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ADC Condemns Tinubu Over NNPC Debt Cancellation as ‘Unconstitutional’

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ADC Condemns Tinubu Over NNPC Debt Cancellation as ‘Unconstitutional’

President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to waive legacy debts owed to the Federation Account by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has been denounced by the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The party denounced the executive action, which involves removing over $1.42 billion (USD) and N5.57 trillion (NGN) in legacy NNPC loans from public records, in a statement released on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi.

According to reports, the order handles commitments resulting from production sharing arrangements, domestic supply obligations, royalty receivables, and other legacy accounts. It covers outstanding liabilities accumulating up to December 31, 2024.

According to the ADC, 88% of legacy balances denominated in naira and approximately 96% of legacy commitments denominated in dollars were wiped off by executive decree without the consent of the legislature or constitutional authority.

According to the party, the rationale of “reconciliation” is insufficient to supersede the constitutional mandates for revenue sharing.

Executive discretion has no bearing on the Federation Account. The statement said, “No President, including this one, has the unilateral authority to cancel revenues that are constitutionally due.”

“It is unconstitutional for any cancellation to lower revenue owed to State and Local Governments without legislative authority.”

The National Assembly’s approval of the action, according to the party, amounts to “active collusion or willful surrender.”

The ADC claims that such acts violate the Constitution and may give rise to impeachment proceedings.

“President Tinubu has consistently broken the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Constitution.”

Abdullahi underlined, “The Federation Account belongs to all tiers of government and cannot be subject to the Federal Executive or the President’s discretion.”

Stressing that Nigeria is a country of laws, not of men, the ADC has urged all pertinent authorities to defend the Constitution and safeguard the interests of states and local governments.

NAF Airstrikes Deal Heavy Blow to Terrorist Networks in North-East and North-West

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NAF Airstrikes Deal Heavy Blow to Terrorist Networks in North-East and North-West

According to the Nigerian Air Force, through a series of planned, intelligence-led missions, its soldiers have maintained an unremitting air interdiction campaign against terrorist elements.

The joint task forces of Operations HADIN KAI and FASAN YAMMA SECTOR 2 conducted the operations throughout the North-East and North-West, according to a statement from Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information, Headquarters, Nigerian Air Force.

“Acting on actionable intelligence on terrorist intent, movement, and logistics, NAF air assets were decisively employed to strike identified hideouts, movement routes, and assembly areas,” the statement said.

It added that well hidden terrorist enclaves at Abirma and Chiralia within the Timbuktu Triangle were the target of multiple precision strikes in the North-East theater.

Targeted buildings were demolished by the strikes, and numerous secondary explosions were seen, which was an obvious sign that explosive stocks and vital supplies had been eliminated.

The statement said, “Further interdiction operations at Guva in the Mandara Mountains further dismantled terrorist storage and coordination nodes, severely degrading their ability to regroup, resupply, or mount attacks during the festive period and beyond.”

According to the statement, the campaign was concurrently expanded into the North-West with a decisive air interdiction mission around Karaduwa Giginya Na in Katsina State’s Matazu Local Government Area. The mission tracked terrorist movement on large motorcycle convoys and engaged them at a forested convergence point.

Nigerian Depot Owners Hike Fuel Prices Ahead of Dangote Refinery Maintenance

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Nigerian Depot Owners Hike Fuel Prices Ahead of Dangote Refinery Maintenance

Due to the purported planned closure of Dangote Refinery’s petrol unit for maintenance and upgrades, a number of Nigerian petroleum product depot owners and marketers have raised their ex-depot petrol prices.

Major depot owners are now selling for about N800 per liter, up from between N740 and N780, according to a Saturday check. In contrast, Dangote and Aiteo sold N702 and N740 per liter, respectively, in Ranoil, Optima, AYM Shafa, and other depots.

The Dangote Refinery’s announced planned turnaround maintenance is connected to the most recent increase in ex-depot prices.

According to Platts (S&P Global), Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Dangote Industries, gave the following explanation of the plan: “In most departments, our production levels have gone beyond 100 percent.” To increase overall output, we only need to remove limitations.

As of Saturday afternoon, retail petrol rates at Nigeria’s main filling stations ranged from N739 to N910 per liter.

Harrison Gwamnishu Apologizes to Nigerians Over Poor Resource Management

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Harrison Gwamnishu Apologizes to Nigerians Over Poor Resource Management

In response to recent accusations that he stole ₦5 million from the ransom intended to free a kidnapped couple in Edo State, Nigerian activist Harrison Gwamnishu has publicly apologized.

Recall that Harrison, who was well-known for helping rescue victims of kidnapping, was detained in December 2025 after being charged with taking a portion of the ransom. On December 19, 2025, the Edo State High Court granted him bail.

