Plateau State Governor, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang has revealed that President Bola Tinubu personally invited him to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and join the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to him, after months of consultations and personal introspection, he had to make the move in the interest of the state.

Mutfwang, who made the revelation on Thursday shortly after defecting to the APC, said he did not make the move for personal gain but as a form of respect to Tinubu, who has shown a special interest in Plateau State and its challenges.

Mutfwang has made it clear that though the President had extended the invitation to him to join the APC on several occasions, he had politely declined.

“I pay my respects to President Tinubu for honouring our earlier decisions not to move to the APC and still maintaining a cordial relationship with us despite that,” he said during a meeting with political appointees and stakeholders at the Government House in Jos.

He noted that there had also been the beckoning of highly placed personalities, including fellow governors from the APC, too, but the whole time, he stood by his decision.

He however, stated that what finally changed his mind was the challenges and chaos within the PDP at the national level.

“Until recently, when it became clear that the PDP at the national level has undeniable problems with its structure, the need to decamp to another party was already quieted. We have zero challenges at the state level but all our efforts are vain without a solid structure at the national level,” he said.

“The risks involved in staying back in the PDP are too high for us to carelessly gamble with the mandate Plateau people gave us. No one can tell reassuringly when and how the crisis will end, or what wins or losses could be incurred.

“Bearing in mind the emotional torture our dear people went through, we can’t, by our actions or inactions, subject ourselves to another experience like that.”

Gov. Mutfwang confessed that he could have easily moved to another party but that history had taught him that it is one thing to be voted massively, and another to make sure the votes count.

“Although we’ve had our issues with Plateau APC, we can’t deny the favour and cordiality with which the Tinubu-led administration has related with us. And since the President didn’t try to force us to join the APC before things went completely south in the PDP, it’s fair enough that we considered joining the APC.

“We have a chance to attract and be entitled to so many good things, from appointments, to favours that will richly impact Plateau. Is it really wisdom to forfeit all that? No! Already there’s good news to be announced soon. Stay tuned,” he added.

Troops of 8 Division Garrison Nigerian Army Sokoto have neutralised five armed criminals, recovered weapons and motorcycles during a coordinated operations conducted in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara states.

A credible source from the army told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in Sokoto that the planned operation kicked off on Wednesday.

”It is struck of a major blow against banditry, during a sweeping offensive that targeted notorious hideouts spanning Sokoto and Zamfara States.

”The coordinated assaults targeted known bandits enclaves in Gangara, Makawana, Satiru, Baici, and Kurkusu villages within Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

“The swift advance disrupted the criminal networks, forcing many to flee as the military asserted control over the troubled terrain,” the source said.

According to the source, the operation also intensified in Batamna village of Shinkafi LGA of Zamfara state where soldiers encountered heavy resistance.

”In a fierce exchange of fire, the troops’ neutralised 5 bandits and recovered weapons, motorcycles and baofeng radios used by the bandits to carry out nefarious activities, ” source added.

Recall that troops of 8 Division of Nigerian Army had in December neutralised notorious bandits’ kingpin, Kachalla Kallamu and Kachalla Na’Allah, in Sabon Birnin and Isa local government areas Sokoto state.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ahmad Aliyu on Security Matters, retired Col. Ahmad Usman and other citizens had commended the Nigerian Army and other security operatives for the significant success recorded against banditry in the state.

Jigawa State Executive Council  has approved development projects worth N91.04 billion, spanning road construction, power supply, healthcare, flood control and public infrastructure across the state.

The approvals were announced in a press statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Youth, Sports and Culture, Mr. Sagiru Musa Ahmed, following the council meeting presided over by Governor Malam Umar Namadi in Dutse.

According to the commissioner, the council approved N689.38 million for electrification and solarisation of selected government institutions and ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). Beneficiaries include Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse; GDSTC Gumel; institutions in Babura and Kafin Hausa; Jigawa Television (JTV); NYSC Orientation Camp; Dutse Township Stadium; specialist hospitals in Hadejia and Kazaure; general hospitals in Ringim, Birnin Kudu and Bulangu; Khadija University; Bamaina Academy; major markets; and the Polytechnic of Communication and Information Technology, Kazaure.

