NewStats: 3,262,353 , 8,176,903 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 10:45 PM 6id4w

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has revealed that from the earliest days of campaigns leading to the 2023 general elections, he told President Bola Tinubu that he will never or vote for him.

Amaechi added that he decided to keep to his words and never worked or voted for Tinubu because the President lacked the capacity to govern Nigeria.

He disclosed this during a lecture in Abuja on Saturday to mark his 60th birthday.

"Some of us who are here are also those who vote on an ethnic or religious basis. Innocent, uneducated people are manipulated to vote based on ethnicity and religion — that’s why we are here.

“When we leave here, we go to plot to go and grab power; no Nigerian leader cares for you,”

Speaking on Coalition, he said, “We want to submit to the opposition if the opposition will take us out of this problem.

“The current government is weaponising poverty by stealing the money they should have used to build hospitals and schools. The benefit of the fuel subsidy removal is in their pockets,” he added.

https://dailytrust.com/i-told-tinubu-i-wont-vote-for-him-amaechi/

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taunted those saying his istration is pushing Nigeria towards a one-party system, saying that you cannot blame people for their choice of association.

Speaking at the ongoing All Progressives Congress (APC) National summit at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said, “it is only one party that is ruling”.

"For those still contemplating bale out of their ship, the country is yours, hold on to it. For those talking about one party system. It is one party ruling and driving the aspiration of Nigeria. You don’t blame a people balling out of a shrinking ship when they have no life jackets.

“I am glad of what we have and I am expecting more. That is the game. We are in a constitutional democracy.

He said nobody can force anyone to stay where they don’t want, adding that APC is ready to receive more Nigerians who are willing to the ruling party.

He said, “they think this political party is a failure, but with your perseverance, we never gave up. We are the Progressives. We will soldier on. Continue to work hard… I listen to you, not them.

“We have an opportunity to make Africa great, but I urge you to stay the course. To those I cannot offer political positions, be patient, you will be happy to belong to this party.”

https://dailytrust.com/one-party-state-we-didnt-force-anyone-to--apc-tinubu/

By Ochogwu Sunday


Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, says the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara remains his political son.

Wike made the assertion in an interview with BBC Pidgin published on Saturday afternoon.

According to the minister, the battle was not against Fubara but those he claimed had been pushing the governor against him.

He said, “That one is not a battle. He (Fubara) is my boy, he is my son, why will I fight with him?

“I’m only fighting against people who want to steal what they did not work for.

“When you don’t defeat them, they will think you….. Defeat them to the final stage.

"Now, they are ashamed because they are being defeated. They are the ones pushing Fubara.”

DAILY POST reports that Wike and Fubara have been in engaged in a face-off since 2023 fueling an unending political crisis in Rivers State.

There were reports that Fubara, who was suspended by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, had tendered apologies to his former boss.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/05/17/rivers-fubara-is-my-son-wike-reveals-those-hes-fighting/

By Dennis Romero, Mirna Alsharif and Christine Rapp


At least 21 people were killed when severe weather, including possible tornadoes, swept through parts of Missouri and Kentucky from Friday into Saturday morning, authorities said.

Fourteen were dead in Kentucky, Governor Andy Beshear said on X Saturday morning. "Sadly, this number is expected to grow as we receive more information," he added.

Laurel County, Kentucky, Sheriff John Root reported "numerous severe injuries." He said a tornado touched down late Friday night and that the search for survivors continued.

In Missouri, five were killed in St. Louis County, and two others in Scott County, according to officials. At least 38 people were reported injured in the city of St. Louis, Mayor Cara Spencer said in a news briefing Saturday morning. That number is expected to increase, officials said.

Spencer also said that severe weather has affected around 5,000 buildings in the city.

"Our inspectors are out there making sure that we are, first and foremost, assessing the damage to be condemning buildings, and moving through demolition and other security as we go through this," Spencer said at the briefing.

Spencer described the devastation seen around the city as "tremendous."

"I would describe this as one of the worst storms, absolutely," she said. "The devastation is truly heartbreaking, and let's not forget, people have lost their lives."

A spokesperson for both St. Louis Children's Hospital and Barnes -Jewish Hospital said the facilities have received over 60 patients in total, with the children's facility getting 15 and Barnes-Jewish seeing around 50 to 60, who were injured as a result of the severe weather. Three of the children's hospital patients have been itted, with two in critical condition, while all others have been discharged.

Some of those at Barnes-Jewish were itted but most have been discharged or will be discharged soon, the spokesperson said.

Fire Chief Dennis Jenkerson said severe weather hit about 20 square blocks of the city.

St. Louis police spokesperson Mitch McCoy said search-and-rescue operations were carried out with the help of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and surrounding county first responders.

"It’s all hands on deck to rescue as many people as we can and save lives," he told NBC KSDK of St. Louis Friday.

The station reported that a man was rescued from the rubble of a home after an hourslong operation. The residence was most likely smashed by a tornado or the severe weather's associated potent winds in the area Friday, the station said.

"Considering the building collapsed on him, he's doing great," a fire official said after the man was pulled out.

The man had sought shelter in the home and ended up stuck inside, possibly in a pantry, KSDK said.

Coverage from the region included imagery of a decimated Harlem Tap Room, a historic bar on the city's north side that has been at the same location for roughly 80 years.

A witness who was in the bar told KSDK that a fellow patron's warning and the establishment's flickering lights preceded his move and that of others there to the rear of the building, which he said likely saved lives.

Utility Spire energy, which serves 1.7 million customers in the region, said there is "severe damage" to homes. Video of the damage showed toppled brick walls and downed tree limbs and power lines in the region.

The nearby city of Clayton said its City Hall is closed as it coordinates a response to the severe weather.

In Scott County, Sheriff Derick Wheetley said in a social media post that two people died in a "devastating tornado" there.

"The tornado moved from the eastern part of the county, leaving behind a trail of destruction, with multiple homes completely lost and areas left unrecognizable," he said.

On Saturday, Kentucky had more than 99,000 customers in the dark according to utility tracker PowerOutage.us, with a further 84,000 across Missouri.

The vortexes were products of a fast-moving low pressure system headed east-northeast from its location over parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Missouri, a region under tornado watch until 10 p.m.

The cool, winter-like storm is clashing with a heat wave to the southwest, producing unstable air and eruptions of thunderstorm activity.

Lightning was seen illuminating the night sky above central Kentucky on Friday in a video circulating on X. It was announced on Saturday that the Levi Jackson Wilderness Road Park in southern Kentucky will be closed "for the coming days" after it sustained a direct hit from a tornado Friday night, per the park's spokespeople, who shared pictures of downed trees in the park.

A Beyoncé concert at Chicago’s open-air Soldier Field on Thursday was delayed because of the weather. Spectator video showed a ferocious downpour ahead of the show.

Storms on Friday produced more than 600 preliminary severe weather reports, including 26 potential tornadoes, across five states including Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Indiana, according to NBC News forecasters. One EF-0 (65 to 85 mph winds) tornado was confirmed near Folsom, New Jersey.

On Saturday, 20 million across the Southern Plains and New England are at risk of severe weather, with the strongest storms expected to affect parts of Texas and Oklahoma, where an Enhanced Risk is forecast, according to the National Weather Service. Dallas, Texas; Oklahoma City and Tulsa, Oklahoma; Shreveport, Louisiana; and Little Rock, Arkansas are included in the risk area, where damaging winds, large hail and a few tornadoes are possible.

