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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says the recent wave of defections by governors and top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) shows that his decision to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was the right one.

Wike said this on Wednesday during the flag-off of construction work on the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja.

He noted that many of those who once accused him of betraying the PDP by working for the APC are now joining the same party.

‘I’ve been watching television and social media. The same people who said I wanted to destroy the PDP and that I was working for the APC are now in the APC,’

Wike said. ‘If that’s true, then they should thank me for helping them find the right path.’

His comment came after the recent defections of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri to the APC.

Both leaders said they moved because they share President Tinubu’s vision for the country.

With Diri’s defection along with 19 members of the Bayelsa House of Assembly the PDP now controls only eight states, down from 11 last year.

Wike, a former Rivers State governor and member of the G-5 group of PDP governors, said the defections show Tinubu’s leadership is working.

‘In the past, governors were begging banks to lend them money for projects and salaries.

Now, banks are the ones chasing states. That’s because of the leadership of one man President Tinubu,’ he said.

He added that Tinubu’s economic reforms, including the removal of fuel subsidy, have helped states pay salaries and start development projects-something previous governments were afraid to do.

Wike also assured Abuja residents that his administration would continue delivering on its promises. He said the dualisation of the Outer Southern Expressway shows the FCT is making progress with the President’s support.

Speaking about the relocation of traders from Apo, he said the government had already received cost estimates for developing their new site, showing progress on the resettlement plan.

Wike praised the cooperation among FCT area council chairmen, saying leaders from different parties are now working together for the city’s progress.

‘This has never happened before. All council leaders, no matter their political party, are united in supporting the FCT’s development,’ he said.

He also acknowledged former Super Eagles captain Joseph Yobo, who attended the event, and said the FCT administration plans to work with him on youth empowerment projects.

‘This administration will continue to focus on infrastructure and youth development.

With people like Yobo involved, we can do more for young people in Abuja,’ he added.

Wike concluded by saying Nigerians must learn to appreciate good leadership, no matter the political party.

‘When you see leadership that is bold and visionary, you must acknowledge it,’ he said. ‘That’s what our country needs decisive leaders who can deliver real results.’

The Outer Southern Expressway project is part of efforts to reduce traffic and improve transportation within Abuja.

A Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Musa Dahuru Muhammad, has sentenced Hayatu Muhammad, a coach of one of Kano’s prominent football clubs, to serve eight years in prison, without option of fine.

Hayatu bagged his eight-year jail term, on Wednesday, for committing sodomy against one of his players, a minor.

Evidence before the Court showed that

Hayatu, a resident of Sanka in Kano Metropolis, was found to have committed the act twice at different locations.

The prosecution Counsel, Barr. Ibrahim Arif Garba, provided five witnesses who testified against Hayatu.

The offense contravenes Section 284 of the Penal Code Law.

Justice Dahuru, after reviewing all the testimonies of the witnesses and the evidence presented during the trial, upheld that the defendant committed the offense as charged.

He sentenced him to four years for each of the two counts.

Justice Dahuru further ordered that the sentences run concurrently, beginning from the day of the judgment.

Police have arrested two suspected car thieves identified as Michael Jatau (39) and Haruna Aliyu Muhammad (21) with a suspected stolen vehicle in Kano.

The suspects who allegedly snatched the vehicle in Abuja were caught by operatives of Kano Command’s Special Intervention Squad (SIS) while they were trying to sell the vehicle.

The suspects were arrested on October 13, 2025, Kano Police Command spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said in a statement.

He added that the suspects have confessed to the crime and will be charged to court upon completion of the investigation.

The State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, commended the officers involved in this operation for their diligence.

He also appreciated the public for their cooperation, particularly with the Command’s community-based crime-fighting model, ‘Operation Kukan Kura,’ which has been yielding positive results.

Mr. Bakori urged members of the public to continue supporting the Police and report any suspicious activity to the nearest Police Station or through the emergency contact numbers: 08032417954, 08123821575, 09029292926.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Olayemi Cardoso, says Nigeria’s trade surplus has climbed to six per cent of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Cardoso said this in a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr Mohammed Manga, in Washington on Wednesday.

