.... As Agbedi Emerges House Minority Leader, and Dasuki as Deputy

The House of Representatives has officially announced a new minority leadership, effectively resolving weeks of uncertainty and intense horse-trading within the opposition caucus.

Hon. Fred Agbedi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, has emerged as the new Minority Leader.

Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), representing Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency of Sokoto State, was named Deputy Minority Leader, while Hon. Manu Mansur Soro of the Action Peoples Party (APM), representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, emerged as Minority Whip.

The announcement, which followed a unanimous agreement among opposition lawmakers on the filling of key principal positions, brings to a close recent leadership disputes and competing claims within the minority caucus.

The new leadership lineup is expected to provide stronger coordination and direction for the opposition in the House of Representatives.

Nigerians evacuated from South Africa have arrived this morning safely in Lagos.

The evacuation comes amid growing concerns over the safety of Nigerians residing in South Africa following reports of violence and attacks on foreign-owned businesses and communities.

The evacuees arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, at about 10:15 a.m. on Thursday aboard an Air Peace aircraft.

The return flight is part of a coordinated evacuation effort by the Federal Government in response to renewed attacks targeting foreign nationals in South Africa.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, was expected to receive the returnees upon arrival at the airport.

The Federal Government had earlier assured that it would continue to engage South African authorities to ensure the protection of Nigerians and prevent further escalation of tensions.

•Joe Ajaero

President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has been honoured as the 2026 laureate of the Arthur Svensson International Award for his courage and commitment to defending workers’ rights.

The award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strategic acumen and an unwavering commitment to defending workers’ rights and trade union freedoms worldwide.

Speaking at the award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, yesterday , Ajaero said that the honour was not a personal achievement but recognition of the struggles of workers across Nigeria.

“I stand before you today not as a man, but as a symbol, a true symbol of millions of Nigerian workers who wake up every morning not just to the smell of tear gas, the sound of sirens, and the cold silence of a state that preys on its own people but who go to work hungry and come back hungrier more emasculated than before they left for work,” he said.