President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

The swearing-in took place during a ceremony at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Villa on Monday, September 30, following the Senate’s confirmation of her nomination last week.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, is now the 23rd CJN and the second woman to ever hold this position in the nation’s history.

She had served in an acting capacity since August, following the retirement of her predecessor, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Dr Doyin Okupe, a former presidential spokesperson, has suggested that Vice President Kashim Shettima is one of the most brilliant and articulate politicians from the North.

Okupe made the assertion in a post on his X handle on Thursday, saying he has had to take a closer look at Shettima’s personality.

“From the time of GEJ Administration, I have not been someone you can call a friend of the VP Alh Shetima.

“But since he became the VP, I have had to take a closer look at his personae. This gentleman is probably one of the most brilliant, lucid and articulate politicians from the North,” he posted on X.

Okupe before now was a former Director-General of the Labour Party (LP) Presidential Campaign Council.

However, in January this year, he dumped the Labour Party, citing ideological differences post-2023 election as the basis for his departure from the party.

A total of nine political parties will be participating in the forthcoming local government elections in Anambra State, slated for Saturday. .

This was revealed in a publication of final list of candidates by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission in Awka.

The political parties participating in the elections included Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples’ Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Others are Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Only APGA fielded candidates for the 21 chairmanship and 326 councillorship positions while PDP fielded 18 out of the 21 chairmanship and 228 out of the 326 ward councillorship positions.

NNPP fielded eight candidates out of the 21 chairmanship and 37 candidates out the 326 councillorship positions while LP fielded six candidates for chairmanship and 12 for councillorship positions.

Accord Party fielded four candidates for chairmanship and four for councillorship positions, while YPP fielded three candidates for chairmanship and 44 for councillorship positions.

AA fielded one candidate each for chairmanship and councillorship positions, while SDP fielded one candidate for chairmanship nine for councillorship positions.

ZLP only fielded four candidates for councillorship position.

The All Progressives Congress did not field candidates as it officially withdrew from the local government elections, citing concerns over electoral irregularities.

The party announced its decision on September 8 and revealed plans to challenge the election process in court.

On Tuesday, the Kano High Court restrained 19 political parties from taking any action that could scuttle or frustrate the upcoming local government elections.

The applicant, Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), through its counsel Rilwanu Umar, filed a motion ex parte dated and filed on September 20.

The applicant is seeking the court to restrain the respondents from disrupting the electoral process in the 44 LGAs.

The respondents in the suit are the Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, All Progressives Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, All Progressive Grand Alliance, Boot Party and Labour Party.

Others are National Rescue Movement, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party, Social Democratic Party, Young Progressive Party, Young Party and Zenith Labour Party.

Justice Sunusi Ado-Ma’aji granted an interim injunction restraining the defendants from taking any action that will frustrate the plaintiff from discharging its statutory duties.

Mr Ado-Ma’aji adjourned the matter until October 10 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the All Progressives Congress candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, on his victory in the Edo State governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission on Sunday declared APC’s Okpebholo as the winner of the election.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu lauded APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for their efforts in securing the win.

He described the victory as a testament to the people’s endorsement of the APC’s progressive ideals, economic reform agenda, and commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

‘’President Tinubu commends APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory. He says the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

He urges Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He encourages him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.

President Tinubu also praises other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.

The President urges all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.

In addition, the president commends the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.” the statement reads in part

President Tinubu further commended INEC and the security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise. He mentioned that INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has provided an update on the collation of results in the ongoing governorship election in Edo State.

The Commission, in a statement signed by Mohammed Haruna, National Commissioner & Member Information and Voter Education Committee on Sunday, affirmed the conclusion of voting on Saturday and the activation of the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal and uploading of the Polling Unit results.

“The same results have also been collated from all the 192 Wards. Similarly, collation has been concluded in most of the Local Government Areas and the designated officials are already at the collation centre in Benin City or on their way. We are set to commence State-level collation,” the statement said.

