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Lagos LG Elections: YPP condemns omission of its name

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Lagos LG Elections: YPP condemns omission of its name

 

 

By Ifeoma Ikem

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Young Progressives Congress (YPP) Candidate, Comrade Adelana Adesegun Aluta, and his supporters have condemned in strong terms the omission of the party’s name from the list of others who participated in the July 24 Local Government Elections and organized by the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) in Shomolu.

 

 

 

 

 

Lagos LG Elections: YPP condemns omission of its name

 

 

 

 

 

Followers of the party, who, on Friday 17, stormed the venue of the Local Government Election Tribunal holding at Alausa, Ikeja, in solidarity with their candidate Adelana, said they were shocked when they discovered on the day of the election that the name of their party, YPP, was neither found on the ballot papers, nor was their party logo inscribed, an act they claimed was done by the electoral body to deliberately disenfranchise them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelana expressed utmost displeasure at the conduct of LASIEC saying, “This act is a calculated move to deprive the good people of Shomolu their rights to candidates of their choices”. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of all LCDAs that participated in the elections, it was only in Shomolu that YPP’s name was omitted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said, “The people of Shomolu are seriously aggrieved and interested in this case because the majority of the electorates in that area are supporters of our party – YPP”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He continued, “A lot of them felt disappointed at the electoral body for the omission of their chosen party which led to their disenfranchisement at the polls. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More worrisome is the fact that LASIEC has not been able to provide genuine reasons for the omission of our party’s name from the ballot papers, but we believe strongly that justice will in the end prevail”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelana informed that he, alongside his party members, were at the court to seek a re-admission of their previously filed motion with Petition No: EPT/IKJ/LG/010/2021 which he claimed was struck out by the court following an unauthorized request by his former legal counsel Mr. Babatunde Awotubo Esq.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The case was scheduled for hearing on September 4, but because it concurred with another court proceeding involving myself, I delegated my then-lawyer Babatunde Awotubo to represent me. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was shocked when the news got to me that my petition at the court had been struck out at the request of my lawyer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I called him and he confirmed to me that he intentionally withdrew the case”. Adelana explained.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are here today to seek a re-admittance of our struck out file before the Election Tribunal” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another YPP supporter  Oduji Adetola expressed displeasure at the exclusion of their party from the polls. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Everyone here gathered because of our mandate, especially due to our inability to cast our votes following the omission of our party’s name from the ballot papers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“A lot of YPP supporters came out on the day of the election to exercise their civic rights, but we were robbed and we seek justice!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Media and Publicity Secretary to the young Progressive Party, Mr. Ifeoluwa Abiodun, said they came to the court premise to protest the removal of their party name from the ballot papers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He said although they had lodged their grievances to the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC) but hoped the Tribunal would right the wrong.

 

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NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

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NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

 

Comrade Oyewumi Festus, the leading Presidential Aspirant for the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), has praised President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the substantial increase in the education sector allocation in the 2025 budget. The budget, tagged the “Restoration Budget,” was presented to the 10th National Assembly on Wednesday, December 8, 2024, and earmarked ₦3.5 trillion for education.

NAPS Presidential Aspirant Lauds Tinubu’s ₦3.5 Trillion Education Budget, Advocates for Polytechnic Investment

Comrade Festus described the allocation as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to advancing education in Nigeria, which he called a significant step toward securing the nation’s future.

Speaking at Kogi State Polytechnic Lokoja during his campaign tour on Friday, December 20, 2024, Festus urged the Federal Ministry of Education to channel a considerable portion of the allocation toward polytechnic education. He emphasized that polytechnics are the backbone of Nigeria’s technological development, highlighting their critical role in fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and skilled manpower needed for economic growth.

“Nigeria’s polytechnics have long been the cornerstone of the nation’s technological progress. A strong investment in technical and vocational education will drive sustainable development and innovation,” Festus stated.

During the visit, Comrade Festus commended the Kogi State Government and the management of Kogi State Polytechnic for their strides in infrastructure development, prioritizing staff and student welfare, and ensuring campus security. He also extended his gratitude to Governor Ododo for reappointing Professor Usman Ogbo as the institution’s Rector for a second term.

 

As part of his address, Festus appealed for increased support for the Students Union Government (SUG) and the broader student community, emphasizing the need for effective representation that transcends campus boundaries.

The NAPS aspirant was warmly welcomed by the SUG President, Miss Oluwadamilola Enimokanyi, who acknowledged his advocacy and commitment to the advancement of polytechnic education in Nigeria.

