President Donald Trump pardoned his former Chief Strategist, Steve Bannon, as part of a last-minute clemency spree before he leaves office.

The White House announced that Trump was pardoning Bannon and 72 others early Wednesday, just hours before president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration ceremony was set to begin.

Trump also commuted the sentences of 70 people.

Bannon was arrested in the summer and is accused of defrauding people who donated to a campaign to privately build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico.

He pleaded not guilty and was released on bail. A trial was planned for May.

“Prosecutors pursued Mr Bannon with charges related to fraud stemming from his involvement in a political project.

“Mr Bannon has been an important leader in the conservative movement and is known for his political acumen,” the statement issued on behalf of Trump said.

Bannon joined Trump’s team in 2016 and took charge of the campaign.

The 67-year-old is credited with playing a significant role in Trump’s surprising success at the time.

After winning the election, Bannon became Trump’s chief strategist, but only served for seven months.

In recent weeks he has already pardoned a slew of long-time associates and supporters, including his former campaign chairman, Paul Manafort and Charles Kushner, the father of his son-in-law; his longtime friend.

Others are adviser Roger Stone and his former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. (dpa/NAN)

By Oluwatope Lawanson/Funmilola Gboteku

Mr James Adeshina, Chairman, African Action Congress (AAC), was on Tuesday elected the new Chairman of Inter-Party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Lagos State Chapter.

Adeshina emerged the new IPAC chairman after defeating the National Chairman of Social Democratic Party, Femi Olaniyi in a keenly contested election.

With this election, Adeshina will now oversee the affairs of the Lagos chapter of IPAC, which is the umbrella body of registered political parties in Nigeria for the next one year.

Delegates from 14 registered political parties voted for candidates of their choice into various executive committee positions of IPAC during the election.

Mr Egbeola Martins, Deputy National Secretary of the Council and Co-Chairman of IPAC Election Committee, announced that Adeshina scored 10 votes to defeat his opponent, Olaniyi, who scored four votes.

Addressing journalists, Adeshina promised that IPAC under his leadership would provide adequate sensitisation to residents to address voter apathy in the state.

He implored all youths to be concerned and take ownership of the leadership of this great nation.

“We will use every legitimate means to mobilise and sensitise average Nigerian to be a partaker in future elections,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the Election Committee, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, expressed IPAC readiness to forge ahead as one indivisible body.

Other newly elected executive members include; Rasaki Oyekanmi, Deputy Chairman; Jaiyeola Bolaji, Secretary; Temilola Akinade, Assistant Secretary; Adeyemo Bunmi, Organising Secretary; Mustapha Adekunle, Financial Secretary; Adewale Bolaji, Legal Adviser and Shola Omolola, Treasurer. (NAN)

By Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu

The Anambra State House of Assembly, on Tuesday invited the state COVID-19 team to conduct compulsory COVID-19 test for members and staff.

The COVID-19 test for members and staff at the assembly followed the spike in the cases of COVID-19 in the state.

The speaker, Mr Uche Okafor, told journalists that the virus was spreading at an alarming rate in all communities in the state.

According to him, the test has become necessary to ensure that none of the members and workers is infected by the virus.

“We must all come to terms with the reality on the ground that COVID-19 is real, it is in our midst and it is killing people.

“This exercise is to show to our people that there is no harm in going for COVID-19 test because it is very important to know your status and take the necessary steps to stay safe and alive.

“The Gov. Willie Obiano administration is investing alot to contain the spread of the disease in the state and we need to support government’s efforts by adhering to the health guidelines,” he said.

Also speaking, Dr Vincent Okpala, the state Commissioner for Health, said COVID-19 testing was key to early detection and increased chances of survival.

According to him, not knowing one’s status can lead to death.

Okpala said that the number of COVID-19 positive cases had gone up since the beginning of the second wave compared to the first wave where the state recorded one of the least number of positive cases.

“Between Dec.7, 2020 and Jan.19, we have carried out about 5,000 tests, as at today we are at 14,600 tests and counting, out of which 515 are positive.

“We are glad that we have built a system to deal with this pandemic but what we don’t want is to overwhelm the system.

“This is why we have increased our ability of getting people tested on a daily basis and we have deepened sensitisation across the state urging people to go for test when they feel the signs and symptoms of this disease.

