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Police Refuse To Provide Security For Rivers Local Government Poll Over Court Order

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The Rivers police command has announced that its officers will not provide security for the local government election in the state.

In a statement issued on Thursday night, Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, stated that the command is adhering to an order from the federal high court in Abuja.

The Rivers local government election is set for Saturday, October 5.

Tension has been building in Rivers due to the ongoing conflict between Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, and Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT). Both camps view the local government election as a referendum on who truly controls the grassroots. Wike’s camp appears to be opposed to holding the election on Saturday.

On September 30, a federal high court in Abuja prohibited the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the 2023 voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The court also banned the inspector-general of police and the Department of State Services (DSS) from supplying security for the election.

On October 2, INEC confirmed that it had not released the voter register to RSIEC in compliance with the federal high court’s ruling. The next day, a crowd gathered at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Port Harcourt to protest the planned election.

Despite this, Fubara is determined to go ahead with the election and has declared Thursday and Friday public holidays.

Iringe-Koko urged other security agencies to follow the court’s ruling by refraining from providing security for the election.

“On July 19, 2024, a Federal High Court in Abuja issued a restraining order preventing the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from providing security during the Local Government Election,” the statement reads.

“Additionally, on September 30, 2024, the Federal High Court in Abuja delivered a judgment that again prohibited the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies from participating in the Local Government Election.

“Given these circumstances, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department that the ruling from the Federal High Court on September 30, 2024, takes precedence.”

“Recently, an opposition party protested, calling for adherence to the court orders and expressing their determination to prevent any disregard for the law.

“The Nigeria Police Force encourages all parties to seek appropriate legal redress if they feel aggrieved by any decisions or actions related to the election process.

“The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining law and order and will not stand idly by in the face of potential disturbances. Necessary actions will be taken to enforce the court’s orders.”

“All Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure full compliance with the judgment of the Federal High Court.

“In view of the above, the Nigeria Police Force has been advised by the Force Legal Department to comply with the judgment of the Federal High Court dated September 30, 2024, which bars the Nigeria Police from allowing, participating in, providing security for, or taking part in the Rivers State Local Government Election on October 5, 2024.

“All other security agencies are also implored to comply with the Federal High Court judgment.”

The police requested that residents “cooperate with law enforcement in upholding the rule of law during this crucial period.”

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“JAPA”: Canada Increases Minimum Proof Of Funds To N17m For Immigrants

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Foreign nationals aiming to migrate to Canada through the Express Entry system will now need to meet a higher minimum financial requirement, following a recent update from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Based on the new guidelines effective from July 7, 2025, a single applicant is now required to show access to at least CAD $15,263 (about N17 million), an increase from the previous CAD $14,690. For a family of two, the new minimum required amount rises to CAD $19,001 (N21.2m).

This update in the financial threshold is part of IRCC’s annual review of settlement fund requirements, calculated at 50% of the low-income cut-off figures determined by Statistics Canada.

These funds are meant to prove that applicants can financially support themselves and their families after arriving in Canada.

Applicants must provide official letters from their financial institutions, printed on the bank’s letterhead. For those applying with a spouse, funds in joint accounts may be combined.

To stay eligible in the Express Entry pool, candidates must update their proof of funds in their profile no later than July 28, 2025. This update will not affect the original submission date and time of the profile, meaning it will not impact tie-breaker situations.

Proof of funds remains a mandatory requirement under both the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, it is not required for applicants under the Canadian Experience Class or for those already authorized to work in Canada with a valid job offer, even under other Express Entry categories.

Submitting an Express Entry profile is only the initial step and does not guarantee permanent residency. IRCC continues to invite the highest-ranking candidates from the pool approximately every two weeks, using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to assess and rank applications.

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UK Introduces eVisas For Nigerian Study, Work Visa Applicants

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The British High Commission in Abuja announced on Wednesday a new change in the United Kingdom’s immigration process for Nigerians applying for study and work visas.

Effective from 15 July 2025, most applicants in these categories will start receiving digital eVisas instead of the traditional visa stickers in their passports, according to a statement from the BHC.

The new policy applies only to applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Those who apply before that date will still follow the current process, which involves submitting a passport at a Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette.

The statement reads, “From 15 July 2025, most individuals applying to enter the UK on study or work-related visas will no longer receive a physical visa sticker (vignette) in their passport. Instead, successful applicants will be issued an eVisa, a secure, online record of their immigration status. This change marks a major step in the UK Government’s transition to a modern, digital immigration system. This change applies only to study or work visa applications submitted on or after 15 July 2025. Applicants who apply before 15 July will continue with the current process, including leaving their passport at the Visa Application Centre and receiving a vignette. Visit visa applications will continue to receive the visa vignette sticker for the time being.”

Applicants are still required to visit a Visa Application Centre to provide biometric data.

Once approved, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the decision and instructions for creating a UKVI account to access their eVisa.

The statement continues, “Despite the removal of the vignette for study or work visas, all applicants must still attend a Visa Application Centre to provide their biometric information as part of the visa processing procedure. Once a decision is made on their visa application, applicants will receive an email from UK Visas and Immigration with the outcome and instructions to create a UKVI account, to access their eVisa.”

Chargé d’Affaires at the British High Commission in Abuja, Gill Obe, stated, “We’re making it easier and faster for Nigerians to travel to the UK. From 15 July 2025, most people applying for study or work visas will get a digital eVisa instead of a visa sticker in their passport. This is a further big step to a fully digital UK immigration system, making the process more secure, more efficient, and more convenient for students, professionals, and families.”

She explained that not all applicants would be affected immediately.

“However, if you’re applying as a dependant, like a spouse or child, of someone who is studying or working in the UK or if you are applying for a visitor visa, you’ll still receive a visa vignette sticker in your passport for the time being,” she said.

The High Commission clarified that eVisas have already replaced Biometric Residence Permits for individuals granted leave for more than six months. Those with a UKVI account can use the “View and Prove” service to share their immigration status with third parties, such as employers or landlords in England.

To obtain an eVisa, applicants must apply online via the official UK government website (gov.uk), attend a Visa Application Centre to provide biometrics, take their passport home the same day if no vignette is required, and follow instructions in the decision letter, including creating and linking a UKVI account if needed.

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BREAKING: Ganduje Appointed FAAN Board Chairman

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Former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has been appointed “Chairman of the Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” shortly after resigning as “National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the official inauguration of newly appointed FAAN board members in Abuja.

Ganduje resigned from his role as APC national chairman last week, citing “urgent personal reasons.” He has been succeeded by Ali Bukar Dalori.

 

More to come:

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