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US presidential poll: Biden expands lead as Trump path narrows

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3 years ago

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  • Purpose of our politics is not unending warfare, says Biden
  • Don’t claim victory yet, Trump tells Biden

Democratic nominee Joe Biden has taken the lead in Georgia and Pennsylvania, two of the key states expected to decide the 2020 presidential election.

Joe Biden, on the brink of becoming the next president of the United States, addressed the American people from Delaware on Friday night, urging them to remain calm and to stay together.

He said, “Democracy works. Your vote will be counted. The purpose of our politics is not unending warfare.”

It comes at the end of another day of vote counting and frustration across America, with Donald Trump clinging to power despite the Democratic nominee’s lead increasing in critical swing states.

Despite reports that some White House aides were urging Trump to concede, even as others encourage him to fight on, the president himself shows no sign of backing down.

A winner in the battleground state of Pennsylvania is yet to be called because there are votes left to count.

Pennsylvania is among a handful of battleground states Trump and Biden are narrowly contesting.

Trump, who held a 675,000-vote lead early Wednesday, prematurely declared victory in the state earlier this week.

“We’re winning Pennsylvania by a tremendous amount. We’re up 690,000 votes in Pennsylvania. These aren’t even close. It’s not like, ‘Oh, it’s close,”‘ he said during an appearance at the White House.

But Biden pulled ahead in Pennsylvania on Friday and now leads the state by 28,833 votes, as mail-in ballots continue to be counted.

Mail-in ballots tend to favour the Democrats, who encouraged voters to use the system and avoid polling stations amid the coronavirus pandemic.

So far 96 per cent of the votes have been counted.

Democrats had long considered Pennsylvania a part of their “blue wall” – a trifecta that also includes Wisconsin and Michigan – that for years had served as a bulwark in presidential elections.

In 2016, Trump won each by less than a percentage point.

Pennsylvania’s 20 electoral votes would push Biden over the 270 he needs to win the presidency.

As of Saturday morning, the electoral college votes stood at 253 to 214 for Biden and Trump respectively.

President Trump on Friday said that Biden should not prematurely declare victory in the presidential election — something Trump himself did on election night.

“Joe Biden should not wrongfully claim the office of the President. I could make that claim also. Legal proceedings are just now beginning!” Trump tweeted.

Recount possibility in key states

The presidential race still remains too close to call as votes as counted in key states.

The exceptionally thin margins between the two candidates in many of these states could mean voting recounts – but what are the rules?

Georgia – Nominees can request a recount if the margin is lower than 0.5 per cent of votes cast. This request must come within two days of the result being certified. So far, this could be on the cards for Georgia as the race tightens. Biden led with 2,248 votes as of Saturday 11.45am Nigeria’s time.

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Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

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5 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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Atiku Abubakar

Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has accused an online newspaper of mischief and witch-hunt, by claiming that he refused to release his academic records.

The newspaper had reported that the former vice president refused to release his academic records despite exposing President Bola Tinubu.

But Atiku in a statement issued by his Media Adviser Paul Ibe said the newspaper did not adhere to any known ethics of journalism, and accused it of publishing a story that is neither controversial nor shrouded in a cover-up.

According to the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, the documents upon which the report was based are already in the public space.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the body that is the repository of all relevant documents required by law for anyone contesting election into public office,” Atiku stated, adding that the newspaper did not write to INEC to place a demand for Atiku Abubakar’s documents.

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The former vice president also disclosed that he is an alumnus of both Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and the Anglia Ruskin University in the United Kingdom, noting that neither of the institutions was contacted for his academic records with them, “nor did Atiku stop the school or go to court to ask any of these schools not to release his records.”

He also said the publication is at liberty to write to the West African Examination Council (WAEC) demanding a copy of his certificate and transcript.

“The ethics of journalism seeks to establish the truth when there is a dispute about it or when there is a deliberate cover-up that inhibits public interest,” alleging that the newspaper was not interested in interrogating the discoveries from the Chicago State University “for the obvious reason that a parent owner of the newspaper occupies a critical seat in the current government.

