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I Can’t Work with Saraki – Kwara State PDP

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The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara state, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, said on Thursday, July 26, that he cannot work with the All Progressives Congress (APC) defectors led by Senate President, Bukola Saraki.

The Nation reports that he said other members of the party executive committee in Kwara cannot work with the defectors too.

Saraki and the state Governor, AbdulFattah Ahmed, are expected to announce their own defection soon.

Oyedepo, who spoke on the development during a radio programme in Ilorin, said the national leadership of the PDP has set up a committee to interface between his group and the defectors.

He said the first meeting is slated for next week.

The PDP chairman, who said he had just returned from a meeting with PDP leaders in Abuja, blamed the party’s national leadership for being allegedly insensitive to the political configuration in Kwara state and allowed themselves to be swayed by funding capacity of the defectors.

According to him, the option before the leaders is to choose between his group and the one led by Saraki.

He said: “We have not been opportune to sit down with the Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the state governor, Alhaji AbdulFattah Ahmed, even though I’m hearing several rumours that I have met with them and that they have offered me juicy positions. “These are all lies, the Senate president despite his humongous wealth, does not have what it takes to buy me. He cannot ever buy me because he cannot buy my integrity. If my bank account is not fat, my integrity account is very fat.

“So they have not met with us but our national body said they have set up a committee to meet with the two sides next week and when that meeting comes up we are going to tell the national leaders that we cannot accept the formula they have put down which is 60:40, 60 percent for a state defecting with the governor and 40 percent for the existing PDP members. “And if they said what of 50:50, or 40:60 or 30:70 or even 10:90, we shall not accept;

we cannot accept any offer. Anything less than our not working together we cannot accept. “So we will tell our national body to choose between us and them and I know that they will not choose us because we don’t have money but we are not worried. We will only know that an end has come to our journey and our relationship (in the PDP).

“If we agree to work with them (Saraki) just imagine myself and (Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed) Maigida standing on the same rostrum pledging to do things for the people. It will be a shame; many people will look at me and wonder what has happened. “So it is better not to be in politics again. Instead of a dog being the treasurer for the lion it is better for both to part ways and go on their separate hunting game.

“The blame is not from the Saraki camp, the blame is from our national leaders in the PDP. Leadership in Nigeria is the conspiracy of the elite to punish the downtrodden.

“When they gave us the party, we inherited nothing and so whatever you see in the PDP today is the product of our efforts. For this alone we should not be interested in defecting from our own house but it is better we do so now and look forward to better future for our dear state.”

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Foreign

Fear of Assassination: Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei Picks Three Potential Successors—Excludes Son

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Amid rising tensions and fears of targeted attacks, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly named three possible successors, excluding his son, in preparation for a worst-case scenario during the ongoing conflict with Israel.

According to a Saturday report by The New York Times, the 86-year-old leader, who is said to be operating from a secure underground bunker, privately selected three senior clerics to take over leadership if he is killed. The decision follows a wave of high-profile assassinations allegedly carried out by Israeli forces, which has heightened concerns at the highest levels of Iran’s leadership.

Crucially, Khamenei’s son, Mojtaba—who has long been rumored to be his heir apparent—was not included among the chosen candidates. This marks a significant departure from previous speculation suggesting a dynastic transition was in the works. The Jerusalem Post also confirmed the report, adding that Khamenei has made additional contingency plans by appointing replacements within Iran’s military hierarchy in anticipation of further Israeli attacks.

Traditionally, Iran’s Supreme Leader is selected by the Assembly of Experts, a powerful clerical body of 88 members. However, Khamenei’s move suggests he may be attempting to influence the succession process in advance, seeking to ensure ideological continuity and maintain regime stability amid external threats.

Experts believe the choice of three clerics rather than a single successor points to internal disagreements and the urgent need for contingency planning as the situation escalates. While the identities of the chosen individuals remain undisclosed, sources say they are trusted hardliners closely aligned with Khamenei’s vision.

Regional Impact and Rising Concerns

The reported development comes at a volatile time in the Middle East, with recent Israeli strikes targeting senior Iranian and Hezbollah figures. Analysts warn that any sign of instability in Iran’s leadership could further destabilize the region.

“This is not just theoretical succession planning — it’s being done under the very real threat of attack,” a regional intelligence source told The New York Times. “The regime clearly views the risk of a leadership vacuum as imminent.”