Many people, especially social media critic VeryDarkMan, have been criticizing Harrison since his release for allegedly accepting money from people to assist them in resolving their cases but not fulfilling his commitments.

Amid the controversy, Harrison Gwamnishu acknowledged in an Instagram post on Saturday that he had failed to manage the resources provided to him for kidnapping cases.

Additionally, Harrison Gwamnishu acknowledged his error and begged everyone to give him some time to make a refund.

“Good morning. My name is Harrison Gwamnishu,” he said. Today is January 3, 2026, and I’m here to apologize to everyone I may have harmed through the films I’ve created, the postings I’ve published, or in any other manner while performing my duties. With everything going on, you will see that I’m not very good with dragging personalities, and I truly apologize for that.

“I have committed errors. I acknowledge my errors. I have made mistakes in performing my duties and job. I truly apologize for my lack of accountability in handling the resources that may have been assigned to me in certain situations. The woman gave me N600,000 to complete her work, which I completed independently and without consulting her. I’m sorry that someone sent me the money; I think she had faith in me. I apologize, Madame Tudja.

And once Franklin got in touch with me to ask for help with the case, I handed it over to someone. You are aware that we talked about it and the payment schedule. I began paying you on a monthly basis in November, and I have already paid for December and January. Regardless of how difficult it is for me, I will clear all of this money.

“I apologize to anyone I may have offended.” Please DM me if you can, and I assure you that everything will be taken care of. I’m the one who’s wearing the sneaker, I made mistakes, and I’m the one going out right now to apologize to everyone who could find this offensive. It indicates that it’s time for me to apologize when those who supported me while I was incarcerated come out to declare they are no longer with me.

“And I’m here to express my regret to Verydarkman. You have my utmost respect. I have never thought of you as a horrible person since day one. You’ve done a great deal for both me and Nigerians. In the past, you have occasionally contacted me and said, “Someone made a complaint; see how to resolve it.” Even if I made an effort to fix it, I may not have handled it effectively. Thank you for speaking on behalf of Nigerians as well.

US Announces Charges Against Venezuela’s President Maduro

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US Announces Charges Against Venezuela’s President Maduro

Following what President Donald Trump referred to as a massive military assault against the South American nation, the United States on Saturday announced charges against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro related to drug trafficking and terrorism.

Maduro and his wife, who were already expelled from Venezuela by the US military, according to Washington, “will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi wrote on X.

Bondi remembered that the Maduros were charged with “Narco-Terrorism Conspiracy, Cocaine Importation Conspiracy” before a federal court in New York.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump revealed the development, stating that Maduro had been taken prisoner by American forces and flown out of Venezuela.

“Venezuela’s leader, President Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country after the United States of America successfully carried out a large-scale strike against him and his wife,” Trump tweeted.

The operation was executed in cooperation with U.S. law enforcement organizations, he continued.

He said, “U.S. Law Enforcement was involved in this operation.”

Additionally, Trump declared that he will discuss the issue in more detail during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida at 11:00 a.m. (1600 GMT).

Trump’s two-week Christmas and New Year’s holiday at the resort is coming to a close when the news is made.

Additional information about the allegations and the operation’s circumstances was not immediately made public.

Uzodimma Meets Otti, Shares Details of High-Level Discussion

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Uzodimma Meets Otti, Shares Details of High-Level Discussion

Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State and chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, visited Alex Otti, the governor of Abia State, and stated that the visit was not politically driven.

Just three days had passed since Henry Ikoh, a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and an ally of Uzodimma, had visited Otti and commended him for his progress in Abia State.

Speaking to reporters following the visit, Uzodimma brushed off suggestions of political scheming, characterizing it as a cordial New Year’s courtesy call in keeping with the occasion.

Regardless of party allegiance, Uzodimma stated that South-East governors were dedicated to cooperating for the region’s development.

“So, I’m here as a courtesy call to the Governor, who I’ve also noticed is doing really well,” he stated.

“I prayed with him and wished him a happy New Year so that the Almighty God would give us the strength to keep serving our people in an ever-improving manner. I am here for that reason.

He emphasized that cooperation amongst the governors was essential to regional development.

“We in the South East are committed to the region’s development. And cooperation is the only way we can accomplish this,” Uzodimma stated.

“As the Chairman of the South East Governors’ Forum, it is my duty to communicate with them, engage in dialogue, exchange ideas, and reach a consensus on the best ways to support the survival of the local population.”

He went on to say that the governors worked together to maintain the South East’s strong integration with Nigeria.

“The five of us, Governors of the South East, have decided to make sure that the South East is part of Nigeria,” the governor declared. And we are focusing on it.

