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Anambra South Senate Race: “Why Change a Winning Team?” – Okwuosa Supporters Rally Behind Him

By
Toyin Adebayo
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As we prepare for the APC primary election for Anambra south senatorial zone, the vacancy created by the demise of Sen.Dr Ifeanyi Uba of the blessed memory, we should be able draw a thick line of demarcation between capacity and sentiment. We all have to be sensitive to the fact that it is an APC seat in the Senate that is in contention and as such capacity should take priority over sentiment, just as every party looks for the candidate with the highest capacity to win the election for the party, we can’t afford to fumble or slaughter the future of the party on the alter of personal gains or political sentiments

Anyone who has followed the politics of our time will convincingly tell that there are four politics in our electoral process
: the intra party politics, (the party primary elections within the same party),
: The inter party politics ( the general election with other parties participating)
: The election day politics ( the polling day politics)
: The tribunal politics ( the election petition tribunals)

Who else has waded through these political waters if not zukky and if not for the Chris Uba/ Obasanjo conspiracy, Okwuosa would have off loaded his laudable ideas that are yearning for a chance in the Senate.

For those who don’t know, Hon. sir Azuka Okwuosa has won this Senate seat (Anambra south senatorial seat) in 2003 under the platform of APGA, He was robbed of a glaring victory and as a political maestro, he pursued his mandate to it’s logical conclusion and the court granted him a re-run. Once again he got a landslide victory over the PDP candidate and was rigged out again. If not for the Obasanjo hegemony Okwuosa would have served the zone in the Senate and by now he would have left an indelible print on the red chamber and particularly on the sands of time in Anambra south senatorial zone.

And now that we are faced with political gladiators in other parties, only those who have swam through these political tides are fit to engage in this clash of Titans.
I see in Zukky a politician pregnant with Ideas, yearning for an opportunity to deliver.
I see a man with the fighting spirit to pursue, overtake and recover all that Ifeanyi Uba left in the senate
I see a man who has mastered the art of winning elections
He has won it before, He will will it again
WHY CHANGE A WINNING TEAM?
APC delegates anya saa!!

Reps Urge Suspension of Planned Telecom Tariff Hike Over Poor Service Delivery

By
Saladin Babagana
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0

 

The House of Representatives has called on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to suspend the proposed increase in telecommunications tariffs until service quality improves.

 

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Obuku Oforji (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa) during plenary on Tuesday.

 

Telecom Operators Push for Tariff Hike

 

While presenting the motion, Oforji referenced recent statements by Minister Bosun Tijani after a stakeholders’ meeting with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) in Abuja on January 8, 2025.

 

Tijani revealed that telecom tariffs would soon increase due to ongoing consultations and pressure from telecom companies advocating for tariff hikes of up to 100%. However, he assured that while an upward adjustment is inevitable, it will not reach the full 100% initially proposed by the operators. The NCC is expected to approve and announce the new tariff structure in due course.

 

Telecommunications companies have justified the proposed price increase, citing:

 

Rising investment costs

 

The need for improved network infrastructure

 

Increased demand for digital services across sectors such as education, banking, and healthcare

 

 

Consumer Opposition and Economic Concerns

 

Hon. Oforji, however, criticized the proposal, highlighting strong opposition from the National Association of Telecoms Subscribers, which described the planned hike as insensitive and an additional burden on consumers struggling with economic hardship and poor network service delivery.

 

> “It is crucial for telecommunications companies to enhance their service delivery, particularly by addressing persistent network issues that Nigerians have endured for years, before considering any tariff increases,” Oforji stated.

 

 

 

He further cautioned that the widespread impact of such a price hike could:

 

Deepen financial hardships for Nigerians

 

Hinder the country’s vision of leveraging technology for economic recovery

 

Increase poverty and widen inequalities, especially for lower-income households

 

 

Telecom Tariff Hike Threatens Key Sectors

 

Lawmakers emphasized that affordable connectivity is critical for progress in key sectors such as:

 

Digital banking

 

Education

 

Healthcare

 

Agriculture

 

E-governance

 

 

Many informal sector workers rely on low-cost mobile data to access gig work opportunities, and an increase in prices could limit their access, affecting their livelihoods.

 

Minister Tijani’s Concerns Over Small Businesses

 

Minister Tijani also expressed concern about the negative impact on small businesses, stating that rising telecom costs could place a significant financial strain on enterprises that rely on affordable services for their daily operations, marketing, and customer engagement.

