Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to sanction politicians and political parties already engaging in premature campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking on Sunday in an interview, Falana described the early campaigns as abnormal and insisted that violators should be prosecuted. “INEC is required to charge some of these people before the court. Let them come to court and say, ‘Sorry, my Lord, there is no provision for punishment.’ “If you fail to comply with the order of the court, you have committed contempt and you will go to jail,”…
Author: Naijalee
The Niger Delta Environmental Justice Coalition has commended Tantita Security Services Limited for its role in reducing crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. The commendation follows a report by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), which showed that daily crude oil losses dropped to 9,600 barrels per day (bpd) as of July 2025 — the lowest level in 16 years. In a statement issued in Yenagoa, Bayelsa, Abalagha Adawari, the coalition’s spokesman, said Tantita operatives have shown bravery and dedication in protecting vital oil pipelines despite threats to their lives. “The personnel of Tantita Security Services have risked…
The Northern Youth Frontiers (NYF) has asked Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, to submit himself to scrutiny over allegations of misappropriation of state funds during his tenure. In a statement on Sunday, Sama Musa, national coordinator of the group, said true leadership is defined by humility and a willingness to be held accountable. Musa expressed concern that El-Rufai has resisted attempts by authorities to probe his eight-year administration, warning that such acts undermine democracy and public accountability. “Public office is a sacred trust, and those who occupy such positions are duty-bound to uphold the highest standards of integrity,”…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has dismissed reports claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed a list of its state chairmen nationwide. In a statement on Sunday, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC national publicity secretary, described the report as “fake news” aimed at sowing confusion and misleading the public. He said INEC had neither issued nor validated any such list, officially or unofficially. Part of the statement read: “The process of constituting and ratifying state leadership within any political party lies squarely within the party’s constitutional prerogative. “INEC only recognises what the party submits through the appropriate channels after…
Mrs Nonye Soludo, wife of Anambra governor, has denied allegations of infidelity levelled against her by Senator Uche Ekwunife, deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a statement issued on Saturday, Soludo described the allegations as “wilful and malicious” and gave Ekwunife 72 hours to retract them and tender a public apology or face legal action. Her words: “My lawyers have also been put on notice. I will still as a Christian, give Uche a chance to repent and ensure restitution by recanting her wilful and malicious allegations within 72 hours and tendering an unreserved apology. “Take…
Apostle Eugene Ogu, General Overseer of Abundant Life Evangel Mission (ALEM), has blamed President Bola Tinubu for the political crisis in Rivers. Ogu, a former chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in Rivers, said the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara was the direct handiwork of the president. “Whatever is happening, or had happened, in Rivers State is the making of Tinubu and no one else. Was it Wike that removed the governor? Of course, it was the president who did. The buck stops on his table,” he said in an interview…
Fresh moves to persuade former president Goodluck Jonathan to return to the political stage ahead of the 2027 general election are gaining momentum. The calls, which have sparked heated debate across party lines, come as some political actors argue that Jonathan remains a unifying figure with the credibility to stabilise Nigeria’s polity. Advocates for his return point to what they describe as his statesmanship and international recognition since leaving office in 2015, insisting that his re-entry would offer the country “experienced leadership” at a time of mounting political and economic challenges. But critics warn that yielding to the pressure could…
The date for the return of suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been confirmed, coming just as the six-month emergency rule imposed on the state draws to a close this week. President Bola Tinubu declared the emergency rule on March 16, following political unrest between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike. The proclamation suspended Fubara, his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly, while former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), was appointed as state administrator. With Ibas now preparing to exit office, close aides of the governor disclosed that Fubara is expected…
Engineer Martin Onovo, petroleum industry expert and former presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), has described the federal government’s compressed natural gas (CNG) policy as reckless and poorly implemented. Onovo, who heads policy positions at the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), said the initiative has failed to deliver on its promise of providing clean and cheaper fuel. “The purpose of clean and cheaper fuel has failed due to many reasons, including very poor concept engineering and poor policy development,” he told Daily Independent. Onovo listed poor management capacity, high conversion costs, limited CNG stations, safety concerns, rising CNG…
Three Nigerians who were recently deported from the United States and left in Ghana have filed a suit before a court in Washington DC, challenging the legality of their deportation. Two Gambians were also part of the plaintiffs who alleged inhuman treatment during the 16-hour flight from the US to Ghana. The suit, filed on Friday at the US District Court for the District of Columbia, was instituted on their behalf by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC). Defendants in the suit include the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Attorney General, and the…
The re-election chances of President Bola Tinubu brightened on Friday after the southern caucus of the forum of former legislators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria adopted him as their sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The caucus, which comprises former Speakers and principal officers of the House of Representatives from the south-west, south-south and south-east, made the decision at a summit convened by Femi Gbajabiamila, Tinubu’s chief of staff and a former Speaker of the House. The event, held at the June 12 cultural centre in Abeokuta, Ogun state, was chaired by Ken Nnamani, a former Senate…
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has called off its 5-day warning strike.The industrial action, which began on Friday, had left public hospitals struggling to cope as limited health workers tried to manage overwhelming patient numbers.Announcing the suspension on Saturday night, NARD President, Dr. Tope Osundara, said, “Some of our demands have been met. The government has promised to look into other issues. Strike suspended; resumption to work tomorrow (today). We did this as a sign of goodwill and to assist Nigerians who are seeking healthcare in our various facilities.”However, he did not specify which of the demands had…
The Labour Party (LP) has demanded the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, following the expiration of her six-month suspension. The call was contained in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by LP’s national publicity secretary, Tony Akeni. Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended in March. In a letter dated August 28, she notified the National Assembly of her intention to resume on September 4, which she said marked the end of the suspension. But in a response dated September 4, the acting clerk of the National Assembly said the suspension remained in force pending the outcome of her…
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared its readiness to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.The party’s National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola made the declaration while disclosing a grassroots-driven strategy that he said will secure victory both at the federal level and in Lagos State.Aregbesola, a former governor of Osun State, made the declaration on Saturday in Lagos during an event where Hon. Moshood Salvador, leader of the Conscience Forum of the Labour Party (LP), formally led his members into the ADC. The gathering also coincided with the 25th anniversary celebration of the Conscience Forum as…
Edo PDP members on Saturday defied heavy rainfall to take part in ward congresses, where they elected new executives and delegates across the state’s 192 wards. At Oredo Wards I, II, and III in Benin City, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria, the exercise was peaceful, with enthusiastic party members turning out in large numbers to cast their votes. State caretaker chairman of the PDP, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, who observed the exercise alongside members of the Ward Congress Electoral Committee from Abuja, said the turnout reflected the party’s resilience and growing strength. “The congresses were very peaceful. PDP members…