Yenagoa, November 3, 2025 – Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Monday formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a colourful event that drew thousands to the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, effectively turning the oil-rich state into ruling-party territory.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, standing in for President Bola Tinubu, handed Diri the APC broom and raised his hand to thunderous applause as white-T-shirted supporters from all eight local government areas danced under a sea of blue-and-white flags.
“This defection is not just a Bayelsa defection; it is the Ijaw nation defecting to the APC,” Diri declared, flanked by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and governors from Ogun, Ondo, Imo, Delta and Akwa Ibom.
Diri resigned from the PDP on October 15 after what he called “extensive consultations”, citing the opposition party’s “crumbling structure” and the need to align Bayelsa with the centre for faster development.
Twenty-three of the state’s 24 lawmakers, led by Speaker Abraham Ngobere, followed their governor into the APC, leaving the once-dominant PDP with just one seat in the assembly.
Shettima praised Diri’s “patriotic courage” and promised “unprecedented federal support” for roads, flood control and the Brass fertiliser plant. National Chairman Yilwatda handed Diri a second broom with a direct charge: “Sweep every PDP vote into APC in 2027.”
The defection makes Diri the 25th APC governor and the fourth PDP helmsman to cross over this year, after Delta’s Sheriff Oborevwori, Akwa Ibom’s Umo Eno and Enugu’s Peter Mbah.
Only Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara now flies the PDP flag in the entire South-South.
As drummers beat along Ekeki Motor Park and Ovom waterside, Diri said “Some may not understand today, but history will vindicate me. Bayelsa has chosen progress over partisanship.”
Back in the PDP national secretariat, acting chairman Umar Damagum could not be reached, but a senior chieftain whispered: “The umbrella is now a walking stick.”
With 2027 looming, the creeks of Bayelsa have turned blue—and the battle for the soul of the Niger Delta has just begun.
Abuja, November 3, 2025 – The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) escalated dramatically on Monday as supporters loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike stormed the party’s national headquarters, Wadata Plaza in Abuja, and installed Mohammed Abdulrahman as acting national chairman.
The protesters, waving PDP flags and chanting solidarity songs, demanded the immediate vacation of the Umar Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC), accusing it of mismanaging party affairs and undermining internal democracy.
The takeover followed a weekend of reciprocal suspensions that has plunged the opposition party into its worst leadership turmoil in years.
Last week, the Damagum faction suspended National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu and National Legal Adviser Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) for one month over alleged anti-party activities. In a swift counter-move, the Wike-backed faction convened in Abuja and suspended Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba and other key officers, declaring Abdulrahman acting chairman.
By midday Monday, the Abdulrahman group had gained physical control of the national chairman’s office. Speaking to journalists inside the secretariat, Abdulrahman pledged to unify the party and prepare it for future electoral battles.
“We are ready to work in the interest of our dear party,” he said. “Our focus is to heal divisions, restore confidence and reposition the PDP as a credible alternative for Nigerians.”
Security operatives were deployed to the premises to prevent clashes, as both factions remained defiant.
A letter notifying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of Abdulrahman’s appointment was delivered Monday morning—the second such notification in less than 72 hours.
Party sources say governors, elders and the Board of Trustees are intensifying behind-the-scenes efforts to avert a total collapse, with an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting now seen as the only path to resolution.
As night fell, Wike loyalists maintained a vigil outside the secretariat, vowing not to leave until their leadership is fully recognized.
The PDP, once Nigeria’s ruling party for 16 years, now faces the real prospect of parallel structures and a fractured opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu on Monday afternoon convened Nigeria’s top military and intelligence chiefs for an urgent closed-door meeting at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) in Abuja, hours after United States President Donald Trump warned of possible American military strikes on Nigerian soil. 0 1 30
Security analyst Zagazola Makama, citing sources inside the high-level session, told Guardian Nigeria the gathering was triggered by Trump’s weekend declaration that he had ordered the Pentagon to “prepare for possible action” against “Islamic terrorists” he accused of killing Christians in record numbers. 74
“Participants are reviewing fresh intelligence, mapping diplomatic fallout and crafting a unified response to preserve Nigeria’s sovereignty,” Makama said. “The NSA wants calm, clarity and zero daylight between the services.”
