Author: Vincent Osuwo

The British government announced Thursday that it intends to allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in general elections, a historic development that will make the UK one of the world’s youngest voting countries. It follows the ruling Labour Party’s promise to make the change before taking office last year and is one of several planned improvements to the democratic system, which some claim is “in crisis” due to low turnout and other difficulties. The voting age shift is sure to be divisive, with some detractors claiming it is self-serving because newly enfranchised teens are more likely to vote for the…

The police in Ondo State have announced the arrest of a landlord and two others for the kidnapping and murder of two students of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, in the state. Mr Adebowale Lawal, the State Commissioner of Police, stated this on Wednesday in Akure while addressing reporters about the command’s recent achievements. Lawal identified the two victims as Abah Friday, a 25-year-old male, and his buddy, Okah Eloho, a 19-year-old female. He also claimed that the landlord, Oladele Femi, confessed to originating the scheme and assisting in the concealing of the murders. The CP explained that the arrest was…

The Kano State Police Command has detained 11 students from Government Boarding Secondary School in Bichi in connection with the deaths of two other students. Abdullahi Haruna, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the arrests in an email to PUNCH Online on Thursday. Haruna stated that the pupils were being probed to ascertain their level of involvement in the incident. “Eleven students were arrested over the incident, and the investigation is ongoing to find out the level of their individual involvement,” he said. He assured that the police will do everything necessary to solve the students’ murders and arrest those responsible. On…

The Peoples Democratic Party has declared that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s irresponsibility was a major role in the party’s loss in the 2023 presidential election and that his withdrawal from the party is not a problem. In an exclusive interview with THE PUNCH on Thursday, PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary Ibrahim Abdullahi said Atiku’s exit was “good riddance to bad rubbish”. On Wednesday, Atiku formally resigned from the PDP, sparking widespread speculation that he may run for president as part of the African Democratic Congress-led alliance. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, issued to the Chairman of his Jada…

The publisher of Ovation Magazine and former presidential candidate, Dele Momodu, has announced his departure from the Peoples Democratic Party, citing what he calls the party’s seizure by “antidemocratic forces”. Momodu’s resignation letter, dated July 17, 2025, was addressed to the Chairman of PDP Ward 4 in Ihievbe, Owan East Local Government Area, Edo State. Momodu wrote in the letter that his decision has “immediate effect” and that it is a vital move towards upholding democratic ideals. “My reason is simple and straightforward. Our party has been unarguably hijacked by antidemocratic forces, from within and outside, in broad daylight,” the…

A former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George, said the exit from the party of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has confirmed his selfishness. George, who made the remark in a chat with Vanguard, advised the former presidential candidate to retire from politics. Atiku, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction from its founding principles. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of PDP Jada 1 Ward in Adamawa State, he formally terminated his membership in the party…

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State downplayed the exit of the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. According to Makinde, his defection won’t affect the fortunes of the party. Makinde stated this in Akure, Ondo State, during an interview with journalists at the 10th anniversary of the rulership of the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi. Atiku, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences and a shift in the party’s direction from its founding principles. In a letter dated July 14, 2025, and addressed to the Chairman of PDP Jada 1…

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, yesterday dismissed the resignation of the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing it as ‘nothing new’, and urged Nigerians to shift focus to more important issues such as hunger and economic hardship, rather than political defections. According to a senior member of PDP’s National Working Committee, NWC, Atiku’s defection did not come as a surprise. “Atiku’s departure from the PDP is nothing new. As Nigerians, we tend to become overly fixated on individuals. Hasn’t Atiku left this party before? Did anything fundamentally change?” the official stated. The PDP leader also criticised the media for what…

President Bola Tinubu will chair a special Federal Executive Council (FEC) session in honour of the late President Muhammadu Buhari,scheduled to be held Thursday, July 17, 2025. Tinubu had on Sunday summoned a special FEC session to be dedicated to the late Buhari on Tuesday. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu in his tribute had said, “As a mark of respect to our former leader, I have directed that all national flags fly at half-staff across the country for seven days from today. “I have also summoned an emergency Federal…

Napoli have insisted that Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will only leave the club for the quoted fee of €75m despite the release clause’s expiry on Tuesday. With the expiry of the release clause which has scared many suitors away, the Serie A champions could decide to lower or increase Osimhen’s price tag, but they have chosen to retain the €75m price. Osimhen could have left Napoli since last summer after falling out with the club’s hierarchy, but the move has stalled even after the intent of Galatasaray to sign him on a permanent deal after enjoying his services on loan…