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Which way forward for PDP?

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears to be at a crossroads. On Thursday, a gang in the party announced the suspension of the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum.

His supporters said the move lacked justification, and that those who carried out the threat acted in error.

Yesterday, the gangsterism failed. An Abuja Federal High Court quashed the suspension and restrained the party chieftains from repeating the coup.

According to the court, Damagum should steer the affairs of the party as interim chairman until December next year when the party would be ready to hold its national convention.

In PDP, there have been suspension and counter-suspension. There is division in the National Working Committee (NWC).

A faction of the NWC aligned with Damagum had announced the suspension of the National Legal Adviser, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for alleged disloyalty to the party.

In a new twist, Ologunagba also announced the suspension of Damagum and the National Secretary, Senator Anyanwu for disloyalty and insubordination The faction appointed Yayari Mohammed as acting national chairman.

Three issues emanated from the scenario. The agreed formula for change of party leadership was grossly violated by over-zealous foes of Damagum, who deliberately neglected the processes of electing and removing party officers as enshrined in Articles 42, 47 and 67 of the PDP constitution.

Also, those who hurriedly converged to sack the acting chairman attempted to disrupt the party’s internal balance of power between regions.

The anti-Damagum forces also acted before thinking. At a time the National Reconciliation Committee headed by Brig-General Oyinlola is going round the six geo-political zones with a message of peace to calm down nerves, the pro-suspension faction struck.

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Their miscalculation made a nonsense of the reconciliation process.

The consequences are that the protracted crisis has escalated; mutual trust and confidence were destroyed, aptly replaced by distrust and suspicion.

It is a fallout of the glaring absence of leadership; not leadership as in an assemblage of party officers who pale into glorified errand boys, but elders of conscience held in esteem by all, and to who the majority can defer; a leadership that can restore order into a state of pandemonium.

What is clear is that the conflict between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate in last year’s election, and Nyesom Wike, former PDP governor of Rivers, has assumed a new dimension.

The two gladiators are locked in a battle of supremacy in the party.

Damagum, National Vice Chairman (Northeast), is perceived as a loyalist of Wike; those threatening to shove him aside seem to have sympathy for Atiku.

Indisputably, there is also a linkage between the protracted crisis in Rivers, as exemplified in Fubara/Wike tango, at the crisis at the national secretariat.

Ologunagba said Damagum and Anyanwu were suspended over their position on the 27pro-Wike House of Assembly members.

Since the rancorous PDP presidential primary, Atiku and Wike had parted ways.

The bone of contention was the lopsided or skewed distribution of top election slots and party offices between the North bloc and South bloc in a way that would have fostered equity.

Contrary to the recent pontification of rotational presidency by the Turaki Adamawa, zoning was downplayed.

Also, contrary to the PDP constitution and convention that no bloc zone should appropriate both the presidential ticket and the position of national chairman, the North took the two prime positions. Hell was let loose in the opposition party.

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While Atiku, erstwhile presidential candidate, could not be asked to jettison his ticket at that stage, the only remedy was for Iyorchia Ayu to make a big sacrifice by stepping down as chairman.

Ayu later became the casualty of the plot by G-5 Governors hatched in Sam Ortom’s Benue State, where he was suspended by his native Igyorov Ward of Gboko Local Government Area.

In filling the vacancy, the party followed the due process outlined in its constitution, which stipulates that whenever a national chairman is removed, the National Deputy Chairman from his bloc region should fill the void

Thus, when Ayu from the North was sacked, Damagum from the North started acting as national chairman.

According to the PDP constitution and convention, when a national chairman fails to complete his tenure, his micro-zone (Northcentral) of the larger bloc zone (North) should produce a replacement.

Meetings of the National Executive Committee (NEC) ought to be summoned to clear the path for the selection of a replacement. Thrice it was called.

Yet, PDP could not make a headway. That is why chairmanship aspirants from Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Benue and Nasarawa are on the prowl.

To them, Damagum as acting chairman is an impediment. Thus, frantic campaigns have been on for his removal or suspension.

However, despite their vituperation, the acting chairman can only be replaced at the national convention or through a court order.

The road to that convention is bumpy. Amid the crisis, the activities of the factional NWC can only compound the controversy.

Neither of the two factions, as it now appears, can fully exist independently of the other.

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Both factions have to return to the court, if they cannot embrace a truce. They are running from pillar to post to strengthen their positions.

Their activities create stress for the party. The timing is also wrong because the party is also warming up for a critical governorship poll in Ondo State.

PDP is in a difficult situation. It has embarked on another problematic journey.

Ahead of 2027, PDP wobbles into an uncertain future that may lead to doom, if the combatants refuse to return to the table of brotherhood and embrace genuine reconciliation.

 

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News

Tinubu Secures Fresh $238m Loan from Japan

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Nigeria has secured a $238 million loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support the expansion and modernization of the national power grid.

The deal, confirmed during engagements at the ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9) in Yokohama, Japan, reflects a strategic shift towards implementation-driven energy development.

