The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Isuikwuato LGA of Abia State, Okechukwu Okorie, has resigned from his position as Chief of Staff to Lucky Johnson, the lawmaker representing Isuikwuato Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly.

Lucky Johnson, who was previously a member of the PDP, left the party this week to join the Labour Party, citing internal crises within PDP and his admiration for Governor Alex Otti’s performance as his reasons.

However, in reaction to the development, Okechukwu Okorie, who also serves as the chairman of PDP in Isuikwuato, resigned from his role as Johnson’s Chief of Staff.

In his resignation letter, Okorie stated: “I submit my resignation from the position of your Chief of Staff, effective today, 25th March 2025, due to political differences.

“I have come to the conclusion that the political direction you have taken does not align with my personal values and principles as a committed member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“As a result, it has become clear that stepping down from my role as your Chief of Staff is the most appropriate course of action.”

Okorie, who also serves as the chairman of all PDP local government chairmen in Abia State, reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the party.

A coalition of retired civil servants in Nigeria has called on Senate President Godswill Akpabio to reject a proposed legislation seeking to limit the appointment of the Clerk to the National Assembly (CNA) to only individuals who have served within the legislative chambers.

In a letter signed by the convener of the group, Comrade Bango Tsokwa Thomas; secretary, Mr. Anthony Oziani, and Alhaji Abdulrazak Muhammad, Director of Media and Strategy, they described the bill as “discriminatory, unjust, and a ticking time bomb.”

The Coalition in the letter addressed to Akpabio, warned that the proposed legislation would set “a chaotic and destructive precedent” within the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) by barring highly qualified and competent staff from advancing to the highest position in their service.

They argued that such a move would violate labour laws, diminish morale among civil servants, and erode public trust in the fairness of the legislative process.

“This bill is an open violation of Nigerian labour laws, international best practices, and the fundamental principles of justice,” the statement read.

“It is an insult to the commitment and service of these individuals who were engaged under clear employment terms, only to be told that their legitimate career aspirations would now be permanently blocked through legislative fiat.”

The coalition accused lawmakers of attempting to create an exclusive class within the National Assembly, where political loyalty would take precedence over competence and experience. They expressed fears that, if passed, the bill would turn the NASC into a structure where “loyalty to lawmakers, rather than competence, determines promotion.”

“This is a deliberate ploy to sideline highly qualified and competent officers within the National Assembly Service Commission—individuals who have dedicated their years to building institutional capacity,” the statement added.

The group further warned that the bill could “trigger an unprecedented crisis within the National Assembly Service Commission, leading to mass outcry, protest, and disillusionment among staff members.

“The National Assembly should be seen as a model for best governance practices. If this bill is passed, it will reinforce the belief that laws are made to serve a few privileged individuals,” the coalition said.

“When workers realize that their chances of career growth have been sealed off unfairly, it breeds dissatisfaction, apathy, and a toxic work environment.”

“Public service roles must be open to all qualified candidates. Excluding NASC staff from becoming CAN is an unreasonable restriction on their rights as civil servants.”

They listed ten reasons why the bill is unjust, arguing that it contradicts the NASC Act, negates the principle of meritocracy, and sets a dangerous precedent that could encourage other government agencies to adopt exclusionary policies. They also stated that the bill erodes public confidence in the National Assembly as a fair and just institution.

“No credible legislature operates in a manner that deliberately sidelines experienced public officers in their own service commission,” the coalition noted.

“If this bill is allowed to pass, other government agencies and institutions may begin adopting similarly exclusionary policies, which would ultimately fragment Nigeria’s civil service into unjustly divided classes.”

The group urged the Senate to step down the bill immediately and instead focus on strengthening institutional capacity through merit-based promotions.

They insisted that any attempt to block career progression for NASC staff would have damaging consequences on both the commission and the National Assembly as a whole.

They called on Akpabio to use his position to ensure that fairness and transparency remain the guiding principles of the National Assembly.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited said it has successfully concluded its latest recruitment exercise, which it described as one of the most rigorous and transparent in the country.

In an official statement released on Monday, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., Olufemi Soneye, confirmed the completion of the process and assured that successful candidates would soon receive their appointment letters.

“We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of our recruitment exercise, which was conducted with utmost fairness, transparency, and rigor,” Soneye stated.

NNPC expressed gratitude to all applicants who participated in the process and encouraged those who were not selected to look forward to future opportunities with the oil company.

“We are hopeful that those who were not selected this time will look forward to future opportunities with NNPC Limited,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its dedication to a merit-based recruitment system, the national oil company reiterated its commitment to excellence and equal opportunity as it continues its mission to build a world-class energy company.

LEADERSHIP reports that th NNPC’s recruitment process saw no fewer than 45,689 applicants participating in a computer-based aptitude test as part of the selection process for employment at the company.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State has condemned the appointment of a former APC State Chairman, Engr. Mohammed Jibrin Imam as the Niger State Independent National Electoral Committee, NSINEC.

