The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has vowed not to pollute the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

He urged stakeholders of the PDP to unite and rebuild the party to better serve Nigeria.

Makinde made the plea during the inauguration of the Board of Governors of the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) in Abuja on Thursday.

He insisted that the country needs direction and Nigerians are looking to the party to provide an ideological base.

Reflecting on his own political journey, Makinde thanked the PDP for giving him the platform to serve Oyo State. “Since 2019, I have benefited from this party. I promise not to pollute the well from which I have drawn,” he said,

The governor emphasized that Nigerians now recognize the difference between the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in national governance.

“As we approach 2027, it is clear that the PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria. By revitalizing the PDI, we are laying that foundation.”

“Our country needs direction, and Nigerians are looking to the PDP to provide an ideological base,” he said.

Makinde urged every politician to consider their legacy, noting, “Players will come and go, but you must be remembered for something.”

With the inauguration of the PDI Board of Governors and the unveiling of the PDI roadmap by Director-General Dr. Edward, Makinde expressed optimism that the PDP is taking a significant step toward defining its ideology and cementing its place in history.

Makinde praised those who have worked toward the revitalization of the PDI, recognizing the institute’s role under former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar in providing insights for national development. “During those years, the PDI contributed positively to governance,” he noted.

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his readiness to submit himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) if there is a need to account for his eight-year tenure in office.

Obaseki made this known in Abuja during the EdoBEST National Results-Sharing Session, an event highlighting his administration’s achievements, particularly in the education sector.

The outgoing governor said he ignored all noise during his administration and focused on education.

Obaseki emphasized that he has nothing to fear regarding any allegations.

Obaseki, who acknowledged the hardships Nigerians are facing, called on the All Progressives Congress, APC, to shift its focus from vendetta to addressing the suffering of the people.

According to him, his political opponents in Edo State are full of vendetta and are jealous of his administration’s achievement.

He also expressed his belief that the bitterness and vindictiveness in the political landscape are secondary to addressing the real challenges faced by the country.

He said, “I’m not afraid of the EFCC. Why should I be? What is important is focus. I came into office and ignored the noise, concentrating on what I felt was important, and today you can see the results.

“If the EFCC calls on me, I will hand myself over; I have nothing to hide.

“What matters is focusing on our people and making Nigeria better. The suffering is too much. We, who are privileged, should focus on making a positive impact not on side issues like vendetta.”

Reflecting on his legacy, Obaseki said he is leaving office with his head held high, stressing that his administration’s educational reforms, including the enrollment of over 400,000 children and the establishment of a technical college, would leave a lasting impact on the state.

Obaseki pointed out that, unlike previous attempts at educational reform, his administration had implemented tangible solutions.

He added, “We are not just talking about teacher training or increasing enrollments. You can come to Edo and see the data. We have enrolled over 400,000 children, and you can identify them because the data on every child is there.”

Telecom operators in Nigeria have lamented the harsh economic conditions in which they operate, saying urgent steps need to be taken to save the industry from collapse.

The Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, who spoke on behalf of the operators, said there is a need to increase tariffs so that the operators can remain in business.

He, however, observed that the increase must be done in such a way that consumers won’t suffer, noting that already, some people in Nigeria who once recharged ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 now mostly recharge ₦200 or ₦300 due to harsh economic realities.

Adebayo made his views known while speaking at the 93rd Telecom Consumer Parliament organized by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Abuja.

“This is a critical moment for the telecom industry,” Adebayo said. “If we act now, we can establish a platform for growth and improve the user experience. Delaying necessary decisions will not only harm investor interests—many of whom are Nigerians feeling the same daily pains—but will also stifle innovation and the development of new services.”

He said while the operators understand the current economic hardships Nigerians are facing, there is an urgent need to increase tariffs to reflect current economic realities.

According to him, if the steps are not taken, the telecom industry in Nigeria stands the risk of losing the gains that have been achieved in the last 22 years.

He said: “People who once recharged ₦5,000 or ₦10,000 now mostly recharge ₦200 or ₦300 because of limited disposable income. Yet, they still benefit from connectivity at pre-crisis rates. Reversing the gains of the last 22 years would be detrimental to Nigeria’s future.

“If we don’t address these sustainability issues, the consequences will be much worse. Prices will need to rise, but this must be done thoughtfully, through dialogue and partnerships with the government to find lasting and manageable solutions.”

In his keynote, NCC Executive Vice Chairman Prof. Umar Danbatta noted that the challenges in the industry are a global issue and require immediate attention to address consumer concerns while keeping issues of data depletion and billing transparency in mind.

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed the rise of a new terrorist group called ‘Lukarawas’, which is further escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest region.

Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, the Director of Defence Media Operations, disclosed this during a military briefing on Thursday in Abuja, where he provided an update on ongoing military operations.

According to Buba, the group originated from the Republic of Niger following the recent coup that disrupted military cooperation between Niger and Nigeria.

He noted that after the political upheaval in Niger, the group began infiltrating northern areas of Sokoto and Kebbi States, exploiting routes from Niger and Mali.

Buba highlighted that before the coup, joint border operations with Nigerien security forces were effective in curbing terrorist activities.

“The terrorists capitalized on the lapse in collaboration between the two nations and leveraged challenging terrains to penetrate remote regions of certain northwestern states and propagate their ideology,” he said.

