Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday, reiterated that his administration would continue to strengthen the security architecture of the state in order to secure the lives and properties of residents. The governor, who was represented by his Deputy Bayo Lawal, stated this during the commissioning of the Moniya Area Command Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force, which was reconstructed by Akinyele Local Government. Makinde, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olarenwaju, in Ibadan, the state capital, also commissioned two motorised boreholes situated at the Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Challenged in Isabiyi Ward 6 and Akuro Community, Olorisaoko, Ward 11. The governor maintained that the construction of the new Area Command of the Nigeria Police in Moniya is part of the commitment of the government to securing lives and properties in the state. He said that the government remains ready to proactively combat security challenges. Makinde highlighted that Moniya and, indeed, the council area, is rapidly becoming a centre of attraction with massive urban expansion due to several vast infrastructure development projects of the state government, including the ongoing Circular Road, the Ilutuntun Business District and the Dry Port, among others. The governor stated that these projects have and will continue to attract more people to the council and that the government must expand its capacity to secure the people, a development he noted was demonstrated by the construction of the Command Headquarters in Moniya. While stating the strategic importance of the project, the governor added that the infrastructure development has projected Akinyele Local Government economically, noting that it requires robust security to ensure both public safety and a stable environment for investment. “This project has a lot of facilities in it, which will help the officers to perform their duties effectively. This also comes with a borehole and I want to commend the local government chairman for it. “As a community, I want to urge us to say something when we see anything strange. In the state, we have decided to really confront insecurity head on. Most of the needs of the security agencies are being met regularly to the extent that if you see any car carrying the logo of the Nigeria Police Force, just know the state government donated it. “I attend the NEC meeting on a monthly basis and I keep interrogating at the higher level in Abuja; look, you say it is the Nigeria Police Force but go to the states, in terms of equipment, mobility, the only thing states do not do is to buy arms and ammunition. “The rest of the responsibilities are being done by the state governments and we will continue to do this in the state. This is because we are appreciative of what the Police Force is doing for us in terms of security. For this Area Command, if there are things that must be put in place beyond the ability of the local government, please escalate it to the state government. “The contract for the road in front of this place has been awarded and they have started working on it, and it would be completed in due course. In the whole of South-West, the state stands as the safest; we have the statistics and records, and we are proud of the status in South-West Nigeria.” Earlier, the council chairman, Akinwole Akinleye, said the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force in Moniya is meant to reposition the command to secure borders and safeguard the people of the state in the face of mounting insecurity in the country. He added that the newly built area command has facilities that will enable policemen to effectively perform the task of tackling security issues associated with urbanisation as represented by the opening up of Ilu-Tuntun Business District and the ongoing Circular Road Project in Akinyele Local Government. While commending Governor Makinde for strengthening the security architecture of the state, he assured the people of the state of more dividends of democracy. Also in his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, who was represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Isiaka Salahudeen, urged the residents of the state to cooperate with the government by providing useful information to the security agencies to tackle insecurity and other social vices in their communities, adding that securing the state is a responsibility for all. He assured of the police’s readiness to work with other security agencies to support the government to progress and achieve good results. In their separate goodwill messages, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Segun Olayiwola; the Chairman of Local Government Chairmen in the state, Sikiru Sanda and an elder statesman, Julius Akinsola, lauded Makinde’s initiatives on security. They equally commended Akinleye for complementing the efforts of the government through the projects. They charged the Police Force and the people of Akinyele Local Government to utilise and maintain the projects to reduce the menace of insecurity in the state. The event had in attendance the Chairman, Oyo State Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamorudeen Aderibigbe; Chairman, Oyo State Community and Social Development Agency; Hon Abideen Adeaga; traditional leaders and other top government functionaries, among other dignitaries.