Cardoso, who also led the Nigerian delegation to the annual meeting of the IMF/World Bank Group in Washington, reiterated the government’s commitment to prudent macroeconomic management and reforms.

He said that there was a link between disciplined fiscal and monetary policies, economic growth, and a gradual reduction in inflationary pressures.

He said that the CBN was developing a framework to ensure that currency swap arrangements with other countries were structured to deliver mutual benefits.

The CBN governor said that the country’s intention was to strengthen its position in international trade and financial cooperation.

The Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, reiterated government’s commitment to strategic engagement with global financial institutions and development partners.

Uzoka-Anite said that her presence at the G-24 meeting highlighted Nigeria’s determination to build stronger partnerships and foster sustainable growth through inclusive and forward-looking economic policies.

She said that the global spotlight on Nigeria at the meeting reflected growing international confidence in the country’s reform agenda and its resolve to build a resilient, competitive and dynamic economy.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s participation in the Washington meetings represents a significant step in advancing the nation’s economic diplomacy.

A Kaduna High Court has delivered judgment against the Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, declaring the attempt to ban opposition political meetings as unconstitutional and awarding N15 million in damages to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The judgment, delivered on Wednesday by Justice Murtala J. Zubairu, followed a suit filed by the state Commissioner of Police seeking to prohibit political gatherings after thugs violently disrupted an ADC meeting attended by former Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and other party leaders.

The ruling, which was shared on El-Rufai’s official X page, revealed the police acted unlawfully by targeting the opposition instead of investigating those responsible for the attack, describing the Commissioner’s action as ‘a clear pattern of potential abuse of power.’

Justice Zubairu declared that the police’s conduct breached the parties’ fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and association under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, noting that the move to impose a statewide ban on political meetings was ‘oppressive, selective, and high-handed.’

The court struck out the police case for incompetence and abuse of process while granting all the counterclaims by the ADC and SDP. It further awarded a total of ?15 million in damages, ?5 million each under three separate heads of violation and negligence.

In his words, the judge held:

‘The Applicant fundamentally breached their statutory duty and unlawfully infringed upon the Counter-Claimants’ fundamental rights. The unconstitutionality of the Applicant’s conduct justifies the declarations sought. The actions taken by the police, targeting the victims of violence and seeking a statewide ban on opposition activity, are oppressive and warrant exemplary damages.’

The court also discharged an earlier ex parte injunction obtained by the police to halt political assemblies, ruling that it was issued irregularly and without the mandatory undertaking for damages, in violation of the principle established in Kotoye v CBN (1989).

Justice Zubairu emphasized that the police failed to investigate legitimate complaints lodged by the opposition parties while instead acting against them, a development he described as a ‘serious abdication of duty.’

The ruling, which has since been shared on social media by El-Rufai, is seen by observers as a major victory for opposition parties in Kaduna State and a judicial rebuke to what critics have termed the increasing intolerance of dissenting political voices.

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has reignited speculation about tensions in her marriage after making a remark suggesting that her husband’s political career affected his role as a father.

Speaking on the latest episode of her IMO podcast, Michelle, 61, hinted that politics often drains attention from family life. While chatting with NBA stars Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes, she warned that a career in politics would ‘suck the life’ out of parenting, a comment many listeners saw as a pointed reference to former President Barack Obama.

The discussion began when Barnes spoke about his interest in politics but admitted he worried about the impact on his children. ‘I have a six-year-old and an 11-month-old, and 16-year-old twins,’ Barnes said. Michelle quickly replied, ‘Politics will suck the life out of that,’ appearing to mirror to her own experience raising daughters Malia, 27, and Sasha, 24, during Barack’s presidency.

The Obamas, married for nearly 33 years, have faced persistent rumors about marital strain in recent months. Speculation grew after Michelle skipped both Jimmy Carter’s funeral and Donald Trump’s inauguration. She said the decisions were personal.

Barack also admitted earlier this year that he was in a ‘deep deficit’ with his wife, further fueling reports of tension.

Despite the rumors, the couple has publicly affirmed their love on several occasions. During their 33rd wedding anniversary in October, both shared heartfelt tributes on Instagram. ‘I love you even more today than the day we said ‘I do,” Michelle wrote. Barack responded: ‘The best decision I ever made was marrying you.’

