The Japanese government has approved a sharp increase in visa application fees for Nigerians and other foreign nationals, marking the first revision in 48 years.

Under the new structure, effective from July 1, 2026, the fee for a single-entry visa will rise from ¥3,000 ($18.60) to ¥15,000 ($92.99). Similarly, the multiple-entry visa fee will increase from ¥6,000 ($37.20) to ¥30,000 ($187.97).

The hike, approved at a Cabinet meeting, is attributed to inflation, rising costs, and the need to adjust fees set since 1978.

Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi stated that the government does not anticipate a significant negative impact on inbound tourism.

The increase primarily affects applicants from countries requiring visas, such as Nigeria, China, and India. Nationals from visa-exempt countries (including many from Europe and the US) are not affected by the new fees.

This development is expected to make travel to Japan more expensive for many Nigerians planning short-term visits.

Aprokorepublic

Popular cleric and leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is planning to rig or snatch his expected victory in the forthcoming Osun governorship election.

In a fresh prophetic message, Primate Ayodele urged the governor to remain vigilant and take proactive steps to prevent any form of electoral manipulation by the opposition party.

The cleric stressed that while victory has been divinely ordained for Adeleke, the APC would make desperate attempts to overturn the will of the people through rigging.

He advised Governor Adeleke not to accept any suspicious results and to stay alert against electoral malpractices.

The warning comes as political activities intensify ahead of the Osun State governorship poll.

Aprokorepublic

The camp of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has explained why former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is yet to be unveiled as their principal’s running mate.

In a post on X on Saturday, one of Tiku’s media aides, Abdulrasheed Shehu, attributed the delay to the presidential candidate’s current travel schedule.

The clarification came against the backdrop of a post on X asserting that all was not well within the ADC and that Amaechi was yet to accept the party’s offer.

In a swift response, Atiku’s camp wrote, “Atiku/Ameachi is settled. His Excellency is on a short business trip. Once he returns, Ameachi
will be officially unveiled in a few days as the VP candidate. Stop posting fake news.”

The update came following a wave of initial uncertainty and conflicting reports after the ADC first produced its choice for the 2027 presidential election.

While early rumours circulated about the pairing, party officials initially declined to give immediate confirmation, creating a gap that fueled speculation.

Aprokorepublic

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Biodun
Oyebanji, as the winner of the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election.

The Returning Officer for the Ekiti State governorship election, Adenike Oladiji, who declared the results at about 3:13 a.m. on
Sunday, said that Oyebanji polled 319,224 votes.

Oladiji, a professor and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, said that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP), Oluwole Oluyede, scored 40,543 votes, while Dare Bejide of the African Democratic Party (ADP) polled 12,872 votes.

According to her, a total of 384,940 voters were accredited for the election, with 375,777 valid votes, 6,332 rejected votes, and total
votes cast.

Voting, which began at about 8:31 a.m., ended officially at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, with more than 300,000 voters casting their ballots.

The complete results of the governorship election, gathered from all 16 local government areas and collated at the State Collation Centre
on Sunday, are presented below.

Efon Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Joseph Ojo

ADC – 201

APC – 8,742

PDP – 2,051

Ijero Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Olaniran Akanni

ADC – 2,026

APC – 25,506

PDP – 2,479

Ikere Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Kehinde Jayeoba

ADC – 245

APC – 11,116

PDP – 9,872

Emure Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Emmanuel Oluwafemi

ADC – 732

APC – 14,325

PDP – 851

Ekiti South West Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Kola Oladunmoye

ADC – 1,076

APC – 14,705

PDP – 1,800

Ido/Osi Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Otalobi Akintunde

ADC – 561

APC – 17,901

PDP – 1,449

Ekiti West Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Bolaji Stephen

ADC – 674

APC – 28,258

PDP – 3,644

Ado Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Toye Fasinmirin

ADC – 1,054

APC – 38,026

PDP – 3,817

Ilejemeje Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Kehinde Mogaji

ADC – 579

APC – 8,984

PDP – 1,243

Ise/Orun Local Government

Collation Officer: Dr. John Isa

ADC – 365

APC – 12,907

PDP – 1,627

Oye Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Jide Popoola

ADC – 998

APC – 18,975

PDP – 2,891

Moba Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Suleiman Adegboyega

ADC – 994

APC – 20,500

PDP – 1,572

Ayekire/Gbonyin Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Oso Bamidele

ADC – 314

APC – 17,133

PDP – 1,563

Ikole Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Sadiat Adifala

ADC – 812

APC – 26,508

PDP – 750

Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Michael Adeyemi

ADC – 511

APC – 29,278

PDP – 2,119

Ekiti East Local Government

Collation Officer: Prof. Olabode Olatunbosun

ADC – 1,730

APC – 26,359

PDP – 2,795

Aprokorepublic

AprokoRepublic Media, Awka.

