Category: PM News

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The factional Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party led by Sen. Adolphus Wabara has summoned an emergency National Executive Committee meeting for today, Monday to prevent what it described as a leadership vacuum within the party.

Wabara spoke on Sunday in Abuja during the 84th meeting of his faction of the board.

According to him, the board acted under provisions of the party constitution, as amended in 2017.

Wabara said the board secured the required two-thirds support of NEC members before convening the meeting.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already been formally notified.

“I am pleased to inform Nigerians that we have secured the required consent.

“INEC has been duly notified of the 103rd NEC meeting scheduled for Monday, May 4,” Wabara said.

He urged members to approach the meeting with unity, reconciliation, and commitment to rebuilding the party.

“We must act as the conscience of our party and provide direction,” he said.

Wabara said the board assumed administrative leadership after a Supreme Court judgment delivered on Thursday.

He said the intervention prevented a constitutional crisis and immediate leadership uncertainty within the party.

According to him, the apex court nullified the 2025 national convention that produced the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee.

He added that the court also upheld suspensions linked to organisers of the March convention in Abuja.

Wabara insisted that Samuel Anyanwu, Kamaldeen Ajibade, and Umar Bature remained suspended.

He said their suspensions, imposed on Nov. 1, 2025, were affirmed by the Supreme Court.

“Despite our travails, our party remains strong and can never die. The PDP will never surrender to renegades or political brigands,” Wabara declared.

Meanwhile, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, dismissed claims of a leadership vacuum.

Mohammed said Abdulrahman Mohammed remained the party’s legitimate national chairman.

He argued that the Supreme Court ruling addressed only the legality of the Ibadan convention.

He said the judgment did not affect the current National Working Committee or party administration.

“There has never been any vacuum or absence of leadership in the PDP,” Mohammed said.

He maintained that the party structure remained lawful and fully operational.

Mohammed also argued that the party constitution gives no authority to the BoT to assume NWC powers.

He further questioned Wabara’s authority, saying his tenure as BoT chairman had already expired.

“The only legitimate BoT leadership is that headed by Mao Ohuabunwa,” Mohammed stated. (NAN)

For many Nigerian publishers, the model that once sustained journalism is no longer working. Advertising, long the backbone of print, radio, and television, has been declining. At the same time, the wider entertainment and digital media market is growing and is projected to reach $4.9 billion by 2026.

This creates a clear gap. The old revenue streams are shrinking, but new ones are emerging–driven largely by digital platforms and changing audience behaviour.

Today, revenue is no longer just about traditional ads. It includes earnings from platforms like Google through ad networks, creator payouts on X (formerly Twitter), and content monetisation on YouTube and Spotify. These channels reward reach, engagement, and consistency, but they also require a different way of thinking about content.

For publishers, this means shifting from a single-format approach to a multi-platform strategy–taking one piece of content and adapting it across video, audio, and text formats to reach audiences wherever they are.

This shift was the focus of The Monetised Content Masterclass, hosted by FCMB in partnership with BHM. The session brought together publishers across the ecosystem, including reporters, editors, bloggers, and content creators, to examine how to move beyond traditional revenue models.

One message came through clearly: financial sustainability now sits at the heart of editorial independence.

Discussions focused on how publishers can create real value, not just traffic or impressions, but content that travels well across platforms and can be monetised in different ways. This includes building direct audience relationships, forming the right brand partnerships, and using data to guide both content and commercial decisions.

Participants explored practical options such as paid memberships and subscriptions, branded content collaborations, and platform-based earnings. The emphasis was on execution, how to take what already exists and make it work harder across multiple channels.

Speaking at the session, Divisional Head, Corporate Affairs, FCMB Group, Diran Olojo, pointed to the need for a shift in mindset: “We are at a point where publishers must move from content production to platform thinking, building systems that can sustain value over time.”

For BHM’s CEO, Ayeni Adekunle, the issue is urgency: “The model has changed. The question now is whether the industry will adapt quickly enough to secure its future.”

Moderated by Fatu Ogwuche, the masterclass featured Fisayo Soyombo, Chris Ihidero, Jennifer Mairo, and Peter Oluka. Speakers shared practical insights, from repurposing content across formats to building audience loyalty and unlocking new revenue streams.

The takeaway was simple. Publishers can no longer rely on a single source of income. Growth will come from combining platform earnings, partnerships, and direct audience support, while making content work across multiple formats and channels.

For FCMB, the initiative reflects a clear commitment to supporting the growth and long-term sustainability of the media sector, given its role in informing the public, shaping opinion, and supporting national development.

