- Peter Obi says he is ready to die as he vows to defend his 2027 votes
- Presidency clarifies Tinubu’s US court case, saying it is not criminal
- Mexican musician, pregnant wife, and nanny found dead in home
- Davido opposes Erigga’s take on family wealth in music success
- Felix Madumere receives a ₦14 million donation from X users
Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.
Peter Obi says he is ready to die as he vows to defend his 2027 votes
Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to protect his votes in the 2027 general election, saying he is prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary. He made the statement on Thursday during a town hall meeting with voters in Port Harcourt, where he discussed his plans and the prospects of the upcoming election.
Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, finished third behind Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, who won the poll. Since then, Obi and his supporters have alleged that the election was affected by irregularities.
Speaking in Rivers State, the former Anambra governor urged Nigerians to prevent a repeat of the problems recorded during the 2023 election. He said steps were being taken to stop voter intimidation and suppression, insisting that citizens must stand up for their votes. “Nobody will intimidate us again at the polling booth,” Obi said.
Presidency clarifies Tinubu’s US court case, saying it is not criminal
The Presidency has clarified that the ongoing US court case involving President Bola Tinubu is a civil dispute over the release of government records, not a criminal case. Presidential adviser Bayo Onanuga said the court has not found Tinubu guilty of any criminal wrongdoing.
The case began in 2022 after Aaron Greenspan filed Freedom of Information Act requests with several US government agencies seeking records linked to Tinubu. After some agencies withheld information, Greenspan filed a civil case in the US District Court for the District of Columbia in 2023, with Tinubu later allowed to join as an intervenor.
The Presidency also cited a 2003 letter from the US Consulate in Lagos stating that an FBI records check found no criminal arrest records or warrants for Tinubu. It added that several US agencies later secured summary judgment, removing them from the case.
Mexican musician, pregnant wife, and nanny found dead in home
A Mexican musician and his family have been killed in a shocking multiple homicide in Atizapán de Zaragoza, State of Mexico. Jonathan Meléndez, 38, a founding member and keyboardist of indie rock and synthpop band Camilo Séptimo, was found dead alongside his 35-year-old pregnant wife, Ana Paula, their three-year-old daughter and 21-year-old nanny, Aleida Romero Victorio. The family dog was also killed.
Authorities said three of the victims suffered gunshot wounds to the head, while another was shot in the back. Two victims were found with their hands bound, while the dog was tied by its legs. A six-year-old boy was also found at the property unharmed.
Two men, identified as Diego Sebastián “N” and Gerardo “N”, have been arrested over the killings. Security official Omar García Harfuch said Diego was a business associate of Meléndez who allegedly used the relationship to gain access to the home. Camilo Séptimo mourned the musician, praising his artistic contributions, while authorities continue judicial proceedings against the suspects.
Davido opposes Erigga’s take on family wealth in music success
Davido has criticised rapper Erigga after he praised musicians who built their careers without financial support from wealthy families. Erigga shared the message on Wednesday, applauding artistes who had to work hard for every dollar they earned. However, Davido disagreed with the sentiment, calling it “useless motivation”.
Responding to the post, Davido pointed out that coming from a wealthy family does not mean an artiste cannot work hard to achieve success. The singer, whose father is billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, said, “Shoutout to the ones that came from family money and still grind to the top,” before telling Erigga to stop with what he described as his unhelpful motivation.
The exchange comes shortly after Davido had a disagreement with fellow singer Wande Coal over an unreleased version of a song. Davido has also faced repeated comments from colleagues and critics suggesting that his family’s wealth played a major role in his rise in the music industry.
Felix Madumere receives a ₦14 million donation from X users
Felix Madumere, a graduating student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ebonyi, was ridiculed after photos from his final-year project defence were shared on X by a user identified as Vector Olal. This online ridicule turned into a moment of grace for the man, who later received more than ₦14 million from users on X (formerly Twitter).
The situation changed after Mercy Ninian, who said she was Felix’s coursemate, shared his difficult journey through university. She revealed that he worked several jobs, including fetching water, washing clothes, and selling peanuts, and sometimes slept in classrooms. According to her, Felix had previously been withdrawn from the university over unpaid fees and a poor CGPA but later retook JAMB and returned to complete his education.
Following Ninian’s post, X users began calling for support for Felix. Influencer Wizarab donated ₦100,000 and shared Felix’s bank details, prompting more people to contribute. By Thursday, the account balance had reached ₦14,179,421. Wizarab thanked the donors, saying the situation had turned from mockery into a miracle, and promised that Felix would receive guidance on investing the money wisely.
