NIGERIA NEWS
INEC Meets With PDP Factions Over Leadership Crisis
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has opened talks with the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the party’s lingering leadership crisis.
The meeting is taking place at INEC’s national headquarters in Abuja and is aimed at addressing internal disputes threatening the party’s stability.
This emergency engagement brings together representatives of the factions led by Tanimu Turaki and Abdulrahman Mohammed.
The Mohammed faction is widely known to be backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, while the Turaki group claims recognition by key party structures.
Sources within the commission confirmed that the meeting is part of INEC’s effort to clarify the leadership status of the PDP and prevent further confusion ahead of future electoral activities.
The commission is said to be concerned about conflicting communications and submissions from the party.
Tanimu Turaki arrived at the meeting with several members of his National Working Committee.
Also present in his delegation were officials of the party secretariat and former Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, who is regarded as a key stakeholder within the PDP.
On the other side, Abdulrahman Mohammed led members of the PDP’s national caretaker committee to the meeting.
Among those in his team was the committee’s secretary, Senator Sam Anyanwu, alongside other senior figures aligned with the faction.
The closed-door meeting is expected to focus on documentation, leadership claims, and possible pathways toward resolving the internal rift that has divided the opposition party in recent months.
INEC officials are reportedly seeking clarity to determine which faction holds legitimate authority to act on behalf of the PDP.
As of the time of filing this report, discussions were still ongoing, and no official statement had been released by INEC or the PDP factions.
The Enugu State Government has debunked a fake report, which claimed that the National Boundary Commission, NBC, had ceded Ette, a border community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area to Kogi State.
In a statement issued by the Secretary, Enugu State Boundary Committee, Dr. Solomon Ejim, on Friday, the state government assured the people of Ette as well as Igbo-Eze North LGA and Enugu State in general that the NBC was yet to publish any report or decision on the protracted interstate land dispute.
The statement read, “The attention of the Enugu State Government has been drawn to a fake and misleading online report claiming that the National Boundary Commission (NBC) has made a decision on the age-long interstate boundary dispute between Enugu State and Kogi State to the effect that Ette community in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of Enugu State has been administratively ceded to Kogi State.
“The Enugu State Government wishes to state categorically that the report is fake. The Director-General of NBC has also been contacted by the government and he vehemently debunked and disowned the report as outrightly false and not emanating from the Commission.
Therefore, the people of Igbo-Eze North LGA and Enugu State in general are by this press statement enjoined to ignore the fake news, which is a clear handiwork of mischief makers. They are further enjoined not to entertain any form of anxiety, but go about their normal businesses, as no such resolution has been reached by the Commission in respect of the Enugu State–Kogi State.”
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The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested a suspected serial rapist, Annas Sani, over multiple cases of abduction, impersonation and sexual assault involving teenage girls.
Briefing journalists on Friday, the Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Musa, said the suspect, a resident of Gidan Igwai area of Sokoto, was arrested on December 9, 2025, following reports of the abduction and rape of two girls aged 17 and 18.
Police investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly operated with a network of accomplices, using deception and intimidation to target young girls.
According to the commissioner, Annas Sani confessed during interrogation that he carried out the crimes with the assistance of three accomplices, identified as Mohammed, Adam Nura, also known as Willy, and Mubarak Yusuf, who are currently at large.
The police said the suspects allegedly posed as members of an organisation known as the Sokoto State Masterpiece Brigade to lure victims to an office near Gidan Igwai, where the girls were reportedly threatened, restrained and sexually abused.
At least 28 victims have so far been identified, with some fleeing their homes out of fear, making it difficult for families to report the incidents promptly.
Items recovered from the suspect include a camouflage-style uniform and an identification card bearing his name, which police said was used to impersonate an authority figure.
The commissioner said investigations were ongoing and efforts had been intensified to arrest the remaining suspects, urging members of the public to provide information that could assist in tracking them down.
He added that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating across the state.
A High Court in Edo State has granted bail to activist, Harrison Gwamnishu.
Naija News recalls that Harrison has been in police detention in Edo state, following allegations that he stole a portion of the crowdfunded ransom money of a young couple abducted in Edo state.
The dispute centers on the ransom raised to secure the release of Mr. and Mrs. Segiru, who were abducted from their residence in Aviele community near Auchi on November 22, 2025.
