Author: The Whistler Newspaper

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State has officially declared President Bola Tinubu as the winner of the party’s 2026 presidential endorsement exercise conducted across the state.

Announcing the result on behalf of the party, Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto who is the Chief Collation Officer said the exercise was conducted across the 3,990 polling units in Sokoto State and results were submitted by local government collation officers.

According to him, two aspirants contested in the exercise, after which President Tinubu secured a total of 301,000 votes from the accredited delegates and participants.

He stated that the declaration was made in line with the guidelines governing the exercise and by the powers vested in him as the state’s Chief Collation Officer.

“The total number of accredited voters stood at 301,320, while the total votes cast were 301,000. At the end of the ballot exercise, the aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, scored 301,000 votes,” he announced.

The collating officer further commended party leaders, stakeholders and supporters for their peaceful conduct throughout the exercise.

He particularly appreciated Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for his leadership, guidance and commitment to the party in Sokoto State.

“We thank our leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, for his guidance and support. We also appreciate all party members for their participation and commitment to the success of the exercise,” he said.

Party supporters at the venue erupted in cheers shortly after the announcement, describing the outcome as a demonstration of confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and the APC’s political strength in Sokoto State.

Tinubu Secures 301,000 Votes in Sokoto APC Presidential Primary is first published on The Whistler Newspaper

Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has intensified pressure on the Federal Government to tighten regulations on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), warning that Nigeria is confronting a fast-growing public health and environmental crisis driven by excessive consumption of sugary drinks. The advocacy group called for an upward review of the country’s current N10-per-litre excise tax […]

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Members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun State on Saturday affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

The affirmation came as party members participated in the party’s presidential primary across the 332 wards in the state.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, also took part in the exercise at Iragbiji Ward 1, where he was accompanied by party supporters and loyalists.

The governorship candidate of the APC in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, also participated in the primary at Ikire Ward 9 alongside other members of the party.

Party members at the ward endorsed President Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate for the next general election scheduled for 2027.

The exercise in Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas showed that the primary was conducted peacefully.

In several wards visited within Osogbo and Olorunda local government areas, members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors served as ward agents for President Tinubu during the exercise.

Another presidential aspirant, Stanley Osifo, reportedly did not have agents present in many of the wards monitored during the exercise across Osogbo town.

Speaking with journalists after the exercise, the Osun Renewed Hope Ambassador, Sunday Akere, said the primary was peaceful across the state.

“The presidential primary held in Osun State today went on smoothly without any crisis. The materials from the primary election committee were transported to the various local governments and wards on time.

“All party members mobilised to all the 332 wards to queue for our president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the candidate of the party for the 2027 election. The structure of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across the wards and local governments worked as agents at various levels,” he added.

Akere disclosed that collation of results at the state level was being coordinated by Oyetola in his capacity as the state collation officer for the exercise.

He said, “The collation at the state level is being done by the leader of the party, Adegboyega Oyetola. We have finished collation of results in Boluwaduro Local Government, and I am heading to Osogbo to join other coordinators for the final compilation before presentation to Abuja.”

2027: Osun APC members endorse President Tinubu as party candidate

According to the BBC, they are believed to have contracted Ebola on March 27 while working in the eastern region of Ituri on a project unrelated to the virus, before the outbreak was identified.

The post Ebola: Three Red Cross volunteers confirmed dead in DR Congo appeared first on Tribune Online.

The United States will ultimately remove Iran’s highly enriched uranium despite the regime’s resistance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio vowed on Saturday.

In an interview with Vishu Som of NDTV, the top diplomat assured the extraction is “very doable” from a technical standpoint, but Tehran has refused to discuss it.

Rubio referenced the recent removal of highly enriched uranium from Venezuela with assistance from the United Kingdom and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Noting that Iran’s tough stance needs to change, Rubio emphasized the issue will be addressed anyway, even though Washington prefers a diplomatic solution. 

“Our preference remains by far to be able to negotiate our way through this and arrive at an agreement,” he said. “But we’re going to solve it one way or the other.”

Speaking on the Strait of Hormuz stalemate that precipitated a global energy crisis, Rubio insists the situation cannot become the status quo nor go on forever.

“The straits cannot continue to be closed. It is illegal,” he declared. “They are basically threatening and have fired upon commercial vessels.”

The Secretary stressed that it is unlawful for a country to take international waterways, turn them into theirs and charge a toll for it, like Iran is trying to do.

Rubio reiterated the Trump Administration’s posture that “Iran can never have a nuclear weapon,” saying the issues of enrichment and the highly enriched uranium must be confronted.

US will eventually remove Iran’s enriched uranium – Rubio

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary election in Delta State, securing 407,646 votes.

The president got 407,646 votes to overwhelmingly defeat his only challenger, Mr Stanley Osifo, who secured zero votes.

In the exercise conducted across all the wards in the 25 local government areas of the state on Saturday in Asaba, Delta State Governor and State Coordinator and Returning Officer of the APC presidential primary election, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, announced the result after collation of results from across the state.

Governor Oborevwori disclosed that the APC recorded a total membership strength of 467,815 registered members in Delta State, while 407,646 members were accredited and participated in the primary election.

According to the governor, “By the powers conferred on me as the State Coordinator and Returning Officer, I hereby declare that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, having polled overwhelming votes in the presidential primary election, is hereby declared winner and returned elected as the presidential candidate of the party.”

