The State Bank of India opens its 28th tranche of electoral bond sales. Undertaken by the Indian government, the ten-day window is set to kick-start today, It will be accessible at all authorised branches of the state bank of India until October 13.

India's Electoral Bonds: 28th tranche sales begin today

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the country in a farewell broadcast on Sunday (May 28), a day before he steps down from the top position. In his speech, President Buhari, 80, expressed his gratitude to citizens and said that he is leaving the country better than he met it.

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the country in a farewell broadcast on Sunday (May 28), a day before he steps down from the top position. In his speech, President Buhari, 80, expressed his gratitude to citizens and said that he is leaving the country better than he met it. "I address you today, in my last assignment as a democratically elected President of our great and well-endowed nation, with a deep sense of gratitude to God, a great deal of appreciation to the Nigerian people and a modest sense of fulfilment," Buhari said. "We must as a nation improve and sustain gains we make in the electoral process, on an incremental basis for Nigeria to take its rightful place among nations," he added. In his farewell speech, Buhari said that Nigeria's influence continued to grow on the global stage as exemplified by notable Nigerians occupying headship and leadership positions in renowned global bodies. He also defended his record on the economy and the outcome of the presidential election, saying he was leaving a legacy of credible and fair votes. His beginnings and military career Muhammadu Buhari was born on December 17, 1942 in Nigeria's Daura. Buhari's father died when he was about four years old and was raised by his mother. Buhari was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the army in 1963. He was involved in the military coup in 1975 which ousted Yakubu Gowon and was appointed the military governor of North Eastern state (now Borno) during the same year. Two years later, Buhari became the military secretary at Supreme Military Headquarters. By September 1979, he returned to regular army duties. Though a civilian government returned to Nigeria in 1979, dissatisfaction with economic conditions led to another military coup in 1983 and Buhari was unanimously chosen as the head of the state till August 1985. After this, he was overthrown in a coup led by General Ibrahim Babangida. The presidential elections Muhammadu Buhari ran for president in 2003, 2007 and 2011. But he lost in all these three elections to candidates of the People's Democratic Party (PDP). He was a candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) in the 2003 and 2007 presidential elections and fought the 2011 election as a candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). In 2013, the CPC merged with the ANPP and other parties to form the All Progressive Congress (APC). In 2014, the APC chose Buhari as the candidate for the 2015 presidential election- which he won and was sworn in as Nigeria's president on May 29, 2015. He promised to reboot the economy and end corruption. The presidency years Muhammadu Buhari's presidency had a rough start as Nigeria experienced its first recession in more than 20 years in 2016 when the economy contracted by 1.6 per cent due to negative oil prices and oil production shocks, which spilt over to the non-oil sectors. The former military ruler saw an escalation of attacks by the Boko Haram. Buhari's state of health and his ability to lead Nigeria was also questioned. However, Buhari's administration dismissed the concerns regarding his health and he was APC's candidate for the 2019 presidential election, which he won. In this year's presidential election, Buhari was term-limited and could not seek re-election for a third term. The 2023 unrest over the cash crunch Just days before this year's presidential election on February 25, violent protests rocked Nigeria over the scarcity of cash after the central bank started to swap old bills of the local naira currency for new ones, which caused a shortfall of banknotes. President Buhari defended the currency swap but ordered old, small denomination 200 naira notes to remain in circulation to ease the scarcity of cash. Addressing citizens on February 16, he described the naira policy as a positive departure from the past and said it represented a "bold legacy step" towards free and fair elections by helping to curb vote buying. The farewell speech a day before he steps down as president During his farewell speech on Saturday, President Buhari spoke on several topics but particularly his record on the economy. Buhari said the economy became more resilient because of various strategies put in place to ensure it remained afloat during cases of global economic downturns. "You would all recall the supply chain disruptions and economic downturn that the world witnessed between 2020 and 2022 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The deftness of our response to the pandemic still remains a global best practice," Buhari added. "In the course of revamping the economy, we made some difficult choices, most of which yielded the desired results. Some of the measures led to temporary pain and suffering for which I sincerely apologise to my fellow countrymen, but the measures were taken for the overall good of the country," the outgoing president further said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained: The political life of outgoing Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari

In Nigeria's Benue state, 74 people have been killed in two separate attacks by gunmen this week. As per Reuters, the clashes happened in an area where violence between pastoralists and farmers is common. The news agency reports that Benue State police spokesperson Catherine Anene said that between Friday evening and Saturday morning, 28 bodies were recovered from a camp for internally displaced people in the Mgban local government area. The motive behind the attack is still unknown.

