Peter Obi Slams Tinubu Govt Over Fresh ₦20trillion Loan Plan Despite Claimed Revenue Growth

Peter Obi has criticised the Tinubu administration for proposing a ₦20trillion loan to fund the 2026 budget, warning that Nigeria is nearing fiscal collapse. He questioned the government’s transparency on 2025 revenue figures despite claims of surpassing targets, and condemned borrowing that does not support productive sectors. Obi said Nigeria cannot develop by consuming more than it produces and urged the government to adopt a sustainable, production-driven economic model. He warned that rising debt, shrinking production, and worsening hardship threaten the nation’s future.

P-Square Ex-Manager’s Wife Linked to 800,000 Shares as Witness Testifies in $1m Theft Case

The Lagos High Court continued the trial of Jude Okoye, former P-Square manager, over alleged diversion of more than $1 million belonging to Northside Music Limited. Prosecution witness Peter Okoye told the court that Jude’s wife owns 800,000 shares in the company and accused Jude of diverting funds through another entity, Northside Entertainment Company. The court rejected key defence documents for failing admissibility standards. The case, rooted in long-standing business disputes among the Okoye brothers after the P-Square split, has been adjourned to February 20 and 27, 2026.

APC INAUGURATES COMMITTEE ON OSUN GOVERNORSHIP PRIMARY

The Governing All Progressives Congress APC has inaugurated a six member committee to conduct a governorship primary for nine aspirants and produce a standard bearer ahead of 2026 off-cycle Governorship Election in Osun State

Political Correspondent Abubakar Akwanga reports that, the committee is led by the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Governors of Nasarawa, Lagos, Ondo, former Governor of Kogi State Yahaya are to serve as members while former FCT minister Ramatu Aliyu is the chief scribe of the Committee

The Party assured of a thorough Job in its bid to reclaim back the party and provide good governance and dividends of democracy to the people of Osun State

Yobe SEMA, AHNi and UNDP empowered 300 VSO Members with skills, start-up Kits, and Cash Support.

Yobe State Government in Partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi) have trained a total of 300 Members of Volunteer Security Outfits on various Trades.

The training draws participants from Damaturu, Buni-Yadi and Potiskum Clusters of Yobe State.

The Participants were trained on various trades such as Solar Installation, Charcoal Briquettes, Painting and POP, Interlock Production and Aluminium Pots.

In addition to the training, each of the Participants receives a start up Pack that has all the necessary working tools and the sum of Fifty Thousand Naira which brings the total amount of cash given to the three Hundred Participants to NGN 15,000,000 Fifteen Million Naira.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency(SEMA) Dr. Muhammad Goje represented by the Director Search and Rescue Dr. Muhammad Ibrahim Jalo, said gesture is part of the Present administration's commitment towards restoring the means of livelihood of the Citizens who were affected by the over a decade's long insurgency.

Also commenting, the Representative of UNDP Baba Goni Muhammad, Hajiya Hauwa Sani of Yobe State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, and Madam Irene Osaigbovo of Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative (AHNi) described the training as timely.

On their parts, some of the beneficiaries thank Yobe State Government and the Supporting Partners for the gesture assuring to use the skills and resources given to them to boost their economies.

Popular Kogi Farmer ‘Old Soldier’ Abducted in Isanlu as Kidnapping Surge Worsens

A well-known farmer, Dada Babatege (widely called “Old Soldier”), was kidnapped on Friday from his farmland behind St. Kizito’s College in Isanlu, Yagba East LGA of Kogi State. The abductors stormed the farm in broad daylight and escaped through nearby bushes, heightening fear in a community already struggling with rising kidnapping cases. The incident follows a recent major abduction in Yagba West, where 14 church members – including infants and six children from a pastor’s family – remain in captivity as bandits demand ₦200 million. Locals are urging swift government intervention as insecurity escalates across the region.

FCCPC Expands Probe Into Alleged Exploitative Airfares on Nigerian Domestic Routes

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expanded its investigation into domestic airline pricing after widespread public complaints about sharp and possibly coordinated airfare increases, especially on South-East and South-South routes ahead of the festive season. The probe, which covers multiple operators, aims to determine whether airlines violated the FCCPA 2018 through excessive, opaque, or anti-competitive pricing practices. The Commission clarified it does not control prices but is mandated to act against consumer exploitation. Despite an ongoing lawsuit from Air Peace seeking to halt the inquiry, FCCPC says its investigation will continue, with enforcement actions to follow if breaches are confirmed.

