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Nnamdi Kanu Has Turned Sokoto Prison To Mecca, He Is Now A Celebrity – Sowore Taunts FG

Omoyele Sowore, the renowned activist and SaharaReporters publisher, has stated that the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has become a celebrity within the Sokoto Custodial Centre.

Sowore spoke to journalists at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where he insisted that the Federal Government would eventually realise it made a historic blunder by securing a life sentence against the separatist agitator.

The former presidential candidate said Kanu’s influence inside the detention facility had grown significantly since his relocation to Sokoto.

According to him: “Nnamdi Kanu is already a celebrity in prison. They said he has already become the president of the prison, but I doubt, it must have been conferred on him just by respect.”

He added that attempts by authorities to humiliate the IPOB leader had backfired: “When they were taking him to Sokoto, they thought that they would ridicule him, and when they got to Sokoto, he turned Sokoto into another Mecca.”

Sowore maintained that the government would eventually reverse Kanu’s sentence.

“Very soon you will see that, on their own, they would reverse the fundamental mistake they have made regarding Kanu,” he said.

The activist further claimed he had long foreseen the outcome: “I predicted that they would send him to prison, and I predicted that it would be the mistake of their lives.”

The former Presidential candidate also took a swipe at the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho.

“I want his family members to give me the right to admit people to see him, so that I would tell you the day the judge who sentenced him would go to Sokoto to beg, like Fela was begged, if he has not done that already,” Sowore said.

He mocked the rush of people seeking to visit the IPOB leader: “The people we asked to protest to prevent Kanu from going to jail are all rushing to Sokoto.”

Sowore blasted federal authorities for allegedly mismanaging the case.

“They don’t have sense or people who can reason in government. Look at where we are, you jailed Kanu and he’s now a celebrity in prison,” he stated.

The activist insisted that the treatment meted out to the IPOB leader had only elevated his status among supporters.

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NYSC Announces Date For Batch C Stream II Passing-Out

The National Youth Service Corps has fixed Thursday, December 18, 2025, as the passing-out date for Corps Members of the 2024 Batch C, Stream II.

According to a statement signed and released on Tuesday by the NSYC’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Caroline Embu, the management approved a low-key ceremony that will feature the distribution of Certificates of National Service to deserving Corps Members across all local government areas in the country.

The scheme explained that activities leading up to the event include Job Advisory and Counselling sessions organised by the Corps and relevant partner agencies, as well as the signing of final clearance forms by Zonal Inspectors.

“The NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, wishes the Corps Members a successful winding-up and passing-out exercise.

“He also urged them to allow the core values of the Scheme guide them in their post-service relationships as good ambassadors of NYSC,” the statement read.

NYSC is a programme established by the Nigerian government in 1973 to promote national unity, integration, and development.

It is a one-year mandatory service for Nigerian graduates under the age of 30, which includes a three-week orientation camp, a primary assignment phase, and a community development service period.

The three-week training introduced corps members to paramilitary drills, leadership development, entrepreneurship training under the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme, and community integration.

Following the orientation, the corps members were posted to their various Places of Primary Assignment where they served in education, health, agriculture, and other critical sectors, contributing to community development across the country.

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Tinubu Nominates Ex-CDS Christopher Musa As Defence Minister

President Bola Tinubu has nominated former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, to serve as the new Minister of Defence.

The nomination was contained in a letter sent to Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday, announcing Musa as the replacement for Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who resigned from the position on Monday due to health reasons.

In his letter to the Senate, the President expressed confidence in Musa’s capacity to lead the Defence Ministry and strengthen Nigeria’s security framework.

The nomination was confirmed in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The statement added, “General Musa, 58, on December 25, is a distinguished soldier who served as Chief of Defence Staff from 2023 until October 2025. He won the Colin Powell Award for Soldiering in 2012.

“Born in Sokoto in 1967, General Musa received his primary and secondary education there before attending the College of Advanced Studies in Zaria. He graduated in 1986 and enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy the same year, earning a Bachelor of Science degree upon graduation in 1991.

“General Musa was commissioned into the Nigerian Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1991 and has since had a distinguished career. His appointments include General Staff Officer 1, Training/Operations at HQ 81 Division; Commanding Officer, 73 Battalion; Assistant Director, Operational Requirements, Department of Army Policy and Plans; and Infantry Representative/Member, Training Team, HQ Nigerian Army Armour Corps.

“In 2019, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff, Training/Operations, Headquarters Infantry Centre and Corps; Commander, Sector 3, Operation Lafiya Dole; and Commander, Sector 3 Multinational Joint Task Force in the Lake Chad Region.

“In 2021, General Musa was appointed Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai. He later became Commander of the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps before being appointed Chief of Defence Staff by President Tinubu in 2023.”

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Governor Adeleke Quits PDP Hours Before Osun Governorship Primary

Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

This comes with less than 24 hours to the PDP governorship primary election.

Adeleke’s decision was communicated in a letter which surfaced on Monday, but was dated November 4, 2025.

