PDP presents certificates to 2027 presidential and governorship candidates, Wike urges members to fight for power
via Punch Nigeria6 min read
The Peoples Democratic Party PDP presented certificates and nomination forms to its candidates for the upcoming 2027 elections. During the 109th National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja, PDP National Leader and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, urged party members and aspirants to actively organize, struggle, and fight for political power rather than complain. Wike emphasized that power is taken, not given, and encouraged members to return to their constituencies, mobilize support, and deliver tangible political results. He also noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is scheduled to issue access codes on June 26 for political parties to upload their 2027 candidates. PDP National Chairman Abdulrahman Mohammed commended party leaders and members for their commitment and the peaceful conduct of primaries, expressing confidence in the party's future electoral chances. Board of Trustees Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa called for unity, reconciliation, and intensified voter registration efforts, stressing the importance of collective work for electoral victory and placing party interests above personal ambitions. The PDP leadership presented Certificates of Return to its 2027 presidential candidate, Senator Sandy Onor, and other candidates.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Gospel singer Joshua Bamiloye has defended Mount Zion Films, the faith-based film ministry founded by his father Mike Bamiloye, against accusations of demonizing Yoruba culture and spirituality. His comments, made on X, followed criticism from a user who alleged that Mount Zion films portray Yoruba spirituality as evil while promoting Christianity. This discussion arose after the announcement that "Agbara Nla," a popular Mount Zion film, would return to cinemas 34 years after its initial release. Bamiloye refuted the claims, stating that Mount Zion celebrates Yoruba culture, including its colors, language, proverbs, and royalty. He used the character Abejoye as an example, noting that the character maintained his Yoruba cultural identity while embracing Christianity. Bamiloye also clarified that the ministry frames its narratives as "Light vs Darkness," not "Yoruba spirituality vs foreign religion," and that darkness has no nationality. He further argued that films with traditional settings constitute less than 30% of Mount Zion's more than 200 productions, suggesting that critics base their arguments on a minority of their catalog. He urged critics to watch the full films before making judgments.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is preparing to arraign Bello Bodejo, the President of Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, before the Federal High Court in Abuja. He faces a 12-count charge filed on June 22, 2026, for alleged terrorism financing and money laundering, involving approximately $2.53 million. The EFCC accuses Bodejo of receiving and possessing large sums of foreign currency, believed to be proceeds of unlawful activities, in violation of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act of 2011 and the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act of 2022. According to a statement by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, Bodejo allegedly accepted multiple cash payments from Sa鈥檌du Abubakar, a former Accountant-General of Bauchi State, without processing these transactions through a financial institution as legally required. Specific charges include receiving $100,000 in cash on January 11, 2022, $200,000 on January 21, 2022, $500,000 on March 20, 2024, and $980,000 on February 7, 2024, all from Abubakar. The EFCC also alleges that Bodejo possessed funds he knew or should have known were proceeds of unlawful activity. Bodejo is expected to enter his plea once the court sets a date for his arraignment.
Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria's House of Representatives, presented Nigeria as a prime location for climate and green economy investments at the Nigeria Climate Investment Summit in London. He urged international financiers and development partners to explore opportunities in renewable energy, agriculture, transportation, and climate-resilient infrastructure. Kalu emphasized that Nigeria's green transition offers practical and bankable opportunities that can deliver strong returns while addressing climate and development challenges. Key investment sectors include distributed renewable energy, solar mini-grids, battery storage, clean cooking solutions, electricity transmission, industrial energy efficiency, climate-smart agriculture, cold-chain logistics, food processing, resilient rural infrastructure, electric mobility, waste-to-value systems, and green manufacturing. He also highlighted climate adaptation projects such as flood-control systems, resilient drainage, coastal protection, and climate-resilient housing. Kalu stressed that climate finance must address both emissions reduction and the realities faced by communities affected by flooding, land degradation, food insecurity, and climate-related displacement. He linked these opportunities to economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu's administration, citing the removal of fuel subsidy and foreign exchange market reforms as measures enhancing investor confidence. The Deputy Speaker also pointed to a stable