Compilations of top 10 key latest stories that you need to know this Monday morning, 26th January, 2026
2027 battle: Kano earthquake as Yusuf dumps opposition for APC
The Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress and Labour Party have strongly criticised the All Progressives Congress following the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the ruling party, insisting that the development will not alter the political reality ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the governor’s decision to join the APC on Monday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ini Ememobong, and his ADC counterpart, Bolaji Abdullahi, said in separate interviews with The PUNCH that the defection reflects moral failure rather than political strength, stressing that moves driven by self-interest would not translate into votes for the ruling party.
Also, the Interim National Chairman of the faction, Senator Nenadi Usman, warned against confusing elite defections with widespread popular support, emphasising that opposition parties will continue to play a significant role ahead of the upcoming elections..
DisCos reject FG’s free meter plan
Power distribution companies have expressed doubt over the directive by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that prepaid meters must be free for all categories of customers.
Operators, who spoke with our correspondent anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, said the minister made only a political statement without considering the input of other stakeholders, especially the installers and meter providers.
On Thursday, the Federal Government banned electricity distribution companies and installers from collecting any form of payment for meters, warning that DisCo officials and installers found extorting customers would be prosecuted.
Adelabu issued the warning during an on-site inspection of newly imported smart meters at APM Terminals, Apapa, Lagos.
Adelabu said the meters were procured under the World Bank–funded Distribution Sector Recovery Programme and must be installed for consumers free of charge, stressing that any demand for money would be treated as an offence.
NDLEA intercepts Brazilian lady with N3bn heroin at Abuja airport
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted a 30-year-old Brazilian woman, Ingrid Benevides, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, with 30.09 kilograms of heroin concealed in factory-sealed coffee packs valued at over N3bn.
The suspect, a private security officer in Brazil, was arrested on Friday, January 23, 2026, upon her arrival in Abuja aboard Qatar Airways flight QR1431, following intelligence-led surveillance.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, said a search of her two checked-in bags revealed 21 factory-sealed packs of Brazilian coffee, which, upon inspection, were found to contain white substances that later tested positive for heroin.
Babafemi said that during preliminary interrogation, Benevides claimed she brought the illicit drugs into Nigeria under the guise of visiting the country for holidays.
Minister faults slow pace of work on Zaria–Sheme road
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the Zaria–Sheme Road project after inspecting the construction from Sheme, Katsina State, on Sunday in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the project forms part of the dualisation of Zaria-Funtua-Sokoto road in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, a vast route executed by no fewer than four contractors across the states.
Goronyo explained that “Mothercat Nigeria Limited was handling phases one and two from Sheme to Zaria, while CBC covered about 105 kilometres to Talatan Mafara in Zamfara.”
He said Triacta was working from Talatan Mafara to Gusau in Zamfara, while Setraco handles the section from Gusau to Sheme.
At the Zaria–Sheme axis, the minister, however, praised Mothercat for delivering durable, high-quality work but described the project’s pace as unacceptable in spite of the corridor’s complexity.
He said that completion rose from seven per cent during his last visit in 2025 to 17 per cent currently, stressing that such progress fell short of the government’s expectations.
Goronyo said the inspection was conducted on President Bola Tinubu’s directive through the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, alongside Directors who assessed projects along the corridor.
2027: Tinubu enjoys majority support despite dissenting voices — Dogara
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu, insisting that minority voices continue to be heard despite political alignments and discussions over rotational presidency.
Speaking on Channels Sunday Politics in Abuja on Sunday, Dogara highlighted both the administration’s achievements and the need for inclusivity in national governance.
“The concern will always be that if you go for rotational presidency, then the thing you are compromising may be merit and competence.
“But that is not true, because there is hardly any area of human endeavour where you cannot find someone from the North who is competent or someone from the South who is competent.
So I think we can jettison that argument,” he said.
Dogara said the establishment of the Forum of Former Members of the Legislature, which he attended, was meant to harness the experience and training acquired by legislators during their service.
