Unemployment on the Run as Shettima Announces $220m Plan to Empower Nigerian Youths.

The Federal Government has announced plans to invest $220 million in creating employment opportunities for young Nigerians through the Nigeria Jubilee Fellows Programme (NJFP) 2.0.

Vice President Kashim Shettima disclosed this on Wednesday during the official inauguration of the programme at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The initiative, implemented in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is designed to equip graduates with hands-on work experience, mentorship, and professional training.

Shettima said the new phase of the NJFP seeks to bridge the gap between learning and earning for thousands of qualified but unemployed graduates. According to him, the Tinubu administration aims to turn Nigeria’s youthful population into an engine of economic growth by integrating the programme into the national planning and budgeting system.

“Our goal is to raise $220 million not as charity, but as an investment in our most valuable asset: our young people,” Shettima stated.

The Vice President further emphasized that inclusivity would be central to the implementation of NJFP 2.0, ensuring participation across all regions and socio-economic backgrounds. Priority sectors include agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries.

Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, noted that since its inception in 2021, the NJFP has empowered over 13,000 youths with skills and placements, with the new phase targeting 100,000 job opportunities within five years.

UNDP Resident Representative, Elsie Attafuah, and EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gauthier Mignot, both reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the initiative and ensuring its sustainability through government integration and long-term funding mechanisms.

Osun Appoints Davido as Chairman of Sports Trust Fund to Boost State’s Sport Development.

The Osun State Government has appointed Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as the chairman of the newly established Osun Sports Trust Fund.

According to the state government, the initiative aims to attract private investment and philanthropic support to revamp the sports sector and ensure sustainable funding for athletes, facilities, and competitions.

Confirming the appointment, the Deputy Governor and Commissioner for Sports, Kola Adewusi, said Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration is determined to transform sports infrastructure across the state beginning with the ongoing renovation of the Osogbo Township Stadium.

He explained that the upgraded facility will meet Olympic standards and serve as a host for both national and international sporting events once completed.

“The renovation of the Osogbo Township Stadium is at an advanced stage and will be completed soon,” Adewusi said. “We are also setting up the Osun State Sports Commission to oversee sports administration, development, and policy implementation.”

Speaking further, he noted that the creation of the Osun Sports Trust Fund was designed to attract long-term funding from individuals and organisations passionate about sports.

“Davido has been appointed to chair the Sports Trust Fund, and he did not hesitate to accept the role,” the deputy governor stated. “His involvement is expected to draw massive support and investment that will impact Osun sports positively.”

The state government reaffirmed its commitment to completing all ongoing sports development projects and ensuring that Osun becomes a leading hub for talent discovery and international sporting activities.

DSS Warns of Imminent ISWAP Attack in Ondo, Kogi States.

The Department of State Services (DSS) has raised an alarm over an alleged plot by members of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) to launch coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi states.

In a confidential memo to the Commander of the 32 Artillery Brigade, Akure, and signed by H. I. Kana on behalf of the State Director of Security, the DSS warned of “imminent attacks” and urged the Nigerian Army to intensify surveillance and security patrols across vulnerable areas.

Titled “Imminent attacks in Ondo State by Members of ISWAP,” the letter identified Eriti-Akoko and Oyin-Akoko in Akoko North-West Local Government Area, as well as Owo town, as possible targets.

“Intelligence confirmed plans by members of ISWAP to carry out coordinated attacks on communities in Ondo and Kogi States anytime soon,” the DSS stated, adding that the terrorists had begun monitoring potential soft targets. 

The agency called for proactive measures and community vigilance to forestall any attacks.

Confirming the development, Ondo State Police spokesperson, Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, said the police were already acting on the intelligence. “That’s partly why we were in Akoko on Sunday. Everyone is taking steps to ensure no event takes us unaware,” he said.

This alert comes three years after the June 5, 2022, attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, which left 41 worshippers dead and dozens injured. 

The suspects, believed to be ISWAP members, were later arrested by the DSS and are currently facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Court remands Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother, Ejimakor, others in Kuje Prison.

A magistrate court sitting in Kuje, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has ordered the remand of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, alongside his legal counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.

