The Supreme Court has affirmed the 2024 governorship election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, the apex court ruled that the appeal lacked merit. It upheld the earlier judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had both declared Okpebholo the validly elected governor.
The court held that Ighodalo and the PDP failed to present credible and admissible evidence to support claims of irregularities, including allegations of over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Many of the documents presented, the court noted, were merely “dumped” on the tribunal without proper linkage to the allegations in 432 out of the 4,519 polling units.
Ighodalo had approached the apex court after the Court of Appeal, in its May 29 ruling, affirmed the tribunal’s dismissal of his petition. He argued that the lower courts failed to properly evaluate the evidence, and insisted that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act.
The PDP and its candidate had earlier contended before the tribunal that INEC failed to pre-record some sensitive materials and that results were allegedly manipulated in 765 polling units. They called 19 witnesses and tendered 153 BVAS machines used in 133 polling units, but the tribunal ruled that they failed to substantiate their claims.
INEC had declared that Governor Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.
Davido, is trending on social media due to recent dramatic interactions.He faced backlash for a tweet about “Happy Metal,” which sparked controversy across various platforms.Unlike previous incidents, Davido chose to respond to the criticism this time.
Afrobeats icon David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has once again captured attention on social media following a streak of dramatic interactions online.
As previously reported by GistLover, the singer found himself in hot water over a recent tweet referring to “Happy Metal,” which triggered backlash across platforms. However, this time, Davido didn’t stay silent.
The music star and father of twins lashed out at a Twitter user who took shots at his family, accusing them of squabbling over the use of a private jet. Unwilling to let the jab slide, Davido clapped back with force, challenging the troll to provide evidence of any car owned by his billionaire father giving him just one hour to do so.
But that wasn’t the end. Davido also reignited tensions with fellow artist Portable, further fueling their long-standing feud that reportedly began during their encounter in the U.S. in 2024.
In a move that surprised many fans, the 5IVE crooner threw shade at Portable’s Ogun State-based hotspot, the Odogwu Bar. The dig was made in a sarcastic comment, continuing the online banter and keeping netizens thoroughly entertained.
All these Odogwu Bar settings,” and rounded it up with a laugh emoji.
Nollywood actress, Priscilla Ojo has released a threat letter received following a heartbreaking incident at her mother’s office.
Earlier, Obasemprire reported that Iyabo Ojo’s office in Lagos was gutted by fire on July 8, 2025, around 7 pm.
The letter, dated May 25, 2025, was sent to Iyabo Ojo’s office three months before the fire incident.
It contained threats to life and a strategy to ruin Priscilla’s wedding , which took place in May 2025
According to the letter, Iyabo Ojo is under watch and won’t escape scrutiny within three months.
Priscilla shared that investigations are underway to apprehend the perpetrators.
The letter reads, “You put someone in trouble and you out enjoying giving out your daughter in marriage abi?.O ma laya o. you can’t escape in the next 3 Months as we are out monitoring you. Watch out. We shall render that your Daughter married useless and rubbish it with scatter scatter. That your daughter will not enjoy her marriage”.
According to Priscilla, the fire incident at her mother’s office was a deliberate act, which she described as “Plan B” by the perpetrators, whose initial plan to disrupt her wedding failed.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called for a reevaluation of the current global governance structure and the financial and healthcare systems.
ObasEmpire reports that the Nigerian President stated this at the 17th meeting of the Global South and the Emerging Economies bloc, BRICS, on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro,Brazil
Tinubu urged greater equity and inclusion for low-income and emerging economies, particularly in Africa.
This was disclosed in a statement released by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The President stated that environmental degradation, the climate crisis, and healthcare inequalities should receive more attention, as they contribute to slowing growth and development.
Tinubu, invited to the summit by Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, stated that Nigeria supports the BRICS position on the need to focus on collective, fair, and equitable global development.
Nigeria became the ninth partner country of BRICS in January 2025, joining Belarus, Bolivia, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan. The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024 created the partner-country category.
