Author: CKN

Following the Supreme Court judgment, and in a decisive move to strengthen party administration and ensure constitutional adherence, a two-thirds majority of the 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially appointed and inaugurated an Interim National Working Committee (INWC).

This newly appointed leadership is tasked with managing the party’s executive operations effective immediately.

The Newly Inaugurated INWC Leadership:

1. KABIRU TANIMU TURAKI, SAN, – CHAIRMAN

2. ⁠ARAPAJA TAOFEEK GBOLA-OLADEJO – SECRETARY

3. ⁠ALH. HAMZA AKUYAM KOSHE MEMBER

4. ⁠DR. DANIEL AMBROSE WOYENGIKURO MEMBER  

5. ⁠IHEDIWA RICHARD NNABUGWU – MEMBER

6. ⁠ISA ABUBAKAR – MEMBER

7. ⁠OKECHUKWU OBIECHINA DANIEL – MEMBER 

8. ⁠HON. THEOPHILUS DAKAS SHAN – MEMBER 

9. ⁠COMRADE INI EMEMOBONG mnipr – MEMBER

10. ⁠ARIBISALA ADEWALE IDOWU – MEMBER

11. ⁠BARA’U SHAFI’I – MEMBER 

12. ⁠OGBU ANTHONIA CHINENYENWA – MEMBER 

13. ⁠HON. UMAR DAN AJI – MEMBER

This transition marks a significant step in maintaining the stability and structural integrity of the party.

Taiwo Awoniyi bagged a brace as Nottingham Forest defeated Chelsea 3–1 at Stamford Bridge.

Awoniyi opened the scoring for the Tricky Trees with a superb header from Dilane Bakwa’s cross after two minutes.

The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 20th minute after Awoniyi was fouled inside the box by Malo Gusto.

Igor Jesus sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way to double Forest’s lead.

Chelsea were awarded a penalty late in the first half following a foul on Jesse Derry.

Cole Palmer’s effort was, however, saved by Matz Sels.

Forest netted their third of the game early in the second half, with Awoniyi slotting home from Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross.

The 28-year-old has now scored four goals and registered one assist in 14 league appearances for Forest this season.

Joao Pedro reduced the deficit for Chelsea in stoppage time.

EPL: Awoniyi bags brace as Forest stun Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge

The NNPC Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies, Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, for collaboration through a potential Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) in support of the completion and operation of the Port Harcourt and Warri Refineries.

The MoU was signed by the Group CEO, NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari; Chairman, Sanjiang Chemical Company, Guan Jianzhong and Chairman of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, Bill Bi, in Jiaxing City, China.

The potential framework would cover completion of outstanding work at the two refineries, together with operating and maintaining both facilities to achieve best-in-class, sustainable performance.

Planned expansion and upgrades would elevate both facilities to cleaner, more profitable product standards.

The potential collaboration also contemplates expanding the refineries’ petrochemical capacities and harnessing gas and downstream opportunities through the development of co-located, gas-based industrial hubs.

Speaking shortly after the signing, the GCEO of NNPC Ltd, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the MoU execution as a significant milestone, following more than six months of concerted engagement between the technical and management teams of NNPC and the two Chinese partners, Sanjiang and Xinganchen.

“All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success,” Ojulari noted.

The GCEO further stated that the MoU is an important step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner(s) to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.

The MoU reflects the parties’ shared intent to progress discussions in good faith, with any definitive arrangements to follow in due course and subject to customary approvals.

NNPC, Chinese Firms Seal Deal For Restart Of Warri, PH Refineries is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Chelsea will not be able to finish in the top five places in the Premier League, following their 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Monday afternoon.

The Blues were looking to end a five-game losing run against the relegation strugglers.

But it was the visitors who took a two-goal lead in the first half.

Taiwo Awoniyi opened the scoring with a towering header within two minutes, before he was fouled in the area.

Igor Jesus stepped up and fired the penalty past Robert Sanchez.

Chelsea missed the chance to pull one back from the spot too, after Cole Palmer’s effort was palmed away by Matt Sels.

Awoniyi added a third from Morgan Gibbs-White’s cutback, before Joao Pedro pulled one back.

Chelsea remain on 48 points, 20 off Aston Villa in fifth spot with three fixtures left.

EPL: Chelsea miss out on top 5 spot after 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest

Nigerian bank consumers have reacted to the kickoff of the new bank charges regime in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s directive.
Recall the apex bank in a circular released titled ‘Guide to Charges by Banks and Other Financial Institutions’ increased the fee for the issuance of automated teller machines to N1,500 from N1,000.

CBN also directed banks to scrap maintenance fees on Naira-dominated cards and other reviewed charges expected to take effect from May 1, 2026.

Reacting to DAILY POST, Uju Ogunbunka, President of the Bank Customers’ Association of Nigeria, said consumers would suffer more charges with regard to the upward review of the ATM issuance charge.

“Consumers will suffer more charges, but if the intention is to scrap the maintenance charge, which happened to be lower, then it makes the policy not plausible,” he told DAILY POST on Monday.