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has barred several top politicians including former deputy governor and ex National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, as well as another former deputy governor, Benedict Olugboyega Alabi from taking part in its December 13, 2025 Osun governorship primary. Also disqualified were Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), and Babatunde Haketer Oralusi. According to the report submitted on Friday, by the seven-member screening committee led by Barrister Obinna Uzor, only Hon. Mulikat Adeola Jimoh and Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji fulfilled all necessary conditions and are cleared to participate in the primary election. According to the committee, both aspirants “fulfilled regulatory conditions as stipulated by the party’s guidelines, the Constitution and the Electoral Act”, thereby earning full clearance. However, the panel forwarded the cases of the six disqualified aspirants to the National Working Committee (NWC) for a final assessment and possible clearance ahead of the shadow election. In its six-page report, endorsed by all members, the committee stated that its decision was influenced by a petition submitted by the Osun APC Renewal Group. The petition requested the disqualification of two aspirants, alleging that they did not meet the mandatory nominator requirements outlined in the party’s constitution and guidelines. The panel stated that “upon careful review, the Committee found the issues raised in the petition to be weighty, substantial and germane to the integrity of the screening process.” It added that, in the interest of fairness and uniform application of the rules, the same standards were applied to all nine aspirants. “Accordingly, the Committee extended the same scrutiny to all nine aspirants, ensuring that every sponsor (nominator) of an aspirant was assessed on the basis of compliance with Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution and Paragraph 6(c) of the Guidelines,” the report noted. At the end of the two-day exercise, the committee confirmed that only Jimoh and Oyebamiji “satisfactorily met all constitutional and guideline requirements of the APC, including proper nomination by the requisite number of fully registered, financially up-to-date party members from each Local Government Area.” The committee noted that Senators Omisore and Omoworare, along with Babayemi, Ogunbiyi, Alabi, Adegoke, and Oralusi, did not satisfy the mandatory requirement of securing nominations from at least five financially compliant party members in each local government. This condition is stipulated in Articles 9.3(i) and 31.2(ii) of the APC Constitution, as well as Paragraph 6(c) of the 2025 Governorship Primary Guidelines. Meanwhile, the Screening Appeal Committee, led by Senator Tola Odebiyi, is expected to convene on Saturday in Abuja to consider petitions from the seven disqualified aspirants and any other aggrieved party members.

President Bola Tinubu Has Sworn In Former Chief Of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, Rtd, As The New Minister Of Defence. Our Correspondent Reports That General Musa Took The Oath Of Office On Thursday At The State House, Abuja. Recall That The Senate On Wednesday, Confirmed Him As Minister Of Defence Following A Rigorous Five-hour Screening. During The Session, The Former CDS Was Grilled Over Recent Security Lapses, Including The Controversial Withdrawal Of Troops From Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, In Kebbi State, Shortly Before Schoolgirls Were Abducted On November 17. General Musa Told Lawmakers He Would Immediately Set Up A Full-scale Investigation Into The Troop Withdrawal Once He Assumed Duty. The New Defence Minister Also Vowed To Probe The Killing Of Brigade Commander Brig-Gen. Musa Uba In Borno State, Along With Other Attacks On Senior Military Officers.

Terrorists who kidnapped 10 residents of Isapa town in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State have given the community a one-week ultimatum to pay N300 million ransom or risk the execution of the captives. Our correspondent reports that the victims were whisked away last Sunday, and despite days of negotiation, none has been released. Recall that the assailants had initially demanded N500 million but later reduced the ransom to N300 million. The kidnappers warned that failure to meet their demand within the ultimatum would trigger another violent attack on the town, aimed at killing many more residents. The threats have reportedly heightened fear and tension across Isapa. Addressing newsmen on Wednesday, the Chief Hunter of Isapa, Mr A. Adeyeye, confirmed the latest communication from the kidnappers, saying that the community pleaded with the criminals and offered N5 million, but the gunmen rejected it outright. “Despite pleas from the community offering N5 million, the armed group rejected the offer, describing it as unacceptable and far below their expectations,” Adeyeye said.

The Osun State Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives has warned Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to “stay away from Osun affairs.” The caucus rejected what it described as illegal governorship primaries that, on Tuesday, produced Adebayo Adedamola as PDP’s governorship candidate for 2026. In a statement, signed by six members of the caucus on Wednesday, the lawmakers called on Makinde to desist from actions “capable of threatening the political stability of Osun State.” Signed by Bamidele Salam, Mudashiru Alani, Akanni Ademola, Adewale Adebayo, Adetunji Olusoji and Oladebo Omoleye, the statement condemned the purported primaries as being orchestrated “with thugs and political jobbers” allegedly imported from Ibadan, Oyo State. According to the caucus, this conduct portrays Makinde as “a treacherous character whose desperation for regional political influence has pushed him into untoward conduct.” They said, “It is laughable that the Oyo State governor does not understand, or chooses to ignore, the fact that the PDP has laid down procedures for the conduct of primaries, which include elections of ward ad-hoc delegates and national delegates, without which no valid primaries can be conducted. “Unequivocally reject the fraudulent conduct of a purported primary,” warning that anyone parading themselves as the PDP’s candidate would be “tantamount to a criminal impersonation and an attempt to provoke the peaceful and law-abiding leaders and members of the PDP in Osun state.” They also chided Makinde for exporting “impunity, recklessness and sham to Osun State,” even though Osun already has “a decent sitting governor who carries everyone along in major decision-making.” The lawmakers pledged to uphold the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and counselled that anyone interested in contesting the 2026 Osun governorship election must “play by the rules.” They further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to disregard the purported primary results and to align with the PDP constitution and guidelines. The root of the present mess stems from a deep internal leadership crisis at the national level of the PDP. Factions led by different power blocs — including a wing associated with Governor Seyi Makinde (notably the faction led by Kabiru Turaki) are at odds with rival factions loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike. This struggle has disrupted the normal functioning of the party’s national organs. As a result, key national officers responsible for organising congresses and primaries and transmitting candidate names to INEC have been suspended or counter-suspended. That institutional paralysis has made it impossible for many state chapters (including Osun) to conduct legitimate primaries. On November 4, 2025, Governor Adeleke formally resigned from the PDP, blaming the decision on the ongoing national leadership crisis.

