The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to press freedom, describing it as critical to his vision of a prosperous Nigeria. Idris made this statement at the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference, adding that no media organisation has been gagged or shut down under Tinubu’s administration. “Central to this vision of prosperous Nigeria is an environment where free speech and a dynamic media can thrive. “I stand before you today to affirm that under President Tinubu’s leadership, we have nurtured an unprecedentedly egalitarian media ecosystem,” he said. According to the minister, the President’s commitment to press freedom is being recognised globally, resulting in the country being granted the hosting rights for the International Media and Information Literacy Institute. He further stated that the prestigious event would connect Nigeria to media-literate dynamics from across the world, with his ministry poised to leverage this platform to showcase the nation’s progress.

Activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju and social media commentator, Joe Igbokwe have clashed following the heated exchange between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike and a Naval officer. The social media was awash on Tuesday following a viral video clip that captured Wike confronting a soldier for denying him access to a disputed land. The incident divided Nigerians as some backed the military officer while others rooted for the FCT Minister, condemning the action of the solder. Joe Igbokwe in a post on his official Facebook page called for the dismissal of the officer, questioning those behind his authority. But Deji in a counter post on Facebook, urged Igbokwe to stop hustling for an appointment. He wrote, “Dear Joe Igbokwe, appointment is finished already. Stop the hustling except you want to replace this cameraman. Doing media aide in old age is actually crazy. Old data boys”. However, Igbokwe stormed the comment section to warn Deji, stating that they are not mates and he is not looking for any appointment. He wrote, “Deji you do not know me and I do not know you. The only thing I know about you is that you are an emergency activist. I have been a well-made man for over 30 years. “I started activism in the University of Nigeria Nsukka in the 80s. It is more than 40 years, Deji. Young man I am not looking for anything anymore from anybody. I am not your mate. “Please go and verify. Ignorance is a terrible disease. Check my background, ask questions, seek information, go and read my 5 books and you will know me. A good product sells itself”.

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (rtd), has issued a strongly worded statement calling for immediate action against the conduct of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who verbally assaulted a military officer in uniform. Buratai stated that Wike’s actions were not merely acts of indiscipline but a direct threat to national security and the integrity of the Nigerian Armed Forces. He said the minister’s remarks demonstrated “a lack of respect for the constitutional order and the chain of command,” which could weaken the morale of military personnel and undermine discipline within the armed forces. According to the former army chief, “This incident cannot be viewed as political drama, as it poses a serious danger to national order and the authority of the federal government.” Buratai further urged that Minister Wike must tender a public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, to all security agencies, and to the officer whose honour was publicly disrespected.

Tension is mounting between Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and members of the State House of Assembly following the submission of a N531 billion supplementary budget for legislative approval. The lawmakers have reportedly rejected the governor’s proposal, questioning the rationale for such a large additional request barely two months before the end of the fiscal year. According to Assembly sources, the budget request—read on the floor of the House by the Clerk, Barrister Benjamin Jayeola, on November 4, 2025—seeks approval to fund ongoing capital projects and cover recurrent expenditures, including salaries, pensions, and newly initiated infrastructural works across the state. A copy of the document shows that the governor is requesting a total of N531,767,261,000 (five hundred and thirty-one billion, seven hundred and sixty-seven million, two hundred and sixty-one thousand naira). Of this sum, N254,448,081,000 is earmarked for recurrent expenditure, while N277,319,130,000 is allocated for capital projects for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The move has sparked discontent among members of the Assembly, who accused the executive of poor budget performance and alleged fiscal indiscipline in implementing the 2025 Appropriation Law. Governor Aiyedatiwa had earlier signed the 2025 Appropriation Bill, tagged the “Budget of Recovery”, totalling N698.659 billion, with N433.622 billion (62.06%) allocated for capital expenditure and N265.037 billion (37.94%) for recurrent expenditure. The initial proposal of N655.230 billion was subsequently increased by over N43 billion before passage into law. At the time, the governor said the budget reflected the collective aspirations of Ondo residents and aimed to rebuild the