Headlines
Reps Confirm Resignation of More Soldiers from the Army
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, confirmed that 386 soldiers resigned from the Nigerian Army in the second quarter of 2020, “which is well over the 365 figures previously assumed”.
The House, however, stated that the resignations were not related to the ongoing war against insurgency in the North-East.
The PUNCH had reported exclusively on July 12, 2020, that no fewer than 356 soldiers in the North-East and other theatres of operation, applied to the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for voluntary retirement, citing “loss of interest” as their reason for disengagement.
The paper had reported that the majority of the soldiers were from the North-East theatre of operation, a development which military sources attributed to the loss of morale, poor weapons, unimproved allowances and the continuous loss of soldiers to Boko Haram attacks.
The approval of the voluntary disengagement of the 356 soldiers was contained in a 17-page circular from Buratai, AHQ DOAA/G1/300/92, signed by Brig. Gen. T.E. Gagariga for the Army chief.
Consequently, the House resolved on July 14, 2020, to investigate the alleged mass exodus of soldiers from the Nigerian Army.
At the plenary on Tuesday, the House considered and adopted a report by the Committee on Army, chaired by Mr Abdulrazak Namdas.
In the report, a copy of which our correspondent obtained, the committee said it observed that the welfare of soldiers across Army formations “has been a recurrent challenge over the years.”
It said though there was an improvement in their welfare packages, “soldiers still stressed on an urgent need for the Army to do more.”
The committee also noted that discharge from service on medical grounds could either be voluntary or compulsory.
“Some soldiers may not be committed to the service, hence they sometimes evade duties and/or responsibilities they consider too tough, which ultimately leads to voluntary discharge,” the report said.
The committee listed its findings, saying, “The total number of soldiers who voluntarily discharged from the service in the second quarter of 2020 is 386, which is well over the 365 figure previously assumed. Out of this number, 356 soldiers voluntarily resigned from the Nigerian Army for loss of interest; 24 resigned in order to take up traditional titles, while six were discharged on medical grounds.
“Deducing from the evidence presented, not all the soldiers who voluntarily resigned served in the front lines or were actively engaged in any combat operations; some of them performed other duties at various Army formations across the country.
“Based on the facts available to the committee, there was no mass resignation from the Army; individual soldiers resigned on their own from their units.”
The Punch
British Prime Minister and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer on Monday announced his resignation, bringing an abrupt end to a premiership that began with Labour’s landslide general election victory in July 2024.
Starmer made the announcement in a statement outside 10 Downing Street, where he reflected on his time in office and defended his record in government.
“Every decision I have made has been about putting the country I love first,” Starmer said as he confirmed he would step down as both prime minister and leader of the governing Labour Party.
The resignation marks a dramatic political development in the United Kingdom, coming barely two years after Starmer led Labour back to power following more than a decade in opposition.
His departure is expected to trigger a swift leadership transition within the party at a time of heightened political uncertainty.
Addressing supporters gathered outside Downing Street, Starmer described entering No. 10 in 2024 as “the proudest moment” of his life, saying he entered politics with the goal of improving the lives of millions of people.
The outgoing prime minister also highlighted what he considered some of his key achievements, including rebuilding the Labour Party after years of internal divisions and restoring public confidence in the party’s economic and national security credentials.
Starmer said he inherited a Labour Party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and faced repeated predictions that it was finished as a political force.
He argued that his leadership helped transform the party, including efforts to tackle anti-Semitism and reposition Labour as a credible alternative government.
His resignation has immediately intensified speculation over his successor. Attention has turned to Andy Burnham, who recently won the Makerfield by-election and is due to be sworn in as a Member of Parliament.
Political observers and Labour insiders believe Burnham could emerge as the overwhelming favourite to take over the party leadership. Some party members are already discussing the possibility of a “coronation” process in which Burnham becomes the sole candidate, avoiding a prolonged leadership contest.
If that scenario unfolds, Labour could have a new leader and prime minister in place by September, around the time of the party’s annual conference.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Biodun Oyebanji, winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.
Oyebanji secured a landslide victory, polling 319,224 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Wole Oluyede, who garnered 40,543 votes. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dare Bejide, came a distant third with 12,872 votes.
The election, held across all 16 local government areas of the state, was overshadowed by reports of irregularities and widespread allegations of vote buying, drawing strong condemnation from observers.
The official results were announced on Sunday morning by the Chief Returning Officer, Professor Adenike Oladiji, who declared Oyebanji duly elected after meeting the constitutional requirements.
In her declaration, Professor Oladiji stated: “I, Professor Adenike Oladiji, hereby certify that I am the Returning Officer for the Ekiti State Governorship Election held on June 20, 2026, and that the election was conducted in compliance with the provisions of the law. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress, having satisfied the requirements of the law and scored the highest number of valid votes cast, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”
Source: Reuters
