News
Nigeria’s long wait over 2026 World Cup to end today as FIFA gives final verdict on DR Congo
The months-long waiting, vigils and prayers by millions of football lovers in Africa’s most populous nation, over the possibility of the country making it to the 2026 World Cup tournament would come to an end Monday, as the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) is set to give final verdict on Nigeria’s petition against the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC).
Nigeria had, on November 16, suffered a painful defeat through penalties and therefore lost the opportunity for the inter-confederation playoffs in March.
However, Nigerian football authorities had petitioned FIFA on the basis of technicalities, alleging that DR Congo fielded players with dual citizenship which Nigeria said was a violation of Congolese laws.
The petition specifically stated that nine players switched nationalities without completing the legal and administrative process.
Nigeria Football Federation General Secretary, Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, said FIFA approved the players based on documentation and assurances provided by the DR Congo federation, as FIFA regulations allow players to represent a country if they hold a valid passport.
Nigeria’s complaint alleges that the clearance process itself may have been fraudulent, given potential conflicts with Congolese nationality laws. “It is not FIFA’s duty to know the domestic laws of every country,” Sanusi added. “That is why we formally drew FIFA’s attention to the issue, and we are now awaiting their verdict.”
It would be recalled that Nigeria earlier won 3-point deduction from South Africa in the group stage for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.
If Nigeria gets favourable verdict from today’s FIFA ruling, the African giant would be two times lucky, with a brighter prospect of making it to the coming World Cup, a most cherished global football fiesta that every country wishes to be part of.
News
Breaking: Court of Appeal rules in favour of Turaki -led PDP candidate for Osun governorship election
The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, ruled that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP Gubernatorial Candidate in Osun State was validly nominated by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee.
The court also ordered INEC to list the PDP logo on the ballot ahead of Saturday’s gubernatorial election.
The Court held that access code is neither a creation of the Constitution nor the Electoral Act; rather, a creation of INEC’s guidelines and cannot, in any way, override the provisions of the Constitution.
Section 288 of the Constitution does not specify the method for nominating candidates; it only states that the names of candidates should be forwarded to the Commission.
The court further held that the defendant (INEC) should take steps to include the name of the appellant on the ballot paper.
Additionally, the court ruled that the primary election conducted by the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP was a valid primary election in law.
The three-man panel of justices—Justice Mahmud, Justice Jaro, and Justice Ankawere, was unanimous in its judgment.
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Breaking: NHRC sets up situation room to monitor and document hate speech, intimidation, threat to life ahead 2027
The national Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has set up a situation room to monitor and document all incidences of hate speech, intimidation and threat to life by politicians and other actors ahead of the 2027 general election.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, revealed this on Thursday in Abuja at a press conference.
He said the situation room would enable the Commission harvest data, analysis and document persons, agencies and others involved in the negative statements in order to ensure they are properly tracked and brought to book by relevant agencies.
Ojukwu also took journalists on a tour of the newly set up situation room.
Details later…..
News
Breaking: NHRC expresses concern over rising incidences of hate speech, threat to life ahead 2027 elections
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has expressed concerns over rising incidences of hate speech, intimidation and outright threat to life by highly placed individuals, especially politicians and religious leaders.
At a press conference in Abuja Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chef Tony Ojukwu, SAN, recalled statements credited to Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Sheikh Yahya Jingir and described the das dangerous with capacity to set the nation ablaze.
He called on politicians, religious and traditional rulers, among other stakeholders to call their supporters and faithful to orders.
He urged government to act before rhetorics turn to violence, saying the forthcoming election in Osun State should serve as example of Nigeria’s capacity to conduct political contest in compliance with international best practices.
Details later…..
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