The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says it is fully prepared to conduct a credible and transparent election as voters head to the polls in Anambra state on Saturday.
INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner, Ken Ukeagu, gave the assurance on the eve of the election during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, stressing that all logistics and technical arrangements had been finalised.
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“The mandate is to go and give Nigerians, and Anambra people in particular, fair, credible and inclusive elections, and that is what we are going to do tomorrow,” he said.
The electoral commission has been under pressure to guarantee a smooth and credible process following challenges experienced in previous polls, including late arrival of materials, malfunctioning of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), and logistical delays.
However, Ukeagu dismissed concerns over possible glitches, saying materials and personnel will arrive early at the polling units.
INEC’s Supervising National Commissioner, Ken Ukeagu
“There will be no glitches, no technical problems. Materials will arrive early, men will arrive early at the polling units, and we are going to give Anambra people credible elections tomorrow,” he stated.
He also confirmed that INEC was prepared for a possible runoff, in line with electoral laws.
“We are preparing for a runoff. You know, as a Commission, it’s part of the law, where no candidate meets the requirement of the law, we will certainly go for a runoff,” Ukeagu added.
Anambra, one of Nigeria’s politically active southeastern states, has witnessed intense campaign activities in recent weeks, with security agencies and election observers also putting final touches to their preparations.
According to him, election materials have already been distributed to Registration Area Centres (RACs) across the state, with vehicles and personnel on standby.
“The materials are already at the RACs. We moved them to the local government areas yesterday. Most of the RACs have been activated. Vehicles have been delivered, and we are set. Tomorrow morning, we will just move them to the polling units and wait for the Anambra people to come and vote.”
The Governing Council of the University of Abuja (now Yakubu Gowon University), has approved the appointment of Professor Hakeem Fawehinmi as substantive Vice Chancellor.
Professor Fawehinmi, who currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian British University, was announced as the new helmsman during the 80th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on Friday.
Disclosing this in a statement, the Acting Director of Information and University Relations, Dr. Habib Yakoob, said the appointment will take effect from Tuesday, February 10, 2026, for a single, non-renewable five-year tenure.
“The appointment takes effect from Tuesday, 10 February 2026 and is for a non-renewable tenure of five years,” Yakoob said in the statement.
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The Council also approved an extension of the tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mathew Adamu, who will continue in the role until February 10, 2026, when the substantive Vice-Chancellor assumes office.
Adamu was first appointed by the Federal Government on August 11, 2025.
Fawehinmi is a Professor of Clinical Anatomy and Biomedical Anthropology.
He is well rooted in the finest academic traditions and has a wealth of experience in Institutional Administration having been two-time Head of Department of Anatomy (2005 – 2007; 2007 – 2009), Associate Dean (2010 – 2012) and Dean (2012 – 2014) Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and two terms Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) (2016 – 2020) of the University of Port Harcourt.
He has served in several statutory and ad hoc committees and boards.
He has been an active member of his National and International Professional Associations, where he served as Secretary-General and Member of the National Executive Council of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State, from 1999 to 2000, Editor–in–Chief of the Journal of Anatomical Sciences and President of the Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (2014-2016).
He has received many Academic and Community Service Awards and Prizes and is a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland and a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine Specialities of Nigeria.
Fawehinmi has attracted some National and International Competitive Grants as Principal Investigator.
A former British soldier wanted by Kenyan authorities has appeared in a London court after being arrested in connection with the alleged murder of a woman near a UK army training camp in the East African country more than a decade ago.
In September, Kenya issued an arrest warrant and requested the extradition of a British citizen over the murder of 21-year-old Agnes Wanjiru near a UK army training camp in 2012, a case which has strained relations between the two countries.
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Wanjiru was found in a septic tank at the Lion’s Court Hotel in the Kenyan town of Nanyuki in 2012, having last been seen at the hotel with a group of British soldiers.
A Kenyan magistrate concluded in an inquest in 2019 that she had been murdered by the soldiers, and in September, Kenya made a formal request to extradite a suspect.
The United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) said the suspect was a former soldier who was arrested on Thursday by specialist officers after the warrant was issued.
“Robert James Purkiss, 38, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today for extradition proceedings to begin,” the NCA said on Friday.
“He was remanded into custody until his next appearance at the same court on November 14.”
The delay in securing justice has sparked outrage in Kenya, with Wanjiru’s family and rights groups arguing that the killers were being shielded by a defence cooperation agreement that complicates the prosecution of British soldiers training in Kenya.
