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“I’ve No Defection Plan” – Makinde Reaffirms Commitment To PDP

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has put to rest speculation about leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, insisting that he is firmly rooted in the opposition. Speaking with journalists at the State House in Abuja on Thursday during a visit to the Presidential Villa, Makinde emphasized his commitment to the PDP. In a video shared by NTA, he said, “No, no, no. I’m comfortable in the PDP.” He further highlighted the need for collaboration across party lines on national issues, saying, “Sometimes in this country, you need a bipartisan approach. It shouldn’t be just APC talking alone or PDP talking alone. You have to consider the best way forward in the interest of the nation. When you reach that point, you need everyone on board.” The statement comes after reports that President Bola Tinubu held separate meetings with Makinde and Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

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“Na Tension” – Egungun Of Lagos Reacts After Awkward IShowSpeed Interview

Instagram influencer Egungun of Lagos has responded after being widely criticized for losing his composure during an interview with US streamer IShowSpeed. IShowSpeed, currently on his 2026 African tour, arrived in Lagos on January 21 and has since met several local celebrities before moving on to another African country. A video circulating online shows Egungun struggling to conduct the interview with the 21-year-old streamer. At one point, Egungun asked, “Speed, how old are you?” IShowSpeed replied, “I’m 21.” Egungun then remarked, “Jesus Christ, and you look so healthy and strong,” before awkwardly adding, “When did you start this, woo woo, woo woo?” IShowSpeed, clearly confused, responded, “You say what?” The clip drew criticism from many Nigerians, who accused Egungun of failing to hold an intelligent conversation and noted that IShowSpeed seemed bored during the exchange. Popular blogger Tunde Ednut also shared the viral video, showing a man rebuking Egungun over the interview. In response, Egungun explained that the tension of the moment and a strict security check before meeting IShowSpeed contributed to his awkward performance. He asked fans to be understanding of his efforts, saying: “Abeg make Ona no vex for me 🤣🤣🤣🤣 na tension even before the interview securities wan kill me 🤣 please take it easy on me na hustle I Dey, don’t judge me 🙏🤣.”

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Casemiro Set To Leave Manchester United At End Of Season

Manchester United have confirmed that Casemiro will depart the club at the end of the season when his contract expires. The 33-year-old midfielder has been a key figure for the Red Devils since joining in August 2022, making 146 appearances and scoring 21 goals over four seasons. Known for his combative style and ability to deliver in crucial moments, Casemiro quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford. During his time at Manchester United, the Brazil captain helped the club secure the 2023 Carabao Cup, scoring a memorable header in the final against Newcastle United, and played a significant role in the 2024 Emirates FA Cup triumph. The club announced that fans will have the opportunity to pay tribute to Casemiro at the final home game of the season against Nottingham Forest, celebrating his contributions on and off the pitch.

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Supreme Court Ends Kudirat Abiola Murder Case

