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2023 Election: I regret supporting Tinubu — Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said he regrets supporting President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, admitting that the decision did not produce the outcome he had hoped for.

Makinde made the disclosure on Tuesday while speaking with journalists at the Government House in Ibadan.

The governor was one of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors — popularly known as the G5 — who openly worked against their party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in the 2023 polls.

The group, led by then Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, opposed Atiku’s candidacy over zoning concerns, arguing that the PDP should have presented a southern presidential candidate following the eight-year tenure of former President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.

Makinde said his decision to back Tinubu, who was then the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was based on the belief that he would act in the national interest if elected.

“I said it earlier, I’m human. I supported the current president, even though in another party at that time, because I thought we’ll do what is right for the country,” Makinde said.

He added that he believed the president would “reset the country” and bring together competent individuals from across Nigeria to address the nation’s challenges.

“But unfortunately, that is not what we’re seeing. I regret that action. Yes, I do,” the governor stated.

Citing concerns over the survival of democracy and the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the governor vowed that President Tinubu won’t have his support in the coming 2027 presidential election.

Makinde also disclosed the reason behind his political disagreement with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

According to him, the rift between him and Wike began after the minister told Tinubu during a meeting that he would “hold PDP” for the President ahead of the 2027 election, a statement Makinde said was made without the consent of other party stakeholders.

“I was in a meeting with the President and Wike and a few others, and Wike said to the President that I will hold PDP for you against 2027,” Makinde said. “So, we got up, and I asked Wike, did we agree to this?”

Makinde noted that while Wike is entitled to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, other members of the party also have the right to protect the PDP and oppose any move that could weaken democratic pluralism. (Vanguard)

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AFCON ’25: Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 in group C opener

Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group C opener at the Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday.

The match started at a lively pace, with Nigeria taking early control, though Tanzania threatened on several occasions.

The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi rose highest to head Alex Iwobi’s lofted cross into the back of the net, giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead at halftime.

Tanzania responded quickly in the second half.

Just two minutes after the restart, midfielder Charles M’Mombwa capitalized on a loose ball to level the score at 1-1, putting Nigeria under pressure.

However, Nigeria regained the lead in the 55th minute when Ademola Lookman struck a clinical left-footed shot from outside the box to make it 2-1.

The latter stages of the match saw Tanzania press aggressively, but Nigeria defended resolutely.

Goalkeeper Daniel Nwabali and defenders Bassey and Ajayi made crucial interventions to deny the Taifa Stars further chances.

Despite Tanzania’s late pressure, Nigeria held on to claim all three points.

The Super Eagles are currently leading Group C, with Tunisia and Uganda set to clash later on Tuesday (today) at 9 p.m.

The three points are expected to boost Nigeria’s confidence ahead of their next Group C fixtures: against Tunisia on Saturday, December 27, and Uganda on Tuesday, December 30. (Punch)

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Gunmen kill 9, wound 10 in South Africa bar attack

Nine people were killed when gunmen opened fire at a bar outside Johannesburg early Sunday, police said, in the second such shooting in South Africa this month.

Ten more were wounded in the early morning attack at the tavern in the impoverished Bekkersdal township in a gold mining area around 40 kilometres (25 miles) southwest of the city.

It follows a shooting at a tavern near Pretoria on December 6 when gunmen killed a dozen people, including a three‑year‑old child.

Police initially said 10 people were killed when the Bekkersdal bar was attacked just before 1:00 am (2300 GMT), but later revised the toll downwards.

Most of the attackers were armed with pistols and one had an AK-47 rifle, deputy provincial police commissioner Major General Fred Kekana told SABC television from the scene.

“They entered the tavern and randomly shot at the patrons, unprovoked,” he said.

Three people were killed inside the bar and others as they fled the scene, with the attackers continuing to shoot as they left, he said.

“It’s also reported that after they shot the people, they searched them. They took their valuables, including cell phones,” Kekana said.

The dead included a driver from an online car-hailing service who was driving past.

“It’s pure criminality,” Kekana said. Police launched a manhunt for the attackers and appealed for public assistance.

South Africa, the continent’s most industrialised nation, is grappling with a high crime rate, much of it driven by organised networks and gangs.

The country is awash with legal and illegal firearms and shootings are common, often fuelled by gang rivalry and competition between informal businesses.

The tavern hit in the Pretoria attack earlier this month was an unlicenced outlet in a hostel for migrant workers at Saulsville township.

The dead included children aged three, 12 and 16.

The country was also shocked by the daylight assassination in central Johannesburg last week of a popular former radio presenter known as DJ Warras.

The 40-year-old, whose real name was Warris Stock, was gunned down on December 16 outside a building that he had visited as part of his work with a private security company.

