Nigerian Gossip

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Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, was on Thursday evening named UEFA Player of the Year. 
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Modric won the prize ahead of former team-mate, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is now at Juventus and Liverpool’s Mohammed Salah. 
 
The numbers released by UEFA after the event, shows that the Croatia captain, finished first in the poll, 90 points ahead of Ronaldo. 
 
Modric got 313 points, while Ronaldo garnered 223 points. 
 
Salah finished in third place with 134 points. 
 
Ronaldo’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has already criticized organizers of the award, calling it “a scandal”.</div>

How Modric won UEFA Player of the Year ahead of Ronaldo, Salah

Real Madrid midfielder, Luka Modric, was on Thursday evening named UEFA Player of the Year. Modric won the prize ahead of former team-m...

Dogara's Aide explains why he was absent at APC NEC meeting

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Dogara's Aide explains why he was absent at APC NEC meeting

Gov. Ortom reveals who’ll help him retain power, says he can’t continue to ”settle” Akume

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Gov. Ortom reveals who’ll help him retain power, says he can’t continue to ”settle” Akume

Details of PDP leadership’s meeting with Saraki, Atiku, Kwankwaso emerge

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Details of PDP leadership’s meeting with Saraki, Atiku, Kwankwaso emerge

You are on your own, Buhari tells illegal migrants

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You are on your own, Buhari tells illegal migrants

FAAC: FG, States, LGs share August allocation (Breakdown)

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FAAC: FG, States, LGs share August allocation (Breakdown)

Thierry Henry promoted to Belgium’s assistant coach

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Belgium on Friday promoted Thierry Henry to the number two job with the national side, just days after the Arsenal and France great turned down the manager’s job at Bordeaux. 
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The 41-year-old, who helped manager Roberto Martinez steer the Red Devils to third place at the World Cup in Russia, rebuffed the six-time French champions citing “uncertainty” behind the scenes at the club. 
 
Henry, the all-time leading goalscorer for both Arsenal and France, takes over from Graeme Jones who left the Belgian set-up to join the staff at second-tier English side West Bromwich Albion. 
 
As forwards coach, Henry played a major role in guiding a talented Belgian side to the World Cup semi-final where they were edged out by eventual winners France. 
 
“We are delighted that he has decided to stay with the Red Devils, and to stay with what we started in the World Cup in Russia, a very important moment for us,” Martinez told a news conference. 
 
Henry juggled his role with Belgium with extensive TV punditry in Britain, but former Swansea, Wigan and Everton boss Martinez said the Frenchman would now focus on his coaching duties. 
 
“We are looking forward to welcome him back, now he is going to have a bigger role in terms of his contribution on a daily basis, because now he is going to full time in the structure of the Belgian federation,” the Spaniard said.</div>

Thierry Henry promoted to Belgium’s assistant coach

Belgium on Friday promoted Thierry Henry to the number two job with the national side, just days after the Arsenal and France great turned...

MKO Abiola’s daughter, ‘Rinsola, dumps APC

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‘Rinsola Abiola, daughter of late politician, Moshood Abiola, has renounced her membership of the All Progressives Congress. 
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Abiola relinquished her membership via letter that she sent to the APC chairman in her ward, Gbagura Ward 6 in Abeokuta North Local Government. 
 
She shared a photo of the letter on her Twitter handle, @Bint_Moshood on Friday. 
 
The Special Assistant to Speaker Yakubu Dogara, said although she had dumped the ruling party, she was yet to join another party. 
 
She added that her choice of political platform would be informed by “factors such as commitment to youth and women inclusion, and internal democracy in its true sense.” 
 
Her followers have been responding to her announcement on Twitter, mostly in the positive, with some begging her not to join the Peoples Democratic Party. 
 
See tweets: 
 
Wow. This is truly shocking. Your graciousness is evident in all you do and I pray that God directs your every step.💗 
 
— Yemi (@Babygiwa) August 31, 2018 
 
Wow! Rinsola! Just wow. Just wow. Good luck to you but please please please not PDP. Please, joo, biko. PLEASE. 
 
— Iyabo A. Awokoya (@iyaboawokoya) August 31, 2018 
 
Safe trip to PDP Rinsola….. All the best 🙂 
 
— Ayodeji Gasby (@Gasbytweet) August 31, 2018 
 
Wherever you decide on, you’ll do well. 
Well done on all the advocacy you do, and all the very best for the future. 
🙂 
 
— Isioma (@Ms_Isioma) August 31, 2018 
 
I’ve always wondered how you managed to fit into the party going by the values I perceive you have. I pretty much thought you were gathering like minds for a change but I was convinced the political dons in Nigeria will sink any good will and you’ll either break or leave. 
Kudos. 
 
— Mo Fash (@_MoFash) August 31, 2018 
 
Wow. I do believe this was a well thought out decision. You have made your mark with your activities so far and your value is unquestionable. 
 
Best wishes in your future endeavours. 
 
— Sam Hart (@hartng) August 31, 2018 
 
Interesting times ahead. Are you still running in 2019, if yes, which party do you intend to use? Are you following your boss out of the APC? What happens if he doesn’t defect? 
 
— AkTiVe Citizen (@biolaodetola) August 31, 2018 
 
This came as a shock. Wishing you the very best Rinsola. Thank you for being true to your ideals when you were in the APC and not getting involved in all the mud game. 
 
You were above board. 
Nothing but respect for you. 
Please don’t leave politics. Ogun state & Nigeria needs you. 
 
— Ugonnia (@AustinYugo) August 31, 2018 
 
Rinsola,when is Dogara Relinquishing His? 
 
— NSA (@nurasaniakawu) August 31, 2018</div>

MKO Abiola’s daughter, ‘Rinsola, dumps APC

‘Rinsola Abiola, daughter of late politician, Moshood Abiola, has renounced her membership of the All Progressives Congress. Abiola rel...

UEFA to introduce VAR in Champions League next season

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UEFA are set to wait until next season before introducing Video Assistant Referees in the Champions League, although they are still not ruling out having it in this season’s final, president Aleksander Ceferin said on Friday. 
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Ceferin has so far resisted calls to bring VAR into Europe’s elite club competition, despite the system largely proving successful at the World Cup. 
 
It has also been introduced in Spain and France this season, with those leagues following on from the Bundesliga and Serie A, although the English Premier League has been more cautious. 
 
“For me, VAR is not completely clear for now, but we also know that there is no way back anymore, technology will come sooner or later,” Ceferin told journalists in Monaco, where the Champions League group-stage draw was held on Thursday. 
 
“The plan for now is to use it from the next season, with the first match which is the Super Cup.” 
 
That match is due to be played in Istanbul on August 14, 2019, and the Champions League would then bring in VAR from the playoff round the same month. 
 
“When we are ready we will use it, but it is not so easy because we have to choose the provider, it is not easy to organise a competition across the continent with all the referees, so we have some issues,” said Ceferin. 
 
There had been reports that VAR could come in from the latter stages of this season’s competition, but UEFA’s Slovenian president now says it is unlikely to be used even in the final in Madrid next June. 
 
“I’m not ruling it out but for now it doesn’t look like it will happen,” he admitted. 
 
Ceferin acknowledged that VAR “worked quite well” at the World Cup, but UEFA’s biggest concern is how they can effectively run the system in a competition spanning an entire continent. 
 
– ‘Very complex’ – 
 
At the World Cup, FIFA used a centralised system based in Moscow, yet doing the same thing with matches being played in different countries is far more complex. 
 
“It’s really much more problematic than it looks. We really have a huge territory, we have different countries. We don’t know yet how to do it,” added Ceferin. 
 
“The plan is to do it next season, but let’s see what happens, I don’t want to predict anything 100 percent.” 
 
Nevertheless, it seems that UEFA will wait a further year before the Europa League follows suit. 
 
