• A devastating fire ravaged the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza at Balogun Market, Lagos Island, last week, causing part of the building to collapse and trap traders inside
• One of the victims, Nze Obum, a China-based cloth merchant, was reportedly confirmed dead after being trapped beneath the rubble
• His heartbreaking final phone calls pleading for help were made from under the debris and the audio shattered the hearts of many netizens

Tragedy struck at Lagos Island’s Balogun Market last week when a fire ravaged the 25-storey Great Nigeria Insurance House plaza, causing part of it to collapse.

The inferno, which began on the fourth floor, spread so fast, trapping traders inside.

Audio discloses the last words of a businessman who died in Lagos Great Nigeria building.
Photo credit: @Lindaikejiblog/Instagram.
Source: Instagram

Final audio of trader who died in fire accident

A heartbreaking audio of one victim, Nze Obum, emerged online where he made desperate calls for help from under the debris.

Obum, a cloth merchant based in China, had reportedly returned to Nigeria for Christmas to support his wife, who had recently given birth, and sell goods at the market.

Read also

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The collapse happened as Obum was retrieving remaining stock from his shop behind the plaza.

A trader Zacheaus Afolayan reportedly confirmed Obum’s death, saying his body was released to the family and taken to Anambra State for burial, Linda Ikeji reports.

Afolayan recounted Obum phoned him around 2 a.m. Thursday, trapped and pleading not to be abandoned to die, citing his children’s age. A second, weaker call came later that day.

Obum, visiting Nigeria only during holidays to trade, was helping his wife make sales when disaster struck.

Emergency responders recovered two bodies on Friday, identifying one as Obum.

The fire spread to higher floors and nearby structures, intensifying the chaos.

Audio captures the final words of a businessman who died in Lagos Great Nigeria building.
Photo credit: @The Whistler.
Source: UGC

The tragedy has left questions over response times, as Obum’s trapped calls hinted at a desperate struggle for survival.

Reactions trail trader’s last voice note

Nigerians had different things to say in the comments section.

Elora_ritz said:

“I wish he saved his life and not his goods.”

Read also

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Onyii_pearl_ said:

“Whilst breathing his last he thought about his wife and children. This is traumatizing.”

Mercyslife_ said:

“I really wished he left those goods.”

Jorepresenter said:

“This is heart breaking and part of the reason why I echo the importance of improvement. For him to be able to make that call he would have been traced and saved at least. The cost of ordinary citizen life seems to be cheap in Nigeria than other part have visited.”

Adolnedu said:

“My heart bleeds listening to the voice crying strongly crying out for help. What kind of leaders allow their citizens to perish like chickens? Please, we are not asking for much just give us some basic amenities. If the firefighters had gone there on time, people would have been rescued.”

Innoson101 said:

“He didn’t want to come to market but the wife persuaded him to, he refused but the wife said the sells girls would steal from him so he decided to come.”

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Bubbing22 reacted:

“People should never have been allowed back in the building or buildings around it.”

Firstladyxxo said:

“The fact that he was able to make a call twice shows if he was Una. Developed country they could have saved him but of course no be Nigeria human life is not valuable so painful man.”

Wallystouch said:

“We have a very looooooong way to go in this country. When we start to value human life, then we would be on the right path. Not all death is God’s will, it’s our own lack of humanity and conscience.”

Olaakinjofx added:

“RIP brother. It’s a lesson to us out there not to value material things over our lives. He shouldn’t have gone into that building to save his goods. In the process he wasn’t able to save his goods and at the same time lost his precious life. Sad.”

See the post below:

Last post of Anthony Joshua’s trainer who died in accident

Read also

Anthony Joshua: Journalist Rufai Oseni raises 2 questions over accident involving boxer, many react

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that the last post of a Nigerian fitness trainer who lost his life in an accident involving Anthony Joshua went viral.

Latz was reportedly in the same car as the heavyweight boxing champion when it crashed into a stationary truck.

Source: Legit.ng

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The Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, South-East zone, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, has reacted to the defection of Abia South Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Ehiemere, who spoke to DAILY POST on the phone on Wednesday, said his party would grow stronger in Abia State and across the South-East despite Abaribe’s exit.

The APGA National Vice Chairman condemned the actions of politicians who defect to other political parties after using such platforms to realise their political ambitions.

“To me, APGA is a disciplined party and we are not perturbed by some of these chronic party defectors. APGA is a defender of principles of Democracy. The party will crow loudly and clearly in Abia and the South-East,” Rev. Ehiemere said.

