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NEC: PDP Govs Fume as Security Officials Block BoT Members

By Johnson Eyiangho, Abuja
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were visibly outraged yesterday after security operatives blocked access to the party’s National Secretariat at Wadata Plaza, forcing the relocation of a critical Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting to the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja’s Central Business District.
The blockade, reportedly carried out by security agents on ‘orders from above,’ prevented BoT members from accessing the National Executive Committee (NEC) hall and triggered accusations of political interference by the ruling- All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP BoT described the incident as an act of harassment and a deliberate attempt to sabotage its internal reconciliation efforts amid growing tensions over the party’s leadership crisis and factional divisions.Despite the disruption, the BoT meeting proceeded at the alternative venue and went into a closed-door session shortly after.BoT Chairman, Sen. Adolphus Wabara and Secretary Senator Ahmed Makarfi addressed the media briefly before the meeting commenced, expressing deep frustration and emphasising the urgency of unity within the party.Makarfi explained that he had initially arrived at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge, where a pre-meeting involving governors, National Working Committee members, and minority leaders of the National Assembly was scheduled to take place.“I arrived at 10:00 AM at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge as instructed. The meeting involved the Governors, the National Working Committee, and the National Assembly minority leadership. Its purpose was to bridge gaps within the party, ensuring we could convene as a united front at the planned NEC meeting rather than emerging divided.“The governors were visibly upset and questioned why such an embarrassment had occurred. By then, the Chairman had already made alternative arrangements, which is why it was decided to hold the meeting here to avoid further issues,” Makarfi said.He further condemned the interference, warning that it poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.“This kind of interference is unacceptable. It undermines our democracy and the rights of opposition parties to operate freely. We will not be deterred; we remain committed to resolving our internal issues and presenting a strong, united front to the Nigerian people,” he added.Wabara, in his remarks, described the blockade as an affront to the PDP and the democratic process.“This morning, I nearly stepped out of my car when I witnessed the treatment of some individuals. I told my driver, ‘No, move,’ as it was deeply embarrassing.“However, I urge everyone to remain patient. We must not allow this provocation to distract us from our mission to rebuild and strengthen our party,” he said.Wabara, in his remarks, described the blockade as an affront to the PDP and the democratic process.“This morning, I nearly stepped out of my car when I witnessed the treatment of some individuals. I told my driver, ‘No, move,’ as it was deeply embarrassing.“However, I urge everyone to remain patient. We must not allow this provocation to distract us from our mission to rebuild and strengthen our party,” he said.Wabara emphasised the historical significance of the meeting and the importance of transparency in party proceedings.He said, “Let me emphasise that this is a particularly special BoT meeting. I want it on record that it remains our 80th BoT meeting. We will proceed accordingly so that, in the future, when questions arise, people will understand the extraordinary circumstances under which it was held.“Despite the challenges, we are determined to uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that the PDP remains a viable alternative for Nigerians.”As the meeting got underway, Wabara urged members of the press to respect the confidentiality of the session.“I kindly ask the press to begin moving downstairs, as there will be no communiqué issued after this meeting. Please clear the house. We appreciate your understanding as we navigate these difficult times,” he said.The blockade and the relocation of the BoT meeting highlight the mounting pressure on the PDP as it attempts to resolve internal disputes while fending off alleged external interference.The incident comes just hours before the party’s much-anticipated 100th NEC meeting, further intensifying the stakes in the ongoing leadership crisis.NEC Reinstates Anyanwu as PDP National SecretaryThe 100th National Executive Committee meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party has reinstated Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s national secretary.The PDP Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who spoke to journalists after the NEC meeting held in Abuja, announced that Anyanwu has been officially reinstated.Damagum further revealed that the 101st NEC meeting has been scheduled for July 23 to finalise arrangements for the upcoming national convention.The PDP has been struggling with internal conflicts since the 2023 presidential election, which have significantly impacted all arms of the party.The division became more pronounced after the party leadership wrote to the Independent National Electoral Commission on June 24, regarding the position of National Secretary, further escalating the crisis.PDP Fully United, No Factions, Coalitions – Bala MohammedChairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has declared that the PDP is united, dismissing any notion of factions, coalitions, or internal divisions within the party.Mohammed, who spoke at the party’s 100th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Monday, reaffirmed the PDP’s resolve to remain a formidable force in Nigeria’s political landscape, stating that the party is focused on delivering good governance and restoring public confidence.