Giorgio Marchetti, the organisation’s deputy general secretary, admitted that VAR was “obviously not impossible but very complex, and requires a lot of planning”. 
 
“The Europa League would follow exactly like GLT (goal-line technology), because of this complexity of the operations,” he said, confirming that the idea would be to wait another season. 
 
Meanwhile, reports in Germany on Thursday indicated that UEFA were considering bringing back a third continental club competition, two decades after the Cup Winners’ Cup was scrapped. 
 
Sport Bild said the idea was to start a 32-team tournament from 2021, reducing the number of participants in the Europa League from the current 48 down to 32 and further opening up continental competition to sides from smaller countries. 
 
But Ceferin said: “They are just discussions, is it better to have 64 in the Europa League or 32 and 32? They are just discussions.” 
 
– Restoring competitive balance – 
 
The 50-year-old, who succeeded Michel Platini as UEFA president in 2016, looks set to be re-elected early next year, with a vote taking place in Rome in February. 
 
The increasing dominance in the Champions League of an elite few raises ever greater concerns about competitive balance, something Ceferin says is his “greatest challenge” going forward. 
 
He is nevertheless optimistic that a breakaway, closed league for the super rich will not happen. 
 
“I think, as much as I spoke to the big clubs, that it’s clear to them that the competition only between the big clubs will not happen and would be very boring, and they understand that for the development of football they have to share some money,” he said.</div>

UEFA to introduce VAR in Champions League next season

UEFA are set to wait until next season before introducing Video Assistant Referees in the Champions League, although they are still not ru...

I predict a violence-free election come 2019 – Kalu

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Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia has predicted that the 2019 general elections would  be violence-free across the country. 
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Kalu made the prediction on Friday in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia, the Abia Capital. 
 
He said: “There was no violence in 2015 in spite the general fear and predictions before the polls, so there will be no violence in 2019. 
 
“The elections will be peaceful here in Abia and across the whole Federation.” 
 
He said that the ruling-APC government of President Muhammadu Buhari would stop at nothing to ensure hitch-free election. 
 
“The elections will not be marred by violence. APC-led government will leave no stone unturned to protect the nation democracy.’’ 
 
He said that the pressure of electioneering usually heated up the polity and described the development as natural and often precedent to general elections anywhere in the world. 
 
According to the ex-governor, such heat being experienced should not be mistaken as a sign of imminent violence. 
 
“Even in the U.S., the polity is presently heating up ahead of the midterm elections coming up on Nov. 6,’’ he said. 
 
Kalu, who is a senatorial aspirant for Abia North, took exception to the recent destruction of billboards and posters belonging to political office seekers in the area. 
 
He blamed the act on desperate politicians and their thugs, saying that people should not make politics a do-or-die affair. 
 
“People should see politics as a game, if you win, you rejoice but if you lose you take it in the spirit of sportsmanship. It should not be a do-or-die affair.’’ 
 
On the recent defections across different party lines by some prominent politicians in the country, Kalu said that the actions were intended to satisfy personal interest and “not in the interest of the people.’’ 
 
“Those politicians that are defecting are doing so for their selfish interest because they felt that they would not get the ticket from their former parties.’’ 
 
He attributed the trend to the lack of ideology among the nation’s political class, saying that politicians should learn to play politics of ideology. 
 
“You saw that when I left the Peoples Democratic Party I did not return rather, I joined APC because it meets my expectations and that is where all Nigerians of note are sitting.’’ 
 
Kalu said that he was determined to bring the Southeast geo-political zone into the mainstream of the nation’s politics. 
 
“I am currently working hard day and night to ensure that APC wins the governorship and National Assembly positions in all the states in the zone. 
 
“My ambition is to make sure that I bring the South-east to sit where other Nigerians are sitting and we must achieve it in 2019.’’ 
 
Kalu reiterated his earlier position that APC would have a landslide victory in the zone in 2019. 
 
He said APC would score at least, 75 per cent votes in Abia and 51 per cent in the other states in the zone.</div>

I predict a violence-free election come 2019 – Kalu

Chief Orji Kalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former governor of Abia has predicted that the 2019 general electi...

"Buhari has proven beyond reasonable doubt to be honest with Nigerians"

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Rep. Umar Bago ( APC Chanchaga Federal Constituency) says that the All Progressive Congress ( APC) remains a strong political party committed to offering hope for Nigerians through democratic governance. 
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Bago, in an interview with newsmen in Minna on Friday, claimed that the tremendous development recorded by the present administration in the country in three years had spoken for itself. 
 
“Mr President has succeeded in repositioning the country for the better in security, transport, massive road construction, provision of farming implements and diversification of the economy among others. 
 
“President Buhari has proved beyond reasonable doubt to be honest, sincere and committed to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians, irrespective of political, tribal and ethnic differences,” he said. 
 
The lawmaker lauded President Buhari for his bold effort in the ongoing  fight against corruption, militancy, cattle rustling and Boko Haram. 
 
He expressed confidence in the ability of the leadership of the party to ensure victory 2019. 
 
“The party is strong and the leadership and membership of the party are committed to ensuring it remains strong and continues to offer hope for the people, irrespective of political differences.“ 
 
He said that no amount of campaign of calumny against the President would deter Buhari from seeking for re-election to continue his quest to return the country to the path of glory. 
 
The lawmaker called on the electorate to safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), reminding them that PVC remained the only power they needed in electing credible leaders to ensure good governance.</div>

"Buhari has proven beyond reasonable doubt to be honest with Nigerians"

Rep. Umar Bago ( APC Chanchaga Federal Constituency) says that the All Progressive Congress ( APC) remains a strong political party commit...

I’m still running! Moghalu, rejects Durotoye’s emergence as presidential candidate

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Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Kingsley Moghalu, has rejected the emergence of Fela Durotoye of the Alliance for a New Nigeria (ANN), as the consensus presidential candidate of the umbrella platform, Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT). Professor Moghalu, has also announced that he is still firmly in the presidential race. 
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This is following Thursday’s voting process among 18 presidential aspirants under PACT who came together to elect a consensus candidate ahead of the 2019 elections. 
 
At the end of the two-staged voting process that later had only eight of the aspirants out of the 18 who participated, Fela Durotoye of ANN emerged consensus candidate of PACT. 
 
However, just before the end of the exercise, four of the aspirants who were present “withdrew from the process even while the voting process was ongoing,” claimed Moghalu, adding therefore that “the PACT did not produce a true consensus candidate.” 
 
Making his intention for withdrawing from PACT and continuing with his presidential race, Moghalu said that “The reasons I have pulled out of the PACT arrangement are as follows: 1. The arrangement had unraveled even before the final selection of the consensus candidate.” 
 
He also said that “I therefore have chosen to continue without distraction to pursue my vision in the presidential race for 2019 in the national interest and in deference to the overwhelming outpouring of support for my candidacy from all parts of Nigeria.” 
 
Below is his full statement. 
 
“I am firmly in the race for President of Nigeria in 2019. 
 
“I wish to inform members of my “To Build A Nation” (TBAN) movement, the Kingsley Moghalu Support Organisation (KIMSO) nationwide, the Kingsley Moghalu Volunteer Force, Youth for Kingsley (Y4K), Women for Kingsley (W4K), Kingsley Moghalu Disciples, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and my other supporters nationwide and in the diaspora that I am pressing ahead with my plan to contest the 2019 presidential election. 
 
“This is despite the arrangement for a consensus candidate among the young presidential aspirants under the aegis of Presidential Aspirants Coming Together (PACT), which today produced an outcome that has left many Nigerians expressing surprise and disappointment. 
 
“The reasons I have pulled out of the PACT arrangement are as follows: 1. The arrangement had unraveled even before the final selection of the consensus candidate. 
 
“Only seven aspirants participated in the final voting out of the original 18 aspirants, mainly because many of the aspirants had withdrawn from the process. 
 