Citing witnesses Reuters&nbsp;reports that&nbsp;gunmen arrived and started shooting and killing people.

On Wednesday, in a separate incident in Benue's Umogidi village of Otukpo local government area, suspected herdsmen killed villagers at a funeral. As per Paul Hemba,&nbsp;security adviser to the Benue state governor, 46 bodies were recovered after the attack, however, the number of those killed could be higher.

Speaking to AFP, Hemba said that "the 46 casualties were from the bodies of victims found and retrieved. Many people are still missing, so the number of those killed may be higher."&nbsp;

Baba Usman Ngelzarma, chairman of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), a union of Fulani herders, has, however, warned against blaming herders without investigation and has called for an investigation to find the real perpetrators.

"There is a deliberate campaign of demonisation of Fulani herders which started in Benue and spread to other parts of Nigeria," he said adding that they are "not exonerating Fulani herders from involvement in some of the attacks but the way they are always blamed for every attack is unfair and prejudiced."

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on Saturday, condemned "the recent bout of killings in Benue State in which tens of people were killed in Umogidi community." He also directed the nation's security forces to increase surveillance in affected areas.

In yet another incident on Saturday, in Zamfara State, gunmen abducted at least 80 people. Zamfara is reportedly a hot spot for kidnappings, where armed gangs target remote villages for ransom.

AFP reports&nbsp;that the Middle Belt region of Nigeria is a place of turmoil, where the struggles between farmers and herders often overlap over ethnic and religious divisions, making it difficult to control land use.

In Nigeria's Benue state, 74 people have been killed in two separate attacks by gunmen this week. As per Reuters, the clashes happened in an area where violence between pastoralists and farmers is common.

In Nigeria's Benue state, 74 people have been killed in two separate attacks by gunmen this week. As per Reuters, the clashes happened in an area where violence between pastoralists and farmers is common. The news agency reports that Benue State police spokesperson Catherine Anene said that between Friday evening and Saturday morning, 28 bodies were recovered from a camp for internally displaced people in the Mgban local government area. The motive behind the attack is still unknown. Citing witnesses Reuters reports that gunmen arrived and started shooting and killing people. On Wednesday, in a separate incident in Benue's Umogidi village of Otukpo local government area, suspected herdsmen killed villagers at a funeral. As per Paul Hemba, security adviser to the Benue state governor, 46 bodies were recovered after the attack, however, the number of those killed could be higher. Speaking to AFP, Hemba said that "the 46 casualties were from the bodies of victims found and retrieved. Many people are still missing, so the number of those killed may be higher." Baba Usman Ngelzarma, chairman of the Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), a union of Fulani herders, has, however, warned against blaming herders without investigation and has called for an investigation to find the real perpetrators. "There is a deliberate campaign of demonisation of Fulani herders which started in Benue and spread to other parts of Nigeria," he said adding that they are "not exonerating Fulani herders from involvement in some of the attacks but the way they are always blamed for every attack is unfair and prejudiced." Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement on Saturday, condemned "the recent bout of killings in Benue State in which tens of people were killed in Umogidi community." He also directed the nation's security forces to increase surveillance in affected areas. In yet another incident on Saturday, in Zamfara State, gunmen abducted at least 80 people. Zamfara is reportedly a hot spot for kidnappings, where armed gangs target remote villages for ransom. AFP reports that the Middle Belt region of Nigeria is a place of turmoil, where the struggles between farmers and herders often overlap over ethnic and religious divisions, making it difficult to control land use.

