Eyes on Edo, Ondo Elections: A Call for Credibility By Ozioruva Aliu As Nigeria prepares for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and Chairman of The Patriots, emphasizes the need for free and fair polls. Anyaoku underscores the importance of credibility in these elections, asserting that the international community is closely monitoring Nigeria’s democratic process. With the Edo gubernatorial election set for September 21 and Ondo for November 16, Anyaoku urges the Federal Government, INEC, security agencies, and other relevant institutions to ensure transparency and impartiality. He highlights that…

By Steve Oko Tertiary institutions in Abia State are experiencing a wave of joy as staff members receive long-awaited bank alerts for the payment of accumulated salary arrears totaling N17.6 billion. The Abia Polytechnic Aba staff were seen in a viral video celebrating and thanking Gov. Alex Otti for fulfilling his promise to clear the arrears in monthly installments of N1.5 billion. According to Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, the State Government has initiated the payment of N1.5 billion monthly with plans to continue for 12 months until the debt is fully settled. This move is in line with…

By Oluwadare Esther Funke In a warm welcome reception hosted by the U.S. Consulate in Lagos, U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills Jr., expressed his commitment to strengthening collaboration with Nigeria in various areas, old and new. Mills highlighted the shared values between both countries and emphasized his desire for Nigeria to have a bigger role and voice in world affairs. Appointed as U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria in May 2024, Mills also served as Deputy Representative of the U.S. to the United Nations before assuming his current role. He commended Nigeria’s progress in embracing emerging technologies, citing the recent…

Election, Peace or War? By Clifford Ndujihe, Politics Editor Electoral violence in Nigeria has claimed 1,350 lives since 2015. The General Abdulsalami Abubakar-led National Peace Committee faces challenges in getting political parties to sign a peace accord before elections. With the upcoming Edo election, the PDP refuses to sign, citing bias from the police and INEC. The APC initially followed suit but later signed. The NPC’s mandate is to support free, fair, and credible elections, but violence persists. Over 1350 lives have been lost to electoral violence since the NPC’s inception. Various parties have expressed concerns over violations of the…

Surviving Economic Hardship in Nigeria By Dayo Johnson; Rotimi Ojomoyela; Peter Duru; Marie-Therese Nanlong; Egufe Yafuborghi; Emma Unah; Chioma Onuegbu; James Ogunnaike; Steve Oko; Shina Abubakar; Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo; Laolu Elijah & Adeola Badru The current economic challenges in Nigeria, exacerbated by rising fuel prices and food inflation, have compelled many Nigerians to find innovative ways to survive. From resorting to animal feeds for sustenance to selling personal belongings for extra income, the hardship has led to extreme measures for survival. Many individuals have abandoned their cars in favor of public transportation, while some have taken up urban farming to make…

By Ugochukwu Alaribe Ensuring a peace-driven independence for Biafra Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the founder of the Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, has voiced concerns about Simon Ekpa, the self-acclaimed prime minister of Biafra in exile. Uwazuruike believes Ekpa’s approach is more confusing than helpful in the fight for Biafran independence. During the 25th anniversary of MASSOB/BIM, Uwazuruike emphasized that a non-violent strategy is crucial in achieving Biafra’s liberation. Uwazuruike assured unity among pro-Biafra groups, stating that independence is within reach. The new Biafran government, led by Prime Minister Ezinne Uwaezuoke David, includes representatives from various regions of Biafra, symbolizing inclusivity and…

The Battle of Petrol Pricing: NNPCL vs. Dangote Refinery By Emeka Anaeto, Business Editor, Udeme Akpan, Energy Editor and Yinka Kolawole In the midst of supply challenges in the downstream petroleum sector, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Refinery are at odds over determining an acceptable petrol price. The bone of contention revolves around balancing market dynamics with social impact and affordability, leading to a stalemate in negotiations. NNPCL seeks a subsidy-compatible pricing, while Dangote leans towards market-reflective pricing, causing a gridlock. However, both parties are now working towards a middle ground to ensure supply stability and…

By Esther Onyegbula In a shocking incident in Akure, a 30-year-old motorcyclist, Michael Olorunfemi, was arrested for raping his wife’s 17-year-old sister in the bushes of Ondo State capital. The crime took place in August 2024 at 10 p.m. where the suspect, a father of four, confessed to the act. Olorunfemi revealed that he had promised the victim money to take her to her boyfriend’s house but instead raped her near a bush on their way. The victim reported him to her mother, leading to his arrest and subsequent court appearance. Police prosecutor, Inspector Taiwo Oniyere, stated that the defendant…

Afenifere Plans New Political Party, Accuses Tinubu’s Administration of Fascism Afenifere, a Yoruba socio-cultural organization, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration, likening it to the days of Gen. Sanni Abacha’s dictatorship. The group revealed plans to establish a political party to compete in the 2027 general election. The National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, condemned Tinubu’s government, citing harassment and detention of critics and peaceful protesters as evidence of fascism. Afenifere aims to uphold democratic principles and advocate for constitutional reform, inspired by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s ideologies. Addressing rumors of internal division, Faloye assured that Afenifere remains united despite fringe…

Tinubu’s Government Criticized by Gani Adams for Indifference and Insensitivity The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, expressed his disappointment with the administration led by President Bola Tinubu, stating that it is becoming indifferent, insensitive, and unresponsive to the hardships faced by Nigerians. In an open letter titled ‘President Bola Tinubu, Time is Going,’ Adams criticized the current government for failing to address the economic challenges that citizens are grappling with. Adams highlighted the deteriorating economic conditions that have been exacerbated by the administration’s policies, particularly the significant increase in fuel prices and the devaluation of the Naira.…