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Rotimi Amaechi alleges former President Jonathan and wife forced him out of PDP
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi claimed he was forced out of the Peoples Democratic Party by former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan. Amaechi stated in an interview on Channels Television that he was "literally chased out" of the PDP due to political disagreements, with the Jonathans taking over the political structure in Rivers State. He attributed this to his role as chairman of the Governors' Forum. Amaechi, who also served as former Minister of Transportation, mentioned experiencing a similar situation in the All Progressives Congress, stating he was "chased out of APC." He revealed having multiple discussions with Jonathan regarding their differences, including issues concerning party primaries and governance. Amaechi emphasized the importance of inclusive governance in Nigeria, advocating for policies that protect diverse interests and allow everyone a voice in the economy.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
Dr. Joseph Ochogwu, Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution IPCR, has called for the immediate adoption and implementation of Nigeria's National Peace Policy. Speaking at the Second High-Level Expert Dialogue on the draft policy in Abuja, Dr. Ochogwu emphasized that peace in Nigeria is a "foundational imperative" and that the country's escalating security challenges, including insurgency, farmer-herder clashes, separatist tensions, banditry, and kidnapping, demand a coordinated and institutionalized response. He stated that the proposed policy aims to address gaps in current peacebuilding efforts by providing a unified framework to harmonize interventions from government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners, thereby moving beyond fragmented and ad hoc approaches. Dr. Ochogwu highlighted that the policy would enable evidence-based decision-making, shift the focus from reactive crisis management to preventive and strategic peacebuilding, and ensure peacebuilding is mainstreamed across key sectors like security, justice, education, and economic planning. He also noted that the policy aligns with global and regional peace frameworks from the United Nations, African Union, and ECOWAS. The Director-General urged stakeholders to generate the political will and inter-institutional consensus necessary for implementation, warning against bureaucratic delays and institutional rivalry. He added that the administration of President Bo
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by Deputy Comptroller Abubakar Aliyu, has announced a crackdown on smugglers across Nigeria, urging them to find alternative livelihoods. Speaking in Yola, Aliyu highlighted that strategic operations along Nigeria’s borders aim to protect food, energy, and national security, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s mandates. Operation Whirlwind Zone ‘D’ has achieved significant success, recording 47 seizures with a monetary value of ₦93,029,800.00 within six weeks in Adamawa State. These seizures, made across various flashpoints including Mubi-Sahuda axis and Gurin-Fufore axis, include 64,410 liters of Premium Motor Spirit PMS packed in jerry cans and drums, along with two vehicles used for conveyance. The seizures were made in contravention of sections 150, 248, and 250 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. Additionally, a DAF fuel tanker carrying 50,000 liters of PMS was intercepted on April 15, 2026, along the Mubi–Uba road due to product diversion and will be handed over to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority NMDPRA. Aliyu attributed the high rate of smuggling to the significant price difference of PMS between Nigeria and neighboring countries like Cameroon and Benin Republic, where prices are substantially higher despite Nigeria's own price increases.
A TikTok user, identified as Love, claims she is being sued for ₦50 million by a bread company after posting a video that went viral. The video questioned the unusual freshness of a loaf of bread that reportedly remained edible for two months. Love expressed concern about the bread's longevity, noting it still looked and smelled fresh after weeks. She stated that the lawsuit came as a surprise because she did not mention or identify any specific brand in her original video, insisting her content was based solely on personal observation. She recounted receiving a message from "Bon bread" in her direct messages the day after her video was posted.
Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, announced that the Olumo Rock Tourist Centre in Abeokuta has seen a significant increase in revenue following its refurbishment. The governor stated that the site, which previously generated approximately N3-4 million annually, now earns about N10 million weekly, totaling N40 million monthly. This improvement comes after the centre was temporarily shut down for renovations to enhance its tourism value and revenue generation. Abiodun highlighted that Olumo Rock has become one of Nigeria's top tourist destinations. The state government had previously reopened the facility with a temporary free-entry policy to encourage visitation and cultural tourism, which led to overcrowding and safety concerns, prompting the end of the free-entry period. The state is now moving to concession the tourist centre to a private operator for improved management and sustained revenue.