Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has warned members and supporters of the party not to associate with the coalition movement in the state.

A statement by secretary of the party, Abdulrahman Abdullahi Kayode, in Ilorin on Tuesday, disclosed that the party is aware of “attempts by certain individuals and political actors to lure our members and supporters into the newly formed coalition movement”.

“We wish to categorically state that the PDP, particularly in Kwara State under the leadership of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has no affiliation whatsoever with the coalition being spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar or any other group outside the established structure of our great party,” the statement stressed.

The party urged its members and supporters across the state to remain vigilant and not be deceived or misled by the antics of “stranded and unpopular” politicians who, having deserted the party, are now seeking relevance by falsely using Saraki’s name to win support for their new political adventure.

“These individuals had either left or were irrelevant within the party during the September 2024 local government elections, yet despite their absence, our party triumphed at the polls, a testament to the unwavering support we continue to enjoy from the people of Kwara State, regardless of the manipulation of results by the ruling party.

“If they are truly confident in their popularity and acceptance among the people, they should campaign based on their own track records and not hide behind the name and legacy of our leader,” the party declared.

The statement asserted that Saraki remains a proud and committed member of the PDP and is actively involved in efforts to reposition and unify the party in preparation for a successful outing in the 2027 general elections.

“The PDP in Kwara remains united, focused, and loyal to its ideals. We advise all our members to disregard any invitation or pressure to join the so-called coalition and remain steadfast under the banner of the PDP,” it added.

Owolabi Salis, a politician and lawyer, has become the first Nigerian to travel to space.

Salis was aboard the Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission, which took off from West Texas on Sunday, June 29.

The 10-minute flight, which crossed the Kármán line also had Carl Kuehner, Jim Sitkin, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Allie Kuehner on board.

It reached a peak altitude of 105.2 kilometres.

Salis, before embarking on the trip, said that the mission was “more than just a trip into space”.

He described it as a “spiritual journey, a call to inspire future generations”.

Salis has previously entered the history books as the first Black African to travel to both the Arctic and Antarctic in the same season.

A 45-year-old man, Ndukwe Ogbu, who claimed to be a pastor, has been sentenced to 25 years in prison by the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos.

The conviction stemmed from his sexual abuse of his biological daughter on multiple occasions when she was just 14 years old.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe held that the prosecution had proven the three-count charge of defilement, sexual assault, and sexual assault by penetration beyond reasonable doubt.

The court convicted Ogbu based on the testimonies of the victim, a medical expert, and a social worker, all of whom corroborated the allegations.

During sentencing, the judge noted that the convict did not show remorse, as his plea for leniency was based on having other children to care for.

“From the evidence before the court, the defendant is found guilty on all three counts. He is sentenced to three years’ imprisonment on count one and 25 years each on counts two and three. The sentences are to run concurrently and will take effect from December 2019, the date of his remand,” Justice Abike-Fadipe ruled.

The prosecution, led by the Lagos State Government, arraigned the convict in February 2021. The trial began in October of the same year, during which three prosecution witnesses testified, including the survivor, a social worker, and a medical doctor. The defendant testified alone in his defence.

The social worker, Femi Oyeleke, told the court that the matter was brought to his attention by a schoolteacher to whom the survivor had confided. He then reported the case to the police.

The survivor also gave detailed testimony, identifying Ogbu as her father and recounting how the abuse started when she was 14. She said he warned her not to tell anyone, but she eventually informed her teacher.

Ogbu denied all the allegations, maintaining that he was not present at the times stated by his daughter.

He acknowledged living in the same apartment but said the girl had her own room. He told the court that his wife had passed away when the children were young and that the others lived with their maternal grandmother in the village.