News

JUST IN: Appeal Court Sacks Bauchi Deputy Speaker, Orders Rerun

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2023

Jamilu Barade

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, has sacked the Deputy Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Jamilu Barade.

The court also ordered a rerun in some polling units.

The PUNCH reports that Barade’s sack came less than four days after the appellate court sacked the Speaker of the state assembly, Abubakar Suleiman, as a member representing the Ningi Central Constituency in Ningi Local Government Area of the state.

Suleiman is the immediate past Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria.

The three-man panel of the appellate court in a judgment delivered late Monday, set aside the ruling of the Bauchi State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal, which had earlier affirmed the election of Barade of the Peoples Democratic Party as the duly elected member representing Bauchi Central State constituency.

The APC candidate in the election had filed a petition at the tribunal challenging the declaration of Dahiru as winner of the election, claiming that there was overvoting in nine polling units, the tribunal however dismissed the petition.

But dissatisfied with the judgment, the APC candidate went on appeal to further his case which the Appeal Court decided in his favour ordering for a rerun in a number of the polling units.

The court further ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to retrieve the Certificate of Return earlier issued to the Deputy Speaker and conduct rerun elections in the affected polling units before determining the eventual winner.

The court therefore ordered elections in some polling units in the constituency, where the appellant, Aliyu Ilela, of the APC, also alleged over-voting.

Similarly, the Appeal court also sacked the member representing Zungur/Galambi/Miri Constituency, Yusuf Ahmed, also of the PDP and ordered for a rerun in some polling units.

Meanwhile, INEC in Bauchi told journalists that it has not received any court order but is ready for the rerun within the stipulated time.

The INEC’s Officer in charge of Voter Education, Aliyu Shaba, said: “We have not been served the court order but our lawyer said that we have 90 days. We are ready to obey the court. We are going to fix a date for the rerun.”

Counsel for the APC, U.B. Darazo said the judgment was just and fair stating that there was indeed over-voting in some selected polling units.

According to him, the appeal court in its judgment has ordered INEC to conduct rerun elections in the affected polling units.

Darazo said the APC is thrilled with the judgment as it is an indication that the 2023 elections in the state were “faulty”.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.