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South-South PDP Crisis Deepens as Pro-Wike Faction Sets Up Parallel Executive Committees in Edo, Bayelsa
The ongoing crisis within the South-South zone of Nigeria’s opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, as a faction loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has appointed parallel executive committees in Bayelsa and Edo states. This latest development adds fuel to the already existing division within the PDP in the region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The South-South PDP is now divided between two main factions: one led by Chief Dan Orbih, backed by Wike, and the other loyal to Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, who is recognized by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
The rift originated from last year’s controversial Edo State governorship primary, where Orbih and his supporters openly opposed the party’s official candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, due to ongoing tensions between Orbih and former Governor Godwin Obaseki. Orbih’s actions led to his suspension by the NWC for what it described as “embarrassing” behavior that violated the party’s constitution.
Despite the suspension, Orbih’s faction held a Zonal Congress in Calabar in February, during which Orbih was re-elected as the zonal chairman—a move swiftly dismissed by the Damagum-led NWC, which labeled the event a “social gathering.” Subsequently, the NWC set up a caretaker committee, led by Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, to oversee the zone’s activities.
The dispute escalated in Bayelsa, where efforts by Wike’s supporters to hold a rally in his honor were blocked by the state government due to security concerns. The rally, which was intended to thank President Bola Tinubu for appointing Bayelsa indigenes to federal positions, was postponed after a court order restrained the event.
Amid these tensions, the Wike-backed faction, through the Zonal Working Committee (ZWC) chaired by Orbih, announced the formation of new caretaker committees for both Bayelsa and Edo. The new leadership in Bayelsa will be headed by George Turnah, while in Edo, Nosa Ogieva will take the helm.
The NWC, however, has not yet issued an official response to the latest developments, and the dissolved Bayelsa State committee has rejected the ZWC’s actions, accusing them of acting without proper authority. Similarly, the Edo faction led by Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, appointed by Governor Obaseki, also dismissed the new committees as illegal, citing that only the NWC has the authority to make such decisions.
As the political crisis deepens, the future of the PDP in the South-South region remains uncertain, with both factions digging in their heels.
The 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) began nationwide on Thursday, with over 2.2 million candidates expected to participate across accredited centres.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The exam, conducted by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), will run from April 16 to April 22 in multiple daily sessions.
JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, urged examination officials to remain highly committed and professional, noting that the success of the exercise depends largely on their dedication.
He gave the charge during a virtual final briefing for technical officers ahead of the examination, where he also praised staff, ad hoc personnel, service providers, and technical advisers for their roles in the successful conduct of the mock exam.
Oloyede said many of the issues recorded during the mock exercise were due to poor assessment of centres by some technical officials.
He further stated that incentive packages would be awarded to teams that perform exceptionally, particularly in handling exam materials and submitting timely reports.
Reiterating JAMB’s zero-tolerance stance on malpractice, he warned candidates against bringing prohibited items into examination halls.
He also disclosed that biometric verification and real-time monitoring systems have been deployed to protect the integrity of the exercise.
Candidates whose biometrics cannot be verified, he added, will be rescheduled to write the exam at approved centres.
Meanwhile, a NAN correspondent monitoring proceedings at Aduvie International School, Jahi, reported that the first session scheduled for 8:30 a.m. began slightly behind schedule at about 8:40 a.m.
The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, on Thursday inspected security deployments at Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres across Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to the FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, the inspection is part of proactive measures to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and hitch-free conduct of the ongoing examinations.
The UTME is scheduled to run nationwide from April 16 to 18, 2026.
During the exercise, CP Sanusi assessed security arrangements put in place to safeguard candidates, examination officials, and CBT facilities.
He also engaged with centre supervisors, assuring them of adequate security presence throughout the examination period.
Adeh added that the CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order, warning that any attempt to disrupt the examinations would be met with decisive action in line with the law.
Over 700 former terrorists who have undergone deradicalisation and rehabilitation are set to be reintegrated into their communities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Nigerian military has also dismissed reports alleging that beneficiaries of Operation Safe Corridor are being recruited into military institutions.
According to African Independent Television, the Coordinator of Operation Safe Corridor, Brigadier-General Yusuf Ali, made this known during a media tour of the Deradicalisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration Centre in Gombe, North-East Nigeria.
He said many Nigerians still misunderstand the Federal Government’s structured counter-terrorism initiative, which is designed to restore peace in communities affected by insurgency.
Brigadier-General Ali explained that the programme focuses on rehabilitation and peaceful reintegration of repentant individuals into society.
During the tour, some of the participants also shared accounts of their involvement in offences that led to their admission into the programme.
The facility inspection was part of preparations for the graduation of over 700 clients who have completed the deradicalisation and rehabilitation process and are set for reintegration.
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