The Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi, has tasked political leaders to prioritize the needs of the poor and the marginalized in their various countries.
In a post on his official X handle on Wednesday as he prepares to observe his 63rd birthday anniversary, Obi urged all his well wishers to use the occasion to fervently pray for Nigeria and their respective countries.
The former Anambra State Governor, charged political leaders to allow God touch their hearts to make sacrifices and utilize public resources for the greater good of all.
“On Friday, July 19th, I will be celebrating my 63rd birthday. As usual, it is a time for personal reflection and thanksgiving to Almighty God, who has graciously granted me life, good health, and the opportunity to contribute to the betterment of humanity.
“Let us present ourselves, as political leaders, to God, so that He may touch our hearts to make sacrifices, utilize public resources for the greater good, and prioritize the needs of the poor and marginalized. Let us also provide better opportunities for our youth to thrive.
“My appeal to my well-wishers and supporters, particularly in Nigeria and Africa, is to use this occasion to fervently pray for our nation and respective countries,” he said.
Make the poor, marginalised your priority – Peter Obi to political leaders
Make the poor, marginalised your priority – Peter Obi to political leaders
13 states rush to hold council polls
•Bauchi fixes LG poll for August 19, Kogi election holds October 19
•Jigawa, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Katsina, Kebbi, Benue set for exercise
No fewer than 13 states have fixed dates for Local Government elections in the aftermath of last Thursday’s Supreme Court judgement which prohibited federal allocation to council being administered by caretaker committees.
The states that have commenced council poll preparations include Kaduna, Kogi, Bauchi, Katsina, Osun, Enugu, Benue, Rivers, Jigawa, Imo, Kebbi, Abia, and Anambra states.
On Tuesday, the Kaduna State Independent Electoral Commission scheduled the council poll for October 19, 2024.
The Supreme Court had declared it unconstitutional for state governors to hold funds allocated for the local government councils.
In the judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Agim, the seven-man panel held that the 774 local government councils in the country should manage their funds themselves.
The court delivered the landmark judgment in suit: SC/CV/343/2024, filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) against the 36 state governors.
The AGF had sued the state governors through their respective state attorneys-general.
The apex court declared that the government is divided into three tiers: federal, state, and local governments.
S’Court verdict
The court further declared that a state government had no power to appoint a caretaker committee and a local government council was only recognisable with a democratically elected government.
“A democratically elected local government is sacrosanct and non-negotiable,’’ the apex court declared, putting an end to the practice of appointing caretaker committees to run the councils by the state governors.
The court further asserted that the use of a caretaker committee by the state governments to administer the local government violated the 1999 Constitution.
The Supreme Court further affirmed that the local government areas should be governed by a democratically elected government but “The state by the abuse of their power has worked against this law.”
The court declared that the 36 state governors had no power to dissolve democratically elected local government councils to replace them with caretaker committees.
“Such an act is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void,’’ Agim stated.
The apex court barred the state governors from receiving, retaining or spending the local government allocation.
It said the practice of receiving and retaining local government funds by the states had gone on for too long, describing it as a clear violation of section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The court held that the 1999 Constitution states that any money leaving the federation account must be distributed to the three tiers of government.
It added that it is the local government administrations that should receive and manage funds meant for the local councils.
Agim declared, “I hold that the state’s retention of the local government funds is unconstitutional.
“Demands of justice require a progressive interpretation of the law. It is the position of this court that the federation can pay LGA allocations to the LGAs directly or pay them through the states.
“In this case, since paying them through states has not worked, justice of this case demands that LGA allocations from the federation account should henceforth be paid directly to the LGAs.”
Following the verdict which was widely applauded, the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Wale Edun, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) were reported to have scheduled a meeting for Tuesday (yesterday) with the Federal Accounts and Allocation Committee officials to discuss the implementation of the apex court verdict.
The According was unable to confirm if the meeting was held.
Kaduna LG poll
Announcing the date for the council poll at a meeting with political parties and other stakeholders on Tuesday, the Kaduna SIECOM Chairperson, Hajara Mohammed, explained that the current council officials members were sworn into office on November 1, 2021, and would end their three-year tenure on October 31, 2024.