In addition to being the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the South East, Uzodimma praised Otti for what he called “good governance in Abia State.”

Governor Otti responded by thanking Uzodimma for the visit and rejecting claims that it was motivated by politics.

“We are all politicians, so there is no way we can’t talk about politics, even though this is not necessarily a political visit,” Otti stated.

However, I believe that the most significant takeaway from his remarks is that there is only one government. There are three types of governments: national, subnational, and municipal.

He advised against conflating opposition with party differences.

“If you are a member of a government, you cannot be the opposition. Therefore, people miss the mark when they confuse a political party’s problem with resistance, he said.

“There are forums for dissent, and you are free to disagree. However, you become an integral part of the choice once it has been made.

Otti emphasized that the visit was merely to share goodwill for the New Year and reiterated that Abia State is still a member of the federal system.

As the sole governor elected on the Labour Party platform, Otti has continued to draw interest from a number of political parties looking to court him.

Senator Adolphus Wabara, a former president of the Senate and chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s board of trustees, allegedly tried to get Otti to join the PDP.

Attempts to woo the governor of Abia have also been connected to the APC and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Otti, however, has vowed time and time again that he stays in the Labour Party, stating that he would only think about leaving if the party’s leadership crisis became irreversible.

Former Imo State Governor Ikedi Ohakim accompanied Uzodimma on the trip, and other cabinet members and Pastor Caleb Ajagba, the chief of staff of Abia State, were also there.

Tax Law Controversy: Agbese Says Speaker Abbas Passed All Leadership Tests in 2025

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Tax Law Controversy: Agbese Says Speaker Abbas Passed All Leadership Tests in 2025

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen has been praised by the House of Representatives’ Deputy Spokesperson, Philip Agbese, for his leadership in navigating a number of institutional and political obstacles that would have caused the Green Chamber to fall apart in 2025.

Agbese called 2025 a pivotal year for the 10th House of Representatives in an interview on Wednesday.

He claimed that despite strong pressure from both inside and outside the legislature, the House remained together and dedicated to bolstering Nigeria’s democracy under Abbas.

“Speaker Abbas justified his leadership despite the numerous difficulties we faced in 2025. He demonstrated that leadership is about upholding the truth and making sacrifices for the institution’s and the nation’s overall welfare, not about convenience, according to Agbese.

He emphasized a number of significant topics that put the Speaker’s leadership to the test, such as the dispute over purported changes to gazetted tax regulations and recruitment into the National Assembly Service Commission, or NASC.

Agbese claims that Abbas maintained unity and institutional integrity by handling these delicate issues with moderation, deliberation, and rigorous adherence to legislative procedures.

“Mr. Speaker acted swiftly by setting up a seven-member ad hoc committee to investigate the matter and report back to the House,” Agbese stated in reference to the tax code controversy. In order to bring the tax laws into compliance with National Assembly approval, he also instructed the Clerk to re-gazette them. This demonstrates responsive leadership and a dedication to openness.

Agbese also pointed to Abbas’s management of constituency projects, members’ welfare, and the state of emergency in Rivers State as additional proof of his steadfast and moral leadership.

“Service, sacrifice, and accountability are key components of leadership. Speaker Abbas passed every challenge put in front of him in 2025 for the stability of the House and the advancement of our democracy, not for his own glory, he claimed.

Defection: Danagogo Pledges Support for Fubara

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Defection: Danagogo Pledges Support for Fubara

Alabo Tammy Wenike Danagogo, a former secretary to the Rivers State Government, has assured Governor Siminalayi Fubara of his unflinching support.

Danagogo made the promise on Thursday at the government house in Port Harcourt during the 2026 New Year’s celebration.

He praised the governor for joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He believed that the state and the country would advance if they aligned with the federal government.

He characterized Fubara as a unifier and peacemaker who seeks peace regardless of opposition.

“We may not tell you individually, but we are all behind you,” he stated. We support you in your endeavor to align with the center and foster cooperation with the federal government and the ruling party.

“It will undoubtedly advance Rivers State and Nigeria. You are a unifier and a peacemaker. Have faith that God is in charge and on the throne, regardless of your level of power.

“We support Governor Sim Fubara’s efforts to bring Rivers State into line with the center.”

Fubara has advised his followers to maintain composure in the face of the state’s recent political upheavals.

Speaking on Thursday at the government residence in Port Harcourt’s New Year’s banquet, Governor Fubara claimed that dogs bark because they don’t grasp what’s going on.

He claims that he is certain that everything would go well for him and that the trip would be easy.

The governor gave his followers the assurance that everything was set up to guarantee his victory in the election for a second term.

