By Alexandria Dominic-Chukwu

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has said he won’t leave office on 29 May 2023 to “run away” from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, who stepped aside from his position on Tuesday, is set to fight his suspension by a Benue State High Court, Makurdi on Monday.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the presentation of certificates of return to the governors-elect in 26 states where winners have been declared following the conclusion of the March 18 elections.

By David Okpashi (Nasarawa State Correspondent, in Lafia)

The Arewa Youths Forum (AYF) worldwide, on Tuesday, endorsed Governor Simon Bako Lalong of Plateau State for the position of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF)

• * As Over 1,000 Women Defy Ban Order In The State

By David Okpashi (Nasarawa State Correspondent, in Lafia)

Peaceful protest by women in Nasarawa State over the last controversial election results of the governorship election announced by INEC has continued to generate political heat following the police ban on all forms of protest in the state.

It would be recalled that the State Police Command had, last Saturday, issued a notice banning any forms of protest throughout the state.

Recalled also that Women in the state had since the announcement of results of the governorship election, continued to carry out a state wide peaceful protest, and calling on INEC to announce the authentic winner of the March 18th governorship election in Nasarawa state.

Reacting to the ban of all forms of protest in Nasarawa state by the police, the state Chairman of the opposition People's Democratic party (PDP), Chief Francis Orogu, described the ban by the police as unconstitutional.

According to the opposition PDP Chairman, it was a demonstration of biasness for the police to ban peaceful protest by women who are dissatisfied with electoral processes.

"You can't beat a child and tell such a child not to cry. What the women are doing is what is done anywhere in the world. They are expressing their pain of being robbed of their votes.

"It's sad that the Police Commissioner in Nasarawa state will ban a peaceful protest by women who did not disrupt any government or private activities or cause mayhem or pose a threat to the peace of the state.

"it has clearly shown a conspiracy between the police and the APC to subvert the wishes of the people by all means. But the world is watching. This same police were the one that stopped us for having access to the collation center where the manipulation of result took place that night.

"The state Director of the DSS acted maturely when he called me to talk to the women to stop stripping nude while protesting.

"The saddest part is that Governor Sule is not even touched by women protesting naked but only accusing the women of collecting N500 to protest. Does he know what it means for older women to show their nudity in a protest? That is the culture of Kwarafa women when they are aggrieved ", Orogu stated.

In the same vein, the former Minister of information, Labaran Maku, kicked against the action of the police, claiming that the police do not have the right to ban peaceful protest because peaceful protest is the constitutional right of the citizens.

"We are aware governor Sule gave the police the order to ban the women from protesting peacefully across the state. You can't stop people from embarking on peaceful protest when you have not done anything to address their grievances.

"Even during the military rule, citizens resisted ban on protest. When you ban people from engaging in peaceful protest you may be looking for some trouble that you may not be able to curtail.

Meanwhile, over 1,000 aged women across the 13 Local Government Areas of Nasarawa State, on Monday, protested over what they alleged as the rigging of the governorship election in the state.

The women who were dressed in black, singing emotional songs in Hausa language and carrying leaves did not go to the streets but held the peaceful protest at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP ) secretariat in Lafia, the state capital.

Speaking during the protest, the State Women Leader of the PDP, Stella Oboshi, alleged that the party's governorship candidate, David Ombugadu, won the governorship election and not the incumbent Governor, Abdullahi Sule, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission( INEC ).

Oboshi explained that the protest which started last week was to register their dissatisfaction with the outcome of the election. He added that the protest was held at the PDP secretariat following respect to the constituted authority's ban on all forms of protests in the state,

According to her, the women were law abiding and loyal citizens of the country which was why they decided to hold the protest inside the party's premises. She stated that all protesters were given a directive not to invade the streets to avoid the breakdown of law and order in the state capital.

She called on INEC to do the needful by reviewing the election results and announce the actual winner of the election.

"The reason of our being here is that we are protesting because of the election that was rigged. They rigged us in the election, and as women in the party, we are not happy with what has happened in Nasarawa state.

"The police has banned protests in the state. We are not outside, we are inside our party's office. So, I feel we are not against the law. We are law abiding citizens. All PDP women respect the laws of the land, we are peacemakers, that is why all our protests have been peaceful.

"Moreso, peaceful demonstration in politics is allowed because there is freedom of speech. As you can see, since Tuesday last week when we started protesting, we have not harmed anyone, we have not insulted anyone or destroyed any property," Oboshi noted.

She, therefore called INEC to review the results collated from across the state and announce the actual winner of the governorship election. NNL.

By Christopher Enenche (Benue State Correspondent, in Makurdi)

This is certainly an unpleasant season for Senator Iyorchia Ayu, National Chairman of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as a Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, on Monday, issued an order restraining him from parading himself as PDP chairman.

• * Urge Former Governor To Leave Osun People With Their Choice and Face His Family, Business

By Akindele Adekunle

In the aftermath of the Appeal court ruling that vindicated the government of Senator Ademola Adeleke in Osun State, the Osun People's Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the former Governor of the state, Chief Gboyega Oyetola to leave the people of the state with their choice and face his family and business interest.

• * Cautions Against Debasing Womanhood In Nasarawa

By David Okpashi (Nasarawa State Correspondent, in Lafia)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Nasarawa State chapter, has advised the opposition People's Democratic party (PDP) to seek redress in the court of law if dissatisfied with the outcome of the governorship election in the state.

By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

Bauchi state Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has described his re-election victory as a call for continuity in the delivery of dividends of democracy for the best interest of the state and its people.

By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

A Bauchi man, Aliyu Mohammed Sani, who bath and drank from the gutter in celebration of President Muhammadu Buhari's victory in 2019, has finally dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in frustration over what he described as neglect and abandonment of him by the APC.

By Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu (Bauchi State Correspondent)

The Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has reaffirmed his administration's readiness to continue protecting the image and integrity of the traditional institutions in the state to enable them contribute positively to the societal development.

Femi Fani-Kayode, Director, New Media Sub-Committee of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has reacted to criticism from the United kingdom over controversial comments he.made during the electoral season.