Tag: News

Niger: Nigeria Disconnects its 150MW Power Supply as ECOWAS Seeks to Restore Democracy
Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Power, Security, Senegal, Sierra Leone

Niger: Nigeria Disconnects its 150MW Power Supply as ECOWAS Seeks to Restore Democracy

As part of efforts by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to restore democracy in Niger, Nigeria has disconnected the supply of 150 megawatts (MW) of electricity daily to its neighboring country. The disconnection was carried out by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), responsible for transmitting power, on Tuesday night. The Managing Director/CEO of TCN, Engr. Sule Abdulaziz, has not yet responded to media inquiries, but an anonymous source within the organization confirmed the disconnection. The source stated, "It is true Niger was disconnected from the national grid last night based on the instruction of the government. Nigeria used to supply 150 megawatts of power to Niger. It is a total disconnection in line with ECOWAS moves to restore democracy in that c...
UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup
Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Senegal

UK Backs ECOWAS Position on Niger Coup

The United Kingdom has declared its support for the position taken by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regarding the military coup in Niger Republic, which resulted in the overthrow of President Mohamed Bazoum. The coup plotters have been given a seven-day ultimatum by ECOWAS Heads of State to restore President Bazoum to power or face military action. UK Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, conveyed the UK's stance after an audience with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He commended ECOWAS' decisive action, strong commitment to democracy, and the unambiguous message that violence is not an acceptable means to bring about political change. Cleverly recognized President Bazoum as the legitimate leader and expressed the UK's unwavering commitment...
Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Sierra Leone

Defence Chiefs from 5 ECOWAS Nations Absent at Abuja Meeting

A meeting of defence chiefs from ECOWAS nations held today at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, but the gathering is conspicuously missing the presence of some key countries. Defence Chiefs from Mali, Niger, Guinea Bissau, Burkina Faso, and Guinea were noticeably absent from the meeting, while representatives from several other nations are in attendance. Present at the meeting are Defence Chiefs from Ghana, Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Senegal, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, and Cape Verde. The meeting is being presided over by General Christopher Musa, the Nigeria Chief of Defence Staff. The meeting has been convened in response to the recent military coup in Niger Republic, where the Commander of Niger's Presidential Guards, General Abdourahamane Tchiani, toppled the ...
Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali
Africa, Armed Forces, Burkina Faso, Mali, News, Niger, Nigeria, Security, Violence

Military Intervention in Niger, Declaration of War Against Us – Burkina Faso and Mali

The junta-led governments of Burkina Faso and Mali issued a joint warning on Monday, stating that any military intervention in Niger to restore deposed President Mohamed Bazoum would be regarded as a "declaration of war" against their two countries. This came in response to threats made by West African leaders, backed by Western partners, to use "force" to reinstate the democratically elected Bazoum and impose financial sanctions on the putschists. The governments of Burkina Faso and Mali emphasized the potential disastrous consequences of a military intervention in Niger, warning that such action could destabilize the entire region. They also rejected the application of "illegal, illegitimate, and inhumane sanctions" against the people and authorities of Niger. At an emergency summ...
National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio
Legislature, News, Nigeria

National Assembly Salaries Can’t Meet Constituents’ Demands – Akpabio

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, on Monday, expressed concerns about the inadequacy of salaries received by members of the National Assembly, stating that they are not enough to cater to the demands from their constituents. Akpabio made this statement during a debate on a motion sponsored by Abdulraman Kawu Suleiman, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) representing Kano South. The motion focused on the impending strike planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the need to avert it. Akpabio acknowledged the enormous hardships brought about by the removal of petroleum subsidy, but urged the people to exercise patience with the government as steps are being taken to alleviate their suffering. He emphasized that lawmakers' earnings are meager compared to the volu...
Subsidy Removal: Organized Labour to Proceed with Planned Protest
Cost of Living, Labour, News, Nigeria, Petroleum

Subsidy Removal: Organized Labour to Proceed with Planned Protest

The organized labour has reiterated its decision to go ahead with a planned protest against the removal of petroleum subsidy, expressing doubts about President Bola Tinubu's ability to control inflation and gasoline prices due to the unification of the exchange rate. The announcement came after another round of discussions between the Steering Committee on palliatives and the presidential villa in Abuja. Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), told reporters that despite fears of the peaceful protest being hijacked by hoodlums, the workers are determined to proceed with their planned protest, which is scheduled to begin on Wednesday. Ajaero dismissed concerns about security, stating that in the history of workers' protests, such occurrences have never happened, ...
Davido Removes Controversial Music Video Following from Muslim Community
Music, News, Nigeria, Religion

Davido Removes Controversial Music Video Following from Muslim Community

Nigerian Afrobeat sensation, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has taken down a controversial music video following criticism from the Muslim community. The video, titled "Jaye Lo," featured his signee, Olamilekan Taiwo, aka Logos Olori, and sparked mixed reactions from netizens after its release. In the 45-second clip posted on Friday on Davido's Instagram, a controversial scene portrayed men dressed as praying mallams dancing in front of a mosque instead of engaging in prayer. This depiction has been deemed offensive and disrespectful by some Muslim devotees, prompting them to call for a retraction of the video and even threaten legal action against the artists. In response to the growing backlash, Davido has removed the controversial video from his social media accounts. ...
NLC: Tinubu Has Declared War on the Masses with Anti-Poor Policies
Labour, News, Nigeria

NLC: Tinubu Has Declared War on the Masses with Anti-Poor Policies

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly denounced the recent surge in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, along with other policies that it perceives as detrimental to the impoverished population. In a compelling address during the opening ceremony of a four-day program for NLC state council leaders in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero declared that the Nigerian state had effectively declared war on the working class and the masses. Represented by Deputy President of Congress and President-General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Prince Adewale Adeyanju, Ajaero emphasized that trade union leaders must not abandon the Nigerian people and workers in the face of such challenges. The program, which was supported by the American Solidarit...
APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu Faces Battle to Retain Position
Elections, Legislature, News, Nigeria

APC National Chairman Senator Abdullahi Adamu Faces Battle to Retain Position

There are indications that the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Abdullahi Adamu, is facing a battle to remain the party's chairman following his disapproval of the principal officers of the National Assembly announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas on Tuesday. Multiple sources have revealed that Adamu's disowning of the principal officers named by Akpabio and Abbas is among the factors that may lead to his ouster as chairman. It has been gathered that Adamu's position on the principal officers was seen as a defiance of President Bola Tinubu's wishes, as the National Assembly leadership reportedly had the support of the presidency before making the announcements. Senate President Akpabio ha...
EU Election Observation Mission Notes Lack of Transparency with Data Deleted from the BVAS
Elections, Nigeria

EU Election Observation Mission Notes Lack of Transparency with Data Deleted from the BVAS

The EU Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) has released its latest report on Nigeria's 2023 general election, drawing attention to the controversy surrounding the deletion of election data from the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) between the presidential and governorship elections held in February and March 2023, respectively. In its final report titled 'Election Observation Mission Nigeria 2023,' the EU pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to provide clear information regarding the specific data that was erased from the BVAS and what was stored on the back-end server. The report highlighted that the BVAS machines used on February 25 were redeployed in the same polling units on March 18. During this period, the BVAS underwent reconf...