Author: Gabby

In preparation for the upcoming Rivers South-East senatorial bye-election scheduled for Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has initiated the distribution of sensitive electoral materials. The exercise is taking place at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) branch in Port Harcourt.

Dr. Johnson Alalibo, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, addressed journalists during the event, confirming that all sensitive materials are securely stored and have not been tampered with in any way. He emphasized that the materials will be transported under tight security to the seven local government areas where the election is set to occur.

Alalibo expressed confidence that INEC is thoroughly prepared to conduct a credible, transparent, and peaceful election on Saturday. He urged political party agents and election observers to remain vigilant and ensure that no individual or group compromises the process.

The distribution was witnessed by INEC National Commissioner Prof. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who oversees Rivers, Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom States, along with RECs from Katsina, Kano, and Adamawa states. Representatives from political parties, security agencies, and other stakeholders were also present as officials sorted ballot papers and result sheets for distribution to the affected local government areas.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described the paramount ruler of Emohua Kingdom, Eze Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, as the political bulldozer of Rivers State.

Speaking on Wednesday during the commissioning of the Federal High Court Judges’ Quarters in Abuja, Wike acknowledged Awuse’s presence and highlighted his significant role in laying the foundation of his political career.

Wike noted that Awuse has since moved away from politics to take on the role of a traditional ruler. I recognize those who laid the foundation for some of us to climb to where we are today, Wike said, referring to Awuse as my dear brother, the political bulldozer of Rivers State, even though he has abandoned politics to become a traditional ruler.

The former governor of Rivers State also expressed curiosity about the origin of Awuse’s nickname, Sergeant, admitting he does not know how he acquired it.

The Bauchi State Police Command has intensified its enforcement against motorists operating vehicles without valid registration or those using obscured and fake number plates. In a significant move, mobile courts have been established throughout the state to expedite the trial of offenders.

This directive is in line with orders from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, aimed at improving road safety and bolstering security in the region. A statement released by the command’s spokesperson, SP Nafiu Habib, indicated that the police have collaborated with the state judiciary to set up these mobile courts at five Area Command headquarters and other key locations within Bauchi metropolis.

The courts are now actively hearing cases against motorists whose vehicles lack proper registration, have covered or tampered number plates, or display unauthorized registration marks. Commissioner of Police Sani-Omolori Aliyu emphasized that unregistered and untraceable vehicles pose serious security risks, often being used in criminal activities such as kidnapping and armed robbery.

He clarified that the enforcement operation is intended to protect lives and property, not to harass law-abiding citizens. Any vehicle found violating the regulations will be impounded, and offenders will face prosecution before the mobile courts. Penalties, including fines and other sanctions, will be imposed based on relevant motor vehicle laws and police regulations.

The command urged all vehicle owners and drivers to ensure their documents are up to date, display number plates properly, and avoid covering, altering, or defacing registration numbers. Residents are encouraged to cooperate with officers during the exercise. The police reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining security and curbing criminality linked to untraceable vehicles.

Youth coalitions from the north, rallying under the banner of the Coalition of Arewa Youth Groups, have issued a grave prediction that the 2027 general elections might be the last the country ever sees. During a press conference, they called for the immediate release of Nasir El-Rufai, the former governor of Kaduna State, who remains in custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The groups urged young Northerners to unite and vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming polls. They expressed frustration over what they perceive as selective justice, pointing out that many ex-governors under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are still free and even contesting elections under the APC.

“If this trend continues, 2027 may be our final chance to hold elections,” one spokesperson stated. “If we fail to confront the APC’s malfeasance, we risk a fate worse than military rule.” He called on Northerners, especially those in Kaduna, to resist Governor Uba Sani’s push for a one-party state. “The arrest of El-Rufai will not derail our mission to send this government packing. President Bola Tinubu should return to Lagos, and Governor Uba Sani may follow him,” the group added.

