By Bonaventure Phillips Melah

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has announced waiver for former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, clearing the way for h as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The presidential screening committee made the announcement Tuesday evening at the River Meeting Hall of Transcorps Hilton, Abuja.

The waiver announcement was made by former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu in company of several committee members.

Although Jonathan has not formally declared intention to contest the election, insider sources said the former president has fulfilled all other conditions, including digital registration of membership as well as return of completed forms for contest.

By the announcement, Dr. Jonathan is now the only presidential aspirant under the PDP umbrella and therefore the party’s official candidate.

Details later…

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has reacted to the recent election defeat of Senator Ned Nwoko in the All Progressives Congress (APC) Delta North senatorial primary.

Former Delta State governor Ifeanyi Okowa defeated Ned Nwoko during the primary held on Monday. Nwoko got only three votes while Okowa secured 4,462 in his ward.

Reacting, Sowore in a post shared on his Facebook page, mocked the senator over the outcome of the primary election. The former presidential candidate said the defeat exposed what he described as the problems within Nigeria’s elite class, accusing wealthy political figures of building influence through manipulation, propaganda and political connections.

He also stated that power built on such foundations would eventually collapse, adding that there is no loyalty among people involved in corrupt political dealings.

He wrote: “The fall of so-called billionaire Senator Prince Ned Nwoko exposes the rot behind Nigeria’s elite culture of wealth without honor. When power and influence are built on manipulation, propaganda, and political patronage, the collapse is always inevitable. In the end, there is truly no honor among thieves.”

The Nigerian Police has claimed that kidnappers who wrecked havoc in Oyo state by abducting children, teachers and one principal from three different schools, were aided by informants before, during and after the nefarious act.

The Fulani terrorist herders on Monday, beheaded one of their victims, a teacher named Michael.

The incidents took place at Ahoro-Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

According to Police, investigators have uncovered how suspected informants maintained communication with the abductors through telephone conversations.

The Oyo State Police Command disclosed that investigators traced the suspects through calls believed to have been exchanged with the bandits during and after the operation.

According to the police, the conversations contained details on how the criminals could successfully navigate routes within the National Park to hidden locations used as safe havens.

The development led to the arrest of no fewer than six suspects, who are currently in police custody and assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations into the gruesome incident.

Confirming the development on Tuesday morning, the State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olayinka Ayanlade, said the suspects were apprehended during coordinated security operations across different locations in the state.

“We have six suspects in custody and they are assisting the investigation,” Ayanlade said.