News December 12, 2025 Kogi monarchs flay Dino Melaye over attack on Leke Abejide, warn of ancestral consequences

A group of 31 traditional rulers from the South East Yagba District in Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State has expressed deep shock and disappointment over a circulating video in which former Kogi West Senator, Dino Melaye, was seen reportedly hurling insults at the member representing Yagba East/West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Hon. Leke Abejide.

In an open letter addressed to Melaye and obtained by a PlatinumPost correspondent on Friday, the monarchs denounced the former senator’s remarks, describing them as unacceptable.

Passing a vote of confidence on Abejide as a credible representative of the constituency, the traditional rulers cautioned Melaye to desist from what they described as politics of bitterness and divisive rhetoric, warning that continued hostility could draw the “wrath of their ancestors” as well as the displeasure of the people.

The letter stated in part:”We, the Traditional Rulers of the towns and villages of South East Yagba District of Yagba East LGA, Kogi State, are shocked and disappointed by your recent video where you insulted and abused Elder Leke Abejide, our esteemed son and Representative at the House of Representatives.

“We invoke the wisdom of our ancestors and the blessings of God in our lives, and we strongly condemn your statements as false, baseless, and unacceptable. Your attack on Hon. (Elder) Leke Abejide reflects poorly on you and shows a total lack of the ‘Omoluabi’ virtue expected of a true Yoruba descendant.”

They further urged Melaye to embrace constructive engagement rather than sowing discord.

“We advise you to stop the politics of rancour and divisive rhetoric, lest you incur the wrath of our ancestors and the displeasure of our people. Instead, focus on constructive dialogue and respect for others, that our land may prosper and our Okun people may live in peace,” the monarchs said.

Reaffirming their support for the lawmaker, the monarchs added:”We fully endorse and support Elder Leke Abejide, and we will not tolerate any further attacks on his person or reputation. We pray that God and our ancestors will continue to guide him and grant him wisdom in his endeavours.”

The letter carried the signatures of 31 royal fathers, including HRM Oba Alhaji S. A. Mohammed, Olukotun of Ife-Olukotun and Chairman; HRM Oba Lamidi Folorunsho Ayeni, Elejuku of Ejuku Kingdom and Vice Chairman; along with several others from communities across Yagba East.

News December 12, 2025 Nigeria open talks over NAF crew ‘detained’ in Burkina Faso

Nigeria’s foreign affairs minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has confirmed that the Nigerian military personnel aboard a Nigeria Air Force (NAF) aircraft that made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso have not yet returned to the country.

Tuggar made the disclosure on Thursday at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja during a joint press interaction with his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Bakari.

The incident occurred on Monday after the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) — the bloc formed by Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger — alleged that an aircraft transporting 11 Nigerian soldiers had breached Burkinabe airspace.

Mali’s junta leader, Assimi Goita, had described the unscheduled landing as an “unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law”, while the AES said it had authorised member states to neutralise any aircraft that strayed into their airspace without clearance.

The episode unfolded just as Nigerian forces conducted air operations in neighbouring Benin to help thwart a coup attempt.

Responding to the controversy, the Nigerian Air Force explained that the C-130 aircraft had been en route to Portugal on a ferry mission when the crew observed a technical issue. According to NAF spokesperson Ehimen Ejodame, the team made a precautionary landing at the nearest available airport in Bobo-Dioulasso, in line with aviation safety procedures and international norms.

Unconfirmed reports later suggested the Nigerian officers on board were detained and subsequently released by Burkinabe authorities.

Tuggar, however, stated that diplomatic discussions are ongoing with Burkina Faso’s junta leader, Ibrahim Traoré, over the matter.

“We are discussing how we can resolve this delicate matter as quickly as possible, and we’re talking. So it’s something that is being handled diplomatically,” he said.

Asked directly whether the personnel were still in Burkina Faso, the minister answered: “Yes, they are”.

Benin’s foreign minister, Bakari, also clarified that the aircraft incident had no connection to the assistance Nigeria provided to foil the attempted coup in his country — a position Tuggar affirmed.

“Absolutely, it was on its way to Portugal and it developed a technical problem and was forced to land,” Tuggar said.