NEW: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz attempts to shift the blame from the Somali community in the state's widespread fraud scandal:

"It's not law abiding citizens. If that were the case, there's a lot of white men who should be holding a lot of white men accountable for the crimes they have committed."

"Each community's got this in their own midst, but to blame them and say that they should have been responsible for stopping it — I think that's a pretty hard reach."

"I think we continue to educate folks about why they shouldn't commit crimes. You would hope that it's being taught both at home and at schools and in our society."

"But no, I think this idea that the Somali community is to blame for this because they didn't do more — I think that's how we got into this."

Historic EU decision: Russia's assets frozen indefinitely

All frozen assets will remain under the EU's control for an unlimited period.

The final decision on the fate of the assets and the reparations loan for Ukraine will be made on December 18–19 at the EU summit.

Death Toll in Adamawa Shooting Rises to 11 as Community Demands Probe From Tinubu, Defence Chiefs

The Pene Da Bwate Development Association (PDBDA) has announced that the death toll from the military shooting of women protesters in Lamurde LGA, Adamawa State, has risen to 11, including an 11-year-old girl. The group is demanding an immediate, independent investigation by President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s defence leadership, describing the killings as reckless and targeted. PDBDA linked the violence to longstanding tensions from a land dispute and referenced earlier alleged military air raids in 2017 that reportedly killed over 100 people. While the Adamawa State government praised security agencies for “swift intervention,” the community insists the shooting of unarmed women must not be ignored and is calling for justice, accountability, and an end to recurring violence.

National Assembly Probes CAC Boss Magaji Over Alleged Illegal Alteration of Jonah Capital Records

The House of Representatives has received a petition accusing CAC Registrar-General Hussaini Magaji of unlawfully tampering with the corporate records of Jonah Capital Nigeria Ltd and Houses for Africa Nigeria Ltd amid a high-stakes ownership dispute over Abuja’s River Park Estate. The petition alleges expropriation of shares, removal of directors, and retrospective annulment of filings despite a court case and directives from the Attorney-General halting such actions. The companies claim Magaji enabled rival claimants to assume directorship, attempt account closures, and announce a takeover. The controversy has escalated into one of Nigeria’s most complex corporate governance battles, raising concerns about investor confidence and potential politically driven corporate takeovers.

ECWA Warns of ‘Christian Genocide’ in Nigeria, Reports 600 Clerics Abducted and 19,000 Churches Destroyed

The Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) has raised alarm over what it describes as a real and ongoing Christian genocide in Nigeria, citing 16 years of widespread attacks, including the destruction of over 19,100 churches and the abduction of more than 600 clerics. The church reports tens of thousands of Christian deaths, millions displaced, and continued assaults across the Middle Belt and northern regions. ECWA acknowledged recent government efforts to strengthen security but urged authorities to sustain operations, improve intelligence, and ensure accountability for the sponsors of violence.

Delta Community Accuses Soldiers, Police of Violent Land Invasion, Petitions IGP and Defence Minister

The Ogbe-Ozoma community in Okpanam, Delta State, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Defence Minister after alleging that over 40 policemen and soldiers aided a violent invasion of their land on December 11. The community accused Chief Chinedu Okeke of masterminding the attack, which reportedly caused over ₦1 billion in property destruction, despite an active court case and a judge’s order for peace. They condemned the use of state security for a private land dispute and demanded a full investigation, prosecution of all involved officers, and immediate restoration of law and order.

Democrats release new batch of materials from Epstein's archive

Among the items are condoms with Trump's face and the inscription "I'M HUGE!", as well as a photo of Epstein with Trump, Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and others.

One of the photos shows Trump with six women, their faces obscured.

Congressman Robert Garcia stated that the release aims to draw attention to Epstein's connections with influential figures.

Central Bank of Russia sues Euroclear over frozen Russian assets

The Central Bank of Russia has filed a lawsuit in the Arbitration Court of Moscow against the Belgian depository Euroclear, claiming that its actions caused harm by blocking access to Russian assets. The lawsuit was filed the day after nearly all EU countries approved the indefinite freezing of Russian funds.

