Former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has denied reports of rumours of him dumping the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Posting on X, the former governor wrote: “Please disregard the patent lies and rumours about my political affiliation. I have referred the lead peddlers of the fake news for further action by my lawyers.”

President Bola Tinubu will depart Lagos on Monday for Accra, Ghana, to attend the inauguration of President-elect John Dramani Mahama.

The inauguration is billed to hold on January 7 in Accra, the capital of the Republic of Ghana.

Tinubu was invited to the event by the incoming President, Mahama.

Recall that Mahama, who had previously served as the 12th President of Ghana between 2011 and 2017, found his way back to power through an election in December 2024.

He is to succeed President Nana Akuffo-Addo (2017-2025).

Mahama shortly after his election, had visited Tinubu in December.

A statement by Tinubu’s media aide Bayo Onanuga noted that Mahama and Tinubu have a longstanding personal relationship, akin to what Nigeria and Ghana shares through their bilateral relationship.

The statement also noted that Tinubu, as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, will join other African leaders at the ceremony.

“Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and other senior government officials will accompany President Tinubu on the trip,” the statement added.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has declared a three-day mourning period over the death of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Tayo Oluwatuyi.

According to the governor, the mourning period will run from Sunday, 5th January, 2025, to Tuesday, 7th January, 2025.

While disclosing this during a condolence visit to the widow and family of the deceased in Akure, the state capital, Aiyedatiwa said the late Oluwatuyi lived a fulfilled life and made positive impacts on many people.

Oluwatuyi, also known as ‘Tukana’ died on Saturday while receiving treatment in the hospital after a car accident while on a trip from Akure to Ibadan, Oyo State.

The governor, who led the members of the State Executive Council on the condolence visit, stated that the late SSG was a recurring decimal in the governance and politics of the state.

Aiyedatiwa, who extolled the virtues of Oluwatuyi, described him as a complete gentleman who conducted his public and private life with decorum and humility.

He added that the history of the state will not be complete without a mention of the impacts of the late Oluwatuyi

In the condolence register, the governor wrote: “Hon. Tayo Oluwatuyi, you came, you lived, you performed your God-given tasks, and you impacted lives.

“You have decided to leave us at a time we never expected, but God said it is time to come home. May you have rest at the bosom of your creator, God. Amen.”