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PDP wins all seats in controversial Osun LG election

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Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won all 30 chairmanship and 332 councillorship seats in the controversial local government election held on Saturday in Osun.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the Osun government proceeded with the election despite the advice of the police and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) that the election should not be held because of a 10 February Appeal Court ruling that allegedly reinstated previously sacked council officials.

The Chairman of the State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), Hashim Abioye, announced the results on state-owned television, Osun Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), in Osogbo.

Mr Abioye stated that 18 political parties participated in the election. “I want to announce that the local council election, conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC), has been successfully concluded.

“It was conducted in compliance with constitutional provisions, extant laws, regulations, and guidelines.

“The election was held to fill vacancies in 332 wards and 30 local government areas of Osun State,” Abioye added.

He said 18 political parties contested, and the results have been submitted to the commission.

According to him, from the available results, PDP candidates in all 332 wards emerged as winners.

“Their names are listed in the schedule to this text. As Chief Returning Officer, I hereby declare each one duly elected chairmen and councillors of their respective areas.

“The results are available for anyone interested in certified true copies.

“For the 30 local government areas of Osun State, PDP candidates won all the seats,” he said.

Mr Abioye apologised to the media for the commission’s failure to provide accreditation tags for election coverage.

He alleged that security agencies sealed the commission’s office, where the materials were kept.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the main opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC), had earlier announced its withdrawal from the election.

The withdrawal was contained in a letter dated 17 February, signed by APC State Secretary Alao Kamoru and addressed to the Secretary of OSSIEC.

Credit: premiumtimesng.com

Pope Francis, in critical condition, Vatican says

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Pope Francis

Pope Francis, in critical condition as he battles double pneumonia, has had a “tranquil” night and rested after a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, the Vatican says.

“The night was tranquil, the pope rested,” the Vatican said in a one-sentence update on Sunday morning without providing further information. Another update on his condition is expected later on Sunday.

The 88-year-old Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 after experiencing difficulty breathing for several days and subsequently had pneumonia diagnosed in both lungs.

The Vatican described his condition as critical for the first time on Saturday, reporting that he had needed supplemental oxygen and blood transfusions that day after a “prolonged asthma-like respiratory crisis”.

The Saturday statement also said the prognosis was “reserved”.

Double pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, making it difficult to breathe. The Vatican has described the pope’s infection as “complex”, saying it is being caused by two or more microorganisms.

Francis, who has been pope since 2013, has suffered bouts of ill health in the past two years. He is particularly prone to lung infections because he developed pleurisy as a young adult and had part of one lung removed.

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, a senior Vatican official, told worshippers at a Mass in St Peter’s Basilica on Sunday that they should make their prayers for Francis “stronger and more intense”.

The Diocese of Rome, which the pope leads, announced a special Mass for Sunday evening to pray for Francis, so he will have “the strength necessary to get through this moment of trial”.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Israel expels residents of three West Bank refugee camps

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Israeli has been conducting operation in the West Bank

Israel has expelled the residents of three refugee camps in the occupied West Bank as it steps up a major month-long operation in the Palestinian territory.

Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz said the camps in Jenin, Tulkarm and Nur Shams were now “empty” and would be occupied by the Israeli military for the coming year.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it has deployed a tank division around the city of Jenin – the first time it has done so since 2002. The Palestinian Authority condemned the move.

The UN said earlier this month that Israel’s operation, which began on 21 January and was intensified in recent days, had led to the “forced displacement” of 40,000 people.

“So far, 40,000 Palestinians have evacuated from the refugee camps of Jenin, Tulkarem, and Nur Shams, which are now empty of residents,” Israel Katz said in a statement.

“I have instructed [troops] to prepare for a prolonged presence in the cleared camps for the coming year and to prevent the return of residents and the resurgence of terrorism.”

He also said that Israel had instructed the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency (Unrwa) to stop operating in the area.

Nabil Abu Rudeineh, a spokesman for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, described the decision to deploy tanks as a “dangerous Israeli escalation that will not lead to stability or calm”.

