General News
China Rejects U.S. Allegation of Secret Nuclear Explosion
A senior United States official has disclosed what he described as fresh intelligence suggesting that China may have conducted an underground nuclear test in June 2020.
Speaking on Tuesday at an event hosted by the Hudson Institute in Washington, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Yeaw said seismic readings from a monitoring station in Kazakhstan detected a magnitude 2.75 explosive event approximately 450 miles (720 kilometers) from China’s Lop Nor nuclear testing site in the country’s western region.
According to Yeaw, further analysis of the data indicates the seismic activity was consistent with an explosion rather than natural causes or routine industrial activity. He stated that the signal did not match the pattern of an earthquake or a mining blast but instead resembled what would typically be expected from a nuclear detonation. Yeaw, a former intelligence and defence official with a doctorate in nuclear engineering, maintained that the likelihood of it being anything other than an explosion was minimal.
However, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the global body responsible for tracking nuclear test explosions, said the available data was insufficient to conclusively verify the allegation.
China swiftly rejected the accusation. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington described the claim as baseless and politically motivated, suggesting it was aimed at justifying a potential resumption of U.S. nuclear testing.
In a written statement, embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu accused Washington of attempting to undermine global nuclear disarmament efforts while pursuing what he called “nuclear hegemony.” He urged the United States to recommit to the pledge made by the five recognized nuclear-weapon states to refrain from conducting nuclear tests and to take meaningful steps toward strengthening international non-proliferation frameworks.
The controversy comes amid rising tensions over global arms control. U.S. President Donald Trump has been advocating for China to participate in negotiations alongside the United States and Russia to replace New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) — the last remaining strategic nuclear arms reduction agreement between Washington and Moscow, which expired on February 5.
The lapse of the treaty has heightened fears among analysts that the world could be entering a renewed and potentially accelerated nuclear arms race.
China, which signed but has not ratified the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, insists it has not carried out any nuclear test explosions since its last acknowledged underground test in 1996.
The Movement for Credible Elections (MCE) has announced plans to institute legal action against the National Assembly and the Nigeria Police Force over the alleged use of tear gas and force against protesters demonstrating for electoral reforms.
In a statement issued Wednesday and signed by Olawale Okunniyi, Head of the group’s National Secretariat, the organisation condemned what it described as the “violent dispersal of unarmed protesters” who had gathered to demand transparency in the country’s electoral process.
The group said the incident occurred while lawmakers were deliberating on provisions it claims could weaken safeguards for electronic transmission of election results, warning that the development sends a troubling signal about democratic accountability.
According to the statement, deploying force against peaceful demonstrators undermines public trust in democratic institutions and creates the perception that state authorities are being used to shield controversial legislative actions from scrutiny.
MCE argued that citizens have both the right and civic duty to peacefully demand credible elections, stressing that suppressing dissent risks eroding democratic principles.
Demands
The organisation called for:
An immediate and transparent investigation into police conduct during the protest.
Public clarification from the legislature on its commitment to clearly defined safeguards for electronic transmission of results.
Open engagement between lawmakers, civil society, and citizens on electoral reform proposals.
The group warned that how institutions respond to public participation now would shape confidence in the credibility of the 2027 general elections.
MCE also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful and vigilant while it proceeds with legal steps against the legislature and police over the incident.
President Bola Tinubu has formally signed the Electoral Act 2026 Amendment into law.
The signing ceremony was held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with principal officers of the National Assembly in attendance.
President Tinubu commended lawmakers, saying he had closely followed the amendment process and praised them for a “job well done.”
The National Assembly leadership described the amendments as a significant step toward ensuring that every vote counts and enhancing the transparency of future elections.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio stated that lawmakers conducted a thorough review of the law before its approval. He highlighted that the amendments now allow for the electronic transmission of polling unit results to the results viewing portal—a longstanding demand by Nigerians.
Akpabio added that while manually signed polling unit results are retained, the new system will enable citizens to compare results at various stages, reducing the risk of post-election tampering.
House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas noted that reducing the election notice period from 360 to 300 days is aimed at curbing voter apathy and improving participation.
Implications for Nigeria’s Elections
Analysts say the amendment is a major step toward modernizing Nigeria’s electoral system and aligning it with international best practices.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is expected to implement the new measures ahead of the 2027 general elections, with updated guidelines to support electronic results transmission and improved monitoring.
With these reforms, Nigeria aims to enhance credibility in its elections, reduce post-election disputes, and strengthen citizens’ trust in the democratic process.
General News
Lagos Commercial Drivers Protest Against Takeover of Routes by Seyi Tinubu’s Buses, Block VGC Road
Commercial drivers in Lagos staged a protest on Wednesday along the Ajiwe–Victoria Garden City (VGC) corridor, Ajah, bringing traffic to a standstill. The drivers claim they were instructed to stop operating their existing “korope” buses and switch to newly introduced vehicles allegedly linked to Seyi Tinubu.
Eyewitnesses reported that the drivers were prevented from operating entirely, rather than just being restricted to certain routes. Many of the affected operators said they had fully paid for their current buses under long-term purchase agreements and described the directive as unfair and exploitative.
“They told us not to use korope again, even though some of us have completed payments for our buses,” an operator said, expressing frustration over the forced transition to new vehicles.
As of Wednesday morning, movement along the Ajiwe–VGC route was heavily disrupted, with protesters occupying the road and halting both commercial and private traffic.
At the time of reporting, Lagos State authorities and Seyi Tinubu had not responded to the allegations. Drivers vowed to maintain their protest until their concerns were addressed.