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My First Album Gave Me the Stage Name Oba Ara and Sold Over 30,000 Copies” – Gospel Star Dr. Rotimi Onimole

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My First Album Gave Me the Stage Name Oba Ara and Sold Over 30,000 Copies” – Gospel Star Dr. Rotimi Onimole

Dr. Evangelist Rotimi Onimole, famously known as Oba Ara, is a prominent name in the Nigerian gospel music scene. With over two decades of impact, the Lagos-born singer has built a legacy that continues to inspire.
Oba Ara, who has received numerous awards, is celebrated for his unique musical style and his ability to spread the message of God through his songs. Some of his accolades include Best Gospel Musician by Crowd Puller Event Award, Best Newest Gospel Artiste of the Year by Exclusive Magazine, Best Gospel Artist of the Year by Expo Plus Magazine, and an honorary Doctor of Music by INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, among others.
In 2010, Oba Ara released his debut album titled Oba Ara, which not only sold over 30,000 copies but also earned him his stage name through what he describes as divine connection.
Building on this success, he released his second album, Beautiful Testimony (Eri To Rewa), in 2013, which gained international recognition. Both the audio and video versions of the album were widely embraced, with the video being shot in Nigeria and abroad.
His third album, Oba A Ju Lo, is a powerful collection of songs focused on God’s greatness and praises, further cementing his reputation as a leading gospel artist.
Oba Ara is also the pioneer of Jufujigospel music, a unique genre that blends contemporary sounds with traditional gospel.
Beyond his albums, Oba Ara is the brain behind the Power in Praise Concert, an annual event that has featured renowned gospel artists like Evangelist Tope Alabi, Dr. Lanre Teriba (Atorise), Evangelist Dare Melody, and many others.
With a career defined by creativity, divine inspiration, and a passion for spreading the gospel, Oba Ara remains one of Nigeria’s most celebrated gospel artists.
My First Album Gave Me the Stage Name Oba Ara and Sold Over 30,000 Copies” – Gospel Star Dr. Rotimi Onimole

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“US-Based Nigerian and Accomplice Sentenced to 40 Years for $9M Dark Web Drug Scheme”

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"US-Based Nigerian and Accomplice Sentenced to 40 Years for $9M Dark Web Drug Scheme"

“US-Based Nigerian and Accomplice Sentenced to 40 Years for $9M Dark Web Drug Scheme”

Mastermind Behind Multimillion-Dollar Drug Operation Jailed
A United States-based Nigerian, Oluwole Adegboruwa, 54, and his accomplice, Enrique Isong, 49, have been sentenced to a combined 40 years in prison for their roles in a sophisticated drug trafficking operation. The duo used the dark web to distribute over 300,000 oxycodone pills across multiple states, amassing $9 million in profits.


According to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah, Adegboruwa orchestrated the illegal enterprise, directing associates on procuring, packaging, and distributing the drugs to buyers who placed orders via dark web marketplaces. Payments were received in cryptocurrency, which was later converted into local currency.

The operation ran from October 2016 to May 2019 before law enforcement dismantled it. Adegboruwa was arrested and sentenced to 30 years in November 2024, while Isong received a 10-year sentence in October 2024.


In addition to his prison term, Adegboruwa was ordered to forfeit $20 million, one of the largest financial penalties ever imposed by the District of Utah. The court also mandated a lifetime of supervised release following his incarceration.


During the trial, evidence revealed that Adegboruwa was the operation’s mastermind, overseeing every aspect of the syndicate’s activities. He confessed to controlling the drug sales and managing cryptocurrency accounts used to conceal proceeds.

Prosecutors described the operation as a “continuing criminal enterprise,” with Adegboruwa employing a team to procure pharmacy-grade oxycodone pills, package them, and ship orders to customers across the U.S.


Jonathan Pullen, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Rocky Mountain Field Division, praised the verdict, highlighting the agency’s commitment to dismantling drug networks, even those operating in the clandestine world of the dark web.
“Adegboruwa’s criminal enterprise was complex, sophisticated, and generated millions in profits concealed in cryptocurrency. This sentencing sends a clear message: drug traffickers have no safe haven, not even in the dark web’s hidden corners,” Pullen said.


The sentencing serves as a grim warning to those exploiting technology for illicit activities, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are vigilant in uncovering and prosecuting such crimes.

 

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