Abdulganiyu Oseni, the elder brother of the kidnapped wife, took to his X handle to accuse Harrison Gwamnishu, who had offered to mediate through his Safe City Volunteer Foundation, of diverting the money for personal use.
Oseni claimed that the family raised ₦20 million plus an additional ₦50,000 as ransom to secure the release of the couple.
Oseni explicitly called Gwamnishu a “thief” who “stole from the ransom my family laboured for over 10 days to raise.”
The family claims Gwamnishu admitted and remitted only ₦5.4 million to the Auchi Area Police Command before allegedly fleeing the area.
Oseni insisted that Gwamnishu risked the couple’s lives, as he was aware the kidnappers would count the money and that the diversion led to the release of only the wife.
In a latest development, an aide to the Delta state governor, Ossai Success Ovie, in a Facebook post on Friday, said an Edo court has now granted Harrison bail.
He wrote, “Harrison Gwamnishu has been granted bail at the High Court of Justice in Edo State. Very Dark Man and others are now disappointed. Their plans failed woefully. I am disappointed in them all. Glory be to Jesus.”
- Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, Plateau State regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has alleged that terrorists placed a bounty on his head due to his outspoken condemnation of attacks on Christians.
- He claims to face daily threats and systemic discrimination against his family, including alleged blacklisting of his children from university admissions in Northern Nigeria.
- Despite lacking personal security, the cleric says he has documented evidence and remains resolute in continuing his advocacy.
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Plateau State, has raised an alarm over a bounty placed on his head by terrorists.
In a recent interview with Lucky Udu, the cleric revealed that his vocal stance against the massacre of Christians has made him a primary target.
Despite the imminent threat, he remains defiant, stating: “They have put a bounty on my head. They said anyone that kills me first will be rewarded. I’m not afraid of death. I walk past the territory of Muslims and they usually point at me.”
Beyond the physical threats, Rev. Dachomo alleged that his family is facing systemic discrimination.
He claimed his children are being blacklisted from university admissions in the North due to his reputation. “If my children look for admission in the university, when they see the name Ezekiel Dachomo, they will remove it,” he added.
The outspoken cleric, who previously gained international attention by calling on figures like Donald Trump to intervene in what he describes as a Christian genocide, insists he has documented evidence to support his claims. Even without personal security, he maintains his mission, refusing to be silenced by the bounty or the alleged victimization of his children.
The Nigerian Senate has approved the appointments of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC, and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA.
The confirmations followed nominations by President Bola Tinubu and were expedited by the upper chamber to ensure seamless continuity in the regulation of Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
Eyesan, a petroleum economist, has more than three decades of experience in the oil and gas sector, having served in various capacities within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and its subsidiaries, with a strong background in upstream operations.
Mohammed, a chemical engineer, is widely regarded for his extensive experience in refining, gas management and policy formulation, having previously held several strategic leadership roles within the industry.
The confirmations come in the wake of recent leadership transitions within the regulatory agencies, part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight and improve operational efficiency across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the petroleum sector in line with the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA.
Both officials are expected to play key roles in boosting investor confidence, ensuring strict regulatory compliance, and advancing domestic refining capacity and gas development in Nigeria.
NIGERIA NEWS
Suspend 2026 Tax Reform – Afenifere Tells Tinubu Govt, Calls For National Economic Audit
The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has called on the Federal Government to suspend the implementation of the 2026 Tax Reform Act, scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, citing concerns over content integrity, tax sovereignty and fiscal governance.
The group also urged the Federal Government to withhold the presentation of the 2026 Budget until a comprehensive review of Nigeria’s fiscal framework is carried out.
Naija News reports that Afenifere made the call in a statement jointly signed by its Leader, HRH Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and the National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye, on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The organisation raised the alarm over alleged discrepancies between the gazetted version of the Tax Reform Act and the version passed by the National Assembly, referencing claims earlier made by Rep. Abdulsammad Dasuki (PDP-Sokoto).
According to Afenifere, the allegation raises serious constitutional concerns that must be independently investigated.
The group demanded an independent audit involving relevant committees of the National Assembly and external auditors, warning that any proven breach of legislative procedure must attract stiff sanctions.