Credit: bbc.com

Huge crowds gather for Hezbollah leader Nasrallah’s funeral

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Huge crowds at Nasrallah's funeral

Large crowds have gathered for the funeral of Hezbollah’s former leader Hassan Nasrallah, who was killed in an Israeli air strike in Beirut in September.

Mourners dressed in black flocked to a stadium on the outskirts of the Lebanese capital on Sunday. They also paid their respects to Hashem Safieddine, Nasrallah’s successor, who was killed in a separate Israeli strike before he could assume his post.

Nasrallah, the former leader of the Lebanese militant Shia Islamist group, was one of the most influential figures in the Middle East.

Hours before the funeral began at 13:00 local time (11:00 GMT), Israel launched air strikes in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah rocket launchers.

People braved the cold to attend the funeral, which was held at the 50,000-capacity Camille Chamoun Sports City stadium.

Nasrallah’s coffin was draped in Hezbollah’s flag and paraded along with Safieddine’s casket through huge crowds of black-clad mourners.

Excerpts of Nasrallah’s speeches were played to the gathered supporters, who chanted, waved flags and held portraits of the leaders.

One mourner, 55-year-old Umm Mahdi, told the AFP news agency that the funeral was the “least we can do” for the late Hezbollah leader “who gave up everything” for his cause.

Prior to his death, Nasrallah had not been seen in public for years because of fears of being assassinated by Israel.

The late leader had close personal links to Iran and played a key role in turning Hezbollah into the political and military force it is today. He was revered by the group’s supporters.

Credit: bbc.com

Trump fires top US general in major Pentagon shake-up

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Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown

US President Donald Trump has fired Force General CQ Brown as chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff as part of a wider shake-up of top military leadership.

“I want to thank General Charles ‘CQ’ Brown for his over 40 years of service to our country, including as our current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is a fine gentleman and an outstanding leader, and I wish a great future for him and his family,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.

The US president did not provide a reason for dismissing Brown with immediate effect.

The president announced that he would nominate retired former Lieutenant General Dan “Razin” Caine to succeed Brown, breaking tradition by pulling someone out of retirement to become the top military officer.

But Brown, a former fighter pilot who has held commands in the Middle East and Asia and the second Black officer to take the position, had come under fire previously after his public support for Black Lives Matter in the wake of the police killing of Black man George Floyd, making him fodder for the administration’s fight against “woke culture” and the push for diversity.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had previously suggested that Brown had got the position because he was Black.

Credit: aljazeera.com

Gregory Afoko Granted Bail After Nearly a Decade in Custody

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BERNICE BESSEY
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Mr Gregory Afoko

After spending almost a decade in custody, Gregory Afoko has finally been granted bail by the Accra High Court.

The court set bail at GH₵500,000, requiring two sureties, one of whom must have a landed property.

The registrar has been tasked with verifying all documents submitted, and Afoko must report to the police every two weeks.

Afoko, who was arrested in 2015, is accused of conspiring with others to assassinate Adams Mahama, the Upper East Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), in a brutal acid attack outside his Bolgatanga home.

The trial, which began in 2019, concluded in 2023 with a jury returning a hung verdict on both counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. As a result, the court ordered a retrial.

Despite the conclusion of the initial trial, Afoko was re-arrested and denied bail.

However, his legal team filed a fresh bail application on February 17, marking the third time they had sought his release during the nine-year legal battle.

On Friday, the defense successfully argued for bail, securing a temporary victory for Afoko.

While his release signals progress for his defense, the trial remains ongoing as the state continues its prosecution.

Afoko’s legal team and family have long maintained his innocence, arguing that his prolonged detention without conviction violates his rights.

The state, however, insists on pursuing the case, determined to secure a conviction in the retrial.

As the legal battle continues, Afoko’s release on bail marks a significant turning point in a case that has captured national attention for nearly a decade.

Foreign Aid Is Simply Not Good … Akufo-Addo Reiterates In Nigeria

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MAXWELL OFORI
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Former President Akufo-Addo with General Ibrahim Babangida

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has reiterated his stance on reducing Africa’s reliance on foreign aid, emphasising the urgent need for economic self-sufficiency.

