Browsing: Politics

By Omeiza Ajayi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released the announcement regarding the Ekiti State Governorship Election, scheduled…

President Bola Tinubu has arrived in Makurdi, the capital of Benue State, as part of a significant visit aimed at…

A notable figure from the Ijaghala community in Warri South West local government area, Delta State, Mr. Alex Eyengho has reportedly claimed threats to his safety following a press conference he held in Warri, where he asserted, among other points, that Ijaghala is a community belonging to the Itsekiri and is governed under the traditional leadership of the Olu of Warri. In a statement provided to the Vanguard, Eyengho indicated that if the alleged threats against his life were realized, the Ijaws of Gbaramatu should be held accountable. He went on to categorically refute claims by Chief Godspower Gbenekeme of the Ijaw Gbaramatu kingdom published in various national outlets, which suggested that Ijaghala and Kantu communities do not fall under the traditional governance of the Olu of Warri. Eyengho stated: “To put it simply, Ijaghala land is owned by the Ugborodo Community in Warri Kingdom, under the Olu of Warri, although a significant portion of the populace is partly Itsekiri and Ijaw. It is important to note that the official language spoken in Ijaghala community is exclusively Itsekiri, without any alternative. The cultural practices and traditions of the community are also Itsekiri. It may be of interest that other prominent ancestors of the Ijaghala people, such as Egogo, Erueyin, and Eyengho, were all buried at Oboro, the sacred burial ground designated solely for Ugborodo indigenes who are revered as saints, champions, and custodians of Ugborodo heritage. “Godpower Gbenekama has once again showcased himself as an inadequate student of fundamental history, with his mock bravado suggesting that the Itsekiri originate from Benin through Prince Ginuwa. Even my six-year-old son understands that Itsekiri history is dual in nature. The Itsekiri communities of Ugborodo, Omadino, Inorin, Ureju, and Irigbo have existed in the Warri vicinity since ancient times, well before the arrival of Prince Ginuwa from the great Benin Kingdom, who, along with his entourage, helped establish the Warri Kingdom in a union between the royal household from Benin and the Itsekiri populace. Conversely, the Gbaramatu-Ijaw clan, located strictly in Warri South-West LGA, emigrated from Gbanran in present-day Bayelsa State, from their ancestor Tomtebe, who fathered Oweijubiri, and settled in their current locations, with the consent of either the Ugborodo or Omadino communities of Warri Kingdom. “I am Alex EYENGHO. I am a legitimate member of the Ijaghala, Kantu, Ode-Ugborodo, Abiugborodo, Orubu, Bobi, Ebrohimi, Koko, Omadino, Orugbo, Gbolokposo, Ode-Itsekiri, and various other communities; all within the Warri South, Warri North, and Warri South-West Local Government Areas (Warri Federal Constituency) of Delta State, Nigeria. Nonetheless, I am a registered voter in the Ijaghala community. You will remember that I held a press conference on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, titled. “It is in this context that I officially declare that my life is under threat from the Gbaramatu-Ijaws, from top to bottom. Should anything untoward occur to me, please do not look elsewhere but to the Gbaramatu-Ijaw clan. My phone has been tapped. Consequently, I am being surveilled. I receive direct and indirect calls warning me to be cautious. Nevertheless, I refuse to be cowed by any individual, regardless of their status in society, wealth, or notorious violent reputation. I will continue to speak the truth based on the facts that are known to me.

On Wednesday, the Nigeria Education Loan Fund announced that its Student Loan Application System has been fully transitioned to a digital format, aiming to accelerate and streamline the loan processing experience for both students and educational institutions. “With this enhancement, all accredited schools must now apply for access to the SLAS to authenticate and submit student information concerning loan applications. This is an essential measure that guarantees the prompt processing and distribution of sanctioned student loans,” stated NELFUND through its Director of Corporate Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi. The Fund further encouraged institutions yet to adopt this system to promptly send an access request to [email protected]. Once access is provided, schools will be equipped to track the progress of each application, confirm the information provided, and access a real-time overview of their students’ loan applications. “We call on all institutions to act swiftly for the benefit of their students, as the verification and submission of data by the schools are vital actions that must occur before final approval and loan distribution can be finalized,” the statement emphasized. President Bola Tinubu’s significant initiative in the education sector is the formation of the student loan program. Shortly after his inauguration as president, Tinubu enacted the Access to Higher Education Act, which establishes a legal framework for providing loans to underprivileged or low-income Nigerians, assisting them in covering their tuition fees in Nigerian higher education institutions. The law, refreshed, birthed the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

