Activist Aisha Yesufu has sharply criticized Senator Seriake Dickson, national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), accusing him of appearing insecure and acting as though he competed with the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Her remarks came in response to Dickson’s interview on ARISE NEWS, where he defended the NDC leadership and dismissed criticisms from Obi supporters following the party’s primaries. Yesufu, however, argued that Dickson’s tone and focus during the interview undermined confidence in the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections.

Yesufu described a portion of the interview as “painfully appalling,” stressing that Dickson’s first major media appearance after the primaries should have been used to reassure party members and promote candidates. Instead, she said, the leader made the conversation about himself rather than the party’s collective mission.

She rejected Dickson’s suggestion that some members had failed to follow internal rules because of their popularity. According to her, she complied with the party’s processes during the primaries and even worked to calm aggrieved supporters in the Federal Capital Territory.

Yesufu explained that she toured parts of Abuja to pacify members who felt disrespected after waiting for primaries that did not take place. She insisted that her actions demonstrated loyalty to the party and commitment to its broader goals.

The activist further accused Dickson of treating the NDC as a “special purpose vehicle” whose objective ended with registration, rather than as a political party determined to win the 2027 general election. She emphasised that the leader’s responsibility was to pacify aspirants and encourage supporters, not antagonise them.

“As a leader of a political party, your number one job in that interview was to pacify aspirants, many of whom are rightfully aggrieved, and secondly to call on supporters to bear with the party and support it,” she wrote. “But you ended up antagonising the very people you would need to win an election. Every vote counts!”

Yesufu stressed that no one was challenging Dickson’s leadership but warned that fragile egos must not distract from the urgent task of rescuing Nigeria. She urged the NDC to focus on building unity and preparing for the 2027 polls.

“There is a whole battle ahead of us. Rescuing Nigeria from the current state it is in should be the main focus, not people’s fragile ego,” she added.

Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, had earlier defended the party against criticisms, insisting that the NDC remained united despite disagreements from the primaries. He dismissed suggestions of an internal crisis and argued that attacks on the party were counterproductive to Obi’s ambition.

The exchange highlights growing tension within the NDC as it positions itself for the 2027 elections. While Dickson insists the party is stable, Yesufu’s intervention underscores concern among members about leadership style and strategy.

Observers note that the NDC’s ability to manage internal disagreements will be crucial as it seeks to present itself as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape. With the 2027 elections approaching, activists like Yesufu are pressing for a shift from personality-driven disputes to collective action aimed at winning power and addressing Nigeria’s challenges.

World champions Argentina have once again underlined their dominance by retaining the top spot in the latest FIFA rankings released on Thursday. The Albiceleste continue to lead global football after a string of convincing performances in recent international fixtures.

Spain remains in second place, holding firm after a draw and a win in their latest matches. France, however, slipped to third following a defeat before recovering with subsequent victories. England and Portugal complete the top five, while Brazil sit just outside in sixth position.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles held steady at 26th place in the global standings. Their recent performances have been mixed, reflecting both promise and inconsistency. At the Unity Cup in London, Nigeria impressed with victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica. Yet, momentum slowed when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Poland and later lost narrowly 2-1 to Portugal in a friendly.

Morocco continues to shine as Africa’s highest-ranked team, now placed seventh in the world. The Atlas Lions’ rise reflects their strong performances on the international stage and signals Africa’s growing competitiveness in global football.

The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany round out the top ten, each maintaining their positions among football’s elite.

This latest ranking arrives as the football world turns its attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams for the first time in history. The expanded format promises to deliver the largest and most inclusive World Cup yet, offering nations like Nigeria and Morocco greater opportunities to showcase their talent on the global stage.

For Nigeria, holding 26th place underscores both stability and the need for improvement. The Super Eagles remain a force in African football, but consistency against top-tier opponents will be crucial as preparations intensify for the World Cup.

Morocco’s seventh-place ranking, meanwhile, highlights Africa’s growing presence in world football. Their success serves as inspiration for other African nations aiming to break into the top tier of global rankings.

As the countdown to 2026 continues, Argentina’s dominance, Spain’s resilience, France’s recovery, and Africa’s rise set the stage for a World Cup that promises drama, competition, and history-making moments.

List FIFA Rankings

Argentina
Spain
France
England
Portugal
Brazil
Morocco
Netherlands
Belgium
Germany

*Recover high-calibre arms cache, ammunition

The Department of State Services (DSS), backed by troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, on Wednesday foiled plans by members of the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) to attack several security checkpoints, kidnap women, students and children across the Southeast states.

A security source disclosed that, acting on intelligence acquired by the DSS, two ESN field commanders coordinating the planned attacks were apprehended on Monday in Garki, Enugu State.

The source further revealed that, based on the leads supplied by the nabbed ESN commanders, DSS sought the backing of troops from 82 Division, and executed a covert operation. The operation led to the raids by DSS officers and soldiers on Tuesday and Wednesday on an ESN armoury in the Agbani axis of Enugu State.

The raids, disclosed the source, led to the recovery of a cache of high-calibre arms, namely a rocket launcher, two RPG (rocket propelled grenade) warheads, three RPG chargers, and 11 AK-47 rifles.

18 AK-47 magazines, 1,071 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, two handheld grenades, one teargas gun, a baton and two teargas canisters were recovered.

The raids also led to the recovery of one smoke grenade launcher, two teargas canisters, 10 NYSC trousers, eight NYSC T-shirts and four NYSC lanyards. The source disclosed that intelligence revealed that the ESN members were to have used the NYSC uniforms as a cover to launch the attacks.

Intelligence gathered from the arrested ESN field commanders, , according to another source, revealed that members of the terrorist organization were to have launched massive attacks across the Southeast states, kidnap women, students and children, spread fear and create the impression that the region has been overtaken by insecurity.

The Enugu recoveries came barely a week after DSS operatives arrested five suspected arms couriers linked to the gunmen who abducted students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School in Papiri Village, Niger State, on November 21, 2025.

The suspects, including two Nigeriens, were nabbed in coordinated operations across Kaduna, Niger and Kebbi states. Recovered from the men were 15 AK 103 rifles, 15 magazines and 1,434 rounds of 7.62 mm live ammunition.

The outlawed group has been responsible for series of kidnappings and attacks on security operatives in the Southeast, declared the source.

The raids on ESN armoury in Enugu State came shortly after a recent arrest by the DSS of several suspected members of the outlawed organization in the state.