In Nigeria's Benue state, armed gangs kill 74 in two separate shootings; President Buhari condemns attacks

Presidential polls in the African nation of Nigeria are almost over. Officials are now in the process of counting votes. Nearly ninety million people were eligible to cast their votes for appointing the successor of President Muhammadu Buhari. They are former Lagos governor and all progressive Congress' candidate Bola Tinubu. The surprise third party candidate Peter Obi, who is from the labor party and is a former governor of Anambra and People's Democratic Party candidate Atiku Abubakar who is a former vice President.

Nigerian presidential elections 2023 : Who will succeed President Muhammadu Buhari?

Nigeria lifted its ban on microblogging site Twitter on Thursday after a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari was deleted months ago.

In June last year, President Muhammadu Buhari in a tweet had threatened to punish regional secessionists in the country's southeast which has been plagued by civil war.

Twitter agreed to open an office in the country as the government moved to lift the ban.

"Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built," the country's national technology development agency said.

Twitter will work with the Nigerian government to develop a "code of conduct". Reports said Twitter was once again accessible in the country.

Nigerian regulators said the social media site had agreed to local regulations which included complying with tax laws.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

Nigeria lifted its ban on microblogging site Twitter on Thursday after a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari was deleted months ago. In June last year, President Muhammadu Buhari in a tweet had threatened to punish regional secessionists in the country's southeast which has been plagued by civil war.

Nigeria lifted its ban on microblogging site Twitter on Thursday after a tweet from President Muhammadu Buhari was deleted months ago. In June last year, President Muhammadu Buhari in a tweet had threatened to punish regional secessionists in the country's southeast which has been plagued by civil war. Twitter agreed to open an office in the country as the government moved to lift the ban. "Twitter has agreed to act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built," the country's national technology development agency said. Twitter will work with the Nigerian government to develop a "code of conduct". Reports said Twitter was once again accessible in the country. Nigerian regulators said the social media site had agreed to local regulations which included complying with tax laws. (With inputs from Agencies)

Nigeria restores Twitter after company agrees to open regional office

Twitter removed a tweet by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari referring to the 1967-70 civil war in southeastern Biafra region that killed 1 million people. Muhammadu Buhari’s office slammed Twitter action.

Twitter removes Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet

259 people freed from abusive Islamic rehabilitation centre by Nigerian police

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that anyone trying to tamper with Nigeria's postponed vote risked their lives and accused the electoral commission of incompetence.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the delay in the early hours of Saturday, just as some of Nigeria's 84 million registered voters were already making their way to polling stations

Buhari said anyone trying to steal or destroy ballot boxes and voting material in the election now scheduled to take place this coming Saturday would be dealt with firmly.

"I have given the military and the police instructions to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed for the bad conduct of the election," he told an emergency meeting of senior members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the capital Abuja.

He said anyone trying to intimidate voters or interfere with the voting "will do it at the expense of his own life".

The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has suggested that Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected president in 2015, was behind the postponement in order to hold on to power.

The ruling party has accused the PDP of being behind the delay and colluding with figures within the electoral commission.

The PDP criticised the president's comments in which he warned people against tampering with election material.

"President Muhammadu Buhari's threat to the lives of Nigerians, at the opening of APC's national caucus meeting in Abuja today, is a direct call for jungle justice," the party said in a statement.

All sides have, however, appealed for calm in a country where past elections have been marred by violence and intimidation. So far, there have been no signs of violence or unrest after INEC announced the delay.

Buhari faces a tight contest against the PDP's Atiku Abubakar to lead a country that has Africa's largest economy and is its top oil producer but is plagued by corruption and wide gaps between rich and poor.

The election has been fought over Buhari's handling of the economy amid fragile growth and growing unemployment as the country recovers from a recession in 2016. Rising insecurity, notably in regions under attack by Boko Haram and other Islamist militants, is also a big worry.

The INEC cited logistical difficulties and problems with transporting election material to far-flung or conflict-ridden areas and denied any political pressure had been brought to bear in its decision to suspend the vote.

Buhari said there was a need to scrutinise the issues that caused the postponement.

"Definitely the reasons why such incompetence manifests itself has to be explained to the nation. After the election we have to know exactly what really happened," he said, promising that an investigation would be launched.

