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BREAKING: Peter Obi Officially Defects To ADC

Peter Obi, former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has officially joined the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The ex-Anambra governor announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.

“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.

“We will resist rigging of election by every lawful means in 2027.

“We still have a one-year window for everyone to go and verify the schools they attended.

“We do not want to return to court again only to be told it is a pre-election matter.

“The pre-election process should start now.”

David Mark, national chairman of the ADC, was among the attendees.

More to follow…

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Banks To Start Charging Senders N50 Stamp Duty On Transfers Above N10k From January

Starting January 1, 2026, banks will charge a ₦50 stamp duty on electronic transfers of ₦10,000 and above, in line with the implementation of the new Tax Act.

The stamp duty or electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) is a single, one-off charge of N50 on electronic receipt or transfer of money deposited in any commercial money bank or financial institution on any type of account on sums of N10,000 and above.

In an email sent to customers on Tuesday, United Bank for Africa (UBA) said the N50 electronic money transfer levy (EMTL) on transfers will now be referred to as stamp duty across all financial institutions.

“Please note the following: Stamp Duty applies to transactions of ₦10,000 and above (or the equivalent in other currencies),” the email reads.

“Salary payments and Intra-bank self-transfers are exempt from stamp duty.

“The Sender now bears the Stamp Duty charge. Previously, this charge was deducted from the Beneficiary/ Receiver.”

The bank said it remains committed to transparency and to keeping customers informed about changes that may affect their banking transactions.

On September 7, 2024, Nigerian financial technology firms (fintechs) announced plans to introduce a N50 stamp duty fee on transactions of N10,000 and above.

According to the fintechs, the move complies with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) regulations, noting that the fee will be applied to electronic transfers into personal and business accounts.

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Traders Thrown Into Panic As Fire Guts Popular Lagos Market (Video)

Sections of the popular Army Arena Market in Oshodi, Lagos State, were razed by fire.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday evening, threw traders at the market into panic and confusion.

The incident was confirmed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) via its official 𝕏 handle, noting that its operatives were on site to extinguish the fire.

The post read, “There’s a fire outbreak inside Arena Shopping Mall along Agege Motor Road, Oshodi. Men of @LagosRescue are on ground to extinguish the inferno.”

Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started around 6:00 p.m., sending traders scrambling to salvage their wares as thick smoke filled the air.

Videos shared on social media showed frantic scenes of traders attempting to save goods while firefighters battled the blaze.

At the time of reporting, no official figures have been released regarding casualties or the extent of property losses.

This fire comes just a week after a similar incident at Lagos’ Balogun Market, where a blaze originating from the Great Nigeria Insurance building on Martins Street spread to five neighboring structures on Christmas Eve.

The Arena Market fire is also not the first of the year. In August 2025, a major fire swept through sections of the market, causing losses worth millions of naira.

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BREAKING: There’s No Going Back, New Tax Laws Will Commence On January 1, 2026 – Tinubu Says

President Bola Tinubu has announced that the new tax laws will take effect as scheduled on January 1, 2026, despite objections from various quarters.

The President made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday in which he explained that the new laws are not designed to raise taxes but to drive harmonization.

President Tinubu noted that his administration is aware of agitations in some quarters over the new tax laws, but added that no substantial issue has been raised to warrant a suspension of the implementation process.

He promised that the government would ensure due process in the implementation of the laws and work with all stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to resolve all identified issues against the new tax laws.

“The new tax laws, including those that took effect on June 26, 2025, and the remaining acts scheduled to commence on January 1, 2026, will continue as planned.

“These reforms are a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a fair, competitive, and robust fiscal foundation for our country.

“The tax laws are not designed to raise taxes, but rather to support a structural reset, drive harmonisation, and protect dignity while strengthening the social contract.

“I urge all stakeholders to support the implementation phase, which is now firmly in the delivery stage.

“Our administration is aware of the public discourse surrounding alleged changes to some provisions of the recently enacted tax laws.

