The NBA world was left stunned Tuesday night after Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo delivered what many are calling one of the most jaw-dropping offensive outbursts in league history, pouring in a record-breaking 83 points.
Bam Adebayo produced the second-highest single-game scoring total in NBA history, putting up 83 points as the host Miami Heat beat the Washington Wizards 150-129 on Tuesday night. The 28-year-old centre scored 31 points in the first quarter en route to passing Kobe Bryant (81 points in 2006) for second place on the single-game list. Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point outing has stood as the record since March 2, 1962.
Adebayo set Heat records for the highest-scoring game and the highest-scoring quarter. The old club mark for a game was 61 points, set in 2014 by LeBron James. Adebayo’s previous career best was 41 points on January 23, 2021, against the Brooklyn Nets.
In 42 minutes on Tuesday, Adebayo shot 20-for-43 from the floor, 7-for-22 from 3-point range and 36-for-43 at the free-throw line. He also grabbed nine rebounds.
The viral news first broke via @NBAScore, which posted: “Bam Adebayo has just broken the NBA single-game scoring record with 83 POINTS!” The post quickly spread like wildfire across X, complete with eye-popping stats from the dominant performance.
Fellow NBA superstars wasted no time reacting, turning the platform into a live celebration of disbelief, awe, and respect.
Golden State Warriors veteran Klay Thompson responded with a simple but explosive “What the f**k,” attaching a photo of himself looking utterly shocked.
His teammate Draymond Green echoed the sentiment with an equally blunt “WTF.”
Warriors superstar Stephen Curry added a touch of playful skepticism, tweeting “Nah this gotta be cap” alongside a wide-eyed emoji.
Meanwhile, Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James kept it all the way positive, declaring “This man is him.”
The flurry of reactions from across the league highlights just how historic the moment feels, with players capturing the collective “no way” energy that swept through basketball Twitter in real time.
A follow-up post from @NBAScore further fueled the frenzy, declaring “BREAKING: Bam Adebayo has just scored 83 points in a single game,” amplifying the buzz among fans and analysts alike.
Whether it was the sheer volume of points or the way Adebayo took over the game, one thing is clear: the league is still processing what just happened. As clips and highlights continue to circulate, Adebayo’s 83-point masterclass has instantly cemented itself as one of the most talked-about nights in modern NBA history — and his peers are leading the applause.
In a major relief for Nigerian motorists and businesses, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced sharp reductions in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS, commonly known as petrol) and diesel, with the new rates taking effect immediately.
According to a statement released by the refinery, the ex-factory price of PMS has been slashed from ₦1,175 to ₦1,075 per litre — a reduction of ₦100 — while the coastal price has dropped from ₦1,150 to ₦1,028 per litre, representing a ₦122 cut. Diesel prices have also been lowered from ₦1,620 to ₦1,430 per litre, a substantial decrease of ₦190.
“This decision is intended to assure Nigerians that the pricing mechanism remains responsive to global market dynamics and indicative of our fair pricing system,” the refinery stated.
The move comes amid a decline in global crude oil prices. The statement explained that all crudes processed at the facility are priced on global benchmark rates plus a modest premium, with forex handled at the prevailing market rate without subsidies.
“As responsible corporate citizens operating in a high-governance code and ethical environment, we believe it is imperative to reduce the price of our products as a reflection of the decline in global crude oil prices,” the refinery added.
The announcement highlighted the company’s consistent approach to pricing throughout 2025. “In 2025, we reduced our gantry price not less than eight times, while increasing it only twice,” the statement noted. “This is borne out of a sense of economic patriotism and a duty to the people of Nigeria.”
Dangote Petroleum Refinery reaffirmed its commitment to passing on the benefits of refined products to consumers nationwide. “We affirm our commitment to set prices of refined products by passing on the benefits to all Nigerians across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,” it said.
The refinery also emphasised its broader national role: “Dangote refinery is fully committed to strengthening national energy security while remaining mindful of the economic realities faced by Nigerians.
”The price cuts are expected to ease transportation and production costs across the country, providing welcome relief to households and industries already grappling with inflationary pressures.
Nigeria’s football community awoke on Tuesday to the news that one of its founding pillars had fallen. High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, the first indigenous coach of the Super Eagles and a tireless architect of the nation’s football identity, passed away on the evening of 9 March 2026 at the age of 88 in his hometown of Modakeke, Osun State.