 

> “It is disheartening to think about the struggles small businesses will face. Many rely on affordable telecommunications for their daily operations, marketing, and customer engagement. An increase in costs will only add to their financial burden,” he said.

 

 

 

He warned about the economic consequences of a potential tariff hike, estimating that:

 

> “If a 10% increase is approved, small business profitability could drop by up to 7%, potentially forcing many to shut down.”

 

 

 

Call for Stakeholder Engagement and Policy Review

 

The House of Representatives urged stakeholders to consider the broader economic implications of a tariff increase and prioritize policies that ensure affordable and accessible telecommunications for all Nigerians.

 

As deliberations continue, the legislature has directed the NCC and telecom operators to engage further consultations to a

ddress service delivery challenges before any tariff adjustments are made.

 

Presidency Will Return to North After Tinubu’s Second Term – Ganduje

By
Roland Edet
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0

 

…Says Misconceptions About Tax Reform Have Been Addressed

 

 

 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, has assured that presidency will return to the North after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completes his second term in office.

 

Speaking when the Northern Youth Forum visited the APC national secretariat on Tuesday, Ganduje emphasized the party’s commitment to rotational leadership.

 

> “When a leader from the Northern part of this country was in office for eight years, we advocated that the next President in our party should come from the South.

 

And luckily enough, we worked very hard with the cooperation of Nigerians. Our President has come from the South and is going, inshallah, for second term, 2027. And then after that, it will be turned to the Northern part of this country.”

 

 

 

Tax Reform Misconceptions Addressed

 

Ganduje also stated that initial misconceptions about President Tinubu’s tax reforms have been resolved following extensive public engagement.

 

> “This tax reform, initially it was misunderstood, but in the course of time, there was a lot of public engagement.

 

I think people have come to understand the whole purpose of the tax reform. And we are happy that members of the National Assembly too, they are now fully conversant with the policy and they are ready to do the needful.”

 

 

 

Commendation for Northern Youth Forum

 

The APC chairman commended the Northern Youth Forum, describing it as an active and focused organization.

 

> “I’m highly impressed with the data you presented to me. This shows that you are not beating about the bush. You know precisely where you are going, you have articulated your agenda, and you fished for useful election data.

 

So, APC is ready to provide you with all the assistance that you need. I have even seen that you are assisting the government in public enlightenment for people to understand the tax reform agenda.”

 

 

 

Nigeria’s Challenges Require Bold Reforms

 

While addressing the Tinubu Young Generation Forum, Ganduje acknowledged the challenges facing Nigeria, attributing them to long-standing issues that require bold corrective measures.

 

> “There is no doubt that many things went wrong over a long period of time, and it requires surgery before we can get it right.”

 

 

 

He expressed confidence in President Tinubu’s economic policies, stating that the country is already witnessing positive results.

 

> “We are happy that we have started seeing the outcome of the reforms, especially on the economic front, and we believe this will continue to yield positive results so that the legacy and the Renewed Hope Agenda will be achieved.”

 

 

 

Strengthening APC’s Structure Beyond Elections

 

Ganduje also emphasized the APC’s commitment to strengthening its structures beyond election periods, stressing that governance should not be business as usual.

 

> “We want to be active throughout the year, not just during elections. Even today, we have a meeting with the chairmen of our state branches to assure them that we will be attending their programs at the state level.”

 

 

 

He announced the establishment of a Progressive Institute to educate party members on the APC constitution, manifesto, and governance policies.

 

> “The institution will also provide inputs for government policies to drive national development. You can see that, as we said, business is not as usual.

 

We are making our party an institution that registers members, recruits people for elected and appointed office

s, and supports the government in achieving its manifesto.”

 

 

 

Senate to Receive N54.2 Trillion 2025 Budget Report This Week – Akpabio

By
Saladin Babagana
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Senate to Receive N54.2 Trillion 2025 Budget Report This Week – Akpabio

 

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has assured that the Committee on Appropriation will submit its report on the N54.2 trillion 2025 budget estimates by Wednesday or Thursday this week.

 

Akpabio gave the assurance during Tuesday’s plenary while making remarks after the debate on a bill seeking to establish a Federal University of Agriculture in Abak, Akwa Ibom State.

 

Expedited Budget Consideration

 

Akpabio emphasized the urgency of concluding deliberations on the 2025 Appropriation Bill, noting that some lawmakers were absent from plenary to finalize work on the budget.

 

> “You will observe that some of our colleagues are not in the chamber because of the required final touches on the 2025 Appropriation Bill, the report of which will be laid before us tomorrow (Wednesday) or next tomorrow (Thursday).”

