A Decade ago Jordan Bardella was a mere teenager, spending hours after school firing at enemy combatants on “Call of Duty” video games.

Today the 28-year-old leader of the hard-right National Rally may be weeks away from becoming prime minister of France, and its youngest ever by a long way.

After a two-round legislative election on June 30th and July 7th, his party could win enough seats to form a government.

The ascent of Marine Le Pen’s young protégé from obscurity to the cusp of high office is one of the more improbable in modern French politics.

The son of an Italian-born mother and a father whose family arrived in France from Italy, Mr Bardella grew up in social housing in Seine-Saint-Denis, a multicultural northern banlieue (suburb) of Paris. What could have held him back in life became his political selling-point.

“I have my roots there, a part of myself and my family’s history,” Mr Bardella told Le Monde, recalling the drug dealers that hung out on a battered sofa on the landing outside his flat. “I’m in politics for everything that I lived through back there.”

This backstory, as well as his unusual poise, grabbed Ms Le Pen’s eye early on. Both assets were politically valuable for a party that, under her stewardship since 2011, has been trying to transform itself from a fringe xenophobic protest outfit into a party that speaks for the people and promises to govern on their behalf.

At the age of 16, Mr Bardella joined the party because of Ms Le Pen’s takeover.

Seven years later—after he had dropped out of a geography degree at the Sorbonne university and gone into local politics—she picked him to lead her party into elections in 2019 to the European Parliament.

A year earlier, she had changed its name from the tainted National Front she inherited from her antisemitic, xenophobic father to the National Rally (RN), a name with more mainstream associations.

Not everyone within the party was happy with Mr Bardella’s hasty rise. Rivals considered him too young, inexperienced and disconnected from core party loyalists.

Mr Bardella’s formal consecration came in 2022, when he beat Ms Le Pen’s former romantic partner, Louis Aliot, to be elected president of the RN.

That freed Ms Le Pen from daily party affairs (she remains head of its bloc in parliament, and will undoubtedly be its nominee for the next presidential race, in 2027).

Since then, Mr Bardella has earned respect among a generation of younger rn figures. “He has an impressive work ethic and maturity,” says Jean-Philippe Tanguy, an outgoing rn deputy, adding that Mr Bardella’s asset is that he is open to criticism but “ruthless with pointless whiners.”

To voters, Mr Bardella has lent the RN a presentable modern face and unflappable style. A child of the screen era, Mr Bardella has in the past posted clips on a YouTube channel in which he commentated on his video-game performances.

Today he has 1.6m followers on TikTok, and mixes campaign clips with those of himself squeezing mayonnaise into a hotdog or climbing aboard a fishing trawler in the fog. “He looks like a nice guy” is a typical comment made by voters on the ground who have no ideological link to the rn.

What lies behind that smooth exterior, though, remains something of a mystery. In his short career, Mr Bardella has never held a job outside politics.

Fixated on the sanitisation of the party, he baulks at any reference to Jean-Marie Le Pen’s antisemitic era, or the unsavoury figures who linger in party circles from that time.

The young rn president owes his promotion to Ms Le Pen, and colleagues say that his loyalty to her is absolute. But politics is what it is; such fidelity has so far been untested. Differences between them do exist.

The party formerly borrowed money from a Kremlin-linked bank, and deputies abstained at a parliamentary vote earlier this year on France’s bilateral security agreement with Ukraine.

Mr Bardella, though, has recently sounded a somewhat more critical note about Vladimir Putin, blaming escalation on the Russian leader; Ms Le Pen tends to point the finger at President Emmanuel Macron, who has refused to rule out putting boots on the ground in Ukraine.

If he is nominated as prime minister, Mr Bardella’s manifesto will be a mix of economic populism and hard-right nationalism.

He has promised “in the first weeks” to tighten immigration rules to make it easier to expel “Islamist foreigners”, and abolish the right to French nationality for those born in the country.

He also vows “immediately” to lower the level of vat from 20% to 5.5% on electricity and gas bills as well as on motor fuel, and to use tax-breaks to raise salaries by up to 10%. Mr Bardella would cut benefits to parents of underage repeat offenders, and turn the current mansion tax into a financial-wealth tax.

