₦airaland Forum

Buses for the Renewed Hope Ambassadors' Coordinators in the 23 LGAs of Rivers State pic.twitter.com/lU8QSFMFiD

— Lere Olayinka - Aresa 1 (@OlayinkaLere) January 30, 2026

This was Trump getting caught on hot mic saying that he wanted Americans to treat him like the people of North Korean treat their Dictator Kim Jong Un.

🚨“When he speaks they jump up and stand upright, That’s what I want”🚨 pic.twitter.com/tUg6RzKj6q

— Bricktop_NAFO (@Bricktop_NAFO) January 29, 2026

Echika01:
Obi won him ln Lagos let that sink

helinues:
With projects, those opposition must shout Jesus is lord

I remember when some people said the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway wasn’t needed.

This is now the daily evening rush-hour traffic on the coastal highway pic.twitter.com/CTeQnBVf1h

— Gbolahan (@iamgbolahan) January 30, 2026

LagosOrigin:
They should be arrested and thrown behind bars with there inconsequential agbero fellow, mc oluomo.

NURTW members in Enugu State head to Enugu Airport to welcome MC Oluomo. pic.twitter.com/87gw5CfMH2

— CHUKS 🍥 (@ChuksEricE) January 29, 2026

Orlandoo:
The whole world is currently mocking the fall guy

AMINDA:
Also, what development did Tinubu bring to Lagos that those before him like Jakande, Marwa, et al did not surpass? By claiming the achievements of Fashola as usual while screaming, "he laid the blueprint?"

AMINDA:
Also, what development did Tinubu bring to Lagos that those before him like Jakande, Marwa, et al did not surpass? By claiming the achievements of Fashola as usual while screaming, "he laid the blueprint?"

AMINDA:
Also, what development did Tinubu bring to Lagos that those before him like Jakande, Marwa, et al did not surpass? By claiming the achievements of Fashola as usual while screaming, "he laid the blueprint?"

AMINDA:
Also, what development did Tinubu bring to Lagos that those before him like Jakande, Marwa, et al did not surpass? By claiming the achievements of Fashola as usual while screaming, "he laid the blueprint?"

"Atiku, El-rufai.....are my leaders, we are the same"
~Peter Obi pic.twitter.com/J7l9Emh7B6

— TallJohn🌍 (@JohnFanimokun) January 28, 2026

There are indications that President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the ongoing feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu, according to a highly credible source, summoned Wike for a meeting over the Rivers crisis.

The source, who is close to the President, told Saturday PUNCH that the meeting would be held outside the country.

Our correspondents also gathered that Fubara flew out of the country on a private jet on Thursday with the plan of meeting Tinubu in France.

Fresh impeachment plot against Fubara

This comes amid a fresh impeachment process against Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said to be loyal to Wike.

During plenary presided over by the Speaker of the Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, on Thursday, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, read out the notice of allegations and gross misconduct against Fubara.

The seven points of alleged gross misconduct against Fubara include the demolition of the Assembly Complex, extra-budgetary spending, withholding of funds meant for the Assembly Service Commission, and refusal to obey the Supreme Court ruling on the financial autonomy of the House.

Similarly, Odu was accused of reckless and unconstitutional spending of public funds, obstructing the House of Assembly from performing its constitutional duties, and conniving to allow unauthorised persons to occupy offices without proper screening by the Assembly.

Amaewhule said the notice would be served on Fubara within the next seven days and adjourned plenary until January 15.

The Speaker described the impeachment notice as “good and in the interest of Rivers State,” accusing Fubara of rebuffing entreaties to present the 2026 budget, thereby undermining the powers of the Assembly.

The allegations against Fubara and Odu are similar to those earlier levelled against them before the declaration of a state of emergency and their six-month suspension by Tinubu in March 2025.

Tinubu had mediated in the matter, after which Fubara and Wike agreed to a truce.

Barely three months after end of the emergency rule, the two men started trading words.

Wike accused Fubara of reneging on their agreements, while Fubara made veiled jabs to his former boss.

The impeachment process is the peak in the current face-off between the men, as Wike insists that the governor will not secure a second term even after defecting to the All Progressives Congress.

Tinubu’s intervention

Speaking on the fresh impeachment plot, the top source disclosed that the President had intervened.

“The President must see the danger in what Wike is doing, though I am aware that he has summoned him to a meeting in Dubai. You know the President is currently out of the country. Barring any last-minute change, they are expected to meet abroad. Wike cannot impeach Fubara; the President will call him to order,” he said.

The source described the FCT minister’s action as an affront to the President.

