Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has dismissed blogger VeryDarkMan’s allegations as “infantile radicalism.” The controversy arose after a voice note from crossdresser Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) claimed that Falana sought ₦10 million in exchange for a presidential pardon after Bobrisky allegedly paid ₦15 million to EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges. Falana refuted the claims, stating he had never met or spoken to Bobrisky and that his son, Falz, had been approached by Bobrisky for a bribe to secure better prison conditions, which Falz rejected. Falana demands a retraction and apology, warning of civil proceedings to protect his integrity.
2. Former Benue governor Samuel Ortom expressed confidence that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would reclaim power in the state in 2027. Speaking at the party’s state congress on Thursday in Makurdi, Ortom highlighted the enthusiasm members showed as a sign of PDP’s momentum to dislodge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He called for unity among members to achieve this goal. Newly elected state chairman Chief Ezekiel Adaji pledged to reconcile all aggrieved members and ensure the party’s success. Other elected officials include Daniel Nyikwagh as Secretary and Tim Nyor as Publicity Secretary. The congress saw 2,900 out of 2,910 delegates participate.
3. The House of Representatives rejected the perceived inferiority of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award given to Speaker Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, compared to the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) award given to the Senate President. On Wednesday, Hon. Philip Agbese led a motion, co-sponsored by 235 members, calling for the end of discriminatory practices that portray the Senate as superior, such as referring to it as the “upper chamber.” Agbese emphasized that the Constitution establishes both chambers equally, with distinct but complementary roles. He also expressed concern over the Senate President being referred to as “Chairman of the National Assembly,” which undermines the Speaker’s authority. The House urged amendments to the National Honours Act to ensure the Speaker receives the GCON honor, ensuring parity with the Senate President before the formal decoration by President Bola Tinubu.
4. Vice President Kashim Shettima praised Governor Peter Mbah’s development efforts in Enugu State during a visit on Thursday, where he commissioned the Enugu State Garment and Fashion Hub and launched the 5th Expanded National MSME Clinics. Shettima highlighted Mbah’s transformative projects across various sectors, including security infrastructure, water supply, and education. The garment hub is expected to create 48,000 jobs, and Shettima announced a N150,000 grant for outstanding MSMEs. Governor Mbah reiterated his commitment to boosting MSMEs, noting their crucial economic role. Other officials, including Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, praised the collaboration between the Federal Government and Enugu State in fostering MSME growth.
5. Israel reportedly targeted Hashem Safieddine, the presumed successor to Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah, in a Thursday airstrike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. This came nearly a week after Nasrallah died in an earlier Israeli attack. Safieddine, attending a meeting in an underground bunker, was identified as the target, though it is unclear if he was harmed. The Israeli military confirmed the strike targeted Hezbollah’s intelligence HQ but did not specify who was inside. The strike, part of escalating tensions, followed weeks of Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah, with Hezbollah retaliating in support of Gaza since October 8.
