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Resign If you Can’t Ensure Credible Elections, Group Tells INEC Chair

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The Southern and Middle Belt Alliance has asked the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, to resign if he cannot conduct free, fair and credible elections.

The group also called on heads of organisations responsible for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections to resign with immediate effect if they do not have the capacity to assure Nigerians that the Saturday, March 11 governorship elections would be free, fair and credible.

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SaMBA, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its spokesperson, Prince Rwang Pam Jr., specifically tasked the INEC chairman, the Inspector General of Police, Director of the Department of State Service and members of the various election tribunals to reassure Nigerians or quit honourably.

READ ALSO: FULL LIST: INEC Unveils Names Of 109 Senators-elect

The group lamented that the failure of INEC, the police and DSS to “competently perform their constitutional duties” during the February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections “have not only brought international disgrace to Nigeria but equally failed to protect the mandate of millions of Nigerians.”

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It noted that Nigerians need a commitment that transcends verbal promises, noting that the instances of bullying, intimidation of voters and snatching and destruction of electoral materials in various polling units across the country in the presence of security agencies indicated gross incompetence on the part of the police whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and property.

The statement read partly, “After a week of such daylight destruction and intimidation, neither the NPF nor the DSS has paraded any of the political thugs or their sponsors as a demonstration of their commitment towards defending the integrity of the electoral process.

“Consequently, millions of Nigerian taxpayers and the international community are fast losing confidence in the sincerity of these security agencies.”

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READ ALSO: FULL LIST: INEC Unveils Names Of 109 Senators-elect

The group further berated the INEC chairman and his commissioners “who either by omission or commission or both have conducted an election that has been unanimously rejected as not being free, fair or credible by international observers and local observers as well as majority of Nigerians.”

SaMBA, however, pointed out that the next Saturday’s governorship and state Houses of Assembly polls have presented INEC with an opportunity to redeem itself.

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The statement read, “It is therefore expected that the commission should by now publicly expunge its temporary and permanent staff and agents who are suspected to have been either compromised or incompetent.

“Bold actions like these are likely to assure Nigerians that their votes would count during the March 11, 2023 state elections. INEC has a moral responsibility to buy back the confidence and trust of the Nigerian electorate. Merely stating that those bad eggs within INEC or its representatives will be taken off the electoral process indicates that the commission is yet to appreciate the magnitude of its failures during the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

“INEC must prove to Nigerians and the international community that it had not deliberately compromised the presidential elections by explaining convincingly and truthfully, why results in isolation failed to upload on the INEC server as repeatedly promised by the commission – what the problem was and steps it has taken to ensure that all results will be uploaded during this weekend’s elections.

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“At this point in Nigeria’s history owing to current realities on ground, this country cannot afford any deliberate action that has the tendency to derail the successful conduct of free, fair and credible elections. If the IG of Police feels that he is not well equipped or competent enough to safeguard the public, INEC staff and electoral materials on March 11, then he should resign and let someone else take over.

“If the INEC boss feels that he cannot conduct free, fair and credible elections, he should resign.

READ ALSO: Wike Mocks Atiku, PDP Leaders Over Protest At INEC Office

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“If members of post elections tribunals feel that they are not ready to be objective and to give Nigerians justice without fear, favour or compromise, such members should kindly resign.”

SaMBA called on all Nigerians to remain calm and vigilant “as we approach the concluding part of the 2023 elections.” It charged “all Nigerians of voting age to come out en-masse to vote in fresh, honest and visionary State Governors and State Assembly members that will move the states forward.

“They should keep sentiments aside and elect only those who truly have the capacity and intention to move their respective states from consumption to production so that their states and Nigeria at large can witness a new lease of life,” the statement concluded.

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Community Violations: TikTok Removes Over 3.6m Videos in Nigeria

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TikTok on Tuesday said that it has removed over 3.6 million videos in Nigeria between January and March 2025 for violating its Community Guidelines.

It represented a 50 per cent increase from the previous quarter, according to TikTok’s Q1 2025 Community Guidelines Enforcement Report.

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The report said that TikTok prioritised creating a safe, respectful, and trustworthy digital environment.

The report highlighted TikTok’s proactive approach, with a detection rate of 98.4 per cent for content removed before user reports and 92.1 per cent of videos removed within 24 hours.

READ ALSO:Most Followed Tiktoker Khaby Lame Deported From US Over Visa Violation

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Globally, TikTok removed over 211 million videos in Q1 2025, with more than 184 million removed through automation.

“The platform’s global proactive detection rate reached 99 per cent.