There is also the chance for severe weather over parts of New England Saturday afternoon, including New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Storms in this area will be capable of producing 65 mph wind gusts, quarter-sized hail and a tornado.

Sunday’s severe risk will stay over the Plains, affecting 20 million from Nebraska to Texas. Wichita and Topeka, Kansas; Dallas; Oklahoma City; Kansas City, Missouri; and Omaha, Nebraska will be in the risk zone, with storms capable of damaging wind gusts, large hail and tornadoes.

This active pattern will continue into Monday, with 26 million at risk across the Plains and Midwest, including in Oklahoma City, Kansas City, Tulsa, Dallas and St. Louis. This risk will continue to push east as the system shifts, with Tuesday’s risk affecting 26 million in the Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys. Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Cincinnati, Ohio are highlighted for impacts on Tuesday.

This multi-day threat will also bring heavy rain, especially over parts of the Central Plains. Localized flash flooding cannot be ruled out through the next three days, as 4 inches, or more, of rain will be possible over parts of Missouri and Arkansas.

https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/tornadoes/st-louis-tornado-storm-rcna207389

Muhammed Hammed

A Nigerian youth corps member who studied Mass Communication has taken to social media to express her frustration after being posted to a bakery for her NYSC.

The young lady, identified as @Aridunu_jones on X (formerly Twitter), shared her experience online, questioning the relevance of her posting to her field of study.

In her words: “God will help me and judge NYSC. When I studied Mass Communication, you guys now posted me to a BAKERY. BAKERY OOOO!!!”

She called on God for help and expressed confusion over the decision, sparking reactions online.

As her post gained traction, concerned s flooded the comment section to share their thoughts and offer .

See some reactions below:

@DrMel_: “You can be their PR person? Opportunities don’t always look like opportunities sometimes.”

@lekan_olayinka1: “Will the masses not buy bread? Will you not communicate with them?”

@orukusuku: “What happened to you managing the Public Relations Department of the Bakery?”

@Tim_krux: “Your skills in mass communication would come in handy in advertising bread.”

She called on God for help and expressed confusion over the decision, sparking reactions online.

As her post gained traction, concerned s flooded the comment section to share their thoughts and offer .

See some reactions below:

@DrMel_: “You can be their PR person? Opportunities don’t always look like opportunities sometimes.”

@lekan_olayinka1: “Will the masses not buy bread? Will you not communicate with them?”

@orukusuku: “What happened to you managing the Public Relations Department of the Bakery?”

@Tim_krux: “Your skills in mass communication would come in handy in advertising bread.”


https://www.gistreel.com/corps-member-who-studied-mass-communication-fumes-after-nysc-posts-her-to-bakery/

By Vincent Kalu


One of the founding of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Onwuka Ukwa, has called on Nigerians to Peter Obi, to emerge the president in 2027 elections.

According to him, the next presidential election is going to be the most consequential political decision to be made by Nigerians, as it will provide the rare opportunity once again for the citizens to reset the survival of this nation as a united Nigeria.

Chief Ukwa noted that no nation can develop without ability and rule of law, adding that, while as the Anambra governor, Obi exhibited a high level ability never seen in the history of Nigeria’s politics, and so, stands out among most of the candidates traversing the length and breadth of Nigeria, campaigning for 2027, and who have already driven the nation to a political point of exhaustion.

“Do not expect these people to give you what they do not have. Their governing capacity is on full display for anyone to see. The once-fledging potential of the giant of Africa is now a shadow of itself and a mirage.

“Basic democratic institutions are under calculated attack. The territorial sovereignty of the nation is fragrantly breached on daily basis. The economic barometer has completely disappeared from the economic scale. Nigeria will not survive the digital innovation and technology age without a leader with the appropriate skill required to navigate the intricacy of the modern world.

Obi’s scorecard on the United Nations Millennium Goals to Governance, appropriately situates him as a suitable leader to navigate the affairs of this nation in 2027,” Ukwa said.

https://thesun.ng/obi-best-choice-in-2027-ukwa/?amp

By Ojoma Akor

The number of young adults suffering from high blood pressure, also known as hypertension in Nigeria, is rising by the day, findings by Weekend Trust has revealed.

Often thought to be a disease of older adults or the elderly, studies have shown that younger adults within the ages of 18 to 45 years are increasingly coming down with high blood pressure in the country.

This has led to growing concerns, as some studies have shown that the prevalence rate of hypertension among young adults in Nigeria is as high as 21.3 per cent in some areas.

Also, some of those affected are students of secondary and tertiary institutions who have a hard time coping with the rising cost of medications.

Already in Nigeria, hypertension is a leading cause of death and illness among the elderly.

Experts say the risk of developing hypertensive cardiovascular complications is greater in younger than older individuals.

They said the presence of hypertension at a young age increased the risk of cardiovascular events at middle age. It contributes to an earlier onset of coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke and transient ischaemic attacks.

High blood pressure occurs when the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels is consistently too high.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), your blood pressure is high when you have consistent systolic readings of 140 mm Hg or higher, or diastolic readings of 90 mm Hg or higher.

Prof Augustine Odili, the president of the Nigerian Cardiac Society and chairman of the Africa Regional Advisory Group for the International Society of Hypertension, explained it thus: “Measurement of blood pressure is written in two values. The one written on top is the systolic and the one below is the diastolic. So if your systolic blood pressure is above 140 and the diastolic blood pressure is above 90, you are said to have hypertension.”

Most cases of hypertension are asymptomatic; that is why it has been dubbed the ‘silent killer’.

Patients speak

When Hassan, 23, fell ill last year, he least expected to get a diagnosis of high blood pressure. However, after tests and four-day ission, he has been on a daily dose of high blood pressure medicine since then.

He said he was extremely shocked, even though his mother was hypertensive.

"My mother was diagnosed in her 50s, so I thought I was too young to suffer from it. I always thought it was only people in their 50s and 60s and above that suffer from high blood pressure,” he said.

Hassan, who wants to be known only with his first name, said he had made some lifestyle changes, including trying to get some rest from his busy work schedule at an information and communication technology (ICT) firm.

He added that he disliked taking drugs, even occasionally, but now, he has to make extra efforts to take his pills daily.

Aderibigbe Bisi, 56, a mother of five, said she got the shock of her life when her 19-year-old son, an undergraduate, was diagnosed of high blood pressure.

She and her husband do not suffer from the condition, but some persons from her maternal family have it, although as older adults.

“He has been receiving treatment and hoping that it would get better with time and not be on a lifelong medication from this age.

“He is one of the best students in his school; and he is always studying. But his siblings that eat too don’t have the condition,” she added.

Mark Yakubu (not his real names), a 34-year-old journalist, has been on high blood pressure drugs for four years. He recalled that he was always having persistent headache in the mornings before he went to the hospital.

“I always thought it was the stress of my job,” he said. But when he finally went to the hospital after he fell very ill, his blood pressure read 180. He also had malaria then. He was itted and had to take sometime off work to recover

He said he had been on high blood pressure drug since then.

Julia, 30, a stroke survivor, said she suffered the attack at the age of 28. Before then, each time she measured her blood pressure, it was always high. But no one placed her on drugs; and she also took it lightly.

She recalled that she was also having a lot of challenges and stress meeting up with her family’s needs as.

