SNWR Hails Acquittal of 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Calls for Socialist Change

The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has welcomed the acquittal of 11 activists arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests, describing the ruling as a major victory for democratic resistance. The group condemned what it termed politically motivated repression by the Nigerian state and said the failed prosecution exposed attempts to criminalise dissent under the Tinubu administration. While celebrating the court victory, SNWR stressed that worsening economic hardship, insecurity and inequality persist, renewing its call for a socialist transformation and the creation of a mass workers’ party.

#EndBadGovernance

#SNWR

#NigeriaPolitics

Benin Coup Attempt: Military Intervention and Talon’s Grip on Power

On December 7, 2025, Benin faced a coup attempt led by Lt. Col. Paschal Tigri, targeting President Patrice Talon amid widespread allegations of corruption, repression, and economic hardship. The Nigerian military, alongside ECOWAS and French forces, intervened to support Talon, sparking debate over Africa’s sovereignty, democracy, and foreign influence. Critics argue that Talon’s authoritarian tactics and suppression of opposition highlight the fragility of democratic governance in Benin.

#BeninCoup #PatriceTalon #WestAfricaPolitics

NLC Declares Nationwide Protest for December 17 Over Insecurity, Education Collapse, Economic Hardship

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced a nationwide protest scheduled for December 17, 2025, citing worsening insecurity, deepening poverty, failing tertiary education, prolonged health sector strikes, and political interference in the Labour Party. Following its NEC meeting in Lagos, the NLC condemned the rising wave of kidnappings, including the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State, and criticised lapses in security deployment. The union warned that 139 million Nigerians now live in poverty, according to the latest World Bank report. It also raised concerns over decaying university infrastructure, unpaid staff allowances, and the ongoing Joint Health Sector Unions strike. The NLC vowed to revive the Labour–Civil Society Coalition and described the planned protest as necessary to force action on national crises affecting security, education, the economy, and governance.

YRC Celebrates Acquittal of 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Demands Public Apology From Nigerian Government

The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has welcomed the Federal High Court’s acquittal of 11 #EndBadGovernance protesters previously charged with treason and terrorism over the August 2024 demonstrations against hunger and economic hardship. Justice Emeka Nwite dismissed the case, citing the prosecution’s lack of diligence and repeated delays. The activists, who had spent weeks in detention before their arraignment, were discharged and acquitted after the prosecution failed to appear in court.
YRC described the ruling as a victory for democratic rights and accused the government of attempting to use the charges to intimidate future protesters. The group demanded a public apology, return of seized belongings, unfreezing of bank accounts, compensation for victims, and the release of other detained protesters, emphasizing that peaceful protest must not be criminalized in Nigeria.

Abuja Court Frees 11 #EndBadGovernance Protesters, Dismisses Treason and Terrorism Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 11 activists arrested during the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, striking out all treason and terrorism-related charges brought against them. Justice Emeka Nwite ruled that the allegations were unfounded, marking what activist Adaramoye Michael Lenin described as a “historic victory.” The protesters had been detained for over a year after security agencies accused them of attempting to destabilise the country during nationwide demonstrations fuelled by economic hardship, insecurity, and public frustration under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Human rights groups consistently condemned the charges as politically motivated attempts to suppress dissent. With the ruling, all accused individuals have been fully discharged.

#EndBadGovernance

#HumanRights

#AbujaCourt

Kano, Osun Top List as 13 Nigerian States Spend N22.6bn on Foreign Trips Amid Economic Hardship

A review of expenditure records from 13 Nigerian states shows that a combined ₦22.669 billion was spent on foreign trips between January and September 2025, despite worsening economic hardship across the country. Kano led the list with ₦7.7 billion, followed by Osun with ₦3 billion and Benue with ₦2.7 billion. Other major spenders include Nasarawa, Jigawa, Taraba, Ekiti, and Adamawa. Enugu recorded the lowest at ₦94 million. The figures, released amid rising inflation and shrinking public services, have sparked fresh concerns over fiscal priorities. Civil society groups are demanding transparency and justification for the costly trips. At the federal level, earlier data revealed that the Tinubu administration spent ₦36.3 billion on international travel in 2024, bringing total local and international travel expenses to ₦83 billion.
More at fintter.com
#fintter

