Weekly News Wrap-Up (February 10-15, 2025)

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POLITICAL NEWS

National Politics

• Tinubu Cracks the Whip on Ministers – The president now wants receipts—literally! He has ordered ministers to submit detailed performance reports, signaling that accountability isn’t just a buzzword. Critics say this could expose inefficiencies, while supporters hail it as a governance game-changer.
• Ganduje Says North Will Reclaim Power in 2031 – APC’s chairman is already looking ahead, predicting the North will return to the presidency after Tinubu’s two terms. But with Nigeria’s political landscape as unpredictable as ever, this claim has sparked heated debates.
• Northern Leaders Feel Snubbed by Tinubu – Prominent northern elites feel left out of the party when it comes to key appointments. If this rift isn’t addressed, it could spell trouble for APC’s 2027 election strategy.

Party Politics

• PDP Fumbles Wike’s Disciplinary Hearing – The party wants to discipline Wike but, apparently, can’t quite figure out how to summon him. This exposes internal fractures that could weaken PDP’s position.
• Kaduna Lawmakers Jump Ship to APC – Three PDP lawmakers switched teams, strengthening APC’s hold on the state. This is part of a broader trend of politicians repositioning for future elections.
• Tambuwal Calls Out PDP Defectors – The former governor isn’t buying their excuses and says defectors are only after stomach infrastructure (a fancy way of saying self-interest). His words add fuel to the already raging intra-party fire.
• APC Goes Digital with NIN-Linked E-Registration – The ruling party is embracing technology to modernize its membership system. If done right, this could revolutionize voter mobilization ahead of 2027.

Governance & Policy

• Nigeria Signs UAE Bilateral Air Services Agreement – The sky’s the limit as Nigeria inks a deal with the UAE to boost international air travel. This move could enhance business ties and tourism.
• INEC Cracks Down on Vote Buying – Nigeria’s electoral body is calling in the big guns—security agencies—to clean up the elections. The 2027 polls could be very different if these reforms take root.
• Ogun State to Control Vehicle Emissions – Say goodbye to smoke-belching cars! Ogun is rolling out stricter environmental rules to tackle pollution. Will other states follow suit?
• LAWMA Gets Tough on Illegal Dumping – Lagos isn’t playing around, arresting 25 people for trashing the city. The message is clear: keep Lagos clean, or face the consequences.

International Relations

• Trump Disbands DOJ’s Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative – In a controversial move, Trump shut down the U.S. Department of Justice’s specialized anti-corruption unit that tracked stolen assets, including those linked to Nigeria’s Sani Abacha. This could slow Nigeria’s recovery of looted funds and weaken international efforts against corruption.
• Zelenskyy Rejects Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan – The Ukrainian president isn’t interested in a behind-the-scenes deal. This puts pressure on the U.S. to find another diplomatic strategy.
• Canada-Nigeria Visa Drama Escalates – Canada’s visa denials have sparked a firestorm, with some claiming they saved Nigeria $200,000. But is this smart diplomacy or discrimination?
• Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks Outrage – Middle Eastern leaders, including Turkey’s Erdoğan, aren’t buying Trump’s “diamond in the desert” plan for Gaza. They see it as unrealistic and politically loaded.
• USAID and Boko Haram Allegations – A Nigerian security expert is calling for proof after explosive claims linking USAID to Boko Haram. If true, it could shake up international aid programs.

Regional Politics

• Pa Ayo Adebanjo Passes Away – The Yoruba political heavyweight has left a legacy that will be hard to match. Nigeria mourns the loss of a statesman.
• Shettima Warns of Rising Poverty in the North-East – The Vice President is sounding the alarm on worsening economic conditions. Will the government step up?
• Akwa Ibom Commissioner Nomination Sparks Outrage – Political tension is rising over who gets a seat at the table. Critics are demanding fair representation.
• Gombe Governor Gives Leadership Advice – Governor Yahaya tells his Jigawa counterpart to stay focused despite distractions. A rare moment of political mentorship!

ENTERTAINMENT & SOCIAL NEWS

• Stella Damasus Clears Up Name Confusion – The Nollywood legend set the record straight: It’s Stella Damasus, not “Scus.” Get it right!
• 2Face Hints at New Romance? – The singer jokingly tells fans to convince Edo lawmaker Natasha Osawaru to marry him. Playful banter or something more?
• Valentine’s Day Eba Prank Goes Viral – A woman shaped Eba like a meat pie to ask her husband to be her Valentine. Nigerians never run out of creativity!
• Omotola Opens Up About Emergency Surgery – The actress shares her health scare, reminding fans that self-love starts with self-care.
• Priscilla Ojo Weds Tanzanian Singer Juma Jux – Nollywood meets Tanzania in a glamorous civil wedding. Fans are enjoying the cross-border romance!

SPORTS NEWS

• Chelsea Eyes £67M Striker to Replace Gyokeres – The club is on the hunt for a goal machine. Who will they sign?
• Man City and Arsenal Battle Over £125M Midfielder – Guardiola is going all in, urging the club to beat Arsenal to the signing.
• NPFL Reschedules Matchday 24 Fixtures – Changes are coming to the Nigerian Professional Football League schedule. Stay tuned for updates!
• Nigeria Rallies Support for Rwanda World Cup Qualifier – The Super Eagles are gearing up for a must-win match. The stakes are high!
• Arsenal Faces Striker Crisis – With Kai Havertz out, Arsenal might turn to free agents. Who will fill the gap?

POLITICS WAS MESSY, ENTERTAINMENT WAS SPICY, AND SPORTS WERE INTENSE – WHAT A WEEK!

This week was a political rollercoaster, with Trump shutting down a major anti-corruption unit, Tinubu demanding accountability from ministers, and northern elites expressing dissatisfaction with the government. PDP’s internal struggles continue, while APC is embracing digital transformation ahead of the next election. Internationally, diplomatic tensions are heating up, from Zelenskyy rejecting Trump’s peace plan to Canada’s visa row with Nigeria.

In entertainment, Nollywood stars made headlines, from Stella Damasus setting the record straight to 2Face’s playful marriage banter. A hilarious Valentine’s Day prank took social media by storm, while Omotola’s health revelation reminded fans of the importance of self-care.

On the sports scene, Chelsea and Man City are making big-money moves, while Arsenal faces a striker dilemma following Kai Havertz’s injury. The Super Eagles are gearing up for a crucial World Cup qualifier, and Nigeria’s football league is adjusting match schedules to keep the season on track.

In short, scandals, surprises, and showdowns dominated the week—Nigeria and the Globe never run out of drama!