Then one night, she suddenly couldn’t move her body, so she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with stroke. She spent over a month in the hospital before she was discharged.

Today, while she is better, she said if a doctor had placed her on medication earlier, she may not have developed stroke.

https://dailytrust.com/world-hypertension-day-young-nigerians-under-burden-of-hypertension/

Suspended Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara has appealed to the people of the state to keep ing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Fubara, in a statement he personally signed to mark Easter, reinstated his commitment to deliver good governance in the state.

Describing Easter as a sacred season of reconciliation and unity, Fubara said during the celebration the peace of Christ should dwell in the hearts, restoring relationships, comforting the afflicted, feeding the hungry, and healing the brokenhearted.

He said: “It is a time to reaffirm our shared belief that peace shall overcome war, and that even shattered dreams can find new life in the light of the resurrection.

“This season renews our confidence that nothing neither hardship, nor adversity, nor even death can separate us from the love of God in Christ. In Him, we remain victorious.

"I reiterate my unwavering commitment to delivering good governance to the resilient and dignified people of Rivers State.

"Therefore, I call on the good people of Rivers State to continue to and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, while looking forward to a better tomorrow.

“Let us not lose sight of our collective strength. The transformation we all desire is achievable when we act together as one people under God, committed to peace, unity, and progress.”

https://thenationonlineng.net/keep-ing-tinubu-fubara-tells-rivers/

By Mohammed Ibrahim Yaba, Kaduna

Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the banner of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), paid a courtesy visit to former President Muhammadu Buhari at his Kaduna residence on Monday.

Speaking to journalists after a closed-door meeting, the forum’s chairman, Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State, said the visit was a demonstration of unity and strength within the APC.

According to him, the visit was timely following the conclusion of Ramadan, Lent, and the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations. He noted that it was important for the governors to honor the former president, who served two under the ruling party.

Uzodinma described Buhari as a father figure in Nigerian politics and expressed delight at seeing him in good health and high spirits.

He thanked Buhari for his exemplary leadership, crediting him for laying the foundation that has enabled the APC to remain a dominant force in the country’s political landscape.

The PGF chairman emphasized the need for internal unity and focused leadership as essential ingredients for sustained electoral victories.

He assured that the APC remains Nigeria’s largest and most formidable political party and is well-positioned to remain strong as preparations for the 2027 elections begin.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, who hosted the visit, also praised Buhari as a father, leader, and statesman whose influence continues to guide the party.

https://dailytrust.com/apc-governors-visit-buhari-in-kaduna-reaffirm-party-unity/

The Nigeria Police Force has advised the Take it Back Movement, TIB, and other organizers to shelve the planned nationwide protest scheduled for April 7.

DAILY POST reports that the civil society organisation and other groups have concluded plans to stage a nationwide protest on April 7.

The protest, according to the National Coordinator of TIB, Juwon Sanyaolu, is aimed at addressing issues surrounding the alleged misuse of the Cybercrime Act and the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State.

However, the Nigeria Police in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, advised the organizers to “shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous”.

Adejobi said the scheduled date had been earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, “to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force”.

"While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.

"The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands,” the statement added.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/04/06/its-mischievous-police-warn-against-planned-april-7-nationwide-protest/

By Don Silas

Tope Fasua, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Economic Affairs in the Office of the Vice President, has expressed confidence in the President’s chances of securing re-election in 2027.

Fasua claimed that he does not see who could remove Tinubu from office comes 2027 during Nigeria’s Presidential election.

He noted that other political parties lack both the platform to pose a challenge to Tinubu.

In a recent interview with broadcast journalist, Seun Okinbaloye, Fasua said, “I don’t see who will remove [Bola Ahmed] Tinubu in 2027.

“I don’t even see where you’re going to start. It is going to end up in frustration.

“They don’t even have a platform anymore. Which platform are they using?”

Tinubu won the 2023 Presidential election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

He defeated the likes of Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

https://dailypost.ng/2025/04/06/nigeria-presidential-election-i-dont-see-who-can-remove-tinubu-in-2027-aide/

By Tosin Oyediran

The Socio-Economic Rights and ability Project has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and House of Representatives Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to immediately withdraw a bill seeking to impose a six-month jail term or a fine of ₦100,000—or both—on eligible Nigerians who fail to vote in national and state elections.

In a letter dated March 29, 2025, and signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation described the proposed legislation as “oppressive” and a violation of citizens’ rights under the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws.

"Jailing eligible Nigerians for deciding not to vote would be entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the letter and spirit of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations,” the letter stated.

This is detailed in a Sunday press statement shared with PUNCH Online.

The bill, is titled ‘Bill for an Act to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to Make It Mandatory for All Nigerians of Majority Age to Vote in All National and State Elections and for Related Matters,’ proposes making voting compulsory for all eligible Nigerians.

SERAP argued that the measure infringes on citizens’ right to choose whether to participate in elections or not.

"The right to vote includes the right not to vote. If the right to participation is a right of the citizen, she/he must be free to decide whether or not to exercise it,” SERAP said.

Rather than criminalising voter apathy, SERAP urged the National Assembly to prioritise electoral reforms, including removing constitutional immunity for state governors and their deputies who commit electoral offences.

"The National Assembly ought to propose bills to reduce the influence of money in politics, and encourage—not compel—the exercise of the right to participation,” SERAP added.

The organisation further emphasized the need to explicitly prohibit the appointment of partisan individuals as Resident Electoral Commissioners in the Independent National Electoral Commission.

It also called for amendments to enhance voter registration processes through technology and secure voting mechanisms.

SERAP warned of legal action should the bill be ed into law.

"Should the National Assembly fail to drop the bill prescribing a six-month jail term for eligible Nigerians who decide not to vote, and should any such bill be assented to by President Bola Tinubu, SERAP would consider appropriate legal action to challenge the legality of any such law and ensure they are never implemented,” it stated.

Highlighting the importance of voluntary participation in democracy, SERAP said, “The idea of compulsory voting and jailing citizens for not voting is impracticable, unnecessary, and unlawful.

"Voters must get to choose how they exercise consent, not be forced to the polls like ‘cattle to the slaughter.’”

The group also stressed the need to rebuild public trust in elections, arguing that effective participation and confidence in the process depend on creating a safe and conducive electoral environment.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/serap-demands-withdrawal-of-bill-proposing-jail-for-nigerians-who-dont-vote/%3famp

By Chimezie Enyiocha

The police in Kaduna state have arrested twelve suspects who attacked a mosque and stabbed one person to death in the Tudun Wada area, Kaduna South local government Area of the state.

The spokesman of Kaduna State Police Command, Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

He said the hoodlums from Malalin Gabas, Tudun Was, Rafin Guza and Unguwar Baduko areas attacked Muslim worshippers performing Tahajjud prayer at Layin Bliya, Makwa Road in Rigasa at about 2 pm on Friday.

According to him, before the arrival of police operatives and of the Civilian t Task Force, the hoodlums had already stabbed a 28-year-old man, Usman Mohammed, to death.

Following the incident, the police swiftly apprehended 12 suspects who confessed to having partaken in the attack and recovered several weapons from them.

The police said a full-scale investigation has been launched to uncover the full details of the incident and ensure justice is served.

The Kaduna State Police Command said it has significantly increased security deployments across strategic areas, particularly around mosques where such prayers are conducted.

