Labour Party Suspends Otti, Nwokocha, Kingibe Indefinitely

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party has suspended six prominent members of the party, including the party’s only elected governor, Alex Otti of Abia State. This decision was contained in a statement issued by the faction’s National Secretary, Umar Farouk, in Abuja, on Wednesday. He said, “Recall that last Friday, 2nd of May 2025, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party set up a five-man Disciplinary Committee headed by the Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, the National Secretary and three others to investigate Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, and any other party members over allegations of anti-party activities. “The Disciplinary Committee has concluded their assignment and has submitted their report to the party leadership. The National Executive of the party met today, May 7th, 2025, and after exhaustive deliberation in line with powers donated to it by the Party Constitution, has ratified the recommendation as submitted by the Disciplinary Committee. “Consequent upon that, the following members of the party have been suspended from the party and all its activities, indefinitely and with immediate effect. 1. Dr Alex Otti; 2. Senator Ireti Kingibe; 3. Senator Darlington Nwokocha; 4. Hon. Victor Afam Ogene; 5. Hon. Amobi Ogah; 6. Hon. Seyi Sowunmi.” “By this suspension, these former members of the party will no longer act for and on behalf of the party. All concerned institutions, including the Nigeria Governors Forum, the National Assembly, INEC and security agencies, among others, are to take note.” The party also clarified that Nenadi Usman was not included in the suspension list because she is not a registered member of the Labour Party, but merely a supporter of its 2023 presidential candidate. “We are aware that she is a member of the Obidient Support group that worked and is still working for the party’s 2023 presidential candidate. We will therefore not honour her with any sanction being not a member of the party,” the statement added. “She should also tell Nigerians how she acquired her radio station in Kaduna, all her properties all over Nigeria and abroad, and her companies in Cameroon, including her plantations. Nenadi Usman lacks the moral capacity to commence any probe or even talk about corruption,” the statement added. Reaffirming its position on political independence, the Labour Party declared that it will not enter into any coalition or merger ahead of the 2027 general elections. “Finally, the party has since taken a position on the issue of coalition, and we want to reiterate that the party is not interested in any overtures by any group or persons to go into any coalition or merger,” the statement added. “Like we have earlier stated, the protagonists of the coalition, those driving the agenda, lack the capacity, character and competence to midwife such a political arrangement. These are people who have failed to manage one political party; how can they manage an amalgam of political parties and their varied interests? The Labour Party intends to prosecute the 2027 general election as a standalone party, and no further discussion will be entertained on this matter.”

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Lagos Council Boss Slumps at APC Meeting

The Chairman of Bariga Local Government Area of Lagos State, Kolade Alabi, on Wednesday, suddenly slumped at the All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting. The meeting was held at the party’s Secretariat along the ACME Road in Ikeja, Lagos. Alabi, who is the state chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), was said to be addressing party members when he suddenly slumped. He was subsequently revived and rushed to the hospital in an ambulance for further treatment.

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VeryDarkMan Regains Freedom

Popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has regained freedom from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. VDM has been in the custody of the anti-graft agency since he was arrested in Abuja on Friday. There has been uproar across the nation with Nigeria youths demanding his immediate and unconditional release. EFCC said on Tuesday that the arrest followed a series of petitions against the activist, claiming that several invitations were communicated to him but he failed to honour them. In an update on his official Facebook page on Wednesday evening, an activist cum politician, Omoyele Sowore, said “VDM Released”!

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Tinubu Lauds Oluwatobi Oyinlola for Groundbreaking GPS Device

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to young Nigerian innovator, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, for setting a new Guinness World Record with the invention of the world’s smallest GPS tracking device. In a message shared via his verified X account @officialABAT on Tuesday, the President praised Oyinlola’s groundbreaking achievement, describing it as a clear reflection of the immense talent and promise within Nigeria’s youth. “A Nigerian, Oluwatobi Oyinlola, has just developed the world’s smallest GPS Tracking Device prototype measuring 22.93 X 11.92mm with endless possibilities for use in various industries, and spheres of life,” the President wrote. “Congratulations, Oluwatobi, on this feat. You have just shown the world that Nigerian youth can!” he added, signing the message with his initials, PBAT. Oyinlola’s device, now officially recognised by the Guinness World Records, is poised to make a significant impact across various sectors, including logistics, security, healthcare, and transportation, owing to its compact size and versatile applications. This milestone adds to a growing list of international accolades earned by young Nigerians in science, technology, and the creative industries. It also aligns with President Tinubu’s continued emphasis on harnessing the ingenuity and energy of the nation’s youth as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s advancement.

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VeryDarkMan Gets Administrative Bail

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to popular Nigerian social media activist Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan. The bail was announced on Tuesday, May 6, via a statement on the EFCC’s official Twitter handle. Despite the bail, Otse will remain in custody until he fulfils the conditions of his release. The EFCC did not disclose the specific terms of the bail but confirmed that Otse is being held pending the perfection of those conditions. Otse’s arrest stemmed from what the commission described as “multiple grave allegations” related to financial crimes. According to the EFCC, the influencer had been invited several times for questioning but consistently failed to respond. “The allegations against Otse bordered on financial crimes, and he had, on several occasions, ignored invitations sent to him by the EFCC,” the agency stated. While details of the allegations have not been made public, the arrest and subsequent bail have sparked widespread attention online, where Otse commands a large and vocal following. Known for his outspoken views on social justice and political affairs, Otse has frequently courted controversy with his online activism. The EFCC emphasised that the investigation remains ongoing and did not indicate when Otse might be released from custody. Otse’s legal representatives have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the case or the bail conditions.