“The implementation of the Tax Reform Bill should be suspended until proven otherwise by both the National Assembly committee and external auditors. If found to be true, those responsible for this grave constitutional breach must be held accountable and duly punished,” the statement read.
Afenifere also condemned reports that the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) outsourced the development and administration of Nigeria’s tax system to foreign entities, describing the move as a major threat to national security and data sovereignty.
The group warned that relinquishing control of sensitive fiscal and personal data could expose the country to economic exploitation.
“These are extremely important data protection and national security issues, because a foreign nation administering our tax system gives the nation and its business class undue advantage to analyse and exploit our economic system,” Afenifere said.
“Both governmental and consumer data are gold mines to those in control or with unfettered access.”
Describing the outsourcing of tax administration as economic recolonisation, the organisation drew parallels with Nigeria’s pre-independence struggle, stressing that fiscal autonomy was central to the nation’s quest for independence.
Afenifere also faulted what it described as the neglect of local content, insisting that Nigeria has the human capacity to manage its tax system.
“Afenifere is confident that Nigeria has able tax accountants, tax lawyers and information system developers that can build and efficiently manage our tax system, and if need be we can study and replicate any tax system, including that of the French in Nigeria,” the statement added.
The group criticised practices in some Francophone African countries where capital transfers require approval from foreign capitals.
“With the current high unemployment rate, our government should focus on local content and only when necessary, like in rocket science, should we give jobs to foreigners. Taxation is not rocket science but social science,” it said.
On fiscal management, Afenifere called for a National Economic Audit Emergency, citing recent disclosures by the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, that Nigeria recorded a $20bn revenue shortfall in 2025, despite earlier claims that revenue targets had been met.
The organisation noted that only about ₦10.7 trillion was realised from a projected ₦40.8 trillion revenue for 2025, describing the wide gap as evidence of systemic failure in budget planning and fiscal governance.
Afenifere further criticised the country’s rising public debt profile, arguing that deficit financing has failed to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.
According to the group, the mounting debts have coincided with the removal of subsidies, rising energy and communication costs, and policies that continue to deepen poverty across the country.
The organisation reiterated its call for economic sovereignty, increased investment in social welfare such as housing, education and healthcare, and a halt to what it described as prebendalist governance practices.
“Summarily, just as Afenifere has called for concerted efforts to improve national security, it is also calling for our continued economic sovereignty and prosperity,” the statement said.
“Afenifere calls for the review of the 2026 Tax Reform and continues the call for social welfarism in housing, education, health and economic liberating infrastructure, instead of prebendalist contracts to feed the boys.”
- Ghana’s Assistant Commissioner of Police, Dennis Fiakpui, has stated that refusing a partner sex can amount to emotional abuse under the country’s Domestic Violence Act 732.
- He explained that the law applies to both men and women and carries a penalty of up to two years’ imprisonment if the refusal causes emotional pain.
- He urged victims to report such cases to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVSSU), noting that actions causing sustained emotional distress within a marriage can form the basis of a complaint.
Ghana’s Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Dennis Fiakpui, has clarified that denying a partner sex can result in emotional abuse charges under the Domestic Violence Act 732.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency, he revealed that the law applies to both genders and carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment for those found guilty of causing their partner emotional pain.
ACP Fiakpui encouraged victims to report such issues to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVSSU), noting that even a husband refusing his wife’s food or coming home late can be grounds for a complaint if it causes unhappiness.
He emphasized, “If your husbands refuse to eat your food and make you unhappy and cause you emotional pain, you can also report it to the police,” further stating that “women who refused to give s3x to their husbands should equally be reported.”
NIGERIA NEWS
Very Young Nigerian Boy Rocks His Matriculation Gown in Video, People React: “So Fast?”
- A Nigerian student has gone viral on social media after sharing a video from his matriculation ceremony at the university
- In the video, he showed himself wearing his matriculation gown, but his very young appearance caught the attention of many netizens
- While some people in the comments claimed he looked too young to be in university, others praised him for starting early
A Nigerian student left many netizens in awe after sharing a clip from his university matriculation ceremony.
The clip captured his youthful appearance, which quickly became a topic of discussion among social media users.
Nigerian boy flaunts his matriculation gown.
Photo credit: @alexissss/TikTok.
Source: TikTok
Young boy shows off matriculation outfit
The student, who posted the video under the handle @alexissss, expressed joy over the special day.
