Ahead the 2027 elections, Dr Datti Baba-Ahmed has urged old politicians in the country to step aside for young Nigerians to take over the affairs of the country.
According to Baba-Ahmed, the new generation of Nigerians have waited too long for old politicians to retire so that they can take over.
He spoke on Channels Television Morning Brief, barely 72 hours after he indicated interest to run for the Presidency under the LP.
The LP 2023 Vice Presidential candidate spoke after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar insisted that he will contest the next presidential election under the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Not a few Nigerians have urged the former number two citizens to step aside to give younger aspirants, including former LP Presidential candidate, Peter Obi a chance to carry the ADC flag in 2027.
Baba-Ahmed, the magazine recalls was the running mate to Obi in the 2023 presidential election.
He said Abubakar has been running for president as long as he can remember, even while he was serving in the “NYSC”, he should give new generation of politicians a chance to try their luck, the former senator said, adding that younger generation of politicians have the capacity to turn the situation around in the country.
He said: “When I was doing my NYSC, Baba Atiku was an aspirant, and in 2018, we contested the primaries together. In 2023, we contested again, with me as a vice-presidential candidate elsewhere, when his vice president had left him. And, for God’s sake, in 2027 again.
“There is a need for a new generation of Nigerian leaders, and they do exist. A whole new generation is waiting for a new leader to lead them to a new party.
“There are good Nigerians capable of solving Nigeria’s problems, but they are discouraged by an expensive, difficult and treacherous system filled with godfathers and broken promises.”
The Ondo State Government, has secured a ₦50 million support fund from the Global Environment Facility (GEF7 FOLUR-NG) to implement large-scale tree-planting across the state.
The project is aimed at mitigating the adverse effects of climate change, including erosion, flooding, and soil degradation.
The support follows a previous engagement held last month when the FAO GEF7 Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration Impact Programme (FOLUR-IP) team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Tob Loko, in Akure.
Speaking at the signing of the engagement, Dr. Loko reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating a safe, healthy and climate-resilient environment for humans, animals and plants.
He emphasized that the escalating impacts of climate change demand urgent, collective and sustained action from all stakeholders.
The Commissioner also highlighted the dangers associated with ozone layer depletion, describing it as an existential threat to life on Earth, with far-reaching consequences for humans, wildlife, aquatic ecosystems and vegetation.
He stressed the need to intensify public discourse on climate change to deepen citizens’ understanding and encourage active participation in environmental protection efforts.
Dr. Loko expressed appreciation to GEF7 for the support, noting that the initiative represents a proactive response to climate change challenges and aligns with global best practices in environmental sustainability.
Confirming the support, the National Coordinator of GEF7, Prof. Oladapo Akinyemi, stated that the passion, commitment and resilience demonstrated by the Commissioner in safeguarding the state’s environment inspired the decision to finalize the partnership.
He commended Dr. Loko for the achievements recorded since assuming office and encouraged him to sustain the momentum.
A Rock and a Hard Place: It was a hard decision. But it had to be made, and very quickly too. And on the 31st of December, 2025, Peter Obi decided to formally join Nigeria’s coalition political group, the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Let’s say he bit the bullet.
It’s symbolic he chose the last day of the year. It’s even more so that the venue had to be Enugu, the regional seat of the Igbo. And more remarkable, for the first time since Obi disrupted the political equation of Nigeria about five years ago, notable Igbo leaders are arrayed behind him.
At the Enugu declaration, there were five former governors of the Southeast in his corner; several serving senators and other respectable Igbo leaders and prominent figures like Chief Simeon Okeke, Prof. Pat Utomi and Osita Ogbu and Sen. Eyinnaya Abaribe, to name a few. There was also ADC chairman, David Mark and former governors Tambuwal and Osarienren of Sokoto and Edo respectively; among others.
In an arid political era, that was an assemblage of the cream of the crop of Igbo politics today.
The gathering speaks volumes; for once, there seems to be a meeting of minds of Igbo leaders and all facing one direction and pursuing one goal.