The council also approved the construction of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion workshop training centres and gas conversion facilities in Dutse and Hadejia at a combined cost of N563.0 million.

In another key decision, the council approved the construction of solar-powered mini-grids at the Government House, Deputy Governor’s Office, official residences of the Secretary to the State Government and Head of Service, State Secretariat, House of Assembly, Judiciary Complex and Shuwarin/Gidan Ihu Water Plant, valued at N15.24 billion.

To boost road infrastructure, the council reallocated N5.5 billion from the Market Development and Stabilisation Funds to the Ministry of Works for mobilisation and contract awards covering 58.56 kilometres of township roads in Dutse Phase II, Kafin Hausa, Gumel Bypass, Dangyatim and Doko in Garki LGA. The road projects are valued at N57.79 billion.

Other approvals include the construction of mosques in Kaugama, Kafin Hausa and Maigatari LGAs at N204.03 million, and the establishment of a Centre for Wetland Research at Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa, costing N557.08 million.

The council further approved N1.07 billion for hostels and staff quarters at the Skill Acquisition Centre, Limawa, Dutse, and N506.58 million for the renovation of the Skill Acquisition Centre in Ringim.

In the health sector, N8.05 billion was approved for renovation, upgrading and equipping of general hospitals across the state, including facilities in Hadejia, Gumel.

The Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board has approved the payment of excess refunds to 109 pilgrims who made initial deposits of N8,500,000 and N8,440,000 for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

This is contained in a statement released by the board’s Public Relations Officer Sulaiman Dederi on Wednesday.

According to Dederi, the Director General of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board, Lamin Rabi’u Danbappa, made the disclosure while fielding questions from newsmen in his office on Wednesday.

Danbappa explained that a total of 593 pilgrims made their initial deposits before the announcement of the final Hajj fare.

“A total of 593 intending pilgrims paid initial deposits before the announcement of the final fare for the 2026 Hajj,” the statement quoted the DG as saying.

Therefore, he called on the remaining affected pilgrims to visit the board to collect their balance before the commencement of airlifting operations.

Speaking on the registration status, the Director General stated that 3,607 pilgrims have so far been registered for the 2026 Hajj exercise.

He further revealed that the board has already paid over N23 billion to the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria on behalf of the registered pilgrims.

The Director General urged pilgrims who have yet to submit their international passports to do so immediately to facilitate timely visa processing.

Meanwhile, the Director General commended the Kano State Government for its support and contributions toward the welfare of pilgrims in the state.

Arewa PUNCH recalls that the President, Bola Tinubu, had in early October 2015 directed the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria to immediately reduce the cost of the 2026 Hajj fares, which it had recently announced.

The commission had then announced over N8.2 million as the final fares for the 2026 Hajj.

Following the downward review of the fare, the Kano State Pilgrims Welfare Board announced the approved amount of N7,696,769.76 as the 2026 Hajj fare.

All intending pilgrims who initially deposited N8,500,000.00 will receive a refund of N803,230.24, while those who paid N8,244,813.67 will receive a refund of N548,043.91.

Gombe State’s 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, gubernatorial candidate, Mohammad Barde, has formally joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Barde, who came second in Gombe State’s 2023 governorship election behind Governor Inuwa Yahaya, said he joined the ADC as part of his preparations for the 2027 general elections.

In an interview after validating his ADC membership, Barde criticised the current state of insecurity and poor infrastructure in Gombe and across the country, asserting that the ADC is committed to addressing these challenges.

He expressed confidence in the party’s ability to bring positive change, highlighting its focus on inclusive leadership and equal opportunities for all.

Barde also outlined ADC’s plan to hold state congresses and a national convention in February 2026, urging members to participate in membership revalidation and mobilise new supporters ahead of the events.

Supporters of former Sokoto State governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, under the banner of the Bafarawa Akida Movement, have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The decision was announced on Wednesday following a consultative meeting of elders and leaders of the movement from all 23 local government areas of Sokoto State.

Speaking after the meeting, the movement’s chairman, Prof. Hamza Maishanu, said the defection followed extensive consultations and reflected the collective decision of members.