In another high-profile killing, a witness in a corruption inquiry was shot dead in front of his family on December 5, just weeks after testifying against a municipal police chief.

The murder of Marius Van der Merwe, 41, reignited a debate about the targeting of whistleblowers who provide information related to crime and corruption, including the public sector and cases implicating government officials.

South Africa has one of the highest murder rates in the world, with an average of 63 people killed each day between April and September, according to police data.

The victims, who had gathered for a traditional ceremony, were aged 14 to 64 years old, and 15 were women. Several men have been arrested. (RFI)

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Spotify music catalogue hacked by piracy activists

Music streaming service Spotify said Monday it had disabled accounts from a piracy activist hacker group that claimed to have “backed up” millions of Spotify’s music files and metadata.

The group Anna’s Archives said in a blog post it had backed up 86 million Spotify tracks and the metadata for 256 million tracks — a process known as “scraping” — in order to start an open “preservation archive” for music.

Anna’s Archives said the 86 million music files represented more than 99.6 percent of Spotify “listens”, while the metadata copies represented 99.9 percent of all tracks on Spotify.

The breach, which has no impact on Spotify users, means that in theory anyone could use the information to build their own free music archive, though in practice they would be swiftly pursued by rights holders.

“Spotify has identified and disabled the nefarious user accounts that engaged in unlawful scraping,” the company said in a statement sent to AFP.

“We’ve implemented new safeguards for these types of anti-copyright attacks and are actively monitoring for suspicious behaviour,” it said.

“Since day one, we have stood with the artist community against piracy, and we are actively working with our industry partners to protect creators and defend their rights.” (Guardian)

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Tinubu declares bandits, violent cults, armed groups as terrorists

President Bola Tinubu says bandits, violent cult groups, kidnappers, foreign-linked mercenaries, and other armed non-state actors will be treated as terrorists under a new security framework to be rolled out by his administration. 

Tinubu said this on Friday when he presented the budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, stating that his government will go after enablers and not just perpetrators of crimes.

“Under this new architecture, any armed group or gun-wielding non-state actors operating outside state authority will be regarded as terrorists,” the former Lagos State governor told the gathering at the National Assembly in Abuja.

“Bandits, militias, armed gangs, armed robbers, violent cults, forest-based armed groups, and foreign-linked mercenaries will all be targeted.

“We will go after all those who perpetrate violence for political or sectarian ends, along with those who finance and facilitate their evil schemes.”

He said the new doctrine will “fundamentally change how we confront terrorism and other violent crimes”.

In recent months, Nigeria has experienced a surge in crimes such as mass abductions and banditry, among others.

Despite these, the president is unrelenting in his resolve for a peaceful Nigeria, and has declared war on criminals, whom he said will get “no mercy” from his government.

“We will usher in a new era of criminal justice. We will show no mercy to those who commit or support acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and other violent crimes,” Tinubu said.

He promised to continue to invest in security and increase the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies

“To secure our country, our priority will remain on increasing the fighting capability of our armed forces and other security agencies and boosting the effectiveness of our fighting forces with cutting-edge equipment and other hardware,” he said. 

To buttress this, Tinubu is earmarking ₦ 5.41 trillion, out of ₦58.1 trillion proposed 2026 budget, for security and defence. The amount is the biggest sectoral allocation in the proposal. (Channels)

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AFCON 2025: Mo Salah fires Egypt past Zimbabwe, South Africa dispatch Angola

Mohamed Salah got Egypt off to a winning start in the Africa Cup of Nations by scoring late for a 2–1 victory against Zimbabwe on Monday.

Salah captained the side in his first start for nearly a month and fired into the bottom corner in stoppage time to spare Egypt embarrassment against a team ranked 129th in the world.

Egypt, the record seven-time champions, were thwarted for long periods in the coastal city of Agadir by Zimbabwe’s stubborn defending and an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Washington Arubi.

Prince Dube stunned the favourites in the 20th minute when he took Emmanuel Jalai’s cross with his first touch, turned and flicked the ball past Egypt goalkeeper Mohamed El-Shenawy with his next.

Salah tried to rally his team-mates, but Egypt suffered another blow shortly afterwards when Emam Ashour went off injured. The midfielder’s tears suggested his tournament could be over just as it had begun.

Arubi tipped over a fierce strike from Omar Marmoush, Trézéguet was booked for diving in an attempt to win a penalty, and Salah, Marmoush and Mohamed all had efforts blocked before the break.

The pattern continued after half-time until Marmoush finally found a way through, scoring from a difficult angle in the 64th minute to level the match.

Salah’s winner earned the Pharaohs three points in Group B. The Liverpool forward has never won Africa’s premier international competition.