Wanjiru, the single mother of a then four-month-old baby, was beaten and stabbed, and was probably still alive when she was thrown into the septic tank, a magistrate said in the 2019 inquest report.
Purkiss’s lawyer David Josse said that his client “vehemently denies” murder and that he has received funding from the UK’s Ministry of Defence to pay for his defence.
The case was a source of contention between Kenyan authorities and the UK’s previous Conservative government, and was in limbo for years.
Purkiss, a married father of two, told Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London that he did not consent to being extradited, the Press Association news agency reported.
The Labour party, which removed the Conservatives from power in a July election last year, has promised to support the Kenyan investigation and “secure a resolution to this case”.
Since Kenya gained independence in 1963, the UK has kept a permanent army base near Nanyuki, about 200 kilometres (125 miles) north of the capital Nairobi.
Princess Beatrice has spoken out about a new job – after her dad was stripped of his titles. In recent weeks, Beatrice and her sister, Princess Eugenie, have remained extremely quiet.
Their father, the former Duke of York, has been engulfed in scandals due to his links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. And while Beatrice and her sister have an extremely close relationship with their parents, including mother Sarah Ferguson, the two Princesses have not been seen at the soon-to-be former family home, Royal Lodge on the Windsor Great Estate.
But just hours after it emerged that her uncle, King Charles, had stripped Andrew of all regal titles, including Royal Highness and Prince, Beatrice landed herself a new job. Now, she is the Deputy Patron of The Outward Bound Trust. She joins her uncle, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, who is the Royal Patron. Prior to her appointment, the Princess had served as a Trustee for six years.
Princess Beatrice and her Uncle, Prince Edward, have joined forces with The Outward Bound Trust ( The Outward Bound Trust)
Her dad, Andrew, had previously held the position of Royal Patron until 2019. Speaking about her appointment, Beatrice, 37, told the Mirror: “I feel incredibly inspired and grateful to have met so many young people like Sadie and Leo through the years that I’ve been a part of Outward Bound. They show us that anything is possible when you put your mind to it, and that what Outward Bound does, works.
“Working with The Duke of Edinburgh, we aim to continue the 80+ years of evidence which shows that adventure can build resilience, confidence and kindness in young people.” On November 6, at an Outward Bound supporters’ event held at St James’s Palace, Beatrice and Edward heard from Sadie and Leo, both 18, students from Walsall Academy, who opened up about their stories with the organisation.
During the event, Sadie handed the Duke of Edinburgh a rowan tree sapling, which symbolises strength, courage and resilience. Meanwhile, Leo presented Princess Beatrice with a Celtic brooch, signifying unity, continuity and good fortune.
Beatrice is no stranger when it comes to raising awareness of charities and organisations. Over the years, the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth has worked alongside the likes of Children in Crisis, UNICEF and Teenage Cancer Trust.
Princess Beatrice’s father, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor had previously served as Royal Patron of the organisation ( Getty Images)
Speaking about Edward’s and Beatrice’s appointment, Martin Davidson, Chief Executive of Outward Bound Trust, said in a statement: “With The Duke of Edinburgh and Princess Beatrice working alongside us, we’re embarking on a new chapter.
“One where every young person has the chance to test their limits, build confidence and discover that anything is possible. Their support reflects a shared belief that adventure changes lives.” The Princess and her uncle will continue the royal legacy of the organisation, which dates back over 70 years, thanks to her grandfather, the late Prince Philip.
The Duke served as Patron of The Outward Bound Trust from 1953 until 2019, and assisted with laying the foundations of the organisation. The news for Beatrice came after Andrew was formally stripped of all his titles – including Royal Highness and Prince, both of which he acquired at birth as the son of a monarch.
Her Royal Highness and her uncle, The Duke of Edinburgh, hope to continue the legacy of the organisation ( The Outward Bound Trust)
The King issued Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm – a legal document authorised by the sovereign. It was published in The Gazette, the UK’s official public record, by the Crown Office and shows that Andrew is no longer entitled to be a prince or hold the style ‘Royal Highness’.
The entry, published on Wednesday, read: “THE KING has been pleased by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the Realm dated 3 November 2025 to declare that Andrew Mountbatten Windsor shall no longer be entitled to hold and enjoy the style, title or attribute of ‘Royal Highness’ and the titular dignity of ‘Prince’.”
