News
Civil Society groups tell APC national to cancel Edo primary election
…say it was a sham and national disgrace
… insist due process trampled upon
A coalition of Civil Society organisation has picked holes in the ongoing All Progressive Congress (APC), primary election in Benin, the state Capital, saying that the process lacks transparency because it deviated from the party’s guidelines.
The groups asked the party National Leadership to save itself from the looming danger of litigation and consequences by ensuring that it’s constitution and guidelines are followed to the latter.
In a statement by the coalition signed by Comrade Victor Kalu Grassroots Development and Peace Initiative, and Edmond Osareti, Development Center For Rescue Mission sighted by journalists urged the party leadership to urgently address the flaws.
The Statement reads:
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Edo State has encountered significant challenges, hindering a seamless selection process for aspiring candidates.
“This preliminary report as observed by the underlisted Seven reputable Civil Society Organizations committed to strengthening democratic values and credible leadership in Nigeria, sheds light on three major concerns observed during the primary: a lack of awareness among party members about the process, a dearth of stakeholders meetings to inform party members, and the absence of the party voters register for aspirants who had made payments.
“One critical issue that emerged during the APC primary in Edo State was the limited awareness among party members regarding the electoral process. Numerous party members expressed their concern and ignorance about the primary’s procedures and guidelines.
“This knowledge gap resulted in a sense of disillusionment and frustration among the party faithful, who had expected a more inclusive and transparent election.
“Another significant concern was the lack of stakeholders meetings conducted by the APC in Edo State to fully brief its members about the primary election.
“Stakeholders meetings play a crucial role in disseminating important information, clarifying doubts, and building trust among party members.
The absence of such meetings left many aspirants and their supporters feeling neglected and uninformed about crucial aspects of the primary process.
“Aspirants who had paid for access to the party voters register, as part of their preparations for the primary, faced an unexpected hurdle.
“This setback impeded their ability to effectively engage with and mobilize potential voters within the party. The absence of the required voters register not only hindered the aspirants’ campaign strategies but also raised questions about the transparency and efficiency of the registration system within the party.
“The APC primary election in Edo State faced significant challenges, prominently including a lack of member awareness, insufficient stakeholders meetings to provide guidance, and the unavailability of the party voters register for the aspirants.
“These issues undermine the transparency, credibility, and inclusivity of the primary process, potentially leading to a diminished trust among party members. Addressing these challenges is crucial to ensuring a fair and democratic primary election, thereby strengthening the party and promoting a genuine sense of participation among its members
…call for suspension of digital unit, cancellation of exams over widespread disruptions
By Gloria Ikibah
Lawmakers representing the South East in the House of Representatives have called for the immediate step-down of the Registrar of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, citing severe lapses in the recent administration of the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The caucus, under the leadership of Rep. Igariwey Enwo, in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja, expressed outrage over what they termed a systemic breakdown that affected nearly 380,000 candidates, many of whom must now retake the test.
The lawmakers noted that the five South Eastern states were among the hardest hit.
The caucus further criticised the handling of the issue, pointing to inadequate public communication, exam rescheduling that clashed with WAEC timetables, and the short notice provided to affected students.
The lawmakersemphasised that the mishandling has placed avoidable stress on students and their families.
By Francesca Hangeior
The head of the World Health Organization on Monday urged countries to adopt this week the Pandemic Agreement, aimed at preventing a repeat of the Covid-19 crisis.
WHO member states are holding their annual World Health Assembly, a gathering of the UN health agency’s decision-making body.
“At this assembly, member states will consider, and hopefully adopt, the WHO Pandemic Agreement,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in his opening address to the gathering in Geneva.
“This is truly a historic moment.”
After more than three years of negotiations, the text of the agreement was finalised by consensus last month.
The United States pulled out of the talks, following US President Donald Trump’s decision to trigger the country’s one-year withdrawal process to leave the WHO.
“Even in the middle of crisis, and in the face of significant opposition, you worked tirelessly, you never gave up, and you reached your goal,” said Tedros.
The hard-fought consensus spurred “joy, triumph, relief, exhaustion,” he said.
“I look forward to your adoption of the agreement.”
The agreement on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is expected to be adopted by the assembly on Tuesday.
It aims to better detect and combat pandemics by focusing on greater international coordination and surveillance, and more equitable access to vaccines and treatments.
The negotiations grew tense amid disagreements between wealthy and developing countries, with the latter feeling cut off from access to vaccines during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The agreement faced opposition from those who thought it would encroach on state sovereignty.
Countries have until May 2026 to thrash out the details of the agreement’s Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing mechanism.
The PABS mechanism deals with sharing access to pathogens with pandemic potential, and the sharing of benefits derived from them: vaccines, tests and treatments.
Once the PABS system is finalised, the agreement can then be ratified. Sixty ratifications are required for the treaty to enter into force.
By Francesca Hangeior
At least one person has died while 61 others were said to have been rescued after an overloaded migrant boat disintegrated in the English Channel during an attempted crossing overnight, according to French maritime authorities, Sky News reported on Monday.
The Maritime Prefect of the Channel and the North Sea confirmed the vessel had collapsed in the water, prompting a major rescue operation involving both French and British emergency services.
Among the rescued were a mother and her child, both suffering from hypothermia. They were airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. The rest of the survivors were transferred to the port of Boulogne-sur-Mer, south of Calais.
The French rescue tug Abeille Normandie launched three speedboats to retrieve 50 people from the water.
An additional 11 were rescued by British crews—two by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and nine by the UK Border Force vessel Ranger. All were eventually brought aboard the French tug.
A French Navy helicopter later spotted an unconscious person in the sea. The individual was retrieved by the RNLI and taken to the Abeille Normandie, where they were declared dead by the medical team onboard.
The United Kingdom government confirmed the fatality and expressed condolences. “We can confirm there has been a tragic incident in the Channel involving a small boat in French waters, which has resulted in the loss of one life.
“This latest tragedy underlines the terrible dangers of small boat crossings, and we continue to do everything we can to prevent callous criminals exploiting vulnerable people. Our thoughts are with those affected,” a spokesperson said, adding that efforts to prevent human smuggling continue.
The incident occurred amid a surge in Channel crossings. Over 12,000 people have arrived in the UK by small boats this year, including more than 1,100 in the past week alone.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer recently vowed to dismantle smuggling networks, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak warned of growing immigration pressures and pledged to reduce net migration by 2029.
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