NIGERIA NEWS
Former minister dumps APC, defects to PDP ahead of 2027 elections
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.”
Meta Platforms Inc., parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to give European Union users the option to limit the personal data they share for advertising across its Facebook and Instagram platforms.
The company disclosed this commitment following ongoing discussions with the European Commission, which found Meta in breach of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in April 2025.
The announcement comes amid growing regulatory scrutiny of large tech platforms and rising concerns over user privacy in digital advertising.
What they are saying
According to the European Commission, Meta will offer EU users the choice between sharing all their data for fully personalised ads or sharing less data for a more limited ad experience.
“Meta will give users the effective choice between consenting to share all their data and seeing fully personalised advertising, and opting to share less personal data for an experience with more limited personalised advertising,” the Commission said in a statement.
This marks the first time the social network will provide such an option. The new choices are set to be available starting January 2026.
The tech giant was hit with a €200 million ($233 million) fine in April for breaching the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curb the dominance of major tech firms. The violation covered Facebook and Instagram from November 2023 to November 2024, during which Meta’s pay-or-consent model did not meet EU standards.
Following the fine, Meta revised its model to use less personal data for targeted advertising, a change aimed at complying with DMA requirements.
What this means
It means that starting in January 2026, people in the European Union who use Facebook or Instagram will be able to decide how much of their personal data Meta can use to show them ads.
Currently, Meta often shows ads that are “personalised,” based on what the platform knows about you, your activity, interests, and other data.
With this change, EU users can either allow Meta to use all their data and continue seeing fully personalised ads, or they can limit the data they share and see fewer or less targeted ads.
What you should know
In 2023, Meta was fined a record €1.2 billion by the EU for transferring European Facebook users’ data to the U.S. without proper protections, the largest penalty under the GDPR. The European Data Protection Board called the violation very serious due to its scale and ordered Meta to stop exporting EU data and comply within six months.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) last year imposed a $220 million fine on Meta after a 38‑month investigation found the company guilty of unauthorised data sharing, privacy violations and abuse of market dominance.
Early this year, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) levied an additional $32.8 million fine along with eight corrective orders against Meta for further data privacy infractions relating to behavioural advertising and non‑consensual data processing. They later reached an out‑of‑court settlement over the $32.8 million fine.
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Terrorism: Agbese dismisses allegations against Buratai as baseless, politically motivated
Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, Hon Philip Agbese, has dismissed allegations linking former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), to terrorism financing, describing them as “baseless, reckless, and politically motivated.”
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Monday, Agbese said those behind the claims were attempting to smear Buratai’s record and diminish his contributions to Nigeria’s security.
“It is important for Nigerians to understand that Boko Haram terrorists and their sponsors have not forgiven Lt-General Buratai for leading the Nigerian Army to defeat them,” he said.
Agbese noted that Buratai’s tenure marked a significant shift in Nigeria’s counter-insurgency operations.
“Before he became Army Chief, Boko Haram controlled large parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. Abuja had suffered several bombings—Nyanya, Banex, Police Headquarters, and the UN building. People lived in fear,” he said.
“Buratai took the fight directly to the insurgents, leading coordinated military campaigns that reclaimed towns, restored governance, and enabled displaced families to return home.”
He added that Buratai’s leadership extended beyond battlefield efforts, citing intelligence-driven operations, improved civil-military cooperation, and strengthened adherence to legal and ethical standards.
“Terrorist activities reduced drastically under his command, and militant groups, including IPOB’s armed factions and other criminal networks, were curtailed,” he said.
Agbese said attempts to link Buratai to terrorism were illogical and aimed at distorting his legacy.
“To link a man who confronted terrorists at the frontline to financing them is absurd. His record is one of courage, discipline, and patriotism,” he said.
The lawmaker cautioned that spreading such allegations could undermine national stability, warning that demonising security leaders only serves to embolden insurgents.
“Nigerians must not allow unfounded claims to distort the truth,” he added.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with six governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress at the State House, Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the closed-door meeting was held at the President’s office.
Governors Umar Namadi of Jigawa, Monday Okpebholo of Edo, Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti, Usman Ododo of Kogi, Aliyu Sokoto of Sokoto and Nasir Idris of Kebbi were in attendance.
The governors declined to speak with State House correspondents after the meeting.
Although details were not made public, discussions were believed to have focused on insecurity, kidnapping and banditry affecting several states.
Tinubu had on Nov. 26 declared a nationwide security emergency, directing security agencies to prioritise school safety while governors strengthen local early-warning mechanisms. (NAN)
The post Tinubu meets six APC governors appeared first on Vanguard News.
Kano Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named one of the recipients of the 2025 Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service (NEAPS), earning national recognition for what organisers described as outstanding achievements across key sectors of governance.
The award was announced on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, who said the honour reflects “a clear endorsement of Governor Yusuf’s focused and people-oriented leadership.”
