National News
NHRC Says Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections Fraught with Irregularities
NHRC Says Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections Fraught with Irregularities
…To Invite Yahaya Bello, MC Oluomo over Hate Speech,
By: Michael Mike
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has lamented that Saturday’s Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections across the nation was fraught with so many irregularities ranging from attacks on Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, vote buying, violence at polling units, attack on journalists, and cases of death.
Presenting a preliminary report on the election, the Executive Secretary, Chief Tony Ojukwu on Sunday said both Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, and Chairman of Chairman of Lagos State Parks Management Committee, Musiliu Akinsanya popularly known as MC Oluomo
would be invited to explain their roles in alleged hate speech shortly before the election.
Ojukwu who also disclosed that the Commission was going to investigate the attack on Arise News TV crew in Lagos, called for investigation and prosecution of cases of electoral crime across the country during the election
The Executive Secretary said as part of its mandate to promote and protect human rights, NHRC deployed 600 staff Human Right Monitors across the 36 states for the Gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections, and also through the Human Rights Situation Room closely monitored the elections and received real time complaints on human rights violations during the elections from across the country.
He said: “Our preliminary report highlights key findings from monitoring over 1300 polling units by our staff and reports and complaints received from Nigerians in our Human Rights Situation Room. The Commission during the elections process monitored among others issues relating to the conduct of law enforcement and security personnel, hate speech, election related Sexual and Gender based violence (SGBV) and vote buying.”
He added that: “The environment before the elections was fraught with tension arising from reports and allegations of threats from different political parties and their supporters concerning the elections. ethnic division and hate speeches were rife in many states, including Lagos, Enugu, Kano, Kaduna and Rivers. This led to the publication by the NHRC of an Advisory on Hate Speech Based on Ethnic and Religious Sentiments and 2023 General Elections in Nigeria on the 16th of March 2023.
“In Lagos, Enugu, Ebonyi and a few other states, there were threats of violence on opposition supporters, including the use of traditional institutions, schools and the public service. The advisory highlighted areas of concern for the Commission and recommended steps to be taken by the various agencies to address the issues before, during and after the elections.”
He said compared to the Presidential and National Assembly Election of February, the Governorship and House of Assembly elections witnessed a low voter turnout. in states like Niger, Kwara, Benue and Kogi, the turn out was abysmally low and in almost all the south eastern states, low turn out was also recorded.
He said: “It is important to note that the NHRC in its monthly Review Forum on Human Rights and the 2023 Elections has warned that the consequences of the hitches and irregularities recorded in the Presidential election were capable of increasing voter apathy. It is also important to note that threats of violence prior to the elections may also have played a major factor.”
Ojukwu said: “Our monitors reported incidents of violence, including cases of assault, vandalism, destruction of election materials and polling units in 16% of the polling units monitored.
“There were reports from Rivers state of hoodlums attacking the INEC officials and stealing the BVAS device and election materials. There was also reported cases of abduction of INEC Officials in Isu LGA of Imo state and attack on INEC officials in Odoakpu Ward 7, Onitsha in Anambra state
“There were also various reports of attacks on polling units from Lagos, Rivers, Nasarawa and Enugu states. In Kano state there was a report of violence in Rogo ward of Sabo Gari Local Government Area that led to the death of one person. The Commission also received reports of disruption of elections in Ogbia Constituency 2 in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa state. This resulted in no elections in fours wards and 94 polling units. There was also a report of ballot box snatching in Enugu East LGA.
“The Commission received with great concern, the attack on the ARISE News crew at Elegushi Palace. We call on law enforcement to investigate these and other incidents of violence and bring perpetrators to book.
“The Commission received reports of the killing of thugs in Lagos, Katsina and Benue states, Labour Party agents in Lagos. Elections are not war and no life should be lost in the process of elections.”
He said the Nigeria Police Force should arrest and prosecute all verified cases of political violence including attacks and snatching of ballot boxes and materials, calling on all law enforcement and security agents in the remaining unconcluded ongoing elections to maintain political neutrality and impartiality, while urging
INEC in conducting future off-cycle elections to continue to ensure transparency and integrity in the electoral processes.
He said the Commission will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available, asking all relevant authorities to take necessary actions to address the issues raised in the preliminary report to ensure that future elections are free, fair, and peaceful.
