As one criss-crosses the southern axis of Gombe metropolis – from Pantami to Doma, and Wuro Shi’e to Barunde – a remarkable and reassuring transformation comes into view.

The once-notorious gully corridors that carved through more than a dozen communities, destroying land, property, livelihoods and the socio-economic fabric of residents, are now giving way to signs of stability, safety, and renewed hope.

Heavy-duty construction machines and equipment can be seen actively working at multiple locations, executing the multi-billion-naira gully erosion control intervention undertaken by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

This massive project traverses several densely populated, predominantly low-income communities within the Gombe metropolis; areas that have, for decades, borne the brunt of environmental degradation.

For the residents, this intervention goes far beyond the laying of concrete channels to halt the advance of erosion.

It represents the end of a long chapter of destruction of lives and property, and a release from the psychological trauma and sleepless nights that accompanied every heavy rainfall.

The project has also delivered significant socio-economic relief.

Property owners affected by the intervention have received compensation totaling over 2 billion naira, providing a critical financial cushion and restoring dignity to families whose homes and livelihoods were previously under constant threat.

Earlier a similar project executed, covering about 21 kilometres along the FCE corridor, generated more than 7,000 direct jobs for Gombe residents during construction.

With the current intervention valued at over 50 billion naira, even greater employment opportunities are expected, further stimulating the local economy.

Beyond its immediate environmental impact, the project is resolving a longstanding infrastructure challenge.

Gully erosion has historically obstructed the construction of roads, bridges, water facilities, and other public utilities.

With this comprehensive control system in place, roads will remain connected, bridges will be seamlessly integrated, and access to communities will no longer be disrupted during the rainy season.

Importantly, the intervention extends beyond engineering solutions.

Communities along the gully corridor are to benefit from livelihood support programmes, vocational training, climate-smart agriculture initiatives, and resilience-building measures aimed at helping residents adapt to climate change and secure sustainable incomes.

The project also incorporates bioremediation strategies, including extensive tree planting and vegetation restoration.

These measures will provide additional protection against erosion while gradually restoring lost biodiversity and improving the local ecosystem.

For Governor Inuwa Yahaya, gully control is not merely about concrete structures, but about the lives saved, the livelihoods restored, the businesses rescued, and the hope of survival rekindled.

Gombe Assembly Approves N617.95bn Budget for 2026 Fiscal Year

The Gombe State House of Assembly has approved a total budget of N617,953,083,000 for the 2026 fiscal year, following the recommendation of its Appropriation Committee.

Presenting the committee’s report, the Chairman of the Appropriation Committee, Hon. Aliyu Baba Manu, who led an eight-member committee, said the approved sum represents the proposed budget size for the state in the 2026 fiscal year.

It would be recalled that Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya had earlier presented a budget proposal of N535,691,983,000 to the House for consideration and approval.

According to the committee, the approved budget reflects an increase of N82,261,100,000 over the executive proposal, with a projected healthy closing balance of N58,931,158,204.

The House subsequently adopted the committee’s recommendation and formally approved N617,953,083,000 as the total budget size for Gombe State for the 2026 fiscal year.

In addition, the committee recommended that the revenue of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources be fully captured in the state’s Revenue Law.

This, it noted, would enable the ministry to effectively harness and generate increased revenue for the state.

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The Nigerian Navy has rescued 20 crew members from a vessel that caught fire along the Calabar stretch of the Oron/Calabar waterways in Cross River State.

The incident occurred on December 22, 2025, when the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) OSE, on routine patrol, responded to a distress call from Motor Vessel (MV) Chimba Express, which was en route Calabar from Gabon conveying scraps and other logistics.

In a statement issued by the Base Operations Officer of Nigerian Navy Ship VICTORY, Lt-Commander Kelechi Ahunanya, NNS OSE received the distress signal about 1.00pm and immediately proceeded to the scene.

On arrival, naval personnel observed thick smoke billowing from the vessel, prompting swift rescue and firefighting operations.

Crew members, who had abandoned the vessel as well as those stranded on deck, were rescued with the aid of lifebuoys and other emergency equipment.

The statement added that 20 crew members were successfully rescued and given first aid.

The vessel had a total crew of 21, made up of 14 Nigerians and seven Cameroonians.

Ahunanya disclosed that the vessel’s Chief Engineer, who reportedly jumped into the water over fears of an imminent explosion, remained missing, adding that search and rescue efforts were ongoing.

He noted that personnel from the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Ibaka, Naval Security Station 030 Houseboat, and local fishermen supported the rescue operation. NNS OSE also deployed portable pumps to contain the fire, which affected the midship and aft sections of the vessel.

The Navy reaffirmed its commitment to the safety of seafarers and the protection of maritime assets within Nigeria’s territorial waters, in line with the operational mandate of the Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).

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The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), said point-of-sale (POS) operators are facilitating ransom payments meant for terrorists and other criminal networks.

The National Coordinator of the Centre, Adamu Laka, disclosed this on Tuesday during an end-of-the-year media parley in Abuja.

Mr Laka, a major general in the Nigerian Army, said this amid the resurgence of kidnapping-for-ransom. Terror groups have recently stepped up attacks in northern Nigeria, kidnapping soft targets such as schoolchildren and worshippers.

In November, Nigeria recorded two separate school abductions in Kebbi and Niger states. However, the captives were later released.

Although the Nigerian government frowns at the payment of ransom to kidnappers, relatives of victims often pay ransom so that those kidnapped are freed. There have also been allegations that the government pays kidnappers to free some victims, allegations the government has denied.

POS operators abetting terrorism

Mr Laka said investigations into kidnapping and terrorism-related cases have shown that ransom payments are routed through POS terminals, allowing perpetrators to withdraw or transfer funds while evading detection.

