There was confusion at the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, national secretariat on Friday as Samuel Anyanwu returned to office as the National Secretary.

His return to the PDP national secretariat was captured in a viral video sighted by DAILY POST on Friday.

In the video, Anyanwu, flanked by his supporters, was seen thanking God and PDP leaders for the victory at the Supreme Court.

“I thank my leaders and PDP faithful across the country who stood by the truth,” he said.

This comes amid conflicting interpretations of Friday’s Supreme Court judgement regarding the right occupant of the seat.

DAILY POST reported on Friday that the Supreme Court nullified the judgements of the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court, which sacked Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The apex court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Jamilu Tukur, struck out judgements by trial courts in October and December last year.

However, minutes after the ruling by the Supreme Court, a statement from PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said the apex court rather upheld Samuel1 Udeh-Okoye as its National Secretary.

The confusion has added more fuel to the chaos in the country’s main opposition party.

The former governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, has defected to the All Progressives Congress.

Jandor made the announcement on Monday during a press conference at his office in Ikeja, Lagos, weeks after resigning from the PDP.

Jandor cited internal crises and lack of party discipline within the PDP as the primary reasons for his departure, expressing disappointment in the party’s inability to address anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.

He said, “Our story in the PDP was a case of working with perennial political saboteurs but we have resolved to love our future much more than we hate our past.

“After extensive consultations with family, political associates, elder statesmen, supporters, and well-meaning Lagosians who share our vision for a greater and more prosperous Lagos, and in identifying that the primary reason a political party exists is to win elections and ultimately form the government to contribute to the welfare, security and total development of the people, we wish to formally announce that we have decided to join a political party that considers winning for its members as top priority, not minding who is on the ballot.

“We have decided to return to the All Progressives Congress.”

Jandor revealed that he consulted widely with political associates, supporters, and leaders across various parties, including the Social Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, and Young Progressive Party, before deciding to return to the APC.

Addressing concerns about his earlier exit from the ruling party, he likened his experience to a Yoruba adage about learning from different situations.

“Before you are quick to remind me of the reasons upon which we left APC in the first place, let me respond with a popular Yoruba adage that says if a woman has not tried two husbands, she probably would not know which is better.

“In APC, we have a leader, even if you fault his selection choices, you can’t fault his desire to always win for his party to the benefit of all members, followers and the state.

“While in Lagos PDP, you have a leader that will, at every election cycle work against his own party, and willfully dash the hopes of many party members and followers. We have chosen the better alternative,” he stated.

He added, “Our return to the APC is not a decision made lightly. It is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to the progress of Lagos State and our belief that unity among progressives is essential to achieving the collective aspirations of our people.”

He acknowledged the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in persuading him to rejoin the APC.

Jandor stated, “Let me once again extend our sincere gratitude to the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who recognized our modest contributions to democracy and nation building.

“I must also recognize the relentless efforts of the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, who has been on our case for over one year to return ‘home’, and join hands with Mr. President.

“Upon hearing the news of my resignation from the PDP, the President’s son, Mr. Seyi Tinubu immediately put a call across to say “Egbon, this is the time to come back home.” Prior to that time, Seyi had exhibited the learnings he has had from the best and reached out, asking for support for the administration of his father, the President. What more can a father ask for.”

Jandor assured his supporters that the move was in Lagos’ best interest and urged them to join him in the new political chapter.

“We remain committed to the values of service, integrity, and progress. Together, we will continue to champion the cause of a better Lagos for present and future generations,” he said.

After spending about seven weeks in Canada, the Alaafin of Oyo-designate, Oba Akeem Owoade, arrived at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, on Wednesday evening.

He is expected to make his way to his hometown, Oyo, today (Thursday).

Owoade’s return comes just a month before his official coronation as the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, scheduled for April 5.

On January 13, the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, presented Owoade with his certificate and staff of office at the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Ibadan.

 

At the event, Governor Makinde announced that the coronation of the new Alaafin would take place within four weeks.

As the countdown to the coronation began, The TheNigerian exclusively reported that Owoade had left Nigeria just hours after receiving his staff of office, travelling back to Canada, his base.

The TheNigerian then reported that Owoade had yet to begin the traditional rites before leaving for Canada where he had to officially resign from his workplaces and engagements.

Owoade is based in Canada as a real estate investor, and financial services businessman, and is the Project Coordinator at one of the largest electric power and natural gas utility providers in Canada, Manitoba Hydro.

Confirming his return, the Chief of Staff to the Alaafin-designate,  Rotimi Osuntola, urged Oyo indigenes to turn out in large numbers to welcome their new king.

“He arrived safely in Nigeria on Wednesday evening. Alaafin will be in Oyo town by noon on Thursday (today) and looks forward to seeing the people of Oyo come out en masse to receive him,” Osuntola said.

Stakeholders in Oyo town also confirmed receiving news of the monarch’s arrival.

Some noted that they would travel to Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to welcome him and accompany his entourage to ensure his grand entry into Oyo today.

