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Elected Kano Local Government Officials Get Certificates Of Return

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Elected Kano Local Government Officials Get Certificates Of Return

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kano State  Independent Electoral Commission, KANSIEC, on Sunday, October 27, 2024, issued Certificates of Return to the winners of Saturday’s Local Government election in the State.

The election which  was conducted amidst conflicting Court orders for, and against, was nevertheless swept by the ruling New Nigeria Peoples Party NNPP.

The candidates of the party  were declared winners in all the 484 Wards and 44 Local councils of  the state .

The APC ,had earlier  obtained a court ruling halting the polls.

Justice Simon Amobade of a Federal High Court Kano stopped the exercise, ordered security agencies to refrain from participation, declared null and void all actions of the KANSIEC, its members having been adjudged unqualified to hold their positions .

But despite a last minute counter order from Justice Sanusi Ma’aji of a  Kano state High Court on Friday ,October 25, validating the election, the Police, and APC shunned the polls.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and Chairman of KANSIEC, Prof Sani Malumfashi, however, scored the conduct of the exercise high, describing it as free and fair.

Among those issued with  Certificates of Return  was a woman, Hajia Sa’adatu Yushau Tudun Wada. She has made history as

this is the first time in the political history of Kano, despite its acclaimed status as a progressive enclave, that a woman is going to occupy an elective  executive seat of such as Local Government Chairman.

Yushau was declared winner for the Tudun Wada Local Government chairmanship race .

Prof. Malumfashi noted that the issuance of the Certificates of Return to the elected officials marked the end of the electoral process which began about two months ago.

“The issuance of today’s Certificates of Return marks the conclusion of our mandate which we have carried out. diligently,and in accordance with the Constitution and the laws of the land”, the KANSIEC Chairman stated

The elected Council leaders are expected to be sworn into office on Monday October 28, while the opposition, particularly, APC is to approach the Courts for redress.

Niger Delta Militant Replies Dokubo, Says Tinubu Is Our Man

By
James Orji
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Mayor of Urhobololand, Eshanekpe Israel has replied repentant Niger Delta militant Asari Dokubo over his outburst against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Dokubo, a former militant and leader of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF had accused President Tinubu of abandoning him after supporting him to become president last year.

For that, Dokubo said, he would not support Tinubu in the next presidential election, he would form an alliance with northerners to displace him, saying the president and the south west have betrayed Ijaw people after supporting him to become president in 2023.

Dokubo is an Ijaw from Rivers state, and until now an ardent supporter of the president.

Reacting, Israel said Dokubo’s view does not represents that of other Niger Deltans, stressing that the president has done well to earn the support of the people from the oil bearing region in the country.

According to him, Tinubu has ensured development in the Niger Delta since he came to office, saying Tinubu received support from all parts of the country to emerge Nigerian leader, adding that nobody will stop  Dokubo from supporting any candidate of his choice in the next presidential election.

He said Tinubu has been fair to all the sections of the country “in his bid to build an equitable political system including empowering the next generation of Nigerians to take the mantle of leadership when their time comes.”

He said further, “It is mischievous for anyone to expect President Tinubu to patronise him at the detriment of the development and growth. He appointed a technocrat, Dr. Dennis Otuaro, as the Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP; the engine of the service in the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is grinding nonstop.

“Those we trust in the region were appointed and more than ever before, our creek is experiencing peace as Tantita Security Services Nig LTD, is waging relentless war on oil thieves thereby whittling down the power of criminals.”

Meanwhile, those watching the Niger Delta affairs insist that Dokubo is angry with Tinubu because he no longer receive patronage from the administration.

They say, for instance, that rather than award crude oil protection contract to Dokubo the Tinubu administration preferred to award such multi-billion naira contracts to his rival, Government Tompolo, another repentant militant leader.

Dominican Republic 2024: Flamingos  Out Of World Cup, Loses To USA

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Flamingos of Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

In a revenge of their Quarter Finals loss to the Nigerian Female Under-17 Team, Flamingos, at the India 2022 World Cup, the United States of America, USA, recorded 2-0 win over the African Powerhouse.

The Flamingos had shown strong form, winning all three group stage matches, but faltered in the face of a resurgent American side.

Notably, two years ago, the Flamingos ousted the U.S. at the same tournament’s quarter-final stage via penalties, but this time, the Americans claimed their revenge in Santiago, Dominican Republic.

The game took a turn in the 40th minute when the Video Assistant Referee, VAR, confirmed a penalty for the U.S. after Moshood’s tackle on an American forward. Kennedy coolly converted the spot-kick in the 43rd minute, putting the U.S. ahead 1-0.

Nigeria nearly equalised in the 64th minute when Captain Afolabi capitalised on a defensive error, but her attempt was thwarted by the American keeper.

