The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that former Vice President of Nigeria, Abubakar Atiku, will be asked to step down for former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele revealed that the international community, including the African Union, European Union, United States of America, in conjunction with some local actors like TY Danjuma, Abubakar Abdulsalami and Olusegun Obasanjo, will be behind the move. The clergyman revealed that Goodluck Jonathan will be made to join the coalition against the current administration, explaining that he will be used against President Bola Tinubu and that the aim is for him to serve for one term. “I see that the AU, UK, USA, EU and some local actors like TY Danjuma, Abubakar Abdulsalam, Obasanjo, will ask Atiku to step down for Jonathan ahead of the 2027 presidential election, even in the coalition. “They will compel Jonathan to join the coalition and ensure he gets the ticket to contest against Tinubu in 2027. It will be a difficult move, but I see it being planned already. “The meeting started late December, but Tinubu doesn’t know what they are planning against him.” The prophet further reiterated his prophecy about the US President ‘caging’ Tinubu. “As I said, the US will be Tinubu’s greatest opposition. Trump’s wish is to see Tinubu out of the seat, except that the president makes a very bold political move. The international community will be involved in our election, and we have to be careful about it.”

Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has said Nigeria’s persistent economic decline is the result of leadership failure rather than a lack of resources, warning that the country has fallen far behind peers such as India, which has now overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP. Obi made the remarks in a statement issued on Monday, following IMF estimates for 2025, which show India’s GDP at about $4.187 trillion, slightly ahead of Japan’s $4.186 trillion, with India now setting its sights on overtaking Germany to become the world’s third-largest economy. Drawing comparisons between both countries, Obi recalled that Nigeria once outperformed India on key economic indicators, citing World Bank data showing Nigeria’s nominal GDP per capita exceeded India’s in 2007 and again in 2015, before the trend sharply reversed. According to IMF World Economic Outlook projections, India’s nominal GDP per capita is expected to rise to about $2,878 by 2025, while Nigeria’s is projected to decline to roughly $807, despite Nigeria’s vast natural and fiscal resources. “Nigeria’s challenge is therefore not a lack of resources, but a failure of leadership and priorities. “Despite significant subsidy savings, substantial revenue growth, and excessive borrowing (more than all previous governments combined from 1999 to 2023), Nigeria’s performance remains troubling,” he said. Obi noted that combined government revenue between 2023 and 2025 is estimated at about ₦200 trillion (approximately $135 billion), yet critical sectors such as healthcare, education and poverty alleviation have seen no meaningful improvement. Highlighting the impact on everyday Nigerians, Obi said worsening living conditions are evident across the country, with businesses struggling to survive and the cost of living continuing to soar. “Businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises, are closing daily due to lack of support, electricity remains erratic and expensive, and the costs of basic necessities, such as rent, transport, and food, continue to rise beyond the reach of ordinary Nigerians. “I continue to call for national unity to build a leadership consensus anchored on competence, compassion, and character. This leadership must prioritize the welfare of Nigerians and invest in essential areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and technology. It should also focus on cutting waste, reducing the cost of governance, and ensuring full transparency and accountability so citizens can track and assess national progress. “Only through united collective action, transparency, and visionary leadership can Nigeria close the gap with nations like India and ensure that its wealth translates into prosperity, security, and opportunity for all citizens. The time for Nigeria to act, catch up, and reclaim its potential is now,” the ADC chieftain added.

