The Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, Peter Obi, has stated that the judiciary poses the greatest threat to Nigerian democracy. Obi declared that the judiciary has declined and emphasised that the Independent National Electoral Commission which is the body in charge of conducting elections—is not the nation’s problem. This was disclosed by the former governor of Anambra State at the Godfrey Okoye University in Enugu during the late Justice Anthony Aniagolu’s fifth memorial. Dr He said: “While the judiciary, today, still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system. This decline poses a…
Author: Modupeoluwa Shelle
In a circulated speech on Thursday, Senegal’s prime minister Ousmane Sonko touched on several topics, including the euro-backed CFA franc, oil and gas transactions, and LGBTQ rights. He also mentioned the eventuality of closing French military bases in the West African nation. Sonko, a fiery politician, rose to prominence in March after his hand-picked presidential candidate, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, won a resounding victory. He is well-known for criticising what he sees as French imperialism in its former colony. At a joint conference with the French left-wing politician Jean-Luc Mélenchon in the capital Dakar, Sonko stated: “More than 60 years after…
In what is being referred to as a critical milestone in efforts to put an end to the conflict in South Sudan that has long devastated its economy, the government of that country and rebel opposition organisations signed a “commitment declaration” for peace on Thursday during high-level mediation discussions in Kenya. The agreement first signed in 2018 which put an end to South Sudan’s five-year civil conflict, that claimed 400,000 lives and left millions as refugees, did not include the rebel opposition groups. President Salva Kiir of South Sudan thanked William Ruto of Kenya, his counterpart, for hosting the high-level…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held a burial ceremony for the victims of recent bombings on Wednesday, which occurred at a number of internally displaced person (IDP) locations in the province of North Kivu in the eastern part of the nation. At least five rockets struck four IDP camps in the surrounding neighbourhoods of Goma, the provincial capital of North Kivu, on May 3. The number of casualties increased to 37 injured and 35 dead, according to the provincial government. Modeste Mutinga Mutushayi, the Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Actions, and National Solidarity, reiterated the DRC government’s commitment…
There is a report that the Tunisian government of President Kais Saied began a crackdown on anyone deemed to be his opponent, arresting activists such as Saadia Mosbah and France 24 cameraman Hamdi Tlili. Among those in custody was attorney Sonia Dahmani. Tlili was freed without being charged, but writer Mourad Zeghidi and radio journalist Borhen Bsaies were detained pending trial on grounds of distributing false information and compromising national security in violation of cybercrime laws. The lawyer for Bsaies emphasised that there was insufficient proof to connect his client to these accusations. The government’s oppressive methods must end, according to Reporters Without Borders, which denounced the arrests. These events highlight a worrying trend in Tunisia under President Saied’s leadership, where political arrests have increased significantly, raising extreme concerns. The…
Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, the former president of Mauritius, has been disqualified from the June 29 presidential election due to a lack of required sponsorship. His spokesperson Mohamed Ould Djibril informed the press on Tuesday, May 14, criticizing the current sponsorship structure. In his statement released to the press, he stated: “This blocking by the authorities is undemocratic, there are ten of us who are victims of this plot by the authorities.” Mr. Aziz had taken the necessary steps to declare his candidacy. He led Mauritania until 2019. If that were the case, he would have to face Mohamed…
President João Lourenço of Angola has extended his support and sympathies to Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, acknowledging the severe crisis affecting the southern region of Brazil, which he characterized as the “tragedy of worrying proportions”. And to the families who have lost their loved ones, as a result of the catastrophe of nature, he sends his deepest condolences. João Lourenço further expressed that, “at this time when facing this tragedy of worrying proportions, the solidarity of the Angolan people and government who join together and share the pain of the brotherly Brazilian people”. The floods have left…
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has reiterated that he is not in conflict with the Nigerian federal government, despite his ongoing rift with his predecessor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. The governor spoke during the commissioning of the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo road in Eleme area of the state yesterday. “If we are fighting the Federal Government it’s a different matter, we are talking about the Federal Government that is giving us some support, but there’s a rat in the house that is eating the bag of garri.” “So, you can imagine such a situation, but we have…
The Harare Commission of Inquiry will be fulfilling its mandate by the probe of sale or lease of council properties to private entities, reckless management of revenue generated monies through special vehicle companies, the convening of council meetings, and adherence to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. This mandate was given after President Mnangagwa recently established the Commission of Inquiry which is to investigate governance issues at the city council of Harare. The Commission’s members as announced include Lucia Matibenga, Khonzani Ncube, Norbert Phiri, Steven Chakaipa and chaired by retired Judge, Justice Maphios Cheda. Harare Mayor, Jacob…