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End-of-Year Special: Major Events That Shaped 2025 in Politics, Power Shifts and High-Profile Deaths

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Year 2025 birthed numerous events that sparked controversies, debates, and anxieties in Nigeria. It also marked initiations and implementations of strategic decisions by various institutions.

Among these events, as compiled by the Nigerian Tracker News, are some notable ones enlisted below:

The month of January for the year 2025, on the 18th, recorded the fuel tanker explosion near Suleja, Niger State. The gruesomely tragic moment claimed the lives of 86 people killed and 70 others injured.

The month also marked the beginning of the Telecom Tarrif Hike journey in Nigeria. The Nigerian Communication Commission(NCC) approved 50% tarrif increase for telecom operators which sparked public rejection.

In February, the country witnessed series of backlashes between the camps of the former Head of State, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, and the household of the Late General Sani Abacha.

The tumultuous period was as a result of the book written by General Babangida entitled: “A Journey in Service.”

In the book, the retired General acknowledged the shortcomings of his regime in their orchestration against the late Abiola not to be installed as the next civilian president for the nation after a successful election which had him as the winner. General Babangida annulled the election and arrested the late Abiola.

However, in that book he launched in February 20, 2025, after expressing remorse for his action, Babangida claimed Abacha, his then-chief of defence staff, led the forces behind the annulment decision.

But in a statement issued by Mohammed Abacha, the late general’s son, the family described Babangida’s claims as a “deliberate distortion of historical facts”.

The family accused Babangida of attempting to rewrite history, urging Nigerians to be wary of “revisionist narratives” that shift responsibility away from those truly accountable.

In Nigeria, the month of February for the year 2025 was filled with stories surrounding the trio: Babangida, MKO Abiola, and Abacha.

Moving forward in the month of March, the country further witnessed another round of drama in its political sphere.

On the 6th of March, 2025, the Senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan was suspended for six months following accusations of sexual harassment and abuse of office against the Senate President.

While rigorous exercises of law suits from both parties is still ongoing, the embattled Senator resumed seating in the house in September after expiration of her suspension.

Also, the month of March for 2025 bore the suspension of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the 18th.

President Tinubu imposed a six-month suspension on the Rivers State government and appointed a caretaker governor, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete- Ibas(rtd).

Although the President cited unaddressed attacks on oil pipelines which had led to unrest in the state as reason behind the suspension, the real issue was the leadership tussle between Wike and the governor, Fubara.

On 10th March, the country witnessed the resignation of the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-rufai, from the APC.

The development came as a shock to the Nigerian populace owing to the fact that he was a staunch supporter and advocate of the party. Following his resignation, he vowed to contribute to sending President Tinubu packing from the Villa in the coming 2027 president election.

Moreover, in April 2, 2025, the NNPC Board was dismissed by President Tinubu, marking the end of the then Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kolo Kyari, and the beginning of an era for the incumbent CEO, Bayo Ojulari.

The month of May, however, was ridden by killings and attacks that recorded about 20 persons being killed in Benue and 57 persons in Borno. There was also a record of devastating flood in Niger State, Mokwa, and Okrika in Rivers State.

On June 5 2025 the nation woke up to the announcement of the passing away of Former Minister of education,former NUC executive Secretary ,former minister of petroleum Professor Jibril Aminu.

Another high profile death was the passing away of the former chief justice of Nigeria Justice Muhammad Lawal Uwais on June 6th 2025.

Furthermore, in June 28, 2025, the nation received a shocking news of the passing of a renowned industrialist and philanthropist, Alhaji Aminu Dantata. He died at the age of 94, and he was buried in Madinah as per his wish.

Also, the Tax Reform Acts was signed into law in June 26, 2025. It introduced major changes in the Nigerian tax policy. The Tax Reform Acts will be effective January 1, 2026, including raising the VAT recovery for businesses and exempting small companies (turnover under ₦50m) from several taxes.

In July 2, 2025, the official unveiling of the African Democratic Congress(ADC) as the third force in the political landscape of the nation took place.

Opposition leaders namely: Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Nasir Ahmad El-rufai, Rauf Aregbesola, David Mark, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and others, came together for the coalition.

