₦airaland Forum

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, on his birthday, December 13, praising his performance in office and contributions to national development.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu joined family, friends and associates in celebrating the former Rivers State governor, thanking God for a life marked by service, purpose and courage.

The President described Wike as an audacious and result-oriented leader who consistently overcomes challenges to deliver impactful projects.

He particularly acknowledged the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory, citing major infrastructure expansion initiatives under the Minister’s leadership.

President Tinubu highlighted Wike’s recent intervention that resolved a 14-year delay in the construction of the Apo–Karshi Road, describing the development as a significant milestone in improving connectivity within the nation’s capital.

Commending the Minister’s resilience, “can-do” attitude and commitment to excellence, the President said Wike has distinguished himself as one of the standout performers in the Federal Executive Council.

He said: “Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.

“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.

Plans to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights and freedoms in Seattle during the World Cup next summer will continue despite objections from the Egyptian and Iranian football federations over the “Pride Match” due to take place in the city.

Seattle organisers have confirmed that they are “moving forward as planned” with Pride activities in the city when Egypt face Iran in Group G on 26 June. Rainbow flags will also be allowed into the stadium by Fifa.

Homosexuality is illegal in Iran, and in Egypt morality laws are often used to prosecute LGBTQ+ people.

The Egyptian football federation said this week that it had written to Fifa’s general secretary to complain about the Pride Match, saying it did not want to be associated with celebrations that “directly contradict the cultural, religious and social values … in Arab and Islamic societies”.

The head of Iran’s football federation, Mehdi Taj, was quoted by the local news agency ISNA as saying it too had raised “objections against the issue”.

The organising committee for Seattle said in a statement that its plans for activities were outside the stadium and would go ahead.

“As the local organising committee, SeattleFWC26’s role is to prepare our city to host the matches and manage the city experience outside of Seattle Stadium,” said Hana Tedesse, the vice-president of communications for Seattle Fifa World Cup 2026.

“SeattleFWC26 is moving forward as planned with our community programming outside the stadium during Pride weekend and throughout the tournament, partnering with LGBTQ+ leaders, artists and business owners to elevate existing Pride celebrations across Washington.”

Fifa has operational control of stadiums on matchdays, and it is understood there have been no plans in place to acknowledge Pride weekend inside the ground. Although Fifa prohibits banners and flags with political messages from being taken into stadiums during the tournament, it allows flags expressing “sporting and social symbols”, which includes the rainbow flag.

This policy was applied at the last World Cup in Qatar, and reinforced after reports of rainbow flags being seized by local authorities.

The Pride Match concept was devised by the Seattle committee and highlights “our city’s proud history of advocating for equality” while the world’s eyes are on the city. It has commissioned a design contest to create images to commemorate the occasion, with one webpage illustrated by a photo of the rainbow flag being paraded through Seattle Stadium.

Tedesse said the organising committee would work to ensure all fans felt welcome in the city during the 48-team tournament next summer.

“The Pacific Northwest is home to one of the nation’s largest Iranian‑American communities, a thriving Egyptian diaspora and rich communities representing all nations we’re hosting in Seattle,” she said in a statement.

“We’re committed to ensuring all residents and visitors experience the warmth, respect and dignity that defines our region.”

A human rights organisation has accused FIFA president Gianni Infantino of breaching his organisation's rules over his public support for Donald Trump and a peace prize awarded to the U.S. president.

FairSquare, a London-based human rights nonprofit, said Tuesday it filed requests for investigations into Infantino's alleged breaches of FIFA's statutory duty to be politically neutral.

FIFA said its ethics committee does not comment on potential ongoing cases, and could not confirm receiving the complaint.

FIFA's ethics code calls for a ban from soccer of up to two years for violating the duty of neutrality, though it is unclear if the case will be taken up.

The FIFA-appointed current ethics investigators and judges are seen by some observers to operate with less independence than their predecessors a decade ago when then-president Sepp Blatter was removed from office.

Infantino has expressed views this year backing Trump and his policies. In October, Infantino used his Instagram account to say Trump "definitely deserves" the Nobel Peace Prize.

The FIFA leader also has closely aligned soccer with the United States government ahead of the men's 2026 World Cup being co-hosted with Canada and Mexico. The tournament should earn more than $10 billion for FIFA.

Political leaders of all three co-hosts joined Infantino on stage to begin the World Cup tournament draw last Friday in Washington, D.C., after Trump got the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize.

After a video about Trump was played out at the draw prior to him receiving the prize, Infantino remarked: "This is what we want from a leader ... you definitely deserve the first FIFA Peace Prize for your action for what you have obtained in your way but you obtained it in an incredible way and you can always count, Mr. President, on my support."

Infantino said in a November interview at the American Business Forum in Miami that "we should all support what [Trump] is doing [in the U.S.] because I think it's looking pretty good."

FairSquare's letter also referenced an Instagram post from Infantino on Jan. 20, the day of Trump's inauguration.

"Together we will make not only America great again, but also the entire world," Infantino said at the conclusion of a video message.

"The award of a prize of this nature to a sitting political leader is in and of itself a clear breach of FIFA's duty of neutrality," FairSquare said in an eight-page complaint.

FIFA has not specified how Infantino created the peace prize last month though people familiar with the process in private conversations said they learned about it through media reports.

"If Mr. Infantino acted unilaterally and without any statutory authority this should be considered an egregious abuse of power," FairSquare said.

FairSquare has previously challenged FIFA over the human rights record of Saudi Arabia, the 2034 World Cup host; the influence of the kingdom's oil company Aramco which is a highest-tier World Cup sponsor; FIFA governance standards; and FIFA's slow-moving investigation into possible statutes breaches relating to teams from Israeli settlements playing in the national soccer league.

The United States delegation on a fact-finding mission into killings in Nigeria held a closed-door meeting with the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), on Tuesday.

The US team had previously met with the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and visited Benue State, where it engaged Catholic bishops, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and the Tiv traditional ruler.

The meeting with the AGF, which included US Congressman Riley Moore and US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills Jr., was part of the team’s ongoing engagement in Nigeria.

The US President, Donald Trump, had in October declared Nigeria a “country of particular concern” in response to allegations of a Christian genocide.
Trump, in a Truth Social post shared on the White House’s X handle, stated: “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘country of particular concern.’”

Speaking to journalists after the Tuesday meeting, Fagbemi said the discussion was aimed at addressing insecurity and providing the Federal Government’s perspective on terrorism.

“This meeting is about the issue of terrorism going on in the country and to afford us further opportunity to explain our own side of the story.

