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Gunmen suspected to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have bombed one of the police stations, killing three policemen in the process in Anambra state.
The Nation reports that the incident occurred around 10 a.m. on Monday, September 16, in the Orumba South Local Government Area.
Following the attack, Joint Security Forces—including the Military, Police, Navy, Civil Defence, and Vigilance groups—recovered five unexploded bombs at the scene.
Reports indicated that the assailants were attempting to enforce the Monday sit-at-home order when they clashed with security personnel.
While eyewitnesses reported three fatalities and additional injuries, Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesperson for the state police command, confirmed that two policemen were killed in the attack.
He said: “The Joint Security Forces comprising of the Police, Army, Navy, Civil defence and other Security Agencies recovered five unexploded improvised explosives and are on the trail of arsonist and armed successionist group members, who in the early hours of today 16/9/2024 attacked the Umunze Police Station.
“The suspected Armed Proscribed Group invaded the Police Facility with improvised explosives, shooting sporadically and fire caught part of the Station.
“Unfortunately, two of the Police Operatives on duty during the gun battle in a bid to resist the assailants from causing more havoc paid the supreme price. Their bodies have been recovered and taken to the morgue”.
Meanwhile, he said the Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Itam visited the scene, on a spot assessment to reinforce and reassess security deployment.
[TheNation]
The World Trade Organisation Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has announced her intention to seek another four-year term as head of the trade organisation.
She disclosed this in an interview with Reuters on Monday, stating that she hopes to complete “unfinished business” from her first mandate.
Okonjo-Iweala, who served as Nigeria’s finance minister, took office in March 2021 as the first female and African head of the 30-year-old trade body. Her current term expires on 31 August 2025.
She said, “I would like to be part of this chapter of the WTO story, and I stand ready to compete for the position,” Okonjo-Iweala said, citing a letter she plans to send to the trade body’s main decision-making body.
“For my second term, I intend to focus on delivering,” she added, mentioning that among her priorities are addressing “unfinished business.”
These priorities include finalising a deal on ending fisheries subsidies, achieving a breakthrough in global agriculture negotiations, reforming the WTO’s struggling dispute system, and decarbonising trade.
Officially, she has until the end of November to decide whether to apply again.
However, the African-led initiative to start early, which began in July before U.S. President Joe Biden withdrew from the election campaign, was seen as a move to secure her second term ahead of the U.S. vote in November.
Under WTO consensus rules, this would be possible if no other candidates come forward and all member states support her.
In 2020, the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump blocked her appointment, a move seen by some as an attack on an organisation he had previously described as “horrible.”
She secured U.S. backing when Joe Biden succeeded Trump in 2021.
Asked whether both she and the WTO could be successful if Trump were re-elected, she said: “I don’t focus on that because I have no control.”
[Punch]
Popular Nollywood actor, Emmanuel France has reportedly passed away.
The news of his tragic passing was shared by Nigerian filmmaker, Olufemi Ogedengbe on his Instagram page.
Describing him as a legend and an uncle, Femi recalled taking the late actor to Tanzania in 2006 and they worked on three movie projects together. However, the cause of his death is currently unknown.
He wrote: “Rest in peace to one of Nollywood legends. Uncle Emmanuel France, One of the actors I took to Tanzania in 2006 , Shot three movie with him ; Cross MY sin, She Is My Sister & THE Director. R.I.P”
Fans and online users mourned the actor in the comment section.
SEE POST:
2027: I’ll Work Against Peter Obi If He Chooses to be Vice President under any candidate — Aisha Yesufu
AFOLABI
Nigerian activist, Aisha Yesufu has issued a warning to Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election.
She stated that she will work against the ticket of Mr Peter Obi if he chooses to become Vice President under another candidate in 2027 presidential election.
Aisha Yesufu who made this statement in a video on Monday questioned why Nigerians are always asking the best to be second.
Aisha’s statement is not unconnected to the report that Obi expressed his willingness to work with another candidate who’s more qualified than him as Vice President.
