An accident has claimed the lives of a middle-aged woman and her two children after the bus they were traveling in caught fire near Manderegi village, along the Abuja-Lokoja highway.

The incident, which occurred on an 18-seater commuter bus with registration number BGT 996 LG, left 12 other passengers with severe burns.

The bus was reportedly en route to Kogi State when it suddenly burst into flames.

Eyewitnesses reported that the victims were trapped inside the vehicle and burnt beyond recognition.

Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) later evacuated the remains of the deceased and transported the injured to a hospital in Abaji for treatment.

Confirming the incident, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, Mr. Muta’ah Chorrie, attributed the tragedy to the driver’s negligence.

According to Chorrie, the driver had stored a jerrican filled with fuel in the bus alongside passengers, which likely contributed to the fire.

He said, “Let me tell you, this is what we have been saying that there is danger in carrying extra fuel with passengers while traveling. We have been sensitizing motorists on this but some defiant drivers still carry them.’’

The Independent National Electoral Commission has presented certificates of return to Ondo State Governor-elect, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, and his deputy, Adelami Olayide.

The certificates were handed over in Abuja on Wednesday by the Supervisory National Commissioner for Ondo State, Prof. Kunle Ajayi.

This comes four days after INEC declared Aiyedatiwa the winner of the governorship election held on Saturday.

Representing the All Progressives Congress, Aiyedatiwa defeated Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party and 15 other candidates.

He won across all 18 local government areas of the state, polling 366,781 votes against Ajayi’s 117,845.

Some Nigerians have queried the lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who pleaded with the Senate to allow the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to replace him as the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District.

Recall that Ndume had argued that it is necessary to preserve Ubah’s legacy and aspirations through his family.

Ndume made the appeal during the Valedictory session held on Tuesday in honour of the late senator.

Citing historical precedents, Ndume argued that such a move would honour the late senator’s contributions to the Senate and ensure continuity in representing his constituency.

However, Ndume’s suggestion earned him criticism from Nigerians, questioning if political offices are hereditary or family property.

@chimm_di wrote: “I don’t understand… succeed him as per? His property or family inheritance? This country sev”

@orefolayan wrote: “Is the Senate seat a Monarchy? Which one be “succeed him”?”

@kelvin_hartz wrote: “A widow that should be m0urning her husband.”

@adumaadand6 wrote: “So we are now practicing a hereditary monarchical system of government in the Senate? Is it a family heirloom that needs to be inherited? What exactly is going on in this country? Who deemed her worthy to decide our fate in this country? Are we using sentiments now? Why can’t she go through the same process other senate went through? Be voted for. Did the people she wants to represent them say they want her? I’ve so many questions cos this is just something else”

@101fred wrote: “Naija de turn family business small small . People now inherit government positions… hmmm”

@innocent wrote: “That you guys in the North and soon Lagos are now treating elected political positions as family inheritance which is why El rufai and so on have their families and kids in Federal Political offices. It does not mean South East tolerates such. Keep your monarchy system of government up there to yourselves.”

@augustine_vivian wrote: “So politics in Nigeria has suddenly becomes family HERITAGE”

@meyer7xxx wrote: “It’s not a thing of competence, it’s a family business and they are no longer bothered dishing it out in our faces”

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