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Trump Draws Fire from Catholic Leaders Over AI Image of Himself as Pope

The New York State Catholic Conference has strongly condemned former U.S. President Donald Trump after he posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as the Pope, calling the move disrespectful and untimely. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the group, which represents New York’s Catholic bishops, criticized the image as offensive, particularly in light of the recent death of Pope Francis on April 21. “We just buried our beloved Pope Francis and the cardinals are about to enter a solemn conclave… Do not mock us,” the statement read. The image, originally posted on Trump’s Truth Social account and later reshared by the official White House X account, shows Trump dressed in ornate papal robes and a mitre, raising a finger as if giving a benediction. The post sparked divided reactions online, ranging from laughter to outrage, particularly within religious circles. Adding to the controversy, Trump reportedly joked to reporters days earlier that he would like to be Pope, calling it his “number one choice” when asked about the conclave. Trump attended Pope Francis’ funeral last week—his first major international appearance since returning to public office—raising eyebrows as some viewed his remarks and the AI image as politically tone-deaf and opportunistic. The incident underscores a broader tension between AI-generated satire and religious sensitivity, particularly at a time of mourning and transition in the Catholic Church.

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The Illusion of Liberation: Captain Ibrahim Traoré and the Mirage of Pan-Africanism

Of the three military rulers who forcefully seized power in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, Captain Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has arguably operated the most sophisticated propaganda machine, one heavily infused with Pan-Africanist and anti-imperialist rhetoric. Yet beneath the surface, his regime has effectively swapped Western hegemony for Russian influence, primarily through collaboration with the Russian Africa Corps, the rebranded Wagner Group notorious for its operations across unstable regions. Since forming the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), these countries have expelled Western powers such as France and the United States, and formally withdrew from ECOWAS, the West African bloc that condemned the military coups and advocated for the restoration of democratic governance. Despite lofty promises, Captain Traoré’s regime has shown little tangible progress. Core objectives, including resolving the humanitarian crisis, reviving the economy, and combating the jihadist insurgency—which has worsened, tripling the death toll since the coup—remain unmet. Instead, civil liberties have been curtailed, and democracy, suspended in 2022, continues to languish. Yet the regime’s narrative persists—amplified by Russian disinformation networks—claiming progress and sovereignty. Just last week, pro-Traoré rallies staged under the banner of a “global day of support” took place in cities such as London, Paris, Accra, Ouagadougou, and Kingston, with demonstrators demanding an end to “Western interference” in AES affairs. Alarmingly, some supporters went as far as threatening to burn down London should Traoré die under mysterious circumstances—a stark and irrational display of political fanaticism. These protests, reportedly funded and encouraged by Russia, represent a new theatre of influence in the global East-West rivalry, with Africa as a battleground. Despite their emotive appeal, the rallies mask worsening conditions on the ground and serve as a distraction from the regression into authoritarianism. The troubling embrace of strongman politics under the guise of sovereignty reflects a crisis in African political consciousness—a failure to reckon with the long-term costs of dictatorship dressed in the garments of anti-colonialism. The irony is clear: in rejecting Western dominance, Burkina Faso and its AES partners have welcomed another imperial force, one equally, if not more, opaque and exploitative. What is even more disconcerting is the applause such regimes receive from segments of the Nigerian public, who view Traoré’s defiance of the West as courage rather than what it truly is—a regression into repression, misgovernance, and foreign manipulation.

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2027: Wike, PDP Governors Move Towards Reconciliation Amid Party Crisis

Governors elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, appear to be making headway in resolving lingering internal disputes, as part of broader efforts to unite the party ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. A high-level meeting held in Lagos last week between Wike and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who represented the PDP Governors Forum, has been described by insiders as a significant step toward reconciliation. According to sources close to the matter, the dialogue addressed the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State involving Wike and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as well as contentious issues surrounding the South-South zonal leadership and the vacant National Secretary position. Mounting Internal Struggles Since its loss in the 2023 general elections, the PDP has faced escalating internal divisions. These worsened with the Wike-Fubara rift, which has polarized the party’s South-South bloc. In addition, leadership disputes and legal tussles over key positions have further strained relations between top party stakeholders. Efforts by the party’s national leadership, including the National Working Committee (NWC), Board of Trustees (BoT), National Executive Committee (NEC), and the Governors Forum, have so far yielded little resolution and, in some cases, exacerbated the infighting. These ongoing tensions have already led to defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), including high-profile figures such as Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, delivering a blow to the PDP’s electoral strength and public image. Key Resolutions From Lagos Meeting The source revealed that Wike used the Lagos meeting to express dissatisfaction with the Governors Forum’s recent decisions, which he argued violated party laws and lacked inclusivity. “Wike expressed his concern that the Forum’s decisions on key issues were taken without proper legal backing or wide consultation. He feels these have only complicated the PDP’s internal crisis,” the source said. Despite his grievances, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to remaining in the PDP, but demanded that the party reassess certain decisions to accommodate all stakeholders and restore internal harmony. In response, Governor Makinde acknowledged that some party officials had behaved in ways that undermined the authority and unity of the PDP governors. He emphasized that the intent of the Forum was not to alienate anyone, but to salvage and reposition the party. The two leaders reportedly agreed that: Makinde is expected to brief other PDP governors before the Forum’s next meeting, while Wike will consult with his supporters and allies to gain their buy-in. Optimism Amid Uncertainty A senior member of the PDP National Working Committee confirmed that the meeting between Makinde and Wike was “a step in the right direction” and could help unify the party as it prepares for 2027. Meanwhile, Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed optimism, saying, “This and previous reconciliatory meetings show that the PDP still has what it takes to reposition and emerge stronger.” Efforts to reach the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, for comment were unsuccessful as of press time.

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