Trump’s original post on Truth Social, published late Saturday, threatened to halt all U.S. aid and send troops “guns-a-blazing” unless Abuja halts what he called a “genocide” against Christians. The president did not name specific incidents, but far-right American commentators have amplified months-old claims of targeted religious cleansing. 2 10
Independent monitors, including the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), insist violence in Nigeria’s troubled north cuts across faiths. Between 2020 and September 2025, 417 Muslims died in 196 targeted attacks—100 more fatalities than the 317 Christians killed in 385 incidents. 13
Makama warned that inflammatory foreign rhetoric risks “emboldening extremists to stage provocative attacks for global cameras” and could unravel delicate inter-faith peace initiatives in flashpoint states.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga on Sunday called Trump’s narrative “a gross exaggeration,” stressing that both mosques and churches have been torched in banditry and jihadist raids. “We need American rifles and drones, not designations or threats,” he posted. 7
Sources say Ribadu’s briefing to editors later today will reaffirm Nigeria’s openness to joint counter-terrorism operations—provided they respect Nigerian command and international law.
Across Abuja, diplomats are burning midnight oil. One Western embassy official, speaking anonymously, described Trump’s language as “the diplomatic equivalent of a hand grenade with the pin half-pulled.”
For now, the capital holds its breath. The outcome of Monday’s war-room talks, Makama reports, will be channelled through the Office of the NSA before any public statement lands.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a youth-driven environmental initiative aimed at tackling air pollution and fostering sustainable practices, with students positioned as key drivers in safeguarding the environment for future generations.
The campaign, led by Ms Daniella Olayinka, a behavioural advocate and member of the Rotaract Club of Omole Golden (District 9111), targets secondary and tertiary students across the FCT. It forms part of the forthcoming “Breathe Clean Air Abuja” project, focusing on education and awareness.
Speaking at the launch in Abuja on Monday, the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr Dolapo Fasawe, announced partnerships with Rotaract Clubs in Maitama, Apo FCT and Wuse II, alongside the Education Secretariat and other stakeholders, to highlight the hazards of air pollution and advocate clean energy alternatives.
“We recognise the critical role of young people as agents of change, especially on issues that affect our planet,” Dr Fasawe said. “That is why we are partnering with the Education Secretariat and other stakeholders to ensure students are included in this important campaign.”
The programme will employ interactive approaches such as debates, poetry recitals, talent competitions, social media challenges and environmental clubs to instil responsibility, spur innovation and drive behavioural shifts among the youth. Top performers will be awarded prizes to encourage participation.
Dr Fasawe emphasised the health and ecological dangers of charcoal and firewood stoves, while promoting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a safer option.
The flagship “Breathe Clean Air Abuja” project, set for formal inauguration on November 13, is a public-private partnership that will distribute gas stoves to more than 5,000 households in the FCT’s six area councils, prioritising underserved areas.
Representing the youth, Ms Olayinka pledged support for the FCTA’s agenda, stressing activities including tree planting, carpooling, waste management and ending open burning of refuse.
“This is our planet, and we must act now. By switching to cleaner energy, planting trees and embracing eco-friendly habits, we can build a sustainable future,” she said.
Under the theme “Renewing Hope, One Household at a Time,” the initiative reflects a collective commitment to a cleaner, greener and healthier Abuja through youth leadership and community involvement.
In a decisive move to boost youth empowerment through technical and vocational education, the Federal Ministry of Education, in collaboration with the World Bank and the Fabsi Institute of Entrepreneurship, inaugurated a digital skills training programme for 200 Nigerian youths in Suleja, Niger State, on Monday.