In the wake of the reported 200 fatalities during a two-day rampage by alleged herders, a rising tide of Nigerians on social media is urging the Federal Government to impose a state of emergency in Benue State. Numerous individuals are drawing parallels between the silence surrounding the Benue massacre and the suspension of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, alongside the declaration of a state of emergency in March 2025. The situation in Rivers has been portrayed by Nigerians as a severe response to a political upheaval that has not led to any lives lost. Reports indicate that at least 45 individuals were confirmed dead in the Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, with community leaders asserting that the actual toll could exceed 200, including security personnel and entire families who were burned alive. As of Monday morning, President Bola Tinubu and the Presidency have not officially responded to the tragedy, despite the significant number of casualties, which has sparked considerable outrage on social media. “My thoughts are with the people of Benue. 200 is an immense number!!!!!! And yet the government hasn’t declared a state of emergency. Nigerian leaders despise Nigerians!” tweeted a user known as @1creeknation. Human rights advocate Rinu Oduala also chimed in. Using the handle @SavvyRinu, she remarked, “Zero deaths in Rivers State – state of emergency declared. Over 200 Nigerians brutally slain in Benue and other regions – no state of emergency. Tinubu, it’s time to resign. The harm you have caused is sufficient.” Multiple users expressed that the government’s reaction highlighted a preference for political control over human lives. “Israel and Iran are in conflict and haven’t recorded this many casualties yet. The President declared a state of emergency in Rivers when infrastructure was targeted but showed indifference toward the murder of people in Benue,” commented Kunle, tweeting as @Soulmedika. Another user, KHAN, with the username @khanofkhans11_, stated, “I anticipated a state of emergency and a heavy military presence at once. They should search every inch of the state and apprehend them. Yet, it’s merely ‘I have been briefed’ along with appeasing terrorists! Utter incompetence.” In a statement on Sunday, Tinubu expressed alarm over the killings and urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to gather all stakeholders to quell the violence. Tinubu stated, “Political and community leaders in Benue State need to act judiciously and refrain from incendiary remarks that could further escalate tensions and bloodshed. Now is the time for Governor Alia to step up as a statesman and lead the dialogue and reconciliation process that will restore peace to Benue.”

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, situated in Maitama, Abuja, granted bail on Monday to the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, amounting to N2 billion. Emefiele faced charges in eight counts related to the purported unlawful acquisition of a housing estate comprised of 753 units. He was also alleged to have embezzled and managed billions of naira using proxy accounts. Reports indicated that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charged Emefiele, under the reference CR/350/25, dated Friday, May 30, 2025, for conspiring with one Eric Ocheme, who is currently at large, to secure the property and associated funds. The contested property is located in the Lokogoma District of Abuja at Plot 109, Cadastral Zone C09. Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN) represented the prosecution, whereas Matthew Bukka (SAN) led Emefiele’s defense team. At the proceedings’ commencement, Oyedepo informed the court of the planned arraignment on an eight-count charge. However, he acknowledged that the defense had recently submitted a motion to halt the trial. In response, Bukka contested the court’s jurisdiction, asserting that the charges did not directly connect the defendant to the alleged crimes. Referencing Supreme Court precedents, he argued that the defendant’s arraignment should wait until the jurisdictional issue was settled. Justice Yusuf Halilu remarked that it is common for criminal trials to begin despite preliminary objections. He stated that the defendant’s plea must be entered before any other motions could be evaluated. “This situation is not unprecedented. It has occurred in the past. There is a distinct difference between criminal and civil litigation. I cannot make any ruling until the defendant enters his plea,” Justice Halilu decreed. The charges were then presented to Emefiele, who pleaded not guilty to all eight counts, including the unlawful acquisition of property and the management of substantial sums believed to be proceeds of illegal activities. After the plea, Oyedepo called for an expedited trial, referencing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act. He also requested that the court keep the defendant in custody. In reply, Bukka emphasized a bail application he had filed on June 13, noting that this was the fourth criminal charge against Emefiele by the Federal Government. He urged the court to consider granting bail on similar terms to those previously provided in other cases, asserting that Emefiele had consistently adhered to bail conditions. While Oyedepo did not oppose bail, he called for more stringent conditions given the gravity of the charges. In his ruling, Justice Halilu affirmed that the constitution presumes every accused individual is innocent until proven otherwise. He recognized that Emefiele had complied with prior bail conditions and conceded bail, stipulating that the defendant must submit his travel documents to the court. “He must present two sureties who reside in Abuja and own real estate valued at N2 billion within the court’s jurisdiction, specifically in Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, or Life Camp. “In the event of bail jumping, the properties would be forfeited to the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” held Justice Halilu.…

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed on Wednesday that his country would show no mercy towards Israel’s rulers, hours…

The Gambian Government says it will partner with the Kebbi Government to adopt the state’s agricultural strategies to attain self-sufficiency…