Taiye Ajayi

House of Representatives
Exclusive News, Politics

Nigerian Lawmakers Reject Law to Jail Politicians for Buying Votes in Party Primaries

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Nigeria’s House of Representatives has turned down a bill that would have made vote buying during party primaries a criminal offense, despite the practice being widespread across the country’s political landscape. According to Linda Ikeji Blog, the decision came Thursday during a detailed review of proposed amendments to the Electoral Act 2022, when lawmakers voted against criminalizing the financial inducement of delegates at party conventions and congresses. The proposed clause would have sent anyone caught bribing delegates to prison for two years, with no option to pay a fine instead. Specifically, it targeted politicians or their agents who use cash or material gifts to influence how delegates vote during party primaries, congresses, or conventions. When Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu put the provision to a voice vote, House members unanimously rejected it. Vote buying at party primaries has become almost routine in Nigerian politics. The delegate system, which gives a small group of party members the power to choose candidates, makes it relatively easy for politicians with deep pockets to sway outcomes through cash payments or other incentives. By rejecting this clause, lawmakers have effectively maintained the status quo, leaving no criminal penalties specifically targeting this practice despite its impact on the democratic process. While the House rejected penalties for delegate inducement, they weren’t entirely lenient on electoral offenses. Lawmakers approved harsh new punishments for crimes involving ballot papers and election materials. Under the approved amendments, anyone who illegally prints ballot papers or materials that look like official documents, prints more ballots than INEC authorized, or is caught with ballot papers during voting without proper authorization now faces serious consequences. The new law also targets anyone who manufactures, imports, or uses rigged ballot boxes, devices designed to secretly insert, divert, or tamper with ballot papers or result forms. Those convicted under these ballot-related provisions will face: A maximum fine of ₦75 million At least 10 years in prison Or both

Exclusive News, Foreign News

TikTok Avoids US Ban With Major Investment Deal: What It Means for 170 Million American Users

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TikTok has secured its future in America after striking a landmark deal with US and international investors, ending years of uncertainty about whether the popular app would be banned over national security concerns tied to its Chinese parent company, ByteDance. The agreement creates a new US-based entity that will take control of American operations, protecting the platform’s 170 million users, its largest and most lucrative market globally. TikTok CEO Shou Chew told employees in an internal memo that the new joint venture will receive major backing from tech giant Oracle, private equity firm Silver Lake, and Abu Dhabi’s MGX investment company. The ownership breakdown carefully navigates US legal requirements: New investor consortium: 50% stake Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX: 15% each Existing ByteDance investor affiliates: Just over 30% ByteDance: Under 20% (the maximum allowed for Chinese companies) This US-based venture will handle all critical operations for American users, including data protection, algorithm security, content moderation, and software integrity. It will also manage certain global functions like e-commerce, advertising, and marketing. The deal resolves a multi-year standoff that began when US lawmakers raised alarms about potential Chinese government access to American user data and concerns over algorithmic influence. Legislation passed under President Biden mandated that ByteDance either sell TikTok’s US operations or face a complete ban. Former President Trump, who initially pushed for restrictions during his first term, later delayed enforcement deadlines multiple times, most recently extending them into January. Oracle’s executive chairman Larry Ellison, a Trump ally, played a central role in brokering the arrangement. Trump acknowledged at the time that while he wanted the deal to be “100 percent MAGA,” practical realities required compromise. With a planned closing date of January 22, the agreement largely confirms a White House announcement from September indicating a compliant deal had been reached. Chinese officials have remained tight-lipped, with the foreign ministry only stating that “China’s position on the TikTok issue is consistent and clear.” ByteDance has not yet commented publicly. Industry analysts see the deal as a workable compromise. Li Chengdong of technology consultancy Dolphin called keeping TikTok operational in the US “a victory” for ByteDance, potentially allowing the company to focus on artificial intelligence development and future stock market plans. However, Zhang Yi from research firm iiMedia cautioned that US regulators could still apply pressure through their oversight powers.

