Category: Uncategorized

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated Senator David Mark as National Chairman and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola as National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), reversing its earlier decision to delist the party’s leadership.

The electoral body updated its official portals on Thursday to reflect the restoration shortly after the Supreme Court delivered its judgment on the protracted leadership dispute.

The apex court had nullified the Court of Appeal’s directive maintaining the status quo ante bellum in the ADC crisis, describing the order as “unnecessary in the first place.”

INEC had relied on the appellate court ruling to delist the Mark-led leadership on April 1, a move that sparked widespread reactions within the party and intensified calls for the resignation of the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan.

However, it remained unclear as of press time whether the commission had formally recognised the ADC’s April 14 national convention and state congresses conducted during the period when the party leadership was delisted.

INEC Reverses Position, Restores Mark, Aregbesola As ADC Leaders is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Confusion has enveloped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a Supreme Court judgment that nullified the party’s two rival leadership factions, triggering fresh claims and counterclaims over who is in charge.

The apex court, in a landmark ruling on Thursday, invalidated both the Kabiru Turaki-led and Abdulrahman Mohammed-led factions, citing breaches of subsisting court orders in the conduct of their respective conventions.

The judgment has left the opposition party without a clearly defined national leadership, with key figures advancing divergent interpretations of the verdict.

On one hand, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, a central figure in the Abdulrahman Mohammed faction, insisted that the ruling effectively validated his group’s position.

“The Supreme Court has validated our convention and set aside all claims to any parallel structure. What this means is that the PDP has come to stay as one united party,” Wike said.

However, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Adolphus Wabara, offered a sharply different interpretation, declaring that the BoT had assumed interim leadership of the party to avert a vacuum.

“It is with the utmost sense of duty and responsibility that the BoT of the PDP assumes leadership of our great party today… pursuant to the empowering provisions of the Constitution of the PDP,” Wabara said.

He explained that the court’s decision invalidated the November 2025 national convention held in Ibadan, which produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, as well as subsequent actions taken by the rival faction.

“The implication of today’s judgment, is that all actions taken, including the appointment of Abdulrahman Mohammed as Acting National Chairman and the conduct and outcome of the March 29, 2026 Convention in Abuja are illegal, null and void,” he added.

Wabara further argued that, with both factions dissolved, the responsibility for stabilising the party now rests with the BoT as the second highest organ under the party’s constitution.

“Against this backdrop, the BoT hereby immediately assumes responsibility… to foster genuine reconciliation, salvage, stabilise and return the party to good political health,” he stated.

He disclosed that an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) would be convened soon to establish an interim National Working Committee.

The crisis stems from prolonged internal disputes that saw parallel conventions and competing leadership structures emerge within the PDP, deepening divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While Wike maintained that the Supreme Court did not pronounce the suspension of key officials in his faction, Wabara insisted that the verdict upheld earlier decisions removing them from office, thereby nullifying their actions.

The conflicting interpretations underscore the uncertainty now facing the PDP, as stakeholders await further clarity on the party’s leadership and direction in the aftermath of the apex court’s ruling.

Conflicting Signals As Wike, Wabara Lay Claim To PDP Leadership is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has approved the recall of engineers previously redeployed across its business units, following what management described as a conditional pardon after internal disciplinary actions linked to operational disruptions.

In an internal communication to staff, the company said the decision followed an extensive review process and numerous appeals from respected individuals, stakeholders, and the engineers. The refinery noted that while earlier actions were taken to protect operations and uphold organisational standards, it has now opted to offer a second opportunity to the staff.

Under the directive, according to a memo signed by the Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Devakumar Edwin, all affected personnel will be invited for a meeting and subsequently reassigned to resume duties at the refinery. The recall also covers those who did not take up earlier redeployment options offered by the company.

Management emphasised that the move reflects both a commitment to fairness and a belief in second chances, while reiterating that discipline, professionalism and adherence to corporate values remain non-negotiable.

“This decision was not an easy one. It reflects not only our belief in second chances but also serves as a clear reminder that loyalty, professionalism and adherence to organisational standards are non‑negotiable,” it said. “Effective immediately, all engineers previously redeployed to other business units, will be invited for a meeting and, subsequently, will be provided with an opportunity to render their services at our Petroleum Refinery. This would include those who did not avail the opportunity provided earlier for redeployment”.

