PDP affirms Jonathan as Presidential candidate in absentia issues Certificate in Return

Former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, on Saturday accepted a Certificate of Return on behalf of former President Goodluck Jonathan at a convention organised by a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.

The certificate was presented by the PDP Interim National Working Committee headed by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, following the faction’s endorsement of Jonathan as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

The presentation took place before party leaders, delegates, former ministers, state officials and supporters who gathered at the convention venue in Area 10, Garki, Abuja.

Jonathan was not present at the event, with Gana receiving the certificate on his behalf.

The development further fuels speculation about the former president’s potential role in the opposition’s strategy ahead of the 2027 presidential election, as political parties continue consultations and realignments in preparation for the polls.

After receiving the certificate, Gana addressed party members and journalists at the venue, reaffirming the faction’s position following the convention.

PDP suspends Bode George 23 others over anti Party activities

A faction of the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has suspended former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Bode George, alongside 23 other members over allegations of anti-party activities.

The suspension was announced on Friday in a statement issued by the party’s disciplinary committee in Lagos State and signed by its chairman, Kayode Ogunbiyi, and secretary, Desmond Agbo.

The committee said the decision followed concerns over activities allegedly capable of deepening division and disaffection within the party’s ranks.

According to the statement, the action was reached during a meeting held on May 26, 2026, where petitions relating to alleged violations of the PDP constitution were reviewed.

“The decision to suspend George and other erring members was contained in the resolution of the meeting held on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, where various petitions were presented against certain notable personalities and other members bordering on issues of anti-party activities and deliberate infractions of the PDP Constitution,” the statement read in part.

The committee also referenced earlier disciplinary action taken against George by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC), saying it was upheld.

“The Committee also reviewed the action previously taken against former Chief Olabode George by the National Executive Committee, which suspended him from the party, and reaffirmed that he remains suspended as earlier pronounced,” it added.

Others affected by the suspension include Aduke Maina, Abimbola Ogunkelu, Laja Adeoye, Tunji Shele, Sunday Olaifa, Gbenga Adegbesan, Rita Orji, Kofoworola Bucknor and Onikepo Oshodi, among others.

The committee further alleged that some of the affected members had engaged in activities involving collaboration with rival political parties or unauthorised political engagements deemed harmful to the PDP’s interests.

It stated that the suspended individuals would no longer participate in party affairs in Lagos State or represent the party in any capacity.

The faction also warned that it may initiate legal proceedings against any of the suspended members found engaging in actions contrary to the party’s interests.

Suspect arrested over death of two Police operatives

The Osun State Police Command has arrested a man identified as Adegoke Tee in connection with a road accident that claimed the lives of two police officers in Ayedaade Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect was apprehended on Friday following a police manhunt launched after the fatal crash, which occurred on Wednesday in Oogi community.

The deceased officers, identified as Oluwatobiloba Odedina and Kehinde Adeleke, were said to be returning home from an official assignment when a Lexus vehicle allegedly struck them.

The collision reportedly killed both officers on the spot and drew a crowd of shocked residents to the scene.

Sources familiar with the incident told Daily Post that the driver allegedly fled immediately after the crash, abandoning the vehicle to escape possible attack from angry onlookers who had gathered at the accident scene.

Following the incident, police authorities commenced efforts to track down the suspect, leading to his eventual arrest two days later.

Confirming the development, The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also stated that the suspect is currently in police custody.