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Activist Harrison Gwamnishu Granted Bail After Arrest Over Kidnapping Ransom Case

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An Edo State High Court has granted bail to activist and humanitarian Harrison Gwamnishu after weeks in police custody over allegations stemming from a kidnapping ransom negotiation. Gwamnishu was arrested earlier this month following his involvement in negotiations with kidnappers who abducted a young couple in Edo State. The abductors initially demanded ₦50 million for the victims’ release. According to reports, the victims’ family contacted Gwamnishu for help, and he agreed to serve as an intermediary. Through his intervention, the kidnappers reduced their demand to ₦20 million. The family claims they gave Gwamnishu the ₦20 million to deliver to the abductors. However, after receiving the payment, the kidnappers allegedly discovered some of the ransom money was missing. They then released the pregnant wife but kept the husband in captivity. Gwamnishu has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He insists he has a standard process for dealing with kidnappers and maintains he didn’t take any portion of the ransom money. The family subsequently reported the matter to police, leading to Gwamnishu’s arrest and detention in Edo State. Ossai Success Ovie, an aide to the Delta State Governor, confirmed that the Edo State High Court has now granted Gwamnishu bail. The decision brings relief to his supporters, who have been demanding his release while investigations continue into the case. The activist remains under investigation as authorities work to establish exactly what happened during the ransom negotiations.

Exclusive News, Trending

Buhari’s Daughter Claims Father’s Signature Was Forged on Official Documents During Presidency

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Fatima Buhari has made explosive allegations about her father’s time in office, claiming the late former President Muhammadu Buhari‘s signature was forged on government documents. The forensic auditor revealed these concerns in a new biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Charles Omole. She says she personally examined several documents with what appeared to be fake signatures and alerted her father. Fatima emphasized she wasn’t alone in raising red flags, others in government circles also questioned whether certain documents were genuinely signed by the president. She noted that signature forgery wasn’t exclusive to her father’s administration, claiming previous governments faced similar problems. The book reveals another troubling practice: Buhari’s speeches and official directives were sometimes altered after he’d already approved them. Fatima recalls one incident during a U.S. trip when her father was speaking at a conference. She noticed him pausing repeatedly while reading his remarks, unusual behavior for him. “You were stopping,” she told him afterward. Buhari explained the speech had been changed without his knowledge. He eventually abandoned the altered script and spoke off the cuff instead, telling his daughter such changes happened regularly. The family gradually noticed a pattern where presidential orders were watered down or rewritten as they passed through bureaucratic channels. While some changes seemed like administrative errors, the book suggests others were deliberate moves by a powerful inner circle. Perhaps most striking is the claim that Buhari believed his State House residence was bugged. This fear led him to avoid open conversations, even with family members. The biography describes instances where Fatima and her father communicated through gestures and handwritten notes, worried their conversations were being monitored. Buhari reportedly suspected listening devices were planted in his Presidential Villa office. Some security chiefs who served under him later confirmed that suspicious objects were found during routine security sweeps of his office and living quarters, according to the book.

Tinubu
Exclusive News, Trending

Abuja Residents React as FCTA Proposes Noise Pollution Fees for Generator Owners

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The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has reportedly unveiled a new policy that would require generator owners in Abuja to pay fees over noise pollution, sparking concern among residents and business owners across the city. A notice recently spotted at a business premises in Zone 11 of the FCT suggests that the administration plans to regulate noise levels generated by private power generators, which have become a common fixture due to unreliable electricity supply. The development has drawn mixed reactions, with many residents arguing that generators are not a luxury but a necessity in Abuja. “In Abuja, we rely on generators because there is no guarantee of stable power. Penalising us for that feels unfair,” said Chinedu Okafor, a small business owner operating in the city centre. Critics of the proposed policy fear it could place an additional financial burden on individuals and small businesses already struggling with high operating costs. They also argue that the policy appears to target generator users without addressing the root cause, inconsistent public power supply. So far, the FCTA has not released details on how the noise pollution fees would be assessed or enforced, leaving residents uncertain about how the policy might affect them if fully implemented. Environmental advocates, however, note that noise pollution is a legitimate public health issue. They stress that any regulatory framework should balance environmental concerns with the reality that many residents depend on generators for daily living and business operations. Some Abuja residents are calling on the government to consider alternative approaches, such as incentives for cleaner and quieter energy solutions, before enforcing any penalties related to generator use.

