The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has denied the report that it issued the final list of candidates for the 2023 general election on Sunday. The commission urged the general public to discontinue the report, stating categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported.   In a statement signed by National Commissioner and Chairman Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, INEC emphasised that the final list of candidates for the 2023 general election was published at least 150 days before the day of the election in compliance with the provision of Sec 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. According to the statement; “the attention of the commission has been drawn to reports widely circulated by a section of the media that the final list of candidates was released on our website on Sunday, January 8, 2023. “The commission wishes to state categorically that no new publication of the final list of candidates was released as reported. The public should therefore discountenance the story. For the record, the final list of candidates for the 2023 General Election was published at least 150 days before the day of the election in compliance with the provision of Sec. 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2022. “Accordingly, the final list for Presidential and National Assembly elections was published on September 20, 2022, while that of Governorship and State Assembly elections was published two weeks later on October 4, 2022. “These are clearly indicated as item 8 on the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general election released by the commission on February 26, 2022. “There cannot be a final list of candidates with just 46 days to the general election except for names published as substitutions for candidates nominated earlier in compliance with Court Order. “Moreover, some of the candidates that allegedly made the new “final” list are still in Court and the matter is therefore subjudice. Political parties, litigants and the public should be guided accordingly,” the statement read.

  There was bloodbath in Ojota area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Monday morning as Yoruba Nation agitators unleashed mayhem in the area. The police used teargas to disperse Yoruba Nation protesters in the area in the pandemonium that ensued.   The entire area was deserted, the expressway was a battleground as policemen engaged the agitators in a fight. A vehicle was set ablaze on the expressway as police battled to maintain peace and order. Many vehicles were vandalised in the process. There were sporadic gunshots in Ojota as the hoodlums engaged the police in shootout. Reacting to the development, David Hundeyin, the Lagos State Police Command public relations officer, said: “In the early hours of today, miscreants masquerading as Yoruba Nation Agitators came out in their hundreds, disrupting social and commercial activities at Ojota area of the State. “A team of police officers, comprising Alausa Division and the Raid Respond Squad (RRS) promptly stepped in to disperse the unlawful gathering and prevent a breakdown of law and order. The miscreants attacked the police, shooting, and destroyed two vehicles in the process. “One person has been confirmed dead, while two police officers shot by the miscreants are currently receiving treatment. Four suspects have been arrested and investigations have commenced. “Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored to the area. Lagosians are urged to go about their lawful businesses as measures have been put in place to prevent further breakdown of law and order; and keen monitoring of the situation continues. “It is imperative to state unequivocally that the Lagos State Police Command will not allow any person or group of persons, under whatever guise, disrupt the peace currently enjoyed in the State.” He also added that “RRS officers and patrol vehicles were shot at by several pump-action-rifle-wielding miscreants.”

  Ahead of the February 25 presidential election, the General Overseer of the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Pastor Paul Enenche, has said struggles between different political players for Nigeria’s soul has transcended the physical to the spiritual. Enenche, who spoke passionately about the forthcoming 2023 presidential election during the church’s January 2023 combined service, at Glory Dome in Abuja, Sunday, equally urged his members to ensure collection of their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs, in order to vote during the election. He, therefore, counselled his members to vote wisely during the 2023 presidential election, adding that all plans to subvert votes of Nigerians by those who do not mean well for the country, would fail. His words: “Call your family members and tell them, if they vote for killers, God will judge them. “I say again, if they vote for terrorists and their sponsors, Jihadists, God will judge them. “Because for some of them in the villages, they don’t know what is going on because they are not on social media. “Nigeria is at a junction where the forces of destruction want to tear it apart but I tell you that this nation shall fulfill the agenda of God. “Call your family members and tell them who to vote for, and how to vote. I am saying this because the matter of the election now is no longer physical, it has gone spiritual. “It is the soul of the nation and the destiny of the church of Jesus in Nigeria. “The destiny of Christians is at stake here so don’t you watch it and keep quiet. I want everybody to speak out and tell others what to do.” Enenche, however, led members of the church worldwide in fervent prayers asking God to intervene in the affairs of Nigeria by ensuring the emergence of a good leader that would move the nation on the path of progress.

