NIGERIA NEWS
Tinubu Holds Closed-Door Meeting With Gov Fubara in Aso Rock – Details Emerge
President Bola Tinubu on Monday held a private meeting with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, inside the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The discussion, which took place behind closed doors, has sparked fresh reactions across political circles, especially as Rivers State continues to witness rising tension and shifting alliances.
Governor Fubara arrived at the Villa shortly after 5 p.m. He was received by the Presidential Protocol Liaison Officer before being led into the President’s office.
The meeting lasted for a little over 40 minutes. However, the Presidency has not released any official information on what was discussed.
The timing of the meeting has drawn significant attention. This comes just days after 17 lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, defected from the PDP to the APC, a move widely interpreted as a major blow to Governor Fubara’s political base.
These lawmakers are loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, whose political rift with Fubara has dominated the state’s political landscape for months.
With the latest defections, the PDP’s strength in the state legislature has shrunk drastically. Only three lawmakers believed to be on the governor’s side remain, and they have kept a low profile since the political crisis escalated.
The sudden shift in the House has raised questions about Fubara’s future in the PDP and what moves he may take next.
Shortly before Fubara’s arrival, Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, also visited the Villa for a separate meeting with President Tinubu. As of the time of filing this report, details of Nwifuru’s discussion with the President were also not disclosed.
Nwifuru, an APC governor and former Speaker of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, has recently been involved in several consultations with the Presidency on issues connected to infrastructure projects and security strategies in the South-East.
Tinubu’s back-to-back meetings with the two governors have fuelled speculation within political circles, especially as the President continues to navigate sensitive political developments across several states.
At the moment, none of the governors have issued official statements regarding their visit, but sources within their political camps suggest that national politics, party realignments, and state-level tensions may have been part of the conversations.
- The remand of activist Harrison Gwamnishu has sparked split opinions online, as many revisited his ugly past, while some gave their verdicts on his alleged offence which led to his arrest
- A Nigerian man has stated on Facebook that the activist made a mistake, which he claimed VeryDarkMan capitalised on
- He rubbished the explanation provided in Harrison’s defence, saying no one removes N5 million from a ransom to implant chips
A Facebook user, Hon Roberto Chibueze, has reacted to the ongoing remand of activist Harrison Gwamnishu.
Roberto said Harrison made a mistake.
A man says Harrison Gwamnishu’s mistake was taking the money meant for the kidnappers.
Photo Credit: Hon Roberto Chibueze, Harrison Gwamnishu
Source: Facebook
Man points out Harrison’s mistake
According to Roberto, Harrison should not have taken from the ransom. He said the reasons given in defence of Harrison’s action do not hold water.
Roberto claimed that online critic VeryDarkMan took advantage of Harrison’s mistake and tried to pull him down. In his words:
“Harrison made a mistake, he took the money, those reasons flying are not sufficient enough to back it up. Then VDM saw the opportunity to use it and pull him down, he jumped on it.”
Read also
Man shares what people should learn from Harrison Gwamnishu’s case, asks 3 deep questions
He further said the explanation given by Harrison’s camp that he removed N5 million from the ransom to implant chips was unbelievable.
“Them no de commot 5 million from money to implant chip. Tell that story to kids,” he wrote in the comment section.
A man says Harrison Gwamnishu shouldn’t have taken the money he allegedly took.
Photo Credit: Hon Roberto Chibueze, Harrison Gwamnishu
Source: Facebook
See his Facebook post below:
Harrison Gwamnishu: Man’s remark triggers reactions
Legit.ng has compiled some reactions to the man’s remark below:
Okorie Chukwuka Justice said:
“You’re right. VDM who claimed to have this Main Character Syndrome is always looking for a loophole to drag anyone doing well in Social Media because he wants to be the only one in the game. You hardly see him share or promote anything good news coming from any blogger? The boy is becoming petty lastly.”
Chigozie Iheanacho said:
“Vdm isn’t pulling anyone down, and he didn’t jump into the case uninvited, the family actually contacted him. These are exactly the kinds of issues he handles: scàmming, stèaling, intimidation, and similar matters. He basically operates like an online police!”
