My Continued Membership Of The PDP Will Depend On Court Of Appeal Ruling – Zamfara Gov Lawal

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March 3, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

One of the three Peoples Democratic party, PDP, Governors still standing, Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, has tied his continued membership of the beleaguered party to the outcome of the legal proceedings at the Appeal Court.

The Source reports that the Appallate court had a couple ago, consolidated the avalanche of appeals by the two contending camps in the festering leadership crises bedeviling the PDP.

The two factions of the once political behemouth which became pronounced immediately after the November 15 and 16 Ibadan National Convention, are separately backed by the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister Nyesom Wike, and Governors of Oyo and Bauchi States, Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammad respectively.

Governor Lawal who has been under intense internal and external pressurqqe to ditch the fractured PDP ,as his fellow former colleagues had done, however, informed that he will only consider the option of defection after the Court of Appeal pronouncement of the consolidated suits before the Court.

A statement from his media aide, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, said that Governor Lawal who spoke at an interactive session with stakeholders from 14 local council at the Government House ,Gusau, the state capital, emphasized the need to be alive to the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC’s electoral guidelines which have, among other things, fixed between April and May as deadline for the conclusion of all party primaries for the 2027 polls.

It will be recalled that following the new Electoral Act which abridged the election timetable from 360 days to 300 days, the INEC authorities, last week, reeled out the timetable for the 2027 election, with parties mandated to the conduct of their primaries between April and May ending.

“The INEC guidelines indicate that between April and May 2026, all party Congresses must be concluded.

“There are litigations surrounding the PDP at the National level. If we remain without exploring options, we may face uncertainty and others may take advantage”, the Governor’s 1spokesperson emphasized.

The Court of Appeal is expected to make a definite pronouncement as to which of the two camps separately led by Wike and Governors Seyi Makinde and Bala Mohammad is the authentic national leadership of the PDP.

The Wike faction which had sprung up immediately after the Ibadan National Convention which threw up the Turaki’s National leadership ,had earlier in the year been recognized as the rightful leadership by an Abuja Federal High Court .

The trial court also declared the Ibadan National Convention a nullity ,as it was held against a court order .

The Turaki-led NWC is presently seeking to upturn the trial Court’s ruling,as well as an order affirming the Ibadan Convention and it’s outcome.

It is strongly believed that the Zamfara State Governor will be quitting the PDP should the Turaki-led NWC loses at the Appeal Court .

Although some of his aides are believed to favour the APC in the event of defection , his destination is mostly likely to be the emerging opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress ADC.

HIV Prevention Drugs To Arrive Nigeria Soon

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 3, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

The National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA, has disclosed that Nigeria will take delivery of Lenacapavir, a groundbreaking HIV prevention drug that has shown 100% effectiveness in preventing HIV infection in Clinical trials soon.

In a statement by Toyin Aderibigbe, Head of Public Relations, NACA, on Monday, the agency said it has secured regulatory approval from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC.

Lenacapavir is an injectable treatment administered twice a year, making it a more convenient alternative to daily oral prevention drugs.

The Drug is set to be available in Nigeria and 119 other low-and middle-income countries at an affordable price of $40 per person annually, thanks to voluntary licensing agreements with generic manufacturers.

“The Government of Nigeria is advancing preparations for the introduction and rollout of Lenacapavir as Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP).

“This is part of the government’s commitment to strengthen HIV prevention and accelerate progress toward epidemic control,” the statement read.

NACA listed some significant milestones achieved, including completion of landscape and readiness assessments across ten states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, Kano, Kwara, and Lagos, alongside regulatory approval by NAFDAC.

“The commodities are expected in the country in March 2026,” NACA noted.

Nigeria has approximately 1.9 million people living with HIV, with a national prevalence of 1.3% among adults aged 15-49 years.

The country recorded 74,000 new HIV, and 51,000 AIDS related deaths in 2021.

The South-South zone has the highest HIV prevalence at 3.1%, while women aged 15-49 years are more than twice as likely to be living with HIV as men.

