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The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, has emphasized that the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu, though challenging, are necessary to address Nigeria’s pressing issues.
Speaking on Sunday at the flag-off of relief material distribution for flood victims in Akure, Momoh assured that these “painful but necessary” measures are in the country’s best interest and would yield benefits in the near future.
Momoh was in Akure to oversee the distribution of palliatives and relief items, worth millions of naira, intended to aid residents in the nine Niger Delta states affected by recent floods.
He emphasized that Tinubu’s reforms reflect his commitment to Nigeria’s development and a genuine desire to improve citizens’ lives.
Momoh said, “The decisions being taken are painful, but that is the only way by which we can address the problems that have been facing this country. If you want Nigeria to thrive, you must take far-reaching decisions that will initially inflict pains on the people of our country.
“In a very short time, you will begin to see the effects of the decision or the policies of the federal government that have been taken so far.
“I want us to continue to pray for our president because the president means very well for Nigeria. If Nigeria is not better during this administration, it means we are cursed.”
Flagging off the distribution, Momoh said the relief items by the federal government were designed to cushion the effects of the flood on the beneficiaries.
The minister revealed that President Tinubu, in his concern and love for the people of the Niger Delta region, recently approved the relief materials and palliatives to the flood victims in the region to alleviate their challenges.
He listed some of the distributed items to include rice, grains, spaghettis, beans, motorcycles, sewing machines, grinding machines, cooking stoves, and smokeless stoves, among others.
He added, “There was a time there was flood in this part of the country, that is the entire Niger Delta region, and recently too there was another flood. He (Tinubu) said, ‘Minister, you have to go there and take care of your people by making sure that you send enough palliatives because when there is flood, there is always a problem.’
“People are displaced. They don’t have means of livelihood. So he gave approval, and we are doing the symbolic presentation here today. This will take place in the entire state of the Niger Delta region.
“We are handing over to the stakeholders of these very states, which of course include primarily the governor, the traditional rulers, and the members from the ministry.”
The demise of the filmmaker behind the ‘Shanty Town’ series, was made known in an Instagram post by actor, Bolanle Ninalowo.
He wrote, “I love you brother and I will miss you @dimejiajibola May God heal your family and loved ones. Till we meet again dido vox. Rest on Champ.”
Nollywood actor, Samuel Olatunji, also confirmed Ajibola’s demise to Tribune.
Olatunji said the producer died today after battling an undisclosed illness.
Ajibola was celebrated as a creative force and a visionary in the Nollywood industry, blending traditional and digital art forms in groundbreaking ways.
His work spanned film, animation, VFX, virtual worlds, and interactive media.
He held a diverse educational background, having studied filmmaking and cinematography at the New York Film Academy in Universal Studios, advanced character animation at Animation Mentor in San Francisco, and visual effects at VFXLearning.
As the CEO and Technical Director of Flipsyde Studios Ltd., Ajibola built a reputation for excellence and innovation. His work on Hoodrush in 2012 marked Nigeria’s first urban musical film, showcasing his ability to bridge narrative storytelling with rich musical elements.
The film won multiple awards, including Best Movie at the 2012 Green Me Film Festival in Germany, Best Actor and Soundtrack at the Nollywood Movies Awards, and Best Supporting Actor at the AMAA Awards.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, has revealed why believers should stop praying against their enemies.
Naija News reports that Adeboye while speaking at the church’s monthly Thanksgiving Service held at the church’s national headquarters, Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, said only those with great destiny are being envied.
While questioning believers on who will be around to celebrate their wins, the clergy said praying against one’s enemies does not make sense, citing Psalms 23 verse 5.
Speaking on the theme:” ‘Divine Wings,’ Adeboye said: “It does not make sense praying against one’s enemy. If you pray against your enemy, who will be around to celebrate you? The Bible says he will prepare a table before you in the presence of your enemy.
“We should not pray against them. Rather, we should pray that God will make them repent. When people are envious of you and speak evil against you don’t be bothered. You have to be great to be envied. If you pray for your enemy’s death who will be around to celebrate you?”
Sharing his experience, Adeboye said he had often wondered how God lifted and showed him mercy despite his extremely poor background, stressing that God is the only burden bearer who can make a man fly in life.
