News
Drama As APC, INEC Tender Conflicting Results At Bayelsa Gov Tribunal
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor
The All Progressives Congress and the Independent National Electoral Commission, on Wednesday, tendered conflicting election results for the November 11, 2023 governorship election held in Bayelsa State at the Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Abuja.
INEC had declared Douye Diri, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, as the winner of the election after polling a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress who scored 115,262 votes.
Diri, and his deputy, Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, were on Wednesday inaugurated for their second term in office.
They took fresh oaths of office and allegiance administered by the state Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, inside the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: Stage Set For Bayelsa Gov’s Second Term Inauguration
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, Sylva and the APC are challenging the declaration of Diri as the winner of the election at the tribunal.
INEC, Diri, his deputy, Ewhirujakpo, and the PDP are the respondents in the matter.
Sylvia and APC are contending that the election was conducted in Southern Ijaw, Ogbia, and Nembe Local Government Areas where INEC claimed that the election was not held due to the diversion of electoral materials among others.
However, at the commencement of the hearing of the petition, INEC presented its Certified True Copies of the election results, whereas the APC polling unit agents submitted diverse results for the areas where they were deployed.
An APC polling agent, Odungele Moses, before giving testimony, adopted his statement on oath which he deposed to on December 1, 2023.
Led in evidence by counsel for the petitioners, Tunde Falola, the witness maintained that the election took place in his polling unit, PU 15, Ward 4, and tendered a result which he claimed was issued to him by the election’s presiding officer.
READ ALSO: US, Europe Stocks Drop As Dollar Rises
However, during cross-examination by, counsel for the governor, Chris Uche, SAN, the witness admitted that although 16 political parties participated in the election, only the APC which he represented as an agent signed the result he tendered.
He, however, did not give reasons why others did not sign.
Another witness, Mallory Afin, who also testified for the petitioners tendered APC results which had the same serial number and number of accredited voters of 169 with INEC’s, but had different results recorded for the political parties.
During a cross-examination, Uche observed that the results tendered by the APC and its candidate at two different polling units were signed by the same presiding officer.
When put to Afin that the result he had was fake, the witness denied the allegations of parading fake election results.
Uche asked if he knew who had the power to conduct elections and declare a winner, the witness stated that it was INEC.
Although the two conflicting results were objected to by the different parties, the Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Adekunle Adeleye, admitted them as exhibits for the tribunal’s consideration during the hearing of the petition.
Adeleye subsequently adjourned further hearing till February 15, 2024.
You may like
NERC Transfers Regulation Of Electricity Market To Bayelsa
Bayelsa Education Ministry Denies Alleged Deductions From Contractors’ Payments
Two Varsity Students Die In Bayelsa Road Crash
Gunmen kill community leader in Bayelsa
Four Sentenced To Death For Killing Driver In Bayelsa
Bayelsa Poly Workers Protest Withheld June Salaries
News
OPINION: 200k – The Shameful Prize For Academic Excellence
Published
4 hours agoon
September 3, 2025By
Editor
By Israel Adebiyi
Education remains the most powerful tool for personal and national transformation. It is through the cultivation of knowledge, literacy, and skills that societies evolve from dependence to independence, from poverty to prosperity, and from stagnation to innovation. Nations that truly understand this reality invest heavily in their young intellectuals, not only by providing opportunities but also by celebrating and rewarding excellence in ways that inspire others to aim higher.
The Nigerian Constitution itself recognizes this truth. Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) states unequivocally that “Government shall direct its policy towards ensuring that there are equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels.” Furthermore, subsection 3 mandates that “Government shall strive to eradicate illiteracy” through free and compulsory education at all tiers. These provisions are not mere suggestions; they are guiding principles for national progress.
Beyond our national laws, Nigeria is signatory to several international treaties and conventions that place education at the heart of human rights. Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms education as a right for all. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) insists that primary education must be compulsory and free, while higher education must be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. Similarly, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights calls on governments to promote education as a vehicle for collective dignity and empowerment.
But education in Nigeria is more than just policy and law. It is part of our cultural consciousness. Through songs, elders and teachers reminded us that knowledge is wealth, and learning is the ladder to dignity. Songs like Eko Dara Pupo (“Education is very good”) captured the timeless truth that education liberates a person from ignorance. Another popular tune, Bata Mi A Dun Ko Ko Ka (“My shoes will sound proudly”), symbolizes the celebration of educational achievement and the promise of a bright future. These melodies echo in classrooms and homes, serving as cultural testaments to the high value Nigerians place on knowledge.
MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:OPINION: Ezekwesili, The NBA, And The Mirror Of Truth
Yet, against this backdrop of constitutional guarantees, international obligations, and cultural reverence, one cannot help but question the nation’s priorities when brilliance is rewarded with a token. When 17-year-old Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State outshone over 20,000 students across 69 countries to emerge the world’s best in English Language Skills at the TeenEagle Global Finals in London, she did more than win a trophy; she placed Nigeria on the map of intellectual achievement. Her victory was a triumph of diligence, discipline, and the power of Nigerian intellect. But the nation’s response, a ₦200,000 reward, was a glaring contradiction to the weight of her accomplishment.
The ₦200,000 cheque presented to Nafisa Abdullahi was not a reward; it was an insult dressed as recognition. It was not a gesture to inspire a generation; it was a token that diminished the very essence of her victory. In a country where entertainers are showered with millions for fleeting performances, and football teams receive dollar rains for continental triumphs, how can the brightest young mind, who carried Nigeria’s flag to the pinnacle of global intellectual acclaim, be handed the equivalent of a week’s grocery bill in some households?
This disparity speaks to a deeper malaise in our national value system. We clap louder for goals than for genius, we celebrate speed on the pitch more than brilliance in the classroom, and in doing so, we broadcast a dangerous message: that intellect is cheap, and learning is secondary. But a nation that cannot properly reward education is a nation headed for doom.
Consider this: Nafisa hails from Yobe State, a region often in the news not for academic breakthroughs but for the tragic statistics of out-of-school children. UNICEF reports that Nigeria has over 20 million out-of-school children, many of them in the North-East, with Yobe carrying a heavy portion of that burden. Yet, from such a place of adversity, a flower bloomed, and rather than water it, the nation offered her crumbs. If ever there was a story that should have been used to ignite a revolution in education, it is Nafisa’s. Where was the Yobe State government with a grand civic reception to remind its children that brilliance is not only possible but celebrated? Silence and indifference prevailed instead.
MORE FROM THE AUTHOR:[OPINION] Game Of Thrones: Ooni, Alaafin And The Ridiculing oF Yoruba Heritage
This faulty reward system does not only dishonour one girl; it demoralises millions of students who labour in classrooms across Nigeria, dreaming that their diligence might someday earn them recognition. If what they see is that global brilliance earns a paltry ₦200,000, while entertainers and athletes are endlessly celebrated, what then do we expect the next generation to aspire to?
Nigeria must, therefore, rethink its value system. Rewarding intellectual achievement must not be an afterthought—it must be a national priority. A new framework is needed where students who bring glory to Nigeria through knowledge are celebrated with the same pomp and substance as sporting heroes. Scholarships, endowments, mentorship opportunities, and life-changing incentives should be the bare minimum. If we truly believe that education is “the most powerful weapon to change the world,” then we must treat those who wield it as national treasures, not as footnotes in ceremonial handshakes.
Nafisa’s triumph should have been a rallying point to declare to the world that Nigeria will no longer export only oil and athletes, but also intellect, innovation, and ideas. Instead, we reduced her victory to a headline and a token cheque. That is not just a missed opportunity; it is a national disgrace.
Until we build a system that dignifies education, we will continue to reap the fruits of misplaced priorities: corruption, mediocrity, and underdevelopment. The time has come to rewrite the reward system—not for Nafisa alone, but for every Nigerian child whose shoes, one day, should sound proudly, ko ko ka, on the global stage.

Comedian and skit maker Raji Adetola, widely known as Mr Sanku Comedy, has died after a car accident in Ibadan, colleagues and family confirmed on Tuesday.
The fatal crash occurred on Monday along the Oyo–Ogbomoso road. Photos and videos shared online showed the vehicle plunging into a ditch. Sanku was rushed to hospital with a friend who was travelling with him, but he was later confirmed dead. The condition of his companion remained unclear, though reports suggested critical injuries.
The 2021 content creator was known for his unique storytelling and comedy skits, amassing a large following on TikTok. His final video, posted a day before his death, went viral after the tragedy. In it, he prayed not to die before reaping the fruits of his labour.
READ ALSO:Three Drown In Rivers Boat Accident
Actress Funmi Awelewa said she had been told Sanku was initially responding to treatment, but he did not survive despite prayers.
