Category: PM News

The National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Felix Morka, has said that the continuous defections of politicians from opposition parties into the APC are in lines with democratic principles.

Morka stated this in an interview on Arise News Saturday night.

According to him, the event is a legitimate expression of constitutional rights of the individuals cross-carpeting and not a sign of democratic decline or danger.

He emphasised that the decisions of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to join the APC are in line with democracy.

He said people should bury the thought that such an event would make the country slide into a one-party system, describing the notion as misleading and unfair.

‘People are simply exercising their democratic freedom to choose among competing party alternatives, and they are choosing our party.

‘It would be disingenuous to describe the development as a threat to democracy.

‘Would you have the APC become a gatekeeper and decide who can or cannot come in? Democracy is a system of freedom, and it is not fair or permissible for anyone to limit the right of people to choose for themselves.

‘The fact that people join the APC does not mean we have a one-party system,’ Morka added.

He responded to the allegation that the ruling party is using federal power to coarse governors and lawmakers into joining its fold by saying: ‘In a country as massive as Nigeria, how do you cajole governors who are chief executive officers of their states?

‘These are people elected by their constituents to govern. They control their own budgets and have the power to appropriate funds. What exactly would you tell a governor to cajole him?

‘If the PDP, Labour, or ADC look inward, they will find that it is their dysfunction and failure of leadership driving people away.

‘Nobody wants to remain on a sinking ship. No serious politician would stay in a party that offers no hope of redemption.’

Fulham star Alex Iwobi has made history in the English Premier League after setting a new record for the most appearances by a Nigerian player.

Iwobi reached the milestone during Fulham’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal, his former club, on Saturday evening.

Despite the defeat, the 29-year-old midfielder achieved something remarkable becoming Nigeria’s top appearance maker in Premier League history.

According to the Premier League’s official website, Iwobi has now played 299 matches, surpassing Shola Ameobi’s previous record of 298 appearances.

Iwobi, who began his career at Arsenal’s Hale End Academy, has played for three clubs in the Premier League:

Arsenal – 100 matches

Everton – 123 matches

Fulham – 76 matches

This achievement places him ahead of some of Nigeria’s most famous footballers:

Shola Ameobi – 298 appearances

Nwankwo Kanu – 273 appearances

Yakubu Aiyegbeni – 252 appearances

John Obi Mikel – 249 appearances

Iwobi is expected to reach another major milestone when he plays his 300th Premier League game next weekend fittingly against Newcastle United, the club where Ameobi built his reputation.

Recently, Iwobi also helped the Super Eagles qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup playoffs, continuing his strong run of form for both club and country.

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has described the seven-day warning strike declared by the State Council of the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) as unjustifiable.

In a statement released on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the Governor alerted the public to the warning strike, which commenced at midnight on Friday, 17 October 2025.

Governor Okpebholo condemned the strike, describing it as ill-timed, unpatriotic, and unjustified. He said the industrial action was taking place despite ongoing meaningful negotiations between the union and the state government.

He attributed the strike to the refusal of the government to succumb to what he termed unlawful financial demands by a few ‘greedy members’ within the union’s leadership.

According to the Governor, the union leadership has been in continuous engagement with the government regarding their demands, and a follow-up meeting had already been scheduled for Monday, 20 October 2025.

He noted that many of the issues raised by the union were inherited from the administration of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.

While asserting that the strike lacked merit, Okpebholo alleged that it appeared to be driven by ulterior motives and personal financial interests known only to a few individuals in the union’s leadership, to the detriment of the general membership.

The statement reads:

‘The attention of the Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been drawn to a statement issued by the Medical and Health Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MHWUN), Edo State Council, announcing the commencement of a seven-day warning strike across the state, beginning Friday, 17 October 2025.

‘For the avoidance of doubt, the issues raised by the union were largely inherited from the past administration of Godwin Obaseki.

‘However, Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration has shown genuine commitment to addressing these inherited concerns in a phased, transparent, and responsible manner.

‘Among the union’s demands is the renovation of the Doctors’ Quarters, which is already receiving the attention of the state government, alongside other welfare-related matters.

