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Akwa Ibom Senatorial Rerun: Akpabio withdraws, Gives Reasons

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The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs , Godswill Akpabio, has withdrawn from the planned Akwa Ibom North -West senatorial rerun election.

The Minister, who was a former Senate minority leader, disclosed this in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress , Adams Oshiomhole .

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He urged the party to write the Independent National Electoral Commission, in line with Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010, and submit a replacement to run in his place.

He said, ” It is on the premise of the foregoing and particularly in line with the provisions of Section 35 of the Electoral Act, 2010 ( as amended ) that I want to formally and voluntarily withdraw my candidature as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) for the forthcoming Court ordered Re- run Election for the Akwa lbom North – West Senatorial District.

ALSO READ: Court Declares Men Not Guilty Of Murder Charge After Spending 36 Years In Prison

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” It will be inappropriate in the circumstance and pursuant to Sections 33 and 35 of the Electoral Act , 2010 ( as amended ) for the party to immediately communicate this withdrawal to the Independent National Electoral Commission and forward to her the name of another candidate of the party to replace me at the Court ordered Rerun Election for the Akwa lbom North – West Senatorial District.”

Akpabio said he won’ t abandon a critical national assignment placed on him by President Muhammadu Buhari in pursuit of a rerun election, stressing that being Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is a
huge responsibility.

“ I have taken into consideration the critical national assignment bestowed on me by Mr . President which will be of immense importance to Nigerians and in particular the indigenes of the Niger Delta region and have resolved to remain as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to further discharge my contributions and services to our great fatherland”, he said.

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Recall that the Court of Appeal had in November, ruled that a rerun election should be held in some parts of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District .

Also recall that Akpabio had challenged the declaration of Senator Chris Ekpenyong of the Peoples Democratic Party as the winner of the February 23 rd election .

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Community Violations: TikTok Removes Over 3.6m Videos in Nigeria

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TikTok on Tuesday said that it has removed over 3.6 million videos in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for violating its Community Guidelines.

It represented a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter, according to TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

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The report said that TikTok prioritised creating a safe, respectful, and trustworthy digital environment.

The report highlighted TikTok’s proactive approach, with a detection rate of 98.4 per cent for content removed before user reports and 92.1 per cent of videos removed within 24 hours.

READ ALSO:Most Followed Tiktoker Khaby Lame Deported From US Over Visa Violation

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Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, with more than 184 million removed through automation.

“The platform’s global proactive detection rate reached 99 per cent.

“TikTok has intensified its LIVE Monetisation Guidelines and prioritised LIVE content enforcement.”

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According to the report in Nigeria, 42,196 LIVE rooms were banned, and 48,156 streams were interrupted for violating community guidelines.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests TikToker For Spraying, Stepping On Naira Notes In Kaduna

It said that the platform also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organisation.

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The report said that TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources to Nigeria.

This initiative provides young users with access to local helplines for expert support on issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

READ ALSO:Trump Gives TikTok Extra 75 Days To Find Buyer TikTok

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The report also noted that TikTok Digital Well-being ambassador, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, collaborated with experts to promote digital well-being.

It said that TikTok encouraged community participation through user reporting and education, advocating for a collaborative approach to creating a respectful online environment.

The Q1 2025 report reflects TikTok’s efforts to safeguard its Nigerian user base, strengthen enforcement systems, and remain transparent about measures taken to uphold platform integrity.”
(NAN)

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Buhari Buried In Daura Amid Prayers, Tributes

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday evening in his Daura residence in Katsina State, following Islamic funeral rites attended by President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, family members, top government officials, and dignitaries.

His body was committed to Mother Earth at about 5:50 p.m.

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Buhari had passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London at the age of 82, following a brief illness. His remains were received in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

The body arrived in Daura at approximately 4:33 p.m. in a military ambulance. It was accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, businessman Aliko Dangote, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other dignitaries.

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Here are things to know about late Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. He belonged to the Fulani ethnic group and was a devout Muslim.

He joined the Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of Major General. Buhari became Nigeria’s military Head of State following a coup on December 31, 1983, and led the country until August 27, 1985.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO/PHOTOS: Moment Buhari’s Remains Arrival In Nigeria

In 1994, Buhari was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Sani Abacha administration, overseeing infrastructure projects funded by oil revenues.

After three failed attempts at the presidency, Buhari won the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. He was re-elected in 2019.

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He was married to Aisha Buhari and had several children. Known for his austere lifestyle, Buhari maintained a reserved and disciplined public persona throughout his life.

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Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

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President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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NAN also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2 p.m., on Tuesday.

The body was received by Tinubu, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Governors, and other dignitaries.

READ ALSO:North West Govs Declare Tuesday Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

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After a farewell parade in honour of the late former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his remains were conveyed to Daura by road.

Imam Hassan Yusuf led the funeral prayer at 4 p.m. at the Daura Helipad.

Many dignitaries performed the prayer, notable among them were the former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

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Others were members of the National Assembly, including the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, as well as the Emirs of Zazzau, Dutse, and Kazaure, among others.

READ ALSO:APC Secretariat Shuts For Three Days To Honour Late Buhari

Captains of industries, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, also attended the burial.

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After the funeral prayer, the corpse was taken to his residence, where he was buried.

The funeral rites were attended by thousands of people who were earlier denied access to the venue but later allowed to enter.

Some of the people interviewed praised the virtues of the late former President, who was distinguished for his integrity, honesty, and discipline.

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READ ALSO:FG Declares Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

Salisu Lawal stated that Buhari was a great man who loved being among his people and offering a helping hand to them.

Aliyu Nasiru, another resident, described the death of Buhari as a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the state and the country.

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The death has created a vacuum that is difficult to fill, he will continue to be remembered for his good virtues,” he said.

He prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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