Bolaji Abdullahi, a former minister of sports and youth development, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He disclosed his intention to resign in a letter dated December 16 and addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Ubadawaki, Kwara state.

Abdullahi confirmed the development to TheCable on Monday.

The ex-minister also said he is yet to decide which political platform to pitch tent with.

“The decision of what to do and where to go will be taken in the future that’s left to God,” he said.

In the resignation letter, Abdullahi said he reached the “difficult” decision after days of reflection and introspection.

“I write to formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),” the letter reads.

“I have had ample time to reflect, and I have come to the difficult conclusion that this is the only tenable option for me at this time.

“Mr. Chairman, please permit me to express, through you, my gratitude to the leadership of the party for the opportunities that I have had to serve the state and the country on its platform, and for the great moments we have shared.”

Abdullahi was the PDP candidate for the Kwara central senatorial district election in 2023. He lost the race to Salihu Mustapha of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ibrahim Kashim has resigned as secretary to the state government (SSG) Bauchi.

NAN reports that Mukhtar Gidado, media aide to Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi, announced Kashim’s resignation in a statement on Friday.

Gidado said the Bauchi governor has accepted the resignation, adding that Aminu Gamawa, the chief of staff, will temporarily take up the role of acting SSG.

“Governor Bala Mohammed has accepted the resignation of the secretary to the state government, Mr. Ibrahim Kashim, with immediate effect,” the statement reads.

“The chief of staff, government house, Bauchi, Mr. Aminu Gamawa, has been directed to take over from him in an acting capacity.

“Governor Mohammed, on behalf of the government and the people of Bauchi state, thanked him for the services he rendered to the state and wished him well in his future endeavours.”

Kashim was appointed SSG in 2019, but he resigned during the build-up to the 2023 elections.

Bamidele Salam, chairman of the house of representatives committee on public accounts, has called for increased participation of Nigerian women in politics.

Speaking during the visit of Grace Ike, first female chairperson of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the federal capital territory (FCT), Salam said Nigeria needs to do better on the inclusivity front.

He said the country should emulate the likes of Rwanda, with 60 percent of members of parliament being women; and Kenya, with about 50 percent women in parliament.

Salam added that Nigeria should make deliberate efforts to ensure that more women participate in politics and governance. The legislator said merit and capacity to deliver are not exclusive to a particular gender.

In her remarks, Ike said her leadership is committed to strengthening the relationship between the media and the legislature.

She said the NUJ recognises the critical role that the house public accounts committee plays in ensuring that public funds are judiciously utilised.

“We believe that a strong and independent media is essential to a functioning democracy, and we are committed to playing our part in promoting good governance,” she said.