The Senate has confirmed 17 persons for appointment as commissioners of the National Population Commission (NPC) out of 19 nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

Their confirmation followed the adoption of the Committee on National Identity Card and Population screening report at the Committee of the Whole on Wednesday.

The report was presented by the chairman of the committee, Abdul Ningi (PDP-Bauchi).

Mr Ningi, while presenting the report, said out of the 19 people nominated, 17 appeared for the screening.

He said the nominees representing Ogun and Ondo did not appear following the recent political developments in their states.

Mr Ningi said the committee diligently screened the remaining 17 and found them to possess the minimal qualifications suitable for the appointment.

The Senate thereafter confirmed the nominees.Those confirmed are Emmanuel Eke (Abia), Clifford Zirra (Adamawa), Chidi Ezeoke (Anambra), Isa Buratal (Borno), Alex Ukam (Cross River), Blessyn Brume-Maguha (Delta) and Jeremiah Ogbonna Nwankwegu (Ebonyi).

Others are Tony Alyejina (Edo), Ejike Ezeh (Enugu), Abubakar Damburam (Gombe) Prof. Uba Nnabue (Imo), Sa’adatu Garba (Kaduna), Aminu Ibrahim Tsanyawa (Kano), Yori Afolabi (Kogi), Mary Afan(Plateau), Saany Sale (Taraba) and Ogiri Henry (Rivers)

Abia State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State’s ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs to withdraw the staff of office and certificate of recognition issued Samuel Nwosu and issue a certificate of recognition to Eze Ikedichi Uzoeji, as Ugwumba the II of Nneji autonomous community.

Announcing the decision as recommended by its committee on local government and chieftaincy affairs, the Speaker, Hon. Emmanuel Emeruwa further said the House called for the reversal of the actions of the former Permanent Secretary of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, Mrs J.C Nwanju.

The Speaker added that the former Permanent Secretary should be called to order for her actions.

The House also resolved to communicate to Governor Alex Otti about the alleged act of insubordination by some appointees of government, who ignore or decline invitations by the House and its Committees, urging him to call them to order as the House would no longer condone such behaviours.

This followed a motion of Urgent Public Importance on the matter and the need to ensure the implementation of resolutions reached by the House as raised by Mr Lewis Obianyi, the member representing Ukwa East constituency and as supported by other members who spoke on the matter.

The House at plenary passed a resolution making it mandatory for public buildings to have fire extinguishers and for the state government to establish fire stations across the 17 LGAs in the State.

Meanwhile, a former Director in charge of Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), Mr Nwaigwe Innocent has petitioned the State House of Assembly, begging it to intervene by lifting a suspension without pay, allegedly placed on him by the office of the Head of Service.

In the petition, Nwaigwe innocent alleged that he was suspended without pay, on the grounds of indulging in insubordination.

The Chairman of Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on the recovery of government properties and funds, Justice Florence Doruoha-Igwe Rtd has ordered that the property located at No. 43 Finbars road in Umuahia which was sealed off by the order of the Panel, be unsealed from 19th to 20th February 2024.

The Chairman said this during the Panel ‘s sitting in Umuahia, saying that the unsealing of the building was to enable the 2nd respondent (Abia PDP) to have access to the facility and produce before the panel, the lease agreement between the party and Mr Michael Okey Nzeakor.

Justice Duruoha-Igwe Rtd before adjourning the matter to 21/2/2024 for indefinite hearing on the matter, adviced Abia PDP to use the two days period to get all the necessary documents required by the Panel, adding that no further excuses would be entertained.

On the alleged involvement of the immediate past Abia State Commissioner for lands and Housing, Chidi Onwuchuruba on the said matter, Justice Duruoha-Igwe (Rtd) observed that the 3rd respondent (Chidi Onwuchuruba) is a stranger on the transactions between Abia PDP and Mr Michael Okey Nzeakor and therefore ordered that his name be struck out.

It would be recalled that the Panel had on 7/2/2024 temporarily ordered the sealing of the Abia State PDP secretariat located at No 43 Finbars Road Umuahia.

Meanwhile the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof Monica Ironkwe and the Permanent Secretary Government House, Mr Benson Ojekere also appeared before the panel.

