By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Siminalayi Fubara, Rivers state governor, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He made the announcement on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Fubara said he joined the ruling APC as a “gesture of reciprocity” for the consistent support, cooperation, and encouragement his administration has received from President Bola Tinubu since the political crisis that rocked the state in late 2023.

“We can’t support Mr President if we don’t fully identify with him; not backyard support,” the governor said.

“So, we have taken that decision today since we have gotten a pass. Everyone here, who followed and suffered with me, our decision today [is that]we are moving to APC.”

Recall that less than a week ago, 15 members of the Rivers state house of assembly, including Martin Awaewhule, the speaker, joined the APC.

Two days before the defection, the 32-member Rivers assembly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, urging him to seek re-election.

Fubara’s defection now has left the PDP with six governors, with Agbu Kefas of Taraba and Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau planning to join the APC.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Senate has formally approved President Bola Tinubu’s request to send Nigerian troops to the Republic of Benin to support efforts to restore peace and stability following last weekend’s attempted coup

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the approval on Tuesday during plenary, after lawmakers deliberated the request in the Committee of the Whole under section 5, Part II of the Constitution.

The Senators voted unanimously in favour, granting legislative backing for the regional security intervention.

Akpabio described the decision as a critical move, emphasising that unrest in a neighbouring country poses risks to the entire West African region.

“An injury to one is an injury to all,” Akpabio said, stressing Nigeria’s duty to support its ECOWAS partners in maintaining regional stability.

The Senate’s consent letter will be transmitted to President Tinubu immediately, clearing the way for the deployment of Nigerian forces to Benin.

This newspaper earlier reproted that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) declared a state of emergency across the region, citing escalating political instability marked by a wave of coups and attempted mutinies in recent months.

The announcement was made on Tuesday by the president of the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Touray, during the 55th session of the Mediation and Security Council at the ministerial level, held in Abuja.

Touray said the extraordinary step became necessary as the sub-region faces “unprecedented security and political threats,” underscoring that immediate collective action is needed to safeguard democracy and stability.

“The situation requires a coordinated and urgent response. Our region is confronting a disturbing resurgence of coups and attempted mutinies that challenge our collective commitment to constitutional order,” he told delegates at the high-level meeting.

The emergency declaration comes amid growing concerns over political tensions, military takeovers, and deteriorating security conditions in several West African states.

ECOWAS ministers and security chiefs convened to assess the situation and explore measures to strengthen regional cooperation.

Touray emphasised that ECOWAS remains committed to restoring stability through diplomatic engagement, sanctions where necessary, and reinforcement of regional security mechanisms.

At the time of filing this report, details on the operational implications of the state of emergency are yet undisclosed.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Nigerian Air Force has issued an official statement addressing the circumstances of one of its aircraft currently under capture in Burkina Faso

Spokesperson of the Force, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made certain explanations regarding the situation in a statement on Tuesday morning.

Nigerian Tracker News had earlier reported that the Confederation of Sahel States (AES), a rival ECOWAS union, accused the aircraft carrying 11 Nigerian soldiers of violating Burkina Faso airspace.

AES, made up of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic, was established after ECOWAS suspended the three nations over the toppling of democratic governments.

In a statement signed by Assimi Goita, the Mali junta leader, AES said the the Nigerian aircraft was forced to land in Bobo Dioulasso, on Monday.

Goita also directed that any aircraft which violates AES airspace should be neutralised.

“The Confederation of the Sahel States most strongly condemns this violation of its airspace and the sovereignty of its member states.

“Faced with this unfriendly act carried out in defiance of international law and international civil and/or military aviation rules, arrangements are made to guarantee the security of the Confederal airspace.

“In this regard, and on the instructions of the Heads of State, the Arian and anti-aircraft defences of the Confederal space put on maximum alert, in accordance with the Declaration of the College of Heads of State dated December 22, 2024, were authorised to neutralise any aircraft that would violate the confederal space,” the AES statement read.

In a stark contrast of the claim made above, Nigeria’s Air Commodore Ejodame explained that the Nigerian aircraft had an emergency landing in Burkina Faso due to safety issues.

He said those on board the aircraft were fine and would soon continue their mission to Europe.

“The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) wishes to clarify reports regarding the diversion of a NAF C-130 aircraft during its ferry mission to Portugal on 8 December 2025.”

“Following takeoff from Lagos, the crew observed a technical concern which necessitated a precautionary landing in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso, the nearest airfield, in accordance with standard safety procedures and international aviation protocols. NAF crew is safe and have received cordial treatment from the host authorities.

“Plans are ongoing to resume the mission as scheduled. The Nigerian Air Force appreciates the support received during this period and assures the public that NAF remains professionally committed to strict compliance with operational procedures and safety standards, ensuring the protection of its personnel while fulfilling its constitutional mandate.”