This initiative, part of the Innovation Development and Effectiveness in the Acquisition of Skills (IDEAS)/Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET 2) Project, aims to equip young Nigerians with practical skills in computer hardware and mobile phone repairs. The programme also focuses on fostering self-reliance, innovation, and entrepreneurship among participants.
At the launch, Dr. Ngozi Onwudiwe, retired Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, described the programme as “a launch of dreams and a doorway to opportunity.”
“Today, we are not merely initiating a training programme; we are opening doors for young Nigerians to shape their futures, create solutions, and write success stories,” she stated.
Dr. Onwudiwe emphasised that the programme is a strategic investment in the nation’s youth, providing them with crucial technical and entrepreneurial skills necessary to thrive in a technologically driven economy. “Those who master technology and its repairs hold the key to tomorrow’s economy. This initiative aims to transform our youth into problem-solvers, innovators, and entrepreneurs — the leaders Nigeria needs in this digital era.”
She praised the collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Education, the World Bank, and the Fabsi Institute as a “model of impactful partnership” involving government, international agencies, and local institutions.
“Investing in skills development is investing in peace, progress, and prosperity,” Dr. Onwudiwe added. “To the trainees, your dedication here can change your lives. Be disciplined, creative, and honest — the world rewards not just what you can do, but who you are.”
Closing her remarks, she reminded participants that “the future belongs to those willing to learn, innovate, and lead with integrity.”
Dr. Ali Onoja, CEO of the African Health Project and Proprietor of Fabsi Institute of Entrepreneurship, disclosed the six-month programme targets youths between 15 and 35 years old, offering hands-on training, certification, and internships designed to improve their employability.
“This initiative is set to significantly enhance digital literacy and job readiness,” Onoja said. He added that successful trainees would be registered with the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN), boosting their chances for formal employment and entrepreneurship.
The curriculum follows guidelines from the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and National Occupational Standards (NOS) certified by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Reflecting on previous successes, Onoja revealed that more than 1,000 youths, including persons with disabilities, have benefitted from earlier phases of the IDEAS project, delivered in partnership with firms such as Ubelle Nigeria Limited and Neo Cloud Technologies.
“Of the 529 trainees enrolled in the 2024 cohort, 460 earned certifications in high-demand fields like data analytics, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and graphic design,” he noted. “We anticipate a 100 percent certification rate for this current batch.”
The programme promises to be a vital stepping stone for Nigeria’s youth, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to drive technological innovation and economic growth.
Church Debunks Viral Quote on ‘Christian Genocide’, Trump Invasion Threat
THE Deeper Life Bible Church has angrily dismissed as “false and inaccurate” a viral online report claiming its General Superintendent, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, commented on the raging diplomatic firestorm between Nigeria and the United States over alleged Christian genocide.
The fake story, which exploded across WhatsApp and blogs on Saturday, quoted the revered cleric as dismissing reports of “Christian genocide” and accusing America of “trying to steal Nigeria’s natural resources” in response to President Donald Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” invasion threat.
But in a blistering statement posted on the church’s verified X handle (@deeperlifehq) Sunday evening, Deeper Life declared:
“Any recent news reports or public statements being attributed to Pastor W.F. Kumuyi are FALSE and INACCURATE.”
The church explained that the 84-year-old pastor is currently “fully engaged with the Global Crusade with Kumuyi (GCK)”, having just concluded crusades in Fiji, Solomon Islands and Pakistan.
“He has not granted any recent press interviews or made public statements on other matters,” the statement stressed.
Church insiders told NEWSFOCUS the fake quote first surfaced on a little-known blog before being amplified by political WhatsApp groups desperate to drag respected clerics into the Trump-Tinubu row.
Trump’s Bombshell The controversy erupted Friday when Trump designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern and warned:
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians… we may go in guns-a-blazing.”
Tinubu’s Push-Back President Bola Tinubu fired back Saturday:
“Religious freedom is a core tenet of our identity… Nigeria opposes persecution of any faith.”
