Compilations of top 10 key latest updates that you need to know this Sunday afternoon, 11th January 2026
2027: PDP factions seek alliances for stranded aspirants
Blocs loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, within the Peoples Democratic Party have stepped up moves to secure alternative political platforms amid uncertainty over candidate nominations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources in the party told Sunday PUNCH that the blocs were weighing the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress as possible platforms for aspirants in the PDP.
The development follows growing concerns that the PDP may be unable to field candidates for the 2027 elections due to ongoing court cases over the legitimacy of the party’s two factions.
The fear was further heightened by the Independent National Electoral Commission’s rejection of the party’s Ekiti governorship candidate, Wole Oluyede, for the June 20, 2026 election.
Obi became anti-democratic after 2023 election —LP chieftain
The spokesperson for the Julius Abure’s bloc of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, speaks with IMOLEAYO OYEDEYI, on the defection of the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to the African Democratic Congress
You recently said the Labour Party regretted presenting Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in 2023 following his defection to the ADC.
Considering the nationwide visibility and electoral relevance he brought to the party, on what basis does the party now describe his candidature as a regret?
I am not sure I ever said we regretted fielding Obi in 2023, because at that time, we assumed he was the best candidate because he passed some of our qualification standards.
And he appeared to us as somebody that would understand the politics of social democracy, equal opportunity, and justice, because that was our main emphasis in choosing all our candidates.
Everything we campaigned for was according to that vision.
ADC woos opposition bigwigs with ‘secret’ committee
The leadership of the African Democratic Congress has set up a high-powered committee to engage political heavyweights in opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, Sunday PUNCH findings have revealed.
A highly credible party official, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence, said the committee was not limiting its engagements to any single party as the ADC was seeking to strengthen opposition collaboration before the next polls.
The development comes amid reports that top political figures from other parties, particularly the national leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, are being wooed by the ADC to join the party.
This follows a public statement by Kwankwaso last Saturday in Kano, where he expressed his willingness to align with any opposition coalition prepared to offer him either the presidential or vice-presidential ticket.
Kwankwaso made the remarks while addressing his supporters over rumours of the defection of the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, during which he outlined a number of conditions for any possible opposition alliance.
NDLEA arrests businessman, recovers tramadol pills hidden in mannequins
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have arrested a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Romans, and recovered large quantities of tramadol concealed inside mannequins he was transporting for his clothing business.
Romans was intercepted by NDLEA officers on patrol along Oron–Ibaka Road in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State on Friday, January 9, while travelling with full-body mannequins allegedly meant for onward movement to Cameroon.
In a statement on Sunday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said a search of the items revealed that the mannequins were stuffed with tramadol pills weighing a total of 5.3kg.
“In Akwa Ibom State, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Oron–Ibaka Road in Oron LGA on Friday, January 9, intercepted a 37-year-old businessman, Ani Onyebuchi Romans, while travelling with full-body mannequins for his clothing business in Cameroon.
A search of the mannequins revealed that they were stuffed with tramadol pills weighing 5.3 kilograms.
Why Buhari appointed me as minister in 2015 — Lai Mohammed
A former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said his appointment by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 was the result of years of trust, shared convictions, loyalty, and service, rather than a single moment.
Mohammed, who served as information minister for almost eight years during Buhari’s administration, disclosed this in his book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration.
The book, launched in Abuja on December 17, 2025, to coincide with what would have been Buhari’s 83rd birthday, chronicles his experiences as minister under the late President.
Recalling the period after Buhari’s inauguration on May 29, 2015, Mohammed said it took a while for the former President to name his cabinet.
However, because of the trust and confidence Buhari placed in him, Mohammed was personally appointed to the Ahmed Joda-led Transition Committee in April 2015, after the other members had already been named.
Fire guts Ogun Free Trade Zone, homes affected
A major fire outbreak occurred on Sunday at the Ogun State Guangdong Free Trade Zone in Igbesa.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement on the cause of the incident.
However, a resident of the area said the fire was triggered by a gas explosion from a foam-producing company in the industrial park
The source added that the inferno spread quickly, impacting nearby houses before emergency responders arrived.
How Funke Akindele grossed over N6bn at the Nigerian box office in 5 years
Nollywood actress, filmmaker and producer Funke Akindele has continued to cement her status as one of the most commercially successful figures in Nigeria’s film industry, recording an unprecedented run of box office successes over the past five years.
In the last five years the Ikorodu, Lagos State-born thespian has reportedly grossed over six billion naira at the box office.
In 2020 Omo Ghetto (636M), 2022 Battle on Buka Street (668M), 2023 A Tribe Called Judah (1.4B), 2024 Everybody Loves Jenifa (1.88B) and in 2025, Behind the Scenes (1.77B)
Industry box office figures show that Akindele’s commercial rise gathered momentum in 2020 with the release of Omo Ghetto: The Saga, which grossed over ₦636 million nationwide.
The Christmas Day release marked a turning point, positioning her as a dependable box office force and signalling a new era of high-grossing Nigerian cinema releases.
2027: Southern political corridor must remain united for Tinubu – Deputy Speaker, Kalu
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, PhD, LL.D, CFR has emphasized the need for unity in the Southern political corridor to ensure the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in 2027.
Speaking at the South East Stakeholders Meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu, Enugu State on Saturday, the Deputy Speaker stressed that the region must put aside divisive tendencies and work collectively to build a stronger, more cohesive alliance.
He cautioned that any attempt to fracture alliance would leave the South East with insufficient votes to swing power.
The Deputy Speaker also urged politicians in the region to invest their votes where they will yield returns, citing President Tinubu’s leadership and courage in implementing reforms.
He noted that the removal of the fuel subsidy and unification of the exchange rate had tested the nation’s resilience, but the fruits of those efforts are now becoming apparent.
SERAP sues INEC over ‘failure to account for missing N55.9bn election funds’Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) “over the failure to account for the missing or diverted N55.9 billion meant for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.”
The grave allegations are documented in the latest annual report published by the Auditor-General on 9 September 2025.
In the suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/38/2026 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP is seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to account for the missing or diverted ₦55.9 billion meant to buy smart card readers, ballot papers, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.
”SERAP is also seeking: “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose the names of all contractors paid the ₦55.9 billion for the procurement of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections, including the names of their directors and shareholders.”
Nollywood actress Regina Chukwu is seeking more support and love.
The Yoruba actress, via her Instagram page, said that though she is a strong person, once in a while, she needs someone to hug her and tell her everything is going to be okay.
“I am a strong person, but once in a while, I need someone to hug me and tell me ‘Everything is going to be okay’”.
Regina Chukwu says she is a strong person
