NEWS
Ekiti 2026: INEC flags off electoral process, pledges transparency

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, on Wednesday officially issued the statutory notice for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State, marking the formal commencement of the electoral process.
At a stakeholders’ meeting with political party representatives held in Ado-Ekiti, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, for Ekiti State, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi, reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting the election with the utmost transparency and integrity at every stage, before, during, and after the poll.
Omoseyindemi explained that the issuance of the election notice was in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, which requires INEC to release such notice no later than 360 days before the scheduled date of the election.
Addressing the gathering, the REC urged political parties to strictly comply with the established legal and procedural frameworks in the conduct of their primaries, nomination of candidates, and campaign activities. He emphasized that adherence to the Electoral Act and INEC’s guidelines would be essential in ensuring a smooth and credible process.
It will be recalled that the commission had earlier announced July 20, 2026, as the date for the Ekiti governorship poll.
“This meeting is both symbolic and strategic,” Omoseyindemi stated. “It signals the official start of the election process, while also serving as a platform for collaboration among political parties, the media, and other stakeholders, to collectively safeguard the integrity, inclusiveness, and peaceful conduct of the election.”
He revealed that the election notice would be displayed at the INEC state headquarters as well as in all local government area offices across Ekiti State.
This, he said, would officially activate the timetable and schedule of activities, which would be made public immediately after the meeting.
Omoseyindemi also recalled that on May 30, 2025, the INEC National Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, had announced the commission’s approval of the detailed timetable and activity schedule for the upcoming governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States.
He noted that the current tenure of the governors in both states is set to expire in 2026.
He also called on the media to maintain professionalism and neutrality in their coverage of the election, assuring them that INEC remains committed to delivering an election that is free, fair, and credible.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, in Ekiti State, Daramola Owoola, commended the REC for engaging political stakeholders early in the process.
“INEC is demonstrating its readiness to be transparent in the conduct of the election,” Owoola said. “As political parties, we are committed to maintaining peaceful and coordinated activities as we approach the election, to ensure the process is fair and free of tension for everyone involved.”
NEWS
Nigerian celebrities react to president Buhari’s death

As Nigerian leaders continue to mourn the late President Muhammadu Buhari, many celebrities have also reacted to the news.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president, died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
Following the sad news, the Nigerian government declared seven days of mourning to honour the deceased’s legacy.
The declaration of mourning by the Federal Government sparked controversial tributes from Nigerians, including celebrities.
Reacting to the development, singer Eedris Abdulkareem attributed the negative comments against the late president to the consequences of his actions while alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
Also reacting to Buhari’s passing, celebrated Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho, in a video shared on his Facebook page, stated, “The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.”
Big Brother Naija reality show star Tacha berated Buhari’s critics on the X platform, noting that criticism cannot erase Buhari’s name from Nigeria’s history.
She wrote, “No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP.”
Actress Kate Henshaw, in a post on X, noted that life is vanity.
She wrote, “Nothing dey this life.”
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actor Pere Egbi stated that the pain left behind by Buhari resulted in “bitterness and hate.”
While advising President Bola Tinubu to learn from Buhari’s administration, Pere urged him to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“May his soul rest in peace until resurrection morning. President Tinubu, as you reflect on your predecessor’s legacy, I appeal to your conscience: Nigeria is hurting. Millions are broken. Many have lost faith in political leaders because the pain left behind has fermented into bitterness and hate,” he stated.
Singer Portable, in a video on Instagram, said, “Make sure you do good. It’s Buhari that offends us, not Tinubu. Buhari died in London. May God rest his soul.”
Legendary fuji musician KWAM 1 sang Buhari’s praises in a video shared on his Instagram page and wished him “sleep well.”
NEWS
Naira appreciates massively against dollar ahead of public holiday to honour Buhari

The naira appreciated significantly against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market, beginning the week on a positive note ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday in honour of the late Nigerian former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Exchange data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira strengthened to N1,518.89 against the dollar on Monday, up from N1,530.26 traded at the close of business last Friday.
This means the naira firmed up substantially by N11.37 against the dollar compared to the N1,530.26 rate on Friday.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that, for the first time since last week, the naira is recording this margin of gain at the official market in a single day.
Meanwhile, the naira remained stable at the parallel (black) market on Monday, closing at N1,550 per dollar, the same rate as recorded last week.
The appreciation on the official market comes as the Nigerian government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, is expected to release the country’s inflation rate on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Central Bank of Nigeria fixed its Monetary Policy Committee meeting to decide on Nigeria’s interest rate for July 21 and 22, 2025.
NEWS
Buhari: ‘Show empathy If you want sympathy in death’ – Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders

Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has stated that Nigerian leaders must share in the feelings of citizens if they want the public to sympathise with them in death.
The singer made this statement following the mixed reactions trailing the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Buhari died on Sunday afternoon at a UK clinic after an alleged battle with leukaemia.
While his political allies are paying tribute to him, many Nigerians have been criticising and accusing him of various failings.
Addressing citizens in a post on his social media page, former senator, Shehu Sani, pleaded with the public to forgive Buhari his imperfections.
“A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest,” Sani said.
Reacting to the development in an Instagram post on Monday evening, Abdulkareem urged Nigerian politicians to show empathy while alive if they wish to receive sympathy in death.
“If you want sympathy in death, then you must show empathy when alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
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