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Don’t despair over defections, victory ahead, Makinde rallies PDP members
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has urged members of the Peoples Democratic Party not to lose hope over the recent wave of defections, assuring them that the party’s current challenges are only temporary and that victory lies ahead.
Makinde, who made the remark on Monday during the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee in Abuja, noted that although the party is currently facing a challenging period, the experience will eventually fortify the PDP and position it for future electoral victories.
The Oyo State Governor, who is the Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, encouraged members to remain steadfast, united, and focused on the greater goal of rebuilding the party for national success.
In recent months, several prominent politicians have aligned with the African Democratic Congress-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Those who have joined include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-presidential aspirant Dele Momodu.
At the same time, the ruling All Progressives Congress has attracted several PDP leaders, notably Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
With the PDP’s National Elective Convention set to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15–16, there are indications that Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, might also defect to the APC before the event.
Responding to the wave of defections, Makinde appealed to all PDP members to remain steadfast, noting that although the situation may seem difficult now, it will eventually improve.
He stated, “We are all from every corner of this country. We have individuals from the Northwest, from the North-Central, from the North-East, from the South-West, from the South-South, and from the South-East.
“That is PDP. They can go out there and say that PDP is not everywhere, but let me give you the assurance that PDP is in every ward of this country.
“So I want to ask you, please, let us show commitment and let us show dedication. And let me digress a little bit and use this opportunity to tell our people, PDP members all over this country, that this situation may appear like it’s difficult.
“The news out there people are defecting, governors are defecting.
“I have good news. It may appear that it’s getting worse. But usually, when you want something that will endure, it will usually get worse before it gets better. So don’t even think otherwise. From when the 34 wise men came together to put democracy on the map for this country, at the beginning of this republic in 1999, PDP has always been a constant factor, either as a ruling party or the main opposition party since 2015.
“We’re not going anywhere. So I want to encourage you, when you hear the news that certain people have defected, please, just hold your own corner for PDP. Hold your own corner for PDP. And this is the moment where new, authentic heroes are going to be made. Not only for PDP but for our country. So this is not the time to despair at all. It’s not the time to engage in self-doubt. This is the time to come out boldly and be counted.”
Makinde appealed to party members to have confidence in the leadership that will emerge from the forthcoming PDP National Elective Convention, assuring that the party will produce capable leaders committed to rescuing Nigeria.
He continued, “I am holding my own corner. It will all add up. And watch my lead. Trust me. Trust the leadership that we will enthrone, and the leadership that will midwife the enthronement of the leaders that will eventually help this country.
So what I will ask is, just play your part. No matter how little, no matter what assignment you have been given, do it diligently, and we will all reap the benefits.
“I thank you for accepting to serve in this subcommittee. If you remember, four years ago, in 2021, I was the Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee then. And now they asked me to be the Chairman of this subcommittee, and I accepted, because no assignment is too big or too small to ensure that our party gets on the trajectory where we can say to Nigerians again that we have an idea.
“So some of you also may be in the same situation as myself. Maybe you’ve served, perhaps before now, in some higher capacity.
What I want you to do is see this assignment as a special sacrifice to ensure that PDP gets back on its original trajectory.
“And for the assignment at hand, and you may think, what’s a Transportation Subcommittee? We really want to ensure all the logistics of moving our delegates and supporters from every nook and cranny of Nigeria to Ibadan.
“So our work is not when they show up in Ibadan; our work will start before they even leave home. So it’s a major task, and the success of that convention will depend on the efficiency that we are able to put into our assignment.”
Makinde, who made the remark on Monday during the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Transportation Subcommittee in Abuja, noted that although the party is currently facing a challenging period, the experience will eventually fortify the PDP and position it for future electoral victories.
The Oyo State Governor, who is the Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee, encouraged members to remain steadfast, united, and focused on the greater goal of rebuilding the party for national success.
In recent months, several prominent politicians have aligned with the African Democratic Congress-led opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Those who have joined include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-presidential aspirant Dele Momodu.
At the same time, the ruling All Progressives Congress has attracted several PDP leaders, notably Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno, Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the party’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa.
With the PDP’s National Elective Convention set to hold in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15–16, there are indications that Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, and Bayelsa Governor, Douye Diri, might also defect to the APC before the event.
Responding to the wave of defections, Makinde appealed to all PDP members to remain steadfast, noting that although the situation may seem difficult now, it will eventually improve.
He stated, “We are all from every corner of this country. We have individuals from the Northwest, from the North-Central, from the North-East, from the South-West, from the South-South, and from the South-East.
“That is PDP. They can go out there and say that PDP is not everywhere, but let me give you the assurance that PDP is in every ward of this country.
