The Cross River State police command has deployed a team of anti-riot police men to Bogobiri, an area in Calabar populated by northerners, mainly Hausa Fulani. An armoured tank has been stationed in the area. Another team of policemen has also been dispatched to Nasarawa Bacoco which is about 14 kilometers from Bogobiri. The policemen are expected to ensure that…

The turnout of voters for the presidential election in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, was generally low compared to the National Assembly election held last Saturday April 9. There was light vehicular movement around the state, and some shops were open for business. It was also noticed that only a few party agents were at the voting stations. The agents…

Politicians in Anambra State yesterday discarded their different political differences to root for the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party Goodluck Jonathan as he looks set to sweep the stakes in the state. It would amount to something of a miracle if the president does not win by a wide margin in the state as even the All Progressives…

Importance of the polls This is the dawn of a new era. The beginning of the rise and rise of the ballot over the bullet; [and] this is the beginning of a new Nigeria where the power of the people will speak for the people and our country. And I think that we are matching on, we are doing very…

“Thirty-one states, 1,618 languages, 6,400 castes, six religions, six ethnic groups, 29 major festivals, that’s my country, India!” Vijay appeared to have sent these credentials with pride. Recognizing familiar comparative diversities and complexities of India and Nigeria, it is to the former’s credit that there’s never been a military intervention, only assassinations. We’ve had both. Despite a polarized religious landscape,…

The traditional ruler of Calabar Municipal Council, Thomas Ika-Ika Oqua, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that the problem of missing names from the voters' register is corrected before the presidential election this weekend. Mr Oqua who was a victim said he was denied his vote due to the inability of the INEC ad hoc staff…

Results of last Saturday's parliamentary election in Ondo State came as a shock to many, as they produced new political leaders to represent the state in the National Assembly. The results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission in some cases proved analysts wrong. The hitherto Peoples Democratic Party-dominated National Assembly is now to be controlled by the Labour Party,…

Youth from Ogun West senatorial district have threatened to deal with the two candidates from the area contesting for the governorship seat in the state, if their "stubbornness" over who becomes next governor costs the region the coveted seat. Tunji Olurin, of the People's Democratic Party {PDP}, and Gboyega Isiaka, of the People's Party of Nigeria {PPN}, hail from the…

The chances of the People's Democratic Party winning the April 26 governorship election in Kaduna State are slim, an investigation has revealed. There has been tension and uncertainty in Governor Patrick Yakowa's campaign council since last Saturday's National Assembly election, in which the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) almost swept all the contested seats in the state. The performance of…

A former governor of Bauchi State, Adamu Muazu, lost his ward and local government to the opposition party in last Saturday's parliamentary elections. Even though his party, the People's Democratic Party, won the Bogoro/Dass/Tafawa Balewa federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Mr Muazu failed to deliver his local government to the PDP. According to election results announced in Tafawa…

A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, Abia State has disqualified the state House of Assembly candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), for Umuahia East state constituency, Chibueze Apugo from contesting the April 26 elections. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the seat, Chidiebere Nwoke, had filed a suit for the disqualification of Mr Apugo based on…

The Kebbi State Community and Social Development Agency has identified 18 communities that will benefit from the N58 million World Bank-assisted rural development projects. The General Manager of the agency disclosed that selected members from the benefitting communities had been trained on the rudiments of management. He said the 18 benefitting communities will be the fourth batch to be trained,…

A coalition of civil society organisations monitoring the 2011 general elections has said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), must investigate and prosecute all those involved in various election malpractices and violence during the National Assembly election. It said that the commission must conduct a presidential poll that the credibility of the election should not be in doubt like…

The Edo State government yesterday announced the sack of two serving commissioners, two transitional committee chairmen and some special advisers to the governor, Adams Oshiomhole. No reason was given why the former commissioners and aides were relieved of their appointments. Investigations by NEXT, however, revealed that the removal of the affected officers was not unconnected with their failure to deliver…

The controversy over who is liable to pay the severance packages of retired judicial officers of the Oyo State judiciary was laid to rest yesterday after a court ruled that it is the responsibility of the state government to pay the entitlements of jurists who served in the state till their retirement. The trial judge, Muktar Ladi Abimbola, made the…