Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe has signed a controversial new constitution that abolishes presidential elections.
The new constitution has been widely condemned by the opponents and civil societies saying it would allow his family to extend their six-decade-long rule.
According to a statement from Gnassingbe’s office on Monday, under teh new legislation, only the parliament will have the power to select the president, eliminating direct elections.
According to Africa News, the election commission on Saturday announced that Gnassingbe’s ruling party had won a majority of seats in the nation’s parliament.
The report revealed that there was a crackdown on civic and media freedoms ahead of the vote, as the government banned protests against the proposed new constitution and arrested opposition figures.
Also, the electoral commission banned the Catholic Church from deploying election observers.
In mid-April, a French journalist who arrived to cover the elections was arrested, assaulted and expelled. Togo’s media regulator later suspended the accreditation process for foreign journalists.
Provisional results showed the ruling Union for the Republic (UNIR) party won 108 out of 113 seats in parliament, and 137 out of 179 positions in the senate.
The new constitution also increases presidential terms from five to six years and introduces a single-term limit.
However, the almost 20 years that Gnassingbe has already served in office would not count toward that tally.
Togo has been ruled by the same family for 57 years, initially by Eyadema Gnassingbe and then by his son, Faure Gnassingbe, who took office after elections that the opposition described as a “sham.”
The political opposition, religious leaders and civil society say the proposed new constitution makes it likely that Gnassingbe will stay on when his mandate expires in 2025.
They also fear that the creation of a figure similar to a prime minister, to be selected from the ruling party, could become another avenue for Gnassingbe to extend his grip on power even beyond that new term.
A group of about 20 civil society organizations in Togo have called for protests to defend and reinstate the country’s constitution.
“We will never accept this new constitution, even after its promulgation. The Togolese people must decisively look towards 2025,” said David Dosseh, a spokesperson for the civil society groups.
“At that point, a presidential election is absolutely necessary for the people to choose a new president and finally achieve a democratic transition in Togo.”
A troubling report from the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and its partners forecasts that approximately 16 per cent of Nigerians (32 million people) will grapple with severe food insecurity between June and August 2024.
Naija News reports that the study signals an escalating crisis in hunger and deteriorating living conditions not only in Nigeria but across West and Central Africa.
The report indicates an increase from last year’s figures, with the 2024 projection showing a concerning rise in food insecurity during what is traditionally known as the lean season.
The report read, “Looking ahead, the projected outlook for the period June-August 2024 appears even more severe: nearly 52 million people across the 17 analyzed countries are anticipated to face phases 3 to 5 during the lean season of June-August. This translates to 12% of the analyzed population struggling to meet their basic food and nutrition requirements.
“These countries include Mauritania (656 652, 14%), Burkina Faso (2 734 196, 12%), Niger (3 436,892, 13%), Chad (3,364,453, 20%), Sierra Leone (1,569,895, 20%), and Nigeria (31,758,164, 16%).”
A staggering 52 million people across the region are expected to face acute hunger during this period, constituting about 12% of the population analyzed.
For Nigeria specifically, the figures are even more dire, with an estimated 32 million people facing crisis-level or emergency food insecurity conditions.
The situation is particularly critical in the northern states of Sokoto and Zamfara, where over 15% of children are reported to be suffering from acute malnutrition, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
The report also highlights that several other countries within the region are expected to suffer significant food security challenges.
These include Chad, where 20% of the population could face severe food shortages, and Sierra Leone, which shows similar percentages. Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and Niger are also on the list of nations facing daunting food security challenges.
The IRC has attributed the rising severity of food insecurity across the Sahelian belt to a combination of factors, including increased insecurity, adverse effects of climate change, and deteriorating macroeconomic conditions marked by high inflation rates.
In January 2024, the average inflation rate in the region was recorded at 21%, up from 18% in the previous year. Sierra Leone, in particular, has experienced a dramatic increase, with inflation rates soaring to 54%.