Bethlehem Lights Christmas Tree for First Time Since Gaza War, Thousands Celebrate in Historic Square

Bethlehem brought back Christmas cheer for the first time in two years as the city lit its iconic Christmas tree in Manger Square, marking a hopeful moment amid ongoing tensions in the region. Thousands of visitors — Christians, Muslims, locals, and international pilgrims — gathered near the Church of the Nativity to witness the ceremony, which had been suspended since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
The festive event, filled with music, balloons, and emotional reactions, symbolized resilience for residents and visitors who endured years of conflict, travel restrictions, and economic hardship. Despite cautious tourist return and continuing instability in Gaza and Lebanon, Bethlehem’s celebration represents a tentative step toward recovery for the city, whose economy heavily depends on tourism.

Marginalisation of Herdsmen Fueling Insecurity — Gov. Yahaya

The Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum and Governor of Gombe State, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, says insecurity across northern Nigeria has worsened largely because the country failed to understand and address the grievances that pushed many armed bandits to take up weapons.

In an interview with the BBC Hausa Service monitored by our correspondent in Kaduna, Yahaya disclosed that the 19 northern governors have agreed to form a joint regional security coordination agency. Under the new arrangement, each state will contribute ₦1 billion monthly to boost collective efforts against k+dnapping, b@nditry, and the rising wave of school closures.

The decision was reached during the Northern Governors’ meeting earlier in the week, following renewed att+cks that have resulted in mass abd¥ctions and the shutdown of schools in several states. Yahaya noted that part of the region’s escalating security challenges stems from the historical marginalisation and unjust treatment of pastoralist communities, which he said created anger and frustration later exploited by criminal groups.

He stressed that resolving insecurity would require confronting these root causes, including issues of exclusion, lack of justice, and deepening economic hardship. The governor added that the new regional security framework will enhance intelligence-sharing, joint operations, and preventive strategies across all affected states, marking a major shift in how the region coordinates its response to v#olence and instability.

New Tax Law: Nigerian Man Breaks Down After Seeing 2026 Salary Deductions

A Nigerian man, Onyedika Justice, has gone viral after revealing he burst into tears upon calculating how much the federal government’s new tax law will deduct from his salary starting January 2026. His reaction comes amid growing public outrage over the revised tax bill, which Legit.ng recently explained along with exemptions. Onyedika warned that the policy will “unite all tribes,” as everyone—regardless of ethnicity—will feel its impact. Social media users also expressed frustration, criticising rising taxes, borrowing, and economic hardship under President Tinubu’s administration.

JUST IN: Wife of the Zamfara State Governor, Huriyya Dauda Lawal, has distributed comprehensive welfare packages to women drawn from various groups, organisations, unions and security formations to cushion economic hardship during the 2025 Christmas

NSCDC Commends Volunteer Who Returned Over N20 Million Forgotten in Tricycle.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has praised one of its volunteers in Kano, Mr. Nura Abdullahi, for returning more than N20 million forgotten by a co-passenger in a commercial tricycle, describing his action as “a rare display of honesty, integrity and professionalism.”

ACG Amos Abiodun-Taiwo, NSCDC Commander of Zone 12, made the commendation on Friday in Kano while presenting a letter of recognition to Abdullahi.

According to the commander, Abdullahi discovered the money after a co-passenger, identified as Alhaji Mustafa from Katsina State, mistakenly left the bag behind while alighting. He explained that Abdullahi used the last dialed number on Mustafa’s phone—after lending him the device earlier—to trace and contact the rightful owner.

Abiodun-Taiwo noted that it is highly unusual to find someone willing to return such a large sum, especially amid the current economic hardships.

He further emphasized that Abdullahi is not even a regular NSCDC staff member but a volunteer who reportedly did not have up to N20,000 in his own account, yet chose to act with integrity.

He said the command verified the incident and subsequently briefed the Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who directed that Abdullahi be celebrated as a model of honesty within the corps.

“This young man is a good ambassador of his family, the NSCDC, and Nigeria at large. If this were something negative, social media would have been awash with it. Positive deeds like this deserve equal publicity,” Abiodun-Taiwo stated.

He urged the public to emulate Abdullahi’s sincerity, stressing that moral values remain important regardless of economic challenges. “It pays to be honest. If he had taken the money, he wouldn’t enjoy peace today. Parents should train their children well, and young people should uphold such values,” he added.