“So I want to ask you, please, let us show commitment and let us show dedication. And let me digress a little bit and use this opportunity to tell our people, PDP members all over this country, that this situation may appear like it’s difficult.
“The news out there people are defecting, governors are defecting.
“I have good news. It may appear that it’s getting worse. But usually, when you want something that will endure, it will usually get worse before it gets better. So don’t even think otherwise. From when the 34 wise men came together to put democracy on the map for this country, at the beginning of this republic in 1999, PDP has always been a constant factor, either as a ruling party or the main opposition party since 2015.
“We’re not going anywhere. So I want to encourage you, when you hear the news that certain people have defected, please, just hold your own corner for PDP. Hold your own corner for PDP. And this is the moment where new, authentic heroes are going to be made. Not only for PDP but for our country. So this is not the time to despair at all. It’s not the time to engage in self-doubt. This is the time to come out boldly and be counted.”
Makinde appealed to party members to have confidence in the leadership that will emerge from the forthcoming PDP National Elective Convention, assuring that the party will produce capable leaders committed to rescuing Nigeria.
He continued, “I am holding my own corner. It will all add up. And watch my lead. Trust me. Trust the leadership that we will enthrone, and the leadership that will midwife the enthronement of the leaders that will eventually help this country.
So what I will ask is, just play your part. No matter how little, no matter what assignment you have been given, do it diligently, and we will all reap the benefits.
“I thank you for accepting to serve in this subcommittee. If you remember, four years ago, in 2021, I was the Secretary of the National Convention Organising Committee then. And now they asked me to be the Chairman of this subcommittee, and I accepted, because no assignment is too big or too small to ensure that our party gets on the trajectory where we can say to Nigerians again that we have an idea.
“So some of you also may be in the same situation as myself. Maybe you’ve served, perhaps before now, in some higher capacity.
What I want you to do is see this assignment as a special sacrifice to ensure that PDP gets back on its original trajectory.
“And for the assignment at hand, and you may think, what’s a Transportation Subcommittee? We really want to ensure all the logistics of moving our delegates and supporters from every nook and cranny of Nigeria to Ibadan.
“So our work is not when they show up in Ibadan; our work will start before they even leave home. So it’s a major task, and the success of that convention will depend on the efficiency that we are able to put into our assignment.”
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President Bola Tinubu, on Monday in Abuja, assured the technical contractor handling the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI), Siemens Energy, of the government’s full commitment to improving the country’s electricity supply and enhancing livelihoods.
At a meeting at the State House with a delegation from Siemens Energy, led by Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director of Middle East and Africa, President Tinubu noted that the power sector remains central to stimulating the economy, particularly in the industrial, educational, and healthcare sectors.
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, the coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, attended the meeting.
The President stated that the completion of the phased power project will give Nigeria a place of pride on the continent by harnessing the latent potential in human and material resources across various sectors.
“There is no industrial growth or economic development without power. I believe that power is the most significant discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years.
“I appreciate the partnership on the initiative. The progress of the project to date is notable, and we can feel it. But it is not where we want it to be.
“We appreciate the support and commitment of the German government and Siemens. The investment you are making and your commitment align with the future of this country.
“Our education, our health care and our transportation all depend on energy and without power, it is an impossible objective. We are taking it very seriously,” he added.
The President also directed the expansion of some major transformer substations from two to three phases to boost the country’s power supply.
“We are all inspired and happy. This is what we want to achieve on the continent. We want everyone to see the glory of our economic recovery and banishment of poverty,” he said.
The President assured the delegation that the government will continue to provide the needed resources for the power project.
The Power Minister, Adelabu, stated that the power sector had achieved many critical milestones, including the decentralisation and liberalisation of the sector.
He noted that the President signed the Electricity Act 2023, and a National Integrated Electricity Policy was developed after 24 years, attracting more than $2 2billiopn of fresh investments.
The minister noted that the policy had resulted in the activation of fifteen state electricity markets.
“Since the signing of the Accelerated Agreement at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, an event you personally attended alongside the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the PPI has recorded notable milestones across its implementation phases.
\`\`Under the Pilot phase (Phase Zero), we have achieved significant infrastructure upgrades and capacity enhancements that are already impacting grid stability and reliability across the country.
\`\`Siemens Energy has successfully delivered and commissioned 10 units of 132/33kV mobile substations, three units of 75/100MVA transformers, and seven units of 60/66MVA transformers across key load centres nationwide, which have added 984mv of transmission capacity to the grid,” the minister stated.
Adelabu informed the President that in December 2024, the Federal Executive Council approved the commencement of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for Phase One, Batch One of the PPI.
The minister stated that the scope encompasses the upgrade, installation, and commissioning of five key substations situated in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha.