“Four candidates who were present in the meeting this morning withdrew from the process even while the voting process was ongoing. Therefore, PACT did not produce a true consensus candidate. 
 
“2. Clause 13 of the PACT Memorandum of Understanding asserts the supremacy of the constitutional rights of the aspirants to pursue their political aspirations. 
 
“I therefore have chosen to continue without distraction to pursue my vision in the presidential race for 2019 in the national interest and in deference to the overwhelming outpouring of support for my candidacy from all parts of Nigeria. 
 
“I will remain focused on the objective of providing a competent leadership that will help unite our country and build a nation, wage a decisive war against poverty and unemployment, and restore respect for Nigeria in the society of nations. 
 
“It is my humble and well-considered view that the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria requires competence and experience in these three vital areas. Thank you.”</div>

I’m still running! Moghalu, rejects Durotoye’s emergence as presidential candidate

Former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and Presidential aspirant of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Kingsley Mogha...

WHY HIM? Ronaldo ‘furious’ at losing to Modric for UEFA player of year

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Cristiano Ronaldo was hopping mad at losing out to Croatia star Luka Modric for the UEFA Player of the Year, Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri revealed on Friday. 
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Real Madrid and Croatia midfield star Modric beat his former teammate Ronaldo and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah to the prize which was awarded on Thursday in Monaco. 
 
“Yesterday he (Ronaldo) was very angry, and it’s only normal,” said Allegri. 
 
“He scored 15 goals in the Champions League and won the trophy with his teammates. 
 
“The attitude of Ronaldo shows how much he continues to strive and work to be still the best. This is an advantage for us.” 
 
Allegri added that the choice of Modric was “a personal choice” of those who voted “and, as such, must be respected.” 
 
Ronaldo, 33, had the consolation of being awarded the prize for best striker chosen by journalists and Champions League and Europa League coaches from last season. 
 
Modric’s success, after he was named the best player at the World Cup, means that the 32-year-old should be among the favourites to win the Ballon d’Or, a prize dominated by Ronaldo and Lionel Messi over the last decade. 
 
Ronaldo, a five-time winner of the world player of the year award, signed for Italian champions Juventus this summer from Real Madrid for 100 million euros ($116.5 million). 
 
The Portuguese superstar’s agent Jorge Mendes slammed the decision as “simply ridiculous”. 
 
“He scored 15 goals, carrying Real Madrid to the Champions League win once again,” Mendes told Portuguese daily Record. 
 
“This is not the winner, he’s (Modric) the best player in the world in his position,” said Mendes. 
 
Ronaldo had won the UEFA award three times in the previous four years.</div>

WHY HIM? Ronaldo ‘furious’ at losing to Modric for UEFA player of year

Cristiano Ronaldo was hopping mad at losing out to Croatia star Luka Modric for the UEFA Player of the Year, Juventus coach Massimiliano A...

PHOTOS: Tambuwal finally picks PDP presidential nomination form

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PHOTOS: Tambuwal finally picks PDP presidential nomination form

APC releases full details on mode of primaries

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APC releases full details on mode of primaries

Mutiny: Buratai reveals what army is doing to officers over Borno protest

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Mutiny: Buratai reveals what army is doing to officers over Borno protest

APC chieftains stunned as Amaechi names billionaire businessman as preferred guber candidate for Rivers 2019

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APC chieftains stunned as Amaechi names billionaire businessman as preferred guber candidate for Rivers 2019

I'm one of greatest managers in the world - Mourinho boasts again

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Underfire Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has said he will still be "one of the greatest managers in the world" even if he does not win the Premier League with Manchester United. 
 
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United have lost two of their first three league games, their worst start to a season since 1992-93. 
 
Defending his record, the 55-year-old said he was "the only manager to win titles in Italy, Spain and England". 
 
He also said finishing second in the Premier League last season was "one of his greatest achievements".

I'm one of greatest managers in the world - Mourinho boasts again

Underfire Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has said he will still be "one of the greatest managers in the world" even if he...

Why I declared at ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Programme – Saraki

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Why I declared at ‘Not Too Young To Run’ Programme – Saraki

Atiku speaks on defecting from PDP if he loses ticket

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Atiku speaks on defecting from PDP if he loses ticket

Buhari, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel in closed-door meeting

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Buhari, German Chancellor, Angela Merkel in closed-door meeting

2019 Presidency: Sowore rejects Durotoye’s emergence as PACT candidate, gives reason

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2019 Presidency: Sowore rejects Durotoye’s emergence as PACT candidate, gives reason

2019 presidency: Buhari begs Nigerian women to vote him for second term

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2019 presidency: Buhari begs Nigerian women to vote him for second term

Hajj: Three APC chairmen die, others injured in Saudi Arabia road accident

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Hajj: Three APC chairmen die, others injured in Saudi Arabia road accident

VIDEO: If I want to remain in the Senate forever, I will – Ekweremadu

11:33 Unknown 0

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The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has boasted that he could remain in the senate for the rest of his life if he so wishes. 
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Ekweremadu said he is always in touch with his constituents, and could easily win elections. 
 
He said this on Thursday at Sheraton Hotel at a public dialogue organised by the #NotTooYoungToRun movement, a youth group that successfully lobbied for the passage of a new law that reduced the age of qualification for political office across the country. 
 
The event, themed: “Youth Candidacy and the Future of Nigeria Beyond 2019”, is a series of political engagement aimed at broadening the political participation of young Nigerians ahead of the elections next February. 
 
The Senate President Bukola Saraki also declared his presidential ambition at the same event. 
 
“I’m in total touch with my people and that is why if I want to remain in senate forever, I will,” Ekweremadu told young aspirants on the platform of PDP. 
 
He charged the aspirants to always reach out to their immediate constituencies, adding that it is the only way to remain relevant in politics. 
 
“PDP is not a home for urban politicians, for young people,” he said. “If you want to participate in politics, you have to pay your dues and the best place to pay your dues is your local community. That is where we all started from. 
 
“Don’t think you will go to the House of Reps or House of Assembly by running around Wadada Plaza, it’s not going to work.” 
 
Ekweremadu has been Nigeria’s deputy Senate president for over a decade. He has faced multiple allegations of sharp practices in recent years, including claims that he forged Senate standing rules which led to the controversial election of principal officers in June 2015. 
 
He has also been accused of owning multiple properties abroad, some allegedly purchased using shell firms and political associates fronting for him. 
 
Ekweremadu has denied all allegations of corruption, alleging political persecution and daring anyone with evidence of sharp practices against him to come forward. 
 
Watch the video below. 
 
 
 
 
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4XoZEIaAB2o" width="853"></iframe> 
 
 
 </div>

VIDEO: If I want to remain in the Senate forever, I will – Ekweremadu

The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has boasted that he could remain in the senate for the rest of his life if he so wishes. E...

I’ll support female aspirants across party lines — Aisha Buhari

11:28 Unknown 0

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Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has promised to support female politicians aspiring for political offices across party lines. 
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According to a statement on Thursday by her spokesman, Suleiman Haruna, the President’s wife spoke while receiving members of a political group, the South-East Women for Buhari, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday. 
 
She said Nigerian women should occupy political offices to make a difference. 
 
“‘Women need to be in political offices for them to make a difference in the lives of their families,’ she said, promising “to support female aspirants across party lines,” the statement read. 
 
Mrs. Buhari commended women members of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the South-East for doing a wonderful job by mobilising women. 
 
“It is a fact that women determine the outcome of elections; therefore it is important to mobilise more women to ensure that our great party is re-elected to continue the good work that it is doing,” she said. 
 
She also attested to the success of the mobilisation drive which she said had resulted in a high number of women aspirants from the geopolitical zone. 
 
She expressed the hope that the mobilisation would lead to a more peaceful elections that would produce more able and competent women to take over as many offices as possible, especially at the grass roots. 
 
Mrs. Buhari called on officials and members of the APC to ensure party supremacy, respect party constitution and shun divisive tendencies. 
 