The Command also urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly to the police to aid in effective crime prevention.

It warned all miscreants to desist from their criminal activities or face the full weight of the law if caught.

https://www.channelstv.com/2025/03/21/one-killed-in-kaduna-mosque-attack-police-arrest-12-suspects/

President Bola Tinubu has departed Nigeria’s capital city Abuja to attend the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week in the United Arab Emirates.

The president jetted out at 06:30pm on Saturday to attend the summit scheduled for January 12 to 18.

According to presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu’s planned trip to the Middle East is at the behest of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

“The Summit will bring together global leaders to accelerate sustainable development and advance socioeconomic progress,” Onanuga said.

"The event, ‘The Nexus of Next; Supercharging Sustainable Progress,’ will enable policymakers, business, and civil society leaders to explore pathways to fast-track the transformation to a sustainable economy and evolve a new era of prosperity for all.

"ADSW, a testament to the power of collaboration, has been held annually for over 15 years. It provides a global platform to foster multi-stakeholder cooperation in addressing global challenges and accelerating growth.”

https://www.channelstv.com/2025/01/11/tinubu-departs-abuja-for-abu-dhabi-sustainability-week/

A French diplomatic source tells the Kan public broadcaster that Paris has warned both Israel and Hezbollah “against actions that endanger the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.”

According to the report, the warning comes after privately accused Israel of failing to follow the correct procedure when striking Hezbollah targets in Lebanon since the start of the ceasefire last week.

Israel has carried out several strikes against Hezbollah operatives and targets since the ceasefire came into effect, all apparently in line with the reported “side letter” from the US that accompanied the agreement and affirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against renewed threats.

According to reports regarding the contents of the letter, Israel reserves the right to act at any time, should the of the agreement be broken in southern Lebanon. Beyond southern Lebanon, however, it is reportedly only permitted to act if the Lebanese Army is unable or unwilling to deal with the violations.

In all instances, however, Israel is reportedly required to notify the US wherever possible when it is required to take action in response to threats inside Lebanon.

According to Kan, Paris has privately accused Hezbollah of violating the of the ceasefire as well.


https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/-said-to-have-accused-israel-of-violating--of-ceasefire-in-lebanon/

The comments by Moshe Yaalon were swiftly denied and condemned by allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, who said that they would hurt the country and help its enemies.

A former Israeli defense minister has accused Israel of committing war crimes and ethnic cleansing in the Gaza Strip, a rare critique from a member of the security establishment at a time of war.

The comments by Moshe Yaalon came amid mounting criticism of the Israeli military’s conduct in Gaza. They were swiftly denied and condemned by allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, saying that they would hurt the country and help its enemies.

Mr. Yaalon served as the Israeli military’s chief of staff during the second intifada and as Mr. Netanyahu’s defense minister during the 2014 war in Gaza, the longest conflict between Israel and Hamas before the current war. But he broke with Mr. Netanyahu in 2016 and has since become a critic of the Israeli leader.

At an event on Saturday, Mr. Yaalon denounced Mr. Netanyahu’s government for its actions in Gaza.

“The path they’re dragging us down is to occupy, annex, and ethnically cleanse — look at the northern strip,” he said. He also said Israel was being pulled in the direction of building settlements in Gaza, a notion that is ed by far-right politicians in Mr. Netanyahu’s government.

When the interviewer at the event asked Mr. Yaalon to clarify whether he thought Israel was on the way to carrying out ethnic cleansing, he responded: “Why on the way? What’s happening there? What’s happening there?”

“There’s no Beit Lahia. There’s no Beit Hanoun. They’re now operating in Jabaliya. They’re basically cleaning the territory of Arabs,” he said, referring to towns and cities in northern Gaza where a renewed Israeli offensive against the militant group Hamas has caused extensive damage in recent months. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the war began in response to the deadly Hamas-led attack on Israel in October 2023.

Mr. Yaalon doubled down on his accusations on Sunday, saying on public radio that Mr. Netanyahu’s government was exposing Israeli commanders to lawsuits at the International Criminal Court and was putting their lives at risk.

"I’m speaking in the name of IDF commanders who are operating in the northern strip,” Mr. Yaalon told the Reshet Bet radio station. “They reached out to me expressing fear about what’s happening there.”

He later said, in an apparent reference to the government: “At the end of the day, they’re perpetrating war crimes” — while making clear that his issue was not with the soldiers themselves.

The Israeli military declined to comment on Mr. Yaalon’s accusations, which came ten days after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Mr. Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, his former defense minister for crimes against humanity and war crimes in Gaza.

Mr. Netanyahu’s office has rejected the accusations against the men in the warrants, calling them “absurd and false” and accusing the court of being motivated by antisemitism.

Mr. Yaalon’s comments were condemned by Mr. Netanyahu’s Likud party, of which Mr. Yaalon is a former member.

"Yaalon already lost his way a long time ago,” said the party. “His defamatory words are a prize for the International Criminal Court and the haters of Israel camp. Israel is fighting back against a murderous terrorist group that carried out mass slaughter.


https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/01/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-yaalon.html

By Matthew Atungwu

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State said politicians, who conjured election results and announced the same on social media during the governorship election are the same people crying that the polls were rigged.

Okpebholo stated this on Saturday at the Esan Central Local Government Council Secretariat, venue of the homecoming reception held in celebration of his victory by the Esan people.

While hailing the people of the state for voting him to power, the governor said those who lost would continue to cry foul because their rigging strategies failed.

"I thank the leadership of my party especially our President, Bola Tinubu for standing firm for justice and allowing equity to prevail and it led to the success and victory recorded by our party.

“The people that wrote results and were announcing fake results on the internet, are the same people crying today that somebody rigged the election.

“It is sad to say that the criminals are crying today that they have lost and will continue to lose. They are spending money day and night and wasting their money and will wait in vain,” he said.

On his part, the Onojie of Uromi, His Royal Highness Anselm Aidenojie II, said the people of Esan are happy that the son of the land is the governor of the state, saying all the monarchs of Esanland backed his ambition which eventually materialised.

“We, the traditional rulers from Esanland, went round the state to appeal for the to produce the governor and today it’s a reality.

“We thank the Oba of Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll and we are grateful to all for the . We believe that the governor will deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Edo State,” the royal father said.

https://dailypost.ng/2024/11/30/edo-politicians-who-wrote-announced-fake-results-now-crying-of-rigging-gov-okpebholo/

By Casmir Nwankwo

Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has expressed concern over the rumoured planned declaration of Biafra.

Ohanaeze said it’s compelled to issue a warning in the light of the recent developments concerning the misguided declarations surrounding the so-called Biafran independence scheduled for December 2, 2024.

The body stated that “the actions being propagated by detained Simon Ekpa and his dissidents, have perpetuated a cycle of violence, fear, and socio-economic degradation that has devastated the Southeastern region of Nigeria.”

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by Ohanaeze’s factional Secretary-General, Okechukwu lsiguzoro.

According to the statement, over the past three years, the detrimental activities orchestrated by Simon Ekpa and his associates had resulted in unprecedented pain.

He said, “Once teeming with economic vitality and educational prowess, the Southeast now bears the scars of violence, where traditional ceremonies, weddings, and communal activities are increasingly forced to be held outside our homeland due to the crippling grip of insecurity.

