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Northern leaders have been divided over the possible re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH revealed that the once monolithic North is now split, with core northerners determined to oust Tinubu in 2027, while northern minorities support his re-election.
Our correspondents noted that although core northerners complain about the President’s unfavourable disposition towards the region, minority groups argue that they have fared well under his administration.
The Middle Belt, southern Kaduna residents, Hausa Christians of Northern Nigeria, and many natives of Plateau State have distanced themselves from the plot to unseat Tinubu.
However, core northerners, represented by various political, socio-cultural, and indigenous groups, insist that Tinubu does not deserve a second term.
The division among northern stakeholders is evident in social media exchanges between former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and a human rights activist, Senator Shehu Sani, who frequently express differing views on Tinubu’s approach to northern issues, particularly security.
The Arewa Consultative Forum, a key political and cultural association in Northern Nigeria, alongside several prominent northern figures, said the region could not be coerced into re-electing Tinubu.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the Secretary General of the group, Murtala Aliyu, stated that the forum remained nonpartisan and would not support or oppose any candidate.
The ACF was responding to a recent statement by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Abdullahi Ganduje, who urged northern politicians with presidential ambitions to abandon their aspirations because Tinubu would serve for two terms.
“What we normally do at ACF is to highlight critical issues that the people should consider when choosing a candidate, irrespective of their political party. We do not involve ourselves in promoting or antagonising any candidate,” Aliyu said.
The League of Northern Democrats, a northern group comprising members of the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, vowed to support an alternative candidate in 2027.
The spokesperson for the group, Ladan Salihu, said, “We don’t have a personal agenda against Tinubu, but we believe his government has not delivered. The performance indicators do not add up to justify northern support.
“The government has not met expectations, and we in the North are not convinced he deserves another opportunity. Even those who voted for him are now filled with regret. His administration has brought hardship, poverty and agony to the people.
“No northerner with a conscience can claim to be impressed with Tinubu’s performance. He may have the best intentions, but the system he is working with is flawed and unsustainable. It cannot deliver on the promises he made to the North.”
Salihu also hinted at the possibility of a new political movement to field a northern candidate against Tinubu in 2027.
“Yes, there is a possibility, because we are not convinced that this government can lift Nigeria out of its current predicament,” he said.
Similarly, the National Coalition of Northern Groups warned that the North would not vote for Tinubu if economic conditions did not improve.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, the coalition president, Jamilu Charanchi, stated that the North, which holds the majority of votes, would not re-elect Tinubu if economic hardship persisted.
“It is the people who will decide who leads the country—there is no doubt about that. The North has a majority. It is up to President Tinubu to make the right decisions so that people will re-elect him. If he continues on this path, I can tell you clearly that people will not vote for him,” he said.
Urging Nigerians to vote wisely, Charanchi advised the electorate to choose leaders based on competence, capacity, integrity and adherence to the rule of law.
He said, “Nigerians should not allow themselves to be manipulated by politicians. They should vote based on merit and mobilise others to elect leaders who will lift the country out of its current crisis.”
Charanchi described Ganduje’s comment as troubling and disheartening, stating that it indicated the APC chairman was out of touch with reality.
“Is he satisfied with Nigeria’s failing economy? Does he believe these failures are acceptable or justified?” he asked.
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, had previously hinted at northern efforts to remove Tinubu in 2027.
Lawal recently declared his intention to work with El-Rufai to prevent Tinubu’s re-election.
In an interview, Lawal blamed Tinubu’s economic policies for worsening poverty and hardship in Northern Nigeria.
“The North is seriously mobilising with a consensus that Bola Tinubu must step down in the 2027 election. There is no doubt about this consensus.
“I may not have always agreed with El-Rufai, but on this issue, I will join him to stop Tinubu from winning the 2027 election. If Tinubu wins, northern Nigeria will turn into one large refugee camp,” he said.
El-Rufai, on Monday, shared on his X handle an opinion by a chieftain of the party, Uche Diala, who warned that if Tinubu was not careful, he might face the same fate as former President Goodluck Jonathan ahead of the 2027 election.
The article stated, “I have read and heard the arrogant posturing and braggadocio by some people who I refer to as political rabble-rousers, but I get more worried each day as it keeps looking more and more like a movie we had seen before.
“May I remind some persons that, more than the performance or lack thereof of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, it was his attitude, and that of people around him, towards the North that ultimately brought him down and by extension the PDP that had boasted that it would rule Nigeria for 60 years.”
El-Rufai himself had on his X handle criticised the APC, lamenting the lack of internal democracy and active party structures within the party.
He wrote “I no longer recognise the APC. No party organ has met in two years—no caucus, no NEC, nothing. You don’t even know if it is a one-man show; it’s a zero-man show.”
However, the northern minorities distanced themselves from the plot to oust Tinubu.
One of the notable northern minority groups, the Middle Belt Forum, stated that the region had decided to support a southern presidency in 2027.
The MBF argued that the region had received a better deal under the current administration than under former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite prevailing economic hardships.
According to the MBF’s spokesman, Luka Binniyat, the Middle Belt has secured more political appointments at the national level and more infrastructural projects than under the previous government.