Speaking before the Panel, Ironkwe, represented by the Director of Agriculture in the ministry, Mr Obilor Promise, disclosed that the Ministry under her watch had recovered all farm plantations and other Agriculture sub-stations allegedly leased out to individuals by the past administration in the State, as well as revoked their acclaimed contracts with the Ministry.

Armed assailants assumed to be kidnappers have killed Sylvanus Namang, the ruling APC’s spokesman in Plateau.

Officials said the incident occurred on Saturday night at a leisure spot in Pankshin Local Government Area.

Plateau police spokesman Alfred Alabo said Mr Namang was shot when about seven people suspected to be kidnappers stormed the leisure spot owned by Sunny Okonkwo.

Mr Alabo said officers swung into action upon receiving information about the attack.

Plateau police commissioner Hassan Steve Yabanet directed the Area Commander and DPO of Pankshin to rescue the victims and arrest the suspects, who are still believed to be at large.

“The suspects ran away with serious gunshot injuries; the victim was rescued and rushed to the General Hospital, Pankshin, for treatment of both bullet and machete injuries,” Mr Alabo said.

Unfortunately, Mr Namang, who was rescued and rushed to the General Hospital in Pankshin, was confirmed dead by a doctor.

“After much struggling for his life, the victim was later confirmed dead by the medical doctor,” Mr Alabo revealed.

A former Governor and APC chieftain, Simon Lalong, has reacted to the gruesome killing of his party man.

In a statement signed by his special adviser, Makut Simon Macha, Mr Lalong expressed shock over the killing and called on security agencies to investigate the incident, saying “he was devastated by the news of the barbaric killing” of Mr Namang, who was an accomplished journalist, politician, and community leader.

The attack came as the state was reeling from the Christmas Eve massacre that left scores of villagers dead in an overnight assault by killer herdsmen waging a war for resource control in the central region of Nigeria.

Dada Olusegun, a media aide to President Bola Tinubu, has blamed Nigerian media outlets for exposing a photo of the president sleeping during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU).

Mr Olusegun, in a post on X, said Mr Tinubu, who was captured sleeping at the event in Addis Ababa, gave the “most inspiring” speech.

For Mr Olusegun, “Mr President had such a great outing and gave one of, if not the most inspiring speech at the AU summit.”

Mr Tinubu “spoke about the proposed African Central Bank expected to kick off by 2028. Spoke about the importance of unity and a new approach to governance across the continent,” he stated.

The presidential aide, who did not admit whether or not the president slept at the event, criticised the media for exposing the photo.

Mr Olusegun said outlets chose to push a photo that shields young Nigerians from the issues the president spoke about at the AU session.

“Guess what the media back home decided to push?” Mr Olusegun asked, adding that “the ones I pity the most in all of these are their young audiences who miss out on important developments because those they listen to continue to shield them from what they need to know at the expense of what will trend.”

A photo of Mr Tinubu sleeping during the ordinary session on Saturday while his aide-de-camp, Colonel Nurudeen Alowonle Yusuf, took notes closely behind him emerged on the internet, eliciting reactions from Nigerians.

Prior to the presidential election in 2023, Mr Tinubu was also captured sleeping during public events on different occasions, generating concerns about his health status and capability to rule the nation.

Commissioner for Housing Moruf Akinderu-Fatai said the Lagos government had provided over 3,000 housing units in the last four to five years, with efforts underway to reach 7,000.

Mr Akinderu-Fatai disclosed this at a media parley on his ministry’s scorecard on Thursday in Lagos. He said building more units would help address the housing deficit.

He said the housing deficit was a major challenge, particularly for low-income earners.

To this effect, he said the government was working on policy changes to attract investment and build more housing units.

He noted that population growth was putting additional pressure on available houses, hence the need to meet the growing demand for affordable housing.

According to him, the attraction of people from other areas to Lagos has further increased the demand for housing.

The commissioner said that the state government was seriously working to amend two laws that would build investors’ confidence and make them bring their money.

He said, “The state government is seriously working on two laws – rent control laws and the mortgage laws. The rent laws are aimed at imposing limitations on rent increases, so amending them will make them more flexible and attractive to those looking to invest in rental properties.

“Also, the government is working on improving mortgage laws and attracting private sector investment in affordable housing. So, modifying construction standards or permitting processes can streamline the development process and reduce investment costs.’’