He added that the elders resolved to support the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu, citing its performance and cordial relationship with Bafarawa.

Maishanu confirmed that the decision to join the APC was formal and would be followed by further consultations to complete necessary procedures.

He dismissed claims linking the move to 2027 elections or external political pressure.

Meanwhile, Bafarawa reiterated that he had quit active politics and had not personally joined the APC, but said he supported the decision of his followers.

The High Court of Lagos State has officially declared its 2025 Christmas vacation, with regular court sessions suspended from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026.

Court proceedings are scheduled to resume on Monday, January 5, 2026.

The vacation period was approved by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, under the authority of Order 49, Rules 4(c) and 5 of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019, which grants the Chief Judge power to determine court vacation dates and make provisions for urgent judicial matters.

This was communicated in a public notice issued by the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mr. T. A. Elias, and dated November 26, 2025.

The notice confirms that the vacation period includes all dates between December 24, 2025, and January 2, 2026, in line with established court practice.

While regular hearings will be suspended during the Christmas break, the court clarified that urgent judicial matters will still be addressed.

Judges are authorised to hear and determine urgent applications relating to substantive cases already assigned to them.

For new urgent applications not connected to existing cases, a judge will be designated specifically to handle such matters during the vacation.

The notice also emphasised that any matter certified as urgent may be entertained during this period, provided it complies strictly with the requirements set out in Order 49, Rule 5 of the Lagos High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019.

As Nigeria targets 2.06 million barrels per day crude oil production in 2026, the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited said it is building synergy with surveillance companies like Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited to achieve the feat.

NNPCL Head, Field Operations, Eastern Corridor, Project Monitoring Office, Akponime Omojevwhe, stated this at the PINL December meeting with stakeholders in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

Omojevwhe said in a statement on Monday that the cordial partnership between the host communities and PINL has resulted in unhindered production on the Trans Niger Pipeline.

He revealed that the company’s projection for 2026 is 2.06 million barrels per day with a budgeted benchmark of 1.84 million barrels per day.

“Our projection for 2026 is 2.06mbpd while the budget is 1.84mbpd and with the kind of synergy we are seeing here in Bayelsa and other PINL coordinated areas, we can do it. If everybody comes together, it’s achievable and it’s realistic.”

Meanwhile, PINL promised to advocate for more development from government and international oil companies operating in the host communities of the TNP.

The surveillance company which operates on the eastern corridor of the TNP argued that siting development projects in host communities would help reduce the temptations of vandalism and oil theft by community people.

PINL General Manager, Community Relations and Stakeholder Engagement, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, said the decision to canvass for more development in the host communities followed several communities’ requests.

Mezeh said, “We have become one of the closest interfaces with the communities and those communities may not even understand that we don’t have the capacity to provide most of those things they are asking for, but for the fact that we have been able to create that platform to air their grievance. We have complaints of lack of basic amenities, so in 2026, we’ll advocate for more government attention in our communities.”

He said the meeting afforded the company the opportunity to review its progress in the fight against pipeline vandalism and crude oil theft, and also celebrate, fellowship and appreciate critical stakeholders, especially leaders of host communities for their support and commitment which he said have sustained the economic stability of the country.

The Chairman of Ijaw National Congress,  Central Zone, Chief Moses Theophilus, commended the company for its impactful services in the region on the outgoing year, noting that PINL’s services have greatly reduced vandalism, oil theft and environmental pollution in the area.

The Nigeria Labour Congress and its affiliates on Wednesday protested nationwide against rising insecurity in the country.

The union had declared a nationwide protest for December 17, citing what it described as the country’s “degenerating security situation.”

In a notice issued to all state councils on December 10, after its National Executive Committee-in-session meeting on December 4, the union condemned the rampant activities of bandits and kidnappers across the country.

It singled out the November 17 abduction of female students from a boarding school in Kebbi State and expressed outrage over the withdrawal of security personnel from the school shortly before the incident.

The union directed all its affiliates and state councils to “fully mobilise” workers and civil society for the protest.