His family’s statement, signed by Mrs Bolade Adesuyi, captured the essence of a life devoted to the round leather game: “With great gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of this great man: a Modakeke High Chief, the first indigenous Nigerian Super Eagles football coach, father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and friend.”
Onigbinde’s story is not merely one of matches won or lost; it is the chronicle of how a son of Modakeke helped Nigeria believe that its own sons could lead its greatest sporting export on the world stage.
Roots in Modakeke: From Classroom and Pitch to the Bench
Born on 5 March 1938 in Modakeke, Osun State (then part of the old Western Region), Festus Adegboye Onigbinde grew up in an era when football in Nigeria was still finding its post-independence voice. He attended St Stevens Primary School, Modakeke, before proceeding to St Peter’s College, Ilesa (1956–57), St Luke’s College (1960–61) and Akure Rural Education College. His formal entry into the game came through a coaching course organised in Ibadan in 1961 by Bet Halemi, followed by further certificates and attachments in Germany (MSV Duisburg) and Brazil, where he observed preparations for the 1982 World Cup.
Before he ever blew a whistle as a coach, Onigbinde was a Grade One referee from 1967 and an active member of the Referees’ Association. He also found artistic expression in the University of Ife Theatre and Music Group, performing in plays such as Obaluaye, Kurunmi and Rere, and representing Nigeria at cultural events in Germany (1972) and Senegal (1972). These diverse experiences — discipline on the field, creativity off it — would later shape a coaching style that blended tactical rigour with an almost professorial patience.
Rise Through the Domestic Ranks
Onigbinde’s club coaching journey began in earnest with Water Corporation FC of Ibadan in 1970. His breakthrough at the highest domestic level came in 1984 when he took charge of Shooting Stars Sports Club of Ibadan and guided them all the way to the final of the African Club Champions Cup, only to lose to Egypt’s Zamalek. That run remains one of the high-water marks of Nigerian club football on the continent and underscored his ability to extract maximum performance from home-grown talent.
The National Team: Two Eras, One Enduring Pioneer
Onigbinde first answered the national call between 1981 and 1984, becoming the first Nigerian to lead the senior men’s team (then still known in some quarters as the Green Eagles). His crowning achievement in that spell was steering Nigeria to the final of the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire. The Super Eagles fell 3-1 to Cameroon in the decider, yet the silver medal marked the first time an indigenous coach had taken the nation to an AFCON final.
Nigeria’s Nwankwo Kanu in the game against Argentina at the Korea/Japan 2002 World Cup
Eighteen years later, in March 2002, he was recalled after the sacking of Shuaibu Amodu’s technical crew following a disappointing third-place finish at the Africa Cup of Nations. With just months to prepare, Onigbinde assembled a young, largely inexperienced squad and guided Nigeria to the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan — becoming the first indigenous Nigerian (and, by some accounts, the first Black African coach) to lead the Super Eagles at football’s global showpiece.
The tournament itself proved difficult: Nigeria lost 0-1 to Argentina, 1-2 to Sweden after leading 1-0, and drew 0-0 with England, exiting at the group stage. Critics, including some players, questioned squad selection. Yet Onigbinde’s appointment itself was historic — a powerful statement that Nigerian football no longer needed to look exclusively overseas for leadership.
The Teacher: Philosophy Rooted in Discipline and Development
Colleagues and players alike knew him as “The Teacher,” a nickname that perfectly captured his approach. Onigbinde’s philosophy centred on tactical awareness, iron discipline, meticulous preparation and — above all — the nurturing of young talent. He insisted that football education was as important as physical conditioning; players were expected not merely to execute instructions but to understand why they were executing them.
As a long-serving CAF and FIFA technical instructor — delivering courses in Malaysia (1997), France (1998) and the USA (1999) among others — he helped professionalise coaching across Africa. He also served as the Nigeria Football Federation’s Technical Director, shaping curricula and youth policies that influenced generations of coaches and administrators.
Contributions Beyond the Touchline
Onigbinde’s impact extended far beyond match days. He was a passionate advocate for grassroots football and indigenous talent at a time when foreign coaches still dominated high-profile appointments. His insistence on building from home — scouting widely, developing local technical staff and demanding administrative accountability — helped lay the intellectual foundation for later successes under coaches such as Stephen Keshi.
