Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from the South-East in the National Assembly have issued a warning that they may withdraw from the party’s upcoming national convention if the National Woman Leader position is reassigned from their region.

The PDP convention is scheduled to hold on November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

However, growing discord has emerged within the party as the South-East caucus in the House of Representatives maintains that the woman leader role must continue to belong to their zone.

READ ALSO: Northern PDP leaders endorse Kabiru Turaki for party chairmanship 

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Rep. Ikenga-Imo Ugochinyere, spokesperson of the South-East PDP caucus in the House, announced this position in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He indicated that the legislators will release an official disclaimer regarding the Ibadan convention should they verify that the role has been reassigned to another region.

According to Ugochinyere, the lawmakers are ready to defend the political rights of the region, stressing that any move to strip the South-East of the woman leader position would amount to a deliberate insult.

He said, “We don’t want to see PDP suffer more setbacks; still, we will stick to our position at the Ibadan convention if, in the next few weeks, what we are hearing is confirmed.”

The representative cautioned that no elected official from the South-East would continue their PDP membership should this arrangement proceed. He noted there remains adequate time for party leadership to address this grievance before candidate screening commences.

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Ugochinyere clarified that the previous zoning formula, which designated Enugu State to provide the woman leader, became void after Governor Peter Mbah’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He noted that this defection also impacted Mbah’s selection for the woman leader role, who has similarly moved to the APC.

The PDP Spokesman accused certain elements within the party of plotting to shift the position to the South-South, warning that such a move would provoke anger across the South-East.

“However, confirmed information is filtering in that some people are trying to move that woman leader position out of the South-East to the South-South,” he said.

The South-East caucus reached out to PDP leaders across the South, including Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, requesting their support in ensuring the role stays within their zone.

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Ugochinyere described any attempt to take the position away as “an insult” to the South-East and a move that could further divide the party.

Furthermore, he warned that a boycott by South-East lawmakers could intensify the existing turmoil within the PDP and discourage members from attending the Ibadan convention.

Fear swept through the Orile-Iganmu neighborhood of Lagos on Sunday following a gas explosion that tore through part of the Orisunmibare Market, off Baale Street, consuming numerous shops in intense flames.

While the incident claimed no lives, the blaze that ignited approximately 2:13 p.m. destroyed merchandise valued at millions of naira and caused traders and local residents to flee for their lives.

Authorities traced the source of the explosion to a gas retail establishment that reportedly stored numerous cylinders of different capacities.

READ ALSO:  Deadly petrol tanker explosion rocks Abeokuta–Sagamu expressway 

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An eyewitness, identified simply as Ejem, who narrowly escaped, recounted: “I was inside when it happened. Around us here, there are three filling stations — one is the MRS filling station opposite my street; another is a gas company behind my street; and then there’s a man who has a very big shop where he sells gas.

They said one of the boys at the shop was pressing his phone when the explosion occurred.

The fire spread quickly because part of the nearby market also had shops where people used camp gas for cooking.”

Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, verified the event, noting that personnel arrived swiftly and successfully managed the emergency.

“No lives were lost, except for one person who sustained a minor hand injury,” she said.

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In a related development, firefighting teams addressed a separate emergency involving a 33,000-litre petrol tanker along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, close to the Berger Car Depot.

The tanker, bearing registration number AAB-942YC, discharged its cargo following a collision with a Mercedes-Benz Jeep (plate number LSR 606HX) and seven additional stationary vehicles on display for purchase.

According to Adeseye, “Prompt intervention by the Ajegunle and Ijegun-Egba Fire Crews prevented the spill from escalating into another disaster. The remaining fuel has been safely transferred to another tanker, while recovery of damaged vehicles is ongoing.”

Additionally, the Fire Service conducted a rescue operation for an individual trapped within an underground drainage system along Ikorodu Road, near Idiroko Bus Stop, inward Maryland, Anthony Village, on Saturday afternoon.

Adeseye reported that the emergency call came in at 12:24 p.m., prompting immediate dispatch of the Ilupeju Fire Station to the location.

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“Upon arrival, responders discovered that a male adult, about 55 years old, had accidentally fallen into a manhole. Our rescue personnel immediately initiated a confined-space rescue operation using specialized equipment, and after sustained effort, the victim was recovered alive and handed over to the Police from Anthony Division for further action,” she stated.

The operation, which continued until 3:41 p.m., concluded successfully with the area properly secured.

Adeseye emphasized the agency’s dedication to safeguarding lives and property throughout Lagos, highlighting that despite handling multiple emergencies over 48 hours, “all incidents were efficiently contained without any loss of life.”

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The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced a total, comprehensive, and indefinite strike beginning Friday, October 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m., following the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government.

In a statement signed by NARD President, Dr. Mohammad Usman Suleiman, the association said the decision was reached after a five-hour Extraordinary National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, where members unanimously directed the National Officers Committee (NOC) to commence industrial action over the government’s failure to address long-standing demands.

READ ALSO:  Doctors in Lagos comply with NARD’s five-day warning strike 

The statement released on the NARD X handle @nard_nigeria reads: “Twenty-nine days ago, you gave this National Officers Committee the mandate to lead our noble association and a second mandate of a 30-day ultimatum to the Federal Government on our demands. I am happy to report that we have carried out that mandate with grace and confidence.

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“Today, after a 5-hour Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council Meeting, the Members of NEC have issued new marching orders to us once again. The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday, 31st October 2025 at 11:59pm.

“We have reported to NEC and NEC has decided. The NOC will carry out this directive to its latter and in full compliance. The NEC has marshaled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, No Work No Pay/No Pay No Work resolutions and all such other modalities and weapons needed for a successful execution of this action.”

According to the statement, instructions have been issued to centre presidents and general secretaries to organize emergency congress sessions to inform members about the NEC’s resolutions.

Suleiman accused “some elements within and outside government” of having “evil and exploitative plans for resident doctors,” vowing that NARD members would collectively resist such attempts.

In preparation for the industrial action, he called on doctors to utilize the remaining four working days to ensure proper patient handovers, communicate with traditional, religious, and community leaders, and inform the Nigerian public and media. He encouraged a countdown to the strike action, a prayer for the nation, and to hold congresses in compliance with NEC directives.

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“Let me make this call and appeal to all NARDites. Trust the process, believe in your leaders, engage with them, and remain resolute; don’t despair or lose hope. Count on this NOC’s resolve to deliver results.

“Trust the process, believe in your leaders, and remain resolute. Victory is certain. If there’s any blame to throw around, throw it on me as your President. If there’s praise, it belongs to all NARDites,” Suleiman stated, noting that a detailed communique and press conference would soon be held to outline the association’s demands and the basis for the strike decision.

It will be recalled that NARD commenced a five-day warning strike on September 12, 2025, but suspended the action within 24 hours following a virtual Extraordinary National Executive Council meeting.

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