Sunday PUNCH noted that Middle Belt indigenes in Tinubu’s administration include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume (Benue State), and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda (Plateau State).
“We are having a better deal under Bola Tinubu than under Buhari, even though we are all experiencing economic hardship like everyone else.
“The Middle Belt Forum, for sure, still stands for a southern presidency in 2027. So, it is up to President Tinubu to up his game to attract the Middle Belt when an alternative candidate emerges in 2027,” Binniyat said.
Similarly, indigenous Hausa Christians of Northern Nigeria dissociated themselves from the plot to remove Tinubu in 2027, stating that they would not be pressured into making a decision that could negatively impact the social well-being of their people.
According to the Christian group, Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated a commitment to addressing the insecurity that has plagued many northern states.
“All we want at the moment is inclusivity, as we have many qualified individuals and seasoned politicians capable of holding political office.
“Instead of calling for the President’s removal in 2027, we are urging him to consider some of our people for appointments, as we refuse to inherit anyone’s enemies,” said the National Chairman of the group, Daniel Musa.
Some indigenes of Plateau State also declared support for Tinubu’s second term.
Speaking with Sunday PUNCH under the auspices of the Plateau Initiative for the Development and Advancement of the Natives in Jos, the indigenes acknowledged the President’s contributions to the development of their region.
The association’s Secretary General, Dickson Auta, said, “He (Tinubu) has indeed shown that he is a detribalised leader because he has been striving to spread developmental projects across every part of the country.
“Our people are only concerned about good governance, and if Mr President continues on this developmental path, I am sure our people will have no choice but to support his ambition in 2027 should he decide to run for a second term. In fact, we are already supporting him.”
Also, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union commended Tinubu for appointing individuals from Southern Kaduna to key positions.
A spokesperson for SOKAPU, Josiah Abraks, cited the appointment of Gen. Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and the establishment of the Federal University of Applied Science, Kachia, as examples of the President’s inclusivity, which has benefited the people of Southern Kaduna.
“The southern part of Kaduna is willing to partner with whoever is ready to work with us to ensure our growth and development,” he added.
[Punch]
The National Chairman of All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, has come under attack from northern leaders and groups over his call on the North to bury any ambition of contesting the presidency in 2027.
They accused him of working against the interest of the North just to please President Bola Tinubu.
The controversy surrounding Ganduje’s statement highlights the complex dynamics of Nigerian politics, particularly regarding zoning and power rotation. As the country prepares for the 2027 presidential election, it remains to be seen how this debate will unfold.
Ganduje had urged northern politicians nursing presidential ambition in 2027 to bury the idea, insisting that President Tinubu would serve two terms.
Apparently reacting to former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, who, in a post on his verified X handle, threatened that in 2027, the North would give Tinubu the same treatment meted out to former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.
But Ganduje, while hosting leaders and members of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Media Centre, PBAT Media Centre, and Tinubu Northern Youth Forum, TNYF, at APC National Secretariat in Abuja, said expectations that the North would produce the President in 2027 should be “perished.”
“When a leader from the northern part of this country was in office for eight years, we advocated that the next president in our party should come from the South”, he stated.
“And luckily enough, we worked very hard with the cooperation of Nigerians. Our President has come from the South and is going, insha’Allah, for a second term in 2027. And then after that, it will be turned to the northern part of this country”.
‘Dangerous precedent’
However, the statement seems to have provoked stakeholders in the region, who told Sunday Vanguard that what the APC chairman said is a “dangerous precedent.”
The Middle Belt Forum, MBF, said the statement wasn’t surprising, adding that Ganduje was doing the bidding of his “benefactor.”
National President of MBF, Dr. Bitrus Pogu, said: “It is a political statement, and he is representing the party. Whether he likes it or not, the President is the main man for the party, and the benefit he would get comes through the President.
“So, whether he is from the North or wherever, he just has to support the President. It is, therefore, not surprising that, in spite of the Northern resistance for whatsoever reason, he is supporting the President, so it is not surprising.
“However, there are things we need to learn from the behavior of the North. There is this thing they call ‘Takiya.’ It is a holy deceit. It is practiced in the North in some things.
“So, what he says may not exactly be what he meant. So, let’s hope and believe that what he said was what he meant, and that was not a deceit aimed at appeasing those he wants to, with the intention of doing something else.
“This is something our Southern brothers do not seem to know or understand. But for those of us in the North, when one of us says something, we weigh it properly based on the action that might follow.”
‘Disturbing questions’
On his part, National President of Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, Yerima Shettima, said Ganduje’s position raised disturbing questions about Nigeria’s democracy.
He said: “Ganduje’s call for politicians from the North to drop any ambition of contesting against Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election raises important questions about the principles of democracy and the right to political participation.
“It is essential to analyze this statement in the context of democratic principles and the right to political participation. In a democratic society, every citizen has the right to contest for political office and present themselves as candidates for election.
“This right is enshrined in the constitution and is a fundamental aspect of a functioning democracy. Ganduje’s call for politicians from the North to refrain from contesting against Tinubu raises concerns about the freedom of political expression and the right to participate in the democratic process.
“By discouraging potential candidates from running for office, Ganduje’s statement could be seen as an attempt to limit the choices available to voters and stifle political competition.