Pastor Adeboye also recounted how the president of an African country cherished his meeting with him, adding that at the end of the meeting, he was amazed at how God had given him so much privilege.
In his words: “I went to an African country for a crusade and wanted to see the president of the country. I was told I could not see him. But when the president knew I was around he offered to see me. I was with him and we kept talking. When it was two hours of meeting, I told him people were already waiting at the crusade ground for me. He said let them wait. They have people they can talk with. Me I don’t have. We ended up spending five hours.”
Numerous residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) report struggling to afford food due to soaring prices of essential items.
The residents also lamented further increase in transportation fares following the hike in the petrol pump price.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Sunday in Abuja.
According to them, the increased fuel price had left residents grappling with the harsh realities of rising living costs.
The residents said their once manageable budget had spiralled into a daily struggle, primarily due to soaring food prices and transportation fares.
They appealed to the Federal Government and relevant authorities to take immediate action in addressing these issues.
Mrs Maryam Abu, a mother of three, said she often sat at her kitchen table these days with frustration, staring at an empty pot.
“Last year, I could buy a bag of rice for N50,000 and now, it is more than N100,000. How can I feed my children?
“With my husband’s salary barely keeping pace with inflation, I often have to choose between meals and essential household items,’’ she said.
For Mrs Ekaite Obot, a civil servant and a mother of four, the situation is no any better as she said she had not been able to drive to work or church for the past five months.
“For over five months now, I have not moved my car from the garage because I can no longer afford to fuel or maintain the vehicle.
“The times are really tough for my family. All the family expenses have been on me since my husband was relieved of his job as a sales representative.
“I struggle to pay school fees, get household items and feed the family and with this increasing cost of items , I do not think we can continue to survive on my mini income,’’ Obot said.
Another civil servant, Mrs Mary Umeh, while decrying the increased cost of living, said her saving grace was the contribution (adashi) she was doing at work with some colleagues.
“We have several platforms where we contribute money monthly and at the end of the year, we use the money to buy various household items.
“It is almost Christmas now and I do not have any savings, but I am not worried because I know that we will soon use our adashi money to buy some household items.
“I am sure my family will be able to manage the items and I will just need little money to buy other things for the Christmas celebration,’’ she said.
Similarly, Mr Albert Nwakama, a trader, decried his inability to fend for his family due to low sales of his fairly-used clothing business, popularly known as “okrika” or second hand wears.
Nwakama said he used to open new bail of wears every two to three weeks, but in the past six months, he could barely sell a bail of womens’ wears.
“I have not witnessed anything like this since I began this okrika business nine years ago. Many customers who used to buy my goods have stopped coming to my shop.
“Even some of those who used to give me money in advance to enable me open new bails now come to me to borrow money so they can feed their families.
“People are struggling to eat and care for their families and buying of new clothing is no longer a priority for families, thus, leaving people like me at a dilemma ,’’he said.
Mrs Nneka Azubuike, a teacher, said the increased cost of living in the country had turned her into a corporate beggar.
According to Azubuike, every kid from a well to do family in the class that I teach has become my friend because of my selfish reasons.
She said she paid more attention to pupils from wealthy homes because at the end of the day, their parents tend to appreciate her for her good deeds every now and then.
“I am aware this is unprofessional, but I have to take care of my child because I am a single mom. My salary is not enough to care for our needs.
“Also, I taught that with the Dangote refinery, fuel price will reduce and transportation will become affordable in the country, but the reverse is obviously the case.
“The government really needs to find a way to address this transportation issue because it is affecting every sector of the economy, especially food prices,’’ she said.
For a commuter like Ibrahim Idris, the surge in transportation fares was eating eating deep into his budget for other household necessities.
“I used to spend about N400 for commuting to the office every day, but now I pay between N900 and N1,000.
“I am finding it extremely difficult to keep up. I have cut down on most things, yet it is always difficult for me to get to work five times in a week,’’ he said.
Mr Sule Adams, a vendor, said his formerly booming business had now slowed as many families were now tightening their belts.
“We are having a noticeable decline in customers, and some who come to patronise us always want discounts, which we normally oblige them because we want to make sales.
“Most customers, who used to buy goods in large quantities and store in their homes, now buy less quantity. because of the increased cost.
