Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, screened and confirmed seven out of the ten persons nominated by President Bola Tinubu for appointment as Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). President Tinubu had nominated ten persons for the REC positions for a five-year term each in accordance with the provisions of Section 154(1) of the Constitution. Those nominated were: Etekamba Umoren — Akwa Ibom State Resident Electoral Commissioner Isah Shaka Ehimeakne — Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner Oluwatoyin Babalola — Ekiti State Resident Electoral Commissioner Abubakar Ahmed Ma’aji — Gombe State Resident Electoral Commissioner Shehu Wahab — Kwara…

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has told governors of the People Democratic Party (PDP) that he can not be intimidated. The Minister said this when Chairman of PDP Governors Forum, Bala Mohammed, led his counterpart on a courtesy visit to him over the crisis rocking Rivers State. Aside from Mohammed, who is governor of Bauchi, others in the delegation are:  Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa), Caleb Muftwang (Plateau), and  Agbu Kefas (Traba). Wike, a former Rivers governor, had worked for the emergence of Fubara as his successor but the duo fell out in less than six months. In his…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed optimism that the political crisis ongoing in the state would be resolved amicably. Fubara disclosed this on Wednesday when the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, led a military delegation to the Government House in Port Harcourt, the state capital. He noted that there is nothing wrong with a father having an issue with his son, saying that the political problems in the state would be resolved. His words: “For our dear state, I know everybody is wondering what’s going on, what’s not going on. We are okay, there is no problem.…

Sir Bobby Charlton died after an accidental fall at a care home, an inquest has heard. The England and Manchester United legend died aged 86 in Macclesfield General Hospital on 21 October. The inquest at Cheshire Coroner’s Court heard Sir Bobby was living in The Willows in Knutsford, a nursing home caring for patients with dementia. Senior coroner for Cheshire Jacqueline Devonish concluded his death was accidental. The hearing was told Sir Bobby had lost his balance as he stood up from his chair, striking a window sill and “possibly a radiator”. Staff performed a full-body check at the time and noted…

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said government officials and appointees who cannot perform are free to leave while declaring that he must succeed by all means to deliver on the expectations of Nigerians who brought him into office. He stated this on Wednesday at the opening of a three-day retreat with the theme, “Delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” organised for ministers, presidential aides, permanent secretaries, and top government officials at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. President Tinubu, who stated that at the end of the retreat, a bond of understanding would be signed between the participants and himself, said:…

Police in Rivers on Wednesday refuted claims that they deliberately attacked the state’s Gov Siminalayi Fubara during his visit to the House of Assembly complex in Port Harcourt on Monday. Fubara had alleged that some policemen shot teargas and used water cannons on him and his aides while on his way to assess the arson at the state’s parliament building. A trending video on the social media confirmed the governor’s claims and drew wide condemnation from Nigerians. Spokesperson of the police in Rivers, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, however, denied a deliberate attack on the governor in a statement she issued in Port…

The National Population Commission (NPC) is about to be probed over the money expended on the postponed 2023 population and housing census. On Wednesday, the lower chamber of the National Assembly, known as the House of Representatives, resolved that over two hundred billion Naira spent on the ‘failed’ Census would be investigated. This follows a motion from Honourable Dominic Okafor, who drew the attention of the lawmakers to the expended amounts. Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had approved the postponement of the 2023 Population and Housing Census, earlier scheduled for May 3 to 7, to a date to be determined by the incoming administration. Buhari had…

As expected, Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, has been nominated for the 2023 CAF Africa Men’s Player of the Year award. CAF announced the 30-man nominees on their X handle on Wednesday. Osimhen will contend for the award against stars like Mohamed Salah, Riyad Mahrez, Sadio Mane, Hakim Ziyech, Sofyane Amrabat, Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi and Mohammed Kudus. Also shortlisted are Vincent Aboubakar, Thomas Partey, Percy Tau, Frank Anguissa among others. Osimhen will be hoping to become the first Nigerian to win the CAF Player of the Year award since Nwankwo Kanu last won it in 1999. He…

Ajax will have part of their ground shut for their Eredivisie match against Vitesse Arnhem after crowd trouble marred September’s defeat to Feyenoord. The Dutch giants, who say they have already punished more than 50 people, have also been fined 25,000 euros. Home fans threw flares and fireworks onto the pitch, causing the match to be stopped, before it concluded three days later behind closed doors. Police officers were injured and the stadium structure sustained damage. In a statement, the 36-time Dutch champions said they would inform fans affected by the enforced closure in the south stand on 25 November and…

FG to pay federal workers N35,000 wage award separately a director in the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) said on Tuesday. The funding for the payment is included in the N2.1 trillion 2023 Supplementary Appropriation Bill, sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday. The bill is still awaiting approval by lawmakers. Tinubu approved the wage award in October following a dispute with labour unions over the withdrawal of fuel subsidies. The payment is expected to take effect from September 1, 2023. The OAGF director, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that workers on…

The House of Representatives has given the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, a 72-hour ultimatum to submit a detailed report on the utilization of N100 billion COVID-19 intervention funds released by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to Ministries, Departments and Agencies between 2020 and 2022.  Chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts, Bamidele Salam (PDP, Osun), said the ultimatum followed the failure of the AGF to comply with the resolution of the committee to submit the report on October 27, 2023. He said, “A letter was written to the Accountant General to furnish the committee with details…

Imo State Police Command operatives have arrested the President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero. Ajaero was whisked away by the Police at the ongoing protest in Imo state. According to Vanguard, the development took place as hoodlums descended on protesters, smashing vehicles and inflicting wounds on labour members. At the time of filing this report, the whereabout of the NLC President is unknown as heavily armed security personnel took him away Ajaero had earlier directed all members of the Union and affiliate Unions to shut down all sectors in Imo State, including air, land and sea, as the union commences protest…