At club and federation level he mentored countless young coaches, many of whom now occupy influential positions in the Nigerian Premier Football League and the national team setup. His quiet, methodical work in youth development and coaching education remains one of the least-celebrated but most enduring strands of his legacy.
Tributes Pour In
The outpouring of grief has been national. President Bola Tinubu described Onigbinde’s death as “a great loss to Nigerian football and the nation’s sporting community,” praising his “discipline, integrity, foresight and passion” and commending his historic leadership at the 1984 AFCON final and his contributions to grassroots football and administration.
The Nigeria Football Federation, through General Secretary Dr Mohammed Sanusi, spoke for many when it declared: “A big tree has fallen… Chief Onigbinde ate, drank, breathed, slept and lived football development. We will miss him greatly, as he was never tired of giving advice on the game’s development even at his ripe old age.” Sanusi added that Onigbinde was “an extraordinary achiever who impacted positively not only on Nigeria football, but on the African and the global game at large.”
The Super Eagles themselves issued a heartfelt statement: “We commiserate with the family of our former coach, Festus Adegboye Onigbinde, following his passing. A respected leader and a true servant of Nigerian football. Rest in peace, Coach.”
Legacy: The Road He Paved
Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde lived long enough to see the fruits of his labour. Indigenous coaches are now the norm rather than the exception; Nigerian technical staffs routinely lead the Super Eagles at World Cups and AFCONs; and the conversation about building football from the grassroots — the very conversation he started decades ago — continues at the highest levels of the NFF.
He never won an AFCON or advanced beyond the World Cup group stage, yet his true victory was structural. He proved that Nigerian football could trust its own. In an era when many still believed excellence required a foreign accent, Onigbinde’s quiet authority and unshakeable belief in local capacity changed mindsets permanently.
The Final Whistle
On March 9th, 2026, just four days after celebrating his 88th birthday, the Teacher blew his final whistle. But the lessons he taught — discipline over drama, development over shortcuts, pride in indigenous excellence — will echo every time a Nigerian coach stands in the technical area at a major tournament.
High Chief Festus Adegboye Onigbinde did not simply coach the Super Eagles. He helped birth a football nation that could coach itself. For that, Nigerian football — and indeed African football — will remain forever in his debt.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has reported a profit after tax of ₦5.76 trillion, underscoring the strong financial performance of the state-owned energy company as it continues to play a central role in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
The figures were disclosed in the company’s January 2026 Monthly Report, which outlines operational and financial performance across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the country’s petroleum industry.
According to the report, the company generated total revenue of ₦60.517 trillion during the period under review, while statutory payments to the government and industry partners amounted to ₦14.706 trillion. The performance highlights the continued importance of the oil and gas sector to Nigeria’s fiscal stability and economic growth.
The report also showed that crude oil and condensate production remains a key contributor to the company’s earnings. Nigeria’s oil output averaged about 1.62 million barrels per day in 2025, reflecting the steady contribution of upstream operations to the country’s export earnings and government revenues.
NNPC noted that operational activities across the energy value chain remained stable during the reporting period, with strong pipeline availability helping to ensure efficient crude evacuation and gas distribution. The company said improvements in operational reliability have helped sustain production and strengthen the country’s energy supply chain.
In the gas sector, the national oil company continues to prioritise expansion of domestic supply as part of broader efforts to deepen gas utilisation across the economy. Major infrastructure initiatives, including the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano pipeline project, are expected to deliver natural gas to industries, fertiliser plants and power generation facilities, particularly in northern Nigeria.
The report further highlighted ongoing improvements in the downstream segment, with increased availability of petroleum products across the company’s retail network. NNPC said the improved distribution of petrol and other products has helped stabilise supply in parts of the country.
The company’s monthly operational report forms part of a transparency initiative introduced after its transition into a commercially driven entity under Nigeria’s Petroleum Industry Act. The regular disclosures are intended to provide insight into the performance of the national oil company while strengthening investor confidence in the country’s energy sector.
As Africa’s largest oil producer, Nigeria continues to rely heavily on petroleum revenues to support government spending and foreign exchange earnings, making the financial performance of NNPC a key indicator of the country’s broader economic outlook.
