During the 12th undergraduate and 8th postgraduate convocation ceremonies at Adeleke University, billionaire businessman and university president Deji Adeleke argued that an INEC chairman cannot be held solely responsible for election rigging.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Systemic Collusion: Adeleke alleged that election manipulation often occurs at the local level through the collusion of police officers and youth corps members assigned to polling units.

• Logistical Impossibility: He emphasized that it is impossible for the INEC chairman to be physically present at every one of the thousands of polling units across the country to oversee operations.

• The Cost of Corruption: He expressed deep concern over the violence and loss of life resulting from electoral malpractice, noting that such behavior portrays Nigeria as “primitive and backward” to the international community.

• Call for Reform: Adeleke urged stakeholders to work collectively to build a credible electoral system, warning that Nigeria will continue to face negative consequences if these practices are not addressed immediately.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to escalate the issue of recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa to the African Union (AU). Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 69th Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, President Tinubu condemned the violence as “Afrophobic” and stated that such behavior is unacceptable. During his address, he reminded South Africa of the critical role other African nations, including Nigeria, played in its liberation from apartheid.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• Evacuation and Response: The Nigerian government has successfully evacuated 1,490 citizens from South Africa across seven batches.

• Potential Retaliation: Foreign Affairs Minister Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu indicated that Nigeria is considering retaliatory measures, while legal expert Femi Falana has suggested that the Federal Government pursue legal action against South Africa through the African Court. The National Assembly is also actively reviewing the situation and preparing recommendations.

• Regional Integration: President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to the new ECOWAS Compact for the Future of Regional Integration, emphasizing the removal of trade barriers, improvement of infrastructure, and the facilitation of free movement for people and goods.

• Governance and Stability: Tinubu stressed that good governance—rather than unconstitutional changes of government—is the most effective tool for preventing instability and mass protests. He specifically cautioned leaders against tampering with constitutional term limits.

• Security and Development: The President reiterated support for the ECOWAS Counter-Terrorism Force and pledged to focus on youth empowerment, education, and gender equality across the region. Additionally, ECOWAS officials highlighted progress on major infrastructure initiatives, such as the African Atlantic Gas Pipeline and the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Project.

Musiliu Obanikoro, a former Minister of State for Defence, has identified the APC’s Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket as the primary reason for President Bola Tinubu’s loss in Lagos during the 2023 election. Speaking on the Mic On podcast hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, Obanikoro rejected the idea that the defeat was caused by Peter Obi or the Labour Party. Instead, he explained that voters were deeply apprehensive about the potential for Christians to be sidelined under a Muslim-Muslim administration.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