The President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the 147th Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Luanda, Angola has broken a 59 year old jinx by being elected into the Executive Committee of the global parliamentary body.
The last time Nigeria was elected into the Executive Committee of the Parliamentary Union was in 1964.
The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) is the global organization of national parliaments founded in 1889, and dedicated to promoting peace through parliamentary diplomacy and dialogue.
It has grown over its 135 years into a truly global organization with 179 country members out of 193 countries in the world. The IPU facilitates parliamentary diplomacy and empowers parliaments and parliamentarians to promote peace, democracy and sustainable development around the world.
The 147th IPU Assembly was held in Luanda, Angola, from 21st to 27th October 2023 and hosted by the National Assembly of Angola.
The Union in the week long Assembly deliberated upon important issues affecting nations across the world and considered actions to strengthen trust between people and governance structures, to make public institutions more effective, accountable and representative, and to better equip parliaments to address the multiple interconnected geopolitical, economic and environmental crises facing the world.

“Yes, we have challenges economically now but we still have what it takes to lead Africa.”
This is the verdict of the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan when he spoke to newsmen shortly after an audience with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential villa, Abuja, today, October 27.
Jonathan, who congratulated President Tinubu on his final victory at judicial level, appealed to political leaders in the opposition to join hands in moving the country forward.
“You will see more of me because there are certain things we discussed (with President Tinubu) and the country must move forward. Elections are over and so we must move forward.”

He said that after the Supreme Court judgement, political leaders, including former Presidents, need to come together.
“We will not be fighting. If top leaders continue to fight, they will not suffer that much but the down trodden will suffer
“And we want to end that tension so we move forward.”
Dr. Jonathan said that he had interacted with many African leaders at various fora, one of which was with Professor Lumumba, who emphasized the need for Nigeria to take a lead in Africa.
He said that he would continue to have conversations with President Tinubu on some issues, including briefing him on all his foreign programmes. “They are not personal issues: traditionally, former Presidents, when they go outside the country for continental or regional programs, and even some international, when they come home, they brief the incumbent President. That is the tradition.
“Most atimes, when you see me here, that is what I come to do: to move Nigeria forward and to move ECOWAS forward and to move African continent forward.”

Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmood Yakubu has confessed that Kogi, Bayelsa and Imo are the three most difficult States to conduct election.
Speaking at a meeting today, October 27, with the Inter-agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), ahead of the November 11 election in the three States, Professor Yakubu said: “the three States of Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi are not the easiest States in Nigeria to conduct elections.
“The difficult geographical terrain and prevailing insecurity are compounded by negative mobilisation by political actors, especially since the commencement of campaign in public on 14th July 2023.
“Our message to politicians is that they should call their candidates and supporters to order. “Violence and other undemocratic activities such as vote buying, attacks on election officials and disruption of the electoral process must stop.”
The INEC Chairman, who said that the three States have 5,409,438 registered voters out of which 5,169,692 have collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), called on the security agencies to take decisive action against perpetrators of electoral violence.
“This is the surest way to guarantee a safe environment for the peaceful conduct of elections and electoral activities.
“In doing so, security personnel on electoral duty should remain neutral and committed to the established professional code of conduct and rules of engagement.”
Professor Yakubu
announced that eligible voters will vote in 10,510 polling units in the three States.
According to him, there are two polling units in Bayelsa State and 38 in Imo State without registered voters.
He said that the list of these polling units is available on the INEC website.
He said that election results will be collated in 649 Registration Areas/Wards, 56 Local Government Areas and three State collation centres.
“This gives us a cumulative figure of 11,178 voting and collation locations to deploy security personnel in the three States.
“This is in addition to ensuring a secure environment for the ongoing campaigns and rallies by political parties and candidates, security of voters, the escort of personnel and materials, protection of assets and general security for all persons with legitimate reason to participate in the election and electoral activities.”

The Governor of Osun State on the platform of the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Ademola Adeleke has congratulated President Bola Tinubu on the affirmation of his election by the Supreme Court.
The Governor said that the time has come for all the political leaders to come together to develop Nigeria of our dream.
According to the Governor’s spokesman, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, in a statement today, October 26, the Governor congratulated the President while attending the 8th Day Fidau prayer of the father of Osun State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Wahab Ayofe in Ede.
Olawale quoted the Governor as saying that the resolution of the questions that surround the Presidential election will bring about focus in confronting the many challenges facing Nigeria.
The Governor lauded the main opposition candidate in the election for deepening the country’s electoral jurisprudence by testing their complaints at the law court, adding that our judicial system has once again proven itself in tackling disputes that arise from our elections.
“On behalf of the good people of Osun State, I congratulate President Tinubu on his judicial victory at the apex court.
“It is my hope that your presidency will bring progress, unity, and prosperity to our nation, and I want to restate my commitment to partner you in offering good governance for our people.”

President Bola Tinubu has fondly remembered the legacy of the late patriarch of the Tinubu family, Alhaji Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu on the 20th anniversary of his passing.
In a statement today, October 26, the President extolled the sterling qualities of the late patriarch, who he said was a distinguished public servant, lawyer, administrator, and philanthropist.
“Baba was the finest of men. He was an honourable man; he was noble. He believed in defending the weak against the strong and standing for what is just even at the cost of personal liberty. He was my fortress in the dark days of oppression. He was my rock.
“Baba was selfless. He never stopped giving himself; his fortune, and everything for the betterment of others.”
The President recalled the invaluable advice, support, and guidance the late patriarch provided him when he served as the governor of Lagos State.
“Baba was passionate about good governance. When I was the governor of Lagos, he was always on hand to offer brilliant advice and guidance.
“He left a legacy that is larger than life. We will continue to celebrate Baba as well as the values and principles he exemplified.”