As the Peoples Democratic Party prepares for its National Elective Convention in November in Ibadan, Oyo State, the faction loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has rejected the Southern Leaders’ Zoning Consultative meeting held in Lagos on Wednesday.

A source in the PDP National Working Committee disclosed that the PDP Governors’ Forum will gather in Zamfara State on Saturday.

According to the insider, the governors are expected in Gusau, the state capital, on Friday ahead of key deliberations the following day on matters that must be settled for the convention in Ibadan to proceed without obstacles.

Earlier reports had it that Wike’s allies remain determined to stop the November convention, citing conflicts over leadership positions in the South-South and South-East.

On the other hand, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, alongside other governors and supporters, insists the convention must go forward as provided for in the PDP constitution.

Despite the discord, the zoning panel headed by Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri continued its consultations across the regions, as pledged when it was inaugurated on August 14. The committee subsequently met with southern stakeholders in Lagos.

The 44-member body, chaired by Diri, is tasked with recommending a zoning arrangement for the 19 National Working Committee offices, to be presented at the 102nd National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for next Monday.

At that gathering, the NEC will determine whether to accept, modify, or discard the panel’s proposals.

However, just before the Lagos session began, some state chairmen, ex-governors, lawmakers, and other leaders aligned with Wike’s camp publicly distanced themselves from the exercise.

In a statement signed by PDP chairmen from Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers states, together with National Assembly members and other allies, the group rejected “any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes” from the meeting, calling them “neither binding on, nor reflective of the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria.”

They faulted the Lagos summit, describing it as the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit,” and argued it was arranged without due consultation.

“The attention of the undersigned state chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party from the South and some critical stakeholders has been drawn to a meeting ‘Nicodemously’ summoned in Lagos today, 21st August 2025… convened by the Admin Secretary, Zoning Committee of the PDP, at the behest of the Chairman Zoning Committee (H.E. Senator Duoye Diri) at the Legend Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos,” the statement noted.

The meeting, referred to as a summit, was said to have been convened under the banner of the South-East, South-South, and South-West zones.

“For the avoidance of doubt, we categorically dismiss any resolutions, communiqués, or outcomes purportedly emanating from this meeting as neither binding on, nor reflective of the collective will and aspirations of the PDP family across Southern Nigeria. Decisions reached in secrecy and exclusion cannot and shall not assume the authority of consensus,” the statement added.

The signatories argued that the exclusion of state chairmen, national officers, senior lawmakers, and former governors made the gathering “deeply disturbing.”

“It is highly regrettable and indeed deeply disturbing that such a meeting was convened without the courtesy of inviting several state chairmen… Such a brazen disregard for established structures and statutory organs of the PDP… risks undermining the very foundation upon which our party was built,” they said.

Among those backing the statement were Minority Leader of the House of Representatives O. K. Chinda, Senators Mao Ohuabunwa, George Sekibo, Mike Nnachi, and former National Secretary Onwe S. Onwe. They argued that the Lagos talks were “premature and targeted at protecting the interest and selfish ambition of a select few.”

They urged the NWC and NEC to dismiss the Lagos outcome, branding it “illegal and divisive.”

“We call on the National Working Committee, the National Executive Committee, and all stakeholders of the party to disregard any outcome of the said meeting, which is not only illegal but divisive… we shall not hesitate to take appropriate steps in line with our party’s constitution to resist the same with full force,” the statement concluded.

Makinde lashes out at Wike

Following the Lagos talks, Makinde hit back at Wike’s camp, saying the consultations were meant to reposition the PDP into a stronger and more effective organisation.

He said the NEC would handle zoning decisions on Monday, adding that he would not “go low with anyone who decides to go into the gutters.”

“Personally, when people go low or go into the gutters, I don’t go with them… That is democracy,” he said.

Makinde stressed that disagreements should not be personal but centered on what the PDP offers Nigerians.

He also pointed out that recent elections showed the party’s resilience, with PDP performing strongly in several states.

“In all our states, they showed last Saturday that the PDP is not dead… it is an indication to us that if we continue to work hard, we can reclaim the confidence of Nigerians,” he stated.

Asked about zoning the presidential ticket to the South, he replied that the party was not yet at that stage.

“We haven’t even got there… Our efforts right now are directed towards having a vibrant and united PDP that Nigerians will be proud of and believe in again,” he said.

The Lagos meeting was attended by PDP BOT Chairman Adolphus Wabara, Diri, Governors Ademola Adeleke of Osun, Peter Mbah of Enugu (represented by his deputy), former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Bode George, Monsurat Sunmonu, 12 of 17 PDP National Assembly members, and other southern leaders.

PDP Governors’ meeting

Separately, a PDP NWC source said the Zamfara governors’ meeting aims to guarantee that the Ibadan convention goes ahead.

The source revealed that while the governors prefer political solutions to disputes, they will not hesitate to use party instruments to enforce decisions if required.