President Bola Tinubu highlighted that Nigeria’s participation at TICAD9 focused on concrete, outcome-oriented partnerships rather than ceremonial diplomacy.

“We are moving from planning to implementation, from agreements to delivery, and from promises to measurable results,” he said.

Details of the JICA Loan Project

The $238 million loan, supported by a Federal Executive Council counterpart funding of ₦19,083,192,805.30, will finance significant upgrades to Nigeria’s transmission infrastructure.

Key components of the project include:

Construction of 102.95 km of new 330kV double-circuit lines

Construction of 104.59 km of 132kV double-circuit lines

Development of four 330/132/33kV substations and two 132/33kV substations

Multiple line bay extensions to improve efficiency and reduce system losses

According to Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the partnership with Japanese companies such as Toshiba, Hitachi, and Japan’s Transmission & Distribution Corporation is essential for unlocking Nigeria’s energy potential.

“Our focus is on transmission infrastructure, operational efficiency, and strategies to reduce system losses.

This $238 million loan from JICA provides the backbone for that transformation,” Adelabu explained.

Adelabu acknowledged Japan’s consistent support for Nigeria’s power sector, highlighting contributions in infrastructure, technical studies, training, and financing.

He emphasized that JICA’s backing is critical to expanding access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity across the country.

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The project aims to strengthen Nigeria’s power transmission network, improve system reliability, and enhance overall efficiency, ultimately supporting industrial growth and meeting rising electricity demand nationwide.

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News

‘Gate of Hell’ Will Open on Gaza’– Israeli Defence Issues Finally Warning to Hamas

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Hamas militants kill Israeli male hostage, injured two female hostages in Gaza

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued a fierce warning to Hamas, declaring that Gaza City will face complete destruction if the militant group refuses to accept Israel’s conditions for ending the war.

Katz, in a statement shared on social media on Friday, August 22, 2025, used sharp words to describe Israel’s next steps.

He said the “gates of hell” would open on Hamas if it failed to disarm and release all hostages.

“Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas’s murderers and rapists in Gaza until they agree to Israel’s conditions,” Katz wrote.

He added that if Hamas refused, Gaza City would suffer the same fate as Rafah and Beit Hanoun, two cities previously flattened by Israeli offensives.

His comments mark one of Israel’s strongest warnings since the escalation of the conflict.

The minister’s remarks came only hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that negotiations had been ordered to free the hostages held in Gaza.

Netanyahu explained in a video address that Israel’s military operation in Gaza City would not stop during talks. “Defeating Hamas and releasing our hostages go hand in hand,” he said.

The prime minister also confirmed the mobilisation of 60,000 reservists to join the offensive.

Meanwhile, mediators have been waiting for Israel’s response to a ceasefire plan that Hamas accepted earlier in the week.

The proposal suggests a phased release of hostages, but Israel insists that only a deal ensuring the release of all captives at once will be accepted.

Israel’s hardened stance has sparked growing concern worldwide.

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International leaders have cautioned that an expanded assault on Gaza City could worsen the humanitarian disaster already unfolding in the region.

Gaza’s health ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians, most of them civilians, have been killed since Israel’s military campaign began.

The United Nations considers these figures credible.

The war was triggered by Hamas’s October 2023 attack, which left 1,219 people dead in Israel, mostly civilians.

Since then, the conflict has intensified, with both sides showing little sign of compromise.

With Katz’s threat to turn Gaza City into rubble if demands are not met, the conflict appears to be entering an even deadlier stage.

The international community continues to press for a ceasefire, but Israel’s leadership insists that victory over Hamas and the release of all hostages remain its top priorities.

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Health

NAFDAC Raises Alarm as Fake Cowbell Milk Floods Nigerian Markets

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised alarm over the circulation of fake Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachets in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Friday, August 22, 2025, the agency explained that the counterfeit milk is packaged to look like the discontinued Cowbell “Our Milk,” but it is unauthorised and unsafe for consumption.

Fake cowbell milk.

NAFDAC clarified that Promasidor Nigeria Ltd, the authentic manufacturer, stopped producing Cowbell “Our Milk” in September 2023.

The product was replaced with Cowbell “Our Creamy Goodness.” Despite this, fake versions of the old product have found their way into Nigerian markets.

Picture of Fake cowbell milk.

Picture of Fake cowbell milk.

The counterfeit sachets bear the brand name, NAFDAC registration number, and familiar packaging design, making them difficult for unsuspecting buyers to identify as fake.

Health Dangers of Fake Cowbell Milk

NAFDAC warned that the consumption of these counterfeit products poses serious health risks.

Fake milk could contain toxic chemicals, harmful additives, or diluted ingredients that endanger human health.

Infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable. Possible dangers include:

  • Foodborne illnesses
  • Allergic reactions
  • Organ damage
  • Long-term health complications
  • In extreme cases, death

Counterfeit Product Details

  1. Product Name: Cowbell “Our Milk” 12g sachet
  2. Purported Manufacturer: Promasidor Nigeria Ltd
  3. Production Date: 04/2025
  4. Expiry Date: 12/2028

Picture of original cowbell milk.