He has been more cautious, though, about promising to overturn Mr Macron’s pension reform, which raised the legal minimum retirement age from 62 years to 64; instead, he vows to enable those who started work at the age of 20 to retire at 60.

How such measures would be financed remains alarmingly vague. Renaissance, Mr Macron’s party, calculates that the vat cuts on energy, fuel and food bills alone would cost €24bn ($26bn) a year.

The Institut Montaigne, a liberal think-tank, estimates that, on the basis of Ms Le Pen’s manifesto at the presidential election in 2022, the RN in government would cost a net €100bn extra each year, equivalent to about 3.5% of gdp.

That would add to an already high budget deficit, which the government expects to run at over 5% of GDP this year.

Yet the trouble for centrist voters hoping to obstruct his path to the Matignon, as the French prime minister’s office in Paris is known, is that Mr Bardella has so far managed to shrug off inconvenient details or failings.

That he grew up in Seine-Saint-Denis is widely known; less so, that he attended a private Catholic school there, not the public lycée.

Voters seem no more bothered by his loose grasp of policy detail. During a recent live debate against Gabriel Attal, Mr Macron’s 35-year-old prime minister, Mr Bardella was forced to confess that he had not read the text of a bill in the European Parliament that he had voted against.

A poll the next day, however, suggested that the debate had convinced more people to vote for Mr Bardella’s party than Mr Attal’s.

If Mr Bardella represents anything in these populist times it is that reasoned argument and rational debate are flimsy weapons against the force of simplistic promises and narrative politics.

This story appeared on The Economist with the title A hard-right 28-year-old could soon be France’s prime minister

In a statement on Thursday, India’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) said Binance was fined for “operations within India without adhering to its statutory obligations under the PMLA.”

According to the statement, the FIU’s director, after reviewing Binance’s submissions, concluded that the charges were substantiated, leading to the penalty and directives aimed at ensuring future compliance.

“After considering the written and oral submissions of Binance, the director, FIU-IND, based on the material available on record, found that the charges against Binance were substantiated,” the statement said.

It added that the FIU-IND director ordered the imposition of a “total penalty” of approximately $2.2 million on Binance, along with specific directions to ensure diligent compliance with the obligations.

Binance, in a statement on Thursday, said, “We are aware of the FIU’s directive and are currently evaluating it to decide our next steps. We value the opportunity to continue serving the dynamic Indian crypto community.

“We intend to collaborate with the FIU as a reporting entity and are keen to potentially re-enter the Indian market in the near future to make a positive impact. We remain committed to transparency, fostering cooperation, and ensuring compliance with regulatory authorities.”

Meanwhile, the crypto firm is facing a legal battle in Nigeria over money laundering and tax evasion allegations.

In March, Binance announced its exit from the Nigerian market and removal of all assets associated with the naira amid a clampdown by Nigerian authorities on the platform.

In a twist of events, the crypto giant accused Nigerian government officials of demanding a $150 million bribe to drop the case and free its detained executive, Tigran Gambaryan.

The Nigerian government denied the claim, calling it arm-twisting.

A new General Manager has been named for Transcorp Hilton Abuja. He is Jorg Potreck.

A statement by the hotel said Potreck has over four decades of hospitality experience with 20 of those as General Manager in various locations including Germany, United Kingdom, Austria, South Africa, and Egypt.

According to the statement, Mr. Potreck returns to Hilton following his recent General Manager role at the Johari Rotana in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

“Potreck started his career as a management trainee in Germany in 1982 and progressed through the ranks before his first General Manager position at the Westin Leipzig, Germany 2004.

“His previous positions include Cluster General Manager at Hilton Hurghada Plaza and Hilton Alexandria Corniche in Egypt, as well as Cluster General Manager at the Hilton Cologne and Hilton Bonn in Germany. “

Mr. Potreck is expected in his new role as the General Manager of Transcorp Hilton Abuja to lead a dynamic team of over 1,800 team members, managing all aspects of the hotel’s operational and commercial functions to drive guest satisfaction.

Commenting on Potreck’s appointment, Andreas Lackner, Vice President, Operations, Africa & Indian Ocean, Hilton, said: “We are excited to welcome Jorg back to the Hilton family.

