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Atiku says elections in Rivers was “an awful absurdity” and urging opposition parties to reject the outcome

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Atiku says elections in Rivers was “an awful absurdity” and urging opposition parties to reject the outcome

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned Saturday’s local government elections in Rivers State, describing the exercise as “an awful absurdity” and urging opposition parties to reject the outcome.

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) had earlier announced the results on Sunday, declaring the All Progressives Congress (APC) victorious in 20 out of 23 local government areas (LGAs), while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won three LGAs, including Obio-Akpor, Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA). Governor Siminalayi Fubara notably lost his Opobo-Nkoro LGA to the APC.

In a statement released on his official X handle, Atiku said the conduct of the polls undermined Nigeria’s democracy.

“The local government election conducted by the occupation government in Rivers State is an awful absurdity and a travesty to the very notion of elective democracy,” he wrote.

The former VP accused the APC of manipulating the process to gain undue political advantage. 

“By the shameful and shambolic manner in which the occupation government went ahead to conduct local government elections in Rivers State, it is clear that the ruling APC party is not leaving anyone in doubt that it is prepared to throw caution to the wind in order to achieve an inordinate political advantage,” Atiku said.

The PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 general election further called on Nigerians and the international community to take note of the development. 

“It therefore becomes necessary to call the attention of well-meaning Nigerians, the international community, and all friends and partners of Nigeria to the dangerous curve that the President Bola Tinubu regime is taking our dear country,” he added.

Atiku also urged opposition parties in Rivers to reject the results, insisting the election lacked legitimacy.

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Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Federal Government of funding bandits

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Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Federal Government of funding bandits

Former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused the Federal Government of deliberately empowering armed bandits through policies that provide them with monthly allowances and food supplies under the guise of non-kinetic security strategies.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme, El-Rufai described the approach as a “kiss-the-bandits policy” driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA).

“What I will not do is to pay bandits, give them a monthly allowance, or send food to them in the name of non-kinetic. It’s nonsense; we’re empowering bandits,” the former governor said.

He argued that such measures only embolden the criminals and worsen insecurity. 

“You don’t empower your enemy; you don’t give him money to go and buy sophisticated weapons. That is why the insecurity problem has not gone away and will not go away as long as this policy continues,” El-Rufai added.

The former minister of the Federal Capital Territory maintained that negotiations and incentives for bandits were counterproductive. 

“My position has always been that the only repentant bandit is a dead one. Let’s kill them all. Let’s bomb them until they are reduced to nothing, and then the five per cent that still want to be rehabilitated can be rehabilitated,” he insisted.

El-Rufai further claimed that residents of northern states such as Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna are aware of the alleged government-backed appeasement. 

“They can deceive, they can cover up, they can do propaganda, but those that live in Katsina, those that live in Zamfara, those that live in Kaduna… they know what is happening,” he said.

Challenging the authorities, he added: “Let the governor or anyone come and deny. When the time comes, we will reveal everything.”

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United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking Nigerian valid visas

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United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking Nigerian valid visas

The United States Embassy in Nigeria has quietly begun revoking valid visas previously issued to Nigerian citizens, leaving professionals, entrepreneurs, frequent travellers, and families stranded with disrupted plans and mounting costs.

Former Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Olufemi Soneye, made this known in an article yesterday titled: ‘The quiet revocation: Why is the U.S. silently cancelling Nigerians’ visas?’

According to him, several affected individuals have confirmed receiving official letters from the embassy in recent weeks, instructing them to submit their passports at the consulate in Lagos or Abuja. Upon submission, their visas were summarily cancelled without explanation.

The cancellation notices, citing Title 22, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 41.122, vaguely stated that “new information became available after the visa was issued,” but provided no details, evidence, or avenues for appeal.

Among those impacted are a prominent journalist, the head of a federal government agency scheduled to deliver an international address, and an Abuja-based entrepreneur with a spotless travel record.

Others include professionals and frequent travellers who rely on visas for education, family reunions, medical treatment, and critical business engagements.

Several were forced to cancel overseas trips at short notice, refund tickets, and explain to partners why they could no longer attend important meetings.

In some cases, travellers only discovered the cancellations at airports and boarding gates, with a few briefly detained by immigration officials before being turned back.

Despite the gravity of the situation, neither the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria nor Nigerian authorities have issued a public statement addressing the wave of cancellations, leaving affected citizens in limbo.

Those affected insist they have never overstayed visas, violated immigration rules, or raised security concerns. The sudden revocations have therefore sparked growing fears of a quiet but targeted tightening of U.S. visa policy against Nigerians.

