Nigerians have reacted to Kemi Badenoch’s sacking of Robert Jenrick, a Conservative Party Member of Parliament in the United Kingdom, on Thursday over secretly plotting to defect to Reform UK. Badenoch, the Tory leader, claimed she had “clear, irrefutable evidence” that Jenrick would leave the Tories, hence stripping him of the Conservative whip and suspending his party membership. “I have sacked Robert Jenrick from the Shadow Cabinet. A Facebook user, Destiny Ikechukwu, said, “She sacked him when he was at the defection ground without his knowledge. Nice one, Kemi.”Another Facebook user, Azi Aware said, “While Nigerian politicians defect for a living.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have vowed to see through the ongoing move to remove the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara. By this vote, the Rivers State House of Assembly has resolved that investigations into allegations of gross misconduct against His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, should proceed to the next level. “While the impeachment process was ongoing, the governor was busy paying our constituents to recall us from the Assembly. What is happening in Rivers State is a fight for the soul of the state. Fiberesima, granted leave for the claimants to serve the interim order and originating processes at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

The BBC’s interview with Peter Mandelson had offered ample evidence of the Labour peer’s “formidable political brain”, according to Louis Mosley, UK head of the US data firm, Palantir Technologies. View image in fullscreen Peter Mandelson was withdrawn as US ambassador after emails emerged detailing his relationship with his ‘best pal’ Jeffrey Epstein. During the interview, Mandelson was pressed to apologise to Epstein’s victims. He needs to disappear for a very long time.”A second cabinet source said: “Peter managed to create several days of headlines on his relationship with Epstein by failing to apologise. It just reminds everyone that he appointed him.”Why did Mandelson not apologise to the women in the first instance?

“The ADC therefore condemns in the strongest terms the conduct of certain individuals who, while claiming to be members of the party, engaged in violent and disruptive actions aimed at frustrating lawful party exercise. “The ADC remains firmly committed to peaceful political organisation, internal democracy, and the rule of law, and will take all necessary internal and legal measures to protect its members, its processes, and the integrity of the party,” it said. Scores of residents, party loyalists and grassroots mobilisers from different political platforms formally defected to the ADC at a well-attended town hall meeting held in Ibarapa, attracting the attention of political observers and stakeholders. The mass defection, which cut across the three local government areas in the Ibarapa zone, was described by party leaders as evidence of growing confidence in the ADC’s ideology, leadership and grassroots appeal. The development further underscores the party’s expanding influence in Oyo State amid increasing public dissatisfaction with the two dominant political parties.

According to him, Senator Akwashiki belonged to a rare generation of public servants who approached politics as responsibility rather than privilege, and governance as a moral obligation rather than a pathway to power. Tracing Akwashiki’s public life, Adebayo noted that the late senator’s rise from modest beginnings to national prominence was shaped by discipline, learning and an enduring belief in the dignity of ordinary citizens. Beyond committee assignments and legislative milestones, Adebayo said Akwashiki’s defining strength lay in the values he carried into public office. Adebayo said Akwashiki’s passing should prompt deep reflection among those still in public life, urging leaders to consider whether they are building legacies or merely occupying offices. “May his service continue to speak where words fail, and may Nigeria one day fully become the country his life and values envisioned.”

The Senegalese national team have raised concerns over security arrangements, accommodation, training facilities and ticketing ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. In a strongly worded communiqué issued on Saturday, the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF) said it was compelled to speak out “for the sake of transparency and defence of the interests of the Senegal national team,” following what it described as several malfunctions observed during preparations for the final. The statement, released by the Secretariat of the Teranga Lions of Senegal to the Confederation of African Football and the public, drew attention to lapses in security during the team’s arrival in Morocco. “The official endowment is only two VVIP tickets,” the FSF said, lamenting the lack of access to VIP and VVIP tickets for the final, unlike the semi-finals. Senegal are bidding to add another continental title to their honours when they take to the pitch in the AFCON 2025 final after defeating Egypt in the semi final on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, Tata commenced its innings for 2026 with the launch of the Punch facelift, prices of which start at Rs. Under the hood, the new Tata Punch is available with the 1.2-litre petrol engine in naturally aspirated and turbocharged formats. The NA motor belts out 87bhp and 115Nm, and is paired with five-speed manual and AMT units. The turbo-petrol mill, on the other hand, develops 118bhp and 170Nm, mated only with a six-speed manual gearbox. In terms of variants, the 2026 Punch is offered in eight options, namely Smart, Pure, Pure+, Pure+ S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished, and Accomplished+ S. There are 11 colours to choose from, including Pristine White, Daytona Grey, Bengal Rouge, Coorg Clouds, Caramel, Cyantafic, and all the aforementioned colours with a contrast coloured roof.

