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Only An Act Of God Can Stop Saturday’s Elections, INEC Chairman Tells International Community

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Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission says “only an Act of God” can stop the conduct of the rescheduled Presidential and National Assembly election slated for Saturday.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, stated this in Abuja while addressing a cross section of the diplomatic community and international election monitoring groups in Nigeria, for the 2019 General Election.

The briefing which was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with INEC is aimed at engaging with friends and partners of Nigeria on the rescheduled election.

Yakubu, who was represented by an INEC National Commissioner, Dr Mustapha Lecky, said that the commission had put in place everything possible to ensure the elections hold on Saturday.

The INEC boss said that the commission had no reason to feel that anything would stop the conduct of the election on February 23.

He said the commission has developed a six-point agenda of what needed to be done to ensure success of the election.

He also said that the commission has completed the deployment of materials.

He said: “We believe that as a prayerful nation the act of God has been assuaged and that things will go right, we have no reason to feel that anything will go wrong.

“We have received all the materials, they have been checked, audited people have been informed, party agents have gone there to check.”

The official said that INEC had already taken responsibility for the postponement and that the body was committed to surpass achievement of previous elections in the country.

He blamed the postponement on logistics and problems associated with the primaries of some political parties, which according to him delayed the printing of ballot papers.

The Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, said the police was working with other security agencies to ensure maximum security during the elections.

Adamu said that he would ensure ballot box snatchers and other criminal elements who may attempt to scuttle the polls are arrested and prosecuted according to the law.

He said, the force had taken measures to protect voters, officials as well as election observers during the polls and warned trouble makers to rethink or be made to face the consequences of their actions.

He said: “The police will be professional, impartial and will create a level playing ground for all parties.

“All security personnel were trained by various security agencies, training was also given by Civil Society Organisations and other partners towards free, fair and transparent elections.

“I have spoken to Nigerians. We on our part, will be professional and impartial.

“We are going to create enabling environment for all the political parties to operate freely without molestation without favouring one party against another.”

BIG STORY

400 Sex Tapes: Equatorial Guinea’s Baltasar Remanded In Prison

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The former Director-General of the National Financial Investigation Agency in Equatorial Guinea, Baltasar Engonga, has been remanded in Malabo’s Black Beach Prison.

The embattled former anti-graft chief was arrested days ago for allegedly recording over 400 sex tapes involving the wives of prominent figures in the country.

This scandal surfaced during a fraud investigation into the 54-year-old economist, resulting in an impromptu search of his home and office by ANIF officials, who reportedly discovered several CDs that revealed his sexual encounters with different married women.

As the footage leaked online, causing a media uproar, Equatorial Guinea’s President, Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, dismissed Engonga.

According to Decree No. 118/2024, dated 4th November, the dismissal was due to “irregularities committed in the exercise of his functions, as well as inappropriate family and social conduct for the performance of public duties.”

A viral video surfaced on social media on Friday, showing Engonga handcuffed on both hands and legs during a court appearance.

Confirming the situation, French online blog Afrikmatin reported that Engonga, who was officially removed from his role on November 6, 2024, was subsequently chained and transferred to Malabo Central Prison. He faces charges of corruption and embezzlement.

Additionally, online newspaper UGStandard reported that the sex tapes began circulating on social networks while Engonga was already held at Malabo’s notorious Black Beach Prison on charges of embezzling public funds, as reported by state television, TVGE.

In a fact-checking report published Wednesday, Dubawa verified that Engonga had indeed been taken into custody on corruption charges and is currently being held in Black Beach Prison.

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BIG STORY

JAPA: Canada Tightens Visa Rules, Ends Automatic 10-Year Multiple-Entry Visas

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Canada will no longer automatically grant 10-year multiple-entry visas to tourists, according to new guidelines issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

This decision marks a shift from the previous practice where eligible visitors were routinely issued long-term visas, permitting multiple entries over a decade.

Under the revised rules, immigration officers now have discretion to issue visas with shorter durations based on individual assessments.

Instead of a default extended validity period, each application will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Officers can decide whether to grant a single-entry or multiple-entry visa and determine its duration, moving away from the automatic issuance of maximum-validity multiple-entry visas.

“Guidance has been updated to indicate that multiple-entry visas issued to maximum validity are no longer considered to be the standard document. Officers may exercise their judgement in deciding whether to issue a single or multiple-entry visa and in determining the validity period,” said the IRCC.

The IRCC explained that this change is part of a broader strategy aimed at managing temporary immigration levels while addressing ongoing challenges such as housing shortages and rising living costs.

The policy adjustment reflects the Canadian government’s efforts to adapt its immigration approach in response to economic and infrastructure pressures.

Previously, Canada offered two types of tourist visas: multiple-entry and single-entry. Applicants were generally considered for the multiple-entry visa, which allowed them to visit the country multiple times over a period of up to 10 years or until one month before their passport’s expiration date.

Single-entry visas, issued for specific situations like official visits or participation in single events, were less common.

Now, with the updated guidance, maximum-validity multiple-entry visas will no longer be the standard offering.

Immigration officers will exercise their judgement to decide on the appropriate type and duration of the visa, tailoring it to the specific needs and circumstances of the traveller.

The application fee for a Canadian visitor visa remains unchanged at CAD 100 per person, with no difference in cost between single-entry and multiple-entry options.

However, the shift may result in increased application costs for frequent travellers, who might need to apply more often due to shorter-term visas.

This policy change is part of a wider effort to balance immigration levels with Canada’s current infrastructure capabilities.

Other measures announced include a reduction in the target for permanent resident admissions, which will drop from 500,000 in 2025 to 395,000, with further decreases planned for 2026 and 2027.

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BIG STORY

MC Oluomo Elected NURTW National President

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Former Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, Lagos State Chapter, Mr. Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as “MC Oluomo,” was elected the new National President of the Union on Saturday.

Akinsanya was the sole candidate in the election, which took place at the Union’s Zonal Secretariat along the Osogbo/Ikirun road.

Delegates from the four Southwest states of Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti participated in the election.

The election, held during the Union’s Quadrennial Delegate Conference, was monitored and observed by the acting National President of the group, Aliyu Issa-Ore.

Issa-Ore, addressing the gathering, explained that the Union’s Constitution stipulates that the zone permitted to fill the national president’s position would elect its preferred candidate and present them to the national body.

The acting NURTW President, represented by Mrs. Adedamola Salam, Head of Finance at the National Headquarters in Abuja, added, “The Southwest zone has fully complied with the Constitution in electing Oluomo as President.

The delegates also elected Tajudeen Agbede as Vice President, Southwest, while Akeem Adeosun was chosen as Trustee from the Zone.

Shortly after taking the oath of office, Akinsanya, surrounded by associates and family members, called for peace and pledged to work towards unity among members.

He further stated, “I have forgiven everyone who has offended me, and I hope those I have offended will forgive me as well.

“This is our union, and we must be committed to preserving it. We will not allow anyone to destroy our means of livelihood.”

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