Ibadan – Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally declared the Accord Party as his new political platform ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The governor made the announcement at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Osogbo, on Tuesday, in the presence of national and state leaders of the party.
Adeleke revealed that he officially joined the Accord Party on November 6, 2025, following weeks of consultations with stakeholders and opinion leaders across the state.
A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the governor as saying stakeholders in Osun were already aware of the reasons behind the political realignment.
Adeleke said his decision was driven by the party’s ideological alignment with his administration’s commitment to welfarism.
Fubara dumps PDP, defects to APC
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party.
Fubara announced his defection at a stakeholders meeting held at the government house in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The Rivers State Governor joined Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno; Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah; and his Bayelsa counterpart, Duoye Siri, all of whom defected from the opposition PDP.
Speaking at the meeting, the governor said, “We can’t support President (Tinubu) if we don’t fully identify with him, not just the backyard support.
Defection: ‘PDP failed to protect me’ – Governor Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that his decision to leave the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) was driven by the party’s failure to protect him during the recent political crisis in the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Fubara said he had sought support from the federal government after facing challenges that threatened his position and political survival.
He explained that the APC offered the support and protection necessary to navigate the political turbulence in Rivers State.
Fubara’s defection self-inflicted, threatens democracy – PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has described the defection of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as “self-inflicted,” warning that the development threatens Nigeria’s democratic balance.
In a statement on Tuesday signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party said the move contributes to what it called a growing slide toward a one-party system.
According to the statement, the governor made political choices that led to his departure and should not blame the party or any stakeholder.
ECOWAS declares state of emergency in West Africa
The Economic Community of West African States has declared a state of emergency across the region.
The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, made the announcement on Tuesday during the 55th Session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level in Abuja.
Touray said recent developments underline the “imperative of serious introspection on the future of our democracy and the urgent need to invest in the security of our community.”
Addressing ministers, diplomats and senior officials, Touray gave a sobering assessment of West Africa’s political climate, citing multiple incidents as evidence of a rapidly deteriorating security environment.
President Tinubu seeks Senate’s approval to deploy troops to Benin Republic
President Bola Tinubu has formally sought the approval of the Senate to deploy Nigerian troops in the Benin Republic to help protect the neighbouring country’s democratic institutions.
In a letter just read to senators by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu said the troops, deployed on a Peace mission, was in compliance with Section 5(4) Part II of the 1999 Constitution in due consultations with the National Defence Council.
President Tinubu explained that the deployment was in response to a request made by the Republic of Benin in the wake of the attempted military coup there over the weekend.
Nigerian military can’t defeat bandits, govt should negotiate – Gumi
Controversial Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said the Nigerian military can’t defeat bandits through warfare.
Gumi said the Nigerian government must negotiate with bandits to deescalate insecurity in the North-West.
Speaking with BBC, the Islamic scholar stressed that armies struggle against guerrilla fighters and that Nigeria is no exception.
I never said there’s no persecution of Christians in Nigeria – Kukah
Catholic Bishop of the Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, on Tuesday dismissed reports claiming he argued that Christians in Nigeria are not facing persecution.
Kukah described the allegation as false, stating that he was surprised that, despite the clarity of his stance, some individuals were still determined to attribute such a position to him.
In a statement titled “Of the persecution of Christians in Nigeria: My response,” the bishop said the media reports misrepresented his comments
‘Scrap Ministry of State for Defence’ – Shinkafi tells Tinubu in open letter
A former governorship candidate in Zamfara State and Patron of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council 2023, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the scrapping of the Ministry of State for Defence.
In a letter titled ‘Urgent Need for the Scrapping of the Ministry of State for Defence and Sack of His Excellency Bello Matawalle…’, addressed to the President and made available to newsmen on Tuesday, Shinkafi, a former governor’s aide, said this move would allow the fight against terrorism to be effectively coordinated by the Ministry of Defence led by the new Minister, Christopher Musa.
Why I decided not to celebrate my birthday – Akpabio
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said he decided against an elaborate celebration of his birthday because of the mood of the nation.
Akpabio clocked 63 on Tuesday but there was no elaborate celebration of the occasion except the cutting of birthday cake presented to him by the staff and aides in the office of the Senate President.
The cake was presented to the celebrant in his office after the Senate plenary on Tuesday, with some senators in attendance.
N40bn defamation suit: Court orders substituted service on Wike
The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Gwarinpa, Abuja, has directed that a ₦40 billion defamation lawsuit be served on the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, through substituted means.
Justice M. A. Hassan granted the order while ruling on an ex parte motion filed by a former All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State, Tonye Cole.
Cole, in suit number CV/4502/25, dragged Wike and Channels Television (Channels Incorporated Limited) before the court over comments made during the September 18 edition of Politics Today, which he claims were defamatory.
In his statement of claim, Cole alleged that Wike’s remarks on the live programme were false, malicious, and damaging to his reputation, arguing that the minister’s statements portrayed him as being involved in financial misconduct, particularly regarding Rivers State gas projects and the Olympia Hotel.
EFCC detains Malami over alleged terrorism financing
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) for alleged terrorism financing.
The ex-Minister is also to explain issues relating to money laundering, especially operation of suspicious accounts.
Malami has been asked to account for his investment of about N10billion in Kebbi State, whereabouts of $322million Abacha loot recovered from Swiss account and about $22million from Island of Jersey in the UK.
The EFCC was holding on to Malami as at 10pm on Tuesday because he has not been able to meet his bail conditions.
But the ex-AGF said his public record in office stands in direct contradiction to any insinuation of complicity in terrorism financing.
FG unveils NSC enterprise content management system
The federal government on Tuesday launched the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) in a bid to improve the efficiency of service delivery in the Nigerian maritime sector using digital tools.
Speaking at the unveiling of the ECMS in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the ECMS is not an external-facing service platform.
Reps summon ministers over budget underperformance
The House of Representatives has summoned the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun, and the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Mr Atiku Bagudu, over poor budget implementation.
The House on Tuesday held a closed-door session with Edun, Bagudu, the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi; and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Zacch Adedeji.
Awujale stool: You’re not one of us, Royal house replies KWAM 1
The Jadiara Royal House of Ijebu Ode has dismissed the claim by the popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose, also known as KWAM 1, that he belongs to the royal lineage.
The family, in a letter dated 7th December 2025, signed by the Olori Ebi, Otunba Prince Akinola Odedina and addressed to the Fuji musician, categorically stated that Wasiu Ayinde “has no genealogical lineage to Jadiara Royal House.”
He explained that the Royal House had patiently waited for him to submit his nomination form, as directed by the Chairman of the Fusengbunwa Ruling House, Otunba Owoseni, to prove his linkage to the family.
Akeem Babatunde Abass Elected New Oyo NUJ Chairman
Akeem Babatunde Abass has been elected as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council. Abass secured a total of 143 votes to defeat his closest rivals, the outgoing State Secretary of the union, Mr. Sola Oladapo, who garnered 59 votes, and Mr. Raji Adebayo, who polled 118 votes.
Five votes were declared void at the end of the keenly contested election.