Troops of the Operation Whirl Stroke have neutralised two suspected terrorists and recovered arms and other items during an intelligence-led operation in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, authorities said.
The operation took place on March 9, 2026, at Tse-Anka community in Yooyo Council Ward when troops conducting confidence-building patrols received credible intelligence about the activities of suspected terrorists in the area. The patrols were aimed at reassuring residents and denying criminal elements freedom of action across affected communities.
According to military authorities, the troops swiftly mobilised to the location alongside operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard to confront the suspected criminals.
Upon arrival, security personnel encountered the armed group, leading to what officials described as a brief but intense firefight. Two of the suspected terrorists were killed during the exchange, while several others reportedly escaped from the scene with possible gunshot wounds.
A subsequent search of the area led to the recovery of weapons, ammunition and other items believed to belong to the fleeing suspects. Items recovered included an AK-47 rifle, five rifle magazines, sixty-one rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one round of 7.62mm by 54 ammunition and nine rounds of 9mm ammunition. Troops also recovered a Bajaj motorcycle, eighty-two SIM cards, six ATM cards and several charms suspected to have been used by the criminals.
The Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, Moses Gara, commended the troops and collaborating security personnel for their swift response and professionalism during the operation.
Major General Gara said the success of the mission reflects the sustained operational pressure being mounted against criminal elements across the joint operations area. He noted that “the success recorded in the operation was a reflection of the consistent operational pressure being mounted against criminal elements across the Joint Operations Area.”
He added that the military’s ongoing intelligence-driven operations and fighting patrols have continued to produce positive results in the campaign against terrorism and banditry.
The commander also reassured residents that security forces remain committed to protecting lives and property in the region. According to him, Operation Whirl Stroke will maintain aggressive operations to dismantle criminal networks and restore lasting peace across affected communities.
Major General Gara further called for sustained collaboration among security agencies and urged residents to continue supporting security efforts through timely information sharing as the military intensifies operations to curb insecurity in the region.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, has assured Nigerians that the refinery will continue to meet the country’s fuel demand despite ongoing disruptions in the global oil market and rising supply costs.
Speaking during a media briefing, Bird said domestic refining capacity has become critical for Nigeria’s energy security, noting that the refinery’s operations are helping to shield the country from the worst effects of volatility in international petroleum markets.
According to him, local refining provides a buffer that helps prevent fuel shortages and long queues at filling stations even when global supply chains face disruptions. “Domestic refining gives Nigeria supply security, ensuring the country avoids fuel shortages and queues even when global markets are disrupted,” he said.
Bird explained that despite Nigeria’s crude-for-naira arrangement, the refinery does not receive crude oil at discounted rates. Instead, he said the facility purchases Nigerian crude at prevailing international benchmark prices, meaning it remains fully exposed to fluctuations in global commodity markets.
“Even under the crude-for-naira arrangement, Nigerian crude is purchased at international benchmark prices,” Bird said, emphasizing that the refinery operates under the same pricing realities that affect refineries around the world.
The refinery chief noted that global oil markets are currently experiencing extreme volatility, with crude prices rising sharply from the mid-$60 range to nearly $120 per barrel within a week. The surge has been driven by escalating geopolitical tensions and concerns about disruptions to global energy supply routes.
He added that the refinery’s operations are affected not only by crude oil prices but also by rising freight, insurance and financing costs associated with transporting crude and refined products.
“The refinery is fully exposed to international commodity markets, including crude oil prices, freight rates, insurance and financing costs,” Bird said.
One of the most dramatic cost increases has been in maritime freight, which he said has surged significantly as tanker availability tightened amid heightened global demand for energy shipments. According to Bird, the cost of transporting crude by tanker has jumped from about $800,000 per shipment to roughly $3.5 million under current market conditions.
Despite these challenges, Bird said the refinery continues to operate at its full nameplate capacity of approximately 650,000 barrels per day, with the potential to increase production to around 700,000 barrels per day as operational efficiencies improve.
The refinery, one of the largest single-train facilities in the world, is expected to play a major role in reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products while strengthening domestic energy security during periods of global market instability.
Premier League giants Manchester City and Liverpool will meet in a headline FA Cup quarter-final after Monday’s draw produced one of the most anticipated ties of the competition’s last eight.
