Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, says he is now ready to work with President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he described as one of the few people who stood by him during the darkest period of his life.

Speaking on Sunday during a thanksgiving service to mark his 60th birthday, Metuh recounted how the PDP a party he served for decades and even went to prison defending abandoned him when he needed them most.

Metuh revealed that during his legal ordeals, only President Bola Tinubu and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma reached out to him, offering comfort and support.

“My trial was one of the worst things that happened to me. The day I was convicted, I celebrated. In the middle of my problems, somebody I had criticised so much reached out to me,” he said.

According to Metuh, the then–opposition leader Tinubu sent former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, to visit him, despite the fact that the PDP routinely targeted Tinubu with criticisms.

“All my life I gave it to the PDP… When I had problems, I did not see my party. I was in court with only my family,” he lamented.

He further disclosed that President Tinubu had invited him several times in the past to join the APC including after the 2015 elections but he refused due to his loyalty to the PDP. However, Metuh said he has now returned to active politics with a determination to assist the government in deepening democracy and resolving national challenges.

“I am trying to assist the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to deliver the dividends of democracy. I have seen the steps, I have seen the challenges, and as a patriotic Nigerian, I want to join hands in resolving those challenges,” he said.

Metuh declared that he would follow Governor Hope Uzodinma politically, adding that he still respected credible figures within the opposition such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and David Mark.

He emphasized the need for a vibrant opposition to prevent Nigeria from becoming a one-party state, while pledging to be “a good voice on this side” as he re-engages in national politics.

The thanksgiving service was attended by prominent political figures including Governor Hope Uzodinma, former Senate President Anyim Pius Anyim, former governors Okezie Ikpeazu, Sam Egwu, Ikedi Ohakim, Senator Victor Umeh, Tony Nwoye, and former Imo State governor Emeka Ihedioha.

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French energy major TotalEnergies has announced the sale of a 40% stake in its Nigerian offshore exploration licences to Star Deep Water Petroleum Limited, a subsidiary of U.S. oil giant Chevron.

In a statement released on Monday, TotalEnergies said the agreement covers its interests in two offshore blocks located in the West Delta basin, spanning roughly 2,000 square kilometres. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Despite the sale, TotalEnergies will remain operator of the licences and retain a 40% stake, while South Atlantic Petroleum (SAPETRO) holds the remaining 20%.

“This new joint venture reinforces TotalEnergies’ global offshore exploration collaboration with Chevron,” the company said, noting that the partnership builds on its recent acquisition of shares in U.S. offshore exploration leases.

TotalEnergies’ Senior Vice-President for Exploration, Nicola Mavilla, described the venture as one that “aims at derisking and developing new opportunities in Nigeria, in line with the objectives of the country.”

The deal is expected to expand offshore exploration activity and deepen cooperation between both multinationals in one of Africa’s most significant oil-producing regions.

AFP

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Armed men stormed a Cherubim and Seraphim Church in Ejiba, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State, abducting the pastor, popularly known as Orlando, his wife, and several worshippers during a Sunday service.

The attack, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, sent congregants fleeing in panic. Eyewitness Adegboyega Oguns, who was present during the incident, described the moment the gunmen burst into the church, forcing members to scamper for safety as chaos erupted inside the building. Videos shared on social media captured the scattered seats, damaged property, and smoke rising from the surrounding area.

“It’s a new Cherubim and Seraphim Church. The pastor popularly called Orlando and his wife, with some others, have been kidnapped,” Oguns wrote on the Egbe Mekun Parrot platform on Facebook. “It is serious, we all ran out of church.”

Local officials confirmed the attack, which has further heightened concerns about escalating insecurity in parts of Kogi State. Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo condemned the incident, deploying helicopters, anti-kidnapping operatives, security agents, and local vigilantes to begin an immediate search-and-rescue operation.

Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, warned residents to remain vigilant amid fears that local informants may be aiding criminal groups. He advised churches and communities in vulnerable areas to temporarily suspend large gatherings until the security situation improves.

The attack in Ejiba comes barely 24 hours after terrorists struck along the Isanlu Makutu–Idofin corridor in Yagba East Local Government Area, leaving residents and travelers terrified. Eyewitnesses from Saturday’s incident said the attackers arrived without warning, forcing people to flee into the surrounding bushes.

As of the time of filing this report, the exact number of abducted victims from the church attack remains unconfirmed, with details still emerging. The incident has created palpable tension across nearby communities, with many residents remaining indoors and travelers diverting routes to avoid troubled areas.

