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Low voter turnout mars Adamawa LG poll

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The Adamawa State local government election conducted on Saturday by the State Independent Electoral Commission.

Some of the polling units visited by our correspondent around noon had no single vote cast in those units.

The Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, cast his vote in Kirchinga Ward Unit 001 in his hometown, Madagali Local Government Area.

The governor, who expressed confidence in the commission over the conduct of the poll, said he was satisfied with the turnout he witnessed.

He said the electoral body had exhibited fairness in the conduct of the poll.

When our correspondent visited Sengere Primary School, which housed six polling units, only Unit 008, Korfa Wakili, was manned by electoral officials.

The presiding officer, Sadatu Vangu, said the unit had yet to see a voter since they resumed at about 8:25 am.

Children took over the election venue, playing football, to the admiration of some of the security agents who were on the ground to provide security.

Party agents, including those of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, were also not on the ground.

At Polling Unit 023 Gerie 1, Sengere, Uniot 1, only two electoral officials were seen with empty ballot boxes.

The presiding officer, Michael Musa, said they were still waiting for voters to come out and vote.

The two leading opposition parties in the state; the All Progressives Congress and Social Democratic Party, boycotted the election, describing it as a shame and mockery of democracy.

However, the police directive on movement restriction was not effective as the popular grain market in Gerie Local Government Area was filled with sellers and buyers.

Constitutional amendment needed to strengthen LG autonomy – Abia PDP

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The Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has said that there is the need for constitutional amendment to ensure local government autonomy.

It therefore called on the Presidency to submit an executive bill to the National Assembly to that effect.

This followed the judgment of the Supreme Court granting local government autonomy.

The Abia PDP Vice Chairman and Acting State Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah, made this known in a statement shared with According Online on Saturday.

The statement partly read, “We commend the Supreme Court for laying to rest the longstanding issue of local government autonomy, and we wholeheartedly support this significant development.

“To further strengthen this autonomy and free local governments from undue political influence, we urge the Presidency to swiftly submit an executive bill to the National Assembly for a constitutional amendment reflecting the autonomy of local governments.

“This proposed constitutional revision should include measures such as dissolving the current Local Government Service Commissions and establishing bodies at the local council level to manage employees and guarantee their pensions through a well-structured contributory scheme.

“The bill should also support the direct allocation of federal funds to local governments, bypassing the Joint Allocation Account Committee, and ensure governors do not interfere with these funds.”

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Trump is fine, being checked at medical facility

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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is “fine” and being checked at a medical facility, his campaign said Saturday, after he was evacuated from the stage of a rally in Pennsylvania after what sounded like shots were heard.

“President Trump thanks law enforcement and first responders for their quick action during this heinous act. He is fine and is being checked out at a local medical facility. More details will follow,” said spokesman Steven Cheung in a statement.

AFP

Details later…

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I fully endorse Trump, wish him rapid recovery

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Elon Musk has publicly voiced his support for former President Donald Trump following a concerning incident at a Pennsylvania rally.

The tech mogul stated on Saturday via X, “I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery.”

This endorsement comes in the wake of a dramatic event during Trump’s campaign appearance on Saturday.

According to AFP, the Republican candidate was evacuated from the stage after what sounded like gunshots were heard at the rally.

Videos now circulating on social media suggest that Trump was sighted with blood on his right ear as security personnel quickly surrounded him.

The former president was then hurriedly escorted off the stage, raising his fist to the crowd as he departed.

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Trump evacuated from Pennsylvania rally stage after apparent gunfire

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Republican candidate Donald Trump was evacuated from the stage at a rally on Saturday after what sounded like shots rang out at the event in Pennsylvania, according to AFP.

The former US president was seen with blood on his right ear as he was surrounded by security agents, who hustled him off the stage as he raised his fist to the crowd.

AFP

Details later…

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BREAKING: Trump rushed off stage after gunshots are fired at Pennsylvania rally

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Former US president, Donald Trump, had to be rushed off the stage as gunshots were fired during his rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on Saturday.
Trump was in the middle of a speech when he was interrupted by the shots.
He was immediately surrounded by his security aides and stayed down for around a minute.
Trump then rose to his feet and put his fist in the air, before being taken off stage and into a vehicle.
According to CNN, Trump had blood on his face.
More to follow…
BREAKING: Trump rushed off stage after gunshots are fired at Pennsylvania rally

Prince William, PM Starmer motivate England to win Euro 2024

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Prince William has urged England to “go out there and show the world what you’re made of” when they face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.

William, who is president of the Football Association, will be at the final in Berlin as England bid to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

The Prince, a noted Aston Villa fan, attended England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final victory over Switzerland and their group-stage draw against Denmark.

In a social media post on Saturday, he said: “We are so proud of you all England, just one last push to finish the job!

“Go out there and show the world what you’re made of. We believe. W.”

William’s father, King Charles III, took to social media earlier this week to joke that England should avoid more last-minute drama when they play the final.

In a message to Gareth Southgate’s side after Ollie Watkins’ late goal secured a 2-1 win against the Netherlands in the semi-finals, Charles sent the players the royal family’s “very best wishes” and “warmest congratulations”.

He added: “If I may encourage you to secure victory before the need for any last minute wonder-goals or another penalties drama, I am sure the stresses on the nation’s collective heart rate and blood pressure would be greatly alleviated! Good luck, England.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, an avid Arsenal fan, also wished good luck to Southgate’s team in an open letter on Saturday.

“To Gareth and all the England team. On behalf of the whole nation, I wanted to wish you all the very best ahead of the final,” he wrote.