Michelle has often spoken about the challenges of balancing motherhood and public life. In previous interviews, she shared that her daughters went through a ‘push away’ phase as teenagers while trying to find their own identities outside the political spotlight.

Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, has ordered the final forfeiture of $20,000 and CFA 110,000 intercepted by operatives of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) at the Seme Border in Badagry, Lagos State, to the Federal Government.

The ruling, delivered on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, followed a motion on notice filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its counsel, H.U. Kofarnaisa.

The intercepted funds were handed over by the NCS to the EFCC for further investigation after they were discovered at the border checkpoint.

Justice Dipeolu had earlier granted an interim forfeiture order on the funds and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper to allow any interested parties to show cause why the money should not be permanently forfeited to the government.

While moving the final forfeiture application, Kofarnaisa informed the court that it was supported by an 18-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Mufassir Jega, an EFCC investigating officer.

She also confirmed that the interim order had been duly published in the Daily Trust newspaper on August 29, 2025, in compliance with the court’s directive.

The EFCC lawyer submitted that the funds were ‘reasonably suspected to have been acquired from unlawful activities,’ and urged the court to grant the final forfeiture request.

Justice Dipeolu agreed with the prosecution, ruling that the application had merit, and consequently ordered that the seized sums be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

A 40- year-old man and his 18- year-old wife who are suspected to be involved in gunrunning have been arrested with 1,207 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition by troops of the Nigerian Army in Saminaka, Lere Local Government Area (LGA) of Kaduna State.

The suspects were apprehended on Oct. 8, by its troops of Joint Task Force, Operation Enduring Peace (JTF-OPEPin collaboration with Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY).

Maj. Samson Zhakom, the Media Officer of the operation disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Jos.

Zhakom said that the 40 and 18 years-old suspects were apprehended on Oct. 8, by its troops in collaboration with Operation Fansan Yamma (OPFY).

‘In a coordinated operation to enhance security across the Joint Operations Area, troops JTF OPEP in collaboration with that of OPFY tracked and apprehended two notorious gunrunners.

‘The suspects were intercepted at a snap checkpoint established by the joint troops of JTF OPEP and OPFY at the outskirts of Saminaka in Lere LGA.

‘The operation, prompted by auctionable intelligence from an intelligence agency in Plateau, led to the recovery of 1,207 rounds of 7.62 mm (Special) ammunition.

‘The ammunition was believed to be bound for armed groups operating in the North West region of the country,’ he said.

The media officer said that suspects and other items recovered are currently in its custody undergoing further investigation.

The JTF-OPEP is a special task force saddled with the responsibility of maintaining peace in Plateau and parts of Kaduna and Bauchi states.

Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has announced that he will contest again in the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, Obi said he is confident that he has what it takes to lead Nigeria and bring positive change within four years if elected.

‘I am contesting, and I am sure I will be on the ballot,’ he said. ‘People must look at who has the capacity and competence to lead. I believe I am qualified, and in four years, I can change Nigeria’s direction for the better.’

Obi, who ran under the Labour Party in 2023, is now part of an opposition coalition that has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform.

However, he insists he is still a member of the Labour Party and is working with other opposition leaders to

‘rescue Nigeria from bad leadership.’

When asked about rumours that he might return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obi dismissed them, saying all patriotic Nigerians must unite to rebuild the country.

‘All of us need to come together as one people. That’s the only way we can do what is right for Nigeria,’ he added.

The Nigeria Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) says substandard electrical products will negatively impact on the country’s growing economy if not addressed by the concerned bodies.

The NIEEE’s Vice-President, Mr Felix Adegboye, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Osogbo.

Adegboye said that substandard electrical products would not only put the country’s economy in danger but also lead to the destruction of lives and properties.

He said that NIEEE had been collaborating with government agencies, non-governmental organisations and some key stakeholders to check quackery, bribery and production of substandard electrical products in the country at large.

‘We have been working with the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) to reduce the production of substandard electrical products.

‘We shall not relent until these electrical products are totally taken out of the system with the support of our sister agencies and stakeholders,’ Adegboye said.