Oduduwa News

Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has said that the wave of defections by governors in the South-East cannot guarantee the political capture of the region.

Obi, who spoke to reporters in Abuja on Wednesday, said Nigeria was operating under a democracy, not military rule, where the people, not governors or senators, ultimately decide who leads them.

Responding to questions about the recent defections of Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and others to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Obi said such movements did not amount to capturing any state or zone.

“Peter Mbah is a good friend of mine. I believe that as governor, he must have taken his decision based on his own political views and calculations,” Obi said. “As for the alleged plot to capture the South-East, we are not in a military time when you capture people. You are a leader; you do the right things for them to follow you. So I don’t think anybody is capturing anywhere.”

The former Anambra State governor urged the Federal Government to focus on good governance, saying performance, not political manoeuvring, was what wins people’s loyalty. “The government needs to do more if it wants the people to support it,” he added.

Speaking on the planned protest for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, by activist Omoyele Sowore, Obi reiterated his long-standing position that dialogue, not detention, was the way forward.

“There was no need for his arrest in the first place. I’ve always said I will consult, negotiate, and discuss with anybody who is agitating. Let’s follow the rules and dialogue with them,” he stated.

On expectations from Professor Joash Amupitan, who has been nominated as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obi urged him to ensure credibility in future elections. “We want a new Nigeria where elections are free, fair and credible, and people with competence, capacity, compassion and character are elected,” he said.

He added that public officeholders should act with integrity, reminding Amupitan that “none of us will be here forever. Whatever position we occupy, we must do the right thing and protect our reputation.”

In order to control hazards related to use of harmful chemical substances to preserve fruits, vegetables and other food items in the state, the Oyo State House of Assembly has called the state government through the Ministries of Health and Environment and Natural Resources to embark on serious sensitization programmes.

The House made the call during the plenary on Tuesday after the lawmaker representing Iwajowa state constituency, Hon. Anthony Ogunsola presented a motion on the ‘Need to Regulate and Control the Unhygienic and Unhealthy Preservation of Fruits, Vegetables and other Food Items by Unscrupulous Vendors’.

The motion was co-sponsored by Hon. Anthony Ogunsola, (Iwajowa) Hon. Sanjo Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South), Bamidele Adeola (Iseyin/ltesiwaju), Abiodun Babalola, (Ibadan North East I) Comforter Olajide (Ibadan North I) Olorunpoto Rahaman (Oyo East/West) and Peter Ojedokun (Ibarapa North/East).

Presenting the motion before the House, Hon. Ogunsola, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Solid Minerals, said that some vendors have undermined the importance of fruits and vegetables consumption by preserving them with chemical contaminants like formalin, calcium carbide which can lead to poisoning, cancer risks, respiratory issues, and damage to the liver, kidney, or digestive system.

“Further notes that regular consumption of fruits and vegetables lowers risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 3 diabetes, and certain cancers due to presence of antioxidants that protect cells from damage Generally, vitamins and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables strengthen the immune system, helping the body to fight infections.

“Aware that despite the health benefits associated with fruits and vegetables consumption, unhygienic and unhealthy preservation of fruits and vegetables by some unscrupulous vendors in Oyo State and other parts of the country is posing serious dangers to human health. The use of chemical contaminants like formalin, calcium carbide, or excessive sulfites in fruits preservation like orange, banana, apple, mango and other fruit items which can lead to poisoning, cancer risks, respiratory issues, and damage to the liver, kidney, or digestive system. These artificial preservatives methods can trigger allergies, asthma or skin reactions which are common and rampant in our society today. In short, unsafe methods can cause fruits and vegetables to lose their freshness, flavour and natural texture, and when consumed may leave harmful residues that accumulate in the body over time and injurious to human health.

“Further aware that this harmful practice of fruits preservation is commonly found among street and road side fruits vendors within Ibadan metropolis and other parts of the State. These unscrupulous fruit vendors usually apply artificial dyes or spoilage to change the colour of the fruits, especially unripe fruits like Oranges and Bananas,” the lawmaker said.

The House urged the ministries to collaborate on workable enforcement strategies, using technology to test fruits sold at markets and roadside stalls for chemical substances, and prosecute vendors found culpable to serve as deterrent to others and nip the unpatriotic practice in the bud.

In other resolutions presented before the House, Hon. Ogunsola implored the House to set up an Ad-hoc Committee comprising members of Committees on Health, Nutrition and Food Security and Environment, Water Resources and Ecology to conduct comprehensive evaluation of fruits, vegetables and other food items preserved with harmful chemical substances by some vendors in order to safe the people of Oyo State from being exposed to life threatening diseases; and

The lawmaker also called on the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to urgently take action against all unscrupulous fruit and vegetable vendors in Oyo State especially in Ibadan metropolis using harmful chemicals to preserve fruits, vegetables and other consumable items.