Their remand followed their participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which took place on Monday in Abuja.

Confirming the development, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Kanuta Kanu, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) shortly after the court session on Tuesday, described the action as a “conspiracy among the executive, legislature, and judiciary to frustrate Kanu’s trial scheduled for Thursday.”

According to court documents shared by former National Human Rights Commission chairman, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the police arraigned Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others on charges bordering on incitement and breach of public peace.

The charge sheet alleged that the accused persons violated a court order by staging a protest that disrupted public movement, obstructed traffic, and chanted songs calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had earlier disclosed on a live television programme that those arrested during the protest would face prosecution after investigation.

Both Ejimakor and Kanu’s brother have now been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.

Court Remands Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother and Lead Counsel Over Abuja Protest.

A Magistrate Court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, has ordered the remand of Prince Emmanuel Kanu the younger brother of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu along with his lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.

The development was made public by Kanunta Kanu, another sibling of the IPOB leader, who alleged via a post on X that the move was part of a coordinated effort by the executive, legislative, and judicial arms of government to frustrate Nnamdi Kanu’s upcoming trial scheduled for Thursday.

“The magistrate sitting in Kuje remanded Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, the lead counsel in Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case, and Prince Emmanuel Kanu, his youngest brother. This is a conspiracy from the executive, legislature, and judiciary to frustrate Kanu’s trial on Thursday,” Kanunta Kanu posted.

It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police had earlier arraigned Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, and ten others in connection with a protest held in Abuja on Monday.

Court documents shared by the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, revealed that the defendants were charged with inciting disturbance and breach of public peace.

According to the charge sheet, they allegedly obstructed traffic flow, restricted citizens’ movement, and chanted war songs while demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

Tinubu Nominates Dr Bernard Doro as Minister to Replace APC Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda.

President Bola Tinubu has nominated Dr Bernard Mohammed Doro from Plateau State as a new minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the president has transmitted Doro’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

According to Onanuga, Dr Doro’s nomination follows the election of Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in July.

Born on January 23, 1969, in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Doro brings over two decades of multidisciplinary experience spanning clinical practice, pharmaceutical management, strategic leadership, and community development in both the United Kingdom and Nigeria.

He holds degrees in Pharmacy and Law, an MBA specializing in IT-driven business strategy, and a Master’s degree in Advanced Clinical Practice. He is also an Independent Prescriber and Advanced Clinical Practitioner with frontline NHS experience in urgent care, GP practices, and hospital settings.

Beyond his medical career, Dr Doro is recognized for leading youth mentorship and social impact initiatives across diaspora and local communities.

ASUU Meets Today to Review Ongoing University Strike.

The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) will convene today, Tuesday, to assess its stance on the ongoing strike by university lecturers across the country.

Sources within the union confirmed that the meeting, scheduled to hold in Abuja, will focus on reviewing developments from recent engagements with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC). Discussions are expected to center on unresolved issues, including funding for public universities, lecturers’ welfare, and the implementation of past agreements.

The outcome of the meeting will determine whether the union extends or suspends the industrial action that has disrupted academic activities in federal and state universities nationwide.

ASUU had embarked on the strike several weeks ago over what it described as the government’s failure to honour previous commitments on university revitalisation, earned academic allowances, and the adoption of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) for salary payments.

Stakeholders have urged both parties to find a lasting resolution to prevent further damage to the already strained education sector. The union is expected to issue a formal statement after the meeting outlining its next steps.

NANS Calls for Mandatory Drug Testing in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions.

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on the Federal Government to introduce compulsory drug testing for all students in tertiary institutions as part of efforts to tackle rising substance abuse among youths.

In a statement signed by Comrade Olushola Oladoja, NANS President, the association proposed a drug-Free Campus Initiative (DFCI) to promote discipline, improve academic performance, and protect Nigeria’s future workforce.

Oladoja described drug abuse among students as a “public health crisis” threatening learning, moral integrity, and national productivity.

“Drug abuse among students is no longer an isolated concern; it has evolved into a public health crisis affecting learning, safety, and national productivity,” NANS stated.