Mr Akinderu-Fatai noted that inflation and foreign exchange exposure had also made building affordable houses for these groups more challenging.

The commissioner advised the private sector to cooperate with the state to address the housing needs of low-income earners through corporate social responsibility initiatives.

He said that the government was open to flexible forms of involvement and would welcome even limited contributions to make a collective impact.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, has said Nigeria will soon overcome its challenges, going by recent developments.

Mr Ganduje said this when he received the Concerned North Central APC Stakeholders and Elders Forum in Abuja.

“There is no doubt that there is an opposition, but we believe with your cooperation, we will not continue to listen to undesirable elements who are not focused. Who are not real party men, who want to see us that we are in disarray, we have no place for that, we are people, politicians who are committed.

“We know we are forging ahead, these assaults on Mr President, these assaults on Nigerians, we believe we will soon be out of these problems. We have to thank the President for his renewed Hope Agenda; efforts, commitment and we assure him that we are 100 per cent for him.’’

Earlier, a former President of the Senate, Amebh Ebute, who led the delegation, said that the visit was to express appreciation to Mr Ganduje for his leadership style.

He said the visit was also to encourage him to continue to do more for the APC as its national chairman.

He said, “Indeed, we have counted among us, grassroots and eminent leaders of communities and associations that are passionately APC in their political leanings and identities. We are from communities in Benue, Plateau, Kogi, Niger, Nasarawa, Federal Capital Territory and Kwara.’’

Mr Ebute said the forum was not unaware of some moves by some individuals in the North-Central calling for the shifting of the APC national chairmanship to the zone.

He added, “While we acknowledge the efforts of these advocates of returning the chairman’s office to North- Central, we however, believe that the more compelling reason for anybody to advance the manner of person that will occupy the office of the national chairman of our party.

“It should be about consideration for track record of performance as shown in winning political contests against the opposition. Equally important, is how the rank and file members of the party are directly benefiting from the activities of the party across the country.’’

He said that Mr Ganduje was not just a performing national chairman, but a chairman that had done well in the shortest possible time.

He noted, “Ganduje has positively impacted individual members of the APC while the party had recorded impressive electoral strides bereft of rancour under his leadership. By these considerations, we hereby declare our unalloyed support for you to continue to manage the affairs of our great party.’’

He expressed happiness that the party’s membership register had been digitised in alignment with global best practices.

“This is a first in the political history of our great country. This translates to mean that while the opposition was busy doing nothing, you put your hand to the plough and got busy working and thinking for the party,” Mr Ebute said.

He added that Ganduje was blazing a new trail in ideological politics in the country’s political annals.

He added that with the progressive institute that Ganduje was structuring, APC members could boastfully tell opposition parties that they were not the same.

“Thanks to you.Your Excellency, our party is not only ideological driven, it has a school where we impart knowledge and leadership grooming for our members. You have done well and for that reason you have our undiluted support,” Mr Ebute said.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has inaugurated a steering committee to coordinate and fast track implementation of the Pulaku Initiative.

The Pulako Initiative is in fulfillment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to improve the lives of Nigerians.

At the inauguration on Tuesday in Abuja, Mr Shettima said the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa would chair the committee with governors of the participating states serving as members.

Other members include the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; representatives of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement.

Also in the committee are the BUA Group, Dangote Group and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency.

Mr Shettima said the project must be seen as an emergency to tackle a challenge that threatened the fabric of Nigeria.

“It serves as a testament to the fulfilment of the promises made by President Bola Tinubu. The aim is to create an environment where the prosperity of our people is not a distant dream but a tangible and achievable reality. This comprehensive approach reflects our dedication to fostering sustainable development and improving the lives of all citizens.

“This initiative will address a challenge that has persisted across various generations and demands our collective resolve, our optimum sense of justice and our unconditional compassion. This is not merely a response, it is a call to action. We are here because each of our programmes or policies will falter unless we get to the root of the dysfunctions we have inherited,” he said.

According to Mr Shettima, the Pulaku Initiative is a national commitment to confront threats that fuelled distrust and conflicts within the communities and across boundaries of the federation.

“This non-kinetic solution is not designed to compensate for any particular group or region. Therefore, we must cast aside any notion of divisive regionalism and see the Pulaku initiative for what it truly is – a practical response to a shared challenge.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, said the programme was expected to take off in two weeks, adding that it focused on construction of houses, schools and hospitals.

