Eighteen first-term governors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) held a private meeting on Tuesday at the Kebbi State Government House, hosted by Governor Nasir Idris. While the specific agenda remained undisclosed, the gathering included representatives from various states, including Sokoto, Kaduna, Jigawa, Plateau, Delta, Ekiti, Taraba, Ondo, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom, Edo, Benue, Kogi, and Enugu. The governors of Cross River, Niger, and Katsina were unable to attend but reportedly sent apologies. Separately, the APC has formally defended its recent candidate substitutions following party primaries. National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka stated that these changes were the result of a legitimate internal appeal process, which involved reviewing over 720 petitions from dissatisfied aspirants. Morka rejected claims of arbitrary candidate replacement during an appearance on Arise TV, asserting that the party’s actions fully complied with its internal guidelines and constitution.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Governors’ Meeting: 18 first-term APC governors met behind closed doors in Kebbi State to discuss undisclosed matters.

• Attendance: The session was hosted by Governor Nasir Idris and featured attendees from 14 states, while the governors of Cross River, Niger, and Katsina were absent with apologies.

• Candidate Substitution: The APC defended its process for replacing candidates after primaries, with National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka explaining that the changes followed the review of more than 720 petitions from aggrieved party members.

• Party Stance: Morka emphasized on Arise TV that all substitutions were conducted in strict accordance with the party’s constitution and were not arbitrary.

On Tuesday, the Nigerian Senate issued a stern warning that the nation may reconsider its diplomatic ties with South Africa if xenophobic violence against Nigerians persists. Triggered by a motion from Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong concerning a June 30, 2026, ultimatum issued to Nigerians in South Africa, lawmakers expressed urgent concern for the safety and livelihoods of their citizens. While some senators, such as Salihu Mustapha, advocated for severing diplomatic relations immediately, others—including Yahaya Abdullahi—suggested that the attacks might be a coordinated effort to destabilize the South African government. The Senate ultimately tasked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission with securing written safety guarantees from South African authorities, demanding the prosecution of offenders, and documenting losses for future compensation. The issue has been referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for a comprehensive investigation, with a report expected within two weeks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Following his sixth and final World Cup appearance in North America, 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo has addressed his international career and the pursuit of the sport’s biggest prize. Despite Portugal’s campaign ending in a defeat to Spain in Dallas, Ronaldo expressed that he leaves the tournament with a “clear conscience” after giving his best effort. Notably, the Portugal captain made history during the tournament as the first player to score in six different World Cups, finishing his time at the event with three goals. While he acknowledged that the World Cup is the one major honor missing from his extensive trophy collection, he insisted that Portugal’s UEFA Euro 2016 title holds the same weight for him as a World Cup trophy. Ronaldo, who also secured two UEFA Nations League titles, emphasized that he is content with his legacy, noting that he helped the national team win three titles after a period where they had not won any.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Cristiano Ronaldo Closes International Chapter with “Clear Conscience” After exiting the World Cup following a loss to Spain, Cristiano Ronaldo has confirmed that he has played in his final tournament for Portugal. Key takeaways from his reflections include:

• Historic Milestone: At 41, Ronaldo became the first player to score in six separate World Cups, tallying three goals during his final appearance.

• Perspective on Success: Despite never winning the World Cup, Ronaldo stated that winning UEFA Euro 2016 carries the same significance to him.

• National Team Legacy: He noted that he is satisfied with winning three titles—the 2016 European Championship and two UEFA Nations League trophies—stating, “Before Cristiano, Portugal hadn’t won a single title”.

• Moving Forward: Ronaldo remains under contract with his club, Al Nassr, and maintains that he gave his all for his country.

Option 3: Athlete-Focused Perspective

“Life Goes On”: Ronaldo Finds Peace Following World Cup Exit Reflecting on the conclusion of his international career, Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that while leaving the World Cup is painful, he holds no regrets regarding his efforts. Speaking via TNT Sport, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner emphasized that his legacy is defined by the transformation of the Portuguese national team during his tenure. While the World Cup remained elusive throughout his career, Ronaldo highlighted that his pride in winning Euro 2016 remains equal to the prestige of a World Cup win. Content with his achievements, the captain stated, “I gave my best. I won three titles with Portugal… I’m content”.