Japan’s foreign minister on Monday met with his Egyptian counterpart in Cairo.

Toshimitsu Motegi and his delegation discussed with Egyptian officials “ways of strengthening bilateral relations, as well as exchanging visions on the most prominent regional issues of common concern,” according to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.

“We shared our concern about the current situation in Afghanistan and agreed to cooperate with Egypt which has an influence on the Islamic world so that this issue does not become a factor of further turmoil,” Motegi said in a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.

The two countries, during the meeting agreed on the need to reach political solutions to the crises in the region.

They affirmed the need for continuing consultation and coordination between the two sides in the different international forums, especially in terms of the joint efforts to prepare for the upcoming Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) set to be held in Tunisia next year.

The Egyptian president President Abdel Fattah Al-sisi in an earlier meeting asked that his greetings be conveyed to Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

Sisi also congratulated the Japanese people for successfully hosting the latest Olympics in Tokyo.

Standing by the coffee machine as he does each morning, a hotel waiter had swapped his usual dark tie for a bright red.

“My vote helped swing it,” he slipped to AFP with a wide smile, eyes twinkling.

Outside Lusaka was electric. UPND supporters that had gathered just after Hichilema’s victory was announced were still parading through the capital, more and more people joining them as the morning went on.

Every other person was wearing red — a beanie, a t-shirt, UPND print wrapped around women’s waists and heads. Jubilant supporters screeched by in minivan taxis and pickup trucks, beeping the wheel and leaning excitedly out of the vehicles. Most shops and street stalls were closed, shutters pulled tightly shut.

On a usually bustling commercial street off Cairo Road, two women were having a quiet celebratory drink in one of several empty mobile credit booths lining the street.

“Of course we are happy but we are a bit afraid, people are misbehaving,” said Katy Mtonga, 25, who had decided not to open her cellphone accessory store across the road.

“I hope Lungu accepts the situation,” she added, as fervent groups of UPND supporters ran past, chanting and waving sticks in the air. Some groups carried coffins drapped in Lungu-printed fabric.

Several police vehicles drove by, sirens blasting, as armed soldiers milled around. Another woman turns up to look for credit with no luck. She has been trying all morning.

“Too many people are running up and down we can’t even work, that’s why all the shops are closed,” Mtonga’s friend Karen Mutandi, 25, explains. “People are scared of coming into town.”

Next door, Martin Muchaili, 43, has still set up his portable passport photo stand.

“I wasn’t surprised, I knew (Hichilema) would win,” said Muchaili, a soft-spoked bearded man in a faded UPND beanie. He explains that “PF cadres” forced vendors to pay for spots in markets or on sidewalks, fuelling resentment. They would also tax minivan drivers for picking up passengers from bus stops.

Many mobile credit booths, market stalls and bus stops had been vandalised overnight.

“That’s the biggest mistake (the PF) made,” he said. “They gave cadres too much power.” “I am confident Lungu will leave,” he added. “Zambians are peaceful, we don’t like fighting.”

Behind Muchaili’s display of passport photos is a stationary shop, one of the only open on the street.

Sarah Mumba, 23, sits behind the counter, eyes slightly puffy from lack of sleep. She had stayed up until the final results were announced and briefly joined street celebrations.

“The last election was not free and fair,” Mumba told AFP. This time “the numbers don’t lie”, she added. “I don’t have any issues with the way (the ECZ) handled the vote.”

A customer, 45-year-old Cornelius Bwalya, walks in to purchase pens and paper for his car repair shop. “We needed change,” he said. Hichilema “made promises”, now we will have to see “whether our issues will be dealt with, the economy and general business”.

• ‘Finally, he has done it!’ –

Thousands of Hichilema supporters flocked onto the streets of Lusaka, erupting into song and dance, cheering and waving party flags.

The celebrations continued into dawn, as hundreds of people congregated outside Hichilema’s house in a leafy suburb of the capital.

“I am so excited, finally he has done it! Tonight we are celebrating Bally’s victory,” said 21-year-old Rosemary Malunga, referring to Hichilema by his nickname, which is slang for “father”.

Hundreds also took their victory lap to the entrance of the presidential residence, where soldiers and police kept guard.

On Saturday, as ballots were being counted, Lungu claimed the vote was neither free nor fair, but his objections gained little traction.

International election observers have commended the polls’ transparent and peaceful organisation, which saw a turnout of around 70.9 percent — a huge jump from 57.7 posted in the 2016 polls.

But they also criticised restrictions on freedom of assembly and movement during campaigning.

• Democracy boost? –

Observers saw the election as a referendum on Lungu’s rule, which saw plummeting living standards and deepening repression in the country of more than 17 million.

Hichilema enjoyed the backing of 10 opposition parties, which threw their weight behind his United Party for National Development (UPND). Legislative and local elections were held alongside the presidential ballot on Thursday.

Kenya’s former prime minister Raila Odinga congratulated Hichilema for a “decisive victory”.

“Amidst an unprecedented public health challenge, the Zambian people have made Africa proud for conducting a successful election,” Odinga tweeted.

The election, he hoped, strengthens Zambia’s democracy “and reminds fellow Africans elsewhere that nothing is impossible”.

Despite occasional episodes of political violence, Zambia has earned a reputation for stability. Every transition of power has been peaceful since the former British colony adopted its multi-party system in 1990.

“Zambians have lived up to be true democrats. It’s a different African story,” Ringisai Chikohomero, researcher at the Pretoria-based Institute for Security Studies, told AFP.

