Nigeria News (Standard)
Elon Musk Becomes World’s First Trillionaire as SpaceX Valuation Hits $2.1trn Mark
Milestone follows SpaceX’s record IPO; Musk’s net worth climbs to $1.1trn, driven by major tech holdings
Milestone follows SpaceX’s record IPO; Musk’s net worth climbs to $1.1trn, driven by major tech holdings
Elon Musk has become the first person in history to reach a net worth of over $1 trillion after SpaceX, his space technology company, completed a record-setting initial public offering (IPO) on Thursday, June 13. The development saw SpaceX’s market valuation soar above $2 trillion on its debut trading day, boosting Musk’s estimated fortune to about $1.1 trillion.
The landmark IPO saw SpaceX shares open strongly and continue their upward trend throughout the session, closing with a total company valuation of more than $2.1 trillion. This historic performance placed Musk—who holds a significant stake in the company—at the top of global wealth rankings and marked the first time any individual has crossed the trillion-dollar threshold.
Musk’s path to this unprecedented milestone began in the late 1990s with his early ventures in software and payments technology, including Zip2 and X.com, which eventually became PayPal. After selling PayPal, he invested heavily in what many considered risky projects at the time—most notably Tesla, the electric car manufacturer, and SpaceX, founded in 2002 with ambitions to reduce space travel costs and make human life multiplanetary.
Despite facing major challenges—including financial difficulties and repeated rocket failures—SpaceX survived several near-collapse moments before securing major contracts and rising as a global leader in aerospace innovation. Today, SpaceX operates Starlink satellite internet services and runs one of the world’s most active launch programmes. In addition to his stake in SpaceX, Musk’s wealth is also tied to investments in Tesla, artificial intelligence start-up xAI, Neuralink and The Boring Company.
Industry analysts say Musk’s achievement cements his position as one of the most influential business figures of this century. The financial milestone is expected to further drive interest in private sector-led innovation globally. No Nigerian or African entrepreneur has yet approached such a valuation benchmark.
Nigeria News (Standard)
ADC Refuses to Confirm Reports on Atiku’s Running Mate Selection
Party officials decline comment amid mounting speculation over Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential pick ahead of 2027 elections
Party officials decline comment amid mounting speculation over Atiku Abubakar’s vice-presidential pick ahead of 2027 elections
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declined to confirm widespread reports regarding the selection of a running mate for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to contest in the upcoming 2027 presidential election. Party officials, when contacted on Saturday in Abuja, refused to provide details or comment on the matter, despite growing public interest.
Rumours have circulated in recent days across political circles that Atiku, a prominent figure from Adamawa State and former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, may have reached an agreement with the ADC concerning his running mate. The uncertainty has fuelled speculation about new political alliances and potential defections ahead of the next general elections.
The choice of a running mate is considered a critical factor in Nigeria’s presidential race, as it can influence regional support and party strategy. Atiku’s previous selections for vice-presidential candidate have drawn attention due to their impact on voting patterns in key geopolitical zones. With the next poll less than a year away, Nigerians are closely watching for any indication of new alignments among major political parties.
Despite repeated enquiries from journalists, ADC leaders maintained their silence and did not issue any official statement on the reported selection. Efforts to reach Atiku’s media aides also yielded no response as at press time. Without confirmation from either party or candidate, uncertainty remains over whether an agreement has indeed been finalised.
As the 2027 election season gathers momentum, further announcements from both Atiku Abubakar and ADC are expected to shape the evolving political landscape. Stakeholders say clarity on his choice of running mate could influence other parties’ strategies and realignments across Nigeria.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Restores Labour Party on Ballot for Enugu Senatorial By-Election
Electoral commission reverses earlier exclusion, clearing LP to contest Enugu East poll after legal review
Electoral commission reverses earlier exclusion, clearing LP to contest Enugu East poll after legal review
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has reinstated the Labour Party (LP) as a recognised contestant for the upcoming Enugu East senatorial by-election. The decision was announced in Enugu on Saturday, 13 June 2026, following a period of uncertainty over the party’s eligibility.
INEC’s move comes after weeks of legal consultations and pressure from LP stakeholders, who had protested the party’s initial omission from the list of approved candidates. The electoral commission stated that its latest review confirmed that Labour Party met all necessary requirements to participate in the scheduled by-election.
The development holds significant weight for Enugu East Senatorial District, where political competition between major parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party—remains intense. Observers note that Labour Party’s restoration could alter voter dynamics and increase turnout, given the party’s recent gains in South-East Nigeria.
In a statement, INEC said: “After due consideration of court orders and compliance documents submitted by Labour Party, we have updated our register to include LP among qualified parties for the by-election.” However, opposition figures from PDP and APC have raised concerns about the timing of INEC’s reversal. A PDP spokesperson said their party will closely monitor all developments to ensure transparency throughout the electoral process.
With this decision, campaigning is expected to intensify in Enugu East as all recognised parties mobilise supporters ahead of election day. Political analysts believe INEC’s resolution may set a precedent for future cases involving party eligibility disputes during Nigeria’s electoral cycle.
Nigeria News (Standard)
INEC Flags 469 Polling Units as Flashpoints Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election
Electoral commission moves to deploy security agencies after identifying high-risk locations across Ekiti State for June 13 poll
Electoral commission moves to deploy security agencies after identifying high-risk locations across Ekiti State for June 13 poll
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has identified 469 polling units across Ekiti State as potential flashpoints ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, June 13. The commission said these locations were marked due to intelligence reports and previous incidents of electoral disturbance.
INEC officials revealed that the flagged polling units are spread across several local government areas, with a concentration in communities previously affected by ballot snatching, voter intimidation, and violence. The decision to highlight these flashpoints followed a series of stakeholder engagements and risk assessments conducted by the commission in collaboration with security agencies.
The move is aimed at preventing disruptions and ensuring a peaceful voting process for over one million eligible voters in the South-West state. INEC noted that previous elections in Ekiti had witnessed isolated cases of violence and intimidation, leading to calls from civil society groups and opposition parties for stronger preventive measures this year.
A senior INEC official, who asked not to be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly, stated that the commission had already communicated its findings to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies for immediate action. “We have shared our risk analysis with security stakeholders so they can deploy adequate personnel to these areas,” the official said.
As at Friday evening, security agencies had reportedly intensified patrols around identified flashpoints while local INEC offices began dispatching election materials under armed escort. The commission urged political parties and candidates to caution their supporters against any acts capable of disrupting the process. Voting is expected to commence at 8:30 a.m. in all 2,445 polling units statewide.
ADC Refuses to Confirm Reports on Atiku’s Running Mate Selection
INEC Restores Labour Party on Ballot for Enugu Senatorial By-Election
Bayern Munich Boss Sends Strong Warning to Real Madrid Over Nigerian-Born Star Amid €500m Transfer Rumours
INEC Flags 469 Polling Units as Flashpoints Ahead of Ekiti Governorship Election
Gombe Rep Dies After Brief Illness, House Speaker Abbas Leads Lawmakers in Mourning
Kogi Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists Over Death of University Student in Anyigba
Katsina Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Along Katsina-Kankara Road
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Oyo Police Arrest Five Suspected Armed Robbers in Ibadan Raid, Recover Firearms and Charms
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Environment Minister Urges Increased Investment in Nigeria’s Green Economy Ahead of Global Climate Summit
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Federal Government Launches Mining Grants for Research and Exploration Across Nigeria
