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Election Tension: Oba Of Benin Proposes Six Years Single Term For Gov, President

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… Urges Obaseki, Ize-Iyamu To Emulate GEJ

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II on Thursday proposed a single six-year term for presidents and governors to reduce tension and violence associated with re-election of candidates.

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This is as he disclosed plans to summon governorship candidates, particularly the two main contenders for the Edo State governorship election slated for September 19.

Oba Ewuare II made the proposal when he received delegations from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by the chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, at his palace in Benin City.

READ ALSO: Edo 2020: Ize-Iyamu Bags ‘The one Who Will Wipe Our Tears’ Honorary Title

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He said one of the reasons why the single tenure hasn’t been adopted is because most elected officers fail to perform, adding that if there are mechanisms to evaluate performance periodically during their tenures, they will sit up, perform their duties and it will go a long way reducing the tension in elections.

“I am not an expert on political analysis. I want to speak on possible option to avoid the current situation in the future, if it is possible you come up with six year single tenure for elections

“Assuming it is a single term of six years, appraisal will be done every two years, and if they don’t meet up to standard after the evaluation performance, they will face impeachment.

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“I will do my best to invite the governorship candidate for this election, particularly the two gladiators. I will call Ize-iyamu and Obaseki to tell them we do not want violence, we want peace,” Oba of Benin said.

READ ALSO: Edo Guber: PDP Knocks APC Over Request To Transfer Cases To FCT

The Benin Monarch who said no life is worth the election, appealed to Edo people to eschew election-related violence, and not to sacrifice their lives for greedy politicians.

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“All those who want to turn the state into a battleground, the law of karma will visit them one by one,” he added.

He urged the governorship candidates to imitate the decision of the former president, Goodluck Jonathan, who conceded defeat in the 2015 presidential election, in other to avoid violence.

Oba Ewuare II commended INEC for their diligent jobs, and prayed to God to assist the electoral body in performing their roles ahead of the governorship election.

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READ ALSO: Edo 2020: Provocative Utterances May Mar Election, NOA Warns

Earlier, the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu expressed gratitude to the Oba of Benin for his kind gesture and assured the palace that Commission is ready for the election.

“INEC is not a political party. The choice of who becomes governor lies on the people,” he said.

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In his remarks, Edo State Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo said they are collaborating with security agencies, particularly, Nigerian Navy, to ensure a violence-free election.

READ ALSO: Factional Edo Assembly Members Carpet Obaseki Over Executive Rascality

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‘My Wife Keeps Late Nights, Returns Home Drunk, Denies Me Sex Since She Joined OPC’

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Grade A Customary Court 2 sitting at Mapo, Ibadan, Oyo State, has dissolved the 13-year-old wedlock between a couple, Adisa and Falilat, on the grounds of no love, irresponsibility, drunkenness and keeping of late nights by the latter.

Adisa stated that Falilat became wild and uncontrollable after she joined the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC).

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Adisa explained that Falilat hardly slept at home and on the few occasions she did, she always denied him s3x.

According to the plaintiff, the last time he and the defendant had s3x was almost two years ago.

He added that their children always looked haggard and unkempt because she seldom cooks for them nor gave attention to their appearance.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Impregnated My sister —Wife

Adisa said he could no longer stomach Falilat’s excesses and therefore prayed that their union be dissolved.

Falilat refused to come to court in spite of being served court summonses.

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Adisa in his evidence said, My wife and I got married 13 years ago although I did not pay her bride price.

The once intimate and steady relationship between my wife and I has turned sour and degenerated because of her rebellious nature.

“She has made life unbearable for me ever since she joined the OPC. Falilat is now wild and uncontrollable.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Comes Home With Used Condoms — Wife

“She refuses to take instructions from me and dares that I do my worst any time we have a misunderstanding.

“My wife has completely abandoned her duties at home.

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“She neither cooks for our children nor ensures that they appear neat. They look haggard and unkempt all the time.

“Falilat hardly sleeps at home. On the few occasions she did, she would return home in the middle of the night drunk and disturbing the neighbourhood.

“She has turned me into a source of ridicule in our compound and neighbourhood.

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READ ALSO:My Husband Threw Stones At My Mother, Bit Me When We Fought — Wife

Falilat denies me my conjugal right. The last time we had sex was almost two years ago.

“My lord, I am better off without a wife than have Falilat under my roof.

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“I pray the court to stop our relationship so that I can have peace of mind.”

The court president, Mrs O.E Qwoseni, while giving her judgment stated that there was no marriage to be dissolved because no customary marriage was carried out and the bride price was not paid.

Owoseni added that the defendant was given ample opportunity to defend herself but that she failed to make use of the opportunity.

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According to her, the evidence of the plaintiff was deemed admitted.

Ruling, Owoseni dissolved their union.

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Tears As MKO Abiola’s Wife Doyinsola Laid To Rest In Lagos

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Dr Doyinsola Abiola, pioneering journalist and widow of the late Chief M.K.O. Abiola, was laid to rest on Friday in Lekki, Lagos, following a solemn funeral service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina.

Her burial concluded a week of tributes that began on Tuesday at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, where family, colleagues, and associates celebrated her groundbreaking contributions to journalism and her service to Nigeria.

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The funeral service, officiated by Ven. Henry Adelegan, Canon Residentiary of the Cathedral, featured scriptural readings by family and close associates. Psalm 91 was read by Midun Tobun, while the Epistle from 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 was delivered by Suru Aboaba.