She said, “The current council members were sworn into office on 1 November 2021 and will end their three-year tenure on 31 October. KAD-SIECOM is responsible for organising the elections of chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and councillors in the state.
“In consonance with the provision of section 25(1) of the KAD-SIECOM Law 2024, the general public is hereby informed that the LGA council election will be held in Kaduna on Saturday, 19th October 2024, between 8am and 4pm
“The commission issues the election timetable today, Tuesday 16th July 2024. The 2024 election guidelines have been released with the election timetable KAD-SIECOM is ready to conduct the election on the set date.”
The Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission also announced October 19 for the local government election across the state.
Addressing a stakeholders’ meeting in Lokoja on Tuesday, the Chairman of the electoral commission, Mamman Eri, said the decision was in line with the provision of the Constitution and the powers vested in the state Independent Electoral Commission.
He explained that a comprehensive timetable and schedule of activities had been prepared to ensure a transparent, fair and credible electoral process.
“We assure you that these activities have been designed with utmost consideration for inclusivity, transparency and adherence to electoral laws,’’ he said.
According to the election timetable, a councillorship candidate will pay a N100,000 deposit while a chairmanship candidate will part with 250,000.
It prohibits a candidate who has been dismissed from public service or private employment from contesting for any of the elective positions.
Also, anyone who has been found guilty of an offence involving narcotics or any other psychotropic substance by any court or tribunal cannot contest the poll.
Eri appreciated the continued support and collaboration towards the success of the election.
Also, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed August 19 for the local government elections in the state.
The Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Ahmad Makama, who disclosed this at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi, said all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure free and fair elections.
He reiterated the commitment of the commission to conduct a credible and transparent election, urging citizens to come out and vote for their preferred candidates across the parties on election day.
He denied alleged rigging plans, noting that previous elections were free and fair.
Makama said the commission had organised a series of meetings with political parties, security chiefs and relevant stakeholders, as part of the election preparations.
NAN quoted the chairman to have urged the public to support the commission to ensure hitch-free local government elections.
It was learnt that Katsina, Kebbi, and Benue have also set machinery in motion to conduct the local council polls.
The exercise will take place in Enugu on October 5, while Benue will conduct the council poll on November 16.
Others are Kebbi, August 31; Rivers, October 5; Kwara and Imo, September 21.
Katsina has announced February, while Osun will conduct the poll on February 22, 2025.
Ondo election postponed
However, the preparation for the council election in Ondo State has been put on hold
Announcing this on Monday, the Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission, Dr Joseph Aremo, regretted that no single political party complied with the guidelines of the proposed election, despite the issuance of guidelines for the election.
This would be the second time the commission would postpone the election earlier fixed for February and later shifted to July 2024.
Before the latest postponement, the commission had earlier scheduled the council poll for July 13, 2023.
Following the expiration of the tenure of the last executive of the local governments in August 2023, heads of local government administration had been at the helm of affairs in the 18 local government areas of the state.
Addressing stakeholders from various political parties in the state, in Akure, Aremo stated, “Ours is to conduct an election that will usher in a democratic government at the local level. It’s unfortunate that no single party complied with the guidelines for the election.
“We have yet to receive the nomination of candidates, yet to verify and release it to the public for scrutiny.”
Aremo added that the commission would go back to the drawing board and make its position known at a later date.
Reacting, the Ondo State Chairman of the Inter-party Advisory Council, Adesanya Olaoluwa, admitted that all political parties agreed to the terms, knowing that no election could take place without them.
He said, “They now know our reasons. We want to see Mr Governor. It is not that we don’t have trust in ODIEC. We know that they can conduct credible election but we want to see Mr Governor,” he noted.
However, the People’s Democratic Party said that the ODIEC had postponed the elections because the All Progressives Congress was no longer popular in the state.
The state Publicity Secretary, Mr Kennedy Peretei, said, “We knew all along that ODIEC will not conduct the LG election because the APC is not on the ground.”
Trump running mate Vance to light up Republican convention
US Senator J.D. Vance was set to debut on the national stage Wednesday in his first address as the Republican vice-presidential nominee — completing a meteoric rise from humble midwestern beginnings to a coveted spot on Donald Trump’s ticket.
