Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the National Broadcasting Commission’s (NBC) ban on the broadcast of Eedris Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa,” describing it as a violation of freedom of expression and the right to access information.

In a statement released on its official Facebook page, Amnesty International stated that the ban, which categorized the song as “Not To Be Broadcast” for its critical tone towards the government, is an abuse of power.

The organisation called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately direct NBC to withdraw the ban, emphasising that the song’s criticism of those in power is not grounds for censorship.

Amnesty International argued that the Nigerian people have a right to freedom of expression and that there is no legal justification for prohibiting the song from being aired on radio and television. The organization also criticised NBC’s reliance on the Nigerian Broadcasting Code, which they called deeply flawed, as a basis for the ban. Amnesty stressed that such actions represent an increasing intolerance of dissenting voices in Nigeria.

The statement further highlighted that the ban is incompatible with the right to access information and media freedom. It called for the urgent repeal of heavy censorship regulations by NBC, which have been used to limit freedom of expression in the country. Amnesty warned that the arbitrary nature of the ban would create a chilling effect on media outlets, potentially silencing artists and stifling creativity.

Amnesty International also pointed out that the ban violates Nigeria’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights protecting freedom of expression.

The organisation urged President Tinubu’s government to act swiftly and reverse the ban to avoid further promoting censorship and creating a climate of fear and repression.

This comes after the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian government and the NBC, demanding the immediate reversal of the ban on Abdulkareem’s song “Tell Your Papa.”

Atiku Abubakar, a former vice president of Nigeria on Friday, April 11, visited the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari at his residence in Kaduna.

In a video shared by the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on X, Atiku said he paid a post-Sallah visit to Buhari.

The video also captured other leaders including the former governors of Sokoto and Kaduna States, Aminu Tambuwal and Nasir El-Rufai.

It is, however, not clear whether the former vice president visited the home of Buhari in the company of the other politicians.

In his post, Atiku said the former President in his usual manner cracked them up with jokes during their time with him.

He wrote, “As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in my Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations.

“Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2015-2023. 

“It was a wonderful time with him. As usual, he cracked me up (to the extent that my ribs were hurting) with his peculiar humour,” Atiku stated.

As the Waziri Adamawa, I was obligated to be in my Adamawa during the Sallah celebrations. I held forth for the Lamido Fombina (Adamawa) in some of the activities of the Sallah celebrations. Today, I had the opportunity to pay a post-Sallah visit to His Excellency, Muhammadu… pic.twitter.com/99R24FUGB3

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 11, 2025

Lamidi Apapa, the factional leader of the Labour Party has said that considering rank and age, he should become the next National Chairman of the Labour Party.

Speaking on News Night Programme on Arise Television on Thursday, April 10, Apapa said in the situation where the National Chairman is unable to perform his duties, he (Apapa) ought to be the next in line.

Citing Article 14 of the Labour Party’s constitution, Apapa said out of all the leaders withing the party, he is the only one with the authority to serve as the National Chairman of LP.

“If the National Chairman of the party for any reason is unable to person his duties, the deputy chairman of the party takes over. It’s automatic, I don’t have to derive authority from anybody because the constitution has allowed me to do that.

“That is the function of the deputy national chairman, unfortunately, among all the deputy national chairmen, I happen to be the oldest among them; on the hierarchy, I am the next person to Abure,” the LP leaders stated.

He added that “On the list of officers, I am the next person to Abure which means I am the closest person to him in rank and everything.

“When I took over, what I told those who called themselves stakeholders today is that nobody can be a judge in his own case. Allow Abure to step aside, let us investigate Abure; that time, the NEC, the Obi who is our principal and the so-called stakeholders were backing him and I was being blackmailed of being sponsored,” Apapa said.

He also alleged that key leaders of the party had earlier left substance to pursue shadows by first accusing him of being sponsored by the ruling party.

The LP’s factional leader said he now feels vindicated with the current happenings within the Labour Party.

Life expectancy is the average lifespan of a population and can often be attributed to factors such as high infant and maternal mortality rates, prevalence of infectious diseases, limited access to quality healthcare, malnutrition, socio-economic challenges and unsafe living conditions. 

1. Chad (52.5 years)

Chad has the shortest life expectancy among African countries and this tragic reality can be attributed to health issues and diseases.

In Chad, communicable, maternal, perinatal and nutritional conditions have been leading causes of death, contributing to the low life expectancy in the nation.

