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We are talking with Obi, says PDP over 2027
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has confirmed it is in active discussions with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while maintaining a strong lineup of potential 2027 presidential contenders from among its governors.
Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday at the PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, reaffirmed PDP’s determination to reclaim legislative seats lost through defections and stressed the need for “absolute, 100% loyalty” from members.
“This party has many very qualified, exceedingly qualified, performing governors that can become president of this country,” Ologunagba said. “So, when you ask me whether Jonathan is contesting, go and ask him, I don’t speak for President Jonathan. We are talking to Obi — ask Obi who is talking to him.”
He further noted that the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) had mandated the party’s Legal Adviser to take constitutional steps to recover mandates from lawmakers who defected without justification, adding that the party would deal decisively with members campaigning for other political platforms.
“Membership of the party is voluntary. What we will not take is disloyalty,” Ologunagba stressed, warning that PDP constitution would be invoked against members found to be working for rival political parties.
On internal disputes and reconciliation, Ologunagba said politics was not a “zero-sum game” and that bitter pills sometimes had to be swallowed for the greater good.
He noted that the party had adopted a multi-level approach to reconciliation—talking to members through formal party channels, religious spaces, and community platform – while avoiding confrontation.
Giving a hint that another round of conflict between some party leaders and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike may soon become inevitable, Ologunagba asserted that the party cannot embrace the condition given by Wike that the re-election of Chief Dan Orbih as Chairman of the PDP for the South-South zone must be upheld, adding that instead, party leaders will continue to support the Chief Emmanuel Ogidi-led Caretaker Committee picked for the zone.
He dismissed suggestions that the PDP would take instructions from any individual or entertain conditions being given by any political figure ahead of its national convention, maintaining that all processes were guided strictly by the party’s constitution.
“PDP has not, and will not even take condition from anybody and we will follow that constitution anyway; we have a South-South Zonal Caretaker Committee and they’ve been functioning as such.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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