Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Adamawa State House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the party.

This brings to seven the number of party members in the Assembly who have left the party in the last two days after Abubakar Abdullahi opened the gate on Monday, February 23.

Those who announced their resignation on Monday include the Deputy Speaker, Mohammed Buba Jidjiwa, representing Jada and Mbulo Constituency; Kefas Kalvin, representing Toungo Constituency; and Bulus Geoffrey, representing Leko and Koma Constituency.

Haruna Jilantikiri, representing Madagali Constituency; Kefas Emmanuel, representing Song Constituency, and Ahmed Jingi Bele representing Maiha Constituency are the other three.

The resignations are coming amid rising speculation that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is on his way to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

At the recent meeting between political leaders of Owerri Zone (Imo East) and Governor Hope Uzodimma at Government House, Owerri, one thing stood out clearly, 2027 is not going to be business as usual.

The Governor made it clear that while the Charter of Equity is important, it should not be seen as an automatic ticket. Strategy, unity, and pragmatism must come first.

He openly acknowledged that Owerri Zone deserves a fair chance, just like other zones in the state. That statement alone is commendable. But he also gave very important advice: Don’t divide yourselves with multiple candidates. Don’t create confusion within the zone. Present one strong, credible, and electable candidate.

This is where the real work begins. Owerri Zone must learn from the past. If the leaders truly want 2027 to be different, they must put personal ambition aside and think about the collective interest of the zone and the future of Imo State. The opportunity is there. The support is declared.

The responsibility now lies with Owerri Zone. Owerri Zone deserves a chance. But they must also prove they are ready for it.

Muyiwa Adekeye, spokesperson for Nasir El-Rufai, has disclosed that the former Kaduna governor experienced a nosebleed overnight in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

In a statement released late Monday, Adekeye also alleged that the Commission stopped El-Rufai’s wife from handing him food personally on February 17.

El-Rufai had turned himself in at the EFCC headquarters on February 16 after receiving an invitation from the anti-corruption agency.

Two days later, on February 18, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, took him into custody following his release by the EFCC.

Both anti-graft bodies are investigating El-Rufai over alleged financial misconduct during his time as Kaduna governor from 2015 to 2023.

In 2024, the Kaduna State House of Assembly accused El-Rufai of misappropriating N423 billion in public funds and engaging in money laundering, urging anti-corruption agencies to launch a probe.

Adekeye stated that El-Rufai’s lawyers have yet to be presented with any remand order permitting his detention beyond 48 hours without formal charges.

He added that the former governor’s legal representatives and relatives are “having difficulties in securing access to him in detention”.

“One of his wives was not allowed to deliver his meal directly to him on the evening of 17th February, but was asked to pass it to him through one of the commission’s personnel. His lawyers have reported that he suffered an overnight episode of bleeding from his nose,” the statement said.

Adekeye further noted that on Wednesday, the Federal Capital Territory High Court will hear El-Rufai’s suit seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights against the Federal Government, the ICPC, the EFCC and the Department of State Services, DSS.

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, stalwart is expected to be arraigned this week over allegations that he intercepted a telephone conversation involving Nuhu Ribadu, the national security adviser, NSA.

On Monday, El-Rufai also filed a lawsuit against the ICPC, accusing the agency of unlawfully raiding his Abuja home.