She also called for more inclusion, especially of women. 
 
Earlier, wife of the Imo State Governor, Mrs. Nkechi Okorocha, who led the delegation, said the women came to congratulate Mrs. Buhari on her recognition by two Korean universities and to present the South-East Women for Buhari, a political group in support of the ideology of President Buhari to her. 
 
The Coordinator of the group, Mrs. Juliet Ibekaku-Nwagwu, said the President had done well in all respects and deserved another term in office. 
 
That, she said, was why they formed the group to ensure that the South-East stood behind Buhari in the next general elections. 
 
The event was attended by women party leaders including the National Woman Leader of the APC, Salamatu Baiwa, National President of National Council for Women Societies, Mrs. Gloria Shoda and Dame Pauline Tallen.</div>

I’ll support female aspirants across party lines — Aisha Buhari

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, has promised to support female politicians aspiring for political offices across party lines. ...

Buhari receives German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at Aso Rock

11:28 Unknown 0

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President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the visiting German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 
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Newsmen report the German leader, who is concluding her tour of three West African countries, arrived Aso Rock at about 10.02a.m. 
 
President Buhari, who welcomed the German Chancellor at the fore court of the Presidential Villa, introduced some members of his cabinet and presidential aides to his visitor before going into closed-door meeting to deliberate on issues of mutual interest to both Nigeria and Germany. 
 
Merkel is on her final leg of a three-day trip to Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria with a focus on strengthening economic development and containing illegal migration. 
 
Newsmen report that the German leader is accompanied by an economic team delegation.</div>

Buhari receives German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at Aso Rock

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received the visiting German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. Newsmen ...

We expect victory in Osun governorship election - Tinubu

11:28 Unknown 0

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A national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the party has all it takes to win the September 22 governorship election in Osun State. 
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Tinubu said this in an interview with State House correspondents after he led the party’s stakeholders from the South West to a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday night. 
 
The stakeholders had seized the opportunity of the dinner to present the party’s candidate in the forthcoming election, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, to the President. 
 
The former Lagos State Governor said the good foundation laid by the state governor, Rauf Aregbesola, would make it easy for the party to win the election. 
 
He also said Oyetola’s pedigree would work for his victory. 
 
Tinubu said, “We expect victory. We have a progressive government there where the incumbent and the outgoing governor has worked and laid a good foundation. Therefore, we have successes to build upon. 
 
“We equally are bringing in one of the most competent and qualified technocrats in the person of Isiaka Adegboyega Oyetola. He is eminently qualified.” 
 
When asked if the Osun election is expected to be a tough battle like the recent Ekiti governorship election, he said, “You don’t predict the activity of elections. It can always be unique from one state to the other. 
 
“But we believe that with our leadership in Osun from the state chairman down to the lowest level and the way they conducted the direct primary and the way people had turned out, are signals to the opposing parties that they have no way of beating us.” 
 
Oyetola on his part expressed his gratitude and also boasted that he will win the election. 
 
He said, “It (the visit) shows that he (the President) is the father of all. He is committed to the APC winning the Osun election come September 22 this year. 
 
“He is committed to our party retaining the government, he is committed to free and fair elections. And I want to say categorically, that by the grace of God, we are winning that election on the 22nd of September.”</div>

We expect victory in Osun governorship election - Tinubu

A national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said the party has all it takes to win the September 2...

‘Not too Young To Run’ condemns Saraki’s declaration for Presidency

10:13 Unknown 0

‘Not too Young To Run’ condemns Saraki’s declaration for Presidency

Fela Durotoye beats Kingsley Moghalu, Yele Sowore to emerge PACT consensus candidate

10:13 Unknown 0

Fela Durotoye beats Kingsley Moghalu, Yele Sowore to emerge PACT consensus candidate

What Saraki, other defectors have done for APC – Oshiomhole

10:13 Unknown 0

What Saraki, other defectors have done for APC – Oshiomhole

How Buhari failed to take advantage of British Prime Minister’s visit – PDP

10:13 Unknown 0

How Buhari failed to take advantage of British Prime Minister’s visit – PDP

Let’s unite and remove Buhari from office – Wike tells PDP aspirants

10:13 Unknown 0

Let’s unite and remove Buhari from office – Wike tells PDP aspirants

Akpabio, four governors in Buhari’s delegation to China

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Akpabio, four governors in Buhari’s delegation to China

2019 Presidency: Atiku meets IBB, Abulsalami Abubakar (PHOTOS)

10:13 Unknown 0

2019 Presidency: Atiku meets IBB, Abulsalami Abubakar (PHOTOS)

N’assembly panel slashes INEC’s budget by N200m

10:13 Unknown 0

N’assembly panel slashes INEC’s budget by N200m

Seychelles vs Nigeria: Rohr warns Super Eagles

09:53 Unknown 0

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Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has warned his players to brace up for a difficult encounter against Seychelles, in their must-win Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on September 8. 
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Rohr has named a strong squad for the clash, but is still wary of the small island nation, as the Eagles seek to get back on track in Group E. 
 
Nigeria failed to qualify for the 2015 and 2017 editions of the tournament. 
 
“The match against Seychelles is very important and it’s a must win for us. 
 
“We cannot underrate the team; they are a team from a little island but they are a team that works together as far as I know and it not going to be easy to play against them. 
 
“It’s going to be difficult in Seychelles because the temperature and everything else is a little bit difficult. We have to approach this game very seriously – and we have to be on our form,” Rohr told newsmen. 
 
Libya tops the group having beaten Seychelles 5-1, while South Africa beat Nigeria 2-0 in Uyo. 
 
 
 </div>

Seychelles vs Nigeria: Rohr warns Super Eagles

Head coach of the Super Eagles, Gernot Rohr, has warned his players to brace up for a difficult encounter against Seychelles, in their mus...

Troops protest: Officers/soldiers involved arrested, will face military justice – Buratai

09:53 Unknown 0

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Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, yesterday, said that scores of officers and soldiers who protested violently at Maiduguri airport, Borno State, over deployment to new locations in the North-East, have been arrested, adding that they had been investigated and will face military justice. 
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He also said he had directed that another sustained campaign focused on community stabilisation be conducted to counter the negative narrative and ideology of Boko Haram terrorists to break the effect on the misled. 
 
Speaking on the incident for the first time at a media parley in Abuja, the COAS said: “The incident at the Maiduguri airport that happened just about two weeks ago is an issue, which ordinarily is unimaginable,  that disciplined troops, soldiers will behave in that way. 
 
“But we have our procedures and this issue has been thoroughly investigated and those that have been found to be involved will face military justice. This sort of affairs will never be tolerated no matter the person or persons involved. 
 
“There was a directive I gave that there should be a general reorganisation, redeployment of troops to various locations for us to consolidate on the operational efforts in the North-East to prevent the unnecessary attacks on our own troops and civilians across this nation. 
 
“It is part of the overall plans to secure the North-East and they were directed to execute that plan and if for whatever reason, they resisted it, then it’s unfortunate and we are going to deal with them accordingly.” 
 
Speaking further, the Army Chief said the media interaction was aimed at enlightening the general public on the Nigerian Army’s non-kinetic efforts at combating insurgency. 
 
“One of such effort is promoting community stabilisation as a means of combating the negative ideology of the Boko Haram terrorists.</div>

Troops protest: Officers/soldiers involved arrested, will face military justice – Buratai

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Yusuf Buratai, yesterday, said that scores of officers and soldiers who protested violently at Maiduguri ...

Lagos PDP members drag Secondus, Salvador to court over LG Congress

09:53 Unknown 0

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Aggrieved members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, yesterday, urged a Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere to nullify the party’s congresses conducted in 2017, saying it does not conform to the party’s constitution. 
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The nine aggrieved members are Messrs Ishola Isiaka Shodiya, Ismaila Abiodun Abiola, Kehinde Adelani, Kazeem Adeyemi, Awoyemi Abayomi, Adegboyega Adegbesan, Olalekan Bello, Florence Akojenu and Wasiu Aderounmu. 
 