Antonia Agbede-Ally, daughter of the late Brigadier Godwin Ally, has officially entered the race for the House of Representatives seat representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwarra Federal Constituency in Cross River State after picking the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form.

Her entry signals a major development in the constituency’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections, with stakeholders already anticipating a keenly contested race.

Agbede-Ally, a social entrepreneur, philanthropist and public official, has built a strong profile through community-focused initiatives, particularly in healthcare, education and youth empowerment. Her decision to contest reflects a broader shift, as professionals and development advocates increasingly seek elective positions to expand their impact through policymaking.

The management team noted that her campaign will run on a platform centred on inclusive development, improved healthcare delivery and sustainable empowerment programmes targeting women and young people across the constituency.

Addressing the public on her ambition, Agbede-Ally said her goal is to bridge the gap between governance and the grassroots.

“My father served this country with his life, and I have spent the last decade serving our people through philanthropy,” she said.

“The time has come to take that service to the floor of the House of Representatives to ensure that the voices of the people of Obanliku, Obudu, and Bekwarra are not just heard, but acted upon.”

She highlighted her experience in the development sector, noting that her work has consistently focused on improving the lives of vulnerable populations.

According to her, beyond my political ambition, I have a distinguished career in the social impact space, as I have previously served as the founding Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the HOW Foundation, where I led several interventions targeted at vulnerable groups.

In 2025, she expanded her grassroots engagement with the launch of the Agbede Foundation in Obudu, an initiative focused on vocational training, healthcare services and educational support for underserved communities.

Political observers believe her background, combining a legacy of public service and hands-on development work, could influence voter decisions as constituents assess experience, capacity and vision in choosing their next representative.

Former Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has announced his withdrawal from the race for the Cross River North senatorial seat, stating that the decision was made in compliance with a “request” from President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement released on Monday, Ayade expressed his disappointment, revealing that despite feeling “ill-treated,” he chose to honor the request from the president. He stated that he had been invited to Abuja for a national consultation with the presidency, where he was asked to shelve his senatorial ambition.

“Recall I was invited to return to Abuja for a high-level national consultation with the presidency. From the sequence of events that followed my return, Mr. President wants me to withhold my Senate ambition. I yield to his request even as I pour tears of ill treatment and agony,” Ayade wrote.

Ayade suggested that President Tinubu may not be fully aware of the political dynamics in Cross River, claiming that the individuals benefiting from his withdrawal were among those who had strongly opposed the APC’s Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections.

He reminded the president of his crucial role in building the APC in the South-South region, noting that he was the first APC governor in the zone and delivered nearly 40,000 more votes than the PDP for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

“I trust that Mr. President may not be aware that the people who turned our churches against Ayade and all of us in APC over the Muslim-Muslim ticket and accused us of islamisation of Cross River State are the beneficiaries of his instruction,” Ayade said.

He also referenced the violence at collation centres during the presidential election, claiming that some of the beneficiaries of the president’s order were involved in such violence. “Mr. President may recall that I was the first APC Governor in the whole of South-South Nigeria that built the new APC that we enjoy today. I worked assiduously for the party and delivered almost 40,000 votes above PDP in the Presidential election, first in the history of our state,” he added.

Despite his grievances, Ayade pledged to continue supporting APC candidates and work with President Tinubu and the Cross River governor to ensure the party’s success in the state, provided the directive remains unchanged.

A concerned Nigerian, Prophet David Kingsley Elijah, has issued an urgent call for government intervention over the alleged unlawful retention of Nigerian passports and unfair visa processing by the French Embassy in Lagos.

In a statement sent to PM News on Monday, Prophet Elijah decried what he described as hostile, unprofessional, and discriminatory treatment meted out to Nigerian applicants by the French consular services.

According to him, many Nigerians, including business professionals, students, and families, have had their international passports held by the embassy for over two months without any updates or final decisions on their visa applications.

He argued that the prolonged retention of Nigerian passports infringes on citizens’ fundamental right to freedom of movement, stressing that a passport remains the property of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and should not be indefinitely seized by a foreign mission.

The statement further highlighted the economic implications of the alleged bottlenecks, noting that the delays and high visa refusal rates are hurting trade relations and discouraging Nigerian investors from engaging with French markets.

Prophet Elijah urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Immigration Service to urgently take diplomatic action, enforce reciprocity measures, and protect the rights of Nigerian passport holders.

