The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Foreign Affairs and Protocol, Ademola Oshodi, has dismissed suggestions that the President’s Umrah pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia was aimed at securing support from northern voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Oshodi made the clarification during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, arguing that the trip should be viewed from a religious and national perspective rather than through political considerations.

The presidential aide said Tinubu’s access to the Holy Kaaba was a significant development for Muslims across Nigeria and should not be regarded as an event involving only one region.

He said:

“You know public opinion is far from being monolithic. One section of the population cannot come and say, ‘This is for votes from the North’.

“I believe we should look at it from a different aspect. This is a huge significance for Nigeria. This is the first South-West leader to have been given that honour. How do the South-West Nigerians see that?

“So, it is not just a Northern or Southern thing. It is a Muslim thing. And the Muslims have cherished this opportunity.”

Oshodi also noted that Tinubu had performed both Umrah and Hajj several times in his lifetime, insisting that his latest pilgrimage was not politically motivated.

According to him, the President was granted the rare privilege because he leads Africa’s largest Muslim country.

“He was given this rare privilege because he is the leader of the largest Muslim country in Africa. It is just a great opportunity. I don’t think we should really get carried away with the timing,” he said.

The presidential aide added that Tinubu was seeking divine guidance to govern Nigeria and secure victory in the forthcoming election.

“We can’t continue to politicise everything,” he said.

Oshodi also urged other presidential candidates to seek divine assistance, suggesting that they could travel to religious destinations such as Jerusalem or Mecca.

“I suggest other presidential candidates should also go out to seek God. Whether they have to go to Jerusalem or to Mecca themselves. We should not overemphasise somebody seeking God,” he said.

Tinubu had announced the conclusion of his Saudi Arabian visit in a post on X on Monday. He disclosed that he and members of his delegation were granted access to the Holy Kaaba, where they offered prayers and performed the Umrah pilgrimage.

American rapper and music executive Sean Combs, popularly known as Diddy, has received a revised prison release date, bringing his expected freedom forward by more than three weeks.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The development follows his recent transfer to another correctional facility in the United States.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Diddy is now expected to be released on February 6, 2028, instead of the previously scheduled date of March 2, 2028.

The change comes after the rapper was moved from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Fort Dix in New Jersey to FCI Allenwood in Pennsylvania.

His time at Fort Dix reportedly involved several disciplinary issues. He was previously placed in solitary confinement over allegations that he violated prison rules by engaging in fights and using unauthorised mobile phones.

Reports also alleged that the music executive received special treatment from some inmates at the facility, including paying fellow prisoners to prepare his meals, give him massages and handle some of his daily responsibilities.

Diddy has been serving his sentence following his 2025 conviction on two counts under the Mann Act, a federal law that prohibits transporting individuals across state lines for prostitution.

However, the jury acquitted him of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.

Following the verdict, a US judge sentenced him to 50 months in federal prison for the two convictions.

IBF heavyweight champion Filip Hrgovic has criticised plans to put a world title on the line when Anthony Joshua takes on Tyson Fury, describing the decision as a threat to boxing’s credibility.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Hrgovic expressed his displeasure during an appearance on The Stomping Ground podcast, following reports that the WBA super heavyweight title would be contested when the two British rivals meet at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on December 11.

Reacting to the reported arrangement, the Croatian boxer said:

“It is a f*****g decision. I do not know how they find a belt for that kind of fight.”

Hrgovic questioned why Joshua and Fury should be given an opportunity to fight for a world title, despite concerns about the quality of their recent opponents.

“Who did they fight in their last fights? I mean, they are both big superstars, but how are they fighting for a title? Where did that come from?” he asked.

He further warned that such decisions could undermine public confidence in the sport.

“These kinds of decisions are killing the sport. It is not good for the sport. Because of these funny decisions, people do not consider boxing a serious sport.”

Although the World Boxing Association (WBA) has yet to officially confirm whether the December 11 contest will carry title status, promoters Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren have maintained that the super title will be at stake.

A victory would make either Joshua or Fury a three-time world heavyweight champion.

Both fighters last competed in July, with Fury stopping Mariusz Wach and Joshua defeating Kristian Prenga. However, their choice of opponents has attracted criticism, with questions raised over whether the victories merit a world title opportunity.

Their earlier wins over Arslanbek Makhmudov and Jake Paul have also come under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Murat Gassiev is expected to retain his WBA regular heavyweight title, which will not be contested in the Cardiff showdown.

Hrgovic won the IBF heavyweight title in August after stopping Moses Itauma in the ninth round. He is expected to face mandatory challenger Frank Sanchez next and will be watching the Joshua-Fury contest closely.