Human rights lawyer, Effiong Inibehe, has advised the General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, to withdraw from defending the government of President Bola Tinubu.

Effiong Inibehe said this while reacting to Pastor Adeboye’s statement that God’s intervention through his prayers saved naira from falling to ₦10,000 per US dollar.

Adeboye also praised President Tinubu for removing fuel subsidy which he said was the root of the country’s financial problem.

In his reaction to the RCCG Pastor’s words, Inibehe advised him to “retire and go home“.

He accused Adeboye of deceiving Nigerians by stating the government stopped paying for subsidy.

“Pastor Enoch Adeboye should retire and go home. His controversial statements on the state of the nation offends the sensibilities of right thinking members of the society.

“In life, it is always better to know when to exit the stage. The fact that Adeboye is holding brief for this incompetent and oppressive government is a mockery of Christianity.

“Many people in our country have stopped going to Church due to the sickening hypocrisy and connivance of these religious leaders,” he said.

Inibehe continued, “Tinubu has paid billions in fuel subsidy, contrary to his public statements.

“Tinubu’s government has not addressed the rot and corruption in the oil sector. We are not all naive and gullible.

“It is preposterous for Adeboye to say that it is his prayers that has made the Naira not to depreciate further. Prayers do not have any effect on the exchange rate. Exchange rate is determined by economic and monetary policies, and the productivity of a country.

“Adeboye has been praying for decades for Nigeria and Nigerian politicians and things haven’t improved. It is either his prayers are not working or God is not listening to him.

“Some of the most corrupt and evil politicians and political leaders in our country today are disciples and followers of Pastor Adeboye.“

Daniel Anidugbe, the famous Nigerian singer, who is popularly known as Kizz Daniel, has announced that he would be going on sabbatical after his next EP.

The singer said he would not release why song till 2026, after his upcoming EP, ‘Uncle K’, drops on November 29, 2024.

“After this I no dey drop anything again until 2026,” he wrote on his X handle on Friday.

Following the announcement, fans have been pleading with him not to embark on sabbatical, saying they would miss his music.

Kizz Daniel has established himself as the one of the most consistent artistes in Nigeria since his debut in 2016 with the hit song, ‘Woju’.

He has released five studio albums and dozens of hit songs since gaining prominence.

Yiaga Africa, a civil society organisation (CSO), says some politicians have been inducing voters with money, food items, and fertilisers during the Ondo governorship election.

Speaking on Arise TV on Saturday, Paul James, Yiaga Africa’s election programme manager, implored security agencies to monitor vote buying activities and apprehend offenders.

He also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collaborate with security personnel to safeguard the integrity of the election.

“We saw glimpses of vote buying in the buildup to the election, where politicians, in their usual theatrics, were giving voters between N2,000 and N5,000 at campaign rallies. There was also the usual distribution of food items,” he said.

“At some point in October, we observed politicians distributing fertilisers to farmers. It’s challenging to draw the line between palliatives and vote buying, especially during the buildup to elections.

“What we fear is that political public campaigns commenced late, most of the campaigns didn’t start until the middle of October.

“We were apprehensive that they may be saving up resources to buy votes on election day.

“We have called out to the anti-graft agencies and the Nigeria police to keep an eye on the process and ensure that people involved in nefarious activities are apprehended and brought to book.

“We don’t want them to territorialise the conversation. We have seen instances when these things happen in public and security officers say they can’t do anything until INEC asks them to.

“We expect the officers to be professional in the discharge of their duties.”

Lucky Aiyedatiwa of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Abbas Mimiko of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), are the frontrunners in the election.

Seyi Law, the stand-up comedian, says he is confident that Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, will secure a “clean sweep” in the Ondo election.

Aiyedatiwa, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Mimiko of the ZLP are the frontrunners in the election.

Speaking with TheCable, Seyi, the senior special assistant on entertainment and tourism to the governor, said the election has been “peaceful in my polling unit”, with timely accreditation and a massive turnout of voters.

The comedian said he believes that the “people are voting for Aiyedatiwa”, who he thinks “deserves to remain as Ondo governor”.

“The election has been very peaceful in my polling unit. You can see that everything is going very well, people were accredited on time. People are casting their votes, it has been an amazing turn out, massive turn out,” he said.

“That means the people are truly ready for the election, they are ready to cast their votes for the man that they believe deserves to be the governor of Ondo state. For me personally, it is honorable Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa.