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Nuhu Ribadu has strongly rejected allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that the Federal Government is pampering bandits

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Nuhu Ribadu has strongly rejected allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that the Federal Government is pampering bandits

Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu has strongly rejected allegations by former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai that the Federal Government is pampering bandits and offering them incentives.

Mr El-Rufai claimed on Sunday night during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, alleging that the Office of the NSA (ONSA) coordinates a policy of payments to criminal groups.

The former governor alleged on the programme that the federal government was enabling bandits by paying, feeding andpampering them as part of the administration’s non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity.

“What I will not do is to pay bandits, give them a monthly allowance, or send food to them in the name of non-kinetic,” Mr El-Rufai said when the achor, Seun Okinbaloye, asked him to compare his and the incumbent government’s approach to countering terrorism and banditry. “It’s nonsense; we’re empowering bandits.

“It’s not the government of Kaduna State; it’s a national policy driven by the Office of the National Security Adviser, and Kaduna is part of it. Kiss the bandits; that’s the new policy.”

But in a statement sent to newsmen early Monday, Mr Ribadu’s office described the allegation as “false, baseless, and deeply insulting to the sacrifices of Nigeria’s security forces.”

“At no time has the ONSA, or any arm of government under this administration, engaged in ransom payments or inducements to criminals,” the statement signed by Zakari Mijinyawa said.

“On the contrary, we have consistently warned Nigerians against paying ransom. El-Rufai’s allegations are not only false but also contradict verifiable facts on ground.”

The ONSA said the government adopted from the outset a dual approach of “decisive kinetic operations alongside community engagements aimed at addressing local grievances.”

The outcome, it said, is now visible in places like Igabi, Birnin Gwari and Giwa local governments of Kaduna, which were once plagued by bandit violence but are “now experiencing relative peace.”

Mr Ribadu’s office also cited the elimination of notorious bandit leaders, including Boderi, Baleri, Sani Yellow Janburos, Buhari, and Boka, as well as the dismantling of Ansaru terror bases in Kaduna and the arrest of their leaders.

“These successes came at a cost,” the statement noted. “Some of our brave officers paid the supreme price. For a former governor of a state in person of El-Rufai to deny these sacrifices on national television is both unfair and deeply insulting to the memories of our security personnel.”

The NSA’s office warned political actors to “desist from dragging national security institutions into partisan battles,” adding that “the fight against banditry is a collective struggle, not a platform for political point-scoring.”

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In Niger State, angry youths lynched a female food seller over refusal to marry her nephew 

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In Niger State, angry youths lynched a female food seller over refusal to marry her nephew 

A female food seller simply identified as Ammaye has been lynched in Mariga local government area of Niger State by angry youths over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad. 

The incident was said to have occurred at Kasuwan Garba in the council area. According to eyewitnesses, the face-off began at a nearby community of Igwama where the woman, who is also a Muslim and well known by residents as a food seller, reportedly exchanged words with a young man said to be her nephew. 

It was gathered that the young man jokingly told her that he wanted to marry her to “fulfil the Sunnah” and that made the woman to make comments considered blasphemous, causing outrage among the locals. 

The matter was said to have been taken to the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan Garba, where the woman was interrogated and she reportedly repeated what she said earlier.

The development made the District Head to hand her over to security operatives for further investigation, but a crowd of agitated youths insisted on her immediate execution. 

It was further gathered that despite attempts by security personnel to protect her, the mob overpowered them and stoned her to death. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Adamu said calm has since been restored to the area.

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Liverpool edged Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s late strike

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Liverpool edged Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s late strike

Liverpool edged Arsenal 1-0 at Anfield on Sunday, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s late strike proving the difference in a tense Premier League clash.

The Hungarian midfielder settled the contest in the 83rd minute, rifling a long-range free kick beyond David Raya to hand Arne Slot’s men a vital victory.

Both sides had cancelled each other out for most of the encounter.

Liverpool saw an earlier by Hugo Ekitike effort ruled out for offside, while Arsenal, stripped of key players including Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz, struggled to create clear chances in attack.

Mikel Arteta’s men also suffered an early setback when William Saliba limped off after just four minutes, further weakening their defensive shape.

Despite spells of possession, the visitors could not find a breakthrough.

Liverpool’s win extended their strong home form and pushed them further up the table, while Arsenal’s injury-hit squad left Anfield empty-handed, adding pressure as they chase consistency in the title race.