According to the statement, the administration has made notable progress in education, healthcare, agriculture, urban renewal, infrastructure, and social welfare since Governor Yusuf assumed office.
The governor was credited with initiating massive rehabilitation of public schools, recruiting new teachers and boosting funding for the education sector.
“In education, we made a commitment to rebuild what was neglected, and we are seeing the results,” he said.
The health sector has equally received significant attention through the renovation of primary healthcare centres, upgrades of general hospitals and expanded access to essential medical services.
“Health is the backbone of development, and we have prioritised it accordingly,” Governor Yusuf stated.
On agriculture, the administration has introduced multiple farmer-support programmes, strengthened extension services, and ensured timely distribution of inputs to enhance productivity.
Agriculture, he said, “remains a lifeline for our people, and we will continue to support our farmers with every resource available.”
Kano is also witnessing an ongoing urban renewal drive targeted at modernising infrastructure and improving liveability.
“Our vision is to rebuild Kano into a city that works for everyone,” the governor added.
Governor Yusuf received the NEAPS award alongside his counterparts from Zamfara, Bauchi, Adamawa, Enugu and Akwa Ibom States.
The ceremony, organised by the Nigeria Excellence Award in Public Service in collaboration with the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), had President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by the SGF, Senator George Akume.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has dismissed as baseless and malicious the recent allegations made by Mr Jude Gbaboyor against the Administrator of the Programme, Dr Dennis Otuaro.
In a video circulating on Facebook, which he purportedly recorded in the United States, Gbaboyor levelled grave and unfounded accusations against Dr Otuaro, including claims of murder, ritualism, and kidnapping.
However, the PAP in a statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media to the Administrator, Mr Igoniko Oduma, on Monday, stated that the video in which he called for the Administrator’s removal, represents yet another desperate attempt by Gbaboyor to defame Otuaro’s character and undermine the credible work of the Programme.
The statement added that Gbaboyor now a fugitive committed the crimes of cyberstalking among others and decided to flee the country to evade arrest and prosecution.
The statement emphasized that the said Gbaboyor was dismissed from the PAP due to his unacceptable conduct some years back and should be discountenanced by the reading public.
The statement reads, ‘’This is not the first time Gbaboyor has made outrageous and unsubstantiated claims against the PAP boss.
His persistent campaign of calumny prompted the PAP Administrator to formally petition relevant security agencies, citing cyberstalking and criminal intimidation.
“When invited by the Nigeria Police Force to answer questions regarding these spurious allegations, Gbaboyor fled the country, effectively making himself a fugitive from justice.
‘’It is instructive to note that Gbaboyor’s relentless attacks on Dr Otuaro began only after the Administrator rejected his request for reinstatement at the Amnesty Office, from which he was previously dismissed several years ago due to his lack of character.
“Having failed to ingratiate himself with the PAP leadership and secure reemployment through proper channels, Gbaboyor has resorted to character assassination and the dissemination of false information.
‘’Particularly troubling is Gbaboyor’s appeal to the President of the United States to interfere in what is purely a personal matter under local jurisdiction.
This represents a profound insult to Nigeria’s sovereignty and a misguided attempt to internationalise personal grievances.
‘’The Presidential Amnesty Programme urges members of the public to disregard these irresponsible acts and baseless allegations in their entirety.
“If Gbaboyor genuinely believes in the veracity of his claims, he should demonstrate the courage of his convictions by returning to Nigeria to substantiate them before the appropriate authorities and courts of law.
‘’Instead, his flight from lawful police invitation and subsequent attacks from abroad reveal the true nature of his campaign: a calculated effort to malign a public servant from the safety of foreign shores, beyond the immediate reach of Nigerian law enforcement.
‘’Under Dr Dennis Otuaro’s leadership, the Presidential Amnesty Programme has remained focused on its mandate of fostering sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta region.
“The Programme will not be distracted by spurious allegations from misguided and individuals pursuing personal vendettas.
‘’The Presidential Amnesty Programme reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law and will continue to pursue all legal remedies available to protect the integrity and reputation of the Administrator and the agency.”
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NIGERIA NEWS
Tinubu Hails Security Agencies as 100 Abducted Niger Students Regain Freedom — Akelicious
President Bola Tinubu has praised security agencies for securing the release of 100 students abducted from Papiri Catholic School in Niger State.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja.
Mr Tinubu welcomed the return of the students and directed security agencies to ensure the swift rescue of the remaining 115 students and teachers still in captivity.
”I have been briefed on the safe return of 100 students from the Catholic School in Niger State.
”I rejoice with Governor Umar Bago and commend our security agencies for their steadfast work in ensuring the safe return of the students to their families since the unfortunate incident on November 21.
”My directive to our security forces remains that all the students and other abducted Nigerians across the country must be rescued and brought back home safely, and we must account for all the victims.”
The president assured parents that the federal government, working with the Niger government, was committed to reuniting all abducted students with their families.
Mr Tinubu said the administration would intensify collaboration with states to strengthen school security nationwide.