‘It is, therefore, shocking and disappointing that the union’s leadership would hastily declare a strike, claiming government insensitivity, when the present administration has demonstrated open-mindedness, good faith, and a proactive resolve to improve the health sector.

‘This abrupt decision by the union leadership not only undermines ongoing dialogue but also exposes a lack of sincerity and respect for the negotiation process.

‘By dragging innocent and hardworking health workers into this industrial action, the union’s leadership is placing the lives of poor and helpless Edo citizens-especially those in need of urgent medical attention-at grave risk.

‘Such actions amount to a betrayal of the noble principles and ethics of the medical profession, particularly the Hippocratic Oath, which places the preservation of human life above all else.

‘No responsible government can fold its arms while a few individuals hold the lives of its citizens hostage for personal gratification.’

Governor Okpebholo, however, assured that the state government remains committed to dialogue and partnership with all stakeholders in the health sector to ensure industrial harmony and improved service delivery.

He urged all responsible and patriotic health workers in the state to disregard the strike directive and continue rendering essential services to the people.

Tottenham Hotspur’s home struggles deepened on Sunday as Aston Villa came from behind to snatch a 2-1 victory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Rodrigo Bentancur had given Thomas Frank’s men a dream start just five minutes in, finishing coolly from close range after Micky van de Ven’s cushioned header. The Uruguayan celebrated by tucking the ball under his shirt, a tribute to his pregnant wife.

But that early joy quickly turned sour. Morgan Rogers brought Villa level with a thunderous strike from 20 yards that flew past Guglielmo Vicario in the 37th minute, silencing the home fans.

Injuries continue to haunt Tottenham. Already without James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski, Yves Bissouma, Destiny Udogie, and Dominic Solanke, the team lost captain Cristian Romero in the warm-up and later saw Mathys Tel limp off with a knee issue.

Villa made them pay for their frailties. In the 77th minute, substitute Emiliano Buendia struck the winner – a composed finish into the bottom corner after Lucas Digne’s clever setup.

Tottenham had chances to rescue a point late on, but debutant Randal Kolo Muani wasted a golden opportunity, skying his shot over the bar from close range in stoppage time.

The result means Spurs have now lost 11 of their last 18 home league games, a worrying record for Frank, who replaced the sacked Ange Postecoglou earlier this season. The defeat also ends their seven-game unbeaten run in all competitions, leaving them sixth on the table.

For Unai Emery’s Villa, the story is quite the opposite. After their worst league start since 1964, the Midlands side have now won five straight matches in all competitions and extended their unbeaten streak to eight. The victory also marked a breakthrough – Villa’s first away win over a top-four side after collecting just one point from six such trips last season.

Nigerian media personality, Natasha Akide also known as Tacha, has declared that she will not settle down for love alone.

Tacha, in an interview with Yanga FM, stated that her views on marriage has changed since she became a celebrity.

She added that her future husband must match her financial status.

‘I can’t marry just for love. I’m looking for a billionaire. I’m a millionaire, so my potential husband should be richer than me. I’m certain I can’t marry for love,’ she said.

The media personality has been in the limelight since 2019, after participating in Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

President Bola Tinubu has warmly congratulates Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, on the 9th anniversary of his ascension to the throne on Monday, October 20.

The President joins the government and people of Edo State, the traditional council, and family members in celebrating with His Royal Majesty on the occasion, which marks the Oba’s nearly a decade of unrelenting service to his domain and the nation.

President Tinubu commends the Oba’s commitment to promoting peace, unity, and social harmony within his domain, and his support in combating societal challenges, such as human trafficking and illegal migration, particularly among the youth.

President Tinubu also applauds the Oba’s strong advocacy for a cultural renaissance, the preservation of traditional values, and his efforts to repatriate African artefacts from Western countries.

As the Oba of Benin marks nine years on the throne of his ancestors, the President extols his leadership in preserving Benin’s cultural heritage and passing it on to the upcoming generations.

President Tinubu prays that the Almighty God will grant the Oba of Benin a longer life, good health, and more historic achievements on the throne of his ancestors.

Troops of the Armed Forces of Nigeria have in the last 24 hours, rescued no fewer than 23 kidnap victims, apprehended key terror collaborators and destroyed illegal oil refineries in different parts of the country.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that troops had sustained momentum in ongoing counterterrorism and internal security operations nationwide.