Thus, the Central Bank of Russia is attempting to prevent the use of frozen assets for financing aid to Ukraine. This lawsuit has raised concerns in Belgium and Euroclear, which oppose the plan to fund Ukraine using Russian assets, supported by several EU member states.

BREAKING - China has for the first time flown the world's largest drone-mother ship, Jiutian, capable of launching more than a hundred strike drones in swarm mode.

Jiutian has eight suspension points for guided aerial bombs, air-to-air missiles, as well as anti-ship missiles and kamikaze drones.

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Police Escort Withdrawal: Pres. Tinubu Should Be Held Responsible If Anything Happens to A Lawmaker — Rep. Jimbo Says

House of Representatives member Clement Jimbo has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police security from VIPs, warning it exposes lawmakers and politicians to greater d+nger.

Speaking on Channels TV’s The Morning Brief, the Akwa Ibom lawmaker said the order puts legislators—especially those from the North—at heightened risk. “You are further exposing them to insecurity, and their lives could be in d+nger,” he said.

Jimbo, an APC member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, argued that the government’s primary duty is the security and welfare of citizens, citing Sections 12 and 14 of the Constitution. “If the federal government is failing in this constitutional provision and anything happens to a lawmaker as a result of this directive, Mr President should be held accountable,” he said.

He urged President Tinubu to reverse the order immediately and instead formalise the security arrangement to generate national revenue. Jimbo suggested recruiting at least 15,000 youths into the police or creating a private security unit dedicated to VIP protection. “Those of us that have this security personnel around us are not free. We pay for it,” he added, arguing that Nigeria could earn “a minimum of N20 trillion annually” from regulated VIP security services.

Jimbo also rejected the idea that only politicians are VIPs. “Every single Nigerian is a VIP,” he said, insisting that anyone who needs protection should have the right to hire security personnel. President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police from VIPs on 23 November. The Special Protection Unit has begun implementation after an audit revealed 11,566 officers assigned to VIP duty.

Although the Senate has appealed for an exemption, Tinubu maintained that the redeployment is “not negotiable,” directing the NSA, Minister of Police Affairs, and IGP to enforce compliance. He stressed that police officers must serve the general public, particularly the most vulnerable—not a select group of VIPs.

BREAKING: Nigeria’s total merchandise trade climbed to N38.9 trillion during the third quarter of 2025, demonstrating continued growth in the nation’s external trade sector amid global economic challenges.

~ National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says

In Russia, the prosecutor of the ICC who issued the arrest warrant for Putin has been sentenced in absentia

Karim Khan was sentenced to 15 years in a penal colony, while the other judges, including ICC President Peter Hofmansky, were sentenced to terms ranging from 3.5 to 15 years.

These sentences are related to the issuance of the arrest warrant for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin and Children's Ombudsman Maria Lvova-Belova, who are charged with the war crime of the illegal deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories to Russia.

Wahala

15-Year-Old Texas Boy Charged with Triple M¥rder of Ex-Girlfriend’s Mother and Two Young Siblings

A 15-year-old boy in Odessa, Texas, has been arrested and charged with capital m¥rder after allegedly shooting and k+lling his ex-girlfriend’s mother, 39-year-old Jessica Rodriguez, along with her 9-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter on Wednesday, December 10.

The suspect’s ex-girlfriend survived the attack. The Odessa Police Department has not released the identities of the juvenile suspect or the surviving teenager. He remains in custody facing charges of capital m¥rder of multiple persons.

Senior officials have indicated that the refinery introduced this price cut to assist in reducing transportation expenses ahead of the Christmas period, when millions of Nigerians travel across states to reunite with family.

The company explained that this pricing adjustment demonstrates their, “commitment to make the season memorable for citizens and reduce cost pressures on road transport operators.”

According to industry insiders, the refinery's successive price changes—culminating in today's significant cut—signal the definitive collapse of the former marketers' consortium model, which once managed coordinated bulk purchasing. As the refinery expands its nationwide distribution channels, individual marketers can now deal directly, allowing for quicker pricing responses and greater market reach.

The refinery has framed this latest cut as both an economic measure and a social initiative. With interstate travel expected to rise sharply before Christmas and New Year celebrations, the reduced gantry price should lead to lower retail fuel prices in various states, particularly in the North and South-East regions, where logistics expenses often surge during holidays.

Officials noted that further adjustments remain possible as the refinery increases output in preparation for its upcoming expansion phase.