He said, “The meeting went very well. We are here representing our states, we are serving governors. It is an inaugural meeting for the Pulako Initiative by the Federal Government, and indeed the essence of this entire programme is a non-kinetic approach to the problem that is caused by insecurity in the country.

“You are aware that a lot of people have been having issues of settlement because of the problem of insecurity, so the Pulako initiative is a very welcomed development.

We are really happy about it because it will really help in addressing the problem of people that (who have) abandoned their houses. Most of them are homeless as we speak because of the insecurity crisis and, of course, this initiative will really help in supporting the vulnerable and the Internally Displaced Persons.’’

Also, Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State described the programme as a good initiative that would positively impact the people.

“This is a resettlement scheme for the Pulako and this is another non-kinetic approach to the issue. I think it is important you use the kinetic and non-kinetic approach so that we can address the issue that is affecting our people,” Mr Radda said.

For his part, Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State said the initiative was a testament to the Federal Government’s commitment to peace and prosperity in the country.

“If we move into full investment in agriculture, as this programme is intended to do, that is going to curtail a number of things,” he said.

The Pulaku initiative will focus on seven states that have been disproportionately affected by farmers-herders conflicts.

They are Sokoto, Kebbi, Benue, Katsina, Zamfara, Niger and Kaduna states.

On Tuesday, three senators who recently won by-elections in their respective senatorial districts took their oath of office on the floor of the Senate.

The new senators took the oath of office before the Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

The senators are Pam Mwadkon (ADP-Plateau North), Anthony Ani (APC-Ebonyi South) and Mustapha Musa (APC-Yobe East).

The oath of office was administered by the clerk of the Senate, Chinedu Akubueze, after which they were led to their respective seats.

Finland’s conservative former Prime Minister Alexander Stubb has won Sunday’s presidential election, final results show.

He secured 51.6% of the vote, while his Green Party rival Pekka Haavisto, the former foreign minister, had 48.4%. Mr Haavisto has already admitted defeat.

It is the first election since Finland joined the Nato military alliance.

Mr Stubb, 55, takes a hardline approach towards Russia, with which the Nordic nation shares a long land border.

He had said that joining Nato was a “done deal” for his country as soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Finland officially became the Washington-led alliance’s 31st member last April.

At a press conference late on Sunday, Mr Stubb, a member of Finland’s National Coalition Party, described his election victory as “the greatest honour of my life”.

He also stressed that it was “rather self-evident that it’s difficult to have any kind of political dialogue with Putin as long as Russia is waging an aggressive war against Ukraine.

“So, I don’t see any kind of communication with Putin or with the Russian political leadership in the near future. We all want to find a pathway towards peace, but it seems to me that that pathway happens only through the battlefield at the moment.

“Mr Haavisto, who ran as an independent, admitted his defeat.

“Well, Alexander. Congratulations to Finland’s 13th president,” the 65-year-old said.

“If you ask me today if I’ll ever be involved in any elections again, my answer is probably ‘no’, not for a while and maybe never,” added.

Mr Haavisto, who had also unsuccessfully run for the presidency twice before.Instead, he said he would would now focus on his job as a lawmaker.

Mr Stubb will officially assume office on 1 March, replacing Sauli Niinisto.

The Finnish head of state is directly responsible for foreign and security policy, and is commander-in-chief of the country’s armed forces.

Malam Aminu Yammawa, the Chief Imam of GRA central mosque in Katsina, says President Bola Tinubu should remember to keep his campaign promises and take immediate action over the current economic hardship.

The Chief Imam who made the call during his Juma’at sermon on Friday in Katsina, said low-income Nigerians are suffering.

According to him, during his campaign, the President promised to make the country’s economy better.

He said that despite the promises, the Nigerian economy is worsening, leading to serious hardship.

He called on the President to take immediate and necessary measures to end the current economic hardship in the country.

Yammawa also called for immediate measures towards ending the security challenges in the country, especially in Katsina and other northern states.

He said innocent people are being killed daily in Katsina and other states by suspected bandits.

According to him, “the government needs to take necessary and sustainable measures over these economic challenges.”

He called the attention of the relevant authorities to what he described as extortion of the local grain sellers by some security operatives along major highways.