The Supreme Court has brought a definitive close to the prolonged murder case of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, rejecting efforts by the Lagos State Government to reopen the prosecution of former Chief Security Officer to General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (retd.). In a unanimous ruling delivered on Thursday, a five-member panel of the apex court held that Lagos State effectively abandoned its appeal by taking no procedural steps for nine years after being granted permission to challenge Al-Mustapha’s acquittal. Kudirat Abiola, wife of the presumed winner of the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election, Chief MKO Abiola, was assassinated in Lagos on June 4, 1996, during intense nationwide protests against the annulment of the election. Justice Uwani Aba-Aji, who read the lead ruling, described the conduct of the Lagos State Government as “inexcusable,” noting that despite receiving leave from the Supreme Court in 2014 to appeal out of time, the state failed to act within the period provided by the court. At the hearing, Al-Mustapha’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), informed the court that the state neither filed a notice of appeal nor took any steps to prosecute the matter since the order was granted. He reminded the panel that Lagos State was given 30 days in 2014 to file the necessary processes but did nothing, a clear indication, he argued, that the appeal had been abandoned. Daudu therefore urged the court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety. Justice Aba-Aji confirmed that court records showed Lagos State was properly served with hearing notices but failed to appear in court or provide any explanation for its absence. She stressed that nine years was more than sufficient time for any serious litigant to act. The court further expressed dissatisfaction that the state government neither entered an appearance nor communicated with the court, despite being aware of the proceedings since 2020. As a result, the appeal marked SC/CR/45/2014 was dismissed for want of diligent prosecution. Another related appeal filed by Lagos State, marked SC/CR/6/2014, was also struck out on the same grounds. In 2014, the Supreme Court, in a ruling delivered by a seven-member panel led by then Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, had granted Lagos State leave to appeal against the July 12, 2013, judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Al-Mustapha. The court directed the state to file its notice of appeal within 30 days, following claims that it needed time to review the case and challenge the appellate court’s findings. Earlier, on January 30, 2012, a Lagos High Court had sentenced Al-Mustapha, Mohammed Abacha and Lateef Shofolahan to death by hanging for conspiracy and murder. However, the Court of Appeal overturned the convictions in 2013, ruling that the evidence presented by the prosecution was weak and unreliable, and ordered their release. With Thursday’s decision, the Supreme Court has finally shut the door on all attempts to revive the case, bringing an end to nearly three decades of legal proceedings surrounding the assassination of Kudirat Abiola.

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U.S. Set To Officially Exit World Health Organization

The United States is set to formally withdraw from the World Health Organization on Thursday, despite warnings that the move could harm both U.S. and global public health and may violate a U.S. law requiring Washington to settle about $260 million in outstanding dues to the UN health agency. President Donald Trump announced the decision to pull the U.S. out of the WHO on the first day of his presidency in 2025 through an executive order. However, U.S. law mandates a one-year notice period and the full payment of all unpaid contributions before a withdrawal can take effect. On Thursday, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said the WHO’s handling of global health crises had failed the United States, arguing that the organization’s inability to contain, manage, and properly share information had cost the country trillions of dollars. The spokesperson added that the president had used his authority to halt any future transfer of U.S. government funds, support, or resources to the WHO. “The American people have paid more than enough to this organization and this economic hit is beyond a down payment on any financial obligations to the organization,” the spokesperson said in an email.

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Oga’s Twins Not Autistic – Israel DMW Slams Kemi Olunloyo Over Baseless Claims About Davido’s Twins

Israel DMW has strongly responded to journalist Kemi Olunloyo after she made controversial claims about Davido and his family amid the ongoing paternity saga involving Anuoluwapo. Olunloyo had sparked outrage online by alleging that Davido’s children were autistic, among other baseless claims. In a forceful rebuttal, Israel DMW called out Olunloyo for her comments, saying: “Yeye Kemi. You made a whole good and reserved chairman to be talking on social media because of your clout chasing? After dragging your own father till he finally died? Oloriburuku aunty.” He defended the singer’s family, stressing that none of Davido’s children are autistic and that they are all healthy and well taken care of. Israel also highlighted that Davido’s choice to keep his children off social media is a personal decision, noting that they attend one of the most expensive schools in Atlanta. “Oga’s children are very healthy, 100. His decision to keep them off social media is best known to him. They attend the most expensive school in Atlanta. Aunty wey no get sense,” he added. The exchange highlights the intensity surrounding the paternity dispute, with Israel DMW firmly rejecting Olunloyo’s claims and defending the singer’s family from public scrutiny.