“It is hard for us too; we have to pay for our supplies, and if people are not buying from us, we suffer because we have families also to take care of,’’ Adams said.
Also, Ms Christabel Nicholas, a small business owner, said she was facing an uphill battle as she had to choose between raising prices, displeasing customers, or absorbing the high costs.
“I have had to increase my prices due to the high cost of the items in the market, but my regulars are complaining. It is really a tough decision.
“We need government intervention to overcome this situation because Nigerians are sick, hungry, suffering and dying,’’ she said.
A police officer attached to the Otuocha Area Command in Anambra East Local Government Area, Anambra State, has reportedly shot and killed a youth in the area.
It was gathered that the youth had a disagreement with the policemen at a checkpoint over N100, during which one of them quickly pulled the trigger and shot him dead.
A source from Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area, who brought this to the attention of our reporter with a gory video of the youth’s dead body, said the police squad involved was led by one Onyebuchi.
The incident happened on Saturday and has greatly unsettled the area as youths protested the action of the police.
It was however not clear if the argument that led to the killing of the youth was payment of N100 bribe or collection of balance for bribe already paid, but police authorities confirmed the incident.
Reacting to inquiries from Daily Post, the state police command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the command was aware of it and had taken control.
He said: “The Police Officer involved has been identified as Inspector Sani Suleiman.
“He has been disarmed and detained for further investigations and internal disciplinarian procedures.”
Afeez Adegbola, a Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, truck driver, has been arrested by the Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC.
He was arrested for allegedly diverting 10,000 litres of petrol belonging to the company.
The state commandant of the corps, Mr Igbalawole Sotiyo, disclosed this while parading the suspect and his two motor boys on Saturday in Osogbo.
Sotiyo explained that the suspects were arrested on Friday at about 8:21 pm with the NNPCL truck.
The commandant said that the suspect loaded 40,000 litres of petrol at Pinnacle Distribution Depot in Eleko, Lagos State.
He said that the waybill indicated that the product was meant to be delivered at NNPCL Mega Station in Osogbo.
Sotiyo said that following a tip-off, officers of the command trailed the truck with registration number AGG 959 XA and discovered that only 30, 000 litres of fuel were delivered at the NNPCL filling station.
He said that the driver was arrested while discharging the remaining 10, 000 litres at the TEMPOLA filling station in Ikirun, Ifelodun Local Government area of the state.
The corps commandant said that the suspects had made a confessional statement that the content of 40,000 litres was meant for NNPCL mega station in Osogbo but was directed by his company to deliver only 30,000, while the remaining 10,000 should be taken to a private filling station in Ikirun.
Sotiyo described the act as economic sabotage and stealing.
“It is an act of sabotage and stealing against the state. They are saboteurs and anti-state. NSCDC is using this medium to warn all the stakeholders involved in the distribution of petroleum products nationwide that anyone caught sabotaging the government would be apprehended and prosecuted.
“NSCDC uses this medium to request NNPCL managers/supervisors nationwide to work with the NSCDC to ensure saboteurs are brought to justice,” he said.
The Redeemed Christian Church of God has given the reason for investigating the allegations of sodomy against two of its youth pastors.
The National Overseer of the church, Pastor Sunday Akande, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH, said the case was unprecedented, hence the church was ready to give it the necessary attention.
Akande said a panel had been set up to investigate the allegations against the pastors, adding that appropriate action would be taken.
He said, “The reason for the suspension is to also allow persons who were said to have been molested or harassed to come forward and testify against the pastors. To the best of my knowledge, nobody has come forward yet as a victim of harassment.
“This is the first time an allegation like this has been raised against the church. If we see anything like this, the church will investigate it and see how we can address it. As far as the church is concerned, we don’t condone this kind of thing.”
A controversial news blog, Gistlovers, had last week called out two youth pastors of the church for allegedly luring teenage boys into homosexuality.
The blog also accused them of negatively influencing teenagers under their mentorship.
According to the blog, a 20-year-old boy, who requested anonymity, claimed the youth pastors “influenced many into being gay.”
“This gist is not complete without naming, a very close friend of (the youth pastor) and also a former coordinator in the teens’ church at RCCG Region 2 (they were both coordinators). He was raising young boys in his former house at U-turn and he slept with all these boys, and they were even holding fake Bible study just to create a meeting point for this brostitution,” a post by the blog read.