The company, however, issued a firm warning that any recurrence of misconduct would attract immediate and decisive sanctions, underscoring its zero-tolerance stance on actions capable of undermining operations.

Dangote Refinery added that it expects the returning engineers to demonstrate renewed dedication as it continues efforts to strengthen operational efficiency and maintain its position as a key player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We welcome our colleagues back, with the expectation of renewed dedication, and we look forward to working together to strengthen our operations and deliver excellence in the oil and gas sector,” it added.

Recall that the Dangote Group, in October 2025, redeployed some refinery engineers to other companies within the Group as part of measures to stabilise operations at the time.

Dangote Refinery Recalls Redeployed Engineers is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

The Federal Executive Council under President Bola Tinubu also broke the record for the most road contract approvals in a single sitting today with a total of ten major road projects approved by the council.

– N1.79tn for the 5th section of the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway which is a 360km dual carriageway.

– ⁠N1.86tn extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through Akwa Ibom State

– ⁠N548.98bn contract for the full rebuild of the Carter Bridge in Lagos

– ⁠N178bn for reconstruction of the 128km Mando-Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna State

– ⁠Two sections of the Trans-Sahara Highway totaling 296km

– ⁠N295bn for dualisation of the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode Road in Oyo and Ogun states, which runs 56Km by two

– ⁠The Oshogbo-Akoda-Bunga Road in Osun State (59.2 kilometres, N101bn)

– ⁠Oshogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road in Osun State (90.9 kilometres, N114bn).

– ⁠The Yobe-to-Gombe section which runs 125 kilometres, a dual carriageway and also received approval at a contract sum of N1.25 trillion.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has approved the recall of about 800 engineers previously redeployed across its business units, following what management described as a conditional pardon after internal disciplinary actions linked to operational disruptions.

In an internal communication to staff, the company said the decision followed an extensive review process and numerous appeals from respected individuals, stakeholders, and the engineers. The refinery noted that while earlier actions were taken to protect operations and uphold organisational standards, it has now opted to offer a second opportunity to the staff.

Under the directive, according to a memo signed by the Group Vice President, Oil & Gas, Devakumar Edwin, all affected personnel will be invited for a meeting and subsequently reassigned to resume duties at the refinery. The recall also covers those who did not take up earlier redeployment options offered by the company.

Management emphasised that the move reflects both a commitment to fairness and a belief in second chances, while reiterating that discipline, professionalism and adherence to corporate values remain non-negotiable.

“This decision was not an easy one. It reflects not only our belief in second chances but also serves as a clear reminder that loyalty, professionalism and adherence to organisational standards are non‑negotiable,” it said. “Effective immediately, all engineers previously redeployed to other business units, will be invited for a meeting and, subsequently, will be provided with an opportunity to render their services at our Petroleum Refinery. This would include those who did not avail the opportunity provided earlier for redeployment”.

The company, however, issued a firm warning that any recurrence of misconduct would attract immediate and decisive sanctions, underscoring its zero-tolerance stance on actions capable of undermining operations.

Dangote Refinery added that it expects the returning engineers to demonstrate renewed dedication as it continues efforts to strengthen operational efficiency and maintain its position as a key player in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

“We welcome our colleagues back, with the expectation of renewed dedication, and we look forward to working together to strengthen our operations and deliver excellence in the oil and gas sector,” it added.

Recall that the Dangote Group, in October 2025, redeployed some refinery engineers to other companies within the Group as part of measures to stabilise operations at the time.

Ben Murray Bruce Statement  

Long before Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu became Ambassador, Minister, and now Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister, I had the privilege of accompanying her around the world as she represented our country on the global beauty stage. 

In those years, she was without exaggeration one of the most beautiful women on earth. 

Also the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, Miss Intercontinental—a face that carried Nigeria’s elegance into every room she entered.

But what I saw then was not just beauty. It was poise. Intelligence. Grace under pressure. The unmistakable presence of a woman destined to serve.

The years have only confirmed it. From her distinguished service as Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain and to Italy, to her tenure as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca has carried herself with the same dignity that defined her on the world stage decades ago; except now, the stage is diplomacy, and the audience is the entire international community.