“This is a miracle of the PDP, the party that has history, pedigree, and the human capital to deliver Nigeria. We have been engrossed in controversies and challenges, not created by us, but created for us. Yet, we have been navigating them successfully, unlike the other parties,” Mohammed said.He praised the National Working Committee (NWC) for its efforts in resolving internal disagreements and strengthening party unity, noting that visible signs of discord had been addressed in recent weeks.“The NWC has collapsed all differences and wrangling. They met before this meeting. What you’ve been seeing in terms of press releases and counter-statements has stopped, and you will not see them again,” he said.Mohammed also acknowledged the role of the Board of Trustees (BoT), National Assembly caucuses, and state chapters in keeping the party united and effective, particularly at the grassroots level.“There is no element of wrangling in the state chapters. And that is where our strengths lie. We thank you, our state chairmen, for keeping the party alive, often with limited resources, and ensuring that PDP remains intact and functional,” he noted.Dismissing recent media reports of defections and internal rifts, Mohammed described such narratives as ‘cosmetic’ and designed to weaken the PDP’s image. However, he insisted that the party had remained resilient and cohesive.“The news of people leaving the party is all cosmetic. They were created to diminish us, but they have failed,” he said.He further reiterated that there is no need for any parallel stakeholders’ meetings or unofficial coalitions, asserting that the entire party leadership is now aligned with the NWC.“We are all on the same page. No excuse for coalition, no excuse to form any stakeholders’ meeting other than that of the NWC. We are solidly behind the NWC and the governors and will continue to work as the conscience of the party,” he stated.Mohammed further assured Nigerians and PDP supporters that the party would remain focused on delivering results and rebuilding trust.“Please be assured that we will not disappoint Nigerians and our teeming supporters. We are committed to our role as the conscience of the party and will continue working together to ensure the PDP succeeds,” he added.
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Heirs Insurance Posts N61bn Gross Written Premium

Heirs Insurance Group has announced its audited financial results for the year ended December 31, 2024, showing strong year-on-year growth across business lines and metrics.The insurance group reported a combined Gross Written Premium of N61bn in 2024 for its life and general insurance companies, indicating a 70 per cent increase from the N35.
8bn recorded in the previous year. Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance subsidiary of Heirs Holdings, the pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents. The insurance group also recorded a combined insurance revenue of N31.4bn, which is about 53 per cent higher than N20.5bn in 2023. Profit Before Tax rose from N4.8bn in 2023 to N11.2bn, more than double the previous year’s figure, and representing a 133 per cent year-on-year growth, and the group paid about N10.4bn in claims during the year under review compared to N4.18bn. Its total assets grew by 66 per cent, rising from N55.8bn in 2023 to N92.9bn in 2024.Analysing the financial performance of the entities that make up the group indicated that Heirs Life Assurance reported an 85 percent increase in Gross Written Premium from N23.87bn in 2023 to N44.22bn in 2024. Insurance revenue rose by 109 per cent to N15.1bn from N7.3bn in 2023 as its profit before tax grew to N5.5bn, up from N1.88bn, indicating a 193 per cent increase. Claims paid by Heirs Life also rose to N5.67bn, a 120 percent increase from N2.5bn paid to customers in 2023.Heirs General Insurance also maintained a strong growth trajectory as its Gross Written Premium rose by 42 per cent to N16.9bn from N11.9bn in 2023. Insurance revenue hit N14.3bn, a 19 per cent increase from the N12bn recorded in 2023, and profit before tax grew by 104 per cent, rising from N2.4bn in 2023 to N4.9bn in 2024. HGI also demonstrated strong claims responsiveness, with claims paid amounting to N4.7bn, up 25 per cent from N3.7bn in the previous year.The insurance broking and risk management consulting firm in the group, Heirs Insurance Brokers, posted growth as well. Its revenue grew by 54 per cent from N1.28bn in FY2023 to N1.97bn in 2024, driven by increased client acquisition and retention. Profit Before Tax rose by 53 per cent fromN528.59m in the prior year to N805.91m in 2024, highlighting strong cost discipline and operational efficiency.In a statement accompanying the financial results, the group said it had achieved year-on-year growth due to its strong leadership and corporate governance and a focus on driving digital innovation to make insurance simple and accessible.It added, “Beyond technology, the group drives advocacy across all customer clusters, aligning with its purpose to improve lives and transform Nigeria. Its Essay Championship drives insurance literacy among young students and the school ecosystem, and its travel festival advocates for more inclusive policies to enable cross-border travel, among many other initiatives.”Heirs Insurance Group serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.COVER
Confusion Trails Mohammed Babangida’s BOA Chairmanship Appointment

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja
The Presidency has denied reports claiming that Mohammed Babangida, son of former military president Ibrahim Babangida, turned down his recent appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) by President Bola Tinubu.The clarification came after a letter, purportedly signed by Mohammed Babangida and circulated by Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggested that Babangida had declined the offer due to personal and professional reasons.