He noted that the forum included senators, House members, former state assembly members, and even councillors from all 774 local governments of Nigeria.“
The overriding purpose of establishing the forum is to harness all the skills members acquired while serving the nation and embedding themselves in the legislative process.
Police rescue three abducted victims in Gombe, recover AK-47 rifles
The Gombe State Police Command has rescued three abducted victims and recovered two AK-47 rifles following an attack by suspected bandits in Pindiga District of Akko Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement on Sunday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Buhari Abdullahi, said the incident occurred in Rahama, Lambo and Garin Galadima villages.
According to the statement, the attack began in the early hours of January 24, 2026.
“On 24/01/2026 at about 0200hrs, information received revealed that suspected bandits invaded Rahama Village via Gagarabami, where they shot and killed Tela Bello Ahmadu ‘M’ aged 70 years,” the police said.
The statement added that the attackers later abducted his two sons, Saleh Tela, 25, and Abdullahi Tela, 35.
Abdullahi said the same group later moved to Lambo Village at about 3:40 am, where three more residents were abducted.
“They abducted Babayo Garba ‘M’ aged 30 years, Malam Abba Musa ‘M’ aged 45 years, and Baayo Bayi ‘M’ aged 20 years,” he stated.
I don’t know why opposition politicians flock to APC — Nenadi Usman
The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Senator Nenadi Usman, has said she does not know the reasons opposition politicians are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that the trend does not spell the end of opposition influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Usman made the remarks during an interview on Politics on Sunday aired by TVC News, where she reacted to recent defections from opposition parties, including the Labour Party, to the APC.
She said the fact that most state governors now belong to the ruling party does not mean opposition parties would be irrelevant in the next general election.
She said the fact that most state governors now belong to the ruling party does not mean opposition parties would be irrelevant in the next general election.
Speaking on the gale of defections, Usman said she could not point to any specific reason behind the movement of politicians to the APC.
Sokoto senator dumps ADC, returns to PDP
A leading All Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition stalwart in Sokoto state, Sen. Abubakar Gada, has returned to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The former senator, who made the announcement at the end of a consultative meeting in Sokoto, said his decision was driven by the need to “reclaim and rebuild” the PDP in the state.
Gada, who represented Sokoto East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 under the PDP, joined the ADC in 2025.
“I have played a leading and instrumental role in the conception, promotion, and stabilisation of the ADC coalition movement in Sokoto state.
“I also invested considerable time, energy, and political capital in building what was envisioned as a credible political alternative driven by the collective aspirations of the people.“
I leverage modern communication tools and social media platforms to expand awareness and participation.
Former Police IG Okiro endorses Tinubu for second term
Former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, describing his administration as “courageous, reform-driven and unprecedented”.
Okiro spoke on Sunday with journalists in Ibadan, saying Tinubu assumed office amid daunting challenges and has continued addressing them through “carefully sequenced and gradual policy decisions”.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Okiro was in Ibadan to endorse Tinubu and inaugurate Grassroots Mobilisation for Tinubu to strengthen nationwide engagement.
He said Tinubu’s cross-sector policies were yielding results after “difficult but necessary choices”, expressing confidence that reforms would reposition Nigeria for growth before the first term ends.
Okiro cited Tinubu’s record as Lagos State governor, saying past achievements showed leadership capacity and offered insight into “what Nigerians should expect after eight years”.
Nigeria’s money supply grows to N124.4trn
Nigeria’s Money Supply (M²) grew by 1.2 percent month-on-month (MoM) to N124.4 trillion in December 2025, from N122.9 trillion the previous month.
This is contained in Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Money and Credit Statistics released over the weekend.
The data indicated that the money supply components also recorded increases during the period except Quasi-money.
Narrow money (M¹) grew by 4.05 percent to N42.14 trillion in December from N40.5 trillion in November.
Likewise, demand deposits rose by 3.08 percent MoM to N36.7 trillion in December from N35.6 trillion in November.
