Author: Adejuyigbe Francis

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has recalled how his former political party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), lost a local government election in Ogun State in 1998 because he rejected plans to bribe officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He spoke in Abeokuta at a high-level consultation he organised on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy in Africa’. Obasanjo said party leaders had told him that there should be money allocated for the police and INEC, but he rejected the proposal on the belief that INEC officials and policemen are government workers earning salaries monthly. He told politicians and professors at…

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Electoral Act, Sharafadeen Alli has revealed that the Senate is working to ensure that election petitions are concluded before the swearing-in of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s announced winner. Making this known while speaking on Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, Alli said that unnecessary  petitions were the reason the election umpire had to conduct off-cycle elections. “We looked at the timing for elections and election petitions, we looked at a lot of administrative issues, that may not require legislation but under the purview of INEC. In terms of legislation about election petition…

Benjamin Mendy has filed a multi-million pound claim against his former club Manchester City over unpaid wages, his lawyer confirmed. Mendy, 29, was acquitted on one count of rape and another on attempted rape at a retrial in July, following on from the not-guilty verdict he received on six counts of rape and one count of sexual assault in January. The charges against Mendy saw Man City suspend the defender in August, 2021 before eventually stopping his payment in September, 2021. The defender signed for Ligue 1 side Lorient on a free transfer this summer after the expiry of his City contract. Nick De Marco KC, who…

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has maintained that he did his best in the eight years that he governed Nigeria. Buhari made the disclosure in an interview with the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). He said Nigerians are a difficult bunch to manage because “they think they should be” in charge “not you”. “God gave me the opportunity to serve my country, but I did my best. But whether my best was good enough, I leave for people to judge. “Nigerians are extremely difficult. People know their rights. They think they should be there, not you. “So, they monitor virtually every step.…

Reigning European champions Italy secured the point they required against Ukraine to qualify for Euro 2024 as Group C runners-up behind England. A 2-1 win in the reverse fixture meant Italy only had to avoid defeat against Ukraine, with whom they began this crucial encounter level on points. A frantic match in Leverkusen, Germany ended goalless to confirm the Azzurri’s place in next summer’s finals. Third-placed Ukraine’s qualification hopes rest on the play-offs in March. Spurred on by passionate support at their ‘home’ venue amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of their country, Ukraine had appeals for a stoppage-time penalty dismissed after…

The Court of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS,  has declared that the Nigerian Broadcasting Code used by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to impose sanctions and fines on broadcast stations violates freedom of expression. The ECOWAS court ruled on October 23, in a judgment delivered in a suit filed by a non-governmental organisation, Expression Now Human Rights Initiative, against the Federal Republic of Nigeria. According to the ECOWAS Court, the Nigerian government had failed in its responsibility to align its domestic legislation with its international obligations. The applicant had challenged the use of the NBC Code by…

Edo State Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu will next week formally declare his intention to contest the 2024 Edo State governorship election. Recall that Shaibu and his principal, Governor Godwin Obaseki, had earlier clashed over the former’s gubernatorial ambition. Reports had emerged claiming that Obaseki, who is believed not to be disposed to his deputy taking over from him, is backing the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Alaghodaro Economic Summit Ltd/Gte, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, to succeed him. However, Shaibu has been consulting and meeting with politicians and the media on his intention to contest, with the latest being his…

Barcelona midfielder Gavi tore his anterior cruciate ligament on international duty with Spain and needs surgery, his club has confirmed. Gavi, 19, left the pitch in tears on Sunday after landing awkwardly when jumping to control the ball. Barca said he would have surgery on his right ACL, with a further update on the injury due in “the coming days”. Gavi could miss the rest of the season and his chances of playing at Euro 2024 and the Paris Olympics are in doubt. Barcelona confirmed the “complete tear of the ACL” on Monday and the recovery time for that injury can be eight…

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed the election of Hyacinth Alia as governor of Benue state. Alia was declared the winner of the governorship election that was held in March. The Catholic priest polled 473,933 votes to be declared winner by the electoral commission. However, Titus Uba, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue, filed a petition challenging Alia’s victory. Justice Onyekachi Aja Otisi, who delivered the lead judgment, dismissed the allegation of non-qualification levelled by Uba against the Deputy Governor, Samuel Ode. Justice Otisi held that the PDP gubernatorial candidate failed to establish forgery of INEC…

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has said judges’ involvement in Nigeria’s elections should be completely eliminated. Falana, who spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics programme, said the Nigerian electorate should determine who governs them and not a few judges. He was referring to recent court judgements that have sacked some governors. He said it was only in Nigeria that judges determine the results of elections, calling on the country to learn from what transpired recently during Liberia and Sierra Leone general elections. Falana said: “The stakeholders should go back to the drawing table so that the involvement…

Former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo has insisted that Western liberal democracy has not worked for Africa. Obasanjo said liberal democracy does not take into account the continent’s history, culture and tradition. The former President explained that the Western style of democracy failed in Africa because it does not consider the views of the majority of the people. He stated this while delivering his keynote address at a high-level consultation on ‘Rethinking Western Liberal Democracy for Africa’ in Abeokuta, the Ogun state capital. Obasanjo, the convener of the gathering, described Western liberal democracy as “a government of a few people over…

The Ebonyi State Government will return all mission schools to their original owners by December, Governor Francis Nwifuru promised in Abakaliki on Sunday. Mr Nwifuru made the promise during a pastoral visit to him by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Abakaliki, Peter Nworie, a most reverend. The governor acknowledged that the Catholic Church and others were tactical in improving the quality of education in the state. He directed the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to begin the process of returning the schools to the missions. “We are badly challenged in the area…