The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) is currently conducting its legislative primary elections across the country.
However, results have started trickling in. As expected, there are winners and losers. In this piece, Daily Trust highlights some of the persons who clinched the tickets and those who suffered setback.
A former governor of Gombe state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, also won the ticket to represent the PDP in the Gombe North Senatorial District poll in the 2023 elections. Dankwambo emerged the winner of the exercise after Bayero Nafada, a former deputy speaker of the house of representatives, and Hamma Saleh withdrew from the race. He was the governor of Gombe state from 2011 to 2019.
Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State also secured the PDP ticket to contest the Taraba South Senatorial District election. If he wins the election, Ishaku will join the league of governors who moved into the National Assembly at the end of 8 years as Chief Executive Officers of their states.
READ ALSO:
Billionaire businessman, Chinedu Nwoko, on Monday emerged as the party’s candidate for Delta North Senatorial District for the 2023 general election. He defeated his opponent, Paul Osaji, a business mogul, in the Senate Primary held in Asaba with 242 votes as against 67 votes polled by his opponent.
Nwoko, also known as Ned, the husband of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, is a former member of the House of Representatives. He represented Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency from 1999 to 2003.
Nwoko had in 2019 contested the PDP Senate primary but lost to the incumbent, Peter Nwaoboshi, in a keenly contested election.
A Nigerian celebrity, Mr Olubankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W, was declared the winner of the PDP primary for the Eti-Osa constituency House of Representatives ticket in the 2023 general election. He polled 28 out of 31 votes cast by delegates at the primary.
In April, the music star announced on social media that he was once again aiming to represent the people of Eti-Osa Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives.
“We must engage with Nigeria where it is, not where we prefer for it to be. In 2019, we planted the seed. In 2023, by the grace of God, and with your support, we will win the seat. The time for just talking is over. It’s time to #TalkAndDo. I hope I can count on you. We move,” he had tweeted.
Despite being in captivity, Sadiq Abdullahi, son of the Convener, Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof. Ango Abdullahi, emerged winner of the party’s primary election for Sabon Gari (Zaria) Federal constituency, Kaduna State.
The younger Abdullahi, who was among those abducted in the March 28 attack on the Abuja-Kaduna passenger train, is still in captivity contrary to recent reports that he was released by the terrorists.
Deputy Governor of Rivers, Dr Mrs Ipalibo Harry Banigo, won the PDP ticket for the Rivers West Senatorial Primaries election. The Deputy Governor was returned unopposed in the PDP Senatorial primaries election conducted at the Rivers West Senatorial district in Ahoada on Monday. Senator George Thompson Sekibo who is presently representing the district in the Senate, did not contest the primaries.
Deputy Governor of Taraba, Engr Haruna Manu won the PDP’s ticket for the Taraba Central zone. Reacting to his victory, the deputy governor vowed not to let the people of his senatorial district down if finally given the mandate come 2023.
PAT ASADU
Asadu lost his bid to return to the House of Representatives in 2023, for the fifth time. The legislator representing Nsukka/Igboeze south federal constituency of Enugu State was defeated by Vita Abba, who won the contest with 91 votes.
READ ALSO:
FRED OBUA
The serving member of House of Representatives representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State, Mr. Fred Obua, has lost his bid to return to the national assembly for a second tenure as he lost the primaries to the chairman of Ogbia Local Government Area, Ebiyon Marvin Turner.
Turner also defeated the incumbent member representing Ogbia Constituency 1, in the State House of Assembly, Chief Metema Obordor and the immediate past Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson.
NICHOLAS TOFOWOMO
The Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial district, Nicholas Tofowomo, suffered a setback in his bid to return to the upper legislative chamber on the PDP platform. He lost his return ticket to the former Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon Agboola Ajayi. Ajayi scored 78votes to beat Tofowomo who polled 74votes.
AYO AKINYELURE
A two-term Senator, Ayo Akinyelure, representing Ondo central senatorial district, also lost his seat to Ifedayo Adedipe. In the election held in Akure, the state capital, Akinyelure came second having polled 58 votes behind Mr Ifedayo Adedipe, SAN who scored 82 votes.
Mathew Uroghide
Senator Matthew Urhoghide, lawmaker representing Edo South Senatorial district, lost the 2023 ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, a former member of the House of Representatives. The two-term senator lost the election on Monday.
FRANCIS OTTAH AGBO
Francis Ottah Agbo who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo of Benue State constituency in the House of Representatives lost his bid to clinch PDP’s tickets in the primary elections of the party held on Sunday. Agbo lost to a female lawyer, Aida Ogwuche, who polled 71 votes against Agbo’s 35
PAM SOKPO
Pam Sokpo who represents Buruku constituency of Benue State in the House of Representatives also lost his bid to clinch PDP’s tickets in the primary elections of the party. He was defeated by Terkaa Agba Terkaa.