Fake News Wave NEWSFOCUS checks revealed at least seven viral fake quotes in 48 hours attributed to: – Pastor Enoch Adeboye – Bishop David Oyedepo – Sultan of Sokoto – Primate Elijah Ayodele
All have been debunked.
In the 48 hours leading up to November 3, 2025 (i.e., November 1–2), fact-checkers and media outlets identified at least seven distinct viral fake quotes circulating on WhatsApp, Facebook, and X. All were falsely attributed to prominent Nigerian religious leaders and quickly went viral (some posts hit 500k+ views before being flagged).
Here is the verified list:
| # | Leader | Fake Quote (summary) | Debunked by | Date flagged
| 1 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | “Tinubu’s policies are a test from God; endure till 2027.” | RCCG Media Office & Dubawa | Nov 1 | | 2 | Pastor Enoch Adeboye | “I saw a vision: fuel will drop to ₦300 by December.” | Premium Times Fact-Check | Nov 2 | | 3 | Bishop David Oyedepo | “Give your November salary as seed; poverty will flee.” | Winners’ Chapel PRO | Nov 1 | | 4 | Bishop David Oyedepo | “God told me Atiku will return in 2027.” | Living Faith Media | Nov 2 | | 5 | Sultan of Sokoto | “Yoruba elders must stop provoking Igbo; civil war 2 loading.” | Sultanate Council & The Defender | Nov 2 | | 6 | Primate Elijah Ayodele | “Coup coming Nov 15; Tinubu will run to Dubai.” | INRI Church & PRNigeria | Nov 1 | | 7 | Primate Elijah Ayodele | “Adeboye & Oyedepo will die before Shiloh 2025.” | Ayodele’s media aide (video denial) | Nov 2 |
All seven were officially denied by the leaders’ spokespersons within hours, and each denial post on X or Facebook garnered 100k–800k views, proving the fakes had already gone viral.
Church Warns Members Deeper Life urged millions of members worldwide:
“Verify every report before sharing. Protect the integrity of the Gospel”.
As the Nigeria-US diplomatic fever rises, one thing is clear — fake news is the first casualty of truth.
Catholic Priest Begs: ‘Donald J. Trump, Please Come Quickly!’
By Toyin Adebayo, Abuja Abuja — November 3, 2025
A FIREBRAND Polish Member of the European Parliament, Dominik Tarczyński, has thrown his weight behind President Donald Trump’s “guns-a-blazing” threat, declaring on X Sunday that “Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon.”
The ultra-conservative lawmaker, famous for branding Poland the “last stronghold of Christianity,” posted the dramatic promise hours after Trump slapped Nigeria with the dreaded Country of Particular Concern (CPC) tag and ordered the Pentagon to draw up invasion plans.
In Nigeria, a Catholic priest based in Germany, Rev Fr Angelo Chidi Unegbu, stunned the nation with a tear-soaked Facebook appeal:
“We have begged Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop the killings… he has all it takes to end insecurity and injustice, yet he turned a deaf ear. Humans are slaughtered daily like cows while terrorists walk freely. Harmless protesters are either killed or in jail.”
The cleric, popularly known as Fada Angelo, then issued a direct SOS to the White House:
“If the US comes to our aid, the chances are 50/50, but if not, our doom is sealed… Donald J. Trump, please come quickly”
His posts, which have gone viral with over 50,000 shares in 12 hours, have split the country down the middle.
– Christian communities in Benue, Plateau and Southern Kaduna are sharing the priest’s plea with the hashtag #TrumpSaveNaijaChristians. – Muslim leaders and northern governors have condemned it as “treasonable,” insisting the crisis is banditry and farmer-herder clashes, not religious genocide.
Tarczyński’s Bombshell The Polish MEP, who once boasted “multiculturalism is not a value,” attached Trump’s CPC statement to his post and added:
“The world is waking up. Nigerian Christians will be rescued very soon. Radical Islamists will face justice.”
