Good morning, Nigeria. Below is the Naija News compilation in Gossip News Now of today’s top national headlines.
1. Fubara Defects From PDP To APC
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fubara disclosed his defection on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
His announcement came shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House in Abuja. The governor, dressed in a deep-blue long-sleeve shirt, black trousers, and a black flat cap, was seen heading toward the President’s office around 5:01 p.m., shortly after Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru arrived for a separate discussion.
Speaking to the gathering of PDP and APC members, Fubara said he made the decision because the PDP failed to protect him during the recent political turmoil in Rivers State, while the APC provided the support and assurance he required.
2. Governor Adeleke Explains Decision to Join Accord Party
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally announced his move to the Accord Party and revealed that he will seek re-election in 2026 under the party’s banner.
Adeleke made the declaration at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, where he was joined by national and state leaders of the Accord Party. The announcement was confirmed in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed.
According to Adeleke, he joined the party on November 6 after extensive consultations with stakeholders. He said the move was necessary to ensure continuity of his administration’s developmental agenda.
“Stakeholders and residents of Osun State understand why we are taking this important step,” he said. “We are pursuing a second term under the Accord Party to complete our ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends, which have been widely acknowledged.”
He added that the party’s focus on welfarism matches his administration’s commitment to improving the well-being of citizens and workers.
3. Military Cannot Defeat Bandits, Only Negotiation Can Work – Gumi
Prominent Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stated that the Nigerian military cannot achieve total victory over bandits through armed confrontation, insisting that negotiation is the only sustainable pathway to resolving insecurity in the North-West.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Gumi argued that conventional armies globally struggle to defeat guerrilla-style fighters, noting that Nigeria is confronting a similar challenge.
He explained that while military operations are necessary, they alone cannot dismantle bandit networks deeply rooted within local communities.
Quoting military leaders, Gumi said: “Even the military acknowledges that in dealing with civil unrest and criminality, only about 25% depends on kinetic action. The remaining solution lies with government, politics, and local communities. The military cannot do everything.”
He further questioned the effectiveness of global military campaigns against insurgents, asking: “Where in the world has a conventional army ever defeated guerrilla fighters? Nowhere.”
4. Dayo Amusa Emerges AGN National Vice President
Nollywood star Dayo Amusa has been elected the National Vice President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) following the conclusion of the guild’s national elections in Benin City, Edo State.
Her media office confirmed the development in a statement issued on Monday, December 8, 2025, noting that her victory reflects the confidence guild members have in her years of commitment and service to the industry.
Amusa said she intends to bring fresh ideas, structure, and consistent leadership to the AGN Secretariat as she takes on the national role. She added that her extensive experience in acting and film production will guide her efforts to secure better opportunities for actors across the country.
Known for her performances in various Nollywood films and for producing projects such as the Yoruba movie Dewunmi Iberu, Amusa expressed her desire to see the Nigerian film industry grow stronger and take its rightful place in the nation’s development.
5. NFF Under Fire as Super Eagles Coach Eric Chelle Awaits Three Months’ Unpaid Salary
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is once again facing backlash following revelations that Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has gone at least three months without pay.
The development was disclosed on Tuesday by BBC Sport journalist Oluwashina Okeleji, who raised concerns over the federation’s financial handling just weeks before a major international tournament.
In a post on his 𝕏 account, Okeleji stated that Chelle has not received his full salary or due bonuses despite ongoing preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). “Nigeria coach Eric Chelle is owed three months’ salary and bonuses ahead of the AFCON,” he wrote.
The report has intensified debate among fans who fear that off-field financial issues could affect team morale and derail preparations.
With the AFCON set to kick off on December 1, the timing of the controversy has heightened worries. Chelle is expected to unveil his final 28-man squad on Wednesday, December 10—a critical step in outlining Nigeria’s strategy for the tournament.
