2027: APC Membership No Automatic Ticket for Second Term — Wike Warns Politicians Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned politicians eyeing re-election in 2027 that joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) or openly declaring loyalty to President Bola Tinubu does not automatically guarantee a second-term ticket. Wike stressed that politics should be built on clear, well-defined agreements, not blind loyalty. According to him, promises made during political alignments must be honoured, noting that loyalty without structure, commitment, or enforceable understanding carries no assurance. He warned that political survival depends on credibility, performance, and adherence to agreed terms, not just party switches or public displays of allegiance. #Wike #APC #2027Elections #NigerianPolitics

Iran Launches New Satellites Ahead of Netanyahu–Trump Meeting Iran has launched three locally developed satellites into space in a fresh show of defiance, coming just as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads to meet US President Donald Trump to discuss Iran and wider Middle East concerns. The satellites — Paya, Zafar-2, and a second prototype of Kowsar — were successfully placed into Low Earth Orbit on Sunday using a Russian Soyuz rocket launched from a Russian space facility. Before the June war, Tehran had carried out several satellite launches in recent years, some independently and others in partnership with Moscow. Iranian officials say the newly launched satellites include the country’s most advanced imaging technology, further highlighting Iran’s growing space and missile-linked capabilities amid rising regional tensions. The timing of the launch is widely seen as symbolic, coinciding with high-level talks between Israel and the United States focused on Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. #Iran #MiddleEast #SpaceTechnology #GlobalPolitics

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has departed Lagos for Europe, according to the Presidency. The disclosure was made on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. He said the President is proceeding to Europe to continue his end-of-year break, ahead of an official engagement in the Middle East. From Europe, President Tinubu will travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, following an invitation from the UAE President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The Nigerian leader is expected to participate in the 2026 edition of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026) Summit, scheduled to hold in early January. The summit is a global platform focused on sustainability, climate action, and economic development. #Tinubu #NigeriaPolitics #Presidency #ADSW2026

Deji Adeyanju Identifies Four Groups Unhappy About US Bombing Terrorists in Nigeria Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has identified four categories of people reportedly unhappy about the US airstrikes on ISIS-linked militants in Sokoto, Nigeria. In a Facebook post on December 28, 2025, Adeyanju listed the groups as: members of the Nigerian Army allegedly benefiting from insecurity, terrorists themselves, terrorist sympathizers, and politicians exploiting opposition politics. The US military action, carried out at Nigeria’s request, has sparked varied reactions across the country, with some praising the intervention while others express concern over its implications.

After Tinubu, I Am the Most Ab¥sed Politician in Nigeria — Wike Sets January 2026 Timeline for Rivers Politics Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described himself as the most ab¥sed politician in Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu, while declaring that political activities in Rivers State will officially begin in January 2026. He spoke on Saturday at a thanksgiving service organised by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche, in Ochiba community, Ahoada East Local Government Area. The former Rivers State governor reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to President Tinubu, stressing that he does not renege on agreements and remains committed to political decisions taken in good faith. He also thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ahoada West for their steadfast support over the years. Recalling the 2023 general elections, Wike praised residents for standing firm in support of Tinubu at a time many politicians were uncertain, noting that their resolve helped strengthen the President’s mandate in Rivers State. He appeared to criticise politicians who recently aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), suggesting their support came too late. Wike emphasised the importance of honouring political agreements, warning that his camp would not be taken for granted as the next political cycle approaches. He added that frequent att@cks against him stem from his insistence on accountability and adherence to agreements, alleging that some politicians abuse him for personal gain. Earlier, Chibudom Nwuche commended Wike for his developmental contributions to the Ekpeye Kingdom, particularly the elevation of several traditional stools during his tenure as governor. He said Wike’s leadership positively impacted the people, earning him enduring loyalty across the area.