 

 

 

He further stressed the need for an early closure of plenary sessions to enable collective efforts toward the budget’s final consideration and passage.

 

Budget Increase from N49.7 Trillion to N54.2 Trillion

 

Initially, both the Senate and House of Representatives had set January 31, 2025, as the deadline for passing the N49.7 trillion budget proposal submitted by President Bola Tinubu.

 

However, before that date, the National Assembly extended its Christmas and New Year recess, resuming instead on February 4, 2025—the same day it received President Tinubu’s request to increase the budget size by N4.5 trillion, raising the total to N54.2 trillion.

 

Following the President’s request, Senate President Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas directed the Appropriations Committee to reprocess the budget for the inclusion of the additional N4.5 trillion.

 

Akpabio further urged the committee to expedite action on the revised budget to ensure its passage before the end of February.

 

Next Steps

 

In line with this directive, Akpabio confirmed that the Senate will receive the revised budget report by midweek, signaling an accelerated effort to finalize Ni

geria’s fiscal plan for 2025.

 

TCN Seeks Community Partnership to Curb Vandalism, Restores Underground Cable’s 

By
Olajumoke Sanusi
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0

 

 

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has called on communities hosting transmission infrastructure to support efforts to protect power towers from vandalism, citing the significant economic setbacks caused by such activities.

 

TCN Appeals for Community Support

 

TCN’s General Manager of Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, made this appeal during a sensitization visit to Leleyi Gbari in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday. She emphasized that vandalism of power infrastructure not only incurs heavy repair costs but also disrupts electricity supply, affecting businesses, schools, hospitals, and homes nationwide.

 

> “Each incident of vandalism delays our progress, affecting businesses, schools, hospitals, and homes. The consequences are far-reaching, impacting not only the affected communities but also the entire nation.”

 

 

 

Mbah urged host communities to take ownership of power installations and report suspicious activities to the authorities, stressing that safeguarding these facilities is a collective responsibility.

 

Rising Cases of Vandalism in Gwagwalada Sub-region

 

Speaking at the event, Engr. Ishmaila Doguwa, Assistant General Manager of Transmission, Gwagwalada Sub-region, revealed that since 2020, the area has witnessed frequent acts of vandalism, sometimes occurring twice a month.

 

While security efforts have reduced the frequency of attacks, recent incidents still pose a major challenge.

 

> “Recently, the lines bringing supply from Lokoja to Gwagwalada were vandalized in December. We repaired them, but less than six hours later, the lines were attacked again, and some of the cables were stolen. As I speak, we are still trying to fix the lines.”

 

 

 

Leleyi Gbari Community Demands Electricity in Exchange for Protection

 

In response, residents of Leleyi Gbari appealed to the Federal Government to extend power supply to their village as compensation for their role in protecting power towers.

 

The Village Head, Yunus Sarki, lamented that despite hosting several power towers, the community has never had access to electricity.

 

> “We live in darkness. When the towers were being built years ago, we were told the power was too high and could burn the village down. We have endured, but it is unfair that we continue to protect these towers while lacking electricity ourselves.”

 

 

 

Sarki urged the government to fulfill its obligations and connect the village to the national grid, emphasizing that such a move would further motivate residents to safeguard transmission infrastructure.

 

Government and Community Collaboration Key to Power Sector Stability

 

TCN’s engagement with Leleyi Gbari underscores the importance of community collaboration in curbing vandalism. However, the demand for electricity in exchange for protection highlights the broader issue of equitable energy distribution, which remains a press

ing concern for many rural communities.

 

House of Representatives Calls for Urgent Troop Deployment to Borno Communities

By
Roland Edet
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0

 

The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy troops to troubled communities in Borno State following recent Boko Haram attacks that have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and mass displacement.

 

This resolution was passed on Tuesday after the House adopted a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Midala Balami, representing Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency.

 

Call for Immediate Military Intervention

 

Hon. Balami decried the worsening security situation in the region and urged immediate military intervention to protect residents and restore normalcy. He highlighted the recent attack on Jibwuwhi and Yarkawa communities in Hawul Local Government Area, where Boko Haram insurgents killed residents, destroyed homes, and displaced many families.

 

Despite ongoing security operations, Balami expressed concern that violent attacks continue unabated, leading to economic devastation and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

 

“The House is alarmed that, despite the scale of the attack, the response in terms of security reinforcement and relief support has been inadequate. This has left the affected people in desperate need of assistance.”

