News
Knocks As INEC likes Twitter Post Criticising Obi’s Candidacy

Nigerians on Wednesday knocked the Independent National Electoral Commission for identifying with a post that criticised the candidacy of Labour Party presidential flag bearer, Peter Obi, on Twitter.
The official verified INEC Twitter handle on Tuesday liked a post against Obi on the micro-blogging site. The post was coming days to Nigeria’s presidential election and Obi is one of the major contenders.
The post was made by a news media outlet where Seun Kuti, son of legendary Nigerian music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, said the LP candidate was “an opportunist that can’t deliver Nigeria.”
Checks by The PUNCH on INEC’s handle showed that the electoral body liked the post, which was made over 22 hours ago as at the time of filing this report.
Seun has been very open about his stance on Obi’s presidential ambition and in an interview with the online platform Mic On Podcast hosted by Channels TV’s Seun Okinbaloye, Mr Kuti noted that only the people of Nigeria could save the country.
READ ALSO: Elections: Why BVAS Won’t Fail – INEC Chair
Describing Obi as a capitalist he said, “He hasn’t had the time because he started too late. You can’t be telling me that just because you lost PDP primaries 18 months before the election, you suddenly started a movement, and you have a plan for the country.
“No, that’s opportunism. And it’s not an opportunist that will deliver Nigeria—not jumping on Labour Party. The Labour Party has a socialist structure. Peter Obi is a capitalist. Where are they going?”
Efforts by The PUNCH to get the reaction of the electoral body were futile as at the time of filing this report.
Calls and text messages sent to INEC’s Commissioner for Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye, were yet to be returned or responded to.
But reacting to the post, a Twitter user, @FS_Yusuf_ wrote, “Dear @inecnigeria why is your handler liking this tweet where Peter Obi is attacked! What is this nonsense! Are we a joke to the commission!?
“Don’t set this nation aflame. @inecnigeria this is a warning! We need to sue INEC for this misbehavior!”
@BishopPOEvang said, “If we talk them go say we dey lie. See what INEC is liking. A whole so called independent body that conducts elections. @inecnigeria you can’t make us lose this election. We won’t allow you.”
@Urchilla01 said, “Fellow Nigerians, wouldn’t it be nice to demand an explanation from @inecnigeria for why they liked a post that is biased against H.E. Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the LP for an election where @inecnigeria is supposed to be an unbiased umpire?”
@Dr_chazduke wrote, “@INECNigeria’s Twitter account handle liked a story criticizing the Presidential candidate of LP Mr Peter Obi. Who is in charge of INEC’s social media accounts, is INEC IT compromised 🤔”
READ ALSO: Obi Leads New Poll, Tinubu Favourite Among Silent Voters
@VictorIsrael_ tweeted, “Nigerians please can we make this post go viral? We need to ask Questions why @inecnigeria would like a tweet that is targeted at demarketing Peter Obi? We thought INEC should be neutral? Why are they taking a side? Please help me RETWEET this. We need answers.”
@JaypeeGeneral wrote, “@inecnigeria @ineclagos is not hiding their partisanship. From planning to use Tinubu’s MC Oluomo for Lagos logistics to liking a tweet that calls Peter Obi an opportunist. Also, remember how Lagos REC called the Igbos migrants. Obidients, this election is between us and INEC.
@Morris_Monye wrote, “Just look at @inecnigeria liking a post on Twitter where Peter Obi was called an opportunist. Just look at INEC handlers.”
News
Tragedy In The Sky As Pilot Dies Mid-air
What began as a routine trip from Seattle to Istanbul turned tragic. Turkish Airlines Flight 204 was cruising normally when one of the captains, 59-year-old İlçehin Pehlivan, suddenly collapsed.
Despite the crew’s efforts, he sadly passed away mid-flight a veteran aviator lost among the skies he loved.
Over the radio, the co-pilot’s voice trembled: “Initially we had three pilots, but we lost one of our captains today.
That’s why we’re diverting to JFK.” Air traffic controllers responded with compassion, arranging medical help on the ground.