“In many cases, ransom payments are transferred by victims directly to POS operators whose account details are provided by terrorists,” he said. “The money is then withdrawn by the criminals.”

Mr Laka said the situation is being addressed.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that Nigeria’s POS ecosystem has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by limited banking access in rural areas and financial inclusion policies of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Thousands of agents now provide cash withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments on behalf of banks and fintech companies, often operating in informal settings with minimal supervision.

While the system has improved access to financial services, it poses threats such as the one raised by Mr Laka.

CBN rules and enforcement gaps

The CBN has issued multiple directives governing POS and agent banking operations, including Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements, transaction limits, agent registration, and the obligation for fintechs and banks to monitor suspicious transactions and report them to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

Under existing rules, POS agents are expected to operate within defined transaction thresholds, maintain verifiable identities, and keep proper records of customers and transactions. Financial institutions are also required to flag unusual cash movements and freeze accounts linked to criminal activity.

However, observers say enforcement remains uneven, especially in rural areas where regulation may be hard to enforce.

Calls for media caution and operational sensitivity

The NCTC also urged media organisations to exercise caution in the handling and dissemination of sensitive security information, warning that premature disclosure could compromise operations and endanger lives.

Commending journalists for their professionalism, Mr Laka said that responsible reporting has helped counter extremist propaganda, strengthen public confidence and reinforce the government’s resolve to tackle terrorism, violent extremism and other threats to national stability.

However, he cautioned that in an era of instant news cycles and digital virality, the boundary between public interest and national security imperatives can become blurred.

“Operational details, intelligence-led activities and ongoing investigations are highly sensitive,” Mr Laka said, warning that premature or detailed disclosure could undermine security efforts and inadvertently aid adversaries “who actively exploit open-source information.”

He stressed that the centre was not calling for silence, but for responsibility and discernment in determining what should be reported immediately and what should be handled with caution in the overriding interest of national security.

According to him, press freedom and national security are complementary pillars of a stable democracy, noting that public awareness must be balanced with the protection of sensitive operational processes.

The NCTC also reaffirmed its commitment to continued engagement with the media through briefings, background sessions and structured information sharing to ensure reporting remains accurate, contextual and does not jeopardise security objectives.

Mr Laka warned that premature disclosure could alert suspects, compromise investigations, or endanger operatives working to dismantle these networks.

“Open-source information is actively exploited by criminal groups,” he said, adding that the centre was not calling for silence but for responsible judgment in balancing public interest with national security.

According to him, press freedom and national security are complementary pillars of a stable democracy, noting that public awareness must be balanced with the protection of sensitive operational processes.

Broader security implications

Noting that terrorist, violent extremists and organised criminal networks were evolving in tactics, Mr Laka said the response requires stronger intelligence coordination, strategic communication and national cohesion.

Responding to questions on cross-border infiltration, he said the centre is collaborating with other security agencies to counter threats emanating from the Sahel.

READ ALSO: Supreme Court, many federal MDAs fail ethics, integrity assessment – ICPC report

According to him, groups such as Lakurawa and Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) have infiltrated parts of Nigeria’s North-west and North-central regions, exacerbating insecurity in border communities.

Mr Laka also raised concerns over the use of social media platforms by terrorists to spread propaganda, noting that several extremist-linked accounts have been taken down.

“We have had several meetings with platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X,” he said.

“They are businesses seeking growth, but we engage them, explain the national security implications of certain content, and ensure such posts are removed.”

In his closing remarks, he described the media as a vital ally in countering terrorism, urging journalists to deny extremists the publicity they seek while reassuring citizens of the government’s resolve and capacity to protect them.

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•References multiple court orders 

•Party reacts, insists there’s no faction, accuses electoral body of bias

Chuks Okocha and Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declined to recognise the new national leadership of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected at the party’s National Convention held between November 15 and 16 in Ibadan, citing subsisting court judgements and ongoing legal processes.

But reacting to the development, PDP insisted that there was no faction in the party, and accused INEC of bias.

INEC’s position was conveyed in an official letter dated December 22, 2025 and signed by Secretary to the commission, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The letter, sighted by THISDAY, was in response to repeated demands by lawyers representing PDP, urging the commission to update its website with the list of National Officers that emerged from the convention.

INEC said the requests were carefully reviewed in the light of relevant facts, applicable electoral laws, and binding judicial pronouncements directly connected to the disputed convention.

The commission drew attention to two final judgements of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which it said remained valid and enforceable.

The first was Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, Austine Nwachukwu & 2 Ors. v. INEC & 8 Ors., delivered on October 31, 2025, and the second was Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2299/2025, Alhaji Sule Lamido v. PDP & 4 Ors., delivered on November 14, 2025.

INEC explained that both judgements expressly restrained the commission from supervising, monitoring, recognising, or accepting the outcome of the PDP national convention held November 15–16, 2025, or any other date, pending strict compliance with the orders of the court.

While acknowledging that Notices of Appeal had been filed against the judgements, the commission stressed that the mere filing of an appeal did not amount to a stay of execution.

INEC emphasised that until the judgements were set aside or formally stayed by a competent court, it was constitutionally obligated to comply with them.

Citing Section 287(3) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), INEC stated that all authorities and persons, including the commission, were bound to enforce and give effect to the decisions of courts of competent jurisdiction.

INEC also addressed references made by PDP to interim orders issued by the High Court of Oyo State in Suit No. I/1336/2025 – Folahan Malomo Adelabi v. PDP & Ors.

The commission clarified that it had already been struck out of the suit on grounds of lack of jurisdiction. It further stated that interim orders could not override or nullify subsisting final judgements of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.

The commission disclosed that there was yet another pending suit instituted by PDP itself at the Federal High Court, Ibadan Division, Suit No. FHC/IB/CS/121/2025 – PDP v. INEC.