He first showed himself in casual home outfit, wearing a singlet, before transitioning to a scene of him dressed in his formal matriculation gown on campus.
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His exceptionally young look caught the eyes of viewers who couldn’t resists dropping their opinions in the comments.
Some claimed that he appeared too young to be attending university, while others commended him for beginning his higher education journey at an early age.
Nigerian boy proudly celebrates his matriculation ceremony.
Photo credit: @alexissss/TikTok.
Source: TikTok
Reactions as young boy celebrates matriculation
The video quickly circulated on TikTok, gaining massive engagement from users intrigued by the boy’s looks.
@GRILLS JUNCTION said:
“Congratulations don’t join cultt o don’t collect food from stranger o. Best of luck my love.”
@Enniee said:
“Don’t do coloss and all other stuffs oo! Just face your studies and make us your internet aunties and uncles proud oo.”
@T.M.L said:
“As you enter school now you don dey think say your future go bright abi?”
@KimLava said:
“Don’t mind anybody go to school young, graduate at a young age. All the best.”
@Favour Nzube said:
“Don’t mind the criticism. They gat nothing on you. Focus on your focus, come out as one of those top students in your class. You have great potentials. Show us what you’ve got. I’m excited for you.”
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@omotoke aina said:
“As it should be na who get funds dey send pikin go Sch early. Congratulations boi.”
@Eboh Basil Chiedozie said:
“Congratulations my own. You’ll Graduate and thank yourself for going to school. Happy for you.”
@CELBLINGS || REAL GOLD VENDOR said:
“Liking all your replies. No mind them. Stay focused in school ok?Congratulations.”
@Narcassa interiors said:
“Congratulations it’s not easy at all. Wrote jamb three times when I was your age so celebrate.”
@annie’s beauty reacted:
“Be a good boy. Attend classes and make sure you get a high gdp. Go make us proud baby.”
@Temi said:
“Congratulations. Please study hard, don’t get distracted by anything. God will guide you.”
@Mighty Vibe added:
“I’m really down pls I need someone help right now no amount is small.”
See the post below:
Law student with small stature trends
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a Nigerian law student who has a small stature shared the challenges she faced since she got into school.
In a video, she recounted the provocative experience that she had with a woman who tried to talk down on her because of her size.
Source: Legit.ng
Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, the regional chairman of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, alleges terrorists have placed a bounty on his head after he spoke out against the reported massacre of Christians.
In a recent interview with Lucky Udu, Rev. Dachomo said an informant revealed that terrorists have concluded plans to reward anyone who kills him.
“They have put a bounty on my head. They said anyone that kills me first will be rewarded. I’m not afraid of death. I walk past the territory of Muslims and they usually point at me,” he said.
The cleric also alleged that his children are being denied admission into universities, particularly in the North, because of his stance against the ongoing attacks on Christians.
“If my children look for admission in the university, when they see the name Ezekiel Dachomo, they will remove it,” he added.
Despite the threats, Rev. Dachomo emphasized that he is not afraid of death and continues his work without personal security, standing firm in his call against the reported genocide of Christians.
The outspoken Plateau-based cleric first came into recognition after calling on international bodies, including US President Donald Trump, to intervene in what he described as a Christian genocide in Nigeria.
He also revealed that he has compiled documented evidence to back up his claims, insisting that the materials can clearly defend his position and expose what he described as ongoing persecution.
Watch video below…
They have put a bounty on my head – Rev Ezekiel pic.twitter.com/zBbWemtAwi
— Lucky Udu (@LuckyUdu) December 18, 2025
The The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has officially welcomed the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT into its fold.
DAILY POST had reported that the lawmaker formally joined ADC on Thursday after collecting the party’s membership card in Abuja.
Reacting, ADC in a statement issued on Friday by its Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said more defection is expected in the coming days.
The party lauded the Senator for her courage to join the party, stating that it would have been easier to join the ruling party but she chose ADC.
The statement reads, “The African Democratic Congress (@ADCNig) warmly welcomes the Senator representing Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Senator @IretiKingibe, to the ADC.
“Senator Kingibe’s decision speaks to her courage and integrity at a time when it would have been easier to join the gravy train.
“Nigerians should stay tuned to their political screens. More to follow in the coming days. Na small e remain.”