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, says Nigeria has begun to receive international support in its fight against insurgents and terrorists waging war against the country. Ribadu made this known when he led a Federal Government delegation to pay a sympathy visit on the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Yohanna, and parents of the abducted students of St Mary’s Catholic Nursery Primary/Secondary School in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State. The NSA, who said Nigeria would overcome the insurgents, named some of the countries lending support to Nigeria to include the United States of America, France and Britain. “Many good people from all over the world are coming to support us, including the United States of America. We appreciate everyone, especially European countries like France, the United Kingdom and a couple of others. “The whole world is coming together to stop and defeat this evil which has been going on in Nigeria for two decades,” he stated. According to him, President Bola Tinubu was distressed and disturbed by the kidnap of the children and some of their teachers resulting in his stopping some of his official engagements to attend to the problem. “Mr. President said I should thank you, Bishop Yohanna for your understanding and patience and for giving us the right information and by standing by for us. We are one. “You will see our reactions and responses now. One thing I know is that evil people will always be around but this thing they have done is what will change Nigeria for good. “Enough is enough. We will not relent in our efforts, we are all under attack, let us not allow bad people to divide us, let us not allow evil to get into us,” he counseled.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has announced a comprehensive revision of cash-related policies, introducing new nationwide withdrawal limits and scrapping the cumulative deposit cap for bank customers. In the circular signed by the Director, Financial Policy & Regulation Department, Dr. Rita I. Sike, on December 2nd, 2025, the apex bank said the policy overhaul was necessary to reduce the rising cost of cash management, strengthen security around cash movement, and curb money laundering risks in an economy still heavily reliant on physical currency. According to the apex bank, earlier cash policies were introduced to manage changing economic conditions. It noted that the time had come to adjust those rules to meet current realities. The CBN said the cumulative cash deposit limit has been fully removed, and banks will no longer charge customers fees for deposits exceeding previously set thresholds. The move is expected to encourage more deposits and expand liquidity within the financial system. New Withdrawal Limits Introduced Under the revised framework, individuals are limited to a cumulative weekly withdrawal of ₦500,000 across all channels, including ATMs, POS terminals, and over-the-counter transactions. At the same time, corporate account holders may withdraw up to ₦5 million per week. Withdrawals above these limits will attract excess withdrawal fees of 3% for individuals and 5% for corporates, with the charges to be shared between the CBN (40%) and the financial institution (60%). The apex bank also discontinued the special monthly cash withdrawal waivers of ₦5 million for individuals and ₦10 million for corporates, stating that such exemptions will no longer apply. “These policies, issued over the years in response to evolving circumstances in cash management, sought to reduce cash usage and encourage accelerated adoption of other payment options, particularly electronic payment channels. With the effluxion of time, the need has arisen to streamline the provisions of these policies to reflect present-day realities,” the CBN said

