News

Ondo Poll: Aspirants Disagree With Committee, Fault Process, Call For Cancellation

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

As the primary of the All Progressives Congress is ongoing, some of the stakeholders in the election have been crying foul over how the election committee handled the electoral process.

The aggrieved party members alleged that the committee which was headed by the Kogi State Governor, Mr Usman Ododo, was biased in the assignment.

Ododo, who arrived in the state on Saturday morning, addressed some of the aggrieved stakeholders at the distribution centre in the Ijapo area of Akure, saying the electoral materials had been sent to the Ondo South and South-North Senatorial Districts remaining that of the Ondo Central (as at 10.30 am).

“There was no issue, I just came this (Saturday) morning and I was told that the election materials have been taken to Ondo South and Ondo North Senatorial Districts, ” the committee chairman stated.

But one of the aspirants, Gbenga Edema disagreed with the governor, saying no election materials were taken to anywhere.

He said, “I have been here since 6.30 am and I didn’t see any material taken out of this place. The returning officers and electoral officers of my ward, Mahin Ward 2 in Ilaje Local Government are here and unable to collect any materials.

“What we are asking for is a credible election. So, we are asking the leadership of the party to look into this. If they’re not ready for this election, they should postpone it and the right thing should be done.”

Similarly , the programme officer of the Wale Akinterinwa Campaign Organisation, Sola Arowosafe, demanded the cancellation of the whole exercise, alleging that the primary election committee was not fair with the process.

Ajisafe said, “For APC to bring Ododo to Ondo state is a low to our party and state, and position is that no primary election has taken place, no election materials have left here, and we are saying that the leadership of the party should do the needful by sending another neutral person, just like they did in Edo state to come and conduct another primary election where the good people of Ondo state will freely exercise their franchise to pick their candidate.”

“If the leadership of the party failed to do the needful, then there is a way we will react and we are going to react accordingly. If any results are announced, we are telling the leadership of the party including President Bola Tinubu that no election took place in Ondo state, and no materials were distributed for us to pick our preferred candidate.”

The media aide to an aspirant, Chief Olusola Oke, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye, also said the committee failed to follow the guidelines of the election.

“We got here around 6:30 am, we don’t know when and where the election materials were sent out from this place to Ondo South and North senatorial districts, the truth of the matter is that there were no materials sent out.

“Why can’t they follow the due process? The national leadership of the party should call Ododo to order, they should follow the guidelines they released,” Ogunleye demanded.

News

Court Remands Man For Allegedly Cyberbullying Ebonyi Rep Member

Published

35 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

A Magistrate Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State capital, has remanded a 52 years old man, Chinagwo Paul Nweke, for allegedly cyberbullying a lawmaker, Mr Chinedu Ogah.

Ogah is a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, where he is representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State.

Nweke’s remand followed his arraignment on a three count charge by the police on Tuesday.

According to court records in the suit numbered MAB/616c/2025, the suspect is accused of committing an offence punishable under section 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 33 , Vol. 1, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

The document reads: “That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large sometime in (October at Abakaliki within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to Wit: 516 A (a) of the Criminal Code, Cap 3Vol:, Laws of Ebonyi State of Nigeria, 2009.

“That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’, and others now at large did transmit a live broadcast via Facebook account of Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, to place the said Comrade Chinedu Ogah in fear of Death, Violence and Bodily harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24(2)(a) of Cyber Crimes (prohibition Prevention Act2015, as amended.

“That you Chinagwo Paul Nweke ‘m’ on the same date, place and in the aforementioned magisterial District did intentionally transmit a live broadcast via Facebook account of Amarachi Nweke ‘f’, which contained threat to harm the reputation of Comrade Chinedu Ogah whom you accused of a crime in the said broadcast and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 24 (2) (c) of Cyber Crimes (prohibition Prevention) ACt 2015, as amended.”

Sanwo-Olu presents N4.2tr 2026 budget to Lagos Assembly
When the matter came up for hearing, counsel to the defendant, Cyprian Udu, applied for bail for his client.

But police prosecutor, Eberechukwu Obi opposed the bail application.

In his ruling, Magistrate Sandra Onyibe declined jurisdiction on the matter.

She ordered that the case file be transferred to the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, for further advise on the matter.

The matter was adjourned to 9th December, 2025, for further hearing

Speaking to reporters, counsel to the complainant, Uchenna Collins Egba, said his client is ready to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion.

“It is just a cause of justice. If an allegation is made against any defendant, just as it is made against Chinabuo Paul Nweke, the police have to do their own part of the job. Finally, they should arraign the defendant, just as they just did.

“The defendant is Chinagwo Paul Nweke, whereas the nominal complainant is Comrade Chinedu Ogah in this matter. Well, the position of the law is simple, that the court lacks jurisdiction. This is the Chief Magistrate Court of that matter. But the truth is that when it comes to cyber crime laws and this prohibition aspect, the Magistrate Court is not given the jurisdiction to entertain such matters.

“It is only the High Court or the Federal High Court, specifically. So the Magistrate Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain this matter and that’s why they remanded the defendant. And he was equally informed of his right to appeal at the High Court for his bail because generally, bail is at the discretion of the court.

“But the truth is that there are offenses that are not triable by certain courts, and there are offenses that are triable by certain courts. In the instant case, the offense to which the defendant is charged cannot be tried by the Magistrate Court. That is what gave rise to the ruling that he be remanded.