NAFDAC Issues Strong Warning

The agency urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and avoid purchasing the counterfeit milk.

Healthcare professionals, distributors, and consumers have been advised to report suspicious sales of substandard or fake products immediately.

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Reports can be made through:

The nearest NAFDAC office

Toll-free line: 0800-162-3322

Email: sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng

NAFDAC also called on traders and retailers to stop selling the fake sachets.

The agency assured the public that strict enforcement measures are being taken to remove the counterfeit products from circulation.

This is not the first time Nigerians have faced risks from fake food and beverages.

Experts warn that counterfeit consumables are becoming more sophisticated, often making them difficult to spot.

Consumers are advised to always check product details, expiry dates, and packaging changes announced by manufacturers.

By highlighting the dangers and raising awareness, NAFDAC says it hopes to protect Nigerians from avoidable health crises linked to fake milk products

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Africa

‘Misplaced Priority’: Peter Obi Blasts FG’s ₦142bn Bus Terminal Project

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has slammed the Federal Government’s approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of bus terminals across Nigeria, describing it as a reckless misplacement of priorities.

Obi issued a statement on Friday, August 22, via his Official X formerly Twitter platform, warning that the project reflects poor leadership and lack of focus in managing Nigeria’s limited resources. He titled his statement, “₦142 Billion for Bus Terminals.”

According to him, the true test of leadership is how scarce resources are prioritized.

He stressed that investing such a huge amount in bus terminals while critical sectors like healthcare suffer shows a government that is out of touch with citizens’ realities.

Obi said: “The difference between success and failure in any nation is how leaders prioritise resources.

The decision to spend ₦142 billion on six bus terminals exposes a lack of competence and vision. It is a clear sign of poor leadership.”

The Federal Executive Council had recently approved the funds for the construction of one modern bus terminal in each of the six geopolitical zones.

The government described it as part of efforts to modernise transport infrastructure and improve mobility nationwide.

But Obi strongly disagreed. He compared the allocation to healthcare funding, pointing out that the combined budget for all teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres in Nigeria is less than ₦100 billion in the 2024 budget.

“This is disturbing,” Obi continued, “because health remains one of the most critical sectors of development. Yet it is underfunded and deteriorating rapidly.

The World Health Organization has reported that over 20 million Nigerians live with mental health conditions.

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This is a tragic irony. How can the government ignore this crisis and focus on bus terminals?”

He argued that the health sector, alongside education and poverty reduction programs, deserves priority attention.

Obi insisted that until government spending reflects the real needs of Nigerians, the country will remain trapped in poor governance.

Many Nigerians have also taken to social media to express anger, echoing Obi’s concerns. Critics argue that the decision proves the Federal Government is disconnected from the economic struggles of ordinary citizens.

For Obi, the ₦142 billion project is not just a case of wrong timing.

He sees it as a clear example of governance failure and misplaced priorities.

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News

Why I’ll never encourage my son to visit Nigeria — Taribo West

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Taribo West

Former Super Eagles defender, Taribo West, has strongly criticized the treatment of Nigerian football legends, vowing never to encourage his son to set foot in Nigeria due to the neglect shown to the country’s sports heroes after their deaths.

Speaking passionately during the burial ceremony of late goalkeeper Peter Rufai, in a video shared by News Central on Friday, the former Inter Milan star expressed his deep disappointment with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Lagos State Government for allegedly abandoning Rufai’s family during their time of need.

“It’s disheartening that you have Lagos State, you have the Nigerian Football Association, and yet they drop the entire burden on the family,”West lamented.

He revealed how deeply Rufai’s passing affected him, saying: “My mother passed on, I never shed tears. My father passed on in my hands, I never shed tears. But when Rufai passed on, I had goose pimples all over my body. Tears were rolling down my cheeks. What kind of nation is this?”

West didn’t hold back in recalling similar neglect faced by other late football icons like Stephen Keshi, Rashidi Yekini, and Thompson Oliha.

He condemned the consistent abandonment of ex-players who had sacrificed so much for the country, stating that such treatment discourages him from allowing his children to represent Nigeria in football.

“With this kind of example, I will never advise even my son to put his feet for this country. Send me out! Do we have a Football Federation or a Football Association in this Lagos State? That this hero, this soldier, this football evangelist, has to be treated this way in his family”, he said.

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The former defender also highlighted the financial struggles faced by Rufai’s family, revealing that they had to solicit funds from friends and well-wishers just to cover burial costs.

“Could you imagine that the family would be crying just to solicit within our groups to ask for money? That is madness”, he exclaimed, visibly frustrated.

Peter Rufai, fondly known as “Dodo Mayana,”was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper during the nation’s victorious 1994 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and its debut at the FIFA World Cup the same year.

He passed away in July 2025, leaving behind a legacy that has reignited conversations about the lack of support and respect for retired athletes in Nigeria.

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