Don’t begin 2026 with tax burden, Kachikwu urges Tinubu
A former presidential flag bearer of the African Democratic Congress, Dumebi Kachikwu, on Wednesday appealed to President Bola Tinubu to suspend the implementation of the new tax reforms, warning that imposing additional tax obligations at the start of 2026 would further worsen the hardship faced by Nigerians. “Any reasonable Nigerian understands that upon assumption of office, our President was confronted with a comatose economy that needed urgent surgery. While conceding the need for reforms, the ADC chieftain insisted that the timing and burden of the proposed tax measures were ill-advised. Despite his criticism, he said he had previously supported some of the President’s initiatives and maintained that his position was driven by concern for ordinary Nigerians rather than political opposition. But I must tell him today that I am not in support of this tax reform or any other reform that further decimates the livelihoods of ordinary Nigerians.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 21:11 UTC
Anthony Joshua’s driver discharged from hospital, faces prosecution for reckless driving
The driver of the vehicle in which former boxing heavyweight champion, Anthony Joshua, lost two of his associates following an accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway has been discharged from the hospital. The Guardian learnt this following a visit to Duchess International Hospital, Lagos, where Joshua was initially taken for treatment of the injuries he sustained as a result of the accident. “Anthony Joshua’s driver has been discharged from the hospital, and he is currently giving his statement,” the spokesperson of the Nigerian Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, told the Guardian. Also, according to an FRSC official, the truck driver fled the scene immediately after the crash involving Joshua, and he has now been declared wanted. That led to loss of control before the vehicle now swerved and rammed into the stationary truck that was parked.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 18:56 UTC
Police decorate newly promoted officers, harp on professionalism
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, has decorated newly promoted officers of the command with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police at the Command Headquarters, Lokoja, the state capital. Addressing the officers, Kankarofi congratulated them on their well-deserved promotion, describing it as a recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices during their years of service in their former ranks. The Commissioner of Police reminded the newly promoted officers that elevation in rank comes with increased responsibility and expectations. Speaking on behalf of the newly promoted officers, CSP Alozie Chukwuemaka thanked the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, (PSC) DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), for finding them worthy of the elevation. He appreciated the leadership style of the Commissioner of Police, stressing that they will continue to do their best to make Kogi State the safest in Nigeria.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 18:45 UTC
Africa to establish digital economy accelerator initiative
At the Nigerian Government Side-event of the just-concluded WSIS+20 UN General Assembly High-Level Meeting held at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, it was agreed that there is a need to establish the Africa Digital Economy Accelerator Initiative to deepen collaboration and drive inclusion through multi-stakeholder processes. Further, WSIS+20 will establish a regular meeting period at the margins of the yearly national, sub-regional, and regional Internet governance forums. “Foster digital transformation and effective data governance in line with relevant frameworks under the African Union,” it stated. WSIS+20 will see Africa move from dialogue to action to close the digital divides through inclusive digital public goods and digital public infrastructure, aligned with national realities and regional agendas, operationalise the established follow-up and monitoring mechanisms in the outcome document with the appropriate statistical authorities. For Nigeria, the communiqué informed that NITDA is to serve as the coordination Secretariat for the country’s multi-stakeholder engagement, and to lead in the implementation of the enhanced digital cooperation Accelerator for Africa.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 18:36 UTC
I will be a card-carrying member of ADC – Aisha Yesufu
I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuI will be a card-carrying member of the ADC – Aisha YesufuNigerian activist Aisha Yesufu has announced that she will formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking her first time as a registered, card-carrying member of any political party. Yesufu made the declaration in a statement aired on ARISE Television and shared on her verified X account. “I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC” she said. Despite this involvement, she has consistently stated that she was never formally registered as a member of any political party. Yesufu did not announce any formal position within the ADC but said her decision to register as a member reflects a commitment to structured political participation.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:55 UTC
2027: Obi to join ADC for showdown against APC
Nonetheless, there are strong suggestions that Obi’s formal declaration to contest on ADC would trigger a fresh wave of cross-defections in the South-East region. His move to ADC will be less about being lured than about testing whether his organic support can be institutionalised. “If he refuses, it will be read as capitulation to APC power brokers, risking alienation from the Obidient base. Obi, who has for some time now been linked with various political parties for the 2027 contests, had at the weekend confirmed that he was leaving the LP for the ADC. Umahi asserted at his country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Council Area of Ebonyi State, while receiving various political, religious, and community groups who paid him a Christmas homage.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:48 UTC
Driver in Anthony Joshua Crash Released From Hospital, Could Face Charges
Days after the car crash that injured Anthony Joshua and killed two of his trainers ... the man behind the wheel has reportedly been discharged from the hospital -- and could face criminal charges for his role in the accident. The driver of the truck that Joshua's SUV smashed into fled the scene immediately after the crash ... and is now being hunted down by officials. The 36-year-old, who knocked out Jake Paul in the boxing ring 12 days ago, was taken to the hospital after he sustained minor injuries. Members of the boxing community were quick to send their thoughts and prayers to Joshua and those who were impacted by the accident, including Paul himself. "Life is much more important than boxing," Paul said on X.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 17:35 UTC
Russia will win in Ukraine, Putin says in new year address
