I'm staying in PDP, no plans to defect, says Makinde
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has dismissed speculations about a possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, saying he remains comfortable in the opposition party. Makinde spoke with journalists at the State House, Abuja, on Thursday amid his visit to the Presidential Villa. In a video aired by the NTA, Makinde, responding to questions on his political future, said, “No, no, no. Where it won’t be an issue of maybe APC talking alone or PDP talking alone, where we will have to look at what is the best foot forward, in the interest of our nation. Makinde, a member of the PDP, remains one of the few governors still in the party amid a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 21:50 UTC
Troops foil B’Haram ambush, kill two commanders, eight fighters in Borno
Sani said, “Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East) Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) operating under Operation DESERT SANITY V delivered a decisive blow to BH/ISWAP terrorists along the Sambisa and Mandara Mountains axis on 22 January 2026. “The insurgents attempted a well-planned ambush with Roadside Improvised Explosive Devices (RSIED) and heavy gunfire, but impressively, troops under Sector 1 responded with superior firepower, neutralising 10 terrorists, including 2 senior commanders identified as Basulhu and Ubaida,” he noted. “Troops’ morale and combat efficiency remain high, and operations would be sustained across the entire North East region,” it assured. The Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba, who disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, said many terrorists were neutralised. “In the course of this attack, some gallant soldiers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force paid the supreme price, while others sustained injuries,” he said.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 21:30 UTC
UPDATED: Tinubu posts three ambassador-designates to France, US, UK
President Bola Tinubu has approved the posting of three ambassador-designates to France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The posting includes Ambassador Ayodele Oke, Colonel Lateef Are, and Ambassador Amin Dalhatu, covering France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. He said Ambassador Oke has been appointed to France, while Colonel Are will serve in the United States. PUNCH Online had reported in December 2025 that the Senate confirmed 64 ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Tinubu. In all, the Senate confirmed 34 career ambassadors and high commissioners and 30 non-career ambassadors and high commissioners.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 20:55 UTC
Trump unveils ‘Board of Peace’, ‘New Gaza’ plans at Davos
US President Donald Trump headed home from Davos on Thursday after unveiling his new “Board of Peace” and once again casting himself as a global peacemaker, despite widespread scepticism over a plan that aims to rewrite the world order. Trump officials also unveiled ambitious plans for a “New Gaza” during the ceremony at the World Economic Forum, the US leader describing the devastated Palestinian territory as “great real estate”. – Gaza ‘master plan’ –A large part of the ceremony was devoted to talking about its plans for shattered Gaza. They included maps of new settlements and artist renderings of gleaming seafront hotels and apartments under the caption “New Gaza”. Trump told Hamas to disarm under the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire accord or it would be the “end of them”.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 20:26 UTC
2027: North-Central APC forum warns against dropping Shettima
In particular, some groups from the North-Central region have demanded that a Christian from the area should be selected as Tinubu’s running mate in the next election. However, the North-Central APC Forum warned that replacing Shettima would be disastrous for the party and could jeopardise President Tinubu’s re-election bid. We totally and unequivocally reject calls and plans to drop Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate in the next election. Analysing voting patterns in the North, the Forum said Tinubu would not gain new votes by replacing Shettima. The Forum therefore advised the President to maintain the status quo and retain Shettima in order to strengthen his chances in 2027.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 16:47 UTC
Makinde, Mutfwang meet Tinubu at Aso Rock
(L-R) Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Photo: State HousePresident Bola Tinubu is currently holding separate meetings with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The Oyo governor is widely believed to be nursing a presidential ambition and is positioning himself for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket. Thursday’s meeting marked his first known encounter with President Tinubu since his official defection. President Tinubu has in recent months held a series of engagements with governors across party lines.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 16:36 UTC
Tinubu Swears In New Federal Character Commission Chair
President Bola Tinubu on Thursday swore in the Chairman and Commissioners of the Federal Character Commission at the State House, Abuja. Omidiran is also the founder of Omidiran Babes Football Club, a female football club based in Osogbo, Osun State, established in 1997. The Senate confirmed her appointment on November 27, 2025, following statutory vetting processes, including security screening and her appearance before the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs on October 30. The Federal Character Commission, established by Act No. It is empowered to formulate equitable guidelines for appointments into the civil and public service, security agencies and government parastatals, and to sanction heads of agencies that violate the federal character principle.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 16:23 UTC
2026 Tata Punch Turbo Petrol Driven: Performance, Mileage, City And Highway Driving, Ride And Handling Balance. Find Out Everything You Need To Know
