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Kidnapped School Girls: Taraba Governor Postpones Defection To APC Indefinitely

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Agbu Kefas- Governor of Taraba State

By Adesina Soyooye

The Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has postponed, indefinitely, his much expected defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The much advertised defection was scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, 2025.

To herald the Governor’s defection, 16 members of the  House of Assembly, including the Speaker, had dumped the PDP and defected to the APC.

However, the Governor, on Tuesday evening, put off Indefinitely, his defection to APC.

In a televised speech, Governor Kefas said he put it off because of the abduction of 25 female students of the Government  Girls’ Comprehensive Secondary School in Naga, Danka-Wasagi, Local Government Area, Kebbi State.

In an emotional voice, Governor Kefas said this was no time to celebrate while the students  are in the  hands of terrorists. He said that as a leader and father, he couldn’t bring himself to take part in any celebrations  until the Girls are safely rescued from the hands of the terrorists who abducted then. He said he was in spirit with the parents, the Governor and the people of Kebbi State.

During the attack, the Vice Principal of the School was shot dead. He left behind nine children.

Two of the abducted students have, however, escaped from their abductors and found their way home.

President Bola Tinubu has given a marching order to security agencies to swiftly rescue the girls.

Osun 2026 Election: Mammoth Crowd As Aregbesola, ADC Storm  Federal Constituencies

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Osun ADC with Aregbesola

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Osun 2026 Governorship Election gathers momentum, thousands of supporters of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the State, led by former Governor Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, converged Tuesday at the ancient palace of the Orangun of Ila Orangun, Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji Oyedotun (Bibiire I), to announce their presence in Osun State and in the community.

The gathering marked the commencement of the Party’s Nine Federal Constituency-tour across the State.

Addressing the crowd in Yoruba, Aregbesola declared that the major pillars of governance in Nigeria had collapsed, stating that security, infrastructure, education and the economy had deteriorated severely.

He said, “When your people are hungry and suffering, and you fail to show compassion, you cannot claim to be an Omoluabi.

“Awolowo and our other founding fathers would not be happy seeing Nigeria in this condition.”

He added that the government had “failed in all the key elements of governance” and that Nigerians had rejected its leadership.

“For the past two years, nothing has worked. They have failed woefully in governance,” he said.

Aregbesola explained that the tour was aimed at reawakening public consciousness and mobilising support for the ADC.

“We are here to tell you about the party that will restore responsible leadership and good governance to our country.

“The policies of this administration have pushed thousands into poverty, hunger and hardship.”

He criticised the federal government’s priorities, noting that Nigeria has 37,000 kilometres of federal roads, more than 76 percent of which he said were not motorable.

“Instead of fixing these roads, the government is focusing on a coastal highway that will not address the nation’s economic realities,” he added.

Aregbesola maintained that the current government had performed poorly in security, the economy and education, which he described as the primary indicators of good governance.

“This is what our great party, the ADC, seeks to correct,” he said.

Reflecting on his administration in Osun, he highlighted programmes such as feeding over 50,000 children, empowering more than 60,000 youths and introducing pro-people, welfarist policies.

“This is what we intend to restore when you vote for us in 2026,” he said, urging supporters to spread the message of the ADC across communities in Ila Federal Constituency.

Aregbesola also encouraged residents of Osun to participate actively in the party’s registration exercise, which will be inaugurated tomorrow in Ilesa.

The tour marks another significant step in the ADC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2026 general elections.

It is scheduled to move to the Ayedaade, Irewole and Isokan Federal Constituency on Thursday, 20 November 2025.

PDP Wike Faction Expels Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Dauda Lawal, Bode George And More From Party

By
Akinwale Kasali
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PDP Wike Faction

By Akinwale Kasali

The Nyesom Wike-led faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has expelled three Governors –  Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and  Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State.

They were expelled alongside former Board of Trustees Chairman Adolphus Wabara, newly elected National President of the PDP, Senator Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, Deputy National Chairman (South) Taofeek Arapaja,  Chief Bode George and others.

The party accused them of disobeying Court orders and engaging in activities that undermined the party’s unity.

