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PGF DENIES FALSE REPORTS OF REMOVAL OF ITS CHAIRMAN 

The attention of the Progressive Governors Forum has been drawn to a false and misleading report circulating in some media platforms alleging the removal of its Chairman, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Progressive Governors Forum states categorically that the report is entirely false, baseless, and without an iota of truth.

No meeting of the Forum was held at which any such decision was taken. The PGF Secretariat has no record of, and is not aware of, any resolution removing the Chairman. His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, remains the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum.

The Forum remains united, focused, and committed to its responsibilities. Members of the public, party faithful, and the media are therefore advised to disregard the said report in its entirety.

Signed:

Folorunso S. Aluko

Director General

Progressive Governors Forum

Sadiq Gombe, the National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, of deliberately interfering in the internal affairs of the party with the aim of causing a crisis in the leadership of the opposition party.

He disclosed this during a briefing at the party secretariat on Thursday.

DAILY POST reports that the party’s former chairman, Shehu Musa Gabam, had allegedly led political thugs to disrupt the party’s activities before police intervened.

Reacting, Gombe defended the suspension and expulsion of Gabam-led party officials in line with the party’s constitution.

According to him, the affected officials were accused of misconduct, financial infractions and acts contrary to the SDP constitution.

“We inaugurated a five-man committee under Air Vice Marshal Bakir Sadiq Gilmour to investigate the allegations. Those affected were officially invited to appear before the committee to defend themselves,” he said.

Gombe said Gabam allegedly failed to honour the invitation to settle internal disputes within the party.

“The committee sat daily for two weeks at the national secretariat. After reviewing the report, the NWC set up a white paper committee that recommended their expulsion from the party,” he stated.

“Our surprise and dismay is that on the eve of our convention, INEC invited us for alternative dispute resolution when we are not aware of any dispute,” he said.

He insisted that political parties have constitutional powers to manage their internal affairs, accusing the electoral body of attempting to impose leadership on the party.

“We are Nigerians. We are law-abiding citizens. Nobody will intimidate us in our own country. We are going ahead with our convention in Bauchi,” he declared.

2027: INEC wants crisis in SDP, we’ll proceed with our Bauchi convention – Gombe

The apex leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency has adopted former Commissioner for Women and Social Development, Adijat Adeleye, as the consensus candidate for the House of Representatives ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The decision was reached during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the residence of the chairman of the Ifo APC Apex Leadership, Chief Joju Fadairo, with the attendance of key party leaders and stakeholders from both Ifo and Ewekoro local government areas on Wednesday.

DAILY POST reports that the meeting, which drew prominent party figures across the federal constituency, was described by attendees as a strategic effort aimed at strengthening party unity, promoting cohesion, and ensuring equitable representation within the constituency.

Among the leaders present were former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Olakunle Oluomo; member representing Ifo II State Constituency, Folawewo Fatiu Salami; former House of Representatives members, Dele Obadina, Adeyemi Adekunle and Derin Adebiyi, among others.

Speaking after her adoption, Adeleye expressed gratitude to the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, whom she described as a father, leader and mentor whose commitment to equity, party unity and inclusive leadership remained instrumental to the process.

The former state lawmaker also thanked the apex leaders, party stakeholders and supporters across the constituency for their confidence and unwavering support over the years, noting that her emergence reflected a collective aspiration for progress and inclusive representation as promoted by the ideals of the party.

She stated that the process leading to her emergence was not about exclusion, but about building consensus and strengthening the collective interest of the party and the constituents.

Adeleye called on party faithful and constituents to sustain the spirit of unity and cooperation as the party progresses into the next phase of the electoral process, pledging to remain committed to humility, inclusiveness and people-oriented representation.

Ifo/Ewekoro: APC leaders adopt former commissioner as consensus candidate

A governorship aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Benue State, Peter Adejoh, has warned against attempts to turn Nigeria into a one-party state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adejoh, who picked his nomination form to contest the 2027 governorship election in Benue State on Thirsday, said democracy can only thrive when opposition parties are allowed to operate freely without intimidation or restriction.

Speaking shortly after obtaining the nomination form, the ADC governorship hopeful urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to remain truly independent in the discharge of its responsibilities.

“A one-party state is bad for any country. Nigeria does not need a one-party state situation,” he said.

“We need a multi-party democracy, and I urge INEC to remain truly independent in whatever they do.”

He also called on the judiciary to be fair and just in handling political matters ahead of the elections.

According to Adejoh, the “journey to rescue Benue” has already begun, adding that his administration would focus on transparency, accountability and economic transformation if elected governor.

The ADC aspirant promised to run an inclusive government that would serve all ethnic groups across the state equally.

“I’m going to be a governor for Benue State. I’m not going to be an Idoma governor, Tiv governor, Igede governor or Etulo governor,” he stated.

“There will be even distribution of wealth across the three senatorial districts of Benue State.”

Adejoh further pledged to strengthen local government autonomy, improve security and build a self-reliant economy capable of increasing the state’s internally generated revenue.

He criticized the continued delay in payment of salaries at the local government level, insisting that workers would not be owed under his administration.

According to him, insecurity, poverty and underdevelopment in many communities are direct consequences of a weakened local government system.

He added that Benue possesses abundant agricultural and mineral resources capable of transforming the state’s economy if properly harnessed.