Amb Iwasam Agbong said:
Read also
Man explains why Harrison Gwamnishu should sack his lawyer immediately: “Who authorised it?”
“VDM is not pulling anyone down, he’s simply doing what he has always done without favoritism. He has consistently called himself an online police, and his role has always been to pursue cases like this. That’s exactly what he’s doing now. He has made it clear many times that he will call anyone out even his own brothers, if they ever misbehave. And it’s true: if VDM had kept quiet, people would still drag him for being biased. So in this situation, no one is pulling anyone down. Justice cannot be selective.”VDM and Harrison are not in competition. They are doing two completely different kinds of work. And the same way Harrison handles issues in his own lane, VDM handles his in his own lane. The day VDM does something wrong that requires Harrison to act, and Harrison steps in, I will support it fully and I will never call it “pulling down.” After all, nobody forced Harrison to take money that was meant for something else.”
Y’all Meet Philo Sopher II said:
“Na you understand that guy VDM. He’s been looking for opportunity to get him down & now the guy has presented him one.”I think he’s just working with one of the laws of the ‘48 laws of power’. VDM is not who people see him as. Lol.”
Jerry Uche Williams
“So the person that couldn’t resist the temptation to steal ransom money didn’t pull himself down but it is the person that called him out for theft that pull him down; una really dey intelligent for this social media.”
Read also
Nigerian man speaks out amid claims Harrison took #5.4 million from ransom
Gift Okedinma said:
“VDM is known for calling evil for what it’s. Say no to selective justice.”
Ex-SUG president’s bad experience with Harrison Gwamnishu
Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a former SUG president had recounted his terrible experience with Harrison Gwamnishu several months ago.
Narrating his experience, he stated that Harrison allegedly stormed his Onicha Ugo community with more than eight boys and brutalised a youth named Victor because of a lady they were both interested in.
He said he visited Victor when he got wind of the incident and found him physically assaulted and his car seriously damaged, which required over N4 million to fix.
Source: Legit.ng
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday held confidential discussions with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The meeting also had in attendance the Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru.
The engagement, held at the State House in Abuja, came against the backdrop of escalating political friction in Rivers State and ongoing uncertainties regarding Fubara’s standing within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Fubara arrived at the Presidential Villa at approximately 5:01 pm, where he was received by the Presidential Protocol Liaison Officer.
The session, which lasted until about 5:45 pm, was held entirely behind closed doors, with no official details released on the agenda or outcomes.
Governor Nwifuru’s meeting, which took place just before, similarly remained private, though it is believed to have addressed regional priorities such as infrastructure development and security concerns in the South-East.
The timing of Fubara’s engagement is particularly noteworthy, following the high-profile defection of 17 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
This defection has dramatically altered the power dynamics in the state legislature, reducing PDP-aligned members supportive of Fubara to just three.
Former minister of state for labour and productivity, Senator Joel Ikenya, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ikenya announced his decision in a statement issued in Jalingo on Monday, adding that the move was taken in the “best interest” of the people of Taraba.
Ikenya served as a member of the Taraba state House of Assembly, a member of the House of Representatives, and Senator representing Taraba south, before serving as a junior minister.
He has also contested the governorship seat in the state on several occasions.
His words: “I want to begin by expressing my deepest gratitude for the love and solidarity you have shown to me since my political journey, which spanned over many years.
“After careful consideration, due diligence, and wide consultations, I am pleased to announce that I have formally defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the interest of my people, Tarabans.
“You are all aware that PDP remains a party that has given me the platform to attain all the positions that I ever got in politics and this is where I believe I am loved.”
NIGERIA NEWS
“They made the arrangement” -Man accuses Verydarkman of orchestrating couple’s abduction to set up Harrison Gwamnishu
A fresh controversy erupts as man accuses controversial critic, Verydarkman of orchestrating a couple’s abduction.
Earlier, Gistreel reported that Verydarkman claimed that he arrested human rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu.
Details Of The Allegation
This followed after an X user accused the human rights activist of diverting a 20 mullion naira ransom meant for his sister and brother-in-law.
According to the man whose identity remains unknown, Verydarkman and his fellow ‘ratel’ members planned the abduction of the couple
He further alleged that the policeman in Auchi, where Harrison Gwamnishu was arrested, belongs to the same cult group with Verydarkman.
