Headlines
Scandal-Hit Boris Johnson Faces Major Test in Local UK Elections
By Derrick Bangura
John Jones is the sort of voter that British Prime Minister Boris Johnson cannot afford to lose – but already has.
Jones, who backed Johnson’s Conservatives at the national election three years ago when the party swept to a landslide victory, regrets his decision after the prime minister broke his own coronavirus lockdown laws to attend alcohol-fuelled gatherings in his Downing Street office.
he 75-year-old retired hospital supplies manager said he won’t vote Conservative again until Johnson has gone.
“I am absolutely disgusted at the way he has behaved,” Jones told Reuters in the market town of Newcastle-under-Lyme in central England, a key battleground in local authority elections being held next week.
“I have had enough of watching him act like a clown. You only have to look at his haircut and the way he dresses to realise that he is not taking this job seriously.”
In 2019, Johnson upended conventional British politics by winning in both the traditional Conservative southern heartlands and more industrial areas in central and northern England.
But his support has waned as the government grapples with a cost-of-living crisis and revelations about his conduct.
Now many Conservative lawmakers are wondering if he is still an electoral asset, and a poor showing in local elections next Thursday might provoke a leadership challenge.
One of the most closely watched contests will be Newcastle-under-Lyme, about 170 miles northwest of London.
The Brexit-backing town, once known for coal and steel, was traditionally a stronghold for the main opposition Labour Party, but the Conservatives won the parliamentary seat in 2019 for the first time in a century, and outright control of the council for the first time ever last year.
Labour councillor David Grocott said he had found widespread anger that senior government officials were partying while the public were obeying strict rules which meant some could not say farewell to loved ones dying in hospital.
“Everybody is allowed to make mistakes, we are all human, but I think the hard thing is he has not broken the rules one time, but multiple times,” said Grocott, who was unable to see his father in hospital before he died from COVID in 2020.
Trevor Johnson, a local Conservative councillor who is standing for re-election, admitted some voters were angry but said the backlash was not as severe as he had feared.
“I think he can bounce back,” he said. Johnson’s name and photo were conspicuous by their absence from his pamphlets.
FOCUS ON UKRAINE
According to a YouGov poll after Johnson was fined, almost 80% thought he had lied about parties, while other surveys show the public overwhelmingly think he should resign.
Johnson says he is focused on the major crises of the day – the highest inflation in three decades and the war in Ukraine.
In Crawley, a town south of London which has a Conservative member of parliament (MP) but whose council is evenly split, the issue was a key factor for some voters.
Terrina Joughin, 58, a live-in carer, who had to prevent family members from entering homes when her patients died of COVID, is disgusted. “I used to vote Conservative, I don’t even vote at all now because I can’t trust anyone,” she said.
Another Conservative voter Juliet Shenton, 61, also wants Johnson gone. “Are they lying to us about other things?” she asked?
The prime minister and his supporters will hope such discontent is not widespread, and he remains popular with some.
John Lathbury, 86, said he couldn’t care less about parties and would continue to vote Conservative, while Merry Farr, 77, said “Boris” needed to stay and stand up to Russia.
HOW LOW CAN JOHNSON GO?
The key question will be how bad results need to be for Conservative MPs, a number of whom have already voiced discontent, to turn on Johnson.
Elections are being held in local authorities across Wales and Scotland, and mainly in towns and metropolitan areas of England, including London which is already dominated by Labour.
Of almost 7,000 seats being contested, Labour are defending far more than the Conservatives in England.
An analysis by pollster Find Out Now and political consultancy Electoral Calculus suggested the Conservatives could lose some 800 council seats and Labour could gain control of about 20 councils including Newcastle-under-Lyme and Crawley.
A poor performance in local elections can presage the ousting of an unpopular prime minister. Johnson’s predecessor Theresa May lost some 1,330 seats in May 2019 and in a month announced she would step down.
Academics Colin Rallings and Michael Thrasher say a loss of 350 Conservative seats would be bad for the Conservatives but losses might be limited by a lack of enthusiasm for Labour under leader Keir Starmer, whose own position could be under pressure if his party is seen to have underperformed.
“All he does is slag Boris off and jumps on any bandwagon,” said Jill Jordan, an antiques dealer in Newcastle-under-Lyme who previously voted Labour. “Starmer doesn’t appear to have any ideas of his own. That is not leadership.”
Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa has pledged to continue to provide world class training opportunities for youth, civil servants and entrepreneurs to make them competitive in the global digital economy.
Fintiri said this at the graduation of 50 youths on digital skills in Yola on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that each of the beneficiaries was presented with a starter pack.
Fintiri, who was represented by his Special Adviser on ICT and e-economy, Hammanjam Adamu, said the initiative aimed to empower youth to be self-reliant and employers of labour.
“We have embarked on an ambitious journey to position Adamawa State as a digital hub, fostering innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.
“The State Government remains committed to supporting your growth with initiatives like the ICT Technical Talent Program.