“No substantial issue has been established that warrants a disruption of the reform process. Absolute trust is built over time through making the right decisions, not through premature, reactive measures.

“I emphasise our administration’s unwavering commitment to due process and the integrity of enacted laws. The Presidency pledges to work with the National Assembly to ensure the swift resolution of any issue identified.

“I assure all Nigerians that the Federal Government will continue to act in the overriding public interest to ensure a tax system that supports prosperity and shared responsibility,” the statement read.

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BREAKING: Ex-AGF Malami, Son Plead Not Guilty To Money Laundering Charges

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, his son Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and another individual have pleaded not guilty to a 16-count money laundering charge.

The defendants were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, facing allegations of unlawful acquisition and concealment of funds.

The trial is set to continue as the court considers the charges.

More details soon…

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Go To Hell, You Didn’t Pay My School Fees – Nyesom Wike Hits Seyi Makinde

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for addressing him by his first name, “Wike.”

The FCT Minister said it’s a mark of disrespect for the Oyo Governor to have addressed him by his father’s name.

Wike stated this on Monday while fielding questions during his monthly media parley in Abuja.

Wike’s outburst followed claim by Makinde that Wike had promised to hold the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for President Bola Tinubu in 2027, a claim Wike denied.

Wike claimed that Makinde was not being truthful about what transpired during the alleged meeting and as well persons who were in attendance.

Wike said: “He didn’t mention former governor of Benue was in the meeting. He didn’t mention former governor of Abia. He didn’t mention former governor of Enugu.

“What was the purpose of that meeting? Who called for the meeting? Did the President call you for the meeting?

“We went and said, look, we want to see President. And the President said, okay, come to the house. We went to the house as usual. And we said, Sir, we are still available. We still work together.

“So what is the issue of saying that we had a meeting?

“To start with, Seyi you cannot, he does not have what it takes to tell me that. He does not. He knows.

“He has never called me Wike. And to hell with him. You heard him say $1 million. Did he pay my school fees? That’s a disrespect.

“That is my father’s name. He can’t do that. He has never done that. He doesn’t have what it takes. Forget he’s a governor.”

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We Made You Oyo Governor Despite Your $1 Million – Wike Hits Back At Seyi Makinde (Video)

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that he played a significant role in Seyi Makinde’s election as Governor of Oyo State in 2019.

Wike stated that Makinde became governor after he and some party leaders provided him with the PDP structure in Oyo State.

He made the disclosure during his end-of-the-year media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while reacting to Makinde’s claim of making $1 million when he was in law school.

Wike revealed that when he ran for the PDP’s presidential ticket, Makinde never contributed “N1000.”

He said: “I ran for the presidential primary of the PDP. I didn’t see Seyi use one thousand Naira in my primaries. I did not see it even once.

“Secondly, it’s only in Nigeria that I’ve seen someone awarded a job worth one million dollars, and nobody is talking about it.

“But he came to the man who didn’t have one million dollars to help him get structure. We said no, we will not give it to you. We gave it to Teslim. He went to SDP to run as governor and failed with his one million dollars.

“Then, before 2019, he came back. We said no, we are ready to give you structure. I was very grounded in politics, but I had no one million dollars with me.

“But the man who made one million dollars is going around looking for people to help him build a structure. It was when we gave him that structure that Seyi became governor in 2019.”

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2027: I’m Not Joining ADC – Peter Obi Says

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has clarified that he does not need to formally join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

According to Obi, he has always been a member of the ADC and was part of the coalition from its inception.

He stated this while speaking during an X Space on Sunday night.

Obi also made it clear that he will always have respect for ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar.

“I am not joining ADC. I can’t re-join what I am already a part of,” Obi said.

“I’ve been part of the coalition from day one.

“Nobody is stepping down for me in ADC.

“We have all agreed to work together and Atiku remains my respected leader.”

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2027: I Will Not Be Vice President To Anybody – Peter Obi Declares

Peter Obi, a former Labour Party presidential candidate, has officially confirmed his intention to contest again in the 2027 elections.

