Former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, has called on the Federal Government and relevant institutions to ensure that the upcoming Edo and Ondo Governorship elections are conducted in a free and fair manner.

In an interview, Chief Anyaoku emphasized the importance of credible elections, noting that both the Nigerian public and the international community are closely observing how the elections are handled.

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With the Edo election set for September 21 and Ondo’s scheduled for November 16, Anyaoku urged key agencies, including INEC and security forces, to meet public expectations by adhering to constitutional principles, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring a transparent electoral process.

“The international community is watching Nigeria,” Anyaoku stated.

“The credibility of these elections will shape the way Nigeria is viewed on the global stage.”

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He praised INEC for its previous successes in conducting elections and encouraged the commission to maintain impartiality and transparency.

“INEC has done well in the past, but the integrity of these elections will depend on the fairness and impartiality it demonstrates,” Anyaoku remarked.

Furthermore, Anyaoku stressed that how the elections are conducted will significantly impact Nigeria’s reputation in the international community, urging the government to consider the global implications of its actions.

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He also addressed the rising insecurity in the country, calling for a holistic approach to tackling violence and stressing the need for a return to true fiscal federalism as a solution for Nigeria’s political and economic challenges.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, announced on Sunday that aspirants who purchased nomination forms for the upcoming local government elections under the All Progressives Congress (APC) but did not emerge as candidates will start receiving refunds on Monday.

The governor’s Special Assistant on Electronic and Creative Media, Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, made this known in a statement issued to journalists in Owerri.

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According to the statement, Governor Uzodimma, after attending a Sunday Mass at the Government House Chapel, assured that refunds would be processed for those who applied for councillorship or chairmanship positions but were unsuccessful in securing party tickets for the September 21, 2024, local elections.

“The governor confirmed that only the amounts spent on the purchase of forms will be refunded, excluding any unofficial expenses such as those spent on consultations,” the statement read.

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Uzodimma encouraged aspirants to remain committed to the party’s unity, urging them to prioritize the APC’s and Imo State’s overall interests above personal ambitions.

Additionally, he reassured the public that the Imo State Electoral Commission (ISIEC) would proceed with the elections as planned on September 21, 2024.

Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has extended his congratulations to Muslims on the occasion of Eid-el-Maulud, which commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

In a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas called on Muslims to use this significant occasion to pray for Nigeria’s peace and prosperity.

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He emphasized the need for divine intervention in the country’s current challenges.

Abbas highlighted Prophet Muhammad as a symbol of peace and unity, urging Muslims to adhere to his teachings of godliness, obedience, and sacrifice.

He encouraged them to support each other and to remain committed to nation-building.

The Speaker also called for support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration and assured that the 10th National Assembly is dedicated to advancing projects and policies aimed at fostering national peace and prosperity.

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Barrister Chijioke Edeoga, the Labour Party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Enugu State, has called on Governor Peter Mbah to reassess the state’s tax policies, which he argues have placed a heavy burden on both residents and businesses.

In an open letter issued on Sunday, Edeoga criticized the current tax regime, urging the governor to reduce what he describes as excessive levies that are reportedly straining the economy and driving businesses away from Enugu.

Edeoga’s letter, titled “Heavy and Multiple Taxes: Have Mercy on the People of Enugu State,” outlines various tax increases under Mbah’s administration, alleging that these changes have led to significant financial hardship.

He cited specific examples such as increases in tenement tax for residential and commercial properties, higher fees for private schools, and elevated daily taxes for public transport vehicles.

He also raised concerns about what he sees as double taxation, such as purchase taxes on groceries and factory products, which are already subject to VAT.

Edeoga argued that these practices not only strain individual taxpayers but also undermine business viability.

Referencing the principles of taxation established by economist Adam Smith—fairness, certainty, convenience, and efficiency—Edeoga contended that the current tax system fails to meet these criteria.

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He suggested that the tax burden imposed on residents and businesses is excessive and unjust.

Edeoga further expressed concern that the current tax policies may be driven by political motives, comparing them to historical grievances like the Aba Women’s Riot of 1929, which was sparked by unfair taxation practices.

The Labour Party leader appealed to Governor Mbah to reconsider the tax regime, taking into account the economic pressures faced by residents and businesses, and to adjust policies to foster economic growth and fairness in the state.

In preparation for the upcoming local government elections scheduled for September 28, 2024, the Anambra State House of Assembly has made amendments to the State Electoral (Amendment No 3) Law 2024.

This marks the third amendment to the state’s electoral law this year, with the latest changes occurring just within the past month.

The motion for the amendment was presented during the plenary session on Thursday by Obi Nweke, Chairman of the House Committee on Public Petitions and representative of Anambra East Constituency.

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The motion was seconded by Nobel Igwe, and passed with the approval of a two-thirds majority in accordance with the House’s Standing Order 74.

Nweke explained that the changes were essential to address potential gaps in the local government system, particularly concerning council tenure.

The amendment ensures clarity in the law, reducing the risk of litigation arising from ambiguities.

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Key aspects of the amendment include the clarification that the entire council, including chairpersons, deputies, and councillors, will serve a unified two-year term.

The amendment also corrects typographical errors in previous sections of the law, particularly sections 23, 24, and 25.

The Speaker of the House, Somtochukwu Udeze, stated that the newly amended law will be cited as Anambra State Electoral Law No 3, 2024, and will take effect on September 12, 2024, ahead of the upcoming polls.

Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, was briefly detained at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday upon his return from the United States.

Sowore revealed his experience through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, explaining that officials from the Nigerian Immigration Service seized his passport upon arrival and informed him of orders to detain him.

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He described the incident as part of a broader effort by the current administration to suppress dissent, linking it to the upcoming #FearlessINOctober protests.

“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos when my passport was taken, and I was told there were orders to detain me,” Sowore stated in his post.

He noted that this kind of action was not unexpected, attributing it to what he termed a “clampdown” by the government in response to his activism.

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Sowore was released shortly after his brief detention, and his passport was returned.

He used the opportunity to encourage Nigerians to continue resisting tyranny, emphasizing the need for citizens to participate in planned protests starting October 1st.

At the time of this report, there has been no official response from the Department of State Services (DSS) regarding Sowore’s detention.

The Labour Party (LP) in Anambra State has called on Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo to direct the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) to reschedule the local government elections set for September 28, 2024.

The party argued that postponing the election would allow for a more lawful and transparent process, describing the current arrangement as an “unacceptable sham.”

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During a press conference in Awka on Saturday, LP’s State Publicity Secretary, Engr Theo Egbe, emphasized that the party neither sold nomination forms nor conducted primaries to field candidates for the elections.

Egbe further accused ANSIEC of publishing names of candidates aligned with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as Labour Party candidates, without LP’s involvement.

“The so-called election is a sham. They have already conducted it in their rooms and are just waiting to announce the results,” Egbe remarked.

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Adding to the concerns, LP’s State Secretary, Barr Okoli Akirika, highlighted the irregularities, comparing the situation to the emergence of “unknown candidates,” similar to the “unknown bishops” and “unknown gunmen” referenced in past incidents.

“The names published as Labour Party candidates are not our members, and we did not sponsor them. We have made it clear that we are not participating in this election,” Akirika stressed.