In that suit, the party sought an order compelling INEC to recognise the National Working Committee and members of the National Executive Committee allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention for all party and electoral purposes.

Given the multiplicity of pending suits and unresolved appeals, INEC stated that granting PDP’s request for recognition at this stage would be prejudicial, legally improper, and contrary to the rule of law.

Consequently, the commission reaffirmed that it was unable to recognise or upload the list of national officers said to have emerged from the PDP national convention of November 15–16, 2025 until all pending appeals were determined and full compliance with court orders was achieved.

INEC also disclosed that the positions were clearly communicated to the PDP leadership during a meeting held at the commission’s headquarters on December 19, 2025.

The electoral body concluded by assuring all stakeholders of its highest regard and reiterated its commitment to acting strictly within the confines of the constitution, due process, and respect for judicial authority.

PDP Insists It Has No Faction, INEC Biased

The leadership of PDP insisted that in law and fact, there was no faction in the party.

According to National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Ini Ememobong, “This reiteration is necessary in the light of the INEC letter explaining their inability to recognise and upload the data of our legitimately elected leadership at the convention in Ibadan due to judgements of the Federal High Court.’’

The spokesman of the party said the judgements had been appealed and an application for the stay of execution filed against the judgements. He said very soon the Court of Appeal would hear and give judgement in the matters.

Ememobong stated that while that was being awaited, it was needful to state that INEC monitored and participated in the National Executive Committee meetings where the convention date and venue were unanimously agreed and was also in receipt of the notice of the convention – a fact the commission unconscionably suppressed in court in several cases.

Furthermore, Ememobong  said the PDP primaries in Ekiti and Osun were duly monitored by INEC, with communication emanating from the Turaki-led NWC.

He stated, ‘’While we appreciate the monumental pressure that INEC has come under (after all, he who pays the piper dictates the tune), we remind them that their constitutional responsibility is primarily to Nigerians and in the defence and protection of democracy.

‘’While INEC claims to be neutral and is awaiting the Judgement of the court on the matter, we hope that they are minded by the judgements of the Supreme Court, especially in the SDP case, being the latest delivered last week, barring INEC from interfering in the internal leadership affairs of political parties. 

‘’The truth remains that there is no faction in the PDP as all the legitimate organs and the administrative structure of the Party are under the control of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki SAN.”

Ememobong  added, “In the past one month the Board of Trustees, Governors Forum, State Chairmen, Senate and House of Representatives Caucuses, former Governors and Ministers and many other notable stakeholder groups have all met with and acknowledged the leadership of the current National Working Committee, led by Turaki SAN.

‘’INEC must remember that democracy is hinged on majority rule, so the committee of friends of Wike and Anyanwu cannot be validly referred to as a faction of the PDP.

‘’Finally, having a held a meeting with the commission last week, and our correspondence, thereafter, further explaining relevant issues relating to the current situation, we should ordinarily not respond to this letter, except to point out the hypocrisy and consistent bias that has completely coloured the action of the electoral umpire.

‘’INEC has continuously shown bias in this matter, even in the court, where they failed or refused to file documents that were in their possession and within their knowledge, obviously to aid those who are bent on killing the PDP and truncating democracy.” 

The PDP spokesman said, “If INEC under the leadership of Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN knew the matter was in court, what was the rationale for the contrived meeting of Friday last week? Except to paint a false perception of faction to justify their actions and inactions.’’

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•Says he regrets supporting president in 2023 

•But will not be supporting him for 2027

Chuks Okocha in Abuja and Kemi Olaitan in Ibadan

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, dis-closed that the bone of contention between him and erstwhile political associate, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, was Wike’s vow during a meeting to “hold down the PDP” for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.

Makinde said Wike made the statement with-out consultation or the consent of other party stakeholders.

The governor spoke during a media chat at Government House, Ibadan.

Makinde said he regretted supporting Tinubu at the 2023 presidential election. He said the decision did not produce the outcome he had hoped for.

The Oyo State governor was one of the five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors, popularly known as “G5” , who openly worked against their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 polls.

The group, led by then Rivers State Governor, Wike, actively worked against Atiku’s candidacy after he (Atiku) bypassed Wike and picked Ifeanyi Okowa, the then Delta State governor, as his running mate in the 2023 presidential election.

Highlighting the issues behind his disagreement with Wike, Makinde said it began after the minister told Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold PDP” for the president ahead of the 2027 election.

Makinde stated, “I was in a meeting with the president and Wike… and I’m saying this, you know, in an open chat. The president’s chief of staff was also in that meeting and few others… and Wike said to the president that, well, Sir, I will hold PDP for you, you know, in 2027.

“I was in shock. So we got up, we got to the veranda and I said, ‘Wike did we agree to this?’ I told him from that day that I would never be a part of this. Wike can support him, and that is within his right, but it is equally my right to decide who I will support and what role I will play in 2027.”

Makinde said he later raised the issue with a mutual friend, hoping Wike would reconsider his stance.

He said, “I confided in a mutual friend of ours after that meeting. And I kept thinking, okay, the president did not ask him to ‘do this for him’. He was the one that volunteered to do that.

“When I was telling our mutual friend, I said, look, maybe he was talking about an errand that the president never sent him. So, let’s engage him. Let’s see if he will back off. But he never did.”

Makinde said Wike’s refusal to retreat forced him to take a clear position.

He stated, “So after he didn’t back off, I said, well, now it’s time to confront him. Because I told him from that day that I would never be a part of this.

“That is why I will not be supporting the president for 2027. Wike can support him. It is within his right. But also it is within my own right to decide within the political space who I will support or what I will do in 2027.”

Makinde stated that while Wike was entitled to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, other members of the party also had the right to protect PDP and oppose any move that could weaken democratic pluralism.