Khamenei’s decision underscores the high level of concern within Tehran’s leadership circle as it braces for potential escalations and prepares for scenarios that were once considered unlikely.

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Diri Proposes Third Term for Governors to Curb Abandoned Projects

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Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has suggested a constitutional amendment to allow state governors a third term in office — a move he believes could help tackle the persistent issue of abandoned projects across Nigeria.

Governor Diri made the call during a stop in Nembe Local Government Area, part of his ongoing ‘Thank-You Tour’ across the state. Addressing a large crowd at King Koko Square in Nembe, the governor said limited time in office often prevents administrations from completing critical infrastructure projects.

“It is not proper to start a project and leave it for another government to finish,” he said. “Some of your requests can be fulfilled, but time is no longer on our side. That’s why I believe the National Assembly should consider revisiting the constitution to give governors a third term.”

He encouraged community members to reach out to their federal representatives — including Hon. Marie Ebikake, Hon. Fred Agbedi, Hon. Oforji Oboku, and Senator Benson Agadaga — to push for such an amendment.

Diri highlighted the ongoing development of a 60-megawatt independent power plant as a major step toward addressing electricity challenges in the state. He announced that twin gas-powered turbines, procured by the state government, would soon be delivered and installed at the Elebele site, which is nearing completion.

According to him, once operational, the power plant will supply electricity to key areas such as Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Sagbama, and parts of Ekeremor, helping to reduce the state’s dependence on the national grid.

The governor also addressed the community’s call for the construction of the Igbeta–Ewoama–Okoroba road. He admitted that time was a constraint but expressed willingness to partner with federal bodies like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the South-South Development Commission to make it happen.

Governor Diri thanked the people of Nembe for their warm reception and overwhelming support in the 2023 governorship election, which saw him and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, re-elected.

“We promised to come back and say thank you if re-elected. This visit is to fulfill that promise,” he said.

Several dignitaries praised the governor’s efforts during the visit, including former Deputy Governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Attorney-General Biriyai Dambo (SAN), Nembe Council Chairman Chief David Alagoa, and PDP chieftain Chief Blessing Izagara, who all commended the progress made on the Nembe–Brass road project.

Governor Diri also paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, King Edmund Daukoru (Mingi XIII), who expressed gratitude for the governor’s commitment to development. The monarch lauded Diri for returning to thank the people after the election, a gesture he described as rare among politicians.

“You’ve proved doubters wrong. You kept your word, and the blessings of this throne will remain with you,” the king said.

The governor’s entourage included several lawmakers, top government officials, and traditional leaders.

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Tinubu Can’t Be Re-Elected In 2027 – El-Rufai

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Former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has asserted that President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 is an impossibility.Speaking in an interview shared on his verified X handle on Thursday, the Social Democratic Party chieftain emphasised that anyone holding a different view is out of touch with the reality in Nigeria.**El-Rufai contended that the Nigerian populace has lost confidence in both the All Progressives Congress and the current president, suggesting that they would therefore be unwilling to cast their votes for them in the upcoming general election.El-Rufai said, “Anybody that thinks it is possible for President Bola Tinubu to get re-elected is living in another country, not Nigeria. It is impossible for Bola Tinubu to get re-elected.”The former governor stated that there is no pathway for the former Lagos State governor.He said that even the weakest opposition would defeat Tinubu because Nigerians are unhappy with the APC and the policies of the current administration.“I don’t see a pathway for him,” he said.El-Rufai maintained that those defecting to the ruling party do not matter, insisting that the real target of the SDP and its emerging coalition are the voters.“It is greedy and hungry politicians and those that are looking for money, contract, appointment, office that are defecting,” he added.The former FCT minister continued, **“The other class of those defecting are those that know that the EFCC or ICPC can intimidate them, because they know what they have done if they have done what is not quite right.**“And this is what I think the SDP and the coalition of political parties or grouping that we are working with is targeting. We believe that the 2027 elections will be between the APC and Nigerians.”**El-Rufai, who supported the election of Tinubu in 2023, is now a member of the SDP and is fronting a coalition against the current administration.**El-Rufai, alongside the likes of former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, among others, are leading the coalition to remove Tinubu through the ballot in 2027.

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