African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has expressed strong reservations regarding the timing of the state police bill, suggesting that discussions should be deferred until after the upcoming general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Timing and Distraction: Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Sowore argued that introducing a major structural and constitutional change close to an election cycle serves as a distraction and could potentially interfere with the electoral process.

  • Call for Wider Consultation: He emphasized that a policy of this magnitude requires thorough public debate and comprehensive input from citizens across all states rather than being rushed through legislative procedures.

  • Concerns Over Governance: Sowore also raised apprehension about placing security forces under the authority of state governors, questioning their trustworthiness with such significant security apparatus during a political period.

FIFA’s chief of global football development, Arsene Wenger, stated that scrapping plans to introduce private investment into FIFA’s flagship tournaments was the only correct choice following heavy backlash.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • The Abandoned Proposal: FIFA president Gianni Infantino had sought to create a commercial subsidiary to manage major events—such as the men’s and women’s World Cups—and sell stakes to outside investors, sweetened by a $40 million offer to each of FIFA’s 211 member associations for their support.

  • Intense Opposition: The initiative collapsed after fierce pushback, highlighted by threats from UEFA’s 55 member associations to boycott FIFA competitions, prompting Infantino to withdraw the proposal.

  • Wenger’s Stance: Clarifying his position in an official statement, Wenger noted that he was not involved in the project and only learned of it through the media. He emphasized that withdrawing the plan was essential to preserving an independent FIFA grounded in integrity and transparency.

  • Ongoing Fallout: Wenger is among 18 FIFA officials named in a document preservation letter from UEFA as the European body weighs potential legal action. The controversy has also led to the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro, Infantino’s senior adviser on global strategy, who criticized the proposal as harmful to the sport’s future.

During his monthly media chat on Tuesday, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike announced that commercial motorcycles (Okada) and tricycles (Keke Napep) could soon be prohibited in parts of Abuja due to rising security threats.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• • Security Recommendations: Wike noted that the decision follows advice from the FCT Security Council, driven by intelligence reports connecting motorcycles to criminal activities and banditry.

  • Targeted Prohibitions: While a total city-wide ban is currently impractical due to Abuja’s scale and public transportation demands, Wike has approved enhanced security logistics and directed security agencies to map out specific areas where these operations will be restricted.

  • Tackling Destitute Beggars: Addressing the persistent issue of street beggars, Wike explained that continuous evacuation efforts yield only temporary results because Abuja is centrally bordered by four states (Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna). He noted that sustaining a full rehabilitation or feeding program would inadvertently encourage an influx of people from neighboring states, making repatriation the primary approach despite recurring challenges.