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Tinubu’s Anti-Corruption War Has Derailed Into Political Witch-Hunt – Atiku Blows Hot

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has warned that Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign is veering dangerously off track and evolving into an outright political witch-hunt.

Atiku warned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and other anti-graft bodies to purge themselves of partisan contamination before they permanently lose the trust of Nigerians.

He was reacting to the arrest and detention of a former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

In a statement signed by his media team, titled: “Anti-Corruption Fight Has Derailed Into a Full-Blown Political Witch-Hunt,”

Atiku said the anti-graft agency is “straying far from the noble principles upon which it was created. Instead of upholding justice,” he said, “the agency is now weaponising its powers to serve narrow political agendas.”

According to him, “The politicisation of corruption investigations has rendered the EFCC’s credibility suspect and rubbished the very ideals that inspired its establishment.

“We expected the EFCC to voice its objection to the appointment of former governors with unresolved corruption allegations. But partisan loyalty prevailed over integrity.

“The EFCC, now operating like a political rottweiler, is deployed to intimidate and coerce politicians into joining the APC. And once they bow to pressure, their corruption cases mysteriously vanish.”

The former Vice President said the selective pursuit of Malami by the EFCC was “shameless.”

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Nigeria Immigration Announces Temporary Disruption On Passport Platform

The Nigeria Immigration Service has announced that its Passport Digital Platform will undergo routine maintenance, leading to temporary service interruptions for users.

Immigration spokesman Akinsola Akinlabi made this announcement in a statement on Friday, noting that the maintenance window will run from 12:00 a.m. on December 12:to 6:00 a.m. on December 14 2025 (GMT).

“The Nigeria Immigration Service wishes to inform the general public that it is carrying out routine maintenance on its Passport Digital Platform to enhance system performance and overall user experience.

“During this period, users will experience temporary service interruptions, slow response times, or limited access to selected NIS Passport Services,” the statement said.

While calling for patience, the Service stressed that the exercise is essential to maintaining a secure and efficient digital passport ecosystem.

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TIN: Nigerians Must Have Tax ID For Operating Bank Account – FG Declares

The federal government has announced that, starting January 1, 2026, all taxable Nigerians will be required to have a Tax Identification Number (TIN) or Taxpayer Identification Number to operate bank accounts in the country, as part of new tax reforms.

The chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms in Nigeria, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this in an interview he posted on his X account on Thursday.

He explained that Section 4 of the Nigerian Tax Administration Act, to be implemented on January 1, 2026, makes it mandatory for taxable persons to have a tax ID.

He, however, said that students and dependents are exempt from having a tax ID for an operating bank account.

Oyedele stressed that the policy has been in place since the Finance Act of 2020, but the NTAA provides a legal framework for its implementation.

He added that income earners, including businesses with existing TINs, do not need a new tax ID.

“Yes, but with some exemptions. A section of the NTAA requires a taxable person to register and obtain a tax ID.

“A taxable person is anyone who earns income through trade, business, or any economic activity. So banks must request a tax ID from taxable persons. This means that individuals who do not earn an income, such as students and dependents, do not need to obtain a tax ID.

“Any taxable entity without a tax ID may have difficulty running their bank account in the near future,” he said in the interview.

This comes amid fears from Nigerians that their bank accounts without a tax ID may be restricted.

Recall that in June 2025 President Bola Ahmed signed into law new tax laws to be implemented in January 2026.

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Christians Must Not Be Subjected To Sharia Law — Sultan Of Sokoto Says

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has reaffirmed that Christians should not be subjected to Sharia law or any court processes intended exclusively for Muslims.

He stated this on Wednesday at the opening of the 2025 triennial meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, NIREC, in Abuja.

The event, themed “Collaboration of Inter-Religious Council with Government to Promote Peace in Nigeria,” brought together key religious and political leaders.

Abubakar said Sharia is strictly for Muslims and should not be imposed on non-Muslims in any form, including dress or religious practice.

He emphasised that Nigeria operates a multi-religious country where government supports the growth of both major religions without adopting any as a state religion.

Responding to recent calls for the abolition of Sharia, the Sultan said Nigerians are free to practice their faith without interference and urged leaders to avoid actions that could inflame religious tension.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, also addressed the gathering, urging stronger collaboration between NIREC and the Federal Government to counter insecurity and rising extremism.

He warned that extremists continue to exploit religious divisions to undermine national unity.