state’s economy and address socio-economic challenges. However, several lawmakers, during a parliamentary session on November 4, 2025, reportedly expressed frustration over what they described as the administration’s “reckless spending pattern”, warning that approving another massive budget could further strain the state’s finances. A lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said most projects in the 2025 budget have recorded less than 35 per cent completion, questioning the logic of presenting a fresh N531 billion proposal amid such poor fiscal execution. He disclosed that lawmakers had to “walk out” of the House, led by Speaker Olamide Oladiji, after repeated arguments among members over the governor’s intentions. “We did not even finish the sitting at the House on November 4. Many lawmakers had to walk out of the sitting. It became a rowdy session because many of us questioned what the executive had done with the funds already approved. “We had to walk out. The Speaker, Rt Hon. Olamide Oladiji, who has turned himself into a rubber stamp in the hands of the executive, is aligning with the governor because of his political ambition to contest for the House of Representatives, but we are saying enough is enough,” he added. Accusing the government of a lack of transparency, another aggrieved lawmaker opposed the governor’s request for additional funds through the supplementary budget. He explained that many lawmakers have been threatened or blackmailed for refusing to support a few colleagues planning to carry out the governor’s bidding. “The governor is threatening us. You know we don’t have autonomy yet. He controls our salaries through the executive. He and his aides have threatened us that we won’t receive a second return if we don’t pass the supplementary budget into law. They have even used our constituents to blackmail some of us. “This government has not been transparent in its financial dealings. The budget performance is abysmal, yet they want another N531 billion. It’s simply unacceptable. You can imagine nothing is happening in the state, and you’re requesting more funds,” the lawmaker stated. Amid the deepening rift, sources revealed that lawmakers are divided over the governor’s attempt to push the supplementary budget through the Assembly. The proposal has been referred to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation, chaired by Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi, a former majority leader. “Now, 11 members have manoeuvred to commit the budget to the Committee on Finance and Appropriation. They plan to reconvene by 9 am on Wednesday for a kangaroo sitting to pass the budget,” another source said. “The problem is they cannot muster the two-thirds majority required, and many lawmakers have vowed to boycott the session. The people of Ondo State should be aware of this carnage that is about to happen in the Assembly.” As of press time, the state government had not responded to enquiries regarding the lawmakers’ resistance or the justification for the supplementary budget proposal. Efforts to obtain the reaction of Assembly Speaker Oladiji were repeatedly unsuccessful.

A Coalition Of Nigerian Military Veterans Has Condemned The Minister Of The Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Over A Recent Confrontation With A Naval Officer During An Enforcement Visit To A Disputed Land In Abuja. A Video Obtained By Our Correspondent Earlier Showed Wike In A Heated Exchange With Some Naval Personnel At A Site In The Gaduwa Area Of The FCT. The Minister Had Visited The Location As Part Of An Enforcement Operation And Questioned The Presence Of Military Personnel Allegedly Guarding The Land. In The Footage, Wike Accused The Officers Of Supporting An Illegal Development, While One Of The Naval Personnel Insisted They Were Acting On Orders And That The Land Belonged To A Former Chief Of Naval The Altercation Escalated, With Wike Reportedly Using Harsh Language Against The Officer. The Incident Drew Mixed Reactions Online. While Some Commentators Criticised The Officer For Challenging A Serving Cabinet Minister, Others Defended The Officer’s Conduct. In A Statement By Its Spokesperson, Abiodun Durowaiye-Herberts, The Coalition Of Military Veterans Criticised Wike For Verbally Insulting The Officer During The Encounter. The Group Said A Public Office Holder Should Not Use Abusive Language Against Security Personnel Carrying Out Official Duties. “How Can A Public Office Holder Call An Officer ‘a Fool’ On Camera? If He Was Responsible, He Should Have Engaged The Chief Of Naval Staff Privately Rather Than Attempting To Disgrace A Retired Senior Officer,” Durowaiye-Herberts Said. He Added That A Uniformed Officer Represents The Authority Of The Nigerian State And That Disrespecting Such An Officer Undermines Public Institutions. The Veterans Also Faulted Calls For Disciplinary Action Against The Officer, Saying Any Such Move Would Be Resisted. “If For Any Reason The Officer Is Punished, Military Veterans Will Occupy The Office And Residence Of The FCT Minister,” He Warned. He Noted That Military Officers Swear Loyalty To The Country And Not To Individual Public Officials And Insisted That Wike Should Apologise To The Officer. “Wike’s Action Demeans The Dignity Of The Office Of A Minister. He Should Apologise For Using Abusive Language. It Is Not Acceptable Behaviour,” Durowaiye-Herberts Added.

