The African Union (AU) has appointed Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, as Co-chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (AU-ASRIC).

In this significant role, Pantami is expected to be instrumental in developing the 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) Policy and Strategy for Africa, which will have implications for all 54 countries on the continent.

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Pantami has been a prominent advocate for advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa.

His tenure as the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) saw the establishment of the National Centre of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR).

He also played a key role in formulating Nigeria’s inaugural Digital Economy Policy, focusing on the integration of Digital Society and Emerging Technologies.

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Notably, Pantami is the first African to be honored as a Fellow by the Chartered Institute of Information Security in the United Kingdom, underscoring his contributions to the field.

Alongside Pantami, Professor Anicia Nicola Peter from Namibia has been appointed as co-chair.

Professor Peter is a distinguished researcher specializing in Human-Computer Interaction, Social Media, Gamification, and other emerging technologies.

She previously led Namibia’s 4IR Presidential Task Force and serves as an adjunct Research Professor at the University of Namibia.

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The AU-ASRIC comprises a diverse group of experts, including Professor Khaleed Ghedira from Tunisia and Professor Maha Grima from Morocco, among other esteemed academics and policymakers.

Together, they aim to propel the continent’s adoption of advanced technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Blockchain, and Cybersecurity.

The Kogi State House of Assembly has called for the immediate dismissal of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, over his handling of the case involving former Governor Yahaya Bello, accusing him of unprofessional conduct.

During a plenary session held on Monday in Lokoja, the assembly passed a resolution condemning what they referred to as an unprovoked attack by EFCC operatives on the Kogi State Government Lodge.

The lawmakers argued that this act was not only an assault on Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo but also on the people of Kogi State.

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The motion, raised by Hon. Akus Lawal of Ankpa 1 State Constituency and seconded by Hon. Jacob Olawunmi of Ijumu State Constituency, led to a heated discussion, during which the assembly labeled the EFCC’s actions on April 17 and September 18 as assassination attempts on Yahaya Bello and threats to the life of the current governor.

Speaker of the Assembly, while presenting the resolution, noted that the attack, including the firing of live rounds in a diplomatic zone, showed that the EFCC had overstepped its authority.

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He further criticized the commission for deviating from its anti-corruption mandate under Olukoyede’s leadership.

The assembly urged President Bola Tinubu to relieve Olukoyede of his duties and appoint a more competent individual to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and enforced properly.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has vowed to challenge the results of the Edo State governorship election in court, following the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The PDP claims its mandate was “stolen” and is determined to retrieve it through legal means.

The party’s acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, made this announcement during a press briefing in Abuja.

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He urged the people of Edo State to remain steadfast, assuring them that the party would take all necessary legal steps to reclaim the mandate.

This development comes as civil society organizations, including Yiaga Africa, criticized the election, stating that it failed to meet integrity standards.

Similarly, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) called on INEC to review discrepancies in the uploads to its IReV portal.

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Labour Party (LP) candidate, Mr. Olumide Akpata, also condemned the election, calling it a “transaction” and a “democratic sacrilege” perpetrated by both the APC and PDP.

He revealed that the election results are being subjected to forensic analysis by his legal team, and the findings will guide his next course of action.

INEC had declared Okpebholo governor-elect after he secured 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,566 votes, and Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.

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Meanwhile, Okpebholo has received numerous congratulatory messages from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), state governors, and other stakeholders.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has called on Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to step down from presiding over his case, citing a loss of confidence in her handling of the trial.

During the resumed hearing, Kanu expressed his frustration, accusing Justice Nyako of failing to comply with Supreme Court orders related to his case.

He openly requested that she recuse herself from further proceedings.

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In response, Justice Nyako stated that she had no objections to his request and would be pleased to withdraw from the case.

She confirmed that the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge for reassignment and further necessary steps.

Kanu also interrupted the proceedings, instructing his lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, to remain seated while he directly addressed Justice Nyako from the dock.

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He referenced a Supreme Court judgment that questioned the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court regarding the charges against him, particularly in relation to the location of the alleged broadcasts.

Kanu further cited a portion of the Supreme Court ruling that hinted at possible bias from Justice Nyako, reinforcing his demand for her recusal.

The House of Representatives resumed its plenary today, placing a strong emphasis on constitution amendments, electoral reforms, and local government autonomy.

The House spokesperson, Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr., shared key legislative priorities in a statement on Monday, highlighting the expectation of receiving the 2025 Appropriation Bill from the executive.

