The former Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chairman in Anambra State, Dan Ulasi, has suggested that the party should approach ex-Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi to return back to the party.

Obi was PDP presidential running mate in the 2019 election which the party lost to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

During the 2023 presidential election, the former Anambra State governor had dumped the PDP for LP.

Under LP, Obi ran for the Presidency as the party’s flag bearer but he came third behind the winner, President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar of the PDP.

Lately there have been claims of disintegration within the PDP with former presidential running mate, Ifeanyi Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and more governors are also said to be planning their defection from the party.

Prior to their defection, Atiku and Obi had formed a coalition with other opposition personalities with the aim of ousting Tinubu out of power in 2027.

The PDP Governors Forum, however, vowed that the party will never join Atiku’s coalition.

However, Ulasi said Obi is a better choice should the former ruling party decides to build and consider its future.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Morning Show, Ulasi said: “Peter Obi is a factor of progress. In the last presidential election, he had over six million votes so if there are no inordinate ambitious people in PDP who don’t want to be overshadowed or position alluded, Obi is somebody the party should openly approach.

“We are talking about leadership for better government of Nigeria and not better person for Nigeria, not better party for Nigeria.

“There are individuals who have the characteristics of performance, who have integrity and honour. And Obi is one of the very few in this country with such qualities.

“So, if the party decides to approach him and solicit my advice, I have enough contacts and relationship with Obi to convince him on why it’s necessary for us to come together to stop the menace that is going on in Abuja presently.

“It will be shameful for PDP governors – for reasons best known to them to dump the party for APC – I want to see them in a press conference telling what are their achievements after eight years as governors.”

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, is heading a high-level Nigerian delegation to attend the funeral of Pope Francis, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, in Vatican City on Saturday.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Friday.

Tinubu sent the five-member delegation, which also includes the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu; President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji; Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Archbishop Matthew Hassan Kukah; and Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Archbishop Ignatius Ayua Kaigama.

The statement added, “The delegation will formally deliver a letter conveying President Tinubu’s sympathy and condolences on Pope Francis’ passing to the Acting Head of the Vatican.

“On Monday, President Tinubu joined the Catholic faithful and Christians worldwide to mourn the death of Pope Francis, who he described as ‘a humble servant of God, a tireless champion of the poor, and a guiding light for millions.’”

Pope Francis died on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, just a day after leading Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican.

Tinubu added that the Pope’s death, coming after the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, symbolises a sacred return to his Maker, offering renewed hope to Christians worldwide.

No fewer than 19 passengers travelling in two commercial buses were abducted on Thursday morning by suspected armed herdsmen in Jor community, along the Adoka-Naka road in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The buses were ambushed in two separate but closely timed incidents along the same location, roughly three kilometres from Naka, the Gwer West LGA headquarters.

One of the vehicles was headed to Makurdi from Ankpa, Kogi State, while the other was travelling to Lokoja from Makurdi when they both ran into the ambush.

The Ter Tyoshin and chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Daniel Abomtse, confirmed the attacks.

“I was told that each vehicle had about 12 passengers on board. However, an elderly woman, a nursing mother with her two children, and one of the drivers were not taken,” he said.

These spared individuals reportedly alerted authorities at the Naka Police Station shortly after the incident. They have since been released by the police.

The Secretary of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, High Level Unit, Yakubu Onu, which oversees the main transport park operating on the route, also confirmed the abduction.

“The surviving passengers made their way to the police station and were later allowed to continue their journey,” he said.

“We are still awaiting updates from our members coming from Ankpa and have not heard from the kidnapped victims.”