The Oyo State Ministry Of Education And The Nigeria Union Of Teachers, Oyo State Chapter, Have Dismissed Reports That A Teacher Was Beaten To Death By Students In Ogbomoso, Describing The Viral News As False And A Complete Misrepresentation Of Facts. According To A Statement By The Special Adviser (Media) To The Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, On Monday, The Commissioner For Education, Science And Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola; Oyo State NUT Chairman, Raji Oladimeji; And The Principal Of Soun High School, Ogbomoso, Mr Ajayi Adeyinka, Spoke Separately On Monday, Providing Detailed Accounts Of The Incident. They Clarified That The Claim That The Late Teacher, Mr Adegoke Abiodun, Was Beaten To Death By Students Is Unfounded. The Incident In Which He Confronted Four Students Gambling On School Premises Occurred On May 28, 2025, While The Teacher Passed Away On November 4, 2025. “The Oyo State Government And The Education Community Commiserate With The Family Of The Deceased, Praying For The Repose Of His Soul, While Also Warning The Public To Be Wary Of Fake News,” The Statement Read. Olayiwola Explained That Investigations Revealed That The Teacher Was Not Beaten By Students. “Though It Is True That The Late Mr Adegoke Apprehended Four Students Gambling, He Dislocated His Arm While Trying To Reprimand One Of Them, Not Because Of An Attack By The Students,” He Said. He Added That The Teacher Initially Sought Treatment From A Local Bone Therapist And A Private Hospital, But Was Later Diagnosed With Stage 4 Bone Marrow Cancer. The Commissioner Warned The Public Against Spreading Unverified Information, Saying, “We Have Investigated The Matter Thoroughly And Found The Claims To Be False. The Principal Of The School Reported Directly To The Ministry. The Late Mr Adegoke Had Been Receiving Medical Attention Since The Onset Of His Illness,” Olayiwola Said. He Provided Further Details Of The May 28 Incident, Saying, “One Of The Students Involved Was Personally Known To Mr Adegoke. While Attempting To Discipline Him, The Teacher’s Hand Landed Awkwardly On The Boy’s Elbow, Causing Swelling. Medical Attention Was Immediately Sought.” Olayiwola Said The Teacher’s Worsening Condition Led To Further Medical Examination, Revealing Advanced Bone Marrow Cancer. “It Is Unfortunate That Some People Have Used This Tragic Event To Spread Falsehoods,” He Added. Adeyinka Corroborated The Account, Stressing That The Teacher’s Death Was Due To Illness And Not An Attack By Students. “After Discovering The Students Gambling, We Disciplined Them Immediately. Mr Adegoke Later Developed Health Complications, Which Were Diagnosed As Stage 4 Bone Marrow Cancer,” He Said. NUT Chairman, Oladimeji, Also Decried The Circulation Of False Information, Stating, “The Union Became Involved To Raise Funds For Mr Adegoke’s Treatment. “About N2 Million Was Raised, But Unfortunately, He Passed Away Due To His Illness. The Claim That He Was Beaten To Death Is Entirely False And Has Caused Unnecessary Tension.”