“I can tell you for a fact that I know it is a clean sweep in this polling unit. So we are still here awaiting the collation, people are on the queue casting their votes. It is beautiful to see.”

Agboola Ajayi, governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo, says he does not trust the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a credible election.

Ajayi spoke on Saturday after casting his ballot at his polling unit in Ese-Odo LGA.

The former deputy governor criticised the commission’s pace, saying it is a deliberate attempt to rig the polls.

“The system is not perfect, things are not working,” Ajayi told reporters.

“A lot of complaints here and there… INEC cannot organise elections in just one state.”

In a previous interview, Ajayi alleged that Oluwatoyin Babalola, the state’s resident electoral commissioner (REC), met with Lucky Aiyedatiwa, incumbent governor, and the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“I think it’s deliberate on the part of INEC and the part of the REC,” he said.

“We can’t trust you. The system is compromised, people are complaining about vote buying, BVAs are not working. It’s very shameful.

“I think Nigerians should call on the chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu. If he cannot do the job, he should just resign. This is embarrassing.

“This is sad and Nigerians are not happy.”

Ajayi also faulted the presence of armed military officers.

According to the PDP candidate, their proximity “intimidated voters”.

Ajayi, who served as deputy governor between 2017 and 2021, is running against Aiyedatiwa and 15 other candidates.

He however said he would win the election “convincingly”.

A suspected vote-buyer has been apprehended by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) during the ongoing Ondo governorship election.

The individual was apprehended with two bags of money believed to be intended for voter inducement, according to SaharaReporters.

The arrest occurred at Ward 4, Polling Unit 007, outside St. Stephen’s Primary School in Akure, Ondo State, around 9am on Saturday day.

It had earlier been reported that some of the political parties participating in the ongoing governorship election in Ondo State including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were caught engaging in vote buying.

SaharaReporters observed that the parties predominantly engage in the vote buying in Irele Local Government Area of the state.

It was observed at polling unit 007 (PU007), Ajagba Ward 2, Irele Local Government Area, some political party agents are handing out signed papers to voters as tickets to get paid after casting their votes.

Some voters said that the papers would be used to collect cash from the agents after the election, but they said that they didn't know the exact amount they would be paid.

Earlier, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, participated in the ongoing election by casting his vote early in his polling unit.

The governor arrived at Igbo Ward 4, Obenla community, in Ilaje Local Government Area at 8:46 am, accompanied by his security aides. 

He completed the voting process at 8:48 am.

This marks an important moment in the election as Aiyedatiwa seeks re-election under the APC platform.

Some voters had complained about malfunctioning of some Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

Speaking to SaharaReporters at Polling Unit 004, Apoi Ward 2, Kiribo, Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state, a voter, Omotayo Akinlami, had said the malfunctioning BVAS was affecting the election in their polling unit.

He had said it would be better if INEC allowed them to adopt manual accreditation.

Thirteen Nigerian girls who were trafficked to Ghana have been rescued, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) said.

The agency said their rescue brings “the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163”.

In a statement by its Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM gave a breakdown of the rescued ladies.

“Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend,” the Friday statement said.

It said the rescue “operation was a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, The Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NiDCOM.”

READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW

PRESS RELEASE

HUMAN TRAFFICKING: 13 MORE GIRLS TRAFFICKED TO GHANA RETURN, AS NIDCOM SAYS 163 TRAFFICKED VICTIMS RESCUED SINCE JULY

 

ABUJA, NOV. 14, 2024

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163.

Among the 163 included the 13 girls that were rescued and brought back to Nigeria over the weekend.

The rescued operation was as a result of the combined and coordinated efforts of the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police , The Rescue live foundation International, and NIDO Ghana working in collaboration with NIDCOM.

Speaking on the latest efforts, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), expressed her gratitude to the First Lady , Senator Oluremi Tinubu , the Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency, Governor Francis Nwifuru for their support in facilitating the safe return of the girls back to the country.

She also commended the vital roles played by Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman (Rescue live foundation International/NIDO Ghana), and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit in bringing the traffickers to justice.

She reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians in the diaspora under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which gave priority to combating human trafficking and safeguarding the rights of Nigerian citizens at home and in the Diaspora.

A statement by the Commission’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the rescued young girls, ages 19 to 30 years, are from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states.

They were lured to Ghana under the false promises of employment but were instead forced into exploitative situations and bound by an oath of secrecy, while the traffickers are making money off the dastardly act.

