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 Cross River senator Agom Jarigbe defects from PDP to APC, says Tinubu is doing well Agom Jarigbe, senator representing Cross River north, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).  Jarigbe confirmed his defection to the ruling party on Wednesday night after Senate President Godswill Akpabio led him and Kaila Samaila, the senator representing Bauchi north, who recently joined the APC, to meet President Bola Tinubu at the State House. Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Akpabio said Jarigbe’s defection is about patriotism. “They [Jarigbe and Samaila] are Mr President’s children, and they are his supporters. The president is the father of the nation and the father of all political parties,” Akpabio said. “But interestingly, they joined the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on different political platforms, but as a result of Mr President’s policies that have turned things around economically and particularly in ...

 Presidential pardon: AGF orders multi-agency probe The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has ordered a multi-agency review of the proposed presidential pardon list, The PUNCH has learnt. Involved in the probe of the list are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the police. The exercise may result in more than half of the nominees being dropped. President Bola Tinubu is said to be awaiting the submission of the vetted list for his final endorsement, amid efforts to ensure only eligible beneficiaries were cleared. The President had, in the exercise of his constitutional powers, granted clemency to 175 persons convicted of various offences. The pardon was announced by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), at the Council of State meeting held on Thursday, October 9, 2025. Fagbemi (SAN) listed illegal miners, white-collar convic...

 Adelabu: FG to reconnect ALSCON to national grid, boost power generation The federal government says it will revive the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom state, and ensure its connection to the national grid as part of efforts to boost power generation. Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, made the pledge on Monday during a working visit to the company’s facilities. Adelabu lamented that 37 years after its establishment, ALSCON was yet to deliver its full potential due to lack of electricity supply. “These huge investments have suffered from lack of power supply in the last 27 years,” Adelabu said. “We are aware of the enormous potential this institution holds for employment, local aluminium production, and saving foreign exchange.” Adelabu said the government would implement a short-term solution to connect ALSCON to the national grid while pursuing a long-term plan for sustainable supply. He also promised to ensure the completion of the aband...

 Mild drama in senate as Akpabio, Natasha Akpoti clash during abortion bill debate A mild drama ensued during plenary in the upper legislative chamber on Tuesday as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central, clashed over an amendment bill. BACKGROUND The Criminal Code Amendment Bill, sponsored in the house of representatives and presented for concurrence by Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, proposes stiffer penalties for individuals found guilty of aiding or procuring abortions. Under the proposed amendment, the punishment for supplying drugs or instruments to carry out abortions would rise from three years to 10 years’ imprisonment without an option of fine. The bill also aims to align Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act with evolving social, moral, and medical realities. The debate became heated as senators disagreed over what constitutes an “unlawful abortion”. Saliu Mustapha, senator representing Kwara central, argued that abortion ...

Court rejects alleged terrorists negotiator Tukur Mamu’s third bail application A Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected a fresh application for bail filed by detained alleged terrorists negotiator, Tukur Mohammed Mamu. Justice Mohammed Umar, in a ruling on Wednesday, noted the health complaint by Mamu and  held that the detaining authority, the Department of State Services (DSS) should not release him but take him to an appropriate health facility where he would be adequately attended to. Justice Umar noted that, by the history of the case so far, the prosecution has exhibited diligence in it handling of the case and exhibited diligence in prosecuting the case. The judge said one of the reasons for granting bail is where the prosecution is not diligent, noting that since the prosecution in this case is diligent, the application for bail cannot be granted. He subsequently ordered that the defence lawyer should choose the  health facility comfortable to the defendant, to whic...

 Northern PDP govs, others endorse Turaki for national chairman Leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from North, including governors from the region, have unanimously endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, as their consensus candidate for the position of national chairman ahead of the party’s November convention. Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, disclosed this after a meeting of Northern PDP leaders held on Wednesday night in Abuja. He, however, clarified that the endorsement does not preclude other aspirants from contesting, noting that the party’s constitution guarantees every member the right to test their popularity at the convention. Despite the Federal High Court in Abuja scheduling October 31 to rule on whether the convention should proceed, the party has continued its preparations. Present at the meeting were Governors Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), and Dauda Lawal (Zamfara). Others inclu...

 ‘How I lost 8 relatives to Niger tanker explosion’ Mallam Surajo Muhammad Shehu has narrated how he lost eight relatives in the petrol tanker explosion that occurred on Tuesday at Essa village along the Agaie–Bida road in Katcha Local Government Area of Niger State. At least 28 people, mostly women and children, lost their lives when the tanker exploded while the victims were scooping fuel from it. The incident occurred around 2pm after the tanker fell due to the deplorable condition of the road. Among the victims was a nursing mother who died alongside her baby. Eyewitnesses said she fell face-down into the fire with her child strapped to her back, and both were heard screaming until they were consumed by the flames. Some victims reportedly ran several meters with their clothes on fire before collapsing. Sources also said there is a possibility that more bodies may still be recovered from nearby bushes. Shehu, struggling to hold back tears, told Daily Trust that Tuesday’s tanker ...