The commander also assured that Abdullahi would be “handsomely rewarded” for his exemplary conduct.

"Give President Tinubu Time, He Will Tax the Air We Breathe" —SDP’s Adewole Adebayo.

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has condemned the federal government’s decision to impose a 15 per cent import duty on refined petroleum products. 

Adebayo described the move as “an anti-people decision” and accused President Bola Tinubu of pushing excessive taxation policies.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Adebayo argued that the administration is prioritising revenue collection over citizens’ welfare.

According to him, “President Tinubu is a clever tax collector. He wants to collect taxes from you for everything, including the oxygen tax, very soon.
If you’re not careful, yes, the air we breathe. Just give him time; he’s going to get there,” he said.

Adebayo contended that the new import duty contradicts the principles Tinubu once promoted.

“It is an anti-people decision and a trend in the new Tinubu. Tinubu that used to be in SDP, following Abiola everywhere doing Hope 93, has practically changed to the side of the money people.

They see you as a customer, not a citizen. If you have twins and triplets in your house, Tinubu is going to think of twins tax or ‘multiple childbirth tax.’ He’s just thinking of how to collect more money. It’s wrong,” he said.

He warned that the tariff will ultimately fall on ordinary Nigerians, especially given current economic hardships.

“If you put 15 per cent tariffs on imported petrol, who is going to pay for it? It’s going to be paid by the person who buys the petrol at the filling station,” Adebayo added.

Inside 150-year old Ogun community where students use tiles as white board, practice open defecation.

Forty pieces of ceramic white tiles arranged systematically serve as a maker board for students of the St Johns Anglican Primary School, Ebute-Igbooro, an agrarian community in the Yewa North Local Government area of Ogun State.

The tiles board, divided in three sections with a green marker, reads mathematics, english studies and basic technology.

While the date written on it bears 30/09/2025, the appearance is decades behind.

The school, with about 242 learners from different surrounding villages, presently has seven classrooms, a yellow and green painted three-block on the right and an unpainted crumbling and cracked four-block classroom on the left.

The St Johns Anglican Primary School, founded in 1955 also had an uncompleted classroom and other dilapidated structures with palm roof ceilings.

Ebute-Igbooro is a 150-year-old community that sits at the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

Founded in 1875, the community with its residents speaking the Yoruba Ketu dialect has its major occupation as farming, while the women supplement the household income by producing fufu, garri, and engaging in other petty trades.

Despite existing for 150 years, the community’s severe neglect and the harsh effects of economic hardship are starkly evident in some of its barefoot school children, who lacked uniforms, textbooks, and even school bags.

Retired Judge wants govt to sack PENGASSAN as association.

Following the dispute between the management of Dangote Refinery and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over the dismissal of some PENGASSAN staff by the Dangote
Petroleum Refinery, the retired Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Mwada Balami, has called on the Federal Government to sack the PENGASSAN as an association for the sake of economic stability of the country.

Balami, who made this call while speaking to Peoples Daily on the state of the nation, said PENGASSAN was a threat to the government for so long now in terms of industrial strike in the country.

He expressed dismay over the activities of PENGASSAN which he said had been creating economic hardships for the people of Nigeria.

Nigerians Are Hungry, and Hungry People Are Angry People. I feel the Pain too,” Comedian Seyi Law Says.

Nigerian comedian, Seyi Aletile, popularly known as Seyi Law, has spoken about the economic hardship confronting citizens, urging leaders to admit the reality of people’s suffeing rather than gloss over it.

Speaking in an interview on Inside the Box, the comedian said frustration among Nigerians is directly tied to hunger and the soaring cost of living.

“Nigerians are hungry and hungry people are angry people. I hate when we try to switch such things under the carpet, which is what politicians do. I don’t like it. Let us acknowledge the people’s pain and let them know that this reform is coming with this pain but at the end of the day we will be happy,” Seyi Law said.

He explained that while he anticipated the government’s reforms would come with difficulties, he also shares in the burden. “I said something that my experience, my understanding does not invalidate your experience. It doesn’t. Did I know that those policies were going to come with pain? I knew. I feel the pain too.”

