There are indications that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may never recover on time from the protracted leadership crisis bedevilling the party ahead of the 2027 general election.

This is even as the party has continued to suffer losses following the outcome of the 2023 general election.

The latest injury on the PDP came after both the governors of Rivers and Osun states, Siminalayi Fubara and Ademola Adeleke, respectively, announced their exit from the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, and Accord Party.

Fubara announced his defection to the APC on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

The Governor claimed that he did not receive protection from the PDP, leading to his decision to join the ruling party.

“What you all have been waiting for, what you have been asking me— the signal has finally arrived.

“We have the full support; we have the positive nod to leave where we are because we didn’t get any protection to go to where we are going.

“So, we have every reason— because the truth is, let nobody be fooled in this state— we have the people, we have the supporters.

“Our only ‘thank you’ to Mr. President is to support him, and we cannot support the President in isolation; we cannot support the President if we don’t fully identify with him—not backyard support.

“So, we have taken that decision today, since we have gotten the pass. Everyone here who has followed me, who has suffered with me— our decision today, this evening— is that we are moving to the APC,” Fubara said while announcing his defection to APC.

DAILY POST reports that Fubara’s defection comes just four days after the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, and 17 other lawmakers left the PDP for the APC.

The lawmakers said their departure from the PDP was because of the ongoing crisis within the party.

On his part, Adeleke announced that he was joining the Accord Party as a new platform to seek re-election in August next year.

The governor made the announcement in a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, just a few days after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

According to him, he had joined the Accord Party since 6th November, 2025, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026.

“Stakeholders and residents of Osun State are aware of why we are taking this important decision.

“We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends, which have been applauded at home and abroad.

“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare,” Adeleke said.

DAILY POST reports that both governors cut ties with the PDP at a time the ongoing wave of defections by governors, senators and other key politicians from opposition parties to the ruling APC has triggered fears that Africa’s largest democracy may be drifting towards a one-party state.

The development has also fueled growing concern that the ruling party under President Bola Tinubu may face little or no resistance in the 2027 polls.

DAILY POST observed that in recent months, the nation’s political terrain has witnessed a dramatic shift.

Don’t blame us – PDP tells Fubara

Reacting to Governor Fubara’s move to the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, described the development as “self-inflicted,” warning that the development threatens Nigeria’s democratic balance.

In a statement on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the move contributes to what it called a growing slide toward a one-party system.

According to the statement, the governor made political choices that led to his departure and should not blame the party or any stakeholder.

“Everyone who has followed the developments that culminated in this uneventful defection will recall that the Governor willingly travelled the path that took him to this destination.

“Having done so voluntarily, he cannot turn around and accuse our party, or any other person or group, of abandoning or failing to protect him.

“Whilst a person at a crossroad of threats of existential proportion may suffer from temporary amnesia caused by trauma, the Governor should have nothing less than praise for our party, civil society organisations, and all Nigerians who freely stood up in his defence since this crisis started, until he capitulated.

“It is our prayer that the Governor does not suffer from Stockholm Syndrome, where a victim falls in love with their captor. In all, despite these, we pity the Governor and wish him well,” the PDP said.

PDP facing structural breakdown – Analyst

Meanwhile, a Public Affairs Analyst and Communication Scholar at Peaceland University, Enugu, Dr. Nduka Odo, in an interview with DAILY POST, described the recent defections of Governors Siminalayi Fubara and Ademola Adeleke from the PDP as a sign of deeper structural problems within the opposition party.

Odo said the development goes beyond the country’s usual season of defections, noting that Governor Fubara’s move to the APC represents “a strategic repositioning” driven by ongoing political battles in Rivers State, where he has been engaged in a power struggle with entrenched interests.

He explained that Governor Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party reflects what he called “ideological fatigue” within the PDP, adding that the governor may have chosen the party to escape the internal factionalism that has destabilised the PDP in recent years.

According to him, both defections underscore the party’s “chronic failure” to manage and resolve internal conflicts.

Odo maintained that the PDP’s decline remains reversible if the party undertakes serious reforms.

He said: “What we are witnessing is not merely the usual season of defections but a deeper structural convulsion within the PDP. Fubara’s move to the APC is not an isolated gesture.

“It is a strategic repositioning driven by existential political battles in Rivers State, where the governor has been locked in a survival contest with entrenched power blocs.

“Adeleke’s defection, on the other hand, reflects a more ideological fatigue within the PDP. His choice of Accord Party signals a desire to escape the suffocating factionalism that has crippled the party.

“Both defections highlight a chronic failure of internal conflict resolution within the PDP, and Nigerians should pay attention to that.

