Governor Alex Otti of Abia State says he will not defect from the Labour Party despite plans by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to leave the platform.

Otti made this declaration on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, saying he had decided to remain in the Labour Party to help rebuild and reposition it.

He revealed that Obi had personally informed him of his intention to exit the party and that he had no objection to the decision, but emphasised that his own political path would be different.

“If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him. He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I told him that I would continue the struggle to rescue the Labour Party,” Otti disclosed.

The governor also described the Labour Party as the platform that brought him to office, noting that his loyalty remained with the party for now.

“That is the party that brought me to power. If we fight and get to the end, and we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. Therefore, for now, I am not defecting to any party,” he added.

He equally reacted to recent calls by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Otti said he was not interested in being drawn into political distractions.

Otti acknowledged Kalu’s recent distribution of financial support to vulnerable people in the state, saying it aligned with his own appeal for assistance to the less privileged during the Christmas period.

The Obaseki family of Benin, Edo State, on Tuesday declared support for the decision of their son, Dr Pedro Obaseki, to seek legal redress over the “humiliation” he suffered on Sunday.

A mob had stripped the former Managing Director of DAAR Communications on Sunday morning at the Uwa Primary School football field in Benin over alleged disrespect to the Oba of Benin.

In a video that made the rounds on social media, he was stripped naked, intimidated and forcefully taken to the palace, where the chiefs took him in before further actions were taken.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Okaegbe of the Obaseki family Worldwide, Pa. Daniel Obaseki, condemned the manner in which Pedro was beaten.

He said, “No father, mother, brother, sister, or person of good conscience can witness such sordid humiliation of a son of Benin—a respected professional, cultural ambassador, and member of a front-line, noble family—without being profoundly shaken.”

He, on behalf of the family, condemned the incident as “barbaric, shameful and a gross violation of fundamental human rights.”

Daniel said the family deliberately delayed their reaction to properly digest the bizarre incident and await the response of constituted authorities.

“Dr Pedro Obaseki has conducted himself honourably at all times, and that there was absolutely no justification for the violence allegedly visited upon him,” he said.

He called for a thorough, lawful and impartial investigation into the incident, urging that anyone found culpable be held accountable.

He added, “The Obaseki Council has been deeply disturbed by the deplorable incident of mob violence and public humiliation meted out in broad daylight to our son, Dr Pedro Obaseki, on Sunday, 28th December 2025, by suspected individuals who are neither palace functionaries nor agents of the state.

“The Obaseki Council wishes to state categorically that it is not political or partisan. Our family has always been robust enough to accommodate diverse political views and personal convictions, provided they are exercised with civility, respect for others, and strict adherence to the law. We shall support our son to seek redress in the court.

“Dr Obaseki has conducted himself honourably, and we find no justification whatsoever for the violence visited upon him.”

While reaffirming its respect for the palace of the Oba of Benin as a unifying institution and moral compass for all Benin people, the family warned that nothing should be done by non-palace functionaries to undermine the dignity and exalted position of the revered traditional institution.

He said, “Obaseki Council is deeply mindful of the exalted position of the Palace of the Oba of Benin as a unifying force and role model for all Benin People. Nothing should be done by non-Palace functionaries to diminish these.

“In the interest of public order, justice, and societal balance, the Obaseki Council supports the use of lawful and impartial processes to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident and to hold accountable any persons found to have committed criminal acts.

“Accountability pursued calmly and lawfully is essential to prevent a dangerous descent into anarchy and to reassure law-abiding citizens that no one is above the law.”

They called on all members of the family to exercise restraint:

“We urge calm, restraint, and reflection. This moment calls for wisdom, not incitement; for justice, not vengeance; but strong resolve to restore sanity and the reaffirmation of the finest values of the Benin people,” Daniel said.

The Borno State Police Command has described as misinformation reports claiming that the Nigerian Army arrested a suspected suicide bomber in the state, insisting that the operation was carried out by the police and that no active improvised explosive device was recovered.

Recall that on Tuesday night, PUNCH Online reported that troops of Operation Hadin Kai arrested a suspected suicide bomber, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, in Borno State.

The Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North-East Operation Hadin Kai, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

According to him, the suspect was arrested on Monday by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, in collaboration with other security agencies, in Bama Local Government Area of the state.

The statement read in part: “The Joint Task Force North East (JTF NE), Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has recorded a significant operational success with the arrest of a suspected suicide bomber and the interception of materials intended for the manufacture of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Borno State.”

Uba said the arrest followed sustained joint operations and credible intelligence aimed at securing Banki town in Bama Local Government Area.

“At about 5:40 pm on Monday, December 29, 2025, personnel deployed at the Banki Central Mosque apprehended a suspected suicide bomber identified as Abubakar Mustapha,” he said.

He added that the suspect was allegedly found in possession of materials believed to be components of a primed IED, indicating an imminent intent to carry out an attack.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities.

“He is currently undergoing detailed interrogation to establish his sponsors, collaborators and possible links with terrorist networks operating within the area,” Uba stated.

He further assured all that troops of JTF NE OPHK continue to dominate their areas of responsibility through aggressive patrols, intelligence-led operations and sustained presence to deny JAS/ISWAP terrorists freedom of action and prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure.

However, reacting to the development on Wednesday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, told PUNCH Online in a telephone interview that the suspect was arrested by the police and is currently in police custody.

“The same suspect shown in the pictures released by the Army is with us. I personally interviewed him last night. The items recovered from him are not IEDs. It was a police operation,” Daso declared.

The PPRO also issued a statement in the early hours of Wednesday, warning members of the public against the spread of misinformation.

