EVENING NEWS
THE HEADLINED
Ex-Ondo PDP spokesman, Peretei emerges NDC chairman
ADC fixes May 24 for presidential primary
Gunmen abduct two IBEDC staff in Ogun
Hezbollah Condemns ‘Israeli Aggression’ Despite Lebanon Truce
La Liga: Villarreal coach to leave at end of season
THE DETAILS
Former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has emerged as the pioneer State Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Peretei emerged by consensus at the party’s state congress held in Akure, the state capital, where about 150 delegates from the 18 local government areas ratified the new executive council.
Chairman of the Congress Committee, Emmanuel Alli, said the exercise was conducted in line with directives from the party’s national headquarters and reflected the collective will of members.
Other elected officers include Oluwole Akinmuyisan as Deputy Chairman, Babatunde Daudu as Secretary, Ayodeji Joy as Woman Leader, Samuel Olutosin as Organising Secretary, and Owolola Adebola as Publicity Secretary. Asiwaju Bernard and Olutubosun Isijola emerged Vice Chairmen for the South and North, respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Peretei described Nigeria as being at a “critical political crossroads,” adding that the NDC was gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new chairman said the reported surge in membership reflected a desire among citizens for change, expressing confidence that it would translate into electoral support.
He assured that the Ondo chapter of the party would provide constructive opposition, noting that the peaceful conduct of the congress had strengthened internal unity.
ABUJA — State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have fixed Sunday, May 24, 2026, for the party’s special convention and presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Temitope Ogga.
Ogga said the timetable for the party’s non-elective congresses and special convention was in line with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the schedule, ward and local government area (LGA) non-elective congresses will hold on Thursday, May 7, while the state congress is slated for Friday, May 8.
He emphasised that all congresses, the convention, and related activities must be conducted strictly through the structures of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
“All party members, delegates, aspirants, and stakeholders are advised to participate only through the officially recognised NEC channels at all levels,” the statement said.
Ogga warned that any parallel congresses, conventions, primaries, or delegate processes organised outside the NEC framework would be considered null and void.
“Only delegates, nominations, resolutions, and primary results emerging from NEC-approved processes will be recognised and binding for the 2027 general elections,” he added.
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has confirmed the abduction of two of its staff members in Ogun State, raising concerns over security along the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode corridor.
In a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan, the company said the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, along the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode road. The identities of the affected staff were not disclosed
IBEDC expressed concern over the development and said efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims.
“We are deeply concerned about this situation, and our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families at this difficult time,” the company said.
The firm stated that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted workers and is also in contact with their families.
“IBEDC is working closely with relevant security agencies to ensure the safe return of the affected staff. We are also in active engagement with their families, providing the necessary support,” it added.
The company declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the incident and ongoing rescue efforts. It assured that updates would be provided.
FOREIGN REPORT
Hezbollah’s leader on Monday condemned Israel’s operations in Lebanon amid a fragile ceasefire, repeating the group’s rejection of direct negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments.
Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between its military and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing the other of violating the truce.
In Lebanon’s south near the Israeli border, the Israeli army has also demolished buildings and prevented residents of dozens of towns from returning.
“There is no ceasefire in Lebanon, but a continuous Israeli-American aggression,” Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a written statement broadcast by the al-Manar TV channel, which is affiliated with the Iran-backed militant group.
“Lebanon is the victim of aggression, and it is Lebanon that needs guarantees for its security and sovereignty” from Israel, he added.
He criticised the direct talks, saying they put Lebanon “under tutelage”, and instead called for diplomacy that leads to an end to the war that began on March 2.
“Direct negotiations are a gratuitous concession, without results,” he said.
“So do not betray the resistance.”
SPORTS REPORT
Villarreal coach Marcelino will leave at the end of the season despite guiding the Yellow Submarines into next season’s Champions League, the club announced on Monday.
It is the second year running that the 2021 Europa League winners have qualified for Europe’s top club competition, but Marcelino was unable to agree to an extension with the club, according to local press.
The 60-year-old Spaniard is in his second spell at the club, having coached Villarreal from 2013-16 and then rejoined the team in 2023.
He took the team away from the relegation zone in 2023/24 and up to an eighth-placed finish, and the following season led Villarreal to fifth and Champions League qualification.
Their 5-1 thrashing of Levante on Saturday ensured a top-four finish — they are currently third — and a second consecutive Champions League appearance for the first time.
