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LG poll: Niger declares 2-day public holidays

The Niger State Governor, Hon. Mohammed Bago has declared Thursday and Friday as public holidays ahead of the 1 November 2025 local government elections.

According to a directive on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, the work-free days would provide voters the opportunity to go to their respective polling units and cast their ballots.

The government said that markets, banks, financial institutions, and public offices would remain closed, while movement of persons and vehicles would be restricted, except for those on essential duties.

‘Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has declared Thursday, 30th, and Friday, 31st October, 2025, as state-wide work-free days to enable citizens across the state to fully participate in the forthcoming Local Government Elections on Saturday, 1st November, 2025.

‘A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Abubakar Usman, stated that the work-free days are intended to provide all eligible voters the opportunity to go to their respective polling units and cast their votes in the elections.

“The SSG further announced that markets, banks, financial institutions, and public offices will remain closed, while movement of persons and vehicles will be restricted, except for those on essential duties”, Lawal stated.

He quoted the SSG as saying that the government was encouraging residents to come out en masse and perform their civic responsibilities on Saturday.

‘Government is encouraging citizens to come out en masse and perform their civic responsibilities on Saturday, 1st November, 2025.

‘This election provides yet another opportunity for Nigerlites to elect capable leaders who will champion development and represent our collective interests at the grassroots level.

‘Bago has directed all security agencies in the State to ensure that the elections are conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner, reaffirming the government’s commitment to guaranteeing a safe and hitch-free electoral process’. Usman said.

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Maryam Sanda removed from Tinubu’s pardon list

The name of Maryam Sanda sentenced to death in 2020 for the culpable homicide of her husband, Bilyaminu Bello, has been removed from the pardon list by President Bola Tinubu.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.

Onanuga noted that President Tinubu was exercising his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy as captured under Section 175(1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

He stressed that the new list came about after consultations with the Council of State and the public opinion and signing of all relevant instruments necessary to formalise the updated list of beneficiaries.

According to the statement, Tinubu ordered the removal of individuals convicted of severe crimes, including kidnapping, drug offenses, human trafficking, fraud, and illegal firearms possession or trafficking, from the list.

Also, those who were previously pardoned on the old list have had their sentences reduced.

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Fresh list of 34 persons granted clemency by President Tinubu released

A new list of those granted clemency by President Bola Tinubu has emerged from the Presidency.

The list contained about 15 Nigerians pardoned by the Tinubu administration.

Another four persons, whose death sentences were commuted to life imprisonment and fifteen others granted clemency, were also listed

Pardon:

1. Mrs Anastasia Daniel Nwaobia
2. Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
3. Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
4. Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
5. Herbert Macaulay
6. Major General Mamman Jiya Vatsa
7. Ken Saro Wiwa
8. Saturday Dobee
9. Nordu Eawo
10. Daniel Gbooko
11. Paul Levera
12. Felix Nuale
13. Baribor Bera
14. Barinem Kiobel
15. John Kpuine

From death sentences to life imprisonment:

1. Emmanuel Baba
2. Abubakar Usman
3. Khalifa Umar
4. Mohammed Umar

Clemency:

1. Oroka Michael Chibueze
2. Adesanya Olufemi Paul
3. Daniel Bodunwa
4. Hamza Abubakar
5. Buhari Sani
6. Mohammed Musa
7. Muharazu Abubakar
8. Ibrahim Yusuf
9. Saad Ahmed Madaki
10. Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
11. Richard Ayuba
12. Adam Abubakar
13. Emmanuel Yusuf
14. Chinedu Stanley
15. Johnny Ntheru Udor

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Anambra election: Violence won’t be tolerated – NSA warns

The National Security Adviser, NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, has issued a stern warning to politicians and stakeholders against violence in the November 8, 2025 Anambra governorship election.

The NSA warned that violence won’t be tolerated.

Ribadu gave the warning on Tuesday at the meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES, held at INEC Headquarters, Abuja.

Represented by the Director of Internal Security, Hassan Abdullahi, the NSA reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the poll.

He charged political parties and candidates to promote peace and discourage violence before, during, and after the exercise.

“We are engaging with political leaders and local stakeholders to send a clear message that violence will not be tolerated,” he said.

According to him, the Office of the NSA is committed to implementing President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the strategic mobilization of security forces during the electoral period.

He further stated that enhanced surveillance, deployment of adequate security personnel, and improved intelligence gathering have been put in place to prevent any attempt by destructive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.