The United Nations Development Programme’s Global Environmental Facility Small Grant Programme has called on Nigeria to start imagining a society without plastics. National Coordinator Ibironke Olubamise encouraged young Nigerians to develop creative approaches that would help the nation move away from its dependence on plastic materials.

Olubamise also appealed to government bodies, corporations, and citizens to launch initiatives aimed at reducing and eventually ending plastic consumption. She pointed out that plastics remain widespread around the world, making it crucial to find ways to manage and reuse them to avoid waste that endangers human health.

Speaking at a plastic waste solutions event held in Abuja on Wednesday, Olubamise invited young people to think about upstream strategies—interventions that prevent plastic waste before it is created. She noted that downstream methods, which deal with what happens after plastic is already in use, are also vital since many companies continue manufacturing plastic products.

“You might also want to consider downstream approaches—actions we take once plastic has been produced. That is equally important because many firms are still involved in plastic manufacturing,” she said. “Globally, plastic remains a part of nearly every aspect of our daily lives. So I urge you to keep working and strive to identify workable solutions.”

She added, “You never know what opportunities might emerge, so I want to thank the organizers and all of you taking part, particularly those who are actively engaged.”

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has directed an urgent acceleration of waste removal operations across the metropolis in response to mounting piles of trash in various neighborhoods. The directive, announced on Thursday by the governor’s media aide Gboyega Akosile, aims to address public frustration over deteriorating sanitation conditions.

The state government acknowledged the dissatisfaction expressed by citizens and emphasized that the issue has been escalated to the highest levels of attention. Authorities reiterated their commitment to providing a hygienic, healthful, and ecologically balanced environment for all residents.

According to the official statement, Sanwo-Olu has instructed all relevant agencies—including the Ministry of the Environment, the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), and other environmental bodies—to ramp up their activities. The governor mandated round-the-clock waste evacuation to eliminate backlogs and restore normal hygiene standards in impacted communities.

Additional resources have been deployed to boost ongoing operations, and new strategic measures are being implemented to enhance the efficiency of waste collection and disposal systems.

Lagos, a rapidly growing megacity, generates approximately 13,000 tonnes of waste each day—one of the highest volumes on the African continent. While acknowledging that operational hiccups can occur in such a vast and complex system, the government insisted it possesses both the capability and resolve to effectively manage the situation.

Residents were assured that the current challenges are temporary, with notable progress already visible in several areas. “This difficulty will not persist. We are already recording substantial improvements in various locations, and more advances will become apparent across the state in the coming days,” the statement read.

The Sanwo-Olu administration continues to invest heavily in environmental sustainability, waste management infrastructure, and urban renewal projects aimed at building a cleaner, safer Lagos. The government called on residents, community leaders, market associations, and business owners to support sanitation efforts by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding practices that clog drainage systems, roads, and designated collection points.

“We will not allow this problem to drag on. The government is fully in control and pursuing a comprehensive response that not only clears current accumulations but also strengthens the long-term resilience of the state’s waste management framework,” the statement added.

Reaffirming its dedication to environmental protection and public health, the government pledged to continue taking necessary actions to keep Lagos communities clean and safe. “A cleaner Lagos is not just a goal; it is a promise we will keep delivering,” the statement concluded.

The Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has taken disciplinary action against three individuals following accusations of illicit fund collection from students. The suspended persons include Olanrewaju Ogunjobi, Director of the Directorate for Educational Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Banji Rildwan Olaleye, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs and Support Services; and James Iyanuoluwa Adio, President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG).

According to Mufutau Ibrahim, the university registrar, Ogunjobi and Olaleye were implicated in collecting 1,000 naira from each fresher purportedly for practical training sessions organized by the directorate. This collection was done without authorization from the senate, management, or adherence to established financial protocols requiring payments to be channeled through the bursary with management approval.

The registrar further stated that an investigative committee was set up to ensure fairness and due process. The committee found that Olaleye assisted Ogunjobi in the unauthorized collection, despite his role in student affairs. Adio, the SUG president, was allegedly involved in the initial disbursement of the funds and later facilitated the return of 700,000 naira to his personal bank account.

