Good morning, Nigeria. Welcome to your Gossip News Now roundup of the major headlines making waves nationwide this Monday, November 3, 2025.
1. Gov. Diri Confirms Defection From PDP, Explains Move to APC
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has officially confirmed his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Yenagoa, Diri described the move as a difficult but necessary choice made in the interest of Bayelsa people.
As earlier reported by Gossip News Now, the Governor is expected to formally join the APC on Monday.
Sources quoted by The Cable revealed that Diri tendered his resignation from the PDP on October 15 and has since been engaged in quiet discussions with top APC stakeholders to finalize his defection.
Addressing the public for the first time regarding the switch, Diri admitted that many may not immediately understand his decision, but said his reasons will become clearer with time.
He noted that politics should be focused on development and stated that his administration remains committed to delivering democratic dividends to the people of Bayelsa.
The Governor added that the peace and security currently enjoyed in the state are enough reasons for Bayelsans to remain thankful to God.
2. ‘Support Us With Technology’ – Kwankwaso Appeals To Trump After U.S. Warning
Former presidential candidate and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has raised concerns over recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who labelled Nigeria a “country of particular concern” amid security challenges.
In a statement shared via Facebook on Sunday, November 2, Kwankwaso expressed deep worry over the tone of Trump’s comments, urging the U.S. to adopt a constructive approach that would support stability rather than inflame tensions.
He emphasized that Nigeria’s security issues are driven by criminal activities and lawlessness, not religious or ethnic hostility, and cautioned that inflammatory statements from foreign leaders could worsen the fragile situation.
Kwankwaso called on the United States to assist Nigeria with technological and intelligence support to combat insecurity rather than issuing declarations that could strain diplomatic relations.
3. NDLEA Busts Illegal Colorado Drug Lab in Lagos, Arrests 30-Year-Old Suspect
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has uncovered an illegal laboratory manufacturing Colorado — a powerful synthetic cannabis strain — inside a residential building in Ajao Estate, Isolo, Lagos, leading to the arrest of 30-year-old suspect, Stephen Kelechi Imoh.
In a statement released Saturday, the agency revealed that the breakthrough followed months of intelligence operations triggered by intercepted batches of locally produced Colorado in March and May 2025, signalling that production had shifted from importation to domestic manufacturing.
“The discovery was made on Thursday, October 30, when NDLEA operatives raided a residential apartment converted into a laboratory for producing Colos,” the statement read.
Recovered items included 16.2kg of freshly processed Colorado, 1.7kg of ADB-CHMNACA (a synthetic cannabinoid), 4.5kg of potassium carbonate, and 91 litres of dibromobutane — all key components used in the production process.
Separately, on Saturday, November 1, NDLEA officers raided the hideout of a 28-year-old dealer, Afeez Salisu (popularly known as Malu), in Mushin, Lagos, seizing 16 compressed blocks of Ghana Loud and multiple designer-packaged sachets and bottles of Colorado weighing 16.4kg.
4. TikTok Creator Jarvis Threatens Legal Action Against Peller Over Money Laundering Claim
Popular TikTok influencer, Jarvis, has issued a stern warning to fellow content creator Peller, demanding the withdrawal of allegations linking her to money laundering through TikTok’s gifting system.
The dispute began when Peller, during a recent livestream, suggested that money laundering activities were taking place via the platform’s gift feature and implied that Jarvis might be involved. He also referenced an alleged incident where a supporter proposed sharing proceeds from TikTok gifts — a tactic he claimed could be used to clean illicit funds.
Although the pair appeared to reconcile briefly during subsequent online interactions, Jarvis’s management, Aiso Entertainment, released an official statement on Sunday rejecting the accusations and describing them as defamatory.
The management insisted that Jarvis has never been involved in any unlawful financial dealings and demanded a formal public apology from Peller within 48 hours.
They warned that failure to retract the allegation would result in legal action to defend Jarvis’s reputation.
5. Yamal and Rashford Lead Barcelona to Victory Over Elche
Lamine Yamal and Marcus Rashford found the back of the net as Barcelona secured a 3-1 win against Elche in La Liga on Sunday, bouncing back from their recent Clasico defeat.
Ferran Torres also scored for the Catalan side, who returned to second place and now trail Real Madrid by five points.
Although Barcelona showed attacking strength, defensive struggles persisted, allowing Elche to threaten on multiple occasions. Rafa Mir scored for the visitors and struck the woodwork twice, nearly changing the outcome.
Barcelona have now gone six league games without a clean sheet as injuries continue to affect the squad.
