Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has reaffirmed that the Ogoni clean-up remains a top priority for his ministry.

Lawal made the statement when the National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, led a presidential delegation, including the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and senior officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited, on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He said projects recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP, are progressing steadily, including mangrove restoration, healthcare services, human capacity building, and women empowerment programmes.

Also speaking, NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, said the company was fully committed to the ongoing Ogoni dialogue.

He added that the focus will now be on improving the lives of the people rather than oil activities.

The Federal Government has been in talks with the Ogoni people to resume oil exploration in the area after more than 30 years.

However, some rights groups and community members opposed the move, saying the land was still polluted.

Hundreds of artisans operating within the Isheri-Idimu Powerline corridor, on Monday, staged a protest at the Lagos State House of Assembly, alleging threats to their livelihoods following moves to displace them from their workplace.

The protesters told reporters at the Assembly complex that suspected hoodlums, allegedly acting on the instruction of the Chairman of the Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area, LCDA, Idris Balogun, were attempting to take over their mechanic village located along Oladun Road, Isheri-Idimu, for private interests.

Carrying placards with messages such as “Save us from land grabbers,” “Powerline belongs to government, not Omo Onile,” and “We demand competency and decency at Egbe-Idimu,” the artisans appealed to lawmakers to intervene and protect them from what they described as persistent harassment.

Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the Chairman of the mechanic village, Adeleke Odufeko, maintained that the land was lawfully allocated to them by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.

“It was the Ministry of Transportation that allocated the space to us for use as a mechanic village. We have official approval,” Odufeko said.

He explained that the artisans were instructed not to construct permanent structures on the land and had strictly adhered to that directive.

“There are no permanent buildings there, only spaces where we keep our tools and equipment. We were also directed to pay annual royalties to the traditional rulers in Idimu and Isheri, and we have consistently done so,” he added.

Odufeko alleged that tensions escalated when Balogun, whom he described as a royal family member but not a reigning monarch, allegedly demanded payments from the artisans.

“He came and said we should start paying him money. He is related to the royal family, but he is not the king. His father was the late monarch. Since 2016, he has been harassing and intimidating us,” he claimed.

According to him, the artisans have suffered repeated arrests and intimidation.

“There is hardly any police station he has not taken us to. Some of our members were even sent to Ikoyi prison without committing any offence,” he alleged.

Odufeko also stated that despite a court order directing all parties to maintain the status quo, violence erupted at the site late last month.

“When the harassment became unbearable, we went to court in 2021. In 2024, the court ordered that the status quo be maintained and warned him not to interfere with us,” he said.

“However, on November 29, thugs accompanied by soldiers and police officers invaded the area. Vehicles undergoing repairs were damaged and shops were vandalised.”

He said officials of the Ministry of Transportation later intervened, deploying a task force to remove the hoodlums.

“But shortly after they left, the thugs returned and resumed attacks, beating people. Although some were arrested during a second intervention, we later learnt that influential individuals secured their release. Since then, peace has eluded us,” he added.

Odufeko said the artisans have been barred from operating and that he has personally been targeted because of his leadership role.

“They shut down the entire place and warned us not to work. I am being hunted because I am the chairman representing about 10,000 artisans. That is why we came to the Assembly for help,” he said.

Addressing the protesters, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Oshodi-Isolo Constituency, Stephen Ogundipe, assured them that their grievances would be addressed.

“We are here on behalf of the Speaker, Mudashir Obasa. We have listened to your concerns and will formally present them to him,” Ogundipe said.

“We commend you for remaining peaceful. The House will invite all concerned parties, including the Ministry of Transportation and your representatives, and ensure that the matter is thoroughly investigated. We urge you to remain calm and law-abiding.”

No fewer than hundred thousand supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Lega Local Government Area of Kebbi State have dumped the party.

The APC supporters joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in a mega defection rally held at the weekend.

According to ADC mobilization X handle, the defectors were over 120,000.

DAILY POST reports that the embattled for Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who is from Kebbi State, has been wooing politicians into the opposition party.

The former Minister, who is currently being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, was one of the opposition figures that adopted ADC as platform for the 2027 general elections.

The party has received significant numbers of defectors across the country.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has deepened, with the Kabiru Turaki (SAN)-led faction heading to court over the continued sealing of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, the faction is seeking an order compelling the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force to immediately unseal and vacate the PDP national headquarters, as well as all other party offices across the country.