“The PDP is not in irreversible decline, but it is certainly in an advanced stage of institutional erosion. Political parties survive on cohesion, trust, and predictable reward systems.

“When governors—who are the party’s biggest electoral assets—begin to exit, it means the internal incentive structure has collapsed.

“Yet, decline is reversible if the party can re-engineer its internal democracy and re-negotiate power with its stakeholders. The question is: does the party still have the discipline and moral capital to do so?”

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Basheer Lado Mohammed, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Senate matters, on Tuesday, received former presidential aide, Reno Omokri following his nomination as a non-career ambassador.

The move is part of the lobbying process to get the Senate’s nod after Omokri’s nomination caused uproar in the polity.

Lado said Omokri’s nomination reflects the president’s commitment to building a more dynamic and impactful diplomatic corps.

“With his strong communication skills and passion for national unity, I am confident that Ambassador-designate Omokri will excel in this new role,” Lado wrote on Facebook.

Lado said his office remains committed to supporting the president’s vision and strengthening engagements that advance Nigeria’s interests.

He said Omokri presented him with a traditional walking stick made from sapele timber from Delta state, which he described as beautifully crafted.

On his part, Omokri described Lado as a gentleman and praised his nobility, efficiency and service to the president.

“I thank him for receiving me today and enriching my knowledge with his deep insights,” Omokri wrote on his social media pages.

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The Secretary to the Abia State Government, Professor Kenneth Kalu, has formally begun a leave of absence after securing the approval of Governor Alex Otti.

The development was disclosed during Monday’s State Executive Council meeting, where the governor confirmed that the SSG would be travelling to Canada to attend to “some serious domestic matters” that need his presence.

Governor Otti, while explaining the decision to council members, noted that the duties of the SSG are too central to the administration to be handled remotely.

He stressed that the office demands physical coordination, frequent communication with ministries, and close oversight of government activities.

According to him, allowing the SSG to function from abroad would affect the pace and cohesion of governance.

The governor also used the moment to appreciate Professor Kalu for what he described as outstanding stewardship since the administration came on board.

He commended him for the “excellent services” he has rendered, adding that the government remains grateful for his commitment and sacrifice.

Responding during the session, Professor Kalu expressed deep appreciation to Governor Otti and members of the council.

He said serving in the administration was an honour, noting that he was privileged to be part of a government that, in his words, has “wiped the tears of Abia people and made them proud.”

He assured the EXCO that he would still offer support to the government even while abroad. “Above all, having the opportunity to serve in a government that has wiped the tears of Abia people and made them proud, was a dream come through, hence my gratitude to Governor Otti for his support,” he said.

Before his appointment as SSG, Professor Kalu was a respected academic in Canada, where he served as a Senior University Don. He is also a Chartered Accountant and hails from Abam in Arochukwu Local Government Area.

His move into Abia politics began when he took a leave from his academic work to join Governor Otti’s campaign, eventually becoming a key member of the administration after the 2023 election victory.

However, his temporary departure creates a notable gap in the state’s administrative hierarchy, given the strategic role of the SSG in coordinating government operations.

The government is expected to announce interim arrangements in the coming days to ensure continuity.

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A young Nigerian graduate has shared his emotional experience on social media after his family refused to attend his convocation ceremony.

The absence, he revealed, was because he graduated with a second class upper degree rather than the first class honours they had hoped for.

Celebration Without Loved Ones

The young man, identified as @nemipromise5 on TikTok, explained how his special day, meant for celebration, turned into a bittersweet moment.

He revealed that none of his family members showed up to witness him receive his degree.

Graduation With a 2:1 Degree

According to the graduate, the disappointment stemmed from his academic result.

His relatives reportedly chose to stay away because he graduated with a second class upper division, rather than the top first class grade.

Staying Positive Despite Hurt

Despite feeling hurt by the snub, the graduate shared that he tried to enjoy the occasion in his own way.

In a TikTok video, he was seen smiling and dressed in his graduation gown, determined to celebrate his achievement regardless of his family’s absence.

In his words: “Keeping myself happy because life didn’t end when my family members decided not to attend my convocation simply because I graduated with a 2:1 instead of a first class honours. We move.”

Netizens React

The video quickly gained attention on TikTok, sparking mixed reactions from users

See below;

@nemipromise5

We move #graduated #graduate #classof2024 #riversstateuniversity #goviral #viraltiktok #fyp

♬ daylight – overlays ⸆⸉

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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said the global aircraft supply chain is unlikely to return to normal before 2031 to 2034, following years of delivery shortfalls and a record-high order backlog that continues to constrain airlines worldwide.

According to IATA’s latest global outlook, aircraft deliveries began to recover in late 2025, and production is expected to accelerate in 2026, but supply will still fall short of demand for much of the decade.

