Protesters from Kogi East, operating under the umbrella of the Coalition of Kogi East Youths Association, marched to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja to challenge the omission of their region from the proposed creation of new political wards in Kogi State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The demonstrators voiced frustration that while Kogi West and Kogi Central were accommodated in the expansion plan, Kogi East—which they identify as the state’s most populous senatorial district and a primary driver of voter turnout—was excluded.

Addressing journalists and INEC officials, association leader Isaiah Davies Ijele directed his comments toward the INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, calling for intervention against what the group views as the intentional sidelining of the district. Citing figures from the 2006 national census, Ijele noted that Kogi East accounted for 1.3 million of the state’s 3.4 million population, maintaining that these numbers and the region’s strong electoral participation warrant its inclusion.

Another association member, Apostle Gideon Isah, commended Professor Amupitan for overseeing a credible election in Osun State but cautioned him against yielding to external political pressure or influence regarding the Kogi ward process. Isah urged the Chairman to protect his reputation and ensure equity for the region.

The coalition outlined three core demands for the commission:

• An immediate suspension of any ward creation activities that leave out Kogi East.

• Full public disclosure of the criteria, data, and constitutional frameworks utilized for the proposed wards.

• A transparent, inclusive review that fairly evaluates Kogi East using population statistics, voter distribution, and geographic factors.

Indidi Okafor, INEC’s Director of Security, accepted the petition on behalf of the Chairman, thanking the participants for maintaining a peaceful demonstration while receiving their concerns.

Member of the House of Representatives Chinedu Ogah, representing the Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, has strongly criticized socialite and businessman Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, following remarks urging Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru to resign. Chief Priest had previously criticized Nwifuru for allegedly spending nearly three years in office without hosting President Bola Tinubu or other governors to commission major projects, while also claiming Ebonyi is lagging behind other South-East states in development due to leadership shortcomings.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a viral video response, Ogah blasted the socialite, questioning his background, legitimate source of income, and the “audacity” behind his criticism of the governor. Dismissing his influence by asking, “Is it about drinking?”, the lawmaker went a step further by accusing Chief Priest of money laundering and formally calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an investigation into his finances. Ogah further alleged that the socialite is part of a wider attempt to undermine the developmental achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the South-East region.

African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye has cautioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against taking any steps to invite, arrest, or question the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar. This warning follows a call by Ntufam Hilliard Eta, a former APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), urging anti-graft agencies to investigate and prosecute Atiku over corruption allegations. Responding via his X handle, Melaye stated that if Atiku faces any frivolous arrest or invitation, the ADC will demonstrate to the Federal Government that the populace vastly outnumbers those currently in power.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