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Rivers Political Turmoil: Oseni Says Fubara Impeachment Bid Shows Tinubu Can’t Protect APC Governors

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President Bola Tinubu has been encouraged by Arise Television personality Rufai Oseni to prevent the impeachment of Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara from proceeding.

Oseni revealed that the impeachment of Fubara is an indictment of Tinubu’s failure to defend governors on the All Progressives Congress, or APC, platform.

“If Fubara is impeached, then it’s a big indictment on President Tinubu’s ability to protect APC governors,” Oseni posted on Facebook.

Additionally, this impeachment notice invalidates the claim made by government authorities that the state of emergency was necessary to save Fubara.

“President Tinubu’s state of emergency did not save Fubara because an impeachment is still pending despite the state of emergency, no peace, and no settlement.

Right now, there is no doubt that Wike is in the lead in this battle. President Tinubu is 50, Wike 100.

Will President Tinubu be able to prevent Wike from harming Fubara? Is President Tinubu going to support Fubara?

Will the Chief Judge carry out the procedure? Does the court’s order stand?

Will Wike join the opposition and work against Tinubu? We’ll see in time.

Araraume Declares Support for Tinubu’s Re-Election

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reelection is supported by Senator Ifeanyi Araraume.

Speaking to reporters at his country home in the Isiebu community in the Isiala Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, Araraume asserted that Tinubu has the constitutional right to run for a second term and that the president has done a good job and should be given an additional four years to complete current reforms.

Araraume praised the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda in a statement signed by Jimmy Enyeh, the lawmaker’s media assistant. He described it as a transformative framework that will positively influence Nigeria’s development.

“First, by directing the funds to the two levels of government, President Tinubu eliminated the subsidy and put an end to subsidy scams, something that some of his predecessors were unable to accomplish. The money should be used by the subnationals for the benefit of the populace at large.

Araraume also stated that the president pushed for the nation’s Local Government (LG) autonomy and forced state governors to abide by a Supreme Court decision requiring direct funding to councils.

According to Mr. President, it is essential for genuine federalism, improved service delivery, and grassroots development. If the governors don’t comply, he said, the federal government will step in.

“This is another victory for Mr. President because it has highlighted financial independence, enabling LGs to manage funds directly without intervention from the state—a crucial step in enabling them to effectively address local needs.”

“President Tinubu’s reforms are repositioning our country for sustainable growth and stability,” Araraume added.

He emphasized the administration’s major policy accomplishments, including economic revival, the unification of exchange rates to stabilize the financial system, and the introduction of new tax measures to increase the national income base and streamline the budgetary framework.

Araraume also highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s social investment initiative.

“The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) was established to expand youth initiatives, strengthen social intervention programs, and encourage access to higher education.”

He emphasized that Nigeria is not a one-party state and warned against what he called false narratives about the country’s political system and the ruling party.

He claims that Nigeria is a multiparty democracy with over 40 registered political parties, a phenomenon that amply demonstrates political pluralism and democratic freedom.

Every Nigerian has the right to join any political party they choose, according to Araraume, who also noted that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) were not persuaded or compelled to join.

He clarified that political realignments are not new in the nation, pointing out that such moves had place during the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) era.

According to Araraume, the APC operates as a single family, working together at the federal, state, and local levels of government. The party is still in support of President Tinubu’s reelection campaign.

He said that the APC has started an electronic registration process, encouraging new members to sign up and asking current members to verify their membership.

Speaking on Imo State, Araraume stated that Governor Hope Uzodimma is now serving out his last term and expressed confidence in the ability and acceptability of the candidate the party chooses.

Although there is always space for improvement in governance, he added that the party would support its final candidates at all state levels and that any flaws found would be constructively handled.

Recalling his involvement in Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign, Araraume stated that the president had appointed him as national director of trade and economy for Southern Nigeria, which included the South East, South South, and South West. He added that Tinubu would perform even better if given another chance.

Judges Appointment: Allegations In Petition Against CSP Blessing Nkechi Ezeala, Others, Frivolous, Unfounded, Group Tells NJC, FJSC, Others

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The Africa Centre For Good Governance And Corruption Free Communities has called on the National Judicial Council, NJC, and the Federal Judicial Service, FJSC, to to be mindful of conspiracy and frivolous petitions against nominees for the appointnent judges to Federal High Court.

The group said the allegations in petition against CSP Blessing Nkechi Ezeala and others before the NJC and the FJSC are frivolous, unfounded.

The group said it is in possession of the petition written against Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Blessing Nkechi Ezeala, who was accused of compromise in the discharge of her duties, asking why it was leaked to the media, if it was not for conspiracy purpose.

