The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has voiced strong concerns over the current state of Nigeria, stating that the nation’s challenges today are even worse than those faced in 1984.

ASUU President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, made these remarks during the 2024 edition of the ASUU State of the Nation Conference, held in Abuja on Thursday.

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The conference, themed “Nigeria in a State of General Crisis: The Search for a New Path to Development,” sought to address the country’s worsening economic and political climate, with a particular focus on finding sustainable solutions to restore growth and stability.

In his speech, Professor Osodeke criticized Nigeria’s governance, claiming it is increasingly dominated by foreign interests and benefiting only a select few.

He lamented that despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, the majority of its citizens continue to live in poverty. He called for a more equitable distribution of the country’s wealth to serve the needs of all Nigerians.

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Reflecting on Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary, Osodeke expressed disappointment that conditions in the country today are more dire than they were in 1984.

He linked Nigeria’s current difficulties to the failure of successive governments to address the resolutions from ASUU’s first State of the Nation Conference in 1984, which was held at the University of Benin.

The same issues highlighted back then, such as shortages of basic goods, failing infrastructure, mass unemployment, high inflation, and exploitation of the country’s resources by foreign companies, persist today.

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Osodeke emphasized that ASUU’s mission extends beyond advocating for better pay and conditions for university staff.

The union, founded in 1978, has long been focused on protecting and advancing the broader socio-economic and cultural well-being of the Nigerian people.

He noted that ASUU has been at the forefront of generating ideas for improved governance through its national conferences.

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Also speaking at the event, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, represented by a deputy, praised ASUU for its consistent efforts to improve funding for universities and for its advocacy on behalf of Nigerian academics.

He acknowledged ASUU’s pivotal role in shaping the country’s educational landscape and contributing to national development.

ASUU concluded the conference by urging the government to take immediate action to address the nation’s crises and implement policies that would liberate Nigeria from both foreign and local exploiters.

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The union stressed the need for policies that would restore the dignity of the country and improve the welfare of its citizens.

The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has issued a stern warning to political operatives attempting to interfere in the upcoming Rivers State local government elections, slated for October 5.

Addressing journalists in Abuja, IPAC’s National Chairman, Yusuf Mamman Dantalle, called for a transparent and interference-free electoral process.

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Dantalle criticized the exorbitant nomination fees, which he claimed were designed to block credible candidates from participating in the elections.

He also expressed concerns over conflicting court rulings, which he said could jeopardize the integrity of the electoral process.

Highlighting the importance of elections at the local government level, Dantalle emphasized that they are fundamental to democracy because local governments are closest to the people.

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He urged Nigerians to support democracy by ensuring that the will of the electorate is respected.

IPAC called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to investigate judicial officers involved in issuing questionable orders that compromise the electoral process.

The council reiterated its longstanding proposal for the abolition of State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), calling for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to oversee all local government elections for greater transparency.

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Dantalle also urged security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure the safety of voters and electoral officials during the polls.

He stressed that IPAC will not tolerate attempts by political actors to derail Nigeria’s democracy, urging the people of Rivers State to vote for their preferred candidates.

The council further condemned judicial interventions aimed at halting the elections, accusing desperate politicians of engaging in “forum shopping” to secure favorable rulings.

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Dantalle warned that such actions threaten the integrity of the judiciary and called on judicial authorities to restore public confidence by sanctioning errant judges.

IPAC noted that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has assured all stakeholders that the election will be free, fair, and credible, and confirmed that political parties have complied with all the necessary procedures for participation.

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IPAC further stressed the need for all political parties and candidates to respect electoral integrity, calling for a level playing field for all participants to ensure that the will of the people is upheld in the ballot box.

A Katsina State High Court has dismissed a lawsuit seeking the removal of Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The suit was filed by a party member, Ibrahim Musa, who argued that Damagum’s appointment violated the PDP’s constitutional provisions, as he replaced Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, who hails from the North-central zone.

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Musa contended that Ayu’s successor should also come from the North-central geopolitical zone.

However, in a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Abdullahi Bawa-Faskari struck out the case, citing it as an internal party matter over which the court had no jurisdiction.

He upheld the preliminary objections raised by the defense, stating that the issue was not justiciable because it fell entirely within the party’s internal affairs.

Isaac Nwachukwu, counsel for the respondent, praised the court’s decision, emphasizing that the suit lacked merit and the court had no grounds to hear it.

On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Abdullahi Abdulkadir, expressed his intent to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal after reviewing the judgment.

A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has issued a summons for former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear before it on October 24, 2024.

The summons is in connection with a 16-count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), related to an alleged N110.4 billion fraud.

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Bello is being charged alongside two co-defendants, Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, for criminal breach of trust.

The defendants were initially expected to be arraigned on Thursday, but the EFCC informed the court that despite efforts, they were unable to serve the former governor with the charges, which were filed on September 24.

In response, Justice Maryanne Anenih issued a public summons, requiring Bello to voluntarily appear in court for his arraignment on the rescheduled date.

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The court further instructed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated national newspaper and to post copies at Bello’s last known address and other prominent locations within the court premises.

Less than two months before the Ondo State governorship election, Mrs. Susan Gbemisola Alabi, the deputy governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has stepped down from her role and resigned from the party.

Reports indicate that her decision stems from irreconcilable differences with the SDP’s governorship candidate, Otunba Bamidele Akingboye.

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In a resignation letter dated October 2, 2024, and addressed to the SDP National Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Musa Gabam, Alabi announced her resignation from both the party and the position of deputy governorship candidate.

She expressed her appreciation for her time in the SDP but stated that her decision to leave was made after careful reflection.

The letter read: “I am writing to formally resign from my membership in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) effective immediately. This decision was not made lightly as I have valued my time with the party. However, after careful consideration, I believe it is in my best interest to pursue new opportunities and directions.”

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Alabi also confirmed that she had informed Akingboye of her resignation from the race.

She expressed gratitude for the support she received during her tenure in the SDP and wished the party success in future endeavors.

Reacting to the news, Femi Ikoyi, Director General of the Otunba Bamidele Akingboye Campaign Organisation, said the candidate was unaware of Alabi’s resignation.

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He assured that the situation would be confirmed and more details would follow.

A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N150 million bail to Darius Ishaku, former Governor of Taraba State, in connection with an alleged N27 billion fraud case.

Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji set the bail conditions, requiring Ishaku to provide two sureties, both in the same amount.

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The court stated that the sureties must be federal government employees, with one holding a director-level position.

Additionally, they must reside within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and their residential addresses will be verified by the court’s registrar.

Ishaku, along with former Permanent Secretary for the Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bello Yero, faces a 15-count charge, including criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and the conversion of public funds amounting to N27 billion.

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Both defendants are barred from leaving the country without court approval.

The bail decision came after defense counsel Paul Haris Ogbole (SAN) and Oluwa Damilola Kayode, representing Ishaku and Yero respectively, argued for bail, noting that the defendants were already on administrative bail.

Although Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), representing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), initially pushed for a formal bail application, he did not oppose the request.

The court has scheduled the trial for November 4, 5, and 13.