Exclusive News, Trending

Plateau Pastor, Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo Says Terrorists Have Put Bounty on His Head for Defending Christians

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A Christian leader in Plateau State says armed groups have threatened to kill him and placed a price on his head because he speaks out against attacks on Christians in the region. Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, who heads the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Barkin Ladi, told journalist Lucky Udu that an informant tipped him off about the plot. “They have put a bounty on my head. They said anyone that kills me first will be rewarded. I’m not afraid of death,” he said. “I walk past the territory of Muslims and they usually point at me.” Rev. Dachomo also said his family is paying a price for his activism. He claims his children have been denied university admission in Northern Nigeria because of his name and what he represents. “If my children look for admission in the university, when they see the name Ezekiel Dachomo, they will remove it,” he said. But the threats haven’t stopped him. The pastor continues his work without bodyguards or security detail, insisting he won’t be silenced by fear. Rev. Dachomo became widely known after he publicly appealed to international leaders, including former US President Donald Trump, to step in and stop what he calls the genocide of Christians in Nigeria. He says he has evidence to back up his claims and is ready to defend them. “I’m not afraid of death,” he repeated, making it clear he plans to keep speaking out no matter the cost.

Peter Obi
Trending

Peter Obi Goes Viral After Jumping Out of Car to Direct Traffic in Anambra

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Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has caused massive reactions online after stepping out of his vehicle to personally direct traffic at Oba via Nnewi Junction in Anambra State. Eyewitnesses say Obi got out of his car after spotting heavy congestion and began directing vehicles himself to clear the gridlock. His unexpected intervention reportedly helped restore traffic flow along the busy road, leaving motorists and onlookers visibly surprised. The hands-on display of leadership quickly went viral on social media, drawing both praise and skepticism from Nigerians. While many applauded the gesture as genuine humility, others questioned his motives, creating a sharp divide in reactions online. Critics were quick to voice doubts. @eezharhh wrote, “This man eye service too much.” @Teniola2340 asked, “Would he be doing all these when he becomes president?” @zyainy commented, “Nothing wey this man never do to win the heart of people. E no easy to get position for this country.” But supporters saw it differently. @priscanall said, “Obi jump down direct traffic like boss! Other politicians dey inside AC dey press phone, this man na real leader.” @CallMi_Alex_ added, “A rare show of humility and leadership. Sometimes the simplest actions speak the loudest.” @elvis_analyst remarked, “Humility runs in his veins.”

Trump
Foreign News

Trump Sparks Outrage with Insulting Plaques Beneath Former Presidents’ Portraits at White House

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Donald Trump has ignited fresh controversy after installing blunt, often insulting plaques beneath portraits of former US presidents at the White House. The display, dubbed a “Presidential Walk of Fame” by Trump, lines the colonnade connecting the West Wing to the White House residence. Each plaque supposedly offers a snapshot of a former president’s record and legacy. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the project, insisting the descriptions were deliberately straightforward. “The plaques are eloquently written descriptions of each President and the legacy they left behind,” she said. “As a student of history, many were written directly by the President himself.” An introductory plaque states the exhibit was “conceived, built, and dedicated by President Donald J. Trump as a tribute to past Presidents, good, bad, and somewhere in the middle.” Critics say many inscriptions cross the line from historical assessment into personal attacks, particularly those targeting President Joe Biden. Biden’s section delivers the harshest criticism. One plaque labels him “Sleepy Joe” and claims he was “by far, the worst President in American History.” In an especially provocative choice, Trump replaced Biden’s portrait with an image of an autopen, widely seen as a dig at Biden’s age and mental sharpness. Biden is also the only former president displayed without a gilded frame. The plaques accuse Biden of taking office through “the most corrupt Election ever seen in the United States” and blame his administration for inflation, immigration issues, and energy policy failures. They criticize the Afghanistan withdrawal as “among the most humiliating events in American History,” referencing the deaths of 13 US service members during the 2021 evacuation. Trump’s commentary connects Biden’s leadership to global instability: “Seeing Biden’s devastating weakness, Russia invaded Ukraine, and Hamas terrorists launched the heinous October 7th attack on Israel,” one plaque reads. Another highlights Biden’s stumbling 2024 debate performance, claiming he was “forced to withdraw from his campaign for re-election in disgrace.” Former President Barack Obama also faces sharp criticism. His plaque uses his full name “Barack Hussein Obama” and labels him “one of the most divisive figures in American history.” Trump attacks Obama’s healthcare reform as the “highly ineffective ‘Unaffordable’ Care Act” and slams major foreign policy moves, including the Iran nuclear deal and Paris Climate Agreement. The plaque revives Trump’s longstanding claims that Obama spied on his 2016 campaign and oversaw the “Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax.”