The group, in a statement, Sunday, told the judicial bodies to investigate how some petitions against the nominees leaked to the media and should not be considered.

According to the Convener of the group,
Temitope Olubunmi Joseph, the NJC should invoke it’s rules on leaked petitions by discarding them.

The group said, “Our organisation is in possession of the petition against Blessing Nkechi Ezeala and we can confidently confirm that the petition against Blessing Nkechi Ezeala was leaked to the media with an already prepared news report on Sunday, December 28, 2025 at about 3pm.

“Again, at this point, may we ask, what is motive of the petitioner by leaking the petition to the media. We would have thought that since the petition had been submitted to the relevant judicial bodies and individuals, the petitioner would have left it there and allow them to take a look at it and consider it one way or the other.

“We challenge the petitioner to prove some the allegations contained in the petition”.

He said the NJC, the FJSC and other relevant judical bodies should bear in mind that once members of the public are called upon to make comments and observations about an individual for an exalted position, such as was done by the FJSC, all manner of allegations will be flying, both true and untrue.

He said thorough investigations should be conducted on petitions submitted against nominees to ascertain those with genuine case amd those that are frivolous.

“We make bold to say that the sole aim of leaking the petitions was to paint CSP Nkechi Blessing Ezeala and others black in the eyes of the members of the public.

“A move our organisation condemn in its entirety and we call on the the NJC and other bodies in line with its National Judicial Policy and Judicial Discipline Regulations of Nigeria to discard the petition against CSP Nkechi Blessing Ezeala, and others, having been leaked to the public.

“Our organisation has reliably gathered that some very powerful forces have ganged up and are bent on stopping CSP Blessing Nkechi Ezeala, from being appointed to the position of a Judge of the Federal Republic of Nigeria based on enforcement of judgment of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory over a property in Wuse, Abuja, for which the Petitioner grossly violated the Order of Court by forcefully regaining possession of the property after he was evicted by the Court, which led to his lawful arrest by the Police.

“The petitioner failed to show that the CSP compromised in the discharge of her duty or that the investigation conducted by the Inspector General of Police into the case found her culpable. If the FJSC considered the Petition, would it not have asked for the Police investigation report on the case? Adopting the leaked Petition and allegations of the petitioner, without thorough investigation, clearly supports the theory of grand conspiracy against the CSP”, he also said.

It would be recalled that based on the National Judicial Policy and Judicial Discipline Regulations of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council (NJC) generally will not look into or will discontinue a petition that has been leaked to the public or discussed in the media. The NJC policy emphasizes strict confidentiality to protect the integrity of the judiciary and the reputation of judicial officers against frivolous or malicious complaints.

“The NJC, the FJSC, and other relevant judicial bodies should particularly, be concerned and careful in considering the petitions made against nominees because not only are the petitions full of falsehood against the nominees, they were also deliberately leaked to the public, particularly, the media to tarnish and stop the process for the appointment of some of the nominees.

“From our investigation, since the FJSC published the names of the nominees and called for public comments, and observations on the nominees, many interested Nigerians and organisations have filed petitions to the NJC, FJSC and other relevant bodies.

“Our organisation was able to lay our hands on one of such petitions to the FJSC, NJC and other judicial bodies, which was filed against a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Blessing Nkechi Ezeala.

“In the petition dated September 22, 2025, signed by Sanni Abass Esq., on behalf of his client, one Alhaji Abubakar Yahaya, CSP Blessing Nkechi Ezeala, whom from our investigation has been a very dutiful officer, who carries out her duties without fear or favour, was said to have compromised in the discharge of her duty.

“Like we observed earlier, the petitions are full of lies and was deliberately leaked to the public and the media to paint CSP Blessing Nkechi Ezeala and other nominees with similar petitions in bad light”, the group emphasized.

Wike’s Aide Lere Mocks Fubara, Tells Him ‘If You Can’t Play Politics, Stay with Your Wife

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Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, has been compared as a weak politician by Lere Olayinka, a media assistant to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike. Olayinka cited the governor’s failure to get the support of at least 12 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly after two years.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Lere stated that the governor should return home and live with his wife if he is incapable of playing politics.

Lere described how the former governor of Ekiti State handled the confrontation between the assembly members and the governor as soon as he took office.

He claims that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held just one of the 26 seats in the state House of Assembly when Fayose was elected governor in 2014, but the then-governor quickly altered the perception.

By the time Fayose “was being sworn in on October 16, 2014, the PDP had seven members of the House of Assembly, with two more APC lawmakers working with him underground,” he claimed. How did Fayose persuade six members of the APC House of Assembly to defect to the PDP?