"We must ask: what fruits have these discordant actions borne? Has the insurrection purportedly anchored in the quest for Biafra autonomy yielded any tangible gains for the people of the Southeast?

“Have they succeeded in stymieing Nigeria’s oil production or compelling the Federal Government to divert its investments to our region? Let it be clear that the answer is an unambiguous no.

“Instead, we have witnessed a staggering loss- over 34 trillion naira in investment opportunities evaporating from our 95 Local Government Areas since these dissidents embarked on their catastrophic voyage of violence.

"The Igbos are the primary victims of this reckless crusade, and it is offensive to witness the opportunistic individuals flourishing in the midst of this turmoil while our communities languish.

“In light of the alarming reality we now face, Ohanaeze Ndigbo calls upon the Biafrans gathering in Finland to recognize that they lack the mandate to represent the voices of Igbos at home and in the diaspora in declaring a separate sovereign nation.

“We urge them to reconsider their actions and to desist from actions that threaten to further entrench the cycle of violence and suffering in our homeland.”

Isiguzoro further warned the proponents that “the relentless quest for a declaration of Biafran independence not only undermines our collective sentiments but also risks compounding Simon Ekpa’s existing legal troubles in Finland.

“Any provocations linked to their misguided endeavors will only serve as additional evidence against him in the foreseeable legal engagements come May 2025.

“Thus, we implore those individuals captured by the allure of violence to step back from this path of devastation- a route that is fraught with doom.

"It is appalling that while the Federal Government seeks reconciliation with Niger Delta militants and rehabilitates Boko Haram combatants, offering amnesty and negotiations, those pursuing the Biafran narrative have predominantly faced brutality and disregard.

“We reiterate: individuals committed to the declaration of Biafran independence in Finland will bear full responsibility for any eventual repercussions born from their reckless pursuits.”

https://dailypost.ng/2024/11/30/biafra-declaration-youll-bear-consequences-compound-ekpas-woes-ohanaeze-cautions-promoters/

The Nigerian Army has warned against the use of social media to fuel insecurity in the country.

The commander of the Nigeria Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General A.A. Ayanuga, gave the warning in Lokoja during the 38th edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar themed “Cultivating a Culture of Security Awareness Through Social Media.”

According to him, the reckless sharing of harmful messages, videos and voice notes through social media is jeopardising Nigeria’s peaceful coexistence.

"Social media has evolved into a powerful tool that profoundly influences the security landscape of societies worldwide. As we navigate the vast expanse of social media, we must recognise the transformative power.

“Social media has democratised information, connected us across borders, and provided unparalleled opportunities for self-expression. However, this freedom comes with immense responsibility and challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech and divisive rhetoric, impersonation and identity theft, with their effects on national security.

“It is critical to understand that misuse of social media to propagate damaging narratives has severe consequences for national security,” he said.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Major General N.C. Ugbo, who was represented by B.S. Keji, maintained that social media is a critical aspect of asymmetric warfare being fought in contemporary times.

He said: “The Nigerian Army recognises the importance of social media in shaping public perception and influencing national security. It presents an invaluable opportunity for those who recognise the transformative capabilities of social media to connect and collaborate.

"That is why we are here to explore ways to harness social media’s potential, counter misinformation, and promote national unity. As we delve into the world of social media, let us that our actions online have far-reaching consequences for national security. Therefore, we must use social media responsibly, preserving truth, respect, and national interest.”

In his address, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara, argued that, as much as social media has the potential to be a force for good, its misuse cannot be ignored.

Continuing, he said: “We must acknowledge the ever-growing role social media plays in shaping perceptions, guiding public discourse, and driving action on important issues like national security.

"The same platforms that enable the rapid spread of life-saving information can also be harnessed to propagate falsehoods, fuel divisions, and escalate tensions. This, as we all know, can have dire consequences for the stability of our communities and our nation as a whole.

"Security awareness is a collective responsibility, one that requires constant engagement, education, and collaboration across all sectors of society. We must understand that social media is not just a space for personal interactions but a global stage for conversations that influence real-world outcomes.

” This makes it imperative for us to cultivate a culture of security awareness that equips our citizens, especially the youth, with the right knowledge to distinguish between fact and fiction, to recognise credible sources, and to understand their role in maintaining peace and security within their communities.”

https://dailypost.ng/2024/11/28/misuse-of-social-media-fueling-insecurity-in-nigeria-army/

On credit?

The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has restored the full statutory rights of the Benin Monarch, Oba Ewuare II, abolishing the new traditional councils in Edo South created by the last istration.

He also backed the Federal Government’s Gazette, which gave the ownership of the returned artefact to the Oba’s palace, which was looted during the 1897 Benin massacre by the British colonial forces.

Also, the state government is withdrawing the letter revoking the concession of the Oba Akenzua II Cultural Centre issued by the last istration to be used as a motor park.

These were contained in a statement released by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, on Sunday.

The statement further read, “This istration is restoring the Oba Akenzua centre to a suitable condition for its original purpose.

“This istration also hereby abolishes the new traditional councils in Edo South, created by the last istration.

“Accordingly, Okpebholo has restored the statutory financial entitlements of the Benin Traditional Council and has ordered that the status quo before the creation of the now abolished councils be maintained.

"The Okpebholo istration is backing the initial plan of the state Government to build the Benin Royal Museum that will house the returned artefacts and is distancing itself from the Museum of West Africa Art (MOWA) which the previous istration fronted as the museum to hold the returned Benin artefacts before the federal government intervention on the matter.

“The Federal Government has also issued a Gazette for the recognition of ownership and custody of the repatriated Benin artefacts to Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. This was done through a Government Notice No.25 in the Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No.57, Volume 110.”

The statement added that Okpebholo respects the rights and privileges of the traditional ruler of the Benin Kingdom, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare ll, and pledges the of his istration to ensure the Monarch plays his role as the custodian of the rich cultural heritage of the Benin people.

“It is in recognition of this that the istration of Governor Okpebholo shall the decision of the Federal Government to uphold the Oba of Benin as the exclusive owner of the returned Benin artifacts that were looted by the British Colonial forces during the Benin massacre of 1897.

The Oba of Benin, as the father of all Benin people, is the sole custodian of the customs and traditions of the Benin people and my istration respects customs and traditions in the land and hereby restores the statutory rights of the Oba of Benin as the true custodian of the returned Benin artefacts.

“Okpebholo said his istration is committed and will refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of the Benin Traditional Council.

“The governor is using his constitutional powers and the respect for traditional institutions and the revered Oba of Benin to restore all other Statutory Rights of the Monarch not mentioned hereof, ” the statement read.

https://punchng.com/okpebholo-restores-statutory-rights-to-oba-of-benin/

The foreign ministers of the G7 countries will meet next week to discuss arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in an investigation into alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza and Israel. Belgium has already declared that it s the arrest warrants for amongst others Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Apart from Netanyahu, the arrest warrants also target former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant and Mohammed Deif, a military commander of Hamas who may have already died. The ICC accuses Netanyahu – and Gallant – of using starvation as a method of warfare, murder, persecution and targeting civilians. “The alleged crimes against humanity were part of a widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza,” the court said.

Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni, the current president of the G7, said the G7 ministers will discuss the matter, after her defence minister declared on Thursday that Italy should arrest Netanyahu if he visits Italy. The ministers will meet in Fiuggi, Italy, on Monday and Tuesday.

