Afolabi Oyekunle. Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has stated that the South- East will not vote for the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi, in the 2023 elections. Obi, who was one of the PDP Presidential aspirants, had defected to Labour Party before the PDP Primaries won by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Despite being from the same region with Obi, Ekweremadu said the South East can not take the risk of voting for Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election. Although Ekweremadu spoke shortly after Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State was announced as Atiku’s running mate, the video is currently trending on social media. It is unclear the media outfit that Ekweremadu spoke with but a female voice was heard in the video posted on YouTube. “I assure you that South East will vote for the People Democratic Party (PDP). I can guarantee that. No doubt Peter Obi is our son, but you need to be dynamic. You need to ask yourself, can peter wi...

Afolabi Oyekunle. The ongoing continuous voters registration (CVR) process, which was originally scheduled to end at the end of June 2022, has been extended by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, revealed this while outlining the committee’s initiatives to ensure the execution of a House resolution passed last week. “The Committee held a meeting with INEC yesterday (Tuesday) and they agreed to extend the CVR, all our resolutions were approved,” she told members of the House at plenary on Wednesday. The House of Representatives had last Wednesday urged INEC to extend the deadline for the continuous voters registration by an extra 60 days from June 30, 2022, to enable more Nigerians to register. The House also called on the Commission to deploy additional staff and voter registration machines across the country to meet the objective. The chairman, House Commit...

BREAKING: Buhari replaces ex-ministers, sends nominees list to Senate The Nigerian Senate has received the executive communication with the nomination of six names as replacements for ministers that resigned to contest the presidential election. In a letter that was read by the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan on Tuesday, President Muhammadu Buhari said the nominees would replace the former ministers that resigned from his cabinet. The letter read: “In accordance with Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, I hereby forward the underlisted ministerial nominees for your confirmation.” The nominees are: Henry Ikechukwu Ikoh – Abia State Umana Okon Umana – Akwa Ibom State Egwumakama Joseph Nkama – Ebonyi State Goodluck Nnana Opiah – Imo State Umar Ibrahim El-Yakub – Kano State Ademola Adewole Adegoroye – Ondo State Odum Odih – Rivers State

Afolabi Oyekunle. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out that the use of a “placeholder” or dummy vice presidential candidate by political parties,  saying it violates Nigeria’s constitution. INEC had set a deadline of June 17 for the nomination of vice-presidential candidates after the presidential primaries were completed. However, as some political parties continued to search for the rightful VP candidate, and to beat the deadline set by INEC for submission of names, some candidates, including Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Peter Obi of Labour Party, submitted names of vice-presidential candidates whom they described as “placeholders or dummies.” But, while speaking during a chat on ARISE TV on Monday, INEC Commissioner for Voters’ Education and Information, Barrister Festus Okoye, ruled out the concept of “placeholder” for vice-presidential candidates, saying it has no place in the constitution of the Independent Nationa...

Afolabi Oyekunle. President of the Cameroon Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, has been sentenced to 22-month in jail. His former agent, Jose Maria Mesalles, who he referred to as a father, was also handed a one year jail term. But since neither of them has a criminal record, they will not serve time in prison. They were given suspended prison sentences for tax fraud of 3.8 million euros between 2006 and 2009. The former Barcelona ace, in a statement, has admitted and accepted responsibility for the offence and also promised to pay the fines. He, however, placed the blame on Mesalles, who he viewed as a father at the time of the offences. “It was my father who took care of the child I was then,” Eto’o said according to Marca. “I’m going to pay but I’ve always done what my father told me I had to do,” he said. The former African Footballer of the Year went ahead to slam a lawsuit against Mesalles, accusing him of fraud and misappropriation of his assets. The matter is still in the inves...

Afolabi Oyekunle. The negotiator for Abuja-Kaduna train attack victims, Mallam Tukur Mamu, has raised an alarm over the deteriorating health condition of the remaining victims in the kidnappers’ den. Tukur Mamu, who is also the Publisher of the Kaduna-based Desert Herald Newspaper, feared that some of the victims, who are being subjected to horrible conditions, and were bitten by snakes, may not survive if the Federal Government did not act urgently to ensure their release. In a statement he issued to journalists, in Kaduna, Tukur Mamu noted that most of the victims may hardly survive the next few weeks due to their deteriorating health conditions and the inhumane condition they were being subjected to inside the forest. Although, he confirmed that the victims were not molested or beaten, he insisted that the Federal Government should put more efforts to ensure their urgent release, as any delay may cause their death.  The bandits earlier freed 11 of the victims after a...

