The Kaduna State Police Command on Friday arrested a suspected vote buyer, Shehu Aliyu Patangi and recovered a total of ₦25,963,000 in cash.

The arrest was made around 3:30 am at a well-known hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis, following a joint operation involving the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that Patangi intended to use the cash to induce voters during the elections.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the alleged crime and pleaded for leniency.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the inter-agency collaboration that led to the arrest.

He described the development as a major breakthrough in protecting the sanctity of the electoral process.

“The Command remains resolute in its duty to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election,” CP Muhammad stated.

“Anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to compromise the elections will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The rerun election for the Enugu South Urban Constituency is experiencing significant delays following the late arrival of INEC officials and sensitive election materials.

As of 11am, dozens of voters and polling unit agents had already gathered at Uwani, venue of the much-anticipated election.

However, hours later, there was still no sign of INEC personnel or materials.

The delay has sparked growing concerns that the slow start could discourage voters and negatively affect turnout.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji alongside Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, who represents Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, urged INEC to act without further delay.

“Eligible voters are already on ground. INEC must act swiftly to ensure the people are not disenfranchised,” the Minister said.

Both APC chieftains who are observing the process also reiterated their call for a free, fair, and credible election, warning that any attempt to compromise the integrity of the process would be firmly resisted.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that Saturday’s rerun is the third attempt at conducting elections in eight polling units within the constituency, where approximately 4,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots.

So far, Labour Party candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene is leading PDP’s Hon. Sam Ngene with a margin of over 3,000 votes, based on previous results before the rerun was ordered.

More details shortly…

The internal leadership tussle within the Labour Party reached a turning point on Friday as the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a suit filed by Julius Abure, effectively ending his claim to the position of National Chairman.

In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear Abure’s case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aligning with the Supreme Court’s earlier decision on April 4, 2025 (Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025), which had already invalidated his leadership.

The ruling reaffirmed INEC’s position and the apex court’s stance, sealing Abure’s removal from the party’s top leadership role.

Responding to the court’s decision, the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, PhD, described the ruling as a conclusive legal and political moment for the party.

“This is another unambiguous affirmation of the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s binding pronouncements,” Usman said in a statement.

“The chapter is closed, we must put distractions behind us and rebuild the Labour Party into the disciplined, people-centred movement Nigerians deserve.”

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has refuted claims circulating on social media and some mainstream platforms that he criticized Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, during a recent interview.

The controversy arose from a televised interview on Signature TV, which marked Ngige’s birthday on August 8, 2025.

In the interview, Ngige was quoted as saying he is “not like Soludo who is always criticizing Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.” The quote quickly went viral.

However, in a statement issued by Ngige’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hggy Obialor, the former governor categorically denied making such remarks, insisting that the video had been “mischievously edited.”

“Our attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in the social media and some mainstream media purporting that our principal, His Excellency Chris Nwabueze Ngige MD, OON, CON, had critiqued Mr Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, alleging that he is not like him who is always criticising the presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi,” the statement read.

“This slant news is possibly taken out of the video of an interview granted to Signature TV marking his birthday on 8th August 2025.”

Ngige clarified that the clip was misleading and poorly edited.

“Firstly, a critical look at the video will show that this area has been badly edited. Dr. Ngige has been long in public office, both as a civil servant and as a public servant, to be careful with his choice of words. What Dr. Ngige said was: ‘But constitutionally, he is entitled to his opinion and views on any matter.’”

According to Obialor, Signature TV has since acknowledged the error.

“We have called the attention of Signature TV to this anomaly, and they have apologised and have started making amends as that was the only area that was not affected,” he stated.

Addressing claims that Ngige was attacking Peter Obi, the statement noted:

“Whilst Gov. Ngige has nothing against Gov. Peter Obi, he was pointing out in that area of the interview that the gory aspect of inheriting a ‘failed state, with unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions, no security, a place with unbridled corruption’ when he came in as Governor, which he paints, is not really so.”

The statement also reaffirmed Ngige’s respect for Governor Soludo.

“His Excellency, Chris Ngige, Onwa, holds the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, (Odenigbo) in very high esteem as one of the best from our state who had served and represented us meritoriously at the national level — first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President and later as Central Bank Governor (2004–2009), all without blemish.”

“Sen. Dr. Ngige had also, as an elder statesman and former Governor of our state, eulogised him at both the 2nd and 3rd year anniversaries of his government for managing the resources [money and human] of the state with a lot of dexterity, excellence, and care. He has done very well,” the statement concluded

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Godwin Eze, has assumed full command of security operations in the Anambra South Senatorial District ahead of Saturday’s by-election.

In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, local security outfits including the Agunechemba Security Squad and other vigilante groups, have been barred from participation in the electoral exercise.

“In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, AIG Godwin Eze, who has been deployed as the Supervisory Officer for the forthcoming Anambra Bye-elections slated for tomorrow 16th August 2025. Consequently, he has today, 15th August 2025 assumed full charge of the deployment of officers and men for the exercise,” the statement read.

Eze emphasized that only accredited security personnel will be authorized to operate during the elections.

“The AIG in his address emphasised that only duly accredited security personnel will be permitted to participate in election duties,” Ikenga explained.

To ensure voter safety and uphold order, vehicular movement will also be restricted in key areas from 6 am to 6 pm on election day.

