1. Cracks are appearing in the African Democratic Congress over the presidential ambition of former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi.
Findings by Sunday PUNCH showed that the problem stemmed from the insistence of Obi’s followers, aka Obidients, that he must be considered for the presidential ticket or they walk away
2. The Kano State government on Saturday warned supporters of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf against insulting the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, saying such actions will attract disciplinary measures. The warning was issued by the Director General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Kano, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa.
3. Ongoing military air strikes and ground operations have targeted terrorist camps in parts of Edu, Ifelodun and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State. Several kidnappers and terrorists were neutralised during the Saturday coordinated offensive.
4. Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after a week-long diplomatic and economic mission to Guinea-Conakry and Switzerland. Shettima arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on Saturday after representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the inauguration of Guinea’s President, Mamadi Doumbouya, and leading Nigeria’s delegation to the 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
5. The federal government will, henceforth, take a tougher position against religiously motivated violence, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu has warned. Ribadu says any such violence will be treated as a direct attack on the nation
6. The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has described President Bola Tinubu as a statesman who took bold and difficult decisions to rescue Nigeria from economic collapse, urging Nigerians to protect the future of the country by ensuring continuity of the current administration beyond 2027.
Tunji-Ojo made the remarks yesterday at the 2026 National Summit of Former Legislators, themed “National Unity and Nation Building: Beyond 2031,” held in Abuja.
7. At least 22 members of the Kano State House of Assembly have dumped the New Nigeria People’s Party, NNPP, in solidarity with Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. In a statement issued on Saturday, the Speaker’s spokesperson, Kamaluddeen Sani Shawai, said the Assembly members took the step to reaffirm their loyalty to the governor’s administration.
8. A newlywed wife has been arrested by the Jigawa State Police Command over the alleged poisoning of her husband, who died after consuming a meal prepared by her. The incident occurred on January 23, 2026, at about 1700hrs at Gauza village in Jahun Local Government Area of Jigawa State. According to the police, the man was rushed to the hospital for medical attention but was pronounced dead while receiving treatment.
9. The African Democratic Congress has cautioned supporters of its presidential aspirants against insisting on a “must-be-my-candidate” mindset, warning that such divisive loyalty could undermine the party’s chances in the 2027 elections. Speaking during the virtual ADC Coalition Hours on Saturday, the National Publicity Secretary, Bola Abdullahi, urged supporters to back all aspirants collectively, stressing the importance of unity in strengthening the party’s presidential bid.
10. The Niger State Police Command in Saturday confirmed that six villagers were killed by suspected bandits in the Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area, and said it is intensifying efforts to locate two others who remain missing. The attack occurred on Thursday when a father, identified as Deshi, and his son went to visit workers on their farm. The son narrowly escaped and alerted villagers, prompting local vigilante groups to mobilise in search of Deshi and the farmers.
