Politics
Serbia’s President Vucic hospitalized, cuts short US visit
Aleksandar Vucic was visiting the state of Florida when he was forced to return home after suffering chest pain. He had been hoping to meet with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
Serbia’s President Aleksandar Vucic cut short a trip to the United States after suddenly falling ill, his office said Saturday.
He was admitted to the Military Medical Academy (MMA) in Belgrade immediately after returning to Serbia, public broadcaster RTS reported.
He was met there by his Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar and the the head of the military health department, Dr Dragan Dincic.
Vucic in stable condition
Later on Saturday, Dincic told a press conference that Vucic’s condition was stable, according to RTS.
“I cannot discuss the details, but during his stay in America, the president felt severe chest pain,” Dincic said, adding that Vucic, 55, has had similar issues related to high blood pressure on three prior occasions.
Dincic also said that the Serbian leader was expected to leave the MMA shortly, but that “it is certainly not realistic” to expect him to “fully return to his regular activities in the next few days.”
Vucic suddenly fell ill after meeting with US Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and former Illinois governor Rod Blagojevic, as well as Serbian entrepreneurs in the US, according to RTS.
He was with Serbian Finance Minister Finance Minister Sinisa Mali and presidential media advisor Suzana Vasiljevic preparing for upcoming meetings when he started feeling unwell.
After consulting doctors in Florida, he decided to cut short the trip and return to the Balkan country.

Vucic has been coming under mounting pressure at home amid a nationwide anti-corruption protest movement [FILE: March 15, 2025]
© Igor Pavicevic/REUTERS
What was Vucic doing in Florida?
Vucic had traveled to Miami, south Florida, where he had met with disgraced former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Giuliani was disbarred over his role in Donald Trump’s false claims that the 2020 election — which his predecessor Joe Biden won — was stolen or rigged.
Vucic had also said he hoped to meet with Trump during his trip. The US president spends much of his time at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, an upscale town north of Miami.
It is unclear whether the Serbian leader will be able to travel to Russia to attend a Victory Day parade in Moscow on May 9.
Vucic had said he hoped to attend the commemoration of Russia’s victory over Nazi Germany in World War II despite warnings from the European Union that the trip could jeopardize Serbia’s bid to join the bloc.
A right-wing populist, Vucic has refused to join Western sanctions against the Kremlin over its invasion of Ukraine.
He has also been facing mounting pressure on the domestic front after months of massive, mostly student-led anti-corruption protests in Serbia in the wake of a roof collapse at a train station that killed 16 people.
EVENTS
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SENATOR IFEANYI ARARUME ON HIS BIRTHDAY
President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.
Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.
He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.
President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.
The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.
President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.
Politics
Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project- Minister Dave Umahi dismisses calls for Biafra under Tinubu’s administration
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says the all-inclusive style of governance being practiced by President Bola Tinubu has made the agitation for Biafra an unnecessary clamour.
While speaking at the inspection of the Enugu-Anambra road last Saturday, December 13, Umahi said the Tinubu administration had given Ndigbo what they had sought for decades, not through secession, but through what he described as unprecedented inclusion in national governance and development.
He explained that the agitation for Biafra was historically driven by neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation at the federal level, but insisted that the situation had changed under the current administration.
“When a people are fully integrated, respected and empowered within the structure of the nation, the dream they once chased through agitation has already been achieved through cooperation.
The push for Biafran secession over the years was borne out of neglect, exclusion and underrepresentation but today the narrative has changed dramatically under President Bola Tinubu.
The President has deliberately opened the doors of national development to the South-East. Appointments, policy inputs and infrastructure priorities now reflect true federal balance.
Every sector now bears visible Igbo footprints. The emergence of Igbo sons and daughters in strategic positions is a testament to this inclusion.
Biafra was never about breaking Nigeria; it was about being counted in Nigeria. Through inclusion, equity and concrete development, Ndigbo are no longer spectators in the Nigerian project; they are co-authors of its future. When justice finds a people, agitation loses its voice.”he said
Politics
ADC Launches 90-Day Membership Drive, Fixes Dates For Congresses, National Convention
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has announced a 90-day nationwide membership mobilisation, revalidation, and registration exercise as part of preparations for its internal party activities ahead of 2026.
The party also approved provisional dates for its congresses and the election of delegates at the polling unit, ward, and local government levels across the country.
In circulars issued by its national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, the ADC said the congresses are expected to hold between January 20 and January 27, 2026.
The process, the party said, will lead to the emergence of delegates who will participate in its non-elective national convention scheduled for February 2026 in Abuja.
A statement by Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the party, said the decisions were reached at a meeting of the national working committee (NWC) held on November 27, 2025.
Abdullahi said the timetable and activities were approved in line with the resolutions of the NWC and in accordance with relevant provisions of the party’s constitution.
The ADC said further details on the membership exercise, congresses, and convention will be communicated to party members and stakeholders in due course.
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