Banditry: Ondo Govt. Fingers Locals, Ask Security Agencies To Go After Them

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Ayodele Oni

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March 3, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The Ondo State Government has attributed gale of kidnappings and banditry in the state in recent time to collaboration of some locals in the affected areas.

Within the last one month, a traditional ruler was hacked to death by suspected bandits, church members in Owo local government were kidnapped, while a couple returning home from place of work was also abducted.

Families of victims were forced to cough out huge sums of money before securing their release.

The state government on Tuesday expressed concern over the recent kidnapping incidents in the state saying it has been discovered that it was orchestrated by some locals within those parts of the state.

A statement by the commissioner of information, Idowu Ajanaku, directed security agencies to crackdown on them.

“The government is aware that the unscrupulous elements want to use the criminal activities to portray Ondo State as unsafe. Such acts are unacceptable and will be met with firm and lawful action.

“The government has consequently directed all security agencies in the state to intensify surveillance and immediately clamp down on individuals or groups involved in these nefarious activities.

“Security operatives have been mandated to ensure that those found culpable are apprehended, thoroughly investigated, and brought to justice in accordance with the law.

“The government reiterates that significant investments have been made to strengthen the state’s security architecture.

“These include the provision of utility vehicles and other logistics support to security agencies, the construction of a state-of-the-art Crime Control Centre for the Ondo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun Corps), and the recent recruitment of 500 well-trained Amotekun personnel to boost intelligence gathering and rapid response operations across the state.

“Traditional rulers are hereby urged to remain vigilant and closely monitor activities within their domains.

“They are encouraged to promptly report any suspicious movements or gatherings to the appropriate security agencies. Community-based intelligence remains a critical component in the fight against crime.

“Residents are also advised not to remain silent in the face of suspicious activities. If you see something, say something.

“The protection of lives and property remains the foremost priority of the Ondo State Government, and no individual or group will be allowed to undermine the peace, security, and stability of our dear state.”

NBA To CCB: “You Have No Powers To Summon Justice Tsoho, Withdraw Summons Immediately”

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 3, 2026

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By Adesina Soyooye

Angered by the summons extended by the Code of Conduct Bureau to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Honourable Justice John Tsoho, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has warned the CCB to immediately withdraw it.

The CCB had summoned Tsoho to appear before it over alleged non-declaration of certain bank accounts.

Condemning the summons, however, the NBA ruled the CCB out of order, and insisted that the Bureau had no powers to summon Tsoho.

In a letter dated March 2, 2026, which was addressed to the Chairman of the CCB, the NBA pointed out that according to the Constitution only the National Judicial Council (NJC) has the exclusive powers to investigate and discipline serving judicial officers. The NBA, therefore, described the CCB’s summons as a breach of constitutional provisions which safeguards judicial independence.

Media reports stated that Justice Tsoho has been invited to appear before the Bureau to answer to allegations that he failed to declare some bank accounts in his asset declaration form, and so, is in breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The bank accounts Justice Tsoho, allegedly, failed to declare are domiciled with United Bank for Africa, namely 3000087154, 3000201901, and 3000075689. There is, also, account number 1756816871, domiciled with Access Bank.

But the NBA described the development as constitutionally worrisome and argued that “any investigative or disciplinary process initiated against a serving Judge without prior recourse to the NJC would violate the doctrine of separation of powers enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.”

The NBA cited the Supreme Court’s decision in FRN v. Nganjiwa, and stated that the apex court had clearly held that the NJC must “first exercise disciplinary control over a serving judicial officer before any criminal or quasi-criminal proceedings can be commenced.”

It further held that the summons issued to the FHC Chief Judge could not be regarded as a “benign administrative interaction,” as it “marked the commencement of a process capable of culminating in sanctions and, therefore, triggered constitutional safeguards designed to protect judicial independence.

“The involvement of the National Judicial Council is a constitutional condition precedent to any investigative or adjudicatory process against a serving judicial officer,” the letter noted.

The NBA warned that allowing the CCB or the Code of Conduct Tribunal to “independently summon or try a serving Chief Judge would amount to an unconstitutional encroachment into the judicial sphere and could render such proceedings null and void.”