\`\`I am pleased to report that plans for civil works mobilisation across all five locations have been finalised, concurrent manufacturing of the required equipment is ongoing, and two of the five substations are targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
\`\`As we consolidate the gains from the Pilot Phase and Phase One-First Batch, we are also preparing to advance to Phase One-Batch two, which has a scope for the construction of new substations and the upgrade of existing ones across key load centres nationwide. Collectively, Phase One -Batch Two of the PPI comprises a total of six (6) Brownfield and ten (10) Greenfield substations with a cumulative impact of 4,104MW”.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the completion of the PPI will enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business, create more jobs for the youth, and reduce poverty.
The leader of the Siemens delegation, Siersdorfer, stated that two out of the five substations under construction are expected to be completed by December 2026.
He noted that a training centre was already under construction to ensure the training of local talents in electrical engineering, create more jobs, capture local content, and transfer technology.
“The PPI is not just a project but a platform for long-term development and prosperity,” he stated.
He informed the President that the PPI will transform Nigeria into a regional power hub, reflecting the depth of relations between Germany and Nigeria.
“Nigerian professionals will be engaged directly in the five project sites in Batch 1 for the site works, while thousands of jobs will be enabled in the local communities through purchased services, accommodation, and transportation, among others. These will further reflect the strength of our partnership and the viability of the roadmap we have built together,” Siersdorfer noted.
The German Ambassador’s representative, Johannes Lehne, assured President Tinubu of further support and collaboration with the German government.
At a meeting at the State House with a delegation from Siemens Energy, led by Dietmar Siersdorfer, Managing Director of Middle East and Africa, President Tinubu noted that the power sector remains central to stimulating the economy, particularly in the industrial, educational, and healthcare sectors.
The Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima, the coordinating minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Special Adviser on Energy, Olu Verheijen, attended the meeting.
The President stated that the completion of the phased power project will give Nigeria a place of pride on the continent by harnessing the latent potential in human and material resources across various sectors.
“There is no industrial growth or economic development without power. I believe that power is the most significant discovery of humanity in the last 1,000 years.
“I appreciate the partnership on the initiative. The progress of the project to date is notable, and we can feel it. But it is not where we want it to be.
“We appreciate the support and commitment of the German government and Siemens. The investment you are making and your commitment align with the future of this country.
“Our education, our health care and our transportation all depend on energy and without power, it is an impossible objective. We are taking it very seriously,” he added.
The President also directed the expansion of some major transformer substations from two to three phases to boost the country’s power supply.
“We are all inspired and happy. This is what we want to achieve on the continent. We want everyone to see the glory of our economic recovery and banishment of poverty,” he said.
The President assured the delegation that the government will continue to provide the needed resources for the power project.
The Power Minister, Adelabu, stated that the power sector had achieved many critical milestones, including the decentralisation and liberalisation of the sector.
He noted that the President signed the Electricity Act 2023, and a National Integrated Electricity Policy was developed after 24 years, attracting more than $2 2billiopn of fresh investments.
The minister noted that the policy had resulted in the activation of fifteen state electricity markets.
“Since the signing of the Accelerated Agreement at COP28 in Dubai in December 2023, an event you personally attended alongside the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the PPI has recorded notable milestones across its implementation phases.
\`\`Under the Pilot phase (Phase Zero), we have achieved significant infrastructure upgrades and capacity enhancements that are already impacting grid stability and reliability across the country.
\`\`Siemens Energy has successfully delivered and commissioned 10 units of 132/33kV mobile substations, three units of 75/100MVA transformers, and seven units of 60/66MVA transformers across key load centres nationwide, which have added 984mv of transmission capacity to the grid,” the minister stated.
Adelabu informed the President that in December 2024, the Federal Executive Council approved the commencement of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract for Phase One, Batch One of the PPI.
The minister stated that the scope encompasses the upgrade, installation, and commissioning of five key substations situated in Abeokuta, Offa, Ayede-Ibadan, Sokoto, and Onitsha.
\`\`I am pleased to report that plans for civil works mobilisation across all five locations have been finalised, concurrent manufacturing of the required equipment is ongoing, and two of the five substations are targeted for completion by the end of 2026.
\`\`As we consolidate the gains from the Pilot Phase and Phase One-First Batch, we are also preparing to advance to Phase One-Batch two, which has a scope for the construction of new substations and the upgrade of existing ones across key load centres nationwide. Collectively, Phase One -Batch Two of the PPI comprises a total of six (6) Brownfield and ten (10) Greenfield substations with a cumulative impact of 4,104MW”.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, stated that the completion of the PPI will enhance Nigeria’s ease of doing business, create more jobs for the youth, and reduce poverty.
The leader of the Siemens delegation, Siersdorfer, stated that two out of the five substations under construction are expected to be completed by December 2026.
