Happy New Year! Begin 2026 with a concise roundup of major news from Nigeria, featuring a major political defection, ongoing security challenges, and AFCON progress.
1. Peter Obi Defects to African Democratic Congress: Former Labour Party presidential candidate and ex-Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, has formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He called for a broad national coalition to “rescue Nigeria from poverty, disunity and democratic decline.”
2. Wike Praises Tinubu, Criticizes Rivers Governor: The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, commended President Bola Tinubu for fulfilling campaign promises to Rivers State, while criticizing the state’s governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for not keeping agreements.
3. Former Ogun Lawmaker Abducted by Gunmen: A former member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Moruf Musa, was abducted from his residence in Ibiade, Ogun Waterside LGA, on Tuesday evening and taken to an unknown location.
4. Super Eagles to Face Mozambique in AFCON Round of 16: Nigeria’s Super Eagles will play Mozambique in the Round of 16 of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The knockout match is scheduled to take place in Fez, Morocco.
5. Delta Police Recover Arms, Drugs in Festive Clampdown: The Delta State Police Command recovered firearms and illicit drugs during a festive-season operation, arresting a robbery suspect and seizing weapons in the Ughelli North area.
6. Anthony Joshua Discharged from Lagos Hospital: British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua has been discharged from Duchess International Hospital in Ikeja, Lagos, following treatment for injuries sustained in a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
7. NNPP Nullifies Suspension of Kano State Chairman: The National Working Committee of the New Nigeria Peoples Party has nullified the purported suspension of its Kano State chairman, Alhaji Hashimu Dungurawa, declaring the action illegal and undemocratic.
8. Labour Party Regrets Fielding Peter Obi: The Julius Abure-led National Working Committee of the Labour Party described Peter Obi’s defection to the ADC as a “liberation” for the party, stating it regrets fielding him as its 2023 presidential candidate.
9. Senator Godiya Akwashiki Dies at 52: Senator Godiya Akwashiki (SDP/Nasarawa North) has passed away at the age of 52 after a protracted illness. He died in an Indian hospital on December 31, 2025.
10. Gunmen Attack Police Station in Ondo Community: Gunmen attacked the Ipele community in Owo LGA, Ondo State, setting a Police Station on fire. The Police Command has deployed personnel to the area following the incident.
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Disclaimer: This daily brief is a curated summary of news reports from various credible Nigerian publications. CDA News compiles this information for easy consumption but does not originate the reported content. For complete details and ongoing updates, please refer to the original news sources.
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