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Wike and APC
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Tinubu to Wike: Focus on Abuja Duties or Face Sack

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu has given wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, a stark warning to prioritize his responsibilities in Abuja or risk losing his position.

The directive was conveyed by Mr. Ibrahim Ya’u Darazo, Special Adviser to the President on Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, during a press briefing in Abuja.

According to Darazo, no political office holder, including Wike, should engage in activities that “heat the polity” in Rivers State or elsewhere, especially when it distracts from official duties.

The Presidency emphasized that the move aims to promote proper conduct, dedicated service, and uphold the integrity of ministerial appointments.

Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, has been embroiled in a political standoff with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, sparking concerns about his focus on FCT responsibilities.

The minister has, however, expressed confidence in his performance, stating that President Tinubu has the right to sack him if he deems it necessary.

The development underscores the administration’s commitment to ensuring accountability and effectiveness in governance.

 

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wike
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Only Tinubu can sack me – Wike

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that political power is earned through strength and strategic action, warning that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area remains a decisive force in Rivers State politics.

Wike also dismissed calls for his removal, stressing that the power to sack him lies solely with the President.

Wike spoke on Sunday during a thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths.

PUNCH Online reports that the minister has been touring the state’s 23 local government areas to appreciate residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

Addressing the gathering, Wike stressed that politics should be guided by interest, not sentiment.

“There is no sentiment, there is no emotion. Politics is an interest; the interest of your people. Power is not given; we struggle for it. After all, if Donald Trump did not have power, would he go to Venezuela to pick a president? He wouldn’t. Because he has power, that’s why he can act,” Wike said.

“So for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor. All these people commenting from the sidelines, ask them if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge one that produced 40 per cent of the votes? Let us see how it will work.

“We will use our strength to punish them. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making the pronouncement. Nobody has become the senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor deciding. So, if you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and look for the votes—and we will punish you with the votes.”

The former Rivers State governor also dismissed calls for his removal from office, stressing that such decisions rest solely with the President.

“Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I cannot offer anything again, he has the right, not that you should tell him. I am proud that the people of Obio/Akpor, the people of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we have not disappointed them in the FCT,” he said.

Earlier, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Gift Worlu, praised Wike’s political influence, describing him as a major asset to the council, the state, and the nation. He commended Wike’s performance across various offices, including chairman, chief of staff, governor, and minister, and stressed the council’s loyalty to his leadership.

“When it comes to who should be President of Nigeria in 2027, we know where to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we know where not to go. We will not go the way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty,” Worlu said.

 

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Chimamanda Adiche
Headlines

Lagos Government Suspends Doctor as Probe Begins Into Death of Chimamanda Adichie’s Son

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

The Lagos State Government has suspended the anaesthesiologist involved in the treatment of 21-month-old Nkanu Nnamdi, the son of acclaimed author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and her husband, Dr. Ivara Esege, following the child’s death at Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital, Lagos.

The toddler died on January 7, 2026, after reportedly suffering cardiac arrest during routine medical procedures carried out a day earlier. These included sedation for an MRI scan and the insertion of a central line.

Announcing the suspension, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, Dr. Kemi Ogunyemi, said the action would remain in force pending the outcome of a comprehensive and independent investigation into allegations of medical negligence. She reiterated the state government’s zero-tolerance stance on any lapses in patient care, particularly in paediatric cases.

According to the family, Nkanu was stable prior to the procedures and was scheduled for medical evacuation to Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States the following day. They have alleged that excessive administration of the sedative propofol, poor patient monitoring, and delayed resuscitation efforts contributed to the child’s death.

In response, solicitors representing Adichie and Dr. Esege issued a legal notice to Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital on January 10, demanding the preservation and release of all relevant medical records, including drug administration logs and patient monitoring data.

Euracare Multi-Specialist Hospital has confirmed that it has commenced an internal review of the incident and is cooperating fully with regulatory authorities.

Meanwhile, investigations by the Lagos State Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria are ongoing.

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Tinubu and Senate
Headlines

Tinubu Seeks Senate Confirmation of 21 Nominees for NUPRC, NMDPRA Boards

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded letters to the Senate seeking confirmation of 21 nominees for the boards of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The disclosure was made on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

In one of the letters, Tinubu nominated former senator Magnus Abe as chairman of the NUPRC board. Abe, who represented Rivers South-East in the Senate for two terms, previously served on the board of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and currently chairs the National Agency for the Great Green Wall.

Also nominated as non-executive commissioners for the NUPRC board are Engineer Paul Yaro Jezhi, a former chairman of the Trade Union Congress in Kaduna State, and Mr Sunday Adebayo Babalola, a former deputy director at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).

