One suspect has been arrested in connection with a loud explosion in Owo area of Ondo State.
Residents and passersby were thrown into panic on Saturday after a loud explosion occurred near a commercial bank in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The sound reportedly sent people scampering for safety as thick smoke briefly rose from the scene, forcing traders to flee and nearby shop owners to hastily shut their doors.
However, the Ondo State Police Command in a statement on Sunday said the police authorities have commenced investigation into the incident.
The Command’s spokesperson, Olusola Ayanlade, attributed the explosion to a banger, identifying the arrested suspect as Ayoola Daniel Ojumu from Owo.
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“One Ayoola Daniel Ojumu of Owo has been arrested in connection with the incident and has confessed to his role. His accomplice, who reportedly set off the banger, remains at large, and efforts are ongoing to apprehend them,” he stated.
He said the Command would not tolerate any breach of security in any part of the state, as the yuletide season approaches.
“Members of the public in Ondo State, particularly parents and guardians, are advised to prevail over their wards before, during, and after the festive period. The Police Command will take decisive action against any attempts to disrupt peace and public safety,” the police spokesman said.
He appealed to all law abiding residents of the state to calm and be vigilant and not hesitate to report any security breach to the police.
The Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mohamed Buba Marwa, has reiterated his agency’s commitment to tackle the menace of drug trafficking, warning of an intensified crackdown on drug barons and trafficking networks across the country.
Marwa, reappointed by President Bola Tinubu for another five-year term, told staff at the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja that traffickers should expect no respite.
“This second tenure is going to be hell and bleak for them,” he warned. “Drugs shall not pass — in or out or within Nigeria.”
He urged those involved in drug trafficking and illegal cultivation to abandon the trade immediately.
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Marwa thanked the President, the agency’s personnel, and local and international partners for their support, saying his renewed mandate is a call for deeper commitment.
“This is the right time for them to drop that criminal business and face something legitimate,” he said. “If you refuse, you will be arrested, the drugs will be seized, and your assets will be confiscated. You will come out of jail to find nothing left.
“We thank the President for recognising our collective efforts and giving us the opportunity to continue this war against drug abuse and trafficking,” he said.
Speaking on rehabilitation efforts, Marwa announced plans to expand NDLEA facilities nationwide.
He also highlighted recent approval for drug testing for students entering tertiary institutions, saying it would help “catch them young before addiction sets in.”
Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State has formally distanced himself from the expulsion of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He also dissociated himself from the expulsion of a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, the national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and other leaders of the PDP.
The party unanimously voted to expel them for anti-party activities and fostering disunity with series of litigation against the interests of the party.
In a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Gyang Bere, the governor explained that the issue was neither discussed by the PDP Governors’ Forum nor the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the motion was presented.
He stated that the proposal did not reflect his position on the matter.
Governor Mutfwang further noted that expelling the party leaders at this crucial time was not a strategic step toward resolving the internal challenges currently confronting the PDP.
He said there was a need for unity, dialogue, and collective effort in rebuilding and repositioning the party.
Mutfwang is the second governor to distance himself from the expulsion of the PDP leaders at the national convention in Oyo.
Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, has dissociated himself from the decision of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to expel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from the party.
This was contained in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Saturday.
Fintiri, who is also the Chairman of the PDP 2025 Elective National Convention, noted that the decision was not in the best interest of the party.
He said he would not be party to any attempt that could further plunge the PDP into unending crisis.
“As a faithful party member, my position is clear: I stand for the peace and stability of the PDP, and I will not support anything that could lead to its disintegration.
“I believe that peace and reconciliation are the only ways forward for our great party,” the governor was quoted as saying.
FILE PHOTO: FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Fintiri urged all stakeholders to work towards healing the divisions within the party and to strive for unity and cohesion.
He stated that as a party man, he remained committed to supporting efforts that promote peace, stability, and progress within the PDP.
The governor reiterated that his position was guided by the desire for peace and reconciliation and will continue to work towards achieving this goal.