“Such a directive could also be interpreted as an attempt to consolidate power within a particular political faction or region, rather than promoting a fair and open electoral process.
“In a diverse and multi-ethnic country like Nigeria, it is essential that all regions and groups have equal opportunities to participate in the political arena and present their ideas and policies to the electorate.
“It is also worth noting that the 2027 presidential election is still several years away, and it is premature to make such sweeping statements about potential candidates and their eligibility to contest for office.
“In a democratic society, political competition should be encouraged, and voters should have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of candidates with diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
“As citizens and observers, it is crucial to uphold these principles and ensure that all individuals have the opportunity to participate in the democratic process without fear of reprisal or discrimination.”
‘Why 2027 noise?’
Also speaking, Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, North-West zone, Emmanuel Obe, said: “2027 is still far away, so why the noise about 2027? It’s only God that knows what 2027 will look like; therefore, those looking for favour and patronage should stop distracting those who have the responsibility of providing dividends of democracy to the people rather than engaging them with the trouble of 2027 that may or may not come.
“Nigerians are suffering, and the least expectation is to provide them with basic needs, which includes but is not limited to: food and shelter, security of lives and property, good drinking water, access to basic education, and good health facilities, stable and affordable supply of electricity, good roads, among others.
“Ganduje and his likes should address those needs rather than disturbing the citizens with the noise about 2027. Mr. President should not be distracted by the noise from those political jobbers and favour seekers but rather should focus on delivering his campaign promises to Nigerians and allow 2027 to breathe.”
‘North united politically’
Former Secretary-General of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Anthony Sani, said: “There is nothing controversial about such statements. This is because none of the two people you have mentioned speaks for the North in so far as partisan politics is concerned.
“This is because the North can be united politically on real issues of real concern to real northerners, but when it comes to partisan politics, the North does not act in unison.
“Recall NPC, NEPU, and United Middle Belt Council in the First Republic. In the Second Republic, there were Shagari who contested against Zik of NPP and Awolowo of UPN from the South and with Mallam Aminu Kano of PRP from Kano and Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of famous ‘politics without bitterness’ from the North.
“During the third and the current fourth republics, the North voted for Abiola against their son, Bashir Tofa, and voted for Bola Tinubu in 2023 from the South against son of the soil, Abubakar Atiku, respectively. “This should also inform political pundits that the North can use contingency in its approach to politics depending on the situation on the ground.”
Similarly, former Chairman of CAN, Kaduna State, Rev Joseph John Hayab, said: “I am not sure Ganduje has said anything new. What he said is what the previous party in power used to say. I hope his party will listen to the cries of Nigerians and attend to their needs before the next election.
“Many Nigerians are tired of how politicians use this zoning of offices to deny them good governance. Nigerians in the next election will be looking for good governance, not the region of the candidate.
“Those who still want to go to the people with regional or religious messages about whom to vote will regret it. We have played regional and religious politics, but we are still standing in one spot, with no progress, only wallowing in hunger and poverty.
“Ganduje and all other leaders of political parties that want to get the mandate of Nigerians should focus on addressing Nigeria’s problems to win the support of the masses and stop talking about which region should drop her ambition to contest in 2027.”
Worrisome argument
Also, the Director of NGOs and SCOs of the Northern Elders Forum, NEF, Suleiman Abdul-Azeez, said he found Ganduje’s argument worrisome.
His words: “As a leader from the North, I am deeply concerned by the recent statement made by former Governor Ganduje urging the North to drop any ambition of contesting against Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“This call for the North to step aside and allow Tinubu to run uncontested is not only undemocratic but also goes against the principles of fair competition and equal opportunity in a democratic society.
“It is important to note that democracy thrives on the principles of free and fair elections, where all eligible candidates have the right to contest for any political office without fear of intimidation or coercion.
“By asking the North to abandon their political ambitions in favour of Tinubu, Ganduje is essentially stifling the democratic process and denying the people of the North their right to choose their own leaders.
“Furthermore, this call for the North to step aside in the 2027 presidential election sets a dangerous precedent for future elections, where certain individuals or regions may be pressured to withdraw their candidacy in favour of a preferred candidate.
“This undermines the democratic values of inclusiveness and diversity, which are essential for a thriving democracy.
As a leader from the North, I believe it is imperative that we uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that all eligible candidates have the opportunity to contest for political office without any form of discrimination or bias. It is crucial that we promote a culture of political inclusivity and diversity, where individuals from all regions and backgrounds have an equal chance to participate in the democratic process.”
“I strongly condemn Ganduje’s call for the North to drop any ambition of contesting against Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election. It is essential that we uphold the principles of democracy and ensure that all eligible candidates have the right to contest for political office without any form of interference or coercion. Let us strive to promote a culture of political inclusivity and diversity, where every individual has an equal opportunity to participate in the democratic process.”
Tambuwal: No politician with conscience will join APC… defections driven by stomach infrastructure
Admin
Aminu Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto state, says no politician with a conscience would join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tambuwal spoke on Saturday in Kaduna after the national executive council (NEC) meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the north-west zone.
Tambuwal, a former speaker of the house of representatives, said the current economic situation in the country makes the membership of the ruling APC unattractive.