The governor cited the crisis in the party as the reason behind his decision.

It read: “Due to the current crisis of the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my Membership of the People’s Democratic Party with immediate effect.

“I thank the People’s Democratic Party for the opportunities given to me for my elections as a Senator (Represented Osun West) and as Governor of Osun State under the People’s Democratic Party.”

The PDP Chairman in Osun State, Mr Sunday Bisi, on Monday said the party would not hold the primary election on Tuesday as scheduled due to factional crisis within the party.

Bisi also revealed that Adeleke is no longer interested in picking the party’s nomination as a result of the crisis.

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He Was Asked To Step Aside – Sowore Alleges Reason Behind Defence Minister’s Resignation

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has alleged that President Bola Tinubu instructed Mohammed Badaru Abubakar to step aside from his role as Defence Minister.

Earlier, 626Blaze reported that the Minister tendered his resignation from office on Monday, citing health issues.

However, Sowore in a Facebook post claimed that the Minister was asked to resign to pave the way for the appointment of former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa as Defence Minister

He said, Abubakar “was asked by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to step aside to make room for former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa to be appointed Defence Minister”.

https://web.facebook.com/OSowore/posts/pfbid0XG2VqbY6uJjnQEuPyBZTMo8sQwKrvUTMGDy9Zp31X9daydgFQbMpce49Ry89VAHrl

The activist also alleged that the Nigerian government is also under pressure to relieve the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle over security concerns.

“There are also strong indications that US President Donald Trump’s United States military is pressing for the removal of the equally ineffective and utterly useless Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, citing serious concerns over intelligence sharing and collaboration”,Sowore added.

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2027: There’s An Assassination Plot Against Atiku Abubakar — Timi Frank Alleges

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has alleged a plot to assassinate former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Frank said the sudden withdrawal of all police personnel attached to Atiku, despite his statutory entitlement as a former vice president, was not only suspicious but part of a wider scheme to expose him to danger.

Frank made this known in a statement on Tuesday.

“No administration since 2007 has ever tampered with Atiku Abubakar’s security despite his consistent role as a major opposition figure. Why now? Why at a time when insecurity is at an all-time high across the country? This action clearly reveals an ulterior motive.”

He stated that the claim that security was being withdrawn broadly from VIPs was a smokescreen, insisting that the main target is Atiku Abubakar.

“This so-called blanket withdrawal is a cover-up. The real objective is to isolate and eliminate Atiku ahead of the 2027 election. The pattern is too obvious to ignore. Atiku, by law, is entitled to police protection as a former vice president. Removing his security at this critical time is deliberate and dangerous,” Frank said.

Frank warned that the move mirrors dangerous political trends across Africa, where incumbent leaders intimidate, arrest, detain, prosecute, and, in extreme cases, eliminate opposition leaders to retain power.

“President Tinubu is now following the disturbing trend in parts of Africa where incumbents use state power to silence their opponents. Atiku has been very vocal in exposing the failures of this administration, and this withdrawal of security is nothing but a political witch-hunt,” he declared.

He challenged the government to prove its claim of a general security withdrawal by also stripping the president’s family members, close associates, and political appointees of their police orderlies and escorts.

“If this directive is truly nationwide, then let the President’s family members, friends, and appointees also lose their security. They are also VIPs. But we know the truth: the main target is Atiku Abubakar, nobody else.”

This comes as the Nigeria Police commenced the withdrawal of 11,566 police officers previously assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) nationwide.

The move followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of police officers currently providing security to VIPs amid mounting insecurity concerns.

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Ambassadorial List: The Names Being Paraded To Represent Us Are Shocking – Peter Obi Declares

Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, has criticised the list of ambassadorial nominees sent to the Senate by President Bola Tinubu, calling some of the selections “shocking” and reflective of a deteriorating political culture.

On November 29, 2025, Tinubu sent the names of 32 nominees to the legislature, days after forwarding three names in an earlier batch.

Among the nominees were prominent political figures, including former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, ex-aviation minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, former chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, and former governor of Abia state, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Obi reacted in a Monday statement posted on 𝕏, questioning the standard behind the selections.

He said, “Yes, some of the names being paraded to represent us as ambassadors globally are shocking.

“But with a leadership that has allowed mediocrity, corruption, and impunity to rise to the top, who else did you expect them to choose?”

The former Anambra governor also tied his criticism to the economic strain affecting millions of households.

He said, “When our people are being killed, our leaders are busy hosting dinners. When children are being snatched from their schools, the political class is celebrating and dancing,” he added.

“When families cannot afford their next meal, those in power are welcoming defectors and exchanging gifts as though Nigeria is not burning.

“This is not governance. This is not leadership. And this is certainly not the Nigeria we deserve.”

The ex-Anambra governor said the suffering in the country has become a pain one carries silently.

He recounted an emotional moment at Abuja airport on Monday, where young Nigerians questioned his recent silence.

Obi added, “It is the kind of pain that makes you remember the humiliating remark from the American president who referred to Nigeria as a ‘now disgraced country’.