“God told me to do it” - Gun fails to discharge as man shoots at pastor during church service
AFOLABI
A man has been arrested after he attempted to shoot the pastor of a church during a service at Jesus’ Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, US on Sunday. But his gun refused to fire.
The 26-year-old man identified as Bernard J. Polite wanted to gun down the pastor, saying, “God told me to do it”.
The incident happened when the Sunday service was ongoing, plunging the congregation into pandemonium as the service was being live-streamed.
‘I ducked’
According to the police press release, Polite of Braddock entered the church just after 1 p.m. and walked towards the front while Rev Glenn Germany was delivering a sermon.
The pastor disclosed that Polite smiled at him and they made eye contact just before he pointed the gun at him.
Germany then ducked out of the way as a male congregant tackled Polite, ABC News reports.
Germany and the member of the church then worked together to wrest the gun away from Polite, who was soon subdued and held until state troopers arrived.
Polite said “God told me to do it” and that he planned to shoot Germany and “wait to be arrested” so he could go to jail and clear his mind, according to court documents.
He faces numerous charges, including aggravated assault and attempted homicide, and was being held Monday without bail at the Allegheny County Jail.
Also, state police said they did not know if Polite has an attorney, and county court records did not list one.
It added that the body of a shot victim was found in a home near the church where Polite had been shortly before going to the church, county police said.
The county Medical Examiner’s office identified the body Monday as Derek Polite, 56, of North Braddock, but did not say if he was related to Bernard Polite.
Polite was not known at the church, officials said. He wandered over to the church after hearing music coming from there, according to court documents.
‘You can hear the gun click’
Recounting the incident, Germany said, “I am feeling grateful that I woke up this morning and that I am here. It could have gone in the opposite direction. But God has intervened and I am grateful for him.”
“I’m so grateful,” he said. “You know, he shot. You can hear the gun click.”
The pastor said he saw Polite walk in and smile at him, but assumed he was coming to speak with another member of the church.
“But instead he came right here where I’m standing… and that’s where he just pulled out the gun,” he said. “I’m looking right down the barrel of the gun.”
Polite appeared to suffer from mental illness, Germany said, and told him he heard voices. “The voices were in his head and said ‘go shoot the pastor.'”
Polite is facing multiple charges, including attempted homicide. He was denied bail and is being detained at a jail in Pittsburgh ahead of a preliminary hearing next week.
Shade Okoya, the wife of Rasaq Okoya, the Nigerian billionaire industrialist, has revealed how she resolves conflicts with her husband.
Rasaq and Shade celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary at their residence in Lagos on April 25.
In a recent interview with ThisDay Style Magazine, Shade said she is “never in a hurry to respond” during a misunderstanding with her husband.
She said instead of arguing with her husband, she “listens carefully” to him and tries to “understand his point”.
The 47-year-old entrepreneur also emphasised the importance of patience and compromise for a long-lasting marriage.
She described the 84-year-old billionaire as a “tenacious, mature, intentional and generous man”.
“The importance of compromise and, above all, patience cannot be understated; every single day, patience must be put into practice,” she said.
“My husband has a broad range of experience, and in respect to this, I have learned not to be in a hurry to respond during any disagreements we have.
“Rather, I listen carefully to be sure I properly understand his point. This way, I find myself learning from him while recognising my own mistakes.
“A strong determination to succeed in my marriage has always been a priority for me, and patience and humility have seen me through to date.
“I see my husband not just as my lover but as a friend and role model. I believe his love for me and his protection of me have also really helped our marriage.”
Rasaq is the owner and founder of Eleganza Group, a leading conglomerate in the manufacturing industry.
Shade, on the other hand, is the managing director and chief executive officer of the company.
The couple has four children together — namely Olamide, Subomi, Oyinlola, and Wahab.
Supervisors and advisers of Ikere-Ekiti LGA in Ekiti state were sworn in with an ‘Ògún’ totem and the Quran.
