Abia Governor Alex Otti Says He Will Remain In Labour Party Despite Peter Obi’s Departure

Abia State Governor Alex Otti has confirmed that he will remain in the Labour Party, even as presidential candidate Peter Obi prepares to leave the party. Otti made the announcement on Tuesday during his monthly media briefing in Umuahia, the state capital. He said that while he gave Obi his blessings to exit, he is committed to helping rebuild the party that brought him to power. “If you remember, I joined the Labour Party before Peter Obi, so I did not join the party with him,” Otti explained. “He has communicated to me that he is leaving the Labour Party. I gave him my blessings. But I will remain in the Labour Party, and I will continue the struggle to rescue it. If we are able to reposition the Labour Party, then we can discuss other options. For now, I am not defecting to any party.” Otti also responded to calls from Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, urging him to join the All Progressives Congress, saying he would not be distracted. “Ordinarily, I would not respond to matters like that. However, those of you who listened to my Christmas message will recall that I called on our people to support the less privileged, particularly persons with disabilities. Seeing that he heeded the call and assisted vulnerable people, I thank him for that,” he said. He added that he has chosen not to be provoked by such calls, citing Winston Churchill: “‘You will never get to your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.’ We will remain focused on our job.”

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Lagos State Arrests 45 Street Beggars In Alimosho, Agege, And Oshodi Operations

Lagos State authorities have apprehended 45 individuals involved in street begging across Alimosho, Agege, and Oshodi during a series of coordinated enforcement and mop-up operations. The arrests were carried out by environmental enforcement officers as part of the government’s ongoing compliance and sanitation initiatives. Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, confirmed the operation on Tuesday through his official X account. He said, “As part of our ongoing enforcement and mop-up exercises across the state, additional arrests were recorded today.” According to Wahab, 17 people were arrested in Alimosho, 12 in Agege, with subsequent operations leading to 10 more arrests in Alimosho and six in Oshodi. He explained that the crackdown is in line with Lagos State’s firm stance against street begging, describing it as an environmental hazard and a threat to public safety. “Street begging along highways, medians, and public spaces poses serious risks to both the individuals involved and other road users, while also undermining public order,” Wahab said. The commissioner emphasized that the state government remains committed to sustained enforcement efforts to maintain a cleaner, safer, and more orderly environment across Lagos.

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Banks To Charge N50 Stamp Duty On Transfers Of N10,000 And Above From January 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, banks in Nigeria will begin charging a N50 stamp duty on electronic transfers of N10,000 and above, following the implementation of the new Tax Act. The stamp duty, also known as the Electronic Money Transfer Levy (EMTL), is a one-off charge applied to any electronic transfer or receipt of money in commercial banks or financial institutions for sums of N10,000 and above, regardless of the type of account. In a Tuesday email to customers, United Bank for Africa (UBA) clarified that the N50 EMTL will now be officially referred to as stamp duty across all financial institutions. The email stated: “Stamp Duty applies to transactions of N10,000 and above (or the equivalent in other currencies). Salary payments and intra-bank self-transfers are exempt. The sender will now bear the Stamp Duty charge. Previously, this charge was deducted from the beneficiary/receiver.” UBA emphasized its commitment to transparency and keeping customers informed about changes affecting banking transactions. The introduction of the N50 stamp duty was first announced by Nigerian fintech firms on September 7, 2024. According to the fintechs, the move aligns with regulations from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) and will apply to electronic transfers into both personal and business accounts.

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Rivers Lawmakers Return N100,000 Christmas Bonus, Criticize Fubara’s Unlawful Spending

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the N100,000 Christmas bonus credited to their accounts by Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing the gift as unsolicited and unapproved. The lawmakers said the governor’s action reflects a pattern of spending state funds without following legal procedures. The bonus had been part of a festive payout intended for civil servants and certain public office holders in the state. In a statement on Tuesday night, signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, the Assembly confirmed that the funds were promptly returned to the state treasury. George said: “On December 30, 2025, Honourable Members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of one hundred thousand naira (N100,000) each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara to members’ personal accounts. Upon discovering the unauthorized transfers, the House took immediate action to return the funds to the account of the Rivers State Government.” He stressed that the Assembly, as a law-abiding institution, will not participate in any activity that bypasses legal procedures. George also accused the governor of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Accounts of the state since 2023 without legislative approval, despite warnings from the House and rulings from the Supreme Court. He added: “All public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval. Since assuming office in 2023, the Governor has consistently withdrawn from the state’s consolidated revenue accounts without approval, in defiance of the Constitution and principles of separation of powers. We are aware of unlawful conduct by staff who collude with the Governor and will continue to hold them accountable.”

