The House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Digital, Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity, Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide, said the time has come for Nigeria to embrace electronic voting in its democratic process.

Olajide stated this in an interview with The Guardian in Ibadan.

The lawmaker, who represents Ibadan North-West/Ibadan South-West federal constituency in Oyo State, said e-voting would go a long way in strengthening Nigeria’s electoral process.

He said: “The time has come for Nigeria to go into e-voting. Anything technology is the way to go. Look, the human interference in technology is the issue. Technology in itself is a good thing. But if you now have human interference in the wrong way, then you start having the wrong behaviour of technology. So, yes, we are ready for it. The political will might not be there totally.

“But again, we will move, regardless of whether you win or lose the election. The future generation must be protected on how they exercise their rights. So, that’s why I believe in e-voting”.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today for the United Kingdom to begin a two-week vacation as part of his annual leave.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday said he would use the two weeks as a working vacation and a retreat to reflect on his administration’s economic reforms.

He will return to the country after the leave expires.

Tinubu departed at exactly 2:35pm, after exchanging pleasantries with some top government officials in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The president celebrated Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day anniversary with a speech, in which he said the Federal Government would introduce a 30-day confab aimed at including the youth in his administration.

The President said the modalities of the confab and selection of delegates would be designed as soon as possible.

“As we work to overcome the challenges of the day, we remain mindful of the next generation as we seek to galvanise their creative energy towards a better future,” he said during his second Independence Day anniversary broadcast since he assumed office on May 29, 2023.

“We lead today with the future we wish to bequeath to our children in focus, recognising that we cannot design a future that belongs to them without making them its architects.

“Considering this, I am pleased to announce the gathering of a National Youth Conference. This conference will be a platform to address the diverse challenges and opportunities confronting our young people, who constitute more than 60 per cent of our population.

“It will provoke meaningful dialogue and empower our young people to participate actively in nation-building. By ensuring that their voices are heard in shaping the policies that impact their lives, we are creating a pathway for a brighter tomorrow.

“The 30-day Confab will unite young people nationwide to collaboratively develop solutions to issues such as education, employment, innovation, security, and social justice.

“The modalities of this Confab and selection of delegates will be designed in close consultation with our young people through their representatives. Through this confab, it will be our job as leaders to ensure that their aspirations are at the heart of the conference’s deliberations.

“The government will thoroughly consider and implement the recommendations and outcomes from this forum as we remain resolute in our mission to build a more inclusive, prosperous, and united Nigeria.”

Tinubu further said his administration decided to reform Nigeria’s political economy and defence architecture for the nation to survive.

The President also saluted the doggedness of the Nigerian people, saying the country has survived crises that disintegrated other nations.

Tinubu said his administration is determined to win the war against bandits and terrorists so that displaced farmers can return to their farmlands and boost production to reduce soaring food prices.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has advised Nigerians resident in Lebanon to consider moving out of the country now that commercial flights are still in operation.

NIDCOM said the advice is a result of its worry over the attacks on Hezbollah and other areas in Lebanon by Israeli government.

This was made known in statement signed by Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols Unit at NIDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.

“Though information from the Nigerian community in Lebanon indicated that most Nigerians have relocated from the southern part and are now relatively safe, we hereby advise them to keep safe until the ceasefire is in place.

“It is gratifying to note that thus far, no Nigerian has witnessed any form of accident or injury and wish to advise them to continue to remain safe while the war lasts.

“Nigerians are equally advised to liase with our Embassy in Lebanon for necessary guidance regarding their safety and be rest assured that their welfare and safety is of utmost concern to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement read.

Israel shifted its focus last month from the war in Gaza, which was sparked by the October 7 attacks by Iran-backed Hamas, to securing its northern border with Lebanon.

As the Security Council met, Israeli forces were battling Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, following “targeted ground raids” across the border by Israel on Tuesday.

More than 1,000 people have died since last week, in fighting that has included Israeli strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs.

The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday criticized President Bola Tinubu for allegedly presenting misleading statements about his accomplishments in his 64th Independence Day address.

The opposition party argued that Tinubu’s speech highlighted the ruling All Progressives Congress’ disregard for the challenges faced by Nigerians.

In response, the APC labeled the PDP as a desperate party trying to regain significance.

In a statement released on Tuesday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba described Tinubu’s speech as a “complete waste of time,” emphasising that it failed to address the pressing economic and security issues currently plaguing the country.

During his national address on Tuesday morning, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reform to secure Nigeria’s advancement and success.

He cautioned that maintaining the status quo could result in the country’s downfall.

The President mentioned that since assuming office 16 months ago, his government has focused on overhauling the political economy and defense system in response to the nation’s difficulties.

“We found ourselves at a dizzying crossroads, where we must choose between two paths: reform for progress and prosperity or carry on business as usual and collapse,” Tinubu said, highlighting that his administration had attracted over $30bn in foreign direct investment in the past year.

In reaction, the PDP criticized the speech for not addressing the struggles of millions of Nigerians, such as economic challenges, joblessness, and severe poverty.

The opposition party said, “The 64th Independence Day speech by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is another lethargic and windy rhetoric of false performance claims and empty promises.”

The PDP criticized the APC government for its disregard of the public’s hardships, claiming that the speech reinforced their belief that prospects for improvement under the current administration were dim.

The PDP voiced surprise that the President’s speech minimized key concerns like the severe economic hardship and hunger that had earlier sparked public demonstrations.

It also challenged Tinubu’s promises of economic growth and reduced living expenses, stating that these assertions contradicted the current reality of increasing fuel costs and unemployment.