“The Borno State Police Command has observed with concern the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of improvised explosive device (IED) components in Banki, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State,” the statement read.

“To set the record straight, on December 29, 2025, at about 6:10 pm, operatives of the command, while on surveillance around a mosque in Banki LGA, accosted one Abubakar in possession of a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted gadget scrap materials and pairs of shoes,” he added.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the items recovered showed “no active IED fabrication or priming.”

“The case has been transferred to the State Command Headquarters for comprehensive investigation. The suspect is currently in custody, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain the circumstances and intent surrounding possession of the items,” Daso added.

He cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing fear or panic and urged reliance on credible and official sources for accurate information.

Executive members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP,  in Gargari Ward, Dawakin Tofa Local Government Area of Kano State, have removed and expelled the state party chairman, Hashimu Dungurawa, from the party, barely two weeks after his re-election.

A resolution signed by 27 ward executives said the decision was taken during the ward’s second executive meeting, led by the Ward Chairman, Shuaibu Hassan, with the secretary, Yahaya Saidu Dungurawa, in attendance.

According to the resolution, Dungurawa was removed over allegations of causing division within the party, fueling internal crises, failing to pay party dues, and making abusive comments against the Kano State Governor.

The executives said his alleged actions were unacceptable and harmful to the image, unity, and progress of the NNPP.

They stated that the decision followed the party’s constitution and was aimed at maintaining discipline, unity, and internal harmony within the party.

The ward leadership said copies of the resolution had been sent to the party’s local government, state, and national offices for further action.

“The decision had been communicated to the party’s national leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf”.

The ward executives said the move was meant to warn party members who abuse their positions and act as if they are above party rules.

They reaffirmed their loyalty to the NNPP national leadership under Kwankwaso and pledged continued support for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, while stressing their commitment to peace, unity, and the growth of the party.

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in Ogun State has uncovered a warehouse used for the storage of illicit substances, along with a haul of Cannabis Sativa concealed inside a Honda Ridgeline pickup vehicle in the Rounder area of Abeokuta.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Haris Musa, said in a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Monday that the discovery was made at about 10:00 pm on Sunday.

Musa revealed that the operation also led to the arrest of a 49-year-old man, identified as Fatokun Rahmon, with a total of 347 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa recovered.

He said, “Acting on actionable intelligence, operatives of the Command, on December 28, 2025, at about 10 pm, conducted a targeted operation at the Rounder, Abeokuta, Ogun State, where a warehouse used for the storage of illicit substances was uncovered.

“During the operation, operatives discovered a haul of Cannabis Sativa concealed inside a Honda Ridgeline pickup vehicle.

“The operation culminated in the arrest of one Fatokun Rahmon, 49 years of age, while a total of 347 kilograms of Cannabis Sativa were recovered.”

While reiterating the command’s unwavering commitment to suppressing illicit drug trafficking within the state, Musa noted that the interception highlights the operational alertness, intelligence-driven strategy, and relentless enforcement posture of the command, even as the year drew to a close.

Musa asserted that the command remains steadfast in sustaining this tempo as part of its mandate to curb the menace of drug abuse and illicit trafficking.

Two close friends and team members of world-renowned boxer, Anthony Joshua, have been identified as the victims of the fatal road crash that occurred along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Monday.

Anthony Joshua’s promoter, Matchroom Boxing, confirmed in a statement that the deceased were Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, both of whom worked closely with the boxer for several years.

“With profound sadness, it has been confirmed that two close friends and team members Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele have tragically passed away,” Matchroom Boxing said.

The company added that Joshua sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, noting that he was in a stable condition and would remain under observation.

The BBC also confirmed that the two men killed in the crash were Joshua’s teammates, adding that both were part of his inner circle.

PUNCH Online reports that just hours before the accident, Joshua had posted an Instagram story showing him playing table tennis with Latif Ayodele, popularly known as Latz.

Who were they?

Sina Ghami

Sina Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach for more than a decade.

He also co-founded Evolve Gym in London.

BBC reports that Ghami is a qualified sports and exercise rehabilitator who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries and corrective exercise.

Ghami had worked with athletes across several sports, including the National Football League, National Basketball Association and the Michigan State University football team.

The BBC reports that Ghami, who specialised in sports rehabilitation and injury prevention, had shared social media posts from Lagos shortly before the crash and frequently posted photos with Joshua.

Latif “Latz” Ayodele

Latif Ayodele, widely known as Latz, was Joshua’s personal trainer.

His social media pages reflected a deep passion for fitness and a strong commitment to Islam.

Ayodele regularly posted photos with Joshua on his Instagram page and was seen with the boxer shortly before the accident.

How the crash happened

As earlier reported by PUNCH Online, Joshua was involved in the road accident around 11 am on Monday at Makun, near the Danco Filling Station, before the Sagamu Interchange inward Ibadan on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash.

“Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived,” he said.

He added that the passenger beside the driver and the occupant beside Joshua died on the spot, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps later arrived at the scene and commenced rescue and investigation efforts.

Official reactions

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that two passengers died at the scene while Joshua and one other person were hospitalised.

In a statement shared on X, the police said the deceased had been conveyed to the Livewell Hospital Morgue in Sagamu, while investigations into the circumstances surrounding the crash had commenced.

The Federal Road Safety Corps, in its preliminary findings, attributed the crash to excessive speed and wrongful overtaking, noting that the Lexus SUV lost control before colliding with the stationary truck.

Joshua, who was born to British-Nigerian parents, attended a boarding school in Ikenne, a few kilometres from where the accident occurred.

Messages of condolence have continued to pour in from fans and public figures, while tributes have flooded social media for Ghami and Ayodele.