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Former governorship aspirant in Lagos, Dr Abdul-Azeez Adediran (aka Jandor), has advised former president Goodluck Jonathan not to heed calls to contest against President Tinubu in 2027.

Adediran, the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Adediran urged Jonathan to rather stay in retirement, saying those telling him to run against Tinubu were deceiving him.

He said Tinubu ‘is a master in the game of politics who cannot be defeated by Jonathan or any other figure in 2027.’

‘I disagree with people calling on Jonathan to re-contest, people saying Jonathan is the only person who can challenge Tinubu, citing his popularity and experience.

‘It was this same man (Tinubu) that defeated him (Jonathan) from the outside. So, they are not the same.

‘If you accidentally found yourself at the Aso Villa as President, it is different from somebody who gave his all to get there.

‘It is different from somebody who, against all odds, got there. They did all sorts for him not to get there, and he got there.

‘Such a man, cannot be put side by side with somebody who just slept and woke up and found himself on the seat of President.,’ he said

According to him, it will amount to a waste of time for Jonathan to attempt to dislodge Tinubu.in 2027.

Adediran urged Jonathan to listen to his wife, Patience, who had also urged him not to contest 2027 Presidency.

He said that Tinubu’s personality, popularity and experience were ‘intimidating’ and that Jonathan should not risk ‘a humiliating defeat’ in 2027.

Operatives of the Zone 2 Police Command, Lagos, have arrested a 44-year-old estate manager, Ayodele Solanke, for allegedly defrauding several companies of a total sum of ?99 million under false pretence.

According to the police, Solanke’s arrest followed multiple complaints from victims who accused him of collecting large sums of money under the guise of securing office and accommodation spaces but allegedly diverting the funds for personal use.

Trouble reportedly began when Solanke allegedly collected ?25 million from the management of Moore Bishop and Brooks Abvisor, promising to provide office space for the firm, a promise he failed to fulfil.

Investigators said he later received another ?63 million from six organisations-Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN) Chapters, Heights Finance Limited, Silvercuum Cooperative Society, Push Africa, Mutual Specialist Investment Co., and Orisun Biotech Limited, under similar pretences.

Instead of remitting the funds to Unicorn Group, the company said to have contracted him for the deals, Solanke allegedly converted the money for his personal use.

Following the failed attempts by the victims to recover their money, the case was reported to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olatunji Fayoade, who ordered a tactical team to track down the suspect.

Solanke was eventually arrested at a hideout in Lagos.

After investigations led by ASP Francis Achua, the suspect was charged before the Igbosere Magistrate’s Court sitting at the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.

The prosecuting counsel, ASP Jimoh Joseph, told the court that the offences were committed in June 2025 at 362 Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba, and contravened Sections of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

Solanke pleaded not guilty to all charges. The presiding Magistrate, A.O. Alogba, granted him ?2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

He was ordered to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions, while the case was adjourned for further hearing.

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Bono has resettled three more communities after residents resisted Boko Haram displacement in Banki, Bama Local Government Area.

The governor, who was in Banki, where the insurgents attacked military barrack and civilian locations, on Sunday, sympathized with residents and commended their resilience.

‘I purposely came to Banki to salute your courage; your act of bravery is really encouraging.

‘We should not allow a few bad elements to displace this town whose businesses and economic activities have been thriving.

‘I want to assure you that the insurgents will not succeed, Insha’Allah. We will strengthen the security of this border town and will support our youth volunteers, hunters, and vigilantes to further fortify this area,’ Zulum said.

He assured that robust security measures will be implemented to protect the border town from further attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

Mr President, your intervention is urgently needed to halt what appears to be an orchestrated attempt by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to cancel legally binding cargo survey (CS) contracts still valid until 2029.

It cannot be swept aside as mere internal reorganisation when, in fact, this move carries the hallmarks of economic sabotage that will erode government revenue, dent investor confidence, and undermine port efficiency.

It is no secret that the performance of the current CS companies is a major factor behind the uptick in port revenues in recent years, revenues the NPA now uses in its projection of ?1.28 trillion for 2025 after generating ?894.86 billion in 2024. These CS firms have digitised their operations, enabling better monitoring, quicker turnaround times, transparency in billing and verification, and reduced leakage. These innovations strengthen the NPA’s bottom line and strengthen Nigeria’s standing in maritime trade.

Yet, the NPA did not invite any of these firms to discuss performance gaps; did not issue any notice of default; and did not present any documented evidence that the contractors were found wanting before initiating the cancellation drive. The abrupt termination push was imposed without dialogue.

At a time when Nigeria needs a strong revenue front to combat fiscal deficits, external debt, currency pressure, inflation, and security challenges, the NPA’s scheme will instead weaken the very institutions meant to raise those revenues and send a dangerous signal to investors.