Court filings show that the request is contained in a Motion on Notice brought by the plaintiffs through their lead counsel, Chief Chris Uche (SAN).

The application asked the court to issue a mandatory injunction directing the police to remove all barricades and withdraw from the party’s offices without delay.

The PDP national secretariat was sealed in November following violent clashes between two rival factions of the party one led by Turaki and the other aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tension escalated after both factions fixed meetings at the headquarters on the same day, prompting police intervention.

Tear gas was reportedly deployed before the premises were locked and cordoned off with barbed wire.

As a result of the closure, the Turaki-led National Working Committee was unable to hold its postponed inaugural meeting at the secretariat.

Turaki had emerged as national chairman at the party’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November.

However, the Wike-aligned faction rejected the convention, arguing that it breached existing court orders restraining the PDP from holding the exercise.

Ahead of the convention, Justices James Omotosho and Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had issued orders stopping the PDP from conducting its scheduled November 15 and 16, 2025 convention.

Despite this, a High Court in Ibadan later granted an ex parte order allowing the party to proceed.

At the Ibadan convention, the party announced the expulsion of Wike, the embattled national secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, the factional chairman Mohammed Abdulrahman, and eight others over alleged anti-party activities.

In the fresh suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/252/2025, the PDP, alongside Turaki and the chairman of its Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, asked the court to restrain the police from further interference in the party’s affairs.

The Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force are listed as defendants.

The plaintiffs specifically sought an order compelling the police to immediately remove all barricades, unseal and vacate the PDP national secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, and its annex, Legacy House in Maitama, pending the determination of the suit.

They also requested an order restraining the police from sealing, occupying or restricting access to any PDP office nationwide during the pendency of the case.

In their arguments, the plaintiffs contended that the police acted without lawful authority when they sealed and occupied the party’s offices from November 18, 2025, and have remained there since.

They maintained that Turaki and Wabara are principal officers charged with the party’s administration and management.

An affidavit in support of the motion was sworn to by the PDP national secretary, Taofik Arapaja, who stated that the party held its elective national convention in Ibadan on November 15 and 16, 2025, where new officers, including Turaki as national chairman, were elected.

He added that the Independent National Electoral Commission was duly notified of the outcome on November 17, 2025.

Arapaja explained that the party merely informed security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services, of an emergency stakeholders’ meeting scheduled for November 18, 2025, and requested security coverage.

Instead, he alleged, a large contingent of police officers led by the FCT Commissioner of Police stormed the secretariat, fired over 200 tear gas canisters and sealed the premises.

He further claimed that party officials, staff and visiting governors, including those of Bauchi and Oyo states, were denied access to the building.

According to the affidavit, the police action was taken without any valid court order and amounted to an unlawful occupation of PDP property.

The party argued that the prolonged closure of its secretariat has severely disrupted its operations, including administrative coordination, policy formulation, membership management and preparations for future elections.

The plaintiffs also insisted that the police, as an institution established under the Nigeria Police Act 2020, must not act in a partisan manner.

They urged the court to grant the application, arguing that the balance of convenience favours the PDP and that monetary compensation would not adequately remedy the damage if the reliefs are refused.

Granting the application, they maintained, would serve the interest of justice and dispel any perception that the court is endorsing the police action. action is being endorsed by the court.

​Some youths in Kebbi State on Saturday staged a peaceful protest in Birnin Kebbi, urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, to release former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

The protesters described Malami’s continued detention as unjustified and prolonged, despite an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct during his tenure.

Malami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, has been in EFCC custody since early December after reportedly failing to meet administrative bail conditions.

The investigation reportedly involves issues related to the handling of recovered Abacha loot, alleged abuse of office, and other financial matters.

Malami and his supporters, however, have denied the allegations, claiming the probe is politically motivated, particularly in light of his recent political activities and defection to the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The protest comes amid rising tensions, with Malami’s camp accusing the EFCC of bias and calling on the commission’s chairman to recuse himself from the case.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, had earlier upheld Malami’s detention, dismissing his bail application.

His supporters argue that he should either be formally charged in court or released, citing constitutional provisions against unlawful detention.

The EFCC has denied claims of political persecution, insisting that its actions are guided strictly by law and due process.

Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed 1700 personnel in anticipation of influx of visitors into the state during the Yuletide season.

