By Our Correspondent

Peter Obi, South-East Senators, Others Defect to ADC in Enugu

Former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) alongside several prominent political leaders from the South-East geopolitical zone.

The declaration was made on Wednesday in Enugu, the Enugu State capital, where the leaders converged to announce their collective decision after months of consultations.

The defectors said the move to the ADC was part of a broader effort to forge a united opposition platform that would work with like-minded leaders across the country to “rescue Nigeria from the poor governance of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Dignitaries at the event included former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; Senators Ben Obi, Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, Gilbert Nnaji, Enyinnaya Abaribe and Sam Egwu; Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, as well as several serving and former members of the National Assembly.

Also in attendance were leaders from other parts of the country, including former Senate President and National Chairman of the ADC, Senator David Mark; former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; former governors from the South-East, and other political heavyweights.

Speaking at the gathering, Obi described the decision to join the ADC as the beginning of a new political journey aimed at reclaiming Nigeria from what he termed the misrule of the APC.

“Today is an important day. As the year comes to an end, we do so with hope that in 2026 we will begin a genuine journey to rescue our country for proper socio-economic development that is unifying and inclusive,” Obi said.

He lamented what he described as the erosion of democratic values, accusing some beneficiaries of democracy of aiding its destruction through intimidation and suppression of opposition voices.

“We have watched those who benefited from our democracy become accessories to its destruction through coercion and gangsterism against the opposition. We cannot allow this to continue. We will resist it,” Obi declared.

By: Zurkallaini Muhammad Inuwa

There is growing confusion in Gombe State following conflicting statements from government agencies regarding the closure of public schools.

On Monday, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Esrom Jocthan Toro, revealed during a meeting with education secretaries that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had ordered the immediate closure of all schools in the state.

Hours later, the State Ministry of Education in a statement through the Special Assistant on Media to the Commissioner of Education, Saidu Bappa Malala, refuting the claim and insisting that no such directive had been issued by the government.

The ministry clarified that students across public schools are currently writing their end-of-term lexaminations and urged the public to disregard the closure rumours.

The contradictory statements have triggered uncertainty and concern among parents, guardians, and school administrators, with many expressing frustration over the lack of coordination between key government bodies.

Some Education stakeholders and concerned citizens Dr Abba Abubakar Modibbo and Mrs Mary Abraham called on the state government to harmonize its communication channels and provide a unified, clear position to avoid further confusion and ensure public trust.

As of the time of filing this report, schools across the state remain open, and examinations are ongoing.

By Our Political Reporter

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned what it described as a violent and unlawful invasion of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja by expelled members allegedly backed by compromised security operatives and armed thugs.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, the BoT expressed deep concern over the events of Tuesday, November 18, when the intruders forcefully attempted to take control of the party headquarters in a move aimed at destabilising the newly constituted party leadership.

According to the statement, the expelled elements mobilized armed thugs who attempted to block members of the newly elected National Working Committee (NWC), led by National Chairman Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, from accessing the secretariat. The delegation also included the Governor of Bauchi State and Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Senator Bala Mohammed, his Oyo State counterpart, Engr. Seyi Makinde, and other top party leaders.

The situation escalated when tear gas was fired at the governors and senior party officials, as the thugs reportedly carried out acts of violence within the premises of the PDP National Secretariat.

The BoT further pointed to the presence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike—himself expelled from the PDP—who arrived at the scene with heavy security personnel, in what the party described as a show of solidarity with the invaders.

Despite the chaos, the Board lauded the “courage and resilience” of the governors, NWC members, BoT members, and other loyal party supporters who stood firm against the attempted takeover.

Reaffirming its unwavering support for the new NWC, the BoT stated that the leadership elected at the Ibadan Elective National Convention held on November 15–16, 2025, remains legitimate and fully recognized. It stressed that the convention was convened in full compliance with the PDP Constitution, party guidelines, the Electoral Act, and all relevant regulations.

The Board dismissed the media statements and actions of the expelled members as mischievous attempts to undermine the convention’s outcome and sow confusion within the party, describing such conduct as a direct assault on internal democracy.

Calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate the attack and bring the perpetrators to justice, the BoT emphasized that democratic institutions must remain impartial and free from political interference if Nigeria’s democracy is to thrive.

As the moral backbone of the party, the BoT pledged its commitment to preserving unity within the PDP and protecting the mandate freely given by delegates at the Ibadan Convention. It urged the new NWC to remain focused on repositioning the party as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.

The press release was signed by H.E. Senator Adolphus Wabara, Ph.D, Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees.