Former Vice President and 2023 Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has clarified that the decision of his son, Abba Abubakar, to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is a purely personal choice and does not reflect his own political stance or convictions.
In a post on his X handle on Thursday, Atiku said that in a democratic society, such decisions are neither unusual nor alarming, even when politics intersects with family relationships. He stressed that every individual has the right to make choices based on personal conscience and political beliefs without coercion.
“As a democrat, I do not coerce my own children in matters of conscience, and I certainly will not coerce Nigerians,” Atiku said, reaffirming his long-standing commitment to democratic principles, freedom of choice and political pluralism.
While distancing himself from his son’s defection, the former Vice President used the opportunity to criticise the performance of the APC-led government, describing its governance as poor and responsible for the severe economic and social hardships currently facing Nigerians. He noted that rising cost of living, unemployment, insecurity and declining purchasing power continue to place enormous pressure on citizens across the country.
Atiku maintained that his major concern is not individual political movements but the overall direction of the country under the present administration. According to him, Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritises competence, inclusiveness, economic stability and social welfare.
“I remain resolute in working with like-minded patriots to restore good governance and offer Nigerians a credible alternative that brings relief, hope, and progress,” he added, signalling his continued engagement in opposition politics and national discourse. (TVC)
Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to continue to partner with the Federal Government to support the Nigerian Armed Forces, fallen heroes, and their families.
Mbah also stressed the need to learn from the scars of division and internal conflicts inherent in the nation’s history in order to build a more united and secure society, saying that “peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility.”
Laying Ceremony at Okpara Square, Enugu, describing January 15 of every year as a solemn day when Nigerians must pause, reflect deeply, and acknowledge the price paid by the nation’s heroes so that other citizens may live in safety.
“As a state government, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting the Armed Forces and their families. This support goes beyond ceremony. It is reflected in practical care, in advocacy, and in partnership with the Federal Government to ensure that those who serve, and those who have served, are treated with respect and care.
“On this day of remembrance, we honour those families who continue to carry their memory. And we recommit ourselves to the values for which they served: unity, discipline, service, and respect for human life.
“The wreaths we lay today remind us of the responsibility to live as citizens worthy of the sacrifices our heroes made for us,” he said.
He, however, emphasised that the sacrifices of the Nigerian Armed Forces transcended an annual ceremony and should always be borne in the hearts of all Nigerians.
“When a soldier falls, the loss does not end at the battlefield. It enters homes. It settles into families. It is borne in the human heart and becomes part of daily life for those left behind.
“Grief does not announce itself outwardly; it is carried for a lifetime by spouses, parents, brothers, sisters, and by children who grow up holding memories instead of hands.
“We recognise the weight you carry. We recognise the lives that were disrupted, the futures altered, the memories that require loving guardianship. Your loss is now ours to help you carry.
“As a society, we must not look away from that responsibility. To remember the fallen is also to care for the living. To honour the cost of human life is to ensure that families are supported with consistency and compassion,” Mbah stated.
Mbah stressed that “above all, peace and security are sustained by a mindset that understands the value of prevention.”
“Our history carries the scars of division. From the Civil War of the late 1960s to later internal conflicts, we have learned, at great human cost, what happens when unity fractures and lives become casualties of discord.
“That history reminds us that progress is never guaranteed, and that peace and safety must be protected by restraint, dialogue, and shared responsibility,” he concluded. (Vanguard)
President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to fallen soldiers and serving members of the Nigerian Armed Forces, praising their courage and commitment to the unity and security of the country, saying that their sacrifices will never be forgotten.
Tinubu delivered the keynote speech in his Armed Forces Remembrance and Celebration Day message on his official X handle on Thursday.
Tinubu described the day as a moment “Nigeria pauses to honour its heroes.”
Tinubu wrote, “We remember the brave men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces who sacrificed everything for our country. Their names might not always be remembered, but their courage sustains our freedom and peace.”
Tinubu further stated that “a nation that forgets its fallen heroes loses its direction; Nigeria, however, remembers.”