Ògún is one of the deities in African traditional religion. It is often regarded as the “god of iron”.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on May 2 at the conference hall of the office of Olu Adamolekun, chairman of Ikere-Ekiti LGA.
The oath of office was administered on the appointees by Adamolekun.
In a video making the rounds on social media, the appointees could be seen taking turns to wield a cutlass (a totem for the god of iron) in one hand and a Quran in the other.
While administering the oath of office, Adamolekun asked the appointees to repeat the following in Yoruba: “From today, I will be loyal and truthful to BAO (Ekiti state governor), and Monisade (deputy governor), APC and its leaders.”
“I will take instructions from the leaders. If I refuse to do so, Ogun or Quran should kill me. For this, I will be truthful,” they said.
In Nigeria, public office holders usually swear an oath of office using the Quran or Bible, while pledging allegiance to the constitution.
In this instance, however, the appointees were asked to swear allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its leaders in Ekiti — while invoking a deity.
LIST OF THE APPOINTEES
SUPERVISORS
1. Femi Ayeni — Are/Aramomi/Ayetoro Ward
2. Olu Ogundipe — Okeruku Ward
3. ldowu Ojo Omowumi — Atiba/Aafin Ward
4. Ajayi Mathew Oladele — Ogbonjana Ward
ADVISERS
1. Sola Alonge — Odose Ward
2. Boluwaji Daramola — llapetu/ljao Ward
3. Toyin Owolabi — Agbado/Oyo Ward
4. Akojiyan Olamilekan Rasaq — Oke Osun Ward
5. Filani Motunrayo — Afao/Kajola Ward
Media
The relatives of the embattled former Chairman of the Park Management System (PMS), Alhaji Lamidi Mukaila, also known as Auxiliary, have expressed displeasure over his recent arrest.
Recalls that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested the embattled former Oyo State PMS boss.
The recent arrest comes a year after Auxiliary was arrested after being linked to an alleged attempt by his loyalists to cause trouble in the state following the dissolution of the PMS committee by the state Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Auxiliary was again rearrested at about 4:00 pm on Tuesday at his residence in the Olodo area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.
Two women who claimed to be relatives of Auxiliary but hid their identities have since responded in a video that Vanguard claimed to have obtained. The video detailed the incident involving the former NURTW leader and security personnel.
One of the women recording the video mentioned that the individuals who took Auxiliary did not disclose their identities before taking him into custody.
“One of his junior brothers called me that they have arrested Papa without doing anything. He told me that Papa was busy enjoying himself at the table there.
“Then, one of his boys who happens to be my child saw a black unidentified security van and said, “are these not DSS men?”
“Before Papa (Auxiliary) lifted up his head, the masked men had cornered him. When Papa saw them, he didn’t run away since there is no skeleton in his cupboard. It is someone who has done a bad thing that should be afraid.
“As he wanted to go upstairs, one of his boys was trying to shield him but the security men moved faster to stop him. They took him into a waiting van. The van has no number plate or any inscriptions on it. They took him away without telling us where they were taking him to.
“This is not fair now. How should they arrest an innocent man?” she said.
Auxiliary has been on the run since last year after security forces were informed about his intention to incite chaos and disorder in Oyo State.
His house was raided, leading to the discovery of a significant cache of weapons, including firearms, machetes, and other hazardous tools.
Despite his attempt to ascend the stairs, he was prevented by armed individuals who fired warning shots into the air.
The Aguttes auction house announced on Tuesday that Diego Maradona’s Golden Ball trophy, awarded for his outstanding performance as the best player at the 1986 World Cup, will soon be up for auction in France.
This iconic trophy, the first of its kind to be auctioned, is expected to command a significant price tag, with the auction house anticipating bids in the millions when it goes under the hammer on June 6th.