Therefore, the NBA urged the CCB to withdraw the summons issued to Justice Tsoho and forward any of its findings “to the NJC for appropriate investigation and action.”

Recall that the forced resignation of a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Honourable Justice Walter Onnoghen began with his being dragged before the Code of Conduct Tribunal over some alleged undeclared assets. He was found guilty, a ruling that has since been thrown into the dustbin.

Attack On Obi, Others: DSS Arrests Prime Suspect

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 2, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Department of State Service, DSS, has apprehended one of the suspected masterminds behind the attack on Peter Obi, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other leaders of the African Democratic Congress ADC ,in Benin ,the Edo state capital.

The Source reports that Obi ,the presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP in the 2023 general elections , alongside other chieftains of the ADC ,were last week attacked by some gunmen at the residence of Chief Odigie-Oyegun, a former Governor of Edo State ,after being trailed from the party’s State Headquarters where they had gone to formally receive Chief Olumide Akpata ,the LP candidate in the 2024 election in the State into the ADC fold.

Although no lives were lost in the attack , several vehicles parked at Oyegun’s residence were riddled with bullets and their windshield severely damaged by the attackers

The DSS on Monda, said it has arrested one Monday Udeme Stephen over his suspected role in the failed assassination attempt.

It will be recalled that just hours after news of the attack broke out ,26-year old Stephen had taken to his official site to bemoan the non-successful execution of the plot, particularly the attempt on Obi’s life.

In his cryptic message online, Stephen a teacher, at Jessica High School, Eliozu in Obio Akpor Local Council of Rivers State however expressed the optimism that his ” boys” who he boasted never miss their targets, will finish off the assignment when Obi comes calling in Rivers state soon.

Peter Obi escaped assasination — Peter Obi, attacked in Edo State

Stephen, who had noted that they warned the former LP Presidential candidate not to step his feet into Edo State, insisted that he will pay the price for his obstinacy, when he visits Rivers state as planned.

Sources revealed that his threat ,and subtle claim of responsibility for the attack led the DSS to commence immediate covert operations to unmasked his identity.

His eventual arrest was preceded by discreet investigations, including forensic analysis of his social media posts

Stephen, who is now in custody, is assisting the service in tracking down other perpetrators of the attack,which has caused unease within the political circle.

Iran: NIDCOM Says It’s Yet To Receive Distress Call From Nigerians

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 2, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Amid the ongoing crisis between the United States of America/Israel and Iran, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NIDCOM, has disclosed that there is no need for panic, as the Commission has not received any distress calls from Nigeria residing in Iran.

Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Director of Media and Public Relations, NiDCOM, debunked insinuations from some quarters who are of the opinion that Nigerians may be stranded following the sudden suspension of international flights into, and out of Iran.

Balogun said although there may be Nigerians in Iran, none has officially reached out to the Commission for assistance.

Making clarifications, Balogun said: “I’m not saying there are no Nigerians there, I’m only saying nobody has sent any distress call.

“Flight cancellations were due to ongoing hostilities, stressing that no airline would operate in an active war zone.

“You cannot fly where bombs are going up and down. No airline will fly,” he said, adding that the situation affects all nationals, not just Nigerians.

“The suspension of flights makes any immediate evacuation impossible, except if a ceasefire is declared to allow stranded persons to leave.

“They may ceasefire for two or three days to allow people who are stranded at the airport to be evacuated. That has not been done,” he noted.

He also noted that Nigeria do not have an embassy in Iran, stating that he does not have the statistics of Nigerians in Iran, or those that may be affected due to the ongoing crisis.

“The only person controlling embassies is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. They will be able to tell the statistics of Nigerians living in Iran.

On whether NiDCOM is collaborating with airlines or foreign authorities to ensure Nigerians are not left stranded, the spokesperson maintained that such collaboration is not feasible under the current circumstances.

“There is suspension of all airlines. We cannot collaborate with anybody,” he said, noting that Nigeria currently has no national carrier operating international routes.

“Which Nigerian airline? We don’t have one now,” he added.

