The recap of top stories you might have missed this Sunday evening, 11th January, 2026
2027: Atiku’s visit to Dickson sparks defection speculation
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s condolence visit to Senator Seriake Dickson in Abuja has stirred political speculation amid claims of a possible realignment involving the Bayelsa West senator.
The visit, which took place over the weekend at Dickson’s Abuja residence, was officially to commiserate with the former Bayelsa State governor over the death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Atiku arrived with close associates and was received by Dickson, a serving senator and former governor.
Comments exchanged by both men during the visit have since attracted political attention.
Welcoming Atiku, Dickson thanked him for finding time to visit despite his busy schedule.
Katsina govt defends move to release 70 suspected bandits
The Katsina State Government has explained its decision to initiate the release of 70 persons suspected to be involved in banditry, saying the move was part of efforts to sustain an ongoing peace deal with armed groups operating in the state.
The Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Nasir Muazu, said the decision was taken to consolidate peace agreements reached between affected communities and repentant bandits across several local government areas of the state.
Muazu spoke in an interview following public reactions to a leaked government letter requesting judicial intervention to facilitate the release of the suspects.
Only Tinubu can sack me, Wike replies critics
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has replied to the people calling for his sack, saying, “it is within the right of President Bola Tinubu to do so if he so wishes.
Wike stated this on Sunday, during a “thank you” visit to his Local Government Area, Obio-Akpor, in Rivers, stressing that since 1999, the people had not disappointed him.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some politicians and other interest groups have been calling on Tinubu to sack Wike over the protracted political crisis in Rivers
According to him, there is no sentiment or emotion in politics; what matters is interest, the interest of the people.
Super Eagles win boosts Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy — FG
The Federal Government has described the Super Eagles’ victory over Algeria as a significant boost to Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and soft power outreach, saying the win has lifted national morale and strengthened the country’s image abroad.
In a press statement signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, on Sunday, the Ministry congratulated the Super Eagles on what it called an impressive and commendable achievement that reaffirmed Nigeria’s tradition of excellence in international sports.
The Ministry noted that sports, especially football, remain a vital pillar of Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and a key Presidential Ministerial Deliverable under the current foreign policy framework.
Security operatives neutralise scores of bandits in Kogi
Nigerian security operatives comprising the military and the Nigeria Police Force Airwing components, have neutralised scores of bandits in Kogi.
This was disclosed in a statement by the spokesperson of the Police Command in Kogi, Mr William Ovye-Aya, in Lokoja on Sunday.
He said that the operation, which was carried out during the weekend, was part of efforts to rid Kogi of criminal elements threatening the peace of the state.
“The ongoing onslaught against bandit operations in Kogi by the joint police and military has yielded fruitful results.
“Bandits were flushed out, their networks dislodged, and scores were neutralised.“
The operation, which is being carried out with vigour, commitment, and utmost professionalism, and supported by the Nigeria Police Force Airwing components through precision air strikes, led to these successes, ” he said.
KWAM1 writes Gov Dapo Abiodun over exclusion from Awujale selection
Popular Fuji musician and Olori Omooba of Ijebuland, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde, has written to the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, alleging moves to exclude him from the ongoing process to select the next Awujale of Ijebuland by the Fusengbuwa ruling house.
Ayinde alleged that the ruling house has been issuing directives that contravene the Chieftaincy Declaration and the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, with the intention of disenfranchising him and other interested members from contesting for the throne.
The allegations are contained in a letter dated January 8, 2026, and signed by his lawyer, Dr. Wahab Shittu, SAN.
The selection process for the new Awujale has reportedly attracted over 60 aspirants, including Ayinde, popularly known as KWAM 1.
However, the Fusengbuwa ruling family had earlier declared that the musician is not a member of the family and is therefore ineligible to participate.
2026 Budget: Works Ministry proposes over N1.9bn for office equipment, vehicles, generators, empowerment programs
The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed spending over N1.9 billion from its N3.2 trillion total 2026 budget on office equipment, vehicles, maintenance, and generator fueling, according to details of the 2026 Appropriation Bill uploaded on the Budget Office website.
The ministry also allocated N6.7 billion for personnel costs, with salaries accounting for N4.7 billion of the total.Office and Operational Expenses
The ministry plans to spend:N1.06 billion on office furniture and fittings
N682 million on motor vehicles
N36 million on plant and generator maintenance, with an additional N23.8 million for general maintenance activities
N200 million for fueling generatorsN112 million for general utilities
N20 million each for electricity and internet access, and N10 million for satellite broadcast access
Rivers Crisis: Relax, I have God, Fubara tells supporters
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents to remain calm amid ongoing impeachment proceedings against him and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, initiated by the State House of Assembly.
The governor made the appeal during a church service marking the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt.
Addressing congregants, Fubara urged calm in the face of threats by lawmakers, assuring residents that “everything would be fine.”
He explained that his decision to remain silent amid distractions is deliberate, drawing strength from his faith in God.
“I said something that dogs bark when they don’t understand. Now see, I think a lot of you don’t understand, and that’s the reason why I don’t shout, I don’t complain.
I know what I have. I know that I have what is supreme, and that is God,” the governor said.
Security that endangers lives is a failure of governance — Peter Obi
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has expressed concern over worsening traffic congestion on major highways, warning that poorly positioned security checkpoints are endangering lives and reflecting failures in governance.
In a statement on Sunday, Obi said his comments were informed by personal experiences travelling across several major roads during the recent festive season, where gridlock reached extreme levels and disrupted long-distance travel
“Some may dismiss certain areas of my commentary as trivial, but every detail has profound implications for our society; they significantly affect people’s daily lives,” Obi said.
He added, “At times, the gridlock was so extreme that travellers bound for distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys, wasting hours trying to escape the chaos.
A closer inspection reveals that the primary contributor to this congestion is the ill-placed security checkpoints.
Submissions open for 12th edition of AMVCA
Africa Magic has officially opened submissions for the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, inviting filmmakers and television content creators across the continent to showcase their work.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, the organisers announced the start of entries, encouraging creatives whose projects “lit up screens in 2025” to participate.
“It’s award season, and the spotlight is calling. If your film or TV project lit up screens in 2025, now is the time to take your place in the conversation.
Submissions for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards are officially open.“Entries open 11 January 2026 and close 31 January 2026.
Submit your work now at http://africamagic.tv/amvca and let your story shine on Africa’s biggest film and television stage,” the post read.