According to WHO, in Chad, life expectancy at birth improved by 7.92 years from 51.2 [50.3 – 52.2] years in 2000 to 59.1 [57.9 – 60.4] years in 2021.

2. Nigeria (53.63 years)

Nigerian life expectancy stands second on the list of shortest life expectancy in Africa with several communicable diseases and health issues. The leading cause of death in Nigeria is malaria followed by ischemic heart disease and stroke.

3. Central African Republic (53.9 years)

The average lifespan in the Central African Republic (CAR) is around 57 years, highlighting the severe effects of decades of poverty, armed conflict and political instability on the nation’s healthcare system. The leading causes of death in the Central African Republic are tuberculosis, malaria and violence.

4. South Sudan (55.0 years)

Although South Sudan holds the distinction of being the world’s youngest nation, Since its inception, South Sudan has faced significant challenges, including political instability and economic hardships. This young country has a low life expectancy and there are many reasons for this, such as inadequate healthcare services, insufficient food, displacement and continuous civil violence.

5. Somalia (56 years)

The Federal Republic of Somalia is a country in East Africa with more than half of its population living below the poverty line. Famine in Somalia has put millions of people at risk of severe malnutrition and outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and measles. The leading cause of death in Somalia, according to WHO, is lower respiratory infections, putting Somalia at number five on the list of countries with the lowest life expectancy.

Nigerian environmentalist and human rights activist, Annkio Briggs has accused Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retired) of bias in handling the political affairs of the state.Nigerian cultural tours

Briggs while speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Times Show said there are serious concerns brewing among indigenes and residents of Rivers State following that actions taken by Ibas.

Briggs allegations against the state’s sole administrator comes shortly after he (Ibas) appointed administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

According to the activist, the recent appointments announced by Ibas could lead to a political turmoil among the people of Rivers State and stakeholders in the state.

She said, “There’s serious concern, I can take the responsibility for that and say it to you, as a Rivers daughter, that there’s serious concern because this is the sort of thing that will explode. You will not be able to control it.”

Annikio-Briggs said she was in a meeting in Abuja when her phone kept ringing and she also received series of messages following the recent appointment of administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers State by Ibas.

While expressing her shock over the recent appointments she said, “He has no such right constitutionally, the constitution does not give him those rights.

“I do not believe that President asked him that when you get to Rivers State, dismantle what you find there and agitate the people of Rivers State.

“He is not neutral, he is working a script, he is playing out a script and we all know what script he is playing out – the script of Nyesom Wike. Because the people that are being removed right now as I speak to you are the people that Fubara put there; the people that he Ibas is bringing in are majorly Wike’s people. It is a disaster,” Briggs noted.

Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and top party stalwarts have resolved not to join any coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election, opting instead to focus on rebuilding and strengthening the PDP.

This decision was reached at a crucial overnight meeting held from Wednesday night into Thursday morning in Abuja, where party leaders unanimously agreed that resources and energy should be channeled into revitalizing the PDP rather than exploring new political alliances.

The meeting comes days after former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hinted at a possible coalition of opposition forces to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Attending the meeting were influential party figures, including former Senate Presidents David Mark and Bukola Saraki; former governors Ahmed Makarfi (Kaduna), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), and Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); former Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri; and former Defence Minister, Lawal Batagarawa.

Governors Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State represented the PDP Governors’ Forum.

A source privy to the meeting said the gathering was held in a frank and purposeful atmosphere, with a shared determination to strengthen the party from within.

“They resolved that there’s no need to abandon the PDP or work on any coalition,” the source told Daily Sun.

“Instead, they believe the same resources, energy, time, and strategies intended for building a coalition should be deployed toward revamping the PDP.”

The leaders also noted that all political parties, including the ruling APC, are grappling with internal crises and should not be seen as ideal alternatives.

The PDP, they emphasized, must focus on reconciliation, party unity, and grassroots mobilization as the 2027 elections approach.

The Labour Party (LP) faction led by Julius Abure has accused its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, of orchestrating a plot to seize control of the party’s leadership structure for personal political gain.

In a statement on Thursday, LP National Secretary, Umar Farouk Ibrahim, described a recent National Executive Council (NEC) meeting convened by Obi and Otti in Abuja as “illegal” and a violation of the party’s constitution.

He claimed the duo is working to destabilize the party’s leadership and undermine its internal democratic processes.