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STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

President Tinubu nominates 32 additional ambassadors

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sent the names of 32 ambassadorial nominees to the Senate for confirmation, days after he sent the first batch of three names.

In two separate letters to the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu asked the Senate to consider and confirm expeditiously 15 nominees as career ambassadors and 17 nominees as non-career ambassadors.

There are four women on the career ambassadors’ list and six women on the non-career ambassadors’ list.

Among the non-career ambassador designates are Barrister Ogbonnaya Kalu from Abia, a former presidential aide, Reno Omokri (Delta), former chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmud Yakubu, former Ekiti first lady, Erelu Angela Adebayo, and former Enugu governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Others are Tasiu Musa Maigari, the former speaker of the Katsina House of Assembly, Yakubu N. Gambo, a former Commissioner in Plateau State and former deputy executive secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

Professor Nora Ladi Daduut, a former senator from Plateau; Otunba Femi Pedro, a former deputy governor of Lagos State; Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, a former aviation minister from Osun State; and Barrister Nkechi Linda Ufochukwu from Anambra State are on the nomination list.

Also on the list are former First Lady of Oyo, Fatima Florence Ajimobi, former Lagos Commissioner, Lola Akande, former Adamawa Senator, Grace Bent, former governor of Abia, Victor Okezie Ikpeazu, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, businessman, lawyer and Senator from Ondo State, and the former ambassador of Nigeria to the Holy See, Ambassador Paul Oga Adikwu from Benue State.

Among the nominees for career ambassador and high commissioner-designates are: Enebechi Monica Okwuchukwu (Abia), Yakubu Nyaku Danladi(Taraba), Miamuna Ibrahim Besto(Adamawa), Musa Musa Abubakar (Kebbi), Syndoph Paebi Endoni(Bayelsa), Chima Geoffrey Lioma David(Ebonyi) and Mopelola Adeola-Ibrahim(Ogun).

The other nominees are Abimbola Samuel Reuben(Ondo), Yvonne Ehinosen Odumah(Edo), Hamza Mohammed Salau(Niger), Ambassador Shehu Barde(Katsina), Ambassador Ahmed Mohammed Monguno(Borno), Ambassador Muhammad Saidu Dahiru(Kaduna), Ambassador Olatunji Ahmed Sulu Gambari(Kawara) and Ambassador Wahab Adekola Akande(Osun).

The new nominees are expected to be posted to countries with which Nigeria maintains excellent and strategic bilateral relations, such as China, India, South Korea, Canada, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, South Africa, Kenya, and to Permanent Missions such as the United Nations, UNESCO, and the African Union. All the nominees will know their diplomatic assignments after their confirmation by the Senate.

Last week, President Tinubu sent three ambassadorial nominees for screening and confirmation. The nominees were Ambassador Ayodele Oke (Oyo), Ambassador Amin Mohammed Dalhatu (Jigawa), and Retired Colonel Lateef Kayode Are (Ogun). All three are in the pot for posting to the UK, USA, or France after their confirmation.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said more nominees for ambassadorial positions will be announced soon.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

Information and Strategy,

November 29, 2025

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U.S. President Donald Trump has moved to exclude South Africa from the 2026 G20 Summit scheduled to take place in Miami, marking an unprecedented break in the group’s tradition of inclusive participation.

The development follows Washington’s high-level boycott of South Africa’s 2025 G20 summit, which the U.S. skipped over concerns related to violence against white farmers—a situation Trump has repeatedly described as a “genocide.” Fact-checkers and human rights monitors have rejected this characterization, noting that while farm attacks remain a serious security issue, there is no evidence of a systematic campaign of extermination.

South Africa has strongly disputed Trump’s claims, including his account of how the G20 presidency was transferred. Officials in Pretoria say the U.S. delegation had already opted to stay away from the summit, with the eventual handover occurring through an embassy representative rather than formal high-level participation.

Although the G20 operates without strict rules that authorize the exclusion of member states, Trump’s decision raises new questions about the organization’s cohesion ahead of the U.S.-hosted conference. Germany has already urged Washington to ensure South Africa’s inclusion, warning that sidelining a member could undermine the group’s credibility.

The move could also affect U.S.–South Africa relations more broadly. Annual American assistance to Pretoria estimated between $100 million and $500 million may now face political scrutiny.