The Independent National Electoral Commission  says it has yet to receive the Certified True Copy of the judgment delivered by the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier order relating to the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. In a statement on Saturday, the Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, said the commission was aware of media reports on the June 26 judgment but could not comment on its specifics until it obtained and reviewed the court’s decision. “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is aware of reports circulating in the media regarding the judgment delivered on Friday, June 26, 2026, by the Federal High Court sitting in Lokoja, which set aside an earlier order concerning the registration of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. “However, as of this moment, the Commission has not yet received the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the court’s...

Belgium defeated New Zealand 5-1 to book their place in the knockout rounds of the World Cup on Friday, securing their first win of the tournament to finish on top of Group G in Vancouver. A double strike from Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard and goals from Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers carried the Red Devils into the last 32 in first place ahead of Egypt on goal difference. Egypt claimed the runners-up spot after a 1-1 draw with Iran in Seattle. The Iranians finished third in the group. Belgium dominated a lopsided first half and had alarm bells ringing in the New Zealand defence early on when Trossard’s angled shot cannoned of the inside of the upright only to be cleared off the line by Tyler Binden. The Red Devils looked poised to take the lead moments later when Jordanian referee Adham Mohammad pointed to the penalty spot...

The 2027 governorship candidate of the BOOT Party for Ogun State, Adekunle Adenuga, has promised to address the state’s developmental challenges through what he described as a practical and well-researched blueprint developed over the last 16 years. Adenuga made the pledge on Friday while accepting the party’s governorship ticket during the unveiling of its candidates at the party secretariat in Arinlese, Abeokuta. Expressing appreciation to the party leadership for the confidence reposed in him, the governorship candidate said he accepted the nomination with a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to delivering purposeful leadership. He disclosed that his aspiration is not driven by a desire to criticise previous administrations but by a determination to provide sustainable solutions to the challenges confronting Ogun State and Nigeria. Adenuga said the development blueprint prepared by his team aligns with national development goals and could serve as a model for other states if...

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested three suspects and impounded a tanker containing 45,000 litres of ethanol suspected to have been illegally acquired. The NSCDC Commandant in the state, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Uyo on Friday. Abetianbe said the arrest and seizure were made on Tuesday at about 1pm by operatives of the command acting on credible intelligence at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area. ‎”On June 23, at about 1300hrs, our operatives acting on credible intelligence intercepted a petroleum tanker at Ikot Umo Essien, along Aba Road, in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. The tanker, with a capacity of 45,000 litres, was laden with a product suspected to be ethanol acquired illegally. “Three suspects were arrested at the scene in connection with the act,” Abetianbe said. ‎Abetianbe...

The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has come under criticism on social media after encouraging Nigerians to consider small-scale businesses such as selling akara, roasted corn and kuli-kuli, saying they require little capital to start. Tinubu spoke while addressing State House Correspondents after the Renewed Hope Initiative’s second-quarter meeting with wives of state governors, held at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday. A video of her remarks was shared on Friday by News Channel 247. She stated this while highlighting the efforts of the Renewed Hope Initiative to support vulnerable Nigerians through grants and other interventions. According to her, beneficiaries of the initiative were given grants, not loans, to enable them to start businesses. “We’re trying to give hope, and to start Akara business doesn’t take a lot of money. To start roasting corn, or somebody even said kuli kuli doesn’t take much. We didn’t give them a loan; we...

The Alubarika Movement, a socio-political group loyal to the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, has renewed its support for the governorship aspiration of the APC candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji. The group declared its support in a communiqué issued at the end of its ‘strategic stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo on Thursday. The communiqué, signed by the Chairman of the movement, Alhaji Kehinde Olamolu, stated that stakeholders who are members of the APC from all local government areas of the state attended the meeting. According to the communiqué, APC stakeholders in the group unanimously renewed their commitment to ensuring Oyebamiji’s victory in the August 15 governorship election. The stakeholders also reaffirmed their loyalty and commitment to the APC, describing the movement as an integral socio-political platform within the party. They stated that the movement was established to complement, strengthen and advance the progressive ideals, structures...

The Transmission Company of Nigeria says it has restored bulk power supply to the Lagos complex through the Benin-Egbin 330kV transmission line following a national grid disturbance that caused a widespread power outage on Thursday. According to a statement issued by TCN, the incident occurred at approximately 8:19 a.m. when voltage instability spread across the Lagos corridor, leading to the loss of some generating stations and subsequent transmission line outages. The statement, signed by TCN’s General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, read in part, “At approximately 8:19 am this morning, the national grid experienced voltage instability which rapidly spread across the Lagos corridor, leading to the loss of some generating stations, causing transmission line outages, and the subsequent interruption of electricity supply to Lagos and its environs.” It added that the National Control Centre swiftly instructed several generating stations to reduce output to arrest the frequency rise and stabilise the...

Popular Nigerian rapper and singer Oludemilade Alejo, widely known as Ycee, has expressed concern over what he describes as the growing culture of celebrating ignorance and low academic standards among Nigerian youths. The rapper made the remarks during a podcast interview shared on Instagram on Wednesday, where he spoke about education, youth culture and societal values in the country. In the video, Ycee said Nigeria was increasingly accommodating ignorance, saying, “It’s like we are trying so much to accommodate unintelligent people and ignorant people because we don’t want them to feel bad. So, now they are like the majority.” He also lamented what he described as a decline in the country’s educational values, saying, “There’s a massive attack on the educational system in Nigeria.” According to the rapper, academic excellence and intellectual curiosity are no longer viewed as primary drivers of success. Instead, the allure of internet fame, viral sensations,...

South Africa coach Hugo Broos said his team had shut up the “big mouths” after the Bafana Bafana qualified for the World Cup knockouts for the first time in their history by beating South Korea 1-0 on Wednesday. The African team, playing in the tournament for the fourth time, finished second in Group A behind co-hosts Mexico, who had a perfect record of three wins out of three. South Africa, who last featured at the World Cup when they hosted it in 2010, were widely written off after their 2-0 loss to Mexico in their opening match. But they battled to a draw against the Czech Republic and came out on top in what was effectively a shootout for second place in Monterrey, thanks to Thapelo Maseko’s second-half strike. “I’m very proud of the performance of my team and I think we gave an answer to all those big mouths...

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development, Joanah Gigi, has warned operators of orphanage homes in the state to strictly comply with laws and regulations governing child adoption or risk sanctions, including closure of their facilities. Speaking during a meeting with stakeholders, particularly private orphanage home operators, in Yenagoa, the commissioner stressed the need for all adoption-related matters to be handled in collaboration with the ministry. The meeting was held shortly after her return from the National Policy Forum on Women, Children and Families, organised by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in Abuja. Gigi urged orphanage operators to ensure that all dealings with prospective adoptive parents are conducted within the framework of the law and in full compliance with established adoption procedures and regulations. She said, “This meeting was convened to brief stakeholders on newly introduced national policies and strategies on...