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2027: Southwest PDP Rejects Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai Coalition
The South West Caucus of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, insisted that it would not be part of the coalition being put together by some politicians, including prominent members of the party such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The caucus, comprising Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party, Taofeek Arapaja, among others, reaffirmed its unwavering loyalty to the PDP and commitment to its unity, stability, progress and success at all levels.
Governor Makinde dismissed the coalition as incapable of constituting any threat to PDP.
Chairman of the party in Osun State Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, warned PDP federal lawmakers from the state against dumping the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP Caucus, in a communiqué at the end of a meeting in Ibadan, said the party remained intact in the Southwest.
It urged all its organs and relevant bodies to remain focused and continue to work assiduously toward the successful conduct of the scheduled National Convention to further strengthen and reposition the PDP for the task ahead.
“The Caucus states in that it is not part of the reported coalition and urges all members of the PDP to remain united, steadfast and continue to stand behind our leaders in the Zone in navigating through all issues at the zonal and national levels,” it said.
But it expressed support for the position of the National Working Committee (NWC) that “our Party remains open to working with other well-meaning like-minded citizens in the collective effort to rescue our nation from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
It also resolved to intensify efforts to ensure “the victory of our great Party in the upcoming bye-elections in Oyo and Ogun States as well as Local Government Council election in Lagos State. The Caucus is confident that the PDP as a party of choice in the Southwest and Nigeria at large will record a sweeping victory in the coming elections.”
It demanded the immediate release, by the federal government, of “the withheld Osun State Local Government allocation. The withholding of the Osun State Local Government allocation by the Federal Government is unconstitutional, unwarranted and a violation of the rights and wellbeing of the people of Osun State.
Fielding questions from reporters at the end of the meeting, Makinde said the brains behind the coalition have always been known as people with antecedents of moving from one party to another.
He said any serious party leader should address whatever challenge is facing his party head on, instead of jumping ship at the slightest opportunity.
He said the question people should be asking is what such defectors have to offer.
On the caucus meeting, he said: “We want the whole world, the entire country to know that the PDP in the Southwest is united, we are together.
“Coalition is not a threat to PDP. Who are these people in this coalition? They have been in some parties before, whether PDP or APC. What are their antecedents? Does it mean that every time they move from one party to the other, they repented or changed or they have something new to offer the people?
“Those are salient questions. If this building here, the roof is leaking, as leaders of PDP in the Southwest, are we going to abandon the building and go somewhere else to take refuge? We will stay inside here and fix it and let the people know that we are responsible leaders and we have the interest of the people at heart. That will be my own expectation for anybody that has anything against this party.”
On the threat by some members of the coalition that they will remain in the PDP but work for the coalition, the governor said people were entitled to their opinions but the party as an institution with laid down structure has its own way of dealing with such issues at the right time.
His words: “People can say whatever they like. But in a party like PDP, that is an institution, we have our own ways and means of dealing with such issues. And when we get to the point where we have to deal with such issues, I give you the assurance, we will.”
Addressing the delegates earlier, the governor recalled how the refusal of the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to allow the office of the party’s national chairman to go to the South resulted in the formation of the G5.
The meeting had in attendance leaders, delegates and stakeholders of the party from Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, Ekiti and Lagos State.
Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, was represented at the meeting by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi.
PDP dares Osun Senators, Reps over dumping party
Hon. Sunday Bisi, in a video which has gone viral, warned PDP senators and Reps to be careful of their actions as the 2027 elections draw near.
Bisi who spoke in Yoruba at a gathering of party stakeholders said: “those of us who are close to our senators and Reps, let’s advise them; their mandate is for four years. You did not mandate them to spend two years and cross to another political party.
“Whoever does that is a betrayer and he will also be betrayed. And it will not be well for such a person.
“I am saying this because we built this party with our sweat and tears and got them elected. Now that the party’s flame is shining, anyone who tries to extinguish it will have his own flame extinguished instead.
“Talk to them because some of them are acting like they will not return home again and need the party again. We’re monitoring their every move in Abuja. Help us warn them seriously to desist from any untoward action.
“We worked for this party, and we want to warn Wole Oke; he wants to destroy the PDP finally after he used the platform for 24 years. He forgot God and the future, I won’t say more than this.”
Residents of Kamba in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State have welcomed the opening of a new branch of Fidelity Bank Plc, describing it as a major milestone that will ease long-standing financial and logistics challenges faced by farmers, small-scale traders and individuals in the community.
The Chairman of Dandi Local Government Council, Dr. Mansur Isah-Kamba, described the branch as a welcome relief after years of limited access to formal banking services. Represented by the Council Secretary, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad, Isah-Kamba noted that residents – including over 83 traditional rulers on the local government payroll—previously travelled long distances to Birnin Kebbi for routine banking transactions.
