Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, boasted on Saturday that he is the most ranked Christian in government. He attributed his political rise to “the special grace of God,” urging Nigerians to remain steadfast in serving God regardless of their position in life. Akpabio spoke during the blessing and official opening of the Regina Coeli Parish Rectory in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, an event attended by top clerics and political leaders. His remarks were contained in a statement issued in Abuja by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom. The Senate President said his journey from obscurity to the nation’s number three position was a testament to God’s favour. “As the most ranked Christian in government, God has specially and graciously transformed and prepared me for the task ahead. I belong to all denominations, but I am lucky and happy to be a Catholic. Most people are in the church without knowing the power of the church. “If God can raise me from a nobody to be the President of the Senate and by extension, the number three citizen of this great country, He can do it for us all, just position and prepare yourself for His blessings,” he said. Akpabio urged Nigerians to remain committed to service in the house of God, noting that even the smallest contribution to church projects carries divine reward. “Anytime you contribute as little as 10 kobo to the construction of a church building project and it is completed and put to use, know that God has accepted your contributions. “I am always excited to be part of the development of the church because nothing is too big for our God,” he added. The senate president also disclosed plans to unveil a new worship centre within the National Assembly complex in Abuja. “In the next few weeks, I will happily invite Nigerians from all walks of life to join us in commissioning a befitting place of worship for our God,” he announced. At the Uyo ceremony, the Catholic Bishop of Uyo, Most Rev John Ayah, commended the Senate President and his wife, Dr Unoma Akpabio, for their support to the church, including hosting Catholic bishops nationwide in Ikot Ekpene last September. He also urged Akpabio to ignore detractors. “You are important and that is why they talk about you. It is expected because of your position in today’s Nigeria,” the Bishop said. Akpabio’s testimony comes amid renewed attention on Senate unity following claims of attempted leadership plots. Two weeks ago, Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, dismissed reports of moves to impeach the Akpabio, describing them as “unfounded” and capable of creating unnecessary tension. Bamidele’s rebuttal followed comments by former Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu, who disclosed that there had been past but unsuccessful efforts by some lawmakers to unseat Akpabio. He said such attempts failed after key senators intervened to maintain stability in the upper chamber. However, during plenary, Bamidele insisted there was no plan—past or present—to remove the Senate President, urging senators to prioritise legislative cohesion over political scheming.

President Bola Tinubu has sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after he sent the first batch of three names. Among them are former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmud Yakubu, an aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri (Delta), and former Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, among others. “In two separate letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu asked the Senate to consider and confirm expeditiously 15 nominees as career ambassadors and 17 nominees as non-career ambassadors,” read a statement on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. In the statement titled, ‘Tinubu nominates 32 additional ambassadors,’ Onanuga noted, “There are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six women on the non-career ambassadors’ list.” “Among the non-career ambassador designates are Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta), former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Adebayo, and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. “Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former Deputy Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission. “Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Nkechi Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list,” the statement read. Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State. Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi (Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto (Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni (Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David (Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim (Ogun). The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben (Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah(Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau (Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde (Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno (Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru (Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari (Kwara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande (Osun). “The new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. “All the nominees will know their diplomatic assignments after their confirmation by the Senate,” it read. Last week, Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation. The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation. “More nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon,” Onanuga revealed. Saturday’s development follows earlier reports by our correspondent that the ambassadorial list will be staggered across countries of importance to Nigeria’s foreign policy.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, on Friday, said that the entire South-West region has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu to address the security challenges facing Nigeria. The monarch stated this on Friday while responding to questions in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by THENEWSCREDIT. Oba Ogunwusi, who condemned the politicisation of the current challenges, said that the traditional institution would collaborate with political leaders to make Nigeria better for all. “God has brought our leader, the current President, President Bola Tinubu, to lead us. Traditional leaders are not talking about politics; we are talking about how to save our people and our race. “That is way beyond politics. So, for us, we have concluded; the entire South-West to pass a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu. “We need to support him to save Nigeria; it’s very important. You condemn this leader, you condemn that leader. So, which one are you going to use eventually? “All these politicians have been there from Day One. What have they done? Nigeria is bigger than them. It’s not their personal entitlement. It is not their heritage; it is the heritage of the people living here. “Why should they be bringing politics into security matters? Enough of this,” he added. The monarch also warned against sinking the nation because of politics, saying that Nigeria’s interest should be paramount.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has charged the Federal Government to stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists. Obasanjo gave this charge on Friday at the Plateau State Unity Christmas Carol and Praise Festival held in Jos, the state capital. His comment is coming against the backdrop of the escalating killings, abductions, and other attacks on several communities in the North in recent weeks. THENEWSCREDIT recalls that on November 21, a total of 315 students and 13 teachers were abducted from St Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri, Niger State. The incident came after the terrorists kidnapped 24 schoolgirls at the Government Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on November 17. In the latest assault, bandits struck the Palaita community, Erena Ward, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, abducting 24 people, including pregnant women, from a rice farm. About 20 persons were also abducted by bandits in Kano and Kwara between Monday night and Tuesday morning. The development comes barely 24 hours after 38 worshippers abducted from the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke-Isegun, Eruku, Ikere, Kwara State, on November 18, were released after the Federal Government negotiated with their abductors. In the Tuesday attack, 10 persons, including a pregnant woman, nursing mothers, and children were reportedly seized in Isapa community, a few kilometres from Eruku, Kwara State. Obasanjo, while speaking at the event, expressed displeasure over the escalated insecurity. “Our government must stop apologizing and negotiating with terrorists. No matter what religion you belong to. No matter where you come from. No matter your profession, we Nigerians are being killed, and our government seems to be incapable of protecting us. “We are part of the world community. If our government cannot do it, we have the right to call on the international community to do for us what our government cannot do for us,” he said

