The Niger State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Alhaji Nasiru Mu’azu, has attributed the delay in signing death warrants for inmates on death row by state governors to complexities within the legal system.

Mu’azu, who stated this in Minna, explained that it is not a matter of governors being unwilling, but rather the result of a complex legal process in the administration of justice.

“These inmates on death row, as you called them, have the right to go to the appeal court to challenge the decision of their conviction in the high courts within three months of their conviction,” he explained.

The commissioner explained further that the backlog of cases in the courts means the appeal process can take a considerably longer period, which in turn makes it difficult for governors to sign death warrants without all legal avenues being fully exhausted.

According to him, “As a result of the number of cases pending in the Court of Appeal, their cases may not be heard. It may take longer period before their own case can even be listed to be heard in the appellate court.

“After the Appeal Court, they can still go up to the Supreme Court, again, in the Supreme Court, their case may suffer another period of delay. So, it is not as if the governor is refusing to sign the death warrant as you think.”

OSUNDAILY NG recalls that the Deputy Comptroller in charge of Media and Public Relations of the Nigeria Correctional Service, DCC Umar Abubakar Danlami, recently disclosed that a total of 3,823 inmates, comprising 3,700 males and 42 females, are currently on death row.

Out of this figure, Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos states reportedly have the highest numbers of such inmates, with a total of 1,300 in Kano, 1,250 in Kaduna, and 2,055 in Lagos.

The Delta Central Senatorial District Executive Committee of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has reaffirmed its total commitment to the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, declaring him the sole candidate of the party for the 2027 gubernatorial election in Delta State.

The decision was reached at a strategic meeting held in Sapele, Delta State, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, presided over by the State Vice Chairman and Chairman of Delta Central, Chief Paulinus Akpeki.

The meeting was attended by members of the State Executive Committee and local government chairmen of the party from the senatorial district.

Speaking with OSUNDAILY NG at the conclusion of the meeting, Chief Paulinus Akpeki stated that Governor Oborevwori has performed creditably well since assuming office, describing his achievements within a short period as unprecedented and a testament to his commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and inclusive leadership under his M.O.R.E. Agenda.

According to the APC chieftain, “After a comprehensive review of the activities and performance of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori since his assumption of office as Governor of Delta State, the APC Delta Central Senatorial District Executive Committee hereby reaffirms its total support and commitment to him as the sole candidate of our party for the 2027 governorship election.

“We acknowledge with pride the giant strides he has recorded in infrastructural development, human capital empowerment, security, healthcare, education, and other critical sectors of the economy within this short time. His M.O.R.E. Agenda has brought renewed hope to our people and rekindled their trust in governance.”

The committee called on all party members, leaders, stakeholders, and opinion leaders within Delta Central and across the state to rally behind the leadership of Governor Oborevwori and the party to ensure continued peace, unity, and accelerated socioeconomic development.

The committee further advised any intending aspirants within the party to jettison any idea of running against the governor in 2027, noting that such ambitions are unnecessary at this point and could create avoidable distractions within the party.

“We strongly advise all intending aspirants to drop any plan to contest against His Excellency in 2027. The people of Delta Central and the entire state are happy with his performance, and we believe that continuity will consolidate the gains already recorded.

“At this stage, what is required is total support and cooperation to enable the governor to concentrate on the enormous task of delivering the dividends of democracy to our people.”

The committee also used the opportunity to warn detractors and critics of the governor to desist from any act capable of distracting him from his developmental vision for the state.

“We call on all detractors to sheath their swords and join hands with His Excellency to build a better Delta State. The governor needs the support and prayers of everyone to enable him to implement his M.O.R.E. Agenda successfully,” the committee stated.

The meeting concluded with a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, with members present pledging to work in synergy with him and the state leadership of the party to ensure the continued progress, stability, and development of Delta State.

Praise Ikweki has won Nigeria’s first bronze medal in the High Jump event at the ongoing 2025 African U-18/U-20 Athletics Championship, held at the MKO Abiola Sports Arena in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.

The event featured the finals of the high jump, triple jump, and 1500m, as well as the 100m heats for both male and female categories.

Ikweki, who competed alongside Melvin Ododo, began at 1.80m, achieving a perfect record until a near miss at 2.03m. He succeeded on his third attempt to advance to the next round.

However, he failed all three attempts at 2.06m after hitting the pole, paving the way for South Africa’s Mateo Le Roux to clinch the gold medal.

In the U-18 Heat One 100m event, South Africa’s Mukona Manavhela finished in 11.38 seconds, just behind Nigeria’s Igbigbidje James Clifford, who clocked 11.44 seconds, with both qualifying for the semi-finals.

Also, Adeola Adeniji Muideen led Heat Two, finishing in 11.08 seconds, while Algeria’s Bouhdila Yasser followed with 11.14 seconds to also book a semi-final spot.

Jayen Foure sprinted to victory in Heat Three with a time of 10.65 seconds, followed by Egbon Destiny Chinedu who finished in 10.85 seconds.

In the female category, Nigeria’s Mariam Jegede won the first heat of the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 12.13 seconds. Congo’s Boukama Gladys finished second in 12.47 seconds, and Ghana’s Darkoah Kwateng came third with 12.64 seconds.

In Heat Two, Miracle Ezechukwu outran her opponents in the U-18 Girls’ 100m, clocking 11.79s (0.1). She beat South Africa’s Oluchi Ndubueze, who ran 11.93s, and Côte d’Ivoire’s Andre Marie Joseph, who placed third in 12.26s.

In Heat Three, Chigozie Rosemary Nwankwo emerged winner of the U-18 Girls’ 100m.

OSUNDAILY NG reports that in the U-20 100m heats, Nigeria’s Lucy Nwankwo recorded a new Personal Best of 11.80s (-0.5) to win her heat, while Success Oyibu claimed victory in Heat One of the U-20 Women’s 100m with a time of 11.87s (-1.4).