Maradona, who passed away in 2020, clinched the prestigious award after leading Argentina to victory in the 1986 World Cup held in Mexico. His remarkable contribution included five goals throughout the tournament, as he captained his country and showcased his brilliance on the field during every minute of play.
The 1986 World Cup remains etched in memory, particularly for Maradona’s unforgettable performance against England in the quarterfinals, where he scored two remarkable goals.
Global cryptocurrency platform Binance has accused top Nigerian government officials of demanding a $150 million bribe in crypto to settle criminal charges filed against the company.
The allegation was made public by Binance Chief Executive Officer, Richard Teng, in a blog post published by the New York Times on Tuesday.
According to the report, Tigran Gambaryan, a compliance officer at Binance, received the unsettling message during a visit to Nigeria in January earlier before his arrest alongside a colleague.
Gambaryan alongside a colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, who escaped from lawful custody, are currently trial in Nigeria over alleged money laundering and tax evasion charges.
“On a trip to Nigeria in January, Tigran Gambaryan, a compliance officer for the giant cryptocurrency exchange Binance, received an unsettling message: The company had 48 hours to make a payment of roughly $150 million in crypto,” the report stated.
Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement agent, interpreted the message as a request for a bribe from officials in President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Mr. Gambaryan, a former U.S. law enforcement agent, understood the message as a request for a bribe from someone in the Nigerian government, according to five people familiar with the matter and messages reviewed by The New York Times,” the report continued.
“He and a group of his Binance colleagues had just met with Nigerian legislators, who accused the company of tax violations and threatened to arrest its employees.”
The New York Times also revealed that Gambaryan and his colleague, Nadeem Anjarwalla, were subsequently arrested and detained on orders of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Anjarwalla managed to escape and has since been traced to Kenya.
Gambaryan has been transferred from a safe house to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja since April 8. Both he and Binance are now facing charges of tax evasion and money laundering to the tune of $35.4 million.
However, in response to the allegation, Zakari Mijinyawa, spokesman for the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), assured that the Federal Government would follow due process.
In a message to the New York Times newspaper, Mijinyawa emphasised that the government would make its case “on the strength of the facts and evidence, in accordance with due process.”
“We are confident that Nigeria has a good case. Binance equally will have every opportunity under the rule of law to make its case and see justice delivered,” he concluded.
Jose Peseiro, the former head coach of Nigeria’s senior national team, continues to explain his decision to overlook NPFL players, citing their inferiority to foreign-based counterparts.
During his 20-month tenure, no NPFL player earned a spot in competitive matches for the Super Eagles, despite fervent discussions regarding their inclusion.
Peseiro departed after leading the team to a commendable second-place finish in the African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire, narrowly losing 1-2 to the host nation in the final.
Reflecting on his time with the Super Eagles, Peseiro emphasized the pressure to select NPFL talents but asserted his commitment to choosing the best players, especially after the team narrowly missed the World Cup.
“I watched many NPFL games, but none showcased the calibre of talent seen in foreign leagues. Quality must prevail over mere representation,” he remarked.
In a related development, former Super Eagles player Moses Kpakor urged Peseiro’s successor, Finidi George, to consider homegrown talents for national team selection.
Kpakor, renowned for his stints with BCC Lions and Abiola Babes, emphasized the importance of nurturing local talent and ensuring fair competition for national team spots.
“As a former NPFL player, I understand the value of giving home-based talents a chance. Finidi should prioritize merit over geography,” Kpakor asserted, advocating for inclusivity in player selection.
Popular Nigerian singer, Simisola Kosoko, popularly known by her stage name as Simi, has finally responded to flirtatious comments about her made by fellow artists Brymo and Samklef.
Speaking with Angela Yee in a recent interview, Simi expressed confusion over the intentions behind the duo’s comments, dismissing them as comedic rather than serious.
Recalls that Brymo sparked controversy last year after admitting that he had demanded sex from Simi before agreeing to collaborate with her for a project while she was unmarried. When Simi rejected his proposition, Brymo declined to work with her.