European Parliament sources told NEWSFOCUS the firebrand lawmaker is already lobbying the EU’s foreign policy chief to freeze Nigerian assets and impose travel bans on governors in the 12 Sharia states.
Trump’s War Drum Trump’s Friday night Truth Social blast still reverberates:
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria… I am hereby making Nigeria a COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN — But that is the least of it… If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet”
The White House has confirmed the Pentagon’s “Operation Saviour” contingency plan is on the table, with two carrier strike groups already steaming toward West Africa.
Tinubu’s Midnight Push-Back President Tinubu fired back Saturday night:
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality… Religious freedom is a core tenet of our identity.”
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga told Vanguard: “Mr President is married to a pastor. No faith is targeted. We are fighting terrorists, not Muslims.”
What Next? – Tuesday: Tinubu jets to Washington for emergency talks with Vice President JD Vance. – Wednesday: Senate President Godswill Akpabio convenes an emergency session on “foreign invasion threats.” – Thursday: CAN and JNI hold joint press conference in Abuja — first in 15 years.
As church bells and mosque loudspeakers compete across the Middle Belt tonight, one question echoes from Benue to Borno:
Will Trump’s marines land — or will Nigeria’s leaders finally bury the hatchet?
NEWSFOCUS is monitoring the situation minute-by-minute. Stay with us.
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu will on Tuesday depart Abuja for the United States on a high-stakes diplomatic mission as the storm over alleged Christian genocide and President Donald Trump’s “guns-blazing” invasion threat continues to rage.
Vanguard authoritatively learnt last night that Trump has delegated his Vice President, James David (JD) Vance, to hold face-to-face talks with Tinubu, barring any last-minute change of plan. 0 10
Presidential sources told Vanguard the visit is aimed at “top-level diplomatic engagements” to clear the air on security, counter-terrorism and the explosive religious freedom allegations now rocking Nigeria-US relations.
The trip comes barely 48 hours after Trump branded Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” and warned: “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,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”
Trump added: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet.”
In a swift push-back on Saturday, President Tinubu fired a strongly-worded statement rejecting the genocide tag.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” the President declared.
He stressed: “The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality… Religious freedom and tolerance have been a core tenet of our collective identity and shall always remain so.”
Tinubu, a Muslim married to a Christian pastor, reminded the world that since 2023 his administration has kept open channels with Christian and Muslim leaders alike while tackling insecurity “which affects citizens across faiths and regions.”
Special Adviser on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, had earlier hinted at an imminent Tinubu-Trump summit “either in the State House or White House.”
Bwala wrote on X: “Both President @officialABAT and President @realDonaldTrump have shared interest in the fight against insurgency and all forms of terrorism against humanity.”
He praised Trump for authorising arms sales to Nigeria, adding: “President Tinubu has adequately utilised that opportunity… with massive results to show for it.”
Bwala assured that “differences as to whether terrorists in Nigeria target only Christians or in fact all faiths” will be ironed out when the two leaders meet.
Sources in the Presidency told Vanguard the Tuesday trip is part of that broader engagement, with Vance — Trump’s Catholic running mate — stepping in for the principal.
Diplomatic circles in Abuja and Washington are buzzing that the Vance-Tinubu meeting will focus on:
Joint counter-terrorism operations against Boko Haram and ISWAP
Fresh US military hardware and intelligence support
Rebuttal of the “Christian genocide” narrative
A road-map to delist Nigeria from the CPC blacklist
A top Villa source said: “Mr President is going with facts, figures and field reports to prove that no faith is targeted. Farmers-herders clashes, banditry and insurgency cut across Muslims and Christians alike.”
The source added: “We expect VP Vance to carry our message directly to President Trump. Nigeria remains America’s strongest partner in West Africa.”
As the presidential jet revs up for Tuesday’s departure, Nigerians are watching to see if the Washington talks will defuse Trump’s war drum or trigger fresh sanctions, aid cuts — or worse.
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.
