Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Chief Bisi Kolawole was declared the winner of the primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ekiti State yesterday to fly the party's flag in the June 18 governorship election. He scored a total of 671 votes to defeat his closest rival, Oni, who polled 330 votes. Other highlights of the poll included void votes, 13; Adekemi Adewumi, one; Biodun Olujimi, two; Lateef Ajijola, one; Ayodeji Kazeem, six; Kayode Adaramodu, 10; Kolapo Olusola, 93 and Adewale Aribisala, 56. Governor Udom Emmanuel appreciated party members for their maturity and cooperation. Kolawole resigned his position as Ekiti PDP chairman to contest the governorship election, while Fayose endorsed him as a bridge-builder who will usher in a better future for Ekiti and the PDP. Abubakar Badaru, chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee for Ekiti, has assured of a free, fair and credible primary, with only members with valid membership cards and voter cards allowed to participate.

The fractures and frictions in Nigeria's two major political parties, the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are pointers to the stunted growth of the country's party's system. Recently, the Director-General of Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF), Dr. Salihu Lukman, resigned his appointment as the manager of policy, strategy and governance system of state governors elected on the platform of APC. Lukman contested against the incumbent Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El Rufai, for the APC gubernatorial ticket in 2014, but lost due to certain considerations that favoured El-Rufai. Lukman expected that his home governor may not side with him on issues revolving around the performance of his office, but he did not allow that to constrain or make him circumspect in holding his political views and upholding his democratic rights. He regretted that some members of the PGF became intolerant to the opposition in their desire to dominate the governing party, but from the vantage position of his office as DG of the APC governors' forum, he was able to distil information and vote against tyranny, impunity.

President Muhammadu Buhari has declared that he will not interfere in the 2023 Presidential election, expressing his willingness to accept anyone elected by Nigerians. He also admitted to having a favourite candidate among presidential aspirants, but declined to mention his name. He described the PDP as a "failure" and said his government has done its best to maintain security and stop importation of rice and other food items. President Buhari expressed his willingness to sign the amended Electoral Bill he vetoed and returned to the National Assembly if there are choices for political parties to elect their candidates. He also expressed his reservation to the establishment of state police and called on the agitators to define their definition of restructuring. He also urged Nigerians to return to farming to stop importation and provide jobs for the youths.

On Wednesday, retired military personnel marched through Abuja under the banner of the Coalition for Concerned Veterans to demand payment of the pension arrears that resulted from the introduction of the new minimum wage. which picketed the Ministry of Finance and said that even though they had written to the Minister of Defence, we had given them the reins and that their compensation was excessive under government policy.

The 2023 presidential election substantially complied with the Electoral Act, the Independent National Electoral Commission insisted yesterday. Who was testifying as INEC’s first defence witness, While being cross-examined by Chief Wole Olanipekun, counsel for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, either transmitted electronically or manually. Stressing that collation was done manually. Sponsored Millionaire Man Reveals $127/ Sponsored credit icon Advertisement Bayode added that having not collated results electronically, The witness said he was aware that INEC announced, Chris Uche objected to the admissibility of the document, the court admitted it in evidence. While being led in evidence by INEC’s counsel Abubakar Mahmoud, Before the witness was invited, Mahmoud tendered from the Bar, a certified true copy of a letter dated July 6 2022, from the APC acknowledged by INEC. Uche then brought a copy of the report, tendered it as evidence, not all the results were uploaded to IREV. The witness said his agency needed not to file any report. Glitches do not happen with the BVAS machine. Mahmoud announced the closure of INEC’s case, following which Olanipekun announced that his client will open defence today. INEC was scheduled to open its defence in the case yesterday. The one slated for yesterday was unavailable because of some family issues. Presiding Justice Haruna Tsammani adjournment till 9am today.