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PDP Governorship Primary: Aspirants Step Down For Obaseki

Published

5 years ago

June 25, 2020

Aspirants under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State have formally all stepped down for the incumbent governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki.

Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon, Engineer Gideon Ikhine, and Engineer Ogbeide Ihama had all showed interest to contest the governorship election under the platform of the PDP before Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki joined them after he was disqualified by the state governorship Screening Committee of the APC.

Though the aspirants publicly declared that they were stepping down for Obaseki while making their speeches when they were called upon to speak, the PDP Primary Committee led by Balla Mohammed of Bauchi State still went ahead to conduct the primary which kick started around 6:00pm.

In his speech, Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon said he decided to step down for the unity of the party, just as he said the visions and missions of Obaseki are inline with his.

He noted that his stepping down for Obaseki was occasioned by the governor’s boldness to fight godfatherism, which according to him he too stands against.

“Today, I decided to step down for Obaseki for the unity and progress of our party. I decided to step down because our governor was able to fight godfatherism, and we don’t want it anymore in Edo State and Nigeria in general. I am stepping down for Obaseki because his visions and missions are inline with mine. He is a hard working governor and I want the good work to continue”, Imasuagbon said.

On his part, Hon. Ogbeide Ihama stated that he decided to step down for the progress of the party and that the party has been out of power for good 12 years, so it worth it stepping down for a person who returned the party to power.

He thanked Obaseki for returning the party to power after 12 years of absent in government house, Edo State.

In his speech, Engineer Ikhine said he stepped down for Obaseki because he believes in the governor for his good works.

Recall Ikhine in a press conference few days ago had declared that he was stepping down for Mr. Governor and consequently collapsed his structure across the state to that of Godwin Obaseki.

Earlier, Chairman, Edo State Governorship Primary Committee, Senator Balla Mohammed of Bauchi State said all the contestants are people of good repute going by their political pedigrees.

He stated that the party had learned from their past mistakes and ready to do the right thing, just as he described the PDP as a tested and trusted party.

He said the party is well structured and has internal democracy unlike other party wherein such is noted respected.

” We are tested and trusted party. The PDP is where you enjoy internal democracy, just as you will see very soon. We may have internal rancour but I want to tell you that we resolve such amicably within ourselves without it escalating. We have learnt our lessons, so, we can’t afford to dwell in such rancor”, Balla declared

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PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

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Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

9 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.