“However, the Commission received a deeply disturbing report from our Resident Electoral Commissioner of a threat to our office in Okpoba Okha Local Government Area yesterday, resulting in a stampede in which one of our officials was injured.

“We are similarly disturbed by the overnight presence and demonstrations by some political actors and their supporters at our State Head Office ahead of the commencement of final collation. These actions are uncalled for. Nobody should disrupt the process at any stage and no one will be allowed to benefit from lawlessness.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the collation of result will proceed as provided by the Electoral Act 2022 and our regulations and guidelines for the conduct of elections. There is a mechanism for redressing complaints during collation, including the power to review results declared under duress. The Commission will not hesitate to invoke such powers where necessary.

“Accredited party agents, observers and the media should be granted unimpeded access to all collation centres.

“The Commission calls on the security agencies to continue to maintain the same vigilance and professionalism that led to the peaceful conduct of the election as we conclude the process.”

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has explained his reason for visiting the Independent National Electoral Commission collation centre in Benin City, the state capital, in the early of today.

It was reported that the governor was on the INEC premises early on Sunday morning, around 2 am, and was there until he was escorted outside by the police led by Deputy Inspector General Frank Mba.

Members of the All Progressives Congress, led by Monday Okpebholo’s running mate, Dennis Idahosa, led protesters to demand the exit of Obaseki from the premises of the Independent National Electoral Commission at about 3.30 am on Sunday.

Minutes before Obaseki was led outside by Mba flanked by a contingent of policemen, All Progressives Congress National Secretary, Surajudeen Basiru, addressed journalists that the governor had no reason to be on the premises.

Addressing journalists on Sunday at the Peoples Democratic Party Situation Room in Benin, Obaseki said he was at the INEC office to meet the Resident Electoral Commission after getting reports that the commission had stopped collation.

He said, “At about 1 am, I got a report that collation was supposed to have been moved to the INEC head office. I also got reports from our agents that PDP agents were not allowed into the collation centre. At that point in time, I called the REC to find an explanation of what was going on. There was no response, and I then went to the INEC office to meet with the REC and to understand what steps INEC was taken to continue the process of collation.”

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has called for the immediate and unconditional release of voters, including its members and supporters, who were allegedly arrested during the ongoing Edo State governorship election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP accused the All Progressives Congress, APC of orchestrating a coordinated plot with compromised police officials to intimidate and suppress voters.

The party condemned the arrests as part of a larger scheme to undermine the election and disrupt the success of its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Ologunagba pointed to a specific incident where a voter was allegedly abducted by armed men linked to the APC while waiting to cast their vote at Uromi Ward 8, Unit 3.

He claimed the APC’s actions reflect their fear of defeat, as Ighodalo reportedly enjoys widespread support.

“The APC and their compromised police personnel should know that the game is up and that the people of Edo State will never be cowed to surrender in the face of aggression or terror,” the statement read in part.

The PDP urged Edo citizens to remain resilient and defend their democratic rights and votes.

The party reiterated that police harassment would not deter their path to victory, accusing the APC of “panic” as the election results began to unfold.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of Akinwale Sarafadeen Adeyemi as the new Chairman, Governing Council of Osun State College of Education, Ila-Orangun.

The news of his appointment was contained in a statement signed by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Friday.

Peter Babalola, the former chairman who was also a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state was suspended by the party in his Ward 7, Irewole local government area.

Prior to his suspension by the PDP in his ward and sacking as Governing Council chairman of the college, he had faced public backlash over alleged financial misconduct.

The statement reads, “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the appointment of a tested educationist, Mr Akinyele Sarafa Adeyemi, as the new Chairman, Governing Council of the Osun State College of Education, Ila Orangun.

The statement, which described the new Chairman, Adeyemi as a tested educationist, said he will be replacing Peter Babalola, the former chairman who was dismissed by the state government early in September.

“Mr Adeyemi replaces Dr. Peter Babalola, who resigned his appointment after a controversial tenure at the College of Education.