DAILY POST reports the apex bank announced the directive on new bank charges last week.

Customers react to CBN’s new bank charges in Nigeria

Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, May 4, 2026, ruled that the extrajudicial statement made by Henry Omoile, co-defendant to the erstwhile Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele, is admissible in court.

Omoile had challenged the admissibility of his statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that it was obtained under oppression and inducement.

This led to a “Trial-within-Trial” to determine the voluntariness or otherwise of the statement.

Omoile is currently facing a three-count charge bordering on unlawful acceptance of gifts as an agent, while Emefiele is standing trial on a 19-count charge filed by the EFCC, bordering on alleged gratification and corrupt demands during his tenure as CBN Governor. 

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.

At Monday’s hearing, C.C. Okezie appearing for the prosecution while Labi Lawal, SAN, appearing for both first and second defendants 

In his ruling, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution had successfully proven that the statements obtained on  February 26, 2024 were made voluntarily and not under any form of inducement, threat, or coercion.

“I have carefully considered the evidence presented during the mini trial. The environment was active, and there is no evidence that the second defendant was physically harmed. I am satisfied that the prosecution has proven beyond reasonable doubt that the statement was made voluntarily,” the judge stated.

The court further ruled that the statements made on February 26, 2024, marked as Exhibits 1–3, were not obtained under duress and were therefore admissible as evidence.

Following the ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to June 26, June 30, and July 6 and 8, 2026, for continuation of trial.

Brazil legend, Cafu has said that Neymar Jr. surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in technical ability.

He praised his fellow countryman and expressed confidence in his participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are commonly acknowledged as the two greatest footballers in history.

They have been competing at the pinnacle of the sport for more than 15 years and continue to perform at a high level.

Many consider Neymar to be the next best player after this legendary pair at his peak.

Nevertheless, Cafu contends that the Santos forward was even superior to them, as he stated to The Times, “In my opinion, Neymar was technically superior to [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi. He has enjoyed an outstanding career.”

When questioned about the likelihood of the Brazilian participating in the World Cup this summer, Cafu remarked, “Any team that possesses a game-changing player like Neymar requires that player. If Neymar is in optimal condition—physically fit, tactically aware, and technically proficient—it is clear that he is a player who can influence matches.

“However, only Ancelotti can make that decision, and only Neymar can determine if he is prepared.”

Neymar has achieved over 200 goals and more than 150 assists during his time with Barcelona and PSG, accumulating numerous accolades.

He is also Brazil’s all-time leading scorer, with 79 goals and 59 assists in 128 appearances.

‘He’s game changer’ – Cafu names player better than Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi

A former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, has been endorsed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship.

George is expected to contest the seat under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), signaling a crucial political move ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday. The meeting reportedly reviewed the political situation in the state and strategies for consolidating influence ahead of the next election cycle.

At the meeting were ex-militant leaders, including Asari Dokubo and Ateke Tom.

Our source said their attendance underscored the high-level consultations that preceded the endorsement.

George, a seasoned political figure in Rivers State, previously served as Commissioner for Works and is considered a loyalist within Wike’s political structure.

The source who witnessed the meeting said the development was part of efforts to maintain Wike’s political dominance in the state despite his current role at the federal level.

This comes against the backdrop of a protracted political crisis in Rivers State, driven by a bitter power struggle between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike.

Since assuming office, Fubara has gradually distanced himself from Wike’s influence, leading to deep divisions within the state’s political structure, including the State House of Assembly and local government leadership.

The rift has triggered a series of political confrontations, alignments, and realignments, with both camps battling for control of the party machinery and governance structures in the state.

Efforts by President Bola Tinubu to broker peace between the two camps have so far yielded limited results, as tensions continue to simmer.

According to the source, “Wike’s endorsement of George is a strategic move to reassert control and shape the political future of Rivers State ahead of 2027,” he said.

As of press time, there has been no official confirmation on the latest endorsement.

BREAKING: Wike picks Alabo George for Rivers Governorship

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed May 28, 2026, to hear a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation demanding that the Nigeria Police Force conduct a fresh, thorough investigation into the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho set the date after counsel to the applicant confirmed that all respondents had been properly served with the court documents.

The suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/636/2026) was brought by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation. The respondents include the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.

The NGO is praying the court for an order of mandamus to compel the police to perform their statutory duties under Section 4 of the Police Act 2020.

This includes inviting and questioning all persons last seen with the deceased, particularly his wife, Omowumi Cynthia Aloba, his close associates, and his father, Joseph Aloba of Ikorodu, Lagos, who reportedly buried him hurriedly without obtaining police clearance.

The court had on April 15, 2026, granted the NGO leave to file the application and approved substituted service on the respondents.

Mohbad’s death in September 2023 sparked widespread public outrage, protests, and the #JusticeForMohbad campaign both in Nigeria and abroad, with many alleging foul play and criticising the handling of the initial investigation.

Nearly three years later, the matter remains unresolved in the eyes of many.

Court Fixes Hearing On Fresh Probe Into Mohbad’s Death is first published on The Whistler Newspaper