Makinde said his decision to back Tinubu in 2023, who was then the presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), was based on the belief that he would act in the national interest if elected.

“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” he said.

He added that he believed the president would “reset the country” and bring together competent individuals from across Nigeria to address the nation’s challenges.

“But, unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing. I regret that action. Yes, I do,” the governor stated.

Citing concerns over the survival of democracy and the future of PDP, Makinde vowed that Tinubu would not have his support in the 2027 presidential election.

Makinde also revealed details of his interactions with Tinubu over ministerial appointments and political organisation in Oyo State. The governor said he rejected an offer to help organise APC in the state due to his loyalty to PDP.

He recounted his conversations with the president following the formation of the federal cabinet and discussions on the upgrade of the Ibadan Airport to international status.

He said Tinubu had earlier requested that Oyo State nominate a candidate for ministerial appointment, with a preference for someone with a professional background.

Makinde said, “When the president said we should nominate a person who will be a minister, I said, ‘Sir, what do you have for us?’ He said he wanted a developmental economist, who could serve as Minister of Budget and Economic Planning.”

Makinde added that he complied by recommending a qualified indigene of Oyo State, but the final outcome differed from the initial understanding.

He said, “I sent someone from Oyo State, but somebody else was chosen. He was not posted to Budget and Economic Planning; he was made Minister of Power.”

He explained that the issue resurfaced during his visit to the president to seek approval for the upgrade of the Ibadan airport, when concerns were raised about his reaction to the ministerial appointment.

“When I went to seek approval for the Ibadan airport upgrade, he said he heard I was angry that my nominee was not chosen,” Makinde said.

The governor clarified that he expressed no resentment, stressing that ministerial appointments remain the exclusive prerogative of the president.

“I told him you can choose whoever you want as a member of your cabinet; we can only support you,” he said.

Makinde revealed that the discussion later shifted to party politics in Oyo State, during which he told the president that the Minister of Power lacked the capacity to organise APC in the state.

“I told him that if you want the Minister of Power to help organise APC in Oyo State, he cannot do it because he does not have the capacity,” Makinde stated.

According to him, Tinubu then made a direct appeal for Makinde himself to undertake the task.

“He said it was me he wanted to help him organise APC in Oyo State,” the governor revealed, adding that he flatly declined the request, citing party loyalty and political principles. 

“I told him no, I cannot help you because I am of the PDP,” he said.

Reflecting on his early career, Makinde recalled that at the age of 29, he secured his first major contract with Mobil worth $1 million, at a time he said Wike had probably just left law school.

Makinde described the deal as a pivotal moment that shaped his rise in both business and politics.

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Education expert Prof. Maximus Monaheng Sefotho has received the 2025 Community Engagement and Vice-Chancellor’s Awards from the University of Johannesburg, recognising his contributions to community engagement and university service.

The university announced that Professor Sefotho was awarded the 2025 Community Engagement Service Award, recognising his remarkable initiatives that connect academic work with broader societal needs.

He also received the 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Top Supervisor, an honour that acknowledges staff contributions to the university beyond routine academic responsibilities.

A statement issued by the university said his awards reflect a consistent record of work that links scholarship, institutional development, and engagement with communities beyond the university.” The colleague added that such recognition is typically based on ‘long-term impact rather than single projects.”

“His contribution has been in building structures that allow conversations on neurodiversity to take place within universities and across the continent, rather than focusing only on individual research outputs.”

Professor Sefotho is credited with leading the establishment of Neurodiversity at the University of Johannesburg, an initiative that brings together research, teaching, and engagement activities related to neurodiversity.

He is also recognised as the founder of the African Association of Neurodiversity (AAN), a continental organisation aimed at providing a platform for scholars and practitioners in this field. In addition, he serves as the editor-in-chief of the African Journal of Neurodiversity (AJN).

A member of an external academic network described these developments as “part of a broader effort to create African-led spaces for scholarship on neurodiversity,” noting that such platforms “help situate global debates within local and regional realities.”

The 2025 awards place Professor Sefotho among a group of staff members acknowledged that year for contributions to the institution’s academic mission and its engagement with society.

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Former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has traced the origin of the popular West African dish, jollof rice, to Senegal.

Speaking on the matter, Mohammed said, “When you look at the origin of jollof, it’s actually from the word Wollof and it’s Senegalese and the people don’t understand the origin of jollof.”

He added some historical context, explaining, “Jollof rice was actually that food that was prepared for prisoners, ‘cos it was that food that was put in one plate, oil, salt, you know, and everything. So really everything of jollof is Wollof.”

Mohammed also referenced the role of tourism authorities in clarifying the dish’s history, stating, “I think later the UN Tourism somebody came out on Wikipedia that the origin of jollof is Wollof.”

His remarks aim to set the record straight on the often-debated origins of jollof rice across West Africa.

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Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

Citing subsisting court judgments and unresolved legal processes, the Independent National Electoral Commission has said it would not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee (NEC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The electoral body made its stand known in a letter dated December 22, 2025, and signed by its Secretary, Dr. Rose Oriaran-Anthony.

The commission explained that its position was clearly reiterated to the PDP leadership during a meeting held at INEC headquarters on Friday, December 19, 2025, underscoring its commitment to due process and respect for judicial authority.

However, INEC assured stakeholders of its continued resolve to act strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the rule of law.

Recall that the opposition party has been embroiled in internal disputes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with factions loyal to the minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike and Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state holding rival meetings and challenging the legitimacy of party structures.

Checks revealed that the Ibadan convention was held amid conflicting court orders.

Recall that key party leaders like Wike were suspended by the Makinde-led faction to further deepen the crisis in the party.