I respectfully call on you, Mr President, to direct the Managing Director of the NPA to cease this cancellation scheme immediately and to adhere strictly to due process. I also urge you to direct the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) to resist being railroaded by the NPA leadership, to uphold procurement laws, and to ensure that any move to cancel or re-tender these contracts is done transparently and in full compliance with the Public Procurement Act.

Your administration must make it clear that government agencies will not be permitted to renege on agreements. Consistency and respect for contracts must become watchwords, for potential domestic and foreign investors are watching, and will be discouraged if binding agreements are broken at will.

It would be a shame to see revenue growth reversed or litigations initiated over failed manoeuvres attributable to executive overreach instead of reasoned policy. As someone who is committed to Nigeria’s maritime integrity, I appeal to you to restore the rule of law at the NPA before this crisis worsens.

Abegunde, convener of the Maritime Integrity Movement, writes from Lagos.

Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) has applauded the position taken by Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, that his town’s culture does not favour the ‘Iyaloja’ structure.

CHRICED commended Ewuare for what it called ‘his bold and principled rejection of the imposition of the alien ‘Iyaloja’ structure on Edo State’s markets. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the defence of indigenous governance and democratic accountability in Nigeria.’

The group said this in a press statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, and sent to PMNEWS on Sunday in Lagos.

It condemned the proposal championed by Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo seeking to install Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as Iyaloja of all Edo markets.

According to the group, such an attempt was ‘to transplant a Lagos-Yoruba-rooted title into the sacred commercial spaces of the Benin Kingdom, disregarding centuries of tradition and spiritual order.’

He described the Oba’s response as courageous and culturally grounded.

‘Oba Ewuare II’s response was clear, courageous, and culturally grounded. He reaffirmed that Benin markets are governed by the Iyeki-leaders chosen by traders and confirmed by the palace.

‘These figures are not mere administrators; they are custodians of sacred shrines and emissaries of the Oba’s spiritual authority. Unlike the centralized Iyaloja-General system prevalent in the South-West, particularly in Lagos, the Benin model is decentralized, rooted in communal consensus and spiritual stewardship.

‘To undermine this system is to desecrate the very identity of the Benin people,’ the statement said.

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Nigeria’s 36 state governors and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr Nyesom Wike to ‘urgently disclose the spending details of the estimated N14trn fuel subsidy savings they collected from FAAC allocations, including details and locations of projects executed with the money, and the implementation status and completion reports, if any, on the projects.’

SERAP urged them to ‘provide details of the plans on how subsequent fuel subsidy savings they expect to collect from FAAC allocations, including details of any planned projects on which the money would be spent.’

SERAP also urged them to ‘publicly invite the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to track and monitor the spending of the fuel subsidy savings collected by you, to ensure that the money is not diverted into private pockets.’

The 36 governors and the FCT minister have reportedly collected trillions of naira from FAAC allocations as fuel subsidy savings since mid-2023. But the increased allocations have not translated into improved access to basic public services, such as quality healthcare and education for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

In the Freedom of Information requests dated 4 October 2025 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: ‘There is a legitimate public interest for governors and the FCT minister to urgently explain how they have spent the money they have so far collected from the subsidy savings.’

SERAP said, ‘The savings from the removal of fuel subsidy ought to be spent solely for the benefit of the poor and vulnerable Nigerians who are bearing the brunt of the removal. Transparency in the spending of the money would help to avoid a morally repugnant result of double jeopardy on these Nigerians.’

The FoI requests, read in part: ‘There is a significant risk of mismanagement or diversion of funds linked to the increased FAAC allocations collected by the states and FCT.

‘The spending details of the money collected by several states and the FCT from fuel subsidy savings have been mostly shrouded in secrecy.

‘Millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians have not benefited from the trillions of naira collected by the governors and FCT minister from as a result of the subsidy savings. Nigerians continue to face a worsening poverty crisis.

‘Several states including your state are also reportedly spending public funds which may include fuel subsidy savings to fund unnecessary travels, buy exotic and bulletproof cars and generally fund the lavish lifestyles of politicians.

‘There are continuing reports of widespread poverty, underdevelopment and lack of access to public goods and services in several states.

‘Opacity in the spending of fuel subsidy savings collected by you would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens and the public interest. Transparency would ensure that public funds are not diverted into private pockets.

‘We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your state and the FCT to comply with our request in the public interest.

‘Disclosing the details of the spending of the money collected by your state as fuel savings would allow Nigerians to scrutinise them, and to hold you to account on the spending of public funds.

‘The states and FCT may have failed to transparently and accountably manage the allocations collected from the subsidy savings.

