The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has revealed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is planning to replace Vice President Kashim Shettima, ahead of the presidential election in 2027. In a statement signed by his media aide, Osho Oluwatosin, Primate Ayodele reiterated his warning to Tinubu not to make use of a muslim-muslim ticket, stating that the disobedience is leading to the removal of the vice president from office. He, however, warned that if the VP is removed acrimoniously, it will affect the party because Shettima will work against the interests of the party. Ayodele said: “I warned Tinubu of a Muslim-Muslim ticket, but most people didn’t listen. If Shettima is removed acrimoniously, he will work against the interest of the party because they are contemplating picking a governor to replace Shettima as vice president.” Likewise, he advised President Tinubu against making use of any of the governors who decamped to the party because it could cause aggression in the north. “If any of the crossing governors is picked from the north, this will cause aggression in the north,” he said. Speaking further, Primate Ayodele said: “Tinubu is working and doing well, but two things are fighting him, which are nemesis and betrayal. “People who are applauding him are looking for his downfall; money can’t buy it at all. Some of his aides are also blocking access to him for those who can actually help him. “On insecurity, no matter the security formation you put together, the US doesn’t like your government, and they know where to puncture this government because they already know the secret of your security.

The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, in 2023, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has declared January 23 as a “Day of Betrayal”. Kwankwaso made the declaration following Kano State governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf’s decision to dump the NNPP. THENEWSCREDIT reports that the Kano governor officially resigned from NNPP on Friday ahead of his imminent defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Addressing his teaming supporters in Kano, Kwankwaso said the day should be recorded in history as a day of betrayal, to ensure global awareness. He said, “Today, as the leader of this Movement, I declare the 23rd of January as Betrayal Day. “We believe that day should be permanently recorded in history to ensure global awareness of betrayal and the breaking of trust.” Kwankwaso had begged the governor to remain in the opposition party, stating that the hard-fought mandate shouldn’t be handed over to his political rivals.

President Bola Tinubu is currently holding separate meetings with Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. The two governors arrived at the State House separately at about 3:00 p.m. and 03:30 pm, with Mutfwang arriving first, our correspondent observed. The meetings come against the backdrop of ongoing political realignments as key stakeholders commence strategic consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections. Makinde, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, remains one of the few PDP governors still standing with the opposition amid a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The Oyo governor is widely believed to be nursing a presidential ambition and is positioning himself for the PDP’s 2027 presidential ticket. Mutfwang, on the other hand, recently dumped the PDP for the APC, joining the growing list of opposition figures who have crossed over to the ruling party. Thursday’s meeting marked his first known encounter with President Tinubu since his official defection. President Tinubu has in recent months held a series of engagements with governors across party lines.

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has charged the Federal Government to treat human lives as sacred. In a post on his verified X handle on Tuesday, Obi said it was time to confront insecurity in Nigeria. He was reacting to the alleged abduction of over 100 worshippers from three churches in Kaduna State. He said, “Nigeria deserves a government that treats human life as sacred, the time to confront this insecurity is now. “I have just been informed that yet again, at the weekend, about 172 worshippers were abducted from churches in Kaduna. This is yet another unfortunate consequence of a nation where insecurity has been allowed to grow, unchecked and unchallenged in our everyday lives, as though it were normal. This should not be. “Even with the government and police stating they are not aware of this incident, we must ask ourselves hard questions. Is this how we will continue? Can we keep waking up to news of mass abductions, disputed figures, and official denials while citizens live in fear? Whether confirmed or contested, the frequency of such reports alone shows a greater crisis of safety, leadership, and unity. “Just recently, other communities in Benue, Zamfara, Kano, Niger and Plateau, have faced similarly gruesome insecurity. Nigeria is not at war, yet here we are again, counting victims with inconsistencies that surpass those of nations at war. A government that can mobilise resources for waste, for propaganda, for foreign lobbyists, but cannot secure communities or protect its people has misplaced its priorities. “To the people of Kaduna, you are not alone. We stand with you, and to the families whose loved ones were taken, we share in your pain. We pray and hope that those abducted will be found and returned safely, and that those injured in the course of this attack receive swift and full medical recovery.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the abduction of 163 worshippers during Sunday service in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, urging the federal government to take immediate action to rescue the victims and prevent further attacks. This was disclosed in a statement by the PDP National Publicity Secretary Comrade Ini Ememobong. He expressed the party’s sympathy to the victims’ families. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this agonizing period of uncertainty,” he said. The party described the abduction as a “sad reminder of the normalisation of insecurity which has become the new reality of Nigerians” under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Ememobong added, “These frequent attacks on worshippers in their places of worship, irrespective of religion, represent the inability of this government to protect the constitutionally enshrined right to freedom of worship.” “Nigerians must not live in fear when going to churches or mosques to worship.” The PDP called on the APC-led federal government to commence “comprehensive rescue operations to bring these kidnapped citizens home safely,” urging authorities not to repeat mistakes from previous incidents, such as the Niger school kidnapping, where “media optics prevailed over identity protection and safeguarding during the ‘rescue and return’ processes of the victims.” Ememobong criticized the federal government’s approach to security, stating, “The President should concentrate on fixing Nigeria’s worsening insecurity instead of spending millions of taxpayers’ money on international image laundering campaigns to change narratives abroad.” “Insecurity cannot be solved by propaganda. The families suffering these tragedies will communicate their pain regardless of how much money is spent on image management.” The PDP also highlighted the potential impact of state policing, saying, “We are convinced that if state policing had been operational, these criminals may not have successfully operated with such impunity and taken this large number of people captive.” “The protection of citizens is government’s primary constitutional responsibility. Every Nigerian deserves to worship in safety. The Tinubu administration must demonstrate that Nigerian lives matter through immediate action, not empty promises,” the statement added.