But the electoral body said it had received several requests from legal representatives of the PDP asking it to recognise and update on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the party’s National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

It added: “The requests were reviewed in the light of all material facts, extant laws, and subsisting court judgments touching directly on the subject matter,”

“Until the judgments are set aside or stayed by a competent court, the Commission remains bound to obey and give full effect to them in line with Section 287(3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the letter read.

INEC noted that although notices of appeal had been filed against the judgments, the law is settled that an appeal does not operate as a stay of execution.

The commission also addressed references to interim orders issued by the Oyo State High Court, clarifying that INEC had since been struck out of the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

It added that interim orders cannot override or nullify subsisting final judgments of courts of coordinate or superior jurisdiction.

The commission added that another suit filed by the PDP is pending before the Federal High Court in Ibadan, in which the party is seeking an order compelling the commission to recognise the NWC and members of the National Executive Committee allegedly elected at the Ibadan convention.

It said: “In light of the above pending suits, your request is prejudicial and cannot be acceded to until the determination of the pending appeals.

“In the circumstances, and in obedience to the rule of law and subsisting court orders, the Commission is unable to accede to the demand to recognise or update the list of the National Officers said to have emerged from the PDP National Convention of 15th–16th November, 2025.”

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  ITU plans to bridge the divide as part of sustainable development, writes  SONNY ARAGBA-AKPORE

 At a time when network connectivity locally is wobbling, Nigeria recently joined the rest of the world in formulating a road map to ensure global connectivity.

 Rising after 11 days of deliberations at the World Telecommunications Development Conference (WTDC 25) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the country’s representative, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), signed to ensure that digital benefits get to its population.
Of the 2.2billion global population that is offline, no fewer than 23 million reside in Nigeria, located in underserved and unserved communities across the country. ITU plans to bridge this divide by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Universal, meaningful connectivity at the centre of global strategy for human-centred digital development was the fulcrum of WTDC 25.

 ​Indeed, Member States of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) agreed on a roadmap to bring connectivity to everyone around the world as the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) closed in Baku on November 28, 2025.
 “The Baku Action Plan agreed at WTDC-25 sets the agenda for human-centred digital development driven by telecommunications and information and communication technologies with focus on the needs of developing countries, underserved communities and vulnerable populations, according to ITU documents.

It states that “with an estimated 2.2 billion people worldwide still offline, the four-year plan spanning 2026 to 2029 supports efforts to advance universal, meaningful and affordable digital connectivity for an inclusive and sustainable digital future.”

“As conveyed to the WTDC-25 Opening Ceremony on behalf of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, Baku became the place where Member States and partners agreed on practical outcomes to guide ITU’s development work for the next four years,” said Rashad Nabiyev, Azerbaijan’s Minister of Digital Development and Transport. “Working alongside our partners, Azerbaijan has contributed to shaping these outcomes. The adoption of the Baku Declaration, which includes a reference to the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action, reflects our shared commitment to an inclusive and sustainable digital future.”

The Baku Action Plan, the principal outcome document of WTDC-25, includes new and revised resolutions to guide ITU’s digital development work, recommendations for ITU’s Telecommunication Development Sector (ITU-D), and new initiatives addressing key digital development priorities in ITU-D regions. The plan also sets out new and revised questions on issues to be addressed by expert ITU-D study groups.

“The outcomes of WTDC-25, contained in the Baku Action Plan, reflect the needs, priorities and aspirations of our membership in a forward-looking and results-oriented agenda for digital development and impact,” said Cosmas Luckyson Zavazava, Director of ITU’s Bureau of Telecommunication Development. “The Plan outlines the roadmap of action to bridge the remaining digital divides, while addressing the unique needs of Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. We look forward to delivering tangible results and accelerating digital transformation by working with governments and regulators to create an enabling policy and regulatory framework that paves the way for the industry and private sector to invest and contribute to our efforts to close infrastructural gaps so we may achieve meaningful connectivity and bring everyone online.

 ITU documents state that “WTDC-25 has brought us closer to our goal of making connectivity universal, meaningful and affordable for everyone, everywhere in this decade,” said ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin. “The Baku Declaration and Action Plan is our roadmap towards human-centred digital development that leaves no one behind.”

Organised by the ITU and hosted in Baku by the Government of Azerbaijan, the two-week conference brought together over 2,000 participants representing 153 Member States and the State of Palestine under Resolution 99. Broad global representation at WTDC helped ensure a wide consensus on the priorities and approaches to extend the benefits of digital technology to all.
  During the conference, ITU issued the Global Connectivity Report 2025, offering recommendations to accelerate progress toward universal and meaningful connectivity.

 Based on ITU’s newly released Facts and Figures 2025 data, the Global Connectivity Report provides policy guidance, measurement frameworks and detailed analysis across the key dimensions of universal and meaningful connectivity: quality, availability, affordability, devices, skills and security.

 A two-year project to enhance the sustainability of national Smart Villages and Smart Islands programmes in the Asia-Pacific region: This project with Australia’s Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts (DITRDCSA) will serve as a model to enhance digital skills and access to digital services in rural and remote communities, directly benefitting seven countries and 3,000 people.

 A project to promote capacity building and digital skills in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) region: This project, with Intersputnik will benefit 300 professionals in the field of satellite communications and broadcasting technologies.

 A new partnership to strengthen gender-inclusive digital trade: This project with the Telecommunications and Postal Regulatory Authority of Senegal will empower young women entrepreneurs in textile and food processing with digital and soft skills to grow their businesses.
 With digital divides mirroring economic development challenges, WTDC-25 featured a High-Level Dialogue for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries, and Small Island Developing States, where countries in those groups shared their plans to expand broadband coverage, advance people-centred sustainable development and ensure a secure future for all.