“Nine members of the House of Assembly are needed in Ekiti to form a quorum to sit, and Fayose obtained the necessary number.”

However, a member of the House of Assembly in Rivers State is unable to win over 12 of the 32 members.

He chose to designate one of the four as his Chief of Staff, bringing the total down to three, rather than searching for eight more.

“How logical? Go home and stay with your wife if you are incapable of engaging in politics.

Defence Minister Musa: Nigerian Government Won’t Negotiate Ransom with Kidnappers

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General Christopher Musa, the minister of defense, has reiterated that the federal government does not negotiate with terrorist organizations or kidnappers or pay ransom to them.

In an interview with BBC Hausa, Musa clarified that reliable intelligence and prompt action are key factors in the military’s rescue efforts.

He claims that paying ransom to criminal organizations just makes the issue worse.

“The government doesn’t pay ransom to save people from terrorists.” The people who make these payments are individuals. The military always intervenes when a kidnapping occurs.

“I oppose paying ransom because once kidnappers and terrorists realize money is guaranteed, more people will be drawn into such crimes,” he stated.

He emphasized that the government does not pay ransom to ensure the release of kidnapped people, pointing out that private individuals typically make such payments.

Musa went on to say that the military reacts quickly to kidnapping events.

“In many instances, our forces enter the place after we determine its position. He claimed that the abductors frequently escape into the bush, leaving their victims behind, who subsequently recover.

The defense minister addressed worries about terrorists’ ongoing activities by explaining that Nigeria’s large geography makes it easy for criminal organizations to shift anytime security forces step up operations in a particular area.

This nation is quite big. He said, “Terrorists just relocate when troops crack down on one area.

In order to prevent terrorists from entering the nation, Musa also stressed the significance of bolstering border security, which includes building barriers.

He stated that in order to guarantee appropriate documents, the government is dedicated to keeping an eye on those arriving from nearby countries.

He claimed that border walls will aid in preventing the smuggling of illicit goods and stop criminals from entering the nation to launch attacks and flee.

Police Give Reasons for Halting Rape Investigation Linked to Chris Okafor

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The Lagos State Police Command has revealed the rationale behind the temporary suspension of the several rape accusations against well-known preacher Chris Okafor.

According to reports, Olohundare Jimoh, the Commissioner of Police, had already directed an inquiry into the accusations made against Okafor.

He ordered the troubled clergyman to report to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti and subsequently revealed that the case had been forwarded to Sylvester Alabi, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, for additional action.

However, the command’s spokesman, Abimbola Adebisi, gave an update on the situation and stated that the investigation was stopped because the police-invited complainants did not show up.

Additionally, she stated that while the Zone 2 Command was managing the case under the direction of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, the command could not conduct a concurrent investigation.

“There has not been further investigation from the command,” she said.

He was invited, but I’m not sure if you know that. We found out that he had comparable requests, which are still being looked into, when they came around. So we were told to stop by the CP. We will reopen ours once theirs in Zone 2 is finished.

Additionally, none of the complainants we have been contacting have shown up. As of right now, we are not moving forward. We’re not pressuring the complainants any more. All we do is wait. After Zone 2 is finished, we’ll wait to see what happens. And the next course of action will be known to us. On his own initiative, he was freed to go to Zone 2 for additional inquiry.

Tense Moments in Lagos: Qatar Airways Plane Makes Emergency Landing, 248 Passengers Safe

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A Qatar Airways plane carrying 248 passengers and 12 crew members had to make an emergency landing at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Friday due to a mechanical issue.

Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), said in a statement that the aircraft experienced a malfunction while in Nigerian airspace, requiring the emergency landing.

LASEMA clarified that a distress call was received over its toll-free emergency lines, 767/112. When the LASEMA Response Team, LRT, arrived on the site, they verified that the aircraft was in difficulty.

“With the LASEMA Response Team and other emergency responders on high alert on the runway, the pilot made a safe arrival at Murtala Mohammed International Airport.

Coordinated efforts were made by the multi-agency responders. The aircraft was brought to the apron for a thorough inspection and timely repairs following a thorough review by the pilot and the engineering team.

“Everyone on board the distressed aircraft was safely evacuated; no injuries or fatalities were reported,” the statement stated.

The agency reported that there was no significant damage to the aircraft, despite the technical problem and the emergency landing.

“The airplane is now safely on the apron. The statement also stated, “Recovery activities have been finished.

IS-Sahel Terrorists Kill Four Accused Idol Worshippers, Sorcerers

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In northeastern Burkina Faso, the terrorist group Islamic State Sahel, or IS-Sahel, has killed two sorcerers and four “idol worshippers.”