In the now-viral video, the man addressed the 5.4 million naira ransom circulating online.
According to him, Harrison Gwamnishu does not hand over the full amount to kidnappers and operation to rescue victims from captivity has always been successful.
Reacting to this claim, a user, Deepen Insights remarked, “Maybe VDM go too arrest someone. Them don arrest him too much. He who alleges must prove. 😂”.
Another user, Emenike godfather, “There’s sense in this cos how can kidnapperssss quickly noticed that the money no complete easily to the extent of arguing with them.People wey suppose de fear?”.
Success Chinedu inquired, “I thought VDM said he didn’t know the guy whom his brother and wife was kidnapped”.
Watch video below….
“You see that kidn@pp£d couple in Edo State, I can bet my chest and tell you that it’s VeryDarkman and that his friend in Edo State joined hands together to arrange the whole thing just to set Harrison Gwamnishu up. The whole truth will come out soon, if you notice, nobody is… pic.twitter.com/HEmHIfegWs
— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) December 8, 2025
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has confirmed the approval of final operating licences for 82 Bureaux De Change under its updated regulatory framework, cautioning Nigerians to avoid patronising unlicensed foreign exchange dealers.
The approval is based on the 2024 Regulatory and Supervisory Guidelines for BDC Operations and took effect from November 27, 2025.
The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Acting Director, Corporate Communications, Hakama Sidi Ali.
The bank stated that only operators listed on its website are recognised to conduct business. According to the statement, “only Bureaux De Change listed on the Bank’s website are authorised to operate from the effective date.”
The apex bank emphasised that more names would be added as their approvals are finalised, noting that the public can verify all valid licences online. “The CBN will continue to update the list of Bureaux De Change with valid operating licences for public verification on our website,” the statement added. It also advised the public to “avoid dealing with unlicensed Foreign Exchange Operators.”
Legal consequences for unlicensed BDC operations
The CBN reiterated that operating a bureau de change without the required approval is an offence under the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act. It warned that offenders would be sanctioned. “Operating a Bureau De Change business without a valid licence is a punishable offence under Section 57(1) of BOFIA 2020,” the statement read.
The bank urged the public to be cautious when conducting forex transactions, saying the clarification was necessary to prevent members of the public from falling victim to illegal operators. The statement concluded that members of the public “are hereby advised to note and be guided accordingly.”
See full list below:
What you should know
The confirmation of 82 licences comes as the CBN intensifies its efforts to bring greater transparency and structure to the forex market, following several policy reforms over the past months.
In May 2024, the CBN released the approved guidelines for operations of Bureau De Change (BDCs) across the country while asking BDCs to reapply for licensing online with the new regulatory requirements in the next six months.
According to the new regulatory requirements, Tier-1 BDCs are mandated to have a minimum capital base of N2 billion while that of Tier-1 was set at N500 million.
Furthermore, the bank set the application fee for a Tier-1 license at N1 million and that of Tier-2 at N250,000. The licensing fees for Tier-1 and Tier-2 BDCs were set at N5 million and N2 million, respectively.
The bank also asked BDCS to meet the requirements of the Tier of license they are applying for within the next six months.
The new guidelines approved for Tier-1 BDCs allowed them to operate across the 36 states of the country and the FCT and open franchises all over the country, subject to the approval of the CBN.
Some of the guidelines for BDCs included banning BDCs from futures, options and derivative trading, carrying out outward international transfers, receiving international inward transfers, dealing on crypto assets or entities that deal with crypto assets and others.
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At least seven women have been killed in a tragic shooting involving soldiers escorting the Brigade Commander of the 23 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Amechi Agwu, in Adamawa State.
The incident took place on Monday afternoon at Rigange junction in Lamurde, after troops reportedly opened fire on a group of protesters.
Tension in the area was already high following a violent assault earlier in the day by suspected Chobo-speaking militia, who launched coordinated attacks on several communities in Lamurde Local Government Area.
A respected community leader, speaking with difficulty as he held back tears, told SaharaReporters that 12 women were shot, with seven dying on the spot.