“When I saw the news online, I quickly sent one of my students who stays close to Bowen hospital, and he told me that he met one of your friends at the hospital who told us that you’re responding to treatment. I prayed……God, we prayed!!! Kilowa de bai Oloun, Haa Olorun oba oo,” she wrote on her Instagram page.
Fellow skit makers Ozain Comedy and Jidex also paid tribute, with messages shared on Instagram and TikTok.
“Rest well, soldier,” Ozain wrote shortly after influencer Jidex also took to TikTok to speak on his death with the caption, “Rest in peace.”
News
Benin Consultative Forum Mourns Its President, Arase’s Death
Published
21 hours agoon
September 2, 2025By
Editor
Benin Consultative Forum (BCF) has expressed sadness over the sudden passing of its president, Dr. Solomon Ehigiator Arase.
Arase, who served as the 18th Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force,died on Sunday, August 31, 2025 in Abuja hospital.
In a statement signed by the Vice President of the Forum, Dr. Samson Osagie, and Secretary-General, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, the BCF said Arase was widely celebrated for his role in modernizing the Force.
“He introduced innovative policing models, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art technical intelligence platform, and made history as the pioneer Head of the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Bureau, where he deployed forensic and non-kinetic strategies to combat complex crimes,” the statement partly reads.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase, Is Dead
The BCF, while describing Arase as a towering figure in Nigeria’s security architecture and an acknowledged intelligence cop within the global security network, recalled his contributions to police reforms, intelligence, law enforcement, and scholarship, especially through his writings on internal security and electoral management.
The Forum noted that Arase’s membership of the Body of Benchers was a reflection of his commitment to excellence, integrity, the rule of law, and service to humanity.
“Until his passing, he was the immediate past Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), where he brought fresh, innovative ideas to police management.
“Beyond his public service, Arase would be remembered as a philanthropist who used his influence and professional networks to uplift communities.
READ ALSO: Police Mourn Ex-IG Arase’s Death
“Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation (SEAF), he provided scholarships to indigent students across Nigeria and championed causes that advanced education, security, and social welfare,” the BCF noted.
The BCF also highlighted his passion for his people, which inspired the formation of the Forum in December 2024 at his Benin City residence.
The BCF said his vision was rooted in building an egalitarian society where culture, security, and development went hand in hand.
“The Edo people, the entire nation, and humanity in general are highly appreciative of his humble service which he rendered with uncommon dedication, grit and compassion,” the statement read.
The Forum extended prayers and condolences to his wife, Mrs. Agharese Arase, and their children, describing his death as a monumental loss to Edo State, Nigeria, and the world.
- OPINION: 200k – The Shameful Prize For Academic Excellence
- Vietnam Returnee Stabbed To Death In Abia
- 12 Saudi-bound Trafficking Victims Rescued In Kano
- Residents Loot Foodstuffs For Distribution By Lawmaker
- 60-year-old Man Arrested For Raping Lagos Lady
- Man Faces Trial For Killing Minor, Two Others
- Nigerian Singer Says P-Square Feud Spiritual
- 13 Super Eagles Players Arrive Camp For World Cup Qualifiers
- NDLEA Arrests Man With 8,000 Bottles Of Drug-laced Herbal Mixture, Cannabis
- Amotekun Arrests 28 For Robbery, Kidnapping In Ondo
Trending
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: Oldest Missionary To Nigeria, Ruth Elton, Is Dead
- News3 days ago
BREAKING: Former Inspector-General Of Police, Solomon Arase, Is Dead
- Metro3 days ago
Drama At Benin Motor Park As Pastor Chase Away Colleague, Claims Exclusive Preaching Rights
- Metro2 days ago
JUST IN: Ex-AGF Malami’s Convoy Attacked In Kebbi [PHOTOS]
- News2 days ago
JUST IN: Doctors Issue 10-day Ultimatum, Threaten Strike
- News4 days ago
Shock As Adeleke Employs Roadside puff-puff Hawker As Govt House Chef
- News4 days ago
DANGER: Six Incurable Diseases You Should Know — And Their Causes
- Entertainment4 days ago
5 Records Michael Jackson Set That Remain Unbroken
- Politics4 days ago
APC Mocks Jonathan As ADC Woos Him For 2027 Race
- News5 days ago
INEC CVR: CSO Expresses Worry Over Poor Deployment Of Machines, Manpower To LGs In Edo