Joined, alongside the party as respondents in the suit marked LD/2753GCM/2018, filed before the court by their lawyer, O. J. Osinowo, are: Prince Uche CHE Secondus, the party’s National Chairman, Dr. Eddy Olafeso, the party’s South-West Zone, National Vice Chairman, Mr. Moshood Salvador, and Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. 
 
The aggrieved PDP members also asked the court to declare that Moshood Salvador and other members of his executive are not validly elected at any Congress, and that they cannot parade or present themselves as members of the party’s Executive Committee in Lagos State. 
 
While urging the court to strike out the suit against them, the respondents stated that the claimants failed to comply with the condition precedent to file the suit, as Order 7 Rules 2 and 3 of the High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rule, 2004, were not complied with. 
 
However, Justice Idowu Alakija, fixed September 6, for the hearing of the suit.</div>

Lagos PDP members drag Secondus, Salvador to court over LG Congress

Aggrieved members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, yesterday, urged a Lagos High Court, sitting at Igbosere to nulli...

Three Nigerian pilgrims die in Makkah road accident

09:53 Unknown 0

Three Nigerian pilgrims die in Makkah road accident

Three Nigerian pilgrims have been reported killed in a road accident in Makkah in Saudi Arabia. Mr Ibrahim Kana, speaking on the Makkah...

I’m not after Tsav, it’s police prosecuting him, says Ortom

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The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Thursday that the former Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, apologised to him  for fear of being imprisoned. 
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Ortom who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and ICT, Tahav Agerzua, said Tsav was being prosecuted for forgery and falsehood. 
 
Tsav had in an interview with our correspondent said, ‘The case of fraud was reported to me by pensioners and the case involved a lot of money and I forwarded it straight to the EFCC on 12th of June 2016. 
 
“But on 20th July 2018, they invited me to the EFCC based on this petition I wrote, I made a statement I also responded to a press interview granted by Waku.” 
 
Tsav said that he had been informed that a criminal case had been preferred against him by the state government, stressing that his recent visit to the EFCC had made the state government to re-open a case against him. 
 
But the governor in the statement through his media adviser said, “It has become necessary to correct the wrong impression being created by a former commissioner of the Public Complaint Commission in Benue State, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, that Governor Ortom was after him for instigating a probe against his government. 
 
“Alhaji Tsav is being prosecuted for forgery and falsehood which he peddled in a letter he wrote to the Governor of Benue State and copied anti-graft agencies and the Presidency. 
 
“In the said letter, the former commissioner of police made reference to purported government documents which he forged. The Benue State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice instituted criminal proceedings against him so that he could prove his allegations in court. 
 
It added, “Governor Ortom believes in the rule of law and due process and does not use illegal means to go after anyone. 
 
“When it became apparent to Alhaji Tsav that he could not prove his allegations and that the court would jail him, he apologised publicly and the matter was withdrawn.” 
 
The governor said that Tsav realizing came with his chief commissioner and six of his colleagues from the PCC to plead with the governor to withdraw the case. 
 
At the meeting with the governor, the statement said that his colleagues reminded him that as a Public Complaints Commissioner he was not supposed to be a petition writer. 
 
The governor said the former police boss also wrote to the Tor Tiv to intervene in the matter on his behalf. 
 
“The governor told those who intervened that he would withdraw the case on the condition that the former police commissioner would tender a public apology and also write to anti-graft agencies as well as all those he had copied his letter stating that what he wrote was false. 
 
“Alhaji Tsav complied with the terms and the case was withdrawn,” the governor said. 
 
Ortom said  the state  Attorney General had to  reopen the case when Abubakar Tsav resumed his falsehood against Governor Ortom and his administration. 
 
The statement recalled  that one of the governor’s aides, Mr Abrahams Kwaghngu, sued Alhaji Tsav for defamation and won the case.</div>

I’m not after Tsav, it’s police prosecuting him, says Ortom

The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, said on Thursday that the former Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, apologised to him ...

Nigerian police arrest man for alleged homosexuality

07:58 Unknown 0

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The police in Ogun State have arrested two men – Okon Bassey and Ademola Adekunle – for alleged homosexuality. 
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The suspects’ arrest followed a complaint Bassey lodged at the Onipanu divisional police headquarters that Ademola was threatening his life. 
 
But there was a twist to the drama when the police learnt of alleged homosexual practices between the two. 
 
A statement by police spokesman Abimbola Oyeyemi, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), said when detectives detailed by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Onipanu, Sangobiyi Johnson, arrested Ademola last Wednesday, he allegedly confessed to have been introduced to Bassey by “Mandela” for homosexual dating. 
 
The statement said Ademola had stated how Bassey promised him N20,000 if he agreed to be his sex partner. 
 
Ademola said Bassey had sex with him three times, leaving him bleeding profusely from the anus since while he had not paid the agreed N20,000. 
 
“Following the confession, the two of them were arrested and detained. Ademola was taken to the hospital and medical report confirmed that his anus had been violently tampered with. 
 
“Police Commissioner Ahmed Iliyasu has given directives for the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

Nigerian police arrest man for alleged homosexuality

The police in Ogun State have arrested two men – Okon Bassey and Ademola Adekunle – for alleged homosexuality. The suspects’ arrest fo...

Police trail senator over alleged N369 million deal

07:48 Unknown 0

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The Police are on the trail of a senator in connection with the probe into a N369 million deal. 
 
Kaduna North Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi has declined to honour invitation, according to police sources. 
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The Police are considering declaring the senator wanted if he fails to show up. 
 
The police on August 3 invited Hunkuyi and the Kaduna chapter Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress Mr. Adamu Ango for interaction in connection with the N369million failed project. 
 
While Ango reported to the police, Hunkuyi has failed to appear before the IGP Tactical Squad, Force Headquarters in Abuja. 
 
He was scheduled to interact with Assistant Commissioner of Police Sanusi Mohammed on behalf of Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGP Tactical Squad, Force Headquarters). 
 
.A top police officer said yesterday: “In the last 27 days, we have been waiting for Sen. Hunkuyi. 
 
“It has been difficult to track his location because his known phones, including a Benin Republic mobile line, had been switched off. 
 
“The police may have no choice than to declare him wanted if he does not show up for interaction. 
 
“All those mentioned in the case except the senator have appeared before the Police including the NLC leadership in Kaduna State and the Kaduna Geographical Information System (KADGIS).” 
 
It was learnt that the affected senator and some of his colleagues have been seeking amicable settlement of the case before Hunkuyi’s appearance before the police. 
 
One of the associates of the Senator said: “Hunkuyi is a reliable Nigerian, he is not dubious. It is a case of a business challenge which we are trying to resolve amicably. 
 
“Some of Hunkuyi’s colleagues and political associates are reaching out to the complainant.” 
 
A copy of the petition before the police gave insights into the deal. 
 
The complainant said: Sometimes in late 2015 Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi requested a company to partner with his firm Sahel Technical Services Limited for the construction of a Shopping Complex on a parcel of land located on Independence Way, Kaduna otherwise known as Nigeria Labour House. 
 
“As the exploratory discussions were ongoing on the partnership option, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi also offered the remainder of the said parcel of land measuring approximately 3,007m2 to the complainant for the construction of a Filling Station. 
 
“After negotiation, a sale price of N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira) only for the 3,007M2 portion of the parcel of land was agreed and the money paid into an account. 
 
“At the point of negotiation, Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi made some assurances and concluded the transactions. These assurances included but not limited to the fact that his company had purchased outright the entire parcel of land covered by Kaduna State Government Certificate of Occupancy No. 16066 and in support of that assertion, furnished unregistered copies of signed Power of Attorney, Deed of Assignment and Sale Agreement between Sahel Technical Services Limited and Nigeria Labour Congress Kaduna State Chapter.

