PDP crisis to regulate PDP NWC absent as00:14 weaker faction attends INEC meeting with parties. Federal capital territory traditional leaders have pledged to00:40 end harmful practices against women, says Diode Benjamins Lani. 01:11 Ex-Nexim MD Oya jailed 490 years for 2.4 billion nara fraud. 02:16 For further details, visit our website at guardian.ng and make sure you grab a copy of our newspaper. 02:21 Make sure you follow us across all our social media platforms at Guardian Nigeria.

Former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar (2nd left) , former First Lady (2nd right) and members of the Buhari family. Photo: X/Atiku AbubakarA former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the wife of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Hajiya Aisha Buhari, have met in Saudi Arabia. According to the former Vice President, both families are currently in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser hajj (Umrah). The Umrah pilgrimage is often undertaken by Muslims for spiritual reflection and prayers, especially during moments of personal loss. “I was honoured to host Hajiya Aisha Buhari, wife of former President Muhammadu Buhari, her daughter Hanan, and other family members during their visit to me in Saudi Arabia,” Atiku wrote.

File photo of SP Grace Iringe-Koko, Spokesperson for the Rivers State Police CommandGunmen suspected to be cultists have beheaded the President of the Omoku Youth Federation in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, Ifeanyi Azuazu, and shot dead his personal aide, Chigozie Oluwu. Sources said the attackers, who arrived in two vehicles, confronted the Youth President and ordered him into a car. The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, describing it as cult-related. The cultists invaded the area, shot one dead, and kidnapped the youth president. “Unfortunately, the headless body of the youth president was discovered today (Friday).

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated two prominent Nigerians, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammed Ali Pate, and Vice President, Global Impact at OpenAI, Anna Makanju, for their inclusion on the Devex Power 50 List for 2026. PUNCH Online reports that the list recognises the 50 most influential people, organisations, and initiatives shaping global development. President Tinubu commended Pate and Makanju for their significant contributions to global development, stating that their recognition is well-deserved. “Devex Power 50 notes that Pate’s advocacy extends beyond his home country, “as he fights to reform the international global health infrastructure- making him one of the most recognised health ministers on the African continent and beyond,” then statement read. “According to Devex Power 50, Makanju has emerged as a key figure at the forefront of AI, with enormous influence over how next-generation AI systems will shape global development.

BAS Capital has announced its acquisition of DOT Microinsurance Limited. The public disclosure follows regulatory approvals, including NAICOM’s No Objection for the restructuring of DOT Microinsurance’s shareholding, issued on August 7, 2025. The public disclosure follows regulatory approvals, including NAICOM’s No Objection for the restructuring of DOT Microinsurance’s shareholding, issued on August 7, 2025. DOT Microinsurance Limited operates within Nigeria’s microinsurance sector, providing accessible risk protection to individuals and small businesses. The acquisition supports BAS Group’s long-term strategy to build an inclusive, resilient financial services ecosystem across Africa.

The faction also called for reconciliation with all aggrieved party members and supporters, as the leadership crisis within the PDP remains unresolved. The faction has since been emboldened by the court judgment, which recognised the caretaker committee as the party’s leadership for now. INEC had invited the Abdulrahman-led caretaker committee to its consultative meeting with leaders of political parties held in Abuja on Thursday. The spokesman added:“The National Caretaker Working Committee commends the Commission for its steadfast commitment to due process and the rule of law. The time has come to set aside differences, embrace reconciliation, and channel our collective energy toward strengthening the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has unveiled details of an ambitious road development drive across key communities in the satellite towns of the nation’s capital, Abuja. “It’s actually a directive from the President that we develop a strategic and resilient road network across the Federal Capital Territory,” Wike said. According to him, the renewed focus on satellite towns is aimed at correcting years of infrastructure imbalance and unlocking economic opportunities in fast-growing communities. “People who have never experienced proper road infrastructure before are now seeing real change,” Wike said. With multiple road networks under construction simultaneously, the FCT Administration said the renewed focus on satellite towns signals a shift towards inclusive development aimed at spreading growth beyond the capital’s city centre.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) on Friday confirmed the deployment of a response team to assess and coordinate intervention activities following the recent bandit attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State. NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, also directed the team from the Agency’s Minna Operations Office, which covers Kwara State, to temporarily relocate to the affected areas to conduct a detailed, on-the-ground assessment of the situation and the needs of the impacted communities. The assessment is being carried out in collaboration with the Kwara State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and relevant security agencies to ensure an effective, coordinated, and well-informed response. The Agency has arranged relief items, including food and non-food materials, which are already on the ground to support victims in the affected communities. Mrs. Umar expressed her heartfelt sympathies to the affected communities and the Kwara State Government over the unfortunate incident and assured them of NEMA’s full support.