Citing his own financial strain, Aletile noted how the depreciation of the naira has deepened expenses for his family. “My family has been in the UK since 2019. For every Naira that I change to pounds, it costs me N2000. It wasn’t what it was costing me before. It means if I was spending N2M before, I have to spend N5M, so it comes with pain,” he said.

Seyi Law’s comments echo the frustration of millions of Nigerians grappling with the impact of recent economic policies, even as the government maintains that reforms will bring long-term relief.

When protectors become predators.

IF Nigeria remains the same by 2027, then let no one be surprised if war breaks out. Hunger is already chewing deep into the bone marrow of the nation. Nigerians are gasping under economic hardship, yet while poverty stares them in the face, harassment from those in uniform crushes their very spirit. Must Nigerians suffer hunger and still live under constant intimidation? The danger today is not only the bandits in the forest but also the criminals in multicolored uniforms roaming our streets. These officers — police, vigilantes, Amotekun — have turned their duty into tyranny. They trample the dignity of citizens in the mud and forget that even during an arrest, a citizen still has rights. The use of force is only lawful when a suspect attempts to flee or threatens violence, not when an officer wants to extort money. Extortion has become their trademark. Just recently, a young man on Oyo State’s Ogbomoso road made a live video, crying out to Nigerians and VeryDarkMan, as he was harassed by a police officer. His load was scattered across the road because he refused to pay ₦200. The officer shamelessly defended himself, saying: “Did I beat you?” — yet he never denied scattering the young man’s belongings or requesting ₦200. For ₦200, a man’s dignity was thrown on the highway. What then is the difference between these officers and the criminals in the bush?

At 5pm on July 13, a National Youth Service Corps member, Jennifer Eloho, was brutalised by Anambra security operatives, otherwise known as Agunechemba — vigilantes established to support police operations and safeguard local communities. Armed with guns, they stormed the corps members’ lodge in Oba, Idemili Local Government Area, accusing them of being internet fraudsters. A video of the beating went viral despite her cries for help. Jennifer was not only beaten — her dignity was thrown into the bin. If vigilantes empowered to protect communities can turn against unarmed youths serving their nation, then who is safe? In July 2025, another viral video from Adebayo area of Ado-Ekiti showed police officers trying to gain forceful entry into an apartment in broad daylight. The resident, Michael, captured the incident and shared it on X (formerly Twitter). Up till today, the police are still “investigating.” No officer has been named, no punishment announced, no justice seen. The silence of the police force is louder than any explanation — it smells of complicity. In April 2025, a lady in Ise-Orun, Ekiti State, accused a police officer of stabbing her father. Her testimony, captured on Punch Newspaper’s site, is chilling: her younger brother had a quarrel with a female classmate, which escalated until the girl called her boyfriend. When they stormed the house, they met only the elder brother. She narrated: “One of them went inside first and my brother started challenging the police officer — asking what did he do and why they were taking him to the station. In response, the officer started harassing him physically. At that point, the elder brother called my father to come and see what was happening. When my father came to separate the fight, another police officer stabbed him in the belly. Fortunately, my father used his hand to block the knife, and it tore his hand instead.”

10 Reasons Not to Vote Tinubu
1. Economic hardship
2. Naira collapse
3. High cost of living
4. Corruption allegations
5. Godfather politics
6. Insecurity persists
7. Flawed election win
8. No real social safety nets
9. Power for loyalists only
10. Health & age concerns

#Nigeria #Tinubu

Ghana Still Faces Tough Times Despite New President – Primate Ayodele Warns

Popular Nigerian cleric, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has issued a fresh prophetic warning to Ghanaians, cautioning that the country’s political and economic struggles are far from over despite the election of a new president.

Speaking during a recent prophetic session, Ayodele reminded citizens that his earlier warnings ahead of the polls should not be dismissed. He emphasized that his message was not directed at the personality of the current president but was a divine caution about the nation’s future.

“Our countless message to the Ghanaians is not yet over. These are the things I told you before you voted your president. I am not against your president; I am only passing across strict warnings from the Lord. This is not the best person for Ghana. Another one is coming. The tragedy in Ghana is not yet over,” he declared.


His remarks have stirred debate among analysts, with some interpreting the prophecy as a signal of possible political instability or prolonged economic hardship. Ghana has recently faced serious challenges, including rising inflation, currency depreciation, and public discontent over living costs.