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has frowned at the reported attack on women who were at the gate of the Kwara State Government House on a Save Our Soul, SOS mission. A statement by the organisation’s national publicity secretary, Jare Ajayi, maintained that citizens have an inalienable right to call the attention of government to their plight so long as such is done in a peaceful manner. He added that the Saturday attack on Kasuwan Daji in Niger State, like many other similar attacks “saddens our heart coming at a time when terrorism is expected to be tamed.” Our correspondent reports that some women and children from Oke-Ode, Ifelodun local government area of Kwara State went to the Kwara State Government House in Ilorin, the state capital to plead that the state government come to their rescue. But according to a viral video, the protesters were flogged by perceived thugs near the entrance of the Government House. The state Police spokesperson, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi confirmed the incident and said that it is being investigated. Reports also indicated that a similar thing occurred in Kabba where some people gathered to express their displeasure over the incessant banditry in the Kabba-Bunu axis and Okun speaking area of Kogi state. Reacting, Afenifere condemned the attack, stating that protesters have the right to call the attention of government to their plight, “especially since they were not seen with any dangerous weapon”. “It is noteworthy that Governor Abdulrasaq has not only distanced himself from the unfortunate incident but went further to call on the police to ‘find the attackers and bring them to account’. “The incident occurred in broad daylight in front of the Government House that certainly has security personnel. And it lasted for a while. “What baffles the mind here is that for the whole of the period of the incident, the women could not be protected and their attackers apprehended. Would the situation have been the same were the attackers came with ammunitions to wreck havoc in the Government House? For the attackers not to have been arrested raises a lot of questions”, the statement added.

The Federal Government has unveiled new strategies aimed at curbing examination malpractice in the West African Examinations Council and National Examinations Council examinations beginning from 2026, as part of broader efforts to restore credibility and public trust in Nigeria’s education assessment system. The measures were announced on Monday by the Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Alausa, alongside the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmed, in Abuja. According to the ministers, the reforms are designed to strengthen transparency and tighten oversight across all stages of national examinations. The announcement was signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Education, Boriowo Folasade. According to the statement, the ministry was determined to address long-standing challenges associated with cheating and irregularities in public examinations. The statement explained that the ministry would deploy technology-driven solutions and stricter administrative controls to safeguard the integrity of WAEC and NECO. One of the major steps outlined is the introduction of enhanced question randomisation and serialisation. Although candidates will still answer the same questions, the order and structure of the questions will vary from one candidate to another. The ministry noted that this approach would ensure that “every student writes a unique version of the examination,” thereby reducing opportunities for collusion in examination halls. The government also restated its position on student transfers at the senior secondary level, warning that existing rules would now be strictly enforced. The ministry recalled that the transfer of candidates at Senior Secondary School Three had already been prohibited through an official circular and stressed that the policy was intended to curb last-minute school changes linked to examination malpractice. In another move to improve accountability, new national guidelines for Continuous Assessment have been developed and approved for immediate implementation. Under the guidelines, all examination bodies are required to adhere to fixed submission timelines for assessment records. The ministry stated, “All examination bodies (WAEC, NECO, NBAIS, etc.) must strictly follow the standardised submission deadlines for each academic period: Submission Windows (First Term CA: January; Second Term CA: April; Third Term CA: August). “These timelines are mandatory and designed to ensure consistency, data integrity, and prompt processing of Continuous Assessment records across the country.” To further strengthen monitoring, the ministry is introducing a unique Examination Learners’ Identity Number for all candidates. Officials said, “This identifier will enable effective tracking of learners throughout the examination process, strengthen monitoring and accountability, and support long-term reforms in assessment, certification, and data management.” The statement further stated that the ministers assured stakeholders that examination administration would be carried out under closer supervision and in collaboration with examination bodies to ensure compliance with ethical standards. “They emphasised that these measures reflect the Federal Government’s resolve to conduct examinations that are credible, fair, and reflective of global best practices, while addressing Nigeria’s unique educational realities. “The Federal Ministry of Education reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with all examination bodies, state governments, school administrators, parents, and candidates to ensure the successful implementation of these strategies and the smooth conduct of the 2026 examinations nationwide,” the statement concluded.

There was pandemonium on Monday in Kwara as ‎suspected terrorists attacked the busy Isanlu–Isin–Omu Aran road in the state, kidnapping at least four travellers. The incident was said to have occurred in the early hours of Monday, when armed men ambushed motorists along the highway, a key route linking communities in Kwara South to the state capital, Ilorin. The assailants reportedly operated freely on the road, forcing vehicles to stop before whisking the passengers to an unknown location. When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, said she is yet to be briefed and promised to get back to THENEWSCREDIT. “I’m not aware of this. I will find out and get back to you,” she said.

