Author: Vardiafrica

The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) is currently facing controversy over the nomination of Michael Odey as its chairman. Odey, who comes from Cross River State, has been questioned regarding his eligibility to lead a state electoral body in which he is not a native. This nomination has attracted significant attention, especially since the current Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, is also from Cross River. In defense of his appointment, Odey asserted that there are no legal barriers preventing his nomination under the RSIEC enabling law. “With utmost respect, I have reviewed the RSIEC’s enabling law, and…

The National Assembly has officially transmitted the much-anticipated tax reform bills to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assent. This was confirmed by Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, during a press conference in Abuja. President Tinubu had initially forwarded four tax reform bills to the National Assembly in 2024 for legislative consideration. The bills, aimed at overhauling Nigeria’s tax system, sparked extensive debate across both legislative chambers before eventually being passed. A harmonised version of the bills was adopted by both chambers on May 25, 2025, paving the way for…

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared that the notice it received from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regarding its upcoming national executive council (NEC) meeting did not meet the requirements set out in electoral regulations. In a letter dated May 30, the PDP had informed INEC of its plan to hold the 100th NEC meeting on June 30 at its national secretariat in Abuja. The notice was signed by the party’s acting national chairman, Umar Damagum, in line with the 21-day notification requirement for such gatherings. However, in a response dated June 13, INEC stated that the notice…

US President Donald Trump appeared to indicate that the United States has been involved in the Israeli attack on Iran in a social media post. “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn’t compare to American made, conceived, and manufactured “stuff.” Nobody does it better than the good ol’ USA,” Trump said in a Truth Social post. In a second post, Trump said, “We know exactly where the so-called “Supreme Leader” is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there -…

President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated the construction of the annex office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Tuesday, Mahmood Yakubu, INEC chairman, commended Tinubu for attending the ceremony. Yakubu said the commission has long struggled with congestion at its current headquarters, which was commissioned in December 1997. He said the building, originally designed for a smaller structure, has become overstretched due to the expansion of INEC’s operations over the years. “Our present national headquarters is severely congested. Today, there are 13 full-time Commission members, 22 Departments/Directorates and 1,048 staff. Every facility…

China has issued urgent calls for its citizens to leave both Iran and Israel as conflict between the two Middle Eastern nations intensifies, warning that the escalating violence poses serious risks to civilians and could spiral into a broader regional crisis. In a statement posted online on Tuesday, June 17, the Chinese Embassy in Iran announced that it had coordinated with Iranian authorities to facilitate the safe departure of Chinese nationals. “The Chinese Embassy in Iran has coordinated with the Iranian side to facilitate outbound travel and reminds Chinese citizens currently in Iran to leave the country… as soon as…

Benue state governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, says he does not support calls for residents of his state to arm themselves with weapons.  Following the incessant k!llings in some parts of the state, there have been calls for residents of the state to arm themselves with weapons so as to fight off the insurgents whenever they come attacking their communities. However, in a chat with AIT today June 17, the governor said he doesn’t support the calls for self defence but rather for an effective state police to be implemented. ‘’I think we would be rendering ourselves even more vulnerable.…

US President, Donald Trump was gifted a signed Cristiano Ronaldo jersey with a “special message.”  António Costa, president of the European Council, presented the president of the United States with the gift on Monday in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada. “To President Donald J. Trump,” the Portuguese soccer star signed the jersey, adding, “Playing for Peace.” On X, António shared photos of President Trump and the jersey, along with a closeup of Cristiano’s message. Alongside the images, he wrote: “To President @realdonaldtrump. Playing for peace. As a team.” Margo Martin, special assistant and communications advisor to President Trump, posted a video of the moment the…

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has called on the Nigerian government to implement urgent policy changes and offer better incentives to healthcare workers as a solution to the growing migration of doctors and other medical professionals. Speaking on Tuesday at the commissioning of the Yeriman Bakura Specialist Hospital in Zamfara State, Obasanjo warned that infrastructure upgrades alone are not enough to stop the “Japa syndrome” — the wave of skilled professionals leaving Nigeria for better opportunities abroad. “Many Nigerians trained as medical personnel are leaving the country in search of better conditions,” he said. “If we want them to stay, we…

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have condemned the brutal attack on Yelewata community in Benue State on Friday which claimed several lives and left hundreds displaced The opposition parties in separate statements released on Monday want President Bola Tinubu to take a decisive action that will see the perpetrators of the dastardly act apprehended and prosecuted. The parties commiserated with the families of the victims of the senseless killings in Benue State and other parts of our country and urged them not to relent in their effort to ensure the security of lives and property…