Compilations of top 10 key latest happenings that you might have missed this Wednesday evening, 31st December, 2025
Wike vows to reveal details of Tinubu-brokered agreement
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of reneging on an agreement brokered by President Bola Tinubu to resolve the political crisis in the state.
Wike made the allegation on Wednesday during a thank-you visit to the people of Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he said he would soon make public the details of the deal reached before the President.
The agreement followed a closed-door meeting convened by Tinubu at the State House in Abuja in June 2025, involving Wike and Fubara, as part of efforts to end the prolonged power struggle that plunged Rivers into a political crisis, leading to a state of emergency and the suspension of the governor and members of the State House of Assembly.
Although both leaders later pledged to work together for peace, neither disclosed the terms of the agreement.
Obi dumps Labour Party for ADC, rallies opposition for 2027
Former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress.
Obi, who is also a former Governor of Anambra state, urged Nigerians and opposition forces to unite under a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
Obi announced his defection at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu on Wednesday, where he delivered a New Year address, accusing the current political leadership of state capture, economic mismanagement and systematic erosion of democratic values.
This decision is guided solely by patriotism and national interest.
I now respectfully call on my political associates, the Obidient Movement and opposition leaders across the country to join this broad national coalition under the African Democratic Congress.
History will not forgive silence in moments of national peril,” he said.
Rivers lawmakers reject Fubara’s Christmas gift, Wike opposes automatic ticket
The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, rejected a N100,000 “Christmas gift” credited to the accounts of lawmakers on the orders of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited and unlawful.
In a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said public funds must follow due process, including legislative approval.
The statement, titled “Return of Unsolicited and Unapproved N100,000 Transferred to the Personal Accounts of Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Rivers State”, noted that the funds were immediately returned.
“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of N100,000 each.
The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the governor,” the statement read.
Vigilantes arrest suspected suicide bomber in Yobe
Operatives of the Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested a suspected suicide bomber allegedly planning attacks on troops, hunters and vigilantes in Yobe State.
Security sources told PUNCH Online on Wednesday that the suspect, identified simply as Ibrahim, was apprehended in Damaturu by a hunters’ group working in collaboration with troops of Operation Hadin Kai.
He was subsequently taken to Maiduguri, Borno State, for further interrogation.
A vigilante member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the suspect was taken to the JIBWIS Mosque in the Tashan Joni area of Maiduguri, where he reportedly pointed out a location where he claimed to have abandoned a bag containing an improvised explosive device after failing to gain access to his target.
However, security operatives were said to have been unable to locate the explosive at the spot indicated.
The source added that further questioning led the suspect to claim that another explosive device had been planted in a bag at the entrance of the Gamboru Market Mosque.
He also allegedly stated that his accomplice, identified as Adamu and now deceased, entered the mosque wearing an explosive vest, which was later detonated inside the mosque.
Police decorate newly promoted officers, harp on professionalism
The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Kankarofi, has decorated newly promoted officers of the command with the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police at the Command Headquarters, Lokoja, the state capital.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the command’s spokesman, CSP William Aya, stated that the decoration was conducted by the Commissioner of Police and members of the Command Management Team, alongside the families of the promoted officers, who were present to witness the event.
Addressing the officers, Kankarofi congratulated them on their well-deserved promotion, describing it as a recognition of their dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices during their years of service in their former ranks.
He commended their commitment to duty and their contributions to the operational successes recorded by the Command.
2027: IPAC tells Nigerians to reject vote‑buying, urges INEC neutrality
The Inter-Party Advisory Council has called on Nigerians to resist the temptation of vote-buying ahead of the 2027 General Election, while warning the Independent National Electoral Commission against partisanship and any action capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
IPAC National Chairman, Dr Yusuf Dantalle, made the call in a New Year message issued on Wednesday in Abuja, as political activities gradually intensify towards the 2027 polls.
Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the IPAC chair urged Nigerians to actively participate in these processes and to reject vote-buying, which it described as a threat to democratic development.
He said,
“IPAC urges Nigerians to exercise their civic responsibility by voting for candidates of their choice and to resist the temptation of vote-buying, which undermines democracy and mortgages the future of the nation.
Wike to reveal details of peace deal with Fubara
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he will soon reveal the details of the peace agreement reached between him and Gov.
Wike made the disclosure on Wednesday during a “thank-you visit” to Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that President Tinubu in June brokered a peace deal between Wike and Fubara to end the prolonged political crisis in the state
The minister accused Fubara of reneging on the agreement, saying the terms would soon be made public.
“Very soon, we will let people know what we agreed on before Mr President,” Wike said.
He cautioned the people of Tai against associating with individuals who fail to keep their promises in the name of politics, stressing that such people should not be trusted.
Six die, others missing in Lagos boat mishap
At least six passengers were confirmed dead and four rescued so far in a boat mishap along the Nigerdock axis of the Igbologun water channel in Lagos.
The incident which occured late Tuesday evening involved a Savvy Marine passenger boat at approximately 8:35 p.m, along the axis on that fateful day.
Meanwhile, rescue operations were ongoing at press time in search of other victims.
The Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) have confirmed the unfortunate incident in a joint statement signed by NIWA, Head, Public Affairs Unit, Wuraola Alake and Head Corporate Affairs Unit, LASWA, Omowunmi Yussuff.
According to the Waterways Authorities, the boat was en route from Ilashe Beach House at the time of the incident.
I won’t join APC - Bala Mohammed accuses FG of persecuting him with EFCC
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has accused the Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to persecute him and officials of his administration over his refusal to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor made the allegation on Wednesday at the Government House in Bauchi while receiving an ambassadorial award for safety from the Institute of Safety Professionals in Nigeria.
Mohammed, who chairs the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum, alleged that one of his commissioners was currently being detained by the EFCC, describing the action as politically motivated.
“As a governor, someone who is the head of the opposition, my commissioner has been kept and will not be released by the EFCC,” he said.
“Even when I have immunity as a governor, my name was stupendously mentioned in a motion in a court of law in Nigeria. Me, Bala Mohammed.”
Bamidele urges Nigerians to embrace new tax regime, says economy poised for full recovery
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), has appealed to Nigerians to embrace the new tax obligations scheduled to take effect from January 1, 2026, saying the reforms position the country for full economic recovery after years of fiscal challenges.
In a personally signed New Year statement issued on Wednesday, Bamidele urged citizens across all socio-economic groups to study and properly understand the Tax Reforms Act rather than rely on what he described as misinformation and superficial interpretations circulating in the public space.
According to him, the 2025 Tax Reforms Act is one of the most consequential reforms enacted by the 10th National Assembly and is aimed at ending multiple taxation, improving revenue generation and enhancing the quality of life of Nigerians, particularly those at the lower end of the economic ladder.