“You should all be proud of what you’ve achieved so far, and I hope you can take some strength from the millions at home kicking every ball alongside you.

“You don’t need a running commentary from a politician on what you should or shouldn’t do. You’re here not because of luck, but because of your graft and hard work. You’ve earned it.

“As you did three years ago, you’ve made the country proud. Whatever happens, you should know that you have united the country, and we are all behind you.”

England were beaten on penalties by Italy in the last European Championship final in 2021 and have never won the tournament.

In Southgate’s eight-year reign, the Three Lions have also suffered narrow defeats in the 2018 World Cup semi-final against Croatia and the 2022 World Cup quarter-final against France.

AFP

Journalists regain freedom 7 days after abduction in Kaduna

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Two journalists abducted alongside their family members by criminals in Kaduna State have regained their freedom.
The victims were abducted by gunmen at their homes on the night of July 6.
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Kaduna State, Asma’u Halilu, confirmed the news in a statement on Saturday.
He said: “To the glory of God Almighty, our colleagues, Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Abduraheem Aodu, and their families have been released.
“The Council extends her profound gratitude to the office of the CP, Kaduna State Command, Office of the NSA, the D-G, DSS, the Inspector-General of Police, Kaduna State Government, the NUJ President and all well-meaning Nigerians that prayed along with us during the trying time.
“We will soon announce when they will join us in Kaduna so that we can visit, rejoice, and glorify God with them.”
The post Journalists regain freedom 7 days after abduction in Kaduna appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Ex-Senate president Anyim, Obinna Ogba, others join APC

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The former Senate President, Pius Anyim, on Saturday dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi State.
He switched to the APC with some of his supporters during the grand finale of the APC campaign for the local government election in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Anyim, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), joined the ruling party alongside the PDP governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Ebonyi State, Senator Obinna Ogba and that of the Labour Party, Chief Edward Nkwegu.
Also, some former members of the National and State Assemblies as well as former local council chairmen from the opposition defected to the APC.
In his remarks, Anyim said Ebonyi had always been a one political family and the massive defection of opposition members to the party attested to this.
The former Senate President said his plan to join the APC had been hatched for long.
He said: “The time I wanted this to happen, former Governor Dave Umahi was not ready and the time, he wanted it, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted.
“We, however, thank God that it has worked smoothly as we all are presently under the same roof.”
The former SGF said that the defection was not just about him but Ebonyi people as consultations were widely made before a final resolution was taken.
“We wanted to appreciate Governor Francis Nwifuru’s great works and reconciling various political divides in the state, making them stay under one roof.
“We are aware of the enormous economic and socio-cultural challenges confronting the country and the need to patriotically support President Bola Tinubu to surmount the challenges.
“We intend to collaborate with all federal appointees from the state especially the Minister of Works, Umahi to support and step down President Tinubu’s life-uplifting policies to the Ebonyi people,” Anyim added.
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, commended Governor Nwifuru for sustaining his predecessor’s ideals of enlarging the APC in the state and South-East.
“The APC is presently de-marginalising the South-East zone by placing it in the mainstream of national politics.
“The ministerial positions among other appointments given by President Tinubu to indigenes of the zone, massive infrastructural development in the zone among others, attest to this fact,” he said.
The post Ex-Senate president Anyim, Obinna Ogba, others join APC appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.

Oyo, Osun IPMAN, NUPENG shut down operations over police harassment

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Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers in Oyo and Osun states have announced shut down of their operations with immediate effect.

The petroleum stakeholders, at an emergency meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State caputal, on Saturday, hinged their decision on what they called harassment and extortion of members by the police.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the emergency meeting was attended by the IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Mutiu Bukola and the Chairman, Petroleum Tanker Drivers branch of NUPENG, Alhaji Hammed Hamzat.

Others were the Chairman, Independent Marketers branch of NUPENG, Mr Surajudeen Adegoke and IPMAN, Vice-Chairman, Alhaji Olalekan Lawal.

They unanimously condemned the operations of the Inspector General of Police monitoring team on the highway which, they said, had been distrupting the lifting of petroleum products from depot to filling stations in the two states.

The IPMAN chairman, who spoke on behalf of others, called for immediate end to harassment and extortion of members of the associations.

He said that they would not open for business until the issues were resolved.

According to him, no filling stations will open while there will be no movement of petroleum tankers in the two states until members of the IG monitoring team are removed from the road.

“A tanker driver bringing in a truck load of diesel was arrested at Gbongan junction in Osun in the early hours of Saturday and detained along with his truck.

“The team has assumed the role of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority which is the regulator in the sector.

“The NMDPRA officers at the lifting depot had already certified the product, meaning that there was no issue at all, only for the driver and the truck to be detained by the IG monitoring team at Gbongan.

“We hereby call for immediate release of the driver and the truck,” he said.

Bukola said that the victimisation had been going on for long, adding that it must stop, in the interest of the industry and Nigerians in general.

He said that in the last few months, the police team had wrongly arrested many tanker drivers and trucks, only to discover that they were innocent after investigations.

Bukola claimed that police extortion had further compounded the challenges facing the associations, thus affecting the generality of Nigerians.

“There will be no movement of trucks in and out of Osun and Oyo states, meaning that there will be no loading of petroleum products from depot to filling stations within the two states.

“The purpose of the IGP monitoring team was to stop vandalism of pipelines but the team has left its function and is now chasing other things,” he said.

Bukola also decried what he called multiple charges which, he said, had been crippling operations in the petroleum sector in the two states.

(NAN)