President Tinubu offered his heartfelt condolences to the families and dependents of fallen heroes, vowing that their sacrifices would never be forgotten..
He said, “I also speak today to the families of our fallen heroes- widows, children, and loved ones. Your loss is profound, and no words can replace the sacrifices of your loved ones. They served Nigeria with honour, and our people will never forget their sacrifices.
“Today, we celebrate our serving personnel. From the frontlines to support positions, on land, sea, and air, you carry the heavy responsibility of protecting our people and sovereignty with discipline, courage, and professionalism, often far from home.”
The President added, “As President and Commander in Chief, I reaffirm my commitment to the welfare and dignity of our Armed Forces. A secure Nigeria stands behind those who defend it. We will continue to support them in action.”
“May our fallen heroes rest in peace. May God strengthen our Armed Forces. May God bless Nigeria,” the President concluded.
TVC News previously reported that President Bola Tinubu on Thursday led senior government officials in Abuja to honour Nigeria’s fallen and serving military personnel at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day (AFCRD) ceremony.
Observed annually on January 15, AFCRD commemorates the sacrifices of military personnel in both internal security operations and foreign missions.
The 2026 ceremony began with the parade commander presenting the parade state, followed by an inspection of the Guard of Honour by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President, accompanied by the Commander, Guards Brigade, Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya. (TVC)
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, on Sunday made their first public appearance since the State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against them.
It was gathered that during the period of silence that followed the impeachment notice, the governor and his deputy had travelled out of the country for official engagements.
However, the duo resurfaced on Sunday at a church service held to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, Port Harcourt.
The Armed Forces Remembrance Day church service was organised to honour fallen Nigerian servicemen and women who paid the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation’s unity and sovereignty, while also offering prayers for the repose of their souls and the safety of personnel still in active service.
Despite the renewed political tension in the state, Governor Fubara and members of his administration have remained silent on the allegations of gross misconduct levelled against them by the State House of Assembly.
Recall that the latest development marks the third impeachment attempt against the governor in less than three years. (Vanguard)
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and immediate past Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, has returned to Nigeria after spending several weeks on vacation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Ganduje arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Saturday at about 4:30 p.m. aboard an Emirates Airline flight. He is expected to proceed to Abuja later in the evening.
Following his return, the former APC National Chairman is set to commence a series of consultations and stakeholders’ meetings aimed at addressing recent political developments in Kano State.
The engagements will involve party leaders and other critical stakeholders as part of efforts to review the evolving political landscape in the state.
According to a statement issued by his Chief of Staff, Malam Muhammad Garba, the consultations are intended to promote inclusive dialogue and strengthen party cohesion within the APC, particularly in Kano.
Ganduje is also expected to participate in the ongoing APC nationwide electronic membership registration (e-registration) exercise.
The initiative, which was introduced during his tenure as National Chairman, is designed to modernise the party’s membership database, improve internal planning, and ensure credible and accessible membership records.
The statement noted that the former governor remains committed to strengthening party structures and supporting democratic consolidation within the APC through sustained engagement and consultation. (Tribune)
Nigerian literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has pointed fingers at a hospital in Victoria Island, Lagos, EURACARE Multispecialist Hospital for the death of her 21-month-old son, Nkanu, who passed away on January 7.
In a leaked text message seen by The Guardian on Saturday, Adichie revealed that the anaesthesiologist who attended to Nkanu was negligent and careless while attending to her son. According to Adichie, the anesthesiologist’s negligence during a basic medical procedure in preparation for their trip led to her son’s demise.
“My son would be alive today if not for an incident at the hospital on January 6,” the message read in part.
The Guardian contacted Adichie’s media team to confirm the authenticity of the message. Her team told The Guardian that Adichie sent the message out.
While narrating the series of events that transpired before Nkanu’s death, Adichie noted that her son developed some symptoms which she thought was a cold, but it turned into a “serious infection,” and he was admitted to Atlantis Hospital.
She added that they were to travel the following day, and a team from Johns Hopkins Hospital was awaiting their arrival in Baltimore, but the team requested a lumbar puncture and an MRI.