 Back home, nearly a  week ending December 12, 2025, poor and almost irredeemable services were observed in parts of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital,  Abuja. The regulator blamed poor logistics support of diesel supplies for the crisis.

Aragba-Akpore is a member of THISDAY Editorial Board

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The quality of the politicians that are to be found in Nigerian opposition parties and the nature of their politics is an analyst’s nightmare. Their attitude complicates their arguments, which are almost always flawed, thereby making the analyst appear unduly critical. 

To be clear, as far as the executive goes, the opposition is today virtually non-existent, with 29 of the 36 states governors now part of the ruling party. Of the remaining eight, shame would probably not let the two from the North-East defect given how noisy one of them, Bala Mohammed, had been in his criticism of both the President and the ruling party. 

The other, like the first, is from the stronghold of the main opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and would probably not want to be seen to have abandoned him. The third PDP governor, Seyi Makinde, is from the South-West, the president’s stronghold. Ademola Adeleke recently defected from the PDP to Accord Party. 

Seyi Makinde worked for the president in the 2023 election while Ademola Adeleke opposed him. Adeleke’s state was one of the two Yoruba-speaking states, including Lagos, that the President lost in 2023. He tried but in vain to join the APC before pitching tent with AP. He was rejected by leaders of the APC in the state. They would not have him disrupt their already settled plan. Makinde is only now spearheading what looks like a lost cause: the rehabilitation of the PDP. This should tell everyone the quality of their opposition or the kind of support they are likely to enjoy opposing the President in his stronghold in the march towards 2027. Which brings me back to the type of political leaders that see themselves as opposed to the President today. 

Their position, often bereft of both moral and intellectual rigour, is steeped in bluster. Not only do they oversimplify issues, they display a vexing lack of the basic knowledge that should undergird them. That is the manner they have generally responded to President Bola Tinubu’s tax reforms. It’s for them simply a question of you against us, with northern political elements constituting the arrowhead of the opposition, while politicians in the other parties like LP, NNPP and, lately, ADC ride on their coattails. This attitude has made it difficult for them to take the government on about more substantial issues of governance. The tax reforms, absurdly reduced to the question of contribution to the generation of the VAT revenue and its distribution, were initially framed as targetted attacks on the interests of the northern states. The argument was not in the least nuanced. Just when you thought the disagreements had been resolved and all ambiguities cleared, then would something erupt from another direction. 

The latest is the observation of a member of the PDP from Sokoto, Mr. Abdussamad Dasuki, that there are marked differences between the gazetted copy of the tax reforms laws to which the President appended his signature and the harmonised version that was processed through the National Assembly. This is a very serious charge that hints at forgery but was typically started and communicated as a rumour. Sections of the tax document, the aggrieved legislator claims, were tampered with in a way that could undermine the civil liberties of Nigerians while raising questions of executive interference in legislative matters. The sections in question are, among other provisions, said to confer enforcement powers on the Nigerian Revenue Service in disregard of the powers of the courts to mandate such actions. The sub-text of this complaint that has not been revealed to Nigerians is probably the fear that this section of the law could be turned into a cudgel to bludgeon opposition figures, in one word, weaponised in the manner that Abuja has been accused of the weaponisation of the EFCC. That matter was addressed in this space last week. If Hon. Dasuki and his supporters are correct, the alleged forgery by the executive amounts to a usurpation of the legislative powers of the National Assembly, which in this context is an impeachable offense. Although it has denied the charge, the response of the executive has been mostly tepid, in fact bored, perhaps due to the fact that it views the allegations as a last-ditch attempt to stall the implementation of the tax laws which are to come into effect in just over a week. 

Dasuki’s seems to be the lone voice in the wilderness. While the usual suspects in the LP and ADC, the tweet-making Peter Obi and Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, whose ADC has refused to gain traction, have amplified the complaint, the silence from the two chambers of the National Assembly has been deafening. But for one or two other voices that have joined that of Mr. Dasuki in the House, not one person has spoken from the Senate. Yet, the tax documents went through both chambers. What does this tell us? That the other legislators, who we must assume lack the painstaking attentiveness of Hon. Dasuki, think little of his fears or do not share them at all? If the response from Abuja, through the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, is considered inadequate, what’s stopping Hon. Dasuki, Mr. Peter Obi or Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and their legion of supporters in and out of the National Assembly from publishing the contending documents to show where the discrepancies lie? Can’t he who alleges for once prove? But the opposition is obviously more concerned about the suspension of the implementation of the tax reforms as it has demanded than proving its allegation. 

One proof of its bad faith in all of this, which again harks back to my point about its uninformed opposition to the tax reforms right from the beginning of the debate, is its demand that the reforms in their entirety, rather than the sections in dispute, be suspended outright pending the resolution of the latest dispute. What is this reductive thinking aimed at? Taking a couple of sections for an entire body of laws! Sections of the reforms have before now been suspended until the dispute around them is resolved.

Why is the opposition demanding the outright suspension of the implementation of the tax laws on account of its unproven allegations against provisions in some sections? This again confirms the opposition’s unintelligent and, indeed, uneducated response to the reforms. It came to the discussions of the tax laws unprepared and has been intellectually outflanked by an executive that, if the truth must be told, has bent over backwards, over and above the call of duty, to carry along and explain its position and its planned tax reforms to an opposition that is proving not only to be deaf and dumb but is, in fact, incapable of anything except turn every issue to politics. Merry Christmas!

The post Another ambush of the tax reforms, by Rotimi Fasan appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The Ondo State House of Assembly passed into law the ₦524.41 billion 2026 Appropriation Bill on Tuesday evening, marking an increase of ₦31.61 billion over the ₦492.79 billion proposal earlier submitted by the state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa.

The budget, tagged “Budget of Economic Consolidation,” provides for total expenditure of ₦524,410,590,939 in the 2026 fiscal year.

