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By Sabiu Abdullahi

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and confirmed his decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Fubara made the declaration during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.While addressing attendees, the governor explained that his new political direction was tied to his relationship with the presidency.

“We can’t support President (Tinubu) if we don’t fully identify with him, not just backyard support.

“Our decision this evening is that we are moving to the APC,” Fubara said as he confirmed his defection.

His announcement comes at a time of heightened political tension in Rivers State, where disagreements within the PDP continue to raise concerns.

The move also follows a private meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the governor on Monday.

Reports show that both men met behind closed doors at the State House in Abuja.

The discussion took place amid increasing uncertainty over Fubara’s future in the PDP and growing friction within the state’s political structure.

Fubara’s switch to the APC marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the oil-rich state, which has been grappling with internal disputes and power struggles in recent months.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has officially announced that he will contest the 2026 governorship election under the Accord Party.

The declaration took place on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo.

National and state leaders of the party were present at the event.

Adeleke disclosed that he joined the Accord Party on November 6, 2025, after holding extensive consultations with political stakeholders and community leaders across the state.

A statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, noted that the governor had explained to stakeholders why the political shift became necessary.

According to Adeleke, he chose the Accord Party because its ideology reflects the priorities of his administration.

“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare,” he said.

The governor welcomed party figures to the Government House and called for unity as political activities ahead of the 2026 election continue to build momentum.

“We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun State and Nigeria at large,” he stated.

Adeleke encouraged party members to remain focused and work together for success, stressing the importance of leadership that carries all groups along.

He added that his experience in the party so far has strengthened his belief in its values.

“The focus on people’s welfare should always be at the heart of public leadership. The primary essence of government is the welfare and well-being of the people,” he noted.

Adeleke reaffirmed that his government will continue to design programmes that improve the lives of residents and place citizens’ welfare at the centre of governance.

He described the Accord Party as the platform that will drive the state’s political direction ahead of next year’s election.

He also urged residents across Osun West, Osun East and Osun Central to support the party.

“From Igbomina to Ijeshaland, Ifeland, Osogbo, Iwoland, Modakeke, Gbongan, Igbajo, Ikire, Ikirun, Ede and beyond, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” he declared.

Adeleke ended his remarks by formally announcing his decision.“In accordance with the will of our stakeholders and in deep respect for the wishes of Osun people, I hereby declare for the Accord Party,” he announced.

By Anwar Usman

The Kogi State Government has said security operatives have intercepted a group of underage children trafficked into the state in what is suspected to be a covert recruitment attempt for banditry training.

This was revealed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo.

“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 six and 17 years into Kogi State,” the commissioner stated.

The commissioner stated that investigations revealed that the children were trafficked from different northern states suspiciously 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,” the statement further revealed.

Fanwo also added that, further arrests were carried out as security operatives intensified effort and surveillance in 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,” he said, adding that the rescued children had been transferred to the NSCDC State Command in Lokoja for detailed investigation and proper profiling of all persons involved.

He also assured that “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.”

The commissioner, however, said all individuals found guilty in the trafficking operation would be prosecuted in accordance with Kogi State’s child trafficking and child rights protection laws.

By Maryam Ahmed

Florida is poised to carry out its 18th execution of the year on Tuesday, marking the state’s deadliest year on record, after death row inmate Mark Geralds declined to challenge his death warrant.

Geralds, convicted of the 1989 murder of a woman in Panama City, spent more than three decades on death row before Governor Ron DeSantis signed his execution order last month. In a rare move, Geralds informed officials that he would not pursue the final round of appeals typically filed by inmates facing imminent execution.

His execution by lethal injection will also contribute to a national surge in capital punishment, pushing the United States toward its highest annual total in nearly twenty years. Florida, which has significantly accelerated its use of the death penalty in recent years, now accounts for a large share of the country’s executions in 2025.

The spike has intensified debate among legal experts, civil-liberties groups, and faith leaders, many of whom warn that the growing pace leaves less room to identify wrongful convictions or address longstanding concerns about racial bias, mental health, and sentencing disparities.

State officials, however, argue that the system provides ample opportunity for review and that carrying out sentences brings long-delayed closure to victims’ families. Geralds’ execution, they say, follows decades of litigation, during which multiple courts upheld his conviction and sentence.

By Muhammad Abubakar

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has ignited fresh debate over media bias in football after highlighting what he sees as unequal treatment between himself and fellow striker Harry Kane. 

Speaking in a recent interview, Salah recalled a past spell when Kane went 10 matches without scoring, yet continued to receive strong backing from commentators.

According to Salah, the tone was markedly different when he experienced similar difficulties. “The media were like: ‘Oh, Harry will score for sure.’ When it comes to Mo, everyone is like: ‘He needs to be on the bench,’” he said. The Egyptian forward stressed that his point was not a personal jab at Kane, adding humorously, “I am sorry, Harry!”

Salah’s comments quickly circulated on social media, garnering millions of views and sparking widespread discussion. Analysts and supporters have since weighed in, with many arguing that the incident reflects broader inconsistencies in how players from different backgrounds are portrayed in mainstream football coverage.

The episode has added a new layer to ongoing conversations about fairness, perception, and representation in global sport, especially in Europe.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

President Bola Tinubu has welcomed the release of 100 students kidnapped from the Papiri Catholic School in Niger State, while ordering security agencies to swiftly secure the freedom of 115 students and their teachers still held captive.

The President commended security forces for their “steadfast work” in returning the first group of students to their families following the abduction on November 21.

In a statement, President Tinubu directed that the rescue of all remaining abducted Nigerians nationwide remains an absolute priority. “We must account for all the victims,” he said.

He assured parents that federal and Niger State authorities are collaborating closely to reunite all hostages with their families. Governor Umar Bago was also praised for his efforts.

