The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nentawe Yilwatda, recently expressed his admiration for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during the launch of road construction projects commemorating the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Yilwatda, who attended the event on behalf of the President, praised Wike’s exceptional work ethic and tireless dedication.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Admiration for Wike: Yilwatda commended Wike’s diligence and joked about not knowing when the Minister finds time to rest.

• Desire for Defection: During his address, the APC chairman openly admitted his jealousy that Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and stated he wished he could recruit the Minister into the APC.

• Acknowledgment of Collaboration: Yilwatda noted that he was pleased the PDP had “borrowed” Wike to the current administration in 2023.

• Bipartisan Appreciation: He highlighted that Wike’s impressive achievements have demonstrated that members of the PDP are capable of delivering projects in line with the standards set by the APC.

Niger has taken a formal step to exit the International Criminal Court (ICC), signaling the military government’s intent to move away from Western-aligned international organizations. The ICC acknowledged on Tuesday that it received the formal withdrawal instrument from Niger on June 18.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Timeline for Withdrawal: Although the request has been submitted, Niger’s departure will not be official until June 18, 2027, as mandated by the court’s founding treaty.

• Ongoing Obligations: The nation is required to remain compliant with its obligations as an ICC member state until the withdrawal date is finalized.

• Stated Rationale: Niger, along with allies Mali and Burkina Faso, previously announced their intentions to leave the ICC in September 2025. Collectively, these governments have characterized the court as a tool for neo-colonialism and foreign influence.

• Regional Context: This move follows a series of coups in the region between 2020 and 2023, after which these nations began distancing themselves from Western allies and forming new regional security alliances.

• Court Response: While expressing regret over the decision, the ICC recognized that sovereign states possess the right to withdraw from international treaties, though it noted that such departures hinder the global effort to hold perpetrators of serious crimes accountable.

The ICC, which was established in 2002 to prosecute crimes like genocide and war crimes, currently maintains 125 member states, excluding several major global powers.

Senator Garba Musa Maidoki, representing Kebbi South in the 10th National Assembly, has voiced strong opposition to the legislative handling of the State Police Bill. During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the senator criticized the rapid pace at which the 146-page draft is being processed, noting that lawmakers received the document less than 24 hours before its scheduled second reading.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Prioritizing Personal Agendas: Senator Maidoki argued that the National Assembly consistently crafts legislation to satisfy specific individuals or interests rather than the needs of the Nigerian public.

• Lack of Due Process: He lamented the absence of proper stakeholder engagement, stating that good legislative practice should involve showing the draft to those who participated in public hearings to ensure their feedback was accurately incorporated.

• Skepticism Toward Implementation: While he is not inherently opposed to state policing, the senator questioned the bill’s effectiveness in solving Nigeria’s security crises. He expressed deep distrust in the current political system, citing the failures of the Electoral Act and the lack of fair local government elections as evidence that authorities often ignore existing laws.

• Call for Accountability: Senator Maidoki insisted that Nigeria should focus on enforcing and practicing current laws to identify legislative gaps before attempting to introduce complex new constitutional arrangements.