In the same meeting, the PDP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) also approved the dissolution of State Executive Councils in Bauchi, Oyo, Zamfara, Yobe, Lagos, Edo, and Ekiti States.

The NEC directed the National Working Committee to set up caretaker committees and conduct new congresses in these states.

The 103rd NEC meeting, held at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on 18 November 2025, addressed issues affecting party stability and discipline.

Party leaders said some members had attended an unauthorized convention in violation of existing court orders, which caused confusion and defections across several states.

The NEC further confirmed the appointment of Alhaji Mohammed Abdulrahman as Acting National Chairman and directed deputies in vacant National Working Committee positions to assume acting roles.

Party leaders also announced a reconciliation programme and a nationwide membership audit in preparation for the 2027 elections.

NEC decisions included disciplinary measures against members who defied party rules and a demand for Chief Ali Odefa to return salaries and allowances received after his previous expulsion.

Leaders stressed that the party will now strictly follow its constitution and Nigerian law to restore order and public confidence.

The meeting closed with calls for party members to remain committed, while leaders assured that these actions aim to rebuild trust, strengthen discipline, and unify the PDP ahead of the next electoral cycle.

44 Reps Members Write Tinubu, Demand Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Nnamdi Kanu
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

No fewer than 44 members of the House of Representatives have urged President Bola  Tinubu to halt the ongoing legal proceedings against the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and instead, explore political options to resolve the matter.

The Source reports that the Federal Government has, since 2021, been prosecuting Kanu on terrorism related charges after his rendition from Kenya.

The trial which is presently before Justice James Omotosho of an Abuja Federal High Court, had, before now,  passed through a couple of other Judges , including Justice Binta Nyako.

The Federal Lawmakers, in a letter addressed to the President,  appealed to him to invoke his constitutional powers and direct the discontinuation of  Kanu’s trial and his release.

According to the Legislators who cut across ethnic and party lines, the release of the IPOB leader will be a suiting balm of sort, as it will herald peace and stability in the restive South East region which has been the epicentre of agitations, violence and mass killings.

The House of Representatives members under the aegis of  Concerned Federal Lawmakers for National Unity,and who are  being coordinated by the member representing Ideato North Federal Constituency, Hon Ikenga Imo, noted that the continued trial and detention of Kanu have become a major stumbling block to peace-buiding efforts in the South East region.

In the two page letter, the forty-four concerned legislators insisted that the release of Kanu holds the key to the restoration of normalcy in the South East region which has suffered untold security challenges and violence since the arrest and trial of the IPOB began.

According to them, the release of Kanu Will open the door for a meaningful dialogue which will ultimately usher in lasting peace and stability.

The Lawmakers while pointing out some earlier court judgments both local and international that had favoured the release of Kanu, noted that their call for the freedom of the IPOB leader is in  tandem with popular thinking among many people in the country.

“Driven by the urgent need for national healing ,and noting the Federal Government’s negotiations with other agitating groups across the country, we respectively urge Mr President to direct the Attorney General to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu” the Federal Lawmakers stated.

Ortom Walked Out Of Wadata Plaza

By
The Source
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Samuel Ortom

By Gideon Njoku

A video circulating online has shown a helpless and defeated-looking former Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, being ordered, and walked out of Wadata Plaza, the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The incident happened  Tuesday afternoon as the new National Chairman of the Party, Kabiru Turaki was addressing   Journalists after the violent crisis that erupted at the  Party Headquarters.

The Clash was between the group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike and the main PDP which held its National Convention in Ibadan, Oyo State on Saturday.

Seen as Turaki was addressing Journalists on the happenings of the day, some people quickly pointed at him, and asked what he was doing there.

“This is not your PDP. Walk him out. Send him out.” He was quickly walked out of the venue.

Ortom has been a loyalists of Wike since 2023 when the Minister failed to clinch either the PDP Presidential ticket or the Vice Presidential ticket.

Along with the then Governors of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu,  Enugu, Ifeanyi Ugwuani, and Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, the five of them called themselves G5. And together, they abandoned the Presidential Candidate of their Party, Atiku Abubakar, and worked for the then Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, now President Bola Tinubu.

