Author: Opalim Lifted

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to order an independent investigation into the alleged use of artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and the manipulation of personal data in the preliminary Register of Voters published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The call came on Sunday from Lagos-based rights group Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in a statement issued by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare. In a letter dated October 31, 2026, the human rights group urged the Tinubu-led government to direct the National Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), Dr Vincent Olatunji, to…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that it has no preferred candidate or political party ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Friday while receiving a pre-election fact-finding mission from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. The delegation was led by Victor Bockarie Foh, a former Vice-President of Sierra Leone. Amupitan reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to electoral neutrality, insisting that its responsibility was to uphold the rule of law and respect the will of Nigerian voters. “INEC under my watch has no…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is investigating suspected artificial intelligence (AI)-generated photographs and other irregularities in its preliminary Register of Voters ahead of the 2027 general elections. INEC Chairman, Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Saturday during the commission’s South-South zonal interactive meeting with staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. In a statement published on its official X account, the commission said Amupitan assured Nigerians that the affected records were being examined and corrective measures would be taken based on verified findings. The development follows growing public criticism of the preliminary voters’ register, with Nigerians raising concerns over suspected AI-generated…

Africa is experiencing a troubling decline in democracy, human rights and public participation as political leaders increasingly draw inspiration from the rise of strongmen across the world, billionaire philanthropist and governance advocate Mo Ibrahim has warned. Ibrahim, founder of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, raised the alarm while discussing the organisation’s latest governance report, which highlights growing challenges to democratic accountability across the continent. According to the report, Africa has recorded improvements in economic opportunities and human development over the past decade. However, these gains have been accompanied by significant deterioration in security, human rights and public participation. The continent has…

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has filed an appeal against the 14-year prison sentence handed to a Christian woman, Lami Dawa, in Borno State over allegations involving the conversion of a Muslim woman to Christianity. CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, disclosed that the association was concerned about Dawa’s continued imprisonment, while calling for the protection of her fundamental rights and adherence to due process. In a statement issued on Saturday, Okoh said the case raised important questions about religious freedom and constitutional rights, although the precise circumstances surrounding the conviction were still being verified. He maintained that every Nigerian…

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the country for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. In an op-ed article published in The Guardian, Burnham described the slave trade as a “brutal and barbaric violation” against enslaved people. “They were denied their humanity. They were separated from their families, treated as property and worked to their deaths,” Burnham said. “I want to express my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people, and to recognise the way it still shapes our world…

Chelsea took full advantage of Manchester United’s second-half collapse to condemn the visitors to a third straight loss and heap yet more pressure on Michael Carrick. United are now without a win in nine games in all competitions, their longest such run since October-November 1988. A fourth Premier League defeat of the season leaves United 16th, a point above the relegation zone, with under-fire boss Carrick in an increasingly precarious position just days after being given the chance turn things around following a dismal start to the campaign. After an encouraging first-half performance, United allowed Morgan Rogers to saunter unchallenged…

Nigeria’s health authorities have ruled out Ebola infection in two suspected cases identified in Adamawa State, following two rounds of laboratory testing. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) confirmed that samples collected from the two individuals tested negative for the Ebola virus. The development came hours after the agency announced that two suspected Ebola cases had been identified in Nigeria’s North-East, prompting their isolation and contact-tracing activities. In a statement signed by its Director-General, Jide Idris, on Saturday evening, the NCDC said the suspected cases were reported in Yola, Adamawa State, on October 30, after the individuals…

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed Samson Adamu as its substantive general secretary. The decision comes months after he was initially appointed interim general secretary in March, following the resignation of Veron Mosengo-Omba, a Swiss-Congolese official. Adamu becomes the first Nigerian to hold the position since CAF was founded in 1957. The 40-year-old, who previously served as CAF’s Director of Competitions, takes over the administrative leadership of African football’s governing body following approval by its executive committee. With extensive experience in sports governance, Adamu has played a key role in organising major continental competitions, including the Africa Cup…

The United States, South Korea and Japan have reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea amid renewed diplomatic efforts to bring Pyongyang back to nuclear negotiations. The three countries restated their position on Friday during a meeting of their foreign ministers on the sidelines of the Group of 20 (G20) meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, according to the US State Department. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi reaffirmed their “resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation” of North Korea. They also pledged to ensure the full implementation…