In the other Group B match, Lyle Foster earned South Africa a hard-fought 2–1 win over Angola.

Bafana Bafana ended a six-game winless run against Angola, who had won three and drawn three of their previous meetings since a World Cup qualifier in November 2015.

South Africa’s Oswin Appollis opened the scoring in Marrakech with a low strike inside the left post in the 21st minute. Angola equalised minutes later when midfielder Show deflected Fredy’s free kick from the wing inside the near post.

Tempers frayed after a foul by South Africa’s Aubrey Modiba before the break.

Tshepang Moremi thought he had scored a brilliant goal after half-time, but it was ruled out for offside following a VAR review. Mbekezeli Mbokazi then struck the crossbar with a powerful effort as South Africa kept pushing.

Angola coach Patrice Beaumelle refreshed his attack by introducing Mabululu and Milson in the 76th minute, but it was Foster who struck at the other end, curling the ball beyond Hugo Marques’ outstretched arm in the 79th.

Earlier, Patson Daka scored in stoppage time for 2012 champions Zambia to snatch a 1–1 draw against Mali in Casablanca.

Mali dominated for long spells and missed a penalty before the break when Willard Mwanza saved El Bilal Touré’s effort — the second spot-kick to be saved in as many games at the tournament.

Lassine Sinayoko eventually broke the deadlock around the hour mark, but Daka had the final say, heading home to earn Zambia a point in Group A.

Host nation Morocco lead the group with three points after opening with a 2–0 win over Comoros on Sunday.(Francce24)

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Reckless driver kills LAWMA worker in Lagos

A female street sweeper was killed on Saturday morning after a commercial bus driver struck her while reversing illegally on a busy Lagos highway.

The incident, which occurred along Meiran Road toward the Iyana Ekoro axis, has reignited concerns over the safety of environmental workers on the city’s increasingly hazardous roads.

According to a statement from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the victim, an operative of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), was performing her routine cleaning duties when she was hit by a blue Ford commercial bus.

Preliminary findings suggest the driver, whose vehicle was laden with crates of bottled beverages, was attempting a grossly negligent reversing manoeuvre on the expressway. The impact of the collision, specifically to the head, resulted in the worker’s immediate death.

In the immediate aftermath of the crash, the driver reportedly fled the scene in an attempt to evade arrest. However, LASTMA officers on surveillance duty nearby launched a pursuit, successfully intercepting the vehicle and apprehending the suspect.

The intervention came just as a crowd of onlookers began to gather; officials noted that the prompt arrest likely saved the driver from mob action by enraged witnesses. Both the driver and the vehicle have since been handed over to the Meiran Police Division for investigation.

General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the incident was a distressing and entirely preventable occurrence.

“Reversing on an expressway is not just a traffic offence, it is a blatant contravention of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law that carries terminal consequences.”

Mr Bakare-Oki extended condolences to the victim’s family and colleagues, while reaffirming the agency’s resolve to prosecute reckless driving.

The remains of the deceased were evacuated by LAWMA officials for further procedures.

In other news, two persons lost their lives and three others sustained critical injuries following a multi-vehicle collision involving a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck at Iyana Meiran, Lagos, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed.

LASTMA, in a statement by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq, said that the accident occurred on Meiran Road, near the Primary Health Centre (PHC), when the mixer truck, reportedly travelling at high speed, experienced a sudden brake failure and veered uncontrollably into a commercial mini-bus (EPP 541 YF) and four tricycles (KTU 360 QN, LND 444 QL, LSR 444 QN, and EKY 122 QP). The impact left the vehicles mangled and trapped passengers within the wreckage.

“Preliminary security findings revealed that the tragic occurrence was triggered by a Dangote Silo Mixer Truck which, while being operated at an inordinately high speed, suffered a sudden brake failure and consequently lost control,” the statement said. (Guardian)

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Morocco seal AFCON win against Comoros in 2025 opener

Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) hosts Morocco overcame a nervy start to beat the Comoros 2-0 in the tournament’s opening game on Sunday, after Brahim Diaz and substitute Ayoub El Kaabi scored second-half goals.

It was a far-from-convincing showing from the highly fancied Morocco, who are ⁠97 places above the small Indian Ocean island nation in the world rankings and had to toil hard for the ​points in the rain at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

Morocco squandered an early penalty and ‍were goalless at halftime, despite dominating possession, eventually breaking the deadlock in the 55th minute, when Noussair Mazraoui did well to keep the ball from going out of play before passing it square for Diaz to side-foot home.

El Kaabi scored a trademark bicycle kick goal ‍in the 74th ⁠minute, 10 minutes after coming on as a substitute, to ease the tension.

