IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, hundreds of former Social Democratic Party (SDP) members have officially joined the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State.

The defectors were warmly received by John Ogunsola, a PDP chieftain and aspirant for the House of Representatives, who attributed their decision to Governor Seyi Makinde’s transformational leadership and progressive policies.

Ogunsola assured the new members of full integration into the party, urging unity among both old and new members as the PDP prepares for the upcoming elections.

“Let us welcome them wholeheartedly and work together to drive progress in our state,” he said.

At the reception, Mukaila Adegbola, PDP chairman for Oluyole Local Government, applauded the defectors for their bold move, describing the PDP as a party committed to growth, development, and the true dividends of democracy.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Dauda Hamsat Awayewaserere cited Governor Makinde’s impactful governance as the key reason for their switch, assuring the PDP leadership of their loyalty and commitment. He also hinted that more SDP members were likely to follow suit in the coming weeks.

The new members pledged to strengthen the PDP’s grassroots presence across the state, vowing to play an active role in the party’s success.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited on Thursday launched five Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) mini-plants in Ajaokuta, Kogi State.

The five LNG mini-plants are PRIME LNG, NGML/Gasnexus LNG, BUA LNG, Highland LNG, and LNG Arete. These plants will take their feedstock, which is natural gas, from natural gas pipes that are already traveling up to the Ajaokuta location.

The main source pipeline for the mini-plants are the AKK pipeline, which is the Ajaokuta-Kano-Kaduna gas pipeline being built by the Federal Government.

These plants would serve gas to parts of the country that are currently without any form of gas infrastructure.

A 50-year-old panel beater, Kazeem Tunde, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing a catalytic converter worth N950,000 from a customer’s Toyota Hiace bus.

The defendant, who resides in the Obawole area of Ifako Ijaiye, Lagos, is facing charges of theft, conspiracy, and breach of peace.

According to the prosecutor, ASP Matthew Akhaluode, the alleged crime took place on January 12 at Adeyeri Street, Ogba, Lagos. Tunde, along with an accomplice who is currently at large, reportedly removed the catalytic converter while repairing the vehicle and failed to account for its whereabouts.

The prosecution stated that the offences violate Sections 168, 287, and 411 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015.

Tunde pleaded not guilty, and Magistrate M. F. Onamusi granted him bail of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum. The case was adjourned to February 17 for further hearing.

Activist and politician Omoyele Sowore has pleaded not guilty to cybercrime charges brought against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The charges were filed by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, following Sowore’s remarks on his verified X handle, where he referred to Egbetokun as an “illegal IGP.”

Sowore appeared before Justice Liman of the FCT High Court and was arraigned around 10:00 a.m. when the charges were read to him. He pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Meanwhile, several of his supporters staged a protest outside the court in response to his arraignment.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans for a nationwide protest on February 4 against the Nigerian Communications Commission's (NCC) approval of a 50% telecom tariff hike.

In a statement signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero, the union condemned the increase as unjust and insensitive, warning that failure to reverse the decision could lead to a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services.

Civil society organizations, including CISLAC and the Take It Back Movement, have pledged support for the protest, urging the government to reconsider the hike.

Meanwhile, telecom operators and industry stakeholders have defended the increase, arguing that it is necessary for service improvement and industry sustainability.

An Ikeja High Court has sentenced Ayomide Olayemi to 10 years imprisonment for robbing an artisan and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member of their belongings.

Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay delivered the sentence based on a plea bargain agreement, which Olayemi willingly entered.

The offences, committed in December 2018, included stealing ATM cards, an NYSC ID card, a driver’s license, a Samsung mobile phone, and cash.

The sentence is retroactive to January 3, 2019, the date of Olayemi's remand.