Politics

Nigerian-Born Kemi Badenoch Becomes New Conservative Party Leader

Published

1 year ago

November 3, 2024

Nigerian-Born Kemi Badenoch Becomes New Conservative Party Leader

In a controversial move, Guinea’s junta leader has promoted himself to the rank of army general, reinforcing his authority within the nation’s military hierarchy.

Guinea’s junta leader, Mamadi Doumbouya, has promoted himself to the rank of army general as the coup-affected West African nation celebrated the establishment of its formidable armed forces.

In September 2021, at the age of 43, Doumbouya forcefully took control by ousting President Alpha Conde. Ironically, Conde had previously appointed then-Colonel Doumbouya to lead an elite unit responsible for safeguarding the head of state against such coups.

In a decree issued on Friday evening, Doumbouya—whose supporters have encouraged him to run for president once the junta relinquishes power—was also granted the Grand Cross of the National Order of the Colatier, which is the nation’s highest honor.

This was for “his unwavering efforts to foster social unity and collaboration among different communities.”

Since 2020, Doumbouya has been among several military officers who have taken control in West Africa, alongside counterparts in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Doumbouya has overseen a continuous suppression of dissent, with numerous opposition leaders being detained, prosecuted in court, or compelled to go into exile.

Despite its abundant natural resources, Guinea continues to be a nation in poverty.

For decades, authoritarian or dictatorial governments have ruled it.

Politics

Hon Success Opara Wishes ST Peter Women Ikenegbu a Blessed Mothering Sunday

Published

10 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

In a heartwarming gesture, Hon Success Opara, former councilorship candidate for Ikenegbu Ward 2, has shown love and appreciation to the women of ST Peter Anglican Church, Ikenegbu, on the eve of Mothering Sunday.

The visit was a wonderful opportunity to bond and celebrate the selfless love of mothers in the community.

Opara, who worships at ST Peter’s, took time to fellowship with the women, sharing words of encouragement and praying for their well-being.

His gesture is seen as a testament to his commitment to uplifting and empowering women.

The ST Peter women appreciated his thoughtful gesture, wishing him continued success in his endeavors.

Politics

‘I get excited when we make law that angers opposition’ – Akpabio

Published

10 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

President of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio says when the opposition expresses anger over any law made in the Senate, he gets excited.

Akpabio spoke on Saturday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, while addressing the audience in reception of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

According to him, anger from the opposition signals to him that the right law has been made.

He declared that opposition figures threatening to boycott the 2027 presidential election are just not ready for the contest.

He said, “Each time we make a law and the opposition frowns, I get excited that I’ve made the right law”.

“Yesterday I saw one man shouting on TV because of the Amended Electoral Act, saying we’re likely to boycott elections.

“My response was tell the truth, you’re boycotting the elections because you’re not ready. If you are ready you won’t boycott.”

Politics

NASS: Nigerian society oppressive to women, we’re not allowed to speak – Kingibe

Published

12 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Federal lawmaker, representing the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in the Senate, Ireti Kingibe, has said that the six special seats for women in the Nigerian Senate will not change anything.

According to her, the Senate will still remain overwhelmingly male-dominated.

She lamented that reducing the special seats to 6 does not solve the problem, adding that it does not fundamentally change representation or the balance of voices in the Senate.

Ireti, who is the Chair, Senate Committee on Women Affairs, pointed out that until there are deliberate measures to increase women’s representation, the situation would remain the same.

Speaking on Arise News, the lawmaker was asked whether the political setting in Nigeria is not rather too hostile for women.

She said, “No, it’s only because the men choose to make it so. In the National Assembly, outspoken men are described as just outspoken. Outspoken women like me are described as troublesome.

“Now I’ve even asked some men to define what the difference is between an outspoken female parliamentarian and why do you describe them differently? Now, the gender equal opportunity bill has gone to first reading. I’ve been struggling for it to go to second reading.

“Whenever I lobby some of my colleagues, especially the older ones, it is ‘why do you need that? Does it not contravene the Constitution?’ I said no, the Constitution says 50% and I’m asking you to enforce 35%.

“Now even the special seats the Senate insisted that from 37 they cut it down to six. Now, let me just give you theoretically, there are four female senators in the Senate right now, let us assume that two do not return, when you add six to them, please, what’s the difference? Eight senators.

“And I tried to make that argument that six is inconsequential. It does not change the narrative of anything. In fact, I will also tell you that even in the Senate, when you have four women, yes, you cannot spread four women across everything but lots of times you set up an ad-hoc committee of 20 people, sometimes there’s no woman on it.

“And at the end of the day, I believe that until we, the countries that are not gender inclusive, have penalties internationally, things are not going to change.

“They have started some of the penalties right now in a lot of the International parliaments, any country that does not have a woman, sometimes two women on his delegation, depending on the number of delegates, cannot vote its full votes.

“Nigeria is unlikely to comply, because the men have this reactionary attitude that is more cultural than even religions. Because countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, all those ones that are Muslim countries, they’ve left us all behind and Nigeria is supposed to be even a secular state.

“So I do not see the reason, except that we have a society that is oppressive to women. Sometimes you want to say something. You’re not allowed to speak unless you make a fuss. How then do you get this country to develop without the voice of 50% of its population?

“We do have a problem. I am also waiting to see that, will we actually pass this bill before the 10th Assembly finishes? I remember that even after we do, we still need 24 state assemblies to agree.”