6. Paul Scholes Rules Out Arsenal’s Premier League Title Chances
Former Manchester United star Paul Scholes has dismissed Arsenal’s prospects of winning the Premier League this season, declaring there is “no chance” Mikel Arteta’s men will lift the trophy.
Scholes argued that the Gunners consistently falter in crucial moments, pointing to recent matches where they were expected to deliver but failed.
Arsenal remain two points clear at the top of the table despite Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa. Matty Cash opened the scoring for Villa, Leandro Trossard equalised after the break, but Emiliano Buendia sealed the victory in the final minute, sending Villa Park into jubilation.
Manchester City later beat Sunderland 3-0, keeping Pep Guardiola’s side firmly in the title race. While many pundits still consider Arsenal strong contenders, Scholes strongly disagrees.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, he insisted that Arsenal are falling short when it matters most.
7. ‘I Won’t Go Hungry’ — Peller Reacts as TikTok Restricts Night-Time Livestreaming
Popular content creator Habeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller, has responded to TikTok’s temporary restriction on night-time livestreaming in Nigeria, assuring fans that the new policy will not affect his livelihood.
TikTok issued an in-app notification to eligible Nigerian users at midnight on Sunday, announcing that livestreaming will be suspended during late hours while the platform reviews its content and safety measures. The move follows rising concerns over explicit livestreams and efforts to improve user protection.
In a video shared on Monday, Peller said the restriction poses no financial threat to him, noting that his income does not rely solely on TikTok gifts. He explained that he earns significantly from brand endorsements worth millions of naira and emphasized that many creators also give back to their followers through giveaways.
8. Burkina Faso Frees 11 Detained Nigerian Soldiers After Emergency Landing
Burkina Faso has released the eleven Nigerian military officers detained after their Air Force transport aircraft made what authorities described as an “unauthorised” landing on Monday.
The officers were allowed to return to Nigeria after Burkinabè officials concluded preliminary checks prompted by concerns over Nigeria’s role in responding to the attempted coup in Benin Republic.
The personnel had been aboard a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 that landed in Bobo-Dioulasso. Burkinabè security sources told the BBC that the officers were questioned and later cleared to depart.
While the NAF explained that the aircraft was headed to Portugal for a ferry mission and was forced to land due to a technical fault, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—issued a more forceful counter-narrative.
Burkina Faso’s Territorial Administration Minister, Emile Zerbo, stated that the aircraft violated national protocols by entering the country’s airspace “without authorisation,” necessitating swift action by security agencies.
Although the soldiers have been released, tensions in the region remain heightened, particularly between Nigeria and the AES bloc. The AES has placed its air and anti-aircraft systems on maximum alert with instructions to “neutralise any aircraft” that breaches its airspace going forward.
9. Army Refutes Claims Linking Soldiers to Killing of Protesting Women in Adamawa
The 23 Brigade of the Nigerian Army has dismissed reports alleging that its personnel opened fire on civilians during a communal clash in Lamurde Local Government Area of Adamawa State on Monday, December 8, 2025.
In a statement released via its official 𝕏 handle on Tuesday, Captain Olusegun Abidoye, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations for Sector 4 Operation Hadin Kai/23 Brigade, described the claims as “baseless and misleading.”
The Army clarified that neither the Brigade Commander nor his escorts were present at the scene. It explained that troops were deployed alongside operatives of the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Department of State Services (DSS) to restore calm between the Bachama and Chobo communities, who were engaged in renewed clashes over land and longstanding ethnic disputes.
10. Senate Approves Tinubu’s Request To Deploy Troops To Benin Republic
The Nigerian Senate has granted approval for President Bola Tinubu’s request to deploy military personnel to the Benin Republic.
The endorsement came during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, after lawmakers reviewed the proposal in the Committee of the Whole.
The Senate unanimously backed the federal government’s decision to send troops to help restore order and stability following the attempted coup in the neighbouring West African country over the weekend.
Announcing the resolution, Akpabio said the action was in line with the provisions of Section 5, Part II of the Constitution, adding, “An injury to one is an injury to all.”