Recall that Peter Obi, who was the presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election showed willingness to work together with fellow politicians for the upcoming 2027 election.
In an interview with News Central, Peter Obi stated his readiness to collaborate with individuals across the political spectrum, including Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the ex-presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Obi emphasized that any collaboration must focus on improving the lives of citizens rather than just winning elections.
He said, “I’m ready to collaborate with anyone who is interested in lifting people out of poverty. If the collaboration is for state capture or just to win an election, I will not be part of it.”
When asked if he would consider being a vice president for another politician, Obi stated that he would be open to the role if he found someone who could do the job better than he could.
He clarified, “Quite frankly, for me, I’m not desperate to be Nigerian president. I am desperate to see Nigeria work. If I see people who can do the work better, I will.”
However, Peter Obi, on Saturday via his official X handle debunked this statement, saying that he has never stated he would be Vice President to anyone in the 2027 general elections.
He added that some fifth columnists resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative of the interview.
“Let me reiterate clearly what I said, which is on record. I do not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges,” Obi said.
Businesswoman, May Yul-Edochie, has shared new photos of herself as she turns a year older today September 16.
The estranged wife of actor Yul Edochie, posted the photos on her Instagram page this morning with the caption
“At exactly this time, many years back a Queen was born. I present to you, HER… Amb. Queen May Yul-Edochie”
May and Yul enjoyed marital bliss until he introduced actress Judy Austin as his second wife in 2021 and welcomed a son with her. May has since refused to be numbered as his first wife and is currently in court for the dissolution of their marriage.
See more photos below…
Usage of electrical appliances is one lifestyle Nigerians have come to embrace to achieve ease and save time in the various activities they perform in their homes.
During the era of pre-paid metres, gadgets such as electric stove, cooker, blenders, washing machines, boiling rings, pressing iron, deep freezers, among others, were highly purchased by households to either upgrade their kitchens or ease time in activities surrounding their lives.
Many especially women join thrift’s contribution (ajo or esusu as popularly known in Nigeria) to be able to raise money to purchase some of these items thereby putting smiles on the faces of producers and distributors of such gadgets.
However, the economy and lifestyle has discovered that many households have now abandoned the use of most of these gadgets since the introduction of prepaid meters.
Some ended up selling them to people selling fairly used products or other people still on post paid meters.
Mrs. Bridget Johnson, a banker said: “ Since I started using prepaid meter, I have stopped using most of my gadgets, especially the electric cooker, washing machine, pressing iron, among other things.
“We watch television set once a day. I had to buy an ipad where I downloaded various types of cartoons and educational materials for my kids to keep them busy.
“We switch off the lights and put on my fridge for three hours and switch it off once it is iced for a day.
“The rate at which the prepaid meter runs is alarming of recently.
“Before I pay N32 per unit and when I load N10,000 with strict adherence to the rules my husband and I placed in the house it lasts us up to two weeks for the bills to get exhausted.
“But recently, I discovered that when I loaded the N10,000 it wasn’t up to the two weeks before it finished.
“I had to call the electricity distribution office where they told me I had been transferred to band A.
“I was so pissed off with such a transition but had no choice than to accept it .
“In Nigeria of today you have to cut costs whether you like it or not.”
Mr. Shodimu Olorunfemi, a businessman, said: “Using a prepaid meter has its own advantages. “One of them is regulating what you consume.
“By doing so you have to forfeit carrying out certain lifestyles, especially using electronic gadgets that consume lots of electricity.
“Such gadgets like electric cooker, hot plate, pressing iron, refrigerator, Air conditioner, among others consume higher units of electricity.
“In my house, I prohibited the switching on of lights during the day and also watching television all the time.
“Except I have a very important event I want to attend, I don’t iron my clothes. I pick the clothes for each day and hang them to straighten up.
“My wife and I had to give out most of our gadgets to family members and friends who use post paid meters.
“With this development and the state of the economy, those selling electronic gadgets are on the losing side because people like us will not even have a spoilt gadget talk of buying a new one.”