Russian President Vladimir Putin said his country believed it would win in Ukraine, where Moscow has led an almost four-year offensive, in his New Year’s Eve address on Wednesday. Putin’s traditional speech was first aired in the far-eastern Kamchatka peninsula — the first Russian region to enter 2026. He became president of Russia on New Year’s Eve 1999, when Boris Yeltsin stepped down. The televised New Year’s Eve speech, which continues a tradition started by Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, is a holiday staple in Russia and watched in millions of households. It is aired on state TV just before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 16:59 UTC
Intelligence confirmed terrorists’ presence before joint strikes — DHQ
In due course, we will give you all the information that you require from the US–Nigeria strikes,” Onoja said. Responding to questions on whether terrorists were present at the bombed locations, Onoja said intelligence reports confirmed their presence in the area before the strikes. So we can also take it further since the proximity of the Sahel to Sokoto, intelligence reports have confirmed their presence there before those strikes were conducted against them. According to him, the armed forces are also engaging civilians to support security agencies with timely information. He said security agencies were working to prevent future attacks using intelligence networks and other measures.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 15:54 UTC
Wike vows to reveal details of Tinubu-brokered agreement
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of reneging on an agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the political crisis in the state. However, Wike claimed on Wednesday that the governor had failed to honour parts of what was agreed. “Very soon, we will let Rivers people know what we agreed before Mr President. This agreement was not done anywhere; before Mr President. If you can renege on what we agreed before, Mr President, then who are we?” he asked.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 15:28 UTC
Police arrest 22-year-old for alleged rape in Ibadan
The Police Command in Oyo State says it has arrested a 22-year-old suspect for allegedly raping a 17-year-old girl after intoxicating her with a substance. The Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen on Tuesday in Ibadan. He said that preliminary investigations revealed that the 22-year-old male suspect allegedly had unlawful carnal knowledge of the minor after administering an intoxicating drink to her. The PRO said that the Oyo State Commissioner of Police, Mr Femi Haruna, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation. Olayinka said that the suspect has confessed to the crime and would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 14:28 UTC
I remain loyal member of Labour Party –Deputy Chairman
The Deputy National Chairman of the Labour Party, Clement Ojukwu, on Wednesday dismissed reports that he had defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling the claims false and misleading. In a statement issued by the party and dated December 31, Ojukwu said he remained a committed member of the Labour Party and had no intention of leaving the organisation he helped to build. “I remain a loyal member of the Labour Party,” Ojukwu said. He said he had no reason to leave the Labour Party for what he described as an unknown destination. He said party supporters had reaffirmed their loyalty to the current national leadership, led by Julius Abure, for whom he serves as deputy.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 12:27 UTC
No Automatic Bank Deductions in Nigeria's New Tax Laws
The Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, has assured Nigerians that the new tax laws scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026, will not involve automatic deductions from personal bank accounts, as the reforms are based on self-declaration rather than direct debits. The assurance was given during Channels Television’s end-of-year programme, 2025 In Retrospect: Charting a Pathway to 2026, aired on Tuesday. Oyedele dismissed claims that the government would monitor or debit individual bank accounts, stressing that taxpayers would only be required to declare their income at the end of the tax year. “People think that the government will debit their bank accounts from next year, and how they even came up with that, I have no idea. Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu said the implementation of the new tax laws, including those enacted on June 26, 2025, and others scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, would proceed as planned.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 11:26 UTC
New tax laws to take effect Jan 1 as scheduled — Presidency
The Federal Government has reaffirmed that Nigeria’s new tax laws will commence as scheduled on January 1, 2026, including those that already took effect on June 26, 2025, dismissing speculations about any suspension or reversal of the reform programme. According to the Presidency, the tax reforms represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fairer, more competitive and resilient fiscal framework capable of supporting sustainable economic growth and strengthening the social contract between the government and citizens. The government stressed that the new tax regime is not designed to impose higher taxes on Nigerians but to deliver a structural reset of the tax system through harmonisation, efficiency and equity, while protecting the dignity of citizens and businesses. “These reforms are aimed at creating clarity, reducing multiplicity, and ensuring that the tax system works for both government and taxpayers,” the statement said, adding that the focus is on broadening compliance rather than increasing tax burdens. The Presidency assured Nigerians that the Federal Government will continue to act in the overriding public interest to deliver a modern tax system that promotes prosperity, shared responsibility and inclusive national development.
Source:The Guardian
December 31, 2025 10:49 UTC
Police Fault Army Claim on Borno Suicide Bomber Arrest
The Borno State Police Command has described as misinformation reports claiming that the Nigerian Army arrested a suspected suicide bomber in the state, insisting that the operation was carried out by the police and that no active improvised explosive device was recovered. Recall that on Tuesday night, PUNCH Online reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a suspected suicide bomber, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, in Borno State. “At about 5:40 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” he said. “The Borno State Police Command has observed with concern the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of improvised explosive device (IED) components in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State,” the statement read. According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the items recovered showed “no active IED fabrication or priming.”“The case has been transferred to the State Command Headquarters for comprehensive investigation.
Source:Punch
December 31, 2025 10:20 UTC