The Federal High Court sitting in Awka has dismissed a suit challenging both the succession process to the revered Eze Nri throne and the Regency arrangement currently in place in Nri Kingdom.

In Suit No. FHC/AWK/CS/15/2025, instituted by Chief Godwin Uzoegbo and others, the court dismissed the action filed against Chief Chukwudi Nwokoye, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh and other defendants, thereby bringing an end to the legal challenge surrounding the Eze Nri stool and the Regency of the kingdom.

The judgment effectively removes all legal obstacles that had been placed before the emergence and ascension process of the Eze Nri-elect. The ruling also affirmed that Prince Ikenna Onyesoh (Idebuteaku) remains the duly recognized Regent of Nri Kingdom, with his status and authority remaining intact and unaffected by the litigation.

According to the court’s decision, the Regent shall continue to exercise the powers and responsibilities of the Regency in accordance with the customs, traditions and applicable laws of Nri Kingdom pending the lawful emergence, selection and coronation of a substantive Eze Nri.

The case, which was reportedly initiated by Chief Godwin Uzoegbo on behalf of Akamkpisi interests against the Agukwu Nri section of the community, sought to challenge aspects of the traditional succession and Regency arrangements. However, the court found no basis to sustain the action and consequently dismissed it.

The ruling has been widely interpreted as a significant development in the resolution of the dispute surrounding the Eze Nri institution. It also reinforces the continuity and legitimacy of the Regency structure while preserving the traditional processes governing the selection and installation of the Eze Nri.

Community stakeholders and residents have welcomed the judgment, expressing hope that the decision will promote unity, peace and progress within the ancient Kingdom of Nri.

With the legal challenge now dismissed, attention is expected to shift toward the customary and traditional processes leading to the emergence and eventual coronation of Chief Chukwudi Nwokoye as the new Eze Nri elect in accordance with established Nri customs and traditions.

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has responded to reports alleging that he is shielding the convicted
leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

In an interview with Nevon News hosted by Rufai Oseni, the former Anambra Governor said he openly criticises every wrong done in Nigeria,
including the South East.

During the interview, Rufai told Obi that his critics are alleging that he does not criticise Kanu

Rufai said, ” Your critics allege that you don’t come out openly to criticise whatever is done wrong by Nnamdi Kanu because he is from
your place.”

But Obi responded saying, “that is nonsense, absolute nonsense. They don’t follow me because if you follow me, I criticise whatever
things that are wrong, whether in the East, North, or anywhere.

“But in criticising it, I keep saying that we should look at it holistically”.

On whether Nnamdi Kanu has done anything wrong to deserve his sentencing, Obi said “Nobody is perfect.”

According to him, “we all have the wrong side of us but I’m saying that in building the future, we use the experiences of things we didn’t
do well to do it better.

“Every human being has done wrong things in the past, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Sunday Igboho or Peter Obi, we have all done
something wrong.”

Aprokorepublic

An Imo North senatorial aspirant, Isaac Nwachukwu, has dragged the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before the Federal High Court in Owerri, seeking to be declared the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Nwachukwu, in a suit filed on Wednesday through his counsel, Cajethan J. Oguzie, accused the NDC of unlawfully substituting his name with another aspirant despite his emergence as the consensus candidate and substantial financial contributions to the party.

According to court documents, Nwachukwu paid ₦25 million to the NDC ₦20 million as party support and ₦5 million for the nomination/expression of interest form for the Imo North Senatorial District ticket.

He claimed that after being screened, cleared, and ratified as the consensus candidate, his name was inexplicably replaced.

Key reliefs sought by the plaintiff include:

A declaration that he is the rightful consensus candidate of the NDC for the Imo North Senatorial Zone ahead of the 2027 election.