Similarly in the very month of July, the sudden news of the death of the former President Muhammadu Buhari shook the nation. The late General, at the age of 82, died in London on 13th of July, 2025, after a brief illness.

He was flown back to the country and buried at his modest abode in Daura according to the Islamic rites.

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In the month of August, 23 to be precise, about 76 persons were rescued from gunmen following airstrike by the Nigerian AirForce in Kankara, Kastina State.

The month of September marked the resumptions of the suspended Senator Natasha Akpoti from the Kogi Central on the 23, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, on the 19.

History, again, would have been written in the October month of 2025. The month was filled with issues spanning security breach and alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

It resulted into the arrest of 16 army officers linked to the coup plot in October 4, 2025, the raiding of houses of former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, who was accused of funding the operation that would have led to the successful coup plot, and the dismissal of the service chiefs on 24th of the same month.

In the same month of October, on 9, the President, through his Special adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced the nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new INEC Boss after the expiration of tenure of Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu. He was later sworn in by the President in the State House on the 23, after facing a rigorous screening session at the Senate.

November month began with the U.S President Donald Trump’s pronouncement of Nigeria as “Country of Particular Concern.” In his tweet on X, on 1 November, Trump stated that Nigerian Christians are facing existential threat in the country as they are being killed discriminately by some Islamic radicalists. He further remarked that Nigeria is a disgraced nation, threatening to invade it with military action if the situation persisted.

The month of November was also marked by several cases of abductions of school children and attacks by bandits and terrorists.

The news of the abduction of 20 girls from Maga School broke the internet on the 17th of November, 2025.

Barely a week after the incident, another case of abduction was recorded in Niger State. Over 300 persons–teachers and school children–were abducted from the school in Papiri, Agwara local government area.

Attacks were recorded in most states in the North Central region of the country.

Similarly, the shocking news of a slain General of the Nigerian Army, General Uba Musa, Commander of the 25 Brigade, reeled the internet. HumAngle, an online news platform that focuses on insecurity, conflicts, and human reporting, narrated how the late General was ambushed by the ISWAP terrorists while on an operation with his troops along Wajiroko Village in Borno State. He was later executed on the 17th of November, 2025.

In the wave of all this, the then Minister of Defense, Abubakar Badaru, tendered his resignation letter. Although, reports have it that he was asked to step aside, but the presidency covered it up with resignation from him on health grounds which was announced on 1 December.

However, political activities took turns during the month as well as defections of politicians and divisions of parties into factions were also recorded.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar formally joined the African Democratic Congress(ADC) on the 24th of November, 2025.

The month also recorded the sentencing of the separatist leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu. He was sentenced to life imprisonment on the 20th of November, 2025, and sent to a correctional facility in Sokoto State.

Lastly, the Nigerian government under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu thwarted the coup plot in Benin Republic on 7 December following a distress call by the democratically elected government to its fellow member countries in the ECOWAS.

President Tinubu sent military personnels to the country to restore normalcy in the midst of sudden junta action by some group of officers who are not pleased with the administration of the Benin’s incumbent President.

In other news, on 9th of December, some Nigerian military personnels on a mission to Portugal made an emergency landing in Burkina Faso. The government of Burkina Faso arrested the officers, citing trespasses on their airspace which they termed as “threat” to the sovereignty of their nation. Although, after series of diplomatic engagement by both countries, the officers were released and they continued their journey onward to Portugal.

The December month also recorded the most dramatic moment in the oil industry of Nigeria.

The President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, on the 15th of December, 2025, accused the former NMDPRA Boss, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, of financial misconduct, including misappropriation of public funds and spending approximately $7 million—without a clear lawful income source—on the education of his four children at exclusive schools in Switzerland.

Dangote further alleged that Farouk undermined Nigeria’s domestic refining sector by colluding with international traders through the continued issuance of import licences. He submitted a petition before the ICPC on the allegations and the commission has summoned him to come for public presentation of documents that can prove him right.

In the midst of this pandemonium, the accused, Engr. Ahmed Farouk, resigned his position as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority(NMDPRA).