The association identified marijuana, tramadol, codeine, and methamphetamine (mkpurummiri) as the most abused substances, linking them to cultism, assault, and campus unrest.

“Most cases of cultism, aault, and campus unrest are traceable to substance influence. Drug abuse fuels aggression and moral decay among students,”
the group added.

NANS recommended mandatory drug testing at both admission and graduation points, supervised by the NDLEA and school health units, to ensure students “enter and leave the system clean.” It also proposed establishing drug-Free Clubs on all campuses and integrating drug education into orientation and General Studies courses.

Students identified with substance use, the group said, should receive rehabilitation and counselling rather than stigma.

Oladoja warned that unchecked drug abuse endangers Nigeria’s development and leadership future.
“The dream of a prosperous Nigeria begins with a generation of mentally sound, morally upright, and drug-free students,”

he stated, urging collective action among the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, and student unions to secure the nation’s campuses.

Strike: ASUU to hold strategic NEC meeting as action enters week two.

The national leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities, ASUU, will meet today, Tuesday, to evaluate its position on the ongoing strike by its members.

The development comes after ASUU disclosed that the Government’s Renegotiation Team, led by Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, came to the negotiation table with a documented response to the union’s demands and made some offers to it.

In a strike bulletin issued on Monday, the union acknowledged that progress was being recorded in certain areas such as the release of third-party deductions, arrears of promotions, mainstreaming of Earned Academic Allowance, EAA, confiscation of University of Abuja land, and victimization of its members in KSU, LASU and FUTO.

ASUU members on Monday held congresses across its branches in the various universities to vote on whether the union should suspend or continue its labour action.

Recall that the union had given a 14-day ultimatum to the federal government for the conclusion and implementation of the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement, as well as addressing other demands of its members.

However, there’s indication that ASUU wasn’t ready to throw in the towel yet as feelers are that many of the branches have voted in support of the continuation of the strike.

Officials of ASUU at the University of Abuja, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. They confided in DAILY POST that the matter is far from being over.

According to them, their members in respective branches were in support of the continuation of the strike despite some offers being made to ASUU by the Nigerian government.

Nigerians blush uncontrollably as VP Shettima reveals EFCC recovered over ₦500 billion in assets in just two years.

Vice President Kashim Shettima has revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recovered assets worth over ₦500 billion within the first two years of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Shettima made this known on Monday while declaring open a three-day capacity-building workshop for judges and justices, organised by the EFCC and the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

Representing President Tinubu, the VP said the administration’s policy of non-interference in anti-graft agencies has strengthened their independence and boosted Nigeria’s anti-corr¥ption drive.

“As an administration, we have prioritised public accountability by empowering anti-corr¥ption agencies to operate without political interference. The EFCC, for instance, has secured over 7,000 convictions and recovered assets valued at over ₦500 billion,” Shettima stated.

He noted that proceeds from the recovered assets are being reinvested into national development schemes such as the students’ loan and consumer credit programmes to enhance economic growth and welfare.

Reaffirming Tinubu’s commitment to the rule of law, Shettima said no political ally enjoys protection from investigation, urging judges to uphold integrity and resist corruption.

“Corruption is no respecter of persons. Judges are not immune from its consequences,” he warned, stressing the need for stronger collaboration across government arms to sustain the anti-corruption fight.

We Have Already Submitted Your Documents To EFCC – CCB to Nyesom Wike.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has found himself embroiled in a fresh controversy over allegations of secret acquisition of multimillion-dollar properties in Florida, USA.

According to reports, Wike attempted to amend his asset declaration with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to include the properties, but was informed that his original declaration had already been forwarded to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for thorough verification and investigation.

Sources close to the minister revealed that Wike was unsettled by the development, which could potentially lead to a forensic audit of his financial dealings. Investigations by some media outlets uncovered a pattern of concealment and alleged violations of Nigeria’s asset declaration laws by the minister. Records obtained showed that Wike acquired a $2 million mansion in Winter Springs, Florida, registered under the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their three children.