Popular Oyo State-based broadcaster, Oriyomi Hamzat, has narrated the reasons for his interest in the state governorship position. Hamzat said it was not unconnected to God’s intervention, stressing that he weighed the advice from his advisers and decided to run for governor in the 2027 elections under the Accord Party. While thanking all the advisers and people who came to the Saturday rally in one of his programmes in Agidigbo FM on Monday, the ace broadcaster known for his popular Yoruba lingo, “e gbenu si mic” meaning, “speak to the microphone” said he did not invalidate the opinion of those who warned against contesting but he was personally convinced that he will serve the people. “The people of Oyo, my lovers, especially my advisers, who warned me against contesting. I thank you all. I sampled the advice of people who encouraged me to contest and those who warned me against it. I tabled it to God, and he approved my contesting. “And I don’t want to disobey God because I want to please most of you who warned me against contesting. I believe you all love me; that’s why you are advising me. If there’s anyone I have offended with this decision, I implore them to forgive and support me now that I have declared my interest in the apex seat of the state. “I want to serve the people and not be like most of those corrupt politicians. I believe that I will win because the people are for me, and I didn’t buy anyone to be at the event,” he said. Oriyomi further dismissed the stance of naysayers who insist he would not emerge, saying he has grown beyond fearing that he would not should he contest. “We have moved on from the point of whether I would be rigged out or lose the election. I am seeking all your support.” Recall that Hamzat declared to run for the state governor on Saturday during a rally at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, where Hamzat told supporters that his decision followed what he described as a “divine calling.” According to him, he had never planned to join a political party or seek elective office, noting that his past involvement in politics was limited to supporting others. Speaking at the event, he said, “Today, I am publicly declaring my intention to join Accord as my political platform and to contest the Oyo governorship election in 2027 as a candidate.” Also, he said his decision was not backed by financial strength, political influence, or the support of the government in power. “I don’t have money or political connections, and I don’t have the backing of the government of the day. I have come with God, and that is all I need,” the popular Kokoro Alate programme host stated.

Popular Oyo State based media personality, Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat has officially announced his intention to run for governor in the 2027 elections under the Accord Party. In a public declaration, Hamzat, who is also the founder of Agidigbo FM stated, “I am publicly declaring today that in 2027. “I will not campaign for anyone or mobilise crowds for anyone. “I will contest in the gubernatorial election under the Accord Party.” The announcement signals Hamzat’s full commitment to his own political ambitions, stepping away from backing other candidates as he positions himself for the Oyo State governorship race.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called for Armed Forces Remembrance Day to extend beyond mere ceremonial gestures, urging leaders to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of Nigerians over image management, foreign travels, or political convenience. This was disclosed in a statement released on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi. The party criticized President Bola Tinubu’s absence from the event, emphasizing that the presence of the Commander-in-Chief both physically and morally is a key symbol of solidarity with military personnel and their families, especially in the face of rising insecurity. Observed annually on January 15, Armed Forces Remembrance Day honours the sacrifices of both fallen and active members of the military. The ADC described the occasion as a solemn national moment demanding visible presence, thoughtful reflection, and decisive leadership at the highest level. “It is therefore deeply troubling that the President of the Federal Republic is absent and unavailable on a day meant to symbolise solidarity with our armed forces and the families who continue to bear the cost of Nigeria’s security failures. “At a time when Nigerian soldiers are overstretched across multiple fronts, battling insurgency, banditry, and violent crime, leadership cannot be outsourced, postponed, or treated as ceremonial. “The physical and moral presence of the Commander-in-Chief on this day is not optional; it is a statement of respect, responsibility, and shared sacrifice. “The ADC honours the fallen, stands with serving personnel, and recognises the quiet resilience of military families who continue to pay the ultimate price for a nation that has yet to match their sacrifice with competent governance, clear strategy, and genuine political will. “Remembrance must go beyond wreaths and words. It must be reflected in leadership that shows up, takes responsibility, and places the lives of Nigerians above image management, foreign trips, or political convenience.”

Former lawmaker, who represented Kaduna Central Senatorial District, Shehu Sani, has said that Nigerians must rise to resist terrorists, bandits and other criminals terrorising the country. Sani stated this on Thursday at the public presentation of his two books, The Councillor and The Perilous Path to Europe, on Thursday in Abuja. He noted that no foreign power will free the country from the challenge, emphasizing that if people were united and enlightened and supported by state apparatus, they can defeat those who feel that they own the land and can use the force of arms to subdue everyone. “We should not think that a foreign power will come here and free us from these bandits. We are to do it ourselves,” he added. The ex-Senator explained that Nigeria has a track record of restoring peace in other countries, adding that America cannot solve her problems.

The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has challenged Edo State government over the arrest and remand of 52 students of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma. In a statement, Obi warned that punishing citizens for protesting against insecurity while kidnappers and bandits remain at large is unacceptable and dangerous for democracy. According to him, the arrests were a troubling response to a legitimate civic action, stressing that the students were calling attention to the very insecurity that has devastated communities. The former Anambra State governor added that the students were reportedly taken from their hostels at night for protesting against kidnappings and banditry in their area, a development he said reflects a disturbing inversion of priorities by the authorities. “I have just been made aware of the alarming arrest and remand of 52 students in Ekpoma, Edo State, who bravely called for an end to the terror of kidnappers and bandits plaguing their community. Fight bandits not students. “We cannot and must not punish citizens for voicing legitimate grievances, especially when they are standing up against the very real threats that have devastated our neighbourhoods. “It is beyond belief that students were taken from their hostels at night simply for protesting, only to be treated as criminals. Meanwhile, the actual perpetrators, the bandits and kidnappers wreaking havoc, remain at large, unaccountable for their actions,” Obi wrote on X.