馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Senate President Akpabio states he was in the "wrong party" with PDP, found political home in APC
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Senate President Godswill Akpabio declared on Friday that his time in the Peoples Democratic Party PDP was spent in the "wrong party," asserting that he discovered his true political affiliation upon defecting to the All Progressives Congress APC. Akpabio made these comments during the inauguration of access roads for the Renewed Hope Cities and Estates in Karsana District, Federal Capital Territory, an event marking President Bola Tinubu鈥檚 third anniversary in office. He responded to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who had praised Akpabio's performance during his PDP tenure, by urging the APC National Working Committee to disregard such remarks, clarifying that they pertained to a period before the APC's formation. Akpabio explained that as a "progressive-minded person," he belonged to a "progressive family," and thus joined the APC when it was founded in 2014, after serving over seven years as Akwa Ibom State governor. He further characterized the PDP as fragmented, acknowledging Wike as the "national leader of the winning faction" of the opposition party. Akpabio also recalled Wike's visit to Akwa Ibom during his governorship, where Wike expressed a desire to "perform miracles" in Rivers State, a promise Akpabio noted Wike fulfilled as Rivers governor. These statements follow Akpabio's recent criticism of the PDP, where he expressed surprise at its continued existence and urged Wike to let it "die."
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has drawn criticism on social media after actor James Olarenwaju, known as Baba Ijesha, announced that the monarch gifted him a new car, luxury items, and a chieftaincy title. This announcement followed the birth of Baba Ijesha's son. Many Nigerians questioned the decision to honor the actor, who was convicted in 2022 for sexually assaulting a minor. Baba Ijesha expressed gratitude to the traditional ruler on social media for the "royal reception and fatherly support" extended to him and his wife, Abiodun Tokunbo. However, social media users, including #cutie_juls and Oliver John, argued that the gesture rewarded misconduct and undermined the moral values expected of traditional institutions. They stated that traditional titles should be reserved for individuals who exemplify integrity and good character. Eluwande Bode described the gifts as misplaced priorities. Conversely, some social media users defended Baba Ijesha, arguing that he had served his prison sentence and deserved a chance to rebuild his life, with Ola Christopher and Adeniran O. Oladipupo offering support.
Must ReadThe African Union convened an emergency meeting regarding its military mission in Somalia following an announcement from Washington to cease critical funding. The United States stated it would end payments to the UN Support Office in Somalia UNSOS, which largely funds the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia AUSSOM, by the end of the year. A senior African diplomat confirmed the decision as "irreversible," indicating the mission is "finished." The US cited Somalia's government for failing to maintain progress against Al-Shabaab, take ownership of security functions, or undertake serious security sector reform, attributing this to "internal rivalries and political infighting." The US has provided substantial funding to UN missions and African troops in Somalia since 2007. Somalia has been battling the Al-Shabaab insurgency for approximately two decades, with the group still controlling significant areas. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud extended his term earlier this year, leading to political crisis and violent clashes, and much of the progress made against Al-Shabaab after he took office in 2022 has since been lost.
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan has overturned a previous Oyo State High Court judgment that permitted Muslim students at the International School, University of Ibadan, to wear hijabs as part of their school uniform. In a split decision, the appellate panel ruled by a two-to-one majority that the Supreme Court's decision on hijab use applies only to public schools, not private institutions like the International School. The court set aside the earlier judgment by Justice Moshood Ishola, which had stated that the school's hijab ban violated students' constitutional rights to freedom of religion and non-discrimination. Justice Biobele Georgewill, delivering the lead majority judgment with Justice K.I. Amadi concurring, stated that the International School is a private institution and that students had waived their right to wear hijab by agreeing to the school's dress code. Justice Fadawu Umar, however, dissented, arguing the appeal lacked merit. The dispute originated in 2018 when Muslim students challenged the school's uniform policy, leading to the 2022 Oyo State High Court ruling in their favor, which the school authorities subsequently appealed.