Balogun explained that Nigerians travelling to Iran typically do so as private individuals, often connecting through countries such as Dubai or Greece.

Speaking on the possibility of activating a full evacuation plan, Balogun said certain conditions must be met before the Federal Government can intervene.

He stressed that affected Nigerians must formally request assistance and be willing to return home.

“You cannot force them. People went there voluntarily. In Sudan and Ukraine, some initially said they were not leaving. So people must seek for help and say, ‘Our lives are in danger, can you evacuate us?’

He explained that once such a request is made and conditions permit, the Federal Government could arrange emergency measures, including chartering aircraft and setting up a rescue committee.

“All must be Nigerian and must be ready to come back home,” he stated.

He further affirmed that the protection of Nigerians abroad remains a core responsibility of the Federal Government in line with its citizen diplomacy policy.

“If the life of any Nigerian is in danger and it reaches out to us, the Federal Government will look for a way out. Even if we don’t have an aircraft, we can lease or hire for that operation,” he said.

However, he reiterated that without a ceasefire and the reopening of airspace, evacuation efforts would be impracticable.

“As far as I know, I’m not aware that anybody has sent a distress call,” he maintained, adding that international protocols must also be observed in situations of global airspace restrictions.

Wife of Assassinated Iranian Supreme Leader Dies

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Adesina Soyooye

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March 2, 2026

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Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh

By Adesina Soyooye

For the family of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader, it is multiple tragedy.

Recall that the Supreme Leader was assassinated on Saturday, February 28, 2026, by a combined deadly airstrikes on Tehran carried out by forces of the United States of America and Isreali.

The Supreme Leader’s home was specifically targeted with missiles and, reportedly, about 30 bombs.

He stood no chance. He was 86 years of age at the time of his assassination.

Now, Iran has, also, announced that his 79-year old wife, Mansoureh Khojasteh Bagherzadeh, who was with him in their home at the time of the strike which killed him, has succumbed to the grave injuries she sustained during the attack.

She had been in coma since after the attack which also killed one of their daughters, two grandchildren, a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law.

Bagherzadeh, born in Mashhad, Iran, married Khamenei in 1965. As the Leader’s wife, she was said to be a prominent figure for over 30 years within Iran’s Clerical elite.

FG Constitutes Tech Committee To Develop Guidelines For Direct Remittance To Fed. Account

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Ayodele Oni

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March 2, 2026

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Wale Edun - Finance Minister — Wale Edun

By Ayodele Oni

The Implementation Committee for Executive Order 9 of 2026 has constituted a Technical Sub committee tasked with developing detailed guidelines for the direct remittance system within three weeks.

The committee also approved a defined transition period for the direct remittance of petroleum revenues into the Federation Account, as part of efforts to safeguard public funds and strengthen fiscal management.

This was disclosed on Monday in a statement signed by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who also chairs the Implementation Committee for Executive Order 9 of 2026.

The Technical Sub committee will also begin a review of the Petroleum Industry Act to address structural and fiscal issues affecting Federation revenues.

The Technical Sub-committee will be led by the Special Adviser to the President on Energy and will include the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service, the Chairman of the Forum of Commissioners of Finance, as well as representatives of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil). The Budget Office of the Federation will provide secretarial support.

The Executive Order 9 of 2026, was issued by President Bola Tinubu, to safeguard Federal revenues and strengthen the management of petroleum revenue flows.

According to the statement, the approval followed the inaugural meeting of the Implementation Committee held on February 26, 2026, in line with Executive Order 9 issued by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to protect Federal revenues and improve the management of petroleum revenue flows.

The Committee reaffirmed the President’s directive that all revenues accruing to the Federation from petroleum operations must be handled in a way that upholds constitutional provisions, safeguards funds due to the Federation, and supports fiscal stability across the three tiers of government.

On the issue of direct payments by contractors into the Federation Account, the Committee stressed that the process must respect existing contractual and financing arrangements while maintaining investor confidence.

“The Committee approved a defined transition period for the operationalisation of direct payments by contractors of profit oil, royalty oil, and tax oil into the Federation Account.