The PDP called on President Tinubu to adopt a more proactive approach, encouraging him to visit markets or interact with urban youth to gain a clearer picture of the people’s actual situation, rather than depending on misleading data from his advisers.

The PDP  cautioned that the APC-led administration seemed intent on stifling democracy, as the speech notably omitted any mention of the erosion of electoral credibility and citizens’ rights under its governance.

Overall, the PDP’s response reflects deep dissatisfaction with the APC’s handling of the nation’s pressing issues and a call for more genuine engagement with the public.

Reacting, however, the APC Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, stated that the PDP’s reaction stemmed from its frustration over the ruling party achieving what they could not.

The PDP warned that the APC-led government appeared determined to undermine democracy, as the speech conspicuously failed to address the decline in electoral integrity and the suppression of citizens’ rights under its rule.

In general, the PDP’s response signals significant discontent with the APC’s management of the country’s urgent problems, along with a demand for more sincere interaction with the public.

In response, the APC’s Director of Publicity, Bala Ibrahim, remarked that the PDP’s criticism arose from their frustration over the ruling party’s success in areas where they had failed.

He stated “For the PDP, rather than burying their heads in shame, they claimed the President’s speech is empty.

The PDP needs to realize that ever since they left the political stage, stability has been restored in Nigeria, bringing peace back to the nation and to Abuja, the center of power.

“Since the PDP left office, the situation has improved day by day under the APC government. During the PDP’s time, there was no peace in Abuja, making it difficult for a sitting President to address the nation from Eagle Square.

“Under an APC-led federal government, Nigerians are experiencing peace of mind. Therefore, the PDP’s reaction to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s speech is nothing but an afterthought; they are merely reacting because they see what they failed to achieve being accomplished by the APC government. By the grace of God, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will move Nigeria forward.”

President Bola Tinubu on Monday swore in Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN).

Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in a statement said Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to upholding the judiciary’s independence and sanctity.

“Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun took the oath of office as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on Monday,” Onanuga wrote on X.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, was sworn in following her confirmation by the Senate.

The ceremony occurred at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja with four former chief justices of the Federation in attendance.

Onanuga said the first female Justice, Aloma Mukhtar, the President of the Court of Appeal and other heads of the judiciary divisions witnessed it.

President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of the judiciary in safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

”The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check,” Tinubu said.

”Your role as the last hope of the common man serves to sustain our people’s confidence in democracy, knowing well that there is an important arbiter that can always give them redress if they are wronged.

”For this function, it is important that our judiciary remains truly independent. It is my administration’s total commitment to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.

”While we may have reasons to interface as complementing components of the same government, under my watch, the government will also be mindful of the clear line demarcating the two of us.

”We will never interfere or abuse the relationship between us as separate organs of government in our democracy. This is important for sustaining our constitutional democracy, ” the President said.

President Tinubu reiterated his government’s dedication to improving judicial officers’ welfare and working conditions, noting recent decisions to enhance their effectiveness in administering justice.

He urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to continue upholding the principles of ethical leadership, fearlessness, and honesty that have defined her career.

”The Nigerian judiciary needs a leader with these qualities at this time, and I have no doubt that you will set the pace for others to follow,” he said.

The President lauded Justice Kekere-Ekun’s rise as a testament to hard work and an inspiration to women, particularly young girls, in a male-dominated profession.

”This day has also cemented the judiciary as a self-evolving and progressive institution. I specifically congratulate the Nigerian women. Any girl child can dream big and have her dreams come true. It is worth celebrating, ” he said.

President Tinubu also acknowledged the presence of Justice Kekere-Ekun’s 89-year-old mother, Mama Wilfred Layiwola Ogundimu (Nee Savage), and other family members led by Akin Kekere-Ekun, Justice Kekere-Ekun’s husband.

The President commended the Senate for expediting the confirmation of the new CJN and thanked members of the judiciary for their continued support.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, justices of the Supreme Court, senior judicial officers, and members of the Federal Executive Council attended the event.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Monday, arraigned a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Dickson Ishaku, and the former permanent secretary of the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Bello Yero, before Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, for fraud.

Both are being prosecuted on a 15-count, bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and conversion of public funds in the state to the tune of N27 billion.

One of the charges read: “That you, Darius Dickson Ishaku, while being the governor of Taraba State, and Bello Yero, while being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between July 2015 and May 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, and in such capacity entrusted with dominion over certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,138,082,097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety-Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, committed criminal breach of trust in respect of the said property when you dishonestly diverted the said sum to your own use, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 315 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under the same section.”

Another read: “That you, Darius Dickson Ishaku, while being the governor of Taraba State, and Bello Yero, while being the Permanent Secretary, Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, between July 2015 and May 2019 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly misappropriated certain property, to wit: an aggregate sum of N1,138,082,097.71 (One Billion, One Hundred and Thirty-Eight Million, Eighty-Two Thousand, Ninety-Seven Naira, Seventy-One Kobo), which sum formed part of the 2.5% contingency fund belonging to the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Taraba State, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 308 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria 2007 and punishable under Section 309 of the same Act.”

They pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them, prompting prosecution counsel, Rotimi Jacobs, SAN, to ask the court for a trial date as well as an accelerated hearing on the matter, while Paul Haris Ogbole, SAN, and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, counsel to Ishaku and Yero respectively, made oral bail applications, which Jacobs opposed, insisting on formal applications.

Justice Oriji adjourned the matter till Thursday, October 3, for the hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in EFCC’s custody. Both defendants were arrested on September 27, 2024.