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NAFDAC sealed illegal cosmetic production facility over illegal bleaching products

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NAFDAC sealed illegal cosmetic production facility over illegal bleaching products

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control has sealed an illegal cosmetic production facility, Shine Shine Skincare, located in Agege, Lagos State, following the discovery of unregistered and hazardous bleaching products being manufactured under substandard conditions.

The operation, conducted by NAFDAC officials, revealed a range of products falsely marketed as “organic” and safe for use, despite being produced in violation of Good Manufacturing Practices.

Shine Shine Skincare, which has 100,000 followers on Instagram under the handle of its founder, Devine Nikiruka Adebayo, was found to be producing unregistered products such as Peeling White Scrub, Glass Scrub Wash, AntiagingRadiant Glow, and Customised Whitening Black Soap.

According to NAFDAC in a statement on its X account on Sunday, the items were discovered to contain unsafe levels of banned substances.

“Investigations revealed that such deceptively formulated products often contain unsafe levels of banned substances, including corticosteroid-based bleaching agents, which can cause severe health risks such as skin thinning, delayed healing, and increased vulnerability to injury,” the statement read.

NAFDAC urged the public to remain vigilant when purchasing cosmetic and other regulated products.

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Reactions as the sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Phyna, Ruth Otabor is dead

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Reactions as the sister of Big Brother Naija Season 7 winner, Phyna, Ruth Otabor is dead

The family announced her death on Sunday through a statement by Eko Solicitors & Advocates, saying Ruth passed on to glory on Sunday, at about 6:30 a.m.

“With a heavy heart, the family regrets to announce the passing on to glory of their daughter, sister, and mother on this 31st Day of August, 2025 at about 06:30Hrs,” the statement read.

The family added that they are grieving and requested privacy to mourn Ruth.

“The family is presently grieving and will appreciate to be given a private moment to mourn the departed.

“The funeral arrangement will be communicated to the public in due course,” the statement added.

Ruth had suffered a tragic accident just weeks earlier.

She underwent a leg amputation after being hit by a truck linked to Dangote Group near Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. Eyewitnesses said the heavy-duty truck crushed her leg before it was eventually stopped by a bystander.

The accident occurred only six days after Ruth graduated from Auchi Polytechnic. Her sudden death has left the family and fans in mourning.

https://twitter.com/unusualphyna/status/1962190478536851943

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Here’s why Motorists, passengers are stranded along Lagos-Benin Expressway

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Here’s why Motorists, passengers are stranded along Lagos-Benin Expressway

Some road users and artillery truck drivers trapped on the Lagos-Benin Expressway have called on the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to urgently fix the failed portion of a bridge along the Isoko axis of the highway to save lives and ensure smooth transportation of goods from one place to another.

A viral video trending online showed some motorists and passengers stranded on the highway as a truck fell near the failed portion of the bridge passing over a river along the route, hindering other vehicles from moving inward and outward along the axis.

One of the stranded passengers, who did not identify himself, lamented the difficulty experienced by drivers and passengers stranded on the dilapidated bridge for over two hours, calling the attention of the minister to fix the failed portion of the road daily used by truck drivers and travellers for their business operations.

He wondered why Umahi would focus on the construction of the Lagos-Calabar highway and abandon the failed portion of the Lagos-Benin Expressway, which many Nigerians use daily for economic activities due to its direct route to Lagos, the country’s economic hub.

“This is a failed portion of a bridge on the Lagos-Benin Expressway, yet our Minister is busy constructing the Lagos-Calabar Expressway, a road to nonsense.

“Do you know how many trucks pass here? If you know the number of trucks trapped here, it means the Nigerian economy is affected because of the goods on the trapped trucks that cannot be transported. The fallen truck is lucky that it did not fall into the river,” he added.

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Festus Keyamo panics, warns PDP against fielding former President Jonathan for 2027 elections 

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Festus Keyamo panics, warns PDP against fielding former President Jonathan for 2027 elections 

Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Festus Keyamo, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan or ex-Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi in the 2027 elections, citing legal and political risks.

The former Minister of State for Labour and Employment in a post shared on social media, analysed the party’s position following its decision to zone the 2027 presidential ticket to the southern region. 

He described the situation as “not an enviable one at all,” noting that the PDP lost its longstanding dominance in the South-South and South-East regions during the 2023 elections after failing to zone its ticket.