The electoral commission had said that campaigning would be suspended until the new voting day on Saturday but the two main parties have said they intend to resume campaigning.

APC chairman Adams Oshiomhole told his party's meeting that INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu Oshiomhole had been mistaken in halting campaigning.

"INEC is not in a position to make laws. The law says you are entitled to renew campaigns up to 24 hours before the beginning of the election," he said.

The opposition PDP also said it would get back on the campaign trail. It rejected the commission's decision on campaigns, which a PDP statement said was "directly in conflict with the provision of the Electoral Act and is not backed by any other law in our country".

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that anyone trying to tamper with Nigeria's postponed vote risked their lives and accused the electoral commission of incompetence.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday warned that anyone trying to tamper with Nigeria's postponed vote risked their lives and accused the electoral commission of incompetence. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the delay in the early hours of Saturday, just as some of Nigeria's 84 million registered voters were already making their way to polling stations Buhari said anyone trying to steal or destroy ballot boxes and voting material in the election now scheduled to take place this coming Saturday would be dealt with firmly. "I have given the military and the police instructions to be ruthless. We are not going to be blamed for the bad conduct of the election," he told an emergency meeting of senior members of his All Progressives Congress (APC) party in the capital Abuja. He said anyone trying to intimidate voters or interfere with the voting "will do it at the expense of his own life". The opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP) has suggested that Buhari, a former military ruler who was later elected president in 2015, was behind the postponement in order to hold on to power. The ruling party has accused the PDP of being behind the delay and colluding with figures within the electoral commission. The PDP criticised the president's comments in which he warned people against tampering with election material. "President Muhammadu Buhari's threat to the lives of Nigerians, at the opening of APC's national caucus meeting in Abuja today, is a direct call for jungle justice," the party said in a statement. All sides have, however, appealed for calm in a country where past elections have been marred by violence and intimidation. So far, there have been no signs of violence or unrest after INEC announced the delay. Buhari faces a tight contest against the PDP's Atiku Abubakar to lead a country that has Africa's largest economy and is its top oil producer but is plagued by corruption and wide gaps between rich and poor. The election has been fought over Buhari's handling of the economy amid fragile growth and growing unemployment as the country recovers from a recession in 2016. Rising insecurity, notably in regions under attack by Boko Haram and other Islamist militants, is also a big worry. The INEC cited logistical difficulties and problems with transporting election material to far-flung or conflict-ridden areas and denied any political pressure had been brought to bear in its decision to suspend the vote. Buhari said there was a need to scrutinise the issues that caused the postponement. "Definitely the reasons why such incompetence manifests itself has to be explained to the nation. After the election we have to know exactly what really happened," he said, promising that an investigation would be launched. The electoral commission had said that campaigning would be suspended until the new voting day on Saturday but the two main parties have said they intend to resume campaigning. APC chairman Adams Oshiomhole told his party's meeting that INEC chairman Mahmood Yakubu Oshiomhole had been mistaken in halting campaigning. "INEC is not in a position to make laws. The law says you are entitled to renew campaigns up to 24 hours before the beginning of the election," he said. The opposition PDP also said it would get back on the campaign trail. It rejected the commission's decision on campaigns, which a PDP statement said was "directly in conflict with the provision of the Electoral Act and is not backed by any other law in our country".

Army to be 'ruthless' against tampering in Nigeria's postponed vote: Buhari

Boko Haram&#39;s shadowy leader Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a new video vowing to fight on, shrugging off an apparent split in the hardline jihadist group blamed for thousands of deaths since 2009. 
 
&quot;I... Abubakar Ash-Shakawy (Shekau), the leader of Jama&#39;atu Ahlissunnah Lidda&#39;awati Wal Jihad made it a duty for myself (to fight) Nigeria and the whole world,&quot; Shekau said in the video released on Sunday, using group&#39;s name since it declared allegiance to the so-called Islamic State. 
 
&#39;I&#39;m alive&#39; 
 
Last week, Shekau said in an audio message he was still head of the group despite his purported replacement with Sheikh Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram spokesman. 
 