PDP rejected the appointment in a statement signed by Yahaya Ability, State Vice Chairman and Zonal Chairman, Niger North Senatorial District.

“During the PDP administration, particularly under Governor Engr. A.A. Kure, the State INEC Chairman was Alhaji Maman Auna, a neutral civil servant. Similarly, during His Excellency Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu’s administration, the Chief Servant, it was Alhaji Danlami Dallatu, a neutral person.

“Even during the APC administration of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, it was Alhaji Baba Aminu, a civil servant, ensuring free and fair elections,” Ability said.

He questioned the governor’s decision, saying, “Why is your own different, imposing your will on the people without carrying everyone along?”

The PDP argued that the appointment undermines public trust and creates fear among opposition parties.

The party emphasized that the Nigerian constitution upholds impartiality in electoral processes.

Ability stated, “No opposition party can confidently participate in elections under an electoral body led by a member of the ruling party.”

The PDP urged Governor Mohammed Bago to reverse the appointment and restore public confidence in the electoral process, to ensure a level playing field for all parties.

The party maintained that Niger State deserves fairness, not a system that tilts the electoral process in favor of one party.

Recall the Governor Mohammed Bago had appointed Engr Mohammad Jibrin Imam to head the NSIEC alongside six others.

They include Barr. M.A. Liman as Permanent Commissioner I, Nasiru Ubandiya as Permanent Commissioner II, Yahaya Idris Abara as Permanent Commissioner III, Capt. Mohammed Baro as Permanent Commissioner IV.

Others are Kabiru Tanko Zama as Permanent Commissioner V, Barr. Amina Guar as Permanent Commissioner VI, and Barr. Ahmed Borgu as Permanent Commissioner VII.

The governor stated that their appointment is subject to confirmation by the State House of Assembly.

Former spokesperson of the Labour Party, Kenneth Okonkwo has claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP leaders are now servants to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Okonkwo said the main opposition party should blame itself for the crisis destabilising it, blaming the leadership chaos on the appointment of Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT by the APC government.

According to Okonkwo, President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Wike reduced PDP’s political standing as an opposition party.

Speaking on Channel Television’s programme on Friday, Okonkwo a popular Nollywood actor turned politician, blamed PDP for accommodating some members, who worked against the party in the 2023 elections.

He said, “Look at what is going on in the PDP. For instance, some people came out as G5 and worked against the interest of the party, not covertly but overtly, and everyone saw it. You accommodated them and then gave excuses for them.

“Normally, when you accept such things, it would start graduating, now they want to take over the party and they’ve been given an appointment.

Then they would go ahead to hijack the party and when they hijack it, the true members of the party would become servants to the servant because their main leader is now a servant to the APC by being a minister in the APC and the remaining ones are servants to that leader, meaning the PDP is now a servant of servant to the APC.”

The National Association of Aviation Progressives (NAAP), the most pressure group with a special interest in aviation, has lauded Captain Chris Najomo’s appointment as the substantive Director General (DG) of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

President Bola Tinubu wrote to the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday urging that Najomo be confirmed as the agency’s substantive DG.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President and read on the floor of the Read chamber on Tuesday, Tinubu urged lawmakers to expedite action on the confirmation process by the Civil Aviation Act of 2022.

Najomo was first appointed Acting DG of the NCAA in December 2023, when President Tinubu suspended Capt. Musa Shuaibu Nuhu from office.

In a statement signed on Wednesday by the President of Aviation Progressives, Engr. Gideon Ogar and Secretary, Chief Aderibigbe Alao, the group acknowledged Najomo’s laudable achievements since he was appointed acting, saying he would surpass Nigerians’ expectations when given the full power to operate.

The group, made up mainly of aviation experts, appreciates President Tinubu for nominating Najomo as substantive DG and calls on the Senate to expedite action to confirm him “as a matter of national importance.”

“For President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to have nominated him for the substantive position of a Director General means he acknowledged the many good works he has been doing at the NCAA since December 2013.

“It means our dear President and other critical stakeholders acknowledge and believe in his good work. We have also monitored the activities around that space since he became the acting DG. We know why the former DG has been suspended and what level of sanity, decorum, transparency, and quality services Captain Chris Najomo brought to bear.

“His stern leadership qualities and insistence on operational services that align with global best practices have reduced corruption and tragedy and helped stamp Nigeria’s aviation system on the international reckoning map. None could have done it better.

“We at the National Association of Aviation Progressives (NAAP) wholeheartedly welcome the appointment of Captain Chris Najomo as substantive DG of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority. We appreciate the President for this great step, and we urge the Nigerian Senate to make his confirmation a top priority for the nation”, the statement reads in part.

The group expressed confidence in Najomo’s ability to lead the regulatory agency, emphasising that his nomination aligns with President Tinubu’s efforts to strengthen the nation’s aviation sector.

As director general, Najomo will oversee safety regulations, industry compliance, and policy implementation within the NCAA, a crucial agency in Nigeria’s aviation sector.