In his sermon, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, Rt. Rev. Pelu Johnson, reflected on Abiola’s legacy under the theme of restoration and hope. He hailed her as a “record-breaker who shattered glass ceilings,” noting her trailblazing achievements as Nigeria’s first female Ph.D. holder in journalism, first female editor of a national daily, and the first woman to lead a national newspaper as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of the National Concord.

READ ALSO:From ‘Tiro’ to Concord: Inside Doyin Abiola’s Fearless Media Journey

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She stood resolutely with her husband during Nigeria’s democratic struggle, using Concord Newspapers as a powerful voice in the battle for freedom. Her legacy lives on through the generations she inspired and mentored,” Bishop Johnson said.

He also used the occasion to urge the government to confront Nigeria’s current challenges, including insecurity, unemployment, and corruption, while easing the burden on citizens.

The service drew a distinguished audience, including President Bola Tinubu’s representative, Minister of Finance Wale Edun; Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga; Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; former Lagos governor Akinwunmi Ambode; former Ogun State governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel; and former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nike Akande.

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Other dignitaries in attendance included Eniola Bello, Managing Director of ThisDay; Adesoji Ajayi-Bembe, Obanikoro of Lagos; Sir Steve Omojafor, Chairman of STB-McCann; Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti; former presidential aide Femi Adesina; Mrs Abimbola Fashola, wife of former Lagos governor Babatunde Fashola; Dele Babarinsa, co-founder of Tell magazine; Yemi Ogunbiyi, Managing Director of Daily Times; and Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism.

READ ALSO:OPINION: Onitiri-Abiola And The Madness In Ibadan

Following the service, her body was conveyed to her final resting place in Lekki, where she was laid to rest amid prayers, hymns, and heartfelt tributes.

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Dr Doyinsola Abiola, who died on August 5, 2025, at the age of 82, is remembered as a trailblazer in Nigerian journalism, a defender of democracy, and a matriarch whose quiet strength and enduring influence left an indelible mark on the nation.

 

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Air Peace Reacts To NSIB’s Report On Drug, Alcohol

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The management of Air Peace has reacted to media reports based on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, regarding an incident involving one of its aircraft at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

The airline’s reaction was contained in a statement signed by its management and shared on its official X account on Friday.

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Air Peace, which operates domestic and regional routes, has in recent years positioned itself as Nigeria’s flagship private carrier, with a reputation for relatively strong operational standards in an industry often plagued by safety concerns.

The airline is also IOSA-certified, a global safety benchmark by the International Air Transport Association.

The PUNCH reports that the NSIB on Friday indicted an Air Peace pilot and a Co-pilot for taking hard drugs and alcohol.

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The accident investigators tested the crew positive for the substances after the aircraft they flew was involved in a runway excursion at the Port Harcourt International Airport on July 13, 2025.

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Air Peace Crew Tested Positive For Alcohol, Drug — NSIB Report

This was contained in a preliminary report signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance at Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, Mrs Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, made available to PUNCH Online on Friday.

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However, reacting to the report, on Friday, the airline’s statement partly read: “Our attention has been drawn to media stories on a purported preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) currently circulating online and in the media regarding the incident involving one of our aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

“We are yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident.”

The carrier emphasised that it places the highest priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, describing the report as misleading.

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“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight,” the statement said.

The airline further explained its internal policies on crew discipline, stating, “Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!”

READ ALSO:JUST IN: Tension As Air Peace Flight Veers Off Runway In Port Harcourt

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Providing details of actions taken after the Port Harcourt incident, Air Peace revealed that the captain of the affected flight was grounded.

“The captain of the affected flight was grounded and relieved from further flight duty till date for failure to adhere to Crew Resource Management (CRM) principles and for disregarding standard go-around procedures as advised by his co-pilot but not for testing positive to the breathalyser test, as the result was not communicated to us by NSIB to date”, the airline’s statement added.

However, the airline defended the co-pilot, saying he acted professionally during the incident. “Contrary to reports in the media, the First Officer (Co-pilot), who demonstrated professionalism in calling for a go-around to his captain, has been reinstated into active flying duties, with full approval from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

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“The NCAA cleared him. If he was involved in drug or alcohol use, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority would not have cleared him to resume flight duties”, it stated.

The airline added that if the relieved captain’s test result later proves positive, then it would “increase the frequency of our alcohol and drug tests on our crew.”

READ ALSO:Proposed Tesla Pay Package Could Make Musk World’s First Trillionaire

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Air Peace also stressed the importance of retraining and stricter monitoring going forward.

Again, the importance of Enhanced Crew Resource Management Training cannot be overemphasised. We will intensify strict Fitness-for-Duty checks and Stronger Internal Monitoring to prevent any breach of our zero-tolerance safety policy”, the statement continued.

Reassuring passengers and the Nigerian public, the airline added: “Air Peace has consistently maintained a strong safety record and strictly implements global best practices in all aspects of its operations, and we reassure our esteemed passengers and the Nigerian public that safety will never be compromised in Air Peace.”

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The July 13, 2025, incident at Port Harcourt International Airport reportedly involved a go-around manoeuvre initiated by the co-pilot after the captain allegedly failed to adhere to standard landing procedures.

Media reports suggested that alcohol consumption may have been a factor, citing a breathalyser test.

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