Ex-Ondo PDP spokesman, Peretei emerges NDC chairman
ADC fixes May 24 for presidential primary
Gunmen abduct two IBEDC staff in Ogun
Hezbollah Condemns ‘Israeli Aggression’ Despite Lebanon Truce
La Liga: Villarreal coach to leave at end of season
THE DETAILS
Former Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State, Kennedy Peretei, has emerged as the pioneer State Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Peretei emerged by consensus at the party’s state congress held in Akure, the state capital, where about 150 delegates from the 18 local government areas ratified the new executive council.
Chairman of the Congress Committee, Emmanuel Alli, said the exercise was conducted in line with directives from the party’s national headquarters and reflected the collective will of members.
Other elected officers include Oluwole Akinmuyisan as Deputy Chairman, Babatunde Daudu as Secretary, Ayodeji Joy as Woman Leader, Samuel Olutosin as Organising Secretary, and Owolola Adebola as Publicity Secretary. Asiwaju Bernard and Olutubosun Isijola emerged Vice Chairmen for the South and North, respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Peretei described Nigeria as being at a “critical political crossroads,” adding that the NDC was gaining momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The new chairman said the reported surge in membership reflected a desire among citizens for change, expressing confidence that it would translate into electoral support.
He assured that the Ondo chapter of the party would provide constructive opposition, noting that the peaceful conduct of the congress had strengthened internal unity.
ABUJA — State chairmen of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have fixed Sunday, May 24, 2026, for the party’s special convention and presidential primary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday by the Chairman of ADC State Chairmen, Kingsley Temitope Ogga.
Ogga said the timetable for the party’s non-elective congresses and special convention was in line with the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act, and a recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the schedule, ward and local government area (LGA) non-elective congresses will hold on Thursday, May 7, while the state congress is slated for Friday, May 8.
He emphasised that all congresses, the convention, and related activities must be conducted strictly through the structures of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
“All party members, delegates, aspirants, and stakeholders are advised to participate only through the officially recognised NEC channels at all levels,” the statement said.
Ogga warned that any parallel congresses, conventions, primaries, or delegate processes organised outside the NEC framework would be considered null and void.
“Only delegates, nominations, resolutions, and primary results emerging from NEC-approved processes will be recognised and binding for the 2027 general elections,” he added.
The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) has confirmed the abduction of two of its staff members in Ogun State, raising concerns over security along the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode corridor.
In a statement issued on Monday in Ibadan, the company said the incident occurred on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, along the Ibadan–Ijebu Ode road. The identities of the affected staff were not disclosed
IBEDC expressed concern over the development and said efforts were ongoing to secure the safe release of the victims.
“We are deeply concerned about this situation, and our thoughts are with our colleagues and their families at this difficult time,” the company said.
The firm stated that it is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted workers and is also in contact with their families.
“IBEDC is working closely with relevant security agencies to ensure the safe return of the affected staff. We are also in active engagement with their families, providing the necessary support,” it added.
The company declined to provide further details, citing the sensitivity of the incident and ongoing rescue efforts. It assured that updates would be provided.
FOREIGN REPORT
Hezbollah’s leader on Monday condemned Israel’s operations in Lebanon amid a fragile ceasefire, repeating the group’s rejection of direct negotiations between the Israeli and Lebanese governments.
Israel has kept up deadly strikes on Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire that sought to halt more than six weeks of war between its military and Hezbollah, with both sides accusing the other of violating the truce.
In Lebanon’s south near the Israeli border, the Israeli army has also demolished buildings and prevented residents of dozens of towns from returning.
“There is no ceasefire in Lebanon, but a continuous Israeli-American aggression,” Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said in a written statement broadcast by the al-Manar TV channel, which is affiliated with the Iran-backed militant group.
“Lebanon is the victim of aggression, and it is Lebanon that needs guarantees for its security and sovereignty” from Israel, he added.
He criticised the direct talks, saying they put Lebanon “under tutelage”, and instead called for diplomacy that leads to an end to the war that began on March 2.
“Direct negotiations are a gratuitous concession, without results,” he said.
“So do not betray the resistance.”
SPORTS REPORT
Villarreal coach Marcelino will leave at the end of the season despite guiding the Yellow Submarines into next season’s Champions League, the club announced on Monday.
It is the second year running that the 2021 Europa League winners have qualified for Europe’s top club competition, but Marcelino was unable to agree to an extension with the club, according to local press.
The 60-year-old Spaniard is in his second spell at the club, having coached Villarreal from 2013-16 and then rejoined the team in 2023.
He took the team away from the relegation zone in 2023/24 and up to an eighth-placed finish, and the following season led Villarreal to fifth and Champions League qualification.
Their 5-1 thrashing of Levante on Saturday ensured a top-four finish — they are currently third — and a second consecutive Champions League appearance for the first time.