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[JUST IN] FULL LIST: U.S President Announces Delegation To Inauguration Of Bola Tinubu

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U.S President, Joe Biden

U.S. President Joseph Biden, Jr. announced on Monday the appointment of a Presidential Delegation to attend the inauguration of Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu on May 29, 2023, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Leading the delegation will be Marcia L. Fudge, Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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Members of the Presidential Delegation include Mr. David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Abuja, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D) from California. The delegation also includes Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Joining them will be General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, and Enoh T. Ebong, Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency. Additionally, the delegation includes the Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Supreme Court To Deliver Judgment May 26 In PDP Suit Against Tinubu, Shettima

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Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council, as well as Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa at the U.S. Agency for International Development, will also be part of the delegation.

The delegation represents the commitment of the United States to strengthen ties and maintain diplomatic relations with Nigeria. Their presence at the inauguration underscores the importance the Biden administration places on bilateral cooperation and engagement with African nations.

Even as President Biden is sending a delegation to Nigeria, opposition figures continue to claim that the election was not free and fair and was rigged.

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Last Wednesday, Nigerian presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar took to Twitter to express his disbelief over a phone call made on Tuesday by U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to Nigerian President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Buhari, Tinubu, Five African Presidents Set To Commission Dangote Refinery

Abubakar argued that legitimizing what he described as a widely acknowledged fraudulent election can be demoralizing for citizens who trust in democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.

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The former Nigerian Vice President tweeted, “I am in disbelief that @SecBlinken called Tinubu, contradicting the publicly stated position of the US on Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election.

This is inconceivable considering that America, as the bastion of democracy, is well briefed on the sham election of February 25. To give legitimacy to the widely acknowledged fraudulent election in Nigeria can be demoralizing to citizens who have hedged their bet on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot @StateDept @POTUS @USinNigeria. -AA”

During the call, Secretary Blinken reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Nigeria relationship under Tinubu’s incoming administration.

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READ ALSO: Atiku Kicks As US Secretary Of State Blinken Calls Tinubu

The discussion focused on shared interests, strong people-to-people ties, inclusive leadership, comprehensive security cooperation, and economic reforms to drive growth.

He emphasized the importance of continuing to strengthen the bilateral ties between the two nations under President-elect Tinubu’s tenure.

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While Abubakar expressed disbelief over the call, it is essential to note that the U.S. has also announced visa restrictions on specific individuals in Nigeria who have been found to undermine the democratic process during Nigeria’s 2023 election cycle.

Secretary Blinken clarified that these restrictions target specific individuals and not the Nigerian people or the Government of Nigeria as a whole. The U.S. aims to hold accountable those involved in voter intimidation, manipulation of vote results, and activities that undermine the democratic process.

READ ALSO: Why I’m Not Congratulating Tinubu – Bode George

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Separately, a U.S. convoy vehicle was attacked in the southeastern state of Anambra, resulting in the tragic deaths of two police officers and two staff members from the U.S. consulate. The attackers set their bodies and vehicles ablaze. While no U.S. citizens were harmed, the incident raises concerns about the safety of American personnel operating in Nigeria and highlights the volatile situation in the region.

As tensions escalate ahead of President-elect Tinubu’s inauguration on May 29, there have been significant unrest and concerns about the aftermath of the election.

It remains unclear whether the attack on the U.S. convoy is linked to the election or motivated by other factors such as criminal or extremist motives.

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The developments surrounding the U.S.-Nigeria relationship, the contested election, and the attack on the U.S. convoy underline the complex political and security landscape in Nigeria. The upcoming inauguration and ongoing investigations will shed more light on the situation, as stakeholders strive to address these challenges and foster a democratic and stable Nigeria.

The inauguration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks a significant moment for Nigeria, and the Presidential Delegation will participate in the event to further enhance the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.

Source: Today News Africa

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Osun LG Crisis: INEC To Relocate CVR Centres, Releases Gov Poll Timetable

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The Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it will relocate registration points for the forthcoming Continuous Voter Registration exercise from local government secretariats currently under lock.

Osun LG secretariats have been shut since February 17, 2025, due to a tussle between the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress over control of councils.

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The APC had claimed that the February 10, 2025, decision of the Court of Appeal, Akure, had returned its candidates elected in the October 15, 2022, local government elections, but sacked by the Osogbo Federal High Court in December 2022.

But the PDP insisted that the officials who emerged on February 22, 2025, are legally recognised to manage the affairs of council areas in the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke, said the affected INEC offices had been identified and would be moved to alternative locations to ensure the CVR proceeds without disruption.

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READ ALSO:INEC Gets 151 Party Registration Requests, Begins Screening

Agboke said, “The CVR will start on the 18th day of August, 2025, with online registration.