According to Keyamo, fielding Jonathan could expose the PDP to a constitutional risk. “One of its attractive targets as a Presidential candidate is ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, because of his purported eligibility to run for only one term. But, if he is fielded, the Party runs the RISK of NOT HAVING A CANDIDATE AT ALL by virtue of section 137 (3) of the 1999 Constitution (Fourth Amendment),” he wrote. 

Keyamo explained that the constitutional amendment was enacted after the 2015 court judgment that cleared Jonathan to run, meaning the legal question remains undecided and could be settled only by the Supreme Court.

Keyamo also highlighted the challenges of fielding a southern candidate from the South-West, including Peter Obi. He argued that regional voting dynamics could limit the PDP’s chances: “No other region of the country will vote for a fresh Yoruba candidate who would be eligible for fresh two terms in office. And that candidate will battle with the well-oiled APC structures in the S/West. You need a majority of at least 3 to 4 regions in Nigeria to win the Presidency.”

He further noted that returning to Obi could alienate supporters who see him as abandoning his previous stance on governance reform, potentially weakening his base: “The principled ones amongst the ‘obidients’ will see him as going back to his vomit of ‘structure of criminality’ and may not be too vociferous in their support anymore.”

Keyamo attributed the PDP’s current predicament to what he described as an “original sin” in 2023 when the party failed to zone its presidential ticket to the South. 

He concluded that unless extraordinary circumstances arise, the PDP may need to wait until 2031 to regain strategic advantage.

“The young social media warriors may lampoon anyone talking about these zoning sentiments, but that is the REALITY of our politics and it is not about to end,” he said.

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A former Police officer arrested for raping children

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A former Police officer arrested for raping children

A former officer with the police’s child protection unit in the southern French city of Marseille will face trial on Monday for allegedly raping and sexually abusing Filipino street children.

The 46-year-old ex-policeman, who has been in custody for four years, was arrested after the head of a youth shelter reported that a 17-year-old resident, a rape victim, had been receiving inappropriate late-night messages from the lead officer on his case.

Marseille prosecutors launched an investigation and raided the policeman’s home in June 2021, where they seized thousands of child pornography images.

The probe led them to the Philippines, where the man travelled each year as head of the French branch of a charity helping street children in the capital, Manila.

Two Filipino orphan boys, aged 12 and 15, told investigators the man had paid the equivalent of a few dozen euros (dollars) in exchange for sex on a piece of wasteland and then at his apartment.

“This was a Machiavellian scheme — an unprecedented modus operandi in which someone presents themselves as an ambassador for child protection,” said Celine Astolfe, lawyer for France’s Foundation for Childhood, a plaintiff at the trial.

Four other child protection charities are also plaintiffs. The criminal trial, held in the southern city of Aix-en-Provence, is due to conclude on Thursday.

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Poverty is everywhere, youths are jobless, and the economy is collapsing under Tinubu – Sule Lamido hits hard 

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Poverty is everywhere, youths are jobless, and the economy is collapsing under Tinubu – Sule Lamido hits hard 

Former Jigawa State Governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Sule Lamido has launched a blistering critique of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing both the Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Tinubu administrations of betraying Nigerians and inflicting hardship on them.

Speaking at the expanded caucus of the PDP in Dutse, Lamido drew heavily on his four-decade-long political journey, warning that the country was “sliding deeper into poverty and hopelessness” under the APC’s rule.

“Since Buhari and now Tinubu, Nigerians are suffering. Poverty is everywhere, youths are jobless, and the economy is collapsing. They say they are fighting for Nigeria, but in reality, they only fight for themselves and their pockets,” he declared.

Lamido, who traced his political roots to the PRP struggles of 1979, said Jigawa’s political heritage of integrity and sacrifice must not be betrayed. He reminded PDP loyalists that politics was never meant to be about “insults or selfish ambition” but about justice, fairness, and service to the masses.

Against the backdrop of worsening economic hardship, the ex-governor positioned the PDP as the only viable alternative capable of restoring dignity, equity, and justice to Nigeria’s governance.

“I have been part of this struggle since the 1970s. I know what it means to fight for democracy and for the poor. Tinubu’s government, just like Buhari’s, has failed Nigerians. Instead of relief, there is corruption, hardship, and arrogance of power,” Lamido said.

Despite his sharp criticisms, Lamido struck a note of optimism, insisting that with unity and discipline, the PDP could once again lead Nigeria to progress.

“I believe in Jigawa, I believe in the PDP, and I believe we can reclaim our dignity. Let us not be deceived by empty promises. Let us remember our history and protect our future,” he charged.

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