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Lawyers back INEC chair, pass vote of confidence
Lawyers in Nigeria, Friday, passed a vote of confidence and threw weight behind the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof Mahmood Yakubu on the heels of calls for his sack and resignation.
The lawyers said it is uncalled for some persons to be mischievous to go down so low to put out allegations they cannot substantiate rather they were out to run down the incredibility of INEC and blackmail its chairman.
The lawyers under the auspices of Consortium of Nigerian Lawyers, CNL, in a petition addressed to Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, UK, Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, through Her Majesty’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Dr Richard Montgomery CMG, asserted that the malicious claims of bribery and corruption were propagated by faceless individuals.
The petition reads in part: “We, the undersigned Nigerian lawyers, write this petition with great concern and urgency regarding the unsubstantiated and fake allegations made against Mallam Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). We implore you to address this issue and rectify the damage caused to Mallam Yakubu’s reputation and the sanctity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
“The allegations in question, as reported by the conspiracy-driven news outlets and social media, claim that Mallam Yakubu engaged in corrupt practices and has accepted bribes. These malicious claims were propagated by faceless individuals who lack any form of credibility or substantiation for their accusations. It is clear that these allegations are baseless and intended solely to tarnish the reputation of Mallam Yakubu and undermine the integrity of INEC.
“Mallam Mahmood Yakubu has dedicated his career to public service and has consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to upholding democratic principles. His track record as the Chairman of INEC is commendable, with major strides made towards ensuring free and fair elections in Nigeria. We firmly believe that his leadership has significantly contributed to the democratic progress witnessed in recent years.
“It is worth noting that INEC, under the leadership of Mallam Yakubu, successfully conducted the 2019 general elections, which were internationally recognized as a significant improvement in Nigeria’s electoral process. This recognition further solidifies his reputation as a competent and trustworthy election administrator.
“The recent protest organized against Mallam Yakubu by the United Nigeria in Diaspora (UND) a faceless Group without any means of identification or address and the call for Prof. Mahmood’s resignation are deeply concerning. These unsubstantiated allegations and actions serve to erode public confidence in the electoral process and undermine Nigeria’s democracy as a whole. It is crucial that we protect the institutions responsible for conducting free and fair elections and ensure that they are not subjected to baseless attacks.
“We call upon your office, in collaboration with the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, to intervene in this matter and seek clarification on the allegations made against Mallam Yakubu. We urge you to issue a statement denouncing these false accusations and affirming support for the independence and integrity of INEC.”
However, the petitioners urged the British High Commissioner to Nigeria to engage relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and bring the accusers to book over the spreading false information about the INEC boss.
“Furthermore, we request that the British High Commissioner to Nigeria engages with relevant Nigerian authorities to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for spreading false information about Mallam Yakubu. It is imperative that those who seek to undermine the electoral process through unsubstantiated allegations are identified and brought to justice”, it added.
Meanwhile, the lawyers acknowledged the fact that, “As legal professionals, we believe in the principles of due process, fairness, and justice. It is our duty to advocate for the rights and reputation of individuals when they are subjected to false accusations that have the potential to cause irreparable harm. We trust that you, as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, will prioritize the pursuit of truth and fairness in addressing this matter.
“Lastly, we urge you to stand firmly with the Nigerian government in their endeavors to strengthen democratic institutions and protect the integrity of the electoral process. It is through collaborative efforts and adherence to democratic principles that we can ensure a brighter future for Nigeria and its citizens.”
News
Ringo Sport Club, National Parks Service Team Up to Promote Eco-Tourism, Combat Climate Change
By Joel Ajayi
The Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and the National Park Service (NPS) have begun moves to strengthen collaboration on eco-tourism promotion, environmental protection and climate change mitigation ahead of the maiden Nigerian Para-Military Ringo Sport Tournament (NIPAMRIST) 2026.
The National President of Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria and Chairman of the National Inter-Agency Organising Committee (NIAOC) of NIPAMRIST, Malam Ahmed Mohammed Sule, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr Ibrahim Musa Goni, at the Service’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was part of ongoing stakeholder engagements to secure the participation of personnel from para-military agencies and explore areas of cooperation ahead of the three-day tournament scheduled for November 19 to 21, 2026, at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
Sule said the tournament was designed to bring together officers and personnel of Nigeria’s para-military agencies to compete for honours while promoting inter-agency cooperation, national unity, physical fitness and general well-being.
He explained that the engagement with the National Park Service was aimed at strengthening preparations for the inaugural competition and building a lasting partnership that would extend beyond sports.
According to him, the National Park Service is a strategic partner in advancing the tournament’s objectives, particularly through the integration of sports and tourism to showcase Nigeria’s natural attractions and encourage environmental awareness.
Sule disclosed that the Service had registered for the tournament and that some of its personnel had benefited from the intensive Ringo sport training programme organised by the club.
He urged the Conservator-General to mobilise more personnel for the competition, stressing that adequate preparation and mass participation would contribute to the success of the tournament.
The Ringo Sport Club president added that NIPAMRIST offered an opportunity to use sports as a platform for promoting Nigeria’s eco-tourism potential, improving the fitness of security and para-military personnel, and encouraging stronger institutional partnerships.
He called for sustained collaboration between the club and the National Park Service to leverage the tournament’s visibility in promoting the country’s protected areas and supporting tourism development.
Responding, Goni expressed appreciation for the visit and reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to the success of NIPAMRIST 2026.
He pledged that the National Park Service would encourage active participation by its personnel, describing the tournament as an avenue to improve physical fitness, discipline, teamwork and esprit de corps among staff.
The Conservator-General also welcomed the proposal for deeper cooperation on eco-tourism, noting that the Service had continued to pursue partnerships that support biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and tourism development across Nigeria’s protected areas.
Goni linked the growing effects of climate change to environmental degradation and the neglect of environmental protection principles, noting that damage to ecosystems and the depletion of natural protective cover could contribute to displacement, migration and conflicts.
He said the relationship between sports and eco-tourism presented an opportunity to raise public awareness about Nigeria’s national parks while encouraging healthy lifestyles among service personnel and the wider population.
Goni assured the organising committee of the Service’s readiness to explore practical areas of cooperation before, during and after the tournament.
He also clarified that Nigeria has 17 national parks, with about 13 currently in active operation, correcting what he described as the misconception in some quarters that the country has only seven parks.
The visit ended with both parties agreeing to establish a working framework for the Service’s participation in the tournament and sustain discussions on eco-tourism promotion and other areas of mutual interest.
The organising committee expressed optimism that the partnership would strengthen NIPAMRIST 2026 and support its broader objectives of sports development, institutional cooperation and tourism promotion.
NIPAMRIST is the maiden inter-agency Ringo sport tournament organised by Ringo Sport Club–Nigeria for officers and personnel of Nigerian para-military establishments.
The 2026 edition is expected to feature 120 players and officials from eight agencies, including the National Park Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, among others.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to 21 at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.
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