“With an impressive hospitality background, Jorg is a seasoned hotelier who brings on board a wealth of experience to lead one of our flagship properties on the continent. I am confident that Jorg will help us deliver purposeful service and meaningful experiences to our guests and Team Members alike.”

Reacting to his appointment, Potreck said, “I am thrilled to return to Hilton to lead the incredible team at Transcorp Hilton Abuja. Since the hotel begun operations in 1987, nearly three decades ago, it has remained a national treasure and landmark hotel, for business and leisure travellers alike – setting the benchmark for hospitality standards in Nigeria. I also look forward to developing local talent by creating personalised learning experiences and partnerships that helps the team actualise their career goals.”

The Police Service Commission, PSC, on Friday, said the Recruitment of 10,000 eligible constables into the force, followed due process, as all candidates have been fully certified fit for the job

Ikechukwu Ani, the Head of Press and Public Relations in a statement on Friday, said the PSC had watched with keen interest the developments since it concluded and released the list of successful candidates for recruitment as Constables into the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the statement, ”the Commission is disturbed at the flagrant abuse of ethics, the Constitution and valid judgment of the apex court of the land which gave it power to recruit eligible candidates into the force.

“It is important to state that due process was meticulously followed throughout the exercise and the Commission wishes to assert its prerogative to exercise full control over recruitments into the Nigeria Police Force.

“It is unfortunate that the Police has attributed its obvious failure to protect lives and properties, and safeguard our nation from banditry and terrorism to bad recruitment, ” It said.

A chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), Kenneth Okonkwo has accused the Julius Abure-led executive of being workers of iniquity.

Okonkwo described the Abure-led LP executive as “a secret society led by a group of clowns.”

The former LP presidential spokesman vowed to dump the party if it continues on a “trajectory where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention.”

In an interview aired by a news platform, Symfoni on Thursday, Okonkwo said: “My own Labour Party is not impressing me. Assuming they continue on this trajectory where they cannot even hold an acceptable national convention, then you’d tell me I’d be there?

“Those people are clowns. It is the greatest joke I have ever seen in a political party and then you want to position yourself as a party of integrity. You cannot give what you don’t have.

“Aburi and his cohorts, their tenure is over. Let Aburi and his cohorts get behind me. They are workers of iniquity. I don’t rate them. That executive is in charge of the secret society. They should be apprehended.”

LP have been involved in a leadership crisis since 2023 when Lamidi Apapa, deputy national chairman of the party declared himself the acting national chairman.

The crisis got worse in 2024 when a national convention of the party in Anambra saw Abure re-elected as chairman.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Thursday, allocated farmlands to 25 members of the state House of Assembly as parts of efforts aimed at ensuring food security and in support of the agricultural resurgence initiative of the federal government.

Prince Abiodun who presented letters of allocation to the lawmakers to commemorate the first anniversary of the 10th legislature at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the gesture was to make them contribute towards making the state the food basket of the country.

He said: “I recall that I had promised to allocate agricultural land to all the Ogun State legislators as part of our food security and agricultural resurgence initiative, which is in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Today, in fulfilment of the promise and in commemoration of your one year in office. I am glad to present to you the letters of allocation for the speaker and the 25 members of the House of Assembly, and I hope that you would take advantage of this opportunity to ensure that you begin to grow what you eat and eat what you grow. This will be your way of ensuring the fulfilment of our desire to make Ogun state the bread basket of the nation.”

Abiodun, who lauded the Assembly members for their commitment to the principles of democracy, good governance, and the welfare of the citizens, observed that their dedication to legislative excellence has been instrumental in driving the progress and development of the state

The lawmakers, the governor emphasized, has in the last one year, passed numerous bills and resolutions aimed at improving the lives of the people, noting that their tireless efforts, unwavering integrity, and collaborative spirit with the executive has made the state one of the best in the country.

“For each of us, whether in the Executive or Legislative branch, history has presented a rare opportunity to lead and serve the people who have placed their hopes and aspirations on our ability to deliver the much-needed dividends of democracy. In doing so, we must understand and decide which side of the divide we want to be and how we wish to be remembered,” he added.

Governor Abiodun assured the lawmakers that his administration is committed to working closely with them to advance key initiatives that would further drive the state’s development just as he pledged to prioritize investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and technology, to make the state remains competitive and prosperous.