Police trail senator over alleged N369 million deal

The Police are on the trail of a senator in connection with the probe into a N369 million deal. Kaduna North Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi h...

How Davido’s presence lit up Lagos NYSC camp

07:38 Unknown 0

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Music star Davido’s resumption at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos yesterday caused uproar. 
 
Fellow corps members fell over one another to catch a glimpse of the star, whose real name is David Adeleke. 
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He is part of the 2,152 corps members mobilised for the 2018 Batch ‘B’ Stream II. 
 
The graduate of music from Babcock University, Ogun State was greeted by a crowd of cheering corps members, who almost mobbed him as he came out of a white Mercedes Benz with a Police Force number plate PF 413-S. 
 
NYSC Coordinator Prince Mohammed Momoh’s best effort to avoid commotion as a result of the star’s presence proved abortive, as corps members surrounded his office, screaming with excitement after soldiers and officials managed to get him in. 
 
Davido, dressed in the NYSC ceremonial uniform, signed the NYSC oath for corps members amid camp officials and soldiers. 
 
The officials had to summon the corps members to the parade ground with the beagle to draw them away from the coordinator’s office. 
 
Afterwards, he was brought out to the corps members, who had been made to sit on the parade ground. He refused to stand on a makeshift stage brought for him, but preferred to stand in front of his peers. 
 
He told them to stay motivated in serving their country. 
 
“Stay motivated, I love you all,” he said before he was taken away. 
 
Davido told reporters that he chose to serve three years after graduation because he was still young. 
 
“I am still young and I want to spend my time as a youth to serve my country. I am a corper like any other and I think I can withstand the pressure.” 
 
Corps members and people who sell in the Mammy Market ran after his car as he left the camp. In his characteristic manner, he threw money in the air, which made some stop to scramble for the currency. But others still pursued him until the car left the premises. 
 
Some corps members described the experience as exciting, while others felt it was unnecessary. 
 
“Today was like the bomb. Lagos is the best camp. The best thing, Davido, came to camp. It was amazing. 
 
Being a celebrity doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go to school or serve. It is just to promote our country that no matter what you are, go to school and serve your father land,” said Victor Adebiyi, a graduate of Business Administration from Ekiti State University. 
 
Another corps member said it was okay that the NYSC was cautious about Davido’s presence in camp because of the distraction. 
 
“This is the best they should have done. Even if he is here in camp, it would cause a lot of distraction because many people would want to mingle with him,” he said. 
 
However, Tolani Tells, a Psychology graduate, felt the corps members should not have been kept on the parade ground because of the music star. 
 
“It was embarrassing to me as a person. I see it as demeaning to me. You won’t tell me to sit on the floor because someone is coming. He went to school as I did. I even spent six years for a four-year course; I spent more years in school than he did. I didn’t see him when he came to register and life did not end if I didn’t see him today. It wouldn’t matter,” she said. 
 
NYSC Coordinator Momoh said when Davido came for registration when the camp opened on Tuesday, there was quite some commotion – with the officials struggling to stop outsiders from scaling the fence into the camp. 
 
He said Davido came to camp dressed in white T-shirt and shorts – the uniform used by corps members for physical training in the morning. 
 
When asked why Davido was not in camp for the swearing-in yesterday, Momoh said he was issued an exeat to leave camp the day before and had come in early and left. 
 
“I knew what happened when he came for registration. Within minutes, it was uproar. From the camp market, everybody came around. People heard in town, they were struggling to come in. We had to send soldiers to the gate to stop people from coming in. And we know that that can be a breach of security. Whether we like it or not, he is a special corps member by his status. We are not giving him undue favouritism.” 
 
However, after the ceremony, NE learnt that the initial arrangement was for Davido to come in early, be on the parade ground just before the swearing-in by the Chief Judge of Lagos, and be smuggled out shortly afterwards. However, the star came late, thereby nullifying that arrangement. 
 
It was gathered that Davido was placed in Platoon Nine.

How Davido’s presence lit up Lagos NYSC camp

Music star Davido’s resumption at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) orientation camp in Iyana Ipaja, Lagos yesterday caused uproar....

Apapa gridlock persists one month after Osinbajo’s intervention

07:38 Unknown 0

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More than one month after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo visited the ports in Lagos and ordered a 72-hour joint operation by security operatives to clear the gridlock in and around Apapa, little progress appears to have been made in this regard. 
 
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Osinbajo, who paid an unscheduled visit to Apapa at the peak of the gridlock on July 20, had directed relevant government agencies to immediately embark on the decongestion of the Wharf Road and the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway to allow for free flow of traffic. 
 
Less than a week after issuing the directive, the Vice President, accompanied by the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, and the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, on July 26, held a meeting with relevant stakeholders on the traffic management mechanisms at the Western Naval Command, Apapa. 
 
But a visit to the Lagos Port Complex Apapa by our correspondent on Thurssday revealed that several cargoes and containers remained trapped inside the port despite the deployment of over 1,000 security personnel by the Lagos State Police Command and other relevant agencies involved in the ‘Operation Restore Sanity’. 
 
Earlier, when our correspondent visited Ajegunle on Tuesday, it was discovered that most of the container-laden trucks had moved from the Mile 2/Oshodi Expressway and occupied a portion of the narrow residential streets, making movement very difficult. 
 
The situation was made worse by the deep gullies and puddles of muddy water settling in deep pits along the roads, practically causing gridlock on the residential streets. 
 
Ambode had earlier closed two bonded terminals in the area and reminded the owners that Ajegunle is strictly a residential area and that the terminals had no business being there. 
 
As a result of the parking of the trucks along the streets, connecting the Mile 2-Oshodi Expressway from Ajegunle could take an average of two hours, a journey that ordinarily should be covered in less than 10 minutes. 
 
The President, Nigerian Importers Integrity Association, Godwin Onyekachi, described the Vice President’s order as “cosmetic,” arguing that a lasting solution was needed in addressing the real problems that led to the gridlock. 
 
He said, “Deploying security operatives in their large number was an interim measure guaranteed to fail because the major problem has not been addressed by the government yet. 
 
“A major problem is the collapse of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, which has been neglected for many years by the Federal Government. This road is the major entry and exit points for the ports and other businesses in the Apapa area. 
 
“The situation on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway forces truckers to use the Apapa-Ijora-Wharf road, which is a very narrow road and has been under construction for more than a year.” 
 
He added, “Traffic on the Apapa-Ijora-Wharf road has been further compounded by the closure of the outbound lane of the Apapa-Ijora Bridge by the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing. 
 
“As we speak, the top layers of the bridge have removed and the job abandoned for more than two months. Consequently, truckers are restricted to the Leventis exit lane to move out of Apapa.”

Apapa gridlock persists one month after Osinbajo’s intervention

More than one month after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo visited the ports in Lagos and ordered a 72-hour joint operation by security operat...

Saraki promises sincere anti-corruption war as he declares presidential bid

06:53 Unknown 0

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Senate President Bukola Saraki has formally declared his intention to contest the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. 
 
Saraki made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja during his meeting with Not-Too-Young-to Run-Movement. 
 
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The Senate President lamented the poor state of Nigeria’s infrastructure and growing insecurity as exemplified by acts of terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and sundry other crimes which he said he would tackle if elected. 
 
He said, “I hereby announce my intention to run for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the coming General Elections in 2019 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party. 
 
“I do so with the firm conviction that I have what it takes to secure inclusive growth for Nigeria and Nigerians. 
 
He said Nigeria was blessed with a relatively young country bursting with tremendous energy, ability and potential. 
 
Saraki further observed that more than 70 per cent of the country’s population is under the age of 40. 
 
The Senate President lamented that Nigerians were crying out for succour because a large number of its population of women and children were hungry and dying of avoidable or treatable diseases. 
 