Further investigations revealed that three multimillion-dollar homes in affluent Florida communities were purchased covertly using cash transactions and swiftly transferred to their children via quitclaim deeds, executed by Wike’s wife. These transactions, spanning from 2021 to 2023, raised suspicions of attempts to keep assets beyond the regulatory grasp of Nigerian anti-corruption bodies.

The CCB informed Wike that his file had already been transmitted to the EFCC for verification, and the anti-graft agency is now conducting a forensic audit of Wike’s declarations, ownership details, and possible infractions. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), advocacy groups, and international NGOs have launched campaigns demanding an exhaustive probe into Wike’s financial dealings, citing suspected diversion of public funds and illicit enrichment.

Wike’s camp has denied the allegations, dismissing them as politically motivated attacks. However, documentary evidence filed in US property registries tells a different story. An EFCC source said the minister is “playing with fire” and that the ongoing forensic financial investigations will uncover the truth. As the investigation unfolds, Wike’s reputation and future hang in the balance.

Sowore: No Court Order Stopping #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has denied reports that the Federal High Court in Abuja stopped the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest set to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025.

In a post on his X handle, Sowore said there is no court order stopping Nigerians from protesting peacefully. He accused the police and some media outlets of spreading false information to discourage people from joining the rally.

According to him, the court did not grant any order to ban the protest. Instead, Justice Umar refused a police request to stop it, saying the case should first be heard properly before any decision is made.

Sowore wrote: “The Federal High Court in Abuja has not stopped the proposed #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. The so-called ‘court order’ being circulated was secretly obtained by police lawyers and has not even been served on anyone. It only mentioned that protesters should avoid places like Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.”

He added that the protest will still go ahead, saying the movement is “unstoppable.”

“The protest date is sacrosanct; the movement is unstoppable,” he declared.

The Federal High Court in Abuja recently rejected a police bid to halt the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest. Justice Umar ruled that the police must first serve the defendants before any hearing, thereby allowing the planned rally to proceed.

Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu’s ongoing trial has also recorded fresh developments. A court-appointed medical panel recently confirmed that the detained IPOB leader is fit to stand trial, with the matter adjourned to October 23 for the commencement of his defense and October 30 set as the deadline to close it.

"Nigeria has no reason to be poor"— President Tinubu affirms.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria should not remain poor, stressing that the nation’s wealth in solid minerals and human talent must be fully harnessed to drive prosperity.

Speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Mining Week in Abuja through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu said, “Nigeria has no reason to be poor, given our abundant resources and talented people. Let us turn our minerals into miracles of development ‘Minerals to Miracles’ must be our rallying cry.”

He assured that his administration is committed to creating a safe and investor-friendly mining environment, describing the event as a platform for ideas that can guide Nigeria’s path to economic renewal.

The President noted that Africa holds about 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, urging nations to ensure that more value is retained within their economies through responsible exploitation.

NEITI’s Executive Secretary, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji, said Nigeria’s mining sector is undergoing key reforms, but its GDP contribution remains below 1%. He noted that revenues rose from ₦339.57 billion in 2022 to ₦401.87 billion in 2023, while artisanal miners accounted for over 80% of output but less than 30% of royalties.

Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake, reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration is repositioning the mining sector as a central pillar of economic diversification and growth.

Kaduna Internal Security Commissioner’s phone stolen During Security Event

A shocking breach of protocol occurred on Thursday in Kaduna State when the Commissioner for Internal Security & Home Affairs, Barrister Sule Shu’aibu had his mobile phone stolen during a security-related event meant to address safety & surveillance measures in the state

According to a report by Leadership Newspaper, the incident happened in Kaduna metropolis during a high-level security gathering attended by top government officials, law enforcement officers & community stakeholders. Despite the heavy security presence at the venue, unknown persons reportedly made away with the Commissioner’s mobile phone in the middle of the event.

Leadership noted that the development has stirred conversations among residents & observers who questioned how such a theft could take place at an event organized to promote internal security. Many described the incident as “embarrassing” & “symbolic of the lapses in Nigeria’s public security framework.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kaduna State Government has not released an official statement regarding the theft, and efforts to trace the missing phone are said to be ongoing, Leadership added.