This submission, he noted, is critical to maintaining the January–December budget cycle, a practice introduced during the review of the 2024 budget through public town hall meetings.

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Rotimi Jr. emphasized that the House is determined to proceed with key legislative tasks, particularly around constitutional review, which he described as fundamental to Nigeria’s democracy.

The House Committee on Constitution Review, led by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, aims to complete its work on the Sixth Alteration to the 1999 Constitution by December 2025.

He revealed that the committee has received over 300 memoranda from the public, reflecting a broad engagement with the ongoing review process.

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Electoral reforms are also a top priority for the House. Rotimi Jr. explained that amendments to the Electoral Act 2022 are necessary to address ambiguities and contradictions in the law.

The legislative body plans to establish mechanisms for continuous electoral law reviews, ensuring they remain relevant and in line with global standards.

A town hall on electoral reforms held in November 2023 will serve as a foundation for further efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system.

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In response to the July 2024 Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, the House will introduce bills to align existing laws with the new reality.

These reforms are essential for granting local councils greater financial and operational independence, thereby enhancing their capacity to deliver essential services at the grassroots level.

Additionally, the House intends to clarify the roles of local governments in security matters and streamline their electoral processes to reduce conflicts and inefficiencies.

Looking ahead, Rotimi Jr. mentioned that the House anticipates an executive bill on Whistleblower Protection, following recent policy statements from Finance Minister Wale Edun.

This initiative, aligned with the House’s legislative agenda, seeks to strengthen governance and national security by enhancing anti-corruption measures and improving revenue generation.

President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-elect of Edo State, following his victory in the just-concluded governorship election.

Tinubu stated that the victory was a testament to the people’s endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC), its progressive ideals, economic reengineering programme, and commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.

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Senator Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, defeating his opponents to secure the governorship seat.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu praised APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for their dedication and hard work in achieving the victory.

He urged Senator Okpebholo to approach his win with humility and view it as a call to service, rather than an occasion for gloating.

Tinubu advised him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals, fostering unity, and ensuring the development of Edo State.

Furthermore, President Tinubu commended other candidates who participated in the election for their role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

He noted that peaceful political contests, like the one in Edo State, reflect Nigeria’s evolution into a stable democracy. Tinubu encouraged any aggrieved parties to seek redress through legal means.

The president also lauded the people of Edo State for their peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing nature of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.

“I commend INEC and our security agencies for working tirelessly to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free election. INEC has once again demonstrated its commitment to organizing free and fair elections in our country,” President Tinubu remarked.

Similarly, former President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Chairman of the APC, Umar Ganduje, have congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory.

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In a message, Buhari described Okpebholo’s triumph as “historic,” expressing optimism that the incoming administration would work inclusively to strengthen democracy and continue the trajectory of Edo State’s development.

Buhari also commended the law enforcement agencies for ensuring a peaceful electoral process and prayed for a renewed era of progress and prosperity for Edo State and its people.

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In the election results announced by INEC, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.

Prof. Faruk Kuta, the returning officer, officially declared the results at the INEC collation center in Benin City on Sunday.

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki has stated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will pursue justice through democratic channels following the controversial results of the Saturday’s governorship election, in which Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner.

During a press conference, Obaseki emphasized the party’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and engaging in peaceful advocacy to address what he described as electoral irregularities.

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“We believe in the democratic process, and we will utilize all legal and constitutional means available to seek justice for the people of Edo State,” he said.

Obaseki called on party members and supporters to remain calm and united as they navigate the post-election landscape.

He urged them to trust the party’s leadership in its efforts to challenge the election results and ensure that the voice of the people is heard.

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The governor also highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, stressing that the integrity of democracy must be preserved for the future of the state.

As the PDP prepares to challenge the results, political analysts are watching closely to see how the situation develops.

Meanwhile, the APC has reiterated its confidence in the electoral outcome and urged all parties to respect the will of the voters, calling for a focus on governance and development rather than conflict.

Following the announcement of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the 2024 governorship election in Edo State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially rejected the results, claiming they were manipulated by INEC.

The PDP’s returning officer for the election alleged that the results do not reflect the true will of the people and called for a thorough investigation into the electoral process.

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He expressed concerns over irregularities observed during the voting and counting phases, asserting that the electoral integrity was compromised.

The atmosphere remains charged as reactions from various political stakeholders continue to emerge.

Supporters of the PDP have organized protests in several locations, demanding transparency and accountability in the election.

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Meanwhile, the APC has defended the results, urging all parties to respect the democratic process and work towards the development of the state.