According to him, many politicians who defect from parties that provided platforms for their political survival do so without contributing meaningfully to the building of those parties.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to introduce firm policies to check the abuse of defection by Nigerian politicians.

Calls and messages sent to Uchenna Awom, the media aide to Senator Abaribe, on Wednesday evening, were neither returned nor replied to.

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The national coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has said that supporters of the former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, will follow him to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). 

The 64 year old former Anambra State governor and some of his supporters, including serving federal lawmakers, officially joined the ADC on Wednesday at a ceremony in Enugu State. 

Tanko confirmed that mobilisation for Obi’s supporters to join the ADC has already commenced.

Speaking with The Nation, Tanko said, “We have made our position categorically clear right from the beginning that wherever Peter Obi is going we are going with him. We will make a declaration soon. 

“You can see at the declaration today that it was the Obidient Movement logo and that of the ADC. That is to tell you that we are stepping our foot where Obi steps his own foot. There is no ambiguity in that regard.”

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The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has officially unveiled a new corporate identity and name, rebranding as the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in line with Nigeria’s transition to a new tax regime scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.

The new logo and identity were unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja by the Executive Chairman of the NRS, Mr Zacch Adedeji.

The change from FIRS to NRS follows the enactment of the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act, 2025, which was signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025.

What NRS is saying  

With the passage of the law, the NRS formally replaced the FIRS as Nigeria’s central revenue authority, expanding its institutional mandate under the country’s comprehensive tax reform programme.

Speaking at the unveiling, Adedeji said the new identity reflects a strategic repositioning of Nigeria’s revenue administration architecture.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser (Media) to the Executive Chairman, Dare Adekanmbi, Adedeji said:

“The unveiling of the NRS identity reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system, one that is aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.” 

Evolution of revenue administration  

He described the new logo and brand elements as a critical milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.

According to him, the rebrand: “signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.” 

Commitment to transparency and service excellence 

Adedeji further assured Nigerians that the NRS would continue to prioritise transparency, collaboration, and service delivery.

“The Nigeria Revenue Service remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence. The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public—built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity,” the statement said. 

Tinubu reaffirms commitment to tax reforms 

The rebranding comes amid ongoing public debate over Nigeria’s newly enacted tax laws.

President Tinubu has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to implementing the reforms as scheduled, rejecting calls for their suspension.

The President noted that while some of the tax laws took effect on June 26, 2025, others are due to commence on January 1, 2026, adding that the reforms are central to rebuilding Nigeria’s fiscal framework.

Tinubu described the tax overhaul as a long-term intervention designed to promote fairness, competitiveness, and economic sustainability, rather than an attempt to impose additional tax burdens on Nigerians.

What you should know  

• Last week, the FIRS declared that the National Identification Number issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has now automatically become a Tax ID for individual Nigerians.
• The Service stated this in a public sensitization video on the new tax laws seen by Nairametrics and also shared on X by the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on social media, Dada Olusegun.
• For registered businesses, the FIRS said their RC number issued by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) automatically becomes their tax ID under the new tax system.

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Alex Enumah in Abuja

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has turned down a request to stop the President Bola Tinubu-led federal government from implementing the new tax regime scheduled to commence from January 1, 2026.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu had few days ago vowed to proceed with the implementation of the controversial Nigeria Tax Act, 2025.

Responding, a public interest group, the Incorporated Trustees of African Initiative for Abuse of Public Trust, had approached the court with a motion exparte seeking an order of injunction to restrain Tinubu and the federal government from proceeding with the implementation of the new tax law, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the group.

The group predicated their legal action on alleged discrepancies in the new tax laws.

Listed as defendants in the motion marked: FCT/HC/M/17240/2025, are the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Attorney General of the Federation, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and National Assembly as defendants.

The plaintiff in the motion exparte sought for an order of interim injunction pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit to stop/ restrain the federal government, FIRS, National Assembly, or any of its agencies from implementing, executing, and/or enforcing any of the provisions of the gazetted Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025 for any reasons, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.

They also sought for another order of interim injunction pending the hearing and determination of the motion notice, restraining the President, either by himself or through any agency of the federal government created under the gazette Nigeria Tax Act, 2025 Nigeria Tax Administration Act, 2025, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, 2025 or the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Act, 2025 from implementing the provisions of those Acts of the National Assembly in any states of the federation where applicable, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

However, delivering ruling, Justice Bello Kawu declined the request and directed the federal government to proceed with the full implementation of the tax law pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

Though the ruling was delivered on December 23, the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling signed by the Registrar of the court, Hadiza Sambo Gwandu, dated December 30, 2025, was obtained on Wednesday.