Afolabi Oyekunle. It was one of the unusual days in Lagos on Monday as many residents spent hours waiting on queues in filling stations at various locations in the state. This was as a result of the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol which affected businesses which depend on the product for power due to the erratic supply of electricity in the country. Amid fears that the scarcity might be a result of industrial action by members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), the union said it took a decision to go on strike. In an interview with Channels Television, the Lagos Zonal Chairman of IPMAN, Akin Akinrinade, explained the rationale behind the fuel scarcity. “Members of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria IPMAN have shut down their stations, not because we are striking; we are not on strike,” he said. “Rather, the business environment has been very hostile to us such that we can no longer do business und...

The desire of Nigerians, port users, importers, and exporters to see to the quick evacuation of goods through the rail from Apapa port terminals to other parts of the country will soon be met, as the standard gauge rail track to the port terminals will be completed within the next month. Construction of rail track leading to the Apapa port. This assurance   is coming from the Minister of State for Transportation, Senator Gbemisola Saraki, during her inspection of the rail track at Apapa. The Minister who is in  Lagos to see for herself projects under her ministry was at the Apapa port  accompanied by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Engineer Fidet Okhiria, top officials of the NRC, Project Manager  of the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, Mr. Xia Lijun. She said the Nigeria Customs Service Scanner Centre and whatever structures obstructing the rail track will be pulled down. Minister of State f...

Afolabi Oyekunle. According to a report by RUV, an appeal court in Iceland has awarded a Nigerian man 19 million krónur (N60 million naira) after being detained illegally for extra 9 months. RUV reports that the investigation had led to a two-month prison sentence. However, his time in custody was extended beyond the eventual sentence handed down in court. He further claimed damages from the Icelandic state as a result—also claiming compensation for the travel ban he was subject to between the end of his custody and the time the court made its final verdict. A district court had earlier ruled in the man’s favour, ordering the state to pay the man 4.5 million krónur (N14.2 million) in compensation. The district court ruled that Iceland should only compensate for the five months spent in custody in Iceland— it failed to hold the Icelandic state responsible for the six months the Nigerian man spent in custody in Italy while authorities there processed the extradition request from Iceland....

Afolabi Oyekunle. Chief Segun Oni, a former governor and candidate for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has rejected the results of Saturday’s governorship election, saying the outcome would be challenged in court. Oni, speaking through his state collation agent and former state attorney-general, Owoseni Ajayi, said the results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not reflect the true will of the people, and that the process had been tainted by bribes.                  Chief Segun Oni. Ajayi, who refused to sign the election results, said. “we are rejecting the results because the election was characterised by violence and intimidation of voters and as a result, we will definitely challenge the outcome of these results in the court of law for posterity and for generation coming to know that when conducting elections, you must follow the rules and procedures.”

Afolabi Oyekunle. The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has arrived in Lagos following his victory at the primary election of the APC. The candidate, who landed in Lagos on Sunday, was welcomed by an excited crowd from the airport. On his Instagram story, Tinubu noted that it felt good to be back home, as he was seen waving at ecstatic supporters who hailed him. The supporters who were waving brooms, which is the  APC symbol, were chanting “Emilokan” as they followed his entourage. Tinubu, who was also waving back a broom, captioned the video, “Feels good to be back home.” Several videos available on the Internet showed that Tinubu was received by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, upon his arrival. He left Lagos as a presidential aspirant, but came back as a presidential candidate. It could only be God!”  Tinubu scored 1,271 votes to defeat his closest contenders, Rotimi Amaechi and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, tw...

Afolabi Oyekunle. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka, the fiery Enugu Catholic Priest, has apologised and prayed for Labour Party Presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi. Mbaka apologised after declaring that Peter Obi will never be President of Nigeria. During his most recent sermon at the Adoration Ground, he stated that unless God ceases to exist, Obi will never smell the President’s seat, adding that it was preferable to have an old man as President than a’stingy young man.’ The comment by the Catholic priest had stirred diverse reactions from Nigerians who accused him of hating Peter Obi because he refused to donate to his church. However, the cleric in a statement he personally signed said he had no intention to malign His Excellency, Peter Obi’s image but to pray for him.