He maintained that if care was not taken, the move could push Ijaw youths back to the creeks.

Speaking further with Saturday PUNCH, the official said, “What is happening is outright disrespect to the President by Wike, and it is against national interest. One of the reasons a state of emergency was declared in Rivers in March last year was the fear of a breakdown of law and order and the attendant consequences for oil production.

“If you say you want to sack the first Ijaw man to be governor, are you not sending the Ijaw people back to the creeks? That will have attendant effects on the economy, and the President will not allow that to happen.”

A senior aide to the President said he was not aware of the meeting with Wike, adding that the President was currently in France from where he would proceed to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The source noted that the FCT minister had no business in the UAE and only an appointment with Tinubu would make him travel there.

“Only Wike or his aides can say if there is any scheduled meeting between him and the President,” the source said.

“When Fubara was moving to the APC, he met with the President, who approved his decision. The President also confirms that governors are the leaders of the party in their states,” the official added.

A senior administrative official at the APC national secretariat said discussions were ongoing on how national leaders of the party would also meet Tinubu upon his arrival in the country.

He said APC leaders were not happy with Wike.

“The discussion here is about how our leaders will meet the President when he returns to the country. They are unhappy that Wike is threatening Fubara like when they were both in the PDP. So, our leaders have concluded plans to see the President on the matter.

“Some of our leaders believe that Wike should have respected the President and the party because Fubara is part of the APC governors. Even if Fubara is not going to contest for a second term, some of our leaders believe he should be allowed to complete his second term,” he added.

Efforts to speak with the minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, were unsuccessful, as he did not take his calls or respond to messages sent to his phone.

However, an ally of the minister, who spoke with Saturday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said the minister would return to Abuja on Sunday.

The ally refused to speak further on Wike’s itinerary after that.

When queried about the meeting with the President, the ally said, “Let’s wait for the day to come. We don’t need to rush things.”

She also absolved the minister of any involvement in the impeachment process against Fubara, saying Rivers lawmakers were behind it.

The ally dismissed the claim that Wike was disrespecting the President by attacking Fubara.

“People accusing the minister of disrespecting the President are mischievous. It is not about the President, and Wike is a number one supporter of Mr President. So, that claim is not correct,” she said.

Party chief, ex-lawmaker lament

This is as a member of the APC National Working Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, urged Tinubu to caution Wike and recognise the dangers in his actions.

According to the senior party official, Wike has shown disregard for the President, the APC, and national interest.

“For a minister to instigate actions likely to lead to insecurity and a breakdown of law and order shows a lack of regard for the President and national interest, or a preference for personal ambition,” he said.

“We are already grappling with Nigeria’s reclassification as a Country of Particular Concern by the United States, as well as rising cases of kidnapping and banditry. Adding the Rivers political crisis reflects insensitivity to critical national challenges.

“Stakeholders believe Wike has become an albatross for the President, and they are watching closely to see what step the President will take—whether he will allow Wike to continue riding roughshod over everyone,” he added.

The APC official said Wike’s actions were portraying the President as weak.

He said, “As a minister, what temerity does he have to heat up the polity, tour local governments making inflammatory remarks, and attack personalities across the country, including our national secretary? He abandoned his responsibilities in Abuja and embarked on creating crises in Rivers State.

“I think the President’s advisers must properly brief him on the dangers of Wike’s actions. His posture is affecting even the popularity of the President. Wike is projecting the President as weak and riding roughshod over him.”

Also, a former senator in the state, Andrew Uchendu, described the lingering crisis as an embarrassment to the people of Rivers.

Uchendu, who represented the Rivers East Senatorial District, made the remark while speaking on a popular Port Harcourt radio station, Nigeria Info, monitored by our correspondent on Saturday.

He said the crisis, which had persisted for about two years, had tarnished the state’s image.

According to him, a roundtable dialogue involving all parties to the dispute, as well as elder statesmen in the state, should be convened to address the root causes of the crisis.

“Mr President should step in and call the parties to order,” he said.

Only prayers can save Fubara from impeachment –Fayose

A former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, said only prayers and fasting could save Fubara from impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

Fayose spoke while appearing on Channels TV Politics Today programme on Friday.

He stressed that a sitting governor must understand the burden of leadership and learn to accommodate differing interests, including those who played key roles in his emergence.

“I’m not a prophet but I’m telling you, so many prayers, fasting and prayers will be the only thing that can save Fubara in this one (impeachment).

“My prayer is that God will enter his (Fubara) mind, the President will assist to calm him down, to remember the danger before him,” Fayose said.

