Iyabo Obasanjo Secures PDP Senate Ticket After Party Switch

Former Nigerian senator, Iyabo Obasanjo, has reportedly secured the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial ticket for Ogun Central shortly after rejoining the party, marking a major political comeback ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reports from party sources in Ogun State indicate that the former lawmaker emerged as the PDP candidate following her return to the opposition party after a brief period in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Her return to the PDP came days after she resigned from the ruling APC, citing alleged internal party disagreements, lack of inclusion, and what she described as disrespect within the party structure.

Party insiders say her emergence as the PDP senatorial flagbearer reflects ongoing realignments within the opposition party in Ogun State, as political actors position themselves ahead of the next election cycle.

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Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, previously served as senator representing Ogun Central between 2007 and 2011, during which she was active in legislative debates and governance issues at the national level.

Her return to frontline politics has been described by supporters as a strategic comeback, with expectations that she will leverage her experience as a former federal lawmaker and former state commissioner for health.

The development is expected to intensify political competition in Ogun Central Senatorial District, where parties are already strengthening structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The PDP is yet to officially release a comprehensive list of its confirmed candidates for the forthcoming general elections, but internal party sources suggest more nominations will be finalised and announced in the coming weeks as preparations continue nationwide.

Iyabo Obasanjo Secures PDP Senate Ticket After Party Switch

P-Square Feud: Peter Okoye’s Absence Delays Jude Okoye’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial

The N1.3 billion fraud trial involving former P-Square manager Jude Okoye suffered a setback on Wednesday after his younger brother and key prosecution witness, Peter Okoye, failed to appear before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, for cross-examination.

Jude Okoye and his company, Northside Music Limited, are facing a seven-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations involving N1.38 billion, $1 million and £34,537.59. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

At the resumed hearing before Justice Alexander Owoeye, EFCC counsel G.C. Akaogu informed the court that Peter Okoye, popularly known as Mr P, could not attend the proceedings because his flight from Abuja to Lagos had been rescheduled.

According to Akaogu, the development was communicated to the defence team before the commencement of the hearing.

However, defence counsel, Clement Onwuewunor (SAN), disputed the explanation, telling the court that information available to the defence suggested that Peter was already in Lagos and had not travelled as claimed by the prosecution.

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The senior advocate further lamented that he had cancelled other professional engagements outside Lagos in preparation for the hearing, only to be informed of the witness’s absence.

Following submissions from both parties, Justice Owoeye adjourned the matter until September 21, 2026, for the continuation of trial and Peter Okoye’s cross-examination.

The high-profile case stems from a petition filed by Peter Okoye against his elder brother, accusing him of financial misconduct and the alleged diversion of revenues generated from the former P-Square music catalogue.

Peter had earlier testified that concerns about the management of the group’s finances emerged after the brothers reunited following their initial split. According to him, investigations into the operations of companies linked to the group’s business affairs prompted him to report the matter to the anti-graft agency.

During his testimony, Peter alleged that certain royalty payments and music revenues were channelled through entities that were unknown to him, leading to questions about the handling of earnings generated by the duo’s music business.

The trial has attracted significant public attention due to revelations made during earlier proceedings. Under cross-examination, Peter reportedly admitted that he was a co-signatory to the bank account of Northside Entertainment Limited, a development that defence lawyers argued contradicted suggestions that Jude had sole control over the company’s finances.

The defence has continued to challenge aspects of Peter’s testimony, relying on financial documents and corporate records presented before the court.

Despite the allegations, Jude Okoye has consistently denied any wrongdoing and has maintained his innocence since the commencement of the trial.

The court is expected to hear further evidence when proceedings resume in September, with Peter Okoye anticipated to return to the witness box for continued cross-examination.

The case remains one of the most closely watched legal disputes in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, given its connection to the long-running P-Square feud and the involvement of two of Africa’s most successful music stars.

P-Square Feud: Peter Okoye’s Absence Delays Jude Okoye’s N1.3bn Fraud Trial

2027: I’ll Negotiate With Bandits Who Seek Peace, Fight Those Who Choose Violence — Peter Obi

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has said he would adopt a combination of dialogue and force to tackle insecurity if elected president in 2027, pledging to engage bandits and other violent groups willing to renounce criminality while taking decisive action against those who refuse to embrace peace.

Obi made the remarks during an interview on BlackBox with broadcaster Rufai Oseni, where he outlined what he described as a balanced strategy for restoring security, strengthening national unity and rebuilding trust across the country.

The former Anambra State governor said lasting peace cannot be achieved through military operations alone, stressing that governments must also create opportunities for reconciliation, rehabilitation and reintegration for individuals who genuinely abandon violence.

According to Obi, his administration would be open to negotiations with any group prepared to embrace peace and contribute positively to nation-building.

“In uniting the country, anybody who wants peace, I will talk with him; I will negotiate with him. Anybody who wants war, we will go to war,” Obi said.

The 2027 presidential hopeful argued that Nigeria has reached a point where leaders must distinguish between hardened criminals and those willing to reform, insisting that societies make progress when they provide opportunities for redemption rather than permanently condemning people for past mistakes.

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To illustrate his position, Obi recalled visiting a university in the United States where several members of the institution’s leadership had previously served prison terms before rebuilding their lives and careers.

According to him, the experience reinforced his belief that individuals who demonstrate genuine change should be given a second chance to contribute to society.

The former governor also linked the country’s security challenges to issues of inclusion and national cohesion. He maintained that every region and ethnic group must feel represented in governance and national development if Nigeria is to achieve lasting peace and stability.

Obi said his vision for the country is anchored on fairness, equal opportunity and inclusiveness, stressing that no tribe or section of the country should feel marginalised.

“I will unite the country and ensure that nobody is left behind. No tribe is left behind; there would be inclusiveness. We will show love and care for everybody,” he added.

The comments come amid renewed debate over the best approach to addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges, including banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and separatist agitations.

While some security experts and peace advocates support dialogue as part of a broader conflict-resolution strategy, others argue that negotiations with armed groups could legitimise criminality and undermine ongoing military operations.

Critics of talks with bandits have often cited previous resolutions of the National Assembly and comments by senior legal practitioners who warn that negotiating with terrorists and violent criminal groups may conflict with anti-terrorism laws and send the wrong message to those engaged in criminal activities.

However, supporters of engagement argue that dialogue, when combined with effective security operations and economic reforms, can encourage defections, reduce violence and address some of the root causes of insecurity.

As political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum, Obi’s latest remarks are expected to intensify discussions over the role of negotiation, rehabilitation and military force in tackling Nigeria’s security crisis.

2027: I’ll Negotiate With Bandits Who Seek Peace, Fight Those Who Choose Violence — Peter Obi