The President further proposed a list of executive commissioners, including Muhammed Sabo Lamido (Finance), Edu Inyang (Exploration and Acreage), Justin Ezeala (Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning), Henry Darlington Oki (Development and Production), Indabawa Bashari Alka (Corporate Services and Administration), and Mahmood Tijani (Health, Safety and Environment).

Ms Olayemi Adeboyejo was also nominated to serve as Secretary and Legal Adviser to the commission.

According to the Presidency, some of the nominees, including Lamido and Adeboyejo, were initially appointed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, while Alka was appointed by President Tinubu in 2023. Others on the list are fresh nominees by the current administration.

The nominations are subject to confirmation by the Senate.

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Headlines

AI used to improve quality of Tinubu-Kagame Paris meeting – Presidency

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Presidency has debunked reports claiming that a photograph of President Bola Tinubu and Rwandan President Paul Kagame taken in Paris, France, was generated using artificial intelligence.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, described the reports and subsequent social media commentary as a “misrepresentation of facts.”

Ajayi insisted that the photograph was genuine, explaining that both leaders met and shared meals on Sunday during their engagements in Paris.

He said, “The narrative that the picture of Presidents Bola Tinubu and Paul Kagame taken in Paris yesterday was AI-generated is not correct.”

He added, “Both President Kagame and President Tinubu met in Paris and had lunch together on Sunday. The two leaders later had dinner with President Macron the same evening.”

According to him, the controversy stemmed from the poor quality of the original phone photograph, which was later enhanced using the Grok tool.

“The picture was taken with a phone and obviously had poor quality. The photographer only later used Grok to improve the picture quality. That is not a reason to conclude it was AI-generated,” Ajayi said.

He criticised reports suggesting otherwise, saying journalists should have verified the information before publication.

“The writer or editor should have asked questions before this wrong conclusion,” he added.

It was earlier reported that a photograph released by the Presidency showing Tinubu in a meeting with the Rwandan President in Paris had drawn attention after users on X (formerly Twitter) flagged it as artificially generated.

The image, which bore the watermark of Grok, an AI tool developed by Elon Musk’s xAI company, circulated widely on social media on Sunday.

It showed Tinubu and Kagame seated together during what was described as a private engagement in the French capital.

The photograph appeared on the President’s official X handle, where Tinubu said the discussions centred on international developments and the future of the African continent.

“This afternoon, I had a private lunch with H.E. President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to discuss the current state of world affairs and advancing Africa in an ever-changing global landscape,” the President wrote.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, also shared the same image, adding, “President Bola Tinubu at a private lunch in Paris with the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, discussing world affairs and advancing Africa. Sunday, January 4, 2026.”

However, a Community Note added to the President’s post suggested the picture might not be authentic.

It read, “While a meeting between Mr Tinubu and President Kagame is reported to have been held in Paris, the image in this post appears to be AI-generated, given the GrokAI badge.”

Grok, the AI system referenced, is capable of producing text, generating images, and running real-time online searches.

The controversy has triggered conversations about the appropriateness of using AI-processed images in official government communications, particularly where international engagements are involved.

Tinubu has been in Europe since December 28, having left Lagos for an end-of-year break.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Boko Haram IEDs Kill Nine Soldiers, Injure Several Others in Borno

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

An IED planted by Boko Haram terrorists near Gubio in Borno State has reportedly killed at least nine Nigerian soldiers.

According to a report on Monday, the explosives were planted by Boko Haram. The soldiers were travelling from Maiduguri when the deadly incident occurred.

“While coming from Maiduguri town on Saturday, they stopped at a camp on the road to continue their journey on Sunday,” the source said.

Several soldiers sustained injuries in the blast, with fatalities rising after the initial explosion. “Eight died yesterday (Sunday) among those injured, while one more died this morning,” the source added.

Clarifying the nature of the attack, the military source emphasized that it was not an ambush by gunmen but a blast caused by planted explosive devices.

“The incident happened at Gubio, not an ambush. It was caused by explosive devices,” he said, adding that casualties were high, with many sustaining serious injuries.

The affected soldiers were from “145 Damasak under 5 Brigade, Maiduguri, Borno State,” and the incident reportedly occurred towards Sunday evening.

Video and photographs show the aftermath of the blast, depicting several Nigerian Army personnel lying lifeless, some with severe injuries consistent with powerful explosions, including severed body parts.

This incident is the latest in a string of deadly attacks targeting Nigerian troops in the North-East, where Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) continue to launch coordinated assaults on military formations and patrols using both gunfire and explosives.