&quot;We have no desire to fight our Muslim brethren,&quot; Shekau, who last appeared in March, said in the 24-minute video. 
 
Shekau ridiculed suggestions that he was dead, and looked more composed and energetic than in previous appearances. 
 
&quot;I&#39;m alive by the permission of Allah,&quot; he said in his speech in Arabic and Hausa, adding that he would only die when his time comes. 
 
Shekau labels western countries &#39;tyrants of the United Nonsense&#39;&nbsp; 
 
In the video, he is wearing camouflage gear and holding a machine gun, standing between two Islamist fighters in balaclavas armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers. 
 
He taunted President Muhammadu Buhari&#39;s administration and condemned western countries including the United States, France, Germany and &quot;the tyrants of the United Nonsense (UN)&quot;. 
 
At the end of his speech -- apparently filmed in Boko Haram&#39;s stronghold in the Sambisa forest of northeastern Nigeria -- he fired off rounds of ammunition into the air. 
 
His absence in recent months had sparked speculation about his fate and whether he had been deposed as the head of Boko Haram. 
 
Barnawi&#39;s appointment was contained in a magazine issued by the Islamic State group to which Boko Haram pledged allegiance in March last year. 
 
Shekau dismissed Barnawi as an infidel who condoned living in an un-Islamic society without waging jihad. 
 
Shekau became leader after Nigerian security forces killed the group&#39;s founding chief Mohammed Yusuf in 2009. 
 
Boko Haram has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and displacing more than 2.6 million people since it launched a brutal insurgency in Nigeria in 2009. 
 
Nigerian forces, with the support of regional troops, have recaptured swathes of territory lost to the jihadists since they launched a military campaign in February 2014. 
 
(AFP)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Shekau ridiculed suggestions that he was dead. 'We have no desire to fight our Muslim brethren,' he said

Boko Haram's shadowy leader Abubakar Shekau has appeared in a new video vowing to fight on, shrugging off an apparent split in the hardline jihadist group blamed for thousands of deaths since 2009. "I... Abubakar Ash-Shakawy (Shekau), the leader of Jama'atu Ahlissunnah Lidda'awati Wal Jihad made it a duty for myself (to fight) Nigeria and the whole world," Shekau said in the video released on Sunday, using group's name since it declared allegiance to the so-called Islamic State. 'I'm alive' Last week, Shekau said in an audio message he was still head of the group despite his purported replacement with Sheikh Abu Musab al-Barnawi, a former Boko Haram spokesman. "We have no desire to fight our Muslim brethren," Shekau, who last appeared in March, said in the 24-minute video. Shekau ridiculed suggestions that he was dead, and looked more composed and energetic than in previous appearances. "I'm alive by the permission of Allah," he said in his speech in Arabic and Hausa, adding that he would only die when his time comes. Shekau labels western countries 'tyrants of the United Nonsense' In the video, he is wearing camouflage gear and holding a machine gun, standing between two Islamist fighters in balaclavas armed with rocket-propelled grenade launchers. He taunted President Muhammadu Buhari's administration and condemned western countries including the United States, France, Germany and "the tyrants of the United Nonsense (UN)". At the end of his speech -- apparently filmed in Boko Haram's stronghold in the Sambisa forest of northeastern Nigeria -- he fired off rounds of ammunition into the air. His absence in recent months had sparked speculation about his fate and whether he had been deposed as the head of Boko Haram. Barnawi's appointment was contained in a magazine issued by the Islamic State group to which Boko Haram pledged allegiance in March last year. Shekau dismissed Barnawi as an infidel who condoned living in an un-Islamic society without waging jihad. Shekau became leader after Nigerian security forces killed the group's founding chief Mohammed Yusuf in 2009. Boko Haram has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and displacing more than 2.6 million people since it launched a brutal insurgency in Nigeria in 2009. Nigerian forces, with the support of regional troops, have recaptured swathes of territory lost to the jihadists since they launched a military campaign in February 2014. (AFP)

Boko Haram's shadowy leader Shekau vows to fight in new video, dismisses split rumours