Notwithstanding the PDP Governor's Forum's Endorsement of Ude-Okoye, Sen. Anyanwu Returns to his Position as National Secretary.

The internal leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has intensified, as Senator Samuel Anyanwu, the contested National Secretary, has returned to the party’s National Headquarters despite the endorsement of Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s secretary by the PDP Governors’ Forum. The PDP Governors’ Forum, under the leadership of Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, confirmed Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary on Friday, citing the ruling of the Appeal Court and directing the National Working Committee to act in accordance with the judgment. Nevertheless, Anyanwu disregarded this endorsement and proceeded to the PDP National Headquarters at Wadata Plaza, where he immediately resumed his duties. This incident marks the latest chapter in a series of events that have plunged the PDP into a state of internal discord. The party has been grappling with significant rifts, particularly regarding the position of National Secretary. The South East zone had put forward Ude-Okoye as a replacement for Anyanwu, who had been selected as the party’s candidate for the governorship election in Imo State. The situation escalated dramatically on January 27, 2025, when the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order mandating Anyanwu to retain his position until a final ruling from the Supreme Court. Tensions heightened further when Anyanwu's supporters forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from a Board of Trustees meeting, necessitating security intervention to restore order. The leadership crisis within the PDP has been further complicated by criticisms directed at Umar Damagum, the acting National Chairman, who succeeded Iyorchia Ayu following his court-ordered removal. The ongoing internal strife has raised concerns regarding the party's capacity to present a cohesive front in anticipation of the 2027 elections.

Why, According to GM, Did Air Sierra Leone Return to Nigeria After 15 Years?

Fifteen years after ceasing operations, Air Sierra Leone, the national carrier of Sierra Leone, has reestablished its scheduled flight services between Lagos and Freetown, Nigeria. The airline's return to Nigeria is facilitated through a collaboration with XEJet, a Nigerian airline. During a press conference held on the occasion of the inaugural flight ceremony on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Lagos airport, Edgard Lacle, General Manager of Air Sierra Leone, announced that the partnership with XEJet includes technical support and the provision of three operational aircraft to facilitate the airline's return to Nigeria. Lacle indicated that the airline has received authorization to operate flights to Nigeria three times a week—on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—with plans to increase the frequency as passenger demand grows. For the inaugural flight to Lagos, the airline transported 36 passengers into the country. He remarked, “The connection between Sierra Leone and Nigeria is robust, particularly in terms of trade, and we recognize the market potential that exists.” He further noted, “Trade is significant, tourism plays a role, and the link between Sierra Leone and Nigeria is vital. This partnership is primarily technical, with XEJet providing suitable aircraft for passenger transport. We will adapt our operations in response to market changes.” Iza Emmanuel, Chief Executive Officer of XEJet, also addressed the audience, stating: “After more than 15 years, the Sierra Leonean flag is once again flying in the skies. To our esteemed guests from Sierra Leone and Nigeria, your presence today underscores the enduring friendship and cooperation between our nations. It reflects our shared vision for growth, connectivity, and opportunities for our citizens. We are privileged to celebrate this significant milestone with you.”

How Two Nigerians Were Apprehended for Allegedly Robbing a Kuwaiti Exchange Office

Two unidentified Nigerian nationals have been apprehended by the Kuwait General Department of Criminal Investigation in the Ahmadi Governorate on allegations of participating in an armed robbery. According to a statement released on Wednesday by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Interior, as reported by Arab Times Online, the suspects were arrested within 24 hours following a robbery at an exchange office located in Mahboula, a district in southern Kuwait City. A 35-second video of the incident, which was viewed by PUNCH Metro on the Arab Times Online platform, depicts one of the suspects, dressed in a hooded sweatshirt, exiting a white vehicle before entering the exchange office. Upon entry, the same individual is seen in a brief, inaudible video brandishing what appeared to be a firearm at the staff of the exchange office, as noted by our correspondent. The suspects are alleged to have stolen foreign currencies amounting to 4,600 Kuwaiti Dinars, approximately valued at $14,918.69, based on the conversion rate from currencyconvertonline.com. The report stated, “Investigations revealed that the gang had meticulously orchestrated the crime, surveilling the exchange offices from adjacent rooftops to determine peak customer times. “They also utilized stolen license plates to obscure the identities of the vehicles involved in the heist.” One of the suspects, whose identity remains undisclosed, reportedly admitted after his arrest in Mahboula that he had scouted the location and informed his accomplice, whose name was also withheld, when the office was devoid of customers. “The second suspect was captured in the Al-Qurain Market, and the stolen funds, along with a small bag containing the narcotic substance known as ‘crystal meth,’ were recovered from his residence. “The Ministry of Interior has confirmed that both suspects and the confiscated items have been forwarded to the public prosecution for further legal proceedings,” the report indicated. PUNCH Metro recalls that in 2019, several Nigerians were recorded on video executing an armed robbery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. A Nigerian woman involved in drug trafficking, along with three accomplices—two from Pakistan and one from Yemen—was executed for drug-related crimes during the same timeframe. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the current Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and a former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari on Diaspora Matters, remarked in an interview with journalists in Abuja that this woman marked the eighth individual to face execution for drug offences in the oil-rich kingdom over the last three years.