He added that emergency landings were routine under global aviation rules:“And this is part of ICAO regulations, it’s under international law. When you’re flying and you have a problem, you land in the nearest airport, and it can happen to anybody. Tomorrow, it can be a Burkinabe plane flying, let’s say, to Kenya or somewhere, and then it’s forced to land in Kano or Maiduguri or anywhere else. It can be any other country.”

Tuggar expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved swiftly through diplomatic engagement.

News December 12, 2025 Nigerian military orders immediate dismantling of unauthorised checkpoints nationwide

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters has directed security formations across the country to take down all non-essential roadblocks and any checkpoints not officially approved on major highways, citing concerns over inefficiency and increased security vulnerabilities.

The instruction was issued in a memo dated December 5 and signed by Brigadier General A. Rabiu on behalf of the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa. The document noted that the uncontrolled spread of such checkpoints was hampering movement and placing personnel at unnecessary risk.

“In view of the foregoing, I am directed to respectfully convey that the services Headquarters hereby instructs all TCS/FCs to ensure the immediate dismantling of the non-essential static roadblocks and unauthorised checkpoints within their respective JOA,” the memo stated.

According to the memo, although securing roads remains a priority, the excessive presence of static checkpoints in various parts of the Joint Operations Area (JOA) has begun to disrupt operations and restrict the smooth movement of both civilians and security operatives.

Major routes affected by the order include Abuja–Lokoja–Ajaokuta–Idah–Otukpa–Obollo Afor–Enugu; Abuja–Lokoja–Obajana–Kabba–Omuo–Ekiti–Ikole Ekiti; Abuja–Lokoja–Okene–Okpella–Auchi–Benin; Abuja–Kaduna–Kano; and Lagos–Ore–Benin–Asaba–Niger Bridge.

The directive added that troops will now prioritise mobility and intelligence-driven operations over fixed checkpoints.

“Commanders are further to ensure strict compliance with the approved control point locations and maintain only those essential for operational, security purposes and dominate the expanses of routes with aggressive mobile patrols and human intelligence gathering,” it added.

News Sports December 12, 2025 Super Eagles name AFCON 2025 squad as Uzoho, Onuachu return (+FULL LIST)

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho has earned a surprise recall to the Super Eagles, while Maduka Okoye ,who has recently served as backup to first-choice Stanley Nwabali, has been left out of Nigeria’s AFCON 2025 roster.

Paul Onuachu, enjoying a strong scoring run at Trabzonspor, also makes a return to the national team.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) published the much-anticipated squad list on its official X account late Thursday.

Head coach Eric Chelle selected a 28-man group comprising three goalkeepers, eight defenders, eight midfielders, and nine forwards for the tournament, which will run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 in Morocco.

The squad includes a mix of established players and new faces as preparations ramp up for the continental showpiece beginning December 21.

READ ALSO:Retirement: Troost-Ekong ends Super Eagles career after 10 years of service

Among the notable absentees are Victor Boniface, Tolu Arokodare, and Kelechi Iheanacho, while Ebenezer Akinsanmiro has received his first national team call-up.

Full squad list:

Goalkeepers:Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus).

Defenders:Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England).

Midfielders:Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium).

Forwards:Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961, Croatia).

News December 12, 2025 Tension in Rivers as speaker accuses Fubara of setting stage for another major crisis

Rivers State House of Assembly Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of intentionally excluding legislators from governance and “setting the stage for another crisis” in the state.

Amaewhule, accompanied by 10 lawmakers, made the remarks on Thursday during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, responding to comments the governor had made a day earlier.

Governor Fubara had complained on Wednesday that his political benefactor, Nyesom Wike, had not fulfilled a promise to broker a meeting between him and lawmakers aligned with the FCT Minister. The governor, who spoke during a project inauguration, reiterated his commitment to peace and said he was ready to meet the demands of the pro-Wike lawmakers.

However, the Speaker accused the governor of misrepresenting the situation and ignoring the Assembly, saying the reaction was typical of his “reactionary” style. He pointed to the state of the education sector as an example.

Amaewhule insisted that Wike had already organised several meetings in both Abuja and Port Harcourt, which the governor and lawmakers attended.

