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 Nigerians contesting for UK parliamentary seats No fewer than 30 candidates of Nigerian origin are on the ballot as the United Kingdom holds parliamentary elections today. WALE ELEGBEDE reports. The die is cast in the United Kingdom. Ninety eight political parties and their candidates are ready to test their popularity after five weeks of actual campaigns. Will this be the end of the Conservative Party’s 14-year rule? Or will the Labour Party be disappointed in the various pollsters and analysts who have consistently predicted a landslide majority for them? By 7 am on Friday, we should have answers to these questions. Considered the first election with the most candidates ever with 4,379 candidates on the ballot, the 98 political parties have 650 constituencies to battle from. All seats have at least five candidates and nearly half have eight or more. From the long list of candidates, 30 British Nigerians are in the race and will be seeking their constituencies’ votes to represent...

 Edo 2024: Okpebholo reacts as court nullifies Ighodalo’s nomination as PDP candidate The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo on Thursday, July 4, hailed the Federal High Court  judgment that nullified the primaries that produced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo.  The Court, in its ruling, in Abuja on Thursday, declared as invalid the primary election that produced Ighodalo as the PDP’s governorship candidate. The primary election conducted on February 22, 2024, was voided on the ground that 378 delegates who were supposed to vote at the primary election were unlawfully excluded by the PDP. Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo invalidated the primary election while delivering judgment in a suit marked THC/ABJ/CS/165/2024 instituted by the aggrieved delegates, Hon. Kelvin Mohammed in a representative capacity. Justice Ekwo held that both the provisions...

  Southern governors chart agenda for region’s prosperity At the end of the Southern Governors Forum meeting last week, which took place at the Presidential Lodge, G.R.A, Ibara, Abeokuta, Ogun State, member states resolved to work together to fast-track the development of the region. Correspondent ERNEST NWOKOLO reports The Southern Governors’ meeting, which took place in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has come and gone but its impact is likely to shape the policies and politics of the various state governments that participated in it. Coming more than one year after the last general election, the atmosphere was relaxed and the participants were in an expansive mood, as one could glean from their attire. The participants were all decked in an attire (asoebi) made in the host state. Though it was largely a closed-door affair, the communique issued four days after, revealed that far-reaching decisions were taken to address the common issues affecting member states, especially the worrisome se...

 Why my father disowned me, my siblings - Seyi Awolowo Big Brother Naija reality show star and actor, Seyi Awolowo has narrated the struggles he encountered growing up. During an interview with popular media personality, Chude Jideonwo, the reality star said he was disowned by his father several times. Speaking about his turbulent upbringing in a polygamous environment, the late Obafemi Awolowo’s grandson stated that his father kept detailed files on each child. He said, “My father disowned me a couple of times. Not just me, a couple of us because my father married three wives. “My father wrote letters to cut off his children, reducing our identities to mere names on a list. We all have files. ‘As of right now, your name is just Seyi, full stop’”. Seyi Awolowo is the 20th grandchild of Awolowo, a Nigerian nationalist and statesman who played a key role in Nigeria’s independence movement. In a recent interview with Channels TV’s ‘The Morning Brief’, the 33-year-old reality star disc...

 I'll change the pattern in Nigerian cinema, vows Ruth Kadiri Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ruth Kadiri has vowed to reform Nigerian cinema with her films when the time is right. On her Instagram page, the multi-talented actress revealed that her thought process is unique. Kadiri often ponders how her brand would fare without external promotional support. She asserted that she does not depend on anyone to promote her work, as she is determined to transform the Nigerian film industry. Kadiri promised that people would watch her movies not out of obligation, but because they would be worth watching and because of their trust in her. She also emphasized that she is building a long-lasting brand that does not rely on constant pleading for support. Kadiri proudly stated that she is not in a rush, as she is focused on creating a solid foundation. She wrote, “The way my brain functions!!!! I ask myself what would become of my BRAND if I had no promotional help from someone!!! Truthfully...

 A’court nullifies expulsion of 25 pro-Wike lawmakers from Rivers assembly The court of appeal in Abuja has dismissed the order of a Rivers high court which restrained Martin Amaewhule and 24 others from parading themselves as lawmakers of the state assembly. A three-member panel of the appellate court led by Jimi Olukayode-Bada, held that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, as such matters can only be heard and determined before a federal high court. The appeal, which was filed by Amaewhule, factional speaker of the Rivers state house of assembly, and 24 others, sought to vacate the order of a high court in Port Harcourt that restrained them from parading themselves as lawmakers. On May 30, Charles Wali, the high court judge, restrained the lawmakers in Amaewhule’s faction from conducting legislative sittings anywhere, including within the legislative quarters. The judge also restrained Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers, from interfacing with or acce...

 Court Voids Edo PDP Guber Primary A Federal High Court in Abuja has invalidated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primary election that produced Asue Ighodalo as party’s candidate in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo. Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a judgment, held that the PDP’s primary held on February 22, 2024, failed to comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022; the guidelines for the conduct of the poll and the party’s constitution. Justice Ekwo, who said that the Exhibit PDP 1 tendered by the party was bereft of evidence, held that the plaintiffs, through the exhibits tendered, were able to establish their case against the defendants. The judge said that from the exhibit presented by the PDP, he found that the returning officers who prepared the result sheets only sat down in a place to manufacture the outcome.of the poll. He said the exclusion of the 381 delegates, including the plaintiffs, were against the provisions of the law. Justice Ekwo held that, tho...