General News
PDP CRISIS DEEPENS AS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS EXPULSION OF SENATOR SAMUEL ANYANWU
The crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn as the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) has recommended the expulsion of Senator Samuel Anyanwu, a loyalist of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The recommendation was made in a letter signed by the Chairman of the NDC, Tom Ikimi, on March 10, 2025.
According to the letter, the NDC found Anyanwu guilty of engaging in anti-party activities, contrary to the provisions of Article 58 (1)(f) of the PDP Constitution 2017. The committee also stated that Anyanwu was involved in conduct likely to disrupt the peaceful, lawful, and efficient conduct of the business of the party, contrary to the provisions of Article 58(1)(h) of the PDP Constitution 2017.
The NDC’s recommendation has been met with resistance from Wike’s loyalists, with Anyanwu himself dismissing the recommendation, saying, “How can they expel me? That cannot stand. I have never heard from them. The last time they met, they adjourned to April 4. So wherever this one is coming from will not work.”
The PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, also described the NDC’s action as “subjudice,” stating that the recommendation to expel Anyanwu would not be successful. Osadolor said, “I think what the Committee is doing is subjudice, and they should have allowed the court to make a pronouncement before addressing it.”
Meanwhile, a reliable source has confirmed that the South-South Governors, barring any last-minute changes, will attend the inauguration of the zone’s caretaker committee scheduled for today. The source stated that their attendance is in support of the Damagum-led NWC and to take control of the party’s structure in the zone.
The development is seen as a move to counter Wike’s influence in the region. Wike had earlier declared that the South-South is the PDP’s strongest base and that no further congress would be held in the region. However, the Damagum-led NWC disregarded Wike’s stance and appointed Emma Ogidi as Chairman of the Caretaker Committee, announcing April 12 as the new date for the South-South Zonal Congress.
A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned the hearing of the bail application of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to March 31, 2026, following his arraignment on alleged corruption-related charges.
El-Rufai was on Tuesday brought before the court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and arraigned before Justice Rilwan M. Aikawa.
During the proceedings, the former governor was docked on one count out of a 10-count charge filed by the anti-graft agency. The charge, according to his counsel, Ubong Akpan, relates to alleged deposits into a domiciliary account and the monetisation of earnings.
El-Rufai was arraigned alongside a co-defendant, Joel Adoga.
Despite pending applications earlier filed before the court, Justice Aikawa proceeded with the arraignment and subsequently adjourned the matter to March 31 to consider all outstanding applications, including the bail request.
No bail application was moved or granted during Tuesday’s session.
Speaking to journalists after the court sitting, Akpan maintained that there was nothing unusual about the proceedings, adding that the defence team was yet to be served with processes relating to other potential charges.
The case is expected to resume on the adjourned date for hearing of the bail application and other pending matters.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.