NiDCOM representative, Mr Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the ladies back to Nigeria, where they were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rehabilitation and reintegration said these set of ladies surrendered themselves willingly , having heard of the ealier operation conducted in Kpone Katamanso and Tema.

Chief Callistus Elozieuwa said with Rescue live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana’s assistance, the ladies were provided shelter for some days after they all willingly indicated their interest to come back home.

The Senior Special Assistant to Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr Valentine Okike Uzo, thanked the Governor for his willingness to bring the ladies back home which in line with his efforts to care for all Ebonyi indigenes both home and in the Diaspora.

He assured that all efforts are in place to ensure a proper rehabilitation for the victims from Ebonyi state.

e-Signed.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun (mnipr)
Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, NIDCOM, Abuja.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday expressed its readiness for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

INEC National Commissioner Supervising Ondo, Ogun and Osun States, Professor Kunle Ajayi, disclosed this on Channels Television’s Politics Today in Akure.

He assured Ondo voters that the electoral empire won’t disappoint them as they file out in their numbers to elect a new governor who will pilot the affairs of the Sunshine State for the next four years.

“We have done our own work, we are proud of what we have done and we will not disappoint the people of Ondo State,” he said.

On Thursday, INEC commenced the sensitive materials to various local government areas of Ondo State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The distribution was carried out at the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State under the watch of party agents, armed policemen, and several commercial buses hired by the Commission.

During the interview, the INEC National Commissioner noted that, unlike the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, all the Registered Areas in Ondo State have received their sensitive materials.

“I want to assure you that everything will do well. As of 3 pm, all the Registered Areas (RAs) all their sensitive materials. The next thing is to move to the Polling Unit (PU). I toured some of the RAs this afternoon,” he added.

Meanwhile, the police authorities have deployed about 34,000 operatives for the Ondo State governorship election billed for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Abiodun Alabi, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Coordinating Election Security, disclosed this to Channels Television on Friday.

He also revealed that measures have been taken to avoid infiltration of thugs or unauthorised persons during the off-cycle poll.

Alabi explained that all the 3,933 polling units of the state would be well covered, stressing that police operatives have been deployed across the wards and local government areas.

“By tomorrow, all the 3,933 polling units will be well covered,” he said. “We have about 34,000 police officers on the ground.”

The figure, he stated, includes the tactical units, the aerial surveillance team, and marine police among other units.

YouTube streamer, Jake Paul emerged victorious against boxing icon Mike Tyson in a highly anticipated bout at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas.

The judges delivered a unanimous decision in favor of Paul with scores of 80-72, 79-73, and 79-73.

The fight made history by featuring the largest age gap between opponents in professional boxing—31 years. Tyson, 57, stepped into the ring for his first professional fight since his 2005 loss to Kevin McBride.

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old Paul continued his unconventional rise in the sport.

The eight-round match deviated from the traditional format, with two-minute rounds and fighters wearing 14-ounce gloves, adding a unique twist to the contest.

Final Round Drama

As the final round began, the crowd chanted Tyson’s name in a show of support. However, Paul silenced the cheers with a series of sharp jabs. Tyson managed to connect with a left hook, but Paul dominated the last minute, landing a powerful right hand that pushed Tyson to the ropes. In a show of respect, Paul bowed as the match concluded.

Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 7:

Tyson started aggressively, energizing the audience, but Paul quickly regained control with a combination of a right hand and a body shot, slowing Tyson’s pace. Paul’s precision punches dominated the round.

Round 6:

Boos echoed from the crowd as the fight slowed. While Paul maintained an upper hand, neither fighter showed much activity.

Round 5:

Paul remained the aggressor, dictating the pace with higher activity levels and sharper accuracy, though significant punches were scarce.

Rounds 3 & 4:

Paul capitalized on Tyson’s exhaustion, assuming complete control of the match. Tyson struggled to throw punches, leaving Paul to dictate the fight’s tempo.

Round 2:

After a strong start in the opening round, Tyson appeared fatigued in the second, his punch output noticeably declining. Despite this, Paul stayed largely on the defensive.

Round 1:

Tyson delivered powerful blows early on, keeping Paul on the defensive. The round showcased flashes of Tyson’s legendary power nearly 40 years after his professional debut and 19 years after his retirement.

The event, held at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, drew immense attention, marking Tyson’s return to the ring against Paul, a 26-year-old YouTuber-turned-boxer.