President Tinubu said, “Nigeria, therefore, associates with what I have heard today and all that has happened in BRICS. The next issues are financial restructuring and reevaluation of the global structure.”
He noted that environmental degradation, climate crisis, and global healthcare inequalities were shared concerns pertinent to Africa.
Africa has contributed the least to global emissions but suffers the most,” he added.
Tinubu emphasised the need for a new path of justice, anchored in fairness, sustainable technology transfer, and accessible financing, so that emerging economies can fully benefit from various initiatives.
The African continent is creating the path through the African Carbon Market Initiative and the Great Green Wall. We believe that COP-30 will strengthen our resolve to adopt a strategic approach to achieving a healthy global environment.
Nigeria strongly believes in South-South cooperation. We can, therefore, not be passive participants in global decision-making on financial restructuring, debt forgiveness, climate change, environmental issues, and healthcare.
We must be the architects of a future that addresses the specific needs and concerns of youths, who represent 70 per cent of our population in Nigeria. Therefore, Nigeria remains guided by our long-term vision, 2050, and nationally determined contribution.
We are taking bold steps to accelerate renewable energy adoption, mainstream climate action, promote nature-based solutions, strengthen urban resilience, champion South-South cooperation, align with the global renewal framework and achieve universal health coverage for all,” the President stated.
Tinubu also said that addressing non-communicable diseases must remain a collective health concern.
As we approach COP-30 and look to strengthen the global health system, we believe the BRICS must not only be a bloc for emerging economies but also a beacon for emerging solutions and resolutions rooted in solidarity, self-reliance, sustainability, and shared prosperity of a common future.
Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all,” he noted.
In exercising its pro tempore presidency of BRICS, the Brazilian government announced Nigeria’s formal admission as a partner country on January 17, 2025.
As the world’s sixth-most populous country and one of Africa’s major economies, Nigeria shares convergent interests with other BRICS members
The 2023 presidential candidate for the Labour Party, Peter Obi on Friday visited the St. John Vianney College Ukwulu, Anambra state.
Obi’s visit comes shortly after the institution emerged victorious at the inaugural UK-Nigeria Debate Championship.
In a post made on X, the former governor of Anambra State said he visited the college in line with his desire to keep investing in the future of Nigerian children.
He added that he congratulated the students and members of the staff for their success in the debate.
He wrote, “In recognition of their brilliance and to support their continued growth, I presented the school with a ₦10 million donation towards infrastructural development. A sound learning environment remains essential if our children are to compete globally.
“I encouraged the students to see their victory as a collective triumph for all young Nigerians who believe that excellence can emerge from our classrooms. I urged them to keep studying hard, reminding them that their future – and the nation’s – lies in their hands,” Obi said
He further appreciated the management of the institution for their efforts in ensuring quality education for the students.
I also extend deep appreciation to the school’s proprietor, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Fr. Ebube Muonso), for his visionary leadership and commitment to academic excellence and moral formation. His dedication has created an environment where students can thrive, not just locally, but on the global stage.
The team at St. John Vianney exemplifies what Nigerian youths can achieve when given the right foundation. I am deeply inspired by their discipline, eloquence, and intellect. May their success continue to inspire many more across the country,” Obi noted.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has reduced its premium motor spirit price.
ObasEmpire gathered that the NNPCL retail outlets in Abuja on Saturday slashed their petrol pump price to N910 per litre from N945.
This was the case in NNPCL filling stations in Zone 6, Kubwa Expressway, Wuse Zone 4, and other parts of Abuja.
The new petrol price at the state-owned oil firm represents a N30 drop from its earlier N945 per litre price.
The development comes barely four days after Dangote Refinery reduced its petrol ex-depot price to N840 per litre from N880 following a drop in global crude oil prices.
Members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association also announced a reduction in the petrol price to between N930 and N940 per litre from N945 and N975 in Abuja and N890 per litre, down from N925 in Lagos State.
