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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Ebonyi State has elected a substantive State Working Committee, SWC, headed by Barrister Silas Onu.

The emergence of the new SWC was the high-point of the state congress of the party that took place in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, on Saturday.

Onu, a former senatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was elected the State Chairman while Mr. Onyebuchi Chukwu was elected the Deputy State Chairman. Mr. Egbedike Emmanuel was elected State Secretary.

A statement issued by the newly elected State Publicity Secretary, Anya Igu Idika, stated that “the committee is charged with providing leadership, direction, and coordination for all party activities in the state”.

While congratulating all the newly elected officials, the party further urged “every party faithful to accord them full support and cooperation as they undertake the task of rebuilding, strengthening, and repositioning the party for service to the people”.

Other members of the SWC include Vice Chairman, Dr. Azubuike Bakare Ogbonnia, Vice Chairman 2, Engr. Ephraim Eze, Vice Chairman 3, Chief Livinus Nwekpa, Secretary, Egbedike Michael, Deputy Secretary, Nowkporo Emmanuel and Treasurer, Dr. Felix Nwankwo.

Silas Onu elected ADC chairman in Ebonyi

The Nigeria Police Force has unsealed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, granting access to a faction backed by the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Factional National Chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed, disclosed this in a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, on Saturday in Abuja.

Mohammed said the secretariat and the presidential campaign office, Legacy House, Maitama, were unsealed in compliance with duly issued court orders.

He said the property had been handed to the Mohammed-led National Working Committee, with Sen. Samuel Anyanwu recognised as National Secretary.

Mohammed commended the police for professionalism and adherence to the rule of law.

“This action is a clear demonstration of respect for constitutional order and due process,” he said.

He warned that the party would not tolerate obstruction, disruption, or breaches of peace at the secretariat.

“All individuals and groups must act within the law, as security agencies are prepared to act against violators.

“This development reassures members that recent challenges have been effectively resolved,” he said.

Mohammed urged aggrieved members to sheathe their swords and embrace unity in the party’s collective interest.

He also thanked PDP leaders and stakeholders, especially Wike, describing his support as invaluable.

“Together, we move forward, stronger, united and more committed to our shared vision,” Mohammed said.

The police had sealed the secretariat and Legacy House in November 2025 after clashes between rival factions at Wadata Plaza.

1. Meanwhile, the Tanimu Turaki-led faction described the unsealing as contemptuous.

Its spokesman, Ini Ememobong, said the judgment cited by police had been appealed, and that all parties had been duly informed.

“By this action, they have tampered with the res, which could render the Court of Appeal’s judgment nugatory,” he said.

Ememobong said it was dishonourable that those tasked with upholding the law were allegedly disobeying it.

He added that the action suggested police partisan interference.

He urged members to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could breach public order.

He said lawful steps would be taken to protect the rights of genuine PDP members.

“The public should remain hopeful that this dark cloud will pass and democratic norms will prevail.

“Though pain may tarry at night, joy will come in the morning. Let us endure with hope,” Ememobong said.

The post Police unseal PDP secretariat as factions trade blame appeared first on Vanguard News.

…as Akporeha’s tenure ends in April The umbrella body of junior workers in the oil and gas industry, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (PTD-NUPENG), will, on April 24, elect a new president for the union. The incumbent president of the NUPENG, Comrade Williams Akporeha, announced his exit date at the weekend […]

The Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee has dismissed reports alleging that the Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele, had admitted to errors in Nigeria’s new tax laws, describing such claims as misleading and inaccurate.

Minister of State for Finance, Taiwo Oyedele made the clarification in a statement released via his X handle on Sunday.

The statement read: “Our attention has been drawn to misleading media reports claiming that the Honourable Minister of State for Finance, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele has “finally admitted errors in the new tax laws.

“These publications misrepresent the Minister’s statements, falsely alleging that he urged Nigerians to await the outcome of a “legislative probe”, a process that has long been concluded and the gazetted copies certified by the National Assembly published since early January 2026.

“This twisted narrative is unhelpful as it risks distorting public understanding and misleading the very people the reforms were designed to benefit.

