Wike Blasts Turaki for Calling on Trump, Warns Against Threats to Nigeria’s Democracy

Nigerian politician Nyesom Wike has condemned PDP factional chairman Tanimu Turaki for publicly appealing to former U.S. President Donald Trump to “save” Nigeria’s democracy, describing the move as reckless and a threat to national security. Speaking to journalists, Wike questioned why Turaki would call on a foreign leader when his own party struggles to comply with court rulings. He also slammed Turaki’s claims that the government is committing a “genocide against Christians,” calling the statement misleading and dangerous. “You come out on national television to say it is not only killing — genocide against Christians. Essentially, you are telling the world that the government is committing genocide,” Wike said. “If we invite someone with facts, nobody complains. But if it is Wike, they cry foul. This is a threat to national security.” Wike stressed that political disputes within parties should be handled internally, not through inflammatory statements to the public or foreign powers. He added that Nigeria’s democracy is resilient and that the real danger comes from politicians who exaggerate internal conflicts for personal or factional gain. “He is calling Trump to come and save their democracy when they cannot even obey a simple court judgment,” Wike said, warning against unnecessary foreign involvement. His remarks highlight ongoing tensions within the PDP and serve as a caution against using external actors to influence domestic political matters.

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Davido Condemns Kwara Church Attack, Prays For Victims And Kebbi Schoolgirls

Nigerian singer Davido has expressed profound sorrow following the recent attack on a church in Kwara State, urging Nigerians to unite against the growing wave of violence in the country. Sharing his reaction on X, he also linked the incident to the ongoing abduction of schoolgirls in Kebbi State, calling for immediate action to protect innocent lives. “My heart goes out to the young girls kidnapped in Kebbi State and to their families. No family deserves this pain. As Nigerians, we must stand together in unity and continue working towards a country where every child can grow up in safety and hope,” he wrote. Davido also addressed the tragic attack on the Christ Apostolic Church in Eruku, Kwara, where armed gunmen stormed an evening service. Reports indicate that at least three worshippers were killed and several others, including the pastor, were abducted. Security forces and local vigilantes responded swiftly, forcing the attackers to flee, and soldiers have been deployed to restore calm in the community. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic attack on the church in Kwara State. I pray for the families who lost loved ones and for everyone affected by this heartbreaking incident. These acts of violence must never become our norm,” he said. He urged Nigerians to assist in ongoing rescue efforts, particularly for the kidnapped girls in Kebbi State, emphasizing that credible information could make a crucial difference. “Everything must be done to bring the Kebbi girls home safely. I urge anyone with credible information to come forward in whatever safe and responsible way they can, so it can support ongoing efforts to rescue them,” he added. Davido concluded his statement with a prayer for protection, comfort, and justice: “May God watch over the girls until they return. May He comfort the grieving families in Kwara, bring peace to our nation, and put every sponsor of violence and disorder to shame.” He signed off as David Adeleke OON (Davido), captioning the post with a simple but powerful “💔🇳🇬.” By speaking out, Davido highlights the urgent need for unity, accountability, and safety across Nigeria. His message not only mourns the victims but also calls for collective action to prevent such tragedies and protect vulnerable communities from future attacks.

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Portable Demands ₦100 Million To Fight VeryDarkMan After Mr Jollof Incident

Portable has escalated his online feud with VeryDarkMan, announcing that he’s ready to confront him physically — but only for a ₦100 million payout. His declaration comes after VeryDarkMan reportedly clashed with Mr Jollof, an incident Portable says demands justice. In a recent statement, Portable questioned why VeryDarkMan allegedly attacked Mr Jollof and called on his fans to fund the fight. “Yes, I wan fight VeryDarkMan, I wan collect 100 million naira. I hear say he beat Mr Jollof — wetin the man do you wey you beat Mr Jollof? Justice for Mr Jollof. Oya my fans, make dem give me 100m,” he said. He also reached out to Blord, who had previously promised him ₦1 million, urging him to contribute a bigger sum to settle the score. “Blord wey promise me N1m before, bring your 100m make I beat VDM,” Portable added, noting that Blord also has his own issues with VeryDarkMan. The singer explained that the fight isn’t just about money — it’s about addressing the disruptions caused by VeryDarkMan. “I wan collect 100m naira to beat VeryDarkMan wey dey disturb una life. Make I beat am dey roll for ground,” he declared. Portable’s announcement has reignited discussions online, with fans and followers weighing in on whether the showdown will actually happen.