The judge held that there was no concrete and strong evidence before the court to warrant the granting of the reliefs sought.

Specifically, Justice Kawu said: “I have considered the application together with the affidavit in support. I have also considered the submission of the learned counsel for the claimant/applicant together with the judicial authorities cited and I am of the strong view that the court lacks power to stop implementation of a law already signed by the appropriate authority without concrete evidence of any wrong doing.

“At this preliminary stage, it will be difficult if not impossible to prove any wrong doing because at this stage, the court should be careful not to touch on the main issue. It is my considered opinion that granting injunction at this preliminary stage will be touching the subject matter in the main suit.
It should be noted that once an Act is signed into law, it can only be repealed by the lawmakers or any offending section set aside by the court of law; be that as it may, exparte application cannot be used to set aside the coming into force any Act already signed into law or gazetted.

“In view of the above, the implementation of the Tax Act 2025 and other related Acts will commence on January 1, 2026 and continue to be in force pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion before this court, ” Justice Kawu ruled.

Meanwhile, the matter has further been adjourned to January 9, 2026 for hearing of the motion on notice.

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Former Minister of Transportation and ex-Governor of Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has called on Nigerians to make the New Year a turning point by demanding accountable governance, comprehensive economic reforms, and improved security across the country.

In his New Year message to the nation, Amaechi, on behalf of his family, extended wishes of peace and prosperity to households nationwide, while acknowledging the severe challenges Nigerians faced in the past year, including economic hardship, rising cost of living, and widespread insecurity.

He said the difficulties of the previous year had tested the nation’s resilience, noting that many families were weighed down by poverty and uncertainty. Amaechi urged citizens to collectively commit to rebuilding Nigeria by holding leaders accountable and insisting on governance that is responsible, transparent, people-oriented, and responsive.

The former Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly stressed the need for far-reaching economic reforms aimed at job creation, poverty reduction, affordable healthcare, housing, food, and access to quality education. He also emphasized the importance of political and electoral reforms that would guarantee free, fair, and transparent elections, anchored on justice, fairness, and the rule of law.

Amaechi reaffirmed his commitment to standing with Nigerians, pledging to continue speaking truth to power, challenging policies that deepen hardship, and offering constructive ideas to restore dignity, economic prosperity, and improved security in the country.

According to him, Nigeria’s greatness does not rest with a privileged few or the ruling elite, but with the collective determination of ordinary citizens to build a nation where opportunities and prosperity are shared by all.

He concluded by expressing hope that the New Year would bring healing, renewed courage, and a brighter future for present and future generations, wishing Nigerians a Happy New Year.

The post Amaechi urges Nigerians to demand accountable leadership, economic reforms in new year message appeared first on Vanguard News.

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The new Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), which replaces the now defunct Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), has been officially unveiled with a new brand identity.

NRS came into operation following the signing of its enabling law known as the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Act 2025 by President Bola Tinubu in June 2025.

According to a statement that was issued by the agency, the executive chairman of NRS, Zacch Adedeji, explained that the logo and other brand elements for NRS represent an important milestone in the evolution of Nigeria’s revenue administration framework.

The statement quoted Adedeji as saying that “the unveiling of the NRS identity reflects a renewed commitment to a more unified, efficient, and service-oriented revenue system, one that is aligned with Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda and global best practices.”

According to him, the new identity “signals continuity of purpose, strengthened institutional capacity, and a forward-looking approach to supporting taxpayers and national development.”

“The Nigeria Revenue Service remains committed to transparency, partnership, and service excellence. The unveiling of this new identity represents not an end, but the beginning of a strengthened relationship between the revenue authority and the Nigerian public—built on trust, clarity, and shared prosperity,” the statement said.

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Super Eagles forward Ademola Lookman has criticised the Confederation of African Football, CAF, for its decision to change the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, to a quadrennial event.

Lookman said the change is unfortunate for Africans, limiting their opportunities to enjoy the AFCON tournament.

The Atalanta player shared his thoughts with reporters following Nigeria’s 3–1 victory over Uganda in the 2025 AFCON tie on Tuesday.

“The decision has been made and you can’t really change it,” Lookman, who has won the African Footballer of the Year award in the past, said.