The Imam also called on the grain sellers to avoid hoarding the goods, saying “no doubt, those involved in such a bad act would be dealt with by God”.

Yammawa also appealed to the president to reopen the Nigerian borders with the neighbouring Niger Republic through Katsina.

He further urged the general public to intensify prayers to see the end of the current hardship and insecurity challenges facing the state and the country in general.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared Margaret Emefiele, the wife of former Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Godwin Emefiele and three others wanted for alleged involvement in money laundering activities.

According to the EFCC, Margaret Emefiele, Eric Odoh, Anita Omoile, and her husband Jonathan Omoile, are wanted for their roles in a scheme to convert large sums of money belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The agency accuses them of committing offences such as obtaining money by false pretences, theft and contravening Sections 411, 287, and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State.

A statement released by the EFCC late Friday night included mugshot portraits of the four suspects, urging anyone with information about their whereabouts to contact the nearest EFCC Command or police station.

“Emefiele, Odoh, Mr and Mrs Omoile, wanted by the EFCC. The quartet of Eric Odoh, Margaret Emefiele, Anita Omoile and Jonathan Omoile, are wanted by the EFCC for offences bothering economic and financial crimes.

“Any information on their whereabouts? Please contact the nearest EFCC Command or the nearest police Station,” The statement reads.

The declaration of wanted comes amidst ongoing legal proceedings against Godwin Emefiele, who is facing charges of fraud amounting to ₦1.8 billion and $6.2 million.

The latest amended charge, presented before Justice Hamza Muazu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, accuses Emefiele of impersonating the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to illegally obtain $6.2 million.

The EFCC alleges that Emefiele, in collaboration with Odoh Ocheme, obtained the funds from the CBN under false pretences and claimed it was requested by the SGF.

Emefiele is further accused of forging documents and conferring corrupt advantages on his wife and brother-in-law by awarding them contracts for the renovation of the CBN Governor’s residence in Lagos.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has temporarily banned the sale and distribution of food items and other farm produce in Niger to other states in Nigeria.

The declaration by the governor on Thursday followed the growing hunger experienced in Niger and the country at large, occasioned by the rising inflation, removal of petrol subsidy, floating of the naira, and insecurity under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Mr Bago said, “Trucks who come to pack or buy foodstuffs from our villagers in bulk should be halted for now. We have stopped mass purchase(s) from our local markets in all our local governments from now henceforth until further notice.”

The Niger governor added, “Anybody found doing that, we have given security agencies the go-ahead to confiscate those trucks and share the food with the people.”

The governor’s move is geared towards having enough food and farm produce for residents in the state to address the hunger and poverty ravaging the state.

Meanwhile, Mr Tinubu has directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to release about 42,000 metric tonnes of grain, including maize, millet and garri.

Similarly, the Rice Millers Association of Nigeria also committed to immediately releasing over 60,000 metric tonnes of rice to the public.

The minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this after the meeting of the presidential committee on emergency food intervention on Thursday in Abuja.

He said these were immediate measures the federal government took to reduce the hardships faced by Nigerians who are made to bear the brunt of high food prices in the market.

“These will be made available and we know that that is enough to take Nigeria in the next couple of weeks. One month, six weeks, perhaps up to two months. Now, the whole idea of this is to crush the cost of these food items. And these are measures that will happen immediately.

“Now, the third item is that government is also looking at the possibility of, if it becomes absolutely necessary and as an interim measure, to also import some of these commodities immediately so that these commodities can be made available to Nigerians,” he said.

Mr Idris also said the ministry would invest massively in farming to boost production and fully exploit the country’s food potential.

He said the government would appeal to persons or groups to stop hoarding these products to maximise profit to the detriment of ordinary Nigerians.

“Government, of course, is also looking at all those who are hoarding these commodities because, actually, these commodities are available in the stores of many traders. Government is appealing to them that they should open up these doors and make these commodities available in the interest of our nation.

“There is no point when the whole country is looking for this food. You are locking up these products where you make more money, and then Nigerians suffer. Of course, the government will not fold its arms,” the minister explained.

He stressed that the government would also ensure that food continues to be accessible and affordable to Nigerians.

“This is an emergency situation. Every nation faces emergency situations. This is our own time to face these challenges,” stated Mr Idris.