He noted that a training centre was already under construction to ensure the training of local talents in electrical engineering, create more jobs, capture local content, and transfer technology.
“The PPI is not just a project but a platform for long-term development and prosperity,” he stated.
He informed the President that the PPI will transform Nigeria into a regional power hub, reflecting the depth of relations between Germany and Nigeria.
“Nigerian professionals will be engaged directly in the five project sites in Batch 1 for the site works, while thousands of jobs will be enabled in the local communities through purchased services, accommodation, and transportation, among others. These will further reflect the strength of our partnership and the viability of the roadmap we have built together,” Siersdorfer noted.
The German Ambassador’s representative, Johannes Lehne, assured President Tinubu of further support and collaboration with the German government.
The fourth prosecution witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the alleged money laundering trial of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has re-affirmed that fund withdrawals by the state government did not breach any banking law.
During cross-examination before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, a compliance officer with one of the commercial banks, Mshelia Arhyel Bata, also reiterated that the name of the former governor did not appear as beneficiary in the account presented as evidence.
The Defence Counsel and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joseph Daudu, had drawn the witness’ attention to certain withdrawals by one Umar Olufunke, which the prosecution did not mention.
The prosecution had concentrated on withdrawals by Abdulsalam Hudu, the Cashier of Kogi State Government House.
The withdrawals, in multiples of ₦10 million, were between December 2017 and April 2018, with beneficiaries being various hotels in Kogi State, according to the witness.
Under cross-examination, the witness also confirmed withdrawals by one Alhassan Omakoji between November 2021 and December 2022, which did not exceed ₦10 million per withdrawal.
He said the withdrawals were in line with the limits set by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN.
He admitted that he was not aware of any law that regulates how Kogi State Government spends its money or allocation.
He said apart from the beneficiaries like the hotels, there was no way he could know what the state’s transactions were meant for.
The prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, thereafter said he had no re-examination for Mshelia and asked for him to be discharged.
After Mshelia, the fifth prosecution witness, Jesutoni Akoni, a Compliance Officer with Ecobank Plc, was examined by another prosecution counsel, Chukwudi Enebeli, SAN.
He tendered a subpoena written to Ecobank, which was admitted in evidence.
The EFCC lawyer also sought to tender a statement of account of Moses Ailetu companies with certificate of identification, from January 1 to January 31, 2016.
The defence counsel did not oppose it and it was admitted as Exhibit 29.
The witness was told to identify the different columns in the statement, which he did.
He was told to confirm cash deposits by the company, which were between N3 million and ₦20 million, and totalling ₦57 million.
On cross-examination, the witness confirmed that former governor Bello was not the beneficiary of the said deposits.
Akoni also admitted that it was not possible to discern the source of funds from the face of the documents.
The prosecution, thereafter, introduced its sixth witness, on subpoena from Keystone Bank.
Mohammed Bello Hassan, a relationship officer with the bank, was asked to produce the statements of account of Dantata and Sawoe, which was tendered as Exhibit, along with the certificate of identification. The defence counsel did not object.
After this, a seventh witness, Olomotame Egoro, a Compliance Officer, on subpoena from Access Bank, was led in evidence by Pinheiro SAN.
He confirmed to the court that he had the 12 sets of documents that had been requested.
“We supplied sufficient customer’s details that were extracted from the account opening packages at the time the customer opened the account,” he said.
The defence counsel did not object to the admission of the account statement proper but kicked against some extractions.
“I am not going to object to the account proper but I will object to all the 12 purported extractions from the account opening documents attached. But I will not object to the statements of account, which were subpoenaed,” he stated.
“Based on our request, he brought other documents believing that we may be in need. We did not actually request for those documents,” Pinheiro SAN responded.
Daudu SAN prayed the court to tell the prosecution to remove “all the extraneous documents attached”.
The prosecution team then began to detach the documents that were regarded as irrelevant.
Justice Emeka Nwite subsequently adjourned the matter to November 11, 2025, for continuation of trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared the former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged conversion of public funds.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Monday by Dele Oyewale, the agency’s Head of Media and publicity.
According to the statement, the anti-graft agency stated that the former minister converted a sum of $14,859,257, part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery.
The statement reads, “The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257 – part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery.”
It added, “Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025 warrant of the Lagos State High Court.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, llorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” the statement concluded.
This was disclosed in a statement signed on Monday by Dele Oyewale, the agency’s Head of Media and publicity.
According to the statement, the anti-graft agency stated that the former minister converted a sum of $14,859,257, part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery.
The statement reads, “The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257 – part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery.”
It added, “Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025 warrant of the Lagos State High Court.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, llorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” the statement concluded.
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