  Monday 9 January 2023 We’ll Ensure Nigeria No Longer Misses A World Cup – Baba-Ahmed Electricity: If South Africa Declared ‘Power Emergency’, We Will Declare War, Obi Vows NRC Denies Shutdown Of Edo Train Station After Passengers’ Kidnap NDLEA Intercepts Drug Consignments In Wooden Statue, Imported Vehicle Arrests 11 Suspects Reverse Unlawful Electricity Tariff Hike, SERAP Tells Buhari 2023: Kwankwaso Loses Political Ally To APC In Kano Attack On My Convoy Clear Assassination Attempt – Ohakim Atiku Seeks Security Reform, ‘Safe Return’ Of Abducted Edo Train Passengers Suspected Cultist Killed In Port Harcourt Gang War Suspect In Ex-CBN Official, Wife’s Murder Escapes From Police Custody Recruitment Into Nigerian Army Not Employment Opportunity But A Call To Defend Nigeria – COAS 39 Killed In Senegal Bus Disaster Edo train attack: Soldiers, police, vigilantes track abductors, 31 passengers missing Customs hike imported vehicle duty, agents protest Japa: More youths sell assets, seek fortunes abroad Son kills stepmother, daughter over father’s broken marriage Aregbesola, Oyetola must reconcile for APC to win Osun – Minister aide I look forward to peaceful polls, retirement, says Buhari Economy’ll rebound with credible polls — Bank CEOs Woman dies after falling off husband’s motorcycle on way to church in Ogun Peter Obi’s VP candidate, Datti weeps on national TV over insults to family Army Colonel abducted by terrorists in Zamfara, rescued in Katsina Trial of Boko Haram suspects in detention to resume March — FG Agriculture solution to Food inflation – Iwuanyanwu Supporters of Brazil’s former president invade congress, supreme court PDP campaign: Atiku not sick… he was invited to London by British government Anambra police station destroyed during #EndSARS set ablaze while undergoing renovation Visit a newspaper stand this morning, buy and read a copy for yourself…

  Former Governor Sule Lamido of Jigawa State has described the recent endorsement of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as “a big mistake.” Lamido said this while welcoming a former deputy governor of the state, Ahmad Mahmoud, to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Ahmad, a former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was the deputy governor of Jigawa between 2007 to 2015 when Lamido governed the state. Addressing journalists at Bamaina, his country home in Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of Jigawa, Lamido, who served as a minister under Obasanjo, said the former president failed to understand that the PDP made him who he is. “Obasanjo talks because he is a former president. the PDP made him and he is demeaning the PDP. Obasanjo is my boss, and I believe in him, but he is human; he can make mistakes and he made a big mistake for him to endorse a party outside his party which made him what he is, getting the relevance, the image, he has globally.” “No matter the circumstances, whether power rotation or what, people are dishonest, when it comes to a sense of justice and fairness. When he was in office, he tried for the third term. Is that fair, is that justice? It’s not. I respect him but we have to stand by our tradition, the history of our political party, our philosophy, and PDP made Nigeria what it’s today. “He is endorsing Peter Obi because he is either angry because of Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu, both men are strong characters and personalities; so, the fear of these very strong men is what is haunting him; that is all. “The monopoly he has in Nigeria space will not have it. The fear of sharing that space with somebody is what is bringing all these problems for him. What he just said about Peter Obi is just an opinion. “I have my own beliefs and convictions which I and other like-minded people promote and those of us who share these beliefs and aspirations came together and formed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and PDP formed a government in Nigeria. “Our people fail to understand that when a party honours you, dignified you; made you who you are, and that is why you are talking. To me, whether it’s Obasanjo or any other person he is talking about because he is a former president, under the PDP. “The PDP invented him, and honoured, and dignified him and we look at him as a leader, who is inspiring, and motivating and can chart a new course for Nigeria. Those who worked with him in the last 25 years can trust him and respect him. That is his legacy in life. So, it’s very sad that a man that was made by PDP demeaned PDP. It’s sad because what is the lesson he is teaching to the younger generation. No matter how angry we are, we cannot deny history,” Lamido said.

  Nyesom Wike, the governor of Rivers state, says most Nigerians do not appreciate the roles played by the armed forces in the peaceful existence of the nation. The governor said this during the thanksgiving and inter-denominational service in commemoration of the 2023 Armed Forces Remembrance Day held on Sunday at the All Saint’s cathedral church of the Anglican communion in Obio-Akpor LGA, Rivers. In a statement by Kelvin Ebiri, the governor’s spokesperson, Wike said most Nigerians do not attach importance to the sacrifices of the men of the armed forces. The governor also highlighted the need for the federal government to establish a standing welfare fund, from which money can be accessed to cater for the families of fallen heroes and war veterans. “Each year the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebrations begin with the emblem launch. After the launch, crests are usually made available that are meant to be worn daily, but most Nigerians do not attach importance to it,” the governor said. “Pinning such crests on shirts worn daily serves as a mark of honour and a way of identifying with the men and officers of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. “Refusing to wear them indicates a lack of appreciation of the sacrifices the officers have made in fighting to curtail insurrection, secession, crime and all forms of criminality that threaten the peace that makes a healthy country.”