The deployment is also to ensure the safety of lives and adequate protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.

The State Commandant of NSCDC, Igbalawole Sotiyo, disclosed this in a statement issued by the Command Spokesperson, Adeleke Kehinde on Monday in Osogbo.

Sotiyo noted that a comprehensive security arrangement aimed at guaranteeing a peaceful and hitch-free celebration has been put in place.

“The festive period usually records a significant rise in human and vehicular movement as residents and visitors stream into the state, thereby requiring strengthened security arrangements.

“Area Commanders and Divisional Officers have been directed to strategically deploy personnel to places of worship, markets, motor parks, recreational centres, Critical Infrastructure and other identified flashpoints across the state,” he said

While issuing a marching order to all Divisional Officers to remain proactive and vigilant, Sotiyo stressed that the Command is working in close synergy with sister security agencies to ensure round-the-clock security before, during and after the festivities.

Commandant Sotiyo made it known that, “the deployment is reinforced with intensified visibility patrols, intelligence-led operations and rapid response teams to promptly address any security threat.”

While warning miscreants and criminal elements to steer clear of Osun State during and after the celebration, the Osun NSCDC boss emphasised that the Command would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone attempting to disrupt public peace and order.

He called on residents to complement security efforts by promptly reporting suspicious movements in persons or activities to the nearest security agency.

Assuring members of the public of the Corps’ unwavering commitment to a safe and secure Osun State, he wished residents of the state a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Despite the initial opposition by the Plateau State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, to Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, the state APC has now welcomed him and has pledged to support him to succeed in his new political journey.

The APC had earlier vehemently kicked against the idea of Mutfwang joining the party.

At a stakeholders’ meeting held in Jos, the party elders categorically stated that they would do everything to prevent the governor from joining the party.

The women’s wing led by Mrs. Elizabeth Yerse also held a rally where they said they did not want Mutfwang to join them, while different youth groups held press conferences and also kicked against the idea.

However, following the announcement of his defection on Thursday, the state party chapter has now welcomed the governor, stating that his joining the party will be a great asset to the state in the long run.

The APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Shittu Bamaiyi, who had been one of the staunchest voices against the move, in an interview with journalists on Friday, said the governor’s defection was one of the best things to happen to the party at the state level.

Bamaiyi said after all that had happened, the party was not surprised that Mutfwang took the bold step in joining the APC, which he described as a non-discriminatory party open to all eligible Nigerians.”

“We’re not surprised by the governor’s decision to join the APC, and we’re ready to give him all the support he needs to succeed,” Bamaiyi said in the interview.

“People must understand that joining a political party is the right of every citizen of Nigeria,” he said.

He stressed that joining a political party is a fundamental right of every Nigerian and no one has the right to stop others from jumping ship.

“While some people have the right to be annoyed, others also have the right to be happy. And we are happy that Gov. Mutfwang has decided to join the APC and he will be a great asset not only to the state chapter but at the national level. Whether you like it or not, our number in the APC has increased.

“The governor is not new to party politics. He has been in a political party, and as such, he knows what to do. We expect that he is going to carry everyone along.

“So, he is welcome to the APC. We are going to give him the needed support,” Shittu added.

Ajuji Ahmed, the National Chairman of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has criticized former party members who left to join other political parties.

Ahmed said those who left the NNPP would experience rough road and challenges in their new parties.

He made these comments during the party’s 10th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday in Abuja.

He described the ex-members as “renegades” while noting that although the NNPP may not be large, it is stronger and more united than many other parties.

Ahmed urged party members to ignore those who defected, saying their decision would only bring them hardship.

He added that leaving a peaceful party for troubled ones was a poor choice.

He also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying the NNPP has remained stable despite efforts by outsiders to create problems.

According to Ahmed, the NNPP has no internal divisions and is not controlled by any individual.

He stressed that the party is not split into factions or weakened by external influence, but remains united and committed to its goals and guiding principles.

Ahmed said: “I call upon you to please forget entirely the antics of renegades who call themselves defectors.

“May their road continue to be rough.

“If a man or some men decided to jump from calm waters only to land in not just a frying pan but directly into a burning fire, we wish them a safe journey.

“We are not fragmented into three parts with two party chairmen. We have not been captured and broken and made ineffective by a single omnipotent external force, we are NNPP. We are united.”