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PDP Factional Chairmen Clash As Governors Fail To Resolve Crisis

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As the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party persists, new factional acting National Chairman Yayari Mohammed has challenged the rival National Working Committee led by Umar Damagum to act on their security threats.

The acting National Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi of the Damagum-led NWC faction, at a press conference in Abuja on Monday warned of potential security measures against Mohammed’s faction in order to uphold the rule of law during the ongoing internal disputes.

The opposition party has been embroiled in an internal crisis since 2022, which has polarised its NWC.

The crisis rocking the PDP took a twist on Friday when its national leadership broke into two factions with Yayari Mohammed, and the acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, leading each of the two factions.

PDP’s factionalisation followed the suspension of its National Legal Adviser, Adeyemi Ajibade, and the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, by a faction of the NWC led by Damagum, on Friday, after the 593rd meeting of the NWC on Thursday.

Ibrahim Abdullahi and Okechukwu Osuoha were appointed by the faction to replace the duo in acting capacities.

But in a counter statement, the National Publicity Secretary, Ologunagba announced the suspension of Damagum and the National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, by the NWC due to what the statement described as the series of complaints raised against the duo.

On the same day, a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja restrained the NEC, the highest decision-making organ of the party, and the Board of Trustees from removing Damagum as the acting national chairman.

In a judgment delivered via Zoom, Justice Peter Lifu ordered that apart from Damagum, no other person must be recognised as the PDP acting national chairman until the party’s convention scheduled for December 2025.

Speaking on the basis of the court order at the press conference on Monday, Abdullahi, warned the Mohammed group against disobeying the judgment recognising Damagum as the authentic chairman of the party.

He stated, “We must ensure that certain actions are not guided by sentiments and personal interests, but by the party’s constitution.

“In the face of this reckless violation of a subsisting court order, we are left with no option but to deploy the services of security agencies to enforce the rule of law.”

Abdullahi added that to enhance the learning process of party leadership and administration, members must ensure that actions were based on the party’s constitution and existing guidelines, rather than influenced by “sentiments and personal interests.”

He added, “Let all concerned know that the Deputy National Publicity Secretary, my humble self, now acting National Publicity Secretary and Deputy National Legal Adviser and now Acting National Legal Adviser assumed office following the Decision of the NWC; and it is in line with the PDP Constitution (2017 as Amended) following the absence of our substantive officers.

“It is made abundantly clear in Section 40(2) and 42(2).

“It is therefore distasteful for a leader who ought to inform the uninformed but instead goes ahead to misinform on a national television and other media channels that our assumption of office in acting capacity is unconstitutional and does not exist.

“Furthermore, we are constrained to express our utter disgust and disappointment in our colleagues’ resort to motor park approach to a mere suspension aimed at providing them with the opportunity to clear themselves of certain allegations against them.

“Although we have detailed knowledge of the drummers, the masqueraders should have been guided in their dance steps to avert stripping themselves naked on the stage.”

However, in an interview (with The Punch) on Monday, new factional chairman Mohammed stated that they would heed the party leaders rather than respond to threats.

He stated, “We have submitted all our positions and views to the organs of the party: the governors’ forum, the Board of Trustees, and other members of the party.

“We have expressed our concerns and reasons for our stance.

“They have assured us that they will take a position and get back to us.

“Therefore, we are not worried about any threats; they should go ahead and carry out theirs.

“We have expressed our concerns clearly.

“The party’s constitution should be obeyed, and that is our demand.

“I am also sure that from now till Friday our leaders will get back to us.

“We will listen to them and not to threats.”

Meanwhile, the governors elected under the PDP adjourned their meeting regarding the crisis to Tuesday (today) after Monday’s meeting ended without the governors reaching a compromise.

A national officer of the party under anonymity confirmed that the meeting held via Zoom.

BIG STORY

Agric Ministry Declares Three-Day Prayer, Fasting For Food Security

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The federal ministry of agriculture and food security has announced a three-day programme of fasting and prayer aimed at seeking divine intervention for the country’s agricultural sector.

An internal circular dated June 11, seen by TheCable, and signed by Adedayo Modupe, director of human resource management, stated that the spiritual activity is meant to request God’s guidance in Nigeria’s pursuit of food security.

