2027 battle: Kano earthquake as Yusuf dumps opposition for APC
Garba further stated that it is highly likely the former Kano State governor might head straight to Kano upon arrival to officially welcome the defecting governor. A social contract exists between elected officials and the people, and that contract is entered into on the basis of a political party. “This will not count as an advantage for the ruling party in 2027. The ruling party has failed, and Nigerians who have not defected and will not defect will vote the APC out. They all know that the easiest way to secure a second term is by joining the ruling party.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 05:49 UTC
Ex-minister Alison-Madueke’s corruption trial to begin in London
The corruption trial of Diezani Alison-Madueke, a former Nigerian oil minister and the first woman president of OPEC, is set to begin in London on Monday. Alison-Madueke is accused of accepting “financial or other advantages” from individuals linked to two energy groups between 2011 and 2015. Accepting these bribes constituted “improper performance” of her duties as oil minister, the indictment said. In 2023 she was formally charged with offences of accepting bribes, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said. When Jonathan took over after the death of Yar’Adua, he appointed her minister of petroleum resources in April 2010.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 05:16 UTC
Inflation erases N2.8tn from workers’ pay in one year
The real value of employees’ earnings fell sharply by about N2.79tn in 2024 to N25.48tn, indicating that workers became poorer as inflation wiped out gains from higher nominal pay, data from the Central Bank of Nigeria show. These figures mean that when adjusted for inflation, take-home pay for Nigerian workers decreased despite earning more naira, representing a significant loss in purchasing power during the year. “Nominally, you’ve earned more, but in real value, you’ve earned less, which literally means you are poorer,” he said. “The cost of living in the country is beyond the increases, if any, in nominal income. Ajibola noted that the situation is worse in the informal sector, where workers lack bargaining power and formal wage protections.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 05:08 UTC
Alleged coup: Detained soldiers battling failing health, group alleges
A pro-democracy group, the Concerned Pro-Democratic Activists of Nigeria, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to consider releasing military officers detained over an alleged coup plot in October 2025, citing concerns over their deteriorating health and prolonged confinement. “Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the military statement said. However, sources in the military had told the media that the officers were detained over an alleged failed coup, citing the decision of the Federal Government to suddenly cancel the Independence Day Parade on October 1, 2025. “Weeks after, there was rumour that the arrest was based on an alleged coup plot, but was immediately debunked by the military and the government. “In conclusion, it is our hope and believe that our request will not only be heard but also granted,” he added.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 04:34 UTC
Bandits abduct six in fresh Kaduna attack
Barely a week after the abduction of 177 church worshippers in the Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, bandits have again struck in the area, abducting six residents of Unguwar Barkonu in Maraban Kajuru. “It is painful that while families are still crying and praying for the return of the 177 abducted worshippers, bandits have struck again. Efforts to obtain official reaction from the Kaduna State Police Command were unsuccessful. The prayer gathering attracted Christian leaders from across Kaduna State and parts of northern Nigeria. Families of the abducted worshippers, some of whom were visibly emotional, attended the service as they continued to wait anxiously for news of their loved ones.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 04:02 UTC
DisCos Reject FG's Free Electricity Meters Plan in Nigeria
“Those meters you see, someone has to pay for them, and the government expects the DisCos to bear the cost of the so-called free meters. Another operator said, “We need to know that meter installers are not staff of the DisCos. The operators added that the free meter declaration would jeopardise the Meter Asset Providers scheme, which allows the sale of meters to individuals who desire them. MAP is still there because the free meters they are bringing cannot fill the metering gap. Already, customers are fighting their DisCos because the minister made a statement that meters are free for all.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 03:49 UTC
2027: Nenadi Usman backs zoning of LP presidential ticket to South
So, if the Labour Party wants to fill a candidate now, it will be a Southerner. If we are going to the field, where will the candidate come from and all those decisions? She also dismissed speculations that Governor Otti might defect from the Labour Party following the exit of the party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Let’s bury the hatchets, let’s come together. If truly you are a lover of the Labour Party, this is the time for you to come and join us.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 01:18 UTC
Election manipulation: How politicians rig Nigeria's polls
In Nigeria, electoral farce is an open secret. With uncommon candour, Tambuwal stated that election results in Nigeria are far from the people’s preference at the polls. “The system is compromised through INEC, the courts, and the politicians because the politicians try to find corners to cut. Before the introduction of technology, politicians engaged in ballot snatching, ballot stuffing, results alteration, violence, and killings during the manual era. While technology enhances election outcomes in other countries, the human element has not allowed it to sanitise Nigeria’s elections.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 01:08 UTC
US Exports to Nigeria Jump 60% Amid Trump Tariff
In October 2025 alone, the US posted a $162m trade surplus with Nigeria, exporting $532m worth of goods while importing $369m. Between September and October, US imports from Nigeria declined by $171m, or 31.7 per cent, while US exports to Nigeria fell by $124m, or 18.9 per cent. In October 2024, the US recorded a $103m trade deficit with Nigeria, exporting $295m and importing $398m. In October 2025, Nigeria alone accounted for roughly 15.6 per cent of US exports to Africa and 12.8 per cent of US imports from the region. “The bigger challenge for Nigeria’s trade relationship with the US is Washington’s visa policy.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 00:20 UTC
Second death in Minneapolis raids ramps up pressure on Trump
The Trump administration faced intensifying pressure Sunday over its mass immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, after federal agents shot dead a second US citizen, and graphic cell phone footage again contradicted officials’ immediate description of the incident. The Trump administration quickly claimed that Pretti had intended to harm the federal agents, as it did after Good’s death, pointing to a pistol it said was discovered on him. The Trump administration controversially excluded local investigators from a probe into Good’s killing. Thousands of federal immigration agents have been deployed to heavily Democratic Minneapolis for weeks, after conservative media reported on alleged fraud by Somali immigrants — racially tinged accusations that Trump has repeatedly amplified. Late Saturday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration not to destroy or alter any evidence from the Pretti killing.