Tajudeen commended NIREC’s efforts in promoting harmony and said the House is ready to support practical recommendations that emerge from the meeting.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, highlighted the impact of internal security challenges and declining public trust.

He said Nigeria also faces misrepresentation abroad, often driven by distorted narratives about its security situation.

Akume assured that government would continue to prioritise citizens’ safety, urging religious and traditional leaders to work together to strengthen peace efforts.

CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described insecurity as a major threat to Nigeria’s coexistence, calling for deeper cooperation between government and faith-based organisations.

He said religious institutions have the reach and credibility needed to support peace building across communities.

NIREC Executive Secretary, Rev. Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua, stressed the need for coordinated action against terrorism and banditry, saying every Nigerian life must be protected.

He called for national unity, behavioural change, and renewed commitment to shared values.

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I Will Keep Dancing, It Doesn’t Affect My Work – Governor Adeleke Vows

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said he will not stop dancing, emphasizing that it has no impact on his ability to perform his duties.

Governor Adeleke made this statement on Wednesday when he appeared as a guest in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television.

Recall that Adeleke is popular known for his dancing when he was a Senator, hence, the name ‘dancing senator’.

“Let me tell you something. I will keep dancing because I love to dance, I love to praise my God. That doesn’t change anything. You understand what I’m saying?

“Everybody has their way of relaxing or hobby. My hobby is to dance and praise my God. That does not affect my work,” he said.

Recall that the governor on Tuesday evening joined the Accord Party after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, ahead of the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election.

The Accord Party on Wednesday handed him the party ticket during its primaries in Osogbo.

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NNPCL, Other Nigerian Filling Stations Reduce Fuel Price

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other filling stations have announced a further reduction in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS).

According to Daily Post, it was observed that NNPCL retail outlets in parts of Abuja have adjusted their fuel price to N915 per liter, down from N920.

This means that the petrol price was reduced by N5 per liter when compared to N920 per liter.

It was also observed that MRS and BOVAS retail outlets in Abuja dropped fuel prices to N910 per liter from as high as N945 per liter.

Daily Post reports that other filling stations such as AYM Shafa, NIPCO, Optima, Mobil, Ranoil, and Empire dispense petrol between N920 and N937 per liter in Abuja.

The development comes as the ex-depot price of petrol at Dangote Refinery stood at N824.50 per liter, Eterna (N823), Aiteo (823), and BOVAS (N822).

This is not the first fuel price reduction by NNPCL and other Nigerian filling stations in recent days.

Recall NNPCL has adjusted its petrol pump price twice in the last two weeks by N30, down from N945 per liter.

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Newly Elected AGN President Abubakar Yakubu Detained After Being Involved in Horrific Car Crash

Abubakar Yakubu, the newly elected President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has reportedly been involved in a fatal car accident in Surulere, Lagos.

Earlier, 626Blaze reported that Yakubu narrowly defeated Rita Daniels, mother of Regina Daniels, by 116 votes to 113, with three votes declared invalid.

According to preliminary information, the incident resulted in the death of an individual.

Sahara Reporters reports that Yakubu has been taken into police custody at the Barracks Police Station in the Surulere area of Lagos, as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the accident continue.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement detailing the cause of the crash or the outcome of ongoing inquiries.

More to come…

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The Military Troops Protecting Seyi Tinubu Are Enough To Stop Insurrection – Soyinka Blows Hot (Video)

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has expressed concern over what he described as the unusually large security detail assigned to Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu.

In a video circulating on X, Soyinka narrated how he was shocked to meet what looked like a small battalion of heavily armed security operatives guarding Seyi during a visit to a hotel in Ikoyi, Lagos.

According to him, he initially thought a movie was being filmed because the number of armed men looked unreal.

Soyinka said he only realised the gathering wasn’t a film scene when a young man, later identified as Seyi Tinubu, briefly detached himself from the group and politely greeted him.

“A young man came over and greeted me, very polite, very nice. That was when I asked if they were shooting a film, and he said no.”

Soyinka explained that when he asked who that young man was, he discovered that the entire security formation was for Seyi Tinubu.

“I was told this is how the young man moves around. I couldn’t believe that a child of the head of state goes around with an army for his protection.”

The Nobel Laureate said the scene left him so disturbed that he attempted to reach the National Security Adviser.

“I said, track him down for me. I described the scene and asked if this is normal,” he added.