Retired senior military officers have dismissed claims that the Nigerian Army is planning to forcibly conscript citizens aged 18 and above, insisting that such action would be unconstitutional. The ex-military personnel emphasised that the Army lacked the authority to compel any Nigerian to enlist. Their reaction followed a viral post alleging that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Waidi Shaibu, had threatened compulsory recruitment for youths who fail to voluntarily enlist. The Nigerian Army, through its Acting Director of Public Relations, Lt-Col Appolonia Anele, denied the claim in a statement issued last Friday in Abuja. The Army said the post falsely suggested that the COAS planned to introduce forced conscription, describing the information as misleading and intended to cause panic among citizens. Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, former Deputy Director of Defence Administration at Defence Headquarters, Commodore Kunle Olawunmi (retd.), said compulsory recruitment could not occur without legislative approval. He stated, “You are talking about the military trying to conscript youth into the military. It is not something that the military can do except it goes through the legislative arm. It is a constitutional requirement. It is not going to happen. “Also, technically, Nigeria is not at war. You can only be at war if it is so declared. If you are not at war, why do you want to conscript people into the army?” Olawunmi added that instead of contemplating forced enlistment, authorities should address internal issues affecting morale and motivation within the military. Similarly, retired army colonel Yomi Dare said the constitution does not permit the military to recruit anyone by force. He said, “The military cannot force anyone. This is a matter of the constitution. It will go before the National Assembly, and it will pass all the due processes, and it will become a law, then so be it. “It is high time that Nigeria sees the military as a service that everyone should be committed to. The military deserves some recognition and respect.”

The former President returned to Abuja on Thursday following his evacuation from Guinea-Bissau after a military coup. He landed at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport after being airlifted from Guinea-Bissau in the wake of the takeover. He thanked the President of Ivory Coast and President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria for sending planes to lift him from Bissau. THENEWSCREDIT reports that Jonathan had been in Guinea-Bissau as part of a joint election observer mission deployed by the African Union, AU, ECOWAS, and the West African Elders Forum to monitor the presidential and legislative elections. However, military authorities in the country on Wednesday declared that they had assumed full control. They also announced the suspension of all electoral activities and the immediate closure of national borders. Jonathan therefore found himself trapped in Guinea-Bissau following the announcement of the military takeover on Wednesday. Speaking to journalists on Friday, Jonathan said: “I’ve always been scared talking to the media, but in this particular case, I decided to speak to the media. First and foremost, thank Nigerians for the show of empathy, the encouragement while we’re in Bissau, and this so-called coup happened. “The information we got was that the whole country was agitated, young and old, irrespective of religious divides or political divides. “And I sincerely appreciate Nigerians, and I want them to hear directly from my mouth, to appreciate their concern. And secondly, to thank my president, President Tinubu and the President of Ivory Coast. “Both presidents were to send aircraft to lift us, but somehow, Ivory Coast is closer to Guinea-Bissau, and there’s always some relationship between Francophone countries, and they were able to penetrate their system to get a landing permit before Nigeria did. “The Ivorian aircraft was already on its way to Bissau when we learned about the Nigerian aircraft about to depart, we asked them not to bother.”