Brant Philip, a security expert in the Sahel, claimed that the terrorist group had previously published a picture of three JNIM fighters being executed.

Additionally, two Burkinabe fighters and one Nigerian militiaman were killed in the picture.

Phillip claims that they were all slain simultaneously in the vicinity of Ley Seno in northeastern Burkina Faso.

He said, “IS-Sahel also executed two sorcerers and four ‘idol worshippers’ in the same area of northeast Burkina Faso.”

According to the terrorists, “these last two were killed by sword, after their appearance in front of the IS-Sahel ‘judiciary office/court.”

On Tuesday, suspected bandits raided Kabe village in Niger State’s Borgu local government area, killing Hajiya Amina Adamu, an 85-year-old woman, and taking local villagers’ food.

Additionally, people of Turan District in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, were devastated once more after two farmers were killed and multiple villages were abandoned in a horrific attack by suspected armed herders.

According to reports, the most recent violence began in Imande Avur on Wednesday afternoon and spread to the neighboring settlements of Abande and Mbaikyor.

Nigeria’s Local Petrol Supply Climbs to 64% as Dangote Refinery Scales Up

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In December 2025, Nigeria’s domestic Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also referred to as petrol supply, averaged 32.01 million liters per day (MLD), up from 19.5 MLD previously. Dangote Refinery contributed 5.783 MLD at up to 71% capacity utilization.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) published a December 2025 data sheet on Thursday that details notable advancements in fuel delivery, refinery operations, and stock sufficiency across important products.

According to independent reports, the increase was caused by improved performance by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), NNPC, and Dangote Petroleum Refinery Products (DPRP), which increased national PMS sufficiency to 29 days, the highest level in more than a year.

With inland stocks at 25.1 days and marine at 4.2 days, sufficiency increased by 77% from November.

Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) at 2.7 MLD (vs. 3 MLD), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) at 16.4 MLD (vs. 14 MLD), PMS at 63.7 MLD (vs. 50 MLD), and LPG at 4,380 metric tonnes per day (mtd) (vs. 3,900 mtd) all had average daily truck-outs that were higher than standards.

The levels of sufficiency were 25 days for AGO, 20 days for ATK, 8 days for LPG, and 51 days for LPFO (low pour fuel oil).

PMS sufficiency peaked at 29.2 total days in December 2025, according to trends from October 2024 to December 2025, indicating supply chain stabilization.

While AGO remained shut down after May 2025, Dangote Refinery had an average capacity utilization of 64.02%, delivering the projected PMS supply.

Train 2 (5,000 barrels per stream day) at Waltersmith Refinery finished pre-commissioning and is scheduled to introduce hydrocarbons in January 2026; Train 1 ran at 63.24% utilization for 13 days, supplying 0.051 MLD AGO.

Modular refineries with OPAC and Duport offline, such as Edo (85.43% utilization, 0.052 MLD AGO) and Aradel (53.89%, 0.289 MLD AGO), totaling 0.392 MLD AGO.

One construction license and one new refinery establishment license were issued by NMDPRA.

The average daily supply of wholesale gas was 4.787 billion standard cubic feet (Bscf/d), with 2.912 Bscf/d going to Nigeria LNG (NLNG), 1.875 Bscf/d going domestically (0.586 Bscf/d to electricity, 0.430 Bscf/d to industries), and 0.569 Bscf/d going abroad.

Gbaran-Ubie at 86.36%, Soku at 105.69%, and NLNG Trains 1-6 at 82.67% all shown strong utilization.

The domestic supply of LPG reached 5,201 mtd, with retail rates per kilogram ranging from N1,120 to N1,600.

The indicative PMS pump prices (at N1,450.97/USD NFEM rate, Brent at $62.68/bbl) varied from N832.31 (Lagos) to N900.49 (Maiduguri), whilst the actual averages for all cities were between N861 and N935, with a maximum of N975.

These numbers highlight market dynamics in the face of increased domestic output and reduced imports.

Peter Obi Not Seen as Formidable Opposition to Tinubu in 2027 — Segun Sowunmi

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Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi is not a formidable opponent of President Bola Tinubu in the next 2027 general elections, according to Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sowunmi made this statement on Thursday while answering questions during an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” show.

“Those in positions of power at the governor’s level in the Southeast were not that inspiring,” he declared. You must return and take a look at the individuals now seated.

“A few of them are fulfilling their assignments and values. None of them can defeat Obi in such a manner if they are inspiring leaders. That’s not the case.

“We started that movement because we thought we should be able to break through the glass ceiling so our brothers in the Southeast could finish it.”

“Unfortunately, many people pushed back because he was unable to control the excessive bigotry, anger, and argument.”