Similarly, music producer-turned-blogger Samklef recently admitted that he had been in love with Simi during their early days as struggling artists but refrained from pursuing a relationship to avoid mixing business with pleasure.
It can also be recalled that on both occasions, Simi’s husband and singer, Adekunle Gold, had protested against what he viewed as disrespect for his wife from both Brymo and Samklef.
However, responding to the jibes from the duo in the interview, Simi said: “I don’t know what these people [Brymo and Samklef] are going on about. The funny thing is that these are two different people, and I don’t know why they keep talking about me like that. When you even look at what they’re saying, you can’t even pick out anything. I’m still confused.”
She further emphasised that their remarks have no impact on her, highlighting her husband’s supportive role in the scenario.
“I just feel like it doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t change anything. My husband is speaking out for me, and he’s fighting for his woman as he would.”
Simi also emphasised her indifference to the Brymo and Samklef’s comments, noting that she has nothing to hide.
“I don’t feel anything about this. It doesn’t impact me. I don’t have anything to hide. If you’re going to post that you asked me out, and so what? Or that I had an ex [laughs]. The whole thing, to me, is more comedy than anything else,” she stated.
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Jose Mourinho would love to manage Manchester United again but the club does not want to reappoint the Portuguese, according to the Manchester Evening News.
It is claimed the 61-year-old has told confidants he would “walk” to Manchester to manage United for a second time, having been sacked by the club in December 2018.
Mourinho, who was sacked by Roma in January after two-and-a-half years in charge, is reportedly a friend of United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe but the two-time Champions League winner is not expecting an approach from his former club.
Mourinho’s reported interest in the Man Utd job comes after the Red Devils suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday which has left Erik ten Hag’s side eighth in the Premier League table.
Mourinho became Man Utd boss in May 2016 and won the Europa League and League Cup in his two-and-a-half years in the job.
The ex-Chelsea boss has since managed Tottenham and Roma, having won the Europa Conference League with the Italian side in 2022.
The Kano State Police Command has arrested 17 suspected forex hawkers during a raid in the Wappa Bureau De Change area of Fagge local government area on May 7, 2024.
Spokesperson of the Command, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa disclosed this in a statement.
Kiyawa said the operation was carried out in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS), with the aim of stabilising the foreign exchange market and eliminate unauthorised operations.
The police raid targeted locations where foreign exchange transactions were taking place, ultimately resulting in the arrest of 29 individuals.
After thorough screening, 12 persons were released over their proven innocence from lack of evidence, while the remaining 17 were taken into custody.
The statement partly reads, “At the end of the operation, a total of twenty-nine (29) people were arrested out of which twelve (12) were screened out for lack of evidence while Seventeen (17) were arrested with the following exhibits recovered; (1) Sum of Sixty-eight Thousand (68,000) CFA, and (2) Thirty (30) Rupees (Indian Currency).
“Further investigation revealed that the seventeen (17) suspects were operating under one Association of unlicensed Bureau De Change and they will be charged to Court for prosecution,” the statement read.
Kiyawa said essence of the operation was to flush out elements that operates illegally in a bid to stabilise the foreign exchange market in the country.
The arrest excludes genuine Bureau de Change operators who carry on their legitimate businesses in their offices, the police spokesman explained.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Gumel commended the combined efforts of the police and DSS operatives for their success in the operation.
He emphasised the importance of upholding the law while maintaining legitimate operations within the financial sector and warned that illegal practices will not be tolerated.
The statement also stated that the suspects will be prosecuted, while encouraging the public to report any suspicious movements or activities to the police.
Your Claims On Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Project Self-serving, Politically Motivated – Umahi Fires Atiku
AFOLABI
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project complied 100 per cent with the Procurement Act.
Umahi made this known in a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesman, Orji Uchenna Orji while reacting to the accusations made by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that Atiku had accused the Bola Tinubu government of awarding the contract to HiTech construction without competitive bidding but rather due to a personal relationship between the president and chairman of the firm.
