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No Timetable For 2023 Polls Until Electoral Bill Passage – INEC

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said the passage and assent of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill will determine its preparation for the 2023 general elections.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, who stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at the first quarterly meeting with political parties for 2022, said the commission was looking forward to a speedy passage of the bill.
He said the commission will release the timetable for the 2023 elections immediately after President Muhammad Buhari signs the Electoral Amendment Bill into law.
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“On the Electoral Amendment Bill currently before the National Assembly, the commission is encouraged by the Senate president’s assurance to give priority attention to the bill and the commitment by the president to assent to the bill as soon as the issue of mode of primaries by political parties is resolved.
“We look forward to a speedy passage of the bill, which is crucial to our preparations for future elections. As soon as it is signed into law, the commission will quickly release the timetable and schedule of activities for the 2023 general elections based on the new law,” Yakubu said.
He said this year is going to be a very busy one for the commission and the political parties, with the 2023 general elections just 396 days away, thus all the critical preparations must be concluded this year.
The INEC chairman urged the political parties to continue to encourage eligible voters who have not registered to do so, bearing in mind that those who had registered at any time previously need not register again.
Daily Trust
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Police arrest two Kano men with N150m tramadol

Police arrest two Kano men with N150m tramadol
The Kano State Police Command has arrested at least two suspected drug traffickers; Muntari Shu’aibu and Imrana Rabi’u.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Bakori revealed that the suspects were found in possession of six bales of suspected illicit drugs, Tramadol, worth more than $92,000 (approximately N150 million).
Bakori said, “The Command, in a skilfully coordinated intelligence-led sting operation, apprehended the suspects with the substance, following a tip-off.”
He disclosed that the arrest was part of ongoing efforts to tackle the root causes of violent crimes in the state.
He stated, “The operation followed efforts of the command to curb enablers of violent crimes, which, according to him, are majorly illicit drug trafficking and abuse in the state.”
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The police chief also confirmed that the suspects had been handed over to the Kano Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigation and prosecution.
“This is in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s approach to policing and in the spirit of strengthening inter-agency synergy among security organisations,” he stated.
“The fight against drug trafficking and abuse in the state and the country at large remains a collective one,” Bakori emphasised.
“The command reiterates its commitment to collaborating with other security agencies in combating all forms of crime and criminality in the state.”
Police arrest two Kano men with N150m tramadol
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2027: Ex-IGP Adamu eyes Nasarawa governorship

2027: Ex-IGP Adamu eyes Nasarawa governorship
A former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has officially declared his intention to contest in the 2027 gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform.
Adamu recently made his declaration during a meeting with members of the APC State Working Committee, held in Lafia, the state capital.
The former police chief said his decision was driven by a “clarion call” from the people of Nasarawa who, according to him, believe in his leadership capabilities and experience. He pledged to run an all-inclusive and people-oriented administration if elected as governor.
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“I am answering the call of my people who believe I can serve and move Nasarawa forward.
“My administration, by the grace of God, will be inclusive, transparent, and focused on delivering tangible development across all sectors,” Adamu stated.
Meanwhile, his declaration has added a significant name to the growing list of aspirants eyeing the governorship seat in 2027.
2027: Ex-IGP Adamu eyes Nasarawa governorship
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Court urged to halt further release of LG allocations to Rivers State

Court urged to halt further release of LG allocations to Rivers State
The Federal High Court in Abuja has been urged to stop the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Accountant General of the Federation (AG-F) and the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) from further releasing allocations to Local Government in Rivers State.
The request forms part of the reliefs being sought in a suit filed by a former Deputy Speaker of Rivers State, Marshall Stanley-Uwom through a team of lawyers led by Sylvester Evbuomwan.
Listed as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/797/2025 are the President of Nigeria, the National Assembly, the Senate, the Senate President, the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Administrator of Rivers State Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired), the CBN, the AG-F and the FAAC.
The plaintiff is contending, among others, that by virtue of the provisions Section 7 (1) of the Constitution and the Electoral Act and the Supreme Court decision in the case of AGF v. AG, Abia State and others (2024) LPELR-62576 (SC), it was illegal to continue to release allocations to Rivers LGAs which currently do no have elected Chairmen.
He also faulted Iba’s decision to sack elected Chairmen in the state, arguing that the state of emergency declared in Rivers has lapsed because the National Assembly allegedly failed to secure the required votes to legitimise the declaration by the President.
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Stanley-Uwom stated, in a supporting affidavit, that upon taking over the affairs of the government of Rivers State, Iba’s (listed as the 7th defendant, sacked all the elected officers in charge of the affairs of the Local Government of Rivers State and appointed a new set of Local Government Caretaker Committee to run the affairs of the LGA’s in Rivers State.
“The 7th defendant also removed from office the Chairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and appoint a new Chairman and members for the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
“The 8th, 9th and 10th defendants (CBN, AG-F and FAAC) have been releasing allocations accruable to the LGAs of Rivers State to the caretaker committees appointed by the 7th defendant and also releasing to the 7th defendant all allocations accrued to Rivers’ state.
“The 7th defendant is utilizing the fund of Rivers State without parliament appropriations.”
Stanley-Uwom wants the court to declare that by virtue of Section 305 (6) (b) of the Constitution the proclamation of state of emergency in Rivers State
issued by the President has ceased to have effect in the absence of a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of all the members of each
House of the National Assembly approving the Proclamation.
He is equally praying for the following reliefs: A declaration that by virtue of Section 197 and 198 of the
Constitution of the 7th defendant cannot legally remove from office theChairman and members of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) appointed and confirmed by the Rivers State House of Assembly and appoint a new Chairman and members for theRivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
*A order that the state of emergency in Rivers State issued and or proclaimed by the President has ceased to have effect.
*An order compelling the 7th defendant to immediately vacate the office of sole administrator of Rivers State and allow the democratically elected Governor of Rivers State resume his office.
*An order restraining the 8th, 9th and 10th defendants from releasing allocations accruable to the Local Government Councils of Rivers State from the Federation Account to the unelected officials appointed by the 7th defendant as caretakers.
Court urged to halt further release of LG allocations to Rivers State
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