Trump tapped the Ohio conservative to be his number two at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee on Monday as the ex-president bids for a stunning return to the White House, four years after losing to President Joe Biden.
The one-term senator, who turns 40 next month, would be the third-youngest vice president in history — and one of the least experienced — if Trump prevails in his rematch against Biden in November.
Vance was an uncompromising “Never Trumper” at the time of his new boss’s election win in 2016, labelling the tycoon a “moral disaster” and comparing him to Adolf Hitler.
But he reinvented himself as an ultra-loyal acolyte when he entered politics and ultimately won the ex-president’s endorsement in the 2022 Ohio Senate race.
“I was certainly skeptical of Donald Trump in 2016. But President Trump was a great president, and he changed my mind,” Vance told Fox News on Monday.
Unknown quantity
Despite making his name with the 2016 memoir “Hillbilly Elegy,” a best-selling account of his Appalachian family and modest Rust Belt upbringing, he remains something of an unknown quantity to the wider public.
Many voters will be seeing him for the first time as Wednesday’s prime-time speech is beamed into living rooms across America.
He is already a hit with the party faithful in Milwaukee, who rewarded him with a rowdy ovation as he stepped on the convention floor with his wife, Usha, on Monday.
Vance embraces Trump’s isolationist, anti-immigration America First movement, but offers little chance of expanding the ticket’s appeal to more moderate voters and women.
He is further to the right than Trump on some issues including abortion, where he embraces calls for federal legislation.
“As Vice President, J.D. will continue to fight for our Constitution, stand with our Troops, and will do everything he can to help me MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN,” Trump gushed on his social media platform Truth Social Monday.
Some 50,000 Republicans have descended on the shores of Lake Michigan for the four-day Republican National Convention, which comes with the country reeling from a botched attempt by a gunman to kill Trump at a rally in Pennsylvania on Saturday.
The attack — which killed one bystander and left the ex-president with a bloodied ear — has dominated proceedings, with the opening day’s highlight an appearance from a defiant Trump sporting a bandage on his right ear.
Unity ‘essential’
Trump said after the shooting he hoped to “unite our country” and yet his running mate has been one of the most partisan and divisive members of Congress.
The firebrand immediately blamed Democrats for the attack, saying anti-Trump rhetoric “led directly to President Trump’s attempted assassination.”
The second day of the convention was intended to project a united Republican Party, as Trump’s defeated rivals in the contest for the nomination lined up to lavish him with praise.
One-time UN ambassador Nikki Haley, who was greeted with muted applause and a smattering of boos, told delegates “A unified Republican Party is essential” for saving the nation.
Trump showed up again, still sporting the bandage and waving as delegates burst into applause.
While he made no formal remarks, the 78-year-old slapped backs and chatted with Vance, pumping his fist and looking more relaxed than during his emotional entrance the previous night.
The Republican leader has been widely feted at the convention, where on Thursday he is set to formally accept his party’s nomination with the hotly-anticipated keynote address.
AFP
TASUED suspends final year activities after student’s death
The management of Tai Solarin University of Education has suspended the customary ‘sign out’ and ‘log out’ celebration activities for final-year students indefinitely following the death of a 400-level student, Hammed Ayinla Fabiyi.
This step is geared towards ensuring safety and maintaining a serene and secure environment during the final examinations.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the university’s ACEO (Information), Bankole Mofolorunso Adegoke, on Wednesday.
The According Online had reported that Fabiyi was killed by suspected cultists after he was reportedly dragged out of the examination hall while writing his final papers.
A source told our correspondent that he was dragged to one corner of the school premises and was shot but was rescued after the assailants left the scene.
Fabiyi died after being taken to two different hospitals for medical assistance.
Adegoke said in the statement that violators of this and the existing policies will be sanctioned as the Students’ Affairs Division, in collaboration with the Security Division, has been directed to recommend appropriate penalties for offenders.
“The Management of Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun, hereby announces the indefinite suspension of students’ celebrations: “log out” and “sign out” activities for all final-year students upon completion of their examinations.