“Today, when you look around, you begin to understand why the world speaks of us that way.”

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$490m Abacha Loot: EFCC To Grill Malami Daily In December

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed that former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, will face interrogation daily throughout the month of December at its headquarters in Abuja.

A credible source within the EFCC revealed to Vanguard on Monday that the daily appearance is a mandatory condition of his release and part of an intensive, ongoing investigation into the whereabouts of an alleged $490 million Abacha loot secured through a Mutual Legal Assistance (MLAT) request.

​Malami, who honored an EFCC invitation on Saturday, November 28, was barred from leaving Nigeria for the next month, as the anti-graft agency confiscated his international passport.

The EFCC source stated: ​“We seized his passport, it is the normal routine during investigation, but he has to report at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja every day for the next month.

”He will be reporting for further investigation throughout December.

”He will be reporting every day, starting from Dec. 1st to Dec. 31st. He will appear before the team of investigators for the entire month of December.

”He will be reporting to EFCC for investigation for the period because of the volume of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against him.”

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​The source explained that the daily reporting is necessary due to the volume and complexity of the investigation and the seriousness of the charges against the former Minister.

Investigators are primarily concerned with accountability for the massive repatriated funds. A fact sheet on the former minister indicates that he has multiple issues to clarify.

The source said: “We have asked him to explain the whereabouts of the $490 million Abacha loot secured through MLAT.

“We didn’t say he stole money, but he should account for the loot. This is one of the issues he will clarify to our investigators.”

The commission cited the large volume of documents Malami must review and the need for extensive interviews as reasons for seizing his passport and demanding daily appearances.

The EFCC maintained that it would not engage in a “war of words” but would release its findings after a thorough investigation.

Malami, in a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Mohammed Doka, in Abuja, confirmed his engagement with the EFCC but described the investigation as a “political witch-hunt.”

He confirmed he honored the EFCC invitation on November 28, describing the engagement as fruitful and expressing confidence that the probe would vindicate him.

Malami described the EFCC’s allegations as baseless, illogical, and devoid of substance, insisting they would collapse under factual scrutiny.

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Police Officers Recover Gold Buried By Boko Haram Attack Victim

Borno State police have recovered gold valued at N23.6 million, which a woman reportedly buried in Mallamfatori, Abadam Local Government Area, 15 years ago while fleeing a Boko Haram attack.

According to the woman, she hid the gold in the sand before fleeing the town. She recently returned and reported the matter to the police, asking for help to find the items.

ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, said officers searched the area based on her description.

He said they recovered “22cc of gold valued at about N20m” and “a gold bracelet with a chain worth N3.6m.”

The police said the case shows how insurgency forced many residents to abandon their belongings while escaping violence.

Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid commended the Mallamfatori Divisional Police Officer and his team for what he called“honesty, professionalism, and integrity.”

He said their actions reflect the values of the Nigeria Police Force and help build public trust.

CP Abdulmajid also restated the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to work closely with the police to strengthen security in the state.

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FG, ASUU Enter Talks On 40% Pay Rise

Sources familiar with the development have revealed that the Federal Government has reportedly proposed a 40% salary increase for lecturers in the Academic Staff Union of Universities.

The proposal comes as ASUU leadership prepares to return to the negotiation table with the Federal Government delegation headed by Yayale Ahmed.

The union’s decision follows a consensus reached at the National Executive Council  meeting held in Abuja on Sunday.

Branch leaders who attended the meeting are expected to communicate the development to their members nationwide.

Speaking at the end of the NEC meeting, a member who preferred anonymity due to restrictions on media engagement during negotiations, said the union would continue discussions with the government.

“They made a proposal of a 40% salary increment. Branch leaders will go back and update members on the situation. As it stands, negotiations continue with the government next week,” the source said.

ASUU’s one-month ultimatum to the Federal Government ended last Saturday, heightening tension within the academic community of Nigerian public universities.

In a last-minute move to avert a potential strike, the government had summoned ASUU leadership to a meeting in Abuja on Monday, which lasted until Tuesday.

 

Both parties declined to make the discussions public due to strict rules governing the negotiation process.

 

The union had threatened a full-scale strike, citing the government’s “nonchalant” attitude toward its demands.

Key issues include the review of the 2009 ASUU-Federal Government agreement, payment of outstanding salaries and earned allowances, and the disbursement of the university revitalisation fund.

The Minister of Edication, Dr. Tunji Alausa, who is currently out of the country, insisted that the government had met the union’s demands.

Speaking to State House correspondents two weeks ago, Alausa reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s directive that there should be no strike in public universities, emphasizing ongoing negotiations to keep students in school.

“As I told you, the President has mandated us that he doesn’t want ASUU to go on strike, and we’re doing everything humanly possible to ensure that our students stay in school. The last strike they went on for about six days was not really needed. We’ve met literally all their requirements and are back at the negotiation table. We will resolve this,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress, the umbrella body of labour unions in the country, has expressed support for ASUU and vowed to advocate for the academic community if the government fails to meet its demands.

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