Ibadan – A tragic accident involving a fuel tanker and the convoy of Senate President Godswill Akpabio claimed the life of a police dispatch rider, Ibrahim Hussaini, on Sunday.
Akpabio made the announcement on Tuesday while addressing lawmakers during plenary, expressing his condolences to the family of the fallen officer.
Dispatch riders, who are typically police personnel, escort senior government officials on motorcycles marked for official use.
The Senate President arrived in the chamber shortly after the session began and informed his colleagues that Hussaini had already been laid to rest earlier that morning.
Although he did not give a precise location, Akpabio explained that the crash occurred in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, shortly after his convoy picked him up from the airport.
Reps extend 2025 capital budget implementation to March 31, 2026
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved President Bola Tinubu’s request by extending the implementation of the capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act to 31st March, 2026.
This followed the passage of the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation (repeal and re-enactment) bill, transmitted by the President last week for approval.
Tinubu had, in the cover letter transmitted to the Speaker, solicited the House’s approval to enable the full release of capital implementation funds to all ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Naira records second straight appreciation against US dollar
The naira recorded two consecutive appreciations against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market on Tuesday.
Data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira strengthened further to N1,449.99 against the dollar on Tuesday, up from N1,456.56 traded on Monday.
This represents a gain of N6.67 against the dollar on a day-to-day basis.
It was reported that the naira has recorded a 14.50-point gain over the past two days, reversing losses recorded last week at the official FX market.
Similarly, in the black market, the naira appreciated by N10 to close at N1,490 against the dollar on Tuesday, compared with N1,500 the previous day.
The development comes as the country’s external reserves rose to $45.23 billion on Monday, up from $45.22 billion.
AFCON ’25: Super Eagles beat Tanzania 2-1 in group C opener
Nigeria’s Super Eagles secured a 2-1 victory over Tanzania’s Taifa Stars in their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 Group C opener at the Complexe Sportif de Fes on Tuesday.
The match started at a lively pace, with Nigeria taking early control, though Tanzania threatened on several occasions.
The deadlock was broken in the 36th minute when defender Semi Ajayi rose highest to head Alex Iwobi’s lofted cross into the back of the net, giving Nigeria a 1-0 lead at halftime.
Tanzania responded quickly in the second half.
Just two minutes after the restart, midfielder Charles M’Mombwa capitalized on a loose ball to level the score at 1-1, putting Nigeria under pressure.
However, Nigeria regained the lead in the 55th minute when Ademola Lookman struck a clinical left-footed shot from outside the box to make it 2-1.
PDP crisis: INEC rejects Turaki-led NWC
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has said it will not recognise the Kabiru Turaki-led National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, citing existing court judgments and unresolved legal processes.
This was as contained in a letter dated December 22, 2025, signed by INEC Secretary, Dr Rose Oriaran-Anthony.
The Commission stated that it could not act on demands to acknowledge or upload on its website the list of national officers said to have been elected at the National Convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
According to INEC, its position was guided by subsisting court decisions and pending litigation relating to the leadership crisis within the PDP.
The electoral body further noted that it would be improper to recognise any factional officers while the matter remains before the courts.
I’m overqualified to become Nigeria’s president in 2027 — Seyi Makinde
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has said he possesses more than enough experience to serve as Nigeria’s president if called upon in 2027.
Makinde made the remarks during a media chat on Tuesday while responding to a question about his political future.
He clarified that his qualifications for the nation’s highest office are not in doubt, pointing to his record as governor of Oyo State.
The governor argued that executive experience at the state level has historically prepared leaders for the presidency, citing the pathway of the incumbent president, Bola Tinubu who previously served as governor of Lagos State.
Makinde also highlighted his professional background outside politics, stating that he successfully ran a private company from a young age, beginning at 29.
Awujale: Court rejects Wasiu Ayinde’s application to stop process
AN Ogun State High Court sitting in Ijebu-Ode has rejected an application filed by Fuji artiste Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1), seeking an order of interim injunction restraining Governor Dapo Abiodun, Fusengbuwa Ruling House and four others from taking further steps in the installation process of the next Awujale of Ijebuland.
Ayinde had in an ex parte motion filed in the High Court 2 of Ijebu Judicial Division in Suit No: HC3/238/2025, said the motion was brought pursuant to Order 38 Rules 4 and Order 39 Rule 1 of the High Court of Ogun State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2024, Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The matter came up on Monday before Hon. Justice A.A. Omoniyi of Court 3.
The applicant was represented by Wahab Shittu SAN.
Shittu informed the court that the application filed before it, dated 16th December, 2025, was supported by a paragraph affidavit and was brought under Order 38 Rule 3 and Order 39 Rule 1, as well as Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He prayed the court to grant the application and order an accelerated hearing of the originating summons. Shittu told the court that only the applicant can be heard since the application is a motion exparte.
Gombe gov sacks four aides over assault on ward councillor
Governor Inuwa Yahaya, has approved the immediate disengagement of Adamu Abdullahi Danko and three other aides following the investigation into the physical assault on Abdulrahman Sheriff, the councillor representing Shamaki Ward in Gombe Local Government Area.
The decision, conveyed by the Secretary to Government of Gombe State, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, followed the constitution of a special committee to probe the incident on Tuesday.
The findings of the committee, which were further corroborated by security agencies’ reports, informed the Governor’s action.
According to Njodi, the affected aides are: Adamu Abdullahi Danko (Senior Special Assistant II, Domestic), Garba Mohammed Mai Rago – Senior Special Assistant II, Political).