The Peoples Democratic Party has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to protect Nigerians at home, on the streets, and in their workplaces. The party’s National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, made the remarks on Tuesday while briefing journalists in Abuja. The briefing took place at the Bauchi State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, where the Turaki-led National Working Committee has been meeting since the Nigerian Police Force sealed the PDP national secretariat in November amid a supremacy battle between two opposition camps within the party. Addressing reporters, Turaki criticised the government’s security record and called for a review of strategies to make the nation safer. “We believe the situation in this country is such that Nigerians are not safe on the streets. Nigerians are not safe in their places of work — be it in offices, on farms, or in markets. Nigerians are also not safe in their homes. “The situation where every citizen lives in perpetual fear, walks in perpetual fear, and conducts business in perpetual fear is something that must change,” he said. The former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs also criticised the Federal Government for failing to meet the basic expectations of an elected administration. “With the spate of kidnappings and killings occurring across the country, the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government has really not lived up to the expectations of Nigerians. “We therefore call on the Federal Government to brace up and, most importantly, consider a review of the country’s security architecture. “We in the PDP believe that a situation where governors are called chief security officers of their respective states, yet have no control over the operational activities of the military and security personnel in their states, is something that needs to be overhauled,” he said. On preparations for the Osun State governorship election, Turaki said the NWC was satisfied with developments so far. “This afternoon, we reviewed, confirmed, and approved the congresses held in Osun State to select ad-hoc delegates. We have also reviewed and confirmed the processes of the ongoing gubernatorial primary election, and we are satisfied with the reports from the field. “Everything is being conducted in an orderly, transparent, fair, and rancour-free manner. That is vintage PDP,” he said. Regarding litigation involving the party, Turaki added, “We have reviewed some of the cases filed against us, and those we have filed — particularly the one relating to the unlawful closure of our offices, the Legacy House and Wadata Plaza. The brief from our lawyers indicates we are on sound ground, and very soon, the law will take its course.” Turaki said the new NWC was scrutinising handover notes from the previous leadership to ensure continuity. “We have also begun examining the handover notes that the outgoing executives provided. We will be painstaking in our consideration of those notes to ensure there is no gap whatsoever in continuing the good work of the outgoing National Working Committee. For us in the PDP, it is a long continuum, so there will be no gap,” he said. On the fate of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and nine others expelled by the PDP national convention in Ibadan, Turaki confirmed that certificates of expulsion had been dispatched to them. “We have considered the issue of members expelled by the national convention in Ibadan. Nigerian law frowns on dual membership of political parties, so we sought to make it straightforward for them. Now that they are no longer PDP members, and the national convention — the highest decision-making organ of our party — has expelled them, we have issued certificates of expulsion. These certificates have been dispatched via courier to the 11 expelled persons,” he said, displaying the certificates. He urged INEC, the Nigerian Police, and other security agencies to note that the affected persons are no longer PDP members. On Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s status within the party, Turaki emphasised that changing political platforms is a constitutional right. “If he decides, either in person or via a representative at the primary, that he has withdrawn or refused to participate, that will form part of the report we receive. As far as we are concerned, even if what we saw on social media is true, Governor Adeleke, like any Nigerian, has the constitutional right to freedom of association. He is free to move on and join any political party,” he said. He also noted that former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Okezie Ikpeazu, recently nominated as ambassador-designates, have yet to officially notify the party of their nominations.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday projected a renewed sense of direction as its new National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki, SAN, declared that the opposition won’t be silenced. He spoke in Abuja after receiving handover documents from the former chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, in a ceremony that marked a fresh chapter for the party. The event, held at the Bauchi Governor’s Lodge on Tuesday, brought together top members of the National Working Committee (NWC) and other senior figures. Damagum formally handed over a two-volume record of his stewardship, a gesture aimed at smoothing the transition and giving the new leadership a clear picture of where the party stands. “This handover for us is part of our responsibility… There is no better time than now; it is better late than never,” Damagum said, noting that the delay was due to the extensive process of compiling the documents. He said the materials would help the new NWC navigate the many political and internal challenges the PDP is currently facing. “I know it comes at a time when we are bedevilled by many challenges. The beauty of the PDP is its ability to surmount obstacles and continue doing what is right,” he said. Reinforcing his confidence in the party’s standing, Damagum argued that the PDP remains the strongest alternative platform in the country despite attempts to undermine it. “Every day, we cross one hurdle; they place another before us, we cross it and continue. All this happens by God’s blessing,” he stated. He added that the PDP’s resilience has always rested on faith and fairness. “You may have temporary respite through your injustices, but when God’s justice descends, then you realise that He alone is absolute,” he said. In his response, Turaki commended Damagum and his team for presenting a thorough handover report and for maintaining continuity in party administration. “Immediately after our election in Bauchi, you promised to prepare a comprehensive handover note… Today, that pledge has been fulfilled,” he said. Turaki also raised concerns about what he described as deliberate efforts by certain interests to weaken the PDP because of the threat it poses in national politics. “We are at a crossroads, because some believe the PDP must be killed, must be destroyed, must be isolated simply because of the threat we pose today. But in a democracy, you should live and let others live,” he said. He reaffirmed the new NWC’s commitment to internal reforms, transparency and fairness, saying the party must return to its grassroots base. “We promised there would be no impunity, no injustice, a level playing field, transparency and fairness. We still stand by that pledge we made in Bauchi,” he declared. Turaki said the leadership would carefully study the two-volume handover report and use it to guide their decisions in the months ahead. “Once again, I want to assure Nigerians that the PDP is on the rise again, and there is no stopping us,” he said. The handover ceremony added momentum to the PDP’s broader push to rebuild unity, tighten its structures and strengthen its role as the country’s leading opposition platform

President Bola Tinubu has nominated a former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as the new Minister of Defence. The nomination was conveyed in a letter sent to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, announcing Musa as the replacement for 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.” Our correspondent had earlier reported that Badaru, who was appointed Minister of Defence on August 21, 2023, cited ill health in his resignation letter. A statement by Onanuga added that Tinubu had accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service to the nation. The statement further noted, “President Tinubu will likely inform the Senate of Badaru’s successor later this week. “His resignation comes amid President Tinubu’s declaration of a national security emergency, with plans to elaborate on its scope in due course.” Badaru recently came under criticism following a BBC Hausa interview in which he said some terrorists could not be targeted because their forest hideouts were too dense for bombs to reach.