For Mrs. Bakare Judith, a secretary and newly wed, she sold all her home appliances that consume high electricity units.
“I had to sell most of the electric gadgets I brought to my husband’s house when I discovered that he was using a prepaid meter.
“I use the blender once in two months and ironing is done once in a blue moon.
Mercy Ishaya, a 25-year-old lady who was abducted, has regained freedom.
She regained freedom after exposing the kidnappers who abducted her from the New Bwari community in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to Daily Trust, the victim was abducted on August 28, 2024, while her father, Godiya Ishaya, a businessman, was hit and left in the pool of his blood.
However, luck came the way of the victim when soldiers intercepted a Toyota Sienna conveying the bandits who were fleeing a security offensive in Dogon-Daji Forest in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
A family member of the victim told the publication that upon stopping the bus, the girl immediately spoke out, telling the soldiers that she was abducted by the suspects and gave her father’s phone number to the soldiers.
He said the girl was taken to the hospital before reuniting with her family while the suspects were taken to a military barracks in Kaduna.
The commander of vigilantes in Tafa LGA, Abubakar Hussaini, confirmed the incident to the publication.
Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh has said divorcing her ex-husband, Olakunle Churchill, was the best decision she has ever made.
She stated this while sharing the advice she gave to a fellow single mother.
The single mother had privately reached out to her via her Instagram DM, questioning how she was able to cope when her ex left her and their son.
Replying to her, the actress corrected her that she was the one who left the marriage for her and her son’s sake and not the other way round.
Dikeh wrote: “First and foremost, I was the one who chose to walk away from my marriage, not the other way around. I needed to escape a difficult situation, not just for my own sake, but for my child as well. Best decision I ever made.”
She told the woman that she has the power to become the person she aspires to be as long as she commits to growth and invests in herself.
Sharing the message on her Instagram page, Dikeh wrote, “Dear single mothers, I don’t have a manual for these things. I am neither a pro in this movement.
“My biggest teacher has been love. I just let God do his thing, and his thing is enough for me. Draw strength from God, most especially keep your family matters private.”
DAILY POST recalls that Tonto Dikeh’s marriage to Churchill crashed in 2017 over allegations of infidelity and domestic violence.
The marriage produced a child, a boy.
Despite their divorce, the former couple still drag themselves on social media, with Tonto accusing him of being a deadbeat father.
In his defence, Churchill claimed it was the actress who denied him access to their son.
Nollywood star, Adunni Ade has expressed her admiration for her colleague, Ramsey Nouah.
Featuring in a recent episode of Hip TV programme Trending, hosted by reality star KimOprah, Ade revealed that she has always admired the veteran actor.
She disclosed that he was behind her decision to abandon her career as a model in America and relocate to Nigeria.
She said, “He [Ramsey Nouah] was the one who gave me confirmation to move to Nigeria. I met him before I came to Nigeria and I told him what my goals and aspirations were. And he gave me a very good pep talk and I moved down.
“Imagine from 2011 never getting to work with him. And this is someone you’ve always admired. Then during a film festival, I saw him and I went to exchange pleasantries as usual.
“The next day, I got a call from the producer Chris, his very good friend, and he said, ‘Adunni, what did you give Ramsey to eat? Ramsey just cast you.’
“I had goosebumps. I was so happy to work with him on set. He is so different when he is working. I’ve been featured in another project with him. I cannot disclose that right now. I have seen him as Ramsey Nouah the human being, Ramsey Nouah the director, and Ramsey Nouah the co-actor. He is just a phenomenal human being.”
Adunni Ade moved to Nigeria in 2011.
She landed her first Nollywood role when she acted in the Yoruba language film ‘You or I’ in 2013.
She has featured in over 250 Nollywood movies in both English and Yoruba languages.
The Edo State government has accused former governor, Adams Oshiomhole, of planning to rig the forthcoming governorship election in polling units around his hometown in Iyamho.
The Edo Polls will be taking place on September 21.
However, the State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, while speaking during a press conference in Benin City, the Edo State capital, on Sunday, claimed that Oshiomhole was colluding with the Commander of Mopol and his men to sabotage the election in his hometown.