One of the accused, in a statement, said he had never sodomised or had sex with any male teenager.
“I have never demanded sex from any male as payment or gratification in order to give them assistance, platforms, or positions. God is the only kingmaker, the only one who can raise and erase kings, give positions, and platforms,” he stated.
On alleged screenshots of a conversation with an alleged victim, he said he asked questions “during a conversation in a male teenagers’ WhatsApp group where discussions regarding male reproductive health and self-esteem took place.”
According to him, the teenagers were taught about proper hygiene for reproductive health, the right kind of underwear to buy, and that the girth and length determine the underwear size.
“I also explained that their sizes should not affect their self-esteem and that they are perfectly and uniquely created by God.”
However, the church suspended the two men at the centre of the drama.
In a letter dated Monday, October 28, the church said the suspension was by its commitment to uphold the teachings of the Bible.
Meanwhile, the family of one of the pastors has filed a petition to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, against Gistlover for defamation of character.
The family in the petition signed by their counsel, Adekunle Adeyinka; called for the investigation of the blog, insisting that the allegations were unfounded and had caused their son “emotional trauma and has put their security at risk from attacks by these faceless individuals.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has released controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, on bail.
The embattled cross-dresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom.
He quickly alerted his followers on social media about the arrest, stating that he sustained injuries during the process.
Bobrisky wrote, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”
He was subsequently flown to the headquarters of the EFCC in Abuja, where he was interrogated on his bribery allegations against the commission.
In a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him.
Sunday PUNCH gathered that Bobrisky perfected his bail late Friday night and was subsequently released.
The EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release on Saturday but declined further comments.
However, a source familiar with the matter said the cross-dresser denied bribing the EFCC in his confessional statement made at the commission’s headquarters.
The source added that the cross-dresser challenged the person who posted the voice note to defend it.
“He denied everything about releasing money to any official as a bribe to drop the money laundering charges against him. He denied it in his statement. He said the fellow who posted the voice note should come over to justify it. He said nobody requested money from him in the EFCC and he didn’t give anyone anything”, said the source.
Leading gynaecologists have said aside from issues with a woman’s reproductive organs and non-viable sperm, sexual positions can’t impact conception.
While they acknowledged that there were claims that specific sexual positions could make conception easier and faster, the maternal health experts confirmed that there was no scientific basis for such.
Online checks by PUNCH Healthwise revealed claims that sex positions such as missionary, dog style and spoon, among others could increase conception rates.
Their argument was based on the premise that such styles brought the penis closer to the cervix, creating easy access for the sperm to flow directly into the fallopian tubes, leading to pregnancy.
However, the gynaecologists noted that all things being equal, once a healthy sperm reaches the vagina and could swim to the cervix, a woman would conceive regardless of the sex position.
The physicians further asserted that a sex position was only medically considered during sex selection.
Providing expert advice on the issue, a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun state, Ernest Orji, stated that although the myth exists, there was no scientific basis for it.
He said, “There is no sexual position that a woman takes that she won’t get pregnant. None is easier or faster than the other one. Sometimes, the man can ejaculate on the woman’s thigh and she will still get pregnant. Once sperm enters into the vagina, anyhow, the woman can get pregnant.
“We know that the womb can sometimes be introverted but sperm moves freely. Unless the cervix is blocked and prevents the sperm from entering, no position makes getting pregnant better or faster. If every other thing is normal with the sperm and the woman, once the sperm enters into the vagina, the woman can get pregnant.”
The researcher on Reproductive and Feto-maternal Health further clarified that on the other hand, no sexual position could reduce the chances of getting pregnant.
The don added, “A lot of time, some people would think that since there was no deep penetration during sex, there wouldn’t be pregnancy. But if there was ejaculation, the woman would get pregnant.”
Also, a Consultant Gynaecologist, Dr Stanley Egbogu, stated that sex position was only significant during sex or gender selection of a child.
He also affirmed that the position assumed during sex had no impact on the possibility of conception.
“Anytime there is difficulty in conceiving, we don’t look at the position. Position does not mean anything,” Egbogu said.