“The minister, during a recent fireside chat at the NBA SLP conference in Lagos, highlighted the early positive impact of the new tax laws, including thousands of informal businesses now seeking CAC registration daily while the number of individuals registered for tax purposes nationwide has increased from barely 10 million before the reform to over 100 million.

“These impressive results stem from the robust design and progressive nature of the new laws, which include: Exemption of small companies from tax. Increased exemption thresholds for low-income earners. Tax exemptions on basic consumption items like food, education, healthcare, transportation, and rent. Introduction of the Tax Ombud to protect taxpayer right.

“The Minister contrasted the transformative changes in the new laws with the regressive provisions in the old laws. He however emphasised that no law is perfect.

“Therefore, ongoing stakeholder engagement is essential to identify and address any errors or gaps for appropriate legislative updates through Finance Bills as part of a continuous improvement process.

“We urge members of the public to disregard sensational headlines and twisted narratives and rely exclusively on official sources and credible media organisations for accurate information regarding the tax reform and other government policies.”

I did not admit errors in tax laws – Taiwo Oyedele debunks reports

Former Chairman of the Special Presidential Panel on Recovery of Public Property, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has cautioned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, against compelling aspirants to pay hefty sums for nomination forms only to rig them out in favour of preferred candidates.

He warned that such a practice, if not checked, could be suicidal for internal democracy and deeply demoralising for aspirants who invest heavily in party nominations.

In a statement issued in Calabar, the former presidential aide said political office should not be determined by “the pockets of party leaders,” stressing that aspirants should not be made to pay between ₦10 million, N20 million and ₦50 million for forms, only to be denied a fair contest.

Obono-Obla said the credibility of the party depends on fairness and transparency, adding that the APC must work to earn and retain the trust of its members through credible primaries.

“Fairness and transparency must guide the primaries,” he stated, noting that justice in the process would strengthen the party and ensure the emergence of credible representatives of the people.

He recalled his personal experience during the 2023 election cycle, alleging that he was compelled to sell a house he built in Calabar for ₦22 million in order to purchase a senatorial nomination form.

According to him, despite the huge financial sacrifice, the process was allegedly manipulated in favour of preferred aspirants through the selection of delegates loyal to certain interests within the party leadership in Cross River State.

He further alleged that on the day of the primary election in Ikom, favoured aspirants distributed large sums of money, reportedly sourced from the state, to influence delegates’ decisions.

“Delegates received between ₦200,000 and ₦300,000 each,” he alleged, adding that many of those involved in the process are now unhappy with the quality of representation that followed.

Obono-Obla urged the APC to ensure fairness, equity, and internal democracy as it prepares for its primary elections ahead of the 2027 general polls, insisting that members must be allowed to freely choose candidates who truly represent their interests.

Don’t compel aspirants to pay ₦50m for forms only to rig them out – Obono-Obla warns APC

Troops of the 33 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, working with a team from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), have carried out a successful operation against suspected terrorists in Bauchi State.

The development was revealed in a post shared on Sunday on X by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, the operation took place around 10:30 a.m. on April 10, targeting Auta Kachalla Camp and nearby areas in Alkaleri Local Government Area.

Troops, led by Brigadier General S.S. Shehu, reportedly engaged the terrorists in a gun battle after making contact with them. The fighters were forced to flee into surrounding bushes under pressure from the advancing soldiers.

Security sources said several items were recovered from the camp, including a Dane gun, a locally made firearm, five communication radios, a Point of Sale machine, a mobile phone and a laptop.

The troops also destroyed motorcycles found at the camp, believed to have been used by the suspects for movement.

Troops smash terrorist camps, recover weapons in Bauchi

…escapes lynching by mob A 23-year-old suspect, Sodiq Kayode Akorede, escaped lynching by an angry mob on Saturday at Adigun Village, Olorunda Ogunsola area of Ibadan, Oyo State, after he was found with the severed head of a six-year-old girl identified as Mutiyat Sunday, whom he allegedly murdered. He was, however, rescued and taken into […]

Troops of the 12 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued a kidnapped victim during a patrol operation in Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The development was contained in a post shared on Sunday on X by security analyst, Zagazola Makama.