In the Northeast, he said the troops of Operation HADIN KAI apprehended three Chadian nationals at Gamboru Motor Park in Ngala, Borno, with 12 Starlink internet devices and a solar battery suspected to be logistics meant for Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists.

Also, in Yobe, the source said the troops of 233 Battalion intercepted a tricycle conveying fuel and other supplies for insurgents.

According to him, troops of 222 Battalion under 21 Special Armoured Brigade repelled an ambush in Konduga, killing one terrorist and recovering a dane gun.

In the North Central, he said the troops under Operations Mesa and Whirl Stroke recorded major breakthroughs with the arrest of four suspected kidnappers at Akuna village in Kogi.

According to him, a combined team of troops and security agencies rescued 23 kidnap victims, including four Chinese nationals, from terrorists’ enclaves in Chigogo Hills, Kwara.

‘Troops also foiled a kidnap attempt along the Chikara-Abaji road, rescuing one victim and evacuating two others with injuries, while two suspected terrorist leaders were arrested in Shendam, Plateau.

‘In the Southeast, troops of Operation UDO KA raided a hotel in Ngor Okpala, Imo State, believed to be a kidnappers’ den.

‘Two men claiming to be police officers were caught with two AK-47 rifles, 58 rounds of ammunition, and other items.

‘Four hotel staff were also taken into custody,’ he said.

In the Niger Delta, the sources said the troops of Operation Delta Safe destroyed illegal refining sites in Delta and Rivers States.

‘At Ughoton in Okpe Local Government Area of Delta, troops seized 775 litres of illegally refined diesel hidden in a hotel and arrested the manager.

‘Another 150 litres of kerosene was intercepted from suspected bunkerers in Rivers State, who have been handed to the NSCDC,’ he added.

All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kogi State has held an endorsement rally for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for re-election in 2027.

The event took place on Saturday, October 18th, 2025, at the Muhammadu Buhari Civic Centre in Lokoja, the state capital.

The rally brought together key stakeholders in the party, including ward, Local government executives, state exco members, party stalwarts, women, and youth wings.

The event was proof of the popularity enjoyed in the state by both the president and the governor.

The Chairman of the President Bola Tinubu/Ododo For 2027 in Kogi State, former Kogi West Senator Smart Adeyemi, lauded the president for various reforms aimed at taking Nigeria to a greater height.

Adeyemi added that since 2019, Nigeria’s economy was running below expectations, and by 2023, it was near the state of collapse, noting that if not for the president’s decision to put efforts at revamping it, the country would have been in serious economic woes.

‘When President Tinubu came on board, he had chosen to put Nigeria’s economy in the right perspective and took some hard decisions, which by the grace of God the reforms are delivering dividends of democracy now,’ he said.

A former Kogi governor, Yahaya Adoza Bello, who moved the motion for the president and governor to run for second term, also expressed unwavering commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda.

While speaking further, the immediate past governor of Bello, described President Tinubu as a humanist and a courageous man who means well in his efforts to move Nigeria to the next level of concrete social, economic and political development.

Bello also commended Governor Ododo for embarking on people -oriented policies and programmes and urged the people to vote for the president and Ododo in the next election, assuring them that ‘under APC, we shall get to the promise land.’

Ododo thanked the people for the confidence reposed in him to run for the gubernatorial election come 2027. He also thanked the president for the Renewed Hope Initiative, which he said has transformed the lives of Nigerians.

‘We thank Mr. President, my father, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. You are a sincere father leading from the front. I refused to be scared because I have Mr. President and mentor Former Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello on my side.

‘Let us not be distracted by noise, let’s stand behind Mr. President, he is the real power behind Nigerian development,’ he said.

Prophet Ikechukwu Samuel, founder of Shiloh Word Chapel, Abuja, has prophesied the imminent release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, while cautioning him to act wisely upon regaining freedom.

Speaking during a Sunday service in Abuja, the cleric, in a dramatic spiritual demonstration, declared that God had revealed to him that Kanu would soon be set free from detention.