“The test and treatment are free, call our health lines to get tested. Because the earlier we detect the disease, the better chances of saving lives, ” he said.

While commending the legislators for showing leadership by wearing their facemasks and observing physical distancing, Okpala urged them to take the awareness to their constituencies. (NAN)

By Emmanuel Oloniruha

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Anambra Governorship poll for Nov. 6.

INEC disclosed the date in a Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election in a statement by its National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Mr Festus Okoye on Tuesday in Abuja.

Okoye said that the commission met on Tuesday, and deliberated on a wide range of issues including the issuance of the timetable and schedule of activities for the conduct of the governorship election.

He said that party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries would take place between June 10 and July 1.

“By virtue of Section 178(1) & (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 25(7) & (8) of the Electoral Act, 2010 (as amended), election into the office of a State Governor shall hold not earlier than 150 days and not later than 30 days before the expiration of the term of office of the last holder of the office.

“Constitutionally and statutorily, the tenure of the governor of Anambra will expire on March 17, 2022 and the earliest date for the Election into the office of Governor, Anambra, shall be Oct. 18, 2021 and the latest date for the election shall be Feb. 15, 2022.

“In the exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Constitution, the Electoral Act and all other powers enabling it in that regard, INEC has fixed Nov. 6 as the date for the conduct of the Anambra Governorship election.

“Consequently, the Commission hereby issues the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election.

“By the timetable and schedule of activities, the commission will issue the statutory Notice for Election on June 9.

“The Collection of Forms EC9 (Formerly CF001) and EC9B (Formerly CF002) for the election will take place on June 10, and the conduct of party primaries and resolution of disputes arising from the primaries will take place from June 10 to July 1,” he said.

Okoye said that the particulars of the candidates for the election would be published on July 16, while parties would commence campaigns on Aug. 8.

“The final list of nominated candidates will be published on Oct. 7,” he said.
Okoye enjoined all registered political parties to pay close attention to the timelines and schedule of activities outlined in the timetable and schedule of activities as they were constitutional and statutorily provisions.

“We also enjoin political parties to conduct rancour-free primaries, guarantee level playing field for all aspirants and conduct necessary due diligence on all forms and documents that will be submitted to the Commission.

“The Commission is concerned about the spate of acrimonious primaries as well as the nomination of unqualified candidates, which results in avoidable litigations, and the nullification of elections by Election Petition Tribunals,” he said.

The national commissioner urged all stakeholders to support the commission’s efforts to strengthen the electoral process, including the deployment of technology to deliver free, fair and credible elections.(NAN)

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden plans to quickly extend travel restrictions barring travel by most people who have recently been in much of Europe and Brazil, a spokeswoman for Biden said.

President Donald Trump signed an order Monday lifting the restrictions he imposed early last year in response to the pandemic from Jan. 26, after winning support from coronavirus task force members and public health officials.

Soon after Trump’s order was made public, Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki tweeted “on the advice of our medical team, the Administration does not intend to lift these restrictions on 1/26.”

She added that “With the pandemic worsening, and more contagious variants emerging around the world, this is not the time to be lifting restrictions on international travel.”

Until Biden acts, Trump’s order ends restrictions the same day that new COVID-19 test requirements take effect for all international visitors. Trump is due to leave office on Wednesday.

Last week, the head of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention signed an order requiring nearly all air travelers to present a negative coronavirus test or proof of recovery from COVID-19 to enter the U.S effective Jan. 26.

The restrictions Trump rescinded have barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who within the last 14 days have been in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland and the 26 countries of the Schengen area in Europe that allow travel across open borders.

The U.S. restrictions barring most visitors from Europe have been in place since mid-March when Trump signed proclamations imposing them, while the Brazilian entry ban was imposed in May.

Psaki added that “in fact, we plan to strengthen public health measures around international travel in order to further mitigate the spread of COVID-19.”

The Biden transition did not immediately respond to a request to comment on if it planned to expand the countries covered.

Biden, once in office, has the legal authority to re-impose the restrictions.

Last Tuesday, Marty Cetron, director of CDC’s global migration and quarantine division, told Reuters those entry bans were an “opening act strategy.

He added that the bans were ” to address the virus spread and should now be “actively reconsidered.”

Airlines had hoped the new testing requirements would clear the way for the administration to lift the restrictions that reduced travel from some European countries by 95% or more.