Besides Italy, the G7 includes , , the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, Canada – and the European Union is represented at all meetings as well. Only the United States is not a party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that forms the basis of the ICC.

Reactions to the arrest warrants have been divided. A majority of European member states have stated that they respect the ICC’s decision, although 's silence is remarkable. Belgium, , the Netherlands, Ireland and Spain, amongst others, have declared that they the warrants. The United States and countries such as Hungary reacted disapprovingly. Austria and Eastern European countries are also critical of the decision.

https://www.belganewsagency.eu/g7-ministers-to-discuss-netanyahu-arrest-warrant-next-week

By SAM SOKOL FOLLOW
and EMANUEL FABIAN


After issuing 3,000 draft orders to of the ultra-Orthodox community over the summer, the IDF has issued 1,126 “arrest warrants” to those who did not show up to the induction centers, a senior officer tells lawmakers.

“Of the 3,000 ultra-Orthodox who received [draft] orders, 1,126 were issued arrest warrants for those who did not report to the first and second orders,” says Brig. Gen. Shay Taib, head of the Personnel Directorate’s Planning and Personnel Management Division, during a Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee meeting.

"After that, they will receive a call for immediate recruitment, and anyone who does not come [to the induction center] will be declared an evader,” Taib says.

The consequences of being declared a draft evader include receiving a “no exit order” — being barred from leaving the country — and during any encounter with the police, the draft dodger can be arrested. The IDF Military Police does not plan to actually carry out arrests of those who do not show up to the induction centers, but instead wait until they are declared draft evaders and leave it to law enforcement.

Responding to Taib, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid issues a statement demanding that Defense Minister Israel Katz direct the IDF to “immediately” issue an additional 7,000 conscription orders to ultra-Orthodox Israelis of military age “and strengthen enforcement against those who did not report for duty.”

On Sunday, the IDF sent the first 1,000 of 7,000 new draft orders to male of the ultra-Orthodox community slated to go out in the coming months. It follows a previous round of 3,000 draft orders sent out during the summer. Out of those 3,000 men, less than 10% showed up at induction centers.

The military said it currently requires some 10,000 new soldiers — mostly combat troops — but can only accommodate the enlistment of an additional 3,000 ultra-Orthodox this year, due to their additional needs. Added to the around 1,800 Haredi soldiers who are already drafted annually, this would mean only 4,800 out of more than 60,000 eligible ultra-Orthodox men would be conscripted, a number that committee chair Likud MK Yuli Edelstein has long dismissed as insufficient.

In a statement following today’s hearing, Edelstein says the army’s figure of 3,000 “is not acceptable to me” and should be higher.

"In addition, those who contributed three years to the state should receive more than those who chose not to contribute. This is true for every citizen in the State of Israel,” ultra-Orthodox or otherwise, he adds.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/idf-issued-over-1000-arrest-warrants-to-ultra-orthodox-who-ignored-draft-orders-says-officer/

This news will never get to first page

Pope Francis for the first time tackled claims of Israel’s ongoing “genocide” of Palestinians in Gaza in a forthcoming book, urging further investigation into whether Israel’s actions meet the definition.

Titled “Hope Never Disappoints. Pilgrims Towards a Better World”, the book includes his latest and most forthright intervention into the more than year-long war sparked by Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

"According to some experts, what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of genocide,” the pontiff wrote in extracts published on Sunday in Italy’s La Stampa daily.

"This should be studied carefully to determine whether (the situation) corresponds to the technical definition formulated by jurists and international organisations,” he added.

The Argentine pontiff has frequently deplored the number of victims of Israel’s operations in Gaza, with the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry putting the toll at least 43,846 people, most of them civilians.

But his call for a probe marks the first time he has publicly used the term genocide — without endorsing it — in the context of Israeli military operations in the Palestinian territory.

On Thursday, a United Nations Special Committee judged Israel’s conduct of warfare in Gaza “consistent with the characteristics of genocide”, accusing the country of “using starvation as a method of war”.

Its conclusions have already been condemned by Israel’s key backer the United States.

It is, however, not the first time that Israel has been the subject of genocide accusations since the start of the war.

South Africa has brought a genocide case before the International Court of Justice with the of several countries, including Turkey, Spain and Mexico.

Francis has also frequently called for the return of the Israeli hostages taken by Palestinian Islamist militants on October 7.

That attack resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people on the Israeli side, the majority of them civilians, according to an AFP count based on Israeli official figures.

Hamas fighters also took 251 people hostage that day, with 97 still held in the Palestinian territory including 34 the Israeli army says are dead.

On Thursday, the 87-year-old pope received 16 former hostages freed after months of captivity in Gaza.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/11/pope-calls-for-investigation-into-gaza-genocide/amp/

By Seun Opejobi

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Abdullahi Ganduje, has identified Osun and Oyo States as the party’s next target.

Ganduje spoke in reaction to the election victory of Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State.

Describing the governor as a sellable product, Ganduje appreciated President Bola Tinubu for his .

Addressing journalists in Akure, the state Capital after Aiyedatiwa was declared winner, Ganduje said: “This is democracy in action and what is more important is that all major stakeholders including INEC believe that the election was free, fair, and credible.

“Everybody believes that this election is credible, they elected APC for continuity and there will be no abandoned projects.

“He is a candidate that was sellable and we sold him to the public. We also thank Mr President.

"Our next target is Osun, Oyo States and you know we are good at hitting our targets.”

https://dailypost.ng/2024/11/17/ondo-election-osun-oyo-our-next-targets-ganduje-on-aiyedatiwas-victory/

By Bernd Debusmann Jr & Angélica María Casas


Gabriela entered the United States more than two decades ago, gasping for breath under a pile of corn stalks in the boot of a smuggler's car.

Now a housekeeper in Maryland, the Bolivian national is one of at least 13 million undocumented migrants living in the US - an umbrella term that includes those who entered the US illegally, overstayed their visas or have protected status to avoid deportation.

Across the US, migrants like Gabriela are grappling with what the incoming Trump istration's vow to conduct mass deportations could mean for their future.

In over a dozen interviews, undocumented immigrants said it was a topic of heated discussion in their communities, WhatsApp groups and social media.

Some, like Gabriela, believe it won't impact them at all.

"I'm not scared at all, actually," she said. "That's for criminals to worry about. I pay taxes, and I work."

"In any case, I'm undocumented," she added. "[So] how would they even know about me?"
In an election campaign where immigration loomed large as a major concern of US voters, Trump frequently pledged to deport migrants en masse from US soil from his first day in office if he were to return to the presidency.

But nearly two weeks after his sweeping election win, it remains unclear what exactly these immigration enforcement operations will look like.

The president-elect has insisted cost won't be an issue, but experts have cautioned that his promises may run into enormous financial and logistics challenges.

His newly appointed "border tsar", Tom Homan, has said that undocumented migrants deemed to be national security or public safety threats will be a priority. And he has suggested the workplace raids - a practice ended by the Biden istration - could return.

Speaking to Fox News on Saturday, the former acting director of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement during Trump's first term challenged the notion that "those who enforce the law are the bad guys and those who break the law are the victims".

"What member of Congress, what governor or what mayor is against taking public safety threats out of their community?" he asked, adding that the new istration would "follow through on the mandate that American people gave President Trump".

Five takeaways from Trump's first week
'It's simple, really' - why Latinos flocked to Trump's working-class coalition.