Nicki Minaj Faces Backlash, Loses Followers After Speaking On Christian Persecution In Nigeria At Turning Point USA Event American rap superstar Nicki Minaj has sparked widespread controversy and social media backlash following her surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she spoke on faith, politics, and global issues, including the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Minaj appeared alongside conservative activist Erika Kirk and used the platform to praise former U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance for what she described as their efforts in raising global awareness about violence against Christians, particularly in Nigeria. Her remarks immediately triggered mixed reactions online. While some supporters commended her for drawing attention to religious persecution and amplifying the plight of Nigerian Christians—an issue she has previously addressed at international forums—others expressed strong opposition. Critics, especially from her progressive and LGBTQ+ fanbase, accused Minaj of aligning with conservative politics and abandoning communities that have long supported her career. Viral clips and posts alleging that she had “gone MAGA” intensified the backlash across multiple platforms. The controversy quickly spilled into Minaj’s social media presence, with reports indicating that her Instagram account was deactivated shortly after the event. Viral claims suggested she lost up to 10 million followers, although independent checks indicate that the figure may be exaggerated, with some reports pointing to a smaller decline or noting that the account may have been inactive prior to the event. The debate has drawn reactions from fellow artists, public figures, and commentators, with opinions sharply divided between those defending her right to speak on matters of faith and global violence, and those criticising what they see as a political and ideological shift. The Turning Point USA event itself has also attracted scrutiny, reflecting broader debates about celebrity involvement in politically charged causes. Earlier in November, Minaj had spoken at a United Nations event hosted by the U.S. Mission, where she also highlighted alleged violence against Christians in Nigeria. That appearance marked the beginning of heightened public attention on her growing advocacy for religious freedom, a stance that continues to provoke both support and criticism worldwide. Tags: #NickiMinaj, #ChristianPersecution, #Nigeria

What’s the Cost of a Merry Christmas? Azu Ishiekwene Reflects on Power, Politics and Personal Choices In this reflective Christmas opinion piece, Azu Ishiekwene departs from conventional year-end predictions to examine the deeper personal, political, and social costs of seeking a “merry” Christmas in a turbulent world. Writing against the backdrop of a chaotic global year marked by political disruption, Ishiekwene curates and revisits some of his most unusual and thought-provoking articles published in 2025. Through humour, satire, and introspection, he reflects on Nigeria’s everyday frustrations—such as incomprehensible airport flight announcements—and broader continental issues, including the rise of algorithm-driven populism around Burkina Faso’s military leader, Ibrahim Traoré. He questions the substance behind viral political hero-worship and warns against mistaking online fantasy for real governance and reform. The article also takes a deeply personal turn as Ishiekwene honours mentors and colleagues who shaped his journalism journey, highlighting how small acts of faith and guidance can define a lifetime. From tributes to seasoned journalists to reflections on career choices, love, regret, and ambition, he underscores the idea that life is lived forward, not in hindsight. Politically, Ishiekwene revisits his controversial analysis of Peter Obi’s political future, cautioning against alliances that could undermine long-term ambition. He closes with a sober reminder that Christmas cheer should not come at the cost of critical thinking, moral clarity, or personal authenticity—urging readers to celebrate thoughtfully as they step into the New Year.

₦4.6 Billion Fraud Probe: PRP Demands Resignation of Bauchi Finance Commissioner as Court Orders EFCC to Produce Him The Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in Bauchi State has called for the immediate resignation of the state Commissioner of Finance, Yakubu Adamu, following his arrest and investigation by the EFCC over alleged ₦4.6 billion money laundering. The party urged Adamu to step aside to allow an unhindered probe, as a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the EFCC to produce him for arraignment on December 30, 2025. The PRP also asked the anti-graft agency to widen its investigation to cover all financial dealings during Adamu’s tenure, stressing the need for transparency, accountability and justice in public office. #BauchiPolitics #EFCCProbe #CorruptionAllegations

Ex-Nigerian AGF Malami Faces 16-Count Fraud Case Over N212.8B Property Portfolio" Fresh documents obtained by SaharaReporters reveal that former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is set to face a 16-count fraud charge involving 30 properties valued at N212.8 billion. The assets, located across Kebbi State, Kano State, and the FCT Abuja, include hotels, universities, factories, residential estates, and commercial ventures. Kebbi properties constitute the bulk, totaling over N162 billion, with notable assets like Rayhaan University sites and Azbir Hotel. The Kano and Abuja properties are valued at N16 billion and N34.7 billion respectively. The revelations come as Malami prepares to answer allegations of large-scale financial misconduct. #AbubakarMalami #NigeriaCorruption #FraudCase #NigerianPolitics