He emphasised that Nigeria, as a major economy and key trading partner to France in Africa, deserves fair and dignified treatment for its citizens.

He promised to continue monitoring the situation and advocating for affected Nigerians until the matter is resolved.

This development comes amid growing complaints from Nigerians about visa processing challenges at several foreign embassies in the country.

By Abbas Bamalli

The Police Commissioner in Katsina, Ali Umar-Fage, has assured residents that all the bandits responsible for killing of 11 people in attack on communities in Kankia area of the state would be tracked down and prosecuted.

Umar- Fage said this while announcing that he has already ordered an aggressive manhunt for bandits behind the reprisal attacks

The CP recalled earlier operations recorded major successes against armed bandits operating within the local government area before the deadly attack.

He said this in a statement on Sunday by Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command.

Umar-Fage said operatives on April 29 foiled a cattle rustling attempt in Gadar Yan Tulu and Kartaka villages.

“Police recovered 205 animals, comprising 91 cows and 114 sheep, during the operation,” he said.

Umar-Fage added that on Saturday, officers repelled another attack on Matinjin village.

“Several bandits fled with gunshot injuries, while eight motorcycles linked to their operations were recovered,” he stated.

He said the criminals later regrouped and attacked Jeka da Kolo and Kwalgoro villages on Sunday.

“The attack occurred around noon, killing 11 persons before tactical teams were mobilised to repel the assailants,” he said.

Umar-Fage described the attack as “cowardly and barbaric” and expressed condolences to families of the victims.

The commissioner said additional tactical teams had been deployed to affected communities to strengthen ongoing security operations.

“Bush combing operations and coordinated patrols are ongoing to track the fleeing suspects,” he said.

He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting life and property across the state.

“We will not relent until peace and normalcy are fully restored,” the commissioner said.

He urged residents to stay calm, remain vigilant and provide credible intelligence to security agencies.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” he added.

(NAN)

A fierce political war has erupted in Cross River North as Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe launched a blistering attack on former Governor Ben Ayade, accusing him of distorting facts, spreading falsehoods, and attempting to rewrite his declining political legacy.

In a strongly worded statement, Jarigbe dismissed Ayade’s recent claims as “blatant lies,” accusing the former governor of hypocrisy, ethnic bias, and political irrelevance.

Jarigbe alleged that Ayade once mocked his Hausa traditional attire, describing it as evidence of a “split personality,” and said such conduct exposed deep resentment toward Muslims, contrary to Ayade’s current posture.

“A man who openly derided Muslim traditional attire cannot suddenly present himself as a defender of Muslims,” Jarigbe declared, insisting that Muslim voters across Cross River North overwhelmingly supported him over Ayade.

The senator further challenged Ayade’s political claims, reminding the public that even while Ayade served as governor, his political machinery suffered defeats in Cross River North.

According to Jarigbe, his political structure delivered the Senate seat, two House of Representatives seats, and four House of Assembly seats, while Ayade secured only his immediate constituency.

“We are not political weaklings. We come with real votes because we have worked for our people,” Jarigbe asserted.

Jarigbe also accused Ayade of dishonesty regarding his role in President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 electoral success, noting that Ayade contested against Tinubu during the APC presidential primaries, refused to step down, and later failed to deliver Cross River State for the APC in the general election.

In one of his harshest criticisms, Jarigbe accused Ayade of abandoning the Senate seat out of personal ambition, despite existing political expectations that power should rotate to the North, describing him as entitled and disconnected from current political realities.

He further alleged that Ayade defected from the PDP to the APC only after losing control of the party structure, insisting that the move was driven by political survival rather than loyalty.

Jarigbe praised APC leadership for resisting any attempt to impose Ayade on Cross River North, declaring that the former governor has been rejected by the people.

“He remains a political disaster, and our people will never vote for him again,” he said.

The senator also criticised Ayade’s social media conduct, daring him to reopen public comments on his posts to witness what he described as overwhelming public rejection.

On the issue of zoning, Jarigbe firmly rejected Ayade’s narrative, insisting there has never been formal zoning for the Cross River North senatorial seat.

“No matter how you embellish a lie, it will never become the truth,” Jarigbe concluded.

Iran’s military has warned that it could attack United States forces if they enter the Strait of Hormuz.

This comes after US President Donald Trump announced a plan to help guide ships safely through the area.

Iran said any foreign military presence in the strait must be approved by its forces. A senior Iranian commander warned that if US forces approach the waterway, they would be targeted.

