News
REVEALED! Major reason some leaders want Damagum out exposed as PDP group insists it’s about 2027
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Concerned PDP League (CPDPL), a pressure within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has said the 2027 presidential ticket of the party is the major reason some PDP leaders want the acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum to stepdown.
The group in a statement jointly signed by its National Secretary, Alhaji Tasiu M. Muhammed, and acting Director of Publicity & Communication Comrade Justina D. Dashi, claimed that former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Bauchi State governor Bala Mohammed, who the group said has presidential ambition, believe Damagum’s leadership of the party will work against their ambition.
“Our investigation revealed that, since the exit of senator Dr Iyorchia Ayu, and the emergence of Ambassador Umar Illiya Damagum, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, feels he is at the verge of losing his chances of getting the PDP presidential ticket in 2027 because, his long time political ally (Sen. Ayu) who he claimed cannot be removed without constitutional amendment, was unceremoniously booted out.
Also, the Bauchi State governor and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, and presidential hopeful, Alhaji Bala Mohammed, feels happy with the exit of Senator Iyorchia Ayu but at same time feels his ambition is at stake with Ambassador Damagum’s chairmanship, since both of them are from the North East,” the statement added.
The group alleged that Damagum is being pressurised to suspended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
According to the CPDPL, Damagum’s continued stay in office is supported by
sections 47 (6), 35 (3c) and 45 (2) of the PDP constitution
“What is playing out in our great party today, is all about 2027 presidential ambitions nothing more,” the group said, and urged Damagum, not to succumb to but to continue to stabilise and unite the party.
“He should not allow anybody to intimidate him into calling for NEC meeting,” it further advised.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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