Wike Dismisses Claims of Formal Agreement Between Rivers State and Tinubu
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations of a formal agreement between the people of Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu, stating during his thank-you visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Sunday that Rivers State never negotiated any agreement with Tinubu before supporting him during the 2023 election, and that the President only appealed for support and assured the people they would not regret the decision. Wike said President Tinubu has already demonstrated goodwill toward Rivers State by appointing someone from the oil-rich state as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, describing the decision as a clear sign of confidence and appreciation and stressing that the President has done all that is required for Rivers state.
Atiku Accuses Tinubu Government of Abandoning 1,600 Nigerian Students Abroad
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has claimed that the Federal Government abandoned students studying overseas under the Bilateral Education Agreement (BEA), alleging in a statement on Sunday that the BEA scheme was quietly obliterated during President Bola Tinubu’s administration without notice to parents or wards and without consideration for students already midway through their studies overseas, leaving about 1,600 young Nigerians stranded without support. Describing the program as a “diplomatic bridge now left broken,” Atiku explained that the BEA, launched in 1993 and revitalized in 1999, was designed to enable Nigerian students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate education through agreements with partner countries, with the decision leaving students abroad without stipends and unpaid allowances now running into thousands of dollars per student.
Fubara Appeals for Calm Amid Fresh Impeachment Proceedings
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appealed to residents of the state to remain calm amid the fresh impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the State House of Assembly, making the call on Sunday during a church service to mark the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day and assuring the congregation that the situation in the state would not spiral out of control. According to him, his decision to remain silent in the face of mounting political distractions was intentional and rooted in his faith in God, with the governor speaking briefly before inviting his deputy, Ngozi Odu, who had earlier read the first lesson at the service, to address worshippers.
Resident Doctors Suspend Planned Nationwide Strike After VP Intervention
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has suspended its planned nationwide strike earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, January 12, following the intervention of Vice President Kashim Shettima, bringing temporary relief to patients and public hospitals across the country after the association had earlier threatened to down tools over what it described as the Federal Government’s persistent failure to meet its demands. The resident doctors had cited several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of promotion and salary arrears, delay in the resumption and timely completion of the Collective Bargaining Agreement process, absence of a clear policy on skipping and entry level for chief executives, as well as the failure to fully implement previous agreements reached with the government. Confirming the development, the President of NARD, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, told Daily Trust that the decision to suspend the strike followed direct engagement by the vice president, with the strike suspension coming amid legal action by the Federal Government as the National Industrial Court sitting in Abuja had earlier restrained the association and two of its officials from embarking on any form of industrial action from January 12, 2026.
Army Debunks Reports of COAS Raising Alarm Over Pipeline Vandalism
The Nigerian Army has debunked reports which claimed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, raised concerns over pipeline vandalism, clarifying in a statement made available on Sunday by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, that General Shaibu, during his visit to 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt Barracks, did not raise any alarm in any quarter on alleged rising cases of pipeline vandalism. The Army statement added that the report by Sahara Reporters on the visit of the COAS is misleading and an attempt to misinform the public, warning that no attempt to blackmail the Army and the Chief of Army Staff would be entertained.
SERAP Sues INEC Over Alleged ₦55.9 Billion Election Funds Diversion
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has dragged the Independent National Electoral Commission to court over the alleged failure to account for ₦55.9 billion reportedly meant for the procurement of election materials for the 2019 general elections, with the allegations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation published on September 9, 2025. In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, SERAP is asking the court to compel the electoral body to explain the whereabouts of the funds, specifically seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to account for the missing or diverted ₦55.9bn meant to buy smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.” The organisation is also asking the court to compel the commission to make public the identities of all contractors allegedly paid from the funds.
Martinelli Fires Hat-Trick as Arsenal Thrash Portsmouth in FA Cup
Gabriel Martinelli scored a brilliant hat-trick as Arsenal recovered from an early setback to record a comfortable victory over Championship side Portsmouth at Fratton Park and secure qualification for the fourth round of the FA Cup, with the Gunners appearing on course for a similar upset when the hosts stunned them inside the opening minutes after Portsmouth struck just three minutes into the encounter through Colby Bishop. Arsenal, however, responded almost immediately, with the visitors drawing level just two minutes after conceding from a well-worked corner, with Christian Norgaard forcing the ball into the net via Portsmouth midfielder Andre Dozzell, before Martinelli took over to complete his treble and seal a convincing win for Mikel Arteta’s side that featured 10 changes from their usual starting line-up.
Brighton Sends Managerless Manchester United Out of FA Cup
Manchester United’s turbulent season took another painful turn on Sunday as the managerless Red Devils crashed out of the FA Cup following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, with goals from Brajan Gruda and former United striker Danny Welbeck sealing a deserved third-round victory for the Seagulls, while Benjamin Sesko’s late header proved only a consolation on a night filled with boos, frustration and growing uncertainty around the club. United’s misery was compounded in the closing moments when teenage winger Shea Lacey was sent off, summing up a chaotic evening for a side still reeling from Ruben Amorim’s shock sacking earlier in the week, with caretaker manager Darren Fletcher unable to arrest United’s alarming decline as the Red Devils once again looked disjointed and vulnerable.
Portable Arrested by Police After Complaint from Baby Mama Ashabi Simple
Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola Badmus, popularly known as Portable, has reportedly been arrested by the police following a complaint filed by his baby mama, Ashabi Simple, with the arrest coming after weeks of public disagreement between the two during which they accused each other of different issues on social media. A video that surfaced online showed the singer struggling as officers tried to take him into custody, with Portable seen shouting and pulling away while people around him attempted to calm him down.
Ned Nwoko Releases Private WhatsApp Messages in Response to Regina Daniels’ Allegations
Senator Ned Nwoko has released records and messages to respond to allegations made by his wife, Regina Daniels, with his team saying the evidence includes a WhatsApp message from October 17, medical and therapy records, and staff statements that reject claims of domestic abuse, calling them an attempt to shift attention from long-standing health and behavior concerns. The senator’s team said independent toxicology reports showed the presence and misuse of multiple substances, supporting concerns that were raised privately months before the issue became public, adding that Ned Nwoko had repeatedly encouraged professional help, including therapy and structured rehabilitation, long before the matter went public. The October message, they said, reflected frustration and a push for continued professional support, not violence, with the communication team adding that financial limits introduced by the senator were meant to prevent harmful behavior, not to punish.