The month also bore the outrage sparked by the denting narrative that accompanied the book launched by the family of the late President Buhari on the 17th.

The book entitled “From Soldier to Stateman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari” was authored by Dr. Charles Omole. It had contributions from the late President’s family–wife and children.

Loyalists of the late President Buhari didn’t take it likely with the information divulged by the wife, saying it shows hypocrisy as it doesn’t give the deceased any chance of responses to the claims made by the wife in the book.

On the other hand, the Critics of the late Buhari opined that the revelations by the wife is a vindication of their view about him. Stating that the deceased was a fraud sold to the myopic citizens of the country.

Above all, the information provided by the book is a confirmation to the claim made by Nigeria’s sensational writer, Prof. Farooq Kperogi, who once mentioned that late President Buhari and his Wife, Aisha, were not in good terms before his demise.

To round the recap up, a bomb explosion occurred at Gomboru Market, Maiduguri, on Wednesday evening of 24th. The tragic incident happened in a Mosque during a Magrib prayer session. It recorded five lives lost and 35 others injured.

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Kano Task Force Intensifies PVC Registration Campaign at Yan Lemo Market

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July 6, 2026

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The Kano State Task Force Committee on Voter Registration Mobilisation has intensified its campaign to encourage eligible residents to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) with an advocacy visit to Yan Lemo Market in Na’ibawa, the largest fruit market in Kano State. The outreach was carried out by the Sub-Committee on Engagement with the Business Community as part of efforts to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the ongoing voter registration exercise.

Speaking during the visit, Chairman of Yan Lemo Market, Alhaji Muhammadu, welcomed the delegation and commended the committee for identifying the market as a strategic partner in the voter registration campaign. He expressed appreciation for the initiative and appealed to the Kano State Government to make voter registration more accessible to traders and business owners, noting that the nature of their commercial activities often makes it difficult for them to leave their businesses to register.

Addressing the traders, the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Engagement with the Business Community, Alhaji Tijjani Abdullahi Sarki, described the possession of a Permanent Voter Card as both a constitutional right and a civic responsibility. He urged eligible residents to take advantage of the ongoing registration exercise to secure their PVCs and participate in future elections.

According to Alhaji Sarki, the registration exercise is open to first-time registrants, Nigerians who have attained the age of 18 since the last voter registration exercise, individuals seeking to transfer their voting location following a change of residence, those requesting corrections to their personal information, as well as citizens whose voter cards have been lost or damaged.

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He further assured the traders of the Kano State Government’s commitment to promoting wider voter participation across the state. He said the concerns and requests presented by the market leadership, particularly the need for easier access to registration centres for traders, would be forwarded to the main Task Force Committee for appropriate consideration and necessary action.

Also speaking during the engagement, the Secretary of the Sub-Committee, Alhaji Hassan Kofar Mata, thanked the market executives and traders for their warm reception and active participation throughout the sensitisation programme. He commended their interest in the exercise and encouraged them to mobilise other eligible members of the business community to register.

Responding to questions from traders, Alhaji Hassan explained the procedures for transferring voter registration from one Local Government Area to another, correcting personal records, replacing lost or damaged Permanent Voter Cards, and other voter registration-related processes. He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing exercise to regularise their voter information and ensure they are eligible to participate in future elections.

The advocacy visit forms part of the Kano State Task Force Committee’s broader campaign to increase voter registration and strengthen citizens’ participation in the democratic process through sustained engagement with critical stakeholders, including business communities across the state.

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ADC Dissolves Kano State Executives, Constitutes Caretaker Committee

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July 6, 2026

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dissolved its Kano State executive committee and constituted a caretaker committee to oversee the affairs of the party pending the conduct of future congresses. The announcement was made on Monday in Kano by the party’s Deputy National Chairman (North West), Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad, during a press briefing at the Kano Press Centre.

Addressing journalists, Hajiya Najaatu Muhammad said the newly constituted caretaker committee would be chaired by Alhaji Umar Bala. She explained that the decision was taken by the national leadership of the party in line with its constitutional responsibility to preserve the unity, continuity and constitutional integrity of the ADC in Kano State.

