General News
President Buhari Declines Assent To Electoral Bill Upon Return From Turkey
President Muhammadu Buhari has reportedly declined assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, as the 30-day window for him to assent the bill elapsed last night.
The Nation reported that this led to a disquiet yesterday December 19, among members of the National Assembly, who were locked in series of meetings to articulate their response to the alleged denial of assent.
The President had returned to the country from Istanbul, Turkey, over the weekend, where he attended the third Turkey-Africa Partnership Summit, hosted by Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The President had 30 days to sign or decline assent to the bill, following its transmission to the National Assembly on Novembers 19, 2021. Though the one month window closed yesterday; lawyers argued that the President still has one day of grace to make up for yesterday, which was a work-free day.
A source who told the publication that the President was advised by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami to decline assent as the constitution is silent on the mode of primary that parties should adopt, revealed that Buhari accepted the advice.
President Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu also confirmed yesterday that his principal has communicated his intention on the bill to the National Assembly.
In the interview on Channels Television, Shehu declined to disclose the content of the memo, saying that he was not authorised to do so.
He said;
“The president has communicated his intention to the National Assembly and the National Assembly will communicate the president’s decision to Nigerians in due course.”
When asked if the President’s communication was yes or no, Shehu declined to respond to the question and also appealed to Nigerians to remain calm as any decision taken by the President is in the best interest of the country.
The Nation also reported that some sources claimed the Senate deliberately delayed the passage of the 2022 Budget in a bid to convey the legislators’ displeasure about the President’s stand on the direct primary clause.
A senator, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said senators and representatives were unhappy that the President has dilly dallied in signing the bill.
The lawmaker said;
“The President motivated the bill, particularly the retention of direct primary in the proposed act. It is therefore, surprising that he has contributed to the anxiety and confusion by not signing it up till now.”
The senator disclosed that there was a consensus opinion in the Upper Chamber that the passage of next year’s budget should be postponed to this week, adding that it underscored the protest against the delayed assent.
Governor Nyesom Wike also said yesterday December 19, that he would not be surprised if the President withheld assent to the bill. He maintained that direct or not direct primary was not the problem, but electronic transmission of results.
Wike said;
“It was very clear that the President was not going to sign. Direct or not direct primary was not the problem, but the major issue is electronic transmission of results.
“The issue here is not about direct or indirect primary. They only used that as a reason Mr. President declined his assent. I can tell you that the President is not signing because of the electronic transmission provision in the bill.”
Publicity Secretary of the PDP Debo Ologunagba on his own part said inclusion of direct primary in the bill is offensive and should be removed.
Ologunagba said;
“The PDP is not in support of one mode of primary. This is a battle within the APC alone. That inclusion in the Act is offensive and should be removed. The PDP believes it is the right of party to determine how to produce candidates for any election.”
At 31, Lagos-born Espago is redefining what it means to be a late bloomer in the Nigerian music
space. After spending years as a chef, designer, and farmer, Espago turned to music just a year
ago on a journey sparked by deep loss, life experience, and self-discovery.
What makes him different? It’s not just his sound, it’s his story. Espago brings a calm but
confident energy that mirrors his Lagos upbringing: a blend of vibrant Fuji rhythms and soulful
Afrobeat traditions like King Sunny Ade, shaped by global legends like Michael Jackson and
Celine Dion. His voice? Professionally trained. His brand? Stylish, grounded, and intentional.
Espago didn’t wait for the industry to find him; he found his own way in, teaching himself,
searching out producers, and building his identity from scratch. With no major label backing and
no big-name features, he has still built a brand marked by boldness, emotion, and Lagos street
authenticity.
He’s not just making music; he’s building a lifestyle brand. His creative roots are in food,
fashion, and music fused into something richer than just a “sound.” It’s a full experience. While
he hasn’t performed live yet, he’s putting in the work behind the scenes, mentoring new artists,
recording regularly to sharpen his voice and brand for bigger stages ahead.
In a scene dominated by speed, Espago’s journey is about intentional growth, honest
expression, and emotional connection.
As the new class of Afro‑HipHop begins to take shape, Espago stands out not just for what he’s
making, but for who he is becoming.
Rising artist Derriq isn’t just making music for entertainment; he’s building a legacy rooted in culture, resilience, and pride. The Lagos-based Afro-soul and Afrobeats singer has his eyes set on something bigger than streaming numbers: putting his hometown of Benin City on the global creative map is his dream.
A native of Edo State, Derriq’s musical journey began as a child organizing school parties just for the chance to perform. Since then, he’s gone from studio assistant to full-fledged artist, releasing impactful tracks like “Position,” “Vibration,” and “Confidence.” His sound, described as smooth, calm, and party-ready, reflects the duality of his personality: laid-back yet determined, quiet but powerful.
Derriq is more than just a promising name on Nigeria’s growing music roster; he’s a symbol of the next generation of artists who blend regional identity with global appeal using his distinctive voice, a strong sense of direction, and his signature slang “Yehboo! Yezaiii!” making waves among fans, Derriq is proving that cultural authenticity still cuts through the noise.
His next single, “Omo n’ Ogie,” is a tribute to his heritage and a signal that he’s just getting started. Keep your eyes on Derriq, he’s not just singing for the moment, he’s singing for a movement.
Follow @DerriqMusic on all social platforms
For interviews and press: derriqmusic@gmail.com
Good morning! Here is today’s summary from Nigerian Newspapers:
1. President Bola Tinubu will address the nation in a broadcast today, Sunday, August 4, 2024. Mr Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, announced this in a statement, on Saturday, saying the broadcast would hold at 7am.
2. The Commissioner of Police in Borno State, Yusuf Lawal, on Saturday confirmed the killing of four persons along Baga Road in Maiduguri, Borno State during the nationwide #EndBadGoverment protest. He said Boko Haram elements infiltrated the protesters and killed four persons on Thursday with explosives at a filling station.
3. Many persons have been feared killed while others sustained injuries as hoodlums clashed with security operatives in Kano. It was gathered that Rijiyar Lemo, Kurna to Bachirawa areas in Fagge Local Government, Kofar Nassarawa in Kano municipal and Unguwa Uku area of Tarauni Local Government are the worst hit areas.
4. The leadership of the organised labour, on Saturday, warned the Nigeria Police Force and other security forces to stop what it described as a “massacre” of protesters carrying out nationwide demonstrations against hunger in the land.
5. Leading Human Rights group, Amnesty International Nigeria, has said over 50 protesters were arrested in Abuja on the third day of the demonstration against hardship in the land.
6. Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has urged the police and other security agencies to stop shooting and killing protesters demanding good governance in Nigeria. Atiku in a statement on Saturday, questioned the professionalism of the security agencies in the handling of the ongoing demonstrations.
7. Some of the organisers and supporters of the ongoing protest have set up pages to raise over N4bn through GoFundMe, a popular online crowdfunding platform. A check on Saturday showed that a total of N4.1bn had been benchmarked to be donated through accounts created by three GoFundMe users.
8. Tragedy struck again in Imo State on Saturday evening when some gunmen reportedly shot dead the President-General of Umucheke Okwe autonomous community in Onuimo Local Government Area of Imo State, Hyginus Ohazurike. Six village heads from the autonomous community were also allegedly killed by the gunmen.
9. The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh has said his men were not responsible for the death of a teenager in the Kubwa area of the FCT. In a viral video, a man claimed that police, while dispersing protesters, shot dead a teenager in the Kubwa area.
10. The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu has said President Bola Tinubu is keeping an eye on the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations across the country.
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