Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has backed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara for another term, warning the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, to refrain from impeding the governor’s re-election efforts. In a statement released on Sunday, IYC President Theophilus Alaye mentioned that the endorsement came after thorough discussions throughout the Ijaw nation and a detailed evaluation of Rivers State’s political trajectory and development plan. The endorsement follows recent political shifts in the state, after Fubara’s switch from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress—a change widely regarded as a significant move before the 2027 elections. Numerous…

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obedient Movement Worldwide, has ruled out the idea of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi assuming a vice-presidential position ahead of the 2027 general election. Tanko, an Obi ally, clarified the situation in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, responding to reports that the former Labour Party presidential candidate would contemplate becoming ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s running mate. “We have never put that on the table. Obi is running for the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. No more, no less. There is no discussion or anything related…

Former heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury has revealed he will come back to boxing in 2026, ending his most recent period of retirement. The 37-year-old British fighter last competed in December 2024, when he suffered a second defeat to unified champion Oleksandr Usyk in their heavyweight rematch. A month later, Fury announced his retirement. Rumors about a return had increased lately after Fury released videos of his training sessions in Thailand with South African fighter Kevin Lerena. Fury posted on Instagram on Sunday, stating, “2026 is the year. “The Mac’s comeback. I’ve been gone for some time, but I’m here…

Cameroon will take on the host nation Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after Junior Tchamadeu and Christian Kofane scored, securing a 2-1 victory against a South African team coached by their ex-coach Hugo Broos. After a bright start from the South Africans, a fortunate turn of events paved the way for Stoke City right-back Tchamadeu to score the first goal in the 34th minute. After a corner was partially cleared, Carlos Baleba’s shot rebounded around the penalty area, initially hitting Bafana Bafana midfielder Nkosinathi Sibisi and then Indomitable Lions defender Samuel Kotto, before…

Enzo Fernandez netted a late equalizer as Chelsea wrapped up a challenging week by securing a well-earned Premier League point at title-contending Manchester City. Calum McFarlane, typically the coach for Chelsea’s under-21 squad, has assumed the role of first-team manager on a temporary basis after Enzo Maresca’s exit on Thursday. His team troubled City for extended stretches, even after falling behind, until Argentine Fernandez nudged in on the third try to secure a tie. The victory appeared to be going to City after Tijjani Reijnders’ goal in the first half, but back-to-back draws have resulted in them now trailing league…

Gonzalo Garcia netted an impressive hat-trick—his first La Liga goals—assisting Real Madrid in dominating Real Betis at the Bernabeu stadium. The 21-year-old striker, filling in for the injured Kylian Mbappe, netted the first goal with a header after 20 minutes and increased the advantage with an excellent volley at the start of the second half. Raul Asencio scored with a header from a corner to make it 3-0, but Betis responded by getting a goal back when Cucho Hernandez bypassed Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, after Betis struck the post and created concerns for the home team, Garcia finished off…

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack, ensuring they are swiftly brought to justice. Tinubu also directed security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently. Tinubu issued the directives on Sunday in response to the recent killings of villagers in Niger State by terrorists suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ air strike on Christmas Eve. The president…

Armed bandits operating from the Kainji Lake National Park have attacked a village market in Kabe District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, setting it ablaze, killing 30 villagers, and abducting scores. The event took place on Saturday at Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, which the bandits allegedly reached through Kabe. The attackers allegedly not only set fire to the market but also stole food products and various goods, fired upon villagers, and kidnapped many along routes towards the vast Kainji Lake National Park forest. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations…

Senator Dino Melaye has urged the Kogi State Government to take immediate responsibility for the killings of three citizens of Ayetoro-Kiri in Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, who were among 37 people abducted from an ECWA church on December 14, 2025. In a Facebook post on Sunday, the former lawmaker called the situation a major failure by state and federal officials. He stated that the Okun people, who are taxpayers, will not remain mute if the deaths and abductions continue. “The Kogi State Government must take responsibility. The death of three Ayetoro-Kiri indigenes will and should be taken seriously. There are…

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has made his first social media post since a fatal car crash in Nigeria that claimed the lives of two close friends. Joshua escaped with minor injuries in the incident that killed his friends, Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele, on Monday, December 29, on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. The 36-year-old fighter, released from the hospital on New Year’s Eve, came back to the United Kingdom on Saturday. He issued his first public statement since the incident in a post on his social media accounts on Sunday. Joshua posted the picture with the families…