“Together, we have a great task ahead. The expectation of our people is vast. We must strive to create an inclusive society where every citizen has the opportunity to thrive,” the noted.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide described the last one year as turbulent and filled with tension but maintained that the desire to give the people a purposeful representation saw them through the turbulence period.

He lauded the governor for embarking on the complete renovation and restoration of the assembly complex, adding that 24 new toilets have been added while water supply has been restored in offices of the legislators in the complex.

Rt. Hon. Elemide while assuring the governor of the Assembly’s cooperation in making laws that would fast track the socio-economic development of the state, noted that members would be guided by the fact that they were in the Assembly to represent the interest of their constituents.

On Thursday, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) alerted the public to counterfeit and invalid employment letters circulating, falsely attributed to the service.

The NIS made this known in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Kenneth Udo, in Abuja.

Udo warned desperate job seekers to exercise caution so as not to fall victim to the fraudsters.

According to him, the fraudulent letters falsely claim that the recipients have been offered employment with the NIS.

He said “the Service categorically denies any involvement in this fraudulent scheme and refutes the misinformation being spread on social media platforms regarding an ongoing recruitment/replacement exercise.

“The NIS shall continue to ensure that any unscrupulous elements engaging in this criminality will be made to face the wrath of the law.

“The public is hereby advised to report these scammers to the nearest NIS office or law enforcement agencies.

“The Nigeria Immigration Service recruitment exercise is exclusively advertised through reputable national dailies, television broadcasts, and our official website, http://www.immigration.gov.ng.

Udo said that the Service was resolutely committed to safeguarding the interest of Nigerians and upholding the integrity of its recruitment processes.

Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant group, has warned that no individual will be allowed to pocket Rivers State.

Dokubo said only one person can be governor of Rivers State at a time.

He spoke amid the crisis in Rivers State caused by the expiration of the tenure of local government chairmen.

Dokubo charged the former Chairmen to accept the end of their three-year tenure in good faith and avoid causing a problem.

Addressing his followers in Port Harcourt, Dokubo said: “Local government tenure has expired today, June 17, 2024. They should quietly go home. If they want to seek re-election in accordance with the constitution, they should do so.

“But there is no tenure elongation in the constitution. Their position is tenure-bound and that tenure has expired. Let them not cause unnecessary problems for the people of the state. And I want to advise young people: look, don’t allow yourselves to be used.

“Only one man can be governor of Rivers State at a time. We would not have two governors at a time. The people of Rivers State are bigger than Muhajid Asari Dokubo.

“Rivers State is bigger than any individual. No individual can take Rivers State people for a ride and pocket us. It is not possible.

“The people are showing people’s power. The people have gone on their own to take over local government secretariats because it is about the people, and nobody can say that we voted for three years’ tenure for a chairman and the chairman should exceed one second of that tenure.”

Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has appointed a former local government area chairman (name withheld), who was declared wanted by the police and 110 others as special advisers.

The ex-council boss was declared wanted by the police in connection with the murder of a former member of the state House of Assembly.

The governor appointed him, along with 110 others, as special advisers on Wednesday.

The deceased was abducted in Takum and killed on December 30, 2017. Since then, the former council chairman has been on the run.

The Taraba State police commissioner, Mr David Iloyanmon, told journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, on April 25, 2024, that the police had been on the trail of the fleeing ex-council boss since the state chief judge ordered his arrest.

He said, “We are looking for him. We recently gathered that he has left the state, and we have been trying to arrest him for possible prosecution; wherever he is, we must get him arrested; it’s just a matter of time.” 

Surprisingly, while announcing the new aides, the governor named the wanted man as one of the appointees.

In a press release issued by the secretary to the state government, Barr. Gibon Kataps, he announced the “approval of appointments as special advisers, senior special assistants, special assistants, community special assistants, boards, commissions and agencies of Taraba State government part 1.”

He said, “His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, has approved the appointment of the following to occupy the above offices, departments and agencies in the first instance.”

The appointment of the fleeing suspect has generated anger among the family members of the deceased, who expressed shock at the decision of the governor.

A family member who spoke to LEADERSHIP Friday on condition of anonymity for security reasons urged the governor to reverse the appointment and allow the suspect to face trial in a court of law.