Security analysts who spoke with the newspaper say the case underscores the urgent need for stricter event security protocols and better intelligence coordination, especially during official functions involving key government officials.

The irony of the incident coming from a commissioner in charge of protecting lives and property has not gone unnoticed by the public, with several Nigerians on social media calling it “a wake-up call” for authorities to take everyday security breaches more seriously.

The Nigerian government is set to begin verifying and processing long-overdue promotion and salary arrears for police personnel promoted between 2023 and 2024. An internal signal from Force Headquarters indicates that officials from the Budget Office and Finance Ministry will visit police formations nationwide to authenticate relevant documents (Advice-of-Change or AOCs).

This move comes amid growing frustration among officers over years of unpaid entitlements and stalled promotions. Leaked communications have revealed systemic delays and morale issues within the Nigeria Police Force. In a related development, the Oyo State Police Command has threatened disciplinary action against officers who publicly criticized the Force over promotion delays.

Kano govt sues Ganduje, sons, others over alleged N4.49bn fraud.

The Kano State Government has filed a lawsuit against former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, two of his sons, and several others before the State High Court over an alleged N4.49 billion fraud.

The suit seeks to recover the state’s 20 per cent equity stake in Dala Inland Dry Port Limited and to reclaim public funds totalling N4,492,387,013.76, which were allegedly misappropriated.

Filed on October 13, 2025, the case lists as defendants Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje; his sons, Umar Abdullahi Umar and Muhammad Abdullahi Umar; Abubakar Sahabo Bawuro, his former Special Adviser; Hassan Bello, former Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council; Adamu Aliyu Sanda, a legal practitioner; and Dala Inland Dry Port Limited.

The defendants face a ten-count charge, including criminal conspiracy, misappropriation of public funds, breach of trust, and conflict of interest.

According to the charge sheet, the defendants allegedly conspired to fraudulently transfer 80 per cent of the dry port’s shares, including the state’s 20 per cent equity, to private interests under a shell company known as City Green Enterprise.

Prosecutors allege that the transaction was deliberately structured to conceal the true ownership of the port project, which was initially conceived to boost Kano’s economic infrastructure.

“The defendants deliberately hijacked a federal initiative and used proxies and fake entities to conceal the diversion of public assets meant for the people of Kano State,” the prosecution stated.

The prosecution further claims that over N4.49 billion in public funds was siphoned under the guise of infrastructure development at the dry port, including the construction of a dual carriageway, electricity, and fencing.

Police, NBA to review Tinted permit policy.

The Nigerian Bar Association’s Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) and the Nigeria Police Force have reached an agreement to review the policy on tinted permits.

Prof. Paul Ananaba, Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL, made this known in Ikeja on Thursday during an interactive session organized as part of the build-up to the NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference in Akwa Ibom.

Ananaba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, stated that the review aims to ensure the policy aligns with public interest and national security goals.

The senior lawyer explained that the decision came after several weeks of discussions between both parties, following public complaints about the harassment of motorists with partially tinted vehicle windows.

He noted that the association stepped in following numerous reports of arbitrary arrests and vehicle impoundments by police officers enforcing the tinted permit policy.

“Following our discussions with senior police officers, we agreed that enforcement of the tinted permit should be suspended, while a joint review committee is constituted.

“SPIDEL’s engagement with the police is not confrontational but aimed at promoting accountability and justice in public administration.

“The committee, comprising representatives of NBA-SPIDEL and the Nigeria Police, will examine the legal and security implications of the policy and recommend new modalities for its regulation,” Ananaba said.

Madagascar in Political Turmoil as Military Seizes Power After President Rajoelina’s Impeachment

Madagascar’s elite army unit takes control after President Andry Rajoelina’s impeachment, sparking global concern and uncertainty over the country’s democratic future.


Madagascar has been plunged into political chaos after an elite military unit seized control of the government following the impeachment of President Andry Rajoelina.

According to Punch Newspaper, the dramatic power shift occurred on Wednesday when the CAPSAT contingent, an elite arm of the military, took over key government institutions in the capital, Antananarivo, just hours after parliament voted to remove Rajoelina from office.

