News

INEC Denying Us Access To Documents Used For Election – Imo LP Cries Out

Published

3 weeks ago

November 19, 2023

Editor

The Imo State Labour Party office in Owerri has raised alarm over plans by the state INEC under Prof Sylvia Agu to deny their legal team access to certified true copies of documents used for the November 11 governorship election as required by law.

In a press release made available to Vanguard, signed by Chibuikem Diala, Media head, Sen Achonu Campaign Organisation, he lamented that such denial is coming after the Labour Party legal team has made an official request to that effect.

“It has come to our notice that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Imo State is trying to deny our legal team access to electoral documents. This is after an official request has been made by our solicitors to the State INEC Office duly acknowledged and received on November 15, 2023.

“It is pertinent at this stage to alert the National Chairman of the INEC and the security agencies, of this delay tactic which may be to further deny our party and the candidate of Labour Party in the November 11 election justice. This is unacceptable and we request that INEC do the needful immediately as time is of the essence,” says Diala.

According to him, some of the pertinent questions begging for answers is that; if INEC does not have anything to hide, and is willing to come to equity with clean hands, why then are they delaying the release of the CTC of documents requested by the Imo Labour Party legal team?”

Diala also stressed that if INEC was so efficient in announcing the results of 27 LGAs in less than 12 hours after the elections, why then is it taking the same INEC over 144 hrs to issue the documents backing their pronouncements, adding that one would expect a better and efficient approach from the electoral umpire.

“We only hope that this delay is not a decoy by Imo State INEC and agents of the APC-led government to perfect their rigging by tampering with sensitive materials in the INEC office.

“This strategy to deny the people of Imo State the opportunity to have a leader of their choice will not work as we call on INEC to do the needful and stop taking Imolites for granted.

“Therefore, we call on the Security agencies and the INEC led by Prof Mamoud to do all they can to ensure that the certified true copies are released as requested and timely too,” he added.

News

Canada Hikes Proof Of Funds For Nigerians, Others By 100%

Published

4 mins ago

December 8, 2023

Editor

The Canadian Government has raised its “cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants,” basically for international students, to $20,000 from $10,000 starting from January 1, 2024.

This was made known by the country’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Marc Miller, in a statement on Thursday.

According to him, from 2024, a single applicant will need to show they have $20,635, representing 75% of LICO, in addition to their first year of tuition and travel costs, adding, “This change will apply to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.”

“Starting January 1, 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applicants will be raised so that international students are financially prepared for life in Canada.

“For close to two decades, study permit applicants for international students have remained at $10,000. This review, which takes effect from January 1, ‘will help prevent student vulnerability and exploitation,’” the statement added.

This development is coming a few days after the United Kingdom introduced a new set of rules that would make it more difficult for Nigerians and other applicants to obtain a visa.

Home Secretary James Cleverly announced the changes in the House of Commons on Monday.

News

Tinubu’s Presidency Can’t Stop Struggle For Yoruba Nation – Sunday Igboho

Published

9 mins ago

December 8, 2023

Editor

Yoruba Nation agitator, Chief Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho, has reaffirmed his movement’s committment to achieving an independent Yoruba nation despite the emergence of a Yoruba president.

Igboho made his position known in an interview with The PUNCH.

When asked about shelving the sovereignty effort after President Bola Tinubu, a Yoruba man, took office, Igboho said his Ilana Omo Oodua group began agitating long before Tinubu’s election.

“We haven’t dropped the agitation for the Yoruba nation despite the emergence of President Bola Tinubu. We have been on this agitation long even before Tinubu clinched the presidential ticket of his political party, the All Progressives Congress.

“Our agitation is not predicated on the election of a Yoruba man as the President of the country. Tinubu is a Yoruba man and his becoming the President can’t stop us from the struggle for the realisation of the Yoruba nation,” he said.

While less visible recently, Igboho said his group is still actively furthering the cause, adding that the United Nations receives periodic updates on progress being made.

“You may think that you haven’t heard from us or seen much of us recently, we are still on the project and the United Nations is aware of our activities. We have submitted correspondence and letters keeping the world body abreast of our progression in the struggle for Yoruba,” he noted.

He also dismissed critics questioning his leadership or impact under the new Tinubu administration.

Igboho responded to accusations that he lacked the standing to spearhead the self-determination struggle.

“Nobody is exclusively vested with the power in this struggle. We have leaders like Prof. Akintoye, but my critics cannot determine the requirements for leading this peaceful, legitimate campaign,” he declared.

News

Cops Filmed Demanding Money From Foreign Biker Arrested – Police

Published

15 mins ago

December 8, 2023

Editor

The Oyo State Police Command said it has apprehended the policemen sighted in a now-viral video demanding money from a female biker who was on a tour of Nigeria from the Netherlands.

The command, in a post on X on Thurday, said the operatives will face disciplinary actions.

“Viral video portraying the regrettable misconduct of certain policemen along Moniya-Iseyin Road has been accessed. All those involved have been apprehended for immediate disciplinary actions. Supervision will be increased. Please report any misconduct to Xsquad on +2348023535470,” the post read.

In the video, the officers had flagged down the biker, asking her where she was from and where she was heading.

Police arraign 25-year-old farmer who allegedly killed, buried mother
The Dutch replied that she was from the Netherlands and she was on her way to Abuja, apparently surprising the two officers.

Interacting with the biker further in pidgin, the officers said: “Wetin you bring come? Wetin you won give me. O yah give me something nah.”

The tourist appeared not to comprehend the officers’ message until they clearly said, “Give me money, money,” to which she asked, “Why?”

The 1:26-minute video drew reactions from Nigerians who felt embarrassed by the policemen’s actions.