News
No Problem If Power Shifts To South-East In 2023, Says Gowon
A former Head of State , Gen Yakubu Gowon , who led the Nigerian side during the Nigerian Civil War ( 1969 – 1970 ) , has said he does not have any problem if power shifts to the Igbo come 2023.
He premised his views on the condition that as long as doing so would enhance peace.
Gowon spoke in a special interview he granted to the Hausa Service of the British Broadcasting Service in commemoration of the 50 th anniversary of the end of the war on Wednesday .
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Our correspondent listened to excerpts of the interview in Abuja, on Friday.
While responding to a question on the agitation by south easterners that the Igbo should produce the nation’ s President in 2023 , he said , “ If doing so will bring peace, it should be done ; if the people so desire . ”
He added , “ There was a time the PDP started rotational presidency , if that was continued maybe the Igbo would have produced a President but that didn ’ t happen. If that can be done now , I don ’ t have a problem with it. Anybody can govern . There are many people in Nigeria , if God gives them and they will govern with the fear of God and love for Nigerians , we will make the desired progress . ”
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Earlier , while responding to a question on whether he had regrets leading Nigeria into the civil war , he said he did not regret his action given the circumstance at the time, stressing that it was necessary to keep Nigeria one.
Gowon said , “I want to thank God that we ended the civil war on a peaceful note ; like I said back then , there was no victor, no vanquished. I thank God for the peace we ’ ve enjoyed over the last fifty years since the war ended .
“ The war wasn ’ t what someone wanted . It was fought by those who wanted Nigeria to remain one unlike those on the other side who wanted it to divide , that was what led to the war.
“ Because of that , I will not say I committed a crime by going to war , it was out of our love for the unity of Nigeria , especially after the killing of Nigerian leaders of northern extraction, of our prominent officers from Lieutenant Colonel to General . I was the only one left . Those who want to foment fresh trouble should not do so . ”
(PUNCH)
(Photo Credit: punchng.com)
News
Ibadan By-election: APC Laments Low Turnout, PDP Hails Peaceful Poll
Mr. Adewale Olatunji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, on Saturday, lamented the low voter turnout during the exercise.
Olatunji, who cast his vote at 11:25 a.m. at Ward 10 Unit 27, Bodija Police Station near Oyo State Housing Corporation, described the electorate’s apathy as discouraging.
He noted that while voting has been simplified, by-elections in Nigeria often record poor turnout. Olatunji urged residents to come out in large numbers before polls close.
READ ALSO:By-Election: Edo Is Home To APC — Deputy Gov, Idahosa
“If you are sending us out to represent you, then you must come out and do your part,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Folajimi Oyekunle, also voted at the same unit.
Oyekunle described the election as peaceful, based on his experience at the polling unit.
“As far as my polling unit is concerned, I have cast my vote, and everything is going on well,” he said.
READ ALSO:PDP Drags Ned Nwoko To Court, Wants by-election Conducted For His Seat
Meanwhile, voter turnout at Ward 11, Units 17, 18, and 42, Abadina, University of Ibadan, was more substantial. A voter, Mr. Sunday Unabo of Unit 17, noted that INEC officials arrived early, even before voters.
“The election is going smoothly. The only issue is that some voters had their polling units changed by INEC without prior notice,” he said.
Similarly, an impressive turnout was reported at Ward 4, Unit 12, beside NTA Ibadan.
News
By-election: Politician, INEC Officials, Others Arrested With Large Cash In Ogun [VIDEO]
Security operatives in Ogun State have arrested some persons suspected to be officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with a large sum of money ahead of the by-election in the state.
The suspected INEC officials were arrested alongside a politician allegedly plotting to buy votes during the election.
The politician and the INEC officials who were seen being questioned in a video clip posted on social media on Saturday were said to have been nabbed at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.
READ ALSO: By-election: PDP, APC Exchange Words Over Alleged Plan To Disrupt Poll
In the video which is currently going viral, the INEC officials, a male and a female, and alleged PDP officers could be seen squatting and being interrogated by an unidentified security personnel.
The interrogator said intelligence reports indicated that the INEC officials were earlier contacted and given a large sum of money by party officials for alleged vote buying during the by-election.
Watch video:
https://x.com/ekinneolalekan/status/1956623542558118070?t=pOliFw0Baa-xAeqTeXJGEw&s=19
News
Bayelsa Education Ministry Denies Alleged Deductions From Contractors’ Payments
The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has debunked allegations of arbitrary deductions from contractors’ payments, describing the claims as false, unfounded, and misleading.
The clarification follows a report published in the Niger Delta Herald between July 16 and 22, 2025, with the headline “Contractors Lament Alleged Deductions by Ministry Officials in Bayelsa.”
According to the Ministry, all payments to contractors are executed strictly in line with contractual terms, financial regulations, and due process.
It added that deductions, where applicable, are limited to statutory obligations such as taxes, pension contributions, and contractually agreed retentions.
READ ALSO: Bayelsa Warns LG Officials Against Pension Payment Delays
The Ministry emphasised that it operates a transparent and accountable system with multiple oversight layers to ensure fairness, insisting that no official is empowered to make arbitrary deductions.
In response to the Ministry’s position, the Niger Delta Herald has acknowledged the clarification, expressing regret over any misinterpretation the earlier report may have caused.
Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mr. Francis Dufugha, tendered an unreserved apology to the state government and Governor Douye Diri, reaffirming the paper’s commitment to fairness, balance, and accuracy in its reportage.
“We remain dedicated to providing all stakeholders the opportunity to present their side of any story,” Dufugha said.
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