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Low turnout, logistics mar council polls in Delta
Low voter turnout and late arrival of electoral materials marred Saturday’s local government elections in Warri and its environs in Delta state.
In Warri South and Uvwie, materials arrived about 11 a.m. This is even as traders at Igbudu market were seen going about their trade, and commercial operators going about their businesses.
Addressing reporters shortly after casting his vote at Osubi ward 6, unit 33 in Okpe LGA, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who spoke on the Supreme Court judgement granting local government councils financial autonomy, said he is not worried by the judgement, as the state government does not tamper with local government funds.
According to him, “The Supreme Court has given judgment. It does not affect Delta State Government. In Delta State, we don’t tamper with local government money. As we speak, the money for the local governments is still there. Almost 15 billion is still there.
“I’m a supporter of financial autonomy and as a former speaker; we’re at the forefront of financial autonomy for the legislature and the judiciary. I still believe in it.”
He further expressed confidence that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious in the councils.
Meanwhile, the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission (DSIEC) has been accused of hoarding sensitive materials for the polls from the opposition.
As of 1p.m, sensitive materials were yet to be delivered across wards in Warri North.
The development led to the major opposition in the state, the All Progressives Congress (APC), to boycott the exercise in some LGAs, citing loss of confidence in DSIEC.
Speaking on the matter, Senator Joel-Onowakpo Thomas who represents Delta South Senatorial District condemned the commission for failing to release sensitive electoral materials, including result sheets and ballot papers, for the local government council elections.
He spoke at his country home in Emede, Isoko South LGA, accusing DSIEC of colluding with the ruling PDP to deny citizens their fundamental right to vote, effectively rendering the election invalid.
The Senator alleged that the PDP, APC’s readiness to take over local government affairs, conspired with DSIEC to manipulate the electoral process.
“Democracy worldwide is about the will of the people, but DSIEC and the PDP have conspired to deny citizens their right to elect local government leaders. This is undemocratic and unacceptable,” the senator said.
APC chieftain in Delta South, Chief Ayirimi Emami, had earlier advocated for INEC to conduct council elections in order to enthrone good governance at the grassroots on the heels of the Supreme Court granting LGs financial autonomy.
Chief Emami who hailed the judgement during the campaigns for the council elections, said President Bola Tinubu was doing what ought to be done.
The candidate of the APC for Warri North Akatakpo Omatseye and the Labour Party (LP), along with other party leaders and supporters, including Sir. Amorighoye Mene (for the APC), were gathered at DSIEC office in Koko as early as 6a.m for the distribution of voting materials but waited endlessly for the arrival of the commission’s officials.
Speaking on behalf of the APC, Sir Mene said despite directing them to be at the DSIEC office as early as 6 a.m., there was no sign of its officials.
Also the Ughelli North APC leaders in a signed statement by its party Chairman, Obakpororo Onoabedje, and Scribe, Mrs. Beauty Ubogun-Nze, accused the electoral umpire of recruiting PDP members as ad-hoc staff for the conduct of the election.
President Bola Tinubu has declared his intention to seek re-election in 2027, saying critics exploiting the country’s security challenges were doing the bidding of his political opponents.
Tinubu made the remarks while receiving Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang and other stakeholders from the state, telling them that hostile forces were weaponising insecurity to undermine his administration.
“You are playing to the hand of agents, including my own enemies, who want to use insecurity to get rid of me,” he said, adding that he would not be deterred.
“I’m a very stubborn politician. I just refuse to go. And I will campaign for my second term.”
The declaration comes amid sustained pressure on the Federal Government over attacks by armed groups, kidnappings, and killings across several states, with opposition figures and civil society organisations demanding stronger federal action.
NDLEA raids 3 illicit drug warehouses, recovers N16.9bn worth of opioids
Tinubu has consistently defended his administration’s security record, maintaining that agencies are being adequately supported to restore stability.
The President took office in May 2023 and is constitutionally eligible to seek a second four-year term when Nigerians go to the polls in 2027.
…proposal aim to strengthen coordination and innovation across the Armed Forces
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a proposal to set up a Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, envisioned as a high-level strategic hub to improve coordination, efficiency and overall performance within Nigeria’s Armed Forces.
The bill, sponsored by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, is titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre to Enhance the Coordination and Effectiveness of Military Operations of the Armed Forces of Nigeria by Integrating the Capabilities of Its Respective Services; and for Related Matters (HB 2741).”
It progressed to the next stage following debate by lawmakers on Wednesday during plenary.
The planned centre is intended to serve as a focal point for defence research, development of military doctrine, strategic planning and innovation in warfare, with particular attention on fostering closer collaboration among military and paramilitary bodies.
Commencing debate on the general principles of the legislation on behalf of the Speaker, Rep. Daniel Asama said, “the initiative is designed to bridge critical gaps in Nigeria’s defence framework, particularly the lack of a dedicated institution for developing and coordinating joint military doctrines.”
“The centre would establish a structured system for the formulation, validation and dissemination of joint doctrines, while also promoting interdisciplinary research on multi-domain operations”.
Asama further observed that Nigeria’s increasingly complex security landscape demands a more integrated and strategic military response.
“Nigeria faces complex security challenges, including terrorism, insurgency and cyber warfare, which require coordinated doctrinal responses among the Armed Forces.
“The absence of a dedicated institution for joint doctrine development has created operational gaps and limited interoperability among the services”, he said.
According to him, the proposed centre will serve as both a think-tank and a centre of excellence for doctrine formulation and warfare strategy.
“This bill provides the legal and institutional framework for the Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre as a think-tank and centre of excellence for doctrine development and warfare strategy.
“It addresses the need for integrated doctrine development, unified command thinking and joint operational planning”, he added.
He described the bill as timely, the lawmaker said it would strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to respond to evolving threats while enhancing cooperation among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
He explained that the proposed centre would provide a standing platform for defence research, simulation exercises and policy coordination, with the aim of strengthening the long-term sustainability of the country’s security efforts.
The institution is expected to draw together major players in the security architecture, including the Ministers of Defence, service chiefs and specialists from the private sector.
Its responsibilities would cover aligning warfare strategies, monitoring emerging threats, reviewing operational requirements and offering strategic guidance for defence activities.
The centre would also work closely with defence institutions, universities, international allies and research organisations to advance joint doctrine development, simulation tools and contemporary warfare practices.
Among its core aims are improving Nigeria’s capacity to respond to hybrid and asymmetric threats, enhancing cooperation among the armed services, promoting defence research and expanding both regional and global security partnerships.
Asama expressed optimism that the proposal would markedly strengthen the nation’s military preparedness and strategic depth.
“The Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre will serve as the intellectual and operational hub for defence coordination, doctrine formulation and integrated warfare planning,” he said.
Following its passage for second reading, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Defence for further legislative consideration.
When passed into law, the piece of legislation is expected to provide a solid institutional framework for advancing joint military operations and improving Nigeria’s response to current and emerging security challenges.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the immediate removal of Mr. Saidu Mohammed as Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
He has nominated Mr. Rabiu Abdullahi Umar to take over as the new Chief Executive. The appointment is pending confirmation by the Senate.
Details shortly….
2027: My opponents are arming terrorists against me — Tinubu
Lawmakers Move To Establish Military Strategy Hub
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