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Nelson Ugwuagbo

Tinubu
Headlines

Opposition Coalition Accuses Tinubu Government of Politicising EFCC Ahead of 2027

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political instrument to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.

The opposition leaders said the alleged selective application of anti-corruption laws by the EFCC and other security agencies undermines the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and erodes public confidence in state institutions.

The allegation was contained in a joint statement endorsed by the Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Lawal Batagarawa; Bode George; Peter Obi; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.

Titled “The Weaponisation of the EFCC,” the statement accused the anti-graft agency of persistently targeting opposition figures for political advantage in favour of the ruling APC.

According to the opposition leaders, the trend reflects a past remark by former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who once suggested that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have their past “sins” forgiven upon joining the APC.

They said the comment, whether made casually or deliberately, has reinforced a troubling perception that allegations against members of the ruling party are often ignored, while opposition figures are aggressively investigated and subjected to intense media scrutiny without proven evidence.

The coalition called for the immediate removal of political interference from the EFCC’s operations, stressing that the agency must function independently and professionally.

“The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not function at the behest of any president, political party, or faction,” the statement said.

The opposition leaders further urged the Federal Government to restore the EFCC to its original legal mandate, insisting that its responsibilities do not include selective prosecution or the harassment of political opponents.

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Unijos Student Accident
Headlines

Tragedy As 8 UNIJOS Students Die in Ghastly Accident

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

At least eight students of the University of Jos (UNIJOS) were killed in the early hours of Thursday, December 11, 2025, when a trailer lost control and collided with a bus conveying them along Zaria Road in the Jos metropolis, Plateau State.

Eyewitnesses said the students died instantly alongside the bus driver. Two other students who survived the crash were rushed to a nearby hospital for urgent medical attention.

The victims were returning from a night outing around 2 a.m. in two hired buses when tragedy occurred. Near the Zaria Road Stadium area, a speeding trailer, suspected to have suffered brake failure, veered off course and rammed into one of the buses.

The force of the impact caused the driver to lose control, sending the bus crashing into an electric pole just before the Farin Gada bridge.

Authorities were yet to issue an official statement at the time of filing this report, while rescue operations and investigations into the incident continued.

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Dangote and Ecowas
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ECOWAS Appoints Aliko Dangote as Inaugural Chairman of Regional Business Council

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has appointed Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Chairman of the Dangote Group, as the pioneer Chairman of the ECOWAS Business Council (EBC).

ECOWAS President, Dr. Omar Touray, announced the appointment on Wednesday during the 95th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Council of Ministers in Abuja.

The EBC, an independent platform established by ECOWAS, is designed to strengthen the role of the private sector, stimulate sub-regional trade, attract investment, and enhance economic integration across West Africa. It is expected to serve as a bridge between the private sector and policymakers within the sub-region.

Touray explained that Dangote’s selection was informed by his extensive business expertise and the significant economic footprint of his enterprises, not only within the ECOWAS region but across the African continent.

He noted that momentum for intra-regional investment was increasing, citing recent economic forums such as the Forum Senegal Invest, the West African Economic Summit in Nigeria, and the “Invest in District Savanes” forum in Côte d’Ivoire.

“This growing appetite for intra-regional investment highlights the need to mobilise capital within our region to build our community, rather than relying on unstable foreign investments,” Touray said.

He added that with the scale of investments by business leaders such as Dangote, the region’s private sector could drive West Africa’s development if provided with the right incentives and opportunities.

Through the EBC, ECOWAS aims to convene private sector stakeholders to deliberate on economic integration and regional development, while facilitating stronger partnerships among private enterprises, government agencies, and ECOWAS institutions.

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Stella Oduah
Headlines

FG Arraigns Ex-Aviation Minister Stella Oduah Over Alleged N5bn Fraud

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government on Wednesday arraigned former Minister of Aviation, Senator Stella Oduah, before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja, over alleged involvement in a ₦5 billion corruption scheme.

Oduah was brought before the court by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences.

According to court filings, the former minister was accused of fraudulently obtaining ₦2.4 billion from the Federal Ministry of Aviation through Broad Waters Resources, claiming the funds were meant for “technical supervision.” The alleged offence was said to have occurred in January 2014.

She was further accused in another count of dishonestly receiving an additional ₦2.4 billion through the same company under the same pretext.

The case is expected to continue as the court takes up submissions from both parties.

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Governor Adeleke
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Accord Party Set To Declare Adeleke As Sole Gubernatorial Candidate

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Accord Party in Osun State is set to officially declare Governor Ademola Adeleke as its candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

The declaration is scheduled to take place today, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, during the party’s governorship primary in Osogbo.

Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande, announced that Governor Adeleke is the sole aspirant for the ticket.

Akande noted that approximately 150 delegates would participate in the exercise, with five delegates selected from each of the state’s 30 local government areas.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke is our sole candidate for the 2026 governorship election. We are declaring him today. As you know, he formally defected to our party in November and we publicly presented him on Tuesday,” Akande said.

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NIgerian Military
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JUST IN: Senate Approves Troops Deployment to Benin Republic

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Senate has approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin as part of regional efforts to restore stability following last weekend’s attempted coup in the neighboring country.

The approval was announced on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary, after lawmakers considered the request in the Committee of the Whole in accordance with Section 5, Part II of the Constitution.

Senators unanimously endorsed the deployment, giving legislative backing to Nigeria’s participation in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) security response.

Akpabio described the move as necessary for regional stability, noting that political unrest in any West African state poses potential threats to others.

“An injury to one is an injury to all,” he said, stressing Nigeria’s responsibility to support its ECOWAS partners.

In his letter to the upper chamber, President Tinubu said Nigeria carries a historic obligation under existing ECOWAS security arrangements to assist Benin. He warned that the situation demanded swift intervention to prevent further deterioration.

The attempted coup occurred on Sunday, when a group of soldiers identifying themselves as the “Military Committee for Refoundation” appeared on state television to announce the removal of President Patrice Talon. Loyalist forces, however, quickly regained control, thwarting the plot.

Following the failed takeover, ECOWAS announced the activation of its standby force.

According to the bloc, the regional force will comprise troops from Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, with a mandate “to support the Government and the Republican Army of Benin to preserve constitutional order and the territorial integrity of the Republic of Benin.”

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Christopher Musa
Headlines

JUST IN: Tinubu Swears In General Musa As Chief of Defence Staff

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has sworn-in General Christopher Musa as the country’s minister of defence in a major push to restructure Nigeria’s security setup.

Musa’s swearing-in ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, a day after a five-hour grilling by the Senate, leading to his confirmation.

Details later ….

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Nnamdi Kanu
Headlines

IPOB Commends Abia, Sokoto Governors Over Visit to Nnamdi Kanu

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have commended the governors of Abia and Sokoto states, Dr Alex Otti and Ahmad Aliyu, for their recent visit to the group’s detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing the gesture as both “historic” and “surprising.”

In a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB said Kanu’s arrest, extraordinary rendition from Kenya, continued detention, trial, conviction, and life sentence, as well as his transfer to a correctional facility in Sokoto amid worsening insecurity, amounted to what it described as extreme provocation against the group and the Igbo people.

The group further alleged that the Federal Government deployed security agencies to carry out what it termed “false-flag operations” in the South-East to fabricate evidence of violence and terrorism against IPOB and its leader.

IPOB also claimed that Kanu was imprisoned through what it described as a biased legal process, maintaining that his only offence was advocating for the rights of his people and pursuing self-determination in a country it accused of marginalising them since independence.

According to the statement, IPOB insisted that the alleged injustice would not be ignored until a comprehensive and independent investigation is conducted.

Part of the statement read: “The global family and movement of IPOB express appreciation to the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, and the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmad Aliyu, for their surprise visit to our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.

“We also commend other concerned Igbos, including residents in Sokoto. The alleged kidnapping, extraordinary rendition, prolonged detention, unlawful trial, life imprisonment, and transfer to Sokoto prison will not stand.

“The alleged use of state security forces for false-flag operations in the South-East to manufacture evidence of violence and terrorism against IPOB and Kanu is an injustice that must not be overlooked without a thorough independent investigation.”

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Tinubu
Headlines

Tinubu Nominates Ibas, Enang, Dambazau, Others as Non-Career Ambassadors

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has nominated the immediate past Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, for appointment as a non-career ambassador.

Also nominated are a former senator, Ita Enang; former First Lady of Imo State, Chioma Ohakim; and a former Minister of Interior and ex-Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Dambazau.

The nominations come barely one week after the President forwarded the names of Reno Omokri, former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmoud Yakubu, among others, to the Senate for confirmation as ambassadors.

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Tinubu and Asuu
Headlines

FG Proposes 40% Salary Increase for ASUU Lecturers

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, according to sources familiar with the development in Abuja.

The offer comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the government’s team, led by Yayale Ahmed.

It was gathered that the union’s decision to resume talks followed a consensus reached at its National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.

Branch leaders who attended the NEC meeting are expected to brief their members nationwide on the new proposal and the next steps in the negotiation process.

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