Moments later, Uzoma pulled off a spectacular save to deny the Americans, only for an offside call to nullify the chance.

The U.S. doubled their lead in the 73rd minute, securing their path to the semi-finals and ending Nigeria’s journey in the tournament.

Senator To FG: Give Nigerians 100k Food Voucher Monthly To Combat Hunger

By
James Orji
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Senator Jimoh Ibrahim has knocked the  Federal government poverty palliatives saying they have failed to achieve desired results.
The senator representing Ondo in the Nigerian Senate said the palliative programmes meant to reduce hunger in the country have not trickled down to those who need them, because they have been hijacked by the state governors.
The Cable reports that the  business man turned politician spoke in Washington DC at the week end, urging the federal government to start printing food vouchers throuth thr Central Bank of Nigeria, instead of the current palliative policies, which he argued have not benefitted Nigerians.
According to the senators, the CBN should start printing N100,000 vouchers for vulnerable  Nigerians to buy food, rather than giving them money, which he said will lead inflation in thr country.
He said all the palliative programmes should be harmonise under this policy for for effective results, noting that this will curb corruption among the political class, thereby enabling those who really needed the palliatives to get them.
Senator Ibrahim: “This is a harmonious policy, and when it’s done, it will help the government to have a direct impact on those who are affected by poverty and food insecurity. So, vouchers for food is very significant.
“Imagine you give N100,000 per month to anybody above 18 years that is really affected by food insecurity and poverty, you see every month they draw down on this in the first one year. It makes more sense than some palliatives that have to do with solar power and things like that.
“It’s very important because when you don’t solve the problem of food and hunger, then you are looking for crisis. This is why we are saying that the economic policy of the central bank and the ministry of finance should be harmonised, and then we can have a clear account to print vouchers for food.”
The magazine reported that the federal and state government have been trenchantly criticised for embarking on various palliative programmes to assist Nigeria’s to survive the current hunger in the country.
Critics of the administration insist that the palliatives which run into several billions, in form of food and cash have  been turned into cash cow by government officials and their cronies.

We Have No Plans To Tamper With Local Government Funds – Gov Otti

By
Suleiman Anyalewechi
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Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State
Governor Alex Otti of Abia State

By Suleiman  Anyalewechi

The Abia State Government on Saturday, October 26, 2024 stoutly distanced itself from any  planed legislation aimed at undermining the Supreme Court verdict affirming the financial independence of Local Governments in Nigeria.

This is even as it called on the State workforce to caution the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, in the State over its growing penchant for leveling unfounded allegations.

The Source reports that the State Government’s  denial is coming on the heels of allegations from some sections of the Abia populace, particularly the opposition that the Government has gone the way of Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state to enact a law intended to subject Local Councils Funds to the control of the Governor.

The opposition had insisted that the Executive arm, led by Governor Alex Otti, had transmitted a bill to that effect and had also gone ahead to browbeat the widely perceived lame duck House of Assembly into passing the bill earlier in the week.

Instructively, the leadership of the NLC in the State joined in the accusations, calling on ALGON and NULGE officials to resist any piece of legislation that seeks to make councils accessible to state Government abuse.

Only on Wednesday October 23, opposition in the State pointedly informed that the controversial bill has indeed been passed by the Labour party headed Abia Assembly leadership.

However, it was quick to salute the courage,and sense of responsibility exhibited by about 12 Peoples Democratic Party PDP Lawmakers who reportedly staged a walk out during the passage of the bill.

The allegations of the opposition was somewhat confirmed with the NLC letter of Thursday October 24 alerting the umbrella bodies of Local Government political leaders – ALGON and NULGE – to the alleged passage of the offensive bill.

The NLC’s position was, however, enough to force a response from  the  leadership of the State legislative body .

At a media briefing on Thursday, in Umuahia ,the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Okezie Meregini, rejected claims of  the passage of a bill meant to continue controlling Council funds by the Governor.

The Deputy Speaker who is, also, the House Committee Chairman on Information, informed that what was forwarded to the Lawmakers was a bill that will benefit the Local Governments without necessarily eroding their financial autonomy.

“The bill is for the  establishment of the Abia State Rural Access Road Agency which is part of the World Bank’s Rural Access and Agricultural Market Project RAAMP and  similar bills have already been passed in states like Ebonyi, Kwara and Sokoto with RAAMP receiving funding from World Bank, the International Finance Agency IFA and the French Agency for Development AFD .” a statement issued by the Governor’s Adviser Ferdinand Ekeoma on Saturday October 26, quoted the Deputy Speaker as saying.

According to  Ekeoma, the Deputy Speaker further noted that both State and Local Governments are expected to contribute counterpart funding for road construction but assured that it does not translate to the State controlling councils funds.