According to her, the dissolution of the state executives and the inauguration of the caretaker committee should not be interpreted as a victory for one faction over another but as a constitutional response to an administrative situation within the party. She stressed that the move was aimed at restoring stability and ensuring the uninterrupted administration of the party in Kano State.

Hajiya Najaatu stated that the national leadership acted in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act and its responsibility to safeguard the future of the ADC. She maintained that when circumstances create a leadership vacuum within a political party, it becomes the duty of the national leadership to take appropriate constitutional measures to maintain order, discipline and continuity.

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She further emphasized that the constitution of the caretaker committee was not a judgment on the loyalty or commitment of party members across Kano State. According to her, thousands of members had sacrificed their time, resources and reputation to build the party at the grassroots and had remained committed even during difficult political periods, adding that their contributions remained appreciated by the national leadership.

Speaking on the mandate of the committee, Hajiya Najaatu said its primary responsibility was to heal divisions within the party rather than deepen them. She noted that the committee was expected to rebuild confidence in the party’s structures, strengthen its institutions, prepare for future congresses and ensure that every genuine member of the ADC had a place within the party.

She urged members of the caretaker committee to lead with fairness, humility, transparency and impartiality, saying their success would be measured not by the number of decisions they make but by their ability to reunite members under one platform. She advised the committee to consult widely, exercise patience and always regard leadership as a trust rather than a privilege.

The ADC Deputy National Chairman also appealed to party members across the 44 local government areas of Kano State to support the transitional arrangement in good faith. She assured members that the doors of the party remained open to everyone and called on stakeholders to embrace reconciliation, dialogue and unity in the overall interest of the party.

Hajiya Najaatu said the political environment ahead would require greater unity and discipline, warning that internal disagreements should not distract the party from presenting itself as a credible alternative to Nigerians. She urged members to channel their energy toward strengthening the party, mobilising supporters, expanding membership and engaging communities instead of focusing on internal divisions.

She expressed confidence that the future of the ADC in Kano State would be stronger if members remained faithful to the party’s constitution and democratic ideals. She called on members to replace division with dialogue, suspicion with trust and personal interests with the collective interest of the party, while praying for God’s guidance for the caretaker committee, Kano State and Nigeria.

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NANS Gives South African Businesses Four-day Ultimatum to Leave Nigeria

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July 6, 2026

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By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued a four-day ultimatum to South African businesses in Nigeria to leave the country.

This is contained in a statement on Monday in Enugu, by Bestman Okereafor, NANS national executive director, corporate and private sectors engagement.

Mr Okereafor stated that after the expiration of the ultimatum, South African business interests would face the wrath of the more than 43.1 million Nigerian students across the country.

“The attention of the apex students governing body, NANS, has been drawn to continuous attacks, intimidation and subsequent chase of law-abiding, peaceful and hardworking Nigerians and other Africans from South Africa.

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“As the biggest student body in Africa, we are giving South African business interests four days to evacuate our beloved country, Nigeria.

“The reason for this action is simple: South Africans cannot continue to oppress and chase our people from their country and expect their businesses to thrive on our soil,” he said.

He also stated that immediately after the expiration of the ultimatum, the student body would consider picketing South African businesses, while further actions follow.

He called on the federal government and the African Union to take more decisive actions against South Africa for its “inimical” acts towards other Africans.

“It is on record that Nigeria played a major role in support of South Africa during the apartheid struggle and should never be paid with disloyalty, disrespect and global embarrassment,” he added.

It will be recalled that xenophobic attacks by South Africans on other Africans for some months had led to Nigerians being physically assaulted, embarrassed, intimidated, injured and some allegedly gruesomely murdered.

Several businesses and premises owned by Nigerians in South Africa were either completely burnt down or destroyed by rampaging South Africans during the xenophobic attack.

The perpetrators of these crimes had earlier given Nigerians and other Africans an ultimatum of June 30 to leave South Africa.

The federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, had in recent weeks airlifted hundreds of Nigerians from South Africa back to Nigeria.

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