Vice President Kashim Shettima has summoned the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman and board members of the commission for a meeting today at the Vice President’s Conference Room.

A letter of invitation sighted by Daily Trust, and signed by Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Office of the Vice President, Sen. Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, revealed that the meeting slated for today was to brief the Vice President on preparation for the 2055 Hajj and outstanding issues.

It could be recalled that the chairman and the non-executive board members of the commission have been having issues on lack of inclusion in some decisions made by the chairman for the preparation of the 2025 Hajj.

This culminated into a petition to the Vice President who warned the chairman to stop running the affairs of the commission as a sole administrator.

Death toll from the multiple attacks carried out by armed invaders on communities in Benue State has risen to 72.

This followed the recovery of 13 more bodies from the attacks on Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.

During his Easter remark in Makurdi, on Sunday, Governor Hyacinth Alia had acknowledged a total recovery of 59 bodies

However, the discovery of more bodies from surrounding bushes of the troubled communities increased the fatalities.

Principal Special Assistant (PSA) to Benue Governor on Media and Content Creation, Isaac Uzaan, who gave the update, said the bodies were found in both attacked local government areas.

The Acting Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Robinson Ewor has made an allegation against the All Progressives Congress and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Ewor alleged that Wike is working with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to sabotage the PDP from within.

Speaking during a live appearance on Arise News on Monday, 21 April 2025, Ewor claimed that Wike’s actions and affiliations clearly indicate he is no longer a true member of the PDP, alleging that the former governor is being funded by the APC to destabilise both the party at the national level and the Rivers State chapter ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ewor explained that the party experienced no internal troubles before the 2023 general elections until Wike lost his presidential ambition and subsequently failed to clinch the vice-presidential ticket.

According to him, Wike’s personal disappointment triggered the crisis that later engulfed the party.

First and foremost, PDP had no issues preparatory to the 2023 general elections. Wike, the current FCT minister, wanted to be the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And he submitted himself to the primaries of the party. But Atiku won the party ticket. Thereafter, Wike wanted to be the vice president. Because Atiku did not pick him to be the vice presidential candidate, Wike started the crisis in PDP,” Ewor stated.

He added that Wike spearheaded the formation of the G5 group, which he claims had one mission: to damage the PDP’s chances at the polls.

“This was the genesis of the crisis in PDP: First, because Wike lost the presidential ticket. Second, Atiku Abubakar did not pick him as a vice presidential ticket,” Ewor explained.

He started the crisis in PDP and formed what we call, what Nigerians know as G5. What does the G5 stand for? Destroy PDP. Ensure that Atiku Abubakar did not win the election. That was what the G5 stand for. Today, the party has moved beyond the 2023 general election.”

On Wike’s continued interference in PDP affairs, Ewor questioned the logic of advising a party he is “busy destroying.”

Wike is no longer in the party. How do you advise a party you are no longer a member? How do you advise a people you are busy destroying? How do you advise a party that you are at the forefront of bringing it down?” Ewor queried.

“The crisis we find today in PDP is not because the PDP is in crisis. It is because the FCT minister is on a mission to destroy the party. He is on a mission to destroy the party. And he has started it in River State.”