Celebrity Gist

VeryDarkMan Wins Hearts with $50,000 Pledge to Send Talented Nigerian Boy Abroad for Education

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Popular activist VeryDarkMan (VDM) has earned widespread praise after announcing he’ll use a $50,000 cash gift, roughly ₦75 million, to sponsor a brilliant young Nigerian boy’s education overseas. In a heartfelt Instagram video, VDM shared that the money came from someone touched by his humanitarian efforts during a recent trip to China. The benefactor had promised financial support and followed through by delivering the full amount in cash. Shortly after receiving the funds, VDM remembered a young boy whose Instagram page he’d stumbled upon months earlier but scrolled past due to a busy schedule. When a friend recently reposted the boy’s content, everything clicked into place for the activist. The boy had built a working blender, power bank, and projector completely from scratch, demonstrations of extraordinary creativity and technical skill that left VDM deeply impressed. “I will not let that boy’s life or talent die like many others in Nigeria,” VDM said passionately in the video. He revealed he’s already contacted the boy and asked him to involve his parents in the conversation. Reflecting on his own journey, VDM said God elevated him to his current position with the responsibility to lift others up. He’s committed to sponsoring the boy’s education abroad where his talents can be properly developed and reach their full potential. While acknowledging he’ll use part of the money to settle some personal debts, VDM made clear that investing in the boy’s future is among his highest priorities.

davido
Celebrity Gist, Entertainment

“Not Every Platform Deserves You”: Nigerian Woman Criticizes Davido’s Carter Efe Livestream Appearance, Praises Wizkid’s Exclusive Image

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A Nigerian woman has ignited heated debate online after calling out Afrobeats superstar Davido for joining comedian Carter Efe’s recent livestream, while praising Wizkid for maintaining a more selective public presence. Davido, one of Africa’s biggest music exports, surprised fans by appearing on Carter Efe’s Twitch livestream, a moment that quickly went viral across social media platforms. In a video now circulating online, the woman argued that Wizkid’s star power comes from his carefully guarded exclusivity. She believes A-list celebrities shouldn’t be accessible on every platform or to every online personality, as overexposure can diminish their brand value. She suggested Davido tries too hard to be liked by everyone, pointing to his frequent public appearances and collaborations. While acknowledging his warmth and likability, she emphasized that celebrities need boundaries to protect their status and image. The woman also questioned Carter Efe’s cultural relevance, suggesting his comedy style and online behavior don’t represent Nigerian culture positively on the global stage. “I love Davido, we’ve been friends for a long time. But I feel like he does too much sometimes. You need to give yourself that respect, that level sometimes. Who’s Carter Efe? Why are you showing up for Carter Efe? Is it because he called out Wizkid the other day, so you want to be in everyone’s good books?” she said. “Not everybody must like you. He’s always doing stuff so everybody will say, ‘Oh, he’s a good guy.’ That’s why I respect Wizkid. You can’t be everywhere. You’re a star, respect yourself.” She continued: “I don’t think Carter Efe is the brand we want to promote as a culture. What does he do or represent? Acting like a lunatic, pulling his shirt.”

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