 

 

 

House Resolutions

 

Following the adoption of the motion, the House resolved as follows:

 

1. Immediate Deployment of Security Forces

 

The House called on the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to urgently reinforce security operations in Jibwuwhi, Yarkawa, and other vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.

 

 

 

2. Humanitarian Assistance for Affected Communities

 

The House urged the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to coordinate with the Borno State Government to provide food, medical aid, and psychosocial support to affected victims.

 

 

 

3. Investigation into Security Lapses

 

The House directed its Committees on Army, National Security and Intelligence, and Humanitarian Affairs to investigate the security lapses that led to the attack and oversee the implementation of security reinforcements and humanitarian aid delivery.

 

 

 

4. Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Efforts

 

The House urged the Federal Government to enhance intelligence gathering and improve collaboration between security agencies and local vigilante groups to prevent further insurgent activities in Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency.

 

 

 

 

Growing Concerns Over National Security

 

Lawmakers warned that continued terrorist attacks in Borno State pose a grave threat to national security and could derail efforts to restore peace, stability, and development in the North East. They emphasized that swift and decisive action is needed to prevent further displacement and loss of lives.

 

The call for urgent military action and humanitarian support underscores the dire security situation in Borno State, with lawmakers pressing for immedia

te intervention to safeguard affected communities.

 

Senate Seeks N10bn to Boost Capital Market Literacy

By
Olajumoke Sanusi
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0

 

The Senate Committee on Capital Market has urged the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to approve a N10 billion special fund for literacy development in Nigeria’s capital market.

The appeal was made by Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Committee, during an interactive session on Tuesday with Edun and the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama.

Senate Pushes for Investor Confidence

Sen. Izunaso emphasized that low investor participation—with only 5,000 active investors—is a major challenge. He stressed that increasing public knowledge and trust in the market is essential for growth.

> “We are asking for a special funding intervention for capital market literacy because that is where the problem lies. If you do that, the market will blossom.”

Echoing this sentiment, Sen. Victor Umeh (LP-Anambra) highlighted the critical role of the capital market in economic health. He lamented past financial crises that led to massive investor losses, calling for urgent steps to restore public trust.

“The market’s past failures caused a traumatic experience for many investors. Restoring confidence is key.”

Similarly, Sen. Sani Musa, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, backed the N10 billion allocation, emphasizing the need for budgetary support to drive literacy and awareness campaigns.

Finance Minister Assures Economic Stability

In response, Finance Minister Wale Edun reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s economic vision of a $1 trillion economy. He stressed that a stable macroeconomic environment—ensuring strong revenues, controlled budget deficits, and manageable inflation rates—would encourage investment.

 

“A vibrant economy attracts investment. With President Tinubu’s timely interventions, we now have a more stable macroeconomic environment that will boost investments, including in the capital market.”

With this push for capital market literacy funding, the Senate aims to expand investor participation, restore confidence, and drive economic growth through a more vibrant stock exchange.

Senate Raises Alarm Over 3,907 Missing Police Rifles

By
Saladin Babagana
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0

 

The Nigerian Senate has raised serious concerns over the disappearance of 3,907 assault rifles belonging to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), as revealed in the 2019 Audit Report by the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (AuGF).

 

The revelation was made during a Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC) hearing, where Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun apologized for previously ignoring invitations to address financial and operational irregularities flagged in the audit report.

 

Audit Report Exposes Alarming Discrepancies

 

The committee, chaired by Senator Peter Nwaebonyi (APC, Ebonyi North), sustained the third query of the audit, which detailed the unaccounted 3,907 rifles, many of them AK-47s.

 

A representative of the Auditor-General reported that as of January 2020, extensive audits showed that:

 

601 firearms were missing from 15 Police Training Institutions

 

42 firearms disappeared from 23 Police formations

 

1,514 firearms were unaccounted for across 37 Police Commands

 

29 rifles vanished from Zone 1 to 12

 

1,721 firearms were missing from Police Mobile Force (PMF) units 1 to 68

 

 

This added to a prior finding that, as of December 2018, a staggering 178,459 firearms were unaccounted for, including 88,078 AK-47 rifles.

 

Senators Reject Closed-Door Session, Demand Transparency

 

The Senate committee rejected a request from AIG Suleiman Abdul, who represented the IGP, for a closed-door session to discuss the missing weapons.

 

Senator Nwaebonyi insisted that the proceedings must be public:

 

> “This is a Public Accounts Committee; there will be no closed-door session. In the United States, such hearings are televised live. The AIG must provide answers openly, especially for journalists covering this matter.”