” He ( Deputy Speaker) dismissed the false claim that some members of the House staged a walk out and made it clear there was no walkout as all members, including the opposition, were present during the session”, the Governor’s media aide further quoted Rt Hon Meregini as saying.

Furthermore, Ekeoma expressed regret that the  NLC leadership in the State could proceed to issue a letter on the said bill without caring to avail itself the correct information.

“Shouldn’t a reputable body like the NLC have written to the House to obtain the correct information instead of hastily rushing to the media to misrepresent the Government and misinform the public ?

“Shouldn’t the authors of the letter have been more careful, more cautious and more informed before speaking on the issue?

“The Government wishes to remind the NLC leadership in the state that exhibiting unprovoked hostile disposition and acting maliciously and irrationally based on misinformation from rumour mongers to the point of distorting or challenging Government’s noble polices and programmes geared towards advancing the welfare of all Abians is an unpopular route they shouldn’t travel through because Abia workers are discerning enough to differentiate  between media clout chasing and pro-people altruism”,  part of the Government’s state reads.

Prof Nwosu, An Exceptional Electoral Umpire Ready To Die For Democracy, Says Obi

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi and Prof Humphrey Nwosu

The Labour Party leader and Presidential Candidate in the party in 2023 polls, Peter Obi, has described the late National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof Humphrey Nwosu, as an exceptional Electoral Umpire who was ready to risk his life for democracy.

In a short tribute to the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, who passed on during the week, Obi said he was a principled academic who brought to bear in his job the principle he taught in the classroom as a political scientist.

In his message titled  “In Prof Nwosu, A True Democrat Exits,” Obi wrote in X handle, “I have just received the sad news of the death of the former Chairman of the National Electoral Commission, NEC, Prof Humphrey Nwosu.

“Prof Nwosu was a true Democrat, an outstanding academician whose love for democracy and its values was copiously demonstrated in the way and manner he carried out his responsibilities as an electoral umpire between 1989  to 1993.

“His courageous defense of democratic principles, even under a non-democratic government, put him out as a man who was ready even to sacrifice his life for the sake of democracy and good governance.

“For his pivotal role in holding and upholding the 1993 presidential elections, Prof Nwosu’s name will remain indelible in the history of Nigerian democracy.  He stood for the truth In Nigeria for standing for the truth and the best tenets of democracy when it was delicate and even dangerous to do so.

“It’s, however, disheartening to note that what Prof Nwosu did when the nation’s electoral commission was not even legally independent and when billions of taxpayers’ money were not deployed as it is today with an accompanying updated technology could not be repeated in contemporary times in a supposed full democratic system.

“As an academic, Prof Nwosu brought to bear all the principles he taught in the classroom as an erudite professor of Political Science, unlike these days when professors are procured to aid electoral malpractices, including announcing results of elections they did not verify.

“For the new Nigeria we desire, the country needs more of Professor Nwosu, who will risk their lives for democracy.

“I pray God to forgive his shortcomings while on earth, grant his soul eternal repose, and his family and all lovers of democracy who mourn him the gratitude to bear the huge loss.

“May God Almighty grant Nigeria the likes of Professor Humphrey Nwosu in her future elections.

A new Nigeria is indeed POssible”

Women Group Lauds President Tinubu For Sacking Uju Ken-Ohanenye As Minister

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Uju Ken-Ohanenye

By Akinwale Kasali

The sacking of Uju Ken-Ohanenye as the Minister of Women Affairs has been hailed by a Women Group – Concerned Women Group.

The Group cited that the former Minister’s sack is appropriate as she, allegedly, was  disconnected from the needs and aspirations of Nigerian women.

In a Press statement, Dr Victoria Omua Amu, National Coordinator of the Group, stated that Ken-Ohanenye’s tenure was characterised by a “bizarre” and “misfit” approach to the role, devoid of empathy and understanding of women’s challenges.

The statement highlighted that Ken-Ohanenye’s failed to advocate for women facing violence, economic disparities, and societal marginalization.

“Her detached attitude towards women’s issues made her appear indifferent to their suffering,” the statement said.

The Group condemned the former Minister’s “disrespectful demeanour” and inability to connect with women across Nigeria, adding that her actions alienated those in vulnerable situations.

They asserted that the Women Affairs Minister needs to be a leader who embodies compassion, solidarity, and strength, qualities which they allege Ken-Ohanenye failed to demonstrate.

The Concerned Women group accused the former Minister of losing touch with the essence of her office, leaving a legacy of disregard for the dreams and aspirations of women aspiring to political office.

They specifically criticized her alleged treatment of women in political circles, stating that her actions reflected a profound disconnect from the struggles and ambitions of Nigerian women.