He further reaffirmed his position, mentioning that even those who relied on the withdrawal method as a means of contraception could still get pregnant because the pre-ejaculatory fluid, which would have been released before withdrawal, has been tested to contain some sperm.
“Position will play less or no part because if you have good quality sperm and eggs, whether it’s missionary, lateral or dog style, they can get pregnant. So, we don’t bother about positioning when we talk about people trying to conceive. It is when we want to talk about sex formation that is when we talk about the positioning, that is the posterior side, meeting the woman on the day of her release of egg and alkalinisation,” the gynaecologist said.
He further clarified that no sex position could reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or serve as an effective method of avoiding it.
“In a fertile person, even the pre-ejaculation fluid can make the person pregnant, much less the semen. If you don’t want to get pregnant, there are laid down rules, we have our guidelines, which is family planning. We have emergency contraception, the normal family planning method of contraception that we use- we have condoms, cervical caps, oral contraceptive pills that a woman can swallow once every day for 30 days, we have Progesterone-only contraceptive pills, injectables, implants and intrauterine contraceptive device.
“We methods of preventing pregnancy and sexual position are not methods. Withdrawal method is a method of family planning but it has a high failure rate. So, there is no sexual position that is used as a family planning method,” the gynaecologist said.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has initiated steps to withdraw charges against 32 minors recently arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement released late Friday, hours after the arraignment, Fagbemi expressed his intent to assume control of the case from the Inspector General of Police, citing a need to review specific issues related to the matter.
“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me to make an informed decision,” he stated.
Fagbemi added that, although he cannot modify the court’s decision to remand the minors in detention centers and set the trial date to January, he had directed the police to transfer the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF) for an immediate review.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately initiate steps to request an earlier adjournment date,” Fagbemi said.
A source within the Federal Ministry of Justice who spoke with Punch confirmed that the Inspector General of Police had promptly submitted the case file to the AGF’s office, and plans are underway to expedite proceedings to withdraw charges.
The source noted that efforts are being made for the court to reconvene this week, ahead of the previously set January 24, 2025 date.
“The police have submitted the case file, and the parties are working together. The court will reconvene early this week,” the source said.
Also, the defence counsel for all 119 defendants, Marshall Abubakar, confirmed to the platform that steps were being taken to drop the charges against the children this week, especially since the AGF had requested the transfer of the case file.
“The government has been calling; the AGF has called. I think, most likely, by next week (this week), we will get the charges thrown out,” Abubakar said.
He also confirmed that the minors among the 119 remanded protesters were in the custody of the SARS IRT, adding that they were kept in a large hall as the purported Borstal system for juvenile detention was non-existent.
Abubakar further stated, “The children were taken to IRT SARS. There is a big hall there where they are kept because there is actually no Borstal Centre.”
Another source knowledgeable about the case told Punch on Saturday that the AGF’s office was considering filing an affidavit of urgency and an application on Monday before the court.
The source said, “This means if the application is granted, the case will come up on Tuesday. Hopefully, the case will be discontinued.”
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The Director-General of the Tinubu-Shettima Ambassadors, a campaign group that advocated for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, Oladele Oyelude, has downplayed attempts to use opposition to the tax reforms bill to create discord between the North and President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election.
Oyelude, an All Progressives Congress (APC) leader in Osun State, emphasized that those opposed to the bill should work with their National Assembly representatives to address any concerns rather than stirring up regional tensions.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Saturday, he noted that the bill would prompt governors to focus on revenue generation, which would ultimately aid national development.
He said, “The National Assembly will look at the bill in a way that it won’t lead to disintegration. The reform in the tax system will affect the name and a few other things about the tax system. It won’t be in the best interest of the country for the National Assembly to throw out the Tax Reform Bill.
“I believe North won’t oppose Tinubu’s reelection because of the tax reform bill. A northerner is the Vice President, so they can’t go against Tinubu based on the bill. The fate of the bill will be decided by the National Assembly.
“If the North feels the bill is not good enough, they should pass their resolution against it through their House of Representatives members and their Senators.”
Minister of works Dave Umahi has raised an alarm over defective bridges in the country.
He said they may collapse if the federal government fails to address their deteriorating state, having been built over 53 years ago.
Umahi spoke yesterday while inspecting projects in Lagos where he was joined by the National Assembly Joint Committee Members on Works.