Due to the allegations he faces, all of which he denies, Andrew has found himself shunned by his relatives. Despite having a “cast-iron” lease on his home, Royal Lodge on The Crown Estate, he will now be exiled. Instead, he will live on the privately owned Sandringham Estate and will receive an allowance from the King.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie have supported a variety of organisations over the years ( PA)
Last month, the King issued a rare and historic statement confirming that the former Prince Andrew, Duke of York, will instead live as a private citizen, known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. It read: “His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew. Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence.
“Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
And while he has been stripped of his titles, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will retain theirs. This is due to them being the children of a son of the monarch, their grandmother, the late Queen.
Andrew stepped down as a working royal in 2019 after he was accused by Virginia Giuffre of having sex with her in March 2001, when she was just 17. She alleged she had been trafficked by Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. Virginia claimed that Epstein and his girlfriend had taken her to Tramp nightclub in London, where she met with Andrew and later had sex with him that night.
She claimed that Epstein had paid her $15,000 after sleeping with Andrew. During an interview with BBC’s Newsnight in 2019, Andrew vehemently denied the allegations and told host Maitlis he had no recollection of meeting Virginia. Andrew vehemently denies all allegations made against him.
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Where: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh When: Saturday, 8 November Time: 15:10 GMT
Things were simpler then. The fourth meeting of Scotland and New Zealand. A heaving Murrayfield, a 0-0 draw, January 1964. Euphoria at full-time. A pitch invasion to reflect the home team’s momentous achievement. Home flags waving, fists punching the air.
Having beaten Ireland, Wales and England (but not Newport, who beat the tourists 3-0) New Zealand had finally been halted in a Test.
The man from Pathe News almost blew a gasket. “A game that no-one who saw it will ever forget,” he reported breathlessly and somewhat optimistically. “A match in which Scotland saved the honour of Britain.”
Leaving the stadium that evening, Scottish fans would have had hope for the future. Four attempts at beating New Zealand and no wins, but clear signs that maybe one was not far off. Ah, the innocence of it all.
Three years later, New Zealand beat the Scots. Five years after that, they beat them again. Three years further on, same story. Another five-year gap and, yes, you know the rest. On and on and on. There was a second draw in 1983, a late kick to win it for Scotland. Missed. Next time…
1 day ago
3 days ago
5 days ago
‘Fagerson absence a kick in the guts’
In recent years the landslide 20, 30 and 40-point wins have narrowed to eight points, five points and eight points again in 2014, 2017 and 2022, but the All Blacks always find a way.
Through their brilliance, their power, their chicanery, they get the job done.
We’re now at the point of the week where the optimism that some may have held for a Scottish win is probably beginning to fade. Hope is colliding with history. The dream fades the closer we get to kick-off.
We’ve been in this movie before. The case for Scottish belief centred around these All Blacks not being vintage, which they’re not. They have greatness in their ranks but it’s not across the board.
They’re missing two Barretts – Scott and Jordie. They have lost to Argentina and have been pummelled by South Africa. Even in victory over Ireland in Chicago last weekend they weren’t all that scary. In moments, yes, but they didn’t have many.
An opening for Scotland? Yes and no. Thursday brought news that Zander Fagerson hadn’t made it. To Scottish ambitions it was like a kick in the guts.
Fagerson hasn’t played since April, but he’s a freak and had he been declared fit then the long gap without a game would not have been a massive concern.
In an era when most props are replaced long before the hour-mark, Fagerson’s engine keeps running. No tighthead played nearly as many minutes in the Six Nations – 68, 67, 76, 61 and 80 in Paris on the final day. Quality minutes, too.
Why bang on about a player who’s not playing? Because to pull off what would be Scotland’s biggest single Test win since the 1990 Grand Slam game with England – and to go into the top three of all-time along with the 1984 Grand Slam win against France – Scotland need every one of its big beasts.
They’re without Huw Jones but Rory Hutchinson is flying form with Northampton. There’s no such quality replacing big Zander. D’Arcy Rae is an admirable tighthead but his Test career consists of 73 minutes stretched across six years.
And when Rae is finished trying to take the fight to the enormous Ethan de Groot, there’s Elliot Millar-Mills to come on. Millar-Mills is a decent prop but there’s little to suggest that he’s All Black-beating class.
The red flags for Scotland are at tighthead. Rae will know this and the hope is that that concern for him among supporters will inspire him to deliver a career-defining performance. Belligerence is required.
