The Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, rtd, has warned state governments to steer clear of any proposed peace deal with bandits.

Musa issued this warning in an interview with BBC Hausa, saying that the Federal Government has consistently advised all levels of government against negotiating with armed groups.

Describing such arrangements as dangerous, counter-productive, and a threat to national security, the minister stressed that bandits cannot be trusted to honour any agreement.

According to him, negotiations only embolden criminal networks, weaken military operations, and prolong insecurity.

“The Federal Government’s position is clear. There would be no negotiated settlements, no ransom payments, and no legitimisation of armed groups terrorising communities,” he said.

Musa called on governors to align with the federal security strategy, stating that sustained military pressure, intelligence-led operations, and community cooperation remain the only viable path to restoring peace.

The minister’s warning followed growing public outrage over reports of state-level peace initiatives and planned releases of suspected bandits, moves critics say undermine justice and demoralise security forces.

Musa, in the same vein, appealed to citizens to stop aiding bandits with food, money, or information, warning that such support fuels violence and delays national stability.

The Katsina State Government had allegedly initiated the process for the release of about 70 suspected and convicted bandits.

Ahead of the 2027 general election, there’s rising political tension in Abia State, with some opposition leaders in the State hell-bent on stopping Governor Alex Otti’s re-election.

The opposition figures, many of whom previously held power in the state, have threatened that Otti will not be reelected for a second term as governor in 2027.

These figures have also been holding political meetings and issuing public statements against Otti’s administration.
Two former Governors of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Chief Theodore Ahamefule Orji, alongside other former political leaders, said they have allied to unseat Governor Otti in the 2027 general election.

According to them, they intend to win all elective positions in Abia for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The duo met in Umuahia and resolved to forge a common front they christened, ‘The Team,’ a platform for their political battle against Otti and other anti-APC interests.

In addition, the group signalled that it will institute a legal action against Otti for allegedly running Abia from his Nvosi country home instead of the Government House, Umuahia.

Kalu described the assembly as a platform for experienced leaders who want to reclaim their relevance in the state’s political landscape.

The Abia North senator rejected narratives portraying previous governments as ineffective, insisting that their legacies live on.

The former Abia governor said, “Leadership is a relay. I handed over to Senator T.A. Orji, who handed over to Okezie Ikpeazu. No single individual can claim we achieved nothing. If we did nothing, where would our people be today?”

Otti hasn’t done better, he’s repainting roads – Kalu

While addressing journalists recently, Senator Kalu accused Governor Otti of not doing much with the allocation the state is getting from the federal government.

He claimed that the governor was only repainting roads he (Kalu) built during his time as the state governor.

Kalu said he won’t work for Ottis’ reelection in 2027 even though he delivered for Otti in the last gubernatorial election in 2023.

He said: “I consider the Governor as my friend. And two years, I’ve never criticized. I never said anything, and they shot the first salvo. I replied by telling them that I will work for APC to win.

“We worked for him to win 2023. We are not going to do that again. What is wrong with that? Is that why I should receive insults? It is not acceptable to me. I’m going to work for my party.

“If he has done better, I don’t know about that, because you can see that what I did in two years as a governor, the records are there for you to see. The money Otti receives in four months is what I received in eight years. That is the truth.

“He is just repainting and rebuilding the roads I built as a governor from 1999 to 2007. I’ve not seen any new major roads taking place.

“I’m in the Senate, and all the roads I’m doing in communities are brand new farmland roads.”

Nigerian megastar Wizkid has become the first African artist to exceed 10 billion streams on Spotify across all credits. This milestone, confirmed by industry trackers, cements his status as a trailblazer who has propelled African music onto the international stage.

Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, his journey from rising star to the face of Afrobeats and subsequently global stardom is a testament to his innovative sound, strategic collaborations, constant evolution, and massive fanbase.

This record-breaking feat arrives amid a surge in Afrobeats’ popularity, with Wizkid at the forefront. As of early January 2026, Wizkid boasts more than 13 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His catalogue continues to resonate with fans worldwide, blending traditional African rhythms with contemporary R&B, dancehall, and pop elements.

His streams have been bolstered by a mix of solo hits, features, and albums that have amassed billions of plays.

Wizkid’s ascent to this Spotify pinnacle began in the early 2010s with his debut album Superstar (2011), which introduced infectious tracks like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Don’t Dull,” establishing him as the next big thing.

However, it was his 2014 single “Ojuelegba” that truly marked a turning point, not just for his career but for the entire Afrobeats movement. “Ojuelegba” captured the raw hustle of urban life in Nigeria, blending heartfelt lyrics with infectious rhythms. It became an anthem for dreamers, hustlers, and underdogs across Africa. With over 100 million streams on Spotify, “Ojuelegba” was the first Afrobeats track to attract major mainstream artists for a remix, featuring Drake and Skepta in 2015, which unlocked unprecedented international awareness and critical acclaim for the genre.

This remix propelled Afrobeats into global conversations and is rightfully considered one of the greatest Afrobeats songs of all time.