Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has now made his move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) official.

The governor formally joined the ruling party today, ending weeks of speculation and confirming his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Crowds stormed Yenagoa as the event kicked off early. Supporters from different parts of the state arrived before dawn, some drenched from an early morning downpour but still determined to witness the historic switch.

By 8am, major streets were already filled with people singing and beating drums in celebration.

The Samson Siasia Stadium, venue of the ceremony, reached full capacity before 10am. Security operatives later shut the gates, citing safety concerns as thousands continued to attempt entry.

Many supporters in white-themed outfits and party colours remained outside, chanting and waving flags.

Diri, who dumped the PDP about two weeks ago, stood before party leaders and loyalists to make the defection formal.

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“Bayelsa Governor Diri Officially Defects to APC,” the announcement read at the event, sealing his transition from the opposition party to the ruling APC.

Several high-profile politicians were present to welcome him.

Top dignitaries already in Yenagoa include the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa. Also in attendance were Ondo State Governor, Orimisan Aiyedatiwa; former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; and the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh.

Party leaders praised the decision and described it as a major boost for the APC in the South-South.

They also assured supporters that the move would bring “development and stronger political alignment” for the region.

Diri’s switch ends years of association with the PDP, where he rose to become governor in 2020 and secured re-election in 2023 before dumping the party earlier this month.

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The Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari, has commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for his commitment to grassroots development, particularly the ongoing construction of the Ekpan-Ovu to Erhoike Road in Ethiope East Local Government Area.

Prof. Tonukari gave the commendation when he hosted the Ward 11 Executive members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his country home in Isiokolo, in a meeting aimed at strengthening the party’s structure and fostering unity at the grassroots.

He described the Ekpan-Ovu to Erhoike project as a transformative infrastructure initiative that will ease mobility, boost local commerce, and improve the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents of the area.

The Commissioner expressed deep appreciation to Governor Oborevwori for his inclusive leadership and developmental vision, noting that such projects transcend party lines and directly impact the lives of ordinary citizens.

“The commencement of work on the Ekpan-Ovu to Erhoike Road is a testimony to Governor Oborevwori’s commitment to balanced development across Delta State,” Prof. Tonukari stated.

“We must continue to support his administration because progress knows no political boundary, it benefits all.”

He also lauded APC members in Ward 11 for their cooperation and for warmly welcoming recent defectors from the PDP, describing their attitude as evidence of the party’s unifying spirit and growing momentum.

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In his remarks, the Ward Chairman, Mr. Roji Lawrence, applauded Prof. Tonukari for his humility, accessibility, and leadership, describing the meeting as historic and inspiring.

He said it provided clarity on current political developments and strengthened the collective resolve of members to move the ward and the party forward.

The meeting, which drew notable party stakeholders, ended on a positive note with renewed pledges of unity, loyalty, and grassroots mobilization, further highlighted Prof. Tonukari’s inclusive approach to leadership and his commitment to community development.

Donald Trump, the president of the United States, has ordered the Defense Department to prepare for potential military action in Nigeria if the government “continues to allow the killing of Christians.”

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has revealed what it described as betrayal of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

This statement is coming on the heels of the United States’ recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC).

US President Donald Trump recently reinstated Nigeria on the religious freedom watchlist, alleging targeted attacks against Christians. MURIC says the move stemmed from petitions submitted by some Christian leaders to US authorities, a development it strongly condemned, Vanguard reported.

In a statement issued by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, MURIC expressed disappointment with CAN, saying the association failed to defend the country and the President.

“Despite vehement denial of Christian genocide by the Nigerian government, former US President Donald Trump redesigned Nigeria as a country of particular concern,” Akintola said. According to him, Christian leaders had lobbied US lawmakers with what he called “frivolous claims” that only Christians were victims of insecurity in Nigeria.

“Instead of debunking this false and misleading narrative, CAN simply amplified it. CAN’s action is a stab in the back in view of President Tinubu’s preference of Christians in appointments, favours and privileges over and above his Muslim brethren,” he added.

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MURIC insisted that the CPC label does not reflect Nigeria’s realities, describing the designation as based on exaggerated claims.