The United States (US) has condemned the deadly attack on communities in Kaiama local government area of Kwara State, which claimed over 100 lives, describing it as “horrific”. Tribune Online reports that the deadly attack was launched on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama on February 5, as conflicting casualty figures continue to emerge. “The United States condemns the horrific attack in Kwara state in Nigeria, which claimed the lives of more than 160 people, with the death toll still unconfirmed and many still unaccounted for. The US also welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s directive to deploy security forces to the affected communities and bring perpetrators to justice. According to the Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the deployment of troops under Operation Savannah Shield would help deter further violence, adding that security forces were already on the ground to prevent more carnage.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Kogi State says it arrested 339 suspects and seized 7,746 tonnes of assorted illicit drugs between January and December 2025. Mr Mustapha Yahuza, the Assistant Commandant-General of Narcotics and head of the NDLEA Strategic Command in the state, disclosed this during a press briefing in Lokoja on Friday. Yahuza said the 339 suspects were arrested within the period for offences involving hard drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, tramadol and other psychotropic substances. The NDLEA commander commended Governor Ahmed Ododo for constituting a high-powered State Drug Control Committee (SDCC) to strengthen the implementation of drug supply and demand reduction policies in the state. “We appreciate the governor’s commitment to the welfare, safety and security of lives and property in Kogi,” Yahuza said.

An ambassador-designate and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has described the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu’s recent diplomatic visit to the United States as a major step towards improving Nigeria’s international image. By standing on that global stage, the First Lady didn’t just represent the President; she represented the truth of our national character. He added that global relations are often shaped by perception, and Mrs Tinubu’s engagement has helped redirect international understanding of Nigeria’s security and governance realities. The senator concluded that the visit could strengthen Nigeria’s standing with global partners and encourage fairer international cooperation. According to him, the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains committed to secular and inclusive governance, a message now “loudly heard” worldwide following the visit.

Community leaders in Ilesa on Friday endorsed Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, for re-election following the completion of the N16.5 billion dual carriageway and ten township roads. Residents of the town praised the governor’s efforts in ensuring the projects were executed and assured him of their support during the August 2026 voting exercise. Speaking on behalf of the community leaders, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran said:“The dual carriageway and other road projects have changed the face of the town. Moruf Ojebode, stated:“The administration of Governor Adeleke constructed the 6.2-kilometer dual carriageway alongside ten township roads in Ilesa to stimulate industrial growth, expand business hubs, and support emerging enterprises in the ancient town. These projects are part of Adeleke’s infrastructure-driven agenda to reposition Ilesa as a major commercial and economic corridor in the state.

The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 40-year-old landlady, Nafisat Lateef, over the alleged poisoning of a three-year-old boy in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State. The arrest followed a complaint lodged at the Odigbo Police Division by the child’s mother, Rofiyat, 32, who is a tenant of the suspect. The complainant alleged that the landlady was responsible for poisoning her son. Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, warned residents against allowing disputes, particularly landlord–tenant disagreements, to degenerate into criminal acts. Members of the public were also encouraged to contact the Ondo State Police Command through its official communication channels to report suspicious activities or make inquiries.

In 2026 alone, an estimated 4.5 million girls, many under the age of five, remain at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation (FGM). “We need to build on this momentum and speed up progress to meet the Sustainable Development Goal target of ending female genital mutilation by 2030. “Every dollar invested in ending female genital mutilation yields a tenfold return. Funding cuts and declining international investment in health, education and child protection programmes are already constraining efforts to prevent female genital mutilation and support survivors. “Furthermore, the growing systematic pushback against efforts to end female genital mutilation, compounded by dangerous arguments that it is acceptable when carried out by doctors or health workers, adds further hurdles to elimination efforts.

United States President, Donald Trump, has shared a video on social media that included a racist clip depicting former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. Republican Senator Tim Scott, who is black, urged the president to take the video down, calling it “the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House”. The White House defended the post, describing it as an “internet meme video”, and told critics to “stop the fake outrage”. Although Trump offered no explanation when sharing the post, the video was one of dozens uploaded to his Truth Social account overnight and triggered a fierce backlash. The Obamas clip was attached to a minute-long video promoting debunked claims about a voting conspiracy in Michigan during the 2020 election.