Mr Peter Obi: Joined ADC
It must have taken some doing to mesh together, this caucus! It’s even more salutary that they are queueing behind one of their own.
Igboland have never enjoyed this size of unity of purpose and this kind of ime-obi (elders conclave) camaraderie for a long time. It seems like a good omen for Peter Obi.
But the matter is not so straightforward. Recall that this column had in a recent edition urged Obi to shun the ADC.
The reasons were simple. Obi had been boxed between a rock and a hard place, so to speak.
While rampaging President Bola Tinubu and his APC had devised a scorch-earth strategy to capture and close the entire Nigeria political space on the one hand, the coalition ADC on its part, already has the imprimatur of Atiku Abubakar stamped on it. This makes the party impregnable to other aspirants.
Therefore, as at 31st December, Peter Obi actually had two choices: either to quit politics honourably or join the ADC where he has a slim chance of getting a presidential ticket; where he may be consigned to the role of a bit player.
Whatever choice Obi made, he would probably be condemned by history as THE BEST LEADER WHO NEVER LED! Nigeria’s own Alexander Hamilton of sorts.
Again, whatever choice he made, he would alienate the OBiDIENTS movement, his teeming ‘cult’ followers across the country.
PROMETHEUS BOUND AGAIN: It’s strongly believed that the best Obi would get in the ADC would be the running mate slot… behind Atiku Abubakar!
Die hard Obi supporters like Professor Pat Utomi and Aisha Yusufu have already vowed to disown Obi should he play second fiddle to any candidate. These are the signature supporters.
Millions of his followers and acolytes across the country would be stricken.
Obi for them is not only their president already, he represents, a certain Prometheus, the Greek god who beat all odds to light up the earth and liberate hapless earthlings. But the goodly god was met with a torrid fate. He was eternally bound to a rock to pine away but was eventually freed by Hercules.
Peter to his large followers, is a paradigm shift for Nigeria. He is believed to be the change Nigeria has awaited for 66 years. They were actually on the cusp of stealing the thunder from Nigeria’s old order in 2023 but the tide was turned against them at the nick of time. The old warhorses “glitched” the process at the last minute and practically had to force back the hand of the clock.
WILL ATIKU BUDGE:? Not likely. Not with a Philharmonic of marabouts chanting the majesty of Atiku’s position day and night. He’s already gone beyond the ADC primary. He’s probably at the stage of making a running mate deal with Obi.
Pundits believe only Atiku can wrench power from the sitting President, Tinubu. With the north much disillusioned with the present administration, they would easily vote en masse for their own. The idea of power returning to the north would also be a great advantage in this calculation.
While Peter Obi would of course, lose a chunk of OBiDIENTS, a good number would tarry if convinced that Atiku is the stepping stone to their objective which is ultimately: the making of a new Nigeria!
WHY WON’T ATIKU BACK OBI TO THE DIADEM? Simple: Atiku is not a democrat; he’s a powermonger who seeks to bear the title, ‘President’ at all cost. Otherwise, with a strong backing from Atiku and the entire coalition, Obi will easily win a historic pan-Nigerian mandate in 2027.
Apart from Obi’s magical nationwide appeal, power rotation also favours the southeast.
This is not to mention Obi’s vow to do only one term of four years so power would return to the north in 2031.
RULING APC IN PAINS: As the two major contenders in the 2023 polls come together, ruling APC has been reeling in severe pains. There’s no doubt that Obi and Atiku on one card would be almost impossible to beat.
Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga was first to make a painful yelp hours after Obi’s announcement. He sounded as if he was struck by a thunderbolt in his hurried, disjointed press release.
Few days ago, it was Festus Keyamo, Aviation Minister who gripped about Obi playing second fiddle as if that has become a criminal offence. As if Obi is the cause of the mire that’s aviation in Nigeria under Keyamo’s watch. APC is surely in a bad place right now!
AS OBI CHOOSES REALPOLITIK… Peter Obi will need a bit of hardshell to convince his adherents that joining ADC or even playing second to obdurate Atiku is the best option available.