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Zlatan Explains Why He Refuses To Sign Artistes And Won’t Gamble Money On New Talent

Zlatan has opened up about why he has never been eager to sign artistes under his wing, revealing that he sees it as an unnecessary financial risk. During a conversation on the Afrobeats podcast, he explained that he prefers to protect his earnings rather than invest in musicians whose success is uncertain. He admitted that putting money behind an emerging artiste has never made sense to him. “I’d rather just go buy a house than put money on an artist that I’m not sure of, if the artist is going to blow up or not,” he said, noting that the pressure of such a gamble is something he is not willing to deal with. Zlatan emphasized that collaborations, not artiste funding, are what shaped his journey. He credited his rise to working with established and upcoming acts rather than running a label or managing other talents. “Collaboration has played a vital role in my career. Older artists, new generation—everyone collaborated with me when I popped out. That’s how I got the big dogs.” He explained that his priority has always been financial stability, especially after experiencing instability early in his career. He recalled how those early days came with stress and uncertainty, adding that staying financially secure keeps him creative and motivated. “The reason why I’m doing this is to take care of myself and be stable financially. In the beginning I was not balanced. There was pressure, there was anxiety.” Zlatan added that being comfortable affects how he performs in the studio. “If I have money and I go to the studio, the way I’m going to be busting is money,” he said. He also shared that he quit smoking in 2019 and continues to enjoy strong support from fans across the country, especially from the East. He referenced his recent energetic collaboration with Flavour, joking about whether a wealthy man like him should still be jumping around on stage. For Zlatan, the message is clear: he will collaborate widely, but he has no plans to sign artistes. His focus remains on maintaining stability, protecting his earnings, and growing at his own pace.  

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Alleged N4.6bn Arms Fraud : How ONSA’s Security Funds Were Diverted — EFCC Witness

An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kazeem Yusuf, on Tuesday told the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) that the sum of N4.6 billion from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), meant for the supply of security equipment, was diverted to sponsor pilgrimage to Makkah, the 2015 People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rallies and presidential election, among other uses. Yusuf stated this at the resumed hearing in the ongoing trial of a former Minister of State for Finance, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda; a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (retd); former governor Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto; his son, Sagir Attahiru; and a company, Dalhatu Investment Limited, owned by the former governor and his son, before Justice Yusuf Halilu, sitting in Maitama, Abuja. The defendants are being prosecuted by the EFCC, on behalf of the Federal Government, on an amended 25-count charge bordering on misappropriation, criminal breach of trust and receiving stolen property. Led in evidence-in-chief by the prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs SAN, Yusuf told the court that investigations revealed that while contracts awarded by ONSA for the purchase of security equipment were not executed, the N4.6 billion involved was diverted to other uses. “Investigation revealed that the contracts were for the supply of security equipment. Responses from the Office of the National Security Adviser also showed that the contracts were for security purposes. “Further investigation also showed that the money (N4.6 billion) was not used for the purpose; it was diverted to other uses. “Investigation also showed from a letter from the Office of the National Security Adviser that the contracts were never executed,” the PW2 told the court. He said that when he commenced the investigation and asked the fourth defendant, Sagir Bafarawa, how the money received was spent, Sagir brought a list of expenditures to the commission. According to the PW2, “When I commenced investigation, Sagir brought a list of what he spent the money on. Some of them include payment for pilgrimage to Makkah, organisation of People’s Democratic Party rallies. “Others also include payment of monies to security agencies for monitoring elections, payment for the (2015) presidential election and other political activities.” Asked to read from the United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Guaranty Trust Bank account statements tendered before the court, the witness informed the court that money was transferred to some beneficiaries. He mentioned some of the beneficiaries to include Sheikh AbdurRahman Al-Sudais Foundation, which he said belonged to former governor Bafarawa, its chairman. The Foundation, he said, received the sum of N500 million. The PW2 also mentioned the 2015 PDP gubernatorial candidate in Sokoto State, Abdallah Wali, who received the sum of N580 million for the election through a company. At the end of Yusuf’s testimony, based on consensus, Justice Yusuf adjourned the case to 9–10 December for cross-examination of the PW2 by the defence counsel.

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ISWAP Commander Mai Tangaran Jailed 20 Years for Coordinated 2012 Kano Terror Attacks

A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Hussaini Ismaila, also known as Mai Tangaran, a commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), to 20 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to multiple terrorism-related charges. Justice Emeka Nwite delivered the judgment on Tuesday, bringing to a close a case that had been delayed for years due to repeated appeals and a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether Ismaila’s statements were made voluntarily. The prosecution described Ismaila as the mastermind behind a series of coordinated attacks across Kano State in 2012. The assaults targeted several police facilities, including the Police Headquarters in Bompai, the Mobile Police Base along Kabuga Road, Pharm Centre Police Station, and Angwa Uku Police Station, leaving several people injured and contributing to a surge of extremist violence in northern Nigeria. Ismaila was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on August 31, 2017, in Tsamiyya Babba Village, Gezawa Local Government Area of Kano State. He was arraigned on a four-count charge under the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act, 2013. During the trial, the prosecution called five witnesses, including DSS operatives and civilians who had witnessed the attacks. Initially pleading not guilty, Ismaila suddenly changed his plea to guilty after the fifth prosecution witness testified. His lawyer, P.B. Onijah of the Legal Aid Council, appealed for leniency, noting Ismaila’s remorse and his willingness to plead guilty to avoid wasting the court’s time. Onijah said his client regretted his involvement in terrorism. Justice Nwite convicted Ismaila on all four counts, sentencing him to 15 years on the first count and 20 years each on the remaining counts, with all sentences to run concurrently from the date of his arrest. The judge further directed the Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service to place Ismaila in a facility of choice and mandated that he undergo rehabilitation and deradicalisation before re-entering society.