“Five others are battling for their lives at Numan General Hospital,” he said, describing the chaos that followed the shooting.
Multiple local sources said the women had gathered to protest what they called the unacceptable delay in the arrival of security forces.
According to them, troops only reached the attacked communities hours after the assailants had completed their rampage and withdrawn without resistance.
“The women were angry, frustrated, and tired of burying their own,” another source said. “They were demanding answers. Instead, what they got were bullets.”
News men sought comments from the spokesperson of the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. Apollonia Anele.
Calls to her mobile phone went unanswered, and a text message requesting clarification on the shooting had also not received a reply at the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain the Army’s official position on the allegations are ongoing. As of press time, the Nigerian Army had not issued any official statement regarding the incident.
Daji Sani in Yola
The Adamawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ADSPHCDA) is set to launch the National Immunisation Plus Days, a crucial initiative aimed at enhancing the state’s healthcare delivery system.
The Executive Chairman of the agency, Dr. Suleiman Bashir Sa’idu, disclosed this during a media engagement in Yola, emphasising that the exercise is designed to build defense mechanisms against various diseases.
Sa’idu stressed that the immunisation drive is a vital component of the agency’s efforts to improve routine immunization and overall healthcare services in the state. He expressed gratitude to development partners, particularly UNICEF, for their unwavering support and cooperation.
The agency’s chairman noted that the increasing mobility of people, especially Nigerians traveling globally, heightens the risk of disease transmission, underscoring the need for vaccination to protect citizens, especially children.
Sa’idu urged residents to prioritise their wards’ health by cooperating with medical teams administering vaccines and availing themselves of necessary healthcare services.
Also speaking earlier, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr James Vasumu, said that the Adamawa State Government has demonstrated its commitment to healthcare development by transmitting N100 million to UNICEF and N50 million to UNFPA as counter-funding.
Vasumu, however, lauded the media for its support and cooperation, acknowledging the significant impact of its publicity efforts on the agency’s successes.
He also commended development partners, traditional, and religious leaders for promoting the agency’s activities in the state.
The agency’s efforts aim to improve healthcare services, protect children, and promote overall well-being in Adamawa State.
The immunisation drive is a testament to the agency’s dedication to enhancing healthcare delivery in the state.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on Dec. 17 over insecurity in the country.
This is contained in a communiqué issued on Monday at the end of the NLC National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Lagos.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the NLC President, Mr Joe Ajaero, and the Acting General Secretary, Mr Benson Upah.
It stated that the NEC deliberated on pressing national and industrial issues, including the recent abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi.
The communiqué said that the NEC condemned the kidnapping and killing of school staffer during the incident and criticised the withdrawal of security personnel from the affected school prior to the attack.
It described the surge in attacks on schools as alarming and called on the Federal Government to secure all schools, particularly those in remote and vulnerable areas.
The NEC resolved to mobilise all NLC affiliates and state councils for the protest and demanded immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the security lapses.
According to the communiqué, other key issues discussed at the meeting include the crisis in the tertiary education sector, the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and the revival of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition (LASCO).
It added that the NEC expressed concern over the state of the Labour Party and urged members to realign the party with working-class principles, ideology and integrity.
The communiqué further warned that failure of the Federal Government to address insecurity and other pressing issues could lead to escalated industrial actions across various sectors, including health and education.
It stated that workers’ safety and welfare remained a top priority in NLC’s advocacy and urged citizens to join hands with workers in demanding a safer nation.
It noted that the planned protest would be peaceful but resolute and aimed at compelling the government to act decisively.
The NLC also urged state governments and security agencies to intensify measures to protect vulnerable communities, particularly schools and students, warning that continued neglect could undermine national stability.
The NEC reiterated the NLC’s commitment to defending workers’ rights, improving living and working conditions, and supporting initiatives that promote social justice and equitable development across the country.
The post NLC threatens nationwide protest over insecurity appeared first on Vanguard News.
Four persons – all male – were gunned down by unknown assailants in the Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Council Area of Anambra State.
Nawfia is the hometown of Chief Nwoye, popularly called Glamour, who is the Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Protocol to Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
The community has become notorious in the news for the wrong reason, either bordering on fishy killings, shady land deals, or torn apart by chieftaincy and town union leadership tussles over the years.