“This redesignation is blurred, misplaced and distorted. It is a complete misrepresentation of the true picture on ground in Nigeria,” the statement read.

The group argued that both Muslims and Christians have suffered attacks from terrorists and criminal gangs, warning against what it called “fifth columnists” fueling sectarian narratives, Daily Trust reported.

MURIC stressed that President Tinubu has given Christians significant representation in government appointments, citing his own public figures.

“The president himself confirmed that 62% of all appointments went to the Christians. The First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, was even more generous to them than Father Christmas,” the group stated.

It further argued that CAN’s support for petitions to foreign governments amounted to disloyalty. “President Tinubu does not deserve this. It is the Mother of all Betrayals, and we denounce those behind the report in the strongest terms,” Akintola said.

While acknowledging US foreign policy priorities, MURIC said Nigerians must avoid giving foreign nations grounds to interfere in internal affairs.

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“We are nonplussed by the actions of these Christian leaders, most especially that of CAN, which is expected to know better,” it noted.

The group called on religious leaders to prioritise national unity and avoid narratives it believes could damage the country’s global standing.

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has removed Hon. Abubakar Suleiman Gummi from his seat in the House of Representatives for defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Politics Nigeria.

Gummi, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, was sacked on Thursday by Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who also directed the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to stop recognising him as a member of the lower chamber.

In his judgment, Justice Egwuatu ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election within 30 days to fill the vacant seat. The certified true copy of the judgment was sighted on Friday.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1803/2024, was filed by the PDP and its Zamfara State Chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki. The plaintiffs, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ibrahim Bawa, contended that Gummi’s defection violated Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), since there was no division in the PDP at the time he left the party.

They asked the court to declare Gummi’s defection unconstitutional and to compel the Speaker to declare his seat vacant.

In his defence, Gummi argued through his counsel that his defection was necessitated by internal crises within the PDP both at the national and state levels, which, he claimed, made it impossible for him to effectively represent his constituents.

Justice Egwuatu, however, dismissed the lawmaker’s argument, holding that the evidence before the court did not establish any division within the PDP capable of justifying defection.

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In a scathing remark, the judge condemned what he described as the “growing culture of political prostitution” among elected officials who switch parties without relinquishing the mandate given to them by voters.

“Politicians should respect the wishes of the electorate that elected them into office. When voters choose between political parties based on their manifestos, it is legally and morally wrong for an elected person to abandon the party under which he was elected and move to another without relinquishing that mandate,” Justice Egwuatu said.

He added: “If a person must decamp, don’t decamp with the mandate of the electorate. A politician has no such right to transfer votes garnered on the platform of one party to another. The law must punish such moves by taking away the benefits bestowed upon the decampee politician. Political prostitution must not be rewarded.”

As the race for political office intensifies ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled between 2025 and 2027, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has taken decisive action against several aspiring political parties.

On Thursday, INEC announced a noteworthy decision regarding the registration status of these parties, effectively disqualifying them from participating in the electoral process.

This information was confirmed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, who addressed the matter in an official statement, shedding light on the dynamic landscape of political participation in the country.

The commission held its regular meeting on 30th October 2025 to review progress since an earlier update on 11th September.

Fourteen associations had been pre-qualified to participate in the process, which began with a briefing on September 17.

A dedicated portal for submitting required documents was open from September 18 to October 18.

As of October 19, eight associations had submitted all the necessary documents.

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The commission said, “As of Saturday, 19th October 2025, eight out of the 14 pre-qualified associations successfully completed the upload of all necessary information and documentation.

“The associations are: All Democratic Alliance, Citizens Democratic Alliance, Abundance Social Party, African Alliance Party, Democratic Leadership Alliance, Green Future Party, National Democratic Party, and Peoples Freedom Party.”

The commission further stated that the next step involves a detailed verification of the submitted documents to determine compliance with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and INEC’s regulations for political parties.

“The next step in the registration process is the detailed assessment and verification of the information and documents submitted by each association.

“This stage will ensure conformity with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Electoral Act 2022, and the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties (2022),” the statement explained.

