The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has disclosed that it has trained some of its personnel to carry firearms and plans to deploy them during the 2027 general elections to strengthen its monitoring operations.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The commission’s Director of Public Education, Demola Bakare, made this known during a virtual National Stakeholders Workshop on the 2027 General Election.

The workshop was organised by Praxis in collaboration with the Human Resources Development Centre of the University of Lagos.

The online programme, scheduled to hold over three Thursdays in November, focuses on ways to identify, monitor and report corruption to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during the event, Bakare said election monitoring should commence months before voting takes place.

He emphasised that election monitors must be familiar with Nigeria’s electoral and criminal laws before embarking on their assignments.

According to him, elections are vulnerable to corruption because of the intense political competition involved, while electoral fraud often flourishes when offenders believe they can act without facing punishment.

“Elections usually become corrupt because it is a political competition. Electoral fraud thrives when everyone engages in it,” he said.

Bakare maintained that prosecuting and punishing individuals found guilty of electoral offences would serve as a deterrent to others.

He noted that although elections provide citizens with the opportunity to choose their leaders and hold them accountable, the mere conduct of polls does not automatically guarantee effective democratic governance.

The ICPC official identified bribery, vote buying, abuse of public resources, intimidation, procurement fraud and manipulation of electoral records as practices capable of compromising the credibility of elections.

He warned that these offences could transform elections into instruments for protecting the interests of influential politicians instead of allowing citizens to freely determine who governs them.

Bakare also urged election monitors to remain impartial and avoid showing support for any political party or candidate.

He advised them to carry out their responsibilities within the provisions of the law while taking necessary precautions to protect themselves.

The director further stressed the importance of preserving evidence collected during monitoring exercises, explaining that such materials must be properly documented and handled to ensure they can be relied upon in court when necessary.

He added that monitors should submit reports containing specific and actionable information, follow up on their findings and forward them to the relevant authorities for appropriate action.

Referring to the 1993 presidential election, Bakare observed that its continued recognition as a benchmark in Nigeria’s electoral history demonstrates that the country can still conduct credible elections.

He urged Nigerians to play an active role in ensuring that the 2027 general elections are free, fair and transparent.

Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen and his partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, have welcomed their second child together, a baby girl named Liora Audrey.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Turkish champions Galatasaray announced the arrival of the newborn on Thursday, October 30, through a post on their official X account.

The Istanbul-based club congratulated the couple and wished their daughter a long, healthy and happy life.

In its announcement, Galatasaray wrote: “Our Football A Team player Victor Osimhen and Stefanie have welcomed a baby girl into the world.

“We congratulate the couple Victor and Stefanie; we wish their newborn baby Liora Audrey a long, healthy, and happy life!”

The birth marks the couple’s second child together and has attracted congratulatory messages from fans in Nigeria and Turkey.

The development comes weeks after Ladewig reportedly escaped unhurt in a minor road accident in Istanbul while pregnant. The incident had raised concerns among supporters, but she sustained no injuries.

Meanwhile, the 27-year-old Nigerian forward is expected to return to Galatasaray ahead of the club’s upcoming league fixture against Konyaspor.

Despite battling a series of injury setbacks this season, Osimhen has scored nine goals and provided three assists in nine appearances across all competitions. His contributions have also helped Galatasaray maintain their position at the top of the Turkish league.

Former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sam Amadi, has commented on the disqualification of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the Imo West senatorial election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Federal High Court in Abuja had, on Thursday, ruled that Uzodinma was not the valid winner of the APC senatorial primary conducted in May.

The court subsequently directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to replace the governor’s name with that of former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha.

Reacting to the judgment in a post on his Facebook page on Friday, Amadi suggested that Uzodinma might have been treated unfairly.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the court’s decision, referring to a video showing the governor addressing journalists alongside his wife, with a large crowd of APC members behind them during the primary election.

Amadi argued that although Uzodinma might have been responsible for several controversies, that did not necessarily mean he was guilty of every allegation against him.

He wrote, “Hope Uzodimma may be guilty of many things. But it does not mean he is guilty of everything. It MAY not be true that he is not rightfully the candidate of APC for the Orlu Zone Senate position.

“I saw video and television report of Hope Uzodimma standing with his wife on the line with a sizable crowd behind him.

“The Igbos say that a child that often cries does not make it easy to know when he is beaten. Hope cries a lot. When he is a victim of injustice we may not pay attention.

“Let us see the evidence of Okorocha’s primary election. We are not a court, but we can say, ‘oh probably his crowd is bigger than Hope’s.’”