They had pressed senior White House officials about the issue in recent days.

Many administration officials for months argued the restrictions no longer made sense given most countries were not subject to the entry bans.

Others have argued the United States should not drop entry bans since many European countries still block most U.S. citizens.

Reuters previously reported the White House was not considering lifting entry bans on most non-U.S. citizens who have recently been in China or Iran.

Trump confirmed on Monday that  he would not lift those. (Reuters/NAN)

By Adeyemi Adeleye

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State has reiterated its support for Gov. Seyi Makinde, as the leader of the party in the South-West.

The Lagos PDP Publicity Secretary, Taofik Gani, said in a statement on Monday that the chapter after a meeting with Makinde at Government House in Agodi, Ibadan, endorsed his leadership.

Gani said the chapter had declared unity and commitment among her members to the revolutionary leadership of Makinde toward winning Lagos State in 2023.

“The public service revolution going on in Oyo State by the Makinde led PDP team must, as a matter of necessity and expediency, be replicated in Lagos State come 2023.

“And deliberately in our quest, we will amongst other strategies, adopt LAGOS REVOLUTION NOW.

“We thank Makinde for being exemplary in leadership and particularly putting the interest of Southwest as a priority in his service,” he said.

Gani also thanked the leaders of the party led by Chief Bode George for their unrelenting supports.

He said the party appreciated everyone who had worked openly and behind the scene for PDP to stay afloat.

According to him, the Lagos PDP executive members paid a courtesy visit to Makinde over the weekend, wherein the governor reiterated his wish for PDP to win Lagos State in 2023.

The spokesman said that the governor admonished Lagos PDP to get united, forget the past and demonstrate passion to win the state.

“He (Makinde) particularly charged us to be purposeful, accommodating and watch out for the saboteurs as strategies to win Lagos State in 2023,” Gani said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Makinde is the only PDP governor in the South-West and there has been a lingering crisis between him and former Gov. Ayodele Fayose on the leadership of the party in the zone. (NAN)

By Rabiu Sani-Ali

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cleared all the 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship seats at the Saturday’s Kano State local government councils poll.

Prof. Ibrahim Garba-Sheka, Chairman of the state Independent Electoral Commission disclosed this while announcing the results of the election on Sunday in Kano.

Garba-Sheka said that candidates of the APC emerged winners of the 44 chairmanship and 484 councillorship positions in the election.

“The total votes scored by the candidates is 2,530.577 million. Work is still in progress to ascertain the total votes scored by candidates of other political parties,” he said.

Garba-Sheka said the election was generally peaceful in the 11,500 polling unit across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.

While commending Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje for his support and non interference, the chairman thanked the Civil Society Organisations for their support towards ensuring free, fair and credible election.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 12 political parties took part in the election. (NAN)

By Ishaq Zaki

Dozens of All Progressives Congress (APC) and National Rescue Movement (NRM) supporters in Madawaki Ward of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara have defected to Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on behalf of the defectors on Sunday, Alhaji Bello Jafaru said their decision to join PDP was as a result of the present administration’s efforts in tackling insecurity in the state.

Also speaking, Hajiya Hadiza Salisu commended Gov. Bello Matawalle for appointing women into various political offices in the state.

“On behalf of over 3000 women from Madawaki Ward, we have decided to join PDP considering various programmes initiated by Gov. Bello Matawalle to move Zamfara forward.

“Women in the state are benefiting from the ongoing Women Empowerment Programme initiated by the state government through the office of the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Bello-Matawalle,” she said.

Receiving the defectors, Alhaji Sanusi Sarki the Sole Administrator of Gusau local government council commended them for joining PDP and described it as a welcome development.

Sarki said the state government would continue to give priority to youths and women empowerment programmes. (NAN)

By Muhammad Nur

Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano has commended the electorate for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s local government councils poll in the state.

Ganduje said this on Saturday shortly after casting his vote at Ganduje Cikin-Gari ward poling unit 008 in Dawakin-Tofa Local Government Area ( LGA) of the state.

“So far, so good, there is no intimidation or any harassment and the electorate should be commended for this election.

“I am satisfied with what I saw on the ground,” he said.

Ganduje said his administration was committed to free and fair election for the deepening of democracy in the state.

He also restated his commitment to providing dividends of democracy to the people of the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 12 political parties took part in the election. (NAN)