There’s world class in the Scottish backline but without stability up front it will die at source. For all the buzz about what Finn Russell, Sione Tuipulotu, Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn and their dangerous support cast can produce, many eyes will be on how Rae is coping. He’s not box office but he’s monumentally important.
Townsend has sprung surprises in his selection, some logical, some curious. Kyle Steyn’s game-management intelligence replaces Duhan van der Merwe’s more one-dimensional power.
‘Everything has to go right for Scotland’
Getty Images
Against Ireland, New Zealand won the first leg of what they hope will be a Grand Slam tour. They took an age to get going, even when playing against 14 men for 20 minutes, but their last-quarter demolition did the trick.
That and Ireland’s defensive shape, their attack, their line-out and their scrum collapsing. Last-quarter power plays from New Zealand will not surprise Townsend. He’s been the victim of them himself in his years with Scotland.
The bench comes on, the screw is turned, the New Zealand discipline improves (or their infringements suddenly become invisible to officials) and the Test is won.
Townsend could close his eyes and see all of the key moments in his two near-misses against the Kiwis in 2017 and 2022. Some of them would involve All Blacks getting away with rugby murder.
For all that their blasts at the end of Tests are important, the last 20 minutes is not where the All Blacks do most of their damage. In all of their Tests going back three years, they’ve scored 87 tries in the first half of matches and 60 in the second half.
They’ve scored 39 in the first quarter, 48 in the second, 26 in the third and 34 in the fourth. They come exploding out of the traps. They’ve scored 19 tries in the first nine minutes of Tests in the past three seasons.
Against Scotland in 2022 they struck twice in the opening seven minutes. Leading 14-0, the game looked done. Scotland recovered majestically to hit them with 23 unanswered points. A historic feat. It wasn’t enough.
The lesson here is that, metaphorically, Scotland must put the boot on the throat from the start – and keep it there.
Over the last decade, the teams that have managed to beat New Zealand have required a points average in the high-20s. Scotland have got into the 20s only twice in their past 13 games against New Zealand. On two occasions before that they’ve hit 30, the problem being that the All Blacks scored 48 points in one of those games and 62 in the other.
Everything has to go right for Townsend’s team. Everything. If they start butchering chances early on then forget it. A yellow card? A high penalty count? A battered scrum? A bench that doesn’t bring a demonic intent? It’s over.
But what if everything does go right? A blistering beginning. A raucous crowd. Bedlam. Ruthlessness. Russell being Russell. Graham being Graham. Tuipulotu leading the way. Chances created and chances taken. All Blacks chasing and All Blacks getting driven back by the ferocity of Scotland’s defence.
Celtic have banned the Green Brigade fan group for three home matches after “violent and threatening behaviour” at the recent match against Falkirk.
The Scottish champions have released footage which they say shows “around 100” supporters verbally abusing and assaulting a steward and two police officers on Wednesday, 29 October.
The alleged flashpoint came after a ticket inspection at the rail seating section of Celtic Park, the club explained.
The Green Brigade were issued a suspended sanction in the summer following “repeated serious safety and security-related breaches”, with Celtic now taking further action.
“Following this latest incident, the club can confirm that this sanction will now be applied, beginning from this weekend,” read a statement.
“The club has written to the Green Brigade group and also to our season ticket holders regarding this incident.
“For our staff and police to be assaulted in this way is simply unacceptable. This was a serious and violent incident which cannot be accepted and the club has no choice but to address this behaviour in the strongest terms.
“Celtic Park cannot be a place for this kind of behaviour and the club must act in the wider interests and safety of everyone who attends our matches.”
Footage published by the club appears to show a group of fans rushing down a walkway underneath the stand and out of sight.
As the clip progresses, more supporters hurry across the front of the section to the concourse, before later reappearing.
Police Scotland have issued an appeal for witnesses following the incident.
“We utterly condemn the unacceptable disorder on Wednesday, 29 October, 2025, within Celtic Park after two officers and a steward were assaulted by a large group of fans,” said Assistant Chief Constable Mark Sutherland.
“No-one should be harmed or intimidated while carrying out their duties and being assaulted is not part of the job. This type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated, and we are doing everything we can to trace those involved and hold them accountable.
“The officers and steward were left extremely shaken and traumatised by the incident and are being offered support.
“We’d urge anyone with information about these assaults and disorder to contact us as soon as possible on 101 quoting reference PS-20251029-2196 Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
In October 2023, a section of the Green Brigade had their season tickets withdrawn indefinitely by the club, following a “serious escalation” of unacceptable behaviour.
