Author: Vincent Osuwo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will officially present certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy on Wednesday. Aiyedatiwa would be issued the certificate at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja. This was disclosed by the Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Rotimi Oyekanm, on Monday. He said, “The certificates of return would be presented by INEC to the governor-elect and his deputy on Wednesday at the commission’s headquarters.” INEC declared Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress the winner after he secured a total of 366,781 votes, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party’s Agboola Ajayi, who…

Daniel Bwala, the President’s recently appointed Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, responded on Monday to Senator Ali Ndume’s request that he apologise for prior comments on the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. Following President Bola Tinubu’s selection of Bwala last Thursday, Ndume issued a statement calling on him to apologise for his previous actions, specifically his objection to Tinubu’s nomination of Senator Kashim Shettima as his running partner in 2023. But, addressing State House Correspondents on Monday at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, his first appearance since his appointment last Thursday, Bwala rebuffed Ndume’s advice, claiming he…

Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Public Communication and Orientation, has indicated that former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration had major setbacks for Nigerian democracy.  Dare stated in a statement posted on his X account on Monday that subsequent administrations tried to repair the harm caused by Obasanjo and that Tinubu is currently making considerable headway in addressing these concerns. According to Dare, Obasanjo has lost any moral authority to condemn the current government, and he should apologise to Nigerians for failing to build the groundwork for the country’s development. He said, “Democracy suffered mortal wounds under his…

The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) on Monday expanded their sanctions on Iran in response to its ongoing support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, targeting key Iranian ports, shipping companies, and state-run entities accused of facilitating the transfer of drones and missiles to Moscow. According to AFP, the EU banned the export, transfer, and sale of components used in the manufacturing of missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles in Iran on Monday. The restrictions also target Iranian ports, notably Amirabad and Anzali, which are thought to be conduits for transporting military supplies to Russia. “This measure includes the…

The Ondo State branch of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has rejected the results of Saturday’s governorship election, calling it a “show of shame.”  According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the state governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, won the election with 366,781 votes, defeating other contenders. Speaking to journalists on Monday in Akure, the state capital, SDP chairman Mr. Gbenga Akinbuli condemned the election, alleging widespread harassment and intimidation of party agents. The SDP chieftain further alleged that many voters were prohibited from voting in various polling stations and that vote-buying was widespread…

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered electricity distribution companies, DisCos to replace obsolete prepaid meters for their customers free. It stated that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry Act requires DisCos to replace broken and outdated prepayment meters for their consumers. This mandate was explained in a statement issued by the regulatory body’s management and shared on its official X handle on Monday. The directive comes after allegations that some electrical suppliers are urging customers to replace Unistar prepaid meters. DisCos hike meter prices by 28.03% Recall that Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Electricity Distribution Company requested that energy…

US President-elect Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that he plans to declare a national emergency on border security and use the US military to enforce a mass deportation of undocumented migrants. During the election campaign, Trump promised to deport millions and stabilise the border with Mexico after record numbers of migrants crossed illegally during President Joe Biden’s administration. On his social media platform, Trump amplified a recent post by a conservative activist that said the president-elect was “prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to reverse the Biden invasion.” After defeating Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris…

The Anambra State Government has launched an inquiry into the alleged brutalisation of Okey Akaneme, former President of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture, by officials from the state Waste Management Agency and police.  When reached by our correspondent on Monday, the state commissioner for environment, Felix Odumegwu, acknowledged the investigation, saying that while the government does not condone assault, preliminary investigations revealed that ASWAMA workers were not to blame. “The Anambra state government does not condone assault or touting of any kind, and if any government agent is found culpable, he will face the consequences. “We…

Manipur, India’s north-eastern state, is on high alert after officials discovered the bodies of six women and children believed to be members of the dominant Meitei community.  Meitei groups claim that they were kidnapped by members of the minority Kuki community. The cops have not confirmed this. The announcement provoked a new round of violent protests over the weekend, causing officials to suspend internet connectivity in some areas of the state. Since last May, the two ethnic groups have been at odds, resulting in 200 deaths and thousands of displacements. Indian ex-minister shot, killed in Mumbai On Saturday, demonstrators looted…

Mohammed Afif, Hezbollah’s media chief, was killed in an Israeli airstrike in central Beirut, the militant group claimed.  According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, a strike damaged the Baath political party’s headquarters in the highly populated Ras al-Naba area on Sunday. The country’s health ministry stated that four people were killed but did not identify the victims. Afif, one of the group’s few remaining public faces, was last seen on Monday during a press conference in Beirut’s southern suburbs, where the group is headquartered. Hezbollah verified the killing on Sunday evening, some hours after the initial news. BREAKING: Hezbollah…