Reports indicate that the embattled president fled the country amid growing protests and mounting opposition. The move marks Madagascar as the latest in a string of African nations—following Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Gabon, and Guinea—to experience military takeovers since 2020.

Colonel Michael Randrianirina, commander of the CAPSAT unit, has been declared interim president by the country’s top court. In a televised address, Randrianirina denied staging a coup, claiming the intervention was to “rescue the nation from collapse.” He pledged to restore civilian rule within 18 to 24 months and promised institutional reforms and elections before the transition ends.

The African Union swiftly suspended Madagascar from all its activities, calling the military action unconstitutional. The United Nations, France, Germany, and Russia also expressed concern, urging calm, dialogue, and a return to democratic order.

Meanwhile, the youth-led Gen Z Movement, which had spearheaded recent protests over water and electricity shortages, hailed the development as a victory for the people. “We’re anxious about the future, but this feels like our first real win,” said 26-year-old rugby team captain, Fenitra Razafindramanga.

However, Rajoelina’s camp insists he remains the legitimate president, describing the court’s endorsement of Randrianirina as “illegal and politically motivated.”

Rajoelina’s presidency has long been controversial—he first came to power in 2009 through a military-backed coup and later returned via disputed elections in 2023. His administration was widely criticized for corruption, economic decline, and poor governance.

As Madagascar navigates this uncertain transition, global observers are watching closely to see whether the country will truly reform—or once again fall into the cycle of military dominance and fragile democracy.

Bayelsa Governor Duoye Diri, 17 Lawmakers Resign From PDP.

According to the post, the governor has resigned from the party alongside the 17 House of Assembly members in the state.

The Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He made this announcement through his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah who communicated the development on his Facebook Page on Wednesday.

According to the post, the governor has resigned from the PDP alongside 17 members of the House of Assembly in the state.

Two other lawmakers from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also tendered their resignation.

While it is unclear where the governor is headed, on May 1, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that no fewer than 27 political aides of Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State were dismissed following their participation in the inauguration of the Bayelsa State chapter of a grassroots-based political movement, The NEW Associates.

The affected aides were reportedly dismissed after attending the inauguration of the Bayelsa chapter of The NEW Associates and participating in a mega rally held in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

Governor Diri's resignation comes a day after the Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, also abandoned the PDP.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Governor Mbah announced his defection to APC on Tuesday during a press conference, saying the move was driven by his desire to better serve the people of Enugu and align with the APC’s “vision for development and progress.”

He formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside his immediate predecessor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, state and federal lawmakers, among others.

In a broadcast to the Enugu people, Mbah announced his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the APC, citing a desire for a platform where the people's interest would be represented and respected.

Ailing Finance Minister Wale Edun Flies to UK for Medical Treatment.

Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, has reportedly travelled to the United Kingdom to undergo medical treatment following an undisclosed illness.

Sources confirmed that the minister left Abuja for Lagos on Monday night before boarding a British Airways flight to London later in the evening. His departure comes days after reports emerged that he had been battling health challenges that prevented him from attending the ongoing World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings in Washington, D.C.

Earlier, the Presidency had disclosed that Edun was recuperating in Nigeria and dismissed rumours suggesting that he suffered a stroke. A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, clarified that while the minister was indeed ill, claims of a severe incapacitation were false.

Despite the development, the Presidency has maintained that there are no immediate plans to replace Edun, stressing that he remains in charge of the Finance Ministry and is expected to resume duties once he recovers.

The specific nature of the minister’s illness has not been made public, and officials have yet to issue any formal statement on his current condition or expected return date. His absence, however, has sparked renewed debate over the state of Nigeria’s healthcare system and the recurring trend of public officials seeking medical attention abroad.

Edun, a former investment banker and long-time associate of President Tinubu, has been central to the administration’s fiscal reform agenda, including efforts to stabilise the naira, boost investor confidence, and implement the government’s medium-term economic plan.

As of press time, no official update had been released by the Ministry of Finance or the Presidency regarding the minister’s health status or progress.