馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
PDP defends Governor Makinde's "Operation Wetie" remarks, accuses APC of misinterpretation
via Punch Nigeria3 min read
A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP has defended Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde's recent comments referencing the historical "Operation Wetie" crisis, asserting that his remarks were a caution against political excesses rather than a call to violence. This defense comes amid heightened political tensions leading up to the 2027 general elections. In a statement released on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP accused the Federal Government and the All Progressives Congress APC of deliberately misinterpreting Governor Makinde's speech, delivered at the Opposition Political Parties National Summit in Ibadan on Saturday. The PDP clarified that Makinde's use of history served as an advisory to the Federal Government, the APC, and other national institutions regarding the potential for crisis resulting from their actions. The party argued that only a "guilty aggressor" would interpret the remarks as a threat. Governor Makinde, who hosted the summit attended by prominent opposition figures, had referenced the violent political events in the old Western Region. The APC had criticized these comments as a veiled threat. However, the PDP maintained that Makinde was merely warning about the consequences of poor governance and political repression, highlighting how "insatiable political greed and avarice" combined with public frustration could lead to widespread unrest. The PDP further alleged that current political developments mirror past crises,
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Super Falcons forward Esther Okoronkwo reported that $700 was stolen from her wallet at the Marriott Hotel in Casablanca, Morocco, where the team was preparing for the 2026 Women鈥檚 Africa Cup of Nations. Okoronkwo, who plays for AFC Toronto, made the allegations on Snapchat, stating that several teammates also had money stolen from their wallets while they were away from their rooms. She initially claimed $500 was taken but later corrected the amount to $700 after recounting. Okoronkwo accused the hotel's housekeeping staff of the theft, alleging they waited for the players to be out of their rooms. She also stated that the players confronted hotel staff but were dissatisfied with the response, describing it as disrespectful. Despite this incident, the Super Falcons continued their WAFCON preparations, securing a 2-1 friendly victory against Tanzania, with Okoronkwo scoring the winning goal. The team is set to begin their WAFCON title defense against Malawi on Tuesday, followed by matches against Zambia and Egypt in Group C, as they aim for their 11th WAFCON title.
Obstetricians and gynaecologists have warned pregnant women about the dangers of excessive caffeine consumption, citing increased risks of miscarriage, hypertension, and poor fetal growth. Dr. Joseph Akinde, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, and former Chairman of the Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, advised avoiding coffee due to its stimulant effects, which can cause restlessness and interfere with the essential eight hours of daily rest needed during pregnancy. He also noted that excessive caffeine can lead to high blood pressure and negatively impact fetal development. Consultant gynaecologist Dr. Stanley Egbogu echoed these concerns, stating that high doses of coffee are linked to complications such as miscarriage, early delivery, and fetal growth restriction. He explained that caffeine crosses the placenta to the baby, who lacks the capacity to metabolize it, leading to accumulation and potential interference with development. Dr. Egbogu also highlighted that caffeine can overstimulate the mother's body, increasing heart rate, causing restlessness, and affecting sleep quality, all of which can contribute to pregnancy complications. Both experts emphasized that caffeine is present in various sources beyond coffee, including some teas, soft drinks, and chocolate, making it easy for pregnant women to unknowingly exceed recommended limits. The World Health Organization and the United Kingdom鈥檚 National Health Service advise limiting ca
Tech billionaire and investor Prateek Suri has encouraged investors to focus on Africa's long-term economic potential, despite ongoing currency fluctuations. He stated that exchange rate volatility, a common feature in emerging markets, should not deter investment. Suri, Chairman of Maser Group and founder of MDR Investments, emphasized that successful investors prioritize economic fundamentals, productive assets, and long-term value creation over temporary currency movements. He highlighted that Africa should not be viewed as a single market, noting varying fiscal management, export growth, and foreign investment across different countries. Suri identified infrastructure, logistics, mining, technology, and industrial development as sectors poised for sustained growth. He advised investors to adopt a long-term approach, paying attention to government reforms, regulatory stability, infrastructure development, and local industry strength. Suri, recently named among Gulf Business magazine's Top 50 CEOs and Leaders of 2026, believes Africa's strong economic fundamentals, youthful population, and expanding consumer market continue to attract international capital.