Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress have again expressed strong confidence in President Bola Tinubu, declaring that the country’s economy was on the brink of collapse when he assumed office in May 2023. Uzodimma accused opposition politicians of hypocrisy, arguing that many of them had previously canvassed similar policies but were now exploiting public hardship for political advantage. He said that despite criticism, Tinubu had remained focused and undistracted, noting that the administration had also adopted a “fire-for-fire” approach to insecurity. He warned that the APC-led government would not allow ethnicity or religion to be weaponised to divide the country. “The Renewed Hope agenda must be amplified to the last man on the street,” he said.

The National Film and Video Censors Board has requested actress and filmmaker, Ini Edo, to modify the title of her film, ‘A Very Dirty Christmas’. The approval of the title was not intended to disparage or trivialize the Christian faith or the significance of Christmas, but was considered as part of a fictional and creative expression. CAN had earlier criticised the title of the movie. In her response, Ini Edo stated that the film did not mean to ridicule the Christian faith. “The title of the film is metaphorical, reflecting the story being told and the realities explored within it.

(Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP)Unai Emery said Friday that greater expectations were fuelling Aston Villa’s Premier League charge as his in-form side target a rare victory over Manchester United on Sunday. Villa are third in the Premier League, just three points behind leaders Arsenal after a stunning run of 10 wins in 11 Premier League games. Villa’s red-hot form has sparked dreams they could compete for a first league title since 1981. “I think in 30, 31 years, only three times at home, Aston Villa beat Manchester United. And I think this is a really crazy number for Aston Villa.”

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has formally endorsed the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing recent developments as a decisive break from years of policy drift and regulatory uncertainty in the industry. “The oil and gas sector is not an abstract policy issue for us,” Igali said. “With these two competent professionals overseeing upstream and midstream/downstream operations, the President has positioned the oil and gas sector for a quantum leap into the future,” Igali said. Remediation must be holistic, sustained, and region-wide.”The forum stressed that meaningful environmental restoration is essential to the long-term viability of the oil and gas sector and to restoring trust between host communities, operators, and the Federal Government. Dispelling predictions about the imminent decline of fossil fuels, Igali said oil and gas—particularly natural gas—would remain central to the global energy mix for decades.

President Bola Tinubu has said his journey to the presidency was fraught with numerous obstacles, describing his emergence as Nigeria’s leader as the result of perseverance and divine intervention. “I faced obstacles on my path to the presidency,” the President said. Despite the setbacks, Tinubu attributed his eventual victory to God, saying his rise to the presidency was divinely ordained. Governor Buni and Governor Uba Sani knew the obstacles on my path to the presidency. Using a metaphor, the President urged citizens and leaders alike to show compassion to their neighbours, noting that mutual support strengthens society.

Beşiktaş midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, has been appointed as the new captain of the Super Eagles ahead of the African Cup of Nations in Morocco. PUNCH Online reports that this was made known in a post on the Super Eagles’ handle on Friday. “Wilfred Ndidi has been named captain of the Super Eagles and says the responsibility means everything as Nigeria heads to Morocco,” the post read. The defender was named in the Super Eagles’ preliminary squad for the 2025 edition of the continental showpiece but called time on his Nigerian career before the final list of players was released. The Super Eagles’ first game is on December 23.

“It is not in dispute that the present application is an off-shoot of the substantive matter of the said application. Consequently, the application is refused,” Justice Nwite ruled. Justice Nwite recalled that a similar application had earlier been refused, with an order that the respondents be put on notice. Agber argued that the prayers were different, stating that the application was aimed at restraining ADC and INEC from taking steps that could affect the pending suit. In response, Justice Nwite said: “Now, the case is already before me and if any person does something untoward, such action will be null and void.

Archbishop-elect of Westminster Richard Moth poses in front of a portrait of Pope Leo XIV after a press conference in the Throne Room of Archbishop’s House in London on December 19, 2025. Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Richard Moth as the new Archbishop of Westminster, the most prominent Catholic figure in England and Wales, the church announced on Friday. The pope named a little-known pro-migrant bishop, Ronald Hicks, from his native Chicago, to replace Dolan. “We do speak about a quiet revival,” he noted of reports that the number of Catholics in the UK is rising. “I would say I’m quietly cautious.”Asked about the bitter debate about immigration currently raging in the UK, Moth struck a conciliatory tone, noting he would “continue to remind society that everybody, wherever they come from, has something that they contribute”.