“The President has directed that whatever it will take, food will be available to Nigerians at a cost that is also very reasonable.”

The US Supreme Court will wade into uncharted legal waters on Thursday as it considers if Donald Trump should be barred from running for president.

The justices will weigh if Colorado can strike Mr Trump off its ballot after finding he engaged in insurrection over the US Capitol riot.

Their decision will also determine if similar bids to keep Mr Trump off the ballot in other states are valid.

He is the definitive frontrunner to be the Republican party’s candidate.

Unless the justices rule against Mr Trump, he looks likely to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in November.

It is the most consequential such case to reach the court since it halted the Florida vote recount in 2000, handing the White House to Republican George W Bush over Democrat Al Gore.

The challenge has been expedited by the US Supreme Court, and there is pressure for a decision before 5 March, when voters in 15 states – including Colorado – cast their ballots in Republican primaries.

Mr Trump’s name so far remains on the Colorado ballot, pending the court’s ruling. Maine also has excluded Mr Trump from its ballot, a decision on hold, too, while the justices consider the matter.

The legal challenge hinges on a Civil War-era constitutional amendment that bans anyone who has “engaged in insurrection or rebellion” from holding federal office.

This prohibition has never been used to disqualify a candidate for president.In December’s ruling, the Colorado Supreme Court wrote that it was aware of the magnitude of its decision.

“We are likewise mindful of our solemn duty to apply the law, without fear or favor, and without being swayed by public reaction to the decisions that the law mandates we reach,” the justices wrote.

In turn, Mr Trump’s lawyers argued that the Colorado ruling had “unconstitutionally disenfranchised millions of voters in Colorado” and could be used to further disenfranchise millions more across the country.

His argument has been supported by the chief legal officers of 27 states, who filed a brief saying the Colorado ruling would sow “widespread chaos”.

“Most obviously, it casts confusion into an election cycle that is just weeks away,” the attorneys general wrote. “Beyond that, it upsets the respective roles of the Congress, the States, and the courts.

“Courts in Minnesota and Michigan have dismissed parallel efforts to remove Mr Trump from their ballots, while other cases, including in Oregon, are pending.

The US Supreme Court’s decision in this case is expected to turn on how a majority of the justices interpret the provision of the 14th Amendment, which includes the insurrection clause.

Lawyers for the former president have provided several reasons to the court for why he should not be removed from the ballot.In one, they argue that the 14th Amendment does not apply to presidential candidates.

In another, they contend that Mr Trump’s conduct at the time of the US Capitol riot on 6 January 2021 did not amount to insurrection.

The case lands with a thud before a Supreme Court that is already facing near all-time lows in terms of public approval.

No matter the ruling by the nine justices – three of whom were nominated by Mr Trump – it is likely to prove hugely divisive.

The top court has a history of finding ways to extricate itself from politically charged legal issues by sticking to the narrowest of legal grounds, which could turn out to be the case here.

Mr Trump, who is in the midst of his third presidential campaign, is not expected to attend Thursday’s hearing.

He is facing a number of legal challenges. Last month, he was ordered to pay $83.3m ($65m) for defaming columnist E Jean Carroll, who he was found to have sexually assaulted in a separate case.

The Supreme Court itself – which holds a 6-3 conservative majority – may soon be asked to weigh in on another case involving Mr Trump.

Earlier this week, a federal appeals court in Washington DC rejected his claims of presidential immunity, ruling he could be prosecuted on charges of plotting to overturn the 2020 election.

Mr Trump has until Monday to ask the Supreme Court to pause this ruling.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Wednesday issued certificates of return to winners of Saturday’s rerun and by-elections.

The presentation took place at INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Those who got the certificates included Prof. Anthony Okorie, senator-elect for Ebonyi South, Pam Dachungyang, senator-elect for Plateau North and Musa Mustapha, senator-elect for Yobe East.

Others were Ifeanyi Ozokwe, rep elect for Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo, Clara Nnabuife, rep elect for Orumba North/Orumba South, Ehindero Babatunde, rep elect for Akoko North East/Akoko North West and Daniel Ago, rep elect for Jos North/ Basa.

Speaking shortly after collecting his certificate, Mr Okorie dedicated his victory to the people of Ebonyi South, urging them to have confidence in him to be their good representative in the Senate.