Nehikhare claimed that the same scenario played out in the last election in 2020.
The Commissioner said, “We are aware of plans that have already been concluded by Senator Adams Oshiomhole to engage the Commander of Mopol 60 and his men who have been engaged to provide shield in the polling units around Senator Oshiomhole’s home in Iyamho in order to allow the Senator and his supporters take the ballot papers and all election materials into his premises and thumbprint all the ballot papers for APC, leaving other parties with no chances of getting fair votes. In the last elections, we gave this information but it was ignored. The BVAS report validated our report as 210 people were accredited but over 1000 votes were recorded.”
Nehikhare alleged that the state government had uncovered massive production of masks and police uniforms by APC agents to veil their thugs to disrupt voting processes in units and wards where they knew they stood no chance of victory.
“Only recently, a chieftain of the APC wore one of those uniforms and the police even presented a defence for such wanton display of impersonation.
“Having confirmed that they cannot win in Okpella, Lampese, Fugar, Ibillo and Agenebode, the APC has concluded plans to use thugs veiled in those masks and police uniforms which they produced to disrupt electoral process and intimidate voters in those areas.
“In Egor Local Government Area, the APC has gathered thugs in the home of a prominent APC leader as well as other houses in the neighborhood under the shield of the Textile Mill Police Station in order to disrupt the voting process in Egor Local Government Area.
“We also uncovered plans by the House of Representatives member representing Ovia Constituency who has engaged about 200 militants for the purpose of disrupting election materials and electoral officials in the riverine axis of the State beginning from Ologbo, Nikorogha, all the way to Siluko. We also understand that these militants have already been ferried into the state and lodged into various hotels. We are giving this information for the security agencies to act swiftly to arrest or dislodge these thugs and plans,” Nehikare added.
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The 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on Sunday in Los Angeles, celebrated the best of television, with several standout performances and shows making history.
The Television Academy took to social media on Monday, congratulating the winners and encouraging fans to watch the ceremony via streaming on Hulu.
FX’s “Shogun” stole the spotlight with a record-breaking haul of 18 Emmys, sweeping categories like Best Drama, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
HBO’s “Hacks” also surprised viewers by winning Best Comedy Series, while Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” claimed the prestigious Best Limited Series award.
Hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy, the ceremony took place at L.A.’s Peacock Theater and was broadcast live on ABC.
Adding to the night’s festivities, the Governor’s Award was presented to producer Greg Berlanti, with Matt Bomer and Joshua Jackson leading the tribute.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the key winners from the night:
Best Drama Series
The Crown (Netflix)
Fallout (Prime Video)
The Gilded Age (HBO)
The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
Shogun (FX) (WINNER)
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
3 Body Problem (Netflix)
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, HBO/Max)
Maya Erskine (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Anna Sawai (Shogun, FX) (WINNER)
Imelda Staunton (The Crown, Netflix)
Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Idris Elba (Hijack, Apple TV+)
Donald Glover (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Walton Goggins (Fallout, Prime Video)
Gary Oldman (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)
Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, FX) (WINNER)
Dominic West (The Crown, Netflix)
Best Drama Series
The Crown (Netflix)
Fallout (Prime Video)
The Gilded Age (HBO)
The Morning Show (Apple TV+)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Prime Video)
Shogun (FX) (WINNER)
Slow Horses (Apple TV+)
3 Body Problem (Netflix)
Best Actress in a Drama Series
Jennifer Aniston (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age, HBO/Max)
Maya Erskine (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Anna Sawai (Shogun, FX) (WINNER)
Imelda Staunton (The Crown, Netflix)
Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Idris Elba (Hijack, Apple TV+)
Donald Glover (Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Walton Goggins (Fallout, Prime Video)
Gary Oldman (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)
Hiroyuki Sanada (Shogun, FX) (WINNER)
Dominic West (The Crown, Netflix)
Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Christine Baranski (The Gilded Age, HBO/Max)
Nicole Beharie (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Elizabeth Debicki (The Crown, Netflix) (WINNER)