A film production crew has confirmed the death of a special effects artist, James Akaie, following an explosion during a filming session in Abeokuta, Ogun State. According to the production team, Akaie, a Special Effects and Pyrotechnics Artist, was involved in an unexpected explosion that occurred in a designated effects preparation area outside the main film set. The producer said investigations have commenced to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion, noting that the production team is cooperating with relevant authorities. “James was a brilliant and passionate Special Effects and Pyrotechnics Artist, whose creativity, dedication and love for his craft inspired everyone who worked with him,” he said. The production team noted that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.

Nigerians have called for urgent reforms to the healthcare sector after the death of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's 21-month-old son prompted grief - and further accounts of negligence and inadequate care. Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege, have begun legal action against the hospital, accusing it of medical negligence. Those who can afford to seek care abroad typically do so. Adichie's sister-in-law, Dr Anthea Esege Nwandu, a physician with decades of experience, has called for change. She told Agence France-Presse: "This is a wake-up call, for we, the public, to demand accountability and transparency and consequences of negligence in our healthcare system."

Some displaced residents of Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State have lamented increased banditry in the area, saying their family members are undertaking huge risks to move to Niger Republic. According to him, over 20 settlements across different parts of the local government area have been evacuated in response to the threats. In separate interviews with our correspondents, former residents said their relatives and family members were fleeing to Niger Republic. He said the worsening situation had forced many residents to flee to neighbouring Niger Republic through difficult and unsafe routes. Shinkafi, now in Zamfara State, was once part of Isa Local Government.

The 2026 Tata Punch facelift has been making quite some buzz in the Indian passenger vehicle market. The new Punch has arrived incorporating a plethora of changes at exterior, inside the cabin, as well as under the hood. The 2026 Tata Punch facelift was launched at a price range of ₹5.59 lakh and ₹10.54 lakh (ex-showroom). The 2026 Tata Punch facelift SUV is available in eight different trim options: Smart, Pure, Pure+, Pure+ S, Adventure, Adventure S, Accomplished, and Accomplished+ S. The SUV is available across multiple powertrain options. This variant is not only available with all the bells and whistles, but it also offers great value for money with multiple powertrain combinations.

A fire outbreak at a residential building on Bola Street, Oyingbo, Lagos State, has claimed the life of a 103-year-old woman and destroyed several household properties. PUNCH Online learnt from a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, that the agency received a distress call about the fire outbreak at about 12pm on Friday. Oke-Osanyintolu noted that upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that a bungalow with shops attached had been engulfed in flames. He stated that emergency management procedures were immediately activated at the scene, but after an assessment, the centenarian woman had died. PUNCH Online reported on Wednesday that the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service said 133 people lost their lives in 2,617 emergencies attended to by the agency in 2025.

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have repelled coordinated terrorist attacks in Adamawa and Borno states, demonstrating resilience, professionalism, and superior combat capability. “Alert troops engaged the attackers, supported by reinforcements from Gulak and the Battalion Quick Reaction Force. “Later the same day, a large-scale, multi-directional attack targeted Forward Operating Base (FOB) Azir in Borno State. Troops, backed by the Air Component and Nigerian Army aerial platforms, met the attackers with overwhelming firepower. The acting media information officer added that the sacrifices of OPHK personnel highlight their commitment to securing lives, dismantling terrorist networks, and protecting the North East region.

Ayinde faulted what he described as the “imposition of a delegate system” and the physical exclusion of some members by a faction within the ruling house from participating in the nomination meeting. The musician noted that following the demise of Oba Sikiru Adetona, it became the turn of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House to present candidates for the Awujale stool. “Entry to the meeting was restricted through the issuance of special cards to purported ‘delegates’ selected by a faction within the ruling house. The contestants emerged at the nomination meeting held at Bisrod Hall, GRA, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. When contacted, the Vice Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling House, Prof Yusuf, confirmed receipt of the letter but described it as “arrant nonsense” and of no consequence to the ongoing process.

The Supreme Court on Friday ordered the continuation of the N1.35bn corruption trial of a former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, and his two sons, Mustapha and Aminu, overturning a Court of Appeal judgment that had freed them. The Supreme Court held that the EFCC’s appeal was meritorious and directed that Lamido and his sons return to the Federal High Court, Abuja, to open their defence in the case. The EFCC alleged that Lamido, who governed Jigawa State between 2007 and 2015, laundered N1.35bn in kickbacks from contractors handling state government projects. However, the Court of Appeal, in July 2023, overturned the ruling and struck out the charges, a decision that prompted the EFCC to approach the Supreme Court. In its judgment on Friday, the Supreme Court ordered that the charges be restored and directed the Federal High Court to proceed with the trial for Lamido and the other defendants to defend themselves.