An order restraining the NDC from fielding any other candidate for the zone.

A perpetual injunction restraining INEC from recognising or accepting the candidacy of any other person except Nwachukwu for the position.

In an affidavit in support of the originating summons, Nwachukwu alleged irregularities in the handling of funds, claiming that his ₦20 million contribution was wrongly allocated to another aspirant, Matthew Omegara, while Omegara’s payment was credited to him.

He stated that he participated fully in the party’s screening exercise and was declared the winner of the primary process before the substitution occurred.

The aspirant further claimed that he was invited to a meeting by the NDC’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, where he was informed that some Imo State party leaders considered him not popular enough to fly the party’s flag.

When contacted, the NDC’s Imo State spokesperson, Dr Charles Akano, said he needed authorisation from party leaders before commenting on the matter. He later stated that he had not yet received approval to speak on the issue.

The case is seen as one of the early legal tussles within the relatively new NDC as opposition parties position themselves for the 2027 polls. The court is yet to fix a hearing date.

Aprokorepublic

The National Youth Wing of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has formally petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding the immediate removal of Justice Peter Odo Lifu from all matters related to the party and his outright dismissal from the judiciary.

In a petition dated June 18, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC, the youth wing, led by National Youth Leader Comrade Balarabe Rufai (represented by Comrade Ibrahim Garba Wala), accused the judge of judicial misconduct and political bias in his ruling that ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the ADC and four other opposition parties.

The petition, read to journalists outside the ADC National Secretariat after alleged security barricades prevented direct submission at the NJC headquarters, strongly criticized Justice Lifu’s decision in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2026.

The youth wing described the judgment as “a calculated, politically motivated act designed to shrink the democratic space in Nigeria and artificially consolidate a two-party monopoly.”

Key allegations in the petition include:

Justice Lifu proceeded with the ruling despite a binding Court of Appeal order staying proceedings on the matter.

The plaintiffs allegedly altered their legal personality during the case without proper court approval.

The judgment undermines the doctrine of stare decisis and constitutes gross misconduct.

The ADC youths demanded Lifu’s total recusal from ADC-related cases and urged the NJC to recommend his dismissal to restore public confidence in the judiciary.

“We cannot watch the political rights of millions of young Nigerians be auctioned off by compromised benches,” the petition stated.

This development follows widespread condemnation of the Federal High Court ruling. The Court of Appeal has since issued a stay of execution, halting the deregistration of the affected parties, including the ADC.

The ADC youth wing vowed to continue advocating for judicial integrity, positioning the move as a stand by Nigerian youth to protect democratic expression ahead of future elections.

Aprokorepublic

Ronwen Williams, the goalkeeper and captain of South Africa, says Africans have to support each other “in good and bad moments” and “leave politics to politicians”.

Williams spoke at the press conference ahead of South Africa’s second game in Group A against the Czech Republic at the 2026 World
Cup.

He was reacting to online trolling and banter from other African aimed at the Bafana Bafana after their loss to Mexico in the opening
match of the competition.

The lack of support for South Africa is a reflection of growing anger at the xenophobic attacks against other black Africans in the
country.

Williams said he was a target of fabricated quotes criticising other Africans for not supporting his country during the Mexico
match.

He added that the backlash from the false reports “does hurt” because “players are human beings as well”.

The Bafana Bafana captain then added that every African country has “politics” it is dealing with back home, but the continent must
learn to set aside those and unite on the global stage.

“I’ve been a target over the last few days about things that I haven’t said. I didn’t speak anything
about Africa and people supporting Mexico,” Williams said.

“I can remember, I’ve always said that, you know, as Africa, we are one, we support each other, you know, in good and bad moments, we’ve all got our own politics, we’ve got our own problems, our own fights that we deal with, you know, back home, you know, every country does, you know.”

“So, I mean, I don’t know where it stemmed from, and it does hurt, you know, because like I’ve mentioned, I’ve been attacked, obviously my
country as well, for things that are going on back home and, you know, I’ve always said, you know, players are human beings as well.”

Bafana Bafana will face the Czech Republic on Thursday at 5pm Nigerian time. Both teams are without a point in the competition after
losing their opening matches.

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