”The federal government will continue to work with Niger State and other states to secure our schools and make the learning environment safer and more conducive for our young ones.
”From now on, our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings.
”Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma,” Mr Tinubu said.
(NAN)
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The Kwara State Police Command has arrested a man believed to be a key member of a kidnapping gang operating in parts of the state.
The suspect, Aliu Abubakar, was arrested on Friday, December 3, at the Oro-Ago Motor Park in Ifelodun Local Government Area, following a tip from members of the community.
Police sources said the man first told officers he was on his way to visit a relative, but his story did not add up. When officers checked his phone, they found pictures of him holding a gun and posing with other armed men. They also found photos showing bundles of cash, which the police believe are ransom payments from kidnapped victims.
During questioning, Abubakar reportedly admitted taking part in several kidnapping operations and said the money seen in the pictures was shared among members of the gang.
In a related operation, police also arrested a courier linked to the same gang along the Gbugbu–Patigi road and recovered 100 rounds of live ammunition meant for the kidnappers in the forest.
The police said investigations are ongoing and more arrests are expected.
Armed bandits on Sunday abducted three members of a family in Patigi Local Government Area of Kwara State while they were returning from a condolence visit, marking the latest security breach in the increasingly vulnerable area.
The victims, all indigenes of the Agboro community, were reportedly seized by the bandits around 7:00 a.m. while heading back from paying respects to a deceased family member.
Vanguard gathered that the bandits were marching the victims toward the direction of Isanlu in Kogi State when the news broke.
Local sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, identified the abducted individuals as: Abiodun Abidemi (Brother of the deceased); Abiodun Olumide (Brother of the deceased); Ayomide Moses (Son of the deceased).
Residents expressed frustration, noting that Patigi Local Government has been highly vulnerable to bandit activities for months, with outlaws reportedly defying several existing security measures.
However, when contacted, the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, denied any knowledge of the attack, stating: “I am not aware.”
As of press time, authorities have yet to officially confirm the abduction or provide updates on efforts to rescue the three family members.
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Political commentator Mahdi Shehu has criticized the Kebbi State Government’s plan to grant a N10 billion loan to intending Hajj pilgrims, describing it as a misplaced priority in a state grappling with severe poverty and infrastructural decay.
Posting on X on Monday, Shehu criticised the scheme.
“The intending pilgrims will do better to perform one of the Hajj rituals; stoning the devil by stoning the person deceiving them with this Hajj loan, who qualifies as the ‘bigger devil.’”
He added that the government is exploiting religious sentiment to mislead citizens, many of whom cannot afford basic needs.
“They just deploy religious sentiment to hoodwink senile people, the same people who can’t afford to eat are given loans to go for pilgrimage. This is simply daftly,” he wrote.
“In a state where poverty is at 75 percent, over 2 million children are out of school, hospitals and schools are dilapidated, township and feeder roads are poor, clean drinking water is lacking, gratuities are unpaid, youth unemployment is high, children are learning on the floor, essential drugs are unavailable, and primary health centres have collapsed, this is pure madness and illiteracy,” Shehu wrote.
Shehu’s criticism comes in response to Kebbi State Governor Dr. Nasir Idris’ approval of a N10 billion intervention to assist intending pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj, following a shortfall in payments for allocated seats.
The Executive Chairman of the Kebbi State Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Alhaji Faruku Aliyu Yaro, disclosed on Saturday that the decision was taken because many prospective pilgrims in the state were unable to meet the payment deadline.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has announced plans to hold a nationwide protest on December 17 over the escalating insecurity in the country, particularly the recent spike in attacks on schools.
This decision was reached during the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Congress held in Lagos, with a communiqué jointly signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah.
The NEC condemned the abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killing of a staff member during the incident, describing the withdrawal of security personnel from the affected school prior to the attack as gross negligence.
The statement reads, “The surge in attacks on schools is alarming. The Federal Government must act urgently to secure all educational institutions, especially those in vulnerable and remote areas.”
The NLC said it would mobilise all its affiliates and state councils for the planned protest, which it described as peaceful but resolute.
The Congress is also demanding an immediate investigation into the Kebbi incident and the prosecution of those responsible for the security lapses.
The NEC warned that failure by the Federal Government to address insecurity and other critical issues could trigger widespread industrial actions across key sectors, including health and education.
“Workers’ safety and welfare remain a top priority. Continued neglect could threaten national stability,” the NLC stated.
The meeting also deliberated on other national and industrial concerns, including the ongoing strike by the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), challenges in the tertiary education sector, and the revival of the Labour–Civil Society Coalition (LASCO).
The NEC further expressed concern about the Labour Party’s current state and called for a realignment with working-class values and integrity.
The NLC urged Nigerians to join hands with organised labour in demanding a safer country, while calling on state governments and security agencies to strengthen protection for schools and other vulnerable communities.
© 2025 Naija News, a division of Polance Media Inc. Contact us via [email protected]