According to the budget, ₦220.83 billion, representing 42.11 per cent, was allocated to recurrent expenditure, while ₦303.58 billion, or 57.89 per cent, is earmarked for capital projects.

Before the Money Bill was passed into law, the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, led by its Chairman, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, stated that the fiscal document adequately reflected prevailing economic realities.

Presenting the committee’s report at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Ogunmolasuyi stated that the committee reviewed the proposal alongside the 2025 budget performance and observed shifts in fiscal priorities arising from the inability to access some donor-funded contributions and the impact of fluctuating exchange rates.

According to him, the committee exercised restraint in approving additional requests from MDAs, except in critical areas, a decision that led to the upward review of the budget by ₦31.61 billion.

Ogunmolasuyi further disclosed that the capital project execution in 2025 was constrained by limited funds and urged MDAs to strengthen revenue generation to boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

In the approved budget, a total of ₦14.84 billion was allocated to the Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (OSOPADEC) for recurrent and capital expenditures in 2026.

After an extensive debate, the committee’s report was subjected to a third reading and unanimously adopted through a voice vote.

A motion was moved by the Leader of the House, Chief Olatunji Oshati, and seconded by the member representing Ilaje Constituency, Prince Abayomi Akinruntan, for the adoption of the report.

The Assembly, however, passed into law the 2026 budget of the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service (ODIRS), totalling ₦5.56 billion, comprising ₦5.11 billion for recurrent expenditure and ₦449.99 million for capital expenditure.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Oladiji who said the 2026 budget would further stimulate economic growth in the state, appreciated the harmonious collaboration between the executive and legislature.

He, however, promised that the gesture would continue in the overall interest of Ondo State.

Oladiji said the House recorded significant legislative achievements during the just-concluded session, including the passage of people-oriented and life-impacting bills addressing welfare, security and social order.

According to him, the laws include laws prohibiting harmful traditional practices, kidnapping and illegal adoption, as well as legislation providing for the registration of domestic staff across the state.

Oladiji also noted the passage of bills establishing the Ondo State Road Fund and the Ondo State Coastal and Waterways Management Agency, alongside amendments to the Ondo State Public Order Law, among others.

The Speaker, however, announced a six-week recess for the House, effective immediately, with plenary sessions scheduled to resume on February 9, 2026.

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Nigeria recorded 26,866 suspected measles cases and 153 deaths between January and November 2025, according to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC).

The figures, contained in the NCDC’s Measles Situation Report for November 2025, show that while no death was recorded in November, measles outbreaks persisted in several parts of the country, largely affecting unvaccinated children.

The NCDC reported 71 suspected measles cases in November across 20 states and 47 local government areas (LGAs).
Of the suspected cases, only one (1.41%) was laboratory-confirmed during the month, while 63 cases (88.7%) remained pending classification. Seven cases were discarded.

The states with the highest number of suspected cases were Delta (13), Kwara (6), Bayelsa (6), Jigawa (6), and Akwa Ibom (5), together accounting for 50.7 per cent of all cases reported in November.

The agency said no death was recorded from confirmed measles cases during the month.

Cumulative burden in 2025

From January to November 2025, suspected measles cases were reported in all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, spanning 507 LGAs, the NCDC report stated.

The most affected states, Borno (7,968), Zamfara (4,779), Yobe (2,076), Bauchi (1,574), and Kebbi (1,357), accounted for 66.1% of the 26,866 suspected cases recorded nationwide.

Out of these, 19,213 cases (71.5%) were confirmed, including 2,791 laboratory-confirmed, 2,013 epidemiologically linked, and 14,409 clinically compatible cases.

A total of 6,440 cases (23.8 per cent) were discarded, while 1,213 cases (3.4 per cent) remained under investigation.

Children and vaccination gaps

According to the NCDC, children aged 9 to 59 months accounted for 9,399 confirmed cases, representing 48.9% of all confirmed infections.

The report also highlighted vaccination gaps, noting that 14,801 confirmed cases (77 per cent) occurred among children who had not received any dose of the measles vaccine.

Overall, 153 deaths were recorded among confirmed cases during the period, resulting in a case fatality rate of 0.8 per cent, the same rate recorded during the corresponding period in 2024.

Outbreak status

The NCDC disclosed that 188 LGAs across 27 states recorded measles outbreaks between January and November 2025.

However, by the end of November, 187 LGAs had ended their outbreaks, leaving only Eti Osa Local Government Area in Lagos State with an ongoing outbreak. No new outbreak was recorded during the month.

The agency continues to emphasise the need for routine immunisation, improved surveillance, and timely response to prevent further spread of measles, particularly among young children.

READ ALSO: Nigeria records 195 Lassa fever deaths, higher fatality rate in 2025 — NCDC

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus. It mostly affects children, especially those who are not vaccinated, but adults can also become infected.

The illness usually begins with fever, cough, runny nose, and red or watery eyes, followed by a rash that spreads across the body.

In severe cases, measles can lead to complications such as pneumonia, diarrhoea, blindness, and death, particularly among young children and people with weak immune systems.

Measles spreads very easily from person to person through the air. People can contract the virus by breathing in droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, through close contact with an infected person, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth.

The virus can survive on surfaces or in the air for several hours, making it possible to become infected even without direct contact. Health experts say that vaccination remains the most effective way to prevent measles, as unvaccinated individuals are at the highest risk of infection and severe illness.

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December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

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The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has distributed over 600 bags of rice to its members in Abuja as part of activities to mark the Christmas season, reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of journalists.

The Chairman of the Council, Comrade Grace Ike, said the annual welfare initiative was designed to cushion the effects of prevailing economic challenges on members while fostering unity, solidarity and a sense of belonging within the union.