Former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo

According to him, true independence for African nations hinges on building strong institutions, developing local industries and creating sustainable economic opportunities.

“We cannot continue to rely on foreign aid as the foundation of our economies. True independence means strengthening our own institutions, developing our industries and creating opportunities for our people,” he said.

He was delivering a speech on Thursday, February 20, 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria, at the launch of the autobiography of General Ibrahim Babangida.

Coup d’états

The former president also expressed disappointment about the re-emergence of military coup d’états in West Africa.

According to him, up until a few years ago, he had no doubt the region had built consensus that multi-party democracy would be the most suitable form of governance structure for the continent, including West Africa.

“I feel a deep sense of disappointment that military coup d’états have come back in fashion in our region and are seen as the answer to the instability being spread from the Sahel by Jihadist activity and by some as the answer to difficult economic conditions or unpopular government policies,” he said.

“In a democracy, elections must be free, fair and transparent. Political leaders have a responsibility to respect the will of the people and strengthen institutions that uphold democratic principles,” Akufo-Addo added.

The comments by former President Akufo-Addo reflect growing concerns that political discontent, economic hardship and corruption are fuelling public dissatisfaction with democracy, making military interventions more appealing to some populations.

The former president urged ECOWAS and African leaders to take proactive measures to reinforce democracy in the Sahel, warning that political instability creates fertile ground for extremism, insecurity and economic decline.

He emphasised that Ghana’s experience demonstrates both the strengths and vulnerabilities of democratic governance, stressing that the judiciary and electoral bodies must maintain public trust through greater transparency and accountability.

In the estimation of former President Akufo-Addo, the work of the leadership of the region and continent with its people has been cut out all over again.

In furtherance of that, the people must be convinced again that the road to prosperity would be faster and longer-lasting when we are democratic.

THE BOOK

Akufo-Addo also praised General Ibrahim Babangida’s autobiography, describing it as an insightful account of West Africa’s political evolution and a valuable resource for understanding the challenges of leadership.

He commended Babangida for offering a candid reflection on his tenure, the complexities of governance, and the lessons that today’s leaders can draw from past experiences.

According to Akufo-Addo, the book serves as a crucial historical document that provides perspective on how African nations can navigate the delicate balance between democracy and stability.

Former President Akufo-Addo said the book reminded all that if a civilian, constitutional government felt under constant threat of destabilisation and had to spend far too much time and resources on security, a military government was under even more threat of insecurity.

He added that if it was overwhelming to end poverty and keep food prices down, they are mostly more tolerable when compared with the unpredictable things that hit a government in Africa.

“If it is a difficult and exhausting process to come up with a plausible and workable foreign policy for an African country today, it was a bigger nightmare at the time, described in A Journey In Service,” he said.

Chinese Remanded Into Custody Over Alleged Attempt To Commit Murder

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KWESI ALFRED ADAMS
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Dai Mengsheng, the accused

A Takoradi District Court, presided over by Mr. Bernard Biney, has remanded a Chinese national, Dai Mengsheng, into police custody over alleged murder charge.
The accused has been charged by the Police for the offence of preparation to commit murder, to wit, murder, contrary to Section 19 and 46 of the criminal offences Act 1960 (Act 29).
The charge preferred against the accused was based on legal advice by the Attorney General (AG) office in Sekondi and complainant in the case is David Anthony Nicole-Sey, a successful businessman based in Takoradi.
Accused was arrested on February 14, 2025 at Tarkwa and was transferred to the Regional Police Command in Sekondi. He has been in police custody since his arrest.

Appearing in court in handcuff, Dai Mengsheng plea was not taken, neither was the fact of the case read in open court.
Lawyer for the accused, Benjamin D. Andoh, prayed the Court to grant his client bail, given the fact that, the accused has been in police custody since February 14, 2025 when he was arrested by the Police.
He told the court that since the AG had given its advice, it was clear the Police had concluded investigation into the case and, therefore, ready to prosecute.