The declaration was made in the presence of security agents, the press, key party stakeholders, including President Tinubu’s agent, Hon. Funkekeme Solomon; Mr Stanley Osifo’s agent, Mr Kelvin Ezekiel; and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sir Etekamba Udo Umoren.

Governor Oborevwori commended party members and stakeholders for ensuring a peaceful and orderly exercise across Delta State, describing the process as successful and reflective of internal party unity.

Speaking after the announcement, Delta State APC Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka, expressed appreciation to party members for the smooth conduct of the primary process.

“Today is the climax of the party primaries, which started from the House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly, governorship, and presidential primaries, which end Today. We thank God for the peaceful conduct of all the primary elections across Delta State,” he stated.

The presidential primary concludes the APC’s internal electoral process ahead of preparations for the next phase of the party’s political activities.

Tinubu wins APC presidential primary in Delta, secures 407,646 votes

Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko and dissolved the country’s government following months of escalating political tensions between the two leaders.

The decision was announced late Friday through a presidential decree broadcast on state television.

According to the decree read by a presidential aide, President Faye “ended the duties of Ousmane Sonko and consequently those of the ministers and secretaries of state who are members of the government.”

No immediate replacement for Sonko had been announced as of the time of filing this report.

The move followed a parliamentary session earlier in the week in which Sonko openly criticised President Faye, exposing widening cracks within the ruling political establishment.

Political observers say relations between the two leaders have deteriorated in recent months over disagreements relating to party leadership, governance direction and the management of state affairs.

Analysts warned that the development could deepen political uncertainty in Senegal at a time the country is grappling with rising public debt and broader economic challenges.

The dissolution of the government is expected to trigger consultations within the ruling coalition ahead of the appointment of a new prime minister and cabinet.

Senegal president sacks PM Sonko, dissolves govt amid political tensions

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has said that the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba; Abia State College of Education Technical, Arochukwu; and other state government-owned higher institutions will not be converted into universities.

The governor made the point on Friday in Umuahia while reacting to reports that the immediate past administration in the state converted three institutions into universities before exiting office.

Governor Otti, who said he was not aware of such conversion by the past Abia administration, explained that running multiple universities places financial and administrative pressure on a state.

He observed that the duplication of universities denies the schools quality attention and proper funding, arguing that Abia State University, Uturu, and privately owned universities can provide the needed services in the state.

“If you set up three universities, you have three vice chancellors, three registrars, and three administration buildings.

“I won’t be an apostle of duplicating universities when you have one you can fund very well and take advantage of,” Governor Otti said.

The Abia governor said he was more interested in proper funding of the existing higher institutions in the state while retaining their statuses.

I won’t convert any Abia institution to university – Otti

Bayern Munich’s honorary president, Uli Hoeness, has sent a message to Jose Mourinho over winger Michael Olise.

Mourinho is planning to make big changes to Real Madrid as he gears up for his appointment as the new head coach in the coming days.

The Portuguese is keen to bring in a star player to feature alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius in Real Madrid’s attacking line.

Although Real Madrid have not been actively linked with a move for Olise this summer, but rumours have intensified after Mourinho was spotted in Berlin, watching the DFB Pokal final between Bayern Munich and VfB Stuttgart on Saturday night.

When asked about Mourinho’s visit to watch Olise, Hoeness insisted that the former Chelsea and Manchester United manager won’t get the France international even if he keeps fice eyes on him.

“Jose Mourinho is in the stadium tonight to keep an eye on Michael Olise for Real Madrid?

“He can keep 5 eyes on him, he still won’t get him,” Hoeness said as quoted by Fabrizio Romano.

‘You won’t get him’ – Bayern Munich’s Uli Hoeness sends message to Mourinho over Olise

Ahead of the 2027 general election, a governorship aspirant in Enugu State, Ray Kene Ogbodo has told the party leadership that a credible primary election by the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, in the State will propel the party to victory.

Ogbodo said this while addressing journalists, weekend, ahead of the party’s primary election next week.

He said the choice of candidate through a credible process “is a sure way towards guaranteeing victory for the party in the 2027 election.

“Enugu people are obviously tired of the All Progressives Congress administration, and are eagerly waiting to have a credible alternative, and this is why I’m upbeat the party leadership will provide an avenue for that ” 

He stressed that Enugu people deserved a people-oriented government, better governance and adequate leadership to uplift the people from suffering and languishing in abject poverty.

The governorship aspirant said Enugu was lacking in ethical leadership, economic empowerment, youth development, security, quality education, and people-centered governance.

He added that the state was desirous of new ideas, fresh energy, and a genuine commitment to serve the people with compassion, integrity, accountability, and transparency. 

“Enugu State deserves a purposeful, inclusive, and people-oriented government.

“A government that prioritises the needs of the people, promotes youth and women participation, supports community, and strengthens opportunities for growth, development, and empowerment,” he further stated.

He urged support, collaboration and partnership to uplift Enugu people from suffering and languishing in abject poverty and hopelessness orchestrated by oppressors and out of touch politicians with their bad governance and inadequate leadership style. 

Enugu NDC: Credible guber primary will guarantee victory – Aspirant, Ogbodo urges party leadership