“This decision follows a recent Management meeting decision to address the breach of peace on all its Campuses. In light of this, Deans of Colleges, and Heads of Departments are to refrain forthwith from approving any student activities without explicit authorization from the University Management.
“The Management reiterates that the existing ban on Students driving in personal vehicles to campus remains in effect. Violators of this directive will face stringent sanctions.
“In addition, to enhance Campus security and prevent unauthorised individuals from posing as students, strict enforcement of the mandatory use of Student identification cards within the University premises is to be implemented immediately.
“The University Management urges all students to comply with these directives to ensure a peaceful and conducive learning environment,” Adegoke said.
Gov Bago denies ordering security men to slap Islamic cleric during Fidua prayer
The Niger State Government has addressed a viral video showing Governor Mohammed Bago allegedly ordering security personnel to slap a man during the Fidua prayer for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, Zainab Yakubu.
The video, which went viral on Saturday, captures the governor speaking in Hausa language, instructing a security operative to slap and arrest the man.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the governor’s Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, clarified that the man in question was an impostor attempting to impersonate an Imam.
Wakaso stated that the man had apologized to both the governor and the forum of Imams for his behavior and confirmed that he was neither slapped nor arrested.
“The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to an editorial in the Daily Trust Newspaper of 15th July 2024, titled ‘Bago: Let Temperance Reign.’
“This editorial, along with other reports, misrepresented the incident that took place during the three-day Fidua Prayers for the late wife of the Deputy Governor, Hajiya Zainab Garba,”
“The governor ordered security agents to remove an individual who attempted to take over the spiritual duties of the Imams gathered at the Deputy Governor’s residence. The editorial also contained fictitious claims.”
Wakaso explained that the state government had initially chosen not to engage in the controversy due to the mourning period. However, they felt compelled to correct the misconceptions about the governor’s actions.
“The governor considers the three-day Fidua Prayers as a very sensitive and important event that should be presided over by an Imam or a renowned Islamic scholar, not by an unqualified individual.
“The governor’s decision to ask the individual to leave the venue was based on maintaining the sanctity and solemnity of the occasion. The individual’s actions were disrespectful to the deceased and the reason for the gathering, leading the governor to request his removal by security agents.”
Wakaso criticized the continued attacks on Governor Bago’s character by some media outlets, calling them unfortunate and uncalled for. She defended the governor’s actions as necessary to prevent the Fidua prayer from being disrupted.
Wakaso further disclosed that the fake cleric had been a supporter of the governor, who had attempted to empower him several times. His overzealous behavior was an attempt to gain the governor’s attention.
She said he has shown remorse and requested forgiveness from both the governor and the forum of Imams. The governor’s actions were driven by respect for the deceased, the purpose of the gathering, and the need to preserve the sanctity of the Fidua Prayer.
Gov Bago denies ordering security men to slap Islamic cleric during Fidua prayer
From lounge to Kirikiri prison, Nigerian DJ alleges police brutality
A Nigerian Disc Jockey, The Turnup Maestro, identified on X as #_djtrendy, has narrated his ordeal on how he was taken to the Kirikiri Custodian Centre in Lagos State. Recounting his experience via his X handle on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, the DJ stated that his ordeal started on Sunday, July 7, 2024, when some
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Kano Gov Yusuf makes u-turn, approves appointment of three second-class Emirs
In a move to reorganize the traditional leadership structure in Kano State, Governor Abba Yusuf, on Wednesday, approved the appointment of three second-class Emirs for the emirates of Rano, Gaya, and Karaye.
The new emirates will serve under the first-class emirate of Kano, with the appointed emirs being:
– Alhaji Muhammad Karaye (Emir of Karaye)
– Alhaji Muhammad Umar (Emir of Rano)
– Alhaji Aliyu Abdulkadir Gaya (Emir of Gaya)
The governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Tofa, announced the appointments in a statement on Wednesday. The new emirs were previously district heads in their respective areas.
This development follows Governor Yusuf’s signing of a bill into law on Tuesday, establishing three second-class emirates in the state.
The emirates will cover specific local government areas, with Rano covering Rano, Kibiya, and Bunkure, Gaya covering Gaya, Ajingi, and Albasu, and Karaye covering Karaye and Rogo.