To that end, his client was entitled to bail and would cooperate with the police given that, he was a man of substance and had a permanent stay of abode in Tarkwa.
Counsel told the court that, per the fact of the case, the charge preferred against his client did not directly link him to the crime and it was trite that, when a charge did not link accused to a crime, he ought to be granted bail.
The  Magistrate agreed with the submission of accused’s counsel, but was quick to add that his hands was tied because his court did not have jurisdiction to preside over a murder case.
He, therefore, remanded the Chinese into police custody and adjourned the case to March 4, 2025.

Bullets Fired By Customs Officers Cause Havoc At Sogakope

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JOHN BEDIAKO
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Emblem of the Ghana Customs Service.
Emblem of the Ghana Customs Service.

Police at Sogakope are investigating the motive behind the shooting of an Engineer of the South Tongu District Assembly by personnel of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Wednesday night.

Information available to The Chronicle from Sogakope reveals that at about 21:00hours on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 – vehicle patrolmen of the Monitoring Team from Accra, but based at the South Tongu district capital, signaled an unaccustomed Mercedes Benz with registration number GC 3361-14 to stop, but the driver failed to obey the order.

The patrol team pursued it from the direction of Dabala and on reaching the Sogakope Township, the Task Force fired gun shots to immobilise the fleeing vehicle, which objective was achieved.

It was, however, discovered that a stray bullet had hit the left hand of one Alex, the Engineer, who was standing by the roadside and waiting for a vehicle to go to Accra.

The injured man, said to be in his fifties, was immediately rushed to the local Comboni Hospital, at Sogakope, where he was admitted and currently undergoing treatment.

A senior police source at the headquarters in Accra, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the story and stated that the tax collection institution is collaborating with them to get to the bottom of the case.

When the paper reached the Customs Headquarters for answers, an official source stated that even though the incident was brought to their attention, they were yet to receive a comprehensive report, at the time of our contact.

Bawumia To Mahama: Reverse The Mass Dismissals

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Dr Mahamadu Bawumia

Former Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has urged President John Dramani Mahama to uphold his own promise to Ghanaians to be a President for all, by reversing the recent mass dismissals of “legitimately employed” Ghanaians from the public sector.

The Mahama government, through a directive by the Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, has ordered the revocation of employment of Ghanaians by the previous governments, with immediate effect.

The development has attracted widespread criticism and the former Vice President has added his voice, calling on President Mahama to protect those affected by halting the mass dismissals.

Writing on his Facebook page on Wednesday night, Dr. Bawumia said, he had made a personal vow to allow the new government time to settle down and continue with the development of the country, but he could not watch without commenting, when the rights of Ghanaians, who have been employed to serve the country, were being trampled upon.

“To look away whilst these ills persist is to abandon my responsibility to remind President Mahama and his government of the overriding duty to live by the democratic tenets envisioned in the 1992 Constitution and do justice and “right to all manner of persons,’ Dr. Bawumia said.

Dr. Bawumia added, since assuming office, the government of President Mahama “has pursued a series of actions targeting Ghanaians who were legitimately employed during the previous administration. It is ironic that a party which campaigned on the wings of jobs for all Ghanaians is arbitrarily dismissing the same Ghanaians, rendering them jobless, just because a different government employed them to put their talents to bear on the nation’s development and earn income to cater for themselves and their families.

“The least a party that campaigned on jobs could do under conditions of unemployment is to also innovate and create jobs, rather than dismiss people,” he added.

Dr. Bawumia, while calling for the protection and advancement of Ghana’s democracy, also urged President Mahama to protect all citizens by reversing the unfair dismissals.

“I call on His Excellency President Mahama to be a President for all Ghanaians by putting a stop to these developments, reversing the unfair dismissals, and protecting all our citizens.

“We must advance our democracy. We must protect our state institutions. We must uphold our Constitution. Ghana can do better. Ghana must do better!”

Dr. Bawumia also expressed concerns over the spread of violent attacks on individuals and state institutions across the country by organised thugs.

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