Exactly a year after a similar shooting spree and killing engulfed the community, in which four men were feared shot dead. A source told newsmen that unknown gunmen who operated in a black Lexus Jeep with a yet-to-ascertained registration number stormed Afor Nawfia Market and opened fire, presumably gunning down the four persons in the early hours of the evening of Sunday.
The shooting created pandemonium as bystanders and those who were within gunshot-hearing distance fled for their dear lives just as the gunmen sped off untraced.
A viral video, which our Correspondent monitored, shows the post-killing scene where lifeless bodies of four men lay in the pool of their blood after the shooting.
It was gory sights to behold as men and women as well as youths in the area lamented the killings which they described as one killing, too many.
Voices from the trending video identified some of the victims as “Ajigwo” and “Kalisia.” The President-General of Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, was swift in his reaction, expressing deep shock over the tragic news of the attack at the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia Community.
In a statement he issued on the incident and made available to newsmen shortly after the killings, he stated: “The incident resulted in multiple casualties, caused by unknown assailants who carried out this senseless act of violence.
“I strongly condemn this heartbreaking incident and the attempt to disrupt the peace of our beloved community. I have already contacted the relevant security agencies, and investigations are underway to uncover those responsible.”
Okoye appealed to the indigenes of the community “to remain calm, stay vigilant, and continue to cooperate with security operatives as they work tirelessly to restore normalcy and ensure our safety.”
The PG consoled the families affected by the dastardly act, assuring that “we are fully committed to supporting efforts aimed at protecting lives and maintaining peace in Nawfia.”
Also reacting to the dastardly act, the State Police Command linked the killings to cult-related activities, avoiding confirming any death incident resulting from the attack.
In a press statement issued by the State Police Command and made available to newsmen yesterday, the police update traced the killing to “cult-related attack that occurred on the evening of 7th December 2025 at Afor Nawfia Market, along the Onitsha–Awka Old Road.
“It will be recalled that operatives of the Command attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad, Enugwu-Ukwu, had, four days earlier, acting on credible intelligence about a planned rival cult confrontation, arrested two dangerous suspects and recovered a firearm from them. The arrested suspects have been assisting the Police with valuable information aimed at preventing further cult-related violence within Awka and its environs.
“Despite these proactive efforts by the Command operatives, some members of the same gang, on the evening of 7th December 2025, operating in a black Lexus Jeep with registration number yet unknown, stormed Afor Nawfia Market and opened fire indiscriminately. The violent attack resulted in the fatal injury of four persons, after which the assailants fled the scene.
“Although the hoodlums escaped before police arrival, preliminary information obtained at the scene has provided useful leads, and the Command is already acting on them to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down and arrested.
“The Anambra State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the State of cultism, violent crime and all forms of criminality. Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” the statement added.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan has struck out the name of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from a suit challenging the eligibility and conduct of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elective convention held in Ibadan.
At the previous sitting, counsel to INEC, Mr. O. Adeyemi, argued that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter.
He maintained that since INEC is an agency of the Federal Government, it can only be sued before the Federal High Court and not a State High Court.
Based on this argument, INEC prayed the court to strike out its name from the suit.
In his ruling, Justice Akintola upheld the argument and struck out INEC as a defendant, noting that the commission is a federal agency not subject to the jurisdiction of the State High Court. However, he retained the names of the other defendants, including the acting chairman of the party, Damagun.
The judge subsequently adjourned the case to January 26, 2026, for further hearing.
Speaking in a sideline interview, counsel to the claimant, Musbau Adetunmbi (SAN), said INEC had been excused from the matter after raising a jurisdictional objection.
He added that the court still has jurisdiction over the remaining three defendants, which include the PDP, a PDP member, Folahan Malomo, and the chairman of the PDP zonal committee, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.
Also speaking, the legal adviser to the PDP in Oyo State, Dapo Durosharan, noted that although INEC was struck out of the case, proceedings involving the remaining defendants will continue on the adjourned date.
Durosharan added that the party’s legal team will take an informed decision on the next steps to be taken.