We have explained this to them when we entered Washington, and I am happy that they are also here to see things for themselves,” he said.

He stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges are not religiously motivated.

“What is important is to appraise them that even though we have challenges in Nigeria, it is not religious.

We have security challenges, and the government is doing its utmost to ensure that these challenges are addressed,” Fagbemi stated.

The AGF noted that his ministry prosecutes suspects arrested in connection with terrorism and extremism, following due process.

“The one that concerns the Federal Ministry of Justice is about the prosecution of the people arrested in connection with extremism, and we are able to explain to them how far we have come and what we are also doing,” he said.

Providing an update on terrorism-related prosecutions, Fagbemi disclosed that between 2017 and 2025, the government secured 860 convictions and 891 discharges.

“For instance, today, as we speak, the terrorism trial is still going on. I have been there today and I have taken one or two of the cases, and I want to seize this opportunity to let you know that as of today, from 2017 to 2025, we have secured 860 convictions and 891 acquittals, that is, discharges,” he said.

He explained that the figures reflect the government’s commitment to the rule of law.

“What this speaks to, particularly the issue of discharges of the defendants, is that we don’t just arrest people and clamp them into prison. We follow due process. They are profiled. Those who have nothing to do with it are let off the hook. Those we believe we have cases against, we take them to court. It is for the court to decide,” Fagbemi added.

He said the Federal Government abides by court decisions, whether convictions or acquittals.

“So whenever the court takes a decision, we comply with or abide by the decision, and that is why we have both convictions and acquittals,” he said.

Fagbemi also disclosed that the US Congressman had met with several security and government agencies, as well as civil society and religious organisations.

“We are not the only agency that they are visiting. They have visited a number of agencies. I am aware, for example, that they visited the Office of the National Security Adviser. They have visited the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and a few other agencies. They have also met with some civil society organisations and religious forces,” he said.

He urged the public not to exaggerate Nigeria’s security situation.

“I want to tell you that things are not as heinous as people are portraying. I can assure you of that. We have problems in Nigeria. It is not a problem of religion,” the Attorney-General stated.

Military sources on Tuesday confirmed that “Kalamu,” one of Nigeria’s most wanted terrorist and kidnapping kingpins, was killed during a Special Forces operation conducted by the 8 Division of the Nigerian Army in Sokoto on Monday.

The announcement sparked jubilant celebrations across several communities in Sabon Birni Local Government Area, where residents have long suffered from repeated kidnapping-for-ransom attacks.

Villagers reportedly poured into the streets after receiving confirmation and images of Kalamu’s death alongside other terrorists neutralized during the operation.

Kalamu was said to have been responsible for several kidnappings in the area before he met his Waterloo at the hands of the military forces.

According to reports, he was killed alongside other terrorists during the operation by the military troops.

Vanguard had previously reported that troops of the 8 Division launched a daring offensive to thwart a planned terrorist attack on Tara Village in Sabon Birni LGA. Military sources confirmed that the ambush led to a heavy gun duel, resulting in the deaths of 11 terrorists.

Blood traces indicated that some fleeing criminals sustained gunshot injuries during the clash.

According to sources, “In the early hours of Monday, 8 December 2025, 8 Division Special Forces stormed a bandits’ hideout around Kurawa Village, Sabon Birni LGA. The terrorists were planning an attack on Tara Village, which was successfully foiled.

Troops neutralized 11 terrorists and recovered 8 AK-47 rifles, 5 extra magazines, and 26 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition.” The military described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to deny criminal elements and non-state actors freedom of action in the region, signaling a strong commitment to protecting communities and maintaining security in Sokoto State.

Security operatives have rescued 21 underage children, aged between 6 and 17, from what is believed to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training in the Yagba East local government area of Kogi State.

Several suspects connected to the trafficking operation have been arrested. These individuals claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal “Islamic school” in Yagba East.

The Honourable Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, announced this in a press statement issued on Tuesday and made available to the media.

The statement read as follows: “The Kogi State Government wishes to inform the public of the successful interception of a group of underage children trafficked into the State, in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

“At about 1500hrs on December 5, 2025, eagle-eyed security operatives of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yagba Area Command, in collaboration with other security agencies in Isanlu, acting on credible intelligence from community hunters, intercepted a truck conveying 21 children aged between 6 and 17 years into Kogi State.

Initial investigations revealed that the children had been moved from different northern states under suspicious circumstances by adults who could not provide legitimate justification for their movement.

“Several suspects linked to the trafficking operation have been arrested, including individuals who claimed they were transporting the children to establish an informal “Islamic school” within Yagba East.

Further arrests were made as security operatives intensified surveillance within the area, uncovering additional persons allegedly connected to the movement of the minors. Some of the suspects were also found with items raising significant security concerns.

“The rescued children have since been transferred to the State Command of the NSCDC in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

“His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, Executive Governor of Kogi State, has directed the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development to take full custody of the underage victims, ensure their wellbeing, and provide the necessary psychosocial support pending the conclusion of investigations.

“Upon completion of profiling and verification, the children will be handed over to their respective State Governments for further investigation and eventual reintegration with their families.

Meanwhile, all individuals found culpable in this trafficking operation will be prosecuted in line with Kogi State’s Child Trafficking and Child Rights Protection Laws.

“The Kogi State Government reiterates its uncompromising stance against child trafficking, criminal infiltration, and any form of security threat. The administration of Governor Ododo will continue to work closely with security agencies and local communities to safeguard every part of the State.

The defection of Mutfwang has been wrapped up, and he has met with the President, a source with the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC has said.

With Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas in its fold and the imminent defection of Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) now has 26 governors.

Mutfwang, elected on the platform of the factionalised Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will end speculations about his allegiance shift ahead of the 2027 general election when he is received into the APC in the next few days.

Although there have been speculations that his desire to jump ship and register as an APC member was being resisted by the national chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, the party official said there is no truth in it.

He said the governor, last week, contacted the chairman to tell him that he had finally made up his mind to call it quits with the main opposition party.

Yilwatda, who hails from Plateau, was Muftwang ‘s rival in the last governorship poll.

According to the source, after informing the chairman of his decision to leave PDP for APC, Yilwatda took the governor to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Aso Villa in Abuja for a short meeting.

He said: “Governor Mutfwang has been taken to Aso Villa for a meeting with the president after informing the chairman he wanted to come to the APC.

“The governor, who had always reiterated his commitment to the PDP, has finally decided. He informed the chairman last Tuesday, and the chairman took him to the president on Sunday.

He will be received into the party very soon.”