“TikTok has intensified its LIVE Monetisation Guidelines and prioritised LIVE content enforcement.”

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According to the report in Nigeria, 42,196 LIVE rooms were banned, and 48,156 streams were interrupted for violating community guidelines.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests TikToker For Spraying, Stepping On Naira Notes In Kaduna

It said that the platform also removed 129 accounts in West Africa tied to covert operations in partnership with Cece Yara, a child-centred non-profit organisation.

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The report said that TikTok is expanding in-app helpline resources to Nigeria.

This initiative provides young users with access to local helplines for expert support on issues like suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment.

READ ALSO:Trump Gives TikTok Extra 75 Days To Find Buyer TikTok

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The report also noted that TikTok Digital Well-being ambassador, Dr. Olawale Ogunlana, collaborated with experts to promote digital well-being.

It said that TikTok encouraged community participation through user reporting and education, advocating for a collaborative approach to creating a respectful online environment.

The Q1 2025 report reflects TikTok’s efforts to safeguard its Nigerian user base, strengthen enforcement systems, and remain transparent about measures taken to uphold platform integrity.”
(NAN)

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Buhari Buried In Daura Amid Prayers, Tributes

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Former President Muhammadu Buhari was laid to rest on Tuesday evening in his Daura residence in Katsina State, following Islamic funeral rites attended by President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine, family members, top government officials, and dignitaries.

His body was committed to Mother Earth at about 5:50 p.m.

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Buhari had passed away on Sunday, July 13, in London at the age of 82, following a brief illness. His remains were received in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu.

READ ALSO: Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

The body arrived in Daura at approximately 4:33 p.m. in a military ambulance. It was accompanied by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, businessman Aliko Dangote, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, and other dignitaries.

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Here are things to know about late Buhari.

Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942, to Adamu and Zulaiha Buhari in Daura, Katsina State. He belonged to the Fulani ethnic group and was a devout Muslim.

He joined the Nigerian Army and rose to the rank of Major General. Buhari became Nigeria’s military Head of State following a coup on December 31, 1983, and led the country until August 27, 1985.

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READ ALSO:VIDEO/PHOTOS: Moment Buhari’s Remains Arrival In Nigeria

In 1994, Buhari was appointed Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) by the Sani Abacha administration, overseeing infrastructure projects funded by oil revenues.

After three failed attempts at the presidency, Buhari won the 2015 presidential election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. He was re-elected in 2019.

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He was married to Aisha Buhari and had several children. Known for his austere lifestyle, Buhari maintained a reserved and disciplined public persona throughout his life.

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Guinea-Bissau President, Niger Republic PM, Others Attend Buhari’s Burial In Daura

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President Bola Tinubu, President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea-Bissau, and Niger Republic Prime Minister Ali Lamine Zeine were among thousands of people who attended the funeral rites of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday in Daura, Katsina State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the remains of Buhari were conveyed to Nigeria by the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.

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NAN also reports that the remains were brought aboard a Nigerian Air Force flight -FGT 001, which touched ground at the Umaru Musa Yar’adua International Airport, around 2 p.m., on Tuesday.

The body was received by Tinubu, Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, the Governors, and other dignitaries.

READ ALSO:North West Govs Declare Tuesday Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

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After a farewell parade in honour of the late former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his remains were conveyed to Daura by road.

Imam Hassan Yusuf led the funeral prayer at 4 p.m. at the Daura Helipad.

Many dignitaries performed the prayer, notable among them were the former Nigerien President Mahamadou Issoufou and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

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Others were members of the National Assembly, including the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruk-Umar, and the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumini Kabir-Usman, as well as the Emirs of Zazzau, Dutse, and Kazaure, among others.

READ ALSO:APC Secretariat Shuts For Three Days To Honour Late Buhari

Captains of industries, such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote and Alhaji Dahiru Barau Mangal, also attended the burial.

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After the funeral prayer, the corpse was taken to his residence, where he was buried.

The funeral rites were attended by thousands of people who were earlier denied access to the venue but later allowed to enter.

Some of the people interviewed praised the virtues of the late former President, who was distinguished for his integrity, honesty, and discipline.

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READ ALSO:FG Declares Public Holiday To Honour Buhari

Salisu Lawal stated that Buhari was a great man who loved being among his people and offering a helping hand to them.

Aliyu Nasiru, another resident, described the death of Buhari as a great loss not only to his immediate family but to the state and the country.

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The death has created a vacuum that is difficult to fill, he will continue to be remembered for his good virtues,” he said.

He prayed to the Almighty Allah to forgive his shortcomings, grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus.

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