The clash, which will be played at City’s home ground, is widely seen as the standout fixture of the round and pits two of England’s most successful modern teams against each other for a place in the semi-finals. Manchester City reached the stage after defeating Newcastle United 3–1, while Liverpool advanced following a victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers in the previous round.
Elsewhere in the draw, Chelsea F.C. will host third-tier underdogs Port Vale F.C., the lowest-ranked side remaining in the tournament. Port Vale secured their place in the quarter-finals after a surprise victory over Sunderland, a result that marked one of the biggest shocks of this season’s competition.
Another intriguing tie will see Arsenal travel to face Southampton. Southampton, currently competing in the Championship, earned their place in the last eight after eliminating Fulham in the previous round.
The final quarter-final pairing will feature Leeds United F.C. away to the winner of the remaining fifth-round tie between West Ham United and Brentford.
According to tournament organisers, all four quarter-final matches will be played over the weekend of April 4 and 5, with specific kick-off times to be confirmed later.
The draw sets up a compelling final stretch of the competition, blending heavyweight Premier League showdowns with the enduring FA Cup tradition of lower-league clubs attempting to extend fairytale runs against elite opposition. With a place in the semi-finals at stake, the upcoming ties promise high drama as teams continue their pursuit of one of English football’s most prestigious trophies.
Governor Dauda Lawal has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing prolonged internal crises and the need to strengthen governance and development efforts in Zamfara State.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued by Nuhu Salihu Anka, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders, elders, and supporters across the state.
According to the statement, the governor’s defection was influenced by persistent leadership disagreements and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both national and state levels. The statement noted that the situation had created uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.
The governor emphasized that his foremost responsibility remains ensuring peace, security and development in the state, explaining that aligning with a political platform that offers greater unity and cooperation with the federal government became necessary.
“His primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State,” the statement said, adding that the decision to join the APC was taken in order to secure “greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”
Governor Lawal also expressed appreciation to members and supporters of the PDP for their support during his time in the party, acknowledging their contributions to his political journey.
“He expressed deep appreciation to members and supporters of the PDP for their cooperation and support over the years,” the statement said, while noting that “the present political realities and the unresolved crisis within the party have made it necessary to take this bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State.”
By joining the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security and accelerating development across the state. The statement added that the move would also enable Zamfara to benefit more fully from stronger collaboration with the federal government.
The governor called on citizens, political leaders and supporters across the state to remain calm and peaceful as the state enters what he described as a new political phase.
He urged stakeholders to remain supportive of the administration’s development agenda, saying the transition was aimed at promoting unity, stability and progress for the people of Zamfara.
The election of Mojtaba Khamenei as the new Supreme Leader of Iran marks one of the most consequential political transitions in the Islamic Republic since the death of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989. Following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, Iran’s powerful clerical body, the Assembly of Experts, selected Mojtaba as the country’s third Supreme Leader — placing him at the apex of a political system where ultimate authority over the military, judiciary, and national strategy rests with a single office.
The development is historic and controversial in equal measure. It represents the first time leadership of the Islamic Republic has passed from father to son, raising questions about dynastic power in a system born out of a revolution that rejected monarchy. At the same time, the transition comes during an exceptionally tense geopolitical moment, with Iran locked in a complex web of confrontation, negotiation, and rivalry across the Middle East and beyond.
For governments from Washington to Beijing, and for regional actors from Riyadh to Tel Aviv, the leadership shift introduces a period of strategic uncertainty. The new Supreme Leader’s worldview, alliances, and political instincts could shape the trajectory of Iran’s nuclear program, regional military posture, and relations with the global economy for decades.
Who Mojtaba Khamenei Is
Despite long-standing speculation about his influence, Mojtaba Khamenei has historically maintained a relatively low public profile compared with other senior figures in Iran’s leadership.
Born in 1969 in Mashhad, he is the second son of Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s Supreme Leader from 1989 until his death. Mojtaba studied in the religious seminaries of Qom, one of the central hubs of Shiite scholarship, where many of Iran’s most influential clerics are trained.