Obi revealed this while speaking during a X Spaces on Sunday night.

The ex-governor of Anambra State, however, insisted he will not be a running mate to anybody.

According to Obi, he has not garnered all the experience he has, only to end up as a vice-president.

“I am not travelling round the world to learn governance to be Vice president,” Obi said.

““I know how to turn Nigeria around. I built my business from scratch and have more experience than any candidate, including the sitting President.

“Peter Obi will be on the ballot in 2027. I need your support. I need your prayers.”

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NDLEA Arrests Notorious Drug Trafficker, Three Others Over UK-bound Cocaine Concealed In Starch Sachets (Video)

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has apprehended notorious drug trafficker Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil, who was previously convicted in 2023 for dealing 30.10kg of methamphetamine.

A statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Basil was arrested along with three cargo agents over the seizure of 75 parcels of cocaine weighing 1.50 kilograms concealed in factory-sealed sachets of cold-water starch heading to the United Kingdom at the export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos.

The statement read, “Three cargo agents: Jubrin Firdausi Hassana, Kuku Daniel Oluwasegun, and Igwe Chioma Jane, involved in the attempt to export the consignment to the UK, were swiftly arrested on Saturday, 20th December 2025, before further investigations unravelled 37-year-old Nwobodo Chidiebere Basil as the mastermind. He was arrested in a follow up operation on Sunday 21st December at a popular relaxation centre in Ikeja where he went on a date with his girlfriend.

“The Agency’s criminal database revealed that Nwobodo had been arrested in May 2023 in connection with the seizure of 30.10kg methamphetamine concealed in powdered custard containers as part of a consolidated cargo going to London, United Kingdom, at the export shed of the Lagos airport. He was subsequently arraigned at a Federal High Court in charge number: FHC/L/337C/2023, convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment with an option of a fine of Seven Million Naira (₦7,000,000.00), along with one-month community service, with effect from 4th December, 2023. He paid the fine and soon after returned to the same crime.”

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Babafemi also disclosed that the NDLEA operatives during another operation on Monday December, 22 set ablaze tons of skunk, a strain of cannabis and wooden warehouses in Ara forest, Ara-Ekiti where 638 kilograms of same psychoactive substance were also recovered.

He said, “No fewer than 1,205 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa, weighing 883.1kg, were recovered from three Toyota Camry vehicles intercepted by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Igara-Auchi road, Edo state, on Monday, 22nd December.”

Similarly, a raid operation conducted on Sunday, December 21, at Agoi-Ibami community, Yakurr LGA, in Cross River State, led to the arrest of three suspects and the seizure of various quantities of skunk.

The suspects include, Freedom Jonah Akpama, 27, with 671kg; David Itam David, 30, with 89kg; and Nelson Arikpo Osam, 26, with 148kg.

The agency said in another operation, a 42-year-old lady, identified as Joy Oisamaye, was arrested with 38kg skunk by NDLEA operatives on patrol along Abaji- Abuja expressway on Monday, December 22, on her way from Otua in Owan East LGA, Edo state.

In Gombe state, a 65-year-old driver, Sada’u Mohammed, was arrested while conveying 300 ampoules of pentazocine injection, 27,900 pills of tramadol, and other opioids, along the Gombe-Biu highway, heading to Biu in Borno state.

NDLEA also stated that a 47-year-old businessman, Ignatius Egbochie (alias Brown), wanted in connection with the seizure of 56 parcels of Loud, a strain of cannabis, weighing 26kg at the Tincan seaport in Lagos, has been arrested by NDLEA operatives.

The statement added, “The illicit drug consignment was seized on 10th December during a joint examination of a container by NDLEA, Customs and other security agencies. A follow up operation by NDLEA operatives on 19th December led to the arrest of Ignatius in Apapa.”

The Chairman of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) acknowledged the commitment of his operatives and enjoined them to remain extra vigilant throughout the festive season and beyond.

Marwa also charged them to maintain the highest standard of professionalism in all their drug control efforts.

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