The good, the bad and the ugly developments in Nigeria’s political space

…18 prominent PDP chieftains axed by Wike’s Faction

In what could be termed a disturbing deepening crisis in the once-vibrant People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the faction of the party controlled by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), listed 18 prominent members of the party.

In a disclaimer issued on Wednesday by the faction’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, it stated that the affected individuals were duly expelled by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) on November 18 for alleged anti-party activities and gross misconduct, in line with the amended 2017 PDP Constitution.

Among those listed are the governors of Bauchi, Zamfara and Oyo states— Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal and Seyi Makinde respectively- as well as former Akwa Ibom State governor, Udom Emmanuel; former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara; and former Deputy National chairman (South), Taofeek Arapaja.

Others are former minister of Special Duties, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki; former presidential adviser, Ben Obi; former Deputy National chairman (South), Bode George; and former Acting National chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum. Others affected include Okechukwu Obiechina, Emmanuel Ogidi, Emmanuel Ebien, Suleiman Kadade Mohammed, Sunmaila Adamu Bunza, Koshoedo Setonji, Daniel Woyengikuro and Umar Sani.

2026 proposed budget

It is a season of budget presentation. To maintain a proper budget cycle, some state governors across the country have started to perform the ritual. In the next few days, hopefully, many others will carry out the assignment that is both constitutional and obligatory.

Some of the early birds are Lagos (N4.2tn); Delta (N1.6trn); Abia (N1.016trn); Katsina (N897,865bn); Nasarawa (N517.53bn) and Anambra (N757bn). Other states that have done so are Enugu (N1.62trn); Osun (N388.4bn); Kano (N1.368 trn); Ogun (1.668trn); Kebbi (642.93bn); Bauchi (N878.1bn), and Zamfara (N861bn).

72-seater aircraft: Bayelsa joins league of airline owners

In a country where many people embark on projects without considering their utilitarian value but just for bragging right, many states are going into some projects that raise pertinent question: “Did they count the cost?”

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State may have counted the cost. Diri recently unveiled a 72-seater aircraft to begin commercial operations. What this simply means is that the state has joined the league of airline owners. This, according to the governor, is geared toward enhancing the state’s internally-generated revenue (IGR) of N4.2billion.

$14.8m:

This is the amount of money allegedly mismanaged by former governor of Bayelsa State, who also was Petroleum minister, Timiprey Sylva. He is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). But he is demanding a date to tell the Commission “my hands are clean.” In Nigeria, allegations of financial impropriety rain like water, particularly against serving and former public office holders, but it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than to secure conviction against any of them.

11,566: This is the number of police personnel attached to VIPs that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) said, a few days ago, had been withdrawn within a week after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu gave the directive.

The president was pressured to take the decision following the surge in insecurity resulting in mass abductions in Kebbi, Kwara and Niger States.

Although observers have called for caution in the wholesale implementation, the move is commendable. It means the those in position of authority know the right things to do to put Nigeria on the world map positively, but pretend as if they lack ideas. Over the years, the country had operated as a dysfunctional society, but just an outside influence, this appear to be taking shape.

Over 250 abducted Niger pupils still in captivity

Days after 50 (fifty of the 303 children kidnapped by gunmen from a Catholic school in Niger State on escaped, the Christian Association of Nigeria (Can) has raised the alarm that over 250 of the pupils are yet to embrace freedom.

65 ambassador-designates nominated

Before the Senate of the Federal Republic lays a letter yet to be read. The missive contains the names of 65 ambassador-designates written by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeking their confirmation in line with the constitution. The list is made up of 34 career ambassadors-to be, and 31 non-career nominees. Some of the inclusions on the list have continued to raise dusts in the polity, to the point that some concerned Nigerians have already petitioned the Red Chamber of the National Assembly to put the country first above pecuniary interest.

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