“Until the Committee issues detailed guidelines, contractors will continue to remit under the current process.

“During the transition period, the Committee will issue clear, standardised guidance to ensure an orderly changeover,” the statement said.

As part of immediate measures under the Executive Order, the Committee directed that NNPC Limited should cease the collection of the 30 per cent management fee and the 30 per cent frontier exploration fund deductions from profit oil and profit gas under Production Sharing Contracts.

It also announced the suspension of all remittances of gas flare penalties into the Midstream and Downstream Gas Infrastructure Fund, in line with the provisions of the Executive Order.

The Committee pledged to continue providing coordinated guidance and timely updates as the implementation progresses, while commending stakeholders for their cooperation in ensuring that Nigeria’s petroleum resources translate into measurable benefits for citizens across the country.

Nigerian Tugboat Sinks In South Africa, One Drowns, 12 Rescued

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Akinwale Kasali

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March 2, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, on Monday disclosed that the South African Ministry of Transportation has formally notified Nigerian authorities of the sinking of a Nigerian Tugboat that led to the death of one Nigerian. The South African authorities rescued 12 crew members. Five members missing. The Nigerian tugboat sank off the country’s coast late Saturday night.

The tugboat, identified as LEO, had 18 persons on board. It had, reportedly, travelled to South Africa for repairs but ran aground about 18 nautical miles offshore in stormy waters between Cape Town and Durban while on its return voyage to Lagos.

In a statement issued in Abuja by her Special Assistant on Communication and New Media, Magnus Eze, the Minister said one fatality had been recorded, while search and rescue operations were ongoing for the five missing crew members.

“The South Africa Ministry of Transportation informed us of this development.

“The South African Maritime Safety Authority has also informed that survivors are presently being conveyed to Port Elizabeth, where officials from the Nigeria High Commission are on their way to receive them,” the statement quoted the Minister as saying.

It further added that the details of the rescue mission of the missing five persons are expected, as recovery efforts intensifies.

“It’s Big Risk To Pursue One’s Political Ambition On PDP Platform” – Wike

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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March 2, 2026

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Nyesom Wike - FCT Minister — Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister.

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has described the beleaguered Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in its present form, as a high risk platform for political contestants.

This is as he declared the long drawn political face-off between his camp and that of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a thing of the past.

Speaking at his monthly media chat on Monday February 2, 2026, the immediate past Governor of Rivers state and one of the prominent progenitors of the festering leadership and internal crises bedeviling the PDP, explained that the precarious and risky nature of the once political behemouth were at the heart of the reason many of his loyalists rode on the back of the APC during the just concluded FCT Council Polls.

According to him, the unending crises within the PDP has rendered it a very big risk for potential aspirants to various political positions.

However, he expressed deep shock and concern that the leadership of the PDP has refused to draw any lesson from the unpalatable events that served to reduce the party to a weakling in the nation’s political and governance space.

“I have said it several times that, as it is today, my party, the PDP appears not to have learnt its lessons. And that being the case, I am going to support Mr President for a second term in office.

“I did not mince words when I said as a Minister, that my party never consulted me on the candidates they were going to field for the FCT Council elections.

“So, only candidates who informed me that they were going to run for the election, and who were also candidates that are supporting the President that I decided to support.

“It was unfortunate they might not be of the same party. But the fact remains that I never said I was going to support based on political party affiliation

“The PDP, as of today, is a high risk party for political contests. It does not make sense to go into a system that you don’t have a definite idea of who is going to submit your forms to the Independent National Electoral Commission. That is a very big political risk” the FCT Minister stated.

Wike also expressed happiness that peace has finally returned to his home state of Rivers after nearly three years of disagreements and clashes between the Governor’s camp and his loyalists.

He attributed the it to what he described as the ” give and take dispositions of the major actors in the crisis.

“Leadership is all about give and take. You have to be able to swallow certain things. From what I have seen, there is no cause for alarm, except there is something that you have seen in your investigations as journalists that I am yet to see.

“Otherwise, for now, we have done everything we should do in the interest of Rivers state”, he added.