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Saturday for a three-state visit to Borno, Bauchi and Lagos states. The statement added that while in Borno State, “President Tinubu will commission some projects undertaken by Governor Babagana Zulum and the Federal Government.”Tinubu will also attend the wedding ceremony of Sadeeq Sheriff, son of former Borno State governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and his bride, Hadiza Kam Salem. From Maiduguri, the President will proceed to Bauchi State to condole with the Bauchi State Government and the family of the late Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi. “From Maiduguri, the President will move to Bauchi to condole with the Government of Bauchi State and the family of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the late renowned Muslim cleric and leader of the Tijjaniyya Muslim Brotherhood,” the statement partly read. Following the condolence visit, Tinubu will travel to Lagos State.

Police in Sokoto State have arrested an alleged leader of the notorious cult group known as the ‘Sai Mallam’ group and a suspected serial rapist accused of abusing dozens of young girls. The CP said the Sai Mallam group has, in recent months, generated widespread fear in several parts of Sokoto through alleged fraud, intimidation, and fetish practices. In November 2025, the police announced the arrest of three suspects in connection with the Sai Mallam gang in the state. Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives arrested the group’s alleged leader and chief priest, Mohammed Mukhtar, popularly known as Sai Mallam. The Police assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining suspects and urged members of the public to provide useful information.

Popular TikToker Habeeb Hamzat, popularly known as Peller, on Friday issued a public apologised over a viral video showing him driving recklessly and crashing his vehicle during a live-stream. In a video shared on Instagram, Peller posted with the caption, “I’m sorry, Nigeria, please I’m sorry. Reacting, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said the incident exposed the dangers of distracted and reckless driving, particularly involving live streaming or content creation. The FRSC’s Corps Marshal warned that such behaviour not only violates traffic laws but also undermines national road safety efforts, directing that prosecution should begin for offences including reckless driving, use of a phone while driving, and distracted driving. The case has since been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive probe, and Peller is expected to face prosecution by the Federal Road Safety Corps.

President Bola Tinubu is attending the 15th National Executive Committee meeting of the All Progressives Congress at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. It is also the first NEC meeting since Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda emerged as the APC national chairman in July. An opening prayer was led by the Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu, who offered the Christian prayer. Our correspondent sighted several governors and top party chieftains at the venue, including serving APC governors, former governors and principal officers of the National Assembly. The APC National Executive Committee is the party’s highest decision-making organ between conventions.

(Photo by Arun SANKAR / AFP)The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that Nigerian soldiers recently released by Burkina Faso authorities have arrived safely at an Air Force base in Accra, Ghana. Tuggar announced the development in a post on X on Friday evening, saying the personnel landed aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft. Burkina Faso’s military authorities held the personnel and aircraft over alleged airspace violations, describing the incident as a breach of sovereignty. On Wednesday night, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, confirmed the release of the soldiers to The PUNCH. The Nigerian Air Force assured that the crew remained safe and were treated courteously during their detention.

“This decision is very significant, not only for the SDP, but for all political parties in Nigeria. It affirms the long-standing position of the Supreme Court that the internal affairs of political parties are for the parties alone to determine,” he said. Gombe urged INEC to fully comply with the judgment by allowing political parties to manage their internal processes in line with their constitutions, while also calling on political parties to uphold internal discipline and due process. “I have made it clear to INEC to stop interfering in the internal affairs of the SDP and other political parties. In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court described INEC’s appeal as lacking in merit and purely academic.

Eleven Nigerian soldiers and their aircraft have taken off from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, following their release after 10 days in detention. The spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Friday. “Bravo to the Embassy of Nigeria in Burkina Faso and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja,” he said. He further told PUNCH Online that the aircraft would first fly to Ghana before re-routing to Portugal, as it was not granted permission to fly over Malian airspace. “The aircraft will fly to Ghana and from there re-route the flight plan to Portugal.