Aisha Buhari Reveals Pneumonia as Cause of Late President Buhari’s Death in New Book" Former First Lady, Aisha Buhari, has disclosed in her newly released book From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari that pneumonia was the immediate cause of her late husband’s death. She dismissed conspiracy theories suggesting poisoning or sabotage, stating that medical professionals clearly informed the family. Aisha Buhari also linked Buhari’s earlier health challenges to exhaustion and dietary imbalance. The book further reflects on governance challenges during his presidency, the DSS controversy, and her post-presidential humanitarian initiatives, including a cardiovascular and medical centre in Kano. #AishaBuhari #MuhammaduBuhari #BuhariDeath #Pneumonia #NigeriaPolitics #NigerianPresidency #Governance

Davido to Officially Join Accord Party, Follows Uncle Governor Adeleke Afrobeats superstar Davido, real name David Adeleke, announced he will formally join the Accord Party in Osun State this Wednesday by collecting his membership card at Imole House, Osogbo. The move comes after his uncle, Governor Ademola Adeleke, recently defected from the PDP to lead the Accord Party ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Davido shared the update via his verified X account, drawing attention from fans and political observers. Social media reactions highlighted support, curiosity, and commentary on the intertwining of family and politics. #Davido #AccordParty #OsunPolitics #GovernorAdeleke #NigerianCelebrities

Turaki-Led PDP Accuses INEC of Bias, Insists Wike’s ‘Committee of Friends’ Is Not a Faction Amid Leadership Dispute The Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of hypocrisy and sustained bias, insisting that there is no faction within the party despite claims by the electoral body. In a strongly worded statement, the PDP faulted INEC’s refusal to recognise and upload the names of its elected National Working Committee members following the party’s November 2025 convention in Ibadan, Oyo State. According to the party, INEC’s position—anchored on subsisting Federal High Court judgments—is misleading, as those judgments have already been appealed with applications for stay of execution before the Court of Appeal. The PDP further alleged that INEC deliberately suppressed key facts in court, including its own role in monitoring PDP National Executive Committee meetings, the convention process, and party primaries conducted in Osun and Ekiti states under the current leadership. Warning against interference in internal party affairs, the PDP cited recent Supreme Court rulings barring INEC from meddling in party leadership disputes. It maintained that all legitimate organs of the party, including the Board of Trustees, Governors’ Forum, National Assembly caucuses, and state chairmen, recognise the Turaki-led NWC. The party dismissed the Wike-backed “committee of friends” as illegitimate, urging members to remain calm while the legal process continues. #PDP #INEC #NigerianPolitics

Lives Lost During #EndSARS, But None at Lekki Toll Gate — Lai Mohammed The Lekki Toll Gate incident remains one of the most disputed episodes of the October 2020 #EndSARS protests against police brutality, with sharply differing accounts from protesters, civil society groups, and the Federal Government. Former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has again maintained his position that although lives were lost during the nationwide #EndSARS protests, no deaths occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020. Speaking on Tuesday as a guest on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television, Mohammed said his stance has remained unchanged since the protests. He stressed that the Federal Government never denied that lives were lost during the unrest. “Five years later, my position has not changed. At no point did the government ever say that lives were not lost during #EndSARS. We lost several lives, including soldiers and policemen, but nobody was killed at the toll gate,” he stated. #EndSARS #LekkiTollGate #NigeriaNews #Politics

Makinde Tells Tinubu Minister Adelabu Lacks Capacity to Organize APC in Oyo State Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde revealed that during a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu regarding the Ibadan Airport upgrade project, he informed the President that Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, lacks the capacity to organize the APC in Oyo State. Makinde, a PDP member, also shared that Tinubu suggested he himself help organize the APC structure in the state, which he firmly declined due to his party allegiance. The governor emphasized that while recommendations can be made for ministerial appointments, the final decision rests with the President. #SeyiMakinde #BolaTinubu #AdebayoAdelabu #OyoStatePolitics #PDP #APC

Atiku Accuses Tinubu Administration of Forging Tax Reform Law, Labels It “Act of Treason” Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of illegally altering Nigeria’s tax reform legislation after it was passed by the National Assembly, calling it a “brazen act of treason.” Atiku claimed the alleged modifications undermine legislative supremacy, strip Nigerians of due process, and impose excessive financial burdens on citizens and businesses. He highlighted provisions such as arrest powers for tax authorities, property seizure without court orders, and forced USD computation for petroleum operations. Atiku urged the Executive to suspend the law, called on the National Assembly to correct the changes, and appealed to the judiciary and civil society to uphold constitutional governance. #AtikuAbubakar #TinubuAdministration #TaxReformNigeria #LegislativeSupremacy #ConstitutionalBreach #EconomicPolicy #NigerianPolitics