The NWC member said Governor Kefas of Taraba state is now being treated as an APC member, ahead of the defection rally.

The official added: “We now have 26 governors in APC, with Kefas on board. He only postponed his reception because of sensitivity to the national mood.”

The constitution alteration bills include electoral and judicial reforms, inclusive governance, security and state policing, devolution of powers, strengthening of institutions, traditional institutions, fiscal reforms, citizenship and indigenisation, fundamental human rights, and local government autonomy.

In recent years, there have been demands to amend the constitution to restructure the country and devolve more powers to state and local governments.

The last amendment to the 1999 constitution (the fifth alteration) took place in 2023, with former President Muhammadu Buhari signing 16 of the bills into law on March 17.

Since the turn of the year, the senate and house of representatives have held public hearings and engaged several stakeholders to gather input on the bills.

The lower legislative chamber had scheduled October 14 for voting on the constitution alteration bills, but the process has since been delayed, and debate on the proposals has yet to begin.

Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker and chairman of the constitution review committee, said the process would be concluded before the end of the year.

Here is a breakdown of all 44 bills:

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

1. Bill to establish local government councils as a tier of government.

The proposed legislation seeks to review the means of election into the offices of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of the LGAs in Nigeria. It proposes that local government leadership should be nominated and elected by the members of its legislative council.

The bill’s proponents argue that many local government officials are elected under systems significantly influenced by state governments, raising concerns about autonomy and genuine representation.

2. Bill to establish the office of the state auditors-general for local governments and the federal capital territory area councils, to strengthen fiscal oversight, promote accountability, and enhance good governance at the grassroots level.

3. Bill to substitute the names of two LGAs in Delta state: “Okpe” and “Sapele” with “Okpe East” and “Okpe West” respectively, in Part I of the First Schedule to the constitution.

4. Bill to alter Part I of the First Schedule to the constitution to change “Ibadan Central” to “Ibadan North-East” LGA of Oyo state.

5. Bill to amend Part I of the First Schedule to the constitution to change the name of Sabon Gari LGA of Kaduna state to Zaria North LGA, also to add the word “south” to the name of the existing Zaria LGA.

6. Bill to alter Part I of the First Schedule to the constitution to correct the name Jaba LGA to Ham LGA of Kaduna.

7. Bill to change the name of Irewole LGA of Osun state to Ikire LGA.

8. Bill to change the name “Ibeno” in Part I of the First Schedule to the constitution.

9. Bill to change the Aiyekire LGA to Aiyedire LGA of Ekiti state in Part I of the First Schedule of the constitution.

INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE AND CITIZENSHIP

10. Bill to grant citizenship rights to foreign men married to Nigerian women.

The bill seeks to address gender disparity in citizenship rights. Current provisions allow foreign women who marry Nigerian men to obtain citizenship; therefore, the proposal aims to create a reciprocal framework that extends similar rights to foreign men married to Nigerian women.

11. Bill to include citizenship by investment as one of the classes of citizenship in Nigeria, to provide for the acquisition of Nigerian citizenship by qualified foreign investors who meet specified investment thresholds.

The foreign investor seeking Nigerian citizenship shall apply to the designated ministry, accompanied by evidence of investment in Nigeria. The investment must exceed a specified financial threshold or be in strategic sectors deemed critical to national development, as determined by the ministry responsible for granting citizenship.

12. Bill to create reserved seats for women in the national assembly and state houses of assembly.

The proposed legislation aims to increase the representation of women across legislative bodies: it proposes adding one special seat for women in the senate for each of the 36 states and the FCT, one special seat for women in the house of representatives for each state and the FCT, and three additional special seats for women in every state house of assembly.

ELECTORAL REFORMS

13. Bill to provide the criteria for appointing members of the State Independent Electoral Commission and grant the commission additional powers.

14. Bill to provide for independent candidacy in presidential, gubernatorial, national assembly, state houses of assembly and local government council elections.

15. Bill to establish and empower the Electoral Offences Commission to investigate and prosecute electoral offences.

STRENGTHENING OF INSTITUTIONS

16. Bill to increase the number of members of the Federal Civil Service Commission to give each state and the Federal Capital Territory the opportunity of one-person representation.

17. Bill to ensure every local government in each state has at least one member in the house of assembly.

18. Bill to establish the office of the attorney-general of the federation and of the state, separate from the office of the minister of justice, or the commissioner for justice.

The bill’s supporters argue that it will make the offices of the attorneys-general independent and insulated from partisanship.

19. Bill to separate the office of the governor from that of the deputy governor on issues of qualification or disqualification.

There are instances in which a gubernatorial mandate was lost due to issues involving the deputy governor or the running mate. The most prominent example is the 2019 Bayelsa governorship saga, where the supreme court annulled the election of David Lyon of the APC even though he had already completed rehearsals for his inauguration.

The court ruled that Lyon’s deputy-governor-elect, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, submitted forged certificates to INEC, disqualifying the joint ticket. The precedents form the basis for the bill.

SECURITY/STATE POLICE

20. Bill to establish state and community police.

21. Bill to provide for the financial independence of the Armed Forces of the Federation.

LEGISLATURE

22. Bill to institutionalise legislative bureaucracy in the constitution.

23. Bill to specify the period for the laying of the appropriation bill before the national and state houses of assemblies.

24. Bill to provide for the inauguration of new members after the inauguration of the national assembly or house of assembly.

25. Bill to provide the procedure for removing presiding officers of the house of assembly of a state.

26. Bill to remove transitional law-making powers from the executive arm of government.

There have been periods when the executive assumed powers reserved for the legislature. The bill seeks to end this practice by stripping the executive of any “transitional law-making powers”.

JUDICIAL REFORMS

27. Bill to ensure expedited hearing and determination of petitions challenging the election of any person to an office created under the constitution.

28. Bill to provide for the regulation of the jurisdiction of the supreme court and the court of appeal.

29. Bill to enable payment from the federation account to be made directly to the heads of all federal and state courts through the National Judicial Council.

30. Bill to ease the burden on the supreme court, and strengthen it to focus on its responsibility as a court of policy.

31. Bill to strengthen the independence of the judiciary by providing for an expeditious and seamless succession where there is a vacancy in a judicial office and safeguard the exercise of the powers conferred on the president or governor to remove a judicial officer from office.

32. Bill to enhance equity in the composition of the National Judicial Council.

33. Bill to enhance the pension as well as retirement benefits of retired judicial officers.

34. Bill to enhance the jurisdictions of courts, expand the criminal jurisdiction of the federal high court to include electoral offences and empower judges elevated to higher courts to conclude part-heard criminal matters pending before them before their elevation.