Senator-elect, Uzokwe appreciated INEC for a free, fair and credible election. “If we have stronger institutions than stronger people, Nigeria will be better,” he said.

Mr Ozokwe also commended President Bola Tinubu for not interfering in the rerun and by-elections.

He also commended security personnel for their professional conduct during the election. Also Ms Nnabuife appreciated the people of Orumba North/Orumba South, especially women who stood by her and trusted her with their mandate, pledging not to let them down.

The police, on Wednesday, arrested women who spearheaded a protest against rising cost of food and hunger in the country under President Bola Tinubu.

It was reported on Monday that protesters hit the streets of Minna, Niger state capital, lamenting rising cost of food and severe hunger in the country under Mr Tinubu’s watch.

However, Wasiu Abiodun, Niger state police spokesperson, confirmed the arrest of Aisha Jibrin, the leader of the protest, and 24 others.

In a statement on Wednesday, Amnesty International condemned “the Nigerian authorities for the arrest of Aisha Jibrin, Fatima Aliyu, Fatima Isyaku and twenty-two others in Minna Niger state; for participating in protest against the staggering cost of living crisis people are facing nationwide.”

This arrest of protesters comes barely nine months into Mr Tinubu’s government. A market survey conducted at Mararaba Market, Nasarawa State on Wednesday showed that prices of most food items have increased by almost 100 per cent compared to what was obtainable last May, when Mr Tinubu assumed office.

Inflation accelerated after Mr Tinubu’s sudden announcement of the removal of the petrol subsidy in his inaugural speech on May 29, 2023, followed later by the CBN’s policy of floating the naira.

Though lauded by experts, the duo policies of Mr Tinubu have seen petrol prices rise from N145 per litre to N630, while the naira plunges against the dollar at the parallel market, trading at about N1,500 to $1.

Nigerians have cried out over economic hardship with inflation and food prices spiking under Mr Tinubu’s watch. Earlier in the week, protests over soaring food prices rocked two northern states, Niger and Kano.

Some Yoruba market women in Ogun lambasted Mr Tinubu for promulgating economic policies that negatively affect the prices of goods and cause untold hardship for Nigerians, threatening to beat the president up if they saw him.

Mr Tinubu acknowledged the country’s prevalent hardship but urged Nigerians to show understanding.

“The financial re-engineering of our country is ongoing. We are determined to deliver Nigeria safely through the tunnel of hope, stability, and economic prosperity,” said Mr Tinubu in December.

President Bola Tinubu has finally returned to Nigeria after a two weeks private visit to France.

The president’s jet touched down at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Tuesday night.

Tinubu was received by his Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Opposition parties had tackled the president for allegedly abandoning the country amid the security and economic crisis ravaging the nation.

Some of the opposition leaders believe that the president had no reason to embark on a private visit at the time the country is bleeding.

The Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, in Jigawa State have collectively rejected the N10,000 wage award proposed by the state government as a palliative in response to the removal of fuel subsidy.

The rejection was communicated in a press statement issued after a meeting of the Organized Labour in the state held in Dutse, the state capital.

The joint statement, signed by the state chairmen and secretaries of NLC and TUC, described the state government’s announcement of the wage award as premature, asserting that no agreement had been reached on the matter.

The statement mentioned that the NLC Salary Negotiation Committee had engaged in prolonged negotiations with the state government committee, presenting various submissions without receiving any response.

The Organized Labour expressed surprise at the state Commissioner for Information, Youth, and Culture, Hon Sagiru Musa’s announcement of the N10,000 wage award for three months.

“It is important for the general public to note that the Organized Labour has not signed any Memorandum of Understanding with the Jigawa State Government on the N10,000 wage award; the Negotiation Committee is yet to conclude its assignment,” the statement clarified.

However, when contacted for comments, the state’s Head of Service, Muhammad K. Dagacire, stated that the NLC Negotiation Committee was fully aware of the decision taken by the state government regarding the palliative measures for the workers.

Dagacire explained that the agreement included a three-month wage award, distribution of food palliatives, and provision of farm inputs, including lands, for every civil servant.

“So it is surprising to hear this story from you on the said NLC’s rejection of N10,000.

“Our interventions to workers to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal are of three stages and Governor Malam Umar Namadi is committed to fulfilling all,” he stated.