Over the past two decades, analysts and diplomats have frequently described Mojtaba as a behind-the-scenes power broker within Iran’s political establishment. Although he never held a formal senior government office, he was widely believed to wield significant influence within the Supreme Leader’s inner circle and among the country’s security institutions.
One institution particularly central to his political network is the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC is both a military force and a vast economic conglomerate that plays a decisive role in Iran’s strategic policy. Numerous analysts have long argued that Mojtaba cultivated strong ties with key figures inside the organization, particularly during periods of domestic unrest and political tension.
If those relationships endure under his leadership, they could shape the balance of power inside Iran’s governing structure. The IRGC’s support is widely considered essential for political stability in the Islamic Republic.
Late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
A Historic and Controversial Succession
The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei represents an unprecedented moment in the history of the Islamic Republic.
When the revolution overthrew Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the Iranian Revolution in 1979, the new system explicitly rejected hereditary rule. The monarchy was replaced by a hybrid political model combining republican institutions with clerical oversight.
Under this structure, the Supreme Leader is formally chosen by the Assembly of Experts, a council of Islamic jurists tasked with selecting and supervising the country’s highest authority.
A father-to-son succession therefore raises questions about whether the revolutionary system has gradually evolved into something resembling the dynastic structures it once opposed.
Critics — including some reformist clerics and political activists — argue that such a transition could undermine the ideological legitimacy of the Islamic Republic. Supporters, however, may see continuity as essential in a period marked by regional conflict and domestic pressure.
Domestic reactions inside Iran are difficult to measure accurately due to restrictions on political expression and media coverage. Nevertheless, debates over legitimacy, governance, and generational change are likely to intensify within political and religious circles.
Impact on the Middle East
Iran’s foreign policy is deeply intertwined with the strategic vision of the Supreme Leader. As a result, the leadership transition has immediate implications for the balance of power across the Middle East.
The rivalry between Iran and Israel remains one of the region’s most volatile flashpoints. Israel views Iran’s nuclear ambitions and its support for regional armed groups as an existential threat. Tehran, in turn, portrays Israel as a hostile power aligned with Western influence in the region.
Iran also maintains close relationships with a network of allied groups and governments, often referred to as the “axis of resistance.” These include organizations such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and various militias operating in Iraq and Syria.
Whether Mojtaba Khamenei will maintain, expand, or recalibrate this network remains uncertain. Much will depend on how he interprets Iran’s strategic interests and how he balances ideological commitments with pragmatic considerations.
Relations with Saudi Arabia — Iran’s principal regional rival — will also be closely watched. Although recent diplomatic efforts between Tehran and Riyadh have attempted to reduce tensions, decades of rivalry rooted in geopolitical competition and sectarian divisions remain unresolved.
If the new leadership adopts a more confrontational stance, the risk of proxy conflicts across the region could increase. Conversely, a pragmatic approach could open opportunities for regional de-escalation.
Global Power Politics
Beyond the Middle East, the leadership transition will reverberate across global power politics.
The relationship between Iran and the United States has been defined by hostility since the Iran hostage crisis in 1979. Disputes over sanctions, regional influence, and Iran’s nuclear program have repeatedly brought the two countries to the brink of confrontation.
A central question is whether Mojtaba Khamenei will pursue renewed diplomacy over the nuclear issue. Negotiations surrounding the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action — the 2015 nuclear agreement — have remained uncertain for years.
Iran’s relations with other major powers may prove more stable. Both Russia and China have expanded strategic cooperation with Tehran in recent years.
Moscow and Tehran have developed military coordination in conflicts such as the war in Syria, while Beijing has deepened economic ties through energy purchases and infrastructure investment. China’s long-term partnership agreement with Iran reflects a broader effort to integrate the country into Asian economic networks.
The European Union, meanwhile, faces a delicate diplomatic balancing act — attempting to preserve engagement with Iran while aligning with Western security concerns.
Energy Markets and the Global Economy
Iran holds some of the world’s largest proven reserves of oil and natural gas. As a result, political developments in Tehran can have ripple effects across global energy markets.
Any escalation in tensions involving Iran could affect the security of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway through which a significant share of the world’s seaborne oil exports passes.
Disruptions to shipping in this corridor could drive volatility in global energy prices, affecting economies far beyond the Middle East.
