Today’s Headlines: ‘I’m Better Than Tinubu, Atiku’–Peter Obi; Leao Hails Osimhen for Penalty Gesture

Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi has declared himself more qualified to lead Nigeria than President Bola Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking at a town hall meeting in Owerri, Imo State, on Saturday, he cited his record as Anambra State governor, prudent management of resources and performance in the 2023 presidential election as evidence of his leadership capacity.

Obi criticised Tinubu’s performance under the Renewed Hope agenda and described Atiku as representing an old political order Nigerians have rejected. He maintained that his record in Anambra, where he claimed to have governed without borrowing and left billions of naira in government coffers, made him better suited to lead the country.

Galatasaray forward Rafael Leao has praised Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen for allowing him to take a penalty and score his first goal for the Turkish club during their 4-0 victory over Konyaspor on Friday. Osimhen, who had already scored the opening goal in the 12th minute, gave Leao the opportunity to convert from the spot in the 55th minute instead of completing his brace.

Leao expressed gratitude for the gesture, saying Osimhen understood how much he wanted to score his first goal for the club. He described the Nigerian’s action as a reflection of the strong relationship among the players. Osimhen has maintained his impressive scoring form, having also netted twice in Galatasaray’s 2-1 derby victory over Fenerbahçe earlier in the week.

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), has denied carrying a placard in protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan, accusing journalists of misrepresenting a 2020 prayer walk. Speaking during the church’s November Thanksgiving service, Adeboye clarified that the exercise was organised to pray against insecurity and killings in Nigeria, five years after Jonathan left office in 2015.

Adeboye explained that he participated in the February 2, 2020, prayer walk following a directive for churches to organise such activities around their premises. He criticised journalists for failing to verify the circumstances before publishing the report, recalling that the placard he carried bore the inscription, “All Souls Are Precious to God.”

Gunmen have attacked a military checkpoint at Sopp in Ungwan Boka, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing a soldier and stealing two weapons. The attack occurred around 8pm on Saturday while troops of Operation Enduring Peace were on duty, triggering a gun battle before the assailants escaped into nearby bushes.

The operation’s spokesman, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, described the incident as deliberate and unprovoked, confirming that troops had restored normalcy and launched a pursuit to apprehend the attackers and recover the stolen weapons. He urged residents to remain calm and provide security agencies with credible information to support ongoing operations.

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