He further explained that some local communities initially welcomed the group, mistaking their intentions, and failed to alert the military or security agencies about their presence.

Maj.-Gen. Buba assured the public that military forces had intensified intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) efforts to weaken the group.

He also mentioned that the terrorists continue to exploit under-governed spaces to evade capture, hide, and intimidate residents.

“Troops are tracking them down and neutralizing the threat,” Buba added.

Equatorial Guinea’s government has dismissed the Director General of the National Financial Investigation Agency (ANIF), Baltasar Ebang Engonga, after the discovery of around 400 explicit videos involving him with high-profile women across the country.

The dismissal, ordered by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, was confirmed by Real Equatorial Guinea, which cited Decree No. 118/2024, issued on November 4.

The decree outlined that Engonga’s removal was due to alleged professional misconduct and personal behavior incompatible with his public role.

The scandal erupted after several videos surfaced online, reportedly showing Engonga in intimate encounters with influential women and relatives, sparking widespread controversy on social media.

Reacting to the scandal, First Lady Constancia Mangue Obiang voiced her disapproval during a meeting with Prime Minister Manuel Osa Nsue.

The First Lady expressed her concern for the privacy and dignity of Equatoguinean women, urging the government to take swift action to protect them from such incidents.

In a Facebook statement from her Press Office, the First Lady emphasized the importance of safeguarding women’s privacy and rights in the digital age.

She called for proactive measures to uphold a respectful and secure environment for all women, noting that the government has made strides in promoting gender equality but must continue to address issues that compromise the dignity and safety of women.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigerians will only pay their taxes if they can see it is properly utilized.

He asserted that while it is important for citizens to pay taxes, there must be something on ground to show for it.

Wike stated this after inspecting the dualization of Kuje township road.

He explained that the funds his administration is using to construct roads in the federal capital are from FCT’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

He said, “No government will say they have all the resources needed to provide services to the people.

“What is important is that we try to make sure everybody pays his or her taxes.

“What I can tell you about Nigerians is that, when they see that the taxes they pay are being utilised, they reciprocate by making sure they pay their taxes.

“They are however reluctant to pay, when they pay taxes, and nothing is on ground to show for it.”

Speaking on the resources for all completed and ongoing projects in the city centre and area councils, the minister said, “it is a matter of strategy and being prudent with available resources. “

He added that the FCTA was trying as much as it could to continue to increase its IGR.

Veteran Nollywood actor, Bimbo Manuel, has claimed that most of his colleagues flaunting Range Rovers and living in luxurious mansions in Lagos are living a fake life.

The thespian spoke while featuring in a recent episode of the TVC programme, Your View.

According to Manuel, no Nollywood star can buy Range Rover from acting fees.

The 66-year-old said he does not care about living a flamboyant lifestyle because he likes “a humble and realistic life”.

He said, “The actors you see flaunting Range Rovers and mansions in Ikoyi are living fake lives.

“No actor in Nigeria would say he or she can buy a Range Rover from acting fees alone.”

‘I’m Not Rich’

In other news, veteran Nollywood actress, Bimbo Akintola, has spoken on financial disparities in the Nigerian movie industry, expressing curiosity about the lavish lifestyles of some female stars.

Bimbo, in an interview with her colleague, Emmanuel Ehumadu, questioned how her female colleagues fund their luxurious lifestyles, noting that she is not financially buoyant.

The thespian urged fans to question female Nollywood stars on how they make their money, considering the earnings from film sales.

Bimbo Akintola attributed their wealth to alternative sources, including family wealth, business ventures, and romantic relationships with politicians.

Popular comedian Oluwaseyitan Aletile, also known as Seyi Law, has recounted how he found that he was being monitored spiritually by a friend who gifted him a pair of shoes.

He claimed that he was at a vigil in 2016 when God revealed to him that there was something in his house that they were using to monitor him spiritually, which he later found out was a pair of shoes someone gifted him.

He disclosed that his wife bought the pair of shoes after the revelation, and soon after, she became pregnant with their daughter.

The comedian claimed that since the incident, the friend who gifted him the pair of shoes has refused to visit his house despite numerous invitations.

On his X handle, Seyi Law wrote, “I wish it was only a mirror they could use to monitor someone sha. One must be very careful of gifts.

“On the 2nd March 2016, I had a vigil in my room, and as I prayed, God told me there was something in my house that they were using to monitor me and I found out it was a pair of shoes someone gifted me. My wife took it out and burnt it. Prior to that day, I always doubted people who said God spoke to them.”

Big Brother Naija reality star, Angel Smith has hinted that her relationship with her colleague, Soma, has hit the rocks.

The reality star shared a cryptic post hours after Soma’s ex-girlfriend, Hilda Dirisu, came out to accuse him of physically abusing her and attempting to rekindle their relationship despite being involved with Angel.

She insinuated that she had been unlucky with love.

According to her, she has accepted that she won’t be loved in her lifetime.

On her X handle, Angel wrote, “It is Angel always, I have already accepted that the only time I will be loved is when I actually die.”

This is coming barely a few months after BBNaija All-Stars winner, Ilebaye, announced in a viral video with Angel that she and Soma will be getting married in January next year.

It remains to be seen if the wedding will proceed as planned.

Angel previously dated another reality star, Sunday Okonkwo, aka Cross, during the ‘Shine Ya Eye’ season in 2021 but their relationship crashed shortly after the show.