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Protesting youths set INEC office ablaze in Benue
The office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Sankara, the headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area in Benue State was attacked and burnt on Wednesday by protesting youths.
The National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, confirmed the attack in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for the state, Prof. Sam Egwu noted that the attack occurred at 2 pm as youths protested against the activities of bandits in the area.
The protest escalated to include the destruction of several government facilities, including the INEC office.
While no casualties have been reported, the damage to the building was said to be extensive.
Some of the items destroyed, according to the statement, include furniture, 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes and 270 voting cubicles, among others.
Olumekun noted that security agencies have been alerted and have already deployed personnel to the area to restore order and investigate the incident.
The statement read, “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Benue State, Professor Sam Egwu has reported that our Local Government Area office in Sankara, headquarters of Ukum Local Government Area, has been attacked and burnt down.
“The incident occurred at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday 3rd July 2024, when the youths in the area were said to be protesting against the activities of bandits who attacked facilities of government agencies, including INEC.
“Although no casualties were reported, the building has been extensively damaged. Office furniture and other movable and immovable materials, including 10 electric generators, 300 ballot boxes, and 270 voting cubicles, were destroyed in the attack.”
According to data released by the INEC on December 16, 2022, the commission recorded 50 attacks on its facilities across 15 states in the last four years, with Imo State topping the list of states affected with 11 incidents.
Old Trafford, Manchester United’s 74,000-capacity stadium, became a house of worship on Saturday as Nigerian pastor Jerry Eze led the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference, drawing believers from across Britain and beyond.
Hosted by Streams of Joy International, the conference brought together believers from across the United Kingdom and around the world for prayer, worship and fellowship.
Worshippers at the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference held at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. Photo: X / @AgborMoses34
Admission to the event was free, though attendees were encouraged to register in advance as places were limited.
Despite that, demand reportedly outstripped availability, with some social media users claiming the event was fully booked and turning to TikTok in the days leading up to the conference in search of spare tickets.
Worshippers during the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. PHOTO: NSPPD/YouTube
Worshippers during the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. PHOTO: NSPPD/YouTube
The gathering featured several well-known gospel ministers alongside Eze, including Sunmisola Agbebi, Mercy Chinwo, Dunsin Oyekan and Kaestrings.
Worshippers during the NSPPD UK Prayer Conference at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Saturday. PHOTO: NSPPD/YouTube
(Credit: Saturday PUNCH)
The Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, has stated that the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, DSS, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, cleared him of wrongdoing over allegations surrounding the purported Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC.
Gbajabiamila made the remark on Saturday during the 2026 Gbaja Mega Empowerment Programme in Lagos State.
“The allegations against me had been investigated, and the reports of the investigations were in the public domain,” he stated.
Gbajabiamila was linked to the establishment of the Presidential Foreign Investment Promotion Council, PFIPC, headed by its Director-General, Adeniyi Adeyemi.
Adeyemi had accused Gbajabiamila of demanding a 48 per cent kickback from a N27.3 billion grant to the council.
He also claimed that he paid N400 million to Tinubu’s Chief of Staff through a proxy and owed an additional N200 million.
Following the allegations, Adeyemi was arrested, detained and later released.
After his release, Gbajabiamila dragged Adeyemi to court over alleged defamation.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
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