“Don’t be disturbed by what is happening,” he urged. The dog only barks when it doesn’t understand, according to one of Caesar’s quotations.

Does your dog need to bark if it knows you? Therefore, it’s possible that the dog is seeing something it doesn’t comprehend when it begins to back.

We understand, therefore we’re not barking. We have everything lined up to ensure a pleasant voyage, and we know where we are headed.

According to reports, Fubara and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike are at odds again.

Wike has declared that the Rivers State leadership error would be fixed in the 2027 election.

ADC Blasts Keyamo Over Zoning Remarks, Cites APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

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ADC Blasts Keyamo Over Zoning Remarks, Cites APC’s Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Bolaji Abdullahi, the National Publicity Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has refuted Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development’s zoning accusation against the party.

According to reports, Keyamo stated in a post on 𝕏 that the ADC’s fear of zoning its presidential ticket like other parties stems from the party’s affiliation with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“The ADC is afraid to clearly ZONE its presidential ticket, like the other major parties (PDP and APC) have done, because the party belongs to one man called Atiku Abubakar @atiku,” the minister stated.

The incapacity of ADC to zone its presidential ticket is the EXACT hole that Atiku forced PDP into in 2023.

The ADC spokesperson responded by saying that Keyamo’s stance on zoning was false.

He described how the APC disregarded zoning when choosing its presidential flagbearer in 2014, the Senate President in 2015, and a Muslim-Muslim presidential candidate in 2023.

A party with such a past shouldn’t be criticizing another, he said.

“You may be aware (or not) that the party leadership initially decided to zone the number three position to the North Central at the beginning of the controversy over who should be Senate President after the 2015 presidential election,” Abdullahi stated.

But when it appeared that Dr. Saraki would win, the ACN caucus, led by Baba Akande and Asiwaju BAT (now President), claimed to represent progressive politics and said that zoning was a PDP issue. They supported Ahmed Lawan from Yobe (North East) because of this.

“That would not be a baseless argument, considering that the presidential primaries that produced PMB appeared to have been thrown open, irrespective of zoning,” he continued.

Rochas Okorocha (4th, 264 votes) was able to run alongside Buhari, Kwankwaso, @Atiku, and Sam Nda-Isaiah because of this. Ahmad Lawan (NE), Ahmed Sani (NW), Yahaya Bello (NC), and candidates from the South ran in the primary election in 2023, repeating this pattern.

Additionally, in 2027, the APC merely zoned to the incumbent rather than any region, much like in 2019.

Now, you would agree with me (hopefully) that religious balancing is a component of zoning as a means of fostering national cohesiveness, which has been shown to be even more important than geographic concerns.

However, when the APC opted for a Muslim-Muslim ticket, it severed this tenuous thread of national cohesion.

By doing thus, the APC demonstrated that they had no time to consider religious sensitivities as long as they believed that a ticket based on the same religion would win.

“And it would be a matter of political strategy if they changed it or kept it in 2027; it wouldn’t be because they suddenly felt guilty.”

2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, ADC Give Opposition ‘One Leg in Aso Rock’ – Salihu

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2027: Atiku, Peter Obi, ADC Give Opposition ‘One Leg in Aso Rock’ – Salihu

After former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi defected, African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader Ladan Salihu stated the party is now one step closer to the Presidential Villa.

According to reports, Salihu made the claim in response to Obi’s recent transfer to the ADC on Friday, January 2, 2026, during an interview on Arise Television.

At a gathering in Enugu on Wednesday, Obi and other well-known South-East political figures formally defected to the ADC. This development has continued to spark responses in the political sphere.

Salihu called Obi’s defection a turning point and claimed that the former governor of Anambra State’s joining the party had greatly improved the party’s prospects for next elections.

He declared, “Peter Obi’s announcement that he would join the ADC is a political blockbuster, which is one step to the Presidential Villa.”

He claimed that Obi’s choice was a turning point for both the party and Nigeria’s changing political environment.

It is a pivotal point in our political history. Salihu continued, “We are currently striving to fortify the party and establish it as a significant opposition force in Nigeria.

Recalling former vice president Atiku Abubakar’s recent declaration for the party, the ADC chieftain asserted that the ADC is in a strong position due to the combined electoral might of both leaders.

Recall that former vice president Atiku Abubakar announced his candidacy for the ADC a few weeks ago. The figures don’t lie now that we have Peter Obi,” he said.

Salihu pointed out that the total number of votes Obi and Atiku received in the 2023 presidential election demonstrated the party’s increasing power.

When combined, the two received almost 63% of the total votes cast in the most recent presidential election in 2023. We are now in the lead, with one leg already in the Presidential Villa, if you take that calculus and put it on the table,” he stated.

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