Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Tensions are high in Lagos as the State House of Assembly faces a contentious session over the leadership battle between impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and newly elected Speaker Mojisola Meranda. Obasa, removed on January 13, 2025, by 35 out of 40 lawmakers over allegations of misconduct and financial mismanagement, has called his impeachment unconstitutional and vowed to reclaim his position. Obasa, returning from an overseas trip, criticized the process and law enforcement’s involvement while urging proof of the allegations against him. Meanwhile, Meranda’s supporters, including former House Committee Chairman Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode, reaffirm her legitimacy, citing over two-thirds support from Assembly members. Adding weight to the situation, President Bola Tinubu has endorsed Obasa’s impeachment, urging him to vacate the Speaker’s residence peacefully. With Obasa set to attend today’s session, all eyes are on the Assembly as the power struggle unfolds.
2. President Bola Tinubu arrived Sunday evening in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, to attend the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit on January 27–28, 2025. His jet landed at 10:20 p.m. local time, and he was received by Tanzania’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, and Nigeria’s Chargé d’Affaires, Ambassador Salisu Suleiman. The two-day summit, hosted by Tanzania in collaboration with the African Union, African Development Bank, and World Bank, focuses on achieving universal energy access within five years. The first day will feature ministerial presentations on national energy strategies. In contrast, Heads of State will endorse the Dar es Salaam Energy Declaration on the second day, outlining Africa’s unified energy roadmap. President Tinubu will deliver a national statement reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to energy access and clean energy initiatives while showcasing the country’s leadership in Africa’s energy sector. He is accompanied by key officials, including Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, and Special Adviser on Energy Olu Verheijen.
3. Former President Muhammadu Buhari revealed over the weekend that he now relies on income from renting one of his two houses in Kaduna for sustenance, claiming did not corruptly enrich himself during his presidency. Speaking at an APC caucus meeting in Katsina before the February 15 local council elections, Buhari described Nigeria as a complex and challenging country to govern, which most citizens fail to understand unless in leadership positions. Buhari stated he owns three houses—one in Daura and two in Kaduna—and highlighted his improved health and well-being since leaving office. He urged Nigerian leaders to prioritize transparency and accountability while in power, adding that no one could blackmail him over illicit wealth. Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda encouraged APC stakeholders to mobilize support for the upcoming elections, promising transparent and fair electoral processes reflecting the people’s valid will.
4. Oil marketers disclosed that the landing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) was N922.65 per litre as of Friday, reflecting a N32.35 reduction from the N955 per litre at the Dangote Refinery loading gantry. This decrease could influence retail prices and encourage marketers to import petrol, despite a mutual understanding among stakeholders to prioritize Dangote Refinery products. Despite the drop in landing costs, retail prices in Nigeria remain high, ranging from N990 to N1,010 per litre. Depots nationwide also recorded price reductions, with most closing the week at N960 and N990 per litre. Additionally, 76.84 million litres of petrol were imported within two days, despite an informal agreement to halt imports for 180 days to allow Dangote Refinery to prove its capacity. Industry stakeholders expressed mixed reactions, with some stating the need for cheaper imports and others questioning the adherence to the non-importation agreement. Exchange rate fluctuations and freight costs continue to impact Nigeria’s energy market, while reduced expenses provide a more profitable environment for marketers.
5. Colombia has backed down from a potential trade war with the United States after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened tariffs and visa restrictions over Colombia’s refusal to accept deported migrants. Colombian President Gustavo Petro initially announced retaliatory tariffs and demanded migrants be treated with dignity, but Foreign Minister Luis Murillo later confirmed Colombia would accept deportees without conditions. Trump had threatened emergency tariffs on Colombian imports, visa bans, and increased border inspections, while Petro criticized Trump’s actions as disrespectful and anti-Colombian. Critics in Colombia, including former President Iván Duque, accused Petro of irresponsibility for escalating tensions without dialogue. The standoff revealed broader regional concerns about U.S. pressure on Latin American countries, with analysts warning that such tactics might push nations to diversify alliances, particularly with China and Russia. Trump’s aggressive immigration policies, including using military planes for deportation flights, have strained relations across the region. Some U.S. lawmakers also criticized Trump, warning that his tariffs would worsen inflation for Americans.
6. Lecce are resisting Manchester United’s €40m pursuit of Patrick Dorgu, their 20-year-old Danish left-back. Neymar, 32, is willing to take a pay cut to leave Al-Hilal for a Santos return. After failing to sign Sevilla’s Loic Bade, Aston Villa is interested in Chelsea’s Axel Disasi and Villarreal’s Juan Foyth. Emiliano BuendÃa extended his Aston Villa contract by a year, and Arsenal eyes Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan, 18. Timo Werner, on loan at Tottenham, is negotiating an MLS move to New York Red Bulls. Brentford’s Mads Roerslev is set for a Wolfsburg loan, while Strasbourg plans another loan bid for Brentford’s Fabio Carvalho. AC Milan will increase their offer for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, and Leicester’s Hamza Choudhury is loan-bound to Sheffield United. Southampton may sell Kyle Walker-Peters, with Galatasaray interested.
7. Nigerian music legend 2Baba (Innocent Idibia) has confirmed his separation from his wife, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, following confusion over a hacked Instagram post. On January 26, 2025, his verified account announced the couple had been separated for a while and filed for divorce, promising a press release to share his side of the story. Shortly after, a post claimed his account was hacked. However, in a video, 2Baba clarified, “Nobody hacked my account, na me talk wetin I won talk,” sparking mixed reactions from fans. The couple, married since 2012 and parents to two daughters, has faced public scrutiny over infidelity allegations. Fans expressed disappointment, sympathy for Annie, and frustration over the online announcement. Some viewed the separation as a chance for Annie to focus on herself after enduring public and family challenges during their marriage.