He also said many had fallen below basic living standards and were among the 87 million that sealed Nigeria’s position as the country with the highest number of people in extreme poverty. 
 
 
 
Saraki said, “Our young people lack opportunities. The necessary education facilities and system to equip them for the future simply do not exist. We are not creating the jobs needed to usefully engage them in order to grow our economy. And too often, youths feel shut out, prevented from having any say in the direction of this nation. 
 
“The harsh conditions of extreme poverty faced by the people, fuel the state of insecurity all over the country. Hunger, the lack of education and lack of opportunities, push many Nigerians into criminal activities including terrorism. 
 
“Many of our communities are paralysed with fear due to incessant communal crises, kidnappings and other social ills, as well as the threat of terrorism. We are failing abysmally to tackle the problems of today and to prepare for the future.” 
 
He expressed sadness that Nigeria had become increasingly divided along regional, religious and ethnic lines thus widening the nation’s fault lines. 
 
Nigeria, he said, needed a new generation of leaders that are competent, with the capability to rise to the challenges of the 21st century, adding that it was time to pull the nation back together and rebuild. 
 
“The choice we face in the forthcoming election is either to keep things as they are or make a radical departure from the old ways; to find a better way of doing things or keep repeating the mistakes of the past, to fix the problems or keep compounding them,” he said. 
 
Saraki promised to, among other things, provide a government driven by youthful energy, innovation and a pioneering entrepreneurial spirit. 
 
Towards this end, he said Nigerian youths will be given all the opportunities to realise their potential to the full within a national framework that guarantees inclusiveness. 
 
He said his administration will ensure that youths who have ideas and capacity will be funded in ventures that will be beneficial to the nation in order to create jobs. 
 
On the war against corruption, Saraki said, “Ours will not be a selective fight against corruption. The emphasis will be on strengthening institutions, with a particular focus on deterrence. 
 
“We cannot afford to compromise our institutions with proxy wars against perceived political opponents. We see the fight against corruption as crucial to Nigeria’s economic development.” 
 
He said the leadership Nigeria deserves is one that will be a source of pride to all, one that will be respected and admired in Africa and around the world. 
 
“It should be a leadership that can hold its own and stand tall anywhere in the world. That is the type of leadership I offer.” Saraki added. 
 
Meanwhile, the Not-Too-Young-to-Run movement has distanced itself from the Presidential declaration of Senate President Bukola Saraki. 
 
The group said it had only invited Saraki and other chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party to a town hall meeting as part of efforts to ensure that youths were given some concessions ahead of the 2019 general elections. 
 
It said it was shocked when Saraki seized the opportunity to declare his Presidential bid thereby compromising the event. 
 
The statement read in part, “Whilst addressing participants at the town hall, Senator Saraki declared his intention to run for the office of the President in the 2019 elections. The movement wishes to express its disappointment with Senator Saraki for usurping a platform designed for young aspirants to hold dialogue with party leadership to advance his personal political ambition. We strongly condemn this act by the President of the Senate. 
 
“The movement restates its commitment to sustain its engagement with political parties to ensure youth candidacy and democratic party primaries. As noted earlier, the movement reaffirms its identity as a non-partisan citizens led movement dedicated to the defence of democracy, political inclusion and transformative leadership.”

Saraki promises sincere anti-corruption war as he declares presidential bid

Senate President Bukola Saraki has formally declared his intention to contest the presidency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Par...

Soyinka criticises Buhari on rule of law, national interest

06:53 Unknown 0

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Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for saying that rule of law can be suspended for the sake of national security or interest. 
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Soyinka claimed that Buhari was preparing an alibi for disregarding judicial decisions. 
 
The President made the comment on Sunday at the opening of the 58th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja. 
 
Relying on a Supreme Court judgment, he said: “Rule of law must be subject to the supremacy of the nation’s security and national interest. 
 
“Our apex court has had cause to adopt a position on this issue in this regard and it is now a matter of judicial recognition that; where national security and public interest are threatened or there is a likelihood of their being threatened, the individual rights of those allegedly responsible must take second place, in favour of the greater good of society.” 
 
But Soyinka, in a statement titled Buhari’s pernicious doctrine’ faulted the President’s position. 
 
Soyinka said: “Here we go again! At his first coming, it was ‘I intend to tamper with Freedom of the Press’ and Buhari did proceed to suit action to the words, sending two journalists Irabor and Thompson to prison as a reward for their professional integrity. 
 
“Now, a vague, vaporous, but commodious concept dubbed ‘national interest’ is being trotted out as alibi for flouting the decisions of the Nigerian judiciary.” 
 
Soyinka wondered if President Buhari’s incarceration by the former President Ibrahim Babangida’s regime was also in the ”national interest”. 
 
He thanked the President for notifying Nigerians of his intentions in advance. 
 
Soyinka said: “The timing is perfect, and we have cause to be thankful for the advance warning, since not all rulers actually make a declaration of intent, but simply proceed to degrade the authority of the law as part of the routine business of governance. We have been there before. 
 
The playright challenged the the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to give a “robust response”. 
 
He said: “It should be of mere interest, not despondency, that this latest proclamation of dictatorial recidivism has also been made before an assembly of officers of the law, the Nigerian Bar Association. We expect a robust response from the NBA as part of its conclusions. 
 
According to Soyinka, “There is no short cut to democracy. 
 
“The history of law, even where uncodified, is as old as humanity. Numerous rulers have tried again and again to annul that institution. Sometimes, they appear to succeed, but in the end, they pay heavy forfeit. So does society. 
 
“The Rule of Law, however, outlasts all subverters, however seemingly powerful. If the consequences for society in defence of the Rule of Law were not so costly, any new attempt would be merely banal and boring, hardly deserving of attention. We know, historically, where it will all end.”

Soyinka criticises Buhari on rule of law, national interest

Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for saying that rule of law can be suspended for the sake ...

APC adopts direct primary for presidential candidate

06:53 Unknown 0

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) will pick its presidential candidate through direct primary at a date to be announced later, it was decided at the ruling party’s sixth National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting yesterday. 
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Candidates for other positions – governors, national and state assemblies – are to be picked through indirect primary or delegates system, the party said in Abuja. 
 
In a direct primary, all bona fide party members pick the candidate. 
 
States that wish to use the direct system to pick their candidates will obtain the permission of the national secretariat by writing a request, accompanied with a resolution of approval by stakeholders. 
 
President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, governors, senators, members of the House of Representatives and other leaders who are members of the most important organ of the party after the National Convention, attended the meeting. 
 
House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who is believed to be on his way out of the party, was absent. Deputy Speaker Yussuff Lasun, who has repeatedly said he will not leave the party, also did not attend. 
 
National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole announced that Dogara and Yussuff gave written excuses for their absence. 
 
Oshiomhole said: “We have apologies from the Speaker in a letter dated 27th of August, 2018 that he had a previous engagement and would not be able to attend the NEC meeting as he is currently out of the country. We also have correspondence from the Deputy Speaker that he has an appointment with his doctors and won’t be able to attend the meeting.” 
 
Governors Simon Lalong (Plateau) and Yahaya Bello (Kogi) spoke to reporters on the outcome of the meeting. 
 
Lalong also said the meeting failed to agree on the sequence of elections for its primaries. The matter was referred to the National Working Committee (NWC) for a decision. 
 
The governor said: “About two or three things were discussed. First, the document on the guidelines; the mode of elections and the mode of funding. Also the necessity for unity within the party after the gale of defections.” 
 
He said the party unanimously agreed that defections had not “affected us much, but we have tightened the party the more”. 
 
“On the mode of election, we all agreed that for presidential election, we are going for direct primary, but for other elections, there are two options. But the general option is that we go for indirect primary. 
 
“But any state that has a problem and wants to deviate from that is at liberty to write following the normal process with a resolution from their state executive seeking approval for a deviation from the agreed process. 
 