He noted that politicians defecting from the PDP to join the APC are “driven by stomach infrastructure”.
He added that those who believe in the country must work together to unseat the APC-led government in 2027.
“People leave parties for certain reasons or for different reasons, but what I have been observing is that defections are not based on the interest of the people but based on stomach infrastructure, Tambuwal said.
“If you are talking about defecting in the interest of the people, I believe no one can go to the APC.
“If you are a politician with a conscience, with the current policies being driven by the government of the APC.
“The current economic doldrum caused by APC has driven Nigerians into hardship across the country, and with the dismal performance of the Tinubu administration, there is nothing attractive outside stomach infrastructure.”
“It is for all of us who believe in this country, who believe in the service of the people, to continue to come together and work out something that will ensure that by 2027, we ease out this administration that lacks focus, compassion, and does not have any direction.”
[TheCable]
A 29-year-old Islamic teacher, Abdulrahman Bello, was on Saturday arrested by the Kwara State Police Command for allegedly killing a final-year student of the Kwara State College of Education, Yetunde Lawal.
Bello was said to have connected with 25-year-old Lawal on Facebook and invited her to his house through a phone call on February 10, 2025.
According to sources, the suspect allegedly killed and dismembered Lawal at a location in Ganmo, on the outskirts of Ilorin, the state capital.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident to Sunday PUNCH, stating that an investigation had commenced.
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She said, “The Kwara Police Command is aware of the gruesome killing of one Miss Yetunde H. Lawal. On 11/02/2025 at about 1800 hours, a case of a missing person was reported at C Division, Oja-Oba, by her father, Ibrahim A. Lawal.
“Immediately, police detectives swung into action, tracked her number, and arrested a suspect. Exhibits were recovered, and the case was transferred yesterday to the SCID for discreet investigations.”
Sources revealed that Lawal was last seen on February 10, 2025, after leaving a naming ceremony, during which she received a phone call, suspected to be from Bello.
The sources added that Lawal’s caller was tracked and identified as Bello, who lived at Offa Garage, a distinct area of Ilorin.
A source said, “The suspect was arrested. He initially denied knowledge of Yetunde’s (Lawal) whereabouts but later confessed after police searched his house. He claimed she was in his house and had died from an asthma attack. However, the police later discovered Yetunde’s dismembered body parts in a bowl.
“They met on Facebook, where the suspect obtained Yetunde’s phone number before inviting her to his house.”
Former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, has expressed disappointment over the recent wave of defections by members of the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
According to Tambuwal, no politician with a conscience would join the APC, given the current economic situation in the country.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the North-West Zonal meeting of the PDP in Kaduna on Saturday, Tambuwal attributed the defections to “stomach infrastructure” rather than the interest of the people.
He said, “People leave parties for different reasons, but what I have been observing in recent times are defections not based on the interest of the people but on stomach infrastructure.”
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Tambuwal, who represents Sokoto South Senatorial District in the Senate, questioned the rationale behind the defections, stating that no politician with a conscience would align with the APC, considering its policies and the economic hardship faced by Nigerians.
’
“I believe no one with a conscience will join the APC. With the current policies being driven by the APC government, the economic doldrums it has plunged Nigerians into, the hardship across the country, and the dismal performance of Tinubu’s administration, there is nothing attractive beyond stomach infrastructure.
“Defections based on stomach infrastructure are not worrisome. But all of us who believe in this country and in serving the people must unite and work towards ensuring that by 2027, we vote out this administration that lacks focus, compassion, and direction,” he added.
The senator urged PDP members and other Nigerians to come together and work towards defeating the APC in 2027.
Meanwhile, the North-West PDP has vowed to unseat the APC in the next election.
According to a communiqué read by the North-West Zonal Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bello Gwarzo, the party resolved to swiftly address all conflicts at the national level.
OpenAI says its board of directors has unanimously rejected a $97.4 billion takeover bid by Elon Musk.
“OpenAI is not for sale, and the board has unanimously rejected Mr. Musk's latest attempt to disrupt his competition," said a statement Friday from Bret Taylor, chair of OpenAI's board.
OpenAI attorney William Savitt in a letter to Musk's attorney Friday said the proposal “is not in the best interests of OAI's mission and is rejected.”
Musk, an early OpenAI investor, began a legal offensive against the ChatGPT-maker nearly a year ago, suing for breach of contract over what he said was the betrayal of its founding aims as a nonprofit he helped found a decade ago.
Then on Monday, while that case was still awaiting a key ruling, Musk and his own AI startup, xAI, and a group of investment firms announced a bid to buy the nonprofit that controls OpenAI. Musk in a court filing Wednesday expanded on the proposal to acquire the nonprofit's controlling stake in the for-profit OpenAI subsidiary.
Savitt's letter Friday said that filing added “new material conditions to the proposal. As a result of that filing, it is now apparent that your clients' much-publicized bid' is in fact not a bid at all.” In any event, “even as first presented,” the board has unanimously rejected it, Savitt said.
Musk has alleged in the lawsuit that the companies are violating the terms of his foundational contributions to the charity. Musk had invested about $45 million in the startup from its founding until 2018, his lawyer has said.