“With the opening of this branch in our locality, the stress, cost and time associated with banking outside the community will be significantly reduced,” he said. He also commended Fidelity Bank for its foresight and commitment to supporting farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs).
On his part, the Sarkin Shikon of Kamba, Alhaji Mahmoud Zarumai-Fana, described farming as the primary occupation in the area will help improve commercial activities.
“Our people are predominantly farmers. Access to financial services will help them improve productivity and livelihoods. Farmers need support such as pumping machines, fertilisers, and pesticides, and proximity to banking services will make it easier to save, access loans, and participate in agricultural intervention programmes,” he said.
L-R: District Head, Kyangakwai, Alhaji Suleiman Musa; Former Speaker, Kebbi State House of Assembly, Mr Isma’ila Abdulmumuni Kamba; District Head, Kamba (Sarkin Shikon Kamba), Mamuda Zarummai; Council Secretary, Dandi Local Government, Kebbi State, Alhaji Abdulkadir Muhammad; and Regional Bank Head, North-West Zone 2, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr Muhammad Lawal-Ahijo; at the official commissioning of the new Fidelity Bank Plc branch in Kamba, Dandi Local Government Area, Kebbi State recently.
Speaking at the official inauguration ceremony, Regional Bank Head, North‑West Region, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Muhammad Lawal‑Ahijo, highlighted the bank’s commitment to expanding financial access and supporting economic growth across Nigeria.
“Our decision to establish this branch is rooted in our belief that every community deserves access to reliable financial services that enable people to grow, businesses to thrive, and local economies to prosper. Kamba is a thriving agricultural community, and the decision to open a branch here is a strategic investment in the future of its farmers, traders, and households. While the infrastructure is for the bank, this branch belongs to the community. We encourage residents to take ownership by fully utilising the services available.” Lawal-Ahijo said.
He further noted the bank’s overall dedication to empowering informal sector workers and small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), adding, “Our goal is to bring banking closer to the people and support farmers, SMEs and households with accessible financial services that drive sustainable growth.”
In his remarks, a member of the Kebbi State House of Assembly representing Dandi Constituency, Dr. Abubakar Suleiman-Fana, said the new branch marked a significant step toward strengthening financial inclusion in rural communities.
“This is a milestone for our constituency. Financial inclusion is critical to rural development, and farmers, traders, and youths must take advantage of this opportunity to grow their businesses and improve their economic well-being,” he said.
Residents also expressed delight about the impact the new branch will have on their daily lives. A petty trader, Mrs. Hassana Abubakar, said she previously had to close her shop whenever she travelled to Birnin Kebbi for banking transactions.
“Now I can do my banking here without losing a whole day’s business. This will help my shop grow,” she said.
The opening of the Fidelity Bank branch in Kamba underscores the bank’s ongoing commitment to advancing financial inclusion, supporting rural economies and empowering farmers and small businesses across Nigeria.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine.
Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Newly sworn-in Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tunji Disu has declared that the establishment of state police in Nigeria has come to stay.
Speaking to reporters on the committee for state police implementation after his official swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Disu emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is not opposed to the initiative but views it as a critical partnership to strengthen national security.
JomogNews had reported that President Bola Tinubu recently asked Nigerian senators to expedite action to enact a law for the establishment of state police.
Speaking on Wednesday, the new IGP said, “From the angle of the Nigerian Police, we don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, didn’t do anything.
“We want to ensure that the best thing is done. The police should be able to contribute and do their own part in making it succeed.
“The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken; it’s just an issue of partnership.”
About 140 people are missing after an Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena sank in the Indian Ocean approximately 40 nautical miles (74 km) south of Galle, Sri Lanka, after being struck by a torpedo from a United States Navy submarine.
The Sri Lankan navy says around 180 people were on board, with 32 rescued.
A spokesman tells the BBC the cause of the sinking is not known.
Sri Lanka’s navy has confirmed that it’s rescued 32 people after it received a distress call from Iranian navy ship ‘IRIS Dena’ early this morning, March 4.
Budhika Sampath, the spokesman of Sri Lanka’s navy says: “Though it was beyond our waters, it was within our search and rescue region. So we were obliged to respond as per international obligations.”
He adds: “We found people floating on the water, rescued them, and later when we inquired we found that those people are from an Iranian ship.”
He also says that according to the documentation of the ship 180 people are believed to have been on board, although the exact number of missing is unknown.
The spokesman says at the time of launching the rescue operations they did not see the vessel but saw oil patches on the water and floating life rafts.
He also tells the BBC that he rejects the reports of a submarine attack causing the sinking, and that the cause is unknown.
So far, Sri Lanka’s military has not been able to confirm what might have caused the ship to sink.
Israel launched a fresh wave of strikes across the region, with several people reportedly killed in attacks on Lebanon that the IDF says were targeting Hezbollah operatives and facilities
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