He set the tone in his grand Enugu speech: “Let history record that Nigeria’s turning point begins here and now. Together, with courage, unity, and resolve, we can build a new, productive, and inclusive Nigeria.”
Finally, has Obi bitten the bullet or is he stooping to conquer? Time will tell.
LAST LINE: LEADERS CONTINUE THE REVEL… At a time of roiling poverty, Nigeria’s leaders, especially public officials, seem to develop a special fervour for obscene living. A viral post during the year-end season suggests that about a dozen governors were holidaying abroad. The President too seems to be more at home in Europe and Arabia than in Nigeria recently, (nigh every Nigerian wants to flee, actually.)
Meanwhile, Nigeria remains on tenterhooks. Hunger is still pervasive. Insecurity is not abating, jobs are not being created just as the flailing economy enjoys no reprieve.
Let our leaders quit politicking and junketing. Let’s sit up ###
To reduce burden of education on parents, the Federal Government has adopted reusable of high quality textbooks among siblings.
Also as part of the education reform being focused on public schools, a uniform academic calendar has been introduced to promote consistency in teaching, learning, and school planning across the country.
These are part of Federal Government comprehensive policy framework aimed at reducing the cost of education for parents, improving learning outcomes, and promoting sustainability in schools.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Boriowo Folasade, this is part of ongoing reforms to reposition the education sector and ease the financial burden on families.
The statement explained that the policy prioritises the use of standardised, durable textbooks designed to last between four and six years, while expressly prohibiting the bundling of disposable workbooks with textbooks in schools.
According to the statement, the initiative allows siblings to share textbooks, lowering recurring education costs for parents, and reducing waste within the school system, thereby supporting environmental sustainability.
It highlighted that the policy introduces limits on the number of approved textbooks per subject and grade level, in line with international best practices.
This measure is expected to improve quality, reduce market saturation, and simplify textbook selection processes for schools and education authorities.
A key provision of the framework is a structured and meaningful revision cycle, where textbook revisions must reflect substantive improvements in content rather than minor changes in layout or pagination, thereby extending the lifespan of approved textbooks and ensuring better value for money.
It added that under the new guidelines, only pupils and students completing Primary 6, Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3), and Senior Secondary School 3 (SSS3) are permitted to hold graduation ceremonies.
The statement emphasised that the policy strengthens the assessment, quality assurance, selection, and use of textbooks and instructional materials nationwide.
It pointed out that the reform responds to longstanding concerns over frequent but cosmetic textbook revisions, weak ranking standards, and practices that compel parents to purchase new textbooks annually without corresponding improvements in content or learning outcomes.
The statement further explained that the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) will continue to play a central role in the assessment and quality assurance of instructional materials, working closely with relevant education agencies to ensure that only high-quality, curriculum-aligned textbooks are approved for use in schools nationwide.
”The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirms the Government’s resolve to safeguard educational standards, promote equity, reduce costs for parents, and ensure that learners across Nigeria have access to high-quality instructional materials that support effective teaching and learning
Prof. Joash Amupitan, National Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has stated the Commission’s readiness to organize an election that is free from any form of interference, fair to all contestants and political parties; credible in the eyes of the global community and transparent in every process come 2027.
Amupitan made this remark at the Induction and Strategic Retreat held by the Commission for Honourable National Commissioners, Secretary to the Commission, Resident Electoral Commissioners, Administrative Secretaries and Directors of the Commission in Lagos.
The INEC Boss stated that the Retreat serves as a bridge between institutional experience and the innovative demands of a rapidly evolving landscape.
He added that it was a rare and vital opportunity to share knowledge, synchronize strategies and fortify the leadership echelon of the Commission as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Following complains of logistic and personnel issues during election that has been perennial challenges of ad-hoc Staff and transportation, the INEC Chair stated that this will become history as an Election Management Body will be constituted to address all this.
Amupitan further stated that the aim of the electoral body is to rewrite the history of elections in Nigeria.
