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Defection: NIP Guber Candidate Dumps Party For PDP
The gubernatorial candidate of the National Interest Party (NIP) in the March 9th governorship election in Oyo State, Mrs. BolanleSarumi-Aliyu has announced her defection from NIP, and promptly joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Sarumi-Aliyu made the announcement while speaking in a telephone conversation with DAILY POST on Sunday.
Sarumi-Aliyu, who said that she decided to join PDP in order to actualise her plans for the state, however insisted that Nigerians are not ready for new political parties that have no millions of naira to share.
The female politician lamented that it is unfortunate that after spending her personal money, money donated to her campaign by friends and family members, her party recorded little votes in the elections.
She stated that the votes secured by her party compared to the resources spent during the campaigns and other occasions, have shown that people are not ready for new political parties that don’t have millions to share for them.
She said, “Nigerians are not ready for political parties that have no godfather and billions to share. We brought new political party to Oyo, we spent personal money, people also donated but, people are not ready for a political party that has their interest in mind.
“The decision was arrived at after due consultation. What we stood for, even in NIP was that Oyo State indigenes deserve the very best in terms of governance. And I am sure many people will agree with me that things can be better than what obtains presently.
“With the experience I and many contestants all over the country, we noticed that the typical Nigerians are not for new political parties.
“We brought a new political party to Oyo, we spent personal money, people also donated all over the world but with the votes we got it was obvious people are not ready for a new political party. The other factor that worked against us is that the Governor elect is a good man and he as been doing great charitable deeds in the state for decades so definitely I guessed we couldn’t win the elections.
“But I still contested because of the fact that no woman had even contested and I had faith in God that he only knows when my time is and when the time is right I will become the first female Governor in Oyo State.
“I am very happy that the people have elected a good man to Govern us and i have faith in him that with the good people he surrounds himself with is regime will be a great one to remember for eternity.
“We are teaming up with the PDP to take Oyo to the greater heights. It is not all about Sarumi-Aliyu, it is about the love i have for the people Oyo state. Plsdont forget i am the Jagaban of the poor so my being in PDP will be to ensure the downtrodden are taken care of.
“The conscientious efforts of the Governor-elect, Engineer SeyiMakinde to make things better over the years, even when he was not holding any elective position have proved him to be a honourable, forthright and noble spirited person.”
“I cannot hold in all the good plans I have and I will gladly give them to the Governor. I am drawn to him mainly because of his philanthropic activities and secondly, he didn’t get there through the effort of any godfather, God Himself made it possible. So, he is a good choice.
“Our presidential candidate actually stepped down for AlhajiAtikuAbubakar. And I must also state that the move is in the interest of the people. I will assist the Governor if given the opportunity so he can serve well.
“Four years may not be enough to make the desired change in Oyo State as a lot of work needs to be done. The earlier we start to tackle the challenges facing our dear state, the better. I look forward to living in a robust state that provides ample opportunity for her citizens to thrive,” Sarumi-Aliyu said.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.