The areas affected include Nnewi North and South, Orumba North and South, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Ihiala, Onitsha North Constituency 1, and Awka South, home to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.

“Furthermore, to ensure a safe and hitch-free election, there shall be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6 am to 6 pm in the affected areas throughout the election period,” Ikenga stated.

These proactive measures aim to deter criminal activity and reduce the risk of electoral violence.

“The restriction is a proactive measure to deter criminal activities, reduce the risk of electoral violence, and guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, and security personnel,” the statement noted.

The police command reassured residents of its readiness to protect the electoral process and urged citizens to cooperate with officers on duty.

“The Command assures residents of its readiness to safeguard the electoral process, while urging citizens to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with security personnel deployed for the exercise,” Ikenga added.

For emergencies or complaints, voters were given the following contact numbers:

– AIG’s direct line: 08023407772

– Command’s Control Room: 07039194332

– Police PRO: 08039334002

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the South-East region, declaring it central to President Bola Tinubu’s national development agenda.

Speaking during a Citizens’ Engagement event in Enugu on Thursday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, emphasized that the South-East has not been and will not be marginalised under the current administration.

“The South-East region is at the heart of the vision and agenda of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration,” Idris stated, adding that the President’s leadership is both strategic and inclusive.

The engagement session forms part of a three-day federal tour of Enugu and Ebonyi states, aimed at directly interacting with residents and showcasing key federal projects across the South-East.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the tour is led by a federal delegation headed by the Minister.

Addressing past concerns of regional exclusion, Idris assured that such practices belong in the past.

“Nigeria will never go back to that era where the South-East or a certain part of the country is being treated marginally,” he said.

He pointed to President Tinubu’s establishment of new development commissions to serve regions that were previously left out as a major step toward equity.

According to Idris, the government’s effort to correct past imbalances is also reflected in its pattern of appointments and distribution of infrastructure projects.

“By the end of Tinubu’s first term, the benefits of his reforms will be clearer. The federal government remains committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering the dividends of democracy to all Nigerians. With Tinubu, Nigeria is marching towards prosperity,” the minister noted.

He further highlighted various empowerment and humanitarian programs already rolled out by the administration to cushion the economic impact of fuel subsidy removal and other tough policy decisions.

The engagement was attended by several stakeholders from Enugu State.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) will now participate in Saturday’s by-elections across 12 states, following a recent court directive.

This was disclosed in a statement on Friday by Sam Olumekun, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

He revealed that the Federal High Court in Abuja, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1525/2025, had ordered the commission to include the SDP and its candidates in the polls.

“In compliance with the judgement, the names of the candidates submitted manually have been accepted and published on our website. The party will participate in the bye-elections,” the statement read.

According to Olumekun, the SDP had initially been left out of the process due to failure to meet procedural requirements.

He explained that the party “did not earlier submit a valid notice for the conduct of primaries for the by-elections” and, as a result, INEC did not monitor the party’s primaries.

Despite the timing of the judgement, Olumekun gave assurances that the development would not interfere with election preparations.

“The 11th-hour judgement will not affect the election which will proceed tomorrow, Saturday 16th August 2025, as scheduled,” he said.

He further noted that while INEC would comply with the ruling, it also reserves the right to challenge the decision legally.

“The commission will also exercise its legitimate right of appeal under the law,” he added.

The Nsukka Local Government Legislative Assembly in Enugu State has impeached its Leader, Hon. Ugwu Chinonso Emmanuel and Deputy Leader, Hon. Odugwu Cordelia, over multiple allegations including incompetence and breach of trust.

The impeachment which took place on Friday, follows a vote of no confidence signed by 12 out of the 18 members of the 16th legislative assembly.

According to the assembly, the decision was driven by a number of critical concerns, including abuse of power and obstruction of legislative processes.

A central accusation was that the former leadership deliberately sabotaged legislative sittings, effectively paralyzing the assembly’s operations.

“The Leader and the Deputy Leader have consistently sabotaged our legislative seating, bringing our work to a standstill and acting against our standing order,” the assembly stated, describing the actions as “unethical.”

Among other grievances cited was the failure to appoint chairmen and members of legislative committees, a responsibility that remained neglected eight months into their tenure.

This led to the assembly branding the leadership as “incompetent.”

Issues of abuse of office were also raised. In particular, the assembly faulted the impeached officials for allegedly violating an agreed-upon procedure concerning the disbursement of the wardrobe allowance.

Concerns were further heightened by the former Leader’s perceived inability to fulfill basic legislative responsibilities.

“Due to the Leader’s low academic background, his inability to read, write & communicate effectively has negatively affected our legislative proceedings,” the statement added.

Additionally, the assembly accused the ousted leadership of hoarding information and preventing the convening of full committee meetings.

These actions, they argue, stifled effective representation and hampered the synergy between legislative and executive arms.

A particularly serious allegation involved the charge of betrayal of trust.

According to the lawmakers, the former leadership relied on misinformation allegedly provided by the Executive Chairman, which, in turn, “destroyed the synergy between the executive arms and the legislative arms of government.”

In a dramatic turn of events following the impeachment, DAILY GAZETTE learned that the former Leader, Rt. Hon. Ugwu Chinonso Emmanuel, allegedly absconded with the Assembly’s mace.

This act reportedly stalled the immediate election of new leadership, leaving the legislative arm temporarily paralyzed.