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Former Special Adviser on Public Affairs to ‎former President Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Doyin Okupe, on Sunday quit the Peoples Democratic Party.

Okupe in quitting the party said there is no future for the PDP in Nigeria.

Okupe, who made the announcement via Facebook page, explained that he is convinced that even when the much expected judgement from the Supreme Court on the crisis rocking the PDP is delivered, the future of the party is not likely to be significantly affected, whichever way the judgement goes.

He added that the PDP no longer exists in his ward in Ogun State since the party split into two factions.

Okupe, who regretted his resignation from the PDP, said selfishness and gross nepotism ‎is on the increase in Nigeria’s polity.

The statement reads: “I‎it is time to say GOODBYE TO PDP. ‎It is with deep regret that I publicly announce my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party.

“It has to be public because the PDP no longer exists in my ward as a single unified party; it was when I joined it.

“My resignation is based on periods of long introspection and some of the following reasons:

“It is no longer news that the PDP has been embroiled in a fratricidal internal crisis brought upon it by itself.

“Its current direction is difficult to discern and am convinced that even when the much expected judgement from the Supreme Court is given, the future of the party is not likely to be significantly affected whichever way the judgement goes.

“There seems to be too much deception, selfishness and gross nepotism in our polity nationally.

“During the NRC and SDP era, there existed true nationalism and brotherhood.

Northern NRC politicians will under no circumstance undermine their party for any parochial reason. Also neither will a Southern NRC politician, under any circumstance betray their party.

“Abiola was a Yoruba man, yet those of us who were Yorubas in the NRC never once thought of voting for him.

“The commitment in the North was even more profound. Even the Northern SDP rejected a distinguished successful Kano born Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, and voted for a Southern Yoruba muslim candidate. Worse than that, both Abiola and his running mate, Amb. Baba Gana Kingibe were muslims. Yet, it did not matter.‎

“Today, political parties have lost their importance and identities. Once the candidate is Northern, his party is immaterial, all Northerners irrespective of their professed party affiliations will vote for him.

“This is the major reason why there has been a total absence of opposition in the country in the last two years, and may probably be responsible for the polarization and sharp ethnic divisions we are currently witnessing in the country.

“In the east, there is intense anger and loud call for secession, in the south-south, there is absolute indignation and very resolute demand for total control of their resources, while the south-west is bellicose and hell bent on true federalism and restructuring which many prominent Northerners openly oppose for good or for bad.

“Under these circumstances, political parties have lost their flavor and relevance.Certainly, a party like my former party, PDP has no future in the evolving Nigerian Political Circus.‎

“This political confusion has percolate to the states, Ogun state being one of the worst hit.

“The leadership of the party has been irredeemably fictionalized for nearly a decade.

Presently it is divided broadly into two major factions. One headed by Hon Ladi Adebutu and the other by Senator Buruji Kashamu.

“Unfortunately I do not fit into either group. Hence it becomes extremely difficult for me to operate as a politician under the PDP umbrella in the state. Yet, all politics is local.

“The situation in the country may in the nearest future require that matured men of goodwill standby to play a unifying role for political stability of the country. My membership of PDP may directly or indirectly preclude me from gratifying such noble and patriotic desire.

“Undeniably, I have been one of the major beneficiaries (not financially) of the PDP.

But for a fact, the PDP and the APC are political platforms that have now expired or in the process of being so.

“Therefore, no matter my commitment and passion for this great party, the PDP, it has become menopausal and can no longer bear fruits.‎

“I have therefore decided to withdraw a bit and study the political situation more critically and thereafter take a decision soonest on my next political move.

“I will miss my friends, associates and co-travelers on this tortuous political journey and adventure. However, it is also still possible that our paths cross in the nearest future, which will be a delight.

“But in spite of my stated pessimism, I sincerely express my best wishes to the more courageous party faithfuls who I am leaving behind, and I also pray for God’s guidance for them.

“For how far I have gone, I remain eternally grateful to Almighty God and Jesus Christ my savior, to whom ALL powers belong. If it is His will that I still play a role in National Politics in future, then most certainly, and by His grace, I WILL BE BACK.”

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JUST IN: Ooni’s Ex-Wife Naomi, 7 Others Arrested Over Children’s Funfair Stampede In Ibadan

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The Oyo State Police Command has announced the arrest of the ex-queen of the Ooni of Ife, “Naomi Silekunola”; the Principal of Islamic High School, Ibadan, “Fasasi Abdulahi”; and six others in connection with the deaths of several children during a stampede at a funfair in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The ex-queen was identified as the primary sponsor of the event.

Furthermore, the number of children who have died from the stampede has increased to 35, while six others are critically injured, according to a statement issued on Thursday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, “Adewale Osifeso.”

The event, which was held at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan, was intended for 5,000 children, but reportedly over 7,500 attended.

 

More to come…

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NAFDAC Seal Shops, Destroy Items Worth N5bn In Aba Market Over Fake, Expired Products

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has shut down 150 shops at Eziukwu Market, Aba, Abia State.

The Agency disclosed this in a statement it posted on its X handle on Wednesday.

It said its team uncovered large-scale production and distribution of fake and expired goods, including beverages, carbonated drinks, wines, spirits, vegetable oils, and revalidated food items such as “noodles,” “powdered milk,” and “yoghurt.”

NAFDAC noted that the team destroyed items that were valued at ₦5 billion.

Describing the market as a hub for counterfeit and substandard products, the Agency’s Director in the Southeast Zone, Martins Iluyomade, expressed dismay at the continued illegal activities, despite a previous undertaking signed by market leaders in December 2023 to expose counterfeiters.

The statement added that NAFDAC DG, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, reaffirmed the Agency’s zero tolerance for such practices and emphasised its unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health while working toward a permanent solution to the problem of counterfeit products in the market.

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Lil Smart Files Petition Against Naira Marley, Zinoleesky Over ‘Threat To Life’

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Lil Smart, the Nigerian dancer, has filed a petition against Naira Marley and Zinoleesky over an alleged threat to his life.

On December 9, Smart shared disturbing photos and videos on social media, claiming that his life was at risk.

He warned that Naira Marley and Zinoleesky should be held responsible if anything were to happen to him.

Zinoleesky, however, denied the allegations, accusing Smart of “chasing clout.” He also threatened legal action against the dancer.

In a recent (now deleted) Instagram post, Smart claimed that he had previously endured bullying from the singers but lacked the evidence necessary to take legal action.

He mentioned that he has now officially submitted his petition, with the required evidence, to the authorities and is hopeful that the legal system will provide him justice.

“This has not been the first or third time I have been experiencing this bullying. But I did not have enough evidence to face the law. Now, I thank God that I have very good evidence, and I will put everything I have in line to make sure this bullying and threat to life is stopped,” he said.

“With my evidence, I really hope that they are not too big to be apprehended and face the law. I have submitted my petition, and I have provided my evidence to the authorities. By God’s grace, the law that binds us as citizens of Nigeria will make sure I get the justice I deserve.”

Naira Marley has yet to comment on the allegations.

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