According to a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, the state capital, Governor Makinde relieved the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Olanike Adeyemo, of her appointment with immediate effect. He said, “Prof Musibau Babatunde has been appointed as the new Secretary to the State Government. “Barrister Temilolu Ashamu has been moved from the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.” Also, the governor has announced his Senior Special Assistant on Public Works, Ademola Aderinto, as a commissioner-designate. He will consequently be presented to the state House of Assembly for screening. The statement also announced the appointment of Abiodun Adedoja as Special Adviser on Energy Security and Kolawole Elijah Akanmu as Senior Special Assistant on Budget and Economic Planning.

Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has narrated what he described as a “strange” testimony of miraculous healing experienced during one of his international evangelical assignments. While delivering a sermon titled ‘Brand-New Beginning’ at the recent Holy Ghost Convention held at the Redemption Camp in Lagos, Adeboye spoke on God’s power to bring complete renewal to every aspect of human life, physically, spiritually and emotionally. The revered cleric referenced Biblical examples of divine restoration, including the account of Naaman the leper, who was transformed with an entirely new body through God’s intervention. In further illustration, the 83-year-old preacher recounted an unusual incident involving a woman who sought deliverance while he was ministering outside Nigeria. According to Adeboye, the woman persistently followed him to his hotel, a development he admitted left him “perplexed”. “I met a beautiful lady… I went to the lift. She pursued me to my hotel room. I said God,” he said. He explained that the situation took a shocking turn after they entered the room. “And she pulled her dress and what I saw? I almost screamed. Scars all over her,” he said. He went on to describe the extent of the injuries, likening them to repeated torture, and explained how the sight moved him deeply to prayer. “Scars as if somebody had been tortured again and again and again. I cried too. I reminded the Almighty Lord that every plant He has not planted must be uprooted. I prayed so loud, I could not care less anybody who was to come in to see what He had done to somebody. “I cried to the Almighty Lord, this is your daughter, my father, my God, something must be done today. I thanked God before she left the room. All these scars were gone. I pray in the name that is above every other name, every scanty enemy in your life, we disappear tonight. Everything in your life, that you did not bring from heaven, everything the enemy had introduced into your life.” Adeboye ended the testimony by encouraging worshippers to trust in God’s ability to completely erase afflictions and restore lives beyond human understanding.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack, ensuring they are swiftly brought to justice. The directive was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga. THENEWSCREDIT reports that terrorists launched a deadly attack in a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday killing nearly 40 persons. Several others were abducted during the attack. In his statement, the president also directed the security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently. “These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the President declared.

