Committee, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, confirmed that an emergency NWC meeting had been summoned for Saturday at the party’s national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja.
“That’s the judgment. However, I know that the NWC has summoned an emergency meeting tomorrow. The leaders will review what transpired throughout the process and determine the next line of action,” the official said.
He added, “The party is set for a very serious deliberation, which will shape its next steps and provide members and Nigerians a clearer sense of direction in the coming days.”
The emergency session comes after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, stopped the opposition party from proceeding with the convention, scheduled for November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The judge ruled that the PDP failed to conduct valid state congresses in several states and also breached the law by failing to issue the mandatory 21-day notice to the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Delivering judgment in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Justice Omotosho held that the party’s failure to comply with the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and its own constitution were “fundamental” irregularities that rendered the entire process invalid.
“The failure of the PDP to comply with the law has put the planned convention in jeopardy. The party must do the needful before going ahead with the election,” he declared.
The judge further ruled that all convention notices must be jointly signed by the National Chairman and National Secretary, adding that the signing of such documents by the chairman alone was unlawful.
Consequently, he restrained INEC from monitoring, recognising, or publishing the outcome of any PDP convention that did not meet these legal requirements.
The suit was filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu (Imo PDP Chairman), Amah Nnanna (Abia PDP Chairman), and Turnah George (South-South Zonal Secretary).
They had asked the court to halt the planned convention, alleging that no valid congresses were conducted in at least 14 states before the convention notice was issued.
In a significant legal point, Justice Omotosho rejected the PDP’s preliminary objection that the case was an internal affair, ruling that “compliance with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines transcends party matters.”
PDP Vows to Appeal, Lamido Files Fresh Suit
The verdict sparked mixed reactions in the courtroom. Supporters of the plaintiffs broke into celebration, while the PDP delegation filed out in silence, their faces grim.
Addressing journalists after the proceedings, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, condemned the ruling as a setback for democracy and vowed to appeal.
“This is not what we expected. We will appeal it. You cannot stop a whole political party from exercising its legal rights. This judgment today is a panacea to annihilating democracy in this country,” he said.
In a later statement, the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, described the judgment as an “assault on Nigeria’s democratic process” but insisted the party’s lawyers had been directed to appeal immediately. He urged party members to remain focused on convention preparations.
In a separate development, a fresh suit seeking to stop the convention was filed by a former Jigawa State governor, Sule Lamido, before Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
However, Justice Lifu declined to grant an ex parte motion, instead directing the PDP and INEC to appear in court on November 6 to show cause why the convention should not be stopped.
Analysis: A Party at a Crossroads
The court ruling exposes the deep-seated structural and internal conflicts plaguing the PDP. The party, which has been struggling to present a united front since its loss in the 2023 general elections, now finds its efforts to elect new national officers and achieve stability legally challenged.
Following the judgment, senior PDP officials called for calm, with some framing it as an opportunity for introspection.
The Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, said, “It may not be the best of judgments, but it’s an opportunity to put our house in order. We’re depleted enough already and should stop entertaining divisions. We need to reflect and come out stronger.”
Another NEC member, who spoke anonymously, described the court’s decision as a “wake-up call” for reform.
The legal hurdles come amid persistent divisions within the party, particularly between allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and supporters of the acting chairman. The disagreements centre on control of party structures, zoning of national offices, and the micro-zoning formula, disputes that have festered since the 2023 polls and continue to undermine the party’s cohesion.
As the NWC meets on Saturday, its decisions will be closely watched, as they will not only determine the fate of the party’s national convention but also signal whether the main opposition party can overcome its internal crises and effectively reposition itself for the challenges ahead.