  The federal government has shortlisted 20 candidates for the position of a new and substantive accountant-general of the federation (AGF). According to a circular seen by TheCable, the 20 candidates were drawn from different ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs). In May, TheCable had reported on how Ahmed Idris, the former AGF, was arrested in Kano after he failed to respond to invitations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to answer questions over an allegation of N109 billion fraud. Two days later, Idris was suspended indefinitely “without pay” by Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning. Chukwunyere Anamekwe, who was chosen to replace Idris in an acting capacity, was also removed. In the circular, the federal government, explained that the shortlist followed reports of the anti-corruption agencies on the screening of prospective candidates that applied to participate in the process for the appointment of a substantive AGF. It said the accreditation process for the shortlisted candidates would commence on Monday, January 9. “Consequently, the shortlisted candidates are to come for the accreditation exercise scheduled to take place from Monday 9th to Wednesday 11th January, 2023 at Olusegun Obasanjo Hall, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Federal Secretariat, Phase lI, Abuja between 8.00 am and 4:00pm each day, ” the circular adds. Here is the full list of those shortlisted for the position: Mufutau Bukola (Transportation), Mohammed Aminu Yara’abba (Federal Fire Service), Danladi Zakowi Comfort (Interior), Mahmud Adam Kambari (North East Dev. Comm) Mohammed Magaji. M. Doho (Interior) Waziri Amos Samuel (Agric and Rural Development) Madein Oluwatoyin Sakirat (OHCSF) Adaramoye Joseph Oluwole (Humanitarian Affairs) Isa Abubakar (Science, Tech & Innovation) Ogunsemowo Oladipupo Olakunle (Environment) Egbokale Kadiri Charity (Nig. Football Federation) and lbrahim Saadiyya Jibo (National Boundary Commission) Ogbodo Chinasa Nnam (National Salaries, Income & Wages Commission) Bakre Modupe Julianah (NPF) Osakwe Udechukwu Obi (Health) Velvuk Abubakar Sadiq (OAGF) Njeze Bertrand Chukwuma (Surveyors Council of Nigeria) Wali Charled Metule (Special Duties & Intergovernmental Affairs) Dandela Abdulrahman Kassim (Police Affairs) Mohammed Munkaila (Works & Housing).

  The Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has promised that if elected in next month’s polls, he will see to it that subsidy is removed as planned by the incumbent administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. Payment of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government is scheduled to end by June 30 this year. “They have removed it. That’s what they’ve done,” he said during a live appearance on Channels Television’s The People’s Townhall in Abuja on Sunday. “But I can assure you, it will go immediately. Subsidy – I’ve said it before – is organised crime and I will not allow it to stay a day longer.” “What they’re telling you is not what it is. Half of what is being mentioned is not subsidy. First is that we consume the quantity that is not supposed to be consumed here. We are the same population with Pakistan. They consume below 50 percent of what we consume. “So, the first half, I will remove it and give those people who are drinking it water – because that’s what they’re supposed to drink – so we can save the money.” Obi further noted that, at present, Nigeria is burdened with debts. According to him, Nigeria needs the money to be able to invest in critical social development issues. “Look at this year’s budget: education, which is the highest since this government came, is about N2 trillion. Health, which is the highest since this government came, is about N1.5 trillion. Then infrastructure, which is roads and everything, is about N1 trillion. “These three critical development areas are receiving N4.5 trillion. Subsidy is N3.6 trillion – half year. So, if it’s a full year, it’s about N7 trillion. Which country will invest more in subsidy than education and health and even roads? It doesn’t make sense,” he said.

  The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi has said that he will discuss with all agitators in the country if he is elected in the February 25 presidential election. He said this during The Peoples Townhall, a live event organised by Channels Television and its partners on Sunday. “We are in a democratic dispensation; you govern by discussing, you govern by consensus. So, I will sit down and discuss with every agitator without exception of name. We must use carrot and stick (approach),” he said. “I will discuss with those who want to discuss. You have to look at what is causing agitations today; it is issues of injustice, issues of where there is no fairness, issues to do with poverty, unemployment. “When you start to address these issues and you engage them in discussions and you start bringing them to the table, no agitator anywhere in the world will see reason that things are going the way they ought to and will continue to agitate because they are agitating for something.” Insisting that discussion is the best way to end agitations, the former Anambra State governor said that no agitator anywhere in the world will continue to agitate when they see that things are working the way they should or when they are given cogent reasons why certain decisions are being taken by the government. The LP flag bearer maintained that agitation is not out of place in any democracy, arguing that even at home, children agitate, but when their parents sit them down and explain things to them, they see reason and eventually agree with them. He said that Nigeria will continue to be in crisis if the government continues in what he described as injustice, unfairness, poverty, unemployment and young people not knowing where the next meal will come from.

  The Edo State Commissioner for Communications and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, has said security operatives have arrested one of the suspected kidnappers involved in the kidnapping of 32 passengers at the Igueben train station, in Igueben Local Government Area of Edo State. The commissioner disclosed this during a press briefing in Benin City, adding that one out of the 32 persons who were attacked at the train station had escaped from the kidnappers. He said, “After 32 persons were kidnapped, the Police, vigilante, and local hunters swung into action, combing the bushes around the vicinity. One of the kidnapped victims was able to escape.” Nehikhare noted, “The Edo State deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, has visited the scene of the attack for on-the-spot assessment and was told that one of the suspects was arrested and he had been helping the police with investigation to arrest other fleeing members of the kidnapping gang. “We congratulate the Police and other security agencies for their swiftness in attending to the security brief. We appreciate the local hunters and members of the Edo State Security Network as their collaboration assisted in this operation. This synergy led to the success recorded in a very short time.” “We hope this is the last time we will have such an attack on government infrastructure, especially train stations here in Edo State. Our security network was swift to react to the incident and we condole the families of the victims. We will give necessary support to the security agencies, vigilantes and local hunters who are on the trail of these kidnappers,” he added.