“Adeyemi, who holds a first and Masters degree in Education from the University of Ibadan, is a retired principal of the Federal Girls College, Ipetumodu.

“The swearing-in ceremony for the new Council Chairman holds by 10am on Monday at the EXCO lounge.”

Democratic candidate, Kamala Harris, held a star-studded rally hosted by talk show legend Oprah Winfrey on Thursday in a bid to dazzle voters, as rival Donald Trump criticised Jewish Americans for not voting for him.

Hollywood stars including Jennifer Lopez, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Chris Rock and Ben Stiller beamed remotely to lavish praise via screens on the United States Vice President.

Sitting on a chat-show-style stage, Winfrey started by asking Harris about what seemed a sudden burst in confidence — “a veil or something dropped” — after she replaced President Joe Biden as the nominee.

“We each have those moments in our lives when you have to step up,” the 59-year-old Harris replied at the live-streamed “Unite for America” event.

The pair hugged as Harris arrived on stage at the rally in Michigan, one of the seven crucial battleground states that will decide the knife-edge November 5 election.

Harris urged Americans to unite against the “powerful forces that would try to divide us”, represented by Republican former president Trump.

The Democrat then talked through her key campaign points, ranging from abortion to the economy and immigration and gun control, as audience members told stories about their experiences.

Former prosecutor Harris also made a pitch to gun owners, a key part of the electorate in a country with more firearms than people, even as she called for an end to high-powered assault weapons used in a string of school shootings.

“I’m a gun owner too, if somebody breaks in my house they’re getting shot,” Harris said with a laugh, before adding: “I probably shouldn’t have said that… my staff will deal with that later.”

TV superstar Winfrey, who also spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in August, said as she introduced Harris that she felt “hope and joy rising.”

Groups including “Swifties for Harris” (made up of fans of Harris-backing pop star Taylor Swift) and “Cat Ladies for Kamala” (women mocking comments by Trump’s running mate J.D. Vance on childless people) tuned in remotely.

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo sued Senator Adams Oshiomhole over comments on the Planwell scheme.

Ighodalo slammed the former governor with a N20 billion lawsuit.

The governorship candidate, through his counsel, Ayo Asala (SAN) & Associates, also sought an immediate retraction and apology for the false, defamatory, and malicious comments which should be published in at least two (2) National Television Networks and three (3) nationally circulating newspapers.

He noted that the allegations by Oshiomhole were baseless, false, and malicious, describing them as another of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District in the recent past.

According to him, the fabrication of the unfounded and false story is a figment of Oshiomhole’s imagination intended to denigrate his good character and reputation for the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of Oshiomhole’s party and candidate in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Edo State.

A letter by Ighodalo’s lawyers dated September 16, 2024, and addressed to Oshiomhole reads, “We are counsel to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who is the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the forthcoming Edo State Governorship election.

“It is our information that at a campaign rally of your Party on Saturday, 14th of September, 2024, you made statements to the effect that our aforesaid client, Dr. Ighodalo, was associated with or participated in an alleged pyramid scheme known as ‘PLANWELL’ in which numerous Nigerians were defrauded of their hard-earned funds.

“This false and unfounded statement of yours was broadcast live on television and has received extensive exposure on electronic and social media.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria over two weeks after a visit to China and the United Kingdom.

In a video released by a presidential spokesperson, Dada Olusegun, the President was seen alighting from Nigerian Air Force at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on Sunday.

Olusegun wrote, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after his working visit to China and the United Kingdom”.

The President was welcomed by his cabinet members, including the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

President Tinubu was billed to return on Sunday from the UK.

Recall that Tinubu departed Nigeria for China on August 29, 2024, before proceeding to the UK.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping on Thursday, September 5, pledged over $50 billion in financing for Africa over the next three years.

More than 50 African leaders and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres are attending this week’s China-Africa forum, according to state media.

Addressing the leaders at the forum’s opening ceremony in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People on Thursday, Xi said ties with Africa is in their “best period in history”.

Xi promised to deepen cooperation in infrastructure and trade with Africa.

