The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has criticised those who left the PDP for the African Democratic Congress, calling their move a strategic blunder and labeling the coalition as a political anomaly.

Speaking at the ongoing Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders in Abuja, themed “Reclaiming Our Legacy, Renewing Our Collective Vision,” Mohammed cautioned that individuals cannot maintain membership in two political parties simultaneously.

Notable figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Senate President David Mark, and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu, are among those who have recently defected from the PDP to join the ADC-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.

In his response, the governor expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon a stronger platform for one without a solid foundation, asserting that the PDP will ultimately prove them wrong.

He said: “If somebody wants to leave PDP to go to another place, how is this smart in thoughts and in thinking? Because the PDP has history, a legacy, a structure everywhere and the governors are doing their best.

“But because we are being hunted and we know what we are going through, and it is not for us to be cowardly and be talking about it. Yes, politics is local. Some may go due to certain reasons, certain permutations, calculations, but I think they will be proved wrong.

“Even our elders that have gone, we don’t want to diminish them, we don’t want to denigrate or abuse them. We are telling them with humility: come back. That’s what the National Chairman has said — come back.

“This is what you have built. Where there are governors, where there are senators, members of the Houses, speakers, offices, local government chairmen, you are going to a party that has no office. It’s a malady.

“We reason with them. Maybe in terms of their own calculation, they want to actualize their aspiration — to get tickets. But do you want to get a ticket and lose? So please, come back. You have no reason to go anywhere.”

The Bauchi State governor stated that all PDP governors are providing effective governance in their respective states.

He continued, “But certainly, as the Chairman has said, we cannot take indiscipline to a level where it becomes contagious. If you are in PDP, you are in PDP. You cannot be in PDP and be in coalition with another party. We cannot do this. But you have all the time to decide. Coalition is an aberration, yes, I said it.

“You cannot belong to two places. You cannot be an Aphrodite. You cannot be a man and a woman at the same time. Be who you will be. But we will still give you the opportunity to have a thought, because you are our leaders.

“But if you are going, don’t demarket us. Demarketing of the PDP is not fair. Most of you actualized your political aspirations through this party. Some of them left us and caused our loss in 2015, and yet we accommodated them.

“And they left and came back. Some of them became governors, and some of them took tickets, just sprayed. It is only in PDP that you get that.

“But sadly, we still respect them. But they should respect us too. We are not afraid of anybody in politics.”

Pupils at Divine Wisdom Schools, Awka, in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State will not forget last Saturday, July 19, so soon.

That day, the management of the school located at Ifite village behind the old Government House rolled out drums to celebrate its graduating pupils.

As expected, the schoolchildren, their parents, friends and well-wishers came in their numbers to rejoice with them.

A series of activities were lined up to entertain the participants at the event.

These included cultural dances, a presentation by the Nursery 3 pupils, phonics presentation, a presentation in French language, and the coronation of the new Igwe and Lọlọ of the school among others.

The director of the school, Chief Amaechi Obiesili, in his welcome address, explained that the event was actually an annual program where “we celebrate, bless, advise, encourage and pray for our graduating, as well as our outgoing pupils who will be venturing into higher cadre in their academic lives from Nursery 3 to Basic 1 and from Basic 6 to JSS 1 respectively.”

Chief Amaechi Obiesili delivering his welcome address

Going down the memory lane, Obiesili recalled that the school had a humble beginning with about 11 pupils and a single classroom block.

“But today, by the special grace of God, it has over 200 pupils with standard structures”, he added.

The director revealed that the citadel of learning had secured full government’s approvals and certifications to legally operate daycare, crèche/kindergarten, nursery and basic schools.

“The school also has a Certificate of Upgrade, with special school code and brand name, to legally undertake external examinations such as Common Entrance exams, First School Leaving Certificate exams and so on”, Obiesili disclosed.

Speaking further, the director said: “We have continued to maintain high standards in all our endeavours especially as regards employment of quality teachers with N.C.E and/or B.Ed certificates with passion to teach.

“We have continued to provide sustainable security for both our pupils and staff through our CCTV cameras in addition to the physical security personnel on ground.”

Obiesili commended his staff for their contributions towards the growth and progress of the school and for keying into his vision of making the citadel of learning the best of its kind in the state.

The outgoing Igwe of the school crowning the new Igwe

Meanwhile, the event witnessed the selection and coronation of Wisdom Uzodimma Ibe and Unique Josephson as the new Igwe and Lọlọ of the school.

Ibe (Igwe Uzodimma) is a Primary 5 pupil who will be moving to Primary 6 by the next academic session while Josephson (Achalugo Nwaanyị ọma), Primary 4, will be moving to 5.
The duo took over from Nnabuenyi Nwagbo (Ezedioramma) and Mmasinachi Nwachukwu (Adamma Nwaanyị ọma). The two pupils will be moving to Primary 4 when the next academic session begins.

Three boys and four girls contested this year’s Igwe and Lọlọ of the school but after a careful observation of the contestants and their performances, a five-member panel comprising of three men and two women settled for Ibe and Josephson.

The new Igwe and Lọlọ are expected to reign for one year.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has signed two executive orders banning indiscriminate tree felling and mandating a monthly, statewide, environmental sanitation exercise.

The orders were signed on Saturday at the Government House in Maiduguri. They form part of efforts to tackle environmental degradation and promote public health across the state.

Zulum said the move responds to severe environmental abuse, especially unchecked tree cutting, which threatens the ecosystem and poses risks to future generations.

He cited powers granted under Sections 14(2) and 20 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, as the legal basis for the executive action.

Invoking the Felling of Tree Law, Cap 53, Laws of Borno 1994, Zulum officially prohibited the felling of trees with immediate effect.

Violators of the law face a fine of N250,000 or up to three years’ imprisonment for a first offence. Repeat offenders risk N500,000 fines or five years’ jail.

The second executive order declares the first Saturday of each month as Sanitation Day, aimed at improving hygiene and preventing disease across communities in Borno.

According to the governor, those flouting this order may be fined N100,000 or face up to two years’ imprisonment for a first offence.

Repeat sanitation offenders may face imprisonment of up to five years, Zulum warned, underscoring the seriousness of the directive.

He revealed plans to introduce a third executive order. This will target illegal activities related to scrap metal scavenging and trading.

Zulum instructed the Police Command and other enforcement agencies in the state to ensure full compliance with all executive orders.