Fresh Controversy Over The Stalled Confirmation Of President Bola Tinubu’s Nominee For Chairman Of The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Abdullahi Ramat, Escalated On Tuesday As Scores Of Protesters Stormed The National Assembly, Urging The Senate To Conclude The Process Without Further Delay. The Demonstrators, Comprising Ramat’s Supporters, Civil Society Groups, And Rights Activists, Marched Around The Parliamentary Complex, Chanting Solidarity Songs And Waving Placards Such As “President Tinubu Did Not Send Nominees To Be Harassed” And “Ramat Represents Reform In Power Sector.” Their Protest Followed Last Month’s Decision By The Senate To Step Down Ramat’s Confirmation Despite His Successful Screening By The Senate Committee On Power, Chaired By Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe. Leader Of The Protesters And Spokesperson Of The Grassroots Initiative Concept, Ahmed Suleiman, Told Journalists That They Had Formally Petitioned Both Tinubu And Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Insisting That “certain Vested Interests” Were Working To Derail A Credible “We Write As Proud Indigenes Of Kano State, Just Like The Deputy Senate President, Distinguished Senator Barau Jibril, To Express Our Firm Commitment To The Peace, Progress, And Good Governance Of Our Great Nation. “It Is In This Regard That We Respectfully Bring To Your Attention A Matter Of Significant Concern: The Yet-to-be-concluded Confirmation Of Our Son, Engr. Abdullahi Ramat, As NERC Executive Chairman And Chief Executive Officer,” Suleiman Said. He Argued That Ramat “possesses The Requisite Academic And Professional Qualifications, As Well As Valuable Experience,” Adding That It Was “surprising And Deeply Unsettling” That His Name Was Stepped Down On The Senate Order Paper On October 22 Despite Being Recommended By The Screening Panel. “We Have Since Been Informed That Certain Vested Interests Have Mounted Pressure To Block His Confirmation By Advancing False Narratives And Politically-motivated Petitions,” He Alleged, Warning That “a Dangerous Precedent Is Being Set; One Where Nigeria’s Most Capable Hands Are Subjected To The Vindictive Whims Of Politics.” The Protesters Appealed To The Senate Leadership “not To Yield To The Machinations Of Those Who Do Not Wish Nigeria Well,” Urging That Ramat Be Confirmed “in The National Interest, The Unity Of Nigeria, And The Success Of The Tinubu Administration.” The Renewed Agitation Comes Four Days After The Senate Threatened Legal Action Against Former Presidential Aide Alwan Hassan For Alleging That Lawmakers Collected A $10 Million Bribe To Block Ramat’s Confirmation. Senate Spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, Dismissed The Bribery Claims As “baseless,” Saying The Nominee’s Confirmation Was Stepped Down Due To “public And Private Complaints” Over His Suitability. “The Attention Of The Senate Has Been Drawn To The Uncoordinated Cacophony Of One Innocuous Alwan Hassan, Who Is A Hand-tool To One Mr Abdullah Garba Ramat. “Many Nominees Have Been Stepped Down Due To Such Public Outcry. The Case Of Mr Ramat Is Not An Exception,” Adaramodu Said. The Senate Has Vowed To Compel Hassan To Provide Evidence In Court, Maintaining That It Would Not Be Pressured Into Confirming Any Nominee “under A Cloud Of Public Concern.” Ramat’s Nomination Remains Suspended Pending Further Legislative And Public Review, Amid Heightened National Frustration Over Electricity Tariffs And Poor Power Supply Across The Country.