“The 2027 General Election must be a free amd fair and be a watershed moment in Nigeria’s history. But we must even aim higher.
“I want us to build an institution that is globally recognized, let it be that under our watch, INEC became the best election management body in Africa- a beacon of integrity, a model of technologically efficiency and a fortress of democratic values”.
The Kogi born Chairman of the electoral umpire charged the Commission’s Staff that INEC can, indeed, conduct a world class, technologically driven and transparent election that is beyond reproach.
As regards the Welfare of INEC Staffs, Amupitan reiterated his administration’s commitment to make the environment conducive, with modern tools made available, stressing that any compromise on the Commission’s values or processes will have consequences.
He stressed that there will be no room for misconduct, whether by omission or Commission.
The All Progressive Congress, APC, has rejected claims suggesting that former Governor of Nasarawa state Senator Abdullahi Adamu has defected to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
It described as false and totally misleading reports on the social media space that claiming that Adamu, a former National Chairman of the APC, is now a member of the coalition platform ADC.
A statement Thursday evening January 8, 2025, issued by the Nasarawa State APC Organizing Secretary, Hassan Abubakar, also described the purported defection of Adamu as a deliberate propaganda designed to mislead the public and cause confusion within the party.
Abubakar, who is the State Coordinator of the APC’s e-membership registration exercise, informed that the images being circulated on the social media were taken during the former Governor’s e-membership and revalidation exercise, an ongoing programme aimed at strengthening the party’s database, and internal democracy.
The APC emphasized that Adamu remains a card-carrying and loyal member of the APC.
“For the avoidance of doubt , Senator Abdullahi Adamu at no time ,defected, contemplated defection, or associated himself with any other political party”, the APC noted.
The APC expressed serious surprise and shock over deliberate attempts by some political desperados to misrepresent a legitimate party activity as a defection.
The party, therefore, urged APC members and the general public to disregard the claims of the defection of Adamu,and rely only on verified APC sources for information.
The Source further reports that Senator Adamu in 2023 resigned his appointment as the APC National Chairman after an alleged disagreement with the presidency.
He was elected as the National Chairman at the party’s National Convention in 2022 ,but was forced to make way for Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje , immediately after the 2023 general elections owing to perceived irreconcilable differences with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
Designation of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara as ‘Madam’ in the impeachment notice served on him on Thursday may turn to be one of the technicalities which can stall the action.
The Rivers State House Assembly had addressed Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “Madam” in the notice of impeachment to the Governor.
The Assembly, on Thursday, initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara.
The Lawmakers launched the process after Major Jack, leader of the Assembly, read gross misconduct charges against Fubara, signed by 26 members of the House.
Martin Amaewhule, the speaker, said the notice of gross misconduct would be served on the governor within the next seven days, as required by law.
The Assembly later served Fubara with the notice of gross misconduct but addressed him as “Madam”.
The notice dated January 8, 2026, was signed by Amaewhule.
The Governor and his deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu were addressed as ‘Madam’ in the two letters by the Assembly.
The state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has advised the assembly against the action warning members not to be teleguided by outsiders.
Amaewhule has threatened to resign as Speaker if the present impeachment move fails.
Following the abduction of two medical doctors in Edo state within 48 hours, the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Edo State Branch, has announced its decision to withdraw medical services across the state, effective Saturday, January 10th, 2026.
The measure comes in response to the recent abduction of two medical doctors, which occurred on January 1st and 2nd, 2026.
Dr. Eustace Oseghale, Chairman of the NMA Edo State Branch, conveyed the association’s decision in a statement released to newsmen in Benin on Friday.
He stated that the withdrawal of services is a direct consequence of the abduction of their colleagues and a reflection of the heightened sense of vulnerability among medical practitioners in the state.
According to Oseghale, the NMA is calling for immediate intervention to secure the release of the abducted doctors and implement measures to prevent future incidents.
The statement reads, “This incident raises concerns about healthcare professionals’ safety in Edo State, threatening their lives and undermining healthcare delivery.