Of the five of them, however, except Makinde who is still Oyo State Governor, only Wike has been rewarded for the role they played in the sad fate of the PDP.

Makinde has, however, fallen out with Wike over  the 2027 Presidential Election. According to Makinde, the departure point was when Wike wanted a one-party system, meaning that the PDP, whose member they all are, should not field a candidate in 2027.

COAS Arrives Kebbi As Bandits Free 45 Captives After Negotiation In Katsina

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu

By Akinwale Kasali

Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu has arrived  Kebbi to galvanize troops of Operation Fasan Yanma to rescue the female students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School Maga, who were abducted from their hostel by terrorists in the uncivilized hours of Monday.

This is as

45 abduction victims have regained their freedom in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State after negotiations between the terror gang and State Government under the canopy of Operation Safe Corridor peace accord.

The release was led by a member representing Bakori in the Katsina State House of Assembly, Abdurrahman Ahmad Kandarawa.

Kandarawa championed efforts to secure the release of the captives held by bandits for an extended period.

A trending video shows one of the abductors revealing that the agreement was honoured due to commitments made by both sides.

Hon. Kandarawa, who facilitated the negotiations, cited similar scenario in international peace efforts, like the Gaza-Israel agreement.

“Even in other parts of the world, peace agreements are made to ensure coexistence,” he said. “There is nothing wrong in making peace to secure a lasting and peaceful future for our people.”

The victims – men, women and teenagers, were abducted from Guga in Doguwar Dorawa Fulani settlement camp and Gidan Danmayaki villages. They regained their freedom on Monday through a negotiation channel linked to a bandit leader identified as Isiya Kwashen Garwa.

According to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication and security analyst, the victims were freed around 2.00pm and received by Engr. Kandarawa.

They were then transferred to the Comprehensive Health Centre in Bakori for assessment of their physical condition after prolonged captivity.

Makama also claimed that the bandits emphasized that the measure followed fulfilled government and security agencies’ obligations, and urged the government to avoid actions that could escalate tensions.

Aircraft Brawl With Mr Jollof: VDM Apologises, Says He Acted Irresponsibly

By
Adesina Soyooye
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VeryDarkMan - VDM

By Adesina Soyooye

For the shocking physical fight he had on board a United Nigeria Airline flight on Monday with Comedian Freedom Atsepoyi, popular as Mr Jollof, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has apologized publicly.

The ugly incident  caused delays for the Asaba-Lagos passengers.

In a video posted on Instagram  Tuesday, VDM took “full responsibility” for the disruption of the flight.

The two of them were subsequently declined and handed over to the Airport Security.

He wrote:

“I would really like to apologise for what happened yesterday on the United Nigerian Airlines. What happened yesterday was not supposed to happen, and I will take full responsibility for it,” he said.

He expressed concern for passengers whose schedules were affected by the delay.

“A lot of people on that flight had important things to do, but because of that little irresponsibility from my end, their flight was delayed. Some people might have had medical emergencies, and some had business contracts to sign. I don’t know what that little delay would have cost them, and I really want to apologise.”

He, also, apology to everybo6 aboard the aircraft. “All the mothers, all the daddies, all the uncles, all the younger ones,  including the pilot and flight crew, I apologise.”

Otse agreed that the ugly incident was avoidable and presented him in a very poor light.

“Looking back at what happened yesterday, I really didn’t like that part. Even though some people saw everything as a cruise on social media, I acted irresponsibly.

“I cannot guarantee that it will not happen again. I can only guarantee that it will not happen on the plane, on the bus or in a public place that will stop people from going to their destination.

“But I am really, really sorry for yesterday.”

Not a few Nigerians expect that both VDM and Mr. Jollof, should be punished.

One Of Abducted Govt Girls’ College, Kebbi Escapes, Reunites With Family

By
Ayodele Oni
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Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School - Kebbi State

By Ayodele Oni

Hope has risen over early freedom for the 25 schoolgirls abducted from a boarding school in  Kebbi State as one of them reportedly escaped from captivity and returned home.