Soon after the warning, Iranian media claimed that a US warship in the area was hit by missiles and forced to retreat. However, the US military denied this, saying none of its ships had been attacked.

The tension is linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Although a ceasefire began on April 8, talks between the countries have not made progress.

President Trump said the US operation, called “Project Freedom,” is meant to help stranded ships leave the Gulf safely. He added that the US would assist ships from countries not involved in the conflict and ensure their safe passage.

Reports say US naval forces will stay near the area rather than enter the strait directly, while still protecting commercial vessels.

The US military has deployed large resources for the operation, including warships, aircraft, drones, and about 15,000 personnel.

Meanwhile, Iran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key route for global oil and gas shipments. This has disrupted supply and pushed up oil prices worldwide.

There were also reports of attacks on oil tankers near the United Arab Emirates, with claims that drones were used.

Despite the rising tensions, both sides say they are still in talks. Iran says its main goal is to end the war but accuses the US of making unreasonable demands.

US officials say economic pressure is also being used against Iran, including a blockade affecting its economy.

The situation remains tense, with fears that any misstep could lead to further military conflict.

Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned ruling on the no-case submission filed by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in his ongoing cyberstalking trial.

The trial is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of defamatory posts against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The ruling will be delivered on May 8, 2026, after both parties adopted their final written addresses in the case, with Sowore’s counsel, Marshall Abubakar, arguing for the dismissal of the charges.

Abubakar requested that the court discharge and acquit Sowore, stating that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case.

He further argued that the DSS had not provided credible evidence to link Sowore to the alleged offences, which stemmed from social media posts in which he reportedly described Tinubu as a “criminal.”

Abubakar also criticized the prosecution for not calling key witnesses, deeming this omission a fatal flaw in its case. He urged the court to uphold the no-case submission and terminate the trial.

On the other hand, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), counsel for the DSS, opposed the submission. He argued that the prosecution had presented sufficient evidence, including witnesses and exhibits, to establish a prima facie case and that Sowore should be ordered to enter his defence. Kehinde insisted that the charges were supported by evidence and urged the court to reject the application.

The case, which involves charges of cyberstalking and making false statements against President Tinubu, stems from two social media posts allegedly made by Sowore on August 25, 2025. The first post, made on his verified X handle (@YeleSowore), accused President Tinubu of lying about the state of corruption in Nigeria. The second post was allegedly made on Sowore’s Facebook account.

The Federal Government, through the DSS, amended the charges before Sowore’s re-arraignment on December 5, 2025, and has accused him of violating provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, and Amendment) Act, 2024. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Umar fixed May 8, 2026, to deliver a ruling on the no-case submission.

The Nigeria Immigration Service has cautioned citizens to avoid unofficial channels when making passport payments, insisting that its application system does not involve any third-party agents.

In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the Service Public Relations Officer, Akinsola Akinlabi, rejected claims that a religious organisation was connected to the payment process, describing such reports as inaccurate and misleading.

He explained that all passport applications are processed through a secure, government-approved platform, accessible only via the official portal: .

According to him, this portal remains the only recognised gateway for payments and processing for applicants both in Nigeria and abroad.

“The service has not authorised any religious body, private organisation or individual to act as an intermediary or receive payments on its behalf.

Akinlabi noted that anyone who visits the official portal would easily verify the credibility and transparency of the system.

He warned that websites or agents claiming to facilitate passport payments outside the approved platform were fraudulent and should be ignored.

The spokesperson disclosed that investigations had already begun to trace the origin of the allegations. Early indications, he said, point to individuals attempting to mislead the public or tarnish the agency’s image.

He added that those found responsible would face appropriate penalties.

Reaffirming the Service’s adherence to government financial regulations, Akinlabi said the NIS only partners with licensed and accredited payment service providers listed on its official platform.

He stressed that any payment made through unauthorised channels would be at the applicant’s risk, noting that the Service would not be liable for losses or inconveniences arising from such actions.

The NIS advised Nigerians to remain vigilant by using only the official portal and steering clear of unauthorised agents or third-party platforms.

“The service does not recognise or provide any alternative payment options for passport applications or related services,” he said.

Akinlabi further assured the public that measures were being strengthened to protect the integrity of the system and prevent fraud.

“For further inquiries or assistance, we advise the public to contact NIS via its verified communication channels, including its social media handles on X (Twitter), Instagram and Facebook (@nigimmigration).

“Other contact centre numbers are 09121900655, 09121556359, 09121477092 available 24/7, and WhatsApp lines 0916087800 and 09117717772,” he said.