Politics
US president Joe Biden calls for more Western support to Ukraine on visit to Berlin
Outgoing US president Joe Biden has called on Ukraine’s Western allies to keep up their support for Kyiv, telling a meeting of European allies in Berlin that the West needs to “sustain our resolve”.
Biden was welcomed to the event by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose government is Ukraine’s second-biggest military supplier after the US.
“As Ukraine faces a tough winter, we must — we must — sustain our resolve, our effort and our support,” Biden said.
“And I know the cost is heavy. Make no mistake, it pales in comparison to the cost of living in the world where aggression prevails, where large states attack and bully smaller ones simply because they can,” he added.
Scholz said that “we will stand beside Ukraine as long as it is necessary,” pointing to a planned €46 billion international loan package funded by interest on profits from frozen Russian assets.
Biden and Scholz were joined by French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for discussions that also addressed the conflict in the Middle East.
Earlier, Biden said he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the wake of the killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, which he described as “a moment of justice.”
“I told the prime minister of Israel yesterday, let’s also make this moment an opportunity to seek a path to peace and a better future in Gaza without Hamas.”
An election in the balance
The visit comes amid worries that a victory for Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, could upset the relationships that Biden, the outgoing US leader, is hoping to pass on to Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate.
The US presidential election, less than three weeks away, cast a long shadow over Friday’s visit as fears grow that another Trump presidency would see a return to punitive trade tariffs imposed on imports from key US security partners.
The former president has frequently expressed indifference to the security of Ukraine, refusing to say in a debate with Harris whether he wants the US ally to win its war against Russia — and even blaming Ukraine for Russia’s invasion in a recent interview.
He has also voiced doubts about coming to the defence of NATO members if they come under attack.
Germany’s Scholz seemed to address those concerns in Berlin. “Our position is clear: We are supporting Ukraine as strongly as possible,” Scholz said.
“At the same time, we are taking care that NATO does not become a party to the war so that this war doesn’t culminate in an even bigger catastrophe.”
Having visited other key allies such as Japan, South Korea, France, India, the UK, Poland, and Ukraine, Biden did not want his term to end without a visit to Berlin.
The 81-year-old was honoured with the highest class of Germany’s Order of Merit for his contribution to transatlantic relations, an award that was also bestowed on his predecessor George H.W. Bush in recognition of his support for German reunification.
Politics
FEDERAL HIGH COURT STOPS INEC FROM RESTRICTING DEFECTION TO ANOTHER PARTY AFTER CONTESTING PRIMARY
Here is the judgement from the Federal High Court, Abuja today
1. INEC can only monitor 2027 primaries but cannot fix timetable for when a political party should conduct its primaries for this election
2. INEC cannot give a shorter timeframe or abridge the period in which a political party can provide information of their candidates for 2027 election
3. INEC cannot give a shorter timeframe to political parties as regards withdrawal or replacement of candidates (Placeholders)
4. INEC cannot publish any final list of candidates for 2027 elections before 60 days to election.
5. INEC cannot fix 2027 campaigns to end 2 days to elections.
6. This is AN ORDER nullifying and setting aside the timeframes imposed by INEC for 2027 General Election for:
– the conduct of primary elections by political parties for the 2027 general elections
– the submission of personal particulars of candidates by their political parties for the 2027 general elections
– the withdrawal and replacement of candidates by political parties
– the publication of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections and campaigning.
Is this a trap or a game changer for some aspirants???
A Rivers State politician, Blessing Fubara, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Rivers State under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The politician has already obtained both the nomination and expression of interest forms needed to participate in the governorship race ahead of the 2027 election.
Blessing Fubara shares the same surname and local government area with the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Both men are from Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area. However, there has been no confirmation that they are family members.
The Chairman of the NDC in Rivers State, Success Jack, confirmed that Blessing Fubara is among those seeking the party’s governorship ticket.
He also stated that he could not confirm whether the governorship aspirant is related to Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
According to him, the party is preparing seriously for the 2027 general elections and hopes to win not only the governorship seat but other elective positions in Rivers State.
The development comes weeks after Blessing Fubara left the All Progressives Congress and joined the NDC.
Following his defection in Abuja, he was received by former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alongside other leaders and members of the party.
After joining the NDC, Blessing Fubara said his decision was taken for the interest of Rivers people.
He also stated that the future of the state must be protected ahead of the next general election, expressing confidence that the state would experience positive changes after the 2027 polls.
Surulere I lawmaker Desmond Elliot has withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress Lagos House of Assembly primaries, citing intimidation across multiple zones.
In a viral video posted online, the lawmaker said he was stepping out of the race despite seeking re-election under the APC. He alleged that his supporters faced intimidation during the process in several parts of the constituency.
Elliot’s decision came as the primaries held across Lagos on Tuesday. Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, who represents Surulere Federal Constituency, praised the conduct of the exercise in Surulere, describing it as peaceful.
The withdrawal narrows the contest for the APC ticket in Surulere I ahead of the 2027 general election. Party officials in Lagos have not yet responded to Elliot’s claims, and the APC state chapter has not announced whether the primary in the constituency will proceed with other aspirants.
Elliot has represented Surulere I in the Lagos State House of Assembly since 2015.
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FEDERAL HIGH COURT STOPS INEC FROM RESTRICTING DEFECTION TO ANOTHER PARTY AFTER CONTESTING PRIMARY
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