 

 

 

Supporting this stance, Senator Adams Oshiomhole criticized the Police for failing to take accountability:

 

> “The Police are quick to parade petty thieves for stealing rats and rabbits, yet cannot account for thousands of missing assault rifles. Nigerians deserve to know who was responsible, what has been done, and how many weapons have been recovered.”

 

 

 

Police Fail to Provide Satisfactory Explanation

 

During questioning, AIG Abdul could only account for 15 of the 3,907 missing rifles—14 of which were reportedly lost due to officers killed in service, while one disappeared in 1998. His response further infuriated committee members.

 

In response, the Senate directed the Police team to return with a more detailed and satisfactory explanation by Monday next week at 12 noon. The committee also suspended consideration of five other queries pending further investigations.

 

National Security Concerns Grow

 

The unaccounted-for rifles pose serious national security risks, as they could have fallen into the hands of criminals, insurgents, or rogue elements. The Senate’s insistence on transparency signals growing concerns about accountability within the Police Force and its role in tackling insecurity.

 

With this development, all eyes are now on the Nigeria Police Force to provide concrete answers and ta

ke immediate action to recover the missing firearms.

 

Dangote Refinery Slashes Diesel Price to N1,020 per Litre

By
Udehi Alambo
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0

 

In a continued effort to ease economic pressure on businesses and consumers, Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has reduced its diesel price to N1,020 per litre, down from N1,075 per litre—a N55 reduction.

 

Since January 2024, when it began diesel production, the refinery has slashed prices multiple times from an initial N1,700 per litre, providing much-needed relief to manufacturers, transporters, and end users.

 

Dangote Refinery Absorbing Costs to Stabilize Prices

 

This latest price cut follows revelations by Development Economist and Public Policy Analyst, Prof. Ken Ife, who disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery sacrificed over N10 billion to ensure uniform petrol pricing across Nigeria during the Christmas season.

 

Speaking on Arise TV, Prof. Ife explained that Nigeria’s Equalisation Fund, which historically covered price differentials and transportation costs, has been owing petroleum marketers about N80 billion.

 

> “The president has effectively shifted the subsidy burden from the public purse to the private sector. The Equalisation Fund was designed to ensure uniform petroleum pricing nationwide by covering transport costs, but it now owes marketers over N80 billion. Despite this, Dangote Refinery absorbed over N10 billion in costs during the yuletide to maintain stable fuel prices,” he stated.

 

 

 

Nigeria’s Refining Landscape Changing with Export Growth

 

Beyond domestic price stability, Prof. Ife emphasized that the Dangote Refinery is reshaping Nigeria’s energy sector by shifting focus from Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) dependency to a diversified petroleum export market.

 

He noted that global energy giants like BP and Saudi Aramco are already purchasing refined products from Nigeria, solidifying the country’s role as an emerging player in the international petroleum market.

 

> “Nigeria is now on the path to self-sufficiency in petroleum products while also positioning itself as a major energy export hub,” Prof. Ife added.

 

 

 

Impact on Businesses and Consumers

 

The diesel price reduction is expected to bring down transportation costs, ease manufacturing expenses, and improve economic stability—a critical development for businesses dependent on diesel-powered operations.

 

With more price cuts anticipated, industry analysts believe that Nigeria’s refining sector is finally gaining traction, potentially reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening the naira.

 

As Dangote Refinery continues to expand its operations, the country is on track to achieving long-term energy

security and economic resilience.

 

PDP NWC Declares Wabara’s Suspension Null and Void

By
Uche Kingsley
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0

 

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed the purported suspension of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, declaring it null, void, and of no effect.

 

In a statement issued by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba, the party emphasized that the Abia State Working Committee lacked the constitutional authority to suspend Wabara, as such actions must be approved by the NWC.

 

> “No State Working Committee has the power to suspend or take any disciplinary action against a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) without due recourse to the NWC, as clearly provided under Section 57 (7) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017),” Ologunagba stated.

 

 

 

Quoting Section 57 (7) of the PDP Constitution, he noted that:

 

> “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee, shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors, or members of the National Assembly…”

 

 

 

PDP Warns Against Unconstitutional Actions

 

The PDP NWC condemned the alleged suspension of Senator Wabara as reckless and unconstitutional, warning those responsible to retrace their steps.

 

> “The Abia State Chapter has no powers whatsoever to take any disciplinary action against the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, being a member of the National Executive Committee of the Party,” Ologunagba reiterated.

 

 

 

The party further cautioned individuals acting against the PDP Constitution, stating that disciplinary measures would be taken to uphold the stability of the party

.

 

**Call for Unity Among

 

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