The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a major crisis ahead of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, national convention, and the 2027 general elections following the mass resignation of key stakeholders and party loyalists from the Oke-Ogun zone.

The latest in the wave of defections occurred in Saki West Local Government, where more than 5,000 members of the Halleluyah Reform Political Movement formally announced their resignation from the PDP. The move, which took place at Abeje Multipurpose Hall, Saki, was in solidarity with former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Hosea Ayoola Agboola (popularly known as Halleluyah), who recently quit the party.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Sarafadeen Omirinde, former Chairman of Saki West Local Government, described the collective resignation as “a symbol of loyalty and solidarity” with Senator Halleluyah. He said members would no longer participate in PDP meetings or activities, emphasizing that their allegiance remains with their leader.

“Our leader has shown us the path of integrity and principle. Wherever Senator Halleluyah goes, we follow with loyalty and conviction,” Omirinde said.

In his remarks, Hon. Lukman Adisa Adamawa, a former Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde, stated that the mass exit would have significant political consequences across Oyo State and the PDP nationwide. He described Senator Halleluyah as “a political builder and bridge-maker who has groomed leaders and strengthened communities across Nigeria.”

“This movement is not about one man leaving a party—it’s about thousands realigning for purpose and direction,” Adamawa declared.

Also speaking, Alhaji Yisau Awokesoro, a senior member of the movement, said the resignations marked “the beginning of the PDP’s political decline in Oyo State and beyond,” adding that unity remains their strongest weapon.

Former Oyo State Commissioner for Works, Alhaji R. O. Muslim, urged members to remain patient as they await Senator Halleluyah’s next move, clarifying that the group has not yet joined any political party.

“We are not in APC or any other party as rumored. We await the directive of our leader. When the time comes, we’ll move collectively,” he assured.

Others who spoke—including Hon. Olowookere Tawa—praised Senator Halleluyah’s leadership, describing him as a beacon of political courage and consistency.

The event attracted several political heavyweights, including Alhaji Ganiyu Alaga (former PDP Chairman), Alhaji Mudashiru Awujoola, Hon. Biyi Abiola, Alhaji Yekeen Owoade, and Hon. Taofeeq Elege, among others—all reaffirming loyalty to Senator Halleluyah’s leadership and vision.

The Oyo State Civil Service Commission has commenced interviews for shortlisted officers in the 2025 Conversion and Transfer of Service exercise, aimed at filling key vacancies across the service.

Speaking with newsmen, Chairman of the Oyo State Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe, noted that the conversion exercise is the fifth batch, with over 3,000 officers benefiting since the inception of the current administration.

He explained that 634 officers were shortlisted, out of which 318 sat for the examination, while an additional 380 candidates who were exempted from writing the examination are being screened through the interview process, with the intention of recruiting 600 officers.

Alhaji Aderibigbe further stated that successful officers from the screening would receive their conversion letters within the next few weeks.

The interview exercise for the shortlisted officers is expected to end on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has issued a stern warning to factions within his own party, urging that no one should engage in “political suicide” over disagreements surrounding the upcoming PDP National Convention. His admonition came in the context of efforts by some leaders aligned with Nyesom Wike to challenge or halt the party’s convention plans. 

Makinde, who chairs the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee, spoke on Monday shortly after unveiling the committee in Abuja. He said that attempts to stop what he described as a “moving train” — the party’s march toward convention — would amount to self-destructive behavior. “My advice is this: no matter how highly placed, no matter what has transpired in the past, we don’t want to see anyone dead. So please, don’t commit suicide,” he warned. 

His comments followed months of internal dissent within the Peoples Democratic Party, especially from some who contend that zones and leadership positions have been unfairly micro-zoned or allocated. Some Wike-aligned actors have openly threatened legal action to restrain the convention from going ahead. 

Despite defections by some prominent figures to the ruling APC or other coalitions, Makinde insisted the PDP remains focused and undeterred. He said the party would allow the people to make the final judgment at the polls. 

When asked whether his own presidential ambitions might influence his posture, the governor downplayed such speculation, stating his priority was to ensure a successful and credible convention first. 

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 103rd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, earlier scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, citing recent developments within the party.

The postponement was announced in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

According to the statement, the decision followed an emergency meeting of the National Working Committee (NWC) held in Abuja, where members resolved to shift the NEC meeting to a new date that will be communicated later.

“Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) may recall that the 103rd NEC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, 15th October, 2025,” Ologunagba stated.

“However, in view of recent developments in the party, the NWC, in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 29 (2)(b) of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017), has approved the postponement of the meeting to a new date that will be communicated to members in due course.”

The party urged all NEC members to take note of the change and await further communication from the national secretariat.

The development comes amid a wave of defections of key PDP members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which has heightened internal tension within the opposition party.