Drawing from his own experience as a former governor who was impeached and later reinstated, Fayose said he was speaking from personal knowledge of how quickly political power could slip away.

The former governor accused Fubara of being ungrateful and unfair to Wike who brought him to power.

“Most of the things that are happening currently in Rivers State can never happen in Lagos State. Most recently, because Asiwaju (Tinubu) was not part of the decision to remove the Speaker (Obasa), we all saw what happened, without Asiwaju talking, the Speaker was restored.

“Ingratitude and being ungrateful will create so much headache for anyone. The emergency rule in Rivers State was a saving grace for Fubara because the moment you are impeached, that is your end,” Fayose said.

He advised the Fubara to adopt a more conciliatory approach following his return from suspension, saying survival in politics sometimes requires retreat and careful management of relationships.

Wike urges unity

Meanwhile, Wike has called for greater unity and collaboration among political leaders in Rivers State to deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.

Wike made the call on Friday during his “Thank-you” visit to Andoni Local Government Area.

The FCT minister noted that major political parties in the state had united under what he described as a “Rainbow Coalition”.

He encouraged community leaders to continue working together in unity, urging them to present a united front to return Tinubu in 2027.

He said, “See what unity has done. It is no longer a time where one man will be the Iroko, where one man will decide what good will come to Andoni. By the special grace of God, by the unity of the leaders, more will come to Andoni.

“We don’t have a party in Rivers State. What we have is the Rainbow Coalition under the Renewed Hope Family. I want all of you to continue to play that role you played in 2023 by making sure we continue to support Tinubu. There’s no negotiation about that.”

Wike further stated that the local politics of the state would be discussed at a later time, noting, however, that the mistake made in 2023 would be corrected.

The Oxford English Dictionary has added several Nigerian-origin words in its latest update, reflecting the growing global influence of the nation’s language, culture and cuisine.

The December 2025 update, released on the OED website on Wednesday, features more than 500 new words, phrases and senses, including internet slang such as “DM”, “brainfart” and “chug”.

Over 1,000 existing entries were also revised, while editors explored the histories of words such as “troll”, “coffee” and “snooker”.

The update includes additions from varieties of English used around the world, including West African English, Maltese English, Japanese English and South Korean English, with OED editors noting the growing global influence of these Englishes.

Among the Nigerian entries are everyday expressions and food items, including “nyash,” “mammy market,” “amala,” “moi moi,” “abeg,” “biko,” and “Ghana Must Go.”

The update included “Afrobeats”, defined as “a style of popular music incorporating elements of West African music and of jazz, soul, and funk.”

The dictionary describes “abeg” as an interjection used to express contextually a range of emotions, such as surprise, exasperation, disbelief.

“Biko”, originally from the Igbo language, is defined as an adverb and interjection used in polite request or agreement, or to add polite emphasis or urgency: ‘please’.”

“Nyash” is defined as “a person’s (esp. a woman’s) buttocks; the bottom, the backside.”

Also added is “Ghana Must Go”, the popular name for the large, chequered plastic bags widely used in West Africa, whose expression traces back to the 1983 mass expulsion of undocumented Ghanaian migrants from Nigeria.

It is defined as “A large, zippered bag made of durable plastic with a colourful check pattern, often used for carrying one’s…”

The term “mammy market” was recognised as “a market typically run by women, originally found in military barracks but later also in youth service camps and educational institutions.”

In the category of cuisine, the dictionary included “amala”, a staple food made from yam or cassava flour, defined as “a kind of dough made of yam, cassava, or unripe plantain flour, typically formed into a ball and served as an accompaniment to other dishes” and “moi moi”, a dish originating among the Yoruba people, “consisting of beans ground into a smooth paste, mixed with peppers, onions, dried…”

The Oxford English Dictionary expanded its lexicon with 20 Nigerian words and expressions in a January 2025 update, highlighting the influence of Nigerian English, Pidgin and street slang on global vocabulary.

The additions included everyday terms such as japa, agbero, eba, a staple food made from cassava flour.

Other entries such as 419, referring to internet fraud, and abi, a common conversational tag, also made the list.

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese and Convener of the National Peace Committee (NPC), Most Rev. Matthew Kukah, has insisted that there is no persecution of Christians in Nigeria, stressing that genocide is determined not by the number of casualties but by intent.

Bishop Kukah recently came under criticism after being quoted as urging the international community not to designate Nigeria as a “country of particular concern,” arguing that such a label would heighten tensions, breed suspicion, and allow criminals to exploit the situation—ultimately undermining interfaith dialogue and cooperation with government.