“The party leaders… are aware of the importance of the Ibadan Convention. The convention is crucial to the future of the PDP,” he said.

He added that with joint efforts, the November 15–16 Ibadan gathering would hold as planned, setting the PDP on course to challenge the APC in 2027.

Attempts to reach PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba for comments were unsuccessful.

I support those with Tinubu – Wike

Meanwhile, Wike declared that he would back those who support President Bola Tinubu, urging Abuja residents to “support those that the government will listen to.”

Speaking at the launch of a water project in Karu, he praised former Senator Philip Aduda and AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu for their roles in bringing development.

“For me, I’m here to talk about those who have access to the government and bring something to the people… Anybody who supports Tinubu, I will support him,” Wike said.

He noted that previous administrations failed to meet residents’ needs, especially water, but said Tinubu’s government had delivered on its promise to satellite towns.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has attributed the recent escalation of killings nationwide to the build-up toward the 2027 elections.

Nigeria has in recent months experienced fresh terror strikes in the North-East and bandit attacks in the North-West.

Benue and Plateau states remain hotspots for violence.

On Monday, 34 people praying at a mosque in Unguwar Mantau, Malumfashi LGA of Katsina State, were killed.

During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday evening, Musa explained that the heightened insecurity compared to last year is linked to political activities ahead of the vote.

He claimed some politicians are deliberately stirring up violence to undermine the government’s record on security and campaign on instability.

“Criminals, both bandits and terrorists, work together. They have a common goal to make money and destabilise communities. But there is also a political angle. Some individuals don’t want peace because when there is peace, the government is seen to be doing well. When there is no peace, the government is seen to be failing.

“Last year, we recorded the lowest number of deaths. How come this year, suddenly, everything has spiked? Politics is coming, the election is coming. You cannot rule out the fact that some people are controlling these criminals to ensure there is no peace, and governance is discredited. But the funny thing is, how do you kill the people you want to govern? What do you gain from it?” Musa asked.

The Defence Chief further revealed that terrorism continues to persist in Nigeria due to both local and foreign funding.

He noted that agencies such as the Attorney-General’s office, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency are tracking financiers of terrorism, but legal issues have slowed the process of naming them.

He highlighted evidence of international cooperation and foreign inflows sustaining terrorism, assuring that authorities are monitoring such networks.

“The process of naming terrorism financiers is on. Just last week, the AGF and others went to check. It has to do with legal issues and international connections. Some of them get funds from outside. The NFIU has been doing so much; arrests have been made, and prosecutions have started. Those behind the Owo bombing are already facing trial,” he said.

Musa criticised the country’s judicial system for obstructing terrorism cases and called for speedier trials, harsher penalties and the establishment of specialised courts for terrorism.

He added, “Also, it has to do with the legal system. Sometimes, legal intercepts, you take it to court, and it is knocked out for one reason or another. Again, we have to review our legal system because some of the punishments and prosecutions are slow and inadequate.

“If we have special courts, we will treat cases as quickly as they should. We also need to review the punishment for offences. But our laws need to be stringent, even for terrorism. Our legal system is frustrating. We need to unbundle it, make it faster and more stringent. Once people know they can get away with anything, impunity sets in, and we cannot prosecute.

“Sometimes you take evidence to court, and it is knocked out for one reason or another. Punishments are slow and inadequate. We need to unbundle our legal system, make it faster and more stringent. Once people know they can get away with anything, impunity sets in. For example, in the South-South, we arrest vessels, they pay peanuts, and the vessels return. That’s why we resorted to bombing them, though environmental concerns arose. But that has brought more peace than allowing the legal bottlenecks to continue,” he added.

The Defence Chief also acknowledged the threats posed by unrest in the Sahel region, pointing out that arms markets thrive in neighbouring countries and Nigeria’s 4,000-kilometre border remains highly porous.

He urged citizens to be cautious about indiscriminate hospitality to foreigners, warning that many infiltrators come disguised as friends but later pose dangers.

“Since Libya fell, the Sahel has been open. You can buy any weapon in those markets. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso are also unstable. Everybody is interested in Nigeria because it is rich and large. Our problem is that Nigerians open their doors too easily. Boko Haram started like that—welcoming strangers who later became monsters. We must never allow foreigners to take an inch of our land,” he warned.

Musa said the Nigerian military is collaborating with forces in Sahelian countries under the Alliance of Sahel States to counter cross-border terrorism but emphasised that Nigerians must stop aiding criminals.

“These terrorists thrive because some people still support them with funds, fuel, logistics or shelter. Locals even reroute money daily into their accounts. If we don’t give them space, they won’t thrive. To defeat them, everybody must be on board.

The problem started after Libya fell. And now Sudan is in turmoil, the Sahel is open. They have markets where you can go and buy any kind of weapon or ammunition. And everybody sails through, and the borders are just there. Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso are also having this issue in the Sahel.