In last-minute efforts to halt the protest, President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday night, met with the NLC leadership and some state governors, led by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.

The President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, told journalists on Wednesday that the leadership of the Congress would meet with the President again by January to address the issue of financial insecurity of Nigerian workers.

Ajaero said that the engagement the Labour had with the Federal Government was aimed at cancelling the planned protest, adding that the workers who were poorly paid and inadequately fed were more likely to face deeper challenges.

“The action continued this morning (Wednesday). We are rounding off now. We will take back whatever we discussed with them to our members.

“The attitude of meeting on the day or eve of any action is not rocket science.

“However, Mr President was emphatic that the issue of insecurity will be a thing of the past very soon. He said he’s taking extra steps to take care of it.

“We equally talked about financial insecurity because a worker who is not well fed and not well paid will have even more problems than those who are well fed and well paid.

“Mr President said he has put Nigeria on the map of prosperity, and we agreed that we’re going to meet in January to look at some grey areas where we need to touch.

“It will equally translate into the prosperity of the working people of Nigeria,” he said.

On whether the protest had been cancelled, Ajaero said: “We are going back to our members now, and then we will get back to them.

“But today (Wednesday) is gone, and our action is not an indefinite one. It’s a protest. The issue of suspension is not there because the action was taken off this morning,” Ajaero said.

Uzodimma, who is Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, said the President’s intervention played a key role in resolving the matter, adding that a channel had been opened for increased communication with Labour.

“President Bola Tinubu met last night with the leadership of NLC. They discussed issues of the Nigerian economy, workers’ welfare, ongoing reforms, national security and other developments in the country, and all of them agreed.

“National unity is very critical, and our national interest is also very important. And the march towards economic prosperity by the president is a welcome idea.

“At the end of the meeting, we also discovered that there is a need for regular engagements with the Nigeria Labour Congress.

“For now, both the government and labour are on the same page to ensure that Nigeria is better protected, and more investments in the areas of security should be encouraged.”

The governor expressed appreciation to Tinubu for the way he came out to explain to the labour leaders his programmes and activities for improved security arrangements in the country.

“We are also very grateful to the NLC for the maturity they exhibited; for the interest they also displayed for national security and better security for Nigerians and the welfare of Nigerian workers,” he said.

On Wednesday, workers gathered across states and the Federal Capital Territory in obedience to the directive of the NLC leadership to protest against insecurity.

Demonstrations in Lagos, Abuja, Anambra and some other parts of the country underscored how fear, violence and restricted movement have become part of daily life for millions of Nigerians.

In Abuja, the workers converged on the NLC national secretariat, with security personnel, including police, civil defence, and officials from the Department of State Services, deployed to ensure orderliness.

Ajaero, addressing the workers, said the planned protest remained firm and was intended to draw attention to the country’s worsening insecurity.

“The protest is to help this country – to call attention to the effect of insecurity,” he said.

He warned that insecurity was affecting Nigeria’s economy and discouraging investors.

Ajaero also highlighted the human cost, noting that workers and their families were often victims of kidnappings.

“Many workers are being kidnapped daily. People are killed. In Kebbi, a teacher was killed. Children of workers are kidnapped. The government must act to find the perpetrators,” he said.

Ajaero described banditry and kidnappings for ransom as alien to Nigerian values and called for a national response to end the trend.

He also suggested the idea of an “insecurity allowance” to support workers who are kidnapped and often need to raise money for ransom.

“This protest is our way of telling Nigerians and the international community that insecurity must stop.

“This is not the culture of Nigerians, and we must condemn it and strengthen the hands of those in authority to make sure it does not continue,” he said.

In Lagos, the march started at 9:10 am from the historic Ikeja Under Bridge and concluded at the Lagos State House of Assembly in Alausa.

Workers in union colours and civil society activists waved Nigeria Labour Congress flags and chanted labour songs and freedom anthems.

They criticised escalating banditry, kidnappings and violent crime, saying insecurity has eroded both safety and freedom of movement across the country.

At the forefront of the march were the chairperson of the NLC Lagos chapter, Funmi Sessi, and human rights lawyer and Labour Ambassador, Femi Falana (SAN).