“At the end of their illegal meeting in Abuja, Obi led other party outlaws to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in an attempt to pressure the Commission to take unlawful action against the party leadership,” Ibrahim said.

He questioned the urgency of their visit to INEC, saying, “If the Supreme Court ruling truly supports them, why the rush to INEC to exert undue influence?”

Ibrahim also alleged that Obi and Otti offered a “soft landing” to National Chairman Julius Abure, proposing to elevate him to Chairman of the Board of Trustees—an offer that was rejected.

“Abure did not appoint himself chairman. It’s not about personalities; it’s about the supremacy of party organs and adherence to due process,” he stated.

He further warned that attempts to offer political patronage in exchange for structural control undermined the essence of internal democracy and good governance.

He said: “This sort of arbitrary behaviour is partly responsible for the poor state of governance in Nigeria.”

The LP Secretary alleged that the Abuja meeting included threats and plans to forcefully reclaim the party’s leadership—a move he described as “desperate” and unlawful.

Referencing a similar position from Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who has threatened to picket LP offices across the country, Ibrahim added, “Our response to Obi, Otti, and other renegades is clear: their plans amount to self-help. If they believe the law is on their side, they should follow due process.”

He maintained that only the National Secretary, in consultation with the National Chairman, is authorized to convene NEC meetings, a position upheld by a recent Supreme Court ruling.

“Obi and Otti lack the constitutional authority to convene such a meeting. Therefore, both the meeting and its resolutions are null and void,” he said.

The statement also dismissed the list of attendees circulated ahead of the meeting—which reportedly included the 2023 vice-presidential candidate, members of a so-called “National Caretaker Committee,” lawmakers, and representatives of the NLC and TUC—as illegitimate.

“There is no provision for a ‘National Caretaker Committee’ in our constitution. Nor can a governor or a former presidential candidate unilaterally summon a NEC meeting,” Ibrahim insisted

Gunmen in South Africa have abducted a US missionary from his church as he was delivering a sermon, police and a colleague said Friday.

Pastor Josh Sullivan was abducted late Thursday at the Fellowship Baptist Church in Motherwell outside the coastal city of Gqeberha in what appeared to be a kidnapping for ransom, a colleague told AFP.

“It is alleged that while a sermon was conducted at the church, four armed and masked male suspects entered the church,” police said in a statement.

“They robbed two cell phones and then took the 45-year-old male pastor with them and fled the scene.”

Reverend Jeremy Hall, a pastor also based in the southeastern city, told AFP the abduction was probably “financially related”.

Sullivan was holding a prayer meeting with about 30 people, including his wife and six children, when four kidnappers entered, Hall said.

“They knew him by name,” he said. They took him at gunpoint and forced him into his car and drove off. The abandoned car was recovered about 1.5 kilometres (under a mile) from the church.

Sullivan arrived in South Africa with his family from Tennessee in November 2018, according to his personal website.

The police anti-gang unit said a Chinese national was kidnapped Tuesday in the city, which is on the Indian Ocean and about 920 kilometres (570 miles) southeast of Johannesburg.

There were more than 17,000 kidnappings in South Africa in the 2023/2024 financial year, an 11-percent increase over the previous year, according to police statistics.

AFP

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, has confirmed that his tenure as the head of Nigeria’s electoral body will come to an end later this year.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned eight power distribution companies (DisCos) for noncompliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

A statement yesterday, NERC indicated that the affected DisCos are Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.

NERC said the companies overbilled customers in violation of energy caps set by the regulator for the third quarter of 2024 (July to September).

The commission said the sanctions were issued pursuant to Section 34(1)(d) of the Electricity Act of 2023.

NERC stated: “The public may recall that in 2020, the Commission issued the Order on Capping of Estimated Bills (Order No: NERC/197/2020) and subsequently issued monthly energy caps which aimed to align the estimated bills for unmetered customers with the measured consumption of metered customers on the same supply feeder.

“A review of DisCos’ billing of unmetered customers for July – September 2024 (2024/Q3) revealed non-compliance with the monthly energy caps issued by the Commission.”

Due to the noncompliance, the Commission said the companies were fined a total of N628.03 million – an amount representing 5 percent of “the naira value of the gross overbilling during the period under review”.

The regulator said the DisCos have also been directed to issue “commensurate credit adjustments” to the affected customers by than May 15, 2025- the end of the April 2025 billing cycle.

NERC reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing regulatory compliance and protecting electricity consumers within the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI).