Compilations of top 10 key happenings that you need to know this Sunday evening, 21st December,2025
Yuletide: Fare hikes legal, but exploitation won’t be tolerated — FCCPC
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has clarified that increases in transport fares during the yuletide period are not unlawful in themselves, warning, however, that exploitative or unfair practices by road transport operators will attract regulatory sanctions.
The clarification was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu.
FCCPC noted that the warning comes amid complaints over arbitrary fare hikes by inter-city road transport operators across the country.
It acknowledged that “Seasonal demand, operational pressures, and other legitimate cost factors may affect transport pricing.
Petrol station workers demand health insurance from IPMAN
The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has been urged to extend health insurance coverage to petrol station workers, including pump attendants, cleaners, security personnel, managers, and other staff working in the downstream petroleum sector.
The call followed the recent launch of a health insurance scheme by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited for workers in its retail outlets across the country, a move described as timely and commendable by labour advocates.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna, the Convener of the Concerned Petrol Station Workers, Ibrahim Zango, said IPMAN should emulate NNPCL’s initiative to ensure the welfare and well-being of workers employed by independent marketers.
Zango said the NNPCL programme had set a standard that should be replicated across the downstream petroleum sector, stressing that workers’ health should be treated as a priority rather than an afterthought.
2027: PDP will give Otti ticket if he defects, says Wabara
The Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has expressed optimism that Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, may consider defecting to the PDP ahead of his second-term bid.
Wabara said the party would not hesitate to present Otti as its governorship candidate in 2027 should he decide to join the PDP, describing the governor as a major asset to any political party.
The former Senate President spoke on Sunday in Umuahia while fielding questions from journalists, shortly after the launch of the Abia 25-Year Development Plan by the state government.
“If he makes up his mind to join the Big Umbrella, the party will not hesitate to give him the governorship ticket in 2027,” Wabara said.
Adding that Otti’s performance in office has made him attractive to several political parties.
Insecurity challenge not accidental, a ploy to destroy Nigeria, says Pa Ayo Opadokun
Former Secretary General of the pan-Yoruba organisation, the Afenifere and NADECO chieftain, Pa Ayo Opadokun, has said that the current spate of insecurity in some parts of the country is not accidental,but a ploy to destroy Nigeria.
Pa Opadokun,speaking on the sideline of his installation as the grand patron of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Offa local government, Kwara state branch on Sunday, harped that bandits and insurgents are being sponsored by a variety of people.
According to him:
”Some Nigerians, including agents who want to destabilize Nigeria, and those who don’t want this government, had taken far reaching decisions over and ahead of Nigeria, long time ago.”
The elder statesman, who described the prevalent security situation in the country as disturbing, said that,
”Nigeria government had been warned that a situation where non-state actors were using weapon more sophisticated than the nation’s conventional army was too dangerous to fester,but they never listened”, he said.
Akpabio heads to Supreme Court over Akpoti-Uduaghan suspension saga
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has taken his fight over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn a ruling by the Court of Appeal that struck out the Federal Government’s brief of argument in the appeal.
It was gathered in Abuja yesterday that the Senate President’s legal team is seeking the Supreme Court’s intervention in what it considered a defective decision by the appellate court against the Senate President.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal had ruled that Akpabio’s brief was fundamentally defective and incompetent, citing failure to comply with mandatory provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules.
The appellate court equally faulted the brief for multiple procedural violations, including unauthorized font size and line spacing, exceeding the 35-page limit, and failure to seek leave to regularise the defects.
Akpabio’s move to the Supreme Court was a sequel to the ruling of the Appeal Court that the infractions were not minor technical lapses but substantive breaches that went to the competence of the appeal.
Ministers, Senators in Oyo as Alaafin confers chieftaincy title on Seyi Tinubu
The ancient town of Oyo was a hive of activity on Sunday as the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, conferred the chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu.
Dignitaries from across the country converged on the historic town for the ceremony, with guests arriving early ahead of the traditional ceremony.
Seyi Tinubu and his wife arrived at the venue amid tight security and a cheering crowd.
The title, Okanlomo of Yorubaland — loosely translated as “the beloved child” or “one dear to the hearts of all Yoruba people” — is said to symbolise the role of a custodian of Yoruba values, unity and cultural heritage.
The ceremony attracted a large gathering of political leaders, traditional rulers and top government officials.
Among those in attendance were the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu
2027: Obi slams Reps for failing to criminalise vote-buying
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has criticised the House of Representatives for failing to criminalise vote-buying at the level of party primaries, describing the decision as a setback for Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the former Anambra State governor said many Nigerians had hoped lawmakers would take a firm and decisive stand against what he described as the “cancer of vote-buying” that has continued to undermine the country’s democratic process.
Obi said the refusal by the House to criminalise vote-buying at party primaries amounted to protecting a broken political system rather than safeguarding Nigeria’s future.
Amaechi posters surface across Kaduna, Stir 2027 presidential talks
Residents of Kaduna were at the weekend greeted by a sudden surge of political posters bearing the image of former Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, a development that has sparked renewed speculation about early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The colourful A2-sized posters, which appeared overnight across several parts of the Kaduna metropolis, portrayed Amaechi as a leading opposition figure, with bold inscriptions such as “the only person to be trusted” and “the only man for the job.”
The messages also highlighted themes of unity, equality, stability and development.
The posters were prominently displayed along major routes, including Ahmadu Bello Way, Ali Akilu Way, areas around the Kaduna State Government House, and the busy Kawo Bridge axis leading towards Zaria.
Their appearance drew considerable public attention, with motorists and pedestrians slowing down to observe the displays, particularly around Kawo Bridge, where vehicular movement was briefly affected in the early hours of the day.
Amaechi, who holds the traditional title of Dan Amanan Kasar Hausa of Daura, has enjoyed a long political career.
He served as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly from 1999 to 2007, Governor of Rivers State from 2007 to 2015, and Minister of Transportation from 2015 to 2023.
Political observers in Kaduna interpret the poster campaign as a possible attempt by Amaechi’s supporters to test the political climate in the North, widely regarded as a decisive voting bloc in any presidential election.
Tinubu lauds DSS DG Ajayi on IPI press freedom award
PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has congratulated Mr Oluwatosin Ajayi, Director-General of the Department of State Services DSS, on his recognition as a champion of press freedom by the Nigerian National Committee of the International Press Institute (IPI)Mr Ajayi was honoured with a commendation award at the Annual Conference of the respected journalism organisation on December 2, 2025, in Abuja.
According to the IPI, “Since he was appointed Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) in late August 2024, Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi has demonstrated an unmistakable commitment to press freedom and respect for journalists and media organisations.”
“We do so not only to acknowledge his commendable press freedom credentials but also to encourage him to do even more and to inspire other officials, institutions, and organisations to emulate his example,” the organisation said.
“I was blindfolded for 58 days” – Pastor Chris Okafor
Popular Nigerian clergyman, Pastor Chris Okafor, has made a shocking and dramatic revelation, recounting a harrowing experience that truly tested his faith and showcased his unwavering trust in God.
During his sermon, the pastor explained why nothing can move him in the midst of chaos, emphasizing the power of divine protection in his life.In his words, he said:
“For 58 days, I was blindfolded.
The only covering upon me was a boxer, and my hands and legs were chained.
But God said, ‘I will give my angels charge over you.’If God can protect me, if He can kill me, poison cannot kill me. Do you think a human being can harm me?”
The pastor’s testimony comes amid heightened public attention on Doris Ogala’s arrest following allegations she leveled against him over marital betrayal, which has sparked widespread debates across social media.