DAILY TRUST
Barcelona beat Atletico to set up cup final against Real Madrid
It will be the eighth time there has been an El Clasico in the Spanish Cup final, with the nation’s two most successful club sides set to meet on 26 April in Seville.
Ferran Torres’ first-half effort proved decisive for Barcelona at Metropolitano Stadium, with the Spain forward poking the ball past Argentine goalkeeper Juan Musso after Lamine Yamal’s superb pass had split the home defence.
It was no more than the visitors deserved, with 17-year-old Yamal a constant source of danger and Raphinha also twice threatening to extend Barca’s lead.
Unlike the thrilling first-leg tie in February, when Diego Simeone’s side twice scored late on in a dramatic 4-4 draw, this was a tighter and more tense affair without the grandstand finish from Atletico.
READ ALSO:
The hosts did have opportunities.
Substitute Alexander Sorloth elected to shoot instead of squaring the ball to Antoine Griezmann for a tap-in, while the Norway forward was also ruled offside after rattling in what he thought was an equaliser.
However, in truth, Atletico were second best to Hansi Flick’s side for long periods, with the record 31-time winners always appearing relatively comfortable as they extended their unbeaten run to 21 games across all competitions.
The Catalan club remain the only side in Europe’s top-five leagues yet to lose in 2025 and remain on course for a potential quadruple.
Barca, who have already won the Spanish Super Cup this term, lead the La Liga table by three points from Real Madrid.
They also host Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on 9 April (20:00 BST).
Meanwhile, the final against Carlo Ancelotti’s team in Seville will come just over two weeks before a potentially pivotal fixture between the clubs in the Spanish top flight.
Wike congratulates Okpebholo on tribunal victory
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on his victory at the tribunal.
The Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, sitting on Wednesday, affirmed Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the election outcome.
The petition challenged the result of the governorship election held on Sept. 21, 2024 but was struck out by the tribunal for lack of merit.
READ ALSO:
Reacting, Wike, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, urged the governor to remain focused on delivering good governance.
He advised Okpebholo not to be distracted but to remain dedicated to serving the people of Edo.
Wike described the tribunal’s ruling as a confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by Edo voters.
The minister expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to bring relief and development to the state.
“This victory belongs to the people of Edo who elected, as their governor, Okpebholo.
“I believe in him, and with the way he has started, his government will positively impact Edo and its people,” he added.
(NAN)
Teacher arrested in Osun for allegedly molesting 7-year-old pupil
22-year-old male school teacher, Rufai Akorede, has been arrested in Ilesa, Osun State, by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old female pupil.
The NSCDC stated that Akorede is accused of “thrusting his manhood” into the child’s mouth in a classroom after school.
Following a report, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, ordered an immediate investigation, which revealed the alleged molestation began in 2024, according to a statement signed by the state command’s public relations officer, Kehinde Adeleke.
According to NSCDC, in his confessional statement, Akorede admitted to the crime, explaining that after school hours, he instructed the victim to close the windows in the classroom before assaulting her.
“The second incident happened on March 20, 2025, after school hours. It was only the teacher and the girl who were in the class, and he pressed her buttocks,” Adeleke said.
Akorede was arraigned before the Magistrate Court in Ilesa, Osun State, on March 26, 2025, where he pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in the correctional centre. The trial has been adjourned.
In a separate case, 20-year-old Tiamiyu Samuel was arrested for allegedly having unlawful carnal knowledge of a 12-year-old girl in Gbongan, Osun State.
Adeleke, the NSCDC spokesperson, stated that Samuel had known the victim for three years and, after she rejected his advances, forcibly dragged her into his room on March 23, 2025, with the help of an accomplice.
The suspect allegedly threatened the victim with a cutlass before assaulting her, causing the victim to bleed. He then threatened to kill her if she told anyone.
“The accomplice is currently at large but will be apprehended to face the consequences of his actions. The suspect admitted committing the offence and a medical report confirms that the victim’s hymen was broken,” Adeleke said.
The NSCDC has assured the public that once the investigation is concluded, the suspect will be charged in court.
The Osun NSCDC urged parents and guardians to remain vigilant and safeguard their children from such predatory individuals. The Commandant also warned that those engaging in such heinous acts will face severe consequences
Omokri : How Tinubu’s political mastery started with Abiola, says El-Rufai, Obi’s forces can’t stop him
JAMB officials seize candidates’ hijab at Caleb varsity, Muslim students kick
P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention
US releases 41 countries granted 90-day entry without visas (full list)
Labour Party collapses into APC in Plateau
Nigeria’s gas production increases by 15.6% to 227,931.65 mscf
Groom cancels wedding, marries another lady same date, venue
Tuface named technical adviser to Benue governor