The National President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Hon. Alabi Kolade David, the National Executive Council (NEC) across Nigeria as well as the Board of Trustees led by Odunayo Ategbero have commended the members of the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force for restoring sanity, maintaining Law and Order after Thursday’s invasion of ALGON’s national office in Abuja. 
Speaking in a statement issued by his Media Office in Abuja, the ALGON National President described the the action of one Abdullahi Maje who mobilised thugs to break into the Headquarters of ALGON in Maitama, Abuja, as “another example hooliganism.” 
He said that ALGON is a well structured Association with men and women of honour who are law abiding and have ample respect for the rule of law and as such will never join issues with detractors, even when the red line is crossed, but will always be on the side of the law. 
He said that the gentle disposition of the present leadership with it’s crop of intellect and celebral Chairmen “should not be misconstrued or taken for granted for any one to smear the Association.” 
It will be recalled that the Suleja Local Government Chairman, Hon Abdullahi Maje (who is not a NEC Member) has at several times made unsuccessful attempts to break into the Headquarters of ALGON with all manner of lies and circulating misleading information bothering on the leadership of the Association.
In his reaction, the Chairman Board of Trustees of ALGON, Hon Odunayo Ategbero described the action of Abdullahi Maje as “distractionary to the on-going transformation in the Association.” 
He said that ALGON is one and indivisible and has never had it so good and peaceful than now under the Alabi leadership. 
He pledged the continued support of members of Trustees to ALGON while insisting that absolute loyalty to the Hon. Alabi’s leadership is not negotiable.
In his own reaction, on behalf of the National Executive Council members, the National Organising Secretary, Hon. Ezekiel Rabuet of ALGON Adamawa along side his Kano ALGON counterpart Hon. Muhammad Bappa Takai Sanidescribed Maje’s continued disturbance to ALGON as “unfortunate”, calling for an end to “such irresponsible act.” 
Deputy National President, Hon. Jega Marshal Shehu who arrived shortly after the incident, condemned the incident, hailing the security agencies and insisted that ALGON under Alabi will “remain even more united and  focussed to continue to pilot the affairs of the Association.” 
In the meantime, while the National Office said it has taken audit of the extent of damage during invasion on Thursday, normalcy has since been restored with official duties in progress. 

The South East Coordinator of the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba (Onwa) has urged those of voting age in Anambra State to take advantage of the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise being conducted by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and register to enable them exercise their franchise.

Making the call while speaking with newsmen in Onitsha, Comrade Ojib, who was the defunct Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN) Governorship Candidate in the 2016 Anambra Governorship election, encouraged the staff of INEC to continue to be diligent in the exercise to be able to get a good record of voters in the state.

Comrade Ojiba then appealed to the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to shelve its latest policy of shutting down the South East every Monday, given the current harsh economic realities biting hard on not only Ndigbo but also the entire nation.

The WWA South East Coordinator added that there is no economic wisdom in shutting down the region as virtually over half of the population of the zone in Igboland depends on daily income to feed their families and dependent ones.

Comrade Ojiba also enjoined all members of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA) in Anambra State to close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards ensuring victory of the Andy Ubah governorship aspirations to usher in a new era in governance in the state.

As political parties, including the All Progressive Congress (APC), and candidates of political parties prepare for the forthcoming Anambra governorship election in November 2021, the APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), Anambra State Chapter, has concluded arrangements for a workshop to enlighten and mobilise the electorate to participate actively in the polls.

Addressing Local Government Coordinators from the 21 Local Government Areas in the state, the Zonal Coordinator of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors, South East Zone, Comrade Akunwata Ejoh Ojiba disclosed that the organisation has the mandate to penetrate the grassroots.

This, he said, the group is set to achieve through massive mobilisation of the electorate to vote and support Senator Andy Ubah, to become the next Governor of Anambra State.

He urged female members of APC Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors to intensify efforts towards convincing more women to identify with the WWA.

He added that the time has come for all members to close ranks and work with unity of purpose towards encouraging the victory of Senator Andy Ubah in the forthcoming Governorship elections in Anambra state.

Also speaking, a former House of Representative Member for Onitsha Federal Constituency, Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, stressed the need of working out strategies and roadmaps that would ensure victory for the party at the forthcoming elections.

Hon. Gozie Agbakoba, who is also a member of Trustee of the Ward-To-Ward Ambassadors (WWA), also stressed the need for the organization to imbibe the modern trend and concept of voting by ensuring that only capable hands are assigned duties at polling booths.

He stated that data driven strategies should be adopted, adding that the WWA should strive toward mobilizing potential voters to participate in the ongoing voters’ registration exercises.

Comrade Ojiba, who was a former Anambra State governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), also stressed the need for APC faithful to understand their polling codes.

Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called for a more virile opposition party in the country, saying the country’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed in that duty.

The CNPP in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, noted that “unless a virile opposition party evolves ahead of the 2023 general elections, the country will have to return to a one party system, which is very unhealthy for our democracy.

“Evidently, we are gradually returning to the dark days of one party state before the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their allies metamorphosed into a strong opposition party and gave Nigerians an alternative party platform in 2015.  

“The APC has been in power for six years but the lives of the ordinary person are not getting better, increasing the yarning for a new strong opposition party as possible choice against the ruling APC and the PDP.

“Rule of law has become a big challenge as the APC government has jettisoned that basic ingredient of democracy and have continued to manipulate democratic processes and have refused to obey several court orders in the last six years.

“So many valid court judgments have been disregarded by the APC with instances of the party’s failure to abide by its own party constitution in many instances till the recent Supreme Court verdict on its National Chairmanship position.

“We therefore call on all opposition parties in the country to come together and form alliances or mergers to provide an alternative political party platform as both PDP and the APC have failed the masses of Nigeria as main opposition party and ruling party controlling both the executive and the legislature.

“Obviously, the PDP under Uche Secondus’ leadership has failed to convince Nigerian electorates and the masses that the party is ready to provide itself as alternative in 2023 as even its Board of Trustees member just defected to the ruling APC”, the CNPP noted.