“The Nigerian team had also decided to put in a ‘central line’ (used to administer IV medications) in preparation for Nkanu’s flight. Atlantis Hospital referred us elsewhere, which was said to be the best place to have the procedures done,” Adichie added.
The following morning, Adichie, Nkanu, and her husband left Atlantis Hospital for another hospital. While they were there, they were informed that he would need to be sedated to prevent him from moving during the MRI and the “central line” procedure.
She added that she was waiting outside when people, including a particular Dr M, rushed into the theatre. According to her, it was that moment she knew something had happened.
“A short time later, Dr M came out and told me Nkanu had been given too much propofol by the anesthesiologist, had become unresponsive, and was quickly resuscitated. But suddenly, Nkanu was on a ventilator. He was intubated and placed in the ICU. The next thing I heard was that he had seizures and cardiac arrest. All these had never happened before. Some hours later, Nkanu was gone.
“It turns out that Nkanu was never monitored after being given too much propofol. The anesthesiologist had just casually carried Nkanu on his shoulder to the theatre, so nobody knew when exactly Nkanu became unresponsive.
“How can you sedate a sick child and neglect to monitor him? Later, after the ‘central line’ procedure, the anesthesiologist casually switched off Nkanu’s oxygen and again decided to carry him on his shoulder to the ICU.”
Adichie further noted that she had heard about two previous cases involving the same anesthesiologist and questioned why EURACARE hospital allowed him to continue working there despite these unfortunate incidents.
“We brought in a child who was unwell but stable and scheduled to travel the next day. We came to conduct basic procedures. And suddenly, our beautiful boy was gone forever. It is like living your worst nightmare. I will never survive the loss of my child.”
On Saturday afternoon, the Guardian called the accused hospital on the number provided on the hospital’s website. A male staff member responded and told our correspondent that the person authorised to comment on the incident was not on duty. When our correspondent requested the person’s contact information, the staff instructed our reporter to call again on Monday.
“The person who is supposed to comment is not on duty. Call in on Monday. (Guardian)
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday met with former President Goodluck Jonathan at his Maitama office in Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting, National Chairman of the PDP, Tanimu Turaki, said the visit aimed to brief Jonathan on the party’s state, ongoing legal battles, and prospects ahead of upcoming elections.
“We have his assurance that he remains an active, card-carrying member of the PDP and feels obliged to support the party; the PDP has done enough for him, and he will try his best to do more for the party,” Turaki stated.
He added that Jonathan’s remarks were “very reassuring and encouraging as we prepare for off-season elections in Ekiti and Osun, and the 2027 general elections.”
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, with rival factions led by Abdulrahman Mohammed and Turaki claiming the national chairmanship.
INEC recently intervened to clarify positions ahead of the scheduled elections in Ekiti and Osun.
Speculation has grown that Jonathan may be drafted as the PDP’s 2027 presidential candidate, but Jonathan has not publicly declared his intentions. (Channels)
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have arrested eight suspected members of a suicide bombing network and intercepted a large cache of suspected terrorist logistics during separate operations in Adamawa State.
The arrests, according to the information provided by the Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, on Monday, followed intensified cordon-and-search operations targeting those linked to the recent Gamboru Market Mosque suicide bombing.
According to the military, OPHK troops conducted a coordinated operation in the Yan Lemo area of Mubi South Local Government Area in the early hours of January 5, 2026, after sustained surveillance of identified locations.
Among those apprehended were two principal suspects believed to be key facilitators in the bombing network. A search of the residence led to the recovery of cash, mobile phones, identification documents, ATM cards, jewellery and other personal items. Military sources said the items are undergoing forensic analysis to support ongoing investigations.
During identification procedures, a suspect already in custody reportedly identified the two principal suspects as individuals who supplied materials used in preparing the improvised explosive device. Other occupants of the residence were also linked to the network.
All suspects remain in military custody and are undergoing interrogation to aid further intelligence gathering before being handed over for continued investigation.