“Everybody is interested in Nigeria because they feel Nigeria is rich and large. They can come in and do a lot of things in Nigeria. One issue we also have is Nigerians opening their doors. We have large hearts. But we have to think of security. Sometimes these guys come in and we say, these are our brothers, sisters coming in, but they don’t mean us good. We allow them to fester until they become monsters and start eating us, then we start complaining.

“We are still working together with the Alliance of Sahel States countries because we know we need them. We need them to be stable. If your neighbour is in trouble, the way it is now, you have to stand strong. We are working with the military there. We know it is important that we must secure ourselves,” the CDS said.

The Defence Chief further pointed out that terrorists exploit Nigeria’s limited access to advanced technology.

He explained that security costs have risen due partly to the Russia-Ukraine war, but the Nigerian Army is doing its best with the resources available.

He said, “I give an example; the price of a medium range precision weapon for each one is $100,000. At $100,000, how much is it in Naira? How many can you buy? So, you have to be very careful as to where you use it, to make sure that is making the positive impact. Just last two weeks, we had a good strike where we killed over 100 of them on 50 motorcycles, that is a good strike. Because the timing came in, and we were ready for it and the drone was there, and we took them out,” he said.

Musa added that the military requires real-time satellites for accurate strikes but such systems are extremely costly, which terrorists and bandits exploit.

He explained, “You see, in terms of what we need, we need real-time satellites. I tell you an example when an operation is ongoing, and you can see, your commanders can direct you, this man is moving here, these ones are deployed here, good. But we don’t have that, and these things are expensive to get, because we don’t have them. And they capitalise on these incapacities.”

He further said some countries can afford advanced tools because they produce them, noting that President Bola Tinubu’s approval of the Defence Industrial Bill would allow Nigeria to begin local production.

“Sometimes, even with your money you can’t get that equipment. Now, with the Russian-Ukraine war ongoing, a lot of equipment are difficult to come by. So that’s why I’m happy that Mr President last year approved, after signing the DICON bill, the Defence Industrial Bill, for us to now invite original equipment manufacturers, let’s produce. Because when we produce, then we can get much at money’s worth. If you don’t, it’s going to be extremely difficult and so we’re working on that,” the Defence chief said.

Credit: The Punch

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, declared on Thursday that Britain had historically signed a treaty with the Alaafin recognising him as the superior head of the Yoruba Nation.

This came after a fresh clash between the Alaafin and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. The dispute arose when the Ooni conferred the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on businessman Dotun Sanusi during the unveiling of the 2geda Media platform at Ilaji Hotel, Ibadan, last weekend.

In response, the Alaafin—through a statement on Monday issued by his media aide, Bode Durojaye—gave the Ooni a 48-hour ultimatum to withdraw the title or face unspecified “consequences.” The deadline expired Wednesday, but the Ooni has not commented publicly.

On Thursday, another statement from the Alaafin’s camp reiterated his historical supremacy. He argued that Oyo rose to dominance through trade and military power, becoming the largest West African empire and the most authoritative Yoruba principality. The British, he said, recognised this by signing a treaty with the Alaafin, treating him as the “Superior Head of the Yoruba Nation.”

The Alaafin stressed he had no need to engage in supremacy battles with any other Oba, noting he had sworn before his ancestors to safeguard Yoruba tradition. His office praised him as custodian of Yoruba culture, citing titles such as Kabiyesi, Iku Baba Yeye, and Ekeji Orisha, and affirming his spiritual connection to deities like Ifa and Sango.

The palace further recalled that Oranmiyan—Oduduwa’s grandson—founded Oyo after migration from drought-hit Ile-Ife, rooting Alaafin’s authority in the Oduduwa dynasty. The statement insisted that Yoruba governance, culture, and religion have long been shaped by Oyo’s monarchy. (Punch)

Olugbon calls for calm

Meanwhile, the Olugbon of Orile-Igbon, Oba Francis Alao, urged both camps and their supporters to stop media hostilities. He dismissed the issue as “speculative,” affirming: “Ooni remains Ooni, and Alaafin remains Alaafin. There is no supremacy battle.”

He appealed to Yoruba people worldwide to remain calm and avoid comments that could demean the sacred thrones, reminding them that Yoruba culture rests on unity, peace, and respect for traditional rulers.

Think Yoruba First warns of cultural distortion

Also on Thursday, the Think Yoruba First Ogo Adulawo Socio-Cultural Association raised concerns over “distorted narratives” in a recent academic publication. Its legal consultant, Oluwatobi Sanwo, described claims that Yoruba were immigrants to Ile-Ife as “cultural defamation” and a threat to the intellectual integrity of Yoruba civilisation.

Sanwo reaffirmed Ile-Ife as the undisputed cradle of Yoruba civilisation and said the group had petitioned institutions locally and internationally. He urged unity among Yoruba worldwide to defend their heritage and called for more support for Yoruba scholarship to preserve authentic history.