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Uzor Kalu Denies Sponsoring Militant Group In South-East

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Former Abia State Governor and senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, has dismissed claims linking him to the financing of Autopilot or any other militant group operating in the South-East, describing the allegations as false and irresponsible.

Kalu addressed the controversy during an interview on Arise TV on Sunday, speaking on separatist agitation, insecurity, his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, and public criticism over his daughter’s ambassadorial nomination.

Reacting to the accusation by IPOB spokesperson Emma Powerful, Kalu said he had no connection whatsoever to Autopilot.

He said, “I don’t know anything. I’ve never heard this name. I cannot sponsor anything. I was governor. I established the Bakassi, and the Bakassi was in charge. I think these kids should take Nigeria serious and take Igbo people serious.”

He explained that the Bakassi outfit he created as governor was strictly for security.

The lawmaker further stated, “The Bakassi was not for boyfriend or for girlfriend. It was purely to police and keep our place safe. I have no regrets in doing it. If you give me the opportunity again, I will keep the place safe again.”

Kalu criticized violent agitation in the South-East, accusing separatists of undermining the very region they claim to protect.

He said, “These guys should stop this old-fashioned way of doing things. They should think of how to move forward, how to use political solutions to sort out the Igbos.

“Nobody takes the Igbo serious when it comes to these things.”

He challenged IPOB’s spokesperson directly, “If Emma Powerful is alive, he should come on with you in a programme and tell me where I established Autopilot. What is called Autopilot? I don’t understand. I’ve never heard that name before.”

Kalu said the violent campaigns were pushing the region to economic collapse.

He said, “Even if these boys want Biafra, who are you going to rule when you kill all the Igbos? When you stop all Igbos from doing business? When on Mondays, if you see people going out for business, you start pursuing them and killing them? It is not rational.

“Even if they want Biafra, they should drop their arms and go with their flags and demand for what they want… Talk for a referendum, if that is what they want.”

The senator also rejected suggestions that he, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu and Works Minister Dave Umahi were competing to be President Tinubu’s closest ally in the region.

He said, “No, no, no, no. “I spoke to Umahi the day before yesterday, and I spoke to Ben Kalu yesterday. There’s no hustling for what? I am a senator… Ben Kalu is like my younger brother. I put him in business. I put him in politics.”

He added that Umahi recently sent Christmas gifts to him, insisting there was no rivalry. “So I don’t know why you want to cause trouble,” he said.

Kalu rejected calls for President Tinubu to step down over rising insecurity, arguing that the crisis is driven by broader regional instability and weapon proliferation.

He said, “This insecurity has nothing to do with any particular person.

“All the arms coming from [Libya, Mali and parts of Iraq] are turning back to Nigeria. This war is not only a war of weapons. It is a war of intelligence.”

He urged security agencies to deepen cooperation.

Kalu said, “The army, air force, navy and all related agencies must work more on intelligence and cooperation. These people are not insurgents. They want to scare everybody away from where there are minerals so they can take them.”

Defending President Tinubu, he added, “President Tinubu has done what he thinks he should do. I don’t know any new thing critics will do.”

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KWAM 1’s Awujale Dream: Ijebu Royal Family Denies Singer’s Alleged Link To Them: “He’s Not With Us”

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The growing public speculation about Fuji icon, KWAM1, having royal ties strong enough to qualify him for the Awujale of Ijebuland throne, has taken a new turn.

The Jadiara Royal Family stated that Fuji legend KWAM1 has no genealogical ties to the ruling house

The family distanced itself from claims suggesting he could be eligible for Awujale succession

However, in a statement dated December 7, 2025, and issued in Ijebu-Ode, the family declared that the revered musician has no traceable link to their lineage, contrary to insinuations circulating in public discussions.

The statement was signed by the Head of the Jadiara Royal House, Otunba Prince Akinola Odedina, and addressed to key authorities in Ogun State, including the Commissioner for Local Governments and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Attorney-General, the Ijebu-Ode Local Government, and the Awujale Interregnum Administration Council.

Odedina stated that the Jadiara House has no archaeological, documented, or oral historical record linking the Fuji musician to their lineage.

He emphasised that although the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling Family may have issued KWAM1 a nomination form as part of the verification process, the musician has not appeared before the family nor presented any documents to prove his ancestry.

According to Odedina: “I can say categorically that Wasiu has no genealogical linkage with the Jadiara Royal House. We in Jadiara Royal House have waited for him to show up with his form and whatever documents he may have to prove his linkage to Jadiara Royal House. He is yet to show up.”

The family said it considered it necessary to publicly address the matter due to the intense public interest that the rumoured linkage has generated.

The statement further urged the Chairman of the Fusengbuwa Ruling Family to refrain from any dealings with KWAM1 regarding claims of genealogical eligibility or any purported family relationship to the Fusengbuwa ruling line.

Odedina stressed that the royal house must protect the integrity of the selection process for the next Awujale and ensure that only genuinely eligible descendants are considered.

He assured both the ruling family and the general public that the royal house remains committed to transparency throughout the succession process.

Read the letter here:

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Benin Coup: Trending Video Shows Rebels Reportedly Firing At Jet Tinubu Sent 

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A joint military force, comprising the Beninese army, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), and French forces, foiled another coup attempt in the democracy-weary Sahel region

The rebel soldiers, led by Lieutenant Colonel Pascal Tigri, justified their actions by criticising President Patrice Talon’s management of Benin Republic

Amid President Bola Tinubu and Nigeria’s assistance, coup plotters reportedly fired at what appeared to be a NAF fighter jet on Sunday, December 7

'Acknowledge The Work,' Tinubu Challenges Critics

A video has emerged reportedly showing Benin coupists firing wildly to down Nigeria’s anti-coup attack aircraft. International media outlet RT shared a clip of the purported attack on Monday, December 8.

In the 10-second clip, what looked like a military aircraft could be seen in the sky, and shots could be heard in the background.

The trending video can be watched below:

 

 

 

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Breaking: Court Takes Decision Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Plea To Be Transferred from Sokoto Prison

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has taken a decision over Nnamdi Kanu’s application to be transferred from Sokoto Correctional Centre

Justice James Omotosho directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte application into a motion on notice and serve all parties

The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed an application by IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu seeking his transfer from the Sokoto Correctional Centre to a custodial facility within the Federal Capital Territory or neighbouring Nasarawa State.

Kanu, through the Legal Aid Council, had filed an ex-parte application requesting an order directing the Federal Government or the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) to immediately move him to either the Kuje Custodial Centre in Abuja or Keffi Custodial Centre in Nasarawa.

In the alternative, he sought to be relocated to any custodial facility within the court’s jurisdiction, including Suleja or Keffi, to enable him to effectively pursue his appeal, Vanguard reported.

Justice James Omotosho on Monday refused the request, stating that such an order could not be granted without hearing from the federal government.

The judge directed Kanu to convert the ex-parte application into a motion on notice and to serve all parties, ensuring that everyone involved has the opportunity to be heard, Punch reported.

Justice Omotosho has fixed January 27, 2026, for the hearing of the motion.

SSS Claims IPOB Killed 200+ Security Forces in South East

Kanu’s legal representatives expressed their disappointment but said they would comply with the court’s directives. “We will serve all parties and ensure that our client’s motion is properly heard on the fixed date,” a source within the Legal Aid Council told journalists.

Observers note that the court’s ruling maintains the status quo for Kanu, keeping him in Sokoto while preserving the principle of fair hearing and due process in handling high-profile applications.

This decision adds another layer to the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the IPOB leader, whose appeals continue to attract national and international attention.

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