READ ALSO:Rivers PDP pulls out of national convention, says Fubara was ‘shut out’

He further alleged that since assuming office, Fubara had been unwilling to collaborate with the Assembly, accusing him of drawing from the 2024 and 2025 budgets without legislative consent. According to him, the governor had failed to honour previously agreed terms and was “preparing the grounds for another round of crisis,” even as the Assembly remained committed to peace and President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda.

The Speaker also claimed that the governor intended to use the N600bn reportedly left behind by the former emergency administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), “to divide lawmakers and for other frivolities.”

He urged Fubara to “brace up to be the true leader Rivers people desire,” adding that the public had already “suffered too much because of the governor’s alleged indolence.”

Amaewhule said, “Everybody is aware that we are currently on recess, meeting with our constituents… But we all know that a lie told often enough becomes the truth… which is why as the Speaker… I think it is incumbent on me to set the record straight.”

He continued, “The governor alleged that he has not been able to meet with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly because the FCT Minister… has refused to make that possible… We were so disheartened hearing that from our governor… coming at a time when Rivers people are yearning for peace and good governance.”

Calling the governor’s statement “unnecessary and condemnable,” he added, “What the governor is trying to do is to set the stage for another crisis in Rivers State… The governor merely lied to Rivers people… Shortly after the emergency rule was terminated… the FCT Minister summoned a meeting between the governor and us… We met with him in Abuja.”

According to him, additional meetings were held in Port Harcourt at the residence of Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman of the Elders’ Council.

The Speaker said, “How many meetings have I mentioned? How many meetings does the governor want the FCT Minister to call? Is it a hundred?”

Amaewhule also alleged that the governor had declined to present the 2025 budget.

He added, “In that meeting, the governor told us blatantly that he would not bring a budget… From September when we met… the governor has been spending without our approval… awarding contracts to his cronies… particularly those who masterminded the burning of the Rivers House of Assembly.”

He added, “The governor does not seek the approval of the Rivers House of Assembly to spend. He has been spending from his front pockets.”

On state finances under emergency rule, Amaewhule reiterated, “The outgoing administrator… left over N600bn in the accounts of Rivers State… The governor has been spending it, boasting how he will use the funds to divide the Assembly members.”

He stressed that members were not available for purchase, saying, “Members, are you for sale? No. Not at all!”

Faulting the governor’s approach, he said, “The governor should know… he ought to be a leader… But at the moment, the governor is failing… Disparaging the FCT Minister is not leadership at all… Sending his attack dogs… to insult us on social media won’t help the governor.”

Amaewhule also accused the governor’s media allies of persistently attacking lawmakers online, saying, “Those he is using to insult assembly members… he gives them money, they go to all the television stations and insult us.”

News December 12, 2025 Peace Corps commandant, finance director docked over alleged N60m fraud, granted N5m bail

The Abuja Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, December 11, 2025, brought the Commandant of the Nigeria Peace Corps, Dickson Akon, and the Corps’ Director of Finance, Omolola Aminat Ahmed, before Justice H.B. Yusuf of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja.

Both officials were arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on the alleged criminal diversion of funds approved for the Corps.

According to a statement released by the EFCC on Friday, the first count states: “That you, Dickson Akon and Omolola Aminat Ahmed in the year 2024 at Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit criminal misappropriation and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 96 of the penal code laws of the FCT.”

The second count reads: “That you, Dickson Akon and Omolola Aminat Ahmed in the year 2024 at Abuja, FCT, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court did agree among yourselves and dishonestly converted to your personal use the sum of N46,000,000.00 (Forty Six Million Naira only) out of the sum of N60,000,000.00 (Sixty Million Naira only) meant for the execution of contract for the supply of badges.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all counts after they were read in court.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel Khalid Sanusi requested a date for trial to begin.

Justice Yusuf thereafter adjourned the case until February 25, 2026, and granted each defendant bail in the sum of ₦5 million, with one surety in the same amount.

The court specified that the sureties must be reputable individuals resident in Abuja.

News December 12, 2025 Shock in Bayelsa as PDP confirms death of deputy governor

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday confirmed the death of Bayelsa State’s deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.