Olumekun added, “The commission wishes to reaffirm its commitment to inclusivity, transparency, and the deepening of Nigeria’s democratic culture.”

INEC previously received a total of 171 letters of intent from associations seeking registration as political parties.

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The Deeper Life Bible Church has been prominently featured in the media recently due to the ongoing succession race following the leadership of Pastor William Kumuyi, the church’s founder.

The controversy has evidently taken a toll on Pastor Kumuyi, who expressed deep emotional distress while addressing the matter from the pulpit, coming close to tears.

Many have found this development quite unusual. This is because the Deeper Life Bible Church has been a closely-knit conventional church that rarely gets involved in controversies.

This is because the church runs a system that is both conventional and rigid, which leaves very little room for frivolities to infiltrate the church’s structure and doctrines. In many ways, the entire operation of the church revolves around the church’s founder and General Superintendent, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi and it has been working perfectly for the ministry until recently when the leadership crisis erupted.

The troubles began a few months ago when some senior church members speculated that Pastor Kumuyi had relocated to England. His absence resulted from attending various conferences and crusades abroad. During his time away, the church found itself without a leader, as noted by a youth pastor who spoke to us confidentially. He explained, “Deeper Life is a unique church where activities are closely monitored from the top. However, things began to decline while the General Overseer was away for several months. Without his guidance, branches and pastors started to act independently; everyone was doing as they pleased.”

The youth pastor further elaborated that some senior pastors, who have contributed significantly to the church’s growth alongside the General Overseer, felt they deserved more authority and respect. They believe they should hold more prominent positions within the church hierarchy. Some members expressed concern about Pastor Kumuyi’s age and felt the church needed a new direction to expand beyond its current operations.

According to the youth pastor, while Pastor Kumuyi was away, some senior members convened to discuss the necessity of having a leader to coordinate church activities. Some even suggested that the General Overseer could pass leadership to a younger individual.

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In response to these developments a few weeks ago, Pastor Kumuyi spoke from the pulpit and was visibly emotional about the situation.

He has expressed significant displeasure regarding subtle agitations within the church concerning his potential successor. He questioned whether church members are tired of him and emphasized that no one can exert control over him.

During a recent Bible study program, which was shared online, Pastor Kumuyi appeared visibly agitated while addressing the congregation. He stated that he would not be stampeded into yielding to the demands of certain elements within the church.

He confronted the issue directly before the audience, asking, “Are you tired of me?” to which the congregation responded with a resounding “Nooo.” The 83-year-old pastor took particular issue with comments made by an unnamed young preacher the previous week, who repeatedly stated, “There is no leadership without a successor.”

“The brother who spoke last Tuesday kept saying there is no leadership without a successor,” Kumuyi noted. “He mentioned it twice, which I found excessive, especially since your father is still here. God will give a successor in His own time,” he asserted.

Pastor Kumuyi emphasized that Biblical precedents illustrate that it is God—not human pressure—who appoints successors. He firmly stated, “You are not going to fight your shepherd, your pilot. I reject any member of the church, whether you are a worker, choir member, or security personnel, who tries to control me. I won’t even take that from my wife because I am the head of my home. I stand where I stand, and nobody will put me under pressure.”

He urged church members not to undermine his mission and warned against any attempts to sway him. “Don’t try to kill my conviction. It will only make me resist you so that when you get to the other side, you won’t say I didn’t warn you. I will continue to remind you of this until I leave,” he said.

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Pastor Kumuyi explained that he has deliberately created opportunities for many gifted individuals within the church to preach, but he insisted that the matter of his successor is ultimately “in the hands of God.” He stated, “If God has provided you with a pastor who is still active at this age, with a strong voice, preaching the gospel everywhere, and you are clamoring for a successor, it makes me think you are tired of seeing me around. You don’t want me to feel like I’m imposing myself on you.”

While acknowledging that there will eventually be a successor, Kumuyi maintained that this transition will occur on divine terms. He added, “When the time comes, God will choose a man after His own heart. Don’t try to drive me away, even though I know…”

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