US authorities deporting migrants is nothing new. More than 1.5 million people have been expelled under President Joe Biden, in addition to millions swiftly turned away from the border during the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the eight-year istration of Barack Obama - whom some dubbed the "deporter-in-chief" - about three million people were deported, with a focus on single men from Mexico that could easily be deported from border regions.

Trump's promised plans, however, are more wide-ranging and aggressive, including enforcement operations in the US far from the border. Officials are reportedly also mulling using the National Guard and military aircraft to detain and ultimately deport people.

JD Vance, Trump's running mate and incoming vice-president, has said that the deportations could "start" with one million people.

Still, some undocumented migrants believe that they will benefit from a Trump presidency instead of being kicked out.

"A lot of Latinos, those who can vote, did so because they think he [Trump] can improve the economy. That would be very good for us too," said Carlos, an undocumented Mexican who lives in New York City. His son is a US citizen.

According to the American Immigration Council - a non-partisan organisation that conducts research and advocates for an overhaul of the US immigration system - there are more than five million Americans who were born to undocumented parents and have the security of US citizenship.

Carlos says he is "a little" worried about getting swept up in immigration raids. But that fear is tempered by the possibility of an improved economy under Trump and more work.

"Things may be a bit tense right in our communities right now, but being worried isn't a solution," he said. "The best thing to do is avoid problems and not commit any crimes."

In a recent interview with CBS, the BBC's US partner, Homan was asked about a hypothetical situation in which a grandmother was caught up in a "targeted" enforcement operation going after criminals.
When asked if she would be deported, Homan responded "it depends".

"Let the judge decide," he said. "We're gonna remove people that a judge's order deported."

The arrest and potential removal of such collateral arrests would mark a drastic departure from the Biden istration, which has focused on public safety threats and deporting people soon after their apprehension at the border.

While Homan recently dismissed suggestions that there could be "a mass sweep of neighbourhoods" or large detention camps set up, the stock prices of companies that could be involved in building detention facilities have jumped by as much as 90% since the election. They include publicly traded prison firms GEO Group and CoreCivic.

Undocumented migrants are employed throughout the US economy - from agricultural fields to warehouses and construction sites.

Mr Reichlin-Melnick said operations targeting such workplaces could lead to "indiscriminate" detentions.
"I don't think that being a person with no criminal record [who] pays taxes protects anybody," he said. "One of the first things that Trump will do is get rid of the Biden istration's enforcement priorities. And we've seen that when there are no priorities, they will go after whoever are the easiest targets."
The possibility of becoming "an easy target" has worried many migrants - particularly those from families with mixed legal statuses. Their biggest fear is finding themselves separated.

Brenda, a 37-year-old Mexico-born "Dreamer" in Texas, is currently protected from deportation but her husband and her mother are not.

Her two children were born in the US and are American citizens.

While Brenda told the BBC she does not believe that "good people" would be the first targets for deportation, she can't escape the thought that her husband could be send back to Mexico.

"It's important for us that we see our sons grow up," she said. "Of course, the thought of being separated leaves one frightened."

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c79zxjj0j55o

By Peter Moses

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the ongoing gubernatorial election in Ondo State, is leading by a wide margin.

According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Aiyedatiwa had polled a total of 301,113 votes ahead of his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who has 97,051 votes so far, leaving a margin of 204,062 votes.

There are just three Local Government Areas (LGAs) where results have not been declared.

Final collation commenced at the INEC office in Akure, the state capital, around 12: 35 am.

Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lokoja, Prof Olayemi Akinwunmi, is the Returning Officer of the exercise.

The 15 LGAs where results have so far been announced are:

Akure North

APC – 14451

PDP – 5787

ed Voters – 87293

Accredited Voters – 21608

Total Valid Votes – 20942

Rejected Votes – 648

Total Votes Cast – 21590

Some of the political parties participating in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have been caught engaging in vote buying.

SaharaReporters observed that the parties predominantly engage in the vote buying in Irele Local Government Area of the state.

It was observed at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, some political party agents are handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to get paid after casting their votes.

Some voters said that the papers would be used to collect cash from the agents after the election, but they said that they didn't know the exact amount they would be paid.

Earlier, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, participated in the ongoing election by casting his vote early in his polling unit.

The governor arrived at Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, in Ilaje Local Government Area at 8:46 am, accompanied by his security aides.

He completed the voting process at 8:48 am.

This marks an important moment in the election as Aiyedatiwa seeks re-election under the APC platform.

Some voters had complained about malfunctioning of some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Speaking to SaharaReporters at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, a voter, Omotayo Akinlami, had said the malfunctioning BVAS was affecting the election in their polling unit.

He had said it would be better if INEC allowed them to adopt manual accreditation.

He said: “The electronic system they brought is not working, it is not functioning. So I will advise that we should do manual accreditation so that we can vote and go. This is because whenever they do manual accreditation, the votes will be counted and also whenever they do electronic accreditation, the votes will be counted, so we should do manual accreditation and go. It is not working.

"They spend 30 minutes to capture one person, how will it be possible for people to vote? When we have a lot of people to vote here. These things are deployed to use against us here which we will not take it. It is better we use manual accreditation and cast the vote and go.

"You know anything computer does not work anywhere in this country. We have been doing manual accreditation and we have been doing it successfully. So this one(BVAS) is not working. Spending 30 minutes to capture one person is not going to work. We have a lot of voters here.”

https://saharareporters.com/2024/11/16/ondodecides2024-apc-pdp-other-political-parties-engage-vote-buying-irele-lga

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday expressed its readiness for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, Professor Kunle Ajayi, disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today in Akure.

He assured Ondo voters that the electoral empire won’t disappoint them as they file out in their numbers to elect a new governor who will pilot the affairs of the Sunshine State for the next four years.

“We have done our own work, we are proud of what we have done and we will not disappoint the people of Ondo State,” he said.

On Thursday, INEC commenced the sensitive materials to various local government areas of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The distribution was carried out at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State under the watch of party agents, armed policemen, and several commercial buses hired by the Commission.

During the interview, the INEC National Commissioner noted that, unlike the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, all the ed Areas in Ondo State have received their sensitive materials.

“I want to assure you that everything will do well. As of 3 pm, all the ed Areas (RAs) all their sensitive materials. The next thing is to move to the Polling Unit (PU). I toured some of the RAs this afternoon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have deployed about 34,000 operatives for the Ondo State governorship election billed for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Abiodun Alabi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Coordinating Election Security, disclosed this to Channels Television on Friday.

He also revealed that measures have been taken to avoid infiltration of thugs or unauthorised persons during the off-cycle poll.

Alabi explained that all the 3,933 polling units of the state would be well covered, stressing that police operatives have been deployed across the wards and local government areas.

“By tomorrow, all the 3,933 polling units will be well covered,” he said. “We have about 34,000 police officers on the ground.”

The figure, he stated, includes the tactical units, the aerial surveillance team, and marine police among other units.

https://www.channelstv.com/2024/11/15/gov-poll-we-wont-disappoint-inec-assures-ondo-voters/

By Tosin Tope, Akure

As the Ondo State governorship election holds this Saturday, reports of politicians attempting to sway voters with food items and cash have surfaced.

Our correspondent observed that political parties are distributing staple goods, including rice, noodles, maize, and fertilisers, across local communities as part of last-minute attempts to sway voters across the states.

