By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

In a move prompted by a New Year’s spiritual reflection, Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio has instructed his legal team to withdraw all pending defamation lawsuits against a number of individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.

Speaking at Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo on Thursday, Akpabio disclosed he had initiated close to nine separate defamation cases against individuals over allegations he described as false and damaging.

“I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name,” Akpabio stated.

“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”

The decision brings to a close several high‑profile legal confrontations from the past year.

Most notably, Akpabio had filed a ₦200 billion defamation suit against Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan after she accused him of sexual harassment—an allegation he denied and challenged her to prove in court.

Earlier in 2025, Akpabio’s wife also initiated defamation proceedings against Akpoti‑Uduaghan for claims she said tarnished the family’s reputation.

The rift between the two senators deepened when Akpoti‑Uduaghan accused Akpabio of orchestrating her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.

She had herself previously filed a ₦100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio and others over remarks she claimed harmed her reputation.

With Thursday’s directive, Akpabio has formally ended all ongoing defamation‑based litigations, marking a conclusive step away from these widely publicised legal battles as the new year begins.

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.

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.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says citizens and leaders must match patriotism with a renewed sense of duty as Nigeria enters 2026.

In his New Year message to Nigerians, Jonathan said leadership at all levels must be rooted in service and guided by humility, integrity, and a sincere commitment to the welfare of the people.

“It is through shared responsibility, mutual respect, and steadfast dedication to the national interest that Nigeria can continue on the path toward stability and inclusive development,” he said.

While giving thanks for the gift of life and new beginnings, the former president described 2026 as “a year that invites hope and reflection”.

Jonathan acknowledged that the outgoing year was marked by economic pressures and persistent insecurity, which, he said, tested the nation’s resilience and brought hardship to many families.

“The period behind us has not been without its trials. As a nation and as individuals, we have confronted economic pressures and persistent insecurity, challenges that have tested our resilience and, for many families, brought hardship and loss,” he said.

“These experiences remind us of the responsibility we bear toward one another and the importance of people-orientated leadership.

“Yet, even in these difficult circumstances, the enduring character of the Nigerian people has remained evident. Across our communities, we have continued to see courage, solidarity, and a quiet determination to persevere. Our shared values, our diversity, and our collective belief in a better tomorrow have sustained us through uncertainty.

“This spirit of resilience is one of our nation’s greatest strengths. It is the foundation upon which unity, peace, and lasting progress must continue to be built.”

He added that resilience remains one of the country’s greatest strengths and the foundation for unity, peace, and lasting progress.

“As we move forward into 2026, let us renew our commitment to the ideals that bind us together as one people,” the former president said.

“Patriotism must be matched with a renewed sense of duty by citizens and leaders alike. Leadership at all levels must be anchored in service, guided by humility, integrity, and a sincere commitment to the welfare of the people.

“It is through shared responsibility, mutual respect, and steadfast dedication to the national interest that Nigeria can continue on the path toward stability and inclusive development.

“I wish you and your families a peaceful, healthy, and fulfilling year ahead, and I pray that our nation advances steadily toward unity, justice, and shared prosperity.”