HUMAN RIGHTS

35. Bill to further define acts that constitute torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

36. Bill to protect the right of an unborn child being carried by a pregnant woman sentenced to death.

37. Bill to provide for the right to a clean, safe, and healthy environment under the fundamental right and integration of environmental protection into the right to life and dignity of the human person.

DEVOLUTION OF POWERS

38. Bill to move the construction of roads other than Trunk ‘A’ federal roads (major highways connecting states and regions) to the concurrent legislative list.

39. Bill to provide for the inclusion of tourism and tourism-related matters on the concurrent legislative list.

40. Bill to transfer quarantine from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent legislative list.

TRADITIONAL INSTITUTIONS

41. Bill to establish the Council of Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.

42. Bill to provide direct payment of at least five percent to heads of traditional rulers in each state.

FISCAL REFORMS

43. Bill to mandate all government statutory corporations, commissions, authorities, and agencies, including all persons and bodies established by law, to submit yearly financial statements to the auditor-general within a specified period.

44. Bill to provide for the public disclosure of reports of the auditor-general of the federation and the auditor-general of a state.

Gunmen have stormed into a hostel in South Africa’s capital and killed at least 12 people, including a three-year-old child, and injured more than a dozen others.

Police said they had launched a “manhunt” for three people and were investigating whether the killings were linked to a bar within the hostel that may have been selling alcohol illegally.

The attack is the latest in a series of mass shootings in the country of 63 million people, which has one of the highest murder rates in the world.

“I can confirm that a total of 25 people were shot,” said a police spokesperson, Athlenda Mathe, of the early morning attack in Saulsville township, 11 miles (18km) west of Pretoria.

She said the armed men had shot indiscriminately. Ten had died at the scene while two died in hospital, she said. The twelfth victim succumbed to injuries on Saturday afternoon. The victims included a 12-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl.

South African police have been grappling with violence linked to illegal bars, known as shebeens, which often sell home-brewed drinks. With high levels of gun ownership in the country, shootings linked to organised crime are common and police say they are often fuelled by alcohol.

“These illegal shebeens are really giving us a problem as the police,” Mathe told the 24-hour eNCA news broadcaster. “Because a lot of murders are being reported at these illegal establishments.”

Forensic and ballistic experts and investigators were at the scene. “So we are on a manhunt. For now, we are looking for three suspects,” Mathe said.

Between April and September, more than 60 people were killed each day in South Africa, according to police data.

An Australian boxer has revealed why her partner is actually okay with her sleeping with other people.

Gold Coast boxer Shannon Philp, 26, has explained that she doesn't make enough money from the sport alone, meaning the middleweight boxer has turned to another mode of income, OnlyFans.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Philp explained that she and her boyfriend, Lyndon, are in an ethical non-monogamy (ENM) relationship, meaning they’re permitted to have intimate relationships with other partners, whether men or women.

She said: "I sat down with my partner, and we talked about it at length. If you said to me a few years ago I'd be uploading (explicit) content for subscribers, I would have laughed. 

"The reality is, if we (female boxers) don't have a regular source of income, we can't go to the next level. When you factor in training camps, coaching, travel, and medicals, it all adds up."  Philp added: "It is new for both of us, we enjoy it."

The 26-year-old now makes $45,000 from the site per month, stating that she has no plans of stopping anytime soon. Philp continued:

"I have goals, like buying a house and property. My friends and family are supportive of what I do... having subscribers gives me a flexible lifestyle. 

"Be it bikini shots or solo videos... it is up to the creator. I have an open mind. There are also other (female) boxers doing OnlyFans. It is a respected industry."

Philip has two professional fights under her belt currently, but lost on both occasions, with her main goal still being to improve as a boxer. She said:

"It all started as a side hustle, and is now a full-time gig. To go from earning $20 as an apprentice hairdresser to meeting our financial goals is satisfying... the aim now is to keep training hard to improve as a boxer."

While an unconventional way to raise funds, it highlights serious questions about the women's boxing scene, specifically, how much newcomers earn compared to the steep costs required to progress in the sport.

National Security Adviser NSA Malam Nuhu Ribadu has revealed that Nigeria is now receiving international support in its fight against insurgents and terrorists that are waging war on the country.

Ribadu named some of the countries lending support to Nigeria as the United States of America, France and Britain.

Speaking when he led a federal government delegation to pay a sympathy visit to the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, The Very Reverend Bulus Dauwa Yohanna and parents of students of St. Mary Catholic Nursery Primary/Secondary School in Agwara local government area of Niger state on Monday, Ribadu said the country will overcome the insurgents.

“Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America. We appreciate everyone especially the European countries like France, United Kingdom and a couple of others”.

He added that “the whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades.”

Malam Ribadu declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was distressed and disturbed by the kidnap of the children and some of their teachers resulting in canceling some of his official engagements to attend to the problem.

“Mr. President said I should thank you, Bishop Yohanna for your understanding and patience and for giving us the right information and by standing by for us. We are one,” he said.

He assured that the school will survive and the children will return safely because “we will provide security in that axis”.

“You will see our reactions and responses now. One thing I know is that evil people will always be around but this thing they have done is what will change Nigeria for good”, Ribadu said.

“Enough is enough, we will not relent in our efforts, we are all under attack, let us not allow bad people to divide us, let us not allow evil to get into us,” he counseled.

Mallam Ribadu then assured that “the children are where they are and will come back safely. God is with them and God is with us. Evil will never win. They are going to come back, I give you the assurance.”

In his remarks, Bishop Yohanna thanked President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser for coming to give hope to the parents before presenting copies of a report to the NSA after which they went into a closed-door meeting that lasted for about 30 minutes.

The Principal of the school, Reverend Sister Felicia Gyang, and a representative of the parents, Mr. Luka Iliya, narrated how the incident happened and their current states of mind.

The national security adviser was accompanied on the visit by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Bernard Doro, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Oluwatosin Ajayi, and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Northern Nigeria, Rev. Joseph Hayab.

The federal government yesterday said it had taken a decisive step to revitalise the gas industry and stabilise power generation after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu authorised the settlement of N185 billion in long-standing debts owed to natural gas producers.

The move endorsed by the National Economic Council (NEC) headed by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, said marked one of the most significant interventions in Nigeria’s energy sector in recent years, the government said.

The N185 billion legacy government obligations to gas producers for past supplies had strained cash flow and hindered operations, discouraged further exploration and production, and reduced gas supply for power generation, thereby worsening Nigeria’s power shortages and unreliable electricity supply.