“In the sequence of election, it was directed back to the NWC to look at the comments that were made and within those comments, address them in line the Electoral Act and bring out a time table for the sequence of election. The National Executive Committee has been given that power.” 
 
 
 
He added that a standing Committee was set up recommend proper funding of the party. 
 
“The constitution of the party provides for either direct or indirect primaries or consensus. But for the presidential election, we all agreed to adopt the direct option. 
 
On automatic tickets for governors and lawmakers, Lalong said: “We didn’t discuss the issue of automatic tickets. But we agreed that patriotic and loyal members should be rewarded but not necessarily with automatic tickets. 
 
“Some of our senators who are patriotic who were supposed to be taken away were all kept. We asked all the states to look at it and we’ll find a way to reward them. But for the election, the option is given to everybody to face election. So, there was nothing like automatic for anybody. 
 
“We debated the cost of nomination and left it to the National Working Committee to take into consideration some of the views expressed and come out with a reasonable figure and any figure they bring out will be acceptable and we don’t need to come back to NEC to ratify it.” 
 
Governors at the meeting include Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Lalong (Plateau), Bello (Kogi), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Kashim Shettima (Borno), Tanko Al Makura (Nasarawa), Ibrahim Gaidam (Yobe), Atiku Badugu (Kebbi), Sani Bello (Niger), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Jibrilla Bindo (Adamawa), Rochas Okorocha (Imo) and Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina) 
 
Governors Godwin Obaseki (Edo), Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) were represented by their deputies. 
 
Senate Leader Ahmad Lawan led others, such as Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Andy Uba, Senator Binta Masi Garba, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ben Uwajumogu, among others. 
 
Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustaphar and Special Adviser (Political Matters) to the President Senator Babafemi Ojodu also attended.

APC adopts direct primary for presidential candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) will pick its presidential candidate through direct primary at a date to be announced later, it was ...

MTN rejects CBN’s order to refund $8.1 Billion

06:53 Unknown 0

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Popular mobile company MTN Nigeria yesterday rejected the allegation that it repatriated $8.1 billion illegally. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) asked the company to refund the cash. 
 
The telco insisted that all the dividends it paid to its shareholders between 2007 and 2015 were approved by the apex bank. 
 
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The company was reacting to the claim of the apex bank that it illegally converted shareholder loans to preference share and repatriated $8.1 billion as dividends during the period under scrutiny. 
 
MTN, in a statement titled: Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) correspondence regarding Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) in Nigeria” issued yesterday, said it strongly refutes the allegations and claims. 
 
“MTN Nigeria Communications Limited (MTN Nigeria) received a letter on 29 August 2018 from CBN alleging that CCIs issued in respect of the conversion of shareholders’ loans in MTN Nigeria to preference shares in 2007 had been improperly issued. As a consequence, they claim that historic dividends repatriated by MTN Nigeria between 2007 and 2015 amounting to $8.1 billion need to be refunded to the CBN. 
 
“MTN Nigeria strongly refutes these allegations and claims. No dividends have been declared or paid by MTN Nigeria other than pursuant to CCIs issued by our bankers and with the approval of the CBN as required by law,” the telco said. 
 
MTN said the issues surrounding the CCIs had been the subject of a thorough enquiry by the Senate. 
 
“In September 2016, the Senate mandated the Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions to carry out a holistic investigation on compliance with the Foreign Exchange (Monitoring and Miscellaneous) Act by MTN Nigeria & Others. In its report issued in November 2017, the findings evidenced that MTN Nigeria did not collude to contravene the foreign exchange laws and there were no negative recommendations made against MTN Nigeria. 
 
“MTN Nigeria, as a law-abiding citizen of Nigeria, is committed to good governance and to abiding by the extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The re-emergence of these issues is regrettable as it damages investor confidence and, by extension, inhibits the growth and development of the Nigerian economy. 
 
“We will engage with the relevant authorities and vigorously defend our position on this matter and provide further information when available,” the telco said. 
 
In 2015, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) fined MTN N1.04 trillion on the telco for failing to deactivate unregistered lines. The huge penalty was negotiated down to N330 billion out of which the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), said his ministry paid N500 million to lawyers for helping with negotiations. 
 
The CBN, in a letter to MTN, had said its investigation revealed that its shareholders had invested $402,590,261.03 in the company from 2001 to 2006 and that the investment was done through the inflow of foreign currency cash transfers and equipment importation, evidenced by the CCIs issued by Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), Citi Bank (CB) and Diamond Bank (DB). It added that the CCIs issued at the time of the investment by the banks to MTN in respect of the $402,590,261.03 showed that $59,436,923.44 was invested as shareholders’ loan and $343,153,339.56 as equity. 
 
“However, a review of your organisation’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2007 revealed that $399,594,146.00 was recorded/invested as shareholders’ loan and $2,996,117.00 as equity investment, in accordance with the shareholder’s agreement but contrary to the CCIs issued by the banks. 
 
“Following a request by your organisation through Standard Chartered Bank for CBN’s approval to convert the shareholder’s loan to preference shares, an approval-in-principle was granted vide our letter dated November 13, 2007; with the grant of final approval made subject to the fulfillment of the following conditions by your organisation. 
 
“Implementation of the decision…of your board resolution dated November 08, 2007 and submission of documentary evidence to that effect to the Director, Trade and Exchange Department of the CBN; and provision of an undertaking that no remittance for either interest or principal repayment would be made to the shareholders from the date of the loan to the date they were converted to preference shares,” the apex bank said. 
 
In spite of the non-fulfillment of the stated conditions and consequently, the non-issuance, of a final approval, the CBN said MTN converted the shareholders’ loan to preference shares with Standard Charted Bank issuing new CCIs in respect of the illegal conversion. 
 
“The action of your banker in aiding your organisation in the illegal conversion of the shareholders’ loan was later described by SCB in a letter to the CBN dated December 10, 2009 as an “unintended omission”. 
 
“On account of the illegal conversion of your shareholders’ loan to preference shares (interest free loan) of $399,594,146.00, the sum of $8,134,312,397.63 was illegally repatriated on behalf of your company by the aforementioned banks between 2007 and 2015,” the CBN alleged.

MTN rejects CBN’s order to refund $8.1 Billion

Popular mobile company MTN Nigeria yesterday rejected the allegation that it repatriated $8.1 billion illegally. The Central Bank of Niger...

UEFA Champions League: Man Utd draw Juventus, Barca to face Tottenham

18:28 Unknown 0

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Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford this season as Juventus have been paired with Manchester United in Group H of the Champions League. 
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Jose Mourinho's side were drawn from pot two to face the Serie A champions, who signed former Red Devils and Real Madrid star Ronaldo this summer. The Italian and English giants will compete with third seed Valencia and then Swiss side Young Boys. 
 
Meanwhile, Premier League champions Manchester City are in Group F with Shakhtar, Lyon and Hoffenheim. 
 
Last year's finalists Liverpool will take on Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Crvena Zvezda in Group C, while reigning European champions Real Madrid were put into Group G, followed by Roma, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen. 
 
Group B looks to be one particularly tough group as Barcelona, Tottenham, PSV and Inter are all together. 
 
n Group A, Europa League winners Atletico Madrid will take on Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Club Brugge. Lokomotiv Moscow were the first seed for Group D and will take on Porto, Schalke and Galatasaray. 
 
Bundesliga winners Bayern are with Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens in Group E. 
 
 
Complete Champions League 2018-19 Group Stage 
 
 
Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge 
 
 
 
Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham, PSV, Inter 
 
 
 
Group C: PSG, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade 
 
 
 
Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray 
 
 
 
Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens 
 
 
 
Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim 
 
 
 
Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen 
 
 
 
Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys 
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UEFA Champions League: Man Utd draw Juventus, Barca to face Tottenham

Cristiano Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford this season as Juventus have been paired with Manchester United in Group H of the Champions ...