In the coming days, Owoade will commence traditional rites leading up to his April 5 coronation.

The Alaafin-designate is to perform certain enthronement rites at the Baba Iyaji residence, Ona Isokun, Ilemole, Bara before he proceeds to the Koso chamber accompanied by his chiefs and priests.

Documents relating to the Alaafin installation indicate that the divinely selected candidate goes to Ipebi for traditional rites and is installed as the new king after the completion of all the traditional rites.

The Ipebi (seclusion) ritual involves several individuals and groups playing key roles in guaranteeing the spiritual well-being and authority of the Alaafin.

Among them is the Oluawo (Ifa priest) who serves as the spiritual guide and advisor to the Alaafin through the Ipebi ritual.

The Oyo Mesi, priests and priestesses also play roles in offering prayers, performing sacrifices and providing spiritual support.

In the Koso chamber, the Alaafin-elect will be crowned with his royal headdress, symbolising his renewed spiritual authority.

He also would perform additional rituals and make offerings to the Orishas and his ancestors solidifying his connection with the divine.

Meanwhile, both the state and local organising committees have intensified preparations for the April 5 coronation.

These preparations continue despite ongoing legal challenges to Owoade’s emergence as Alaafin.

One of the lawsuits was filed by Prince Lukman Gbadegesin, a contender for the throne, who argues that Owoade’s appointment violates the Chiefs Law of Oyo State, 2000, and the Registered Alaafin Chieftaincy Declaration of 1961.

Filed on February 12, Gbadegesin’s suit seeks to nullify Owoade’s appointment and prevent him from assuming the throne or performing any royal duties.

The lawsuit names Governor Seyi Makinde, the Attorney General of Oyo State, and 11 others as defendants.

Similarly, another Oyo prince and former aspirant to the Alaafin throne, Ismaila Owoade, has filed a separate lawsuit against Governor Makinde and 19 others.

His suit challenges his exclusion from the selection process, which he claims was abruptly truncated with the appointment of Prince Abimbola Owoade.

Super Eagles head coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, has included Kano Pillars forward Ahmed Musa in his provisional squad for the crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and Zimbabwe. This marks Musa’s return to the national team for the first time since the AFCON 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.

Musa headlines the 39-man provisional list released by the new head coach yesterday. Genk striker Tolu Arokodare also makes the cut, following his impressive tally of 15 goals in the Belgian Jupiler League this season.

Among the fresh faces in Chelle’s provisional squad are Anthony Dennis (FC Göztepe), Papa Daniel Mustapha (Niger Tornadoes), and Slavia Prague’s Igoh Ogbu.

The squad sees the return of Kayode Bankole, the Remo Stars goalkeeper, and Southampton forward Paul Onuachu, as Nigeria aims to rekindle their hopes of qualification.

The provisional list includes prominent players such as captain William Ekong, Ademola Lookman, Victor Osimhen, Stanley Nwabali, Adeleye Adebayo, Calvin Bassey, Olaoluwa Aina, Alex Iwobi, Wilfred Ndidi, and Simon Moses.

 

Further inclusions comprise goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Bruno Onyemaechi and Zaidu Sanusi, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, as well as forwards Samuel Chukwueze and Sadiq Umar.

 

Defenders Igoh Ogbu and Ifeanyi Onyebuchi, midfielders Anthony Dennis, Chrisantus Uche, and Papa Daniel Mustapha, along with forwards Tolu Arokodare and Jerome Akor Adams, have received their first call-ups. Additionally, home-based goalkeeper Kayode Bankole, defender Jordan Torunarigha, midfielder Joseph Ayodele-Aribo, and forwards Cyriel Dessers and Nathan Tella could make a return if they are included in the final squad of 23 players.

 

Nigeria currently sits fifth in Group C, trailing behind Rwanda, South Africa, Benin Republic, and Lesotho. The Super Eagles will first face group leaders Amavubi of Rwanda in Kigali on Friday, 21st March, before squaring off against Zimbabwe’s Warriors at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo four days later.

 

 

 

 

Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.

He was returned as the speaker during Monday’s plenary session.

In January, the lawmakers impeached Obasa over multiple allegations, including poor leadership style, high-handedness, frequent lateness to plenary sessions, abuse of office, and intimidation of colleagues.

The impeachment was supported by over 90 per cent of the lawmakers.

Reacting to his impeachment, Obasa rejected the process, insisting that the lawmakers did not follow the constitutional procedure to remove him as speaker.

He also denied the allegations of corruption brought against him by the lawmakers during his removal, describing the alleged financial misappropriations as “impossible.”

“My status in the House? I believe strongly I am still the speaker until the right thing has been done. If you want to remove me, remove me the proper way and I will not contest it,” Obasa had said while denying the corruption allegations against him.

In a bid to resolve the leadership crisis, notable All Progressives Congress leaders, including former governors of Osun, Ogun, and Lagos states, Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba, and Akinwunmi Ambode, respectively, intervened on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

After a reconciliation meeting with all lawmakers on Monday, Meranda tendered her resignation alongside other top principal executives.