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Donald Trump Reveals Son Barron Is Cristiano Ronaldo Fan After White House Meeting

President Donald Trump has shared that his son, Barron Trump, is a fan of football star Cristiano Ronaldo after the teenager met the player at the White House on Tuesday evening. Ronaldo was among the guests at a state dinner hosted by Trump in honor of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman. The Al Nassr forward attended the event with his fiancée, Georgina Rodriguez, as part of the Crown Prince’s delegation. The 40-year-old footballer, dressed in a black tuxedo, joined other high-profile figures including Elon Musk and U.S. Vice President JD Vance. During his speech at the dinner, Trump highlighted Ronaldo’s presence and shared Barron’s excitement about meeting him. “This room is loaded up with the biggest leaders in the world, business, sports… My son is a big fan of Ronaldo… Barron got to meet him, and I think he respects his father a little bit more now, just the fact that I introduced you. So I just want to thank you both for being here,” Trump said. Ronaldo’s visit came shortly after he was shown a red card in Portugal’s FIFA World Cup qualifier against Ireland, which sidelined him for Portugal’s 3-0 win over Armenia on Sunday. The victory confirmed Portugal’s place at the 2026 World Cup, scheduled to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

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Nigeria FG Exceeds 2025 Borrowing by 55.6%, Debt Levels Expected to Hit 80% by Year-End

Nigeria’s rising debt profile has once again come under scrutiny as the Federal Government exceeded its 2025 borrowing target by 55.6 percent, sparking concerns over worsening fiscal instability and mounting economic risks. A separate Weekend Trust investigation, titled “Where is the money?”, also questioned the federal government’s management of public funds, highlighting growing worries about transparency and accountability. A Disturbing Financial Trend According to analysts, the FG’s excessive borrowing did not come as a surprise, but the scale of the overrun has triggered alarm among economists and citizens alike. The situation has fueled debates on whether the benefits of subsidy removal and currency devaluation are being siphoned off by a privileged few or wasted on projects with little economic value. Long History of Fiscal Irresponsibility Nigeria’s leadership at both federal and state levels has long been criticised for short-term economic planning focused on election cycles rather than sustainable development. In a previously published analysis, alarming debt figures from the Debt Management Office (DMO) revealed the scale of the crisis: Nigeria’s public debt rose to ₦121.67 trillion as of March 31, 2024, up from ₦97.34 trillion in December 2023. This means the country added ₦24.33 trillion in just three months. The country’s growing addiction to borrowing has been compared to a drug dependency, with successive administrations relying on loans rather than revenue reforms or fiscal discipline. From Obasanjo to Buhari to Tinubu: The Debt Cycle Deepens Since Nigeria’s early debts under the Obasanjo military regime, successive governments have struggled to reduce borrowing. Even periods of high oil prices—such as 2010 to 2013—were marked by waste and expanded debt portfolios. By 2015, Nigeria’s children were already burdened with heavy debts. Under Buhari, future generations—grandchildren and great-grandchildren—were also drawn into the debt trap. Tinubu’s administration, critics argue, is accelerating the trend rather than reversing it. Eurobond Rush Raises More Questions Recently, Nigeria issued a $2.35bn Eurobond, which was oversubscribed by 400 percent. Government officials claimed the oversubscription reflected investor confidence, but analysts argue otherwise: The bonds carry high interest rates of 9.25% and 10.375%, nearly double what developed economies pay. Investors are reportedly attracted by unusually high returns—not trust in Nigeria’s economy. This means Nigeria will be repaying hefty interest for years, long after the current administration leaves office. Who Will Stop the Borrowing? Economists warn that governments rarely stop borrowing voluntarily. When debt becomes unsustainable, external bodies such as the IMF or the United States may be forced to intervene—often imposing harsh conditions. Argentina’s experience offers a cautionary tale: once lenders take control, national sovereignty becomes compromised. The Big Question: Where Is the Money? Despite record borrowing, increased taxes, and savings from subsidy removal, Nigerians say they feel no real impact in their daily lives. Public infrastructure remains weak, inflation remains high, and essential services are under enormous strain. This has left one burning question at the centre of national debate:Where exactly is the money going?

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