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Rivers: Tonye Cole Accuses PDP Thugs Of Attack At INEC Office

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Tonye Cole, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the March 18 governorship election in Rivers State, has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating a violent attack against him and his team.

 

The attack allegedly took place on Monday, when Cole and several party leaders attempted to gain access to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Port Harcourt.

 

Cole explained that his team’s purpose was to retrieve election documents in order to file a petition challenging the victory of the PDP candidate, Siminialayi Fubara.

 

In an interview with Channels Television in Port Harcourt, Cole recounted how he was pelted with water, food, and stones by the assailants until he sustained injuries.

 

He said, “We are supposed to be in a democracy and one of the tenets of democracy is that after an election, INEC being supposedly an impartial umpire will have documents and these documents are available to everybody who participated in the election. These are critical documents which when we take to an electoral tribunal, we will build our case upon that to the electoral tribunal.

 

“On Friday, we were at INEC, and we asked for these documents, but they have not given us a single one. We said we were coming back today (Monday) and because we said we are coming back today, the PDP organised thugs everywhere to prevent us from getting to the INEC office.

 

“I wasn’t deterred and so I went with my party chairman, the women leader, the youth leader, and senior officials of the APC to the INEC office.

 

“They had barricaded the road from GRA Junction, everywhere boys, girls. They began to assault me, I came out and a woman began to drag my shirt, they pulled me from the back, first, they were throwing water then they began to throw food and the next minute they started throwing stones.

 

“The next thing after that, we started hearing gunshots, it took my security people to forcefully evict me. They destroyed our vehicles, they injured me. They slapped me, they punched me, they pulled my shirt, they dragged me and then threw stones at me until I was injured in the back,” Cole narrated.

 

He further said that, they left the premises and sought refuge in the APC office for safety but the PDP thugs allegedly followed them to the APC office.

 

Cole therefore called on the national headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to intervene and address the situation.

 

He emphasized that the current happenings in the state are not conducive to holding the Rivers State governorship tribunal.

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Politics

US Election: Why Young Men Backed Trump

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In a surprising twist for the 2024 US election, young male voters emerged as a strong base of support for Donald Trump, helping secure his presidential victory against Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump’s campaign targeted a traditionally left-leaning demographic by tapping into issues like economic concerns and masculine appeal.

While Harris concentrated her platform on abortion rights, aiming to mobilize women voters, Trump successfully appealed to young men by emphasizing strength, economic independence, and anti-establishment values.

The former president appeared on popular male-focused platforms, including podcasts and events tied to cryptocurrency and combat sports, fostering a message of resilience and toughness.

Trump secured 54% of the male vote, a slight rise from his 2020 performance, with 49% of men aged 18–29 casting their vote for him, according to exit polling by NBC. This increase defied expectations that young voters would largely favour the Democratic ticket.

READ MORE: Dep Speaker Demands Report On Nigerians Displaced By Natural Disasters

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk reflected this appeal, declaring, “If you are a man in this country and you don’t vote for Donald Trump, you’re not a man.”

On Election Day, tech billionaire Elon Musk also celebrated Trump’s victory, stating, “the cavalry has arrived.”

Polling reveals a widening gender divide among young voters. Women under 29 overwhelmingly supported Harris, showing a 61-37 split.

Boston University’s Tammy Vigil noted that Trump’s campaign encouraged some voters to embrace divisive ideas, attracting men across demographics by aligning with values like economic strength and rejecting political correctness.

Among Black men under 45, Trump garnered approximately 30% of the vote — double the rate from 2020. His campaign also saw gains among Latino men, with 54% supporting Trump, representing an 18-point jump compared to the previous election, according to Edison Research.

Political scientist Kathleen Dolan of the University of Wisconsin remarked, “Trump’s portrayal as a strong, ‘tough’ leader resonated with voters who valued his boldness over traditional caution.”

For Democrats, Trump’s inroads with young male and minority voters pose a critical question as they analyze what went wrong.

However, one message remains clear: Trump’s appeal to masculinity and anti-establishment values resonated strongly, securing his win and reshaping the political landscape for years to come.

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Dep Speaker Demands Report On Nigerians Displaced By Natural Disasters

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Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has called on the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to provide a comprehensive report on individuals displaced by natural disasters across Nigeria and neighbouring regions.

The request was made during a meeting with the Federal Commissioner of the Commission, Tijani Ahmed, in Abuja on Wednesday.

Kalu urged the commission to conduct a detailed needs analysis of those affected by climate-induced displacement, such as floods and erosion, as part of an initiative to address the rising impact of climate change on vulnerable populations. He highlighted the importance of allocating a specific intervention fund within the commission’s budget to address the needs of displaced persons effectively.

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“We want the commission to present a complete report on the challenges faced by Nigerians nationwide,” said Kalu. “Displacement isn’t solely caused by conflict. Natural disasters are increasingly leaving people homeless. The climate is at odds with us, and as a government, we must prioritize mitigation and adaptation measures,” he added.

Kalu requested that the commission submit its report within two weeks to guide the parliament in its upcoming budget allocations. He emphasized the necessity for greater public awareness, encouraging the commission to present its findings in parliament and through media to highlight the urgent needs of displaced populations.

Ahmed expressed gratitude for the support, pledging to deliver the report within the specified timeframe. He also appealed for increased funding to enable the commission to fulfill its mandate effectively. “We will compile the report to provide a clear picture of the situation, encompassing both refugees and internally displaced persons, to ensure parliament understands our funding challenges,” he stated.

The Deputy Speaker’s call for data comes as climate-related displacements rise across Nigeria, raising concerns over resource adequacy for managing the situation.

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Lawmaker Begins Araromi Road Repairs After 28 Years

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In a significant development for residents of Araromi in Lagos State’s Ikorodu Local Government Area, House of Representatives member Babajimi Benson has launched the rehabilitation of the long-neglected Araromi-Adamo Road.

The 1.3-kilometer project is expected to be completed within three months, marking the first significant infrastructure upgrade for the community since 1996.

Our correspondent who visited the area reported that Benson, representing the Ikorodu Federal Constituency under the All Progressives Congress (APC), urged residents to support the project and ensure that contractors face no disruptions.

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Speaking through Muyideen Sanwo-Ola, Executive Assistant on Parks to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Benson emphasised the importance of timely completion for the benefit of the community.

Local residents, who have struggled with poor road conditions for decades, expressed relief and gratitude for the intervention. Ademoriti Maruf, a community member, highlighted the road’s deteriorated state, recalling how floods often disrupt daily life, damage property, and leave residents stranded after heavy rains.

Chief Qazeem Oyeniran, the community leader of Olufuja-Mojoda Araromi, expressed optimism about the project’s impact, noting how it would ease access for residents, especially during the rainy season when flooding often makes the road nearly impassable.

Similarly, Baale of Upenyanwa, Chief Nurudeen Shiriki, shared his excitement for the long-awaited project, hopeful that the new road will finally provide the community with much-needed relief and improve overall accessibility.

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