The group also called for future leaders in positions of influence over women’s affairs to embody the values of empathy, connection, and respect.

They expressed hope that this change in leadership will signify a new era of advocacy and support for Nigerian women.

Botched AFCON 2025 Qualifier: CAF Awards Three Points, Three Goals to Nigeria

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Super Eagles
Super Eagles

By Akinwale Kasali

Also fines Libya $50,000

The Super Eagles of Nigeria have booked a place at the 2025 African Cup of Nations, AFCON, tournament in Morocco following the three points and three goals awarded to the three-time AFCON Champions by the Confederation of African Football leadership against the Mediterranean Knights of Libya.

The Disciplinary Board of Confederation of African Football, CAF,  awarded Nigeria three points and three goals from the botched encounter of the 2025 AFCON qualification series scheduled to be played by Libya and Nigeria in Benina on 15th October.

In its ruling on Saturday, signed by the chairman, Ousmane Kane, the Disciplinary Board ruled:

1) The Libya Football Federation is found to have breached Article 31 of the Africa Cup of Nations Regulations as well as Articles 82 and 151 of the CAF Disciplinary Code.

2) The match No. 87 Libya v. Nigeria of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Qualifiers 2025 (scheduled to be played on 15 October in Benghazi) declared lost by forfeit by Libya (by a score of 3-0).

3) The Libya Football Federation is ordered to pay a fine of USD 50,000.

4) The fine is to be paid within 60 days of notification of the present decision.

5) All other and further motions or prayers for relief are dismissed.

The implication is that Nigeria is now poised to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with two matches to spare. With the decision, the Eagles are now on 10 points from four matches, four points better than second-placed Benin Republic, while Rwanda have five points. Bottom-placed Libya have only one point and are out of the running for qualification.

Victory or draw against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic in Abidjan on Thursday, 14th November (a Matchday 5 encounter) will land the Super Eagles a ticket to the finals in Morocco, December 2025/January 2026.

Champion Permanent Seat For Africa At UN Security Council, Tinubu Charges Botchway

By
Ayodele Oni
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Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey - Secretary General of Commonwealth

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has extended a hand of fellowship to Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, the newly elected Secretary General of the Commonwealth.

Botchwey is Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration,  Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.

On Friday, Leaders of the 56 Commonwealth nations meeting in Apia, Samoa, elected Botchwey, a 61-year-old former lawmaker who has served as Ghana’s Foreign Minister for the last seven years, as the 7th Secretary-General.

She is expected to assume office on April 1, 2025.

Botchwey is the second African to be elected secretary-general of the Commonwealth in its 75-year history, after Chief Emeka Anyaoku of Nigeria, who served in that position from July  1990 to 2000.

She had the backing of Nigeria for the top commonwealth job.

Presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga in a statement, stated that the Nigerian leader believes that Botchey’s extensive career in public administration, foreign affairs and regional development makes her a perfect fit for the job.

He trusts that Botchey’s leadership experience will bring renewed energy to the Commonwealth’s efforts to advance meaningful economic and political partnerships that drive development and amplify the bloc’s voice in global affairs.

President Tinubu said he looks forward to working with the incoming Secretary-General to advance the Commonwealth’s vision of fostering peace, equity and prosperity for all member nations.

The President reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to championing a Commonwealth that prioritizes strengthening intra-commonwealth trade, African exports, and a unified presence at the United Nations that supports an African bid for a permanent representation at the Security Council.

ISWAP Remains Terrorists’ Organization – Joint Military Task Force

By
Ayodele Oni
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iswap BokoHaram
Islamic Insurgents

By Ayodele Oni

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) has warned communities in the Lake Chad region of dangerous roles of  the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the area cautioning them against harbouring its members.

MNJTF insisted that ISWAP remains killer- squad contrary to reports which falsely portray the terrorist group as protectors of communities in the Lake Chad region.

The MNJTF spokesperson, Lt Col Olaniyi Osoba, dismissed the claims as “despicably false,” stating that ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists have been responsible for numerous atrocities, including killings, kidnappings, and forced displacement.

“The manipulated report features farmers, herders, and fishermen speaking in Hausa, falsely emphasizing their purported harmonious relationship with ISWAP/Boko Haram terrorists.

“This is a blatant attempt to mislead the public and whitewash the group’s horrific crimes.”

The MNJTF highlighted its ongoing efforts to stabilize the region, protect civilians, and restore essential services.

“Over the past year, the force has successfully repatriated thousands of refugees and internally displaced persons, reopened key trade routes, and neutralized numerous terrorists.

“The MNJTF remains unwavering in its commitment to ensuring the peace, unity, and security of all communities within the Lake Chad Basin.”

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