October 31, 2025

The NNPP Defection to APC in Kano State has seen no fewer than 650 members of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) across Gobirawa Ward in Dala Local Government Area and parts of Fagge and Ungoggo LGAs.

The defectors, who came in groups under different leadership structures, were formally received by the Managing Director of the Hadejia-Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Rabiu Bichi.

Bichi welcomed the new members, describing the NNPP Defection to APC as a clear sign of confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s commitment to fairness, inclusiveness, and democratic dividends.

He highlighted the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda, including the students’ loan scheme, agricultural reforms, and youth and women empowerment initiatives, as key drivers of the NNPP Defection to APC movement.

Bichi added that his agency is working with the Bank of Agriculture to provide soft loans to farmers to boost food security and support rural livelihoods. He assured the defectors of equal rights and privileges with existing APC members, reaffirming the party’s dedication to fairness, equity, and national development.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Alhaji Ahmad Gobirawa said the NNPP Defection to APC was motivated by the visible progress made under President Tinubu’s administration in less than two years in office.

He stated that the move would further strengthen the APC’s support base in Kano and across northern Nigeria.

The event, which drew party stalwarts, community leaders, and youth groups, was hailed as a major political milestone for the APC in Kano, underscoring its renewed grassroots mobilization efforts across the state.

Political observers described the NNPP Defection to APC as a significant boost for the ruling party ahead of future elections, reflecting growing confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s governance record. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com for more news.

Date: October 30, 2025

The new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has vowed to confront terrorism and other security threats across the country head-on.

Shaibu made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja shortly after assuming command as the 25th Chief of Army Staff from his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who has been appointed the new Chief of Defence Staff.

The Chief of Army Staff pledged to make the Nigerian Army more agile, professional, and combat-ready to restore lasting peace and stability nationwide.

He acknowledged that the country was passing through challenging times but assured that under his leadership, the Chief of Army Staff’s office would respond decisively and effectively to all emerging threats.

“We are aware of the developing situations in parts of our dear country that have caused hardship, fear, and displacement among law-abiding citizens. These situations are unacceptable and will receive my urgent attention. I will carefully review ongoing operations and adopt strategies to mitigate and ultimately defeat the threats. I assure Mr. President and Nigerians that we shall not disappoint the nation,” Shaibu said.

Maj.-Gen. Shaibu also promised to build on the achievements recorded under Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, noting that the outgoing Chief of Army Staff had made remarkable progress in equipment procurement, infrastructure, and troops’ welfare.

He pledged to deepen the “soldier-first” philosophy introduced by his predecessor while promoting professionalism, discipline, and stronger synergy with other security agencies.

Earlier, the outgoing Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede, expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, stating that the Army under his leadership made significant strides in both operations and administration.

Oluyede commended officers and soldiers for their loyalty, discipline, and courage, urging them to extend the same support and commitment to the new Chief of Army Staff.

“As I move to my next appointment, I urge you to give even greater loyalty and commitment to Maj.-Gen. Shaibu, who is a thoroughbred officer with exceptional experience,” Oluyede said.

He reaffirmed his confidence in the Nigerian Army’s capacity to safeguard the nation’s territorial integrity, stressing that the goal of a secure and united Nigeria remains a collective responsibility.

In his remarks, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, lauded the outgoing Chief of Army Staff for prioritizing troops’ welfare and professionalism, noting that his tenure would remain a model of empathy and effective leadership. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com for more news.

Date: October 30, 2025

The UN General Assembly has once again voted overwhelmingly to condemn the decades-long United States embargo against Cuba, marking the 33rd consecutive year of global calls to lift the sanctions under the UN Cuba Embargo resolution.

An overwhelming majority of the UN’s 193 Member States urged Washington to end the embargo, despite a noticeable shift in the voting pattern, with more countries choosing to abstain or side with the U.S. on the UN Cuba Embargo issue.

The resolution, titled “Necessity of ending the economic, commercial and financial embargo imposed by the United States of America against Cuba,” was adopted by 165 votes in favour, seven against, and twelve abstentions – reaffirming the global stance against the UN Cuba Embargo.

In contrast, the 2024 vote saw 187 nations in favour, only two against (the U.S. and Israel), and one abstention (Moldova). This year’s votes against the resolution came from the United States, Israel, Argentina, Hungary, Paraguay, North Macedonia, and Ukraine, underscoring the political divides surrounding the UN Cuba Embargo.

The twelve abstaining nations included Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Costa Rica, Czechia, Ecuador, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Morocco, Poland, Moldova, and Romania.

Explaining its decision to abstain, Poland – also speaking on behalf of Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – said its stance reflected “the selective application of the UN Charter,” citing Cuba’s ongoing support for Russia amid its invasion of Ukraine, where Cuban nationals have reportedly been fighting on Moscow’s side.

Romania echoed this sentiment, noting that while it had long supported the resolution, “foreign involvement in an illegal war of aggression is a blatant violation of the UN Charter and international law,” urging Cuba to withdraw its support for Russia’s invasion.

Although the UN Cuba Embargo resolution is non-binding, its repeated passage underscores the international community’s growing opposition to unilateral coercive measures with extraterritorial implications.

The text reiterates the Assembly’s long-standing demand for all States to reject punitive U.S. legislation such as the Helms-Burton Act of 1996 – laws that Cuba and several countries argue contravene international law and the UN Charter.

The Assembly also recalled the reforms introduced by U.S. President Barack Obama between 2015 and 2016, which eased parts of the UN Cuba Embargo, contrasting them with the subsequent reversal of policies under the first Donald Trump administration beginning in 2017.

By adopting the resolution once again, the UN General Assembly decided to include the UN Cuba Embargo text in the provisional agenda of its next annual session, signaling that the global debate over the embargo is far from over. Visit http://gmtnewsng.com for more news.