READ ALSO:Travel Chaos: Air Canada Shut Down By Flight Attendant Strike
The aircraft landed at New York’s JFK Airport at dawn, met by emergency teams and a heavy silence. Turkish Airlines later paid tribute to Captain Pehlivan, who had passed medical checks just months earlier and spent nearly two decades flying safely around the world.
Passengers continued to Istanbul, but the memory of this flight endures a reminder of the resilience of aviators, the fragility of life, and the bond shared by those who soar through the skies.
News
Foundation Engages Traditional Leaders To Curb GBV In Bauchi
The Iqra Foundation for Women and Youth Development (IKFWYD) has engaged traditional leaders across three Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Bauchi State to promote male involvement in efforts to curb Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The intervention is being implemented in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro Local Government Areas.
Speaking during an advocacy visit, Mr. Ismail Umar, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of the foundation, said the role of traditional institutions in influencing positive behavioural change could not be overstated.
“The programme is designed to engage men on issues related to protecting the rights of women and girls.
READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise
“Family wellbeing and social harmony cannot be achieved without the meaningful involvement of men.”
Umar noted that challenges such as gender-based misunderstandings, domestic tensions, poor communication between spouses, and limited awareness of shared responsibilities often contribute to family instability.
“By focusing on men as partners in promoting peace and wellbeing, this programme aims to reinforce their positive influence within families and communities.
“We are piloting the initiative in Bauchi, Ningi, and Toro LGAs, and are engaging respected community members to support and guide male involvement in promoting peace, family wellbeing, and the dignity of women.”
He further explained that the initiative would foster unity and cooperation between men and women as partners in building stable and peaceful homes.
READ ALSO:Bauchi Begins Production Of Exercise Books, Chalks For Schools
Also speaking, Mr. Bamidele Jacobs, Director of Legal at Lawyers Alert, an implementing partner of the project, said the engagement of men was crucial to ensuring sustained support and protection for women in the state.
In their separate remarks, traditional rulers expressed their support and commitments to the programme.
Alhaji Yusuf Danyaya, the District Head of Ningi, pledged to mobilise men for the initiative, noting that “a violence-free home leads to a peaceful society.”
Similarly, Alhaji Hussaini Uthman, District Head of Miri in Bauchi metropolis, said the mission of the programme aligns with the traditional role of community leaders in fostering reconciliation between couples.
On his part, Alhaji Umar Adamu, the District Head of Toro, said addressing GBV is a collective responsibility to ensure that communities remain safe and peaceful.
News
Okpebholo Believes In Courage, Capacity Says Edo Poly Rector
The acting rector of Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, Dr Nosakhare Arodoye has promised to implement to the fullest the SHINE agenda of the state government.
Dr Arodoye said he was appointed by the governor to change the narrative of the Polytechnic from the present state to global standard with market-ready graduates and wealth creators within and outside Nigeria.
He spoke during the handover ceremony of the leadership in the state tertiary institution.
According to him, “the governor sent me here for development that will position this institution in a manner that will be productively and evidently attractive to all for visible intellectual results and deliveries.
READ ALSO:Abductors Demand ₦5m As Teenager Is Kidnapped In Edo
“I’m for greater impact, lesser noise, the governor as a game changer understands this hence he approved my appointment as a tool for change in Edo Poly. Governor Okpebholo believes in courage and capacity.
“The governor is not a cut to size, he knows how the academic environment works. You can see that his team is made up of global scholars and that is where I belong.
“I’m here to work, I’m going to teach, courses must be allocated to me. I go for what people run from as a progressive, just like the governor, you can see the turnaround of things affecting every area positively.”
Earlier, the immediate past acting rector, Engr. Sylvester Omoruyi briefed the new rector on the present state of the institution particularly the continuous support from the state government.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Okpebholo Nominates Another 5 Persons As Commissioner-designates
He said Sen Monday Okpebholo has cleared the backlog of salaries as staff now receive their salary as at when due.
He noted that a total of twenty-two programmes have successfully been accredited with NYSC calling for various HND awarding departments.
On partnership, he said the polytechnic is currently in collaboration with Xianzi and Fuzhou Polytechnic in China where seven students are currently undergoing studies on student exchange programmes.
Before arriving at the polytechnic premises, Dr Arodoye had visited the palace of the Elawure of Usen, Oba Oluogbe III.
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