Looking forward, the President issued a stern mandate to prevent further attacks on schools.

“Our security agencies, working with the governors, must prevent future kidnappings,” Tinubu stated. “Our children should no longer be sitting ducks for heartless terrorists intent on disrupting their education and subjecting them and their parents to unspeakable trauma.”

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with all states to secure schools and ensure a safer, more conducive learning environment.

By Uzair Adam

Gunmen suspected to be bandits have attacked Kururawa community in Lakwaya district of Gwarzo Local Government Area, Kano State, abducting an elderly resident, Alhaji Yakubu Na Tsohuwa, and injuring his son, Badamasi.

According to a source who spoke on condition of anonymity, the attackers, armed and riding on two motorcycles, invaded the community from neighbouring Katsina State.

They reportedly overpowered the household, seized Yakubu, and shot his eldest son in the leg as he attempted to stop the abduction.

Badamasi is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

The source noted that Lakwaya shares a border with Malumfashi and Musawa Local Government Areas of Katsina State, adding that the assault on Kururawa—located about one kilometre from Lakwaya—was the first of its kind in the area in a long while.

He appealed to the Kano State Government to establish a security base in the area to protect residents, saying the attack has left the community in fear and uncertainty.

As of the time of filling this report, the Kano State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement, and efforts to reach its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna, were unsuccessful.

The Islamic Medical Association of Nigeria (IMAN) has rounded off its 26th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Kaduna with strong calls for ethical regulation of artificial intelligence in healthcare and the elimination of harmful cultural practices that threaten public health.

The five-day hybrid conference, held at Arewa House from December 1–5, brought together 1,018 delegates from across Nigeria and beyond.

Discussions focused on the conference theme, “Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare,” alongside subthemes on reproductive health, harmful customs, medical ethics, palliative care, and the rising burden of non-communicable diseases.

Experts highlighted concerns about the rapid growth of AI technologies outpacing legal and religious guidance, the persistence of female genital mutilation and vaccine refusal, and the risk of AI reducing human compassion in clinical care.

Delegates also noted that cultural and religious misconceptions continue to hinder timely uptake of vaccinations, contraception, and modern treatment.

At the end of deliberations, IMAN resolved to push for Islamically grounded legal frameworks for AI and reproductive technologies, intensified collaboration with religious leaders to dispel myths, and stronger national ethical oversight of AI.

The Association also called for improved training of Muslim health professionals, development of AI-based accident-prevention systems, and expansion of telemedicine nationwide.

IMAN expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Kaduna State Governor Sen. Uba Sani, Jigawa State Governor Mal. Umar A. Namadi, the Emir of Zazzau, and other health sector leaders for their support and hospitality.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, has chaired his first meeting as head of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council, leading the 93rd Session of the Policy Commission in Antigua, Guatemala.

The gathering strengthened Nigeria’s profile within the global customs community.

The session took place from 2 to 4 December 2025 at the historic Hotel Soleil and brought together Heads of Customs Administrations and senior representatives from the WCO’s six regions.

During the opening ceremony, CGC Adeniyi welcomed the delegates to Antigua Guatemala, a UNESCO World Heritage city.

He paid tribute to customs officers who died in the line of duty and encouraged participants to engage meaningfully on issues that influence global customs operations.

He was joined by WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders and Guatemala’s Vice Minister of Public Finance, Honourable Patricia Joachin, who addressed attendees on behalf of the host country.

Delegates were later treated to a traditional cultural dinner at the historic Capuchinas Ruins.

CGC Adeniyi’s emergence as WCO Council Chair in June 2025 is widely seen as a significant achievement for Nigeria and the African region.

His election placed the country in a leadership position within an organisation that comprises 187 customs administrations.

Reflecting on the importance of the role, Adeniyi stated that the position carries “a major responsibility for Nigeria and for Africa,” noting that his focus is on delivering leadership that supports global trade, security, and fair customs practices.

His remarks align with comments he made earlier in an exclusive interview on The Customs Exchange: Conversations with Global Customs Leaders, where he said his election affirmed Nigeria’s ongoing customs reforms.

According to him, the trust placed in his leadership is “an endorsement by the global customs community that we are on track,” as he highlighted key reforms undertaken by the Service over the past two years.

These include the modernisation of procedures, system upgrades, and improved cooperation with international partners.

Adeniyi listed the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme, developed with WCO support, as one of the most significant changes.

He said the programme has reduced clearance times, boosted revenue performance, and strengthened trust between Customs and compliant traders.

He also mentioned the SAFE Framework of Standards, the Time Release Study (TRS), and progress on advance rulings as further proof of Nigeria’s commitment to global standards.

Calling for stronger partnerships among customs authorities worldwide, Adeniyi emphasised the importance of inclusiveness within the WCO, saying, “Our uniqueness is our strength. We must allow that diversity to continue creating opportunities and progress for us.”

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The Nigerian government has secured the release of 100 schoolchildren abducted last month from St. Mary’s School, a Catholic boarding institution in the Papiri community of Niger State.

The attack, which occurred on November 21, saw armed men take 303 students and 12 teachers hostage. In the days following the abduction, 50 pupils managed to escape and were reunited with their families.

According to officials, the rescued children are expected to be handed over to Niger State authorities for medical and psychological evaluation. Government sources confirmed the release but did not disclose whether it resulted from negotiations, military operations, or other interventions.

Despite the successful rescue, concerns remain high. More than 160 students and staff members are still unaccounted for, leaving many families anxiously awaiting news of their loved ones.

Child-protection advocates and community leaders have renewed calls for stronger security measures around schools, stressing that the safety of students must be a national priority as mass abductions continue to plague parts of the country.