The association noted that the industry is grappling with a deep structural mismatch between airline requirements and production capacity, driven by irreversible delivery losses over the past five years.

“The International Air Transport Association (IATA) updated its analysis of aerospace supply chain bottlenecks, noting that aircraft availability remains one of the most significant constraints on industry growth in its just-released global outlook. 

“While deliveries of new aircraft began to pick up in late 2025 and production is expected to accelerate in 2026, demand is forecast to outstrip the availability of aircraft and engines. 

“The normalization of the structural mismatch between airline requirements and production capacity is unlikely before 2031-2034 due to irreversible losses on deliveries over the past five years and a record-high order backlog,” the report read in part.

The order backlog has now surpassed 17,000 aircraft, equivalent to almost 12 years of current production and well above the long-standing historical norm of about 30 to 40 percent of the active fleet.

The report noted that delivery shortfalls have grown to at least 5,300 aircraft, forcing airlines to keep older airplanes in service for longer. The average fleet age has climbed to 15.1 years, including 12.8 years for passenger aircraft and nearly 20 years for cargo fleets. Despite this ageing fleet, more than 5,000 aircraft remain in storage, highlighting persistent supply chain inefficiencies.

More insights 

IATA said airlines are feeling the impact across their operations, with higher leasing and maintenance costs, reduced scheduling flexibility, and slower progress on sustainability targets.

Travellers are also being affected, as the tighter balance between demand and available aircraft continues to push fares higher in many markets.

• The association explained that several factors are intensifying delays, including persistent engine shortages, longer aircraft certification timelines that now extend up to five years, and supply pressures linked to US-China trade tensions. A shortage of skilled labour in engine and component manufacturing has further slowed the pace of production recovery.

To ease these challenges, IATA recommended a series of measures such as opening up the aftermarket to enable more competition in Maintenance, Repair and Operations, improving visibility across the supplier network, expanding repair and parts capacity, and adopting more predictive maintenance tools to reduce downtime and enhance fleet availability.

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has identified the procurement process as one of the areas where corrupt practices are mostly perpetuated.

The antigraft agency noted that issues such as inflated contracts, substandard project delivery, ghost projects, and abandoned contracts as some of the issues associated with procurement.

Speaking at a one-day procurement engagement workshop in Abuja for directors and heads of procurement across ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), chairman of the ICPC, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu empathised the strategic importance of procurement officers in safeguarding public funds and ensuring that government projects translate into tangible benefits for citizens.

“Public procurement is the single largest channel of public expenditure and, unfortunately, the highest point of corruption risk,” he said, highlighting recurring issues such as contract inflation, splitting of contracts to evade thresholds, substandard project delivery, repeated budget entries, and abandoned projects.

Represented by the secretary to the commission, Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, the ICPC boss noted the commission’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Initiative (CEPTI), which has, since 2019, uncovered ghost projects, duplicated budget items, and cases where contractors collected funds but delivered work far below specification.

According to him, “We have tracked projects from inception to completion across the six geopolitical zones and the FCT. These findings confirm that transparency directly improves citizens’ lives.”
While speaking on preventive measures to tackle procurement process, the ICPC chairman said all MDAs must adopt, including the publication of procurement plans, clear evaluation criteria, full contract award details, implementation updates with photographic evidence, and proper handover documentation.

He further stressed the importance of deploying technology-driven procurement systems to create audit trails, enable early detection of anomalies, and minimise discretionary human decisions.

He also called for legislative reforms, including stronger sanctions for procurement violations, establishment of special courts for corruption cases, and standardisation of public projects to reduce waste.

Also, the chairman of the House Committee on Anti-Corruption, Hon. Kayode Akiolu commended the ICPC for its preventive approach, explaining that many practices Nigerians consider normal are in fact corruption.

The director-general of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun ssid the ICPC has improved compliance with procurement rules, highlighting the recent approval of the National Infrastructure Development Policy, which provides a stronger legal framework for prosecuting contractors delivering substandard projects.

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A deeply troubling corruption scandal has erupted within Nigeria’s House of Representatives, with Hon. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji, Chairman of Basic Examination Bodies, now exposed for allegedly demanding millions in kickbacks from the country’s major examination agencies and launching a vengeful probe when they refused to pay.

Strong-Arm Tactics and Retaliation
Hon. Oforji is accused of repeatedly pressuring key examination bodies including WAEC, NECO, NABTEB, NBAIS, and JAMB to hand over a significant share of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), purportedly for “committee use.” When the agencies resisted these unlawful demands, Oforji weaponized his constitutional powers under Sections 88 and 89, initiating a so-called “performance audit” and demanding sensitive financial documents under the guise of legislative oversight.

