Author: Damilola

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied allegations that it copied a press statement from Dada Olusegun, a Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on New Media. The commission described the claims as “fake, misleading, and a misrepresentation of facts.” The controversy followed INEC’s reposting of a statement debunking claims that its Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, had endorsed a partisan post on X. “Any circulation of the statement outside the Commission’s official channels was done independently and not coordinated by INEC,” the commission said. “The publication by Peoples Gazette is fake, misleading, and a misrepresentation of facts.” INEC maintained…

UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed disappointment over stalled negotiations between the United States and Iran, describing recent remarks by President Donald Trump as “extraordinary”. “It’s obviously disappointing that we haven’t yet seen a breakthrough in negotiations and an end to this war in Iran that is a sustainable one,” Streeting told Sky News. “As ever in diplomacy, you’re failing, until you succeed… that doesn’t mean there isn’t merit in continuing to try,” he added. Streeting also criticised Trump’s rhetoric during the crisis. “Over the course of the past week, President Trump has said some pretty bold… incendiary, provocative,…

The United States and Iran have failed to reach an agreement after 21 hours of high-stakes negotiations in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. US Vice-President JD Vance said Tehran rejected Washington’s terms during the talks. “The bad news is that we have not reached an agreement, and I think that’s bad news for Iran much more than it’s bad news for the United States of America,” he said. Vance added that the US requires a “fundamental commitment” from Iran not to develop nuclear weapons. “We need to see an affirmative commitment that they will not seek a nuclear weapon, and they will…

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct relevant authorities to investigate the alleged missing or diverted N2.9 billion from the Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT) and the Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA). In a letter dated April 11 and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation also called on the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, to account for the funds, and asked the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, alongside anti-corruption agencies, to probe the allegations. “The Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NIGCOMSAT), Abuja failed to…

Kenya’s President William Ruto has said the African Union (AU) is not fit for purpose, calling for sweeping reforms to reposition the continental body. Ruto made the remarks while addressing intelligence chiefs at the Mashariki Cooperation Conference in Mombasa, noting that African leaders had tasked him with spearheading reform efforts. “My colleagues, heads of state, gave me the assignment to work on the reform of the African Union institutions and organs to make them fit for purpose for a time such as this,” he said. “I can tell you without an iota of doubt that the African Union, as it…

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of bias following its derecognition of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) leadership led by David Mark. INEC had on April 1 said it would no longer recognise both the Mark-led leadership and the faction led by Nafiu Bala after the court of appeal ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum. Speaking on BBC Newsday, Abubakar said the commission acted outside its legal bounds. “We are accusing them [INEC] of misinterpreting the law, even though it is not their responsibility to do that. The court has already…

Hungarians began voting on Sunday in a closely watched parliamentary election that could end Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 16-year hold on power. Opinion polls show the opposition Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar, ahead of Orban’s Fidesz, setting up a tight contest being closely monitored across Europe and beyond. “Now is our last chance to choose finally east or west. Do we want to be a normal democracy or turn back east with no point of return?” first-time voter David Banhegyi said after casting his ballot. Orban, 62, is seeking a fifth straight term and has positioned himself against migration…

The Naional Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Kabiru Turaki has rejected the unsealing of the party’s headquarters in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The police had sealed the PDP national secretariat in November 2025 following a leadership crisis that turned violent. On Saturday, the faction backed by the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, said the secretariat at Wadata Plaza, Wuse, and Legacy House in Maitama had been handed over to its faction national chairman, Abdulrahman Mohammed. “This action is a clear demonstration of respect for constitutional order and due…

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken control of the party’s National Secretariat in Abuja following its reopening by the Nigeria Police Force. In a statement on Saturday, the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, through its National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, warned against any disruption at the secretariat. “The National Working Committee of the Peoples’ Democratic Party hereby informs all members and the general public that the Party’s National Secretariat… have been unsealed by the Nigeria Police Force… in full compliance with duly…

The Federal Government has placed negotiator Tukur Mamu and 47 other individuals and entities on its sanctions list over alleged involvement in terrorism financing and related activities. In an updated list published on Saturday, authorities named Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP), linking him to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Also listed is Mohammed Sani, alleged to be a member of Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam (ANSARU). “Participated in…