‘Nigerians have the right to know how their states and FCT are spending the savings from the removal of fuel subsidy as part of their human right to information.’

Content creator and skit maker, Adesokan Adedeji Emmanuel also known as Shank, has opened up on his childhood and struggles in the early stage of his career.

Shank on his social media page revealed that he started his content creation journey in a small room, where he was constantly interrupted by sounds from animals.

Shank expressed his heartfelt appreciation for his growth, stating that he is a product of God’s grace.

‘I didn’t even have 1M in my account back in 2020. I was shooting videos in a small room people called a ‘prison,’ with hens and goats making noise in the background. Time changes a lot of things. I am a product of God’s grace. God is too good to me, Aje.,’ he stated.

Big Brother Naija Season 10 is ending with another major twist, the organisers have revealed that the total prize money for the winner now stands at ?80 million after all deductions and earnings were calculated.

During Sunday’s live briefing, Big Brother gathered housemates in the lounge and displayed a breakdown of how their personal choices, privileges, and tasks impacted the overall prize fund.

According to the figures shown on the screen, every indulgence and advantage came at a price, while sponsored tasks helped the house recover some cash.

The house earned from challenges such as Sips and Strokes (?6.5m), Walking on Eggshells (?2.6m), Big Brother’s Bakery (?800k), Bodycare Products (?2.6m), Big Brother’s Daycare (?3.5m), and Splash and Dash (?2.48m).

But there were also heavy deductions – Kaybobo spent ?10 million on immunity during the Red Phone Twist, while Koyin used house funds to pay for a family visit and a salon session.

Big Brother reminded housemates that every comfort, reward, or luxury inside the house came at a cost – a revelation that triggered laughter and disbelief among the finalists.

The moment turned lighthearted when it was revealed that shawarma orders, a three-day luxury experience for Joanna and Dede, and other small indulgences also ate into the prize fund. Kola, however, humorously turned down a free pedicure and manicure session.

After all earnings and deductions were tallied, Big Brother officially announced that the final prize money is ?80 million.

The update adds extra tension to the upcoming BBNaija s10 grand finale, as fans eagerly await who will walk away with the ultimate crown in Nigeria’s biggest reality TV show.

A deadly snowstorm has trapped nearly 1,000 people on Mount Everest, leaving rescuers in a desperate race against time to save lives.

The unexpected blizzard hit late Friday, dumping more than a metre of snow on the world’s tallest peak and crushing several tents at high-altitude camps. Many climbers are reportedly battling hypothermia as temperatures plummet below freezing.

Rescue teams, joined by local villagers, are digging through heavy snow to clear blocked routes leading up to the camps, which sit around 16,000 feet above sea level.

According to Chinese state outlet Jimu News, some tourists have been brought down safely as emergency operations continue on the eastern slope of Everest in Tibet.

The situation worsened Saturday when conditions forced authorities to suspend ticket sales and entry into the Everest Scenic Area, citing ‘extreme weather and safety risks.’

One stranded witness told The Daily Star: ‘Many people’s tents have been crushed, the camp has more than a metre of snow, and all the passageways down the mountain have been blocked.’

Officials say the storm, which began Friday night and raged through Saturday, is among the most violent to hit the region in recent years. With visibility still dangerously low and roads buried in snow, the coming hours could determine who survives this Everest nightmare.

World football body, FIFA, has appointed Chadian referee Alhadi Mahamat to take charge of Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Lesotho.

The match – a must-win for the Super Eagles – will take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa, on Friday, October 10, 2025, with kickoff slated for 6pm local time (5pm in Nigeria).

Mahamat, who officiated Nigeria’s 1-0 win over Rwanda in Uyo last month, will again be assisted by an all-Chadian crew, Bogola Issa (first assistant), Moussa Hafiz (second assistant), and Abdelkerim Ousmane (fourth official).

FIFA also named Kenyan official Alice Kimani as referee assessor, while William Shongwe from eSwatini will serve as match commissioner.

Currently sitting three points behind group leaders Benin Republic and South Africa, Nigeria must secure victory to keep their qualification hopes alive for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Lesotho clash will be followed by another decisive tie – a home fixture against Benin Republic at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, on October 14. Egyptian referee Omar Amin Mohamed will handle that encounter, assisted by compatriots Mahmoud Aboulergal and Ali Teleb.

FIFA recently handed Nigeria a boost after sanctioning South Africa for fielding an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, in their 2-0 win over Lesotho in March – overturning the result and awarding a 3-0 victory to Lesotho.

That decision has reshaped the group standings, with Benin and South Africa tied on 14 points, while Nigeria and Rwanda trail with 11 points each.

With six points still up for grabs, Nigeria’s fate remains firmly in their hands – but only back-to-back wins will guarantee a spot at next summer’s global showpiece.