The recap of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Wednesday evening, 7th January, 2026
2027: Obi’s ex-running mate, Baba-Ahmed, declares presidential ambition
The Labour Party’s Vice Presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Senator Datti Baba-Ahmed, on Wednesday formally declared his interest in contesting the presidency in 2027, amid ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s opposition space.
Baba-Ahmed, who was the running mate to former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, made the declaration at a rally held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
His announcement comes barely one week after Obi announced his departure from the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.
This move has triggered intense debate over the party’s future and the direction of the wider opposition ahead of the next general election.
Addressing party members and supporters, Baba-Ahmed said his aspiration was neither reactionary nor dependent on Obi’s political decisions, stressing that his presidential ambition predates the 2023 election
UPDATED: Gunmen attack national park service office in Oyo, kill four
Gunmen on Tuesday night invaded the National Park Service office in Oloka, Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, leaving four personnel feared dead, and one other in critical condition.
MThe PUNCH gathered that the attack occurred at about 9pm.
Preliminary reports revealed that at least five personnel of the National Park Service were affected during the assault.
An eyewitness in Orire Local Government Area who spoke on condition of anonymity told PUNCH’s correspondent that “five officers were attacked during the incident,” adding that “four were confirmed dead while the fifth person who sustained serious injuries is currently receiving treatment.”
No tax on bank balances, only transfers attract N50 — CITN
On economic matters, the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria debunked claims that Nigerians would be taxed on funds kept in their bank accounts.
The institute explained that only electronic transfers attract a ₦50 stamp duty charge, stressing that bank balances themselves are not subjected to any form of taxation.
The Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, Abuja District, Ben Enamudu, said, “
The narrative out there, which is the wrong narrative, is that the money in your bank account will be taxed.
There is no provision for that in our tax laws. Nobody taxes the money in your bank account.
Court grants Malami, others N500m bail
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, has granted ₦500 million bail each to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside his wife and son, in connection with alleged money laundering charges.
The court ordered the defendants to submit their travel documents to the court and provide two sureties in like sum, and the sureties must own landed property in Asokoro, Maitama, or Gwarinpa.
The Court added that they must obtain court approval before travelling outside the country.US introduces $15,000 visa bond for Nigerians, others
The United States has announced a $15,000 refundable visa bond for Nigerians and nationals of some other countries applying for B1/B2 visitor visas.
The policy, aimed at curbing visa overstays, will take effect later this month(January).
It requires selected applicants to post a bond based on individual risk assessments during the visa interview process.
There are twenty-four African countries out of the 38 listed nations.
FG dismisses claims Nigerian scholars abandoned in Morocco
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has dismissed reports alleging that Nigerian scholars studying in Morocco had been abandoned.
Authorities described the claims as misleading, insisting that scholarship obligations had been met within the approved budget framework, while efforts continue to resolve any outstanding issues.
The Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade, described the claims as “false, unfounded, and deliberately crafted to misinform the public.
FULL LIST: AFCON 2025 quarter-final fixtures, date, time, venue
The full schedule for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations quarter-finals, including match dates, kick-off times and venues has been released.
Seven out of eight nations have already qualified for this round of the continent’s greatest tournament
Teams qualified for AFCON 2025 quarter-finals (so far) are Senegal, Mali, Morocco, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire.
Two Gombe PDP lawmakers defect to APC
Two Peoples Democratic Party lawmakers in the Gombe State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressives Congress, further strengthening the ruling party’s dominance.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Gabriel Fushison and Mr Malon Nimrod-Yari were formally received into the APC by Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Fushison represents Kaltungo West Constituency, while Nimrod-Yari represents Shongom Constituency in the Gombe State House of Assembly.
They were led to the governor’s office on Wednesday by Speaker Abubakar Luggerewo, his deputy, Sadam Bello, and other principal officers
Explaining their decision, the lawmakers cited Yahaya’s “inclusive governance style, sterling leadership and impressive performance” across the state.
They said they were “never sidelined while in opposition, adding that their constituencies benefited from projects and dividends of democracy.
According to them, the governor’s fairness, accessibility and commitment to equitable development inspired their decision to join the APC.
OAUTHC resident doctors to join national strike over salary arrears
The leadership Association of Resident Doctors, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, has declared its readiness join the strike called by its national leadership to press home for better conditions of service.
A statement jointly signed by the Association President and Secretary, Dr Jesunbo Martins and Dr Toyyeb Oladipo, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, the ARD OAUTHC chapter said it decided to join the national strike starting on midnight of Monday, January 12, during its emergency general meeting.
The Association also drew the attention of the authorities to the plight of “eighty- three (83) resident doctors in OAUTHC, of whom forty (40) members are owed salary arrears ranging from ten (10) to fourteen (14) months, and another forty (40) members are still owed their March 2024 salary.
ARD OAUTHC said,
“This prolonged non- payment has subjected affected members to severe financial, psychological, and professional hardship.”
“This is not pride” – Kemity writes as she buys two new cars for herself and her students
Nollywood actress Ariyo Oluwakemisola Apesin, also known as Kemity, has splashed millions on two new cars.
The comic Yoruba actress, via her Instagram page, shared photos of the new whips, revealing that she bought one for herself and for her students.
Kemity said she asked God for progress, and He gave her peace and proof of it.
She noted how it isn’t by strength, nor by noise, but by grace.
The movie star expressed gratitude for the journey, lessons, and the people God placed in her life.
She said she prayed, worked, and God answered her prayers.
I asked God for progress, He gave me peace and proof.
Not by strength, not by noise, but by grace. I am grateful for the journey, the lessons, and the people God placed in my life.
I prayed, I worked, God answered.
Got my own car and also blessed my students with a small car.
This is not pride, this is gratitude.May God refill my hands endlessly”.
