By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled a N100 million price tag for its 2027 presidential nomination form, even as a new interim leadership emerged from a faction-backed National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, signaling a decisive turn in the party’s internal crisis.

The newly inaugurated Interim National Working Committee (NWC), chaired by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, announced the fees alongside a detailed timetable for the 2027 general elections.

Governorship forms were pegged at N40 million, Senate at N10 million, House of Representatives at N7 million, and State Assembly at N2 million.

According to a statement by National Publicity Secretary Ini Ememobong, female aspirants will only pay for expression of interest forms, while youths and persons living with disabilities will receive a 50 per cent discount on nomination fees.

Sales of forms run from May 5 to May 13, 2026, with party primaries scheduled for later in May.

The development comes as a faction of the party, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, formally inaugurated a 13-member interim NWC during what it described as the 103rd NEC meeting. The committee also has Taofeek Arapaja as Secretary.

The faction’s move follows a recent judgment by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which invalidated previous party conventions and effectively dissolved the former NWC. This prompted the PDP Board of Trustees (BoT), led by Adolphus Wabara, to assume temporary control and facilitate the formation of a new leadership structure.

Wabara said the intervention was necessary to prevent a leadership vacuum and reposition the party ahead of the 2027 elections, urging unity and sacrifice among members. He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognize and update its records to reflect the new leadership.

Governor Makinde, a key figure behind the faction, dismissed the rival NWC as illegitimate and described the current struggle as essential to preserving democratic plurality. He expressed confidence in the party’s ability to overcome its internal challenges.

In his acceptance speech, Turaki pledged that the interim committee would rebuild the party, ensure participation in all elections, and secure victory in 2027. He emphasized unity, internal democracy, and resilience as critical to the PDP’s revival.

INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, with governorship and state assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja
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‎The founder of Dominion Chapel International Churches, Archbishop JohnPrasie Daniel, on Sunday urged the Federal Government to urgently address rising insecurity and the economic hardship triggered by high fuel prices, warning that Nigerians must be alive to participate in the 2027 general elections.

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‎Speaking with journalists in Abuja at the end of a two-day event marking his 66th birthday, the cleric said worsening killings and the cost-of-living crisis had put citizens under severe pressure.
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‎“I want to plead with this government that please, there is pressure in the land. There is suffering in the land. Cushion the effect of this oil crisis,” he said.
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‎Daniel linked the current fuel price surge partly to global oil market disruptions, including tensions in the Middle East, but insisted that the government must take deliberate steps to mitigate the impact on citizens.
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‎“Even though they cannot be blamed completely because this oil crisis came as a result of the Iran war, why can’t they think of how to soften the prices of oil? Because if oil prices go up, everything is affected—food is affected, transportation is affected, and the suffering continues,” he added.
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‎Nigeria has in recent months faced persistent increases in petrol prices following subsidy removal and fluctuations in global crude oil prices. The development has triggered a spike in transportation and food costs, worsening inflationary pressures and eroding household incomes.
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‎The cleric criticised political elites for being disconnected from the realities faced by ordinary Nigerians.
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‎“Politicians don’t know about that, they just go to the stations and then government pay. But the common man out there on the street is not finding things easy,” he said.
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‎On security, Daniel expressed concern over the rising spate of killings, kidnappings, banditry and terrorism across parts of the country, warning that the situation could undermine the electoral process if not urgently addressed.
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‎“Politics is on, election is coming, 2027, and the killings are increasing. Must they kill us all before the election will hold?” he queried.
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‎He stressed that safeguarding lives and property remains the core responsibility of government.
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‎“The primary purpose of government is the protection of lives and property. So let them do the needful. Elections will come and go, but we must live in order for us to do election,” he said.
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‎Calling for decisive action, the cleric added, “Government should stop whatever they need to do to stop this banditry, to stop this terrorism, to stop this armed robbery, this kidnapping that has become like a business in our nation.”
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‎He also urged political actors to avoid inciting violence ahead of the polls, noting that instability would ultimately be counterproductive to all stakeholders.
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‎“If you raise this agitation and people are killed, who will you rule over…? So let peace reign. Let Nigerians go to bed with their eyes closed,” he said.
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‎Also speaking, the Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), FCT chapter, Apostle Israel Abam, called on citizens to take responsibility for the country’s future by making informed choices ahead of the elections.
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‎“Elections are at the corner. The politicians are out in the game. What are we doing as a people? Are we going to wait for the bag of rice… or are we going to do right by our own experiences?” he asked.
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‎Abam urged Nigerians to reject inducement and vote based on competence and integrity.
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‎“We cannot wait for change to come from outside. We must take the bull by the horn and say no to what we don’t accept and say yes to what is good for us as a people,” he said.
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‎He emphasised that while hope is important, it must be matched with action. “Hope is good, but hope not deployed will produce nothing… Let’s rise up and do what is right and turn the hands of the clock back for our nation.

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

Labour leaders and stakeholders across Nigeria have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deepen collaboration with organized labour unions to accelerate national development and economic stability.

The call was made by the National President of the Amalgamated Union of Road Mechanics and Technicians of Nigeria (AURMTON), Dr.

Oseni Suleiman, during an interview in Abuja as part of activities marking this year’s International Workers’ Day.

Dr. Suleiman stressed that organized labour remains a critical pillar in nation building, noting that no country can achieve meaningful progress without the active contribution of its workforce.

“We are partners in progress. The labour sector is unique because it brings together both public and private workers under one umbrella, united by a shared vision for national growth,” he said.

He urged the federal government to prioritize policies that support workers’ welfare, including fair wages, improved working conditions, and sustainable employment opportunities.

According to him, strengthening ties between government and labour unions would not only improve productivity but also enhance national revenue generation and economic resilience.

Dr. Suleiman also highlighted the role of labour unions in maintaining industrial harmony, noting that effective engagement with workers helps prevent strikes and disruptions in key sectors.

The union leader appealed to federal and state governments, as well as private sector employers, to create a more enabling environment for workers.

He pointed out that rising inflation and economic challenges have placed significant pressure on Nigerian workers, making it necessary for authorities to introduce policies that cushion the impact.

“Workers need to be motivated through improved welfare packages and policies that reflect current economic realities,” he added.

Also speaking, the Chairman of AURMTON, Abuja Chapter, Chief Michael Ndubuisi, congratulated Nigerian workers for their resilience and dedication to national development.
“This is our day both public and private sector workers. Our contributions to nation building cannot be measured,” he said.

Chief Ndubuisi described Workers’ Day as a moment of reflection and recognition of the sacrifices made by workers across various sectors of the economy.

He emphasized that the growing unity within the labour movement presents an opportunity for stronger engagement with the government.

According to him, a united labour front would be better positioned to advocate policies that benefit workers and promote national development.

“The loyalty of workers is to the country. As the father of the nation, we appeal to the President to partner with both private and public workers through policies that will improve output and increase revenue,” he stated.