As of the of time filing this report, the Nigerian Army has not issued an official statement or provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the explosion.

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Headlines

Again, bandits invade Niger, Kill 30 Villagers

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

Armed men suspected to be marauding bandits operating from Kainji Lake National Park forest along Kabe District in Borgu local government area of Niger State, have set a village market ablaze, killed 30 villagers and abducted scores.

It was learnt that the bandits invaded the market called Kasuwan Daji located at Demo village via Kabe where they did not only set the market ablaze but looted people’s wares especially food items, shot at the villagers and abducted many of them through the path to the expansive Kainji Lake National Park forest.

Confirming the development the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Wasiu Abiodun, said: “A joint security team has visited the scene and over 30 victims lost their lives during the attack, some were kidnapped, efforts are ongoing to rescue the kidnap victims.”

Details Later…

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Headlines

Tinubu will rename Nigeria” – Prophet declares in 2026 prophecies

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

A cleric, Toye Ebijomore has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will give Nigeria a new name before the end of his tenure and overcome all political arrangements against him.

Ebijomore who is the founder and General Overseer of God’s Anointed and Blessed Church International in Akure, made the prediction on Friday while unveiling his 2026 prophecies.

He said a strong coalition of political parties would emerge ahead of the 2027 general election with the aim of taking power, but added that misfortune would weaken their alliance.

The cleric said the ruling party would retain power in the next election before a stronger political platform would later emerge to displace it.

He urged the president to obey what he described as divine instruction to convene a national prayer for the redemption of Nigeria’s glory.

According to Ebijomore, Nigeria will experience food surplus from the second half of 2026.

His words: “There will be plenty of food in Nigeria from the second half of this year, but the government should work towards making food and health cheaper for the people.

“There is great abundance ahead in this year, and attacks of the devil on people will also be many, but those who can pray genuinely and have the blood of Jesus as a seal upon them will not be harmed.”

The cleric urged Nigerians to maintain a positive attitude, saying 2026 would be marked by healing and deliverance for those who believe.

“The Lord said to me that He will appear in this year to vacate the curse of untimely death on many people and give them testimony of living healthy till old age,” he said.

Ebijomore warned that insecurity would assume new forms, shifting from kidnapping to robbery, sponsored violence, arson and bombings in public places.

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Yakubu Adamu
Headlines

Court Slams N500m Naira Bail on Bauchi Commissioner Over N4.6 Billion Fraud Charge

by Nelson Ugwuagbo
written by Nelson Ugwuagbo

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has imposed stringent bail conditions on the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Yakubu Adamu, who is standing trial over an alleged N4.6 billion fraud charge brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The judge on Friday admitted Adamu to bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties required to stand for him.

According to the court, the sureties must own landed properties in Maitama, Asokoro, or Gwarinpa districts of Abuja and are to deposit the original Certificates of Occupancy of the properties with the court for the duration of the trial.

Justice Nwite further ordered the sureties to deposit their international passports with the court registrar, while the commissioner is barred from travelling outside the country without the express permission of the court.

Pending the fulfilment of the bail conditions, the court ordered that Adamu be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

The bail application was moved by Chief Gordy Uche, SAN, who appeared for the commissioner and a firm, Ayab Agro Products and Freight Company Ltd, but was opposed by EFCC counsel, Samuel Chime.

Adamu and Ayab Agro Products were arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on alleged money laundering involving N4.6 billion.

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Headlines

BREAKING: Nigeria Police Suspend Tinted Glass Permit Enforcement

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has suspended the nationwide enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy following an interim court order restraining the action.

The Force had announced on 15 December 2025 that the enforcement of the policy would resume from 2 January 2026, citing its responsibility to maintain public safety and internal security.

However, the NPF was subsequently served with an interim order in Suit No. HOR/FHR/M/31/2025, issued on 17 December 2025, which barred the Force from proceeding with the enforcement pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit or the vacation of the order.

In a statement on Thursday, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed that the police have entered appearance in the matter, raised preliminary objections, and formally applied for the vacation of the interim order.

The court has adjourned the case to 20 January 2026 for further proceedings.

The statement read in part, “In strict compliance with the subsisting court order, the Nigeria Police Force has placed the enforcement of the Tinted Glass Permit policy on hold nationwide, pending the decision of the court.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, reaffirms that the Force remains resolute in upholding the rule of law while protecting lives and property.

“The Force will continue to deploy lawful, intelligence-driven strategies to address security challenges and safeguard public safety across the country.”

The NPF assured the public that further updates and clear guidance would be issued following the court’s determination, in the overriding interest of public order and national security.

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