Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Friday morning, 16th January, 2026
Alaafin kicks as Makinde installs Ladoja chairman of Obas council
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Thursday inaugurated the Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs after 15 years, with the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, emerging as its first chairman.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, was conspicuously absent from the inauguration, which was held at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, Secretariat, Ibadan.
At the inauguration, Governor Makinde explained that the chairmanship of the Oba council will be rotated among the Olubadan, Alaafin and the Soun of Ogbomoso.
According to him, it was an agreement reached at a meeting with the three first-class monarchs.
But in a swift statement on Thursday by his media aide, Bode Durojaye, the Alaafin countered the governor, saying there was no such meeting.
The statement read:
“The attention of the Alaafin’s palace has been drawn to a statement credited to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde that he consulted with the three traditional rulers in the state, the Alaafin, the Olubadan and the Soun of Ogbomoso on the rotational Chairmanship of the State Council of Obas and Chiefs.
Rivers crisis: Assembly shelves sitting amid rumoured plot against Speaker
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, failed to resume plenary on Thursday, exactly one week after adjourning its last sitting.
The development came amid rumours that some lawmakers were plotting to impeach Amaewhule during the scheduled sitting.
At its sitting last Thursday, the Assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct.
The House, under Amaewhule’s leadership, cited the demolition of the Assembly complex and spending without legislative approval, among other allegations, as grounds for the impeachment move.
The Clerk of the Assembly was consequently directed to serve an impeachment notice on the governor, giving him seven days to respond to the allegations.
The House thereafter adjourned sitting till Thursday, January 15, 2026
2027: Atiku’s son joins APC, backs Tinubu’s re-election
Abubakar, son of former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, pledging to work for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
The defection, announced on Thursday at the National Assembly, Abuja, is being viewed within political circles as a symbolic and strategic blow to Atiku’s presidential ambition and a major boost to the APC’s consolidation efforts, particularly in the North-East.
Popularly known as “Abba,” the younger Atiku was formally received by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, alongside key APC leaders from the North-East geopolitical zone, in what party leaders described as a significant political realignment.
Police arrest man over wife’s death in Kebbi
The Police Command in Kebbi State says it has arrested a 30-year-old man, Suleman Mamuda, for allegedly killing his wife, Umaima Maidawa, 25, in Bayawa Village, Augie Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Bashir Usman, said in a statement issued in Birnin Kebbi on Friday that the incident occurred on Monday at about 6:30 a.m.
Usman said the suspect allegedly used the wooden handle of a hoe to strike his wife, resulting in her death.
“The suspect fled the area after the incident but was later traced and arrested following police investigation and credible information received from members o“
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Umar Mohammed-Hadejia, has directed that the case to be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation Mother, daughter slam Davido for bullying over paternity claim
The mother and daughter at the centre of a long-running paternity dispute involving Afrobeats star David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, have responded publicly to his latest denial, accusing the singer of bullying, threats and spreading false information.
In posts shared on Instagram late Thursday, 12-year-old Anuoluwapo Mitchelle and her mother, Ayo Labinjoh, disputed Davido’s claim that he conducted five DNA tests proving he is not the girl’s father, insisting only one test was ever carried out and alleging it was fraudulent.
Reacting on her Instagram page, Anuoluwapo Mitchelle (@anuadeleke001) said she was “devastated” by Davido’s response to her earlier appeal for a DNA test.
“My dad Mr David Adeleke replied me earlier this evening.
I was devastated on the way he cursed me out bullied me and threatened to lock my mother up simply because I want to establish my identity,” she wrote.
ADC will learn lessons in Osun, Ekiti polls — Sowunmi
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has said the upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states will serve as the first real tests for the African Democratic Congress, arguing that electoral performance, not public rhetoric, determines political credibility.
Sowunmi made the assertion during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, amid growing discussions about opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dismissing suggestions that the ADC is emerging as a credible alternative for Nigerians, the PDP chieftain said upcoming electoral contests would expose the party’s actual strength
Pound to Naira exchange rate today, January 16, 2026
The Nigerian foreign exchange market continues to show dynamic movement today, January 16, 2026, as the British Pound Sterling (GBP) maintains its volatile position against the Nigerian Naira (NGN).
Traders and businesses are closely monitoring both the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) and the unofficial parallel market for the latest valuation.
As of the morning of January 16, the British Pound is trading at an average of 1,906.47 NGN in the official window.
The day opened with the Naira slightly stronger, but intra-day fluctuations have seen the rate move between a low of 1,902.63 NGN and a high of 1,907.59 NGN
Dele Momodu joins ADC in Edo, pledges collaboration to rescue Nigeria
A chieftain of the Labour Party, LP, and founder of Ovation magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, yesterday in Benin City, Edo State, officially defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC, where he pledged to work with like-minded Nigerians to rescue and reposition the country.
He said his decision to join the ADC was not driven by personal political ambition but by a desire to contribute to national renewal
He said:
“Today, I stand before my leaders as I humbly reintegrate myself into the democratic process of my state.
“Many people have asked whether I intend to contest for governor or senator, but I tell them clearly that my interest is to promote the welfare and aspirations of our people.
“My decision to pick up the party card today is only the beginning of a journey.
My mission is to join hands with citizens of like minds to rescue, recover and reset Nigeria.2026 budget:
Ministry votes over N500m for make-up artists, hairdressers, grinding machines
The Federal Ministry of Works has proposed to spend over N500 million on training of hairdressers, makeup artists, supply of grinding machines, motorcycles, mini-vans and anti-drug abuse sensitization/advocacy in selected states of the federation in 2026.
Details of the proposed expenditure are contained in the 2026 Appropriation Bill uploaded on the Budget Office website accessed yesterday.
Vanguard observed that the items and services were distributed across select locations within the country’s geographical zones.
He thought he picked up a prostītute from Ibadan” – Anu Adeleke’s mother breaks silence in emotional post as she shares DM with Davido over daughter’s paternity
The mother of Anu Adeleke, the alleged teenage daughter of music star Davido, Ayo Labinjoh, has broken her silence on their paternity drama
Anu, in an Instagram post, requested a DNA test to establish her identity. She shared her struggles with bullying and mental anguish, saying classmates mocked her claims of being Davido’s daughter.
Responding to her, Davido denied paternity, saying he had already undergone five DNA tests, all of which were negative, and challenged Anu’s claims.
The singer expressed frustration and disappointment, saying he’d chosen three hospitals for the tests, while Anu’s team chose two, both of which returned the same negative result.
Davido threatened to take action against Anu’s mother, saying she needs to be held accountable.
Speaking out, Anu’s mum spoke about how protective she is of her daughter’s mental health after the level of bullying she went through for years.
She noted how the singer had largely ignored her for years because he thought he picked up a prostitute from the GQ club in Ibadan