“By this, the prospective registrant will visit www.cvr.inecnigeria.org to supply the necessary information about himself or herself.

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“Thereafter, he or she will generate a slip to take to INEC local government office within his place of residence.

“Later on the 25th of August 2025, the registrant will visit the local government office for his or her biometrics, i.e the fingerprint and the facial.

“INEC offices located inside local government secretariats are not shut down.

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READ ALSO:INEC Extends Voter Registration In Anambra Amid High Turnout

“However, INEC has harvested the number of those local government offices. We want to bring them out of the LG secretariats. We are working on that. Our headquarters had requested for their details and we have forwarded to them.”

Agboke also announced that activities for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election have officially begun, with notices posted in all INEC LG offices.

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Party primaries are scheduled between November 24 and December 15, 2025, while submission of candidates’ particulars will run from January 15 to February 9, 2026.

He stated, “This is necessary to enable political parties democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2022. The submission of forms EC9 ( personal particulars of candidates) and EC9B (Names/list of nominated candidates) online at the nomination portal of the commission at 9 am on the 15th day of January, 2026, to 6 pm on the 9th February 2026.

READ ALSO:INEC Opens Window For New Registration In Anambra

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Access code for the submission of nomination forms shall be available for collection on 15th December, 2025, at the headquarters of the commission. I implore all the political parties and other stakeholders to follow the timetable for the 2026 Governorship Election for Osun State with a view to tracking the various activities contained therein. Copies of the timetable shall be made available to the political parties at this meeting in a short while. The 2026 Governorship election shall be conducted on the 8th day of August,2026.”

He appealed to political parties and other major stakeholders to work against the menace of vote buying, saying the electorate should be educated not to sell their votes.

The REC also called on all stakeholders to continue supporting INEC in the state for it to deliver a credible election, noting that the commission alone cannot deliver a peaceful and successful election without their cooperation.
(PUNCH)

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JUST IN: Total Loyalty Non-negotiable, PDP Tells Members

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The Peoples Democratic Party has warned that it will not tolerate disloyalty from any member, stressing that total commitment to the party’s cause is non-negotiable.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary Debo Ologunagba said the party will rely on its constitution to ensure members remain committed to its cause.

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READ ALSO:Alleged ₦3.51bn Travel Expenditure: Ignore PDP’s Claim On Okpebholo, Edo APC Tells Residents

Responding to a question about the recent conditions set by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the success of the November 15 and 16 National Elective Convention, Ologunagba emphasised that the PDP is about the people, not any individual.

He said, “We have zero tolerance for anti-party activities. We expect and demand total loyalty from all our members. Anything short of that will not be tolerated, and we shall invoke the relevant sections of the party’s constitution to enforce this.”

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Details shortly…

 

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By-Election: APC Correcting PDP 8 Years Of Underdevelopment In Edo, Days Idahosa

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The deputy governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa says the Monday Okpebholo-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration in the state is correcting the eight years wrong of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

Idahosa, however, urged more support for the administration and the APC to attract more developmental projects across the nook and cranny of the state.

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Idahosa made this statement when the campaign train stormed Usen and Ugbogui wards of Ovia South West Local Government Area.

He urged the people to come out enmass to exercise their civic duty on Saturday in support of the APC candidate, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.

READ ALSO:By-Election: Idahosa Assures Of More Infrastructural Development In Ovia

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Idahosa said support for the party would mean more developmental projects for the area that had lacked same from the immediate past administration of the PDP.

The present APC government led by Sen. Monday Okpebholo is the one that has started transforming your area within nine months in the office.

“He can only do more with your support, especially by voting for his party’s candidate on Saturday,” he pleaded.

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On her part, the APC candidate, Omosede Igbinedion, promised to synergise with the governor his deputy to attract more developmental projects to the constituency.

READ ALSO: Edo Bye-Elections: Show You Are On Ground, Idahosa Tasks APC Leaders

Similarly, the state’s Commissioner for Education, Paddy Iyamu, said the government has put measures in place to ensure no students is sent home for want of school fee.

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According to him, the state government has concluded plans to pay bursaries for students while market women would enjoy soft loans.

Meanwhile, Elawure of Usen, Ovia south west local government ,have advised Politicians to be united in their pursuit of common goal of delivery dividends of democracy to the people.

READ ALSO: Idahosa Optimistic Shaibu Will Perform As National Sports Institute DG

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Oluogbe II gave this advise when he received the campaign team of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the state deputy governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.

The traditional ruler expressed joy in the unity between Idahosa and the APC candidate for the Ovia federal constituency bye-election scheduled Saturday, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.

He noted that the present unity and synergy between the former political foe would bring nothing but victory for their party, as well as development to the people of the federal constituency.

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