“We aim to train 100,000 youth in Adamawa State in various technical and digital skills over the next few years,” he said.
Fintiri encouraged the beneficiaries to apply the knowledge acquired to stay connected and to continue learning for more success.
Hammanjumba Gatugel, Commissioner for Ministry Entrepreneurship Development, said the participants were drawn across 21 Local Government Areas.
They said they were under gone intensive training on Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Website Development and Modern workplace Digital Communication Courses.
“The training has provided the beneficiaries with Digital skills to enable them compete with their counter-part globally, also with the knowledge make informed decision in the Digital world,” he said.
According to him, the programme will enhance their employability and readiness to open wide range of employment opportunities including media, advertisement, marketing and design.
The commissioner also advised the beneficiaries against selling their starter kits so as not to defeat the aim of the training.
Arabo Ishaq, Chief Executive Officer, Datarose represented by Abdulmalik Adamu, a resource person, appreciated Adamawa government for the opportunity.
He said, the beneficiaries could now develop website among others skills acquired.
“We have a beneficiary that is about to get married and designed his invitation letters with the skills he acquired he acquired during the training,” he said.
Iya Bamalam who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries appreciated the opportunity and assured to apply the skills effectively.
The police on Thursday arraigned a 51-year-old man, Stanley Offor, before an Ikeja High Court for alleged forgery and forceful takeover of a landed property.
Offor is facing a four-count charge of conspiracy, forgery, and illegal occupation of property and forceful takeover of landed property.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The Police Prosecutor, Mr Emmanuel Jackson, prayed for a trial date and requested that the court remand the defendant pending the commencement of trial.
The Defence Counsel, Mr Peter Madukwe, however, informed the court that he had filed an application for bail, which had been served on the prosecution.
Madukwe prayed the court to admit the defendant to bail on liberal terms.
Justice Ismail Ijelu adjourned the case until Feb. 17 for ruling on the bail application and the commencement of trial.
Earlier, the prosecution told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences with others still at large sometime in 2016 in Lagos.
Jackson alleged that the defendant forged the signature and receipts of one late Mrs Comfort Eruchalu, purporting that they had been made by her to facilitate the sublease of her property to a third party.
The prosecution further submitted that the defendant allegedly occupied a property belonging to Cool Comfort Africa Ltd, located behind Atiku Abubakar Hall 3, Trade Fair Complex in Lagos, as an encroacher.
The defendant, according to the prosecution, failed to vacate the said property after being required to do so on behalf of the property’s owner.
He said the alleged offences violated Sections 2 (2), 4(1) of the Lagos State Property Protection Law, 2016, and Section 516 (1) of the Criminal Code C38, Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2024.
It also violates Section 365(1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective efforts of Nigerians to end Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and protection of other rights of the girl child.
In a statement issued to commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, on Thursday in Abuja, Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders, especially parents, to be proactive in upholding the dignity of children especially the girl child.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2025 celebration of the international day is “Stepping up the Pace: Strengthening Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM.”
“As we commemorate the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), we are reminded of our shared responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of girls and women,” she said.
The first lady said that genital mutilation was a violation of the rights of girls, which had consequences.
According to her, female genital mutilation has no health benefits.
Sen. Tinubu urged stakeholders to do more to curb or end FGM.
“Although Nigeria has made significant strides toward eliminating FGM, due to the collaborative efforts of the government, UNFPA/UNICEF Joint Programme, civil society organisations, traditional institutions and community leaders, there is still much work to be done.
“We must remember that violence against women is not just a women’s issue but an issue against humanity. It affects us all, erodes our shared values of respect and dignity.
“We must recognise that every person, regardless of gender, deserves to live free from fear, discrimination, and violation.
“According to UNFPA, Nigeria has the highest absolute number of FGM globally, with over 20 million women and girls that have undergone FGM and if care is not taken, about 14 million girls are still at risk of also experiencing this practice by 2030,” she said.
The first lady, however, promised that she would take a lead in combating the menace in Nigeria.
“Together, we will strengthen the movement against FGM by building alliances across sectors, empowering survivors, and ensuring that youth and women lead the charge.
“The administration of President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to ending FGM and I will continue to advocate for the necessary support.
“Our collective voice is our greatest strength, and with united efforts, we can achieve a Nigeria free from FGM.
“Let us continue to work together, for our girls, for our women, and for a future where Female Genital Mutilation no longer exists,” she said.
NYSC coordinator launches foundation to tackle sickle cell disorder in Edo
Fintiri pledges more digital, self-employment opportunities for youths
Police arraign man for alleged forgery, forceful takeover of property
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Business3 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines3 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign3 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
Technology5 months agoZero Trust Architecture in a Remote World: Securing the New Normal
-
Entertainment2 years agoPhyna emerges winner of Big Brother Naija Season 7
-
Business8 months agoNigeria Customs modernisation project to check extortion of traders
-
Business10 months agoWe generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines8 months agoPhilippines’ Vice President Sara Duterte resigns from Cabinet