On April 12, Gabon Will Hold its Presidential Election.

Gabon’s transitional government announced on Thursday that presidential elections are scheduled for April 12, marking a significant move towards restoring civilian governance following a coup that ended the Bongo family's long-standing rule. Government spokesman Seraphin Akure Davain stated that voting will commence at 7:00 am and conclude at 6:00 pm, in accordance with existing laws, following a cabinet meeting. The oil-rich nation in Central Africa, which experienced 55 years of Bongo family leadership, adopted a new constitution during a referendum held in November. This constitution limits presidential terms to a maximum of two seven-year periods, eliminates the position of prime minister, and prohibits dynastic succession. Recently, a new law was enacted permitting military officials to participate in elections, subject to specific conditions. Transitional President General Brice Oligui Nguema, who assumed leadership following the August 2023 coup, has openly expressed his desire to maintain his position of power. Ali Bongo governed for 14 years until he was ousted shortly after being declared the winner of a presidential election that both the military and opposition deemed fraudulent. He succeeded his father, Omar Bongo, who had been in power for over 41 years. Both the opposition and the military coup leaders have accused Ali Bongo’s administration of extensive corruption and ineffective governance.

Trump Order Releases of Police Officers Who Were Imprisoned for Kill..i..ng a Black Man in Washington.

US President Donald Trump granted pardons on Wednesday to two police officers in Washington who had been convicted in the 2020 murder of Karon Hylton-Brown, a 20-year-old Black man, as reported by the White House. In September 2024, Terence Sutton Jr. received a sentence of 66 months in prison, while Andrew Zabavsky was sentenced to 48 months for their roles in an unauthorized police chase that resulted in a fatal accident on October 23, 2020, in Northwest Washington, D.C. The Justice Department indicated that the officers remained at liberty while appealing their convictions. The Metropolitan Police Department disclosed that Sutton, in his early 40s, and Zabavsky, in his mid-50s, were on “indefinite suspension without pay, pending our administrative process.” Sutton was convicted in late 2022 by a unanimous federal jury after a nine-week trial, facing charges of second-degree murder, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice. Zabavsky was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction of justice. The jury concluded that Sutton’s reckless driving during the police pursuit directly led to Hylton-Brown’s death, demonstrating a “conscious disregard” for the potential danger. Furthermore, Sutton and Zabavsky were found to have conspired to conceal the circumstances of the crash from authorities. The DC Police Union had advocated for pardons for both officers. Sutton’s attorney, Kellen Dwyer, expressed optimism that the D.C. Circuit would have overturned the conviction, but he welcomed Trump’s decision to resolve the case. Zabavsky’s attorney, Christopher Zampogna, also expressed gratitude to the president. Karen Hylton, the mother of Hylton-Brown, conveyed her shock and grief upon learning of the possible pardons. The incident took place several months after the death of George Floyd, an event that ignited worldwide demonstrations against police violence and racial inequality. Trump's decision to pardon Sutton and Zabavsky comes on the heels of a contentious action earlier this week, in which he granted clemency to approximately 1,500 individuals involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection, including some who had assaulted law enforcement officers. The Fraternal Order of Police, the largest police union in the United States and a supporter of Trump in the upcoming 2024 election, along with the International Association of Chiefs of Police, released a joint statement conveying their profound disappointment regarding the pardons.