We have answered all your questions here:New 1.2-litre Turbo Petrol EngineOne of the biggest highlights of the new Tata Punch is the introduction of the new turbo petrol engine. Out on the highway, the Punch finally lives up to its name with the turbo petrol engine as a highway companion. Commendable Handling For Its SizeThe Tata Punch is not a sports-oriented car; it is a small but tall family-oriented SUV. This means to buy a Punch with the turbo petrol engine, the buyer would have to stretch a lot on his pocket. ZigSays…With the addition of a new turbo petrol engine, the Punch seems ready to take on popular rivals with a turbo engine.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 13:39 UTC
UK won’t join ‘Board of Peace’ signing ceremony, says minister
Britain will not take part in Thursday’s signing ceremony for US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” in Davos, foreign minister Yvette Cooper said. Trump is due to host the ceremony in Davos for the founding charter of his body for resolving international conflicts, which has a $1 billion price tag for permanent membership. “Because this is about a legal treaty that raises much broader issues, and we do also have concerns about President Putin being part of something which is talking about peace, when we have still not seen any signs from Putin that there will be a commitment to peace in Ukraine,” she added. Invites were earlier sent to dozens of world leaders to join the so-far vaguely defined grouping. Trump on Wednesday said Putin had agreed to join — despite the Kremlin so far saying it was still studying the invite.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 13:09 UTC
18 insurers indicate readiness for capital verification
Bankole Orimisan is a content writer and field reporter for The Guardian Nigeria. According to him, capital verification remains a critical pillar of the ongoing recapitalisation exercise aimed at strengthening the sector. Industry data suggest that Nigeria currently has over 50 licensed insurance operators, comprising about 30 non-life insurers, about 15 life insurers and five reinsurers. He covers politics and general newsऔर पढो »Protest rocks Ekpoma over incessant kidnappingsAzeez Kareem is a multimedia journalist at The Guardian Nigeria. और पढो »Nigerian insurers oppose tax breaks for foreign firmsBankole Orimisan is a content writer and field reporter for The Guardian Nigeria.
Source:The Guardian
January 22, 2026 12:54 UTC
Gunmen Kill Seven Miners in Fresh Plateau Attack
A deadly attack on a mining site in the Kuru community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, has left seven people dead. Solomon said, “I have just been informed about the attack in the Kuru community which happened yesterday night. Seven people died in the attack. He added that two weeks earlier, gunmen ambushed another group of miners, killing two and injuring one. The Spokesman for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, could not be reached immediately as his phone was switched off.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 12:37 UTC
Counter-terrorism campaign: FG moves to fast-track trial of 5,000 insurgents
The Federal Government had filed an 11-count terrorism charge against eight defendants, including Turji, who remains at large. N204bn for security operationsMeanwhile, security agencies in the country are set to spend a total of N204.51bn on operational activities in 2026. The allocations are intended to support ongoing counter-insurgency efforts, internal security operations, and other national security assignments amid persistent security challenges across the country. Military operations, including Operation Lafiya Dole, now renamed Hadin Kai and other armed forces engagements across the country, account for the largest share with an allocation of N100bn. In addition, N9.51bn has been earmarked for security operations overhead costs for the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 12:34 UTC
Real Madrid tops football rich list as Liverpool surges
The rest of the top 10 is dominated by Premier League clubs, with Liverpool leading the English contingent for the first time. Pep Guardiola’s City fell from second to sixth after an early exit from the Champions League and a third-placed Premier League finish following four consecutive titles. United dropped behind Arsenal to eighth after missing out on the Champions League and finishing 15th in the Premier League. Arsenal were the highest-earning women’s team for the first time after winning the Champions League. The Gunners, with revenues of 25.6 million euros, edged out London rivals Chelsea and Barcelona.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 11:44 UTC
Senate suspension row: Akpabio drags Natasha to Supreme Court
The legal battle over the suspension of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has escalated as the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has again approached the Supreme Court. The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which later recommended her suspension. In its judgment on July 4, 2025, the court faulted the suspension, describing it as excessive and unconstitutional. It was confirmed on Thursday that her lawyers had been served with the Supreme Court processes. The development comes barely two weeks after Akpabio announced that he had decided to withdraw pending court cases against his adversaries.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 11:38 UTC
Interim Venezuela leader Delcy Rodriguez to visit the US
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, will soon visit the United States, a senior US official said Wednesday, further signalling President Donald Trump’s willingness to embrace the oil-rich country’s new leader. She would be the first sitting Venezuelan president to visit the United States in more than a quarter century, aside from presidents attending United Nations meetings in New York. Rodriguez was a former vice president and long-time insider in Venezuela’s authoritarian and anti-American government, before changing tack as interim president. A senior White House official stated that Rodriguez would visit soon, but no specific date has been set. The last bilateral visit by a sitting Venezuelan president came in the 1990s — before populist leader Hugo Chavez took power.
Source:Punch
January 22, 2026 11:02 UTC