Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has opened up on why he failed to pick former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike as his running mate in 2023.

According to report Wike lost the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential ticket for the 2023 election to Atiku.

There were high expectations that Wike would deputize the former VP in the election, but he picked former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa instead.

Many party stakeholders believe that the decision birthed the present face-off between Atiku and Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

In a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, scheduled for broadcast today, Wednesday, Atiku recalled how party leaders accused him of not consulting widely before picking former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi as his running mate in 2019.

“They said I did not consult with the party enough. So in 2023, I threw the whole thing to the party. I said, ‘Okay, set up a committee and recommend three people for me to pick as a running mate”, he said.

The former VP noted that the committee submitted three names with Ifeanyi Okowa as the first choice, Wike as the second, and former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel as the third.

“So I picked number one,” he said, adding that his decision not to pick Wike was simply because he was the second choice on the list.

However, Atiku, who had run for the presidency a record six times, said he had no regrets about not picking Wike.

“No, not at all,” he said.

Tragedy struck in Calabar, Cross River State on Sunday when a police inspector, whose identity remains undisclosed, opened fire near Atakpa Police Station along Watt Market Road, killing one person and injuring two others.

Eyewitnesses recounted that the inspector had just returned from duty but refused to surrender his rifle, exhibiting erratic behaviour.

As fellow officers attempted to disarm him, he allegedly began shooting indiscriminately.

One civilian died instantly, while two others sustained injuries and are currently receiving medical treatment.

Confirming the incident, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Irene Ugbo, stated that the officer had been taken into custody and that security measures had been reinforced to prevent further unrest.

“That’s where we are right now, we are on the ground, trying to ensure the area remains calm,” Ugbo said.

She further explained: “The report we received is that the said inspector had returned from duty.

“Normally, policemen work through the night and are required to surrender their rifles at the station.

“However, he suddenly began behaving irrationally and speaking incoherently.

“He was supposed to surrender his rifle, log out, and leave the station, but instead, he started acting strangely, and officers around tried to calm him down.

“Then, he just took the rifle and began shooting sporadically. That was how the bullets hit three persons—one has been confirmed dead, while two others are receiving treatment.

“We had to contain the situation because the youths in the area attempted to burn down the police station. However, we have restored calm, and even the AIG is here.”

The police command has temporarily sealed off the area to prevent further chaos as investigations continue.

The Finnish Immigration Service has launched applications for the Finland Seasonal Work Permit 2025, creating a pathway for international workers in agriculture, forestry, and tourism.

The seasonal work permits cater specifically to foreign nationals, allowing them to contribute to Finland’s workforce while ensuring compliance with labor regulations, TravelBiz reports.

The permits enable migrant workers to secure employment in Finland later this year, offering temporary job opportunities for up to nine months within a 12-month period.

There are two main types of seasonal work permits, depending on the duration of employment:

Seasonal Work Visa (Up to 3 Months): Applicants from countries requiring a visa must apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish embassy before traveling. Those from visa-exempt countries can instead apply for a certificate for seasonal work directly through the Finnish Immigration Service.

Residence Permit for Seasonal Work (3 to 9 Months): For employment lasting between three and nine months, applicants need a residence permit for seasonal work. This must be obtained before entering Finland. Processing times can take up to 90 days, so early application is advised.

Interested applicants must obtain the necessary work permit before travelling to Finland.

Hereunder are the requirements applicants must meet to qualify for a seasonal work permit:

Job Offer and Contract: A signed employment contract from a Finnish employer is mandatory.
Minimum Wage: Seasonal workers must earn at least €1,430 (N2.2m) per month, unless a collective agreement specifies a different amount.

Accommodation: Workers must arrange housing that meets Finnish health and safety standards.

Application Process: All applications must be complete and submitted with the required documents to avoid delays.

To apply for a seasonal work permit, applicants must:

Secure a Job Offer: Contact Finnish employers in agriculture, forestry, or tourism.
Sign a Contract: Obtain a legally binding employment contract.

Prepare Required Documents: Gather essential documents, including a valid passport, signed contract, and proof of accommodation.
Choose the Right Permit: Apply for a seasonal work visa (up to 3 months) or a residence permit for seasonal work (3-9 months).
Pay Application Fees: Submit the required processing fees.

Monitor Application Status: Track your application through the Finnish Immigration Service’s official website.

The naira began the new year trading at a stable rate across various foreign exchange (FX) markets, maintaining a relatively consistent performance as observed on Thursday.

At the official market, also known as the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM) the currency opened at N1,538.50 to the dollar, as reported by data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

This rate showed only a slight movement from the N1,535 recorded on Tuesday, which was the final trading day of 2024.

Further details from market activities indicated that authourised dealers quoted the dollar at a peak rate of N1,545 on Thursday, which represented an improvement compared to the N1,550 quoted on the previous trading day. This minor shift suggested a marginal strengthening of the naira at the top end of dealer transactions.

Overall, the FX market experienced a depreciation of 1.2 percent, equivalent to a drop of N18. Dealers offered the dollar at N1,538 on Thursday, a weaker rate compared to N1,520 observed on Tuesday at the official market. This adjustment marked a notable change in the currency’s trajectory as the market reopened for the new year.

Meanwhile, in the parallel market, often referred to as the black market, the naira remained stable, trading at N1,665 per dollar.

This steadiness in the parallel market provided a contrast to the mild fluctuations observed in the official and dealer segments.

These developments reflect a mixed start for the naira in 2025, with slight variations in rates across market segments but no drastic changes in overall performance. Market analysts will likely monitor these trends closely as the year progresses to assess their implications for Nigeria’s broader economic landscape.

The Premier League transfer window opened on Wednesday, giving clubs the opportunity to improve their squads for the remainder of the 2024-25 season and beyond.

Teams will be able to sign players until the window closes at 11pm GMT (6pm ET) on February 3, 2025.

ESPN reports that the transfer window also applies to the other divisions in England’s football league system and is replicated in France and Germany. However, the winter window opens on January 2 in Spain and Italy.

LaLiga’s window closes at midnight local time in Spain (11 p.m. GMT, 6 p.m. ET) on February 3. Ligue 1 clubs will have one less hour to make their signings when the window closes on Feb. 3 (10 p.m. GMT, 5 p.m. ET). Business in the Bundesliga has to be completed by 6 p.m. CET (5 p.m. GMT) and Serie A’s window closes two hours later.