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Tinubu, Atiku Meet at Abuja Airport, Details Unknown
The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and the presidential candidate of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, met briefly on Saturday.
The brief discussion took place when the two prominent politicians ran into each other at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Tinubu’s spokesman, Mr Tunde Rahman, shared a picture of the encounter on his Facebook page on Sunday.
In the picture, Tinubu and Atiku who held each other’s hands, were seen engrossed in a discussion while the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, was seen listening to them with rapt attention.
The caption of the picture as posted by Rahman read, “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar exchanging views when they ran into each other at the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
“Asiwaju was on his way to Minna, Niger State to receive a honorary doctorate from the IBB University, Lapai and former VP, Kaduna for a wedding.
“They were flanked by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri.”
Recall that ahead of the 2015 presidential election won by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), both Tinubu and Atiku, as party leaders, worked for the APC.
Atiku was one of the party’s presidential aspirants who lost to Buhari at the party’s primary held in Lagos.
After Buhari won the election, however, Atiku and some other prominent politicians like the then President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, among others returned to the PDP.
Atiku contested the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2019 election at the party’s primary held in Port Harcourt and won.
Unlike in 2015 when he and Tinubu were in the same camp, they were in opposing camps during the 2019 elections and they are still in opposing camps as of now.
The photograph has been generating reactions with commentators warning supporters who maim or kill because of their political leaders to learn from the two leaders.
The Punch
Former governor of Anambra State, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has officially defected to the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Obi announced the decision on Tuesday at an event held at the Nike Lake Resort, Enugu.
“We are ending this year with the hope that in 2026 we will begin a rescue journey,” Obi said.
The National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, was among the attendees.
United States Representative Riley Moors has said further military strikes against Islamic State-linked militants in Nigeria could follow recent operations ordered by President Donald Trump, describing the actions as aimed at improving security and protecting Christian communities facing violence.
Moore made the remarks during a televised interview in which he addressed U.S. military strikes carried out on Christmas Day against militant targets in North-west Nigeria.
The strikes were conducted in coordination with the Nigerian government, according to U.S. and Nigerian officials.
“President Trump is not trying to bring war to Nigeria, he’s bringing peace and security to Nigeria and to the thousands of Christians who face horrific violence and death,” Moore said.
He said the Christmas Day strikes against Islamic State affiliates had provided hope to Christians in Nigeria, particularly in areas affected by repeated attacks during past festive periods.
According to U.S. authorities, the strikes targeted camps used by Islamic State-linked groups operating in parts of north-west Nigeria.
Nigerian officials confirmed that the operation was carried out with intelligence support from Nigerian security agencies as part of ongoing counter-terrorism cooperation between both countries.
The United States Africa Command said the operation was intended to degrade the operational capacity of extremist groups responsible for attacks on civilians and security forces.
Nigerian authorities have described the targeted groups as a threat to national security, noting their involvement in killings, kidnappings and raids on rural communities.
Moore said the strikes marked a shift from previous years in which attacks were carried out against civilians during the Christmas period. He said the U.S. administration was focused on preventing further violence by targeting militant groups before they could launch attacks.
U.S. officials have said the military action was carried out with the consent of the Nigerian government and formed part of broader security cooperation between the two countries. Nigeria has received intelligence, training and logistical support from international partners as it seeks to contain militant activity.
Moore had previously called for stronger international attention to attacks on Christian communities in Nigeria and has urged continued U.S. engagement in addressing extremist violence. He said further action would depend on developments on the ground and continued coordination with Nigerian authorities.
Nigerian officials have maintained that counter-terrorism operations are directed at armed groups threatening civilians, regardless of religion, and have reiterated their commitment to restoring security across affected regions.
World-renowned boxer Anthony Joshua on Monday survived a ghastly road accident in Makun, Ogun State.
Eyewitnesses report that the incident occurred along a busy highway of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
The vehicle carrying Joshua, a Lexus Jeep with the number plate, KRD 850 HN, reportedly collided with a stationary truck under circumstances that are still being investigated.
Joshua reportedly sustained minor injuries, while two persons were said to have died on the spot.
