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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured voters in Ondo State of its preparedness for the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2024.

Speaking on Politics Today, a program aired by Channels Television, INEC National Commissioner overseeing Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, Professor Kunle Ajayi, pledged that the commission would not disappoint the electorate as they head to the polls to choose a new governor.

“We have done our own work, we are proud of what we have done, and we will not disappoint the people of Ondo State,” Ajayi stated during the interview held in Akure, the state capital, on Friday.

INEC began distributing sensitive election materials to the 18 local government areas of Ondo State on Thursday. The process, conducted at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) premises in Alagbaka, Akure, was monitored by party agents, security personnel, and officials. The commission also deployed several commercial buses to aid logistics.

Unlike the September 21 Edo State governorship election, Ajayi noted, all registered areas (RAs) in Ondo State had received their sensitive materials ahead of the election.

“As of 3 p.m. today [Friday], all the registered areas have received their sensitive materials. The next step is to move these materials to the polling units. I visited some of the RAs this afternoon, and everything is on track,” Ajayi confirmed.

The governorship election will determine the leader who will oversee the state’s affairs for the next four years.

Appeal Court Annuls MC Oluomo’s Appointment as NURTW President

The Court of Appeal has nullified the appointment of Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, as the National President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

The judgment affirmed a previous ruling by the National Industrial Court, which recognized Tajudeen Baruwa as the legitimate leader of the union.

MC Oluomo had been elected last week by the NURTW Southwest Zone during its Quadrennial Delegate Conference held in Osogbo, Osun State. However, the appellate court, in a ruling delivered by a three-member panel, dismissed the appeal filed by MC Oluomo’s faction.

The court imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on the appellants and upheld Baruwa’s re-election as the union’s president.

The judgment, read by the appellate court, stated:
“This is an appeal against the judgment/decision of the National Industrial Court Sitting in Abuja, in Suit No. NICN/ABJ/263/2023 delivered on the 11th March, 2024 by Justice O. O. Oyewumi.

“Upon Reading the Record of Appeal compiled and transmitted before this court together with the respective briefs of argument;

“And After Hearing, O. I. Olorundare, SAN with F.T Sotikare, Esq), Jimoh Balogun, Esq, O. D. Emole, Esq, I. Yunanah, Esq) for the Appellants;

“Tolu Babaleye, Esq, with Adeniyi Adejoke, Esq, Maku Oluwatoyin, Esq, B. T Ataine, Esq for the Respondents; it is hereby ordered that:

“This Appeal is devoid of merit and the same is hereby dismissed.”

The decision solidifies Baruwa’s position as the president of the NURTW, countering recent moves to unseat him.

Several individuals were injured, seven vehicles damaged, and two houses destroyed following an explosion involving a truck transporting gas cylinders in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State on Friday.

Although no lives were lost, the cause of the explosion remains unknown, according to a local source who spoke to reporters. The truck was reportedly transporting gas cylinders from the neighboring Niger Republic to Magamar Jibia when the incident occurred.

The Katsina State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement by its spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq. He revealed that the explosion happened around 8:45 a.m., prompting an immediate response from police operatives at the Jibia Divisional Headquarters.

The Divisional Police Officer, in collaboration with military personnel, led a team to the scene and discovered the truck engulfed in flames at the Tamal Filling Station along the Kagadama–Magamar Jibia Road.

Sadiq stated that preventive measures were swiftly deployed to extinguish the fire, limiting further damage and preventing loss of life.

“Six motor vehicles were significantly affected by the fire incident, but fortunately, no lives were lost,” Sadiq said.

He added that the Katsina State Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Abubakar Musa, has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the explosion. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has announced the repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian girls from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims rescued and returned home since July 2024 to 163.

NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, disclosed this in a statement on Friday. He revealed that the latest rescue operation was conducted in collaboration with the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police, Rescue Live Foundation International, and NIDO Ghana, with support from NiDCOM.

“The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission alongside other stakeholders have rescued another set of 13 trafficked girls from Ghana, thus bringing the total repatriated back to the country within five months to 163,” the statement read.

The rescued girls, aged between 19 and 30 years, were reportedly lured to Ghana under false promises of employment but were instead subjected to exploitative conditions.

NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended the coordinated efforts that facilitated the operation and expressed gratitude to stakeholders who played critical roles. She specifically acknowledged the contributions of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru in supporting the repatriation process.

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has appointed Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff, effective immediately.

The announcement was made on Friday in a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, who noted that Audu’s appointment is aimed at advancing meaningful reforms across the state.

“It is hereby announced for the information of the general public, particularly the good people of Edo State, that Governor Monday Okpebholo has approved the appointment of Gani Audu as his Chief of Staff. The appointment takes immediate effect,” the statement read.

Born on August 18, 1969, Audu holds an HND from Auchi Polytechnic (1994), a PGD in Business Administration from Benson Idahosa University (2011), and an M.Sc. in Intelligence and Global Security from Baze University, Abuja (2024).

Audu has an extensive political career, serving as Chairman of Etsako West Local Government Council from 2004 to 2010 and as a member of the Edo State House of Assembly representing Etsako West Constituency 1 from 2015 to 2023. He was also the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2020 Edo State Governorship election.