He escalated the legal dispute late last year, adding new claims and defendants, including OpenAI's business partner Microsoft, and asking for a court order that would halt OpenAI's plans to more fully convert itself into a for-profit business. Musk also added xAI as a plaintiff, claiming that OpenAI was also unfairly stifling business competition.
A judge is still considering Musk's request but expressed scepticism about some of his claims in a court hearing last week.
[telegraphindia]
Meta is betting big on humanoid AI-powered robots, Bloombergreports.
The company has reportedly formed a new division within its Reality Labs unit, which developed the Meta Quest VR headset, which will initially focus on developing hardware for robots that can assist with physical tasks like household chores.
The unnamed new division will be led by Marc Whitten, former CEO of General Motors' self-driving car division Cruise, and it will look to hire 100 engineers in 2025. The company has reportedly already begun talks with robotics companies like Chinese firm Unitree Robotics and US startup Figure AI.
But rather than directly launching a branded robot, like Tesla's Optimus, Meta plans to develop AI systems, sensors, and software for robots that will then be manufactured and sold by a range of companies, much like how smartphone manufacturers all over the world use Google’s Android operating system. Meta is allegedly aiming for its upcoming LLaMA language model to become “a foundation for robotics researchers around the world.”
Though Meta isn't aiming squarely at the consumer market, Bloomberg reports that Meta still plans on building hardware, using existing components, and will build prototypes for testing purposes. However, the sources said that Meta hasn’t ruled out the option of one day launching a consumer-facing robot.
Rather than working separately from its AR and VR projects, Meta executives reportedly hope that the division will be able to leverage data collected from the firm’s augmented and virtual reality devices to spur advances in robotics. This shouldn't come as that much of a surprise, Meta has been open about its plans to use data collected from its Quest VR headsetsto improve its products.
But robotics aficionados shouldn’t get their hopes up, at least in the short term. A source with knowledge of the project told Bloomberg that it “could be years” before Meta’s platform is ready to power third-party robotics.
It’s not just Meta turning its eye toward humanoid robotics. Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo saidthe iPhone maker is “exploring both humanoid and non-humanoid robots for its future smart home ecosystem, though the products are still early proof-of-concept (POC) stage internally.”
Meanwhile, Nvidia has also been bullish on the future of robotics and physical AI. At CES 2025 last month, CEO Jensen Huang predicted the market for humanoid robotics could soon hit $38 billion in the coming decades, saying that “the ChatGPT moment for general robotics is just around the corner.”
[uk.pcmag]
Mantra, one of the best-performing altcoins, surged to a new all-time high on Saturday as investors cheered a new centralized exchange listing.
Mantra 
OM34.74%MANTRA price jumped to a record high of $8.20, bringing the year-to-date gains to over 100%. It has jumped by over 2,600% in the last 12 months, giving it a market cap of over $7.6 billion, making it the 22nd biggest altcoin in crypto.
Mantra token jumped after being integrated in Bybit, one of the biggest CEX exchanges in crypto. As part of the listing, users will compete for a 120,000 OM prize pool currently valued at over $912,000.
Mantra’s volume on Bybit jumped instantly after the listing. Data compiled by CoinMarketCap shows that the 24-hour volume of Mantra token on Bybit jumped to $36 million. Its combined volume across CEX and DEX exchanges rose by 267% to $755 million.
Mantra price has also jumped ahead of an upcoming aidrop that seeks to reward genuine holders of the OM token. The developers will distribute 50 million OM tokens currently valued at over $375 million.
Mantra’s token surge comes as the ongoing demand for real-world asset (RWA) tokenization grows. Some big prominent firms like Blackrock, Apollo Global Management, and Franklin Templeton have already launched their tokenized products.
Similarly, Ondo Finance has launched a network to facilitate the tokenization of American stocks. Such a product has a high potential as it will give global investors access to U.S. equities, and possibly bonds, that are currently unavailable to them.
Mantra also recently entered a deal to tokenize a $1 billion real estate portfolio for DAMAC, a giant Dubai company. A successful launch of that project will likely lead to more demand for its solutions from other real estate companies.
Mantra price analysis
The daily chart shows that the OM price has done well this year. It is currently trading at its all-time high. It recently flipped the crucial resistance level at $6.4637, its previous resistance level.
The coin has also remained above all moving averages, while the Average Directional Index (ADX) has moved to 45, a sign that it has a strong momentum.
Therefore, the Mantra price may soar as bulls target the next psychological level at $10. This rally will also happen as retail investors embrace the fear of missing out or FOMO.
More about Mantra
Mantra, founded by CEO John Patrick Mullin, focuses on the tokenization of RWAs such as real estate, bonds, commodities, and precious metals.
The multi-chain ecosystem was built using the Cosmos SDK and offers a Layer 1 blockchain that enables developers to create decentralized applications (dApps).
The ecosystem offers services like staking, lending, and borrowing.
The native token, OM, serves multiple purposes within the Mantra ecosystem, including staking, governance, and facilitating transactions. Users can stake OM tokens to earn rewards, participate in governance decisions, and access DeFi services.
Karma Protocol
Mantra’s Karma Protocol is a user ranking system that grades participants based on their actions within the ecosystem.
