Author: Festus Adeloye

The Senate, on Thursday afternoon, confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The confirmation of Amupitan was done through a voice vote by the lawmakers after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by members of the Senate for almost two hours. President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan for the chairmanship of INEC following the exit of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu about two weeks ago. Amupitan, who was accompanied to the parliament by Kogi State governor, Ahmed Ododo, and others, was grilled by the lawmakers after presenting his profile to them.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said he got President Bola Tinubu’s permission to be absent during the Council of State meeting. Prof. Joash Amupitan was nominated as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission during the meeting. Wike stated this during the commissioning of the Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, in Abuja. He dismissed as false and mischievous reports that he deliberately boycotted the meeting over dissatisfaction with the appointment of the new INEC. “On Thursday, we had a flag off and I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me…

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has expressed disbelief over Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State’s defection to the All Progressives Congress. George made this known on Tuesday when answering questions during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’. He added that despite many interventions by party leaders, he never anticipated Governor Mbah’s departure. “I never saw it at any time. In fact, when Anyanwu was brought back as secretary to complete his assignment, he asked his people not to attend meetings,” he said. Governor Mbah on Tuesday officially announced his departure from the PDP. George…

President Bola Tinubu has written to the Senate seeking confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The request was contained in a letter read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, at the commencement of plenary. Tinubu urged the lawmakers to give the nomination urgent consideration and approval. In his remarks, Akpabio referred the request to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative action.

For the fifth time in eight years, the Lagos State government has re-arraigned billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, before the state high court sitting in Ikeja for the murder of two police officers. Evans was arraigned alongside Joseph Emeka before Justice Oyindamola Ogala on a five-count charge of murder and attempted kidnapping. The prosecutor, Olu Azeez, told the judge that the defendants committed the offence, which violated Section 221 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, on August 27, 2013, at Third Avenue in Festac Town, Lagos. Azeez also informed the court that the defendants allegedly…

The Federal Government has threatened to invoke the “no work, no pay” policy on members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) who declared a two-week warning strike on Sunday. The government urged ASUU to reconsider its position and return to dialogue in the best interest of students and the future of Nigeria’s education system Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, in a statement on Sunday, reminded ASUU members that the “no work, no pay” policy remains an extant labour law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the government will be guided by the law should academic activities…

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has advised pursuing a political solution in the case involving detained Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Falana made the comment while addressing journalists during a visit to Abia governor, Alex Otti on Thursday. He said there is no justification for Kanu’s case to continue to drag since some governments negotiate with bandits and other criminal elements. “I cannot comment on pending proceedings. You understand me? Like you said, the case was in court today (Wednesday), but I believe that it is a matter that should be sorted out outside the courtroom.…

Veteran actress,  Idowu Phillips popularly known as Mama Rainbow, is celebrating 60 years on stage. In a Instagram post, she shared breathtaking photos from her 83rd photo shoot, expressing gratitude for the grace, passion, and dedication that have defined her illustrious career. Mama Rainbow credited her amazing team, including director, dress designer, makeup artist, and hairstylist, for bringing her vision to life. “60 Years on Stage | 83rd Pictures. What a journey it has been — 60 years of grace, passion, and dedication on stage, captured beautifully in my 83rd pictures. None of this would have been possible without an…

Former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (UK), Dr. Christopher Kolade, died peacefully early Thursday, aged 93. Kolade was born in Erin – Oke, Osun State, Nigeria, in 1932. He was the son of an Anglican missionary and completed his secondary-school education at Government College, Ibadan after which he studied at Fourah Bay College, Freetown, Sierra Leone. He worked as a broadcaster and was Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. He was Chief Executive and Chairman of Cadbury Nigeria Plc and formerly the Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Kolade was a colonial era Education Officer in…

President Bola Tinubu has conferred the national honour of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) on Professor Mahmood Yakubu, the immediate-past chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in recognition of his service to Nigeria and his role in strengthening the nation’s democracy. The honour came as Professor Yakubu concluded his second term in office as the head of the electoral body. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, confirmed that Tinubu has formally accepted Yakubu’s exit from office and commended his dedication to credible elections during his…