The payment, to be executed through a royalty-offset arrangement, is expected to restore confidence among domestic and international gas suppliers who have long expressed concern about persistent indebtedness in the sector.

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekpo, described the approval as a “decisive step towards revitalising Nigeria’s gas sector and strengthening its power-generation capacity in a sustainable manner,” a statement by his spokesman, Louis Ibah, said.

Ekpo praised Tinubu’s leadership, noting that the intervention aligns with the ‘Decade of Gas’ initiative, which aims to unlock more than 12 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of gas supply by 2030. Ekpo said clearing the arrears will deliver wide-ranging benefits, beginning with restoring investor confidence in the sector.

According to him, settling the debts is crucial to rebuilding trust between the government and gas producers, many of whom have withheld or slowed new investments due to uncertainty over payments.

Ekpo explained that improved financial stability will help revive upstream activity by accelerating exploration and production, ultimately boosting Nigeria’s gas output.

Increased gas supply, he added, would also boost power generation and ease the long-standing electricity shortages that continue to hinder businesses across the country.

The minister noted that these gains are expected to stimulate broader economic growth, as reliable energy underpins industrialisation, job creation and competitiveness.

He added that better fiscal discipline and enhanced transparency across the sector will further attract fresh investment from both local and foreign players.

In his intervention, Coordinating Director of the Decade of Gas Secretariat, Mr Ed Ubong, said the approved plan to clear gas-to-power debts sends a powerful signal of commitment from the President to address structural weaknesses across the value chain.

“This decision underlines the federal government’s determination to clear legacy liabilities and give gas producers the confidence that supplies to power generation will be honoured. It could unlock stalled projects, revive investor interest and rebuild momentum behind Nigeria’s transition to a gas-driven economy,” Ubong said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has fixed fresh meetings of its National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) for 15 and 16 December, respectively.

The meetings signal renewed efforts to address lingering internal disputes, strengthen party administration and prepare for major political decisions ahead of 2026.

In a notice circulated on Wednesday and endorsed by the party’s national leadership, the APC stated that the meetings were convened in accordance with Articles 12.5 and 12.3 of its Constitution.

Both sessions will be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to the announcement, the National Caucus will meet on Monday, 15 December, at 6 p.m., while the NEC will convene the following day, Tuesday, 16 December, at 12 noon.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas are all expected to attend.

State governors and some selected federal lawmakers elected on the platform of the party are also expected to attend.

For the Caucus and NEC meeting, Bashiru said: “All members of the National Caucus are by this invitation to take notice of the meeting in accordance with Article 12.5 of the APC constitution.”

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Okezie Kalu announced this to members at the plenary on Tuesday. Kalu, who is also the chairmanof the House Committee on Constitution Review, equally informed members that debate on the constitutional amendment bills will be held on Wednesday and Thursday this week ahead of voting scheduled for next week.

Kalu had earlier informed the House that the committee had already completed the technical work required for this stage of the review, and the committee is now preparing the final set of harmonised documents to be laid before members for consideration.

A total of 87 bills seekingto alter the 1999 Constitution are under consideration. They cover electoral reforms, judicial reforms, state police, and fiscal changes. More specifically, the proposals seek to create additional seats for women, new states and local governments, establish state police, and grant full autonomy to local government councils, among several others.

The Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40 per cent salary increase for lecturers under the Academic Staff Union of Universities, sources familiar with the development told our correspondent in Abuja.

The proposal comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed.
The union’s decision follows a consensus reached at the National Executive Council meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.

Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to communicate the development to their members nationwide.

Speaking at the end of the NEC meeting, a member who preferred anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, said the union would continue discussions with the government.

“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government ended last Saturday, heightening tension within the academic community of Nigerian public universities.

In a last-minute move to avert a potential strike, the government had summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which lasted until Tuesday.

Both parties declined to make the discussions public due to strict rules governing the negotiation process.

The union had threatened a full-scale strike, citing the government’s “nonchalant” attitude toward its demands.

Key issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and the disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

The Minister of Edication, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently out of the country, insisted that the government had met the union’s demands.

Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that there should be no strike in public universities, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to keep students in school.

“As I told you, the President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed.

We’ve met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella body of labour unions in the country, has expressed support for ASUU and vowed to advocate for the academic community if the government fails to meet its demands.

The abducted monarch of the Bayagan community in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kamilu Salami, the Ojibara of Bayagan, has escaped from the custody of armed bandits alongside six other captives, Vanguard has reliably gathered.

Community sources who spoke with Vanguard said the escape happened on Sunday evening, after a crack team of local vigilantes launched a daring offensive inside a forest hideout where the victims were being kept.

A source said the vigilante group tracked the bandits down to the thick of the forest near the Eku Idaji corridor.

"The vigilante team launched attack on the bandits in the forest and engaged them in fierce battle around the Eku Idaji area, close to Igbaja,” the source said, adding that the victims had so far made contact by phone.

He further stated, “Although the Baale and the six others have not yet returned to community, they contacted us to confirm what happened.”

News of the monarch’s freedom came hours after the kidnappers demanded ₦150 million to secure his release, placing a fresh call to the community at dawn on Sunday.

During the call, the bandits allowed the Ojibara to speak as evidence that he was still in their custody.

Before the escape, Salami, in a shaking but emotional voice, pleaded with his people to negotiate for his safe return.

In his message to worried community members before local fighters struck, the monarch narrated the gruelling journey that followed his abduction.

He said he was taken for over five hours on a motorcycle, riding through dense forest until he arrived at the kidnappers’ den.

He also disclosed that residents from nearby communities were abducted around the same time, warning of a wider kidnap cycle across neighbouring settlements.

The bandits stormed the monarch’s farm on Saturday around 9:30 a.m., shooting into the air before whisking him away from his crops and workers.

The Bayagan community, a significant settlement in Ifelodun LGA, was thrown into relief after learning of their king’s escape.

The Federal Government has confirmed full readiness to host Nigeria’s first-ever International Air Show, scheduled to take place from December 2 to 4, 2025, in Abuja.

Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, disclosed this during an inspection tour of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Friday, ahead of the landmark event.

He was accompanied by Yakubu Adam Kofamata, the Permanent Secretary, senior ministry officials; heads of aviation agencies; and private sector partners.

Keyamo said preparations were progressing strongly, noting that globally renowned events such as the Farnborough, Paris, and Dubai air shows have become crucial platforms for showcasing national aviation capacity, attracting investors, and driving growth. He added that Nigeria’s debut Air Show is designed with the same ambition.