Positive behaviors, such as timely loan repayments, increase a user’s karma score, leading to benefits like higher staking rewards and reduced fees.
Source: crypto.news
President Javier Milei advertised a crypto token meant to help local Argentine businesses, but his support was met with widespread concern about a potential scam and he deleted the post.
Milei initially promoted the LIBRA token late Friday in a post on X, saying the money raised would go to help small and medium-size companies in Argentina and stressing that the project was privately run. In a text message, he added that he would reap no personal financial benefit from the venture.
The token’s name appeared to be in reference to Milei’s political party, La Libertad Avanza, or his libertarian roots as an economist. Milei told Bloomberg he met with the company behind the coin, KIP Protocol, months ago. The company’s website includes a blog post featuring a selfie with its co-founder and the Argentine president giving a thumbs-up dated Oct. 20.
Argentines immediately began to panic over whether the president’s social media was hacked or if Milei himself had been duped by crypto scammers.
Community notes published on X — the social-media platform owned by Milei’s ally Elon Musk — cautioned people against the coin. Crypto scams, often called “rug pulls,” are rife on social media.
Milei deleted the initial post five hours later, saying he was “not aware of the details of the project and after having become aware of it I decided not to continue spreading the word.”
Despite being a Wall Street darling, Milei has so far struggled to lure foreign investment into Argentina even as his government crushes inflation and passes business-friendly reforms. He still hasn’t dismantled the complex currency controls his administration inherited more than a year ago, though Argentina’s economy is expected to grow again in 2025 after two years of punishing recession.
Even before Friday’s token drama, headwinds were building in Buenos Aires. US President Donald Trump’s tariffs stand to disproportionately hit Argentina, while Nissan is cutting back car production and Mercedes-Benz is leaving the country after more than 70 years. Argentina’s economic lifeline, the Rio Parana that carries most of the country’s farm exports, faced a setback after Milei’s government canceled an auction to dredge it deeper after receiving just a single bid as ships struggle to navigate narrow waters.
Milei nevertheless concluded his initial post promoting the crypto token by saying “the world wants to invest in Argentina,” signing off with his trademark slogan “long live freedom, damn it.”
[ Bloomberg]
Asset managers, ranging from wealth management companies to hedge funds and pension funds, boosted allocations to U.S. exchange-traded funds tied to the price of bitcoin in the fourth quarter of 2024, as the price of the world's largest cryptocurrency soared 47%, according to recent regulatory filings.
The State of Wisconsin Investment Board disclosed in its quarterly 13-F filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission that its bitcoin ETF holdings more than doubled in the final three months of last year, to 6 million shares of the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF by December 31. The fund, which was the first fund of its kind to report investing in crypto following the debut of bitcoin ETFs, couldn't immediately be reached for comment.
Other large investment funds also boosted their holdings in the ETFs, which launched in January 2024.
Tudor Investment Corp, a systematic hedge fund manager, reported its holdings of the iShares ETF -- now the largest of the pack, with more than $55 billion in assets -- climbed to 8 million shares, from 4.4 million shares. The value of those holdings also soared, reflecting bitcoin's jump in value, hitting $426.9 million, up from $159.9 million at the end of September. Tudor didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
An Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund, Mubadala Investment Co, reported its first foray into bitcoin ETFs in the fourth quarter, taking a 8.2 million share stake in the iShares ETF that was worth $436.9 million.
Hedge fund Hunting Hill Capital had no exposure to these ETFs as of the end of the third quarter, but by December 31 had re-emerged as a significant investor, with positions valued at about $131 million by the end of the year.
"We’ve been actively trading within the broader crypto ETF complex, and the timing of the third-quarter filing may not have aligned with when we bought and sold various ETFs," said Adam Guren, founder and chief investment officer of the firm.
The ranks of those adding to positions included financial advisory firms whose clients have been eager buyers of bitcoin ETFs. Cetera Advisors and NewEdge Advisers were among firms that boosted holdings in several of the ETFs, including products offered by Fidelity, ARK Investments and Invesco.
Other investors were more selective, the filings showed. Cresset Asset Management boosted its exposure to ETFs carrying lower fees, said Jack Ablin, the firm's chief investment officer.
"It's also possible right now to get attractive options pricing for collar strategies, allowing us to protect the downside while giving away less of the upside in exchange, on these bitcoin funds," Ablin said.
The 13F filings are one of the few ways to get insight into how institutional investors are positioned at the end of every quarter. The positions may not reflect current holdings.
[Reuters]
More...
It's often difficult to make sense of regulatory actions and changes to the structure and size of regulatory units. In a quickly evolving sector like cryptocurrency, it's even more challenging than usual. Sometimes it's not certain whether a major new development is going to be a boost or lead to a bust -- and there can be persuasive arguments in both directions.
If you're planning substantial crypto investments, understanding regulatory shifts and their implications is crucial. So here's what the latest big change is and what you need to do about it to stay ahead of the game.
The wild west is about to get even wilder
According to a report by The New York Times published on Feb. 4, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will be reducing its 50-person cryptocurrency law-enforcement group in keeping with the preferred policies of the new presidential administration. It's unclear if any or all of the activities originally assigned to the group will be handled by the newly formed Crypto Task Force created as part of an initiative by the new administration.