In response to the defections, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has assured party faithful that the PDP remains united and resilient.

Mohammed stated that no political defections or external pressure would derail the party’s plans for its National Convention, scheduled to take place in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16, 2025.

Governors and monarchs across Nigeria have renewed calls for constitutional recognition of traditional rulers, emphasizing their importance in grassroots governance, peacebuilding, and cultural preservation. The appeal was made during the meeting of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (NCTRN) held in Lagos, attended by ten governors, royal fathers, and dignitaries nationwide. The event, themed “The Traditional Institution: The Imperative of Its Inclusion in Effective and Efficient Governance in Nigeria,” sought to secure a defined constitutional role for traditional rulers in the country’s governance framework.

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, representing President Bola Tinubu, stressed that monarchs are the strongest link between government and the people and deserve legal recognition for their roles in conflict resolution and community development. He noted that while traditional rulers had defined responsibilities under the 1963 Constitution, these roles were removed in later versions, creating a gap in governance. Uzodimma urged the National Assembly to correct this oversight through constitutional amendment and advised monarchs to remain politically neutral while supporting national unity.

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu echoed these sentiments, describing traditional rulers as moral authorities and custodians of cultural values who play a vital role in maintaining peace and order. He called for their reintegration into governance structures in a practical, non-ceremonial manner, pledging Lagos State’s support for the initiative. Sanwo-Olu emphasized that clarifying the roles of monarchs would strengthen collaboration between government and traditional institutions, ultimately enhancing community stability and national development.

The meeting, co-chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, also featured appeals for reform of existing laws that place traditional councils under local government control. Monarchs and governors alike argued that formal recognition would not disrupt democracy but rather complement it by legitimizing existing traditional functions. They urged the National Assembly to prioritize the inclusion of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s ongoing constitutional review process to promote stability, unity, and sustainable development.

The Federal Government has warned the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that it will enforce the “no work, no pay” policy after lecturers began a two-week warning strike to protest unpaid arrears and poor implementation of past agreements.

The Ministry of Education said the rule is backed by labour law and will apply if the strike continues.

ASUU, however, insists that the policy is unfair and that government has not fully met its commitments under the 2009 agreement.

Stakeholders are urging both sides to resume dialogue to prevent disruption of the academic calendar.

Uncertainty now surrounds the implementation of the proposed 2026 Computer-Based Testing (CBT) format for the National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations following a virtual meeting between the Council and CBT centre owners that ended in a deadlock on Wednesday.

The meeting, held via Zoom on October 9, 2025, had over 450 CBT centre owners and managers in attendance.

What began as a seemingly smooth and interactive engagement soon degenerated into a heated exchange after the NECO consultant, identified as Mr. Temi of MG, announced that ₦1,000 per session had been earmarked as payment for each centre during the exams.

The announcement reportedly angered many participants, who described the amount as “unrealistic” and “unsustainable” given the high cost of running and maintaining CBT facilities.

Several centre managers questioned whether the ₦1,000 fee would cover diesel expenses and other operational costs incurred during both the preparation and conduct of the exams, which typically span several weeks.

In his response, the NECO chairperson, who also attended the session, compared the proposed rate with what other examination bodies currently offer. He, however, insisted that since NECO’s examinations usually last longer, the amount was “reasonable.”

The explanation did little to calm the participants, who continued to express strong reservations about the proposal.

One of the centre owners, who spoke on behalf of others, demanded to know whether NECO had developed a formal working document that would outline the operational guidelines and expectations for the exercise.

In response, the consultant affirmed that such a document would be made available only to centres that successfully complete an “Autobot Test” a prerequisite evaluation exercise scheduled to end on October 16, 2026.

However, multiple CBT operators who spoke to our correspondent after the meeting expressed disappointment and scepticism about the proposed arrangement.

According to one of them, many centres are reluctant to participate because of the low payment and the relatively low turnout of candidates for NECO’s November/December examinations.

“There is little incentive for us to invest time and resources in preparing for a process that may not even be profitable. NECO needs to review its proposal and engage stakeholders meaningfully if it wants to succeed,” one operator said.

The Tribune gathered that several CBT centre owners have begun reconsidering their participation in the exercise, citing poor consultation, cost implications, and the absence of a clearly defined operational framework.

As of press time, NECO had yet to issue an official statement on whether adjustments would be made to the proposed payment structure or timeline for implementation of the computer-based testing model.

Compatriots of the Press, it is evident that nothing concrete has been done to halt the implementation of the resolution reached by ASUU-NEC to embark on a two-week warning strike following the expiration of the 14-day notice issued on 28th September 2025.

Accordingly, all ASUU branches are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective from midnight on Monday, 13th October 2025.

This warning strike, as resolved at the last NEC meeting, shall be total and comprehensive.