He highlighted the need for urgent intervention to rehabilitate defective bridges while advocating for the declaration of state of emergency on the Third Mainland and Carter bridge axis to fast-track essential underwater repairs to prevent further deterioration of road and marine infrastructure.
He warned on the huge financial and safety risks posed by continued delay of rehabilitation and repairs, adding that delay to take quick actions would cost the federal government over N30 trillion to rebuild Carter and Third Mainland Bridges.
Umahi also recommended swift repair of national bridges along geopolitical zones which he said would cost N341 billion to avoid looming disasters.
He said to avert catastrophe, N341 billion would be needed for repair of bridges nationwide.
Umahi further pointed out that the reinforcement of chlorination, carbonisation and marine attacks on the piles of the bridge had further weakened the structural elements of the bridges even as he stressed that illegal mining activities and excavation of sands along the shorelines had also paved way for the deterioration of the piles and pier caps.
He pointed out that the deterioration of the bridges’ pillars was due to illegal sand mining, natural underwater currents, and the rusting of the steel casings.
“When you construct shorelines with steel, over the years there will be attacks from water leading to carbonization and chlorination of critical infrastructure,” he added.
In his remarks, the chairman of the Joint National Assembly Committee on Works, Sen. Barinada Mpigi, applauded Umahi’s efforts to engage with the Senate House Committee on Works to tackle infrastructure deficit in the country.
He highlighted the significant financial burden that would fall on the federal government for the reconstruction of the Third Mainland and Carter bridges if they do not take swift action to rehabilitate the bridge.
Mpigi acknowledged the National Assembly’s readiness to back the Works Minister in declaring a state of emergency for the two bridges in Lagos.
Mpigi called for a state of emergency on the Carter and Third Mainland Bridge, adding that it was of urgent public importance.
[Leadership]
Guinea’s coup leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, has promoted himself to the rank of Army General as the West African country marked the creation of its armed forces.
Doumbouya, 43, seized power in September 2021 by overthrowing former president Alpha Conde who had placed the then-colonel in charge of an elite force tasked with protecting him.
AFP reports that in a decree on Friday evening, Doumbouya — whose supporters have urged him to run for president when the junta does cede the reins — was also awarded the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, the country’s highest honour.
This was for “his constant efforts to promote social cohesion and cooperation between peoples”.
Doumbouya is one of several officers who have seized power in West Africa since 2020, along with fellow military leaders in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.
He has presided over an ongoing crackdown on dissent, with many opposition leaders detained, brought before the courts or forced into exile.
AFP
History was made yesterday as the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party announced the election of Kemi Badenoch as its leader ahead of her closest rival, Robert Jenrick.
Badenoch, who received 53,806 votes to defeat Robert Jenrick who got 41,388, succeeds Rishi Sunak as leader of the opposition party.
Speaking on the significance of her victory and her ambitions for the party, she said her first responsibility is to hold the Labour Party’s government to account, while the second is to prepare for the next few years for the government.
The former British Business Secretary is the first black woman to lead a major political party in the UK and takes charge of a Conservative Party reeling from its worst-ever election defeat.
Born in Wimbledon, London, on January 2, 1980, to Nigerian parents, she spent her childhood in Lagos and the United States until she returned to the UK at the age of 16.
Badenoch is also the first Black woman to head a party that has had three other female leaders – Margaret Thatcher, Theresa May, and Liz Truss.
During her campaign, Badenoch pledged to return the Conservatives to “first principles” and launch a series of reviews in the coming months to shape a new policy platform.
The North West Essex MP is also the sixth Tory leader in less than eight and a half years and faces the challenge of uniting a fractured party.
“The time has come to tell the truth,” Badenoch declared to supporters at the final count of the leadership contest, which ended yesterday.
“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
The charismatic, fire-brand right-wing leader succeeds Sunak, who became the first non-white British Prime Minister after taking over the Tories, Britain’s oldest party, in 2022.
“It is time to get down to business, it is time to renew.”
The charismatic, fire-brand right-wing leader succeeds Sunak, who became the first non-white British Prime Minister after taking over the Tories, Britain’s oldest party, in 2022.
“It is the most enormous honour to be elected to this role, to lead the party that I love, the party that has given me so much,” a smiling Badenoch said to a group of Conservative Party members after being announced the winner.