According to the post, the rescue took place around 2:07 p.m. on April 10 when troops deployed at the Forward Operating Base in Egbe were on routine patrol.

The victim was reportedly found abandoned at a cashew plantation in Aaru community after his abductors fled on sighting advancing troops.

Preliminary information showed that the victim was kidnapped on April 1 in Ejiba community, also in Yagba West LGA.

The kidnappers were said to have escaped and left him behind when they noticed military movement towards the Dadi Kowa axis.

After his rescue, the victim was debriefed by security personnel and later reunited with his family.

Troops rescue kidnap victim in Kogi

Amnesty International Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently address the rising wave of abductions across northern Nigeria, revealing that at least 1,100 people were kidnapped between January and April 2026.

In a statement released on Saturday, the organisation described the trend as “horrifying,” warning that rural communities and internally displaced persons (IDPs) remain the most vulnerable targets of armed groups.

According to the statement, victims of abduction are often subjected to severe abuses, including torture, starvation, rape, and forced participation in atrocities, while many spend months in captivity under harsh conditions.

“Apart from killing people, gunmen are now on a rampage of abductions largely for lucrative ransom,” said Isa Sanusi, Country Director of Amnesty International, adding that widely cited figures may understate the true scale of the crisis.

The organisation cited multiple incidents across the country to illustrate the growing insecurity. On February 3, armed attackers reportedly killed about 200 people and abducted 176 others in Woro village, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. In Zamfara State, at least 150 people, mostly women and children, were abducted in early April during attacks on communities in Bukkuyum LGA.

In Borno State, fighters from Boko Haram were said to have abducted over 100 displaced persons in Kumbul forest on March 19, while more than 400 people were kidnapped during an attack on Ngoshe town in Gwoza LGA earlier in March.

Other reported cases include the abduction of 57 people in Niger State in January, 92 people in separate incidents in Zamfara State in February, and 30 worshippers taken during attacks on churches in Kaduna State in March. Additionally, 18 passengers travelling from Abuja to Sokoto were abducted along a route in Zamfara State on March 30.

Amnesty International also highlighted the human toll of the crisis, quoting a resident of Woro community who said his wife and three daughters, including a two-year-old child, were among those abducted nearly two months ago.

“They didn’t just kill, they stole our life away,” the resident said, describing how families are often forced to sell all their possessions or rely on community fundraising to pay ransom for loved ones.

The organisation warned that the persistent threat of abduction is disrupting education across the region, with thousands of children reportedly dropping out of school. In some cases, families are forcing underage girls into early marriage to reduce the risk of kidnapping.

It further accused Nigerian authorities of failing to meet their constitutional and international human rights obligations to protect citizens.

“This failure by the authorities to ensure the safety of the population constitutes a serious breach of their human rights obligations,” Sanusi said.

Amnesty International urged the federal government to take immediate and decisive action to secure the release of those abducted and to strengthen measures to protect vulnerable communities from further attacks.

1,100 persons abducted in Northern Nigeria in three months – Amnesty International

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the death sentences of two men convicted of separate murder cases in Jigawa State, dismissing their appeals and bringing years of legal proceedings to a close.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, the apex court threw out the appeals marked SC/CR/2020/69 and SC/CR/70/2020, upholding earlier rulings by the Jigawa State High Court and the Court of Appeal of Nigeria.

The convicts, Abdulmajid Hassan and Adamu Audu, had been found guilty in separate incidents involving fatal stabbings. The Supreme Court’s verdict effectively exhausts all legal options available to the defendants, confirming the sentences imposed by the lower courts.

Reacting to the judgment in Abuja, Jigawa State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Bello A. Fanini, said the rulings highlight the state government’s determination to ensure justice in cases of violent crime.

“This outcome sends a clear message that Jigawa is not a safe haven for criminal activity,” Fanini stated, adding that the state’s justice system remains committed to safeguarding lives and property.

Supreme Court upholds death sentences for two convicted killers in Jigawa