Earlier, Comrade Ike, alongside members of the Executive Council, held an end-of-year interactive session with members of the State Executive Council (SEC), made up of chairmen and secretaries of the various chapels. During the meeting, she briefed members on achievements recorded by the council so far, with particular emphasis on the ongoing construction and remodelling of the NUJ Congress Hall. She called for sustained cooperation and collaboration among members to consolidate the gains already recorded.

Members at the meeting unanimously expressed confidence in her leadership, describing it as proactive, pragmatic and performance-driven.

Speaking during the rice distribution, Comrade Ike noted that the gesture went beyond a seasonal activity, describing it as a deliberate demonstration of the council’s dedication to members’ welfare. She explained that the initiative, now in its second year, was inspired by the positive impact of its maiden edition and the need to ensure that no member is left behind during the festive season.

According to her, the council remains resolute in supporting journalists who continue to face professional and personal challenges in the course of their duties, while upholding the core values of truth, accountability and public service.

She also commended sponsors, partners and members of the Executive Council for their support, describing their contributions as crucial to the success of the initiative and to strengthening the spirit of care and community within the NUJ FCT Council.

Comrade Ike urged members to embrace the spirit of the season, expressing optimism that the gesture would further reinforce unity and shared purpose among journalists in the Federal Capital Territory.

The Christmas rice distribution, she said, underscores the NUJ FCT Council’s resolve to prioritise members’ welfare while promoting compassion, unity and collective responsibility within the union.

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• A lady did not take it lightly when some airport officials reportedly dismissed her nationality, insisting she was not Nigerian
• In a video trending online, she was seen arguing with the staff and trying her best to prove she was indeed Nigerian
• The video sparked massive reactions on TikTok, with social media users sharing various opinions in the comments

A heated confrontation ensued at Warri Airport after a female traveller became involved in a disagreement with airport officials over her national identity.

The incident, which quickly circulated online, showed the lady reacting angrily after staff members allegedly questioned her claim of being Nigerian.

Lady clashes with airport staff at Warri

The situation had drawn massive attention after a clip of the confrontation was shared on social media.

In the video shared on Instagram by @lindaikejisblog, the lady argued seriously with the airport officials who insisted that she wasn’t Nigerian.

Read also

Lady rolls out interesting question regarding case between Doris Ogala, Chris Okafor

According to the caption accompanying the video, the disagreement began when airport attendants reportedly challenged the lady’s nationality during routine travel checks.

Their stance was said to have been based on the fact that she was travelling with a passport issued by another country rather than a Nigerian one.

This reportedly led the officials to dismiss her claim of being Nigerian, and this did not sit well with her at all.

The lady, who appeared visibly angry in the clip, continued to assert her Nigerian roots despite the officials’ position.

She reportedly viewed the treatment she received as unjust and rooted in a lack of understanding of nationality and personal identity.

She said in the video:

“I am a Nigerian. Let me show you my passport. Do you know I can sue you for saying I am not a Nigerian? I am a Nigerian don’t do that. Don’t harass me. This is my country. Don’t do that with me. I am a Nigerian don’t do that. Are you okay? Meaning what? You’re harassing me in my own country. Telling me I’m not a Nigerian. You’re insulting me in my own fatherland. Are you okay?”

Read also

Lady who went to Chris Okafor’s church amid Doris Ogala’s saga posts rare moment of pastor

Reactions as lady clashes with airport staff

Nigerians stormed the comments section to react to the video.

Ruthiserma said:

“What is the business with passport and local flight? Even from her accent you’ll know she’s Nigerian by birth.”

Haju_73 said:

“Imagine d man saying he will slap her. Why??? Some men eeh need serious therapy.”

Onyiray asked:

“Are they immigration???’

Cdx2online said:

“Airport staffs and Lagos bus conductor are like family members, same attitude.”

Zappytechplug said:

“Touts all around the airport.”

Jorits said:

“Is Warri Airport now an international airport? She must have passed through Lagos or Abuja International Aiport with the said passport. so why do you now need a Nigerian passport to enter Warri?”

Cray_bird said:

“Prolly asked her for money and she refused. All this airport people sev.”

See the post below:

Ibom air passenger and flight attendant clash

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that an unexpected drama unfolded as an Ibom Air passenger was filmed slapping an air hostess on the plane.

The passenger also struggled with the security that confronted her at the Lagos airport in videos that emerged online.

Source: Legit.ng

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A Nigerian man has sparked conversation on social media after claiming his wife left him with their three-month-old baby following what he described as a “little misunderstanding.”

The post, shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @Teniola, features the emotional man explaining that his wife has been away from home for four days, leaving him to care for their infant.

Married for barely a year, he said he is confused, heartbroken, and struggling to understand how a minor disagreement could escalate so quickly.

In his words, he said:

“My wife left me… at first, I thought it was a joke. I never wanted to make this video, but this situation has really choked me.

This baby has been crying, and she’s all I’ve been taking care of. She’s been gone for four to five days. Can you believe she left a three-month-old baby with me? How am I supposed to take care of her?”

What seemed like a small issue quickly became overwhelming, especially as he had no choice but to nurture the baby, putting his work and personal life on hold.

Reactions online have been divided. Some blamed the wife for leaving with a young baby, while others defended her, noting that a woman rarely walks away from her home without deep reasons.

Many users advised counseling, family intervention, and honest communication rather than public lamentation.

This situation has reopened discussions about marriage readiness, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution, serving as a reminder that relationship issues are rarely one-sided.

Watch video below…

My wife has left me since 4 days now with a 3 month old baby just because of a little misunderstanding. We just got married last year and she is already tired” — Man cries out pic.twitter.com/QhpK0GnXXN

— TENIOLA (@Teeniiola) December 23, 2025

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