Benue guber 2027: One-party state is bad for any country — Peter Adejoh

Rangers have declared their intention to win the 2025/26 Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, title.
The Flying Antelopes are chasing a ninth NPFL title.

Rangers will battle Bendel Insurance at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium in Enugu on Sunday.

Fidelis Ilechukwu’s side sit at the top of the NPFL table with 62 points, with two matches remaining this season.

“A chance to make history. A chance to bring home our ninth NPFL title,” Rangers wrote on social media.

“This Sunday, we battle Bendel Insurance FC at The Cathedral with everything on the line.”

NPFL: Rangers battle ready for season finale

The Nigerian Army has said that troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, OPHK, in the early hours of May 7, 2026, successfully contained an attack by ISWAP terrorists on the Forward Operating Base, FOB, Maiduguri, under Sector 3.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel, Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, said the terrorists attempted to infiltrate the location under poor visibility.

It said although the terrorists recorded minor breaches in an isolated section of the camp, troops fought gallantly and decisively contained and defeated the attack by neutralising scores of the terrorists.

The Army stated that it is important to note that further exploitation of the general area revealed extensive blood trails, body drags and the recovery of terrorist corpses, confirming the heavy casualties inflicted on the attackers during the failed assault.

It added that troops also recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the fleeing terrorists, including PKT automatic anti-aircraft guns, AK-47 rifles and magazines.

“Regrettably, two gallant soldiers paid the supreme price in the course of the battle, while an officer and other wounded personnel are currently stable and receiving appropriate medical attention,” the statement added.

It said that additionally, some equipment was damaged by fire during the engagement, while temporary structures also caught fire during the intense battle.

“Troops are currently conducting exploitation operations within the general area to further consolidate gains from the successful encounter, while efforts to ascertain additional battle damage assessment continue.

“The failed attack further underscores the fighting spirit of OPHK troops in denying terrorists freedom of action across the Theatre of OPHK,” it added.

The statement further noted that the military high command commended the troops for their impressive battle performance and urged them to sustain the operational tempo.

Two soldiers die as Nigerian army foils ISWAP attack on FOB Maiduguri

The Senator representing Kwara Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Senator Saliu Mustapha, has vowed to become the next governor of the state come 2027 despite renewed concerns over the resurgence of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Mustapha expressed his confidence on Thursday when he submitted his Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to the APC.

Mustapha will slug it out with many other contestants in the APC primaries for the party’s sole ticket for the 2027 governorship election in Kwara State.

Announcing the development on his verified social media pages, the senator described the submission of the forms as a major step in his political journey toward leading Kwara State.

“I have formally submitted my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the All Progressives Congress, APC, governorship primary ticket for Kwara State.

“This marks my official entry into the party’s screening process and represents a significant step in the journey toward building a more progressive and inclusive Kwara State.

“I look forward to continued engagement with the people of Kwara State, party leaders, and political stakeholders as the process progresses.

“Together, we will continue to work towards the future our state truly deserves.”

2027: Mustapha moves to succeed AbdulRazaq in Kwara

Real Madrid have confirmed that Federico Valverde has suffered “a traumatic brain injury”.

The Uruguay midfielder will now miss this weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona, which could decide the LaLiga title.

A club statement read: “The tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

“Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as per medical protocols for this diagnosis.”

The injury is suspected to have happened during a training ground clash with Aurelien Tchouameni.

LaLiga: Valverde suffers brain injury after Tchouameni clash, to miss Barcelona clash

Real Madrid on Thursday night released a statement over the training ground spat between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.

Valverde had to be taken to hospital after a “very serious” confrontation with teammate Aurelien Tchouameni.

This forced head coach Alvaro Arbeloa to summon an emergency meeting to address a dressing room that is spiralling out of control.

The LaLiga giants have now confirmed that both midfielders will face disciplinary proceedings.

It read: “Real Madrid announce that, following the events that took place this morning, the club has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players, Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni.

“The club will announce the outcome of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.”

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LaLiga: Real Madrid release statement on Valverde, Tchouameni training ground clash

The member representing Umuahia North Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly, Anderson Akaliro, has cried out over the destruction of farms belonging to his constituents in Umuagu Autonomous Community, Umuahia North LGA.

The destruction, according to the lawmaker, was caused by cattle belonging to suspected herdsmen.

Presenting a matter of urgent public importance before the Abia State House of Assembly, Akaliro expressed worry that the destruction of crops in the farms occurred despite the 2018 anti-open grazing law.

He urged the Abia State House of Assembly to urgently intervene in the matter in order to stop the situation from degenerating into a deep crisis.

Responding to the Umuahia North representative’s petition, the Abia State House of Assembly committed the matter to its joint committee on security and agriculture for legislative action.

In another development, the Abia State House of Assembly received H.A.M. 50, a motion calling on the Abia State Government to take over the Erei Palm Plantation Farm Settlement in Okon Aku, Ohafia South, to avert further mayhem and bloodshed in the community.

Kalu Mba Nwoke, who represents Ohafia South Constituency in the Assembly, presented the motion, saying that the state government’s takeover of the palm plantation would contribute to lasting peace in the Okon Aku community.

Abia Lawmaker urges intervention, as cattle destroy farms in constituency