However, presidential media aide Olusegun Dada swiftly dismissed the claims in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that Babangida had not only accepted the appointment but also expressed deep gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity.“Muhammed Babangida has officially accepted his appointment as Chairman of the Bank of Agriculture,” Dada wrote. “He thanks President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the trust reposed in him and categorically denies any report suggesting otherwise.”In a statement attributed to Babangida and shared by Dada, the former military president’s son condemned the letter as false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public and discredit the Tinubu administration.Further debunking the claim, Alhaji Mahmud Abdullahi, a media aide to Babangida, described the circulating letter as “fake” and the handiwork of mischief-makers. He insisted that the document was fabricated, bearing a forged signature and incorrect contact details.“Mohammed Babangida did not reject the appointment. The letter in circulation is fake,” Abdullahi said. “He remains grateful for the honour and is committed to serving the nation in this capacity.”The Presidency emphasized that those responsible for spreading the false information would be investigated and prosecuted, reaffirming its commitment to transparency and national cohesion.Tinubu had recently approved a series of high-profile appointments aimed at strengthening key government institutions, with Mohammed Babangida’s BOA chairmanship among the most notable.COVER
Retired Police Officers Defy Rain, Protest Against Pension Scheme

By David Torough, Abuja
In a powerful show of frustration and resilience, scores of retired police officers braved heavy rain yesterday to protest at the gates of the National Assembly in Abuja. Their demand was clear: an immediate exit from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), which they described as exploitative and dehumanising.
The elderly demonstrators, many in their 60s and 70s, carried placards and sang solidarity songs, accusing the government of neglecting their welfare after decades of service to the nation. Among them was retired Chief Superintendent of Police, Manir Lawal, who said: “We deserve to retire in dignity. This scheme has impoverished us.”Undeterred by the weather, the retirees vowed to remain at the protest site until the leadership of the National Assembly addressed their concerns. Security personnel were on hand to ensure order, but the mood remained calm and determined.Meanwhile, a similar demonstration took place in Ilorin, Kwara and Plateau States, where members of the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria (ARPON) staged a peaceful protest. The group, led by retired CSP Yakubu Jimoh, echoed demands for an exit from the CPS and called for the creation of a dedicated Police Pension Board—similar to pension structures enjoyed by the military and other security agencies.Jimoh cited glaring disparities in pension benefits, stating that while senior police officers such as AIGs and DIGs had successfully exited the scheme, rank-and-file officers were left behind with meagre monthly stipends and inadequate gratuities. “Imagine being paid just N2.4 million after 35 years of service, and receiving N30,000 monthly. It’s insulting,” he said.Legal Adviser of ARPON, retired SP Adekunle Iwalaiye, emphasised that the protest was not about incitement or lawlessness, but a cry for justice. “We are Nigerians too. We have bullet wounds and sacrifices. Our pensions must reflect that.”However, the Nigeria Police Force has warned of attempts by “external elements” to hijack the peaceful movement. According to a statement posted on X, such individuals were allegedly encouraging confrontation and disorder. The police urged retirees to remain calm and assured them of ongoing efforts to resolve their demands.Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with the protesters in Abuja and denied allegations that he was opposed to exiting the CPS.He acknowledged the hardship endured by pensioners and confirmed ongoing high-level engagements, including a recent meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, to improve retirement benefits.“I empathise with you. I am not opposed to leaving the CPS, but it’s beyond the power of any IGP to unilaterally remove the force from the scheme,” he explained. Egbetokun encouraged the retirees to remain hopeful, noting that alternative solutions to enhance the current system were being explored.In a related development, civil servants in Abuja have urged the Federal Government to fulfill its promise to pay four months’ arrears of the N35,000 wage award.Many expressed disappointment over the delay, accusing the government of insincerity and urging it to disburse the payments in full.As protests and demands for improved pensions grow louder across Nigeria, both retired and active personnel are calling on the government to honor its commitments and restore dignity to public service.