“It is a shame for Africans in terms of being able to get the tournament two years that we’ve been used to; it is a disappointment,” he added.

Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF, recently announced that, starting in 2028, the AFCON will be held every four years.

This change follows the 2027 edition in East Africa, marking a shift from the tournament’s long-standing biennial format, which has been in place since 1968.

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede, has advocated zero tolerance for economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption in 2026.

He gave this charge in Abuja on Wednesday, in a New Year Message signed by the Head of Media and Publicity, Mr Dele Oyewale.

According to the “Anti-Corruption czar”, the euphoria of the new year is gladdening but should awaken in every Nigerian deeper drives for accountable conduct in order to make the nation enviable and sustainably great.

“As we welcome the new year with excitement and renewed hopes, let us renew our commitment and channel our energy to the paths of accountability and zero tolerance for corruption”, he said.

He expressed optimism that Nigeria will surely break away from the shackles of poverty and deprivation, stressing that the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu is hinged on making Nigeria great again.

“We can make Nigeria greater. This is the pivot of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President. Nigeria will rise again”, he said.

He wished Nigerians a happy and more fulfilling 2026.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on Nigerians not to lose hope due to the challenges in the country and said it has come to rescue Nigeria from the failures of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark, in his New Year message to Nigerians, said the party is aware of the repeated failure of governments to deliver on past promises.

Mark noted that many are sceptical, but called on them to overcome their doubts and cynicism and join the ADC in its historic mission to rescue the country.

“We do not claim to be perfect, but do not doubt our sense of duty and our commitment to be on the good side of history,” he added.

The former President of the Senate stated that ADC as a coalition platform was born out of necessity, “to arrest Nigeria’s gradual descent into an authoritarian one-party state, and to rescue our country from a government that behaves more like an army of occupation than a government elected by the people, for the people.”

He added that the party was conscious of the responsibilities before it, adding that the legitimacy of the rescue mission will depend on the willingness of Nigerians to commit to a higher principle of politics, driven primarily by patriotism and service to the people.

“Since we announced the coalition, we have been encouraged by the overwhelming support and enthusiasm of ordinary Nigerians across the length and breadth of our country,” he said.

Mark noted that the year 2025 was a difficult year for the majority of Nigerians, stating that the renewed hope the All Progressives Congress (APC) government promised has yielded more misery and widespread hardship, as Nigerians battled with the rising cost of living.

“Food, basic drugs, and transportation were priced out of the reach of most people as a result of the government’s misguided policies, which have condemned more people to multidimensional poverty,” he added.

The ADC National Chairman, however, said, “When all hope appeared lost, when the ship of our country floundered, when it looked like Nigeria would never rise again, it would be said that some people came together, not because they were perfect, but because they recognised the significance of the moment and said Nigeria must not fail. It must rise again.”

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The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has welcomed Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), defected to the ADC on Wednesday in Enugu.

Mr Obi, earlier in 2025, declared his intention to contest in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election.

‘Significant moment’

In a post on his Facebook page Wednesday evening, Atiku, a member of the ADC, said Mr Obi’s defection to the party “marks a significant moment in the history of political coalition” in Nigeria.

“It is my pleasure to welcome him officially, as we look forward to a robust working relationship that will foster a virile opposition, one that will ultimately form a government capable of bringing prosperity and peace to our people,” he said.

The former Nigerian vice-president, who is also seeking the ADC 2027 presidential ticket, described Mr Obi as “my brother and associate.”

He expressed hope that Mr Obi’s defection to the ADC in Enugu State would help inspire others to join the party in the South-east.

“And as the ADC coalition train leaves Enugu, the capital of the South-east region, I hope this inspires other patriots to join the cause with the train headed in their direction,” he said.

Mr Obi’s defection to the ADC is a confirmation that the former governor will seek the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

The former governor was Atiku’s running mate in the 2019 presidential election, running under the PDP platform.

Atiku and Mr Obi were the presidential candidates of the PDP and the LP in 2023, respectively, but lost to the APC candidate, Bola Tinubu, who is now the president.

Both politicians vigorously but unsuccessfully challenged Mr Tinubu’s victory at various courts in Nigeria, including the country’s Supreme Court.

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• An observant man shared the heartbreaking impact that the viral accident would have on Anthony Joshua after he lost his associates
• He said two deep prayers for the boxer who lost his friends in the accident and detailed how he would cope with the grief for life
• What he said moved many people, and they took to the comment section to sympathise with the boxer and wish him a safe recovery

A Nigerian man shared what he observed concerning the accident involving British heavyweight boxer Anthony Joshua.