Today, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has elevated her to Minister of Foreign Affairs. Congratulations, Mr. President, on a truly excellent appointment. Nigeria’s foreign policy is in safe, capable, and elegant hands.

And I will say this without hesitation: I believe Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu will, in time, become the first elected female governor in Nigeria’s history. The trajectory is unmistakable. The country will be the better for it.

To my dear sister Bianca, the world has always looked up to you. Now it must listen to you.

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has declared that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi have failed Nigeria in the past.

Okpebholodisclosed this during an interview with Channels Television’s one-on-one Politics Today on Thursday.

He noted that despite the opposition, President Bola Tinubu would win his second term in 2027.

According to Okpebholo: “Tinubu has made a great landmark in this country and this election is as good as won because we have every instrument to win this election, his works, his policies are speaking for him.

“Evil people are the ones causing this insecurity, the more the president is trying to stop them the more they are sponsoring them to come out.

“The opposition are using them to make people believe that this president is not doing well.

“Tinubu must win, who is going to be better than Tinubu on the ballot? Atiku, Peter Obi, Amaechi have all failed this country in the past.

“Atiku was not president but as vice president he was handling privatization.”

Atiku, Obi, Amaechi failed Nigeria, Tinubu will win 2027 – Gov Okpebholo

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday is currently in a meeting with key leaders and stakeholders of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

This meeting is taking place at the residence of the National Chairman, Senator David Mark.

The meeting comes just hours after the Supreme Court judgment on the party leadership structure.

Those in attendance include Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, ADC National Chairman Senator David Mark, and others.

Details of the meeting are yet to emerge.

ADC: Atiku, Amaechi, David Mark hold meeting after Supreme Court judgement

With the announcement on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, of the appointments of Mrs. Adenike Osinowo as the substantive Clerk of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mrs. Latifat Ogbara as Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission (LAHASCOM), and Ms. Modupe Victoria Adeola as Executive Secretary/Permanent Secretary of LAHASCOM, women have now assumed the top administrative leadership of the Assembly.

As Clerk, Mrs. Osinowo is the highest-ranking administrative officer of the Assembly. She has made history as the first female to occupy the position in the Lagos State House of Assembly. 

She joins other trailblazers such as Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, who was the first woman elected into the Assembly in 1992, and Rt. Hon. Mutiat Adetoun Adediran, who became the first female Deputy Speaker in 1999.

Mrs. Osinowo began her career in the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999 as a Legal Officer and rose steadily through the ranks to become Chief Legal Officer and, subsequently, Deputy Clerk in 2022 before her current appointment.

Similarly, Mrs. Latifat Ogbara has also broken new ground as the first female Chairman of LAHASCOM. She is a lawyer and politician from Ikorodu Local Government Area.

Ms. Modupe Victoria Adeola started her career in the Lagos State House of Assembly as a Legislative Officer and rose through the ranks to become a Director in the Directorate of Legislative Services. 

Her appointment as Executive Secretary/Permanent Secretary of LAHASCOM further underscores the growing prominence of women in the Assembly’s administrative structure.

A renowned Lagos-based lawyer, Liborous Oshoma, has underscored the importance of jurisdiction in judicial proceedings following the Supreme Court judgment judgment on the leadership tussle of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The judgment was widely seen as favouring the camp aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Speaking in an interview on TVC News, Oshoma described jurisdiction as the foundation upon which every legal action stands, warning that any proceeding conducted without it is fundamentally defective.

“Jurisdiction is the lifeblood of any case. Once a court lacks jurisdiction, any decision it reaches is a nullity,” he said.

He explained that disputes arising from internal party matters, such as conventions and leadership struggles, are generally not within the jurisdiction of the courts unless there is a clear violation of the constitution or electoral laws.

“The courts have consistently held that internal affairs of political parties should be resolved within the party structure, except where there is a breach of the law,” Oshoma added.

According to the legal practitioner, the Supreme Court ruling reinforces existing legal doctrine and may discourage political actors from resorting to litigation in intra-party disputes.

Oshoma’s interpretation highlights the broader implications of the judgment, which is expected to reshape how political conflicts are managed within parties like the PDP, with greater emphasis on internal mechanisms rather than prolonged court battles.

Supreme Court ruling may curb intra-party litigation — Liborous Oshoma