The vice president also accused President Tinubu of promoting propaganda and putting his personal interest above that of Nigeria.
Reacting, Umahi stated that the project was awarded based on the EPC+ F procurement process, stressing that the project is an unsolicited bid.
The minister also berated the former vice president for his comments over the landmark project and for linking the award of the coastal highway to nepotism
He added that Atiku’s accusations were, “intrinsically superficial, baseless, self-serving and politically motivated to imprint malice in the minds of unsuspecting members of the public, especially the gullible.
Umahi said Atiku’s claim that Seyi Tinubu, the son of the President has an interest in CDK Integrated Industries Ltd is not tenable as the company that did bid for the project was Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd.
The statement read, “For the avoidance of doubt, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project complied 100 per cent with the provisions of the Procurement Act and was awarded based on the EPC+ F procurement process, that is to say, the project is an unsolicited bid done on EPC+F.
“Under this model of procurement, the investor provides all the designs, part of the financing and construction, while the FGN pays counterpart funds. The bid of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project came through this process.
“The ministry received the bid, worked on it, and sent the same to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). The BPP worked on it in accordance with the stipulations of the Procurement Act and came up with a competitive price slightly lower than the ministry’s price and even lower than the cost of similar projects awarded five years ago, including the Bodo-Bonny project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc. The BPP issued a certificate of “No Objection” on the project to the Federal Ministry of Works as required by the Procurement Act.
“Consequently, the Federal Ministry of Works took the certificate of “No Objection” to the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and the FEC deliberated on and approved the same. It would be recalled that the FEC had first approved the project model on EPC+F before the process of procurement even started.
“This is a testament that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, section 1, followed due process.
“The claim of the former Vice President that the son of the President of Nigeria has interest in CDK Integrated Industries Ltd is not tenable as the company that did bid for the project was Hitech Construction Company Nigeria Ltd which has a full legal personality, as it were. Again, these claims are nothing but a digression showing absolute frustration of a false accuser who is bereaved of facts to substantiate his claims.”
Cybersecurity Levy: 'You're More Interested In Milking A Dying Economy' - Peter Obi Knocks Tinubu govt
AFOLABI
Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr Peter Obi, has slammed President Bola Tinubu’s government for the imposition of the cybersecurity levy on Nigerians.
He said the government was interested in milking a dying economy instead of nurturing it to recovery and growth.
Obi accused the government of coming up with policies that not only impoverish the citizens but also make the country’s economic environment less competitive.
According to him, the imposition of a Cybersecurity Levy on Nigerians will further erode whatever is left of their remaining capital after the impact of the Naira devaluation and high inflation rate.
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Obi questioned when the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, has become a revenue collecting centre.
The former Anambra State governor said it was unthinkable to expect the suffering citizens of Nigeria to separately fund all activities of the government.
He said: “The introduction of yet another tax, in the form of Cybersecurity Levy, on Nigerians who are already suffering severe economic distress is further proof that the government is more interested in milking a dying economy instead of nurturing it to recovery and growth.
“This does not only amount to multiple taxation on banking transactions, which are already subject to various other taxes including stamp duties but negates the Government’s avowed commitment to reduce the number of taxes and streamline the tax system.
“The imposition of a Cybersecurity Levy on bank transactions is particularly sad given that the tax is on the trading capital of businesses and not on their profit hence will further erode whatever is left of their remaining capital, after the impact of the Naira devaluation and high inflation rate.
“It is inconceivable to expect the suffering citizens of Nigeria to separately fund all activities of the government. Policies such as this not only impoverish the citizens but make the country’s economic environment less competitive.
“At a time when the government should be reducing taxes to curb inflation, the government is instead introducing new taxes. And when did the office of the NSA become a revenue collecting centre?
“And why should that purely national security office receive returns on a specific tax as stated in the new cybersecurity law?”