Greta Lee (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Lesley Manville (The Crown, Netflix)
Karen Pittman (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Holland Taylor (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Tadanobu Asano (Shogun, FX)
Billy Crudup (The Morning Show, Apple TV+) (WINNER)
Mark Duplass (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Jon Hamm (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Takehiro Hira (Shogun, FX)
Jack Lowden (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)
Jonathan Pryce (The Crown, Netflix)
Best Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
The Bear (FX)
Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO/Max)
Hacks (HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Only Murders in the Building (Hulu)
Palm Royale (Apple TV+)
Reservation Dogs (FX)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX)
Best Actor in a Comedy Series
Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, FX)
Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, HBO/Max)
Steve Martin (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)
Martin Short (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)
Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, FX) (WINNER)
D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs, FX)
Best Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Ayo Edebiri (The Bear, FX)
Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)
Maya Rudolph (Loot, Apple TV+)
Jean Smart (Hacks, HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Kristen Wiig (Palm Royale, Apple TV+)
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Lionel Boyce (The Bear, FX)
Paul W. Downs (Hacks, HBO/Max)
Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear, FX) (WINNER)
Paul Rudd (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)
Tyler James Williams (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live, NBC)
Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Carol Burnett (Palm Royale, Apple TV+)
Liza Colón-Zayas (The Bear, FX) (WINNER)
Hannah Einbinder (Hacks, HBO/Max)
Janelle James (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Sheryl Lee Ralph (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Meryl Streep (Only Murders in the Building, Hulu)
Best Limited or Anthology Series
Baby Reindeer (Netflix) (WINNER)
Fargo (FX)
Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Ripley (Netflix)
True Detective: Night Country (HBO/Max)
Best Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Matt Bomer (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)
Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Netflix) (WINNER)
Jon Hamm (Fargo, FX)
Tom Hollander (Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, FX)
Andrew Scott (Ripley, Netflix)
Best Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Jodie Foster (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Brie Larson (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)
Juno Temple (Fargo, FX)
Sofía Vergara (Griselda, Netflix)
Naomi Watts (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Jonathan Bailey (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)
Robert Downey Jr. (The Sympathizer, HBO/Max)
Tom Goodman-Hill (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)
John Hawkes (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)
Lamorne Morris (Fargo, FX) (WINNER)
Lewis Pullman (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)
Treat Williams (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)
Best Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Dakota Fanning (Ripley, Netflix)
Lily Gladstone (Under the Bridge, Hulu)
Jessica Gunning (Baby Reindeer, Netflix) (WINNER)
Aja Naomi King (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)
Diane Lane (Feud: Capote vs. The Swans, FX)
Nava Mau (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)
Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)
Best Directing for a Drama Series
Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Netflix)
Mimi Leder (The Morning Show, Apple TV+)
Hiro Murai (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Frederick E.O. Toye (Shogun, FX) (WINNER)
Saul Metzstein (Slow Horses, Apple TV+)
Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty, HBO/Max)
Best Directing for a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie
Weronika Tofilska (Baby Reindeer, Netflix)
Noah Hawley (Fargo, FX)
Gus Van Sant (Feud: Capote vs. the Swans, FX)
Millicent Shelton (Lessons in Chemistry, Apple TV+)
Steven Zaillian (Ripley, Netflix) (WINNER)
Issa López (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)
Best Directing for a Comedy Series
Randall Einhorn (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Christopher Storer (The Bear, FX) (WINNER)
Ramy Youssef (The Bear, FX)
Guy Ritchie (The Gentlemen, Netflix)
Lucia Aniello (Hacks, HBO/Max)
Mary Lou Belli (The Ms. Pat Show, BET)
Best Writing for a Drama Series
Peter Morgan, Meriel Sheibani-Clare (The Crown, Netflix)