To illustrate the prophecy, Prophet Samuel reportedly held up a padlock before his congregation and unlocked it, symbolizing what he described as the breaking of the shackles of incarceration.

‘God has shown me that Nnamdi Kanu will be released,’ the prophet declared, as worshippers reacted to the symbolic act.

However, Prophet Samuel coupled his prophecy with a stern warning to the IPOB leader, urging him to exercise wisdom and restraint in handling his affairs after his release.

He said, ‘Kanu must learn how to manage the position of freedom and leadership,’ stressing that how he conducts himself after regaining liberty would determine the success or failure of his renewed mission.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and extradition to Nigeria. He is currently facing charges of treasonable felony and terrorism before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The prophecy comes amid sustained agitation from Kanu’s supporters for his unconditional release, while the Federal Government insists that due judicial processes must take their course.

Prophet Samuel’s revelation has since generated widespread conversation among observers of Kanu’s ongoing legal and political battles.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency have intercepted consignments of illicit drugs concealed in frozen snails, electrical bulbs, and female clothes bound for the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, the interceptions were made at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a courier company in Lagos.

Babafemi said two suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizures.

‘One of them, a cargo agent Boladale Riliwan, was arrested on October 7, 2025, following the discovery of 15 parcels of skunk, a strain of cannabis, concealed in 10 pieces of giant rechargeable electrical bulbs he presented in a carton for airfreight to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the export shed of the Lagos airport,’ Babafemi added.

Babafemi said another suspect, a 48-year-old UK-based public health assistant, Olawale Hakeemot, was arrested on October 12 at the departure hall of Terminal 2 of the MMIA, Ikeja.

He said she was found with 2,300 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in frozen snails while attempting to board a Qatar Airways flight to Manchester, United Kingdom.

‘Attempt by another syndicate to export 810 pills of bromazepam hidden in female clothes going to the United States was also thwarted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos on Thursday, 16th October,’ he added.

In Adamawa State, Babafemi said operatives intercepted a suspect, Bello Buba, at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South Local Government Area, with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic.

He said the suspect allegedly drove from the Benin Republic to smuggle the drugs into Nigeria.

‘A suspect, Bello Buba, was intercepted at an NDLEA checkpoint in Namtari, Yola South LGA with 38,270 pills of tramadol concealed in the spare tyre, boot, and door compartments of his Honda Civic car he drove all the way from Benin Republic to smuggle the consignment into Nigeria on Sunday, October 12,’ he said.

In Ekiti State, he said operatives destroyed 53,250 kilograms of cannabis on 21.3 hectares of farmland in Ilawe-Ekiti and recovered an additional 1,140 kilograms packed in 70 bags. Three suspects-Matthew Emmanuel, 26; James Moses, 27; and Israel Samuel, 20-were arrested during the operation, which lasted between October 12 and 13.

Similarly, Babafemi added that 17,400 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on 6.96 hectares of farmland in the Aponmu forest reserve, Akure, Ondo State, on October 12.

‘In Oyo state, Aliyu Muhammed, 50; Babarinde Segun,32; Ogunbiyi Sanjo, 30; and Ajani Oluro,30, were nabbed with 596kg skunk at Apata-Ako, Igboora, while Jacob Afolabi, 30, and Salako Oluwatobi, 25, were arrested with 273kg of the same substance at Odo-Oyan, Igangan, on Thursday, October 16,’ he added.

In Ogun State, Babafemi said Joseph Andrew was arrested with 88 kilograms of cannabis at Ona-Imeko on October 15, while in Imo State, 42-year-old Festus Udoh was caught with 13,000 pills of opioids along the Onitsha-Owerri Road.

Also in Enugu, he said operatives recovered 74.5 kilograms of cannabis from the store of one Joseph Chukwujamaa at Umuogbo-Agu village on October 18. In Lagos, 11 bags of cannabis weighing 117 kilograms were recovered from the base of a suspect, Ramoni Olukowi, in Mushin on the same day.

‘A total of 80,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were intercepted in a container earlier watch-listed by NDLEA coming from India during a joint examination of the shipment with men of Customs service and other security agencies at the Apapa port on Tuesday, October 14,’ the statement added.