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Akpabio Moves Supreme Court Over Suspension Of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has taken the legal dispute over the suspension of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to the Supreme Court. Court documents obtained on Thursday show that Akpabio filed an application to regularize and sustain his appeal challenging decisions of lower courts in the matter. The filings carry Supreme Court number SC/CV/1111/2025, Appeal number CA/ABJ/CV/1107/2025, and Federal High Court suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/384/2025. The motion, filed under the Supreme Court Act and the Constitution, seeks to have Akpabio’s notice of appeal and brief of argument recognized as properly submitted. The appellant is Akpabio, while the respondents include Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Senate, and Senator Neda Imasuen, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions. The conflict arose from a February 2025 Senate plenary session in which Akpoti-Uduaghan raised concerns about privilege and alleged procedural breaches. The matter was referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions, which recommended her suspension. Akpoti-Uduaghan challenged the suspension at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming violations of her right to a fair hearing and noncompliance with Senate standing orders. The court ruled on July 4, 2025, that the suspension was harsh and unlawful. Following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, Akpabio is now seeking Supreme Court intervention to extend time to apply for leave to appeal, obtain permission to appeal on mixed law and fact grounds, and confirm the validity of his submissions. He argued that the Senate acted within its constitutional powers under Section 60 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to regulate its internal operations, and that the Senate President is not obliged to rule on every privilege issue immediately. Akpoti-Uduaghan has maintained that her suspension was illegal and executed without a fair hearing, claiming that Senate procedures were not properly followed. She and her lawyers confirmed receiving Supreme Court processes on Thursday. The case also includes a related contempt issue arising from a social media post by Akpoti-Uduaghan while the matter was pending. The Federal High Court had fined her and ordered a public apology, an order she has also appealed. The Supreme Court’s decision is expected to clarify the limits of legislative disciplinary powers and judicial oversight. The legal developments come just two weeks after Akpabio announced plans to withdraw pending court cases. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office has been closed since her suspension on March 6, 2025, following allegations of misconduct during a protest against Akpabio’s relocation of her Senate seat on February 20. Although the ban was set to expire in September, she has been unable to resume work due to ongoing legal battles and opposition from Senate leadership. After the July 4 High Court ruling, she informed the Senate of her intent to return, but her request was initially blocked.

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Kemi Olunloyo Responds To Deji Adeleke’s Davido Paternity Briefing, Says Son Should Not Be Involved

Kemi Olunloyo has reacted to businessman Deji Adeleke’s press briefing on the paternity dispute involving his son, singer Davido, and a teenage girl, Anuoluwapo. The controversy resurfaced after a social media account linked to the girl called on Davido to undergo another DNA test, despite previous results indicating he is not her father. At a Wednesday press briefing, Adeleke said multiple DNA tests had been conducted, all showing Davido is not the child’s father. “We would have accepted the child if the results had been different,” he stated. He explained that he first learned of the claim in 2014, when he received a package from Ibadan containing photographs, a birth certificate, and a letter from the girl’s grandmother. The initial DNA test, conducted in Lagos and analyzed in South Africa, showed zero probability of paternity, and two subsequent tests confirmed the same. Adeleke declined to release the DNA reports publicly, saying, “It is dangerous for anyone’s DNA profile to be in the public domain.” Responding to Adeleke on TikTok, Olunloyo criticized him for mentioning her and her son. “I opened the Instagram page for Anu to give her individuality and returned it to her mother in 2019,” she said. “You sat there talking about my son. What do you know about him? He is not on social media and he is autistic. Leave my name out of it. It is Davido who should be addressing this issue.” Olunloyo also disputed claims of multiple DNA tests for Davido, saying only one was conducted. “All we want is for you to establish the girl’s identity and let her go. You don’t know what she will become tomorrow,” she said. She addressed Anu’s mother, Ayo, claiming she was told Davido was involved and that he communicated directly with Ayo, though Olunloyo’s investigation suggested Davido may have used another person’s phone. She said her involvement has always been for the child’s welfare: “I want Anu to live a good life. I opened an account for her and have been saving money. She will have access to it when she turns 18.” Olunloyo also revealed that she paid for the girl’s first year in school and attempted to raise further funds for her. Adeleke, meanwhile, denied Olunloyo’s claims of close ties with his family, saying, “She says she was my wife’s best friend. I have never met her.” He urged the public to ignore online narratives surrounding the paternity dispute.

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