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Troops Arrest Suspected Suicide Bomber, Seize IED Materials In Borno

Troops from Operation Hadin Kai have arrested a suspected suicide bomber and seized materials for making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Borno State. The suspect, Abubakar Mustapha, was detained on Monday, December 29, by the 152 Task Force Battalion in coordination with other security agencies in Bama Local Government Area. Lt Col Sani Uba, Media Information Officer for the Joint Task Force, Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, confirmed the arrest on Tuesday. Mustapha was apprehended at the Banki Central Mosque while in possession of primed IED components, suggesting a potential imminent attack. Preliminary investigations indicate that Mustapha is a native of Bama LGA and had additional materials linked to terrorist activities. He is currently undergoing interrogation to identify his sponsors, collaborators, and any connections to terrorist networks in the region. Lt Col Uba emphasized that troops continue to carry out aggressive patrols, intelligence-driven operations, and maintain a strong presence to prevent attacks on civilians and critical infrastructure. He also urged the public to provide reliable intelligence to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts. The military reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property across the North East, noting that troop morale and operational readiness remain high. The arrest follows a recent attack at Al-Adum Jumaat Mosque in Gamboru Market, Maiduguri, on December 24, where a suicide bomber killed five worshippers and injured 35 during evening prayers.

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Teyana Taylor And Aaron Pierre Split Less Than A Year After Going Public

Teyana Taylor and Aaron Pierre have gone their separate ways, ending their romance less than a year after it began. Reports of the split surfaced after weeks of speculation online, with Page Six confirming that the pair are no longer together. Neither Taylor nor Pierre has addressed the breakup publicly, and no reason has been disclosed. The breakup arrives at a time when Taylor’s career is enjoying renewed attention. As awards season approaches, her work in both film and music has kept her firmly in the spotlight, placing the end of the relationship alongside one of the most visible periods of her professional life. Taylor, 35, and Pierre, 31, were first linked in early 2025 after appearing together at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala in Los Angeles. Interest in their relationship quickly grew when they attended the Vanity Fair Oscars party shortly afterward. Their connection became even more talked about when Pierre appeared in a short film connected to Taylor’s 2025 album, Escape Room, where an intimate on-screen moment sparked further buzz. In June, Taylor confirmed the romance on Instagram by sharing photos from Pierre’s birthday celebration and posting a tribute in his honor. The couple continued to make public appearances together, including at the BET Awards, where Taylor described Pierre as “very gentle,” saying he made her feel “safe” and not “in survival mode,” according to Page Six. Pierre also spoke highly of Taylor during the album’s promotional run. At a panel for Escape Room, he referred to her as “really one of one.” The two were frequently seen together while promoting the project, often coordinating their looks and appearing side by side at events. The album later earned Taylor a Grammy nomination. Their final notable public appearance as a couple came at the London premiere of Taylor’s film One Battle After Another, which now stands as the last shared moment of a relationship that drew widespread attention throughout 2025.

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I Feel Pain All Over After Auto Crash -Anthony Joshua Cries Out

Anthony Joshua cried out ‘I feel pain all over’ after the high-speed car crash that left his two friends dead. The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a black Lexus when it ploughed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. The deaths of two of his long-term friends – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele – were confirmed on Monday night, while the vehicle’s other two passengers miraculously escaped with their lives. Sources close to Joshua now say he is set to remain in hospital for New Year’s Eve and at least a couple more days. Insiders have also described his cries of pain as he was extracted from the car’s wreckage. Footage taken at the roadside had showed the boxer grimacing in agony before being moved into a police cruiser. After the fatal road collision, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been rated the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two years. Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua is ‘stable’ and suffered only ‘minor’ injuries, although there are fears they could be more severe than publicised. Sources now say that Joshua is set to remain in hospital for at least a couple more days while he continues to recuperate. Police investigators have confirmed the car crash was caused by a tyre blowout after Joshua’s Lexus ‘lost control’. According to report, traffic police believe the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’ on what locals have claimed is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’.