“This is the first time in our history that we are hosting an international air show. We are expecting foreign visitors, airlines, investors, financiers, and partners who want to see what Nigeria has to offer. There is no better time than now. The sector is on the cusp of development, and the present administration has rolled out policies that are already driving growth,” he said.

The Minister disclosed that the Air Show will feature exhibitions, seminars, business engagements, and special aerial displays by the Nigerian Air Force on the opening and closing days.

He emphasised that the event is being fully funded by the private sector under the ministry’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, with no federal funds committed to its execution.

“Everything you see here today is funded entirely by the private sector. The government has only provided its franchise, infrastructure, and support. We did not commit federal funds, yet Nigeria is gaining maximum global mileage. This is the clever and efficient approach we adopted,” he said.

Keyamo also clarified that flight disruptions will be minimal. The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), he noted, has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting airspace only for about an hour each on the first and last days to accommodate aerial displays.

He added that thousands of international visitors are expected to begin arriving from Sunday, with the event already drawing significant global attention and positioning Nigeria as an emerging force in aviation.

Brian Okonkwo, Chief Executive of Nigerian International Airshow Limited and lead private partner, confirmed participation from global aviation giants including Textron Aviation, Leonardo Agusta, various international and local airlines, aircraft lessors, financiers, and other industry stakeholders.

The Federal Government has upgraded the Victor Attah Airport in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, to an international airport, clearing the way for it to begin receiving and processing international passengers.

The announcement was made on Thursday in Abuja by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, during a meeting with the state governor, Pastor Umo Eno.

Keyamo said the facility already meets global standards and has the capacity to compete with other international airports in Nigeria.

He highlighted its modern infrastructure, including a world-class Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility and a runway of over three kilometres capable of handling larger aircraft.

“With the facilities available at the airport, there is no reason why Uyo airport should not be designated as an international airport to process international passengers,” he said.

He added, “That is why we are here today with all relevant government agencies, including Customs, NiMet, FAAN, NCAA and others, to set up a joint team that will commence the process of transitioning from local operations to international operations.”

He stressed that the designation is official, and the next step is to “tick the boxes and set a date for operations to begin.”

The minister said officials from all relevant agencies will visit Uyo to assess the airport’s facilities and determine what additional requirements are needed for full international operations.

He stressed that the designation is official, and the next step is to “tick the boxes and set a date for operations to begin.”

The minister said officials from all relevant agencies will visit Uyo to assess the airport’s facilities and determine what additional requirements are needed for full international operations.

Responding, Eno thanked the Federal Government for the approval and said the state was fully prepared for the upgrade.

He announced plans to further expand the airport’s infrastructure, including the construction of a cargo terminal and residential quarters for airport staff.

“What we are building is an ecosystem at the airport. We want everything within the airport environment,” the governor said.

He added, “We will build a cargo terminal, which is already captured in the 2026 budget. We will also ensure that the 100 units of houses under construction are used to enable the proper settling down of workers at the airport.

“My target is that by the end of the first quarter of 2026, the first international plane should take off from Uyo.”

The Victor Attah Airport, inaugurated in 2009 and renamed in 2018 in honour of former Governor Obong Victor Attah, has grown into a regional hub equipped to handle large aircraft.

The upgrade to full international status is expected to boost commerce, tourism, and connectivity in Akwa Ibom State and the wider South-South region.

All military personnel attached to the Government Girls’ Comprehensive Senior Secondary School, Maga, in the Danko/Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State—where 26 schoolgirls were abducted—are currently facing interrogation at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, Saturday PUNCH has learnt.

A credible senior government official told one of our correspondents that the DHQ had begun investigating the sudden withdrawal of military personnel from the school shortly before the abduction.

Terrorists stormed the school on November 17, killing the Vice Principal, Malam Hassan Makuku, before whisking away the 26 students.
However, two of the students later escaped from their captors, leaving 24 still in captivity.


Calls for probe

The abduction sparked outrage, prompting the state Governor, Nasir Idris, to call for a probe into the sudden withdrawal of the military personnel from the school.

Speaking after a closed-door meeting with the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, the governor revealed that the state government had earlier received intelligence reports suggesting that the school was likely to be targeted by terrorists.

He said security operatives were deployed in response to the intelligence, questioning why they were withdrawn shortly before the attack.

“We need to know why they left. We had intelligence; we provided security, so what happened?” the governor asked during the meeting.

The District Head of Maga, Muhammad Dantani, also stated that the military personnel withdrew from the school premises around 1am.

He said, “Around midnight, I called to confirm whether the soldiers were still at their post and was told they were. But unknown to us, they left the school around 1am, just shortly before the attack began. We still don’t know who gave the order or why they withdrew.

“When the bandits arrived, the police officers said they took cover because the attackers were far too numerous and opening fire would have meant certain death. The number of bandits and their level of firepower were overwhelming.

“With the army absent, the police felt engaging the bandits would be suicidal. While we understand their safety concerns, the lack of resistance allowed the bandits to operate from around 1.30am until 3.30am without opposition.”

The schoolchildren, however, regained their freedom on Tuesday after the Federal Government negotiated their release.

The Kebbi State Government said medical examinations confirmed that the girls were not sexually abused while in captivity.


Personnel summoned to Abuja

Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, the senior government official said Kebbi was awaiting the outcome of military investigation into who ordered the personnel to leave the school premises before the attack.

“The military personnel who were stationed at the school have been summoned to Abuja for interrogation. They were summoned by the Defence Headquarters on Monday. We are following the case,” he said.

The official noted that the troops were from the Army Barracks in Zuru.

A credible security source, who has consistently provided accurate information to Saturday PUNCH, also confirmed that the personnel had been summoned to the Defence Headquarters.

“I don’t have all the details, but I learnt on Monday from colleagues in the army that the soldiers have reported to the headquarters.[b]

All the security heads are happy with what happened in Kebbi and Niger. Neither the soldiers nor the police didn’t do well. But the investigation is ongoing,” he said.

A top military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment, said the investigation was ongoing.

“The military hierarchy is investigating the matter, and everyone attached to the school will be asked one or two questions to determine what went wrong. Anyone found culpable will definitely be brought to book,” he said.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday announced that it had seized the travel passport of a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The commission said this in a fact sheet issued on the investigation into Malami’s involvement in the whereabouts of $490 million Abacha loot secured through Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT).

According to the EFCC, Malami would not be able to travel out of Nigeria without the permission of the court.

Recall that the former AGF had earlier been invited and interrogated by the commission in its headquarters in Abuja.