Modupe stated that all staff members are expected to participate in the fasting and prayer sessions.

“This is to invite all staff of the federal ministry of agriculture and food security to a solemn prayer session for God’s guidance and success in supporting the government’s efforts to achieve food security,” the circular reads.

The session is themed “Divine Intervention for Protection and National Development”.

The circular noted that the prayer sessions will be held at Conference Hall ‘B’ of the FMAFS headquarters in Area 11, Garki, Abuja, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. on each scheduled day.

Staff are expected to fast on Monday, June 16, and continue on June 23 and June 30.

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Wike Defends N39bn Renovation Of Abuja International Conference Centre, Says “We Have Taste”

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Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has responded to criticisms regarding the N39 billion renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre, saying those who are opposed to the project “do not have good taste”.

He made these remarks on Friday during the commissioning of the newly built left-hand service carriageway in Abuja.

Back in March, Wike disclosed that the FCT administration allocated N39 billion for the renovation of the centre, which has now been renamed in honour of President Bola Tinubu following its commissioning on Tuesday.

The renovation has sparked public backlash over the amount spent on the project.

As reported by Channels Television, Wike stated, “The only thing in that International Conference Centre that was not changed is just the block work.”

He continued, “Everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed.”

Wike emphasized that Nigeria must reflect its status as the Giant of Africa in both substance and appearance. He said, “Nigeria, as the Giant of Africa, must not only show that it is the giant of Africa; people must see what makes you to be the giant of Africa. Nobody who loves this country would criticise the International Conference Centre.”

He addressed the argument about the naming of the centre, noting, “They said we did not name the International Conference Centre after someone who built it. Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport was not built by Nnamdi Azikwe. Moshood Abiola International Stadium was not built by Moshood Abiola.”

Wike also countered claims that the centre, originally constructed for N240 million in 1991, should not have required N39 billion for refurbishment in 2025.

He responded, “What was the exchange rate in 1991? Compare the exchange rate to what we have in 2025.”

He stressed his commitment to quality, stating, “We have taste; we want the best for the country, and the president has given the best for the country.”

Wike concluded by defending his loyalty to the president, saying, “If you did not do well to defend your boss when you had the opportunity, it is your business. I am here, and I will defend my boss.”

“I have done it, and I have no regret at all.”

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BIG STORY

EFCC Arraigns Sun Trust Bank MD, ED Halima Buba Over Alleged ‘$12m Fraud’

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has charged Halima Buba, the managing director and chief executive officer of SunTrust Bank Ltd, with allegations of money laundering.

Buba appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the federal high court in Abuja on Friday, alongside Innocent Mbagwu, the bank’s executive director and chief compliance officer.

They are facing a six-count charge from the EFCC, which accuses them of laundering up to $12 million.

According to the commission, Buba and Mbagwu were involved in the unlawful handling of large sums of cash on several occasions, bypassing financial institutions in violation of Nigeria’s money laundering regulations.

One of the charges alleges that on March 10, 2025, in Abuja, the two assisted Femi Gbamgboye in paying $3 million in cash to Suleiman Muhammed Chiroma and his associates.

The funds were allegedly handed over without using a financial institution, breaching the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

Another charge claims they arranged another $3 million in cash to be delivered on March 13, 2025, in Lagos to Mukhtar Miko, who is said to be an associate of Chiroma, also without routing it through a bank.

Buba and Mbagwu denied all allegations when arraigned.

After their plea, lead EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court that the commission was ready to proceed with trial and requested an expedited process.

Defence lawyer J.J. Usman asked the court to grant bail based on an application submitted on May 27.

Oyedepo challenged the request, stating that the defendants were not in custody when they filed the application and should not be permitted to seek bail while outside detention.

He urged the court to dismiss the existing application and require new bail submissions.

After considering arguments from both sides, Justice Nwite approved bail for each defendant in the sum of N100 million, with one surety each of the same amount.

The sureties must have landed property in Abuja, submit the property documents to the court, and provide their passports along with two recent passport photos.

The judge ruled that the accused be held in a correctional facility until they fulfill their bail conditions and scheduled the trial to continue on July 17 and 18.

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