“We demand the immediate release of our abducted colleagues as well as enhanced security protocols for Edo State residents and regular engagement between NMA Edo and the Edo State Government on security concerns.”
The NMA leadership insisted on withdrawal of services state wide if their demands are not met, stressing that a safe working environment is crucial for healthcare providers.
“We’ll continue to withhold services until our demands are met and colleagues are safe.
“We urge a swift resolution and the safe return of our colleagues. Security operatives should take this seriously, as they’ll be held responsible for the consequences of our action.”Oseghale said.
Dr Maureen Chigbo, an award winning Veteran Journalist and Publisher of Realnews Magazine, has lost her sister, Princess Nwamaka Mediarrix Chigbo, a Barrister-at-Law, to kidnappers in Abuja.
In a statement dated January 8, 2026, signed on behalf of the family, Dr. Chigbo narrated the harrowing circumstances under which her sister was kidnapped on January 5, 2026, while she was on the phone with another of their sisters. She also narrated the frantic efforts made to secure her release by both family and the Police. They were fruitless.
The family was, finally, invited to send the photograph when the Police told them a critically injured Lady had been seen in the streets of Abuja and taken to a Specialist Hospital.
Dr. Chigbo said she immediately boarded a flight from Lagos to Abuja only to be confronted by her sister’s badly tortured and broken body in the mortuary.
Following, the family’s statement.
“THE family of Princess Nwamaka Mediatrix Chigbo, an Abuja-based lawyer, is saddened to announce her brutal death at the hands of still-to-be-identified kidnappers in the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory on Monday, 5th January 2026.
Before her abduction, Barrister Nwamaka was on the phone with her sister Anthonia, who briefly interrupted the call to attend to a client. When she reverted, the Barrister’s phone was still live, and Anthonia could hear her sister’s distress cry before the phone suddenly went dead and unreachable.
Anthonia alerted her elder sister, Maureen Chigbo, and other family members, who called the lawyer’s number repeatedly to reach her or her abductors to no avail.
When a call finally went through, a male voice rained curses in English and Hausa language, saying: ‘Thunder fire you there, send three million Naira or else we will kill her.’
“The captors gave no further details and abruptly terminated subsequent calls.
“Barrister Nwamaka’s family later tried to contact the Police Force Public Relations Officer and left a text message on her phone.
“They were referred to two police complaint numbers.
The family equally sent a distress text and WhatsApp message to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), and also contacted the FCT Police Commissioner, who immediately linked them up to the Commander of the Scorpion Squad, in charge of kidnapping in Abuja.
“The Commander later called to inform the family that the police were tracking the kidnappers, who were said to be ‘in motion and would likely drop the lawyer off once they might have collected the ransom.’
“The kidnappers never initiated any calls, and when Nwamaka’s family members reached them through her phone for clarification on how the ransom would be paid, they only heard the lawyer screaming in pain, ‘I am dying. …save me, please send the money, I am dying,’ before the phone finally went dead again.
“The family maintained contact with the Police Commander throughout Monday night to follow up on the rescue operation.
At 4 am on Tuesday, 6th January, when Maureen called the Commander, he expressed surprise that the lawyer had not called or returned home. He then promised to escalate the rescue operation.
“The Commander later called to inform the family that ‘a lady had been found in a critical condition’ and taken to an Abuja specialist hospital. He requested that Nwamaka’s picture be sent for identification purposes.
“Maureen immediately took a flight from Lagos to Abuja and on reaching the hospital, saw her sister’s lifeless body in the mortuary with bruises, swollen eyes and a cracked skull, all signs of a tortured death.
“The Chigbo family has met with the Police authorities, who assured them that the case was under investigation and that the culprits would be apprehended.
“Nwamaka was an active member and former treasurer of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja, member of the International Federation of Women Lawyers, IFWL,
FIDA and Global Association of Female Lawyers, GAFA. She was a former President of Catholic Lawyers Association, Abuja.