The Oyo State Ministry Of Education And The Nigeria Union Of Teachers, Oyo State Chapter, Have Dismissed Reports That A Teacher Was Beaten To Death By Students In Ogbomoso, Describing The Viral News As False And A Complete Misrepresentation Of Facts. According To A Statement By The Special Adviser (Media) To The Oyo State Governor, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, On Monday, The Commissioner For Education, Science And Technology, Olusegun Olayiwola; Oyo State NUT Chairman, Raji Oladimeji; And The Principal Of Soun High School, Ogbomoso, Mr Ajayi Adeyinka, Spoke Separately On Monday, Providing Detailed Accounts Of The Incident. They Clarified That The Claim That The Late Teacher, Mr Adegoke Abiodun, Was Beaten To Death By Students Is Unfounded. The Incident In Which He Confronted Four Students Gambling On School Premises Occurred On May 28, 2025, While The Teacher Passed Away On November 4, 2025. “The Oyo State Government And The Education Community Commiserate With The Family Of The Deceased, Praying For The Repose Of His Soul, While Also Warning The Public To Be Wary Of Fake News,” The Statement Read. Olayiwola Explained That Investigations Revealed That The Teacher Was Not Beaten By Students. “Though It Is True That The Late Mr Adegoke Apprehended Four Students Gambling, He Dislocated His Arm While Trying To Reprimand One Of Them, Not Because Of An Attack By The Students,” He Said. He Added That The Teacher Initially Sought Treatment From A Local Bone Therapist And A Private Hospital, But Was Later Diagnosed With Stage 4 Bone Marrow Cancer. The Commissioner Warned The Public Against Spreading Unverified Information, Saying, “We Have Investigated The Matter Thoroughly And Found The Claims To Be False. The Principal Of The School Reported Directly To The Ministry. The Late Mr Adegoke Had Been Receiving Medical Attention Since The Onset Of His Illness,” Olayiwola Said. He Provided Further Details Of The May 28 Incident, Saying, “One Of The Students Involved Was Personally Known To Mr Adegoke. While Attempting To Discipline Him, The Teacher’s Hand Landed Awkwardly On The Boy’s Elbow, Causing Swelling. Medical Attention Was Immediately Sought.” Olayiwola Said The Teacher’s Worsening Condition Led To Further Medical Examination, Revealing Advanced Bone Marrow Cancer. “It Is Unfortunate That Some People Have Used This Tragic Event To Spread Falsehoods,” He Added. Adeyinka Corroborated The Account, Stressing That The Teacher’s Death Was Due To Illness And Not An Attack By Students. “After Discovering The Students Gambling, We Disciplined Them Immediately. Mr Adegoke Later Developed Health Complications, Which Were Diagnosed As Stage 4 Bone Marrow Cancer,” He Said. NUT Chairman, Oladimeji, Also Decried The Circulation Of False Information, Stating, “The Union Became Involved To Raise Funds For Mr Adegoke’s Treatment. “About N2 Million Was Raised, But Unfortunately, He Passed Away Due To His Illness. The Claim That He Was Beaten To Death Is Entirely False And Has Caused Unnecessary Tension.”

30-year-old Toheeb Ganiyu Was On Tuesday Docked In An Iyaganku Magistrates’ Court, Ibadan, For Allegedly Keeping His Friend’s Gun In His Office. Ganiyu, Whose Address Was Not Provided, Is Being Charged With Accessory After The Fact, To Which He Pleaded Not Guilty. The Prosecutor, Insp Olalekan Adegbite, Told The Court That The Defendant Committed The Offence Sometime In 2024, At The Atipe Area Of Ibadan. Adegbite Alleged That The Defendant Permitted One Olaoluwa Ogungbade, Alleged To Be A Cultist And Popularly Called Akube, To Keep His Gun In His Office. He Alleged That The Defendant Was Fully Aware That The Said Akube Is A Member Of The Aiye Confraternity But Failed To Report This To The Appropriate Authorities. He Said That The Defendant Committed An Offence Contrary To Section 520 Of The Criminal Laws Of Oyo State, 2000. The Magistrate, Mrs Kausarat Ayofe, Granted The Defendant Bail In The Sum Of N200,000 And One Surety In Like Sum. She Held That The Surety Must Be A Close Relation To The Defendant And Be Gainfully Employed. Ayofe, Thereafter, Adjourned The Case Until Jan.26, 2026, For Hearing.