For now, what's certain is that the SEC's exercise of oversight of the cryptocurrency sector is set to get even weaker than it was before. From mid-2013 to the end of 2024, the SEC only executed 207 cryptocurrency-related actions, including litigation and other administrative proceedings.
Still, this new development has some important implications for investors. The proponents of the scaled-down unit at the SEC include those who claim that the cryptocurrency sector will be able to grow faster with fewer regulatory impediments. While that might be true for matters like approving new types of financial derivatives a bit faster than before -- or approving them at all -- the argument starts to fall apart when considering the need to protect investors from outright illegal activity such that they're confident enough to commit their capital to cryptocurrencies at all.
On chains like Solana (CRYPTO: SOL) and Ethereum, where fraudulent activity and outright scams have plagued investors for years, experiencing even less enforcement is unlikely to change the status quo for the better.
On the other hand, it is critical to note that it is probably difficult for the situation in many sub-sectors on these chains to get much worse, especially for meme coins. The vast majority of meme coins are already straightforward attempts to extract money from investors within minutes of their capital being committed. And serious investors do not dabble in those spaces for reasons other than a lack of enforcement.
While legal protections would in theory reduce many of the risks of these assets, they are still fundamentally incredibly volatile, risky, and without a strong tie to any fundamental value.
So there isn't necessarily a new headwind here even if there's certainly no tailwind to look forward to. Expect the fringes of these ecosystems to be as extractive and dangerous as ever.
A larger and older chain like Bitcoin, (CRYPTO: BTC) is already deeply integrated into the traditional financial system and thus is at least partially covered by the protections affecting that sector. But it is not clear that less enforcement by the SEC will change much of anything at all.
Investors can buy the coin directly in their retirement or brokerage accounts via exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which are still fairly tightly regulated. Despite their unreliability, cryptocurrency exchanges must still store and distribute user coins on demand; however, weaker regulations make them less appealing investment venues.
Finally, those who are technically inclined can buy it and hold it on the blockchain directly, and it isn't as though the SEC was doing much to crack down on scams involving fake blockchain interaction software or other vectors for theft.
Look at the big picture and how it is evolving over time
For most investors, the paring back of the SEC's crypto enforcement unit won't have any tangible impacts immediately, and it might not ever.
The major cryptocurrencies like Solana, Bitcoin, and Ethereum are established enough that, despite the presence of some problematic activities on their chains, they also have strong and multifaceted investment theses which do not require anything in the way of regulatory guardrails to continue playing out. Those theses will remain true, so the coins are still very much worth buying.
Just be aware that there are even fewer protections and even less hope of salvation if you lose your money investing in scam projects on their chain.
Should you invest $1,000 in Solana right now?
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[The Motley Fool]
Valentine’s Day celebrates partnerships—built on trust, balance, and mutual development.
The same principles apply to Forex trading, where understanding the dynamics between currency pairs unlocks beneficial opportunities.
This season of roses and chocolates, let’s dive into the “power couples” of the Forex market. Here’s what makes them tick and the lessons traders can learn from these dynamic duos.
1. EUR/USD: The Power Couple
In the Forex world, EUR/USD is the equivalent of a timeless power couple like David and Victoria Beckham. It dominates the global trading stage, accounting for nearly 24% of trading volume.
Why It Works:
The euro and the US dollar represent two of the world’s largest and most stable economies. This pair boasts high liquidity, narrow spreads, and predictable price movements, making it a top choice for all traders.
Love Lesson:
Strong foundations lead to long-lasting success. EUR/USD offers traders a dependable partnership, even in volatile markets.
2. GBP/JPY: The Rollercoaster Romance
Dubbed the “Dragon Pair,” GBP/JPY is a couple that thrives on drama and excitement. Its high volatility and wide price swings make it a favorite among thrill-seeking traders.
Why It Works:
The British pound is highly sensitive to economic news, while the Japanese yen is seen as a safe haven during uncertainty. Together, they create a dynamic pair that’s both unpredictable and rewarding.
Love Lesson:
Passion fuels excitement, but it also comes with dangers. Like this pair, taking calculated risks can lead to big rewards.
3. AUD/USD: The Reliable Partners
Known as the “Aussie,” the AUD/USD pair represents trust and stability. Its movements are closely tied to Australia’s commodity exports and global risk sentiment.
Why It Works:
This pair offers steady performance, especially during active trading hours, and correlates strongly with commodity markets like gold.
Love Lesson:
Reliability doesn’t mean boring—it means consistent growth. Traders value AUD/USD for its flexible opportunities.
4. USD/JPY: The Yin and Yang
The USD/JPY pair showcases how opposites attract. The US dollar’s economic strength meets the Japanese yen’s reputation as a safe haven during global uncertainty.
Why It Works
This pair thrives on balance. It’s highly liquid, offers narrow spreads, and is often used for both hedging and speculative strategies.
Love Lesson:
Harmony comes from understanding opposing forces. In trading or relationships, balance creates a winning partnership.
5. Exotic Pairs: The Adventurous Match
Traders looking for something different may find thrilling opportunities in exotic pairs like USD/ZAR—US dollar/South African rand.