Soyinka argued that such heavy deployment of national security resources to one individual, especially the president’s child, sends the wrong signal.

“Children should know their place. They are not heads of state. The security architecture of a nation suffers when we see such devotion of troops to one young individual.”

He joked that with the size of Seyi’s escort, the president might as well send him to handle any future unrest.

“The next time there is an insurrection, the president should just call that young man. He has enough troops under his command,”Soyinka said.

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Governor Adeleke Joins Accord Party After Dumping PDP

Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has officially announced the Accord Party as his new political platform ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

The governor made the announcement at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Osogbo, on Tuesday, in the presence of national and state leaders of the party.

Adeleke revealed that he officially joined the Accord Party on November 6, 2025, following weeks of consultations with stakeholders and opinion leaders across the state.

A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, quoted the governor as saying stakeholders in Osun were already aware of the reasons behind the political realignment.

Adeleke said his decision was driven by the party’s ideological alignment with his administration’s commitment to welfarism.

“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare,” he said.

Welcoming party leaders to the Government House, the governor emphasized the need for unity as preparations intensify for the 2026 governorship race.

“We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun State and Nigeria at large,” he stated.

He urged members to maintain cohesion and work collectively toward victory, stressing the need for inclusive leadership that accommodates the interests of all groups.

Speaking on his experience since joining the Accord Party, Adeleke said he had been encouraged by the party’s philosophy.

“The focus on people’s welfare should always be at the heart of public leadership. The primary essence of government is the welfare and well-being of the people,” he noted.

The governor reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to improving the lives of residents through policies and programmes centred on citizen welfare.

He also presented the Accord Party as the new political vehicle for the state, calling on residents across all zones, Osun West, Osun East, and Osun Central, to rally behind the platform.

“From Igbomina to Ijeshaland, Ifeland, Osogbo, Iwoland, Modakeke, Gbongan, Igbajo, Ikire, Ikirun, Ede and beyond, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” he declared.

Adeleke concluded by formally announcing his realignment:

“In accordance with the will of our stakeholders and in deep respect for the wishes of Osun people, I hereby declare for the Accord Party,” he announced.

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Famous Hollywood Star, Leonardo DiCaprio Reveals Why He Hides His Face In Public

Leonardo DiCaprio has said he prefers to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible, despite becoming a global star in his early 20s following the massive success of Titanic.

The 51-year-old Actor has just been named TIME’s Entertainer of the Year, and in the new interview, he explained the long struggle of balancing fame with a desire for privacy.

“It’s been a balance I’ve been managing my whole adult life,” he said. “I think my simple philosophy is only get out there and do something when you have something to say, or you have something to show for it. Otherwise, just disappear as much as you possibly can.”

He added that his goal has always been a long career: “I was like, ‘Okay, how do I have a long career? Because I love what I do… the best way is to get out of people’s face.’”

The interview also explains why DiCaprio rarely steps out without hiding his identity. The Actor is almost never spotted in public without a Hat and Face Mask.

He started wearing the Mask during the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has become a permanent part of his everyday wardrobe, Daily Mail reported.

Not even a star-studded Wedding could make him drop the disguise. At Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s Wedding earlier this year, DiCaprio was seen leaving his Hotel in a Tuxedo with his Cap pulled low over his face.

But when it’s time for work, he removes the coverings for Movie Premieres, Interviews and other Publicity events.

DiCaprio became a household name nearly 30 years ago after playing Jack Dawson in Titanic. The blockbuster changed everything for him, including his anonymity.

In a 2016 Interview with Deadline, he recalled how overwhelming the fame was: “Before Titanic, I had no conception of what any of that meant. It was shocking… people said it was the biggest Movie ever, and I didn’t understand what that meant.”

He said the massive spotlight shifted his focus away from acting for a while. Titanic, which he starred in alongside Kate Winslet, was supposed to be an experiment after both had mainly done independent films.

“We did it, and it became something we could’ve never foreseen,” he said. “I knew there was an expectation for me to do a certain thing at that point, and I had to get back to what my intentions were from the onset.”

TITANIC became an instant global hit, earning 14 Academy Award nominations and winning 11, including Best Picture. It also grossed nearly $2 billion during its initial release and later passed that mark after several re-releases.

Although it was eventually overtaken by Avatar in 2009, the Movie remains one of the most successful Films of all time.

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