The confirmation was issued through a statement from the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong.

Ewhrudjakpo was said to have collapsed in his office at the Government House in Yenagoa on Thursday afternoon. He was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in the state capital. Born on September 5, 1965, in Ofoni, Sagbama Local Government Area, the 60-year-old politician passed away shortly afterwards.

While the specific circumstances surrounding the collapse are still unclear, insiders said he slumped unexpectedly during official engagements and was promptly assisted by his aides and security team. Some sources indicated the incident might have been linked to cardiac arrest.

READ ALSO:PDP faction holds BoT meeting at Wike’s residence

The news triggered anxiety within Government House and across Yenagoa, where many residents described him as the “Workaholic Deputy Governor,” recalling his habit of working late hours.

As of Thursday night, the state government had not released an official statement. Efforts to reach his media aide, Doubra Atazi, and the Commissioner for Information, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, were not successful, as both officials declined to comment.

In its reaction, the PDP said it received the news with shock, praising Ewhrudjakpo as “a trusted, faithful party man.”

According to the statement:“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has received with deep shock the news of the passing of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State and a trusted, faithful party man, His Excellency, Senator Lawrence Oborawharievwo Ewhrudjakpo, who reportedly collapsed and died earlier today.

“This devastating news has left the National Working Committee led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, and indeed the entire membership of our great party, especially our faithful members in Bayelsa State, in profound grief.

“While alive, Senator Ewhrudjakpo was an honest and consistent politician who believed in and practised politics with principle. He was a person of conviction, not convenience; a leader whose life was anchored on belief, integrity, and strength of character. He held firmly to these virtues until his final moments.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of this hero of political integrity, and we pray that God grants his soul eternal rest. We express our heartfelt condolences to the government and people of Bayelsa State on this painful and irreparable loss.”

A lawyer by training, Ewhrudjakpo served as Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure from 2012 to 2018 under former governor Henry Seriake Dickson. He stepped down in 2018 to pursue the PDP Senate ticket for Bayelsa West.

As Commissioner, he supervised major projects including the Bayelsa International Airport, delivered during a period of national economic recession.

He later won the 2019 Bayelsa West Senatorial race, defeating APC candidate Mathew Karimo with 49,912 votes to 20,219.

Governor Douye Diri named him as running mate for the off-cycle governorship election that same year. After the Supreme Court disqualified Chief David Lyon due to issues with his running mate’s academic credentials, Diri and Ewhrudjakpo were sworn in on February 14, 2020.

During the administration, he was key to mediating inter- and intra-communal disputes, bolstering security around vital national assets such as oil pipelines. He also chaired the Nigerian International Coastal Border Platform, coordinating maritime law enforcement efforts, including implementation of the SPOMO Act against piracy.

Following Governor Diri’s defection to the APC in October 2025, Ewhrudjakpo remained in the PDP, causing friction between the two. He sought relief from a Federal High Court in Abuja to prevent a planned impeachment by the state House of Assembly.

Justice Emeka Nwite halted any impeachment action pending the hearing of the suit and summoned the Speaker and five others to explain why they should not be stopped from attempting to remove him over claims linked to his refusal to defect.

Diri, however, publicly reassured him that he would not be compelled to join the APC, emphasising ongoing dialogue.

At a recent state executive council meeting, Diri said:“Regarding speculations in the media, I do not intend to force anyone to join the APC but rather appeal to them to reason with me. I may have power today, but not tomorrow.

‘It is challenging for the governor and deputy to be on opposing sides, but dialogue continues, and we may align in the same party in the future.“We must not inflame the polity. Violence in Bayelsa State is over. We are brothers and one people. Politics should drive development, not conflict.”

Despite his demanding schedule, Ewhrudjakpo regularly lectured law students at Niger Delta University pro bono. He often spoke about his desire to return to academia after his time in public office, saying teaching would allow him to help shape future leaders.

The late deputy governor, a key associate of former governor Seriake Dickson, was believed to be nurturing interest in contesting the 2027 Bayelsa governorship election. Reports indicated he enjoyed strong support from Dickson.