Rigged Audits and Targeted Harassment
Behind the scenes, Oforji allegedly hired and later fired a consultant for refusing to help implicate uncooperative exam body CEOs. He then brought in a second consultant with clear instructions to find or fabricate evidence against officials who declined to divert public funds into his pockets.

Committee Revolt: “He Used Our Names, Kept the Money
Fellow committee members have broken their silence, accusing Oforji of operating a one-man extortion scheme. They reveal that he:
Secured ₦62.7 million for an official event that never took place, Diverted the full amount into the committee’s Zenith Bank account (No. 1311194060) Refused to release funds to members, preventing their participation and returned only ₦43 million when confronted — leaving ₦19.7 million unaccounted for

In a separate incident, Oforji obtained funds for an official trip to London, claiming it was committee business — then went alone and kept the money.

A Betrayal of Public Trust
This isn’t just corruption — it Nigeria’s educational integrity. By threatening the agencies responsible for safeguarding national exams, Oforji has compromised the credibility of the very institutions millions of students depend on.

Related

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No fewer than 11 terrorists causing mayhem in Sokoto and other states in the North West have been neutralized by the troops of Operation Fansan Yamma Strike.

A statement posted on the official Facebook page of the Nigerian Army Headquarters, said the bold and tactical operation was conducted near Kurawa Village in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

The statement said the operation disrupted a planned attack on Tara Village, “a critical area for cross-movement by terrorist and bandit elements”.

“Acting on precise credible intelligence the strike team executed a well-coordinated ambush engaging the bandits in an intense firefight.

“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 11 bandits, while others fled with gunshot wounds”, the statement added.

The Nigerian Army further revealed that the troops recovered some dangerous weapons including 8 AK-47 rifles, 5 extra magazine and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition from the terrorists.

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Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a suspected criminal, identified as Godspower Cletus, while attempting to withdraw a ₦1 million ransom allegedly collected from the husband of a woman he abducted in Akure.

The arrest was made by detectives assigned to the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Squad after intelligence tracking.

According to police sources who spoke with Vanguard, Cletus reportedly stormed the residence of one Mrs Farimoyo Endurance in the Odudu area of Akure, where he allegedly robbed her at gunpoint, carting away her Android phone and ATM card.

The suspect was said to have coerced the victim into calling her husband, during which he demanded a ransom of ₦5 million under duress.

“The husband later transferred ₦1 million into the victim’s Opay account, which the suspect intended to access,” a source revealed.

Believing his operation had succeeded, the suspect fled the scene.

However, police detectives were able to track him to a POS terminal where he attempted to withdraw the ransom.

Speaking on the arrest, the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed that the suspect was apprehended while trying to access the funds.

Olayinka said, Ayanlade said, “Upon interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime, and investigations are ongoing to determine if he has accomplices or links to similar criminal activities within the state.”

He commended “the swift and professional response of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad.”

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Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its resolve to clear all buildings and structures erected beneath high-tension power lines across the state, warning that continued encroachment poses grave risks to public safety.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Electronic Geographic Information System, eGIS, and Urban Development, Olajide Babatunde, issued the warning during an on-site inspection of the Third Mainland Bridge corridor.

Babatunde was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Gbolahan Oki; the General Manager of the Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency, LASURA, Oladimeji Animashaun; and senior officials from other relevant agencies.

The assessment tour covered the stretch from Oworonshoki to Adekunle and the Makoko section of Ebute Meta, where officials identified several shanties and unlawful structures encroaching on the legally required 50-metre setback around the bridge and beneath high-tension transmission lines.

Babatunde stressed that the state can no longer permit habitation or commercial activities in restricted corridors, particularly under power lines, describing such actions as dangerous and unacceptable.

He added that enforcement operations would be intensified to ensure compliance with planning laws, protect public infrastructure, and safeguard lives.

Speaking during the tour, Oki revealed that the government had held numerous engagements with residents in Makoko and neighbouring communities, repeatedly warning them of the dangers of erecting structures directly under power lines or too close to the Third Mainland Bridge.

“As far back as February this year, we issued a 14-day notice for them to vacate the area, but they ignored it. Many of them have even extended their structures toward the midpoint of the bridge. We have warned them several times; the next step is decisive enforcement,” Oki said.

He reiterated that authorities made it clear during earlier meetings that after continuous warnings, no further notice would precede enforcement actions.

While the government remains open to dialogue with community leaders, he stressed that public safety remains paramount.

“If any of those cables were to snap and a disaster occurs, the blame would be directed at the government. Protecting lives is our priority. Beyond the power lines, their activities are now creeping dangerously close to the Third Mainland Bridge,” he added.

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