‘Anti-Party Activities’
Wike and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, were expelled from the PDP on Saturday for anti-party activities.
The party also expelled the National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, and eight others.
The decision was taken at the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
A chieftain of the PDP, Bode George, moved the motion for the expulsion of 11 key members, citing what he described as activities inconsistent with the party’s collective interest as reasons for the move.
The chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State quickly seconded the motion. The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, put the vote forward for members to adopt and ratify the expulsion of those involved, and it was unanimously accepted.
Also present at the convention are Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), and the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday expelled the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, from the party, for anti-party activities.
The party also expelled the National Secretary of the party, Samuel Anyanwu, and eight others.
The decision was taken at the national convention of the party in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delegates at the PDP convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, cast their votes according to their respective states to elect national officers of the party.
The party unanimously voted to expel them for anti-party activities and fostering disunity with a series of litigation against the interests of the party.
The national convention, which is currently being held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, has delegates from 17 states across the country in attendance.
A chieftain of the PDP, Bode George, moved the motion for the expulsion of 11 key members, citing what he described as activities inconsistent with the party’s collective interest as reasons for the move.
The chairman of the PDP in Bauchi State quickly seconded the motion.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, put the vote forward for members to adopt and ratify the expulsion of those involved, and it was unanimously accepted.
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Muhammed, put the vote forward for members to adopt and ratify the expulsion of those involved, and it was unanimously accepted.
PDP leaders at the party’s national convention in Ibadan
Also present at the convention are Governor Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Governor Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Governor Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and the PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
Others are the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; a former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, his Gombe counterpart, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; and the Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and a chieftain of the party, among others.
Below is the full list of those expelled by the party at the convention:
As the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets underway in Ibadan, Oyo State, some prominent figures, including governors, in the opposition party, have yet to arrive.
They include governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Sim Fubara (Rivers), and Agbu Kefas (Taraba), who have not been sighted at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, venue of the ongoing convention.
Present at the exercise are Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, Governor Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau) and the PDP acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.
The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Also present are the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; a former governor of Osun, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, his Gombe counterpart, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo; the Board of Trustees chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara; and a chieftain of the party, Bode George, among others.
The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mohammed, Makinde, Others Receive Flags
Meanwhile, leaders of the PDP have received the flags of the party, the Nigerian national flag, and the national convention flag, among others.
Damagum received the flag of the PDP, while Fintiri, who is also the chairman of the national convention, received the national convention flag.
The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Mohammed, who is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum, received the Nigerian flag, with the host governor, Makinde, receiving the Oyo State flag.
Other leaders who received flags at the event were Moro, who received the Senate flag, and Fred Agbedi, who received the House of Representatives flag.
The convention began with the accreditation of the over 3,000 delegates, who have converged on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
PDP National Convention in Ibadan. Photo Credit: PDP
The accreditation process for delegates from across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, which is preparatory to the voting exercise, started in the afternoon.
Ibadan had been agog since Friday as party faithful from across the country berthed in the city.
The PDP national convention is taking place at the Lekan Salami Stadium in Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Governor Makinde had on Friday hosted a dinner, which was attended by PDP governors, former governors, the Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and the party’s National Working Committee.
Convention Amid Litigation
The convention began despite the litigation that has trailed it for weeks.
The venue of the exercise is buzzling with activities and delagates from different parts of the country dressed in colouful attires.
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There is a heavy present of security, comprising different law enforcement agencies, at the venue to maintain order during the convention.
Venue of PDP National Convention in Ibadan.
Since the national convention was announced, some members of the party loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, insisted that some issues, including the conduct of congresses, be resolved.
FILE PHOTO: FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The development led to further division in the PDP, with Damagum and Abdulrahman Muhammed heading the two factions of the party.
While the Damagum group insisted on the convention, the Abdulrahman camp cancelled the convention following the judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court.
The BoT, led by Wabara, insisted that the national convention would go ahead as planned, despite an order by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the party from holding its 2025 convention in Oyo State.