He was later released on administrative bail on Saturday at about 1 am and was asked to report daily to the commission for further interrogation.

The EFCC said, “We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.

“Considering the huge volumes of documents he has to go through and the detectives he needs to interact with, we have seized his international passport.

“One of the conditions for his release on bail at 1am on Saturday was that he should report daily to the EFCC headquarters for interaction.

“He cannot travel out of the country except as mutually agreed with EFCC or with the permission of a High Court,” the commission stated.

While Malami had also said that the allegations against him were fabricated, the commission noted that it would not join issues with the former AGF on the matter.

“We won’t join issues with him on his braggadocio but we will release our findings to the public after painstaking investigation,” the EFCC added.

Guinea-Bissau’s deposed president, Umaro Sissoco Embalo, has arrived in Senegal, the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed, a day after a group of military officers in Guinea-Bissau seized power in a coup.

Senegal’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Thursday night that Embalo had arrived in Senegal after authorities engaged with actors in Guinea-Bissau to try to secure his release.

Embalo reached Senegal on board an aircraft chartered by the Senegalese government, it said.

“The government of the Republic of Senegal reaffirms its readiness to work alongside ECOWAS, the African Union and all relevant partners, with a view to supporting dialogue, stability and the rapid restoration of constitutional order and democratic legitimacy in this brotherly nation,” the statement said.

Embalo was deposed on Wednesday after military officers announced they had seized “total control” of Guinea-Bissau ahead of the expected release of presidential election results in the West African nation.

Embalo had been vying for re-election against his main challenger, Fernando Dias. Both had declared victory ahead of the release of the provisional results.

But the main opposition PAIGC party was barred from presenting a presidential candidate, raising criticism from civil society groups, which said the election was illegitimate.

Dubbing themselves the “High Military Command for the Restoration of Order”, the military officers read out a statement on television on Wednesday, declaring that they had ordered the immediate suspension of the electoral process “until further notice”.

They also ordered the closure of Guinea-Bissau’s borders and an overnight curfew.

On Thursday, General Horta Inta-A was sworn in as the country’s transitional president, defending the military takeover by saying that there had been “sufficient [evidence] to justify the operation”.

But the coup – one of several to hit Guinea-Bissau since the country gained independence from Portugal in 1974 – has spurred widespread concern, including from regional bodies.

The chairperson of the African Union Commission condemned the situation earlier on Thursday, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of Embalo and all other detained officials.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf also urged “all parties to exercise the utmost restraint in order to prevent any further deterioration of the situation”.

Former media aide to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, on Friday rubbished reports alleging that Nnamdi Kanu, the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), had ‘converted’ two wardens at the Sokoto Custodial Centre into joining anti-government sentiment.

Ahmad described the report of Kanu converting two prison warden in Sokoto Custodial Centre as dumb.

Social media reports had alleged that Kanu swayed two prison wardens into “hating Nigeria” and that both officers later resigned from service after embracing similar sentiment.

The claims, which first surfaced on Facebook, did not reference any verifiable source or supporting documentation.

Ahmad, in a post on 𝕏, expressed outrage that the allegation had gained traction without proof, criticising IPOB supporters who had circulated it.

He said, “I just read one of the dumbest posts on Facebook, a claim that Nnamdi Kanu has ‘converted’ two prison wardens in Sokoto Prison to join him in hating Nigeria and that the wardens even resigned.

“You know what? His people believe it and have been circulating the post without a shred of logic or evidence.”

The African Union has suspended Guinea-Bissau following this week’s coup in the west African country, the AU Commission head told AFP on Friday.

The AU decided “to suspend Guinea-Bissau from its bodies with immediate effect”, chairman Mahamoud Ali Youssouf said.

The election observation missions to Guinea-Bissau set up by the African Union and Economic Community of West African States, and the West African Elders Forum, condemned the halt of the announcement of presidential and legislative elections and subsequent military takeover
in the West African country.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, the election missions deplored what they described as “a blatant attempt to disrupt the democratic process” in Guinea-Bissau.

The statement was signed by Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission, Filipe Nyusi; Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission, Issifu Kamara; and Head of the West African Elders Forum, Goodluck Jonathan.

The missions called on the AU and ECOWAS to take necessary steps to restore constitutional order in Guinea-Bissau.

They also announced the suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies until a full and effective constitutional order is restored.

The former President returned to Abuja on Thursday following his evacuation from Guinea-Bissau after a military coup. He landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after being airlifted from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of the takeover.

He thanked the President of Ivory Coast and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria for sending planes to lift him from Bissau.

DAILY POST reports that Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union, AU, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum to monitor the presidential and legislative elections.

However, military authorities in the country on Wednesday declared that they had assumed full control. They also announced the suspension of all electoral activities and the immediate closure of national borders.

Jonathan therefore found himself trapped in Guinea-Bissau following the announcement of the military takeover on Wednesday.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, Jonathan said: “I’ve always been scared talking to the media, but in this particular case, I decided to speak to the media. First and foremost, thank Nigerians for the show of empathy, the encouragement while we’re in Bissau, and this so-called coup happened.

“The information we got was that the whole country was agitated, young and old, irrespective of religious divides or political divides.

“And I sincerely appreciate Nigerians, and I want them to hear directly from my mouth, to appreciate their concern. And secondly, to thank my president, President Tinubu and the President of Ivory Coast.

He said: “I thank President Tinubu & President Ouattara. Both sent planes to evacuate us during the Guinea-Bissau coup. Côte d’Ivoire is closer & got landing permit faster due to regional ties. We asked Nigeria to stand down since the Ivorian plane had arrived.”

Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau serving as head of the West African Elders Forum Election Observation Mission to oversee last Sunday’s presidential and legislative polls.

He arrived in the country to monitor national elections, even as tensions brewed over contested results before the junta finally struck.

West African leaders on Thursday imposed immediate suspension of Guinea-Bissau from all ECOWAS decision-making bodies, following the military takeover that occurred in the country on Wednesday.

The announcement was made in a communiqué issued after an extraordinary virtual meeting of the ECOWAS Mediation and Security Council (MSC) at the level of Heads of State and Government, chaired by Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone’s President.

ECOWAS expressed deep concern over the unfolding political crisis, noting that voters had shown resilience by participating massively in the polls.

The MSC denounced what it described as the “coup d’état perpetrated on 26 November 2025” and rejected any attempt to legitimise the subversion of the people’s will.

It demanded that the coup leaders immediately allow the National Electoral Commission to release the official results of the presidential election.

The regional body also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained officials, including President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, electoral officers and other political stakeholders.