“I hope that I will be able to repay that debt,” she added.
The Labour Party’s landslide victory gave it a huge majority in Parliament and the Tories face at least four years in opposition before the next election is due.
Badenoch has served as shadow Business and Trade Secretary since the Conservative Party lost the general election in July and Rishi Sunak said he would stand down as leader, triggering the campaign.
Her campaign was called Renewal 2030 and has targeted the next election for the Tories to return to power.
Badenoch has been criticised at times for her outspoken approach, with opponents jumping on comments she had made about subjects such as maternity pay, gender equality, and net zero.
But she has long been popular among the party membership and previously ran to be leader in 2022.
It is not clear who her shadow cabinet will be made up of, but she had suggested that all those who ran to be leaders against her should be involved.
Her campaign was called Renewal 2030 and has targeted the next election for the Tories to return to power.
Badenoch has been criticised at times for her outspoken approach, with opponents jumping on comments she had made about subjects such as maternity pay, gender equality, and net zero.
But she has long been popular among the party membership and previously ran to be leader in 2022.
It is not clear who her shadow cabinet will be made up of, but she had suggested that all those who ran to be leaders against her should be involved.
However, James Cleverly revealed the day before the results that he would be returning to the backbenches.
Badenoch has vowed to rebuild the Tory Party on more authentically conservative foundations, saying her training as a computer engineer had taught her how to fix problems.
She spoke often of “first principles” like freedom and individual responsibility.
And she has not hesitated to wade into thorny issues like transgender rights or Britain’s colonial legacy, deploring “woke” ideology and “nasty identity politics.”
Despite the challenges, Badenoch’s no-nonsense approach has earned her a loyal base among the Conservatives.
Known for her outspoken positions on identity politics and her desire to reduce state influence, she appeals to a faction within the party that believes a decisive rightward turn is necessary to reconnect with disillusioned voters.
She has a history of tense interactions with media figures, celebrities, and even some government officials during her time as a trade minister, but this has only bolstered her support among members who are wary of institutional and media influences.
Speaking on the significance of her win and her ambitions for the party, she commented: “The task that stands before us is tough but simple. Our first responsibility as His Majesty’s loyal opposition is to hold this Labour government to account. Our second is no less important; it is to prepare for the next few years for the government.”
Congratulating Badenoch on her victory, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations, Kemi Badenoch, on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader.
Congratulating Badenoch on her victory, the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer said: “Congratulations, Kemi Badenoch, on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader.
“The first black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.
“I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
Ellie Reeves, who is chair of the Labour Party, delivered a more political attack: “It’s been a summer of yet more Conservative chaos and division.
“They could have spent the past four months listening to the public, taking responsibility for the mess they made, and changing their party.
“Instead, Kemi Badenoch’s election as leader shows they’re incapable of change.
“Meanwhile, the Labour Government is getting on with fixing the foundations of our economy and cleaning up the mess the Tories left behind.”
The combative former equalities minister now faces the daunting task of reuniting a divided and weakened party that was emphatically ousted from power in July after 14 years in charge.
Badenoch will become the official leader of the opposition and face off against Labour’s Starmer in the House of Commons every Wednesday for the traditional Prime Minister’s Questions.
However, she will be leading a much-reduced cohort of Tory MPs in the chamber following the party’s dismal election showing.
She must plot a strategy to regain public trust while stemming the flow of support to the right-wing Reform UK party, led by Brexit figurehead Nigel Farage.
Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.
Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos, has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.
Having campaigned on a right-wing platform, she also faces the prospect of future difficulties within the ranks of Tory lawmakers, which includes many centrists.
Badenoch, born in London to Nigerian parents and raised in Lagos, has called for a return to conservative values, accusing her party of having become increasingly liberal on societal issues such as gender identity.
She describes herself as a straight-talker, a trait that has caused controversy on the campaign trail.
When addressing immigration, Badenoch said that “not all cultures are equally valid” when deciding who should be allowed to live in the UK.
She was widely criticised after suggesting that statutory maternity pay on small businesses was “excessive” and sparked a further furore when she joked that up to 10 per cent of Britain’s half a million civil servants were so bad that they “should be in prison.”