Source:Punch
January 26, 2026 00:03 UTC
Police intercept truck with explosives in Oyo
The Oyo State Police Command has intercepted a truck conveying materials suspected to be explosive devices during a stop-and-search operation in Saki. He added that the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, immediately ordered a “comprehensive investigation into the matter” upon being briefed on the development. Specialised personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit and the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unit were deployed to secure the items for safekeeping and forensic examination. The driver of the truck has been taken into custody and is “cooperating fully with investigators as efforts continue to unravel all circumstances surrounding the incident,” Olayinka added. Similarly, the Kano State Police Command recently intercepted suspected explosive materials and illicit drugs in two separate operations within the metropolitan local government areas of the state.
Source:Punch
January 25, 2026 23:42 UTC
Tinubu Heads to Türkiye for State Visit to Boost Cooperation
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja on Monday, for a state visit to the Republic of Türkiye. It also reciprocates an earlier state visit to Nigeria by the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, from October 19 to 20, 2021. During President Tinubu’s visit, both countries will engage in strategic political and diplomatic discussions on shared values in finance, communication, trade and investment. The visit will also feature a business forum bringing together investors from both countries to explore areas of interest. Tinubu is expected to return to the country at the conclusion of the visit.
Source:Punch
January 25, 2026 21:18 UTC
Kano Governor Abba Yusuf formally rejoins the APC
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, will on Monday, formally register as a member of the All Progressives Congress, following his resignation from the New Nigeria Peoples Party last Friday. According to the statement, the governor’s decision to return to the APC was informed by prevailing realities of governance, national cohesion and development. “Rejoining the APC will further strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, accelerate infrastructural development, enhance security coordination and improve service delivery across Kano State,” the statement said. The statement also disclosed that Yusuf is expected to officially flag off the APC electronic registration exercise in Kano on the same day. PUNCH Online had reported that a source said that the governor would be received into the APC on Saturday.
Source:Punch
January 25, 2026 21:16 UTC
Senegal keeper on learning from Nwabali's AFCON experience
Senegal were crowned champions after edging hosts Morocco 1-0 in a tense final, with Pape Gueye’s extra-time winner settling the contest. Senegal had anticipated the disruption after watching Morocco’s semi-final against Nigeria, where Nwabali was repeatedly denied his towels. “We had already seen in the previous match how they enjoyed taking the towels from the Nigerian goalkeeper (Nwabali),” Diouf told BeInSports. “A Moroccan player ran after me trying to grab it, and then the ball boys and some officials also got involved. It was surreal.”In the end, Mendy stayed focused, saving a penalty in the last minute of regular time, and Senegal went on to win their second AFCON title.
Source:Punch
January 25, 2026 15:20 UTC
Trump’s not the first US president to fall in love with war. History shows where this is going
History also shows that hubris of the kind presently emanating from this White House generally ends in disaster. The Iraq war was far more ambitious than the Gulf war, which had aimed merely to expel Saddam from Kuwait, not overthrow him and install a new government. But in Iraq, America’s string of easy victories ended. When he ran for president in 2016, he pretended he had opposed the war from the beginning. Trump’s strikes on Venezuela have followed a similar logic: military attacks without significant military or political resistance have fueled greater aggression.
Source:The Guardian
January 25, 2026 14:32 UTC