Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Monday evening, 29th December, 2025
Blackout as national grid collapses
The national grid collapsed on Monday after major power plants lost generation.
Checks by our correspondent confirmed that the grid went down around 3 pm, plunging many Nigerians into darkness.
Power generation had peaked at about 4,800 megawatts earlier on Monday before crashing to 139MW as of 3 pm, according to data obtained by our correspondent.The cause of the collapse could not be immediately confirmed.
However, it occurred at a time when the Nigerian Independent System Operator was making efforts to ramp up generation following recent gas constraints caused by pipeline vandalism.
As of the time of filing this report, all 22 power plants connected to the grid had lost generation.
2027: Wike denies Makinde’s claim on ‘holding down’ PDP for Tinubu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he promised President Bola Tinubu that he would “hold down” the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The denial comes amid tensions within the PDP, which escalated last week when Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, accused Wike of promising Tinubu that he would hold the opposition party down for him.
Speaking during an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday, Wike described Makinde’s allegation as a blatant lie and suggested that the Oyo State governor was “frustrated” and lacked the courage to openly declare his own presidential ambitions.
“Seyi Makinde has never called me Wike.
That is the first time I have heard him calling me Wike. It’s unfortunate.
Anthony Joshua hospitalised after road crash — Ogun police spokesperson
Former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, has been hospitalised after a road accident in the Makun area of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.
Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed this in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Monday.
Magazine Afrique Online earlier reported that the incident occurred shortly after 11 am on Monday.
Our reporter, who was at the scene, said the crash happened just before the Danco Filling Station in Makun, ahead of the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound axis.He stated that the Lexus Jeep carrying Joshua, with number plate KRD 850 HN, collided with a stationary truck.
The eyewitness revealed that Joshua sustained minor injuries, while two others died at the scene.
“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him.
A passenger sat beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed.
His security detail followed in the vehicle behind.
PDP faction accuses Wike of creating division, pursuing selfish politics
The Turaki-led Peoples Democratic Party National Working Committee has accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of deliberately causing division within the party to serve his personal political interests.
In a Monday statement, the PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, said Wike has consistently acted as a political agitator, creating conflicts to conceal self-serving motives.
The statement followed Wike’s recent media chat in Rivers State, where he suggested that PDP infighting was linked to gubernatorial and presidential ambitions.
The dispute stems from parallel claims to party leadership.
While PDP governors endorsed the Ibadan convention that elected Tanimu Turaki (SAN) and the NWC for a four-year term, Wike’s faction appointed a 13-member caretaker committee with a 60-day mandate ahead of the convention.
Both groups are now seeking recognition from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Peter Obi’s ally, Obaze, returns to active politics, joins ADC Former Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, has returned to active politics, officially joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He registered in his ward in Ogbaru Local Government Area, receiving membership card number 406.
Obaze previously served as SSG under Peter Obi and later contested for the governorship of Anambra State on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
After the 2018 election, he withdrew from active politics, focusing on consultancy work.
During the November 8, 2025 Anambra gubernatorial election, Obaze supported the ADC candidate, Mr. John Nwosu.
In a statement, Obaze said:
“Eight months ago, I disengaged from partisan politics and from my erstwhile political party on grounds of principles.
Today, I wish to announce that I’m now a proud card-carrying member of ADC.
We walk the talk. We must rethink and reunite Nigeria. Much work lies ahead.”
His political mentor, Peter Obi, has already indicated that he is part of the ADC alliance for the 2027 presidential election, signaling a consolidation of their political movement.
NAFDAC warns Nigerian men against fake Kiss condoms
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has warned Nigerians about the circulation and sale of counterfeit Kiss Condoms in several markets across the country, describing the development as a serious public health concern.
The agency said the alert followed information received from DKT International Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation involved in contraceptive social marketing and the promotion of family planning and HIV/AIDS prevention.
According to NAFDAC, reports indicate that fake Kiss Condoms have been found in major commercial centres, including Onitsha Market, Idumota Market, Trade Fair Market, as well as markets in Kano, Abuja, Uyo, Gombe, Enugu and other locations nationwide.
Obaseki narrates harrowing assault in Benin
Former Managing Director of African Independent Television (AIT), Dr. Pedro Obaseki, has narrated how he was allegedly assaulted, abducted and detained on Sunday, December 28, while playing football in Benin City, Edo State.
In a statement, Obaseki said the incident occurred between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. at Uwa Primary School, Igbesanmwan Street, when he was “suddenly attacked by a group of men,” some of whom he claimed were armed.
“They forcibly abducted and kidnapped me,” he said, adding that the attackers identified themselves and that the incident had been reported to law enforcement authorities.
Obaseki alleged that his assailants claimed they were acting on instructions from the Oba of Benin’s Palace.
According to him,
“they repeatedly stated that they had been sent by the Oba’s Palace to seize me.”Tinubu sympathises with Anthony Joshua after fatal road crash in Ogun
President Bola Tinubu has sympathized with world heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, following the fatal road accident in which the boxer was involved on Monday along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
The accident, which occurred on the busy highway, claimed the lives of two persons, while Joshua sustained injuries and is currently receiving medical attention.
In a statement reacting to the incident, President Tinubu conveyed his condolences to Joshua and the families of the victims, describing the development as a tragic loss.
“I extend my deep sympathies to you following the tragic accident on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, which claimed two precious lives and caused you injuries,” the President said.
He e added that the incident had cast a shadow over the season, noting the emotional burden it placed on the boxer and his family.
NNPC opens bid to sell stakes in oil, gas assets
The NNPC Limited has concluded plans to sell stakes in some of its oil and gas assets and has invited bids from interested parties.
The general secretary of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Jerry Amah, confirmed the development to Reuters.
According to Reuters, the company announced the call for bids through an invitation document, requesting prospective bidders to register online by January 10, 2026.
The agency, which noted that a pre-screening process will be conducted, and qualified companies will be granted access to a secure virtual data room, stated:
“Prequalification will be based on technical and financial capacity, followed by document evaluation, negotiations and regulatory approvals.”
The agency noted further that although NNPC owns some assets outright and others in partnership with international oil companies, including Shell, Chevron, and Eni, the document did not disclose how much it aims to raise.
Alleged Funds Diversion: Sujimoto CEO ‘thanks’ EFCC for ‘making him stronger’
Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction, has taken a sarcastic swipe at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) months after the anti-graft agency declared him wanted over alleged diversion of funds.In a statement posted on his verified X account on Monday, Ogundele the allegation strengthened his resolve and ambition as a businessman.
“EFCC, thank you,” Ogundele wrote.
“You made me stronger this year. You revealed the true GRIT in me. You compelled me to think above and beyond my imagination.”
