Afcon roundup: Nigeria squeeze past Tanzania as Jackson double helps Senegal win
The west African side did not have to wait long for the opener after that, however. In Tangier, Nicolas Jackson scored twice as Senegal got their campaign off to a winning start with a comfortable 3-0 Group D victory against Botswana. Senegal head Group D on goal difference from the Democratic Republic of Congo after the opening round of games. View image in fullscreen Victor Osimhen will hope to take Nigeria a long way at this Afcon. Tunisia continued the run of winning starts for past Afcon winners in Morocco as they swept past Uganda 3-1 in Rabat.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 20:52 UTC
I will have no option but to leave PDP if… — Lamido
Lamido, a founding member of the PDP and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, said the failure of the party’s leadership to urgently resolve deepening divisions could compel him to align with another political platform. “If we cannot find solutions to the problems facing the PDP, I will have no option but to look elsewhere,” Lamido said. According to Lamido, the inability or unwillingness of the party leadership to address the crisis decisively has worsened tensions and created an atmosphere of distrust within the party’s ranks. “If things continue not to go the right way, I will take whatever decision I consider best for myself,” he added. Lamido’s remarks come amid ongoing leadership and zoning disputes within the PDP, which have continued to generate tension and uncertainty within the party.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 18:37 UTC
Stop blaming govs alone, FG takes 52% of revenue, Radda says
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, has urged Nigerians to stop blaming state governors alone for the country’s worsening economic hardship, saying the Federal Government controls more than half of the federation’s monthly revenue. “Whenever there is hardship, people blame governors and local governments. It is the remaining 48 per cent that is shared among the 36 states and 774 local governments,” he said. According to the Governor, the impact of these projects is already visible across Katsina State’s local government areas. “If you go to the local governments today, you will see a lot of economic activity because funds have reached the communities,” he said.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 17:58 UTC
Makinde on Presidential Ambition: I'm Qualified for 2027
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has declared that he is qualified to lead Nigeria, as speculation about his presidential ambitions continues to grow. Makinde stated this during a media parley with select journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Tuesday, citing his experience as governor and his professional background as evidence of his capability. “Let me make this very clear: to serve this country at the highest level, I am qualified — I’m even overqualified,” the governor said. He added, “I ran Oyo State, even the current president — what brought him to the table? I was working for multinational oil companies, including Shell, ExxonMobil, and Chevron.”While affirming his qualifications, the governor noted that it is still too early to speak definitively about the 2027 presidential race.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 16:50 UTC
This year's flu is packing a punch. How hospitals are trying to deal with surging cases
The situation is serious enough that some hospitals are taking extra precautions to prevent strain on the system and to curb flu transmission within their facilities. "But I think when we're looking at the data in hindsight, there probably will be more hospitalizations related to the flu this year compared to a regular flu season." Hospitals plan for surging casesDoctors, epidemiologists and other health officials have all warned that the strain of flu hitting Canada is more severe. WATCH | Health officials warn parents to avoid bringing kids to ERs unless necessary: Uptick in child flu cases putting pressure on Quebec pediatric hospitals | Duration 2:01 Flu season hit the province early and it’s expected to peak around the holidays. RSV is also affecting a higher number of seniors, but the most confirmed cases are in children one and under.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 16:30 UTC
Makinde Won't Back Tinubu in 2027, Unlike Wike
Speaking on Tuesday during a media chat in Ibadan, Makinde said he was surprised when Wike reportedly told Tinubu he would “hold the PDP” for him in 2027. “I was in a meeting with President Tinubu, Nyesom Wike, and others when Wike volunteered to hold the PDP for Tinubu against 2027, and I was in shock. The governor stressed that while Wike has the right to support Tinubu, others should also have the freedom to make independent political decisions. But some of us want to ensure that democracy survives in Nigeria, and that PDP survives as well. Makinde and Wike had previously supported Tinubu of the APC in the 2023 elections.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 16:08 UTC
Six Rivers PDP Reps Defect to APC Amid Party Crisis
Six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress on Tuesday. The defected lawmakers include Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke. With their defection, the PDP, which previously had 12 members, now has only two representatives in the Rivers State caucus of the House. Last week, the party lost three more members to the APC, following the defection of Boniface Emerengwa, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead. The two remaining PDP lawmakers in Rivers State are the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Kelechi Nwogu.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 15:42 UTC
US Mission in Nigeria to close for four days
The United States Embassy in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos will be closed from Wednesday, December 23, through Friday, December 26, 2025. According to an official notice posted on its X handle on Tuesday, normal operations at both diplomatic missions will resume on Monday, December 29, 2025. The US Mission did not provide further details on the reason for the temporary closure. The post read: “The US Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos will be closed on Wednesday, December 23, through Friday, December 26, 2025. We will resume normal work operations on Monday, December 29, 2025.”