Two close associates of the renowned Nigerian-born boxer lost their lives in the accident that happened on a major road in Ogun State.

Anthony Joshua: Man Shares Heartbreaking Impact of Accident on Boxer, Says 2 Deep Prayers For Him
Source: UGC

The car carrying the three men and the driver hit a stationary truck on the road. Joshua sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital in a police van, as no ambulance was immediately available at the scene.

Read also

Anthony Joshua: Man who knew boxer’s late fitness trainer shares 2 things about him

Anthony Joshua: Man shares accident impact on boxer

A video showing where the truck was packed during the accident surfaced online, and an X user, @damrid_, shared how the accident may affect the boxer.

He said:

“Anthony Joshua recovering from the injuries is one battle, but living with the loss of his closest friends is another entirely. Losing close friends; people who weren’t just teammates, but brothers leaves a kind of pain that time doesn’t easily erase. “They were part of his daily life, his journey, his victories, and his private moments. Healing the body may be possible, but learning to accept that they’re gone is a wound that cuts far deeper.“Grief like this doesn’t come with a finish line. Some days will feel manageable, others unbearable, because their absence will always be felt; in training, in silence, in moments they were meant to share together. Strength doesn’t mean moving on quickly; sometimes it means simply carrying the loss with dignity and honoring their memory by continuing forward.

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“May he find peace in remembering them, and strength in knowing they were loved and will never be forgotten.”

See the X post below:

Anthony Joshua’s accident: Reactions trail man’s analysis

@HappyEntertain5 said:

“Keeping Anthony Joshua and everyone affected, in my prayers. Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured, and sincere condolences to the families who lost loved ones in this tragic incident. May God grant you strength and comfort.”

@bolajiadegunle said:

“very true; this kind of scene leaves with him.”

@the_emmytex4 said:

“I pray he heals from this trauma.”

@maxitaker said:

“Such a beautiful picture this men where so full of life and now share the same death day so sad my prayers to their family and prayers as well to anything Joshua wishing him speedy recovery.”

Anthony Joshua’s accident: Journalist Rufai Oseni reacts

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that journalist Rufai Oseni reacted to the accident involving Anthony Joshua, which claimed the lives of two people.

The journalist raised two thought-provoking questions regarding how the boxer was rescued from the scene of the accident.

What he said generated buzz on social media, as many shared their thoughts on the viral accident trending online.

Source: Legit.ng

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* Apologises to Nigerians

The Labour Party (LP) has described the defection of its 2023 presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a relief, declaring that the party has now been “finally liberated” from an internal crisis it blamed on the former presidential flagbearer and his allies.

The party also pleaded for forgiveness from Nigerians for presenting Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023 election, saying it was a major political error.

LEADERSHIP had reported that Obi announced his defection to ADC in Enugu State on Wednesday, where he delivered a New Year address, accusing the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement and systematic erosion of democratic values. He also said his defection was guided solely by patriotism and national interest.

READ ALSO: Peter Obi, South-East Senators, Others Join ADC In Enugu

But, in a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday and signed by LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the party said it had long parted ways with Obi and was unsurprised by his exit.

“We have since September 2024 parted ways with Peter Obi and some of his blind supporters in the National Assembly. We have patiently waited for this day. The party is finally liberated by this defection and, as party leaders, we count it as a blessing,” the statement read.

The party also took a swipe at Obi’s address during his formal declaration at the ADC event in Enugu, describing it as uninspiring.

“We also took note of the lacklustre speech Mr. Obi made at the occasion, and wondered what new he intends to sell to Nigerians,” LP stated.

According to the party, Obi and Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, were responsible for the prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party, alleging that both sponsored “an insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership.”

“The crisis we had in Labour Party was caused by Peter Obi and the Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti. It was them that sponsored the insurrection against the Julius Abure leadership,” the party claimed.

LP added that it had previously urged Obi and his supporters to leave the party if they could not work with its leadership, noting that several lawmakers were suspended for anti-party activities.

“As a matter of fact, the party had suspended many of the lawmakers for anti-party activities and was clearly going to mete the same treatment on the presidential candidate but for the intervention of some well-meaning Nigerians,” the statement said.

The party also expressed surprise that Governor Otti had not followed Obi out of the party despite his suspension.

“We had also expected Governor Otti to follow Obi out of the party. We are surprised that even though he has been suspended from the party, he is still loitering around. It is still not too late for him to follow his political leader,” it added.

