Former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains a formidable political force despite ongoing internal crises.

Saraki made the remarks on Thursday while speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he dismissed claims that the opposition party had lost relevance.

Responding to insinuations that the PDP is “dead and buried”, Saraki said such perceptions are largely driven by elite political disagreements rather than the reality at the grassroots.

“When you stay here in Abuja, you might say that because of the noise that comes out from the leaders having their disagreement. But when you go out to the states, and you go into the grassroots in different states, you’ll find that PDP is still very, very strong,” he said.

Using Kwara State as an example, the former governor explained that feedback from party stakeholders and grassroots members continues to reflect strong loyalty to the PDP.

“People still have this love and this affiliation for PDP… So yes, there is a lot of noise. But across the country, PDP is still a household name. Is it sellable? It is sellable, very sellable, not only in Kwara, but across the board,” he added.

On internal party matters, Saraki disclosed that although he initially opposed the PDP convention held in Ibadan, he later allowed delegates from Kwara State to participate after assurances that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would be present to ensure legitimacy.

He, however, noted that the commission did not attend, stressing that the exercise ought to have been halted under such circumstances. Saraki maintained that his position was guided by principle and the need to uphold due process within the party.

The former Senate President also dismissed rumours suggesting he was considering defection to the All Progressives Congress or other political platforms, reaffirming his commitment to the PDP. He explained that his recent low profile was due to his decision not to contest in upcoming elections, rather than any loss of interest in party affairs.

Saraki further confirmed his intention to attend the party’s forthcoming national convention and urged members to do the same in a bid to strengthen internal cohesion.

Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, he advocated for an inclusive and balanced approach to leadership selection within the party. According to him, the PDP presidential ticket should be zoned to the South, while the national chairman position should be allocated to the North-Central region to ensure equity.

He acknowledged that the party’s current challenges have set it back but expressed optimism that the crisis could ultimately strengthen its prospects if properly managed. Saraki also warned against the dangers of a one-party state, noting that a strong opposition remains vital to Nigeria’s democracy.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has reduced its gantry price for premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, to ₦1,200 per litre.

Disclosing this in a statement sighted by Channels Television on Friday, the spokesperson for the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, said the refinery pegged its coastal price at ₦1,153 per litre, a development expected to reshape fuel supply costs across Nigeria’s downstream distribution chain.

According to him, the price adjustment represents a downward review in the refinery’s pricing template.

This comes at a time of heightened uncertainty in the global oil market, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

“Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has reduced its gantry price for petrol to ₦1,200 per litre and its coastal price to ₦1,153 per litre, a move that comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East that continue to influence global oil markets.

“The adjustment marks a downward review in the refinery’s pricing structure and is expected to influence fuel supply costs across distribution channels, including depots and retail outlets,” Chiejina stated.

The price drop reflects a decrease of ₦75 from the previous rate of ₦1,275 per litre.

The refinery had recently increased its petrol price from ₦1,175 per litre to ₦1,245 per litre.

Chiejina maintained that the “price adjustment represents a downward review in the refinery’s ex-depot pricing and is expected to ripple across Nigeria’s downstream sector, potentially easing supply costs for marketers and influencing pump prices at retail outlets.

He added that lower ex-depot prices typically translate into reduced pump prices.”

The spokesman expressed worry that the “Middle East crisis has introduced renewed uncertainty into global oil markets, affecting shipping routes, insurance premiums, and supply chains”.

“For Nigeria, the presence of large-scale local refining capacity is increasingly seen as a stabilising factor, offering some insulation from external shocks even as global market pressures persist,” he added.

With the new ₦1,200 per litre rate, marketers are expected to recalibrate their landing costs, especially those sourcing locally instead of importing.

Similarly, the coastal price of ₦1,153 per litre is expected to affect marine deliveries to coastal depots, providing an alternative supply route for distributors operating in southern corridors.

Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court has discharged a former minister of aviation, Stella Oduah, of a ₦2.5 billion fraud charge.

The court also discharged Gloria Odita, a former aide to Oduah.

Justice Muazu ordered their discharge after the prosecution said it had discontinued the case against them based on a plea bargain agreement reached by the parties.

The prosecution, however, retained two companies linked to the former minister — Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore and Marine Limited — as defendants in an amended charge.

Counsel for the Federal Government, Rotimi Oyedepo, said the prosecution reviewed the case in light of the agreement and proceeded against the companies, which were accused of benefiting from the alleged fraud.

In the amended two-count charge, Sobora International Limited was accused of being unlawfully in possession of ₦838 million, while Global Offshore and Marine Limited allegedly possessed ₦1.629 billion.

Following a guilty plea entered on behalf of the companies, Oyedepo urged the court to convict them and order their winding up.

He also asked the judge to order the forfeiture of ₦1.2 billion paid as restitution, contained in a bank draft submitted before the court, as well as ₦780 million recovered during the investigation.

Counsel for the defendants, Onyechi Ikpeazu and Wale Balogun, did not oppose the application.

In his ruling, Muazu convicted the two companies based on their guilty plea and ordered that they be wound up.

He further directed that the ₦1.2 billion restitution and the ₦780 million recovered during the investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government.

The judge also struck out the earlier charge dated October 13, 2025, which included Oduah and Odita as defendants, effectively discharging both of them from the case.

Oduah and Odita were arraigned in December 2025 by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation on a five-count charge bordering on alleged fraud, obtaining by false pretence, and criminal breach of trust.

The prosecution had alleged that the defendants conspired in January 2014 to obtain ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources Nigeria Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited under alleged fraudulent claims.

The offences were said to contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act and are punishable under Section 1(3).

The defendants had initially pleaded not guilty before the plea bargain was reached.