Geneva Robertson-Dworet, Graham Wagner (Fallout, Prime Video)
Francesca Sloane, Donald Glover (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Prime Video)
Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks (Shogun, FX)
Rachel Kondo, Caillin Puente (Shogun, FX)
Will Smith (Slow Horses, Apple TV+) (WINNER)
Best Writing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
Richard Gadd (Baby Reindeer, Netflix) (WINNER)
Charlie Brooker (Black Mirror, Netflix)
Noah Hawley (Fargo, FX)
Ron Nyswaner (Fellow Travelers, Showtime)
Steven Zaillian (Ripley, Netflix)
Issa López (True Detective: Night Country, HBO/Max)
Best Writing for a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson (Abbott Elementary, ABC)
Christopher Storer (The Bear, FX)
Meredith Scardino, Sam Means (Girls5eva, Netflix)
Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, Jen Statsky (Hacks, HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider (The Other Two, HBO/Max)
Jake Bender, Zach Dunn (What We Do in the Shadows, FX)
Best Writing for a Variety Special
Alex Edelman: Just for Us (HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Jacqueline Novak: Get On Your Knees (Netflix)
John Early: Now More Than Ever (HBO/Max)
Mike Birbiglia: The Old Man and the Pool (Netflix)
The Oscars (ABC)
Best Talk Series
The Daily Show (Comedy Central) (WINNER)
Jimmy Kimmel Live! (ABC)
Late Night With Seth Meyers (NBC)
The Late Show With Stephen Colbert (CBS)
Best Reality-Competition Program
The Amazing Race (CBS)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV)
Top Chef (Bravo)
The Traitors (Peacock) (WINNER)
The Voice (NBC)
Best Scripted Variety Series
Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO/Max) (WINNER)
Saturday Night Live (NBC)
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Illiya Damagum, has declared that the party is fully prepared to defend its votes in the upcoming September 21 gubernatorial election in Edo State, even if it requires sacrificing their blood.
Speaking at the grand finale of the PDP’s campaign rally in Edo, Damagum also cautioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against announcing results in the middle of the night, a tactic often viewed with suspicion.
He made it clear that the party would closely monitor the process to prevent any underhand tactics.
Damagum also urged voters to be vigilant during the election, stating that the outcome in Edo would serve as a critical test for Nigeria’s democracy.
Addressing the crowd, Damagum said, “To INEC, we don’t want that midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”
“And, we know they will rig the election, this is not a threat, but we are very serious and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything.
“To the citizens of this country, please watch the election of Edo, it will be a test for our democracy. If they miss it here, it means they are looking for anarchy. We know they will attempt to do so, but we will resist them.”
He further stressed that any attempt to subvert the will of the people would lead to chaos, but the PDP would stand firm against any such efforts.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, assured the people that the party would not be intimidated.
He boldly stated, “We cannot be intimidated. We will tell them we know how to win election. No body will rig us out. Edo is the cradle of civilization and intellectual in Nigeria, you must not settle for anything less. So, vote for Ighodalo.”
PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, also spoke at the event, highlighting the work of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who he said has laid the groundwork for the state’s future. Ighodalo promised to continue from where Obaseki left off if elected.
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, added that Edo would not succumb to external influence, referencing the state’s history of standing firm in its political choices.
“Edo is not Lagos, and it won’t become Lagos. Come out, vote, protect your votes, and ensure they are counted. If you do this, no one will be able to alter the results, and the PDP will emerge victorious on September 21,” he said.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including PDP governors, Senator Aba Moro, Chief Tom Ikimi, members of the Board of Trustees, and other prominent figures from the State House of Assembly and House of Representatives.
Guber poll: Edo Govt begs International community to prevail on Tinubu to allow free, fair election
AFOLABI
The Edo State Government has appealed to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to instruct security agencies to halt attacks on unarmed Edo residents ahead of next Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
DAILY POST reports that the government also urged international communities to pressure President Tinubu to ensure that the electorate can vote for the political party they believe is best suited to lead the state for the next four years.
State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made the call on Sunday at a press conference in Benin City.