“But yet, he should know that he still has that right to appeal for bail at the High Court. It is adjourned for what we call a report of compliance because the orders of the court is that all the inventory of the case file of this matter be transmitted, be transferred to the Honorable Attorney General’s Office for it to vet the file and know the next step to take.

“This matter is adjourned as it is in line with the laws for compliance in two weeks. Every two weeks, this matter will be coming up so that the Magistrate in charge of this matter will know if the Honorable Attorney General has done the needful by vetting the court case files.”

News

Insecurity: Nigerian Govt Launches Online Classes For Secondary School Students

Published

52 minutes ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

The Federal Ministry of Education has introduced the Inspire Live(s) Online Real-Time Classes Initiative, a national digital learning scheme designed to broaden access to quality education for children across the country.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Folasade Boriowo, the ministry described the project as an innovative step toward ensuring equal learning opportunities for all Nigerian pupils.

It noted that the initiative supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

The ministry explained that the programme was developed to tackle persistent gaps in the education sector, such as limited availability of qualified teachers and frequent disruptions to academic activities.

Through real-time, interactive virtual lessons, the ministry stated that Inspire Live(s) “democratises access to quality education and ensures that no child is left behind regardless of location or circumstance”.

The Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, confirmed that the initiative is already fully operational. He added that the deployment “is underway, with expansion set to cover all classes from Primary 1 to Senior Secondary 3.”

At present, the Inspire platform provides online lessons for students in JSS and SSS levels.

The ministry further noted that the classes take place “Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m.” and are taught by “certified master teachers using Cisco Webex.”

The statement also highlighted the range of subjects available to Junior Secondary School students, including Mathematics, English Language, Basic Science, Basic Technology, ICT, Agricultural Science, Civic Education, French, Physical Education, Religious Studies, History, and Business Studies.

Senior Secondary School students can access lessons in Mathematics, English Language, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Geography, Agricultural Science, Technical Drawing/Catering Craft, Civic Education, and Automobile Mechanics.

To ensure uniform adoption nationwide, the ministry revealed that detailed directives have been sent to state Commissioners for Education.

These instructions include the nomination of “a State Focal Officer to coordinate Inspire Live(s) activities,” and the distribution of “programme details to all public and private school principals.”

States were also mandated to “ensure designated schools are equipped with basic ICT facilities and internet connectivity,” as the success of the programme depends on a minimum level of digital readiness.

The ministry added that school principals are solely responsible for registering their institutions for participation, stating that registration “is strictly to be conducted by school principals via the Inspire support channels.”

It emphasised that the online classes are accessible to the entire education ecosystem, clarifying that the programme “is open to all public and private schools in the country to access.”

News

Sanwo-Olu Presents N4.2tr 2026 Budget To Lagos Assembly

Published

1 hour ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday laid before the Lagos State House of Assembly a N4.237 trillion Appropriation Bill for the 2026 fiscal year, describing it as an ambitious, future-driven financial plan aimed at solidifying his administration’s legacy in its final full year.

Presenting the proposal, titled the “Budget of Shared Prosperity,” the governor said it reflects the collective optimism that Lagos will continue to expand opportunities, strengthen its leadership role, and reinforce its status as Africa’s foremost megacity.

Sanwo-Olu disclosed that the budget projects total revenue of N3,993,774,552,141, comprising N3.12 trillion in Internally Generated Revenue and N874 billion in expected Federal Transfers. The funding structure, he noted, leaves a deficit financing requirement of N243,332,457,167.

For the 2026 fiscal year, capital expenditure is set at N2,185,085,419,495, while recurrent expenditure stands at N2,052,021,589,812. He explained that the recurrent component covers overheads, personnel costs, and debt obligations.

A breakdown of recurrent spending shows total overhead costs of N1,084,245,843,091, including general overheads, subventions and dedicated expenditures, while personnel costs amount to N440,494,339,384. Recurrent debt charges are projected at ₦143,876,701,943, with debt repayments estimated at N383,404,705,394.

Sanwo-Olu also outlined the sectoral distribution of the 2026 budget. General Public Services will receive N847,472,071,966; Public Order and Safety, N147,040,088,897; and Economic Affairs, N1,372,307,808,626. The Environment Ministry is allocated N235,957,235,138, while Housing receives N123,760,310,429.

The Health sector is earmarked N338,449,258,945; Education gets N249,132,921,287; Social Protection, N70,024,171,038; and the Recreation and Culture sector will take N54,682,339,586.

The governor said the year 2026 carries special weight as the last full calendar year of his administration, describing it as a period crucial for consolidating achievements and ensuring a “strong, successful finish.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to completing all ongoing and newly initiated projects, adding that his administration will continue to prioritise citizen engagement to ensure government decisions reflect the needs of Lagosians.

According to him, Lagos is entering a new phase of “accelerated impact,” driven by sustained investment in infrastructure, human capital, social welfare and governance systems that are “intentional, inclusive and future-oriented.”

Sanwo-Olu reiterated his administration’s core mission: “To keep Lagos secure, to keep Lagos working, to keep Lagos growing, and to make sure the prosperity we build is shared by everyone who calls this centre of excellence home.”

He commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for its consistent partnership, describing the lawmakers as steadfast allies in the state’s development journey. He also praised the civil service for its hard work in translating government vision into measurable progress.