The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mahmood Yakubu, clarified on Friday that the tenure of the current local government and council chairmen will end in June 2026, not 2025. Consequently, INEC will not conduct local council elections in 2025. Yakubu explained that the provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended) guarantee a four-year tenure for the Chairmen and Councillors in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), contrary to the three-year tenure provided in the Electoral Act 2010. Speaking during a meeting with the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abuja, Yakubu emphasized that the tenure of the current…
Author: Ifeanyi N.
The Gombe State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has scheduled July 9 for the continuation of hearings on petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) contesting the results of the local government elections held on April 27, 2024. The PDP has filed a petition challenging the victory of Gombe Local Government Chairman Sani Haruna and his deputy, Muhammad Adamu, both of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GSIEC). Additionally, the PDP candidate in Billiri Local Government has filed an action against the declared winner, Mrs. Egla Idris. The PDP’s petition, made…
Former United States President Donald Trump has criticized President Joe Biden’s policies, claiming they are detrimental to Americans. Trump asserted that Biden has poorly managed the US economy, resulting in disastrous inflation rates. Speaking during the US presidential debate hosted by CNN in Atlanta, Georgia, in the early hours of Friday, Trump highlighted the rising prices and cost of living as critical issues ahead of November’s presidential election. “He has not done a good job. He’s done a poor job,” Trump stated. “And inflation is killing our country. It is absolutely killing us. I gave him a country with essentially…
The Police in Lagos on Thursday arraigned a 32-year-old bartender, Emmanuel Johnson, for allegedly stealing N2.3 million from his employer. Johnson is charged with theft and breach of peace before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecutor, Inspector Edet Ekpo, informed the court that Johnson committed the offense on June 11 at 10:50 p.m. at No 2/4, Peter King Ilogbo, Badagry. Ekpo stated that Johnson failed to deposit the money into his employer, Mr. Collins Emeka’s account, and instead converted the funds for personal use. “All efforts made by the complainant to…
Former Education Minister Oby Ezekwesili cautioned leaders in Nigeria and Kenya on Thursday against high-handedness, warning it is unwise for leaders to push their citizens to the breaking point. In a post on X, Ezekwesili reflected on recent events and questioned whether Nigerian and Kenyan leaders would learn the right lessons. “It is unwise as a Leader to push your Citizens to the point where they say, ‘Enough is simply now Enough,’” Ezekwesili stated. “According to Proverbs, Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding.” She added, “Will Hubris allow the contemporaries of…
The Labour Party (LP) has asserted that it remains the only platform capable of ensuring Peter Obi’s victory in the 2027 presidential election. This statement was made by the National Vice Chairman of the party, Ayo Olorunfemi, during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, monitored by reliable media outlets. Peter Obi, who ran for the presidency under the Labour Party in the 2023 election, has been under pressure from some members of his Obidients support group to leave the party, which has faced internal crises since the elections. However, Olorunfemi dismissed these calls, stating that true Obidients…
Rivers State Governor Siminialayi Fubara has asserted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed the state. Fubara made this statement while receiving a delegation from the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation, led by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Thursday. Expressing disappointment at the party’s silence on the ongoing crisis between him and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Fubara declared that Rivers State would henceforth stand independently to defend its democracy. “In our state today, we are no longer doing party. We are doing a movement, so you don’t blame me if I don’t go to the side of…
The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Prince Yusuf Kadiri, SAN, as the deputy governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP) for the upcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State. In a judgment delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Thursday, the court held that the LP acted within its rights in nominating Kadiri as the running mate to its flag-bearer, Olumide Akpata. Justice Nwite ruled that the electoral body had no right to reject Kadiri’s nomination, stating that the party’s actions were in accordance with the provisions of both the Electoral Act 2022 and the amended 1999 Constitution. The issue…
The Ishieke Police Division in Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State was attacked by unknown gunmen on Wednesday night. During the ensuing gunfight, five of the assailants were reportedly killed by the police. The incident began around 9:30 p.m. with heavy gunfire, forcing residents to seek shelter. According to eyewitness Tony Nwori, the gunmen arrived at the police station in two cars and began shooting sporadically. The gunmen engaged in a shootout with the on-duty policemen in front of the station for over 30 minutes until additional security operatives arrived for reinforcement. Another source reported that the situation attracted…
The Ekiti State Police Command has announced the arrest of suspects involved in last week’s serial killings in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State. The city was gripped by tension after three people were killed in broad daylight over the span of two days. The first victim, a commercial motorcyclist, was killed on Tuesday. On Thursday, a popular POS operator known as Alfa was murdered in the Adebayo area, near the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital. A few hours later, a trader at Oja Bisi was also killed, causing widespread commotion. The police paraded the suspects, which include members…
