News

Wike-backed PDP faction inaugurates new exco in Sokoto

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2026

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Sokoto State aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has inaugurated a new state executive committee ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The new executives emerged during a congress in Sokoto supervised by officials from the PDP National Secretariat and representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Leader of the delegation, Abubakar Bawa-Kalgo, described the exercise as transparent and conducted in line with the party’s constitution.

He also dissolved the state caretaker committee before inaugurating the newly elected officials and urged them to remain accountable and committed to their responsibilities.

The new executive committee is headed by Hayatu Tafida as State Chairman, with Ahmad S. Fawa as Secretary, Bello Bashir as Treasurer, Abdulkadir Gidadawa as Youth Leader, Murtala Muhammad as Auditor, Hadiza Abubakar as Women Leader and Buhari Sidi-Attahiru as Publicity Secretary.

Speaking at the event, PDP governorship candidate Abubakar Abdullahi congratulated the new officials and urged them to work for the growth of the party in the state.

Abdullahi also challenged members of the faction led by Tanimu Turaki to stop presenting themselves as the legitimate leadership of the party, arguing that the convention which produced them had been nullified by the Supreme Court.

“How can a group invited to convene a national convention in a state previously governed by one of its members continue to claim the leadership of our party after the Supreme Court nullified the convention?” he queried.

Also speaking, PDP National Organising Secretary Umar Bature called for unity among members to strengthen the party’s chances in Sokoto State but insisted that the rival faction lacked legal recognition.

“I call on those claiming to be the leaders of PDP in Sokoto to stop doing so. You should shut that office to avoid impersonating the legitimate party leadership,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Chairman, Hayatu Tafida, thanked party members for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to work diligently to advance the party’s interests in the state.

News

Ekiti council polls: Court dismisses ADC suit against EKSIEC

Published

3 hours ago

October 17, 2026

PlateauReports

The Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has dismissed a suit filed by the African Democratic Congress, ADC, challenging the guidelines for the December 12, 2026, local government and Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, elections.

The suit was instituted against the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission, EKSIEC, and its Chairman, Justice Cornelius Ilori Akintayo, rtd, seeking to invalidate the guidelines issued for the conduct of the forthcoming elections.

A statement issued by EKSIEC Information Commissioner, Soji Oloketuyi, on behalf of the commission’s chairman, said the case was initially filed at the Federal High Court, which subsequently transferred it to the State High Court for adjudication.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice S.B.J. Bamise dismissed the action in a 76-page judgment, describing the plaintiffs as “meddlesome interlopers” who, according to the court, sought to truncate the forthcoming local government elections.

The court also awarded costs of N100,000 in favour of EKSIEC and the other defendant in the suit, marking a legal development in the commission’s preparations for the December 12 elections.

The commission said the judgment followed the ADC’s challenge to the electoral guidelines, as preparations continue for the conduct of the 2026 local government and LCDAs elections across Ekiti State.

Ekiti council polls: Court dismisses ADC suit against EKSIEC

News

28 kidnap victims rescued in Katsina, Zamfara, suspected pipeline vandals arrested

Published

6 hours ago

October 17, 2026

PlateauReports

The Nigerian Army troops have rescued 28 kidnap victims in Katsina and Zamfara states.

The troops arrested three suspected pipeline vandals in Rivers State and kiled two suspected criminals in Bauchi State.

This is contained in an operational report detailing military activities across several theatres between Thursday and Friday, released in Abuja on Saturday.

The report said that troops of Operation Fansan Yamma rescued 27 victims kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Gamji community, Sabuwa Local Government Area of Katsina State, at about 12:25 a:m., on Friday.

It said the rescued victims were handed over to the community leader, Falalu Suleiman, for further action.

The report noted that troops responding to an attack on farmers in Dutsen Maru community, Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, forced the attackers to flee and abandon one kidnap victim.

According to the report, troops rescued the victim and recovered three motorcycles and a donkey.

It further said that in Rivers State, troops of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, arrested three suspects over an alleged vandalisation and removal of pipelines belonging to the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) along the Bonny export line serving the Port Harcourt refinery.

“The operation took place at Okochiri community, Okrika Local Government Area, on Thursday.

“The troops recovered 210 pieces of vandalised pipes, 12 boats, five motorcycles, six batteries, a generator, a fire extinguisher and two heavy-duty metal-cutting machines,” it said.

The report noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspected buyer.

It also said that troops of Operation MESA, acting on intelligence about ransom payment to kidnappers, engaged and neutralised two suspected criminals in the Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

According to the report, troops also arrested a herder and his son over an alleged killing in Jimpi village, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area in separate operation.

The report further said that troops of Operation Enduring Peace recovered the body of a civilian kidnapped on October 14 in Gwol-Hoss community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

“The decomposing body was discovered along the Gwol-Hoss-Makera Road on Friday and evacuated by family members for burial,” it said.

The report said that troops responding to an attack on illegal miners at Makale mining site in the Bokkos Local Government Area also found two bodies, while the assailants fled on sighting the troops.

According to the report, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the perpetrators of both incidents.

It added that troops of the 17 Brigade engaged armed terrorists on motorcycles in Kurba village, Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina state, forcing them to abandon one motorcycle.

It added, “The operations form part of ongoing efforts to rescue abducted persons, combat violent crime, protect critical infrastructure and strengthen security across the country.”

(NAN)