Veteran music executive and Mavin Records boss, Don Jazzy, has expressed regret over his decision not to sign some artists.
Admitting to moments of admiration and missed opportunities in his career, Don Jazzy revealed he regrets not signing talented singers Simi and Teni, both of whom he greatly admires.
He also disclosed that he once had the chance to sign superstar Davido but chose not to, believing Davido was destined for greatness regardless.
Reflecting on his near miss with rapper Falz, Don Jazzy said a deal almost materialised but didn’t go through.
Speaking further, he explained that he would have also signed Wizkid, but the singer was already under the management of another executive at the time.
Don Jazzy concluded by acknowledging the reality of the industry: “You can’t sign everybody, no matter how talented they are.”
He said, “I like Simi. I didn’t sign her. I wish I did. I like Teni. I wish I did. I had the opportunity for Davido, obviously, but I didn’t because I kind of figured that he would be fine. To Wizkid, obviously, I couldn’t because Banky got to him first. That would have been amazing. Falz, I love his work, and we almost actually had a deal. Well, it didn’t work out. But then at the end of the day, you cannot sign everybody.”
Nigerian lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has raised the alarm that it is becoming increasingly dangerous to speak under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.Farotimi stated this on Thursday in an interview during Channels Television’s Morning Brief.
The former spokesperson for the 2023 presidential campaign of the Labour Party said it is difficult to pinpoint if Tinubu’s administration leans towards military dictatorship or democracy.
According to him, Nigerians are not feeling the breeze of democracy as projected by Tinubu.
In the administration of Tinubu, there is the ambiguity of whether we are in a military dictatorship or a democracy. It is very easy to forget exactly what kind of government we have in place. The level of depression of free speech and the readiness to criminalise every civic disagreement.
It is becoming increasingly dangerous to speak; I don’t know how much of this is traceable to the President or his temperament. Unfortunately, when the fish rots, it begins from the head. There is always somebody on whose desktop the buck must stop. The reality is that Nigeria is more repressed than it is in this moment. Nigerians are feeling the kind of breeze the president is projecting,” he stated.
This comes as President Tinubu, in his Democracy Day speech on June 12, said he was assured that the country’s democracy is not invisible but alive.
Our democracy is not invincible, but it is alive,” he stated.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has raised fresh concerns over the ongoing wave of violence and killings in parts of the state, alleging that some members of affected communities may be aiding the attacker
In an interview with Channels Television, Alia, who described the situation as “carnage,” said there is now a disturbing pattern pointing to internal collaboration.
He said, “What we are observing is a pattern, a simple but disturbing equation. A thief does not break into a community unless someone from within shows him the way,” he said.
He lamented the persistent bloodshed, noting that the crisis, which started years ago in Makurdi and Guma local governments, has since spread and intensified.
When we came into governance in 2023, 17 local governments were in the frontlines. We fought hard and brought it down to nine, then six. But the attacks have resurged,” he revealed.
According to him, the local governments currently worst affected include Gwer West, Logo, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Apa, Agatu and Guma, many of which had previously seen relative peace.
Guma had peace for over a year. People returned home, farmed and had a good harvest. But this farming season, the attacks have resumed, with a new face,” Alia said.
He explained that while the violence was previously framed as a farmer-herder crisis, the nature of the attacks has since evolved
They no longer bring cattle. These are not regular herders. What we now see are armed men carrying AK-47s and AK-49s. They come to attack, to kill and soon after, others move in to occupy the land.
Benue shares borders with Cameroon, Taraba and Nasarawa. Some of these attacks are said to originate from the Cameroon axis. The attackers do not speak the Hausa or Fulani we know. Their language is unfamiliar.”
Close allies of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, have fired back at veteran actor and former campaign spokesperson, Kenneth Okonkwo, over allegations of betrayal.
Naija News reports that Okonkwo, in a viral podcast interview released on Saturday, accused Obi of abandoning him after the 2023 elections and siding with a faction of the Labour Party (LP) led by Julius Abure, despite repeated warnings