Why It Works:
Although exotic pairs involve higher volatility and wider spreads, their potential for impressive profits appeals to adventurous traders.
Love Lesson:
Growth happens outside your comfort zone. Like trading exotic pairs—bold moves, backed by preparations, can pay off.
Lessons from Great Partnerships
Strong relationships and successful trading share key principles:
- Understand the Dynamics: Every currency pair has unique traits—know what drives them.
- Adapt to Change: Markets, like relationships, evolve. Be flexible and adjust your strategies.
- Manage Risks: No relationship or trade is without challenges. Proper risk management ensures long-term success.
Celebrate Perfect Pairs This Valentine’s Day
This Valentine’s Day, embrace the harmony between love and trading. Whether you’re navigating the steady stability of EUR/USD or the thrilling highs and lows of GBP/JPY, each pair offers lessons in balance, understanding, and opportunity.
At Octa, we celebrate partnerships of all kinds—both in life and the Forex market. As you trade this season, remember that finding your perfect pair is about collaboration and growth.
Happy Valentine’s Day from Octa!
[Nairametrics]
The Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, has disclosed that his undergraduate days in the United States were not easy.
Naija News reports that Governor Sule said his skill paved the way for him when he graduated without having a certificate.
Sule said that his vision for skill-based knowledge for youths in the state was driven by his experience in the country, stressing that corporations achieve their goals with skilled workers, not certifications.
He stated this while he spoke at the inaugural Engineer Abdullahi Sule Colloquium in Lafia, with the theme “Technological-Driven Entrepreneurship as a Panacea for Unemployment and Catalyst for Economic Growth and Development”.
The governor explained that worked as a welder at night and schooled during the day to survive as an undergraduate in the United States.
“When I was graduating from Government Technical College Bukulu in 1980, I got a scholarship to study at Indiana University in the US. Then I worked as a welder at night and attended school in the day time just to make money through skills I acquired.
“Throughout the period of my stay in the university as I worked in the night, and after graduation, the first job I got, nobody asked me to present any certificate. All they needed was my skills and my ability to do the job,” he said.
Sule stated that his government planned to train would-be retirees who were still agile with technical skills and financial support to invest in the skills acquired, adding that youths would be trained with starter packs for self-employment.
[NaijaNews]
The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has revealed that over 11,553 underage candidates have registered for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination.
Oloyede made the disclosure in Lagos on Friday while inspecting approved computer-based test centres where candidates are being registered.
According to Oloyede, a total of 782,027 candidates have been registered in the last 10 days.
“Now, we have registered 782,027, and 11,553 of them are underage. So, you can see that as we are registering, the system is reporting from all over the country. Out of the expected two million candidates, we’re not yet at the 14th day.
“Monday will mark our 14th day. So, in two weeks, we would have completed about half of our registration process, and by that time, we expect to have over one million candidates registered. So far, everything has been smooth,” he said.
Oloyede pointed out that on Friday alone, 443 underage candidates were registered, with 18,813 candidates successfully registered that morning.
“Today alone, we have 443 underage candidates, and out of the 18,813 registered this morning, 443 are underage. This year, we’ve introduced a system that allows us to identify and track underage candidates.
“This will help us understand their issues and even identify those who might be genuinely gifted but still underage,” he explained.
He also spoke about a growing trend of parents enrolling their children early, stating, “It has become a common thing now, where parents whether mothers or fathers are registering their underage children, sometimes due to pressure or other reasons.”
He noted that the registration process for this year’s examination has experienced both commendable progress and notable delays, according to an official statement issued earlier this week.
Oloyede shared insights into the ongoing technical challenges and improvements.
“You are here. You were here last year. See if you can find any power outages, network failures, and so forth. I just heard recently that due to the technical measures put in place this year, things are a bit slow,” he said.
Oloyede acknowledged the delays while hinting that the situation was being actively managed.
Despite some criticisms, Oloyede noted that Nigerians’ desire for efficiency can sometimes clash with the systems put in place to regulate the process.
He said, “No, it’s not a bit slow. You know Nigerians generally want to have things their own way. Look at these students. In other climes, they have to register on their own. Nobody should be doing registration for them.”
He went on to emphasise the effort being made to ensure the system is thorough, stating that while some students had the option of having assistance with registration, many were not taking the process seriously.
“But go and see the attitude. Even when we have engaged people to be doing the enrollment for them, something they are supposed to do on their own, they are even not attentive.”
To mitigate potential issues, Oloyede disclosed that new measures were being introduced to ensure candidates fully engaged with the registration process.
He added, “What we do is that we put some safety valves into it. For example, for a candidate who is registered, we expect him to read certain rules. Before he will say, I agree. In the past, once he said, I agree, it goes. But we have now put a time limit. A time-space that whether he likes it or not, he must read because the system will not go until that time elapses.”
Despite the challenges, he pointed out the significant progress in registrations.
Oloyede said, “This is the first time that we have been registering 80,000-plus. Yesterday, we registered close to 100,000 across the country. And we have budgeted for 60,000 per day. That’s what we use in our planning.”
“But from the third day, we started 80,000, 90,000 per day. So, which means we will finish long before the time.”