Some voters shared with Daily Trust how parties are employing these inducements to secure votes. In Ifedore LGA, Joseph Ayeni, a community leader, said a major party distributed rice and noodles to residents, framing it as a goodwill gesture from the candidate.

"They came to our community with packs of noodles and bags of rice, which they distributed from their bus, saying it was from the governorship candidate,” Ayeni recounted. “We shared the rice, while the women divided the noodles.”

It was also gathered that some political parties have also been distributing cash gifts in mobilising eligible voters to campaign groups whenever the residents converge to listen to candidates speak about their plans and programmes.

A farmer, requesting anonymity, said his area received maize, fertilisers, and even pesticides from another party.

"They gave out these items during their campaign, saying they couldn’t visit without bringing something for us,” he explained, adding that not all residents benefitted equally.

While these distributions gain momentum, election monitoring group Yiaga Africa has raised concerns over voter inducement.

Speaking in Akure, Safiya Bichi, Yiaga Africa’s Head of Knowledge, Management, and Learning, noted incidents of vote-buying across several local government areas, including Akure South, Ifedore, and Owo.

Ms. Bichi reported that party chieftains are coordinating with community leaders to disperse food items and cash, allegedly to influence voting outcomes.

She condemned the practice, noting that tensions are rising as parties accuse each other of vote manipulation. “This situation highlights the need for vigilance and peaceful conduct,” Ms. Bichi stated. She urged security agencies to take proactive steps to ensure a safe and fair election.

"Ensuring the safety of voters, election officials, and participants is crucial to maintaining electoral integrity. Preventive measures are essential to avert violence and ensure a peaceful election,” Ms. Bichi added.

https://dailytrust.com/ondo-politicians-woo-voters-with-cash-food/

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria has secured an agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery to lift products directly.

This, according to the association, will ensure the availability of petroleum to Nigerians at a cheaper rate.

IPMAN’s National President, Abubakar Garima, announced this at a press briefing on Monday in Abuja, following a meeting of the National Working Committee of the association.

He explained that the Dangote refinery had obliged IPMAN to lift PMS, AGO and DPK directly for onward supply to IPMAN depots and retail outlets. This new arrangement with the Dangote refinery would ensure a steady and ceaseless supply of PMS products all over Nigeria at an affordable rate.

He said, “Following our recent meeting with Alhaji Aliko Dangote and of his top management staff in Lagos, we are happy to state the following; Dangote Refinery has obliged IPMAN to lift PMS, AGO and DPK directly for onward supply to IPMAN depots and retail outlets. That this new arrangement with the Dangote refinery will ensure a steady and ceaseless supply of PMS products all over Nigeria, at an affordable rate for Nigerians also.”

On October 29, the founder of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said the refinery held over 500 million litres of petrol, but added that oil marketers were not buying his product.

In a counter-response, IPMAN said its had been unable to load petrol from the Dangote refinery for days. Garima said the association paid N40bn to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, but still cannot source the product – but the refinery said it has not received any payment from the IPMAN for refined petroleum products.

Speaking further at the briefing, Garima urged IPMAN to Dangote Refinery, citing backward integration benefits and positive impacts on Nigeria’s Foreign Exchange market.

Regarding pricing, Garima expressed confidence that negotiations with Dangote would yield lower rates.

“All IPMAN should fully the Dangote refinery, as it’s the ideal thing to do considering the monumental benefits of backward integration and the medium to long-term impact it will have on the Foreign Exchange markets in Nigeria.

“IPMAN nationwide should rely on the Dangote refinery and Nigerian rfineries for their white products, as this will translate into ensuring more job opportunities in Nigeria, as well as signify total for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he added.

Commenting, an Energy expert Kelvin Emmanuel, said the new agreement would eliminate financing and margin costs incurred by the NNPCL.

He said, “What is cheery about this news is that NNPC’s letter of credit as financing cost ($28 per metric tonne) that is ed to IPMAN — controlling 30,000 retail stations and their margin ($26.48 per metric tonne) will be removed.”

The IPMAN president also stated that the association is preparing for a smooth transition to nationwide CNG refill stations, as it is currently in negotiations with the presidential CNG initiative.

“On CNG, I would also like to call on all our at IPMAN to begin to put all types of machinery in place for a successful transition of the Federal Government’s plans to initiate CNG refill stations in all our outlets. Truly there is no doubt that CNG has the potential to rejuvenate our economy for a better life for Nigerians, and IPMAN is ready to give her all to the CNG initiative.

“IPMAN is also calling for a partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria to hasten the quick success of the CNG initiative for Nigeria. We believe that for the CNG initiative to succeed there must be a credible partnership between IPMAN and the PCNGI, without which Nigerians would not have ready and near access to CNG outlets.”

This partnership between Dangote and IPMAN is expected to increase efficiency, affordability, and economic growth for Nigeria’s petroleum industry. This move is expected to eliminate middlemen, reduce costs, and ensure steady supply.

Early this year, the Dangote Refinery said it would supply fuel to about 150,000 retail outlets operated by oil marketers.

In his remarks, the chairman, Board of Trustees of the association, Aminu Abdukadir, said that IPMAN must remain committed to providing the retail stations and funds to ensure that products are delivered to consumers.

“The business of making money without doing anything is over with the deregulation of the sector. For IPMAN to survive, it must provide the filling stations, the money, the trucks, to provide this commodity to motorists,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary of the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Clement Isong, has explained that the final landing price is determined by several key factors, including the exchange rate, logistics efficiency and cost negotiating power based on volume bought.

The ES in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, said this in response to the expectation of a reduction in petrol prices following a 20.34 per cent decrease in landing costs to N971.57 per litre.

He noted that oil marketers peg their price by the average cost of petrol import within 30 days and not on the daily spot price.

Isong said, “If you read our bulletin, there is not one landing price for the whole country. What we are saying is to give an idea of the landing pricIf if you land 38,000 metric tonnes into ASBM in Apapa, this is the landing price. That’s what we are saying. If you land 100,000 MT, or 80,000 MT into Pinnacle, the landing price will be lower. But there are only two places where the landing price will be lower due to economies of scale. If you land in the majority of the country, the depots and facilities take less. So, if you land it into another place in Lagos, the landing price will be higher. It won’t be N971 per litre. It can be as close to N1,000.

“So, the landing price is in function of how much you got your exchange rate, logistics and your negotiating power based on what volume bought. Some marketers are landing below N917. But the vast majority of people who don’t enjoy the benefits of economies of scale will land at significantly above that. What this teaches is that it is a free and open market. It’s how you buy that you sell. There is no one price. It is a function of the draft of the vessels that you land the product. It’s a function of how much product was bought. It’s a function of what rate of exchange was used to buy products. The exchange rate that we have used is the central bank rate. So, if you have the central bank rate, then you will not land at that price but if you to the black market, the price will be higher.

“The law says that we can only keep 30 days of stock in our depots. So, the fact that the spot market has gone up means nothing, because you are selling based on the price of the average cost in your tank. The fact that the price has gone down to N971, it doesn’t matter, because we are selling based on the average cost in your tank. How much did you buy and the average cost of everything in the tank? It’s a market price. And the market price is a range. It moves, depending on how efficient you are. And I think for us, the most important thing is the exchange rate.”

https://punchng.com/petrol-pump-price-may-drop-as-dangote-marketers-sign-deal/