Reacting to the Enugu event, the Labour Party claimed that the gathering was largely boycotted by key political and traditional stakeholders in the South-East politics, dismissing those in attendance as lacking political relevance.

“All we saw were mere political spent forces who cannot win in their wards should there be an election today,” the party said, warning that this was “a clear danger signal that the Obi presidency (or vice presidency) is already a failed project from inception.”

The party further argued that Obi’s 2023 presidential bid had negatively affected the South East, alleging that the zone suffered marginalisation under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as a result of misplaced political trust.

“He must be told that the South East lost out completely in President Ahmed Tinubu’s government because they trusted and believed in him in 2023,” LP stated, noting that while “some states of the federation boast as much as five ministers, the entire states in the South East was given a paltry five ministerial slot.”

In a rare admission, the Labour Party apologised to Nigerians for presenting Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023, conceding it as a major political error.

“We gave Nigerians a candidate we thought was good for the nation in 2023, but time has since proved that we made the greatest political mistake. We plead for forgiveness from Nigerians,” the party said.

The party has pledged to rebuild and reposition ahead of future elections.

“Finally, we urge Nigerians to watch out for the Labour Party. We are already working out the best prospect that we hope will bring Nigeria back to its glorious days,” it added.

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The Presidency has reacted to the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said Obi would likely end up as a running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, similar to what played out during the 2019 general elections.

Onanuga said he watched Obi formally join the ADC after leaving the party he used to pursue what he described as an ill-fated presidential ambition.

The presidential spokesman also criticised Obi’s leadership credentials, claiming he lacked the pedigree for national leadership beyond his success as an importer.

“Obi is so blind that he cannot see all these achievements. He has jumped from the Labour Party to the ADC, where he will play second fiddle and end up being Atiku’s running mate in 2027, just as we witnessed in 2019,” Onanuga said.

Recall that Obi on Wednesday defected from the Labour Party to the ADC in Enugu, alongside other leaders from the South-East.

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The Caretaker Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State has said Nigeria cannot afford to degenerate into a one-party state.

Prof. Sylvester Monye, state chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Delta State, stated this in a heartfelt New Year message to the people of the state at home and in the diaspora, stressing that a strong and functional opposition is indispensable to Nigeria’s democracy.

According to him, he is confident that adherence to democratic principles will safeguard the integrity and independence of all political parties, including the PDP.

While extending greetings to party leaders and faithful members across the state who, he said, heroically stood firm and made untold sacrifices to keep the party thriving, Monye noted that the beginning of a new year is always an appropriate moment for reflection and renewed commitment to service, guided by the principles of peace, equity and collective responsibility.

He said it was therefore crucial for all political actors to adhere strictly to due process, internal democracy and the highest standards of political conduct, warning that decisions taken now would have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to him, with certain matters involving the PDP currently before the courts, the party wishes to underscore the Supreme Court’s consistent position that the internal affairs of a political party are primarily to be managed by the party itself, without undue judicial interference.

Monye said that despite differences in political affiliation, Deltans are united by a shared duty to uphold the stability, unity and orderly development of the state.
Their mandate, he said, is to ensure that the PDP remains cohesive, responsive and ready to play its constitutional role in Delta State, a traditional PDP stronghold.

He urged all leaders and members of the PDP in the state to conduct themselves with discipline, restraint and respect for party rules and democratic norms, noting that the credibility of the party’s internal processes would ultimately determine its standing before the electorate.

“To the good people of Delta State, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting your interests and aspirations. In the days ahead, the Caretaker Committee will continue broad-based consultations and engagement with stakeholders across the state, ensuring that political discourse remains focused on good governance, development, and the rule of law.

“The year 2026 is particularly significant, as it precedes the 2027 general elections and will see the conduct of party primaries.

“In Anyanwu v. PDP and the recent SDP v. INEC decision, the court affirmed that courts should exercise restraint and respect the autonomy of political parties.

“In line with the the legal principle of “stare decisis”, we trust that the judiciary will continue to uphold these established precedents, thereby safeguarding party independence, legal certainty, and the stability of democratic processes, while respecting ongoing proceedings.

“We, members, of the great PDP in Delta State, we remain committed to constitutionalism, constructive engagement, and principled leadership. We are equally dedicated to reorganizing and strengthening the party, particularly in the wake of recent defections, and to prepare for the orderly conduct of congresses that will usher in substantive executive officers,” Monye said.

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