Ayodele, known for his controversial but closely followed prophecies across Africa, has consistently spoken about governance in Ghana. Before the last election, he had warned of leadership difficulties and urged voters to make careful choices.

“The Coming Months Will Test Ghana”

In his latest message, Ayodele suggested that the months ahead would test Ghana’s political and social resilience. He stressed that divine intervention would be vital to prevent the country from plunging into deeper crises.

He urged Ghanaian leaders and religious figures to intensify prayers and embrace people-centered policies to reduce the hardship faced by ordinary citizens.


As the prophecy circulates, Ghanaians are divided. While some dismiss it as another gloomy prediction, others argue that Ayodele’s history of accurate warnings makes it worth taking seriously.

Despite the grim outlook, the cleric reassured citizens that Ghana will eventually overcome its current struggles if its leaders embrace unity, accountability, and humility in governance.

Primate Ayodele Warns 1999–2007 Governors to Pray for Protection, Predicts Possible Southeast State Name Change

Primate Elijah Ayodele, Leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, has issued a fresh prophetic warning to Nigeria’s political class, particularly former governors who served between 1999 and 2007.

In his latest message, Ayodele urged these past leaders to pray earnestly for their lives, health, and families, warning that without divine intervention, the nation could lose one or more of them.

“Let all the former governors from 1999 to 2007 pray that we don’t lose any of them,” Ayodele declared. “They must pray for their lives, their health, and their families, so they are not bereaved. None of them should pass away. Let them pray very well.”

The cleric, widely known for his political and national prophecies, stressed that the group remains spiritually vulnerable and in need of protection—especially as Nigeria faces economic hardship, insecurity, and political tension.

Beyond his caution to the former governors, Ayodele also dropped a prophecy concerning the southeastern region of Nigeria. He revealed that one of the states in the zone may attempt to change its name in the near future, a move he suggested could ignite national debates.

“Listen to this: I don’t know which state in the southeast, but one of them wants to change their name,” he said.


Analysts believe such a development could feed into long-standing discussions around identity, restructuring, and self-determination. Some southeastern states have repeatedly expressed feelings of marginalization, and a potential name change could be seen as a symbolic act of cultural or political redefinition.

Ayodele’s words add to his history of controversial but widely followed prophecies. Over the years, he has spoken about elections, governance, insecurity, economic shifts, and international affairs, often sparking debate among Nigerians.

Whether seen as a spiritual warning or a political reflection, his latest prophecy is already fueling fresh conversations about the country’s future.

High Cost of Meat: Nutritionist Urges Nigerians to Embrace Cheaper Protein Alternatives Such as Mushrooms, Crayfish, Edible Insects, and Others.

With the rising cost of meat, fish, and eggs, nutrition experts have advised Nigerians to turn to more affordable protein sources such as beans, soybeans, mushrooms, locust beans, crayfish, and even edible insects to maintain healthy diets and prevent malnutrition.

Findings show that a kilogram of beef now sells for N7,000–N8,000, goat meat for up to N10,000, while eggs cost between N6,000–N6,500 per crate. Fish and poultry prices also continue to soar, leaving many households unable to afford conventional animal protein.

Prof. Wasiu Afolabi, former President of the Nutrition Society of Nigeria, said Nigerians have long relied on traditional foods like termites, crickets, snails, mushrooms, and legumes, which remain nutritious and affordable.

He stressed that soybeans, when processed, can serve as meat substitutes, while fermented locust beans mixed with crayfish provide rich protein for soups and stews.

He cautioned, however, that crayfish itself is becoming costly. Still, he urged families to revive traditional food habits, diversify diets, and embrace underutilized but nutritious options.

Supporting this view, Prof. Ignatius Onimawo, Vice-Chancellor of Ave Maria University, emphasized that eating healthy does not have to be expensive if families apply nutrition knowledge to select cheaper but equally beneficial foods. He noted that plant-based proteins like beans, groundnuts, and bambara nuts can complement or substitute animal proteins.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Health has warned that Nigeria faces a “triple burden” of undernutrition, overnutrition, and micronutrient deficiency, particularly affecting women and children. According to the 2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey, stunting affects 40% of children under five, while 79% of Nigerians are food insecure.

Experts insist that dietary education and awareness are crucial to ensuring Nigerians adapt affordable alternatives and safeguard their health despite economic hardship.