NHRC Says Gubernatorial and House of Assembly Elections Fraught with Irregularities
National News
China’s Chief of Consular Section Visits Abia Police Command Over Kidnapping of Nationals
China’s Chief of Consular Section Visits Abia Police Command Over Kidnapping of Nationals
By Zagazola Makama
In a continued effort to address the abduction of its nationals, the Republic of China’s Chief of Consular Section, Mr. Bai Jianusen, visited the Abia State Police Command on April 6, 2025.
The visit was a significant gesture following the kidnapping of several Chinese nationals in the region, which has prompted heightened concerns over their safety.
Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the delegation, led by Mr. Bai, was received on behalf of the Commissioner of Police (Compol) by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Decompol) in charge of Operations (Dops) in Abia State.
The delegation’s main objective was to express the Chinese government’s deep concern regarding the kidnapping of its citizens and to offer condolences for the tragic loss of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty during the operation.
During the visit, Mr. Bai commended the Abia Police Command for their swift response and ongoing investigation into the abduction. He assured the police that the Chinese government is prepared to assist the investigation by providing any relevant information that could aid in the swift resolution of the case and the safe return of the kidnapped nationals.
In turn, Decompol Dops reassured Mr. Bai and his team that the Abia State Police Command remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of all foreign nationals, particularly those from China, within the state. He emphasized that security efforts are being intensified, with enhanced patrols and surveillance in areas where the Chinese nationals reside or frequent.
Mr. Bai and his team also met with the Special Investigating Team, known as the “Jaguar Squad,” which was specially formed to investigate the abduction and related crimes. The team has been working diligently to track down the kidnappers and bring them to justice.
Authorities in Abia State continue their investigation into the kidnapping, and efforts to locate the victims and arrest the perpetrators are ongoing. The Chinese Consular delegation expressed gratitude for the collaborative approach to resolving the case and reaffirmed their commitment to further supporting the police in their pursuit of justice.
China’s Chief of Consular Section Visits Abia Police Command Over Kidnapping of Nationals
National News
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
** Seeks deeper cooperation in trade, security, democracy
By: Our Reporter
The Nigerian government has described its relationship with Senegal as a strategic partnership built on a foundation of shared history, democratic values and economic interdependence.
This followed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s presence at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar on Friday.
VP Shettima had represented President Bola Tinubu at the event where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal played host to guests from across Africa and beyond.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event in Dakar, Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said there were very strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Senegal, noting that both countries achieved independence in 1960 and have maintained shared commitments to democratic governance and regional security.
Also on Nigeria’s delegation was Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“Senegal and Nigeria have very strong bilateral ties. This has been as a result of our shared history and circumstances—both countries attained independence at about the same time in 1960,” the Minister stated.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the need for continued collaboration in democracy, trade, and security between the two countries.
She said, “Both countries have remained committed to deepening democratic governance, values, and constitutional governance in the African continent. We have also jointly remained committed in the fight against terrorism and building strong regional institutions.”
The Minister revealed that Senegal accounts for 68.7% of Nigeria’s exports within the ECOWAS market—an indicator of Nigeria’s central role in regional trade.
“Senegal takes 68.7% exports from Nigeria within the ECOWAS market,” she disclosed, describing the statistic as a reflection of “mutually beneficial economic cooperation.”
The Minister also pointed to sustained high-level engagement, noting that “the President of Senegal, Bassirou Diomaye Faye was in Nigeria last year to meet with our President, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to talk about areas of collaboration and cooperation.”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu expressed optimism about the future of the Nigeria-Senegal partnership, expressing hope that both nations will “continue deepening this economic relationship and enhance” their relationship across all sectors.
The event was attended by several foreign dignitaries, including Guinea-Bissau’s President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, The Gambia’s President Adama Barrow and Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani.
In his national address at the event, President Faye applauded Senegal’s democratic maturity, reaffirming his commitment to deeply transforming the country.
“Now more than ever, we must harness this driving force to correct what needs fixing and to give shape to the aspirations of our people and the hopes of our youth,” Faye said.
These reforms, he said, include optimizing local finances, ensuring budgetary transparency, rationalizing public spending, and managing debt efficiently to safeguard fiscal sustainability.
AT SENEGAL’S 65TH INDEPENDENCE DAY:
Nigeria Hails Strategic Relationship As Key To West African Stability, Economic Growth
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
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