The school principal, Musa Magaji, confirmed on Tuesday that one of the girls has reunited with her family.

The abductions occurred when armed men stormed the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga, Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area, Kebbi state before dawn on Monday.

The attackers killed the vice principal of the school during the raid and fled with the students into nearby forests.

According to the school’s principal, one of the abducted girls managed to flee from the kidnappers and found her way home late on Monday — just hours after the mass abduction.

“Her return has offered a glimmer of hope to families anxiously awaiting news of their children,” he added.

Magaji also disclosed that another student, who was not among the 25 officially listed as abducted, managed to escape immediately after the invasion.

Security forces have since intensified search-and-rescue operations across the region, amid growing concern over the resurgence of school kidnappings that have plagued northwestern Nigeria in recent years.

The state government has also assured parents that the students will be rescued as soon as possible.

Commissioner Decries Poor Management Of Ondo School For The Deaf

By
Ayodele Oni
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Prof Igbekele Ajibefun

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has decried quality of foods being served students of the School for the Deaf, Akure, saying it did not match fund being released to the school by government.

The commissioner who paid an unscheduled visit to the Ondo State School for the Deaf, Akure, lamented the poor management of the institution by the education officer in charge of the school.

Ajibefun, who arrived at the school at 7:00 am, noted the absence of the  senior officers to monitor the activities of the children, despite the fact that they are students with special needs.

Moving around the facility, Prof. Ajibefun expressed his dissatisfaction with the commitment of the principal and other senior staff.

He warned the teachers in the public school system against dereliction of their duties, stating the Ministry would not tolerate any act of indiscipline.

“Teachers in the public schools should take the job they are employed for seriously. If they are not ready to do the job, they should leave it for those that will do the job.

“From now on, every person that is found wanting will be dealt with. We will not condone any lackadaisical attitude from any teacher in the state.”

The Commissioner promised that the Ministry would take monitoring exercises seriously, and any teacher caught in the process would face serious action that would serve as a deterrent to others.

Speaking on the policy of reuse of textbooks, the Commissioner added “we also found that despite meeting and giving strong warnings on the policy of reuse of textbooks, we still discovered that some teachers still make students write in their textbooks. We will met out punishment to such erring teachers caught.”

He emphasized that the government of Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa would not allow anything to be a burden to parents in the state.

As a deterrent, the Commissioner announced that a panel be set up for the principal and the senior officers of the school.

Plateau Enlists 1,400 Vigilantes, Local Hunters To Fight Insecurity

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Caleb Mutfwang - Plateau state Governor

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Plateau State authorities have recruited no fewer than 1,400 local security operatives in its renewed efforts at tackling the incessant attacks and killings in many parts of the State.

The Source reports that Plateau is one of the security- challenged states in the North Central region of Nigeria , with several hundreds killed ,and homes , and other properties worth several billions of Naira destroyed in the last few years  by suspected terrorist elements.

Only on Monday, November 17, 2025, the Federal Government which together with the Conventional security agencies appears to be overwhelmed by the precarious security situation in the region, dispatched a mediating team to see how a lasting peace could be brokered among the warring factions especially between the locals and Fulani herdsmen.

The 1,400 local security personnel which were drawn from the 17 local councils of the state are to complement the efforts of police, military and other security agencies in combating insecurity in the state.

The new security outfit is made up of local vigilante operatives and hunters, and they will be partnering other security agencies in the state to halt the orgy of violent attacks and killings currently bedeviling almost every part of Plateau State.

Operation Rainbow, the State’s special security outfit is presently coordinating the training of the 1,400 recruits with a view to adequately preparing them to form part of the state’s security framework.

The Coordinator of the “Operation Rainbow” Gakji Shippi, informed that the driving force behind the formation of the local security outfit is the urgent need to strengthen the state’s security network so that it can effectively respond to security challenges.

Shippi who spoke at the occasion of the commencement of the training programme for the recruits expressed the optimism that the local security operatives will strengthen the system.

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