"End this Pointless Conflict or Else...?" Trump Makes Strong Statement Against Russia

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would impose additional tariffs as part of his sanctions strategy against Russia if the nation fails to reach an agreement to conclude its conflict in Ukraine. He indicated that these tariffs could also extend to "other participating countries." In a statement on Truth Social, Trump clarified his remarks from Tuesday, in which he suggested that sanctions against Russia would likely be enacted if President Vladimir Putin did not engage in negotiations to resolve the nearly three-year-long war. “If we do not reach a ‘deal’ soon, I will have no alternative but to impose significant Taxes, Tariffs, and Sanctions on all goods sold by Russia to the United States and various other participating nations,” Trump stated. His post did not specify which countries he considered to be participants in the conflict or how he defined their involvement. The administration of former President Joe Biden has imposed extensive sanctions on thousands of entities across various sectors in Russia, including banking, defense, manufacturing, energy, and technology, following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia’s deputy U.N. Ambassador, remarked that Moscow would need to understand what Trump envisions as a “deal” to end the war in Ukraine. “It is not simply a matter of ending the war,” Polyanskiy told Reuters. “The primary concern is addressing the underlying causes of the Ukrainian crisis.” In the lead-up to his election victory on November 5, Trump repeatedly asserted that he would secure a deal between Ukraine and Russia on his first day in office, if not sooner. However, his advisors have acknowledged that achieving such a deal could take months or even longer. Earlier this month, the U.S. Treasury implemented its most stringent sanctions yet on Russia’s energy sector, targeting oil and gas companies Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegas, along with 183 vessels associated with the so-called dark fleet of tankers designed to circumvent other Western trade restrictions. SANCTION AND TARIFF THREATS Trump has attempted to leverage the potential imposition of tariffs to pursue objectives beyond trade, specifically by threatening Mexico, Canada, and China with duties in an effort to compel them to address illegal immigration and the influx of the dangerous opioid fentanyl into the United States. These three nations represent the largest trading partners of the U.S., collectively accounting for over $2.1 trillion in annual bilateral trade. In contrast, Russia ranks much lower on this list, with U.S. imports from Russia plummeting to $2.9 billion during the first eleven months of 2024, a significant decrease from $29.6 billion in 2021. The U.S. imported $13.5 billion in Russian petroleum products in 2014; however, this figure has dropped to zero due to sanctions related to the conflict in Ukraine. Other major import categories from a decade ago, such as semi-finished steel and pig iron, have also seen their imports cease entirely. Nevertheless, the U.S. continues to import considerable quantities of Russian fertilizers for agricultural use, amounting to approximately $1.4 billion in 2023, along with over $1 billion each in uranium for nuclear energy and palladium and rhodium for automotive catalytic converters. Tim Brightbill, a trade attorney at the Wiley Rein law firm in Washington, suggested that one effective strategy to impact Russia significantly would be to impose sanctions and halt the use of Russian timber in finished wood products imported from countries like China and Vietnam. Regarding other international actors, the Biden administration has enacted sanctions against entities in North Korea and Iran for supplying weapons to Russia, as well as against Chinese firms providing components and other materials that support Russia's military efforts. Trump remarked that he intended to do Russia, whose economy is struggling, and President Putin a significant favor by urging them to settle and end what he termed a "ridiculous war." The negotiating stances of the conflicting parties remain markedly divergent, and some Ukrainians express concern that they may be compelled to make substantial concessions following three years of intense warfare. The conflict has evolved into a war of attrition, primarily concentrated along the front lines in eastern Ukraine, resulting in substantial casualties on both sides.

Nigerian Persecution is Fueled by Three Elements

Nigeria (MNN) — The escalating oppression in Nigeria has led to its designation as the most perilous country for Christians in the Global Christian Relief Red List this year. What are the underlying causes of this violence? Greg Kelley from Unknown Nations identifies three key factors. Firstly, Kelley notes, “The Nigerian government remains silent and fails to hold individuals accountable.” This governmental indifference also affects international relations. Between 2022 and 2024, nearly 10,000 Christians lost their lives in Nigeria, yet the U.S. State Department did not classify Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern in its most recent assessment. Kelley remarks, “Being included on such lists carries a stigma.” “This can deter foreign investment, and in a struggling economy like Nigeria’s, that can be nearly catastrophic.” The absence of consequences contributes to a second aspect of persecution: its escalating severity. “Individuals are beheaded, slaughtered; homes are set ablaze. The violence is extraordinarily brutal,” Kelley states. Finally, he highlights, “A significant challenge is the indifference of the church in southern Nigeria as they witness the devastation occurring in the north.” Pray for relief as Gospel workers from northern Nigeria convene at a retreat center this week. “Leaders will come together to find renewal and strength for their personal growth in Christ,” Kelley explains. Additionally, pray that these leaders acquire the necessary resources to advance the Gospel. Collaborate with Unknown Nations to assist in delivering God’s Word to the areas that require it most. “They (Nigerians) are in dire need of the Word of God. That’s why we distribute our solar-powered audio Bible,” Kelley emphasizes.