Rashford sealed the win with a brilliant finish from a Lopez cross, marking his second league goal of the season, while veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny made a key late save to preserve the scoreline.
6. Haaland Double Lifts Man City to Second in Premier League
Erling Haaland continued his outstanding scoring form on Sunday, netting twice to help Manchester City secure a 3-1 victory over Bournemouth and climb to second place in the Premier League.
Bournemouth, who entered the match sitting second after an impressive unbeaten run, struggled to contain the Norwegian striker, who has now scored 13 goals in just 10 league matches this season.
Haaland’s brace ensured City kept pace in the title race, reducing the gap to league leaders Arsenal to six points and moving one point ahead of Liverpool — their opponents next weekend.
Despite last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa ending a long unbeaten streak, manager Pep Guardiola remains confident his side will continue to challenge Arsenal as the season progresses.
7. Nigerians Wouldn’t Leave If the Country Provided Better Opportunities – Simi
Nigerian singer and songwriter, Simisola Kosoko, widely known as Simi, has opened up about her deep love for Nigeria and her hopes for the nation’s improvement.
Speaking on the 90s Baby Show, Simi expressed pride in her Nigerian identity, noting that the energy, creativity, and resilience of Nigerians are unmatched anywhere in the world.
She highlighted the distinctiveness of the Nigerian spirit, stressing that even international actors rarely attempt the Nigerian accent because of its unique character and global recognition.
However, Simi lamented the increasing wave of Nigerians relocating abroad in search of better living conditions and opportunities. She stated that if Nigeria offered a more supportive and enabling environment, many citizens would gladly remain in the country.
The award-winning artist emphasized that her desire for a better Nigeria stems from genuine patriotism and pride in her roots.
8. Train Derails Just Three Days After Rail Service Resumes
Only three days after rail services resumed, the Warri–Itakpe train suffered a derailment on Saturday night, sparking renewed concern over railway safety and persistent vandalism across Nigeria’s rail network.
According to Naija News, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident occurred at about 7:30 p.m. near Agbor, at Kilometre 212+8m, involving two out of the seven coaches on the Warri–Itakpe Standard Gauge line.
In a statement issued on Sunday, NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa attributed the derailment to suspected acts of track vandalism.
He noted that all passengers were safely evacuated, with no injuries or fatalities reported.
A recovery team supported by security personnel has been working at the site since Saturday night to retrieve the affected coaches and repair the damaged track.
As a precautionary measure, the NRC announced a temporary shutdown of services along the Warri–Itakpe corridor to allow a thorough security and safety review.
9. PDP Has No Future At The Moment – Fayose Declares
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is currently politically dead, insisting there is no immediate prospect of revival for the party.
Fayose made the declaration while expressing support for the PDP faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman, the North Central National Vice Chairman, who was selected by his faction as Acting National Chairman.
Speaking with journalists on Sunday, the former governor criticized the National Working Committee led by Umar Damagum, accusing them of working solely to “bury the PDP” rather than restore it.
He argued that the PDP has slim chances of returning to power in 2027, pointing out ongoing defections and the absence of strong efforts to rebuild the party.
Fayose further asserted that Damagum, who was suspended by a faction of the party, would not return to his position before the expiration of his tenure. He alleged that Damagum manipulated the system to secure the office, insisting he was never originally intended to lead the PDP.
10. Trump’s Threat: Tinubu Is Steps Ahead of Political Plot in U.S. – Presidency
The Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has again addressed the growing diplomatic tension between Nigeria and the United States, following renewed claims of Christian persecution in the country.
According to Gossip News Now, the strain escalated on Friday after U.S. President Donald Trump re-designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)” over alleged killings of Christians.
Trump accused the Nigerian government of ignoring religious-based violence and instructed the U.S. Department of War to “prepare for possible action.”
Reacting to the development, President Tinubu firmly rejected the allegations, stating that Nigeria is a multi-faith nation built on equality and constitutional rights for every citizen.
He emphasized that violence in Nigeria is not driven by religion, noting that both Christians and Muslims have suffered attacks from criminals and terrorist groups.
In a post on 𝕏 on Sunday, Onanuga stated that President Tinubu had long anticipated the political motives behind the renewed international pressure, describing it as part of a coordinated campaign against Nigeria.
He also shared part of the President’s recent address to military leaders, delivered shortly before Trump’s announcement, where Tinubu instructed the armed forces to aggressively confront emerging security threats nationwide.
That wraps up today’s top headlines from Nigeria. For more updates and detailed reports, visit Gossip News Now. Join us again tomorrow for the latest developments across the country.