Read Also: FG, states, LGAs share N1.35tr as revenue allocation for June
The governor has urged the newly appointed emirs to promote culture, peace, and unity in their respective emirates.
This move is seen as a significant development in the state’s traditional leadership structure, with implications for the political and cultural landscape of Kano State.
The Kano State government had earlier dissolved all the four emirate councils in the state created by the administration of former Governor Abdulahi Ganduje.
This came after the state House of Assembly officially passed a bill dissolving all five emirate councils in the state. This decision followed deliberations on the floor of the house during a plenary session.
Soon after this, Governor Yusuf reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II who had been deposed four years earlier as the Emir of Kano.
The post Kano Gov Yusuf makes u-turn, approves appointment of three second-class Emirs appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from TVN.
Aiyedatiwa dares FG, directs transition committees to resume in LGs, LCDAs
Despite the Supreme Court judgement that granted financial autonomy to the 774 local government councils in the country, the Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed the newly appointed transition committees to resume in the 18 local government areas and 33 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, of the state.
According to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Amidu Takuro, who gave the directive on behalf of the governor, the move became imperative in order to avoid creating a vacuum.
The state government, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Kayode Ajulo, had earlier justified the appointment, stressing that the governor acted within his constitutional powers.
Aiyedatiwa had a few days ago appointed 357 members to the transition committees, shortly after an Ondo State High Court nullified the creation of the 33 LCDAs, after which the apex court gave a judgement that fiscal allocation must only be made to councils with elected chairmen.
However, Takuro, who met with the transition committees, stated that several states, including Ondo, are affected by the Supreme Court’s verdict, emphasising the need for compliance with electoral laws.
The Commissioner maintained that, upon appointment by the governor, the transition committees became operational immediately without a necessary formal inauguration.
He added that implementing the Supreme Court judgement required procedural requirements as well as ongoing negotiations among governors at a scheduled meeting.
Aiyedatiwa dares FG, directs transition committees to resume in LGs, LCDAs
Cop arrested for robbing neighbours’ homes
The Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a Police Inspector, Aminu Mohammed, over the robbery of the residence of those around his duty station, ‘C’ Division in Lokoja, the state capital.
Our correspondent gathered that nemesis caught up with the officer on Sunday.
The Public Relations Officer, SP William Aya, told journalists on Tuesday in Lokoja that ”luck ran out of the officer following the activities of a notorious gang of armed robbers who specialises in robbing houses of household items and cars.
” The car was found in the workshop of the policeman’s panel beater, Arome Moses, who was already working on changing the car’s colour at Ochadamu near Anyigba in the Eastern part of the state.
“Those who knew the vehicle and were aware of the robbery incident that occurred at the owner’s house on 14th June 2024, quickly raised alarm upon sighting the car.
“The car’s plate number had already been changed to an Abuja number just as a car dealer’s receipt, backdated to 2020, was presented by the officer as his evidence of purchasing it.
“His panel beater had primed the car preparatory to changing its colour before the alarm was raised,” he said
He added that after raising the alarm, the policemen of the Quick Response Unit attached to the Police Area Command were quickly invited, and the panel beater was apprehended.
One of the members of the gang of armed robbers, who had also been on police wanted list for other crimes, confessed to the crime and named the police officer as the mastermind.
He confessed that they were contracted to rob the house of the owner of the car for the sole aim of getting the car for him.
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Drake’s Toronto home flooded due to severe rainstorms
Canadian Rapper, Aubrey Graham, popularly known as Drake, Toronto home (The Embassy) has been overtaken by severe rainstorms in Toronto.
The singer shared a video of his home on his Instagram Stories on Wednesday.
In the video, Drake’s 50,000 square-foot mansion, designed by Canadian architect Ferris Rafauli, appears to be significantly affected by the flooding.
Drake joked on his Instagram stories that the rushing water “better be espresso martini”.
In the video, Drake filmed an unidentified man pushing against glass double doors as water rushed from what seemed to be a closet and into a bathroom.
Toronto has been hit by record rainfall from three huge storms.
This has resulted in power outages and displacement of individuals.
Watch Video Below:
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from According.
Contact: [email protected]