The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the conduct of its National Convention on Saturday in Ibadan is sacrosanct.

The Chairman, 2025 National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC) and Adamawa Gov. Umar Fintiri stated this while addressing journalists after the party’s stakeholders meeting in Abuja.

The stakeholders who attended the meeting included members of the PDP Governors’ Forum, National Working Committee (NWC), and Board of Trustees, among others.

“We’ve just come out of our critical stakeholders meeting, where a lot of elaborate decisions were taken.”

“I want to tell you here that we are going to Ibadan for our convention and the convention is sacrosanct,” Fintiri said.

The meeting took place at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja.

Some of the stakeholders present at the meeting included Gov. Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo, PDP National Chairman Umar Damagum, National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki.

Others are former Minister, Tanimu Turaki, who is the consensus candidate for the position of national chairman at the convention.

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Also at the meeting were Senator representing Kogi Central, Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Chairman, PDP South-South Caretaker committee, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, among others.

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has asked the Nigerian Navy to issue an immediate apology to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike after his public altercation with Naval Officer, Lt. A.M. Yerima.

PANDEF Chairman, Amb. Boladei Igali criticised rising social media praise for what he called improper conduct by a Naval Officer acting on a retired service chief’s orders.

He said the retired officer should recognise that Wike, representing President Bola Tinubu on FCT matters, deserved full respect and proper recognition.

Igali said Wike, seen as a top-performing minister, should always be treated with respect and appropriate decorum.

He said the officer’s behaviour was an affront to the Minister and a clear display of disregard for the authority of the President.

Igali said Wike deserved an unconditional apology from the Navy on behalf of the retired service chief and the junior officer involved in the incident.

He warned against assigning junior military personnel to illegal duties such as guarding unoccupied private land, saying such actions must stop.

Igali urged President Tinubu to order a full investigation and ensure those responsible face proper sanctions.

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He said firm action would protect military professionalism and strengthen respect for civil authority in a stable democracy.

Igali added that Wike must be protected from such overzealous acts as he performs his duties with commitment and zeal.

…Lagos CP says Sowore remains wanted

Lagos lawmaker, Mr Temitope Adewale, says President Bola Tinubu is irrevocably committed to the security of Nigeria and will deal ruthlessly with terrorists and their sponsors.

Adewale, representing Ifako-Ijaiye Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, said this in a statement on Friday.

He was  reacting to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump, designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

The ranking lawmaker said President Tinubu remains fully committed to protecting Nigerians and strengthening the nation’s security architecture.

“President Bola Tinubu, as a father, is not happy that bandits and terrorists are trying to downplay the gains of his administration, just as they did with previous governments.”

“This is one reason the President ordered the newly appointed service chiefs to put a final end to insecurity. The current administration will never pamper terrorists or their sponsors,” he said

Adewale said the President had demonstrated strong leadership by overhauling the Armed Forces to ensure greater efficiency, discipline, and coordination in tackling the country’s security challenges.

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He noted that Tinubu’s decisive actions showed that Nigeria would not compromise with those threatening its unity and peace.

According to him, the President’s determination is already inspiring confidence among citizens and international partners who value Nigeria’s stability in Africa.

Adewale also praised Tinubu’s administration for its bold economic reforms, which he said were transforming the economy and restoring investor confidence.

“In the last two years, various countries and global organisations have acknowledged Nigeria’s growing economic success,” he said.

“The administration continues to open more pathways for growth, attract multi-billion-dollar investments, and revive moribund industries, proving that the government is on the right track,” he added.

The lawmaker said economic indices had continued to show positive trends, including a stronger currency and declining inflation for the first time in years.

“For the first time, sub-national governments are financially empowered to drive development in their states,” he said.

Adewale urged global powers, especially the United States, to support Nigeria’s progress rather than issue threats or negative classifications.

“What Nigeria deserves now is international collaboration and support, not undue criticism,” he said.

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He appealed to Nigerians to remain patient and committed to the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring that the results of current reforms would soon meet citizens’ expectations.

“We must continue to encourage the new service chiefs to justify the President’s confidence in them and deliver lasting peace across the country,” Adewale said.

“With unity, discipline, and commitment, Nigeria will overcome insecurity and build a stronger, more prosperous nation under President Tinubu’s leadership,” he added.

In another development, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, has reaffirmed that political activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, remains wanted by the police, directing that he should be arrested anywhere he is found.

Speaking with journalists during the ‘Show of Force’ on the Third Mainland Bridge on Friday, CP Jimoh said the police had intensified security across the state to prevent a recurrence of the violent protests witnessed on Sept. 8.

He described the ongoing exercise as a confidence-building operation to assure residents of their safety.

“This is to ensure that we do not have any repeat of what happened on Sept. 8. Sowore is known for his antics.

“He is ignorant of the law and arrogant. I have declared him wanted.

“I have directed that anywhere he is seen, whether in a hotel, in transit, on the ground, or even at the airport, he should be apprehended and prosecuted,” the commissioner said.

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CP Jimoh revealed that the police had received intelligence reports about plans by Sowore and his associates to stage protests aimed at disrupting public peace, but officers acted swiftly to foil the plan.

“When he was planning the mayhem, we got information ahead and struck at the point where he had gathered about 300 protesters.”

“In the process, 13 were apprehended, and the vehicle they intended to use to block the Third Mainland Bridge was recovered.”

“Those suspects have since been arraigned and remanded in custody,” he added.

The police boss said that the activist had been evading arrest.

“If he is bold enough to show up in Abuja, why can’t he show up in Lagos? Let him come forward and face the law,” Jimoh challenged.

He emphasised that the police had the constitutional authority to declare anyone wanted if their actions threatened public safety.

“Under Section 215, subsections 1(b), 4, and 5 of the Constitution, I have the power to protect lives and property and maintain law and order.”

“I deem it fit to declare Sowore wanted because of his threat to the peace and welfare of Lagos residents,” he said.

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The commissioner said that the temporary closure of the Berger Bus Stop was a preventive measure to forestall unrest, noting that it was reopened daily by 3:00 p.m. with alternative traffic routes provided for commuters.

CP Jimoh urged Lagos residents to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring that the state remains peaceful and under effective security surveillance.

“The entire Lagos is safe. We are on the ground 24/7 to ensure residents go about their lawful businesses without fear,” he said.