Speaking while presenting a paper at the 46th Supreme Convention of the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) in Kaduna, he stated that on the issue of alleged Christian killings in Nigeria, he aligns fully with the Vatican Secretary of State, the President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, and all Catholic bishops in the country.

He said: “They are saying that 1,200 churches are burnt in Nigeria every year, and I ask myself—in which Nigeria? Interestingly, nobody approached the Catholic Church to get accurate data. We do not know where these figures came from. All those talking about persecution—has anyone ever called to ask, ‘Bishop Kukah, what is the situation?’ The data being circulated cleverly avoids the Catholic Church because they know Catholics do not indulge in hearsay.”

Explaining the misuse of the word genocide, he noted: “Genocide is not based on the number of people killed. You can kill 10 million people and it still won’t amount to genocide. The critical determinant is intent—whether the aim is to eliminate a group of people. So, you don’t determine genocide by numbers; you determine it by intention. We need to be more clinical in the issues we discuss.”

He further challenged the narrative of Christian persecution in the country: “If you are a Christian in Nigeria and you say you are persecuted, my question is: how? At least 80% of educated Nigerians are Christians, and up to 85% of the Nigerian economy is controlled by Christians. With such figures, how can anyone say Christians are being persecuted?”

Bishop Kukah attributed many challenges faced by Christians to internal disunity, saying: “The main problem is that Christians succumb to bullies. The day we decide to stand together—believing that an injury to one is an injury to all—these things will stop.”

He also criticized loose claims of martyrdom: “Because someone is killed in a church, does that automatically make them a martyr? Whether you are killed while stealing someone’s yam or attacked by bandits, does that qualify as martyrdom? I am worried because we must think more deeply.”

Clarifying misconceptions about his earlier remarks, he added: “People say there is genocide in Nigeria. What I presented at the Vatican was a 1,270-page study on genocide in Nigeria and elsewhere. My argument is that it is not accurate to claim there is genocide or martyrdom in Nigeria.”

Bishop Kukah urged members of the Knights of St. Mulumba to defend the Church through exemplary conduct: “We are no longer talking about wielding swords, but about living as true witnesses.”

The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of two female bodies believed to be among three Cameroonian women who were allegedly kidnapped in the state.

The bodies were discovered in the Omambala River, Anambra West Local Government Area of the state.

In a press statement released on Saturday, the spokesman for the command, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, stated that the discovery followed intensive search operations conducted on Friday evening by operatives from the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in collaboration with professional divers and local volunteers.

Ikenga added that both bodies have been deposited in a mortuary for further examination and necessary investigative procedures.

The statement read in part, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to update the public on the ongoing investigation into the alleged kidnapping of three Cameroonian women in the state.

“Recall that police investigators had earlier arrested two suspects: Nonso Augustine Akpeh ‘M’, 37 years old, and Kingsley Akpeh ‘M’, 44 years old, who are currently assisting operatives with vital information.

“In continuation of these efforts, on the evening of 28th November 2025, police operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, working in collaboration with professional river divers and local volunteers, conducted an intensive search along the Omambala River in Anambra West Local Government Area.

“During the operation, the team recovered two (2) female decomposed bodies believed to be victims of the kidnapping incident. The operatives immediately contacted the family of the kidnapped victims, who positively identified the recovered bodies as his wife, Mrs. Bognou Alice and his niece Miss Sandra.

“Both bodies have been deposited in a mortuary for further examination and necessary investigative procedures.”

According to Ikenga, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, while extending his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and friends, has ordered intensified search efforts to recover the remaining missing victim.

“The CP has also directed all units involved to strengthen operational activities aimed at apprehending the third suspect, Uchenna Nicholas Mmadu, who is currently on the run, to ensure he faces the full weight of the law.

“The Commissioner further reassures the public of the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives, maintaining security, and delivering justice,” the statement concluded.

Similarly, PUNCH Online in February reported that the lifeless body of the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, was found along the 2nd Niger Bridge.

The United States did not attend the G20 in South Africa, because the South African Government refuses to acknowledge or address the horrific Human Right Abuses endured by Afrikaners, and other descendants of Dutch, French, and German settlers. To put it more bluntly, they are killing white people, and randomly allowing their farms to be taken from them. Perhaps, worst of all, the soon to be out of business New York Times and the Fake News Media won’t issue a word against this genocide. That’s why all the Liars and Pretenders of the Radical Left Media are going out of business! At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year. South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere, and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately. Thank you for your attention to this matter!