Nehikhare stated that the call was prompted by findings from the government’s intelligence, which allegedly uncovered plans to arrest party members before and during the election, recruit 200 militants and fake police officers to undermine the electoral process in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He alleged that these plots are being orchestrated by APC leaders and chieftains in the state.
He also claimed that security agencies, especially the police, are attacking unarmed and innocent Edo residents and Nigerians simply because they want a free, fair, and credible election.
According to him, “We are using this press conference to call on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to order the security agencies, especially the police, to stop the attacks on unarmed and innocent Edo people and Nigerians. These people have done nothing wrong except that they want a free, fair, and credible election so they can vote for the candidate of their choice.”
“We also call on the International Community, including the embassies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), to pressure President Tinubu so that the electorate in Edo can cast their votes for whoever they believe is best to lead their state for the next four years.”
“Despite all the appeals made to the police to end the indiscriminate arrest of chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), they have deployed additional squads of policemen from outside Edo State to begin the massive arrest of PDP chieftains perceived to be politically influential in their constituencies, in order to facilitate the manipulation of elections in those areas.”
“Our intelligence has also uncovered the massive production of masks and police uniforms by APC agents to disguise their thugs, who they plan to deploy to disrupt voting processes in units and wards where they know they do not stand a chance of victory. Only recently, an APC chieftain was seen wearing one of those uniforms, and the police even defended such blatant impersonation.”
“We have also uncovered plans by the House of Representatives member representing Ovia Constituency, who has allegedly engaged about 200 militants to disrupt election materials and officials in the riverine areas of the state, from Ologbo and Nikorogha to Siluko.
“We understand that these militants have already been transported into the state and lodged in various hotels. We are providing this information for security agencies to act swiftly to arrest or dislodge these thugs and thwart these plans.”
“We are also aware of plans allegedly orchestrated by Senator Adams Oshiomhole to engage the Commander of Mopol 60 and his men to provide protection around Senator Oshiomhole’s residence in Iyamho. This would allow the senator and his supporters to take the ballot papers and election materials into his premises and thumbprint all the ballot papers for APC, leaving other parties with no chance of fair votes.”
“In the last elections, we provided similar information which was ignored. The BVAS report confirmed our report as 210 people were accredited but over 1000 votes were recorded.”
“Having confirmed that they cannot win in Okpella, Lampese, Fugar, Ibillo, and Agenebode, the APC has planned to use thugs disguised in the masks and police uniforms they produced to disrupt the electoral process and intimidate voters in those areas.”
“In Egor Local Government Area, the APC has assembled thugs at the home of Crosby Eribo and other locations in the neighborhood under the protection of the Textile Mill Police Station to disrupt the voting process in Egor Local Government,” he alleged.
The commissioner further alleged that plans have been uncovered to redeploy all security officials attached to Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, leaving him without protection and vulnerable before and during election day.
DAILY POST recalls that during the Independent National Electoral Commission’s stakeholders’ meeting on the state governorship election in Benin City, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun stated that police escorts attached to VIPs would be withdrawn on the eve of the election.
Egbetokun assured that alternative security arrangements would be provided across the state to ensure security.
Dangote Group has responded to reports claiming that it sold premium motor spirit (PMS) to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) at N898 per litre, calling the reports “misleading and malicious.”
In a statement issued by Chief Branding and Communication Officer Anthony Chiejina, Dangote Group did not confirm the specific price at which the product was sold, only stating that it was sold in dollars.
Olufemi Soneye, the NNPCL’s chief spokesperson, had previously stated that the company purchased the PMS at N898 per litre, correcting an earlier report that suggested the price was N760 per litre.
Dangote’s statement criticized Soneye’s report as intentionally misleading, aimed at undermining the achievement of the Dangote Refinery’s recent milestone in addressing Nigeria’s energy challenges. The statement urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading claims and wait for the official price announcement from the Technical Sub-Committee on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries, which will be made on October 1, 2024.
The statement further emphasized that the refinery sold the product to NNPCL in dollars, offering significant savings compared to current import prices, and reassured that the refinery would help alleviate fuel scarcity across Nigeria by ensuring availability in every local government area.