An ardent Catholic, Nwamaka authored a book on Infant Jesus, and until death was the Vice President of the Infant Jesus Association, member of the Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Group among other religious groups.
“The family expresses its gratitude to the Police for their efforts and cooperation so far, and urges the Force to ensure that justice is served in Nwamaka’s case.
“The family also wishes to thank Nwamaka’s friends, colleagues and well-wishers for their support and prayers. Her funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as possible.
Director General, (DG) of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig-General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, has accused some Corps Producing Institutions (CPIs) of mobilising Prospective Corps members with inconsistent academic records for personal or illegal gain.
Brig-General Nafiu in his keynote address at the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Pre-Mobilisation Workshop in Abuja, warned that the NYSC NDHQ will not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions on any CPI found to violate established standards.
“The NYSC mobilisation process is a complex ecosystem of interconnected actors and systems.
“As we start the 2026 Batch ‘A’ mobilisation at the very beginning of a new year, it is both timely and necessary to address these issues with honesty, clarity, and determination. I have identified a number of such issues.
“First are the challenges with CPIs, which hold a crucial role in the mobilisation value chain. As the primary source of mobilisation data and the producers of graduates for national service, they are essential to the credibility of the entire process.
“Unfortunately, several issues continue to weaken effective service delivery at this level. These include violations of established NYSC mobilisation guidelines, uploading unqualified graduates, inconsistent academic records, data discrepancies, intentional record manipulation for personal or illegal gain, and weak internal verification systems.
“Together, these practices undermine the integrity of the mobilisation process and cause unnecessary operational and reputational challenges for the Scheme.
“To reverse this trend, CPIs must strengthen their internal data validation processes before uploads. Heads of institutions need to exercise greater oversight over mobilisation activities within their domains, while Desk Officers must undergo ongoing training and retraining to stay updated with evolving standards and technologies.
“CPIs should be aware that the NYSC NDHQ will not hesitate to impose appropriate sanctions on any CPI found to violate established standards,” NYSC DG said.
While listing other challenges, the NYSC DG said: “Next is the Internal Operational Gaps within NYSC, which involves improving service delivery requiring not only external compliance but also internal reflection.
The NYSC must be willing to look inward to identify internal challenges include inconsistent application of mobilisation guidelines, weak cross-departmental coordination, delays in resolving and escalating issues, and unnecessary human interference in automated processes.
“Such gaps diminish institutional efficiency and gradually undermine public trust. Moving forward, the NYSC is fully dedicated to strictly following Standard Operating Procedures, strengthening collaboration across departments, area offices, and State Secretariats, improving monitoring and performance evaluation, and reinforcing discipline, professionalism, and ethical behaviour at all levels.
“Another important issue is Technology and Data Management Challenges. While the Scheme has made significant progress in digital mobilisation, notable challenges remain.
“These include poor data quality at the source, limited technical skills among some system operators, resistance to full automation, and inadequate feedback mechanisms.
“Technology should serve as an enabler of service delivery, not a source of frustration.
“To achieve this, we need to institutionalise ongoing capacity building on NYSC digital platforms, establish clear escalation channels for technical issues, conduct regular system audits and upgrades, and greatly minimize human intervention in automated processes,” he said.
Earlier, the Director Corps Mobilisation Department, Mrs. Rachel Idaewor, had explained that: “The NYSC Pre-Mobilization Workshop serves as a vital platform for fostering collaboration among the NYSC, CPIs, and other critical stakeholders.
“While we have made significant strides in enhancing our mobilization processes, it is clear that we need to focus on optimizing our service delivery across the mobilization value chain.
“This workshop’s theme, ‘Enhancing Service Delivery Across the NYSC Mobilisation Value Chain’, highlights our commitment to improving the processes that underpin our mobilisation strategy.
“We aim to explore innovative approaches that enhance service delivery and address the challenges that we currently face. Maintaining high standards in service delivery is not solely an operational challenge; it impacts the trust and confidence of all stakeholders involved,” Idaewor said.
