Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended an official invitation to President Bola Tinubu for the upcoming BRICS Leaders’ Summit, set to take place in New Delhi on September 12 and 13.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The invitation was announced by the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Abhishek Singh, during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday. Singh emphasized that Nigeria’s involvement is critical due to its massive economic and demographic footprint both in Africa and worldwide.

“President of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has been invited to the BRICS Summit, which is going to take place in New Delhi in a few weeks from now, and we are very hopeful that the honourable president of Nigeria will be leading a high-powered delegation for the BRICS Summit very soon,” Singh stated.

Strategic Importance and Bilateral Ties

Highlighting Nigeria’s role as a BRICS partner country, Singh noted that its status as Africa’s largest economy and one of the world’s most populous nations brings immense strategic value. He also pointed out that India and Nigeria consistently back each other on international stages, including shared aspirations for permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.

Bilateral relations extend far beyond diplomacy:

• Community Ties: Approximately 60,000 Indian nationals reside in Nigeria, with many families deeply rooted for two or three generations, serving as a vital cultural and commercial bridge.

• Trade and Investment: Bilateral trade is nearing the $10 billion mark, anchored by over 200 Indian companies operating in Nigeria and directly employing nearly 100,000 local citizens.

• Sectoral Cooperation: Both nations are actively expanding partnerships across defense, healthcare, energy, agriculture, and technology.

The upcoming summit is expected to further cement diplomatic ties between Abuja and New Delhi while boosting integration and cooperation across the Global South.

Afrobeats superstar, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has raised concerns about the presence of Ebonyi State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Pauline Ugoyenka, in Osun State ahead of the governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

However, Davido, in a post via his on Thursday, alleged that Ugoyenka was sent by the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to rig the election and vowed that she would be resisted.

He wrote, “She was not deployed by INEC. What is she doing in Osun?

“She was sent here from Governor Hope Uzodimma to rig. We will resist you, madam.”

Meanwhile, the Edo State Government has criticised Davido over his appeal to United States President Donald Trump to pay attention to Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Prince Kassim Afegbua, who spoke at a press briefing in Benin City on Thursday, said the singer should focus on producing award-winning music rather than intervening in partisan politics.

Davido had recently called on Trump and the international community to monitor developments in Osun amid concerns over possible violence and intimidation during the election.

Davido wrote, “President Donald Trump, I am calling your attention to the situation in Osun State, Nigeria, as we approach the election.

“There are growing concerns about tension and the possibility of violence, intimidation, or disruption of the democratic process.”

Reacting, Afegbua described Davido’s intervention as inappropriate and defended Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s decision to campaign for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun.

Despite a Court of Appeal judgment affirming Adebayo Olugbenga Adedamola as its legitimate candidate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially endorsed Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for a second term in the upcoming election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to a statement released by Ini Ememobong, the National Publicity Secretary of the party’s Interim National Working Committee, the appellate court sitting in Abuja confirmed that the PDP properly conducted its governorship primary monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court also directed INEC to include the party’s logo on the ballot.

The panel noted that because the primary was lawfully monitored and the winner’s name submitted, there were no legal obstacles preventing the candidate’s participation. Furthermore, the court ruled that administrative hurdles, such as portal access codes for candidate uploads, cannot override statutory submission requirements.

Why the PDP Backs Adeleke

Faced with severe time constraints that left its court-affirmed candidate insufficient window to campaign, the Interim National Working Committee resolved not to yield to defeat. Following wide consultations with key stakeholders and considering Governor Adeleke’s historical ties to the party, the PDP decided to back him despite his current run on the platform of the Accord Party.

“To this end, faced with the unimaginable difficulty that this situation puts on us, the Interim National Working Committee has chosen not to throw its hands up in defeat,” the statement read. “We therefore ask all our members to vote for Governor Adeleke.”

Call to Action and Criticism of INEC

The party urged all members and supporters to turn out en masse, participate fully in the election, and ensure their votes are firmly protected.

At the same time, the PDP criticized INEC, accusing the electoral body of bias for failing to recognize its primary winner on time and creating administrative roadblocks that stalled effective campaigning. Reaffirming its commitment to democracy, the party called on voters and political stakeholders to reject violence and safeguard the electoral process, stating that genuine outcomes must reflect the unhindered will of the people.