Bio condemned the coup as a blatant violation of democratic norms, stressing that the region “cannot allow the illegal abortion of a democratic process.”

He said the peoples of West Africa, especially citizens of Guinea-Bissau who recently demonstrated their commitment to democracy during the November 23 elections, deserved unwavering protection of their constitutional rights.

It placed full responsibility on the coup leaders for ensuring the safety of citizens and safeguarding both public and private property during the crisis.

ECOWAS further raised alarm over the safety of its personnel and other international observers deployed for the election.

It urged the military authorities in Bissau to guarantee their protection and to facilitate their evacuation and safe passage where necessary.

In response to the situation, the Council invoked the ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance to suspend Guinea-Bissau from participating in all ECOWAS decision-making institutions until constitutional authority is restored.

To accelerate mediation efforts, the bloc mandated its Chair to lead a mission to Bissau involving Faure Gnassingbé, Togo’s President, José Maria Neves, Cabo Verde’s President , Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Senegal’s President and Omar Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission.

The Council urged the Guinea-Bissau Armed Forces to immediately return to their barracks and uphold their constitutional responsibilities.

It directed the ECOWAS Stabilisation Support Mission in the country to continue protecting national institutions throughout the crisis.

Reaffirming that it remains fully engaged with developments in Guinea-Bissau, ECOWAS warned that it reserves the right to activate all measures permitted under its protocols, including sanctions against individuals or groups found responsible for disrupting the electoral and democratic process.

The Benue State Government has dismissed a circulating report alleging that Governor Hyacinth Iormem Alia intends to leave the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a purported “secret meeting” with Senator Iyorchia Ayu, describing the claim as a baseless fabrication.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Tersoo Kula, the government labelled the story as a “wicked, mischievous, and vicious smear campaign” crafted to divert the governor’s attention from governance and mislead the presidency for political gains.

The government clarified that Governor Alia routinely visits elder statesmen and national figures without political or religious bias, noting that such engagements are consistent with his inclusive approach to leadership.

According to the statement, the governor considers visits to respected leaders including those of Sen. Ayu’s standing as normal and aligned with his development-focused agenda.

The statement further highlighted that Governor Alia has consistently reached out to influential stakeholders in Benue, many of whom have since joined the APC. Mentioned among them are former Senator Prof. David Iornem, Elder David Iorwashima Amo, and Ambassador Terhemen Tarzoor.

It added that the APC in Benue has continued to attract opposition figures across various local government areas, with defection events reportedly taking place on a regular basis.

“Such engagements have strengthened the party rather than weakened it,” the statement noted.

The government insisted that the true political situation in the state is the steady expansion of the APC under Governor Alia, not the “fiction being circulated by mischief makers.”

Governor Alia, it said, remains committed to strengthening the party ahead of 2027 and is open to engaging even his strongest opponents as part of a broader consolidation plan for his administration and for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The public was urged to ignore the “concocted story,” which officials described as an attempt to create confusion and undermine the administration’s progress.

The Federal Government has condemned the military coup in Guinea-Bissau, describing it as a serious threat to democracy and regional stability.

The FG, in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, on Thursday, said it learnt of the development “with profound dismay and deep concern,” faulting the coup for leading to “an unconstitutional change of government in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.”

The government said it “condemns this act of military insurrection which undermines the democratic progress, constitutional order, and stability not only of Guinea-Bissau but of the entire West African sub-region.”

It added that the coup “represents a blatant violation of the fundamental principles of the Economic Community of West African States Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly rejects any ascension to power through unconstitutional means.”

Nigeria expressed solidarity with the people of Guinea-Bissau, insisting on the “immediate and unconditional restoration of constitutional order, the safety and security of all those detained and the full respect for the sanctity of democratic institutions in Guinea-Bissau.”

The statement also urged the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure the protection of foreign observers still in the country.

“The Nigerian Government wishes to unequivocally call on the authorities in Guinea-Bissau to ensure and guarantee the safety of all election observers still in the country on official assignment,” it added.

Calling for restraint, the government appealed to all parties involved to remain peaceful and defer to the country’s democratic processes.

It noted, “The Federal Government of Nigeria urges all actors involved to exercise utmost restraint, prioritise peaceful dialogue, and respect the will of the people of Guinea-Bissau as expressed through their ballots and the peaceful conclusion of the election with the announcement of results by the electoral management body.”

Nigeria warned that those responsible for the coup would face consequences, saying, “We warn that the perpetrators of this act will be held accountable for their actions, which threaten to plunge the nation into chaos and reverse the hard-won gains of its democracy.”

The government reaffirmed its commitment to working with regional and international partners to restore stability.

“Nigeria, as a key member of the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union, will work closely with our regional and international partners to take all necessary measures to ensure the swift return to normalcy and constitutional governance in Guinea-Bissau.

“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the promotion of democracy, peace, and stability across the African continent,” the statement added.

Also, the election observers from AU and ECOWAS on Wednesday condemned the military’s announcement of a coup d’état, describing it as a direct attempt to derail the country’s democratic process.

Guinea-Bissau was thrown into turmoil on Wednesday as military officers declared “total control’’ of the country, shutting its borders and suspending the electoral process just three days after the general elections.

Heavy gunfire was reported near the presidential palace earlier in the day, with armed men blocking access roads.

General Denis N’Canha, head of the presidential military office, announced that a command “composed of all branches of the armed forces was taking over the leadership of the country until further notice,” speaking while flanked by soldiers.

Incumbent president Umaro Embalo, considered a frontrunner in the polls, was said to be inside a building behind military headquarters “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior,” according to a senior officer quoted by AFP.

“I have been deposed,” Embalo told French broadcaster France24 in a phone call.

Embalo and opposition candidate Fernando Dias had both already claimed victory, with provisional results due Thursday.

The coup marks the latest in a string of upheavals in the coup-prone West African nation, which has experienced four successful coups and several attempts since independence. N’Canha claimed the military had uncovered a plot involving “national drug lords” and the importation of weapons “to alter the constitutional order.”

The armed forces also suspended media programming, imposed a curfew and halted all electoral activities. The National Electoral Commission later reported being attacked by unidentified armed men.

More than 6,700 security personnel, including ECOWAS Stabilisation Force members, had been deployed for the elections, which followed years of political tension.

The 2025 polls excluded the PAIGC party and its leader, Domingos Simoes Pereira, after the Supreme Court ruled their submissions were late, a decision the opposition said amounted to manipulation.

Embalo has ruled by decree since dissolving the opposition-dominated legislature in 2023, and critics insist his presidential term expired on February 27.