“This is a notice of resignation as Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly,” Meranda announced during the plenary.

Subsequently, Obasa was returned as the Speaker of the House.

Speaking during the plenary session, he thanked the lawmaker while calling for unity and love.

He said, “We want to assure Lagosians that we have resolved and determined to serve their interest and protect their interest always.

“Our major responsibility is to represent them and; that’s what we have been doing.

“What is happening here today shows that the Lagos State House of Assembly is capable and is a House of integrity. It is a house that has an internal mechanism to resolve issues in the interest of the institution and our party.

“Today is not the day for speech making but to celebrate my colleagues and thank them for all they have been doing. I am sure we will continue to work together in peace, love and harmony.”

Normalcy has returned to Kuje Area Council of the FCT after a violent clash on Friday that claimed one life through suspected accidental discharge by police personnel.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria who visited the area on Saturday reports that residents were seen going about their businesses.

Some of the residents who spoke to NAN said the clash erupted at about 7 pm around the Tipper Garage area of Kuje after an argument between two men.

Mr Bulus Ayuba, an eyewitness said the argument between the two men started when they came out from a supermarket in the area.

He said the police officer attached to the supermarket stepped in to resolve the issue when the argument became tense.

Ayuba said all efforts made by the police officer yielded no result as the argument continued to attract crowds.

“When the crowd was much and the police officer became helpless, he attempted to shoot into the air to disperse the crowd.

“Unfortunately, somebody in the crowd touched the gun and that was how he missed it and shot someone in the head,” he said.

Mr Philip Adeyeye, another eyewitness said shortly after the victim was taken away, the entire area became rowdy, with youths protesting.

Adeyeye said a vehicle parked at the premises of the supermarket was razed down by the angry youths.

He said it took the intervention of the military and additional deployment of police personnel to bring the situation under control.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, Mr Olatunji Disu, said the command was aware of the incident.

He said the police officer involved in the matter was already in the custody of the command, adding that an investigation into the incident had commenced.

NAN

The deputy managing director of the Kano State Refuse Management and Environmental Agency (REMASAB), Alhaji Lamin Muktar Hassan, has returned over N4.7 million, which was mistakenly credited to his bank account by the state government.

Hassan explained that he initially believed the funds were his January 2025 salary. However, upon reviewing the transaction, he realised the amount was more than 85% higher than his usual monthly earnings.

Appointed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, Hassan had faced months of salary delays before being paid his arrears in December 2024. In January 2025, the same amount was erroneously credited to his account without his actual January salary included.

“I realised it was a mistake because the payment matched my December arrears and did not include my January salary. So, I immediately reported it to the Ministry of Finance and the Accountant General’s Office,” Hassan said.

He then returned the entire sum and obtained a receipt, which he submitted to the Kano State Ministry of Finance as proof.

Hassan emphasised that returning the funds was the right thing to do, “At the time I returned the over N4.7 million, I had less than 10% of that amount in my account and had not received my January salary,” he noted.

Hassan added that as a proud Kano indigene, it was his responsibility to ensure that the funds were available for proper use by the State.

Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has returned to the country, describing his removal as presiding officer of the House as constitutional even as he insisted that due process was not followed.

Thirty-five out of the 40 Lagos State House of Assembly members had voted to impeach Obasa on January 13, 2025 while he was awy, following accusations bordering on misconduct and mismanagement of funds.

In his place, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda was elected as Speaker of the House.

However, addressing members of the Mandate Movement and politicians from some local government areas at the official residence of the Lagos Speaker in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that the allegations against him could not be substantiated.

He added that he is the most experienced lawmaker in the Assembly following his election for six times since 2003.

Obasa declared that until the right process was followed, he remained the speaker of the House. “I believe I am still the speaker until they follow the right process.”

Speaking on the allegations against him, Obasa thanked his supporters for their support and dedication. “I will take this opportunity to debunk the allegations that were circulated and raised about me.

“Is it possible to construct an ordinary gate with N16billion? It is not the Wall of Jericho or the wall that demarcated the United States of America and Mexico.

“How can they say we bought one Hilux bus for N1 billion each and that we bought 40 pieces for N40 billion? Talking about thanksgiving, they should compare the one they said we spent N200 million on and the one organised by the state government.

“I am not disturbed or perturbed, and I am not afraid. I will debunk all the allegations levelled against me by the House.”

The former speaker insisted that he did nothing wrong. “I have not done anything wrong. I have been a lawmaker for over two decades, and I am the longest-serving lawmaker in the House,” he said.

The former speaker added that he was not afraid of removal, saying it’s not a chieftaincy title.

“I am not afraid of being removed. After all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people, and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.

“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place; we cannot denigrate the state,” Obasa said.

He said the innocent person should not be discredited while insisting that the lawmakers should prove their allegations against him.

“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above the common standard of excellence.

“I believe in the image of our institution. We must not destroy it, and I will never partake in its destruction,” Obasa added.