NEWS

Tonye Cole has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress governorship primaries in Rivers State ahead of the exercise scheduled for Thursday.According to reports, Cole announced his withdrawal in a statement issued on Wednesday, May 20, explaining that his decision was guided by the need for peace, reconciliation, and respect for party supremacy.The APC chieftain disclosed that he consulted widely with political stakeholders and his supporters before deciding to step down from the race.Describing himself as a firm believer in democracy and strong institutions, Cole assured party members that he would fully support whoever emerges as the APC governorship candidate after the primaries.“I have decided, in the interest of unity, peace, and collective progress with...

Three sisters have d!ed in the sea off Brighton beach in the United Kingdom.Sussex Police on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 identified the women as Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31, from the Uxbridge area of London.Emergency services were called at about 05:45 BST on 13 May, 2026 to a report of a person in the water near Black Rock car park in Madeira Drive. Two more bodies were recovered from the sea nearby.Paying tribute, their father, Joseph, said in a statement described feeling “unbearable grief”“No words can truly describe the pain of losing three daughters in the prime of their lives,” he said.“Jane, Christina, and Becky were more than daughters to me; they were my joy, my strength, and the beautiful light that filled our...

Nollywood actor-turned-politician, Desmond Elliot, has officially withdrawn from the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Lagos State House of Assembly seat representing Surulere Constituency I.Naija News reports that the lawmaker personally announced his withdrawal on Wednesday through a video circulating on social media.According to Elliot, intimidation targeted at him and his supporters forced his decision to step down from the contest. He alleged that many of his supporters were denied access to the venue of the primary election, preventing them from casting votes in his favour.Elliot, who currently represents the constituency in the Lagos State House of Assembly, had been contesting the APC ticket for the 2027 election against Barakat Odunuga.Howeve...

The Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Wednesday described the All Progressives Congress House of Assembly primary election in Surulere Constituency I, Lagos State, as peaceful, fair and orderly.This came as the constituency’s incumbent lawmaker, Desmond Elliott, withdrew from the election, citing alleged intimidation of his supporters.Gbajabiamila spoke with journalists after participating in the primary election at Ward G2 (Adeniran Ogunsanya Ward 5), situated at Alaka Housing Estate, Surulere, Lagos.The former Speaker of the House of Representatives said he was impressed by the conduct of party members and the peaceful atmosphere that characterised the exercise.“You know, this is my ward, Ward G2, and I have been voting here in Ward G2 for as long as ...

The lawmaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Surulere Constituency, Desmond Elliott, has claimed his supporters were intimidated during the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s primary election.He has now called on the party leadership to ensure a free and fair process.Desmond, who arrived at the Paddington Mini Stadium with his entourage, alleged that many of his supporters were denied access to the polling venue.He said he repeatedly appealed to the electoral officers to allow his supporters into the polling area, but his pleas were ignored.Following the development, his supporters staged a peaceful protest and gradually left the venue alongside the lawmaker.Desmond said he decided to leave the venue to prevent any breakdown of law and order, stressing that he woul...

Tension and excitement filled the atmosphere in Surulere on Wednesday as popular Nollywood actor and lawmaker, Desmond Elliot, reportedly lost to Barrister Barakat Odunuga at Ward F3 during the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primary election.Party members and supporters gathered in large numbers at the Surulere Ward F3 voting centre as accreditation and voting continued across the constituency.According to party sources at the venue, Barrister Barakat secured victory in the ward after polling more votes than the incumbent lawmaker, dealing a significant setback to Elliot’s re-election bid.Eyewitnesses said Desmond Elliot left the voting centre quietly shortly after the ward result was announced, while supporters of Barakat celebrated the outcome.The devel...