Sanctions also remain a central variable. The United States and its allies have imposed extensive restrictions on Iran’s energy exports and financial system. If diplomacy under the new leadership leads to sanctions relief, Iran could significantly increase its oil exports — potentially reshaping global supply dynamics.
Conversely, intensified geopolitical tensions could further isolate Iran from international markets.
Scenarios for Iran’s Future
The trajectory of Iran under Mojtaba Khamenei could unfold along several possible paths.
Best-case scenario:
The new Supreme Leader consolidates domestic authority while pursuing cautious diplomatic engagement with global powers. Renewed negotiations on the nuclear issue lead to sanctions relief, allowing Iran to reintegrate partially into the global economy and reduce regional tensions.
Worst-case scenario:
Regional rivalries intensify, diplomatic channels collapse, and confrontations between Iran, Israel, and the United States escalate. Such a trajectory could heighten the risk of military conflict in the Middle East and further destabilize global energy markets.
Most likely scenario:
Iran continues a strategy of strategic resilience — maintaining its regional alliances, advancing its technological and military capabilities, and navigating between confrontation and negotiation with global powers.
In this middle path, change would be incremental rather than transformative. The ideological foundations of the Islamic Republic would remain intact while tactical adjustments respond to shifting geopolitical realities.
A New Era with Global Implications
Leadership transitions in Iran have historically reshaped both domestic governance and international diplomacy. The rise of Mojtaba Khamenei therefore represents more than a generational change within one country’s leadership.
It signals the beginning of a new chapter in the evolution of the Islamic Republic — one that will influence regional conflicts, global energy markets, and the strategic calculations of major powers.
Whether Mojtaba Khamenei ultimately proves to be a guardian of continuity or an architect of change remains uncertain. What is clear is that the world will be watching closely as Iran navigates this pivotal moment in its history — and as the broader international order adjusts to the implications of a new Supreme Leader in Tehran.
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the 2025 national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by a faction of the PDP led by former Minister of Special Duties Kabiru Turaki, SAN, which had challenged the jurisdiction of the lower court to hear the case.
The appeal was part of nine harmonised appeals brought against the October 31, 2025 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which barred INEC from validating the outcome of the party’s national convention conducted between November 15 and 16, 2025 in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Onyemenam ruled that the lower court was right to assume jurisdiction over the matter, rejecting the argument by the appellants that the dispute was purely an internal affair of the party. The court held that the appellants could not “repackage a clear violation of the party constitution and that of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as an internal party affair.”
The appellate court further found that the PDP failed to comply with constitutional and statutory provisions governing the conduct of political party conventions. Justice Onyemenam stated that the party did not serve a valid notice of the convention on INEC as required by law and also failed to conduct valid congresses in more than 14 states before convening the national convention.
According to the court, compliance with legal and constitutional provisions governing political parties is essential to democratic governance. Justice Onyemenam emphasized that “non-compliance with the 1999 Constitution, Electoral Act 2022 and party Constitution and Guidelines are at the heart of democratic governance, and compliance must be strictly enforced in the interest of democracy.”
The court consequently dismissed the appeal and awarded costs of N2 million against the appellants.
The ruling affirms the earlier judgment delivered on October 31, 2025 by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja. In that judgment, the trial court restrained INEC from receiving, publishing or recognising the outcome of the Ibadan convention until the party complied with relevant legal provisions.
Justice Omotosho had held that the PDP failed to meet mandatory legal conditions required for the conduct of a valid convention, including issuing the statutory 21-day notice to INEC to enable the commission monitor party meetings and congresses. The judge also ruled that notices and correspondence issued by the party’s National Chairman without the endorsement of the National Secretary were invalid.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/2025, was filed by three aggrieved PDP members — Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Abraham Nnanna and Turnah Alabh George. Through their counsel, Joseph Daudu, SAN, they had asked the court to stop the planned convention where new national officers of the party were expected to be elected.
Those listed as defendants in the suit included INEC, the PDP, the party’s National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu, National Organising Secretary Umar Baturrle, members of the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee, as well as the Acting National Chairman Umar Iliya Damagum, alongside Ali Odefa and Emmanuel Ogidi.
With the Court of Appeal decision, the restraining order against INEC recognising the outcome of the PDP’s 2025 national convention remains in force unless overturned by the Supreme Court, further deepening the internal leadership crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party.