Morocco looked initially to be labouring under a heavy burden of expectation, and tiny Comoros comfortably held them at bay before the superior firepower of the hosts ensured victory.

The hosts could have been ahead as early as the 11th minute after a soft penalty was awarded for a challenge by Iyad Mohamed on Diaz. But Soufiane Rahimi hit the spot kick straight down the middle, striking the knee of goalkeeper Yannick Pandor and watching the ball loop away ​to safety.

But they eventually broke down the resistance, as Diaz got deserved rewards for ‌his continual probing and El Kaabi’s goal ensured a respectable scoreline.

Pandor made several other good stops to keep down the score in the closing stages as his teammates began to tire, although Comoros had a chance for an equaliser four minutes after Diaz’s goal, but Rafiki Said ‌shot straight at Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in their first chance of the match.

“The opening game is always difficult, but ‌we came good in the second half,” said Morocco coach Walid Regragui. ⁠

Morocco extended their record-breaking run of successive victories by a national team to 19. In October, they went past the previous best of 15, set by Spain from 2008-09.

There will be concern in the home camp, however, after captain Romain Saiss limped off after 18 minutes, with the centre ‌back leaving the field in tears. He spent the first half of the year sidelined by ankle surgery and only last month returned to the national side after a year’s absence.

Mali and Zambia meet on Monday in the next ‍Group A clash in Casablanca on the second day of the monthlong tournament. There are also two Group B matches as Angola meet South Africa in Marrakesh, and Mohamed Salah leads Egypt against Zimbabwe in Agadir. (AlJazeera)

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AFCON 2025 winner to earn $10m as CAF hikes prize money

The winner of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Morocco 2025 will receive $10 million in prize money, the Confederation of African Football has announced.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe disclosed this on Saturday after a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee in Rabat, Morocco, a day before the kick-off of the tournament.

The AFCON Morocco 2025 is scheduled to run from Sunday, December 21, 2025, to Sunday, January 18, 2026.

According to a statement posted on CAF’s website, “The prize money for the winner represents a 43% increase from the 2023 edition, when hosts Cote d’Ivoire pocketed USD 7 million.”

The prize money has also doubled over a four-year period.

Winners of the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Cameroon 2021 earned $5 million, before the figure rose to $7 million at the Côte d’Ivoire 2023 tournament and now to $10 million in 2025, marking a 100 per cent increase.

CAF said the runners-up at the Morocco 2025 tournament will receive $4 million, while the two semi-finalists will each earn $2.5 million.

The continental body described the increment as part of efforts to enhance the value, competitiveness and global appeal of Africa’s flagship football competition. (Punch)

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NDLEA arrests female drug kingpin, intercepts 23.50kg cocaine in Lagos

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a female drug kingpin with 23.50 kilograms of cocaine recovered from her children’s room in Lagos.

This is contained in a statement by Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA, Mr Femi Babafemi, on Sunday in Abuja.
Babafemi said that the arrest came 20 months after a cocaine trafficking cartel led by a couple was smashed in Lagos and Ogun states by operatives of the NDLEA.

He recalled that multi-billion-naira worth of the illicit drug was recovered from the cartel.

Babafemi said that the newly arrested suspect was another leader of the syndicate who had gone underground since May 2024 and had been nabbed in her Lagos home.

He said that the couple earlier arrested were nabbed on May 25, 2024 by operatives of a special operations unit of NDLEA at Ibiye, along Lagos-Badagry expressway.

According to him, they were nabbed while attempting to cross the land border to deliver the consignment in Ghana.
He said that at the point of their arrest, 42 blocks of cocaine weighing 47.5 kilograms were found on them.

Babafemi said that a swift follow-up operation in their residence at OPIC extension, Petedo Road, Agbara, Ogun State, led to the recovery of an additional eight blocks of the same drug weighing 10kg.

“This brings the total weight of the consignment seized from the couple to 57.5 kilograms.

“Determined to rein in every member of the syndicate, the NDLEA operatives continued with follow-up intelligence and surveillance on the trans-border drug trafficking organisation until a 39-year-old female stash keeper was identified as a key member of the DTO,” he said.

Babafemi said that as a result, she was trailed to her Surulere, Lagos residence on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

“A thorough search of her home led to the discovery of blocks of cocaine weighing 23.50 kilograms concealed in a black suitcase recovered from her children’s room.

“She admitted ownership of the drug consignment worth over N5billion in street value, “he said.

Babafemi quoted the NDLEA Chairman, retired Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, who commended the officers and men of the Special Operations Unit, MMIA, and Seme commands for the arrests, seizures, and their dexterity.

Marwa enjoined them and their colleagues across the country to remain extra vigilant during the festive season. (Guardian)