“And, then, we ask the question: What manner of a newspaper sets out to protect the interest of a government but is very willing to embark on a wild goose chase on a private citizen?”

Publication of my academic records witch-hunt, mischief – Atiku

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Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu

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6 hours ago

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December 10, 2023

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Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu

Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Hon Yakubu Dogara, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu, to include private university students as beneficiaries in its Students Loan Scheme.

Dogara made the appeal, weekend, at the 13th convocation ceremony of the Achievers University, Owo, Ondo state.

According to him, “let me appeal to the Federal government to consider the plight being faced by students of tertiary institutions.

” While commending the students loan scheme of this present administration, l join my voice in the call for the inclusion of private university students in the student loan scheme of this administration as part of the palliatives measures since they are also Nigerians.

” The scheme should also be properly managed for the benefits of the teeming youths of this country both in private and public tertiary institutions

Dogara said that since underemployment and unemployment are bedmates of poverty, eliminating them must be the focal point of government’s policies.

“If we don’t ever make it to the point where we can have a rational conversation about economic justice, it would not be because it’s impossible to achieve but because we lack the right leadership.

“We have talked so much about ending so many things in Nigeria, now is the time to talk about creating wealth and ending poverty.

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The Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Omolola Irinoye, said 37 students had first class, 259 had second class upper, 198 has second class lower and 26 had third class grade out of 520 graduands.

Prof lrinoye said that the university would continue to expand in its infrastructure by taking agriculture as priority in the nearest future.

She added that” As we commit to development of agriculture with emphasis on food security, we would work to expand collaboration and partnership to achieve success.

“The university is working to bring to reality the convening of stakeholders in an agriculture development and food security summit in the coming year.

Prof lrinoye congratulated the graduated students for their outstanding milestone that opens them to the world of achievement.

The Pro-Chancellor of the university, Dr. Bode Ayorinde, in his address, said in spite of the hash economic environment being witnessed globally, the University Governing Council has prioritized and would continue to prioritize the welfare of its staff and students.

Ayorinde said “We have ensured that the salaries and wages of all staff for the 16 years of our existence had fully been paid.

“We have successfully implemented the Contributory Pension Scheme, and the staff-University joint contribution is remitted to Pension Funds Administrators promptly and regularly.

“Pending the release of new salary structure for staff of government universities, the council recently approved and implemented palliatives to all categories of our staff to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal and the hardship occasioned by the policy.

“I want to assure you that we shall continue to do everything possible within the limit of our resources to motivate our staff so as to secure their trust and commitment to achieve our mission statement.”

“We are just 16th years old in our journey to impacting humanity. Keep believing in us and together, we shall fulfill our dreams and aspirations by the grace of God.”

Honorary degrees were conferred on the Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company of Nigeria, Engineer Ifeoluwa Oyedele, a former Attorney General and Justice Commissioner, Ondo state, Mrs Olajumoke Ajasin and the Registrar na Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Dr Faruk Umar Abubakar.

Include private varsity’s students in student’s Loan Scheme – Dogara tells Tinubu

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Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship

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20 hours ago

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December 9, 2023

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Hon. Lukman Kayode Mudashiru

Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship

The member representing Iwo/Ayedire/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency of Osun State, Lukman Kayode Mudashiru, has earmarked N100 million to sponsor indigent students from the constituency for university education.

A statement on Saturday from his media office said successful applicants would be sponsored for four-year undergraduate programmes at Ahman Patigi University, Kwara State.

Mudashiru had set up a scholarship committee comprising respected individuals from the community in order to ensure transparency and efficient selection process.

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He said the goal of the committee was to identify and support indigent students based on merit, assuring that the committee would discharge its duty judiciously “to maximize its impact on the lives of our youths.”

The lawmaker said: “This initiative is a testament to our unwavering dedication to the educational upliftment of our community. We are determined to ensure that deserving students receive the support they need to pursue higher education.

“Education is the bedrock of development, and I am proud to deliver on my promise to support the aspirations of our youths. This scholarship program is an investment in the future leaders of Iwo, Ayedire, and Olaoluwa Local Government Areas, and I am confident that it will yield positive results for our community.”

Osun Rep unveils N100m varsity scholarship

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