In a related operation on January 4, 2026, OPHK troops intercepted a consignment of suspected terrorists’ logistics in Mayo Nguli, Maiha Local Government Area. The troops seized 45 jerrycans of Premium Motor Spirit, estimated at about 1,125 litres, believed to have been smuggled for terrorist use.
The military said the suppliers fled on sighting the troops, abandoning the fuel. No casualties were recorded during the operation, and the seized items are now in military custody pending further action.
OPHK said the operations demonstrate its commitment to dismantling terrorist networks, disrupting supply chains and preventing future attacks.
The military also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to cooperate with security agencies to sustain peace and security across the North East. (Guardian)
A budget of ₦1,584,271,856,630.00 trillion has been signed into law for the 2026 fiscal year by the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno.
Of this amount, N416,594,925,850 billion is for recurrent expenditure, while N1,167,676,930,780 is for capital expenditure.
This exercise was performed during the enlarged State Executive Council meeting at the Exco Chambers, Government House. It was also attended by the leadership of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, led by the Speaker, Elder Udeme Otong.
Governor Eno commended the synergy between the House of Assembly and the Executive Arm of government. He said the collaboration accounted for the numerous achievements recorded in the state last year.
The governor urged members of the State Executive Council to be ready to make a total commitment and demonstrate passion in service delivery, warning that no excuses would be tolerated for non-performance.
“We all must rededicate ourselves to delivering our tasks promptly and decisively. This year is not a year for excuses. It is a year for action.
“Let us endeavour to break all barriers, go the extra mile to deliver. And when we deliver, we can sit back and celebrate. We can then be recognised.
“Let us not be in the company of people who will keep giving excuses and behave like Saul, who failed in his responsibility to govern the country and told Samuel it was the people. It was the people. The people will always be there, but the courage to do the right thing resides in leadership.
“The audacity to take decisions for the people resides in leadership. That is why God has placed us where we are in the first place. And so this year, let us understand that excuses will not be tolerated,” he said.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, lauded the governor for transparency and collaborative governance, insisting that the House of Assembly is appreciative of the results achieved by his government.
“You have implemented over 80per cent of the 2025 budget and the House of Assembly is ready to continue collaborating with the Executive, so other people will continue to be happy to have you as their Governor.”
Briefing newsmen after the budget-signing exercise, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Dr. Linus Nkan, flanked by the Commissioner for Information, Dr. Aniekan Umanah, said, “Today at EXCO, we witnessed the signing of the 2026 budget, which was passed by the State House of Assembly late last year.
“The 2026 budget, which was presented to the House of Assembly on the 25th of November 2025, had a total budget size of N1.39tr.
“After subjecting the budget to scrutiny in the State House of Assembly, where all the MDAs appeared for defence, a whole lot of adjustments were made by the various MDAs, and that adjustment led to an increase in the budget size by the sum of N194 billion, and that increased the total budget size to 1,584,000,000 Naira for 2026 budget.
“The recurrent expenditure total is 416.5 billion, as against N354 billion originally proposed. Whereas the capital expenditure increased to N1,167 trillion from the original N1,035 trillion.
“We have today, a total budget size of 1,584,271,856,630 Naira to run with for the 2026 fiscal year, and hopefully it is going to stimulate and drive development of our economy.”
Earlier, the governor presented an award of Excellence to the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, as Commissioner of the Year, and lauded his passion and dedication, which accounted for the success of the recently concluded Christmas Unplugged 3:0.
He announced a cash prize of N20m to the Commissioner and another N100m to members of the planning committee of the event, and approved a one-week leave for the Commissioner. (Guardian)
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has announced a cabinet reshuffle.
According to a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Sulaimon Olanrewaju, Governor Makinde has relieved the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Kudirat Adeyemo, of her appointment with immediate effect.
Professor Musibau Adetunji Babatunde has been appointed as the new Secretary to the State Government.
The statement further said that Temilolu Seun Ashamu has been moved from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.
Also, Governor Makinde has announced his Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Ademola Aderinto, as a commissioner-designate. He will consequently be presented to the Oyo State House of Assembly for screening.
The statement also announced the appointment of Honourable Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Kolawole Elijah Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning. (Channels)
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