“China is ready to deepen cooperation with African countries in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment,” Xi said.

“Over the next three years, the Chinese government is willing to provide financial support amounting to 360 billion yuan ($50.7 billion),” Xi said.

Over half of that will be in credit, he said, with $11 billion “in various types of assistance” as well as $10 billion through encouraging Chinese firms to invest.

He also promised to help “create at least one million jobs for Africa”.

The Chinese leader pledged $141 million in grants for military assistance to the continent as well.

Beijing would “provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa”, Xi said.

Also addressing the meeting, UN chief Guterres told African leaders that growing ties between China and the continent could “drive the renewable energy revolution”.

“China’s remarkable record of development — including on eradicating poverty -– provides a wealth of experience and expertise,” he said.

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent’s vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping will host over two dozen African leaders at a lavish dinner in Beijing on Wednesday, kicking off the city’s biggest summit in years with promises of cooperation in infrastructure, energy and education.

China, the world’s number two economy, is Africa’s largest trading partner and has sought to tap the continent’s vast troves of natural resources including copper, gold, lithium and rare earth minerals.

It has also furnished African countries with billions in loans that have helped build much-needed infrastructure but also sometimes stoked controversy by saddling governments with huge debts.

Twenty-five African leaders have arrived in Beijing or confirmed attendance at this week’s China-Africa forum, according to an AFP tally, including some whose countries face a rising risk of debt distress.

The forum will kick off Wednesday evening with a family photo and a lavish dinner in the Great Hall of the People, followed by an opening ceremony in which Xi will deliver a speech the next day.

Chinese state media has this week lauded Xi as a “true friend of Africa”, claiming Beijing’s ties were reaching “new heights” under his stewardship.

As of Wednesday, the Chinese leader had held talks with over a dozen African counterparts in Beijing, a tally of state media reporting showed.

Meeting Tuesday with Bola Tinubu, president of Nigeria — one of China’s biggest borrowers on the continent — Xi called for great cooperation in the “development of infrastructure, energy and mineral resources”, state news agency Xinhua said.

And in talks with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa that same day, he promised cooperation in “investment, trade, infrastructure, mineral resources” and others.

He also backed Zimbabwe in its struggle against “illegal sanctions” — imposed by the United States in response to corruption and human rights abuses by the country’s leadership.

Analysts say that Beijing’s largesse towards the continent is being recalibrated in the face of economic trouble at home — and that geopolitical concerns over a growing tussle with the United States may increasingly be driving policy.

“Deepening economic engagement with Africa across the board” is one of Beijing’s key goals this week, Zainab Usman, director of the Africa Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told AFP.

“In specific areas, even where such an expanded engagement may not make economic sense, it will be driven by geopolitical reasons,” she explained.

One goal may be narrowing the growing trade imbalance between China and Africa through increasing imports of agricultural goods and processed minerals, Usman said.

“Meeting these African demands is in China’s geopolitical interest to keep them onside in the tussle with the US.”

For their part, African leaders are likely to seek backing for big-ticket items as they have in the past, but also place greater emphasis on debt sustainability, analysts say.

Recent deadly protests in Kenya were triggered by the government’s need “to service its debt burden to international creditors, including China”, said Alex Vines, head of the Africa Programme at London’s Chatham House.

In light of such events, Vines and other analysts expect African leaders at this week’s forum to seek not only more Chinese investment but also more favourable loans.

The United States, US, Republic presidential candidate, Donald Trump, on Sunday warned Americans against his counterpart from the Democrat, Kamala Harris.

Trump warned that Harris would bring about poverty and chaos to Americans if voted president.

The former US president described Harris as a threat to America’s democracy.

Posting on X, Trump said the Vice President is the weakest presidential candidate in US history.

He wrote: “Think of it, America, Pocahontas, sometimes referred to as Elizabeth Warren, is considered far more Conservative in the U.S. Senate than Comrade Kamala Harris ever was.