AFOLABI OYEKUNLE. The Supreme Court has overturned Lagos State’s ban on female Muslim students attending public schools in the state wearing head coverings (hijab). A seven-member panel of the Supreme Court affirmed  July 21, 2016 judgement of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, which set aside the October 17, 2014 judgement of Justice Grace Onyeabo of the High Court of Lagos State, which upheld the hijab restriction, in a split decision of five to two on Friday. The appeal filed by Lagos State against the 2016 judgement of the Court of Appeal, Lagos, was dismissed on the grounds that the appeal was without merit, according to Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who wrote the lead majority judgement, which was read on Friday by Justice Tijani Abubakar.

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The Nigerian Railway Corporation has distance itself from a fictitious online platform inviting unsuspecting members of the general public to a question and answer quiz that attracts monetary benefits. A statement signed by the Deputy Director Public Relations, Mallam Yakub Mahmood said it is completely not true, as it is baseless, unfounded without credible source. The Corporation said the website with the link htt/installmultilateraltop/nrcgoving/tp.php is a completely SCAMMERS website. NRC MANAGING DIRECTOR ENGINEER FIDET OKHIRIA. The Corporation advices the general public to be wary, conscious and observant in order not to fall prey to unscrupulous internet fraudsters masquerading with fictitious websites. It said their stock in trade is to defraud innocent people and tarnish the reputable corporate immage of the organization.

Afolabi Oyekunle. The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, today picked Delta State Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa as his running mate. .                Ifeanyi Okowa He said part of the criteria he considered was Okowa’s rich experience and political trajectory which positioned him well to become president after him. Atiku stated this in his remarks at the unveiling of Okowa as his running mate at the PDP National Headquarters, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Abuja.              Alhaji Abubakar Atiku. “ In arriving at the decision, I held wide consultations with various stakeholders in our party including our Governors, National Working Committee, Board of Trustees, and other leaders to seek their input and their wisdom. “In these consultations, I made clear that my running mate would have the potential to succeed me at a moment’s notice, that is, a President-in-waiti...

Afolabi Oyekunle. As the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) approaches, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), is expected to announce his running mate today, barring a last-minute change of plans. Within the party, there were rumours that the party had settled on a Muslim/Muslim ticket. Some of those currently in contention are Kano state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, a kinsman of the president, Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim Masari from Katsina state, former Secretary of the Buhari Support Group (BSG) and ally of the President Muhammadu Buhari from the days of All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP) and Congress for Progressive Change ( CPC), Dr. Ibrahim Bello Dauda as well as a former Governor of Borno state, Kashim Shettima.                    Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Dauda , a management consultant from Borno State is said to have the suppor...

Afolabi Oyekunle. Kingsley Shaba, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, is dead. The member of APC State Elders’ Forum, passed away Sunday evening. He was a member of the committee that worked out the blueprint for the current administration. Shaba hailed from Isua in Akoko South East Local Government Area. Ade Adetimehin, Ondo APC Chairman announced his demise on Monday. In a statement by Alex Kalejaye, the Publicity Secretary, Adetimehin described the development as shocking. “Dr K. B. Shaba was a man of integrity and exceptionally hardworking. He was a very committed and dependable political ally. “The state chapter of APC equally recalls visiting the intelligent administrator in his house recently, when he spoke passionately about the gains of good governance and buoyant economy to the citizens,” he said. Adetimehin condoled with the family, Akoko South East people and the Anglican Community. He prayed that God would grant Shaba eternal rest.

Afolabi Oyekunle. Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the gloomy state of the nation over recurring national grid collapse. The national electricity grid had collapsed once again thereby throwing several cities including the federal capital territory into darkness. While some parts of the country enjoy a fair supply, others have been thrown into blackouts for weeks even before the grid collapse. Electricity companies announced in a statement that the collapse occurred on Sunday evening just before 7 pm.  The latest collapse makes it the sixth time the country’s national grid will experience a collapse in 2022. Reacting to the development in a Twitter post, Atiku puts the blame on the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government. Atiku bemoaned the situation and described it as a metaphor for the collapsing state of the nation. The presidential hopeful listed many issues under the APC-led gov...

By Afolabi Oyekunle. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) says the privatisation agenda of the  the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, is to finish what is left of the remaining assets of the country. In a press release signed by its General Secretary, Comrade Joe Ajaero, NUEE said  the  three-point agenda, targeting Privatisation of Refineries, Rail Sector, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and breaking monopoly of all other infrastructure is an agenda   to finish what is left of our common assets as a nation. NUEE GENERAL SECRETARY COM. JOE AJAERO. The union recalled that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku  was the Chairman of the National Council on Privatization (NCP), a Government Committee entrusted with the responsibility of managing the privatization program initiated by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration to handle the disposal of Public Enterprises, and nothing concrete came out o...