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 15:12 UTC
LG Autonomy: Obey Supreme Court judgment, Ikonne tells Otti
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abia State, Prince Paul Ikonne, has urged Governor Alex Otti to comply fully with the Supreme Court judgment granting local governments unfettered access to their statutory allocations. According to Ikonne, President Tinubu’s stance on the issue reflects sincerity and courage, particularly given the political influence wielded by state governors. He expressed concern about the situation in Abia State, alleging that local governments there lack effective control over their allocations. He maintained that adherence to the Supreme Court ruling remains a constitutional obligation, not a partisan issue. President Tinubu, at the recent APC NEC meeting, had lamented continued non-compliance with the Supreme Court judgment on local government autonomy and warned that further action could be taken to enforce it if necessary.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 15:11 UTC
49ers Help Jaguars Punch Ticket to Playoffs
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it back to the playoffs. The Jaguars sit at 11-4 after a six-game winning streak was extended on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 16. The Jaguars have two more weeks to wrap up the AFC South and perhaps even make a push for the No. You can’t just show up and win games in this league," Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence said after the 48-20 win over Denver. Nov 30, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen smiles to the crowd as he walks of the field against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:57 UTC
Two PDP Rivers Senators Defect to APC Ahead of 2027
The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party deepened on Tuesday after two senators from Rivers State—Allwell Onyesoh and Barinada Mpigi—formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The senators cited irreconcilable internal divisions within the PDP and the need to align with the Federal Government to effectively serve their constituents. Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, said his decision followed wide consultations with political leaders and stakeholders in his constituency. “The PDP has unresolved issues and divisions at the national, state, local government and even ward levels, resulting in a breakdown of effective party authority in Rivers State and particularly in my senatorial district,” he stated. Leaders of the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, South-South National Vice Chairman, Deputy National Chairman (North), National Youth Leader and the Rivers State APC chairman, were present to formally receive the defectors, describing their decision as a significant boost to the party’s influence in the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:34 UTC
Nigeria Deletes Terrorist Social Media Accounts, Says FG
The Federal Government has disclosed that Nigerian security agencies are working with major social media companies to identify and take down accounts used by terrorist and criminal groups to promote their activities and raise funds. According to him, security agencies have held several engagements with social media companies to address posts and accounts that pose threats to national security. “The issue of social media platforms used by terrorist groups—if you knew how many accounts we took down. We have had several meetings with these social media platforms like: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook and X. Laka also said ransom payments remain a major source of terror financing, with point-of-sale operators increasingly exploited to move funds.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 14:13 UTC
US launches $3,000 ‘leave voluntarily’ immigration plan
The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced a limited-time programme aimed at encouraging undocumented migrants to voluntarily leave the country during the holiday season. Participants will also qualify for forgiveness of any civil fines or penalties related to failure to depart the United States. According to DHS, approximately 1.9 million undocumented migrants have voluntarily left the country since January 2025, with tens of thousands using the CBP Home programme. “Since January 2025, 1.9 million illegal aliens have voluntarily self-deported, and tens of thousands have used the CBP Home programme. Migrants simply download the app, submit their information, and DHS arranges and covers the cost of travel.
Source:Punch
December 23, 2025 12:30 UTC
Trump administration plans to promote loyal diplomats after recall of 30 ambassadors, sources say
The Trump administration has quietly recalled nearly 30 ambassadors and other senior overseas diplomats as the Trump administration plans to promote appointees loyal to the new administration to higher levels of the state department, according to diplomatic sources. But the Trump administration had vowed to oust a “deep state” of civil servants in a process that critics have called a purge of a professional class of government employees including senior overseas diplomats. “This is a standard process in any administration,” a current senior state department official said in response to a request for comment from the Guardian. Powerful White House officials like the deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller have sought to install allies in the state department to execute goals of limiting immigration into the United States. The promotion of diplomats aligned with the current White House administration would further politicise the diplomatic corps, AFSA said.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 11:07 UTC
U.S. conducts surveillance flights over Nigeria after Trump threats
The report on Monday said the purpose of the surveillance missions could not be independently confirmed. However, the flights follow threats by U.S. President Donald Trump in November to intervene militarily in Nigeria over what he described as the government’s failure to halt violence against Christian communities. Flight tracking data for December showed that the contractor-operated aircraft typically takes off from Ghana, flies over Nigeria, and returns to Accra. Trump has also recalled the Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, and other career diplomats from their ambassadorial posts. Africa is the region most affected by the recalls, with ambassadors from 13 countries, including Nigeria, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Uganda, among those removed.
Source:The Guardian
December 23, 2025 10:35 UTC