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has ordered the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, to probe multiple sexual allegations levelled against the Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor. The order comes amid growing outrage generated by the viral allegations circulating on social media in recent days. THENEWSCREDIT reported that the popular cleric stepped down from pastoral duties on New Year’s Day as the allegations escalated, with several women, including Nollywood actress Doris Ogala, coming forward with different narrations against him. The cleric had last Sunday publicly apologised to Ogala during a church service, where he knelt on the pulpit, admitted to past “mistakes,” and sought forgiveness. The development follows his wedding to a new bride, identified simply as Pearl, on December 16, 2025, an event attended by prominent clerics. The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, had on Friday told our correspondent that the police could not arrest the embattled pastor because there was no formal petition from any of the alleged victims. Adebisi said she was not aware of any complaints against Okafor, despite the swirling allegations on social media. However, following a renewed request by our correspondent on Saturday night, including text messages sent to the commissioner, the police spokesperson on Sunday said the CP had ordered the SCID to invite the cleric for questioning and summon the alleged victims for interviews. “The CP has directed the SCID to invite the pastor for investigation, despite the fact that no one has formally come forward to report,” the Lagos PPRO told our Correspondent. She added that the CP also ordered that witnesses be brought forward to provide statements that would assist the investigation. Adebisi further disclosed that, on her personal initiative, she had reached out to one of the YouTubers who interviewed the alleged victims to obtain direct links to the witnesses. The flurry of allegations against the cleric began on December 14 when actress Ogala posted several emotional videos on her Instagram page. In the clips, she accused the pastor of having a sexual relationship with her, which allegedly began in 2017 and lasted for nine years. The actress said the cleric promised her marriage on several occasions before marrying another woman in December 2025. In the videos, she also accused Okafor of sharing her explicit photos and videos. She further alleged that the pastor contributed to the breakdown of her previous marriage and caused her emotional distress and financial loss. Ogala also shared some bedroom photos and screenshots of conversations, alongside videos in which she claimed the pastor sent her $10,000 to retract her statements and allege that a rival pastor orchestrated the accusations. She later demanded N1bn in damages through a legal notice filed by her lawyers, alleging threats and intimidation following her arrest and detention by the police. As the scandal escalated, other women also came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, manipulation, infidelity, and related issues against the pastor. One of them was his former wife, Bessem Okafor, who accused him of infidelity, deception, and physical assault. However, in separate interviews with Saturday PUNCH, several members of the church dismissed the allegations, describing them as desperate attempts by individuals seeking to extort money from their “man of God.”

Family members of traditional ruler of Adanla community, Igbaja Ward 2, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, Oba David Oyerinola and his wife, who escaped a kidnap attempt on December 26, 2025, are now under threat from unknown assailants. Our correspondent recalls that six armed bandits attacked the palace of the King of Adanla community, Igbaja Ward 2, in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State on December 26, 2025, in a bid to kidnap the monarch and his wife but failed. After the attempt, the king and his family relocated to Ilorin for security reasons. THENEWSCREDIT gathered on Saturday that despite the relocation, they were trailed to Ilorin, the state capital. A family source disclosed that the development forced the family to move to an undisclosed hotel in Ilorin. “When the six armed bandits stormed the palace, they were shouting and asking ‘where is the Kabiyesi, where is the Olori?’ “Fortunately, the Kabiyesi was not around, he had gone for a programme at Igbaja town the next community to Adanla,” the source said. Prince Oyerinola Olakunle, who spoke with our correspondent on the incident, revealed that the bandits stormed the palace at about 7:00 pm on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025, with only one of them wearing a mask. He said the bandits stormed the palace while some members of the Kabiyesi’s family who came from Lagos for the Christmas festival were discussing outside the palace and asked them to stand up since they could not find their prime targets. “When they realized that Kabiyesi was not in the palace, they just asked the people sitting outside the palace to stand up and were taken into the bush. “Seven people were picked, so a girl who saw them, ran and they shot her, she is now in the hospital for medical treatment,” he added. The seven abducted victims are members of the Oyerinola’s family mostly cousins and include, Sikiru Oyerinola, Taye Oyerinola, Idowu Oyerinola, Faruk Oyerinola and two other minors. Prince Olakunle further disclosed that “we were told that as the bandits were going with their captives, they met two other people on the way and also abducted them, bringing the total number of victims to nine”. THENEWSCREDIT gathered that the bandits called on phone demanding N300 million ransom for the release of the captives. “They called just once asking if the community wants problem, if you know you don’t want problem, and we too don’t want problem with you, we are asking for N300m, pay and we will release your people. “Kamaru Oyerinola, one of the under-age victim’s father received the call from the bandits,” Olakunle added. He appealed to the state government to come into the matter and rescue the victims who are members of the same family. “We don’t know where to raise the N300 m ransom. Our peoples’ lives are not safe in the community which has been deserted, the people have fled the community and is now empty. “I don’t think you can find any single person or human beings there for now except animals such as goats and others,” he added. Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the state police command SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Saturday, were unsuccessful.