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Anthony Joshua To Spend New Year’s Eve In Hospital

Anthony Joshua is expected to spend New Year’s Eve at one of Nigeria’s best hospitals as he continues to recover from a car crash that killed two of his friends. The two-time heavyweight world champion was a passenger in a black Lexus when it ploughed into a stationary truck on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Makun, Nigeria. The deaths of two of his long-term friends – Sina Ghami and Kevin Latif Ayodele- were confirmed on Monday night, while the vehicle’s other two passengers miraculously escaped with their lives. After the fatal road collision, Joshua was rushed to the Duchess International Hospital in Lagos, which has been rated the best private hospital in Nigeria for the past two years. Local police told Daily Mail Sport that Joshua is ‘stable’ and suffered only ‘minor’ injuries, although there are fears they could be more severe than publicised. Sources now said that Joshua is set to remain in hospital for at least a couple more days while he continues to recuperate. Police investigators have confirmed the car crash was caused by a tyre blowout after Joshua’s Lexus ‘lost control’. According to The Telegraph, traffic police believe the car was travelling over the 50mph speed limit and lost control during ‘an overtaking manoeuvre’ on what locals have claimed is one of Nigeria’s deadliest roads. Babatunde Akinbiyi, the Police Commander of Nigeria’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (Trace), reported that the vehicle had ‘experienced a tyre burst because of excessive speed’. An eyewitness has also told Punch newspaper: ‘It was a two-vehicle convoy: a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV. ‘Joshua was seated behind the driver, with another person beside him. There was also a passenger sitting beside the driver, making four occupants in the Lexus that crashed. His security detail was in the vehicle behind them before the crash. ‘Other eyewitnesses and I began the rescue and flagged down oncoming vehicles to assist. A few minutes after the crash, officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.’ Footage taken at the roadside showed the boxer grimacing in agony as he was moved from the wrecked vehicle into a police cruiser. Nigeria’s president revealed on Monday that Joshua’s mother Yeta Odusanya had rushed to his bedside at the hospital after being informed of the crash. The luxury hospital boasts an elite service dubbed the Harley Street Practice, located on the sixth floor, which offers Duchess Royal Suites for VIP patients. Patients receive one-to-one care 24-hours a day and have access to medical personnel and hospitality staff. They also receive gourmet meals fully catered to their taste. The basic packages for the Royal Suite with ensuite bathroom facilities starts at £2,000. A representative of Joshua issued a statement on Monday evening confirming the deaths of the boxer’s two team members and ‘close friends’. The spokesman said: ‘It is with the deepest and most profound sadness that we confirm, following a road traffic accident in Lagos, Nigeria earlier today, the death of Sina Ghami and Kevin “Lateef” Ayodele. ‘Both were close friends and integral members of Anthony’s team. ‘We respectfully ask that space and privacy be given to the families at this time while they process this truly shocking and devastating news. ‘Anthony sustained injuries in the accident and was taken to hospital for checks and treatment, he is in a stable condition and will remain there for observation. ‘No further information will be made available at this time.’ Joshua’s long-time rival Tyson Fury paid tribute to the two men who were killed during the crash, sharing a post to Instagram on Tuesday. ‘This is so sad,’ wrote the Gypsy King on the social media platform. ‘May God give them a good bed in heaven.’ The crash, which occurred at midday local time, came just 10 days after Joshua defeated Jake Paul in Miami. As reported by the Daily Mail on Monday, Joshua had been visiting family in Nigeria as part of a one-week holiday, with a view to resuming training ahead of a fight in late March, most likely in Saudi Arabia against the kickboxer Rico Verhoeven, prior to his proposed showdown against Fury in September or October. While the exact nature of Joshua’s injuries are currently unknown, it is thought to be highly doubtful that he will be in any shape for a quick ring return. There will also be the question of psychological trauma as the ordeal that killed two other passengers in the same vehicle.

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