The Oyo State Government has directed traders, artisans, motor dealers, and vendors occupying pedestrian walkways and roadside spaces to vacate the areas or face penalties. The warning was issued on Friday, by the Oyo State Road Traffic Management Authority (OYRTMA) Chairman, Major Adesagba Adekoya (retd), at his office in secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. “Using walkways for business is illegal and creates traffic bottlenecks, accidents, and inconvenience for shoppers,” Adesagba said. He identified the University of Ibadan area, Samonda, Mokola, among others, as locations where illegal trading is prevalent. “Traders are required to relocate to designated market spaces immediately, especially during the festive period,” he said, warning that non-compliance would result in fines and court appearances. The state government commended OYRTMA’s efforts to improve road safety and public order, and reiterated its commitment to upgrading infrastructure and ensuring safe movement throughout the state.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the constitution of Nigeria’s delegation to the U.S.-Nigeria Joint Working Group, as part of efforts to deepen collaboration in tackling security challenges in the country. ‎Malam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser (NSA), will lead the Nigerian side of the joint working group, supported by a multi-stakeholder team drawn from key security and policy institutions. ‎Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, announced this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. ‎The development followed the recent high-level engagements in Washington, D.C., led by the NSA. ‎Members of the team include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Minister of Interior, and Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. ‎Others are Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Bernard Doro, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Amb. Mohammed Mohammed, and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun. ‎Ms Idayat Hassan of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Mr Paul Alabi of the Embassy of Nigeria in the U.S. will serve as the secretariat. ‎Tinubu urged the team to work closely with their U.S. counterparts to ensure the seamless implementation of all agreed areas of cooperation.

The Nigerian Senate has rejected a bill seeking to establish a National Ethnic and Reconciliation Commission, NERC, sponsored by Senator Anthony Ani, who represents Ebonyi South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC. The proposed legislation, which aims to prevent, manage and resolve ethnic conflicts, promote national cohesion and foster peace-building, among other objectives, had previously passed first reading at an earlier plenary. However, at its second reading on Thursday, several senators identified what they described as anomalies in the bill and declared that such a law was unnecessary. Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South) was the first to oppose the bill, noting that its acronym, NERC, is already used by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. “The Senate cannot pass laws establishing two separate commissions with the same acronym,” Abaribe noted. Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that there is no such entity as a “National Ethnic”, stressing that Nigeria is not composed of a single ethnic group. In addition, Oshiomhole warned that passing the bill into law would impose an additional financial burden on the Federal Government at a time when it is struggling to meet some of its financial obligations. In his remarks, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, declared that the country did not require such legislation. He observed that some senators who had earlier supported the bill did so out of sentiment, even though they knew it was inappropriate and would serve no useful purpose. “Nigerian does not need this bill. Some of you supporting it are doing so on sentiment. Even from the tone of it, the bill doesn’t stand for anything,” he said. When a voice vote was conducted on the proposal, senators overwhelmingly voted against it with a resounding “Nay”, thereby effectively ending the legislative process on the bill.

President Bola Tinubu has called on herders to end open grazing, surrender all illegal weapons, and transition to ranching as part of a new national strategy to resolve the long-standing farmer–herder conflict. In a statement on Wednesday, the President said the Federal Government is prioritising sustainable solutions to the violent confrontations between herders and farming communities, clashes that have fueled instability across several northern and central states. The admonition comes amid a surge in school kidnappings in Niger, Kebbi, and other parts of the country in the past week, as well as ongoing farmer–herder violence in the North Central region that has left scores dead in recent months. “Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony,” Tinubu said. He urged all herder associations to seize the opportunity, end open grazing, and surrender illegal weapons. The President also called on mosques and churches, especially in vulnerable areas, to coordinate with security agencies to ensure protection during prayers and gatherings. Highlighting the creation of the Ministry of Livestock as a key part of the administration’s long-term plan, Tinubu urged herder associations to collaborate with the ministry, modernise livestock production, and embrace ranch-based operations. He noted that farmer–herder clashes have consistently fuelled insecurity, from land disputes to deadly confrontations, particularly in the Middle Belt. The new livestock policy, he said, aims to protect both farmers and herders while easing land-use tensions. To support this transition, Tinubu added that the Federal Government, in partnership with state governments, will provide frameworks for ranch establishment and implement measures to curb illegal arms circulation. Meanwhile, the Edo State Government announced on Wednesday that it had intensified security across the state following threats from a self-proclaimed bandit in the Edo Central Senatorial District. In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Fred Itua, the government assured residents of adequate protection. The governor convened a high-level security meeting in response to a viral video showing the alleged bandit threatening communities around Ekpoma and adjoining areas. The Edo State Special Security Squad recently arrested two suspected kidnappers, Anthony Fedigha Ebimienwei and Luke Disemoh, in the Egbai Community, Ovia North-East LGA, following “high-level, intelligence-driven surveillance.” The state government urged citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative, warning against spreading misinformation or unverified content. Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents, commuters, and investors.