You Are Pushing Nigeria Toward a One-Party State, It Won’t Work” — Oyo Governor Seyi Makinde Warns President Tinubu Amid Political Defections Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has cautioned President Bola Tinubu against actions he says could push Nigeria toward a one-party state, warning that such a move would undermine the country’s federal structure and multi-party democracy. Speaking during a media chat, Makinde said Nigeria was founded on two non-negotiable principles—federalism and political pluralism—and abandoning them could threaten national stability. Addressing recent defections and internal crises within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor insisted he remains unmoved and opposed to weakening the opposition. Makinde stressed that Nigeria’s diversity requires a political system that accommodates multiple voices, warning that suppressing opposition could lead to instability and unpredictable consequences. #OnePartyState #NigeriaPolitics #MakindeTinubu

Six Rivers State House of Reps Members Defect from PDP to APC Amid Party Crisis Six lawmakers from Rivers State—Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke—have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reducing the PDP’s Rivers caucus to just two members. Speaking on the floor of the House, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas attributed the defections to “divisions and unresolved political crises” within the PDP. The lawmakers cited internal party conflicts as the reason for switching allegiance to the APC’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” under President Bola Tinubu. The defections follow Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent move from PDP to APC, signaling a significant shift in the state’s political landscape. #RiversStatePolitics #PDPDefections #APC #HouseOfRepresentatives #NigeriaPolitics

🚨🇬🇧 GRETA THUNBERG ARRESTED IN LONDON - CLIMATE ICON WALKS INTO UK TERROR LAW Greta Thunberg was arrested Tuesday in central London, not for blocking traffic or yelling at oil executives - but for holding a sign. City of London Police say the 22-year-old was detained for displaying a placard supporting Palestine Action, now a proscribed organization under Section 13 of the UK Terrorism Act 2000. That’s the statute usually reserved for ISIS merch and neo-Nazi logos. Not cardboard and markers. The protest backed Palestine Action hunger strikers. The charge isn’t about violence at the scene. It’s about symbolism. Under UK law, expressing support for a banned group - even rhetorically - is enough. This is the escalation everyone saw coming. Britain has spent the last year widening the legal blast radius around protest, extremism, and national security. Thunberg, long since migrated from climate to anti-war politics, just crossed into a zone where celebrity doesn’t cushion the landing. What happens next? Likely release without charge or a low-level court appearance - but the signal matters more than the sentence. Activism is being reclassified. Loud causes are becoming legal liabilities. Greta didn’t change. The rules did. Source: Sky News

Buhari, Osinbajo and the Politics of Posthumous Truth: How Death, Biography and Power Are Rewriting Nigeria’s Political History This opinion piece examines how posthumous narratives surrounding the late former President Muhammadu Buhari are reshaping public understanding of his eight-year partnership with former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Triggered by revelations in a newly launched Buhari biography and comments attributed to Aisha Buhari, the article questions claims that Buhari never supported Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential ambition. Drawing on documented public records, speeches, and governance decisions, the writer argues that posthumous “truths” often emerge without balance, context, or the possibility of rebuttal, turning silence into political currency. The piece warns that such narratives reveal more about present power struggles than historical reality, highlighting how death has become an open marketplace for convenient political storytelling in Nigeria.

Fire Destroys Tradmore Estate Market in Lugbe, Abuja An early morning fire devastated the only market in Tradmore Estate, Lugbe, Abuja, leaving residents in shock. The blaze reportedly started around 3:30 AM, potentially linked to an electrical fault from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), though this has not been officially confirmed. The fire quickly engulfed the market before emergency services could respond. Residents described the scene as tense and chaotic, noting that initial attempts to reach the Federal Fire Service and the Federal Capital Territory Fire Service were unsuccessful. Firefighters eventually arrived, including units from Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) facilities and nearby stations, and managed to contain the fire. Kano State Fire Service has not yet issued an official statement regarding the cause of the fire. Source: Legit.ng Author: Jamiu (Current Affairs and Politics Editor)