Ibrahim emphasized that the university administration views these actions as a direct violation of its anti-corruption stance. He reiterated that FUOYE will not tolerate any form of extortion, abuse of office, financial impropriety, or corrupt practices. The suspension underscores the institution’s commitment to its rebranding efforts and protecting its reputation.

The Nigerian government has introduced a new set of guidelines to facilitate the shift to an updated tax system, aiming to provide clarity and stability during the process.

Released by the Ministry of Finance on Thursday, these rules are designed to assist taxpayers, revenue bodies, tax professionals, and other stakeholders in navigating the transitional period.

The framework tackles key aspects of implementing the reformed tax laws, especially concerning existing tax liabilities, ongoing audits, unresolved disputes, tax breaks, and transactions that could straddle both old and new systems.

Finance Minister Taiwo Oyedele emphasized that the guidelines rest on three core pillars: clarity, equity, and regulatory certainty. He stated that tax debts and responsibilities tied to periods prior to January 1, 2026, will remain under the previous legislation.

Assessments, audits, probes, disagreements, and enforcement actions stemming from the pre-reform era will also be managed under the old legal framework. Tax submissions for accounting cycles ending before January 2026 will follow current laws, while those due from January 1, 2026, onward will adhere to the new structure.

The Tax Acts 2025 comprise four key laws: the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Act, the Nigeria Tax Act, the Nigeria Tax Administration Act, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Act. According to the guidelines, all existing tax exemptions and incentives granted under repealed laws will remain effective until their specified expiration dates.

This move is intended to offer stability and alleviate concerns for businesses that secured approvals prior to the new tax laws. However, applications still pending review and new requests for tax incentives will be evaluated under the Tax Acts 2025. The guidelines also clarify how income taxes, transaction taxes, development levies, and record-keeping will be handled during the transition.

The United States diplomatic mission in Nigeria has announced a temporary halt in operations at its Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos. This closure, scheduled for Friday, June 19, 2026, is in recognition of Juneteenth National Independence Day. The decision was made public via the mission’s official X account on Thursday.

According to the post, both facilities will suspend all non-essential services, including routine visa appointments and passport processing, on that day. Regular consular and diplomatic activities are slated to resume following the holiday.

Juneteenth, observed annually on June 19, marks the historic end of slavery in the United States. The date commemorates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, to announce the freedom of enslaved African Americans, which occurred more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln had issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday gained federal recognition in 2021 after former President Joe Biden signed legislation making it a national public holiday. Since then, U.S. embassies and consulates around the globe have observed Juneteenth as a closure day.

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has issued a firm statement that his administration will not engage in any form of dialogue with terrorists or bandits operating in the region. The governor made this declaration while addressing the escalating insecurity and rising public anxiety over persistent attacks.

Instead of pursuing peace talks, Lawal emphasized that his government will rely on security operations and targeted strategic measures to combat criminal elements. He rejected suggestions that negotiations could lead to lasting peace, arguing that such approaches have proven ineffective elsewhere.

According to the governor, entering into discussions with armed groups would signal weakness and undermine the state’s authority. He questioned the logic of negotiating with individuals who commit violent crimes, stressing that it would falsely imply that terrorists hold more power than the government.

“I do not accept that terrorists are stronger than the government. Therefore, as Governor of Zamfara State, I maintain that I will not negotiate with terrorists,” Lawal asserted. He acknowledged that insecurity remains a significant challenge but insisted the government maintains control over the situation.

In response to recent protests by residents along the Shinkafi–Kaura Namoda Road—who have expressed anger over repeated attacks—Lawal affirmed the right of citizens to voice their frustrations. He noted that listening to the people is a cornerstone of democracy, and his administration is committed to addressing concerns within its capacity.

“Yes, such protests occurred. People have the right to express their opinions. As governor, I cannot stop citizens from protesting. The government exists to serve the people,” he said. He added that if issues can be resolved, they will be; if not, the government will provide explanations.