The Federal Government has initiated an investigation into the alleged breach of data of Nigerians held by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC). The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, announced the probe via his X handle, stating that both the NIMC and the National Data Protection Commission (NDPC) are involved. This follows an alarm raised by Paradigm Initiative, a pan-African social enterprise, which on Thursday alleged that National Identification Numbers (NINs), Bank Verification Numbers (BVNs), and other personal data of Nigerians were being sold on a website for as low as N100. Despite these claims, NIMC…
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has adjourned the arraignment of the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on an alleged money laundering case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to July 17, 2024. At the resumed hearing on Thursday, Bello’s lawyer, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, informed the court of an application before the Chief Judge for the transfer of the case (charge no: FHC/ABJ/CR/98/2024) to the Federal High Court, Lokoja, pursuant to Section 45 of the Federal High Court Establishment Act. Adedipe stated that the prosecution had been notified and their opinion sought via…
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday urged the Senate to consider and confirm Dr. Olatunji Bello as the Chief Executive Officer/Executive Vice Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). Additionally, the President submitted three nominees for consideration and confirmation for appointments in the Police Service Commission (PSC). The nominees are Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Hashim Argungu as chairman, Chief Onyema Uche as secretary, and Retired DIG Taiwo Lakanu as a member. During the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the President’s letters of nomination and forwarded them to various committees for further legislative work. Bello’s…
The Kaduna State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on Governor Uba Sani to promptly announce a date for the council elections. The party criticized the appointment of transition committee chairmen to administer the councils, arguing that it violates Nigeria’s constitution. Felix Hassan Hyat, the PDP State Chairman, stated, “We are battle-ready for the local government elections and there’s no room for caretakers in the Constitution of Nigeria.” He urged the APC government to establish and announce an election program. Additionally, the PDP demanded that the state electoral body, KADSIECOM, maintain its independence from the ruling All…
The Katsina State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is embroiled in a fresh crisis ahead of the State Congresses scheduled for July and August. Members of the State Caretaker Committee are at odds with their chairman, accusing him of denying members access to forms necessary for vying for vacant positions. Mr. Ibrahim Tafashiya, spokesperson for the aggrieved party members, addressed a press conference at the PDP National Secretariat, warning that the party is at risk of losing more ground. Tafashiya stated, “Since the National Working Committee (NWC) set up the current Caretaker Committee on April 17, 2024, its…
Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has expressed concern over the destructive impact of “politics of bitterness” in the state. He cautioned politicians to be mindful of their actions to avoid undermining the state’s peace and economic growth. Governor Fubara made these remarks when he received a delegation from the House of Representatives Committee on Ports and Harbours, led by Chairman Nnolim Nnaji, at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday. The delegation visited Rivers State for oversight functions at the Port Harcourt and Onne sea ports and Bonny channels. A statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi,…
The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged Governor Alex Otti to provide details of the 90 roads he claims to have rehabilitated during his first year in office. In a statement signed by the Acting Publicity Secretary of the Abia State PDP, Elder Amah Anraham, the party called on Governor Otti to name the roads and disclose the costs associated with these contracts. The PDP also demanded proof that due process and the provisions of the Abia Public Procurement Act were followed in awarding the contracts. “The attention of the Abia PDP has been drawn…
Chief Ayirimi Emami, the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta South Senatorial District, has expressed confidence that the party’s chairmanship and councillorship candidates will win the upcoming Delta State local government election if conducted in a free and fair manner. Speaking in Warri, Delta State, Emami made this declaration while presenting campaign materials to the party’s chairmanship candidates in Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West LGAs. Emami stated, “If there is any election, our candidates are going to win. Therefore we must all go out and campaign; if you don’t campaign, nobody will vote for you.”…
The Anambra State Police Command has launched a manhunt for an unidentified officer who allegedly extorted N810,000 from a motorist in Onitsha. Activist Harrison Gwamnishu raised the alarm on his official X handle on Tuesday, claiming that police officers had extorted the sum from the motorist. According to Gwamnishu, during a stop-and-search operation, one officer allegedly planted marijuana in the victim’s car and accused him of being a drug dealer. The victim, in an audio-visual post shared by the activist, alleged that the officers seized his phone and threatened to kill him. Reacting to the allegations, the command’s Public Relations…
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the final forfeiture of $1.426 million linked to the embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele. Justice Ayokunle Faji delivered the verdict on Tuesday, granting the Federal Government ownership of the funds following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC stated, “Of the total sum of $26,555,000.00 received by Donatus Limited, the balance standing in the said account as of today is $1,426,175.14. It is the balance in the account that the applicant seeks to forfeit to the Federal Government of Nigeria, which has…