“Is this really what we want to be President of the United States? She will only bring us Poverty, Chaos, and Heartache! Kamala is rated, by far, the Number One Most Liberal Senator.

“Kamala Harris is the Weakest Presidential Candidate in History on Crime. She’s allowed millions of people to pour through our Borders, many from prisons, mental institutions and, indeed, terrorists, coming in at levels never seen before.

“What gives her the right to run for President? She got no votes to Biden’s 14 Million. She failed in her previous attempt, was the first one out of 22 people to quit, never made it to Iowa, and now she’s a Presidential Candidate? This is a Threat to Democracy!”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a committee to review and manage the various risks facing the country.

Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi made this known at the annual conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute, CRMI in Lagos on Thursday.

He noted that the committee was expected to submit findings within four weeks to the presidency.

According to him, President Tinubu understands the importance of risk management in the country’s economy, the reason for setting up a committee.

“I am delighted to say that His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who understands the importance of risk management and its implications for our economy at large, has recently set up a committee to look into ways we can manage risks, credit risks better and he gave us a mandate to report back to him within the next four weeks,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Council at CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni said the council has put forward legislation at the National Assembly on Risk Management.

He noted that the bill on risk management at the National Assembly has already passed the first reading.

“One of the key initiatives of the institute is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly, as I promised last year.

“The bill has already passed its first reading. This legislation mandates that every ministry, department, and agency establishe a risk management function”, he said.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has established a committee to review and manage the various risks facing the country.

Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Dr Olasupo Olusi made this known at the annual conference of the Chartered Risk Management Institute, CRMI in Lagos on Thursday.

He noted that the committee was expected to submit findings within four weeks to the presidency.

According to him, President Tinubu understands the importance of risk management in the country’s economy, the reason for setting up a committee.

“I am delighted to say that His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, who understands the importance of risk management and its implications for our economy at large, has recently set up a committee to look into ways we can manage risks, credit risks better and he gave us a mandate to report back to him within the next four weeks,” he said.

On his part, the Chairman of the Council at CRMI, Ezekiel Oseni said the council has put forward legislation at the National Assembly on Risk Management.

He noted that the bill on risk management at the National Assembly has already passed the first reading.

“One of the key initiatives of the institute is sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly, as I promised last year.

“The bill has already passed its first reading. This legislation mandates that every ministry, department, and agency establishe a risk management function”, he said.

Obi Aguocha (LP-Abia) says the planned protest by a group was meant to discredit him on allegations concerning lack of constituency projects and accountability.

Mr Aguocha, the lawmaker representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituencies, said this in a statement on Monday.

”A group going by the name of Niger Delta Youth Peace Builders is being sponsored by certain individuals to cast aspersions on my person in Abuja,” the legislator explained. “The said group is being sponsored to protest under the guise of lack of constituency projects, accountable representation, and the management of rice palliatives in our great constituency.

He questioned the business of the Niger Delta youths in the affairs of Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South federal constituency.

“While I respect and recognise their rights to a peaceful assembly of citizens and freedom of expression as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“These rights are fundamental to our democracy. We encourage them to carry out their activities peacefully and in compliance with the existing laws.”

Mr Aguocha said he valued the safety and well-being of all his constituents, regardless of their political persuasion. He urged them to ensure that their protest remained a positive and constructive engagement.

He said the concerns raised in their notice were not out of place, adding that he had consistently worked hard to secure viable projects for the constituency.

The lawmaker added that this includes infrastructure and human capital development opportunities in the Appropriations Act 2024 for the federal constituency.

“The Appropriation Act is open source and easily verifiable. This is in line with his avowed campaign promises for projects aimed at improving the lives of our great people,” stated the legislator.

He